These last words faded quickly as exhaustion over- whelmed him. Whether or not I'm in a safe place I can't -- hold -- out, he thought as he collapsed back on the bed, and his eyelids dropped closed.
Chapt In their room, Naitachal prepared for breakfast in the great hall. A knock sounded at the door; he reached for his sword, but didn't draw it. He recalled that the last time someone knocked on his door it had been lit- tle Erik, come to clean the room. He relaxed a little. It wouldn't do at all for the boy to walk in a second time with a sword pointed towards him, and he didn't think the poor child would believe the "practice" story again.
"Come in," Naitachal said, carefully.
The door opened, and a cart pushed by Erik came rolling in. "Your breakfast," the boy said happily.
"Paavo sent me in with it, sir."
The Dark Elf raised his eyebrows when he saw what they'd sent. Dieren steak, fried eggs, a fresh loaf of bread, a round of cheese, a pot of jam. Compared to the "repast" of yesterday, this was a veritable feast.
Hmm, he thought, trying to unweave the tangled web they were spinning before him. They're serving me in my room, on the third day of the visit. They must want me out of the way, so as not to mingle with anyone who might ask me questions about the where- abouts of Kai and Alaire.
"Where would you like it?" the boy asked, eager to please. At least they had not managed to contam Erik's mind.
"Anywhere," he said. The cart became a clever table, and he pulled up a chair to make the best of the meal. Something tells me this is going to be a trying day. I'll need my energy.
Erik made ready to leave. Naitachal spoke up. "You don't have to leave, just yet. Come sit. I'll be happy to talk with you, if you like. You had a lot of questions yesterday."
Shyly, the boy complied, but his hesitancy indicated he either had something else he had to do, or Paavo had instructed him not to talk to the Dark Elf.
Naitachal cut a careful piece from the dieren steak, and ate it as casually as if he had not a care in the world. Young as this child was, and guileless, he could still be used as a source of information. "So. Hav Prince and my secretary returned to the palace yet?"
"That's your secretary they're looking for, too?" the boy replied, clearly shocked.
Naitachal ate a piece of bread. "Evidently," he said with careful casualness. "What's the news?"
"Well," Erik began, eying the door. "I -- uh -- "
Is someone watching him, making sure he returns promptly?
"Yes?" the elf asked.
"They're both still missing," Erik said, quickly, "
Sir Jehan threw a flying fit when the Swords failed to find them last night. He sealed the port, permitting no ships to leave or enter without a search."
I never considered escape by sea, Naitachal mused.
Gods forbid that ever becomes necessary. It may be the only route out of this land. He tried some of the cheese. It was excellent.
"Interesting," he said. "I can't imagine why they think Alaire would want to escape. His place is with me, after all. I should think they ought to be looking for whoever has kidnapped him and is trying to create an incident."
There. Plant a rumor of my own.
The boy stared at him. "Why are they keeping you here?" Erik blurted. "All the servants are talking about it."
Well, that didn't make much sense. "Keeping? You mean, 'boarding,' don't you?" Naitachal asked.