Chapter Twenty-Four
Guests
Rafe was sitting on a tall mound of pillows at the end of the large oval rug inside his tent when the five Battle Lords and their Seconds arrived. As instructed, his men requested that their own soldiers remain outside, but that the Seconds were welcome to stand guard alongside their leaders.
When the men entered, Janelle greeted them with warm smiles. As always, the Battle Lords were captivated by her grace and charm, as well as her beauty, despite her years. It wasn’t long before they were all seated on soft pillows around the rug.
Mugs of ale from Rafe’s private stock were presented. He watched the men imbibe freely, his own cup of drink barely touched. Every so often he would bring it to his lips as if to sip, but it was an act. He needed to keep his head
