Page 54 of Shadow Queen
“Did you know Hamed?” she asked him, changing the subject.
“No. Why?”
She shrugged. “When you saw him, you just seemed to respect him, that’s all. It made me think you knew him.”
“He is a man to be respected. His markings tell he was a great warrior. He’s had many kills.”
Norah shifted uncomfortably. “How could you tell? He wore a long-sleeved tunic.” It was hard to imagine Hamed killing anyone.
The lines in the corners of his eyes deepened. He really didn’t like explaining things to her, but it didn’t intimidate her anymore. She found it rather amusing now.
“Kill markings are the only ones to reach the outside wrist,” he shared finally. He extended his own arm out from underneath his cloak, showing her the patterns along his skin. “They start at the elbow, a lined triangle for every three kills—a solid for every ten. If one has markings to his wrist, he’s a man to be respected.”
Norah’s eyes stayed on his skin. Geometric patterns formed larger images, deceivingly beautiful. Some swirled like currents of the sea, some were chained like mountains. She hadn’t realized they were all made of triangles before. From his elbow to his wrist. So many triangles. So many deaths. And Hamed had them too.
“Mikael doesn’t wear marks like that,” she said. Surely it wasn’t for lack of accomplishment. But she found herself happy for it—she didn’t want to be reminded.
“Because he’s salar.” His eyes betrayed his snarky smirk underneath his wrap. “But if he did, he’d have more than I do.”
She wasn’t sure she believed him, but it was enough to drown the gratefulness she’d felt only moments prior. She pushed her disquiet down. This was what Soren liked to do to her. She wouldn’t let him. “Well, if Hamed was a great warrior, his grandchildren will be great warriors too.” Preferably without scoring their arms with triangles.
Soren snorted his annoyance. Then his brow changed, and his eyes narrowed as he looked out across the hills. “You keep on with the Crest,” he told her. “I’ll catch up.” And he urged his horse northwest, away from the group.
What had he seen that he was going to check out? She didn’t really care. She was happy to be rid of him for a while. Norah continued with Titus beside her.
Titus urged his mount closer. “Will you really have me train them?” he asked her as he looked at Calla and Cohen up ahead.
“I’ll have someone train them. It’ll likely not be you, though.” She smiled at the relief on his face. “Maybe Caspian, but don’t tell him.”
He chuckled.
They reached Ashan just before dark, and Norah saw Calla and Cohen to a temporary room in the castle until she could sort a permanent place for them. With them settled, she headed toward her own chamber.
Mikael was waiting for her. Norah had passed Soren in the hall on her way, so he’d have already informed the king of her new wards.
“Salara,” Mikael greeted her with a kiss and pulled her close. “I almost rode out to find you.”
She pulled back to look up at him and snaked her brow in mock disapproval. “I said I’d return today, and I did.”
“Today.Day. It’s night.”
“I had to see Calla and Cohen taken care of. I’ve put them in the east quarters. I know they’re for royal guests, but I’ll have them out once I’ve found suitable accommodation for them tomorrow.”
“Who?” he asked.
“Calla and Cohen, children from the family who helped me. I’ve brought them to study here in Ashan. Did the lord commander not tell you?”
He shook his head. “No, but no matter. Whatever you desire.” He pulled her close again and kissed the top of her head.
Strange that Soren hadn’t mentioned it. She had expected some kind of resistance, and smiled appreciatively in finding none.
They readied for bed. Norah climbed under the quilts and nestled against Mikael’s warmth. He wrapped his arms around her, but his mind was elsewhere.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“I am now that you’re here.” He tightened his arms around her. “I have to tend to something in the morning with the lord commander. I’ll be gone before you wake, but I should return in time for breakfast.”
“What are you going to do?” she asked.
