“At the foot of the hills, you will meet with tournament organizers. They will review your papers, and based on title and coin, you will be directed to one of the tents. You may survey the area to learn the various events. Drink, victuals, other goods and services can be found in the fort.”
Ere considered him with shrewd eyes.
“’Tis a shame we must compete for the same prize,” he mused. “You are no doubt a formidable opponent, Wolfe. I would rather we were on the same side.”
Wolfe felt the same, but likely for different reasons.
“What do you intend to do with the Dragon’s Eye if you win it?” he asked.
Ere shrugged.
“Not sure. It may not even be what we need. But if it is, we will take it home with us.”
Strange answer, Wolfe thought. But then, these three travelers were strange people. Clearly from faraway lands.
All he knew was that they would take the Dragon’s Eye and leave. He needed it for his own purposes. Therefore, they could not be on the same side.
He nodded to Ere, and to Sorin behind the male. And still, he did not look at Rui.
“I am indeed a formidable opponent,” he rumbled low, deadly serious. “I do not intend to lose the tournament.”
Ere’s eyebrows raised a little.
“Clear,” he acknowledged. “Neither do we. Intend to lose, that is.”
So be it.
Finally, Wolfe flicked a glance at Rui, though his gaze landed in the vicinity of her chin rather than anywhere near her eyes.
“Farewell,” he murmured quietly.
She slid gracefully off of Tristan’s horse at that, gave the animal an affectionate pat, and came to stand right next to Wolfe’s war stallion.
She put one hand on the reins and the other on Wolfe’s leg, making his entire body tense to steel.
This female touched him too easily. Only women who invited men’s attentions were so casual, and yet he knew she was an innocent. Perhaps where she came from, the customs were different.
He scowled at the thought that she might be so free with others.
“I wish you the best, warrior,” she said, her face tilted up to look at him.
The difference in their heights—him sitting astride the tallest horse at the tournament, her standing on the ground—made Wolfe exceedingly aware of her smallness. And as he learned first-hand last night, her fragility.
“I will do my best as well. See you in the lists.”
Unable to keep his gaze averted any longer from where he most desired to look, his eyes traveled of their own volition up and down her figure to rest finally on her face.
Staring into her lapis lazuli eyes, anything he originally thought to say instantly disappeared, leaving him with only one word:
“Rui.”
And then the most miraculous, gorgeous thing happened.
Her lips spread slowly in a breath-stealing smile.
“Take care, my Wolfe. ’Til we meet again.”
Without looking back, Rui joined her own group. Ere and Sorin had dismounted, and together, the three foreigners disappeared into the crowds.