She admonished herself for stupidly thinking no one would ever notice. “It worked so far.”
“True, but if your eyes hadn’t given you away, your sword soon would. Everybody knows Tanith, the sword from the prophecy, when they see it.”
“Tanith?”
“Yes, your sword, given to you by the elves. You are the only human to have been given a gift and a blessing by the Elvin Elders in a millennia. Your sword is Elvin steel but your particular one is recognizable by anyone who knows their history.”
“I know who gave it to me, but I don’t know why I was given it.”
“Oh, no one knows that for sure, but there are rumors that you and it are part of a prophecy. Either way, I assure you, there was a reason. Flashing it around like that might’ve given you away. It’s a good thing I found it, and you, before someone else did.”
“I lost my knife as well.”
“Yes, I suppose that did put you at quite a disadvantage. Even so, it’s not wise to announce to the world that you are out here, especially when there are people looking for you.”
“I didn’t announce myself. I was trying to be quiet. If you try to take me to Fallon, I’ll kill you before you make it there.”
“If I worked for Fallon and was sent to find you, you’d already be in his hands. That thing that chased you was a wraith, a spawn of evil. The only reason you got away is because of the river. He will not cross water. Water is too pure for him.”
She got a chill remembering those eyes. “Who are you then?”
“Someone who was sent to protect you.”
“What?”
He bowed his head to her. “My name is Alekzand’r Morgan. I’m a Bounty Hunter and Royal Advisor to King Dainard Llewelyn Grayson of Azlyn.”
“Bounty Hunter?”
“Yes, well, today my hunting is not for a bounty.”
“Why would King Dainard send you for me?”
“He didn’t, your brother did.”
“Kevaan?”
“Yes. After he found out that Fallon was a day and half early, he knew that he would be too late to get back to the castle before you left. He was going to enlist me to take you to Drydon Keep for safe keeping. I’ve been looking for you for two days. One thing’s for sure, Kevaan has definitely taught you well.”
She stared at him, frowning.
“You don’t believe me?”
“I know better than to trust anyone.”
“You trusted Garreth.”
“If you hurt them I’ll kill you!”
“No. I told you. I was looking for you for Kevaan. I don’t run with Fallon.”
“Garreth told you where to find me?”
“He told me which way you were headed.”
“He said he would never talk.”
“I did nothing to threaten him. Garreth is smart and a good judge of character. He knew I was who I claimed to be.”
“Well, I don’t.”
He sighed. “Your brother said you were a handful, but he never said you were stubborn. If I untie you for good measure, will that convince you that I mean you no harm?”
“The throbbing in my head says otherwise.”
“That’s not my doing.”
“But the binds cutting into my hands and legs are.”
He winced. “Yes, I’m sorry about that. You wouldn’t behave. Don’t you remember? I let you go, and you started to run away, twice. You punched me in the face and elbowed me in the groin. I had to be sure that you were safe. I didn’t want you sneaking off while I slept, which you also tried to do.
She scowled at him. “If you untie me, I’ll have your head on a pole.”
He clucked his tongue. “Such unbecoming threats from a lady of nobility. Well then, I guess we are at an impasse. I can’t have you run away, and I don’t want to hurt you. I guess I’m going to have to tie you to my horse and carry you like a saddlebag the entire way to Azlyn.”
He wasn’t looking directly at her, but he was smiling slightly. He could see her from the corner of his eye. She was contemplating what to do. He knew they must be on their way soon, so he had to get her to eat, then get moving again. He sighed and turned his head to look her directly in the eyes, serious now.
“I swear on my life that I won’t harm you. I’ve made an oath to your brother, my friend for many a year, that I would get you safely to the king, and I will, or die trying. There’s a dark being looking for you, and I will not let him have you. I’m amazed that you escaped, but I can guarantee he won’t let you a second time.”
Her stomach growled again, the smell of the warm food wafting to her on the light breeze. With her food gone, she needed to eat to keep up her strength. She decided that she’d better trust him so he’d untie her. She’d decide later if it was the right thing to do.