“We think alike,” Verice said. “I talked to them about building there. They seem amenable to the idea.”
Narthing cast him a doubtful look. “Really? Humans can be stubborn, m’lord.” He blinked owlishly at Warna. “No offense,” he said.
“I’m fetching that healer,” Warna said. “It’s past time you slept.” She slipped out the door.
“You must have a care,” Verice said. “That was a mean slice you took.”
“No fear,” Narthing said. “Dominic stood here and told me all the complications I risk unless I follow orders. His description of a bowel rupture was graphic enough that I fear to cough, much less anything else.”
Warna returned with healers in tow, who gently shooed them both out of the room. “He needs his rest, m’lord.” The one said as she closed the door in Verice’s face.
Warna was on the stairs, leading up to the room tucked under the eaves. It seemed his orders had been carried out then. She had a place to sleep.
She paused, and turned to look at him, her face closed and warded. “Goodnight, m’lord.”
“Warna,” he said firmly.
She paused on the stairs, one hand on the railing. There was the slightest trembling in her fingers as they rested on the wood.
“We should talk,” Verice said softly. “Walk with me. In the gardens.”
The night airwas cool on Warna’s flushed cheeks, a slight breeze played with her hair as Verice lead her out of the Healing Hall. The dogs gathered around them, tails slowly wagging as they walked.
The courtyard had emptied of all but the watch and a few souls. Light spilled from the buildings around them, which thrummed with life. As tired as she was, as confused as she was about the man next to her, Warna smiled at the visible proof of her labors.
Except for the keep, of course. It lay at the center, dark, still, and daunting.
Much like its Lord High Baron.
“All are settled, it would seem,” Verice said quietly, standing next to her.
“Yes,” Warna said, just as softly.
“And you’ve your room back,” Verice said.
“Yes, but only for tonight,” Warna said. “Dominic was called to Church duties, and he will return tomorrow. I’ll need to find another place.” Verice scowled, and opened his mouth to speak, but she hurried on. “It’s only right that he be with his patients. It’s not as if he will sleep on a cot in the dining hall.”
“But where will you—” Verice cut off his own words.
Warna glanced away, not willing to look at him.
Verice cleared his throat. “This way,” he said softly as the dogs rose to join them.
“I didn’t know there were gardens here,” Warna said, wincing as it sounded more like an accusation than a question.
“The moat between the inner and outer castle walls was foul and disgusting when I arrived,” Verice’s face was mostly in shadow, but she could hear the pride in his words. “They were using it for all matter of waste and garbage. The reek was thick. So, I ordered it drained.”
“The area between the outer and inner walls?” Warna blinked, frowning as she thought back to the ride through the gates. That area had been big. Really big. “How long did that take?”
“Not long,” Verice said absently as he led her around the Healing Hall, to a heavy wooden door set into the wall. “Four, maybe five years.”
“Five...years?” Warna said.
“Ten more after that to really get the soil ready, and get the plantings established.” Verice chuckled softly. “There was some protest from the warriors, about the need for a moat for protection. But I planted rantha bushes and that put an end to the protests.”
“Rantha?” Warna asked.
“Take twenty years to mature,” Verice explained. “But well worth it. The flowers are sweet smelling but the vines are thick with thorns that are wicked sharp and as long as a man’s hand.”
