clung to it.
“Gehiji, what did you think?” the queen finally asked.
So this was the elusive Gehiji. Now she knew whom to
look for.
The man stepped out of the shadows. He was of similar age to
Ceros, but had darker features. While he was handsome and moved with a
warrior’s natural grace, Danet found her attention still drawn to Ceros.
“I believe your description was keenly accurate, your
Majesty.”
This elicited a chuckle from the queen. “I meant about the
people we’re dealing with.”
“I think you have a couple of toothless snakes.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t make them any less venomous.”
Gehiji always cuts to the heart of the matter.
“Quite true,” the queen said thoughtfully. “Danet, any
change?”
“No, my queen.” She glanced about the room to ensure her
attendants were out of hearing range. “But I haven’t worked on his upper body
yet. I was trying to get a little broth into him when you came in.”
“It seems we have interrupted your dinner as well,” Gehiji
said.
“’Tis no matter. I can finish later,” Danet said as she
pushed her tray aside.
“I don’t believe we have been properly introduced. I am
Gehiji Talasona.” He made a slight bow but didn’t lower his eyes from hers.
“Your name is Danet?”
“Oh, I am sorry,” the queen interjected. “I forget you two
have not been properly introduced. Gehiji, this is Danet. Actually, it is
Mistress Danet, to be completely correct. Danet was one of my most trusted
handmaidens until she completed her apprenticeship. Now she splits her time
between her father’s healing clinic in the heart of the city and here.” She
smiled at Danet. “She’s agreed to take charge of Ceros’ care.” The queen swept
a hand to Gehiji. “Danet, this is Gehiji, one of Ceros’ closest friends. He
traveled with Ceros from Shirghada.”
Don’t let his pretty face fool you. Gehiji is one of the
most deadly and most decorated warriors in our unit. There’s no one I would
trust more at my back.
Danet dropped her head into a slight bow, hoping to hide any
reaction Ceros’ words caused. “Welcome to Licosia.” She looked up again once
she was sure her expression was neutral. “I am sorry your stay has been under
such a cloud.”
Gehiji looked at the prince, his face grim. “Me too. I hate
seeing him like this.” He glanced back to Danet. “And you have no idea what
caused it?”
“We’re looking into several possibilities. But no, we know
nothing definite yet,” Danet said.
Find a way to get Gehiji alone. You need to tell him
everything.
I will try.
“Danet’s father is a well-known healer and scholar. She has
already enlisted his help. As soon as she knows something, she will tell me and
then I’ll be sure to find you,” the queen reassured Gehiji.
“Please do.” He nodded to the queen. To Danet he added, “And
if there is anything you need assistance with or if I can answer any questions,
please seek me out.”
The queen patted Ceros’ hand then called out to her
attendants. “Let’s return to dinner.”
While the queen was distracted, Danet whispered to Gehiji,
“I need to speak with you.” She glanced in the queen’s direction. “Alone.”
He seemed startled but nodded once before following the
queen and her entourage.
“Danet, should I have Hesina send you a warm tray of food so
you can finish your dinner?”
“No, thank you, my queen. What remains does not require
warming.”
“I’ll check on his condition again before retiring for the
night.” The queen paused again. “I assume you’ll be staying?”
“Hesina has offered to have a lounge brought in for my use
so I do not have to travel back and forth, so yes. I will stay.”
The queen looked as if she wanted to say something, but
thought better of it and simply nodded.
Finally the room was quiet again and Danet breathed a sigh
of relief.
I know I said I’d try to leave your private thoughts
alone, but I can’t help picking up on your
“Gehiji, what did you think?” the queen finally asked.
So this was the elusive Gehiji. Now she knew whom to
look for.
The man stepped out of the shadows. He was of similar age to
Ceros, but had darker features. While he was handsome and moved with a
warrior’s natural grace, Danet found her attention still drawn to Ceros.
“I believe your description was keenly accurate, your
Majesty.”
This elicited a chuckle from the queen. “I meant about the
people we’re dealing with.”
“I think you have a couple of toothless snakes.
Unfortunately, that doesn’t make them any less venomous.”
Gehiji always cuts to the heart of the matter.
“Quite true,” the queen said thoughtfully. “Danet, any
change?”
“No, my queen.” She glanced about the room to ensure her
attendants were out of hearing range. “But I haven’t worked on his upper body
yet. I was trying to get a little broth into him when you came in.”
“It seems we have interrupted your dinner as well,” Gehiji
said.
“’Tis no matter. I can finish later,” Danet said as she
pushed her tray aside.
“I don’t believe we have been properly introduced. I am
Gehiji Talasona.” He made a slight bow but didn’t lower his eyes from hers.
“Your name is Danet?”
“Oh, I am sorry,” the queen interjected. “I forget you two
have not been properly introduced. Gehiji, this is Danet. Actually, it is
Mistress Danet, to be completely correct. Danet was one of my most trusted
handmaidens until she completed her apprenticeship. Now she splits her time
between her father’s healing clinic in the heart of the city and here.” She
smiled at Danet. “She’s agreed to take charge of Ceros’ care.” The queen swept
a hand to Gehiji. “Danet, this is Gehiji, one of Ceros’ closest friends. He
traveled with Ceros from Shirghada.”
Don’t let his pretty face fool you. Gehiji is one of the
most deadly and most decorated warriors in our unit. There’s no one I would
trust more at my back.
Danet dropped her head into a slight bow, hoping to hide any
reaction Ceros’ words caused. “Welcome to Licosia.” She looked up again once
she was sure her expression was neutral. “I am sorry your stay has been under
such a cloud.”
Gehiji looked at the prince, his face grim. “Me too. I hate
seeing him like this.” He glanced back to Danet. “And you have no idea what
caused it?”
“We’re looking into several possibilities. But no, we know
nothing definite yet,” Danet said.
Find a way to get Gehiji alone. You need to tell him
everything.
I will try.
“Danet’s father is a well-known healer and scholar. She has
already enlisted his help. As soon as she knows something, she will tell me and
then I’ll be sure to find you,” the queen reassured Gehiji.
“Please do.” He nodded to the queen. To Danet he added, “And
if there is anything you need assistance with or if I can answer any questions,
please seek me out.”
The queen patted Ceros’ hand then called out to her
attendants. “Let’s return to dinner.”
While the queen was distracted, Danet whispered to Gehiji,
“I need to speak with you.” She glanced in the queen’s direction. “Alone.”
He seemed startled but nodded once before following the
queen and her entourage.
“Danet, should I have Hesina send you a warm tray of food so
you can finish your dinner?”
“No, thank you, my queen. What remains does not require
warming.”
“I’ll check on his condition again before retiring for the
night.” The queen paused again. “I assume you’ll be staying?”
“Hesina has offered to have a lounge brought in for my use
so I do not have to travel back and forth, so yes. I will stay.”
The queen looked as if she wanted to say something, but
thought better of it and simply nodded.
Finally the room was quiet again and Danet breathed a sigh
of relief.
I know I said I’d try to leave your private thoughts
alone, but I can’t help picking up on your
Similar Books
