at he would be eating alone. But now she saw how wrong she had been. At a long, big table King

y to serve the food. Ayla frowned. Su

King and the Paladins. The men were dressed in simple tunics and were

eated at the middle of the table and talking to a Paladin tha

go directly to the table and start serving the food. On the few occasions that Ayla had been permitted to eat with her fath

rds the table, Milton cleared his voi

looked directly into her eyes. She stared and stared into his eyes for what seemed forever. And Ayla would have kep

ne said while the men hurried

don’t ruin the din

d into Milton. He put his arms over her shoulders, “We better not

this dinner. She wanted to ask to be let to work in the kitchen or another place that would that her away from this man

e King pulling the chair from his

e had to take two steps back to be able to look at his face. His 6’7 towered over her 5’5, making her feel so small a

white tunic. But was surprised Ayla the most was a little satchel that the King wore around his neck. The said satchel was made from the hide of an animal and dyed pink. A very, very vivid pink. Some birds and

yla. She tried to think why but when she couldn’t fi

hing similar to longing. And what she saw now were loneliness and sadness. For an unknown reason, her heart ached for him. Who knew Kings as st

ll looked tired. And sad. So very sad. Ayla wanted to ask what

lost weight, t’xoria. And you look

r, for sure Ayla did not expect this. And there

am better now. Thank

ned about you!” the King

e won’t be concerned about her well-being. Wh

our manners, Rhobart. And on

ept looking at Ayla. And his eyes turned an ev

ying but stopped.”Would you join

ve dinner with the

d started putting food on it. Wait, the King serving her? That couldn’t be right. She

the table coughed and Ayla thought sh

you nicely,” t

time that the dress came from the King

ve,” the Paladin

rted, “I will pay for it!

snorted

ill

and arched an eyeb

but

ck hair, and hazel eyes and who was sea

N

t? Anything?" another one asked, in a playful tone. This one

ders slumped

her left said. “Better feed her to the

using tone in her head. He had bee

ed to have stopped breathing. Time seemed to slow down. The King kept adding more things

below the table, and when Ayla looked s

hair to look at the Paladin, and said, in a tone that promised death in a thousand ways, “Talk about her like that one more time, and I will cut your tongue out. Look at her wi

g, King Rhobart asked again,

odefray

’t hear

my K

with eyes full of rage, before starting to put f

ue. The Paladin seated to his left looked identical to him, except for his eyes. He also had them mismatched

ismarked eyes. She has never seen someon

with mischief, “I am Eude. And this one over here,” the

calling ugly?

of c

ass!” Hudde sai

rinned at Ayla. She was sure that he was from the Kingdom of Drara – h

es, which most likely was from the S

ge!” Mil

and brown eyes, “I think it is best if we introduce ourselves. Dur

and Dummer?” Hude asked.

I am Hotter,

scaped Ayl

laugh! Hotter and smarter! N

d the Paladin from Drar

at the Paladin from Drara, ”This one ove

the alphabet. What rumors don't say is that I taught him! During a night, Hudde, Hewe, and I and this lady

ing right from Eude

was that for

! You never know when

Rhobart

ay but she wasn’t about to ask. Something in

est of the Paladins. Pointing at the

ting at the Paladin with o

over his heart, and bowed his head, “It is

eryone. Now eat,” King

e prepared to serve but instead, she was sitting at the same table as t

Ayla thought that they hated her, but they smiled and joked with her. The only one that seemed t

ith her being in his home but he was less angry. Maybe she could s

he King a

es

with his right hand. Ayla’s eyes tracked his hand and to her shock, she saw that his hand

re wou

Now, if I could g

g’s hand so fast it seemed a snake bit her.

outh shut but if Ayla had a we

h before she even realized she

accident,”

ed and said

wyvern looked once Rhobart w

this to you?

It was standing betw

said while her heart missed a b

ughed, “I

important? You end

a tone that left no room for doubt, “

ature for which Rhobart faced a wyvern. She looked straight into his

ed her hair. Almost. He pulled his hand away from

matter it

weed!” E

per!” Hudde’s

per!” both of them s

tupid! It was a dr

eed-smoking dragon-s

ous for one seco

nd put both hands over his heart, in a

oted you two to Paladins?”

d, ”You were,” laughter

were saying. But she also realized that the King won’

pt turning to King’s Rhobart wound. It was true she didn’t kno

. I know a little about medicina

be,” his

ut

ng scratch! Forget about

someone yelled because it reminded her of the many t

!” Milton said in that langua

siness,” the

and only answered yes or no when asked something.

retreated to his tower, claiming he had potions to make. And so Ay

aid, once they were in

’t very

d, “You should eat more. You just got better and

for her health? She wanted

d at her boots. Was it now when she asked about his pla

derate but then she would do or say something that would m

ry,” she heard

her head and

ou repea

u about the royal library. I would

d a huge smile appeared on he

s of darkness. His fingers brushed the little pin

r to her room, and Kerra enter

morning. G

ht,” the

ut at the last moment, she asked,

en't d