The Elf Who Wants to Defeat Theorad (2)
As soon as I slipped my note under the elf's door, I returned to my study without looking back and closed myself inside.
Click.
I locked the door for good measure, crossed to my desk and sat down.
My hands were clasped tightly on the tabletop, but I couldn't stop them trembling.
Still, trembling was only a physical reaction. I couldn't allow it to govern my thoughts. I drew a slow breath and tried to make my mind as still as a clear, undisturbed lake.
Only then did I revisit what I'd just seen.
The elf was masturbating…
There was no disputing it. Unless I'd suffered some extraordinary hallucination, I'd seen the act with my own eyes.
But why do it where I could see? She had deliberately left her door ajar.
The more I considered it, the more one explanation seemed likely.
Was that a warning?
When we have sex in two days, you'd better satisfy me. Otherwise, you'll pay for it.
Perhaps that was what she meant to convey. Damn it. I pressed my interlocked fingers together until they hurt, trying to hold fear at bay.
What am I supposed to do?
I gritted my teeth. Then I remembered the ring on my left index finger and tapped it.
Hum…
Mana spilled from the ring and formed a square viewing window. The elf's room appeared within it.
She was crouched by the door, muttering to herself. Her ears were bright red. She looked embarrassed, though I couldn't imagine why.
After a while she sighed, stood and went out.
I dismissed the surveillance window at once.
Is she coming here?
What if she'd believed my offer of the “dragon head” meant I was willing to hand it over immediately? She could decide to storm into the study and demand something quite different.
The door was locked, but that wouldn't stop an elf like her. She could smash through it and announce that she intended to use my body instead of the device.
My hard-won calm vanished. My hands and legs shook while I listened for footsteps.
Ten minutes passed. None came.
I waited five more before finally breathing out.
She must have gone back to work. I survived… for now.
Maybe she intended to honor what she'd told me in the carriage—that she would listen to my instructions. At least she hadn't tried to force her way into the study.
That was small comfort. Whether or not she came here today, the deadline was still two days away.
If I couldn't find a way to satisfy her by then, I was afraid she'd pronounce me inadequate and make me suffer for it.
Her behavior had softened lately, but I didn't trust that gentleness to survive her disappointment.
I'll have to call Dremes.
I had no confidence I could manage without some kind of adult aid. With the decision made, I retrieved Dremes's business card from a desk drawer and held it to the candle flame.
The card caught fire, then scattered into sparks like starlight.
I didn't understand the witchcraft involved, but burning the card was supposed to summon or contact her.
That was reassuring. Once she arrived, I could explain the problem and ask for something suitable.
I may as well get back to work while I wait.
The remaining correspondence caught my eye.
Some letters were from nobles in the county or imperial capital, but most came from people thanking House Deharem for donations and other assistance.
One man wrote that his father had recovered from an illness. Another said that selling the small goods I'd provided had fed his family. Others described businesses rescued from the brink of ruin.
Reading their gratitude warmed my heart. I wrote each sender a reply, encouraging them to persevere through their difficulties and keep moving forward.
About an hour passed.
Knock, knock.
I laid down my quill and turned toward the window.
For an instant I thought it might be Dremes. But a black crow was tapping its beak against the glass.
A familiar?
Witches and demons often seemed to use animals as messengers or servants. That black cat the elf had strangled had turned out to belong to Lerazie, after all.
“One moment.”
I wasn't certain the crow understood speech. Nevertheless, I rose and opened the window.
It fluttered onto the sill, then held out one leg. A small folded note was tied around its ankle.
What's this?
I untied the message and spread it open.
Dremes's Adult Goods Shop — Red Feather Street, Pelgaroin County
I apologize for being unable to respond to your summons. I am currently outside the county attending to Guild business. It will be difficult for me to conduct trade during the next four days, and I ask for your understanding.
If you require something promptly after my return, please write down the items you need and tie your order to the ankle of the crow that delivered this message. Requests will be handled in the order received.
Thank you.
The note was full of oddly formal courtesies. I could barely concentrate on them.
So…
I had to face the elf without any assistance? No special devices or medicines to rely on, nothing?
“That's impossible!”
I grabbed the crow and shook it in a frenzy.
Flap! Flap!
It beat its wings and squawked in outrage, but panic had carried me away.
“Bring Dremes back this instant! I'm not asking for adult goods because I want to amuse myself with a slave. This is a matter of life and death, and she dares—”
“Caw!”
The crow pecked the back of my hand.
“Ow!”
I recoiled and let go. The bird glared at me furiously.
Only then did I come to my senses. I rubbed the stinging hand, suddenly ashamed.
“I'm sorry. I lost my head…”
“Caw.”
“Can't you do anything? I really do need Dremes's help.”
The crow regarded me with what looked very much like pity and shook its head.
I was devastated, but I couldn't give up. I pulled a silver coin from my coat.
“Crows like shiny things, don't they? I'll give you this if you carry a message to your mistress.”
It didn't answer. It simply turned, launched itself from the sill and flew away.
“Ah…”
I stretched a hand after it, far too late. The crow was already gliding through the sky.
“Huh? What do you mean, Grandfather?”
Beynon was practicing with his sword in the manor's back garden when Havid came to find him. He lowered the blade, looking thoroughly confused.
“The young master called for me? At this hour?”
“Yes. He has something to discuss with you. Go to him.”
What could Theorad possibly want from him so late at night?
Beynon stroked his unshaven chin and returned his sword to its scabbard.
“If he's misunderstood something, could you put it right for me? I didn't steal that chocolate.”
“This has nothing to do with chocolate. He said there's something he wants you to teach him.”
“Teach him? Me?”
Beynon was baffled.
The only thing I know how to teach is swordsmanship.
Did his gentle young master suddenly want lessons in striking people? The idea was so unlikely that it made his head ache.
“Grandfather, are you teasing me?”
“You little—!”
Havid scowled and pointed an accusing finger.
“If your lord summons you, you go! Why all these questions? Have I ever lied about an order from the head of the house?”
“Why are you angry? I'm only asking because he called out of nowhere.”
“A household knight should have no doubt about serving his lord! In the old days—”
Here we go again.
The familiar lecture was beginning. Beynon gave an absent nod and walked past Havid.
“Hey! I haven't finished speaking!”
“You said the young master summoned me. I'm obeying his orders.”
He headed into the mansion, ignoring the irritated clicking of Havid's tongue behind him.
Once inside, Beynon wiped his sweat with the towel around his neck and went straight to Theorad's room.
“Young master, I'm coming in.”
He knocked lightly and opened the door.
Theorad was at the table, drinking brandy.
Brandy?
Theorad scarcely ever drank, and he didn't smoke at all. Beynon felt a pang of concern. Something must have been troubling him.
He pulled out the chair across from Theorad and sat down.
“I heard you sent for me.”
Theorad had been staring down in silence. At Beynon's words, he slowly lifted his head.
Beynon started. The young master looked positively miserable.
“Ah… um…”
Beynon had served on battlefields and dealt with every sort of person. Comforting someone in emotional distress, however, remained far beyond his talents.
He cleared his throat.
“Are things going badly with Lady Ashley?”
“…No.”
“Then did something happen when you met Her Highness? Did the conversation go badly?”
“Not that either.”
Beynon could think of nothing else. He fell silent.
Theorad sighed.
“Beynon. Listen carefully. I'm going to tell you why I'm in such trouble.”
“Y-yes, young master. Go ahead.”
“In two days, I have to have sex with my slave.”
For a moment there was no sound at all.
Beynon studied him in complete sincerity.
“Young master… have you hit your head?”