An ugly, raw gash crossed both eyes, empty sockets sightless and staring.
Chapter Ten
Warna caught her breath at his scars, then regretted her rudeness. It hadn’t been loud, perhaps he’d not heard—
The blind elf turned his head slightly. “Who is that?”
“Charrin,” Kalynn rose gracefully from her chair, and moved toward him, her robes swishing against the stones. “Verice has brought a guest who will be staying with us for a while. Her name is Warna and she is of—”
“Why are you speaking the human tongue?” Charrin stood stiff and straight, not advancing further into the room.
“Warna is of Palins, of the Barony of Farentell,” Wolfe said firmly. There was a warning note in his voice when he added. “She is a guest in my home.”
“She is an innocent, Charrin.” Verice said. “She fled her own home in the face of the Usurper’s—”
“My Lord Verice, welcome.” Charrin’s voice was hard. “It has been some time since you graced us with a visit.”
“It has,” Verice said mildly. One of the dogs at his feet whined softly and pushed its head into his hand to be petted. “Far too long,” he added, stroking the dog’s ears.
“The demands of your office, I am sure,” Charrin said. “Being the High Baron to a savage people.”
“Charrin,” Wolfe growled.
“Charrin, let me aid you to—” Kalynn reached for his arm.
“No,” Charrin bit out the word. “I need no aid.” He moved forward, his steps deliberate but confident. The dogs were quick to move out of his way. Charrin sat in one of the chairs, settling himself with an easy grace.
“You seem to be getting around well,” Verice commented.
“A spell,” Wolfe said. “It occurred to me that it might be possible to allow him to—”
“See?” Warna blurted out.
“No,” Charrin said. “It allows me to perceive. To sense the space around me. But it is not sight. There is no color, no depth, no...beauty.”
Warna bit her lip at the venom in his tone. “I’m sorry. I—”
“A human,” Charrin’s voice was flat now.
“I have taken her under my protection,” Verice said. “She has a gift of—”
“And we all know how well you protect your own,” Charrin snapped.
Verice’s head stayed down. His hand paused, then he continued to pet the dogs.
“Charrin,” Wolfe growled again, but Kalynn touched Warna on her arm. Warna looked up into her warm smile.
“I think we could all do with hot kav before this conversation continues,” Kalynn said. “Would you help me?”
“Of course,” Warna stood quickly, more than ready to leave the room.
“I’ll brew a fresh pot,” Kalynn said to the men. “We’ll return when it’s done.” She paused before descending the stairs. “Try not to destroy the furniture, Wolfe.”
Warna followed, down the cluttered stairs. She waited until they were out of sight before speaking. “M’lady, I am sorry that—”
“You are not the cause, Warna.” Kalynn glanced over her shoulder with a sympathetic look. “Verice can be insensitive at times, don’t you think?”
“Well,” Warna said, thinking back. “He expects his word to be law, that’s certain.”
