Griffin's Shadow Read Free

Ashinji muttered. “That must be Akan.” Jelena scrambled for the bed and dove beneath the coverlets while Ashinji threw on a robe and went to open the door.
    “Good morning, my lord. I’ve brought you something to eat.” Akan was a small, older man, lame in the left leg from a childhood accident. He had served as Ashinji’s valet ever since Ashinji had been old enough to have private quarters. Whenever his young lord returned home on leave, Akan resumed his old duties.
    The valet entered, carrying a large tray in his hands. He limped over to the low dining table and set his burden down.
    “Thank you, Akan.” Ashinji said, sniffing and wiping his nose on a sleeve.
    The valet bowed. “I hope my lady likes blackberries,” he said, glancing discreetly in Jelena’s direction. “They were picked fresh just yesterday. My lord Sen instructed that the best should be sent up this morning especially for your enjoyment.”
    Jelena sat up, careful to keep herself covered. “I love blackberries! Tell my father-in-law I said ‘thank you’.” Akan smiled and bowed to Jelena then turned once more to Ashinji. “The bath is ready whenever you and my lady wish to use it. My lord Sen says not to dawdle.” He smiled again in gentle amusement. “I’ll send up Jawara to assist with your armor when you are finished. Uh, my lord Ashinji, do you need help with your nose?”
    Ashinji grimaced and shook his head. “No, thanks. I think I have things under control.” Akan nodded, bowed a final time, and departed.
    Jelena bounded out of bed and threw on a robe, then sat down at the table and began attacking the blackberries with relish while Ashinji sipped a mug of tea. Besides the berries, Akan had brought smoked fish, fresh bread, soft cheese flavored with herbs, and the favorite breakfast food of all elves—or so it seemed to Jelena—sour yogurt.
    “We’ll be on the road at least seven days, possibly longer. The wagons and my mother’s carriage will slow us considerably.” Ashinji commented. He grabbed the yogurt and took a mouthful directly from the pot. Jelena wrinkled her nose in distaste. Try as she might, she could not cultivate a taste for the thick, tangy, fermented milk.
    “I’m still not exactly sure why my mother chose to come along,” Ashinji continued. “She’s never expressed any interest in attending court before.”
    “Your father says it’s to find Lani a husband. Many more boys to choose from!” Jelena giggled.
    Ashinji shrugged. “I guess that’s a good reason. It’s true my parents will have a much bigger selection in Sendai than they would all the way out here. I don’t know how cooperative Lani will be, though. My sister has a mind of her own and a strong will to match. She’s set her sights on Ibeji Dai and I’m not sure she can be dissuaded.”
    “Perhaps your parents will allow Lani to choose for herself who she wishes to marry, like they did you.”
    “Sadly, no. Lani is too important. She’s the oldest girl and tradition dictates the match made for her must be as good as the one made for the Heir.” Ashinji sighed. “Lani and I are a lot alike. I know how much she resents being treated as a commodity, but that’s how things are. The twins, now, they are the truly fortunate ones. No one will much care who they marry, or even if they marry. Youngest children are the only ones allowed that kind of freedom.”
    Jelena hadn’t had much opportunity to interact with Ashinji’s favorite sibling, but she resolved to get to know Lani better while they traveled to the capital. “We’d better go down to the bath house,” she said. “You heard what Akan said. No dawdling!”
    The newlyweds found it hard not to linger in the bath house; the sheer sensual bliss of the hot water made it nigh impossible to hurry. They almost always ended up making love whenever they shared a bath, and it took a mighty effort not to give in to the urge to do so now.
    Back in their chamber, Jelena busied