Free Rachel Rossano - The Theodoric Saga by The Crown of Anavrea Page B

to call for assistance.
    “I am afraid so.”
    “I want to speak with Eve alone.” Ruarc stood, confronting Professor Olof.
    Olof studied him for a moment before shaking his head. “Trahern needs her and his health is more important than your right to answers. You will be given plenty of opportunity later, perhaps tomorrow.”
    Ruarc opened his mouth to protest, but the arrival of three large young men stalled him. Eve made efforts to making everything ready and ignored his efforts to catch her attention.
    Early the next morning, Eve encountered her brother coming down the stairs when she was climbing up them. A laden breakfast tray filled her arms. Ruarc exploded.
    “What are you doing? He expects you to wait on him, fetching this or that. You are no better than a slave, Eve. I heard that professor man last night. That man’s health is more important to them than yours. They don’t value you here. Come away with me and you will be truly free.”
    “No. You don’t understand. I promised to care for him in sickness and in health.”
    Ruarc scoffed as he took the tray from her. “I think he is getting the better end of that deal.” She led him up the remaining stairs.
    “I promised.” She opened the door to the bedroom. “Besides, he treats me like an equal.”
    Ruarc lifted the tray until it was even with her nose. “And this is a service that a common maid can render. Not the chore of a valued wife and equal.”
    “I do it because I care for him, Ruarc, not because I have to. You don’t seem to understand that I want to do this. Now give it here. He isn’t dressed yet and I don’t want you disturbing him.”
    “Eve?” He caught her arm, suddenly serious. “You know I protest because I care. I am not leaving without you unless it is clear that you are being valued far higher than a servant.”
    “Ruarc, I am.”
    He frowned, but Eve didn’t know how to convince him at that moment. Labren needed food and her own stomach was grousing. She left her brother standing in the empty hallway and slipped into the bedroom. Kurios, please open his eyes. Let him see that I need to be here and do this.
     
    Despite the presence of Ruarc always lingering underfoot, Eve’s life settled into a routine. She woke early, breakfasted with Labren, and then returned the tray to the kitchen on the way to her lessons. Ruarc sat in on every one, silently watching to be sure no one hurt her.
    Labren appeared at lunch, assisted down the stairs by Han. Then the afternoon stretched into more lessons. Evening brought instrument practice, dancing instructions, and finally etiquette. By the time she finished her last lesson, dinner appeared in the dining room. Promptly afterwards, Labren needed assistance back to his room and Eve began her homework.
    Labren’s fever returned most nights. He alternated sweating and convulsing with cold. Each transition woke her because he pulled the covers on or off. Then the following morning, she began the whole regime again.
    A month passed. Olof spoke of sending a letter to Prince Hiaronical to find out the state of the situation in the Anavrean court.
    Labren opposed the idea because it would place his uncle in a tricky political position, knowing the whereabouts of an enemy of the state. He didn’t want to place a strain on the already weakening ties between his father and uncle.
    The argument took center place at each dinner. Olof built up a list of reasons for and Labren skillfully knocked each support down. Eve watched it all with a growing admiration for her husband’s skill and knowledge. Her brother, on the other hand, watched in stormy silence that grew gradually calmer with each meal. By the end of a week, he took his place at the table and glanced at each opponent waiting with obvious interest to see who would attack first. Olof invariably opened the conversation. Before the main course appeared the debate reached full swing.
    Eve woke after an unusually difficult night to find