Ash-colored Despair (28)
Lucas immediately turned around and ran away.
Daren, who was watching what was happening, spoke carefully:
-Aren't you too strict? What if he holds a grudge against you?
— Lucas is the only heir to the Duke's house. If something happens to me, it will be he who will have to continue the family line,” Barkas said this without the slightest emotion. “Rather, I myself would like to ask what they were counting on by leaving him in this state.”
- But you are young and full of strength. Why prepare a junior master for inheritance at all? — Daren shrugged with a slight grin. - Besides, you are married, which means that direct heirs will appear soon.
Longboat did not answer. He just unscrewed the flask attached to his belt and took a sip.
Fourteen wagons with cargo and a large four-wheeled carriage for long trips were visible through the soldiers scurrying back and forth.
A quarter-dwarf walked staggering ahead, dragging a huge basin. Apparently, she was going to help with the ablution of his wife.
A tart taste suddenly filled his mouth, as if he had bitten through old metal.
After a leg injury, Talia began to react extremely painfully to showing off her body. She did not allow anyone, except the very healer assigned by her mother, to even touch her.
Remembering how she became hysterical when he tried to examine her leg, Barkas felt the bitter taste in his mouth become even stronger.
He took another sip of the strong drink to clear his dry throat, as if covered with sand, then headed towards the place where the horses were grazing.
Looking around at the horses greedily chewing grass, he deliberately changed the subject:
— Was there anything suspicious at Dorkaen Castle?
“I guess not,” Daren answered calmly, stroking his chin. “Apparently, the owner just wanted to establish a relationship with the Duke’s house.” While you were alone with him, I looked around the training yard. Looks like he wasn't lying about the lack of soldiers.
“Is there a reason why their garrison has been reduced?”
“I think it’s all about the lack of funds,” Daren sighed heavily. “Lord Dorkaen seems to be having trouble managing things.” He cannot pay his salary, which is why many fighters left the fortress, and recently the looters have become very active. As a result, the losses are truly serious. It is unlikely that he will dare to rebel against you.
The longboat silently looked at the field, shrouded in sunset light.
His own thoughts differed little from Daren's words.
While the father was bedridden, local lords strengthened their armies and expanded their influence. For a ruler like Lord Dorkaen, who did not even have any impressive army, such neighbors became a real threat.
For the sake of his own safety, he must have decided to support the new duke.
The question was different: is there any benefit from it?
- Do you want to support Dorkaen to hold back the other vassals? — Daren interrupted his thoughts.
Longboat slowly shook his head:
“I’ll meet the others first.” Then I'll decide.
- A wise decision.
Having finished the conversation, Barkas headed to the center of the camp.
The soldiers had already gathered around the fires and were starting to eat dinner.
Having looked at them carefully, he turned to his tent.
Entering the twilight of the tent, he felt the thick aroma of rose oil and a sweetish, cloying smell.
He stopped at the entrance and looked at the bed, lit by candles.
A woman in a loose linen nightgown lay on a tapestry bedspread.
An icy sensation slid between my ribs.
He quickly walked over to the bed and placed the back of his hand against her cheek; her skin, smooth as glazed ceramic, was slightly damp with cold sweat.
Are you in pain again?
With a frown on his forehead, Barkas straightened up and began to sort through the contents of the shelves.
If she was in pain even in her sleep, it was worth trying to fumigate the tent with herbs.
He took out a small incense burner, prepared by the healer in advance, and put a bunch of dry herbs there.
He was about to set it on fire when suddenly a weak voice was heard nearby:
-...Longboat.
He turned around and saw eyes blurred from sleep.
The look was distant, as if she was under the influence of some kind of drug.
He squinted suspiciously: maybe she had already burned the herbs?
He leaned towards her and sniffed her clothes, but there was no smell of smoke.
Instead, the sweet, almost cloying scent of her body filled his breath, making his throat sticky.
A heavy surge of excitement flooded my consciousness. It was as if feelings that had long been rotten and forgotten had awakened in him.
With an effort, he tore himself away from these sensations and raised his head.
The woman's shoulders tensed and clenched, as if she were afraid of his approach.
Longboat, as if nothing had happened, calmly asked:
- Do you have a fever?
Only after that did she relax.
Pulling the blanket to her chest, she muttered:
- It's okay. I just dozed off.
-Have you eaten properly?
“Just now,” she nodded her chin at the tray by the bed.
He looked at the almost full plates and frowned.
She didn't seem to eat much, maybe just some fruit or honey.
The strange feeling that had been troubling his nerves suddenly turned into irritation. He ran his hand sharply through his hair.
Thalia watched his reaction. Apparently, he should have left until she fell asleep.
He held back a sigh and headed towards the exit.
- Then rest.
- Ba... Longboat!
A hand suddenly shot out from behind.
He looked around in surprise.
Talia grabbed his sleeve and said in a trembling voice:
- It... hurts. Leg.
He didn't answer. She swallowed and squeezed out:
- Give me some medicine.
Longboat blinked, then slowly lowered his gaze to her lips.
The swollen mucous membranes resembled crushed pomegranate seeds. He remembered how he sucked them: the taste, the softness, the wet flesh that wrapped around his tongue...
My throat is dry.
He slowly walked to the shelf, took out a small glass bottle and, sitting on the edge of the bed, noticed how her face was filled with anxiety.
He handed her the bottle:
- This?
A blush appeared through the almost transparent skin.
Blushing up to her ears and neck, she rolled her eyes restlessly, then nodded quietly.
He immediately opened the bottle and poured some of the thick liquid into his mouth.
Grasping her thin neck, he felt her pulse beating furiously under his fingers.
It came to mind how he once held a small bird in his hands, and in the same way its heart beat under his skin.
Excitement rose in my throat.
He grabbed her chin and pressed his lips to the juicy flesh, as if sculpted from a drop of blood.
When he penetrated his tongue into her slightly open mouth, a quiet, cat-like moan tickled her throat.