Free Warden (Blade Asunder Book 3) by Jon Kiln Page A

bathed and eaten?” he inquired, as if they were here on pleasurable business.
    The Queen nodded her affirmation. “Yes Ghaffar, thank you for your hospitality. I hope that my visit will help bring our two nations together in a closer union.”
    Ganry smiled to himself. The young Queen was quickly becoming the wise diplomat.
    “Now we are rested I had hoped we could see my grandmother, before I retire.” Myriam emphasized this point to Ghaffar. “I am concerned for her and will not rest easy until I see her.”
    “Of course, Queen Myriam.” Ghaffar bowed in an exaggerated manner. “That is the purpose of my visit this evening, to take you to see your grandmother.”
    Ganry stood up and walked up to the small frame of Ghaffar’s human looking body. He towered over him but the little man showed no signs of being intimidated by Ganry’s muscular physique.
    “I will accompany the Queen to see her grandmother,” he informed him, making it clear this was not a request. “The Queen goes nowhere alone.”
    “You are not in a position to make such demands, Ganry the brave. She will not be alone, I will be with her.” Ghaffar sneered at the big human, his address to Ganry, mocking him. Still, Ghaffar did not want to antagonize them just yet. “Very well, you may come along, but you cannot map our corridors. Remember, you are a guest here, and guests act with respect in the homes that they visit. This is the way of humans, is it not?”
    “Truly,” Myriam responded on behalf of Ganry before he could speak. “We have every respect for your community. I am truly grateful for the care you have provided to my grandmother. However, we wish for her to return to her own home as soon as possible.”
    “Of course, and I shall facilitate that in any way I can, Queen Myriam, when she is well.” Ghaffar bowed again. “For now she is bed ridden, and I am taking the greatest of care for her well being. A woman of the Duchess’ standing, deserves nothing but the best treatment that we can provide.”
    Myriam seated herself in a chair, a little shocked at this news.
    “Are you saying my grandmother is very ill? I thought it just a part of her recovery from the dungeon, not an illness?”
    “Please, Queen Myriam, let us go along and visit her,” Ghaffar suggested, as he opened the door and gestured for them to follow him.
    Myriam looked over at Ganry who nodded, indicating that she should go first. Myriam followed Ghaffar out of the door, and Ganry followed his Queen. They walked in procession down an array of corridors cut into the rock, dimly lit by the torches on the walls.
    Ganry tried to memorize the way, but he suspected that they were being led in an indirect route. In fact, he was certain that they had been on this current corridor at least once already today, but he could never be certain in this confounded place. If the route taken was meant to confuse them then it had done its task well.
    Finally, Ghaffar turned into a doorway and stepped into a dimly lit room. The entourage followed him in and there Myriam saw her grandmother, lain in bed and unresponsive. Quickly going to her side, she knelt on the floor and took a hold of her grandmother’s hand. It felt cold and clammy to touch, and Myriam feared the worse.
    “Do you know what ails her?” she asked of Ghaffar, almost accusingly.
    “She suffered much at the hands of the pretender, Harald, and endured much in the dungeons of the castle. I rescued her from there, as soon as I could, but now you see the consequences of that terrible experience,” he explained.
    Myriam knew there was truth in the tale. Her grandmother had suffered much physical and mental pain to save her throne. This was her fault, not the Akkedis. As Ghaffar had pointed out, he had been the one to rescue her. She had much to thank him for.
    The Duchess appeared unaware of anything happening around her, looking pale and almost lifeless. Her skin was cold, but she did still live. Her heart was