The Gardens at Night

ETAN

Borsche watched Ayleth start down the trail, her slippers crunching on the pebbles there, then he turned to Etan, rage and fear in his eyes. "You will stay here and you will not move for at least half an hour. And when you do return, you'll approach the Hall from the other end of the castle. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Borsche, I do," he said.

Borsche gave one sharp nod then turned on his heel. But Etan called him back.

"Borsche, please…"

The older man stopped, then turned to face him, his face tight with anger.

Etan swallowed "Thank you for… for thinking ahead," he said. "I owe you a great debt."

Borsche stared at him a minute, then turned and walked back to him. "Do all of us a good turn, Etan. Prioritize your people—including those like me—before you consider your prick."

Etan ran a hand through his hair. "I wasn't—"

"Yes. You were," Borsche said and stalked off after Ayleth.