After that, it was mostly other common folk who came to him, traders and hunters and nomads. The wealthiest merchants had already come to him the day before, those who employed others and had large caravans to worry about. These were more lay folk, eking out a living with their trade to varying degrees of success. Their questions were a bit easier—if he planned any changes to their roads and villages, if trade with the elves might be a possibility—and had some small measure of hope to them. He knew the ones who had no stake or say in the battles would be willing to follow just about anyone if it meant they would be alright and their way of life would be largely unaffected. His answers to those were more hopeful as well, and more of them walked away satisfied.
All throughout the day he could feel Taegan in the back of his head, a comforting presence after so long with silence. He slept much of the day, so the sensation was muted and quiet, but the occasional flashes of emotion were enough to cause him to stifle a smile each time he felt them. Knowing Taegan was so close made the miserable day bearable.
Eventually the crowd thinned and no more orcs approached him, though he lingered in the town square for a little while afterward just in case. But it was getting late in the afternoon now, and the next orc that approached him was a warrior he had already spoken with.
“Warlord,” he said, lowering his head respectfully. It still gave Zorvut a nervous thrill to hear the word directed toward him. “Your sister Gorza has asked me to pass a message along to you. The northern tower has largely been cleared out and will be suitable for you to move in tomorrow. Additionally, we have received confirmation from all but the remote mountain clans that they have received word of the change of power, and forces should be pulling out of Aefraya by tomorrow.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Zorvut sighed, nodding as the orc spoke to him. “Nilud, right?”
“Yes, sir,” the orc replied with a nod.
“Nilud, I have a task for you. I want to talk with all the generals currently in the city. Tell them I’m having a meeting tomorrow evening in…” He paused, considering. If they were taking up residence, however temporary, in the tower, he would have to designate a different meeting place.
Nilud seemed to sense his uncertainty, and offered, “There is a tent Hrul used as something of a war room, along the western edge of town. That might be suitable. Sir.”
Zorvut grimaced, but nodded. “An excellent suggestion. Yes, please tell them to meet me there before sunset. There should be five, yes?”
“Yes,” Nilud agreed. “I will alert them now.” He nodded stiffly, and when Zorvut waved him away he turned and headed down an eastern street.
He was exhausted, and no one else was waiting on him, so with a few words to the elves who had been standing guard near him he headed back toward the tent. Taegan was still in bed when he arrived, but was awake and sat up with a grin as he entered.
“I’ve missed you,” he said, holding one arm out, and with a soft smile Zorvut came to sit next to him and gently hugged him. His wounded arm was bandaged now, but he was still careful to avoid it. “How are you feeling?”
“Sore,” Zorvut admitted with a sigh. “But I should be asking you that. Are you alright? You’ve slept all day.”
“I’m feeling better now,” Taegan said. “One of the healers came to see me, did you send him?”
“I did,” he laughed, nodding. “I’m glad that helped, though. I was worried about you. You were feverish this morning.”
Taegan nodded, glancing down at his bandaged arm. “The healer cleaned me up and gave me a salve to apply. I should be alright now.” He leaned closer to Zorvut, pressing their bodies together, sending soft comfort flowing through the bond. There was a heat behind it that Zorvut recognized, but a hesitance as well.
“Did you…?” he asked uncertainly, looking down at Taegan’s face. The elf flushed and looked away before shaking his head.
“I mean, Idowant to,” he stammered. “But I’m also… I don’t know. Neither of us are feeling very well, so maybe it would be best to wait a little longer.”
“No one hurt you, right?” Zorvut asked, fear suddenly gripping him. If somethinghadhappened, he was sure Taegan would have told him, but… “No one—no one forced you to do anything, or…?”
“No, no! Nothing like that,” Taegan exclaimed, all the more embarrassed. “No, you don’t need to be worried about that. I’m really just feeling under the weather still, and you’re still injured.”
“I understand,” Zorvut answered, feeling his face flush as well. “You’re right. I just was worried for a moment there.” They sat in an awkward silence for a beat, both suddenly embarrassed, until Zorvut blurted, “There’s a tower on the north end of town. I’m having it cleared out so we can move there as more of a permanent home. It’s no castle, but…”
A warm smile spread across Taegan’s face, echoed by a soft fondness through the bond.
“That sounds nice. Better than a tent, to be sure,” he said. “Oh—I was up and about for a bit earlier, so I wrote my father a letter. I’m assuming you had been in contact with him for you to have brought all these elves with you, but I wanted him to know we’re both alright.”
“I’ve already sent my orders to have the orcs pull out of Aefraya, but I’m sure he’ll be glad to hear from you,” Zorvut replied, squeezing Taegan’s hand before pursing his lips in thought. “In fact… It might be best if you go back to Aefraya once you’re feeling up to travel.”
“Absolutely not!” Taegan protested immediately, his head snapping up toward Zorvut in surprise. “No, not after all this. I’m staying with you.”
“I figured you would say that,” Zorvut said with a grimace. “I don’t want you to go, either, but it would probably be safer for you there. Things are bound to be… tumultuous here for a while, and your presence here could make you a target.”
“I don’t care,” Taegan said resolutely, shaking his head. From the tone of his voice Zorvut knew that to argue with him would be pointless. “I’ll stay out of the public eye, or I’ll make sure I’m with you if I have to go out. But I’m not going to leave, not after being apart for so long.”
Despite the worry that lingered in the back of his head, Zorvut found himself smirking. “Well… Good. I want to be here with you, too.”
“Then it’s settled. I’m staying,” Taegan replied decisively. Zorvut pulled him a bit closer, hugging him carefully to his chest. Taegan’s uninjured arm wrapped around his torso to return the embrace, equally cautious.
“You’re staying,” he agreed. When they were this close, the scent of his hair, his skin, was nearly overwhelming. “You’re staying here with me.”
