Free Bastial Steel by B. T. Narro

her shoulder and glanced at her with one eye, tilting his head to the side.
    Apparently there was some sort of understanding between them, for Jessend meekly nodded before letting her gaze sink to the floor.
    She shuffled to Kasko and latched her arm around his without a glance.
    When they left, the King spoke before Cleve could go. “Jessend can be very manipulative. She likes to overdramatize, and men can be drawn to her, taking her side whether or not they believe it’s right. Did she tell you to do that to Kasko?”
    “No. Kasko said my skin cuts just as easily as anyone else’s.” When Cleve heard himself say the words, they didn’t come off as threatening as they had from Kasko’s mouth. The way the small man had squeezed his elbow and whispered it was menacing. Cleve had felt the man’s evil like a cold wind reaching the bones beneath his skin.
    “It sounds like he was just referring to a friendly duel. He did mention competition. You need to calm yourself. I greatly appreciate what you’ve done for this family already, but if you become aggressive with Kasko again, I’ll need to punish you. His father is a brilliant man who’s revolutionizing safe surgery. He’s invented numerous techniques, sterilizations, and he’s even working on a way to transfer blood safely from one Human body into another. He’s richer than I am, with a staff of medical experts that would be a major advantage in any war.”
    Danvell glanced toward the doorway, lowering his voice. “Jessend may not love Kasko, but their marriage could save thousands of people in Goldram if the Lage family was on our side.” The King fell into silence, making Cleve wonder what he should say.
    “I can see how Kasko’s family is important.” But there’s something wrong with that man.
    “Yes, but Kasko has done nothing for this family yet, unlike you.” Danvell showed Cleve a proud smile. “It’s rare for me to like a man that Jessend has brought to the palace, but you’re different than most men.” He stopped to look at a timepiece from his pocket. “I would like to speak with you more about this whole situation, but I don’t have the time at the moment.” The King turned to leave.
    Cleve decided to take his chances with a possibly dangerous question. “May I see Rek?”
    “Who?”
    “The psychic Elf who came with me. I’m not sure where he’s staying.”
    “I’m keeping him far from me. I’ll have a guard bring you to him.”
     
    Rek’s room was adorned with many vases of flowers along with pictures of Elves on the walls.
    Cleve was confused by them. “Do you know these Elves?”
    Rek laughed. “Not one of them. I don’t know why they thought to litter the walls with paintings of Elves I’ve never met. I guess they believed it would comfort me.” He shook his head. “It seems they know as little about Elves as I do.”
    “What happened with the King’s adviser—the psychic one?”
    “Micah Vail.” Rek was nodding now. “He’s a very cautious man, and he has good reason to be.”
    “So you’re not going to tell anyone he’s a psychic?”
    “I have no reason to. He’s helping me.” Rek lowered his voice. “Probably because I’m cooperating.”
    Cleve was about to ask if Rek could be sure Micah’s intentions were genuine, but then he remembered who he was talking to.
    “What’s he doing for you?” Cleve asked instead.
    “I’m going to visit the Elves once I learn how to ride a horse.”
    Cleve felt his eyes go wide. “Are you coming back?”
    Rek squeezed Cleve’s shoulder, and he felt his worry lessen. “Of course. But I have to take this opportunity. I’m sure you understand.”
    Cleve did, nodding to show it.
    “Micah Vail says it’s better for me to leave soon,” Rek continued. “He’s worried that the longer I’m here and the more I prove myself useful, the harder it’s going to be to convince the King to let me go…although, I’m pretty sure both of them realize there’s not much