However, there was nothing at ease about his friend now—and he guessed it wasn’t only the cold that caused the certain tenseness to his friend’s shoulders and expression.
‘What are you doing here, Eldric?’
Eldric pointed to the flagon still on the table. ‘Is there any left?’
Hugh knew better than to turn his back to fetch another cup. ‘Not much.’
Eldric’s gaze took in Hugh’s dust-covered boots, his travel-worn breeches and wrinkled tunic. ‘I can tell that.’
Hugh knew he was hardly in courtly dress and had drunk deep. But that was his own business, not this town’s nor his childhood friend’s. Years had passed since he’d seen him, and yet even though Eldric had scarcely been in his presence, he knew exactly how to challenge him.
In these small confines, there was only one way to accept such a challenge.
Turning his back, Hugh fetched another cup and flipped it over in front of Eldric, so that dust, plaster and insect remains fell to the ground.
Without so much as a telling tic, Eldric accepted the cup and poured the rest of the flagon’s ale into it.
Hugh’s humour lifted. Regardless of the unanswered question of why Eldric was in Swaffham, there was some of the same man he had known. Eldric was indeed still at ease with his world.
‘As to why I am here...’ Eldric shrugged. ‘You have to know news of your presence in this town has spread.’
Gossip.He might have underestimated the power of the small town. ‘I arrived today. I thought myself alone for tonight, but that’s not what I meant.’
‘Ah, you mean why am I in Swaffham?’
Hugh gave a curt nod. ‘Not exactly your home town.’
‘I’ve got cousins here now. And, though it is yours, I never thought you’d return.’ Eldric took a sip and eyed the empty flagon. ‘How can you be still standing?’
‘I am my father’s son.’
Eldric scanned the room’s sparse furnishings. ‘You weren’t exaggerating about your past.’
‘And were you about yours?’
Eldric sighed, his expression resigned. ‘Come, this is a gloomy conversation.’
‘Without any answers being revealed. It’s late, and I’m tired.’
‘Well, then, I’ll get to the point. I am like you...as you most likely would have guessed by now...if not for the strength of that ale.’
To cover his surprise, Hugh turned to sit. There was only one other chair in the room—his father’s chair, but Hugh had broken that long ago though the remains stayed in the corner.
Hugh didn’t know if he was more surprised that jovial Eldric was a spy or that he had disclosed it. He had heard that Eldric was commissioned, but had thought it only a rumour.
‘Edward sent you here?’
‘No, I’m on a...detour.’
‘Personal?’ Hugh asked.
Eldric gave a small smile.
Hugh didn’t expect an answer, but sometimes the most obvious questions slipped into answers.
‘Are we friends?’ Eldric said.
‘Yes,’ Hugh replied, surprised that the answer came easily despite himself knowing better. Maybe there was still some of that sheltered and naive boy in him yet.
