Part 5 - Insufferable

The slamming of a door startled Elian who raised his head to watch Denar storm inside, grumbling something intelligible between clenched teeth.

“What happened now …” he asked with a sigh and the Knight turned towards him defensively.

“She’s insufferable!”

“What did you tell her? Elipson needs her rest!”

“Go tell her that! I told her we were leaving today and she’s saying she’s coming with us! Even in her condition and all!”

“Why did go and tell her that?” Elian asked painfully, anticipating what awaited him, and Denar gave him a peeved look, arms cross in an obvious foul mood.

“Why? Were you planning on leaving without telling her again? She’d never forgive you if you did that a second time!” he stated and Elian sighed, wondering which side the Knight was really on.

“O course I was going to tell her. But there was no need to mention Everlyn, was there? Now no one will be able to convince her to stay…”

“You mean you’re going to allow this madness?”

“And what would you have me do? Tie her up somewhere? You know all too well she won’t stay even if I order her to. She’ll just climb on her horse and follow us anyway. If that's what will inevitably happen she may as well travel with us. At least we can keep an eye on her in case she needs help.” Denar averted his gaze, the frown on his forehead growing deeper, and grumbled a few more unintelligible obscenities. “You’re the one who had to go and open your big mouth. So you may as well do something about that mood of yours. How is she?”

“Fine enough to insult me and throw me out!”

“Hum … maybe she’ll be alright, then,” Elian hoped, not making case of Denar’s bitter remark. “We’ll just have to try and keep her out of trouble.”

“Yeah, right …!” Denar retorted lacking his Prince’s optimism. “And you? How are you feeling?”

“Oh, I’m fine. Don’t worry. You know I heal fast.”

“Yeah … But I hate seeing you looking like that, as if you’ve been dead and buried for over a week.”

“Well, thank you. I feel better already. And now let’s go. Father must have his answer by now.”

* If you want to know more about this book or simply access earlier updates, please visit the official site at http://carpersanti.net/arnae/