บท 18: Wine-Soaked Laughter (2/3)

Heads lowered, and murmurs continued to pass around. But these men witnessed how Nikolas looked my friend in the eye to greet him, and their anxiety lessened. Their faith in their captain was remarkable.

Haris beside me was the bravest. He peered around me once I sat, saying, "Aestos, is it?" As tentative as approaching a lion, as if he feared Aestos might bare his teeth.

I had already stated that Aestos was meek. He peered around me to meet the young man's gaze. "Yes. Nevian is teaching me to write it."

Another young man, perhaps a few years my junior, moved his attention to us. His skin was a pale brown, lacking the sun's favor and bronze so that he almost looked ill. His hair was darker than his complexion and eyes, falling in slender ropes down the left half of his face. His head, heavy with fascination, tilted.