“Yes.” Verice stood to retrieve the kav pitcher that sat by the fire. He returned, offering some to Warna. “So, I decided to seek my fortunes in the human lands. I offered my sword and my fealty to King Jeverard, and he accepted it. Later, he awarded me Tassinic for my services to the crown.”
“King Jeverard was King Everard’s grandfather,” Warna said slowly, as if trying to absorb what he was saying.
“Oh yes.” Verice gave her a wry look. “And I know the answer to your next question.”
Warna stared at him blankly. “My next—”
“I’m seven hundred and ten years old,” Verice said.
Chapter Seven
“Seven hundred and ten?” Warna’s breath caught. It was one thing to be told that elves lived long lives. It was quite another to hear one say it so casually.
“Give or take,” Verice shrugged, then chuckled. “It always hits you humans oddly. Every time I say it, the humans around me get the strangest look on their faces, as if it couldn’t be.”
“It’s just that your voice is lovely,” Warna said. “And ten years studying music seems to me almost a—” she hesitated. “A lifetime.”
“For you, perhaps.” Verice nodded. “War and magic leave little time to perfect other arts. But I always encouraged others in their endeavors.”
“Tassinic is known for its love of music and dance,” Warna said.
“It was,” Verice agreed. “There is little time for such pleasure now.”
There was a tap at the door frame, and at Verice’s ‘Enter’, the serving lads swooped in, removing all the platters, bowls and plates at a rush. Warna managed to save her kav, but the rest was gone in a flurry of clattering crockery.
The door closed behind them, and Warna became conscious of the time. “It’s late, m’lord. My thanks for the evenin—”
“What were your plans?” Verice asked. “If I hadn’t taken...command?”
“I’d hoped to go back,” Warna said. “Try to salvage what I could and rebuild. But no one was sure what was happening, and until the Lord High Baron took control again, it wouldn’t be safe to go back. Grandfather had a brother, a wine merchant in the Barony of Wyethe, who would have sheltered us. At least, that was the plan.”
Verice studied his cup, then looked her right in the eye. His were so startlingly silver-blue, glittering in the lantern light. “The reports I’ve had say that Farentell has fallen, and under the control of the Usurper’s forces. The Lord High Baron is dead. Farentell is no more.”
Warna closed her eyes against the pain welling deep within her.
“The Usurper has crushed any resistance, and seems determined to level every town and village. Slavery is now the law in the areas under his control. There is nothing to return to, Warna.”
She tried to hold back a sob, but it escaped her. She covered her mouth as the tears started to flow.
“I’ve upset you.” Verice leaned forward.
“Not you, m’lord,” Warna choked out. “But the Usurper has much to answer for.”
“In that, we are in agreement,” Verice responded. He rose to his feet, and offered his hand. “Tomorrow, I’ll take you to see Charrin, a Bard who used to grace my court. He will give an honest assessment of your skills. You will stay with him and some friends of mine, for a time, until you decide what you wish to do.”
“M’lord?” Warna rose.
“You are my ward, by virtue of my...taking command.” Verice took up the lantern from the table. “But your life is your own, Warna of Farentell, to make of it what you wish. Once you know what that is, I will see you established.”
She was having trouble taking it all in, and wanted nothing more than to find her small bed, and crawl within. She reached for the lantern, but Verice shook his head. “I would see you to your chamber, lady.”
He allowed Warnato lead the way, careful to hold the light so that she could see. The sorrow was still thick in her eyes. It wasn’t the way he’d wished to end the evening, but he owed her the truth.
Not that it was any great distance to her chamber. Up the stairs to the attic of the barracks, down a hall with rooms full of snoring warriors to every side, to the base of a ladder that led to her tiny loft.
“Give me a moment to light a candle,” she murmured as she reached for the rungs.
“Take this,” Verice handed her the lantern. “There’s a mage light within. Far safer than a flame in tight quarters. And see,” He flicked the small shutters. “You can control it this way.
