A Country Falls (Greatest Thief 3)

Bonus - My Best

I held out my hand, and with exaggerated seriousness, Tairia grasped it and we shook hands.

"Deal," I said.

***

Evrik was waiting in the hallway outside of my chamber, arms crossed, comfortably leaning against the wall. He smiled when we reached him. "So, how was your birthday ride?"

"Good," I said vaguely, quickly moving on. "How's Finn? I hope you kept him busy?"

Evrik laughed. "He's been fleecing us for the past few hours."

I smiled. The very fact that my men kept gambling with Finn, even though he always won, would never cease to amuse me. "He isn't fleecing you unless he's cheating."

Still laughing, Evrik shrugged. "Maybe he's cheating, then. He had the twins help him out with something earlier." He nodded towards my door. "A gift, maybe?"

I glanced at my door. "I didn't expect him to—"

"You're not really supposed to expect surprises," Evrik said.

"Right, yes." I wanted to burst into the room to see what Finn had done, but I managed a more dignified nod. "Of course. Jalor, please tell the men I'm sorry I didn't come down to see them today, and send Finn up."

Jalor nodded, but instead of looking at me, he was exchanging a glance with Evrik. Evrik, quite clearly struggling to stifle a laugh, lifted one shoulder in a half shrug.

"What?" I asked, looking between the two of them. "You know I don't like it when you do this. Glance at each other as if I'm not around."

Evrik looked down at his crossed arms and shook his head. "It's nothing, Tannix. He's just reminding me of something Acen said this morning, that's all."

"What did Acen say?" I asked.

Jalor answered. "He said that Evrik was supposed to make Finn practice throwing knives today. He won't be happy to hear that you all gambled away the afternoon." He nodded at me again. "Have a good night, sir. Evrik," he added sharply.

Evrik lost the struggle against his laughter. "Yes, I know."

Jalor stared at him a moment longer before heading down the hallway, towards the staircase that led down to their private courtyard and rooms. When he disappeared from sight, I rested my hand on my door handle.

"Should I ask why you're lying to me?"

"Jalor doesn't lie," Evrik said.

No, he didn't. Jalor was too proper for something like that. Still, something was off. It just probably wasn't worth the effort of worrying about. My knights weren't in the habit of keeping important things from me. So instead of pressing Evrik for more, I just smiled tiredly. "All right. I don't believe you, but I'll leave it alone. Good night."

"Good night, sir."

Leaving him chuckling to himself, I stepped into my room. It was impossible to not notice the arrangement of mirrors near the windows. I circled them once, careful not to move any, but couldn't make sense of them. I didn't have time to really try to figure it out. Finn would be here soon.

I cast a quick glance over at my bookshelves, and the sliding doors that hid my gifts for Finn. It had been so hard to set up without giving anything away. But I was fairly certain I had done a good job. Finn couldn't possibly know about the surprise. Even though Joen had not only approved of my idea, but had helped make it possible, I still felt nervous about the gift. Religion was complicated. Finn would forgive any blunders on my part, I knew that, but I still dreading making them.