Vaughan took off at a run, and Carlton uncorked his waterskin.
“Maxen, here,” said the king, cradling the knight’s head in his lap and pouring water onto Maxen’s parched lips. Maxen sputtered and his eyes drifted open, red and glassy with confusion.
“Prince Carlton?” said Maxen. “Where is King Aeron? Vitam impendere vero…”
“Gods, he is not well,” said Carlton. The king sat on the cramped cot beside Maxen and gazed over at Audra. “My sweetheart, are you well?”
Exhausted, she struggled to sit up and tottered as she got her bearings.
“Better, yes, and no fever as far as I can tell. But Maxen… he saved me, Carl.”
“I know.” Carlton’s eyes reddened and it looked as if he might cry. “The two I love the most,” he muttered.
“This is all my fault,” Audra fretted. “I slipped and fell in the river. I didn’t mean to, and now this…” The truth about what she had done would be spoken to Maxen only, no one else. If he made it.…show more content… “He stood there,” said Maxen. “The God of Slaughter, by Hael. I had to save you, Audra, you’re an angel for the prince, and because I –”
“He is making no sense. Where in the damn gods is Rignuth!” Carlton cried