FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions

WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country

SEBASTIAN

“Sebastian!”

Bast had just recently dozed off but the sound of Deragan’s voice shouting in his mind startled the life out of him.

As an unfortunate result he flailed and tossed himself over the side of his high bed. Sending him thudding to the floor on a hip and elbow.

Ow…One of the rare times I actually elected for a more comfortable slumber in my own chamber. He groaned aloud in frustration

“Yes?” He murmured.

“I need you.”

“I’m coming.” Bast reluctantly rose. Still blinking blearily as he tried to wash the badly-needed sleep from his eyes. He’d just reached his armoire to pull out clothes, because he’d discarded his muddied ones earlier to the corner chair, as he stripped for slumber.

Thusly Bast was sadly unprepared for his chamber door to be ripped open and several of the knights to come stumbling in. They fell over each other.

“Are you okay?” One of them asked worriedly. “We heard something!”

Rhyers peered over the first man’s head. “We were certain your valkyrie was in here slitting your throat!”

“Not today.” Bast dismissed. Still standing frozen. Reaching for the knob of his armoire.

Naked as the day I squealed my way into life.

Rhyers was the first to duck and slam his eyes shut. Cringing from the sight as he rounded to exit the chamber. The four other men followed him. But Rhyers came to a dead stop in the doorway and the others bumped into him.

Like tiny wooden toys stacking up.

Bast tilted back to peer around the crowd. Glimpsing Elsabet’s expressionless stare eyeing the men.

“Rest assured,” She said coldly. “When I kill him, you’ll be the first to know.” She turned in a sweep of red brocade and vanished down the corridor.

“I believe she meant that!” Rhyers exclaimed.

“That was ominous.” Another man said.

“Is it safe to go out there?” Another queried.

“Not a chance in Hell. I’m staying in here with Bast’s immodesty versus risking that.”

My immodesty! He frowned. I was minding my own business in my chamber when you all came dumping in.

Only then did it occur to him Elsabet had likely glimpsed him naked as well.

He glanced down. Well I’m healed.

I bet she feasted her eyes before she thought she’d be caught. He nodded to himself, satisfied as he opened the armoire to withdraw the day’s clothes.

Dressed and awake from a splash of water from his slightly iced washbasin he was alert. And prepared for whatever mission the Captain has in mind.

There was a boom of thunder outside and the surge of rain that Deragan often summoned when in one of his rare emotional states.

Where do you need me? He asked Deragan as he passed the Parlor. But before the Captain could answer, Bast opened WaterRose’s double doors and was hit with the force of the Fallen’s approach.

Drawing close as surely as the beacon of her light flushed the evening sky like an antenna to Heaven. Jolting with her movements.

She’s on her way to Rosewynn. And he intended to assure her passage was as safe as her arrival.

Or the Captain will have all my hide.

As sure as Radix is a coward, he’ll have Cimmerii guarding their home.

Bast pulled off the shirt he’d so recently put on and tossed it to the floor, letting it dissipate in gold flakes. He cracked his neck and lunged into an animal already loping through the storm-wrought meadow.