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“Which explains your accent.”
And here I thought I’d been doing a fine job passing myself off as a Weztrogian.
As the King guided his mount back into the city, I made conversation. “Where were you and my uncle going?”
“To find you, of course.”
“With only three soldiers as backup?”
“Why would I need more?”
“You’re the king. Shouldn’t they be vested in keeping you alive?”
“Weren’t you the one saying I needed to do better to protect my kingdom? And I’m surprised you care.” Said with a mocking tone.
“I don’t, but even I know a dead ruler without an heir isn’t conducive for anyone. Isn’t that why you’re shopping for a wife?”
He stiffened. “Hardly shopping.”
“Oh really? Because I heard a bunch of promising women with good families were congregating in your city to parade themselves in front of you in hopes of snaring you as a husband.” I couldn’t help but spew my dislike of the process.
“I’ll marry who I want when I want, and not because of pandering or bribes,” he growled.
Obviously, a sore subject. I’d pushed hard enough. Time to shift direction. “How often do your soldiers sweep the road for monsters?”
“I don’t.”
“Wait, why not?”
“The desert is a big place. Where do you suggest we start?”
“The road might be a good place.” I couldn’t help my dry reply.
“As you noted with your attack, it’s not exactly easy to track monsters who tunnel from underground.”
“Then how do you stop them?”
“When they attack, it’s handled.”
“And if it isn’t?”
“Then we do better the next time.”
The reply brought a frown. “That seems counterintuitive. Shouldn’t you be proactive in seeking the monsters out before the attack happens?”
“Why do you care how I govern? It’s not as if you live here.”
I already knew Jrijori had told him about his poor niece and the fate of her family. So I used it. “My family were killed by dragons while apple picking of all things. All of them, torn to shreds.” My shudder? Not faked because I still sometimes woke, sweaty and breathing hard, from the recurring nightmares about that night.
“I’m sorry for your loss. It does explain your vehemence on the subject.”
“People need to be aware the monsters are out there. And we need those who can fight to hunt down the threat before it’s too late.”
“What happened to the monsters that killed your family?”
“The nest of dragons was eradicated. In Weztroga they don’t mess around with sightings. They also regularly send their soldiers on patrols.”
“Good for your kingdom. We do things differently here.” A flat statement and I clamped my lips.
