Chapter 32: Train
"You’ll have to forgive me," Rauk said, pouring deep red wine into a glass. "We don’t have ale. Try this instead."
They were seated in what Kaedros guessed was a study. Dusty old tomes lined the walls, many bound in cracked leather. A few broken weapons hung from hooks, dull reminders of forgotten battles. Rauk had cleared just enough space on the table for the wine.
Kaedros lifted the glass and took a sniff. The wine was rich, dark, almost like blood. But it tasted like crushed fruit. Vibrant. Full of life.
"Red wine is enough," he said, and took a seat across from Rauk.
As he drank, Vexa loomed silently behind her master, her eyes locked on Kaedros like a drawn blade.
"I can’t help but notice the absence of servants," Kaedros said. "Or life, for that matter. This whole place is dead quiet."
Rauk took a slow sip. "My father gave up on Solmere years ago. The only thing he ever cared about here was the Vines. And even that wasn’t enough to fight for."
He set the glass down. "I asked for men, but he wouldn’t spare even a servant. Said if I wanted to waste time in Solmere, I’d do it alone."
Kaedros glanced at Vexa. Rauk caught the look.
"She’s been with me since I was a child," he said. "My loyal guard."
Kaedros nodded, understanding the weight of such a bond, having even one person in your corner from the very beginning.
"But I doubt you came just to admire my wine collection," Rauk said with a wave of his hand. "Why don’t we get to it?"