He gave her a wry look. “I never liked dealing with petitions,” he admitted. “Would you ask Ersal in?”
Warna stepped to the door.
“M’lord,” Ersal put his hand to his chest and bowed.
“Ersal, it’s good to see you,” Verice said, stepping over to the desk. “As you can tell, once again I’ve a need for a rescue.”
“M’lord, it would be a pleasure.” Ersal accepted the bundle of documents. “I can have these sorted out for you quickly.” There was the slightest hesitation in his voice, but then he continued on. “When would you wish me to bring them back for your review?”
Verice gave the man a glance. “I’ll stop by your offices in the next few days,” he said.
“M’lord, you told me that two months ago.” Ersal said softly. “Your defense of the barony has consumed the majority of your time. Let me ease some of that burden by bringing the work to you.”
“You know me too well, Ersal.”
Ersal tilted his head. “This time tomorrow, m’lord? I promise to take no more time than necessary.”
“That would be fine,” Verice said. “My thanks, Ersal.”
“My pleasure, m’lord.” Ersal turned. “M’lady,” he bowed his head to Warna and left.
Verice returned to the table and gestured to Warna to sit. “You look like someone who’s gotten away with mischief,” he said mildly.
“You’re not upset?” Warna asked, as she started to uncover dishes.
“No,” Verice said. “Not about that.”
She paused, staring at him with those wide brown eyes, and Verice suddenly remembered the tune he’d been humming.
It was Warna’s. She sung it at Wolfe’s.
“I think your day was a bad one,” she said tentatively, passing him the bread. “What happened?”
Verice shook his head, and started to serve himself. “No. I’d rather hear about your activities. Anything you want to tell me?”
“Well,” Warna picked up her fork. Her lips curved in a smile. “I think your dogs are getting fat.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
A pounding on the door of the Healers Hall startled Warna awake. Sand and Gray both came to their feet, growling and barking at the stairs.
It took her a moment to orient herself. She’d had dinner the night before with Verice, they’d talked about a variety of things, he’d agreed to let Ersal deal with the petitions…
The pounding came again, more insistent. Now she heard raised voices...what was happening?
She threw on her tunic, went to the small window and leaned out. Three large carts were just below, and a small group clustered at the door.
“Here now,” Ricard bellowed. “What’s this then? Lady Warna is still sleeping, you rude dogs.”
Warna laughed. If she’d slept through the knocking, his voice alone would certainly have woken her.
“She’s sleeping here?”
That would be Priest Dominic, his tone implying some nasty things.
“We’ve supplies for the Hall,” Dominic continued. “At her direction, I might add.”
Warna darted a glance at the barracks, to see Verice’s men gathered for their departure. They hadn’t left yet.
