Chapter 10Jeryn took them to a small gate, narrow, built into the older wall that ran near the royal guard barracks; this gate held a stocky yawning king’s guard, standing under the stone arch, who nodded at Jer. “Making you work, when you’ve just got back from one of Amet’s errands? He did ask for you, I heard.” This guard did not appear to notice Talis; Talis faded into Jer’s shadow, and waited.
“Everyone gets a palace rotation,” Jer said patiently, “and I had a day off yesterday. Did he say what he wanted?”
“Not that I heard, just wondering if you were around.” The guard yawned again, and offered, “Might want you in his bedchamber, again…” though the comment landed more offhandedly lascivious than insulting: the innuendo wasn’t personal, only heavy-handed humor. “You know, singing for
