The Path of Giants by B.T. Narro (year 7 reading list .TXT) 📗

wasn’t going to try anything. I had never met the man, but I wasn’t about to leave Kataleya and her family alone. Even if Endell was coming here with no one else, that didn’t mean that Valinox wasn’t somewhere nearby, watching, waiting.

CHAPTER SIX

I made the most of my time with a bath and a nap. A servant awoke me when it was time for supper. Endell was arriving by then. I went downstairs and waited by the door for Endell with the rest of the Yorns.

Of all the questions bouncing around in my head about Endell, there was one I figured I could get away with. “How is he related to your father?” I asked Kataleya, knowing Whitley could hear.

“He’s the son of my father’s aunt,” Kataleya answered.

“He never liked that our grandfather favored my father,” Whitley said. “Endell is a callous fool. He’s made a life empowering himself in every which way he can, but nothing has ever been good enough for him. He was the appointed lord of Koluk when Oquin Calloum ruled. Eventually, he gained the favor of Oquin and rose to be the head guard at the capital. And still, he was never satisfied. I don’t expect you to speak to him while he’s here, Jon. You are a guest, so I will not deny you a spot at our table, but whatever his purpose here, it is between the Yorns. Do you understand?”

“I do, my lord.” It was harder every time I had to address “my lord,” but I kept a cordial tone. “May I ask what he did during the rebellion?”

“He acted as a strategist against the current king, but he came forward when the dust settled and claimed that he was only following Oquin’s orders. He did not believe Oquin was a good ruler. Nykal spoke with me at length about my cousin. Neither of us trusted him by then, but our army—or lack thereof—was weak after Nykal was forced to dismiss a large portion of its members because of budgetary concerns. We knew we could be facing a rebellion ourselves, led by Endell, if Nykal tried to remove him from power. He had followers still, sorcerers and troops who did not die during the rebellion. We hoped we might sway him, and eventually them as well, but you know what happened. There were many stories of how he took advantage of the people of Newhaven through the use of these corrupted men. I haven’t spoken with him since he was removed, and he hasn’t tried to contact me until now.”

“I’m just curious, my lord, but why not send him away?”

“He is just one man, Jon,” Whitley lectured. “I have you and my daughter to keep all of us safe, as well as plenty of armed guards at my disposal. He is not a threat, but he is family. You might not understand, but the Yorns always keep our hearts open for family. I will listen to what he has to say, so long as an apology comes.” Then he muttered quietly, “I have my doubts.”

There was a knock on the door. The manservant standing nearby looked over his shoulder. Whitley gave a nod, and the servant opened the door.

Endell was standing near his horse, wearing a grimace. “You couldn’t have someone come to meet me for my animal, cousin? Here.” He handed the reins to the servant in front of him.

The servant looked over his shoulder again.

“Take Endell’s horse to the stables,” Whitley said. “I apologize for that,” he then told Endell. “Come in. We have supper prepared for you.”

“That’s better.” Endell walked in, leaving footprints of mud behind him.

Mora gasped as she noticed it.

Endell looked down and appeared shocked, though I believed it to be an act. “Oh, sorry about that m’lady.” He sat on the cushioned bench and pulled off each boot with a grunt. The force of him taking them off flung them out of his hands. They thudded across the wooden floor. “I’m starving. What are we having?” He started walking past everyone in his white socks.

“Now hold on.” Whitley stood in his path with his palm up. “You come without notice, bringing mud in with you, and you don’t even greet us properly. I have half a mind to ask you to leave if you don’t apologize.”

Endell calmly looked into his cousin’s eyes. After a long while, he lowered his head, slightly. “My lord, I apologize. You know what traveling does to me. Besides, my reason for being here makes it difficult for me to behave like a proper gentleman.”

“And what reason is that?” Whitley asked.

Endell had a few breaths as if the words were difficult to get out. “To apologize and make amends.”

Whitley stared at Endell for some time before his head jerked back. “Oh. You’re serious?”

“Yes, I fostered a life I’m not proud of. I have come here to admit it, and to say that Nykal removing me as head guard was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. It has given me time to reflect. First and foremost, I must apologize to you, cousin. Only after I have your blessing can I start to make it right. I don’t expect to receive it in one night, but I have to start somewhere. I didn’t write to you because I knew I wouldn’t be accepted. You would have to see my face as you heard the words come from my mouth.” He paused. “I fucked up.”

Mora gasped again.

“My apologies, m’lady, but sometimes a man has to swear to get his point across. I will try to keep my words clean for the sake of you and your daughter. Kataleya, I have heard wonderful things about you. You’re a talented water mage now, providing water to almost all of Lycast.”

“Well, that’s an exaggeration,” she corrected. “Jon and I only reached a small portion of the people in need.”

“And humble as always, I see.” He lowered his head.

She gave a small curtsy.

“You must be