“What’s wrong with Naitachal?” Lydia, who’d shed her finery for more comfortable tunic and breeches, whispered that to Kevin as they stood on a wide casde balcony pretending to be engrossed in an archery contest taking place in the courtyard below.
Kevin stole a wary glance back to where the Dark Elf sat in as much concealing shadow as he could find up here on this sunny morning. Naitachal’s black cloak was wrapped tightly about his slender form, the hood pulled forward to hide his face, making him look like a truly sinister figure, a sliver of Darkness amid the Light —but Kevin suspected the Dark Elf was actually just asleep with his eyes open.
“What do you think?” the bardling retorted softly. He applauded politely as one of the archers down in the courtyard below scored a near bull’s-eye. “He was up all night casting spells on me.”
“Ah. Right Of course. Feel any different?”
“No, but—”
“Oh, nice shot!” the woman called out She added so softly only Kevin could hear, “Not a decent archer in the lot. Huh, and look at the way Charina’s eying you from the doorway, like a cat watching a tasty little fish.”
This fish has some surprises in store, Kevin thought, or at least I hope I do.
The idea that the pretty young woman approaching him might really be a murderous sorceress seemed impossible on such a bright, sunny day. And yet ... A sudden nervous prickle racing up his spine, Kevin got courteously to his feet to bow to Charina. Or whoever she really was.
“My lady.”
“My! So formal!” Charina’s glance at Lydia was ever so subtly edged with contempt as she took in the woman’s warrior garb. “What’s this? I should think you would be down there, too. Lady Lydia. Are you not an archer?”
To Kevin’s ears, she made that occupation sound as unsuitable for a lady as pig-farming. Lydia couldn’t have missed the snub, but she only laughed. “Oh, I hardly thought it fair to compete. I mean, I’m not one of the count’s people.”
“But surely you would like a chance to demonstrate your skills.” It was a very thinly veiled command.
Lydia only shrugged. “Nope! Much nicer just to sit and watch. Besides, at such a short distance how could I miss? Right, Kevin?”
Thank you, Lydia! he thought gratefully. The last thing he wanted was to be left alone with Charina. “Uh, right.”
“Ah, but I think you really should go down there,” a suave voice purred. Kevin saw Lydia tense as Count Volmar stepped forward to take her arm. “My dear young lady, you would hardly wish to deprive us of the pleasure of watching a true professional at work, now, would you?”
She shrugged free of the count’s grip. “I’ll say the same thing I told the Lady Charina: it doesn’t seem fair. I mean, how is it going to look if a mere mercenary like myself beats your guys?”
“That hardly seems likely,” the count muttered, miffed. “My archers are not exactly children. But please,” he added, urbane smile returning, “do give us a chance to judge your skill for ourselves.”
It wasn’t a request. With a sigh and a glance at Kevin, Lydia shouldered her bow and went down to join the other archers. Charina moved closer to the bardling with a pleased little coo. But before she could take his arm, a cheerful voice called out:
“How goes it, my lords, my lady?”
“Eliathanis!” Kevin cried in relief.
The White Elf swept down into a bow far more graceful than any human could have managed. Slanted eyes glinting with wry amusement, he said, “What a fine day for an archery contest! Ah, I see our own Lydia is among the contestants.”
“You would have a better view of them down there,” Charina suggested, but Eliathanis only smiled.
“Why, no, lady, if you will forgive me for correcting you. I have a much better view from up here. A better view of ... everything.” Fair face impassive, the elf crossed his arms with the air of someone who has no intention of moving or being moved.
That’s all well and good, Kevin thought uneasily, seeing the anger flickering in Charina’s eyes. Apparently she and the count thought more forceful measures would be out of character just now. But you, and Lydia and Naitachal can’t keep watching over me forever.
