-Chapter Eleven-
A Glimpse of the Enemy
“What are you still doing here?” demanded a sharp, familiar voice.
Jaax sighed and cracked open one eye to find his ward gazing down at him, her eyebrows furrowed in slight annoyance. Groaning inwardly, he lifted his head so that his neck no longer blocked the cabin entrance. He cast Jahrra a disparaging look, then took in a long, slow breath of air while pinching the bridge of his snout with a taloned hand.
“Since you asked so nicely,” he grumbled, “I just got in from a long night and was hoping to get a few hours of rest before taking up my never-ending residence with the regent.”
Jahrra had the decency to look somewhat chastened.
“Apart from being so rudely awakened,” Jaax continued, “I am glad I caught you before you disappeared off into the land of arms practice. The regent is hosting a ball for the Spring Equinox, and we are to be the guests of honor. Which means,” Jaax stressed, “you will need to wear something nice.”
“I know,” Jahrra said rather dismissively. “I already unpacked one of my good dresses. It’s airing out inside.”
She shot a thumb over her shoulder, indicating the cabin behind her. Jaax merely blinked at her in pure astonishment.
Jahrra stifled a laugh. “I already know about the ball, Jaax. Someone has asked me to go with them, and I accepted the invitation.”
Before Jaax could come up with a response, Jahrra stepped away from the cabin, heading in the direction of the practice area.
“I’ll see you later,” she called out over her shoulder with a wave.
Jaax watched with narrowed eyes as his ward disappeared into the bustling crowd of late morning commerce. Across the muddy street, a door opened and shut on squeaky hinges, and Jaax sensed more than witnessed Ellyesce’s approach.
“You’re lazing about late this morning,” the elf commented.
The Tanaan dragon quirked a haughty eyebrow at his friend. “Why is everyone so concerned with my sleeping habits of late?”
“Everyone is concerned with your sleeping habits?” Ellyesce asked with a light chuckle.
Jaax nodded in the direction of the stables. “Jahrra nearly tripped over me on her way to practice this morning. Did you know that someone invited her to attend the Spring Equinox ball?”
Ellyesce was quiet for some time, and Jaax was beginning to wonder if there was something his friend might be keeping from him.
“Ellyesce?” he pressed, none too gently.
The elf was stroking his short beard in contemplation. “No, I didn’t know she’d been asked. But I’m not surprised.”
Jaax felt his teeth clench involuntarily.
“Who?” he demanded.
“If I were to guess, I’d say Keiron Fairlein.”
The dragon gave the elf a sidelong glance. “As a favor to his father?”
Ellyesce only laughed sardonically. “Truly, Jaax? Could the boy not have any other reason to ask her? Do you not remember our conversation back on the road? She’s not a child any longer, and she’s both strong and confident. I’ve not spent much time with her here in Cahrdyarein, but it’s clear the young men have taken notice.”
The headache that had been plaguing Jaax since the evening before threatened to overpower his will to ignore it. Why was it their conversations of late had been turning to this topic more often than not?
“No,” Jaax replied, “you’re right. But when could he have formed enough of an opinion to ask her?”
Ellyesce snorted again. “Jaax, you have been so busy scouting the mountains and keeping Morivan in a fair enough mood to allow us to rest here that you haven’t been around much to actually talk with Jahrra.”
Again, his friend was right, and that was one of the things nagging at him the most. He had barely spoken with Jahrra since their arrival, and now they were due to leave in less than a week. He had thought they’d have more time.
“Jahrra has been spending most of her days in the lists, sparring with the regent’s guard. Keiron has met her here almost every morning to walk with her to practice.”
Suddenly, Jaax wanted nothing more than to burn something. True, he was glad Jahrra had a friend here and that she was using her time to better her fighting skills, but there was just something about the regent, and his son, that rubbed him the wrong way. Part of the reason he attended Morivan’s court, as insignificant as it may be, was to observe the regent’s actions as well as listen to his words. There was much more to politics than what was presented on the surface, and Jaax knew this all too well. During his days sitting in Morivan’s cavernous hall, he had also taken note of his son’s comings and goings. The young Resai elf was always formal with his father, but never paid much attention to the Tanaan dragon sitting silently in the shadows. But Jaax had noticed him. The tightness of his shoulders, and the exhaustive effort he took to remain still and quiet, as if he feared any sudden movements might cause him to give away some vital information he was desperately trying to keep to himself. This behavior had immediately caught the dragon’s attention, and Jaax had kept careful watch on him ever since.
He must have growled during his musings because Ellyesce spoke up again, his voice tinged with surprise.
“Dervit often accompanies them, if it makes you feel any better.”
Jaax shook his head. He could attempt to puzzle out the regent’s son later.
“I knew she was spending her days practicing. Morivan told me. He most likely heard it from his son. I even went to observe her progress the other day.” His voice dropped its hard edge, and he even allowed a grin. “In fact, I got to witness her defeat the captain of the guard.”
Ellyesce whistled. “Now, that had to be something to behold.”
Jaax nodded. “It was.”
A few moments were allowed to pass with neither of them speaking. Jaax continued to recline in the somewhat muddy street, and Ellyesce leaned against the outer wall of Jahrra’s cabin. A few wagons carrying supplies for the Equinox ball clattered by, the occupants waving and calling out a greeting to Jaax and Ellyesce. Across the street, the bakery was growing busy as people stopped in to buy a loaf of bread or some sugary confection to enjoy on their way to work.
Jaax sighed again. “I meant to spend more time with Jahrra, with you as well, during our stay here,” he admitted with some regret.
Ellyesce crossed his arms. “I know. I’m sure Jahrra knows, too. But Ethoes is calling upon us to perform another task right now.”
Jaax surprised him when he murmured, “I don’t like her spending so much time with Keiron Fairlein.”
The statement had been completely out of the blue and almost too quiet for Ellyesce to hear. Fortunately, or unfortunately, his elf ears picked up the words clearly.
“Why?” he asked carefully, drawing closer to his friend.
Jaax cast him a quick look before returning his eyes to the street. “I do not trust him, Ellyesce.”
Ellyesce grinned. “Is it because of his interest in our young Jahrra?”
“No,” Jaax said, his tone unwavering, “and yes. I would have no objections if I didn’t think his intentions were dishonorable.”
This surprised Ellyesce. “You believe him to be ignoble? From what I’ve seen, he’s been nothing but politely attentive to Jahrra.”
Jaax drew in a breath and let it out slowly. “I sense something far grander at play here, Ellyesce. I watch the young Resai elf when he enters his father’s great hall. I see the way he puts on a gracious facade, but when alone in the shadows, he watches everyone with keen eyes.”
“What are you saying, Jaax?” Ellyesce interjected, with some impatience.