Chương 29: The Lull Before - Part 6

Baptist woke up to the warm sun on his cheek and cozy furs wrapped around him. His master was not beside him - rarely was he ever when dawn came. Still, there was always a fraction of a second where his stomach twinged in disappointment.

He heard the conversation between the men before he pried open his eyes to find them, sitting at the small table in the center of the room. One was his master, already dressed and prepared for the day ahead, casually leaning an elbow on the tabletop and picking at bits of fruit (which would soon be out of season) from a tray that a servant must have brought in. The other was Rudolf, captain of the prince’s guard, in his riding leathers, poring over a map between them, his finger gliding over the surface.

Baptist furrowed his brow and sat up. Why was he here?

“Finally awake, are we?” His master asked in bored amusement, though his eyes were still diligently scanning the map before him.