on the unrest befalling Travensworth’s kingdom.”
Renaine’s eyes locked with Nema’s before again turning to the Master. Out of the corner of his vision, Daruh could see her body tense.
“Would you mind letting Neria know we have a guest, Nema? We both know she doesn’t like surprises.” The shaking of Renaine’s head was barely perceptible when Nema began to step toward him. Instead, with a curt nod, she turned to make her way from the garden.
Renaine watched her leave then went back to scanning the maps. “Women tend to worry needlessly when too much information is shared, would you not agree?”
Daruh sank into the chair across the table. He watched the man studying the maps. When he didn’t answer, Renaine looked up, raising a brow.
“You disagree?”
“For some women, perhaps. Though I would think you might prefer Nema had firsthand, factual information. You know she’s bound to learn about it soon enough on her own, and I can attest to the many tales that are swirling out there she probably won’t get the truth.”
Renaine regarded him for a moment before nodding his head. “I’ll take that into consideration, Daruh. Though I’m sure Nema’s need for information isn’t the real reason you’re here.”
Daruh chuckled. The Zanak men certainly couldn’t be blamed for being anything but blunt. He looked out over the colorful pallet of the garden. “I suppose I was also wondering how the young couple was getting along. I didn’t see them about when I came in.”
“Nor has anyone else.” Renaine’s gruff chortle surprised Daruh. “My son’s mother was not pleased to learn his chamber door had been barred against her unwelcomed entry this morning.” His brief explanation of Neria’s visit to Tahruk’s chamber the morning after the Dremis had Daruh laughing as well. “Neria may be a social butterfly with etiquette beyond measure, but she knows little of the ways and needs of a man, I’m afraid.”
Daruh nodded, thinking of the peculiar circumstances that thrust Renaine and Neria together. The two did seem ill suited in all but procreation. Together they had produced beautiful daughters and two of the best warriors the King’s army had ever seen, at least until Redahn had been injured.
As if on cue, the man materialized before them. “Daruh.” Redahn nodded at the Master while settling into the chair next to his father. He leaned forward, staring at the papers on the table before relaxing, a lazy yawn spreading across his stubbled face. “I heard last night he was going to marry Venderlay’s daughter to put an end to the squabbling,” he tossed out casually, pointing to the map of Corigan.
The older men exchanged looks.
“Is Travensworth not betrothed already? I was quite certain his marriage had been arranged from his childhood.” Renaine’s comment was directed at Daruh though with a frown thrown in his son’s direction.
Daruh contemplated the news. “Are you quite certain that’s what you heard?” he asked Redahn.
Redahn shrugged. “It’s what I heard. Some of Travensworth’s men were in town last night.” A closed-mouthed smile curved his full lips. “Though I can’t say my attention was centered on them. I suppose I could have heard wrong.”
Renaine raised a brow, his equivalent to an eye-roll, then shook his head before again looking at Daruh. Both men knew the other would be paying a visit to town after their meal to see if the story about Travensworth’s could be confirmed.
“Lady Neria has asked that you be informed lunch is ready. She’s serving in the dining hall, my lords.” The young woman curtsied then bounded away, though not before blushing from the once over she received from Redahn. The young warrior shrugged at the scowl he received from his father. Again Renaine’s brow raised at his son just before they took their leave from the garden.
The meal was nearly over when Tahruk surprised them, slipping in through one of the
Renaine’s eyes locked with Nema’s before again turning to the Master. Out of the corner of his vision, Daruh could see her body tense.
“Would you mind letting Neria know we have a guest, Nema? We both know she doesn’t like surprises.” The shaking of Renaine’s head was barely perceptible when Nema began to step toward him. Instead, with a curt nod, she turned to make her way from the garden.
Renaine watched her leave then went back to scanning the maps. “Women tend to worry needlessly when too much information is shared, would you not agree?”
Daruh sank into the chair across the table. He watched the man studying the maps. When he didn’t answer, Renaine looked up, raising a brow.
“You disagree?”
“For some women, perhaps. Though I would think you might prefer Nema had firsthand, factual information. You know she’s bound to learn about it soon enough on her own, and I can attest to the many tales that are swirling out there she probably won’t get the truth.”
Renaine regarded him for a moment before nodding his head. “I’ll take that into consideration, Daruh. Though I’m sure Nema’s need for information isn’t the real reason you’re here.”
Daruh chuckled. The Zanak men certainly couldn’t be blamed for being anything but blunt. He looked out over the colorful pallet of the garden. “I suppose I was also wondering how the young couple was getting along. I didn’t see them about when I came in.”
“Nor has anyone else.” Renaine’s gruff chortle surprised Daruh. “My son’s mother was not pleased to learn his chamber door had been barred against her unwelcomed entry this morning.” His brief explanation of Neria’s visit to Tahruk’s chamber the morning after the Dremis had Daruh laughing as well. “Neria may be a social butterfly with etiquette beyond measure, but she knows little of the ways and needs of a man, I’m afraid.”
Daruh nodded, thinking of the peculiar circumstances that thrust Renaine and Neria together. The two did seem ill suited in all but procreation. Together they had produced beautiful daughters and two of the best warriors the King’s army had ever seen, at least until Redahn had been injured.
As if on cue, the man materialized before them. “Daruh.” Redahn nodded at the Master while settling into the chair next to his father. He leaned forward, staring at the papers on the table before relaxing, a lazy yawn spreading across his stubbled face. “I heard last night he was going to marry Venderlay’s daughter to put an end to the squabbling,” he tossed out casually, pointing to the map of Corigan.
The older men exchanged looks.
“Is Travensworth not betrothed already? I was quite certain his marriage had been arranged from his childhood.” Renaine’s comment was directed at Daruh though with a frown thrown in his son’s direction.
Daruh contemplated the news. “Are you quite certain that’s what you heard?” he asked Redahn.
Redahn shrugged. “It’s what I heard. Some of Travensworth’s men were in town last night.” A closed-mouthed smile curved his full lips. “Though I can’t say my attention was centered on them. I suppose I could have heard wrong.”
Renaine raised a brow, his equivalent to an eye-roll, then shook his head before again looking at Daruh. Both men knew the other would be paying a visit to town after their meal to see if the story about Travensworth’s could be confirmed.
“Lady Neria has asked that you be informed lunch is ready. She’s serving in the dining hall, my lords.” The young woman curtsied then bounded away, though not before blushing from the once over she received from Redahn. The young warrior shrugged at the scowl he received from his father. Again Renaine’s brow raised at his son just before they took their leave from the garden.
The meal was nearly over when Tahruk surprised them, slipping in through one of the
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