Fresh deer meat was scarce outside of the winter season, but it was a scout’s privilege to take what they needed, if they judged that it wouldn’t negatively affect the herd. Venison that hadn’t been dried or salted would be a treat for anyone with mouths to feed just then.
“Nonsense, Will, I can’t expect them to give us their best room for nothing, scout or not. Can you help us?” He fluttered his eyelashes slightly, leaning in as if asking a very personal favor.
Will flushed prettily and nodded. “I’ll be right back.”
“Good boy,” Dagan murmured, watching him go. It was a charming sight, all long legs and pert little backside beneath that tunic.
“I think he likes you,” said Hendrik.
Though surprised to see him there, Dagan turned smoothly and grinned. Hendrik had a small, crooked smile on his face, too.
“I wasn’t aware you knew how to smile,” Dagan lied. He had seen the beginnings of Hendrik’s smile before, but it seemed somehow more sincere now. “How charming.”
“You remind me of someone,” Hendrik said. It was the first time he’d referenced his life before the Heart Wood without prompting.
“A devastatingly handsome lover from the City?” Dagan guessed, hoping for more information but trying not to push.
Hendrik snorted. “A professional flirt.”
“I’m flattered that you think I could be a professional.” Dagan turned the charm on Hendrik, then, but not full-force. That wouldn’t be at all appropriate, but he couldn’t help seeing if just a little might get him to open up.
Hendrik shook his head but still looked amused. “You would’ve cleaned up back in the Tavern District. Had them lining up at the door.”
“For your information,” Dagan lowered his voice as if imparting a secret, “I do have them lining up at my door.”
“Not surprised.” But, apparently, very entertained. Good to know.
Dagan asked, “What was this devastatingly handsome and clever man’s name?”
“Jak,” Hendrik said easily. “And you don’t look anything like him.”
Dagan pretended to be hurt, putting a hand to his heart. “Are you implying that this Jak is better looking than me?”
Hendrik cocked an eyebrow almost playfully.
A personality emerges. What a delightful development. Dagan chuckled. “Well, now I know you’re lying.”
But Will returned, panting as if he’d run to his master and back, and Dagan returned to full charm quickly: “Ah, Will, everything alright, my dear boy?” He was a fully grown man, in fact, but Dagan judged—apparently correctly—that a certain mode of address would be most fruitful with him.
When Will nodded eagerly, Dagan said, “I knew you’d manage it, thank you so much. You should join us for a drink tonight when you’re finished with work, yes?”
As they were escorted up two flights of sturdy wooden stairs, Hendrik muttered behind him, “You barely spoke to him and he’s practically panting after you.”
“You just said I could be a professional flirt,” Dagan pointed out.
Hendrik chuckled, an actual laugh that made his eyes crinkle and his shoulders bounce.
Dagan set down his pack in the room and clapped. “And a laugh!”
The girl who’d walked them up rushed out again with a bashful glance back. Hendrik shook his head and shut the door behind her.
The urge to continue flirting with him reminded Dagan of something important, however. “Don’t worry, darling Hendrik. I might be a flirt, but you at least are safe from me. It’s bad form to seduce someone I’m escorting.” He moved to examine the room, which had a high, raftered ceiling and colorful woven bedspreads on all three of its full-sized beds. Over the smooth, wooden floor, fur rugs scattered like lily pads on a pond. Dagan sat on the far bed and began peeling off his boots.
Hendrik went to the bed on the other side of the room, looking thoughtful now. “It is? Bad form, I mean?”
“Of course.”
“Oh.” Hendrik apparently hadn’t been worried, though, because that was all he had to say about it. “This is…really nice. It must cost a fortune.”
“Don’t worry about that.” Dagan was satisfied that Hednrik had noticed, though. Part of him had wondered if the Stone City was more splendid than he’d been told; it was so large and looming and ominous, it must be full of ominously beautiful things.
Not more so than the Heart Wood’s finest, anyhow. Lovely.
“I’ve had a delightful scouting trip so far,” Dagan said as he pulled off his left boot and wriggled his toes into the bear fur beneath the bed. “But once I thought about sleeping in a soft bed for a night, I couldn’t resist seeing this place for myself. Very popular with the scouts.”
“I see why.” Hendrik sat at the foot of his chosen bed, looking around, as lost as he’d seemed in the woods.
Near the hearth, the staff had already brought up a large wooden tub, like a half barrel but four times as wide, and left buckets of water to heat there. “Indulge yourself, while we’re here,” Dagan said. “I’ll start carrying water once I get this other boot off. They said there’s plenty in the kitchen while we wait for these to heat up. How hot do you like it?
“Scalding,” Hendrik said.
“Consider it done, sweetness.” Dagan yanked the other boot off.
“I’m not that sweet.” Hendrik gave that little half-smile again.
“Let’s get the salt crust off you and see for sure, though, shall we?”
They took turns carrying buckets up the stairs—much to the consternation of the kitchen staff, who insisted they would do it—until the tub was steaming and full. Dagan took out his shaving kit and laid it on a nearby table, and Hendrik sent it a longing glance. “Help yourself. There’s a mirror in it, too.”
