Chapter 229 TEIGEN LIII
Elara inclined her head, her voice steady but sad. “It is true. My father meant to marry me to Lord Sawyer, a man I cannot love. Ryker… he saved me from that life.”
Silence filled the small room. Rae looked between them, noting the way Ryker’s hand now rested protectively over Elara’s. Slowly, a smile creased his lined face.
“You were always the stubborn one,” he said with a low chuckle. “Even as a boy you’d fight twice your size to protect a friend. And now you’ve gone and stolen the Duke’s daughter.” He shook his head, pride and worry mixing in his expression.
“You’ve tangled yourself in a web fit for kings, lad.”
Ryker’s jaw tightened. “I couldn’t leave her to Sawyer.”
Rae’s face grew serious. “Sawyer is a hard man. Cruel, from what I’ve heard. If she was promised to him…” He sighed. “You did right by her, even if it goes against the law.”
Elara spoke softly. “We only need a place to rest and hide until we can decide our next steps.”
Rae tapped the table thoughtfully. “You won’t be safe here for long. Tongues wag and eyes wander. But we’ll speak more tonight at the tavern, no one questions two men sharing ale after dark. You, my lady, can rest here with what comfort I can offer.”
Elara started to protest, but Rae raised a gentle hand. “Trust an old man a little longer. I’ve kept greater secrets than this in my time.”
Ryker hesitated, then nodded. “Very well.”
Rae’s eyes softened as he looked at the younger man. “It is good to see you alive, boy. Whatever trouble you’ve brought with you, we’ll face it as best we can.”
For the first time in many days, a small spark of hope flickered in Ryker’s chest.
~
Later that evening, the tavern glowed with warm firelight. Laughter and the clatter of mugs spilled out into the lane as Ryker and Rae stepped inside. The familiar smells of roasted meat, spilled ale, and woodsmoke wrapped around Ryker like an old friend.
“Ryker!” a man called from the corner, voice thick with drink. “Back from the dead, are you?”
Others turned, clapping him on the back and offering wide grins. Rae waved them off with a gruff laugh. “Later, lads. Let the boy breathe first.”
They settled at a quiet corner table. Two mugs of dark ale soon thudded down before them.
Ryker wrapped his hands around the cool clay. “You always did know how to quiet a room.”
Rae took a long sip. “Years of practice. Now, tell me everything. From the beginning.”
Ryker stared into his ale for a moment, then began. “It started when Elara returned from Lord Sawyer’s keep. Her father had promised her to him — a cold bargain with no regard for her heart. I was only meant to guard her. But I saw how trapped she felt. How she was suffocating. I told her she had a choice… and if she trusted me, I would help her run.”
Rae leaned back, arms folded. “So you stole the Duke’s daughter from under his roof. Goddess help us, Ryker. Do you understand what you’ve done?”
“I know,” Ryker said quietly. “But I’d do it again. I couldn’t leave her to a man like Sawyer.”
Rae was silent for a long time, sipping his ale. “The Duke won’t forgive this easily. He’ll send men, good ones, armed and relentless.”
“I know,” Ryker replied, grip tightening on his mug. “That’s why I brought her here. No one would think to look in this village. At least for a time. I need to keep her hidden until I can get her beyond the dukedom.”
Rae frowned. “Hiding her won’t be easy. A lady of her bearing stands out, no matter how plain her cloak.”
“She has spirit,” Ryker said. “More than most. If we can reach the border, we might disappear into lands where the Duke’s reach ends.”
Rae studied him carefully. “You speak of running like it’s simple. But once you cross that line, the hunt won’t stop. Sawyer’s pride is wounded now.”
Ryker met the old man’s eyes without flinching. “Then I’ll protect her. As long as I draw breath.”
Rae let out a long sigh. “You love her.”
Ryker looked away, unable to deny it. “Aye,” he said hoarsely. “Even if it damns us both.”
The old man’s expression softened with quiet resignation. “You were always the stubborn one. Once your heart decides, there’s no turning back.” He leaned closer. “Very well. There are old hunting cabins in the hills, places few know anymore. I’ll help you. Not because it’s wise, it isn’t, but because you’re the son I never had. If this is the path you’ve chosen, I’ll walk a ways with you.”
Ryker reached across the table and gripped Rae’s forearm. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” Rae said, clasping his hand. “You’ll need more than an old man’s help. You’ll need luck, courage, and the strength to keep her safe when the world comes looking.”
The barmaid set a fresh loaf of bread between them with a wink. Laughter and song rose around the hearth, but in their quiet corner the world felt smaller, just two men bound by loyalty and years of shared history.
Rae broke the bread and pushed half toward Ryker. “Eat, lad. You’ll need your strength. Tomorrow we make plans.”
Ryker tore off a piece, chewing slowly. The simple taste felt grounding. For the first time since their flight began, he didn’t feel quite so alone.
Rae watched him with soft eyes. “It’s good you came home, Ryker. Even with trouble at your heels. We’ll find a way.”
Ryker nodded, the words settling like a quiet vow. “We must.”
Outside, the night grew deeper. Far away, horns might already be sounding from the Duke’s manor, riders saddling horses for the hunt. But here, in the warm glow of the tavern, Ryker and Rae sat together, their bond renewed, their resolve hardening against whatever storm was coming.