Here's where we left things in the previous post:
Gimrie nodded in understood appreciation "Varner is the best sweet cook in all of the five. Kingdoms of Balamy, I'd swear it to the gods", he finished with a determined look.
Before long the two were back deep in discussion about the king of dragons Veratax and the legends of old, laughing and joking as they ate and drank - the pair were oblivious to the giant shadow that had crossed the room and settled in behind them.
Mila and Gimrie were blissfully unaware of the presence standing silently behind them, continuing to eat while Gimrie talked through his intermittent feasting.
A door suddenly flung open wide as Katia and Varner burst in, each carrying baskets of fruits and vegetables and lost in happy chatter - Gimrie shot to his feet to ready to rush and offer assistance to his mother.
But in his efforts to aid his mother and Varner his chair was launched backwards and unexpectedly, struck someone causing them to scream out as the heavy wooden chair impacted directly on his shin - resulting in all manner of profanities to flow forth from his mouth.
Gimrie spun in shock to see what had occurred, as Mila remained silent attempting to shrink into her own over sized chair - the boy just stood mouth agape in a stunned stupor.
Katia broke the tension "Oten mind your tongue." she stated sternly with a look of reprimand, directed at the mid aged lord who hopped comically on one leg - hands clasping at his shin attempting to ease the pain, coursing through his leg.
Varner's eyes were wide with confusion and darted around the room widely as she stuttered out "My Lord" then continued with her duties, as if the scene before her had nothing to do with her and was of no consequence - Mila thought she was wise and wished, she too could just move away and pretend this wasn't happening.
Gimrie snapped from his stupor and moved towards the frustrated Lord Evanvar "My Lord" he started "I didn't" before stammering and changing tactic sputtering out "I was" Lord Evanvar silenced him with a wave of his hand - Mila sat there powerless as Gimrie stared up at the giant Lord.
Katia moved swiftly placing down her basket and rushing to intercept Evanvar, "Surly my love you can see it was an accident" she pleaded Mila's eyes grew wide with disbelief and then understanding of Gimrie's words earlier - he did say Evanvar want's to keep his mother happy, now she knew why.
Katia moved towards the large man his face red and blustered, she gently placed a hand on his chest holding her petite frame against him - then reached up and drew his head down to hers, then whispered sweetly into his ear.
Mila watched with intense curiosity at their exchange, she was fascinated when she saw Lord Evanvar visibly relax his colour fading to his normal tones - his body almost seemed to melt, as his shoulders and stance softened markedly.
She continued calmly speaking before pulling away and stepping to the side allowing Evanvar to pass, he addressed Varner first "Apologies for my foul language Varner" the older kitchen maid accepted his words with a curt nod of her head, as she then continued preparing the evening meal.
His gaze then settled on Gimrie one eyebrow raised as he spoke "The chair was an accident, you were attempting to aid your mother - for that I cannot fault you".
"However" He continued as he glanced over at Mila then back to the boy "Care to explain this?" he questioned pointedly his eyes ablaze - Gimrie couldn't tell if he was curios or angry, so he did the only thing he could.
He attempted to explain the abbreviated version of events "My lord" he started "I found her, convinced her to return, brought her here and fed her" He blurted out in a panicked rush.
Lord Evanvar looked on in a mask of frustration "I can see that boy, How did you find her when my best soldiers are looking for her even now?" his voice boomed and echoed in the large room.
Mila saw Gimrie step back slightly unnerved by the question and implication, she felt a sudden rush of anger she snapped in defence of her new found friend - "Your soldiers are shit" she spat matter of factly, hobbling to stand defiantly in front of the huge lord blocking his path to Gimrie.
Lord Evanvar stood silently staring down at the small girl, her hair was tattered, her face covered with soot and dirt, cuts covered her arms and legs, her hands and feet bandaged - with torn sections of the shredded hem of the dress she wore.
Katia had seemed almost oblivious to Mila's presence and at seeing the girl and her poor state, she rushed to her side beginning to fuss over her injuries - genuine concern apparent in her actions "Oten you can learn the details after I tend her wounds" her look confirmed she was not asking for permission.
Taking Mila by the arm Katia lead her swiftly but carefully out of the room calling back "Gimrie fetch Illie and then ask Master Bellick to join me, quickly" - the boy didn't hesitate, running from the room to do his mother's bidding and to put as much distance between himself and Lord Evanvar as possible.
Lord Evanvar just stood there blinking in silence unsure of what had happened, only Varner remained she looked at her lord with puzzled confusion "My Lord?" she questioned unsure of what to do.
Oten suddenly felt awkward and now out of place in his own home "Varner" stumbling he continued "ah carry on" he finished then turned and left through the door behind him.
As he walked he felt his anger creep back in, he emerged from the passageway into his grand courtyard - a beautiful black stone horses statued in a large water fountain stood prominently, it's waters flowing wildly did nothing to calm his foul mood.
The girl was right he thought to himself as he stormed towards his Master of War's quarters, his anger would be seen upon someone best be those responsible for the mess in the first place.
He burst into Heldon's chambers, the door slamming into the wall with a thunderous crash - the seasoned fighters didn't so much as jump at the sudden intrusion, he just calmly leaned back in his seat his hands resting on his knees as he continued to chew on his ever present Ochan.
He slowly chewed out a "How may I serve, M'Lord" before leaning to the side and spitting into a waiting bowl, filled with the thick black liquid that stained his teeth to a greyish tinge.
Evanvar hated the habit but knew Heldon would seldom not be chewing the foul paste, "You could summon back those incompetent men dressed in soldier's honour" his words spewed venom "They insult our house, they dishonour us." he finished pacing the room in blind fury.
Heldon remained quiet merely directing the younger lord to sit with a slow nod of his head, Evanvar obliged with blustered frustration he was in no mood for a lesson - as if reading his thoughts, the old warrior answered coolly "That is when counsel can be most valuable" his wisdom simple and clear as Evanvar settled.
"Surely not every soldier has done you a disservice?" he questioned, knowing the answer he continued "who has wronged our house M'lord?"
Breathing out his fury Evanvar continued "The fools on watch two nights past, the fools out there searching for a drowned girl that stands now in this very house" Heldon shook his head he knew the men on guard "Indeed the guards on watch failed miserably, do we yet know how?" he asked cautiously.
"We know a little girl, alone has fooled them for two days - even Gimrie could find her" he said incredulously "You do that boy a disservice" Heldon countered "He is brighter than you credit him, he learns twice as fast as others his age in training" he could see Gimrie's talents even if Evanvar chose to ignore them.
"Still it's the soldiers shortcomings we need to address" he fumed "There is no excuse for her disappearance in the first place" he finished with certainty "I agree M'lord, I shall summon back the search parties immediately and gather those on watch in the morning. he offered, Evanvar added "And the party that had her trail and lost it" Heldon nodded acceptance and understanding, his face a grim mask.
Evanvar seemed to ease slightly now he felt something was being done "Did she mention how she passed them?" Heldon questioned gently, Oten just shook his head sadness descending upon him "She's torn up, cut's from head to toe - Katia is seeing to her now".
Heldon shifted in his chair "Good woman that one, the girls no fool either I'd dare guess - she made it out there alone and unseen" he seemed impressed "She blames me" Oten confessed sorrow dripping from his words as he confided in his oldest adviser and friend.
"She will learn in time" Heldon softened attempting to ease his lords worries "We need to ask the girl how she got out" he admitted sheepishly to his already burdened lord.
Evanvar sighed as he stood "Gather the men at first light, then we shall uncover those truly responsible for this mess." Heldon nodded agreement as Evanvar turned and left.
The old warrior stood slowly stiffness taking hold whenever he stayed too long in one place, he shook off the pain defiantly forcing himself to move slowly at first then with renewed life and energy as the heat returned to his muscles - he moved off to carry out his lord's bidding.
To be continued...
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