The Unfortunate, стр. 13
“I cannot.”
“Cannot or will not?” The guard added as he slid his hands to Jenn’s hips and eventually to her backside.
Before the situation could advance any further, Banan emerged and unsheathed his dagger. “I think it best if you return to your sentry position.”
“I do not assume my watch until evening,” the guard coolly replied and moved away from Jenn.
“Then should you not be resting?”
“There is no need for anger, Banan,” the man added. “We were only talking.”
The prince returned a smile, but he never lowered his weapon. “Your conversation will have to wait. There are more pressing matters that require attention.” Banan took Jenn’s hand and coaxed her to move away.
“Pressing matters?” The guard called after them. “Is that what you call it when you desire a woman to warm your bed?” He chuckled. “What can you offer her besides jewels and other expensive gifts? Why not allow her to be pleased by a real man?”
Rather than counter with words that would have been wasted, Banan and Jenn both ignored the ranting and continued to follow the corridor. It was not until they had passed another turn that the woman ended the silence.
“Thank you.”
He nodded to acknowledge the appreciation but maintained a stern expression to suggest discontent. He was aggravated because of the guard’s behavior. On previous occasions Banan had seen the man intently watch Jenn, and he had sensed what thoughts were being entertained. But the staring would only be temporary, and Banan would not allow the guard to violate her any more than what had already occurred.
“Nothing would have transpired had you not—”
“I know a certain series of events would not have taken place,” he interrupted with a hint of compassion. “But there is a chance that something else would have.”
“No,” she answered with a stronger tone. “I would not have allowed him.”
“How would you have prevented it, Jenn? You are brave. You always have been. Courage has always burned inside you, and that is one of the qualities I love about you, but we both know he would have had his way.”
The discussion continued until they had reached the entrance of Banan’s outer chamber.
“Why are we here?”
“We need to talk.”
There was a brief hesitation before she nodded and entered the room.
Banan closed the door and waited momentarily before speaking. “What do you know about Drunacht?”
Jenn appeared surprised by the question, astonished that it had not involved the guard, and she did not hesitate to inquire, “Does this concern what transpired this morning? If King Beadurof commands, I shall leave the capital.”
“No,” he soothed. “This has nothing to do with my father, and I ask you not to think of such. It grieves me to imagine a day without you.”
The young woman smiled. “You are a terrible liar.”
“That argument will have to wait for another time. I need you to tell me everything you know about Drunacht. What do you remember?” It was the first time Banan had requested Jenn to speak about her native land in a detailed manner.
“Nothing,” she replied with a shrug. “I was still an infant, from what I have been told, when my mother and I first came to Armania.”
“What of your family? Siblings? Your father?”
“I have no siblings, and I never knew my father.”
“What about your mother then? Is she still in Drunacht?”
“No. She, unable to return, stayed here in Armania, and because I cannot visit her often, we write.”
Banan simply nodded and pondered briefly before continuing, “Has she ever mentioned anything about King Aengus?”
“King Aengus? Why would my mother know anything?” The young woman’s tone became testy, but she remained composed. “As I told you, she has not been back across the Slender Sea for over twenty years.” She paused and inhaled deeply. “I am sorry. I have done everything I can to forget about Drunacht. I was born there, but it is not my home. Armania is my home.”
Banan wrapped his arms around Jenn and as he comforted her, assuring that everything was fine and that there was no need to worry about Drunacht, the prince wished the same could be applied for himself. He wanted to forget about the most recent concerns, but there was no escaping diplomacy, even during his private conversations.
“What is occurring that involves Drunacht?” Jenn eventually inquired, her tone having returned to its normal mix of compassion and fearlessness.
“I cannot reveal more than I already have,” he answered and cupped her hands in his own. “But I need you to inform me if you receive anything about King Aengus or his intentions.”
She nodded and prepared to depart, but Banan caused her to pause when he again spoke.
“I almost forgot. I have a gift for you.” He went to his writing desk, returned with a red, velvet pouch, and handed it to Jenn. He had hidden the gift several months prior, around the time he had first seen the guard eying the handmaiden. Banan had known it would be necessary for Jenn to own a weapon that could be easily concealed yet accessible. It had also been necessary so the prince could feel more at ease since he would not always be with her.
She opened the bag slowly and retrieved an object slightly longer than her fist. The young woman admired the floral designs that composed what one could easily have thought was the object’s hilt before finally inquiring, “A miniature dagger? Her tone was a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity.
“You can think of it as such,” he answered with a chuckle. “It is a hairpin fashioned with a small but deadly blade. I had intended to wait, but after seeing that guard …”
Jenn smiled and kissed Banan’s cheek. “Thank you.”
CHAPTER FIVE
GILDAS
Even though the eastern horizon was illuminated with initial rays of light and numerous hues of orange, yellow, and pink, the sun had not yet overwhelmed all traces of night’s pitch. There was a lingering coolness