by J. R. Castle
She slipped the strap of the bag over her shoulder. The regent’s eyes widened for a second when he spotted her damaged hands. Then his gaze slid to the Elderad in a silent question. Riyah didn’t seem to notice and made no explanations for her condition.
Kardia tucked her hands back under her arms. “I do not wish to be a burden. I do not have a medallion, so I assume I’m not welcome here. Perhaps…”
“I will vouch for you,” the regent stated. “You will be given a token with my insignia that will allow you to travel around Rodon as you will. And you will be given a place in the Meeting Hall where you can bide your time until we depart for Radiance. How does that sound, Kardia?”
He spoke her name with gentleness and kindness, soothing her troubled mind and heart. She offered a nod.
Riyah placed his hand on her shoulder. “Very good choice, Daughter. You will be given the opportunity to learn more about the King and Alburnium while you are here. Use your time wisely, is my suggestion.”
“Yes,” the regent agreed, his enthusiasm evident. “But first, come and let us find something for breakfast. I fear I slept right through the first meal this morning. Some lazy regent I’m turning out to be.”
She merely stared at him, wondering if he were joking or not. His father hadn’t been kind. Why should she expect him to be different, though she desperately hoped?
Dadda said hope was all they had to hang onto.
They had reached a large courtyard. Kardia’s eyes widened as she tried to take it all in. The white stone building rose up taller than the tallest spruce growing back home. Why her whole town could probably fit into the orchard and courtyard alone.
Everything was so…perfect. Paved walkways adorned with large stone containers bursting with colorful flowers. Trees that must have been trimmed to be shaped so perfectly. Tall posts topped with lanterns lined the white cobblestone roads and walkways. She’d never seen anything as stunningly beautiful in all her life. Who knew people actually lived in such places?
And Riyah had said that Aloblase was even more magnificent. Well, Rodon would help her slowly become adjusted so she’d not be completely overwhelmed, she supposed.
“Must you leave so soon?” The regent was asking the Elderad as they reached a wide fountain. A stone lion sat in the middle, its mouth open in a silent roar. A stream of water poured from his mouth and around the circular marble base where it sat.
The Elderad stepped upon the low brick wall. “I’ll return soon and then will continue the task I was assigned. I do apologize for the delay, Leon. But I must speak to King Shaydon on a few matters.”
The regent turned to face her, his brow rose as his gaze traveled over her once again with curiosity, she was sure. Had Riyah meant what he said? Did King Shaydon truly ask him to help her reach Rodon? Before she could speak up to ask, a plume of water shot up and parted in a flash of brilliant light. With a final wave of goodbye, Riyah disappeared into the light. The water settled and Kardia could only stare at where he once stood, her mouth gaping open.
“What…happened?”
“That was a portal to Aloblase. Our friend will return, as he promised.” The regent held out his arm for her to take. Which she didn’t.
“You mean, Riyah just went…to… but why couldn’t I…?”
“Only a Being, sent on a King’s errand, can open a temporary portal. Sure would make things easier if we did have a permanent portal like some of the other larger provinces,” he chuckled. “But portals are made by the Curians or Logorians. Maybe in time….”
Regent began walking toward the white stone building. “You will be able to portal to Aloblase once we get you to Radiance. Consider yourself lucky. Most must find the King’s Highway and make the long journey along the white path.”
“I would have traveled along the White Path,” Kardia stated with a determined nod.
The regent didn’t seem to notice. “Someday, there will be a link from Rodonal to the King’s Highway. We are working on it. You will still have a daunting trip ahead of you, Kardia. I suppose, when one makes the trip to Aloblase, it helps you to know for sure what you want and why you want it. It certainly isn’t a journey for the weak of heart.”
Kardia’s jaw tightened. She wasn’t weak. Maybe damaged, but not weak. “I know. I’ve wanted it for a long time now, and I’ll not give up trying to get there. Which means, if you take too long to send that group, Regent, I may end up having to find my own way. I will meet King Shaydon. One way or another.”
Regent Leon’s stern face broke into a smile that lightened his whole countenance. For a moment, she was sure she might like him if given the chance. He no longer seemed daunting and formidable. He seemed a lot like…her.
“Good, Kardia. I assure you, there will not be another moment in your whole life as important, or as memorable, like that moment when you stand surrounded by Shaydon’s presence.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Did your village upbringing not provide you with the proper way to mix batter?” Steward Pavlina barked with her thick accent. “You are not preparing slop for the pigs, girl!”
Kardia had heard that the large, imposing woman was from the northern regions of Alburnium, but she’d never heard of the province before and couldn’t recall the name. Still, the demanding woman intimidated Kardia and in her nervousness, she was even more clumsy than normal.
“Flour everywhere, child!” Pavlina scolded, cuffing Kardia on the back of the head. “Is that an eggshell…in…the cake batter?” Kardia had tried to get all the pieces out. The cook had bumped into her while she’d tried to crack the last one and the whole thing slipped from her precarious grasp and fallen into the bowl, shells and all.
Though she was trying her hardest to learn to manage without fingers, her progress was much too slow for Steward’s liking.
“Out! Get out of my kitchen!” Pavlina pointed for the back door and bellowed, “Now!”
The woman’s voice vibrated through Kardia, all the way down to her sore feet. Since she couldn’t tie her laces, her feet often slipped around inside her worn boots.
Steward Pavlina yanked a wooden spoon from where it hung on the wall over the stove and waved it over her head. “Get out, get out, get out this instant.”
Kardia dropped the bowl, not caring about the mess the spilled batter made. Rushing out the back door, she didn’t stop running until she reached the orchard where Riyah had left her. More like abandoned and not returned as far as she knew. Two weeks had passed since he’d brought her to this awful place. Riyah had asked the regent to take care of her, and all he’d done was deposited her in the kitchen of the Meeting Hall.
After instructing Steward Pavlina to find her a room to stay in and give her work to do, he’d also left her. Not that Kardia wasn’t grateful for a safe place to rest her head at night. At least, being in the imposing capital would keep her safe from sorcerers.
The steward had given her a small room along the back hall where the other workers stayed. Five paces from door to window and three from her cot to the wash basin. A hook hung beside the basin where she kept what few clothes she owned and a chair placed in the corner supported her travel bag. She kept it packed, too, wondering if she shouldn’t try to make it to Radiance on her own. Nobody here would miss her.
Except she had no idea how to get there. Nothing but mountains and water surrounded Rodon. After working long hours in the kitchen, mainly scrubbing counters and floors, she usually fell into bed too exhausted to even think about exploring the rest of the Hall.
More than anything, she longed for home, even if there was nothing for her there, either.
Kardia slowed her steps, taking in several calming breaths. So much for being a kitchen helper. There was no way she’d return and put up with that overbearing Steward another day.
Wandering through the courtyard, Kardia stopped beside the fountain where the Elderad had taken the portal that seemed ages ago. She sat on the low wall surrounding the clear pool. S
unlight glinted off the crystal-clear water’s surface and the sound of the fountain helped to soothe her racing heart. She wanted to kick off her boots and soak her feet in the cool water but was sure someone would come along and scold her for that, too. Was there nothing useful she could do? Everything she tried ended up in disaster.
“There you are!”
Kardia turned toward the melodic female’s voice to find Nellie, the Hall’s Garden Master, standing over her. Dirt stains covered the woman’s beige apron and darkened her nails. She wore baggy wool work pants and an over-sized shirt most likely borrowed from one of her brothers. Nellie couldn’t be more than a couple of seasonal cycles older than Kardia but had raven black hair, dazzling silver eyes and a constant grin that nearly split her face in half.
“Been lookin’ everywhere for you, Goia-girl,” Nellie sat beside her, whipping off the wide-brimmed straw hat that reminded her so much of Miltie’s it made Kardia’s heart hurt. Her long braid tumbled out and landed across her right shoulder. “I heard that ol’ hen, Steward Pavlina, squawking at you again, poor darling.” She blew out a loud sigh. “Don’t take it personally, she treats everyone new like that. It’s her way of weedin’ out the lazies, as she likes to call ‘em.”
Kardia stared down at her own stained apron. She’d have a difficult time scrubbing the batter stains out of it. Steward Pavlina insisted that the kitchens staff’s clothing and hands always be clean and pristine.
“I’m afraid I’ve been weeded out,” Kardia lifted her chin. “Maybe it’s time I headed to Radiance on my own.”
“You’ll be lost in the mountains in no time,” chuckled Nellie. “The regent will be sending a group soon. My sissy wants to go sometin’ terrible. Been trying to talk our parents into allowing it. She’s only fifteen cycles, she is. Still a youngun.” Nellie must have noticed the loose laces on Kardia’s boots because she bent down to tie them. “When you're ready to take ‘em off, just give a yank on this lace and they’ll come off easily. But you should visit the shoemaker. He’ll fix you up with some that won’t be needing tying, he will.”
“Nellie,” Kardia searched for the medallion everyone was supposed to have, but didn’t see one hanging around her friend’s neck. “Have you met the King?”
“Just came of age myself to be going.” Slowly shaking her head, Nellie explained, “Been getting my training here. I love gardening, you see. An’ there isn’t anyone else as good as I with keeping the vegetables producing, you see. To go now, well, I’ll have to remain in Aloblase a complete cycle to earn my medallion and be a true gardener. And then there be Timothy. I think he…” her cheeks turned a shade of pink that made Kardia smile. “Oh, he loves gardening, too. But he works his family’s farm, he does.” She sighed again, but her big smile returned. “Someday, I think we’ll have our own bit of land. Our own farm growing all manner of plant and beast. That’s what I’m hoping. But if I was to leave…?” She shrugged one shoulder.
Kardia had no answer for her. But she understood Nellie’s hesitation. Still, if this Timothy really did love her…
“Has he been to Aloblase?”
Nellie nodded.
“Then perhaps he would understand, wouldn’t he?” If he didn’t, Kardia wondered if Nellie shouldn’t be looking for another person to love. Was it that easy? To choose who you would love? She had no idea.
At that moment, a couple came along the path from the orchards. Her breath caught when the spotted Regent Leon. He wore a brightly colored jacket that reminded her of a sunset. Hanging on his arm was a beautiful woman dressed in one of those fancy silk gowns the prosperous women who visited the Meeting Hall often wore. Except when they reached the door of the Meeting Hall, the woman shook her head and took a step backward.
Kardia quickly looked away, not wanting to be caught staring. Why was her heart pounding so hard? He’d clearly completely forgotten about her. After seeing him with that beautiful woman, she knew why.
Better if she forgot about him, too. She turned back toward Nellie. “You could go when I go. Then you and your sister can travel there together, if, that is, she gets your parent’s approval.”
“Ah, if I go, I’d love being able to go with a friend. Kellie, my sister, wishes to remain in Aloblase and attend the Academy to learn more about her Illuminate skills. She has some amazing powers, unlike anyone in these parts has seen before.”
Kardia’s heart stumbled as she recalled that the Sorcerer Fajer was after people who had special talents. She’d lost her healing powers because of him. Was he still after her? Dadda said something terrible happened and his companions had dragged him away the day he’d come for her.
“They should let her go,” Kardia stated, staring down at her damaged hands. “It’s dangerous not being protected.”
Nellie’s brows crinkled as her smile dimmed. “You speak like one who knows from experience.” Her gaze traveled down to Kardia’s hands, too, then darted back up to her face. “But we’re safe here in Rodon. You don’t have to be fearful here, Goia-girl.”
The regent’s kind voice pleaded with his companion. “Just come inside for a short while, Lady Anabelle. I’d like to introduce you—”
“No, not today, Leon love.”
At the familiarity of the woman’s voice, something cold washed down Kardia’s spine. She shook her head. No, she was simply being skittish. The Steward’s tirade had unnerved her more than she realized.
“Yes, I suppose you are right.” Kardia stood unsure what to do with herself. Should she speak with the regent and let him know she wasn’t cut out for kitchen work? No, he was the last person she wanted to speak with. The farther away from him she stayed the better.
Her dreams were plagued with how he had kissed her hand. He’d been the first person she’s used her Sano giftings on and assumed that was the reason he plagued her thoughts so often. He didn’t even seem to have a lingering limp from his injury. It was as if the broken leg had never happened.
Amazing.
At least she’d been given one chance to prove to herself what she was capable of. Or rather, had been capable of.
Nellie’s arm went across Kardia’s shoulder. “I’m going to think about what you said, Kardia darling. You have a lot of wisdom for someone so young, that’s what I think. I like you already and can see us being great friends. Can’t have too many, can we?”
Warmth flooded Kardia’s chest. “No. Not at all.” She hoped Nellie would prove to be a good friend. Kardia was beginning to question her judgment of people. Even the regent, who’d promised to check in on her in the next day or two, had clearly forgotten her. This was the first time in over a week that she’d seen him. So much for being a regent who kept his word.
No, that wasn’t fair, Kardia chastised her quick judgment of him. He was the ruler of the whole province and most likely very busy. Why should he be expected to take time out of his day to check on one person? A stranger to his town?
“As your new friend,” Nellie was saying, as she looped her arm around Kardia’s and pulled her along a secondary pathway that led around to the back of the Meeting Hall. The walkway was sheltered in tall fig trees and stone arches. “I’m going to help you find a job that suits you better. But not before we get you into town for some better shoes and a new outfit. I see you have the regent’s insignia hanging from your wrist. With that, you can purchase whatever you need.” She plopped the hat back on her head. “Let me get out of these dirty work clothes and you do the same. Then you and I will spend the afternoon exploring the city. I bet you haven’t stepped one toe into Rodon, have you?”
Kardia shook her head. She hadn’t had a chance, nor had she wished to venture into the bustling town on her own, fearing she’d never find her way back to the Meeting Hall.
“Well, today you will and you’re going to love it.” Nellie’s head bobbed once, causing the brim of her hat to wave like sheet billowing in a breeze.
Through the greenery and stone pillars, Kardia watched as the regent
and his companion headed away from the Hall’s entrance toward the city. The fancy dressed woman must have won. The regent finally looked her way, but his gaze seemed distant as if he weren’t really seeing anything at all. His pace slowed a moment as he brows furrowed.
Kardia almost laughed over his puzzled expression. Since he was staring right at her, she offered a small wave. Before he could wave back the woman gave his arm a jerk and quickened her steps towards the courtyard gates.
If Kardia ever did make it to Aloblase, she wasn’t sure if she’d ever return here. There had to be somewhere in all the land where people meant what they said and did what they promised. So far, she could count on her stumpy thumb the people she’d met who fit that description. And that one person had moved on to the Lands of Everlasting.
* * * *
Leon rubbed at his aching forehead. There was something he was forgetting, something important he was supposed to have done, and seeing that young woman with the sad expression and even sadder stained apron had brought something back to the surface. Except he couldn’t quite grasp the fleeting memory.
“Are you feeling ill?” Lady Anabelle asked, hugging his arm tighter. “You seem distracted, Leon love.”
Her pet name for him. He absolutely hated it but was never able to tell her so. What was wrong with him? Why was he always so confused and unsettled around her? She was stunningly beautiful, charming, and he couldn’t think of anything else when he was around her. Was this love? If so, love wasn’t a very pleasant feeling at all.
“I’m fine. Why did you not wish to come into the Meeting Hall? I’ve invited you a few times.” At least, he thought he had but wasn’t completely sure.