CHAPTER 33
There was no sleep today, no, not for Gaetan. He hobbled down the corridor, his cane leading the way. Cane, foot, foot, cane, foot, foot. The familiar shuffle, slower and more painful than usual, had become a constant mantra for him.
“Haelen, do you need assistance?” Quentin, decked out in his full armor—black pants, dark shirt, metal cuffs on his forearms—placed his hand on Gaetan’s shoulder. His furrowed brow indicated his concern.
“Thank you, no. I’m fine. Just catching my breath.” He forced a chuckle to ease the warrior’s mind. With the frantic search for Saar and Kaelyn in effect, just about every warrior in the Keep had their hands full. None of them needed to take care of an infirm male like him.
“Good to hear.” Quentin gave him a gentle slap on the shoulder then proceeded down the corridor.
Others passed by, merchants on their way to the market, Jixies with baskets of fruits and vegetables for the evening repast, and countless warriors, all searching for their Commander of Arms.
Gaetan’s heart pounded. “Saar, I hope you know what you’re doing, my friend.”
At last, Gaetan reached the throne room. The double doors, usually closed, were wide open. Voices, some stern, some quiet, melded together, their words indecipherable.
“Oh, Gaetan, Noeh’s been waiting for you, yes indeed. Please, come in, come in.” Jax, Noeh’s personal attendant and one of the many Jixies that assisted the Stiyaha here in the Keep, bowed low. His red locks bobbed around his tiny ears. He seemed more elf-like than ever.
“Thank you, Jax. Your cheerful welcome brightens my day.” Gaetan smiled. He’d made it a point to treat Jax with the utmost respect, and the little Jixie regarded him as if he were a blood brother.
“I saved a chair for you, yes, I did. That one, over there.” He pointed to the seat across from Noeh’s desk.
“Much appreciated. Thank you.” He patted the little Jixie on the shoulder and hobbled across the stone floor. Noeh and the three warriors didn’t seem to notice him. That was good. He didn’t want them to see his struggles. As he settled onto the chair, the pain in his leg eased.
The voices quieted.
Noeh cleared his throat. “Saar and Kaelyn have to be out there somewhere. Continue your search and report back to me if you discover any new information.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Consider it done.”
“We’ll find them.”
The three males, swords sheathed and dangling from their belts, exited the room, leaving Gaetan alone with his king.
“Shall I shut the doors? Shall I? Shall I?” Jax held his hands low in front of him, his wide-eyed stare intent on Noeh.
“Yes, Jax. Some privacy would be good. Thank you.” Tension radiated from Noeh’s stiff shoulders and tense jaw, but his words were kind.
“Yes, yes, Your Majesty.” Jax strode from the room and closed the doors behind him.
Silence, golden and pure, filled the space.
Gaetan adjusted himself in the chair. “No luck, I take it?”
Noeh ran his hand through his hair. Longer than normal, a few strands fell around his ears. “Ah, craya. Warriors searched every nook and cranny in the tunnels then many areas around the Keep. His trail ran in circles with no sign of Saar or the prisoner.”
Gaetan rubbed his knee. “Are you surprised? We are talking about Saar, after all.”
A short, pained laugh burst from Noeh. “I suppose I shouldn’t be.”
“What’s your plan?”
“As soon as the sun sets, Quentin will expand their search, lead the team—”
“And what will happen when they find him?”
A slight breeze wafted through the room. Several papers on Noeh’s desk fluttered, and one slid to the stone floor, landing like a feather, silent and soft. The temperature dropped, and their combined breaths became visible in the air.
The hair on Gaetan’s arms rose. This could only mean—
A blinding light lit up the room. Gaetan covered his eyes. The wind whipped about, pinning him to the chair. His cane slipped from his fingers and crashed against the stone floor.
“Craya!” Noeh’s irritated voice echoed around the room.
“Hello, Noeh.” Soft and feminine, the words slipped inside Gaetan, wrapping around his soul. He recognized that voice—Alora. My goddess.
He pulled his arm away from his eyes. There she was, in all her glory, decked out in a sheer dress, the soft material swirling around her ankles. He crossed his finger over his forehead and down his nose in the time-honored symbol and reverence for Lemuria.
Despite the scream threatening to come up his throat, he pushed off the chair and crouched on bended knee. An ache travelled up his leg. He clamped his jaw, refusing to show weakness to his goddess. Above all else, he would honor her in the traditional way.
Noeh bowed low, his hand on his heart. “Alora, to what do we owe the pleasure of your visit?”
“Stand tall, Noeh, Gaetan.” She paced to Noeh’s desk then turned to face them. A smile tugged at her lips. “For once, I bring good news.”
Noeh’s shoulders relaxed. “Tell me.”
She raised her chin, and her eyes flashed a remarkable shade of silver. “Patience was never one of your values, was it?”
No, but it’s one of mine. Gaetan wrapped his fingers around the solid wood of his cane. The light reflected off the sunstone at the tip, bringing his attention to the crack running through the precious stone. His chest constricted, but he pushed off the floor to a standing position. Pain pounded against his forehead, and his vision pinpointed before returning.
Noeh chuckled. “Patience is something I strive for. Now, will you tell us your good news?”
She pursed her lips, but her features softened. “I was able to acquire a new ally. Kaelyn. I believe you know her.”
Noeh inhaled, his eyes widening. “The Ursus female?”
Alora nodded and tapped her finger against the side of her lip. “She’s with Saar. They are safe for the moment, but I suggest you find them soon. You aren’t the only ones searching, of that, I have no doubt.”
Noeh took a step forward, toward Alora. “I thought she was on Zedron’s team. How can—”
Alora held up her hand. “Have faith, Noeh. She works for me now. Find her and your Commander of Arms. I suspect she could be pivotal in this war.”
Gaetan cleared his throat. “I can’t imagine Mauree will let her go that easily. She’d kill her first.”
Alora focused her pale blue eyes on him. He held her gaze along with the laugh that threatened to bubble up his throat. Was he insane for voicing his concern in front of his goddess? Hell, at this point, if she smacked him dead and returned him to the character board for his insolence, she’d do him a favor. At least then, the pain would be gone.
“The solution is simple. Find Kaelyn before Mauree does.” Alora snapped her fingers, and the wind whooshed through the room, taking her along in its wake.
Noeh glanced at Gaetan. “As long as I live, I don’t think I’ll ever understand that female.”
Gaetan sighed, the tension draining from his muscles. “It is not for us to question the logic of our goddess.” But he did, oh, how he did.