‘It was troubling him,’ she said, unsure why the room felt as stuffy and uncertain as it did. ‘He helped me; I wanted to help him.’
‘You have done that,’ Ed said. ‘It has troubled me for days.’
Belle made a strange noise and took a step back.
‘You were to dress it,’ Ana said, frustrated that no one else appeared to be moving. ‘Give it to me,’ she said, allowing the frustration to bubble over.
‘There is no need,’ Ende said behind her. She couldn’t read the expression on his face. He nodded back towards Ed, and she looked at the smooth calm skin beneath the cream. She reached forward and ran her thumb over the space where the wound had been moments before.
‘Better,’ Ed said. ‘I can hardly feel any pain at all.’
Ana looked at the fresh pink skin and then over her own arms, but the scratches were still there. She took a step back, and Ende stopped her travelling any further with a hand to her back.
‘I just wanted to help,’ she whispered.
‘You did,’ Ende said.
Ana felt sick. The room became hazy around her, and as Ed stood quickly from the bench, her world slipped into darkness.
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The following morning as the rest of the small cabin’s inhabitants slept, Ana wandered out into the fresh morning air. She pulled the remains of Ende’s cloak around her. Just off the path was a large boulder, which she climbed up to look out over the world beyond the mountains. There were sparse trees around them, but nothing like the sea of green in the distance. She wondered if that was the Forest of Near that Ed had travelled through.
‘What are you doing?’ he asked, appearing as though she had conjured him with a thought.
‘Breathing, thinking.’ Ana looked from the expanse before her back to the young man standing on the path. He chewed on his lip as though embarrassed he had interrupted her, and as he stood there looking at her, she wondered what he wanted.
‘I thought you didn’t like heights,’ he blurted.
‘It isn’t really that high up here,’ she said, turning back to the view. ‘It isn’t looking down as such. It is all so different from what I know. How is your shoulder?’
He rolled it and put a hand to it, nodding slowly. Ana turned back to the view. His warm hand on hers surprised her as it traced over her arm. Then the king sat gingerly on the large flat rock beside her.
‘It might be magic cream, but it hasn’t worked on me like it did on you.’
‘I don’t think it was the cream,’ he said. Although she kept her focus on the world before her, Ana knew he was staring at her. ‘Why did you follow Dray?’ he asked eventually.
‘He saved me.’ She turned to him, but he looked at her arm, not her face. ‘I heard a cry from the trees,’ she said, turning back.
‘What else can you do?’
Ana looked over her hands. A few days ago, she couldn’t even carry a cup without making a mess. ‘What if Ende is right?’
‘He doesn’t seem sure enough of what you are to be right. One moment he thinks you can help, the next he fears you are dangerous.’
‘He hasn’t said that I can help,’ Ana said, looking at Ed and wondering what he hoped she was.
‘He hasn’t said you can’t. There is a connection between us; he said that much.’ Ed sounded hopeful, although for what she didn’t know.
‘What if I hurt you?’ she asked, afraid that the old dragon might be right and that he knew far more of her than she did herself.
‘What if you can help keep me safe?’ he asked, real wonder in his voice.
‘You want to return,’ she breathed.
‘I don’t know.’ He stood slowly and brushed himself down.
‘Why don’t you want to be king?’ Ana asked, standing with him.
He sighed. ‘It was what my parents wished for, prepared for.’
She looked at him closely then, studying every movement of his young face and wondering for the first time if she could see beyond it. ‘Is that why you ran away?’
He hung his head. ‘I don’t know how to be king,’ he mumbled. ‘What if I disappoint them?’
‘Who?’ she asked.
‘Everyone.’
She nodded once, and his cheeks flared. She could see the disappointment in his eyes, as though he thought she was agreeing with the sentiment.
‘I think you should go to the lord. The general is right; you need more help.’
‘Really?’ he asked, clearly surprised she would suggest it. ‘What if he is aligned to my uncle?’
‘It is a risk,’ she said. ‘So was searching for a man you didn’t know, far from home, and only knowing he was north.’
‘Will he help me?’
‘I think he will try, but I don’t think he wants to return to the capital.’
‘Will you come with me?’
She smiled. ‘Not yet.’
He opened and closed his mouth.
‘Do you even know what you want to do? What you want to be?’ she asked.
He jumped down from the boulder and ran his fingers through his hair as he looked up at her.
‘I have things to learn, as do you. I will stay with Ende while you go to the lord.’ She closed her eyes and took a breath. ‘Take Dray and Belle. He will watch over you, and she will be what you need her to be.’
‘He won’t leave you,’ Ed blurted.
‘Dray will do what he knows is right. Ende and I will be fine.’
‘He is a strange old man, living up here alone. I wonder how he became friends with my mother.’
‘I’m sure he will tell you one day. But right now, you need to be a king.’
‘Do you want my crown?’ he asked. She was surprised not only by the question but the nervousness in his voice.
‘Only for you,’ she said.
‘What are you two plotting?’ Dray asked, appearing on the path.
‘You need to go with Ed to the Lord of Edge Mountains.’
The large man harrumphed, but when he didn’t say anything, Ed turned and looked him over. ‘You will come?’
‘If Ana thinks that is what we need to do.’
‘Why does everyone do as she says?’ Belle asked, her tone harsh. ‘Your breakfast is ready.’
‘She thinks you should come too,’ Ed said, taking Ana’s hand to help hold her steady as she climbed back down from the rock. Belle looked confused for a moment. ‘Ana thinks you can help.’
Belle stood a little straighter and nodded once before disappearing back towards the cottage.
‘Ende was wondering where you got to,’ Dray said, pulling Ana into an embrace as she stepped forward.
Chapter 16
Ed stood by the large, ornate door, looking like he had travelled for weeks—which he had, but he wasn’t sure he wanted this man to see him as such. Belle looked equally worn. But she held her head high as they waited to be announced. The captain standing behind them looked shiny and perfect, as he always did. Although when Ed glanced at him, he sensed a hint of nervousness that was likely due to having left Ana behind.
The general had helped them find their way, but had refused to get involved. Although Ed was fairly sure the man was involved already, taking him in would give his uncle enough reason to punish the man if this all went badly. And it had been the general’s idea to visit the local lord for assistance.
The door creaked open, and Ed was surprised by the sheer size of the room before him.
‘His Majesty, Edwin of Ilia and his companion, Miss Belle of the Grasslands.’
Edwin stepped forward, almost pulling Belle along with him, whose confidence had disappeared the moment the door had opened. She glanced at him, and he gave a little nod. Dray followed, then stayed by the door as they continued forward.
Other than the man who had announced them, there was only one other man in the room. He sat in a large chair at the far end of the room. The wall behind him was covered in a detailed painting of the mountains, the same view of them Ed h
ad seen from before the forest. There was a large table to the side of the room covered in papers and what appeared to be maps. The man remained seated, and Ed tried not to look as nervous as he felt as he stepped forward and bowed his head.
‘I appreciate you meeting with us, Lord Welcott.’
The man stood slowly then as Ed took in the size of him. He wasn’t a tall man, but he was very robust. He almost teetered forward and Ed thought he might fall over. He walked around them once and then smiled, but it wasn’t a smile that made Ed feel comfortable.
‘It is not every day that a man gets the chance to meet the boy king.’
Ed allowed his annoyance to show on his face.
‘Your Majesty,’ the lord said slowly, but the sincerity wasn’t there. Ed knew he had made a mistake in coming, for the little man would be no help. ‘You are welcome to stay. I might take the liberty to dress your guest and yourself. Times have not been as we would wish them to be, it seems.’
Ed nodded once.
‘I am sure there is much you wish to share with me. But,’ he said, raising a chubby hand, ‘it will not be now. Show them to their rooms.’ He directed the last part to the man by the door, who bowed. ‘We have other guests this evening. They have been staying with me for some days, and they are excellent company. Tomorrow we shall discuss your business, or the day after that.’
Ed nodded to show his understanding. Belle opened her mouth to say something, but he squeezed her arm through his in the hope it would keep her quiet. ‘I thank you, Lord.’
The man waved them off towards the door with a little flutter of his sausage fingers. Dray looked stern as Ed turned towards it and bowed as he passed through. This man wasn’t going to take him seriously, he thought. He might have well as stayed in his room where his uncle wanted him.
The man leading the way walked quickly through long hallways and up many flights of stairs, and for a moment Ed was sure he was back in the castle in the capital, wandering alone. Then their guide stopped, bowed and indicated a door. ‘Madam,’ he said softly.
Belle looked at the door and then back to Ed, squeezing his arm. Before he could offer any assistance, the door opened and a young lady bowed her head.
‘I have prepared a bath,’ she said.
Belle released her hold and disappeared quicker than he’d hoped through the doorway. He cleared his throat, and the manservant indicated the opposite side of the hallway and another large door. As it opened, Ed found a room that would have rivalled his father’s rooms at the palace. By the fire stood a large tub filled with water, and fresh clothes were laid out over the giant-sized bed.
‘A manservant will be with you shortly,’ their guide said.
‘I can manage, thank you.’
The man nodded and left the room, closing the door behind him.
‘It appears you have found a home,’ Drayton said behind him. Ed swung around to find he looked less confident than he sounded. ‘It might have been worth accepting the servant, give an idea that you would behave as any other king.’
‘How many do you know?’ Ed asked, then regretted the words as the soldier’s serious face turned to his. ‘I am well out of my depth here,’ Ed admitted. ‘This is far grander than I have experienced. No matter what I do, I know this lord won’t take me seriously.’
‘Maybe not initially, but I’m sure you could convince him in your way. Ana is determined this is the right course of action.’
Ed sighed at the thought of her. ‘It was more her idea than mine that I should get the crown back.’
‘Then make it yours,’ the soldier snapped, then shook his head. ‘Take a bath, make yourself look like a king.’ He looked over the clothing laid out on the bed and ran a tentative hand over the jacket as Ed stepped up beside him.
‘I wonder, if the lord can afford such luxuries for his guests, that he might be able to pay a little more tribute,’ Ed said.
‘Now you are thinking like a king,’ Dray said. ‘Now bathe so we can eat.’
The same servant led the way after they were washed and changed, and Ed was sure his stomach would give him away. They had been left far too long on their own with a little wine and some dried fruit. He only hoped the meal they were provided was of the same quality as the clothing.
Belle spent her time during the walk running her hand over the fine material of her dress. Her hair was pulled up and away from her face, making it appear softer. When she smiled at him, Ed almost lost the ability to walk. She had been pretty when he’d first seen her, and she was breathtaking now that the bruise had faded completely.
Dray coughed behind him, and Ed dragged his eyes from her neck back to the way they were walking. They arrived at another large door. This castle would have rivalled the royal residence with the expansive rooms and long corridors. And being built into the side of the mountains, it had numerous levels.
Ed paused, expecting to be announced, but when the little man opened the door they were amongst an overwhelming number of people. This was not what he needed. The more who knew who he was and what he was doing, the more likely his uncle would find out where he was—or someone would kill him before he could do as he needed.
He glanced back at Dray, but his eyes were locked on something across the large room. He looked back and there, by the round Lord Welcott, were Ana and Ende. They both looked like very different people. He marched straight towards them.
As he reached Ana, he opened his mouth to ask why she was there. But she turned and smiled, and his panic subsided. She looked even more spectacular than Belle, and the firm hold Belle had on his arm told him she knew it. Ana curtsied low while Ende bowed in a similar fashion, although his clothes weren’t quite as grand as Ed would have expected.
‘You know the boy king?’ Lord Welcott asked.
‘I imagine everyone would know their own king,’ Ana said, her voice not quite her own. The lord nodded and smiled.
‘Have you tasted from our fine display of meats, Your Majesty?’ he asked, holding out his arm with a flourish towards the side of the room. Tables longer than Ed’s room in the capital were covered with food. From whole roasted pigs and pheasants to bowls of fruits and cakes.
He hoped he wasn’t salivating as much as he thought he was.
‘Let me guide you to the delicacies,’ Ana whispered, taking his arm, and he wondered for a moment what had happened to Belle. ‘You will be very surprised by the wonders the lord has to offer,’ she continued.
When they reached the table, he looked at her as though he didn’t know her. She pointed to several meats and animals he had not seen in some time. ‘This root vegetable is a rarity of the mountains,’ she was saying. Ed looked around to find Belle on the arm of the lord as he strode towards the table.
‘The Lady Anaise has such fine taste,’ the lord said. ‘You should follow her guidance.’ He pulled the leg off a pheasant and started to eat it directly.
A metal plate was thrust into his hands, and Ana was heaping food upon it.
‘It is a wonder you have not met the lady in the capital.’
‘I didn’t get out much,’ Ed said.
Ana smiled serenely. ‘You must meet my uncle,’ she said, steering him and his full plate away from the wonder before him.
‘Your uncle?’
She pointed across the room to Ende, still standing by the wall, looking like he might explode.
‘He doesn’t look very comfortable,’ he said.
‘He doesn’t travel like he once did,’ she said, guiding him firmly towards the man by the wall. ‘I believe he was friends with your mother.’
As they approached, Ende bowed his head again. ‘Your Majesty.’
Ed was tempted to look around and see who else was close. As he went to open his mouth, Ana gave a very subtle shake of her head.
‘You are a handsome boy,’ Ende said, and Ed had to take a second look at the old man. ‘So like your mother, although I am sure there is much of your father in your face as well.’ He lea
ned forward as though to study him. ‘You don’t know us,’ he whispered faintly, and Ed leaned closer to ensure he heard him.
‘No, I don’t,’ he admitted, his eyes flitting over Ana. Her dark hair was loose about her shoulders, her dress well fitted and showing her in a very different light. He glanced around the room and realised it wasn’t as full as he had thought. He was not used to being around people. All the other ladies looked like Belle, their hair up, golden and cream-coloured gowns. Ana wore a darker green. ‘How did you get here?’
‘Before you?’ she asked, glancing at Ende. ‘We are faster than we look.’
‘I thought you were training or learning?’
She shrugged without saying anything and looked across the room behind him. He glanced back and noticed that Dray was still watching her rather than Ed. He only hoped no one else noticed.
‘Your companion appears to be settling in,’ Ana said, and although her words made him look for Belle in the crowd, they were not unkind.
Belle stood beside the lord, a plate in one hand and a glass in the other. Ed wondered why they weren’t all seated around the lavish tables. It was almost as though the lord was showing off his wonders without really sharing them. Despite being unable to eat, Belle was smiling, her eyes sparkling as she spoke to the people around them.
As he watched her, he noted the room around them had grown quiet and Belle’s words echoed through the space. ‘He rescued me,’ she said. Ed was sure that if she didn’t have her hands full, she would have put one to her breast. She was in her element, and Ana had been right to suggest she come.
Ed wondered if the fiery woman he had met in the forest would show herself, but then she appeared to know how to act. He was tempted to make a joke about her making it to the capital, but this was not the audience. Nor did it fit with the story they had rehearsed.
‘Let me hold that for you,’ he offered kindly, taking the glass from her hand. She nodded and reached for the narrow fork that lay across the edge of her plate.
‘You have not finished your story,’ the lord said as she raised the first bite to her lips. Ed realised then that he had not touched the food himself.
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