Page 67 of Destiny of a King

The whisper came again and this time the plea carried a heart-wrenching sorrow.

She found herself moving before she realized she had taken a step.

The villagers didn’t notice as she approached the bedside. They were too busy consoling the parents, offering kind words and a hot brew.

Adira slowly lowered herself into the chair beside the bed. She stared at the lass’s peaceful face, realizing the whisper had come from her. But how was it she heard it?

Without thinking, she rested her hand upon the quilt, only inches from the lass’s, and waited to see if she heard more.

A tiny movement caught her eye. The lass’s little finger twitched. Then slowly… her hand stretched across the blanket until her small fingers barely brushed against the side of Adira’s hand.

The touch was so slight it could easily have gone unnoticed, yet Adira felt it.

Once again, the whisper came.

Help.

The single word wrapped around her heart with such pleading that her breath caught. The room around her seemed to fade. There was only the lass. Only those tiny fingers that barely brushed against hers. Only that desperate plea echoing where no voice had spoken.

Dravic walked a short distance away from the cottages, motioning for the Hunter to join him. Once they were beyond curious ears, he turned to the barrel-chested man.

“Your name?”

“Seger, my king.”

“You said you bring important news.”

“Aye, my king.” Seger stood straight. “Percy found us shortly after we captured a Drogath spy.”

Dravic’s head snapped toward him. “A Drogath spy?”

“Aye. My men and I were preparing to bring him to Caerith when Percy arrived. He believed you would have reached Driochmor and having only one guard, he feared for your safety.”

Dravic frowned. “So, you abandoned the prisoner?”

“Nay, my king. Percy remained behind. I took only enough men to ride here at once. The rest continue here with the prisoner. Percy accompanies them.”

“When will they arrive?” Dravic asked, eager to question the man.

“If the weather does not worsen, tomorrow.”

Dravic folded his arms across his chest, his eyes narrowing. “No ships cross the Sea of Shadows in winter. He reached Scotara before the sea turned. Which means he has been here for some time and…” He let his words drift off not liking what he thought.

“There is a good chance he did not come alone,” Segar said.

“Aye.” Dravic nodded. “One spy gathers little. Several gather an army’s worth of knowledge. They will be watching our ports, our roads, our defenses, and seeking those willing to betray Scotara from within.”

Dravic said no more. He didn’t need to. They both knew the truth. The war had already begun.

Adira sat in a chair near the hearth, watching the king speak with the Hunter and his lone guard.

She had barely finished her warm brew when Ernach had gone to the door. One of the Hunters had entered, bowed respectfully to Ernach, then motioned for her to follow. Moments later, she had found herself in another cottage where the king was already deep in discussion with his guard and another Hunter.

The room was warm, yet a chill lingered within her that had little to do with the winter wind outside.

Her gaze settled on the king.

His scowl remained firmly in place, but she had come to know it did not always mean anger. Sometimes it meant determination. Other times deep thought. Now she saw concern shadowing his eyes.