"Elizabeth Vaughan - Chronicles Of The Warlands 01 - Warprize" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vaughan Elizabeth)

the remaining light. тАЬDo not betray him, or I will break you over my knee.тАЭ

I didnтАЩt reply. I just turned and brushed past Arneath. Rafe nodded to me as I left, staying well back and
out of the way. He had learned early on that Arneath struck hard when he was not obeyed.

Arneath followed me out. тАЬWhat did that last one say to you?тАЭ He looked suspicious.

тАЬThat no matter the healer, medicines always taste terrible.тАЭ

One of the other guards guffawed at that. Even Arneath chuckled as he held open the tent flap for me.
We emerged into the twilight. The cool night air felt good after the stuffiness of the tent. The stars above
were peeking out. Once outside, I realized that Heath had already left. He was probably in the castle
kitchens.

ArneathтАЩs mirth faded as he took up his position. тАЬDonтАЩt see why you waste time on them. Nothing but
animals.тАЭ His gruff, oily tone followed me as I started off toward the castle. тАЬOr maybe youтАЩre thinking
that helping the dogs will make you friends in the enemy camp. In case things go bad.тАЭ

I pulled up short, stopped in my tracks. There were chuckles from the guards, but they were uneasy
ones, as if they believed that evil lie. I turned and managed to keep my voice even. тАЬIt is by the KingтАЩs
command, Arneath. Besides, I am a Master Healer. I treat any who are in need.тАЭ I tilted my head and
smiled. тАЬDid the ointment you asked for clear up that crotch rot?тАЭ

Arneath flushed as the guards guffawed. Amidst the laughter and taunts now aimed at him, I turned and
continued on my way, entering the overgrowth. Once out of sight, I let my shoulders sag a bit. I shouldnтАЩt
have done that. Father would have shook his head in despair at my flash of temper, and my crudeness.
Worse, Arneath was in a position to take his frustrations out on the prisoners. I scowled at the hapless
path below my feet. Still, heтАЩd deserved it. How dare he imply that I, a Daughter of the House of Xy
wouldтАФ

I remembered the brooch in my basket and flushed.

The shadows were deeper now. I narrowed my thoughts to staying on the path and shivered slightly in
the night air. As I walked, I mentally started to inventory my supplies. I wanted to go to the market early
on the morrow to get what I needed. Xymund had made it clear that none of his supplies were to be used
on the prisoners. I rolled my eyes. As if he had ever gathered herbs for the still room.

At that, I started to worry my lower lip. It was easier to think about herbs than to think about the brooch
in my basket. It marked the large black man as a leader of men, something I was sure no one had yet
realized. If Father were still alive, IтАЩd have no hesitation in telling him. HeтАЩd have used the situation to his
advantage, but heтАЩd not kill a man in cold blood. I could tell Heath, but heтАЩd have no choice but to go to
his superior, which was Arneath. My steps slowed as I thought about that option. Arneath would kill the
man, of that I was certain. If Heath took the information to Xymund directly, it would place Heath square
between us if it came to an argument, and IтАЩd not do that to him. Same for Othur, the Seneschal. Now,
Lord Marshall Warren, he I could trust. Father had appointed him to his office and had faith in him. He
would stand against Xymund to the extent that anyone could. I took a deep breath. It would be some
time before the man was conscious. I would tell Warren and let him decide what to do with the
information.
I remembered the rose hips as I came to the briar and decided to try to gather enough for a potful of
syrup. It was dusk, true, but I could see well enough and touch would tell me if they were ready. I set the