Page 61 of Lake of Sorrow
“I don’t understand it either.”
“I’d rather you work with us, for the good of the kingdom, than have to worry about you becoming an enemy. No.” Targon held up a hand as she started to protest. “Enemy isn’t the right word. I saw you fight with Vlerion to save the king and queen—though I suspect that was more for him than for them—and you’ve helped the rangers.” He pointed to his own chest, and she hoped he remembered that she’d tried to keep the vine in Stillguard Castle from killing him, even if she hadn’t been effective. “What I should say is that I’d like to be able to use you, for the good of the kingdom, and I’d prefer you weren’t a liability.”
Kaylina didn’t have a protest for that. The word stung as true. At the least, she was a liability to Vlerion. If his desire for her caused him to turn into the beast in the city with innocent people around…
“Is that why you didn’t bring him back?” she asked. “So he wouldn’t be around me?”
“He’s with a few other rangers, spending more time looking for Kar’ruk in the preserve and also seeing if any have been spotted on estates in the countryside. That’s important work that needs to be done.”
“That will also keep him away from me.” The thought saddened Kaylina, but could she blame the captain? She ought to appreciate that he wanted to protect Vlerion and keep his secret.
“A bonus perk. I don’t know what to do with you, Korbian. If you weren’t wanted by the Kingdom Guard, I’d see if I could get a couple of scholars and scientists to come study you. You and that brand.”
“Wouldn’t that be appealing.”
“I suppose Vlerion would get huffy and object to us poking and prodding you and looking at skin and blood samples under a microscope.”
“I’d get huffy.”
“I’m less worried about your ire, though I suppose that’s foolish of me. If you’re left free without a keeper, you could go to the Virts and tell them everything you’ve learned.”
“I wouldn’t betray Vlerion. But it is foolish of you to dismiss me.” Kaylina lifted her chin. “You’ve seen my marksmanship ability with the sling.”
Targon smiled faintly. “Yes, I have. As I’ve said, I’d far rather have you working with us than against us.” He gazed thoughtfully at her. “I understand honey clumps are more appealing to the taybarri than protein pellets.”
She blinked at the topic change but managed to murmur, “Honey drops, my lord.”
“What manner of honey drop would appeal to you?”
“I enjoy many of the candies and sweets and, of course, the mead made from my family’s honey.” Only as Kaylina finished the statement and noticed his intent gaze upon her did she realize he was asking what reward he could offer to ensure her cooperation. Her loyalty. More a bribe than a reward, probably. “Oh.”
“For obvious reasons, I can’t offer you Vlerion.”
“Because he’s not yours to offer.”
Targon grunted. “He’s loyal to the crown, the rangers, and to me—he’s sworn oaths that bind him. That means I could offer his services, but that would result in exactly what we must avoid. Especially now.” He waved at the newspaper again.
“You don’t have to bribe me, Captain. I just want some help… no, I don’t even want help. All I want is the freedom to open a meadery and compete fairly against the other eating houses, wineries, and breweries in the city. I want a chance to prove that my family’s mead is delicious and worth being sampled by all.”
“And you don’t want to become a ranger.”
Kaylina opened her mouth to state an emphatic no, but if all she ever did was make mead, she wouldn’t have an opportunity to ride one of the taybarri again. And, with the way trouble kept finding her, wouldn’t it be smart to get some weapons training? With more than a sling?
Yes, it would. But if the rangers trained her, they would expect her to then work for them. Probably to swear the oaths Targon had spoken of and to dedicate her life to the duty.
With his expectant gaze on her, she felt compelled to say something. “I want to start a meadery.”
“What if you could do both? If your ranger duties, assuming you complete the training without turning into a plant—” Targon glanced at her hand as if that were a possibility, “—didn’t demand all of your time, would you consider it?”
Would she? If Frayvar was willing to remain in the north long enough to get the business off the ground, she might be able to hire staff and work at the castle only part time. Maybe.
Kaylina couldn’t help but think about Targon’s question about honey drops for her. About bribes. “Is that something you offer to other people becoming rangers?”
“No.”
“Other anrokk?”
“The only one we have, Sergeant Jastadar, was never interested in starting a meadery on the side.”