The maid nodded and rushed out, closing the door behind her.
Seamus’s face brightened as he twirled the new, shiny key in the air.
“Now that is better. I’ll report to your father I’ve seen an improvement already.” His eyes traveled over her. “In a few more years, you will make a splendid woman. You might even fill out a bit.” His eyebrows arched in a way that made her temper flare.
He chuckled to himself and locked the door behind him. Click. Anna shuddered and paced to her window. Seamus was seeing Stefan off with a great number of men and horses. Anna watched them go until the cover of trees blocked their mounts from view. Dark clouds gathered in the west as dusk loomed, casting the castle in shadows. Farley whinnied.
Anna’s stomach rumbled. The food, at least, was welcome. She paced until the maid turned the key in the door. A guard stood with her.
“I’ve brought the oil, Your Highness.”
“Thank you.”
“I must return the key to Seamus. Will you be needing anything else?” The girl’s voice was quiet, and her chin tucked down.
“No. I don’t wish to be disturbed anymore tonight.”
Anna hoped no one else would come. She tossed Stefan’s letter into the fire. It wouldn’t do for her to leave proof of Stefan criticizing their father, not with the mood he’d been in lately. She pulled on her oldest dress and tied a handkerchief around her head like the maids did. Next she placed a golden chain with a shining green emerald around her neck that she could barter with if needed. She took the long rope of hair out from under her bed and poured the oil over it. The golden tresses greedily soaked up every last drop. She tied one end securely around the bottom leg of her iron bed.
She grabbed the knife, sheathed it, and strapped it to her leg under her dress. She glanced out the window. It was dusk, and no one was in sight. She tossed the hair out the window and watched it fall—not all the way down, but close enough. Maybe she could swing out and drop into the river? And then what? She would ride after Stefan.
She took three unlit candles and pushed them into the braids so the wick was close to the hair. She’d wrapped the hair around the foot of her metal bed, across a stone floor and out a stone window. It should be safe. She took the candle on her desk and lit the three candles. She gently put the candle back into its holder and climbed onto the rope of braided hair. The silky strands were slippery, but by tucking her fingers into the braid, she was able to keep her grip and climb down. As she went, the hair seemed to stretch under her weight (or maybe the bed moved closer to the window) so she easily dropped into the river. She glanced at the hair hanging from the window and wished she could have cut it down, but smoke was already coming from the window. She had to keep moving.
She swam to the other side and crept up the bank. She smelled the horrible stench of burning hair. By everything that was good, she’d have to hurry. If she were smart she’d ride out on a horse that was easier to handle, but she couldn’t leave Farley. She crept to the stables.
Anna savored the sweet, earthy scent of hay and horses as she entered the large stone barn. She always loved the feel of the soft dirt under her feet as she rushed down the barn aisle. The dirt stuck to her wet feet as she jogged, but she didn’t care. This place was her refuge. Horses didn’t judge, criticize or punish her. They didn’t care if you were a princess or a stable boy. She could hear Farley pawing at his door. She increased her pace to his stall.
Bang! That had to have been a hind leg hitting the side of the stall.
When she reached his stall, he half-reared and lunged to the door. He nickered and rubbed his head against her chest—too hard. She stumbled back. He smeared her wet clothes with dust that quickly turned to muddy streaks.
“Easy, boy,” she said, scratching behind his long black ears. “I didn’t bring any carrots today.” She ran her hands down his legs and found him in good condition. So the race hadn’t done any damage. “You’ve been letting someone else do my work, haven’t you?” He tossed his head and whirled around his stall.
By the gods, he was going to be hard to ride today. At least it would be a quick getaway.
Shouts rang out from the castle. She had to move. She bolted out the stall door to get his saddle and collided with a boy about Anna’s age.
“Your Highness? So sorry.” He reached a hand forward to steady her.
“Bart, shh—I’m not supposed to be here.”
“Can I help, Your Highness?” He bobbed a quick bow.
“Anna. Call me Anna,” she told him for the hundredth time. “Please help me tack up Farley.”
“I’ve had strict instructions not to let you ride.”
Anna bit her lip. “He can’t stay in his stall.” The shouts and noise from the castle were drifting to the stable. Bart brushed his dark hair out of his eyes and looked out the window.
“The castle guard is running around.”
Anna’s heart pounded in her ears. She grabbed Farley’s bridle and threw it on over his ears. She’d have to find a saddle in the next village over.
“I’ll just turn him out, then.” The lie tasted like vinegar in her mouth. Bart had always been good to her.
“I’ll come with you.” He clipped a rope to his bit on the opposite side.
“No, there’s no need—” She didn’t want him to be any part of her escape.
“I won’t let you go alone.”
“Please, no.”
Farley lunged forward, almost ripping the reins out of her hands. Bart helped her calm him down. He had a steady hand.
“He’ll love to be outside this much,” said Anna, trying to think of something to say as they stepped out of the barn into the twilight. She glanced toward the castle, but her room was out of view. She could still hear faint shouting. Seamus wouldn’t be pleased her father chopped her door down to save her from a fire. She smiled in spite of her urgency to flee. She hoped the hair would burn up and cover her tracks, but it would of course also announce her departure. Her hands trembled.
She was almost running to keep up with Farley.
Good. The quicker the better. But how to get rid of Bart?
A pang of regret ran through her heart. She counted Bart as one of her few friends. He pulled on the rope to slow the horse down. Farley reared, ripping the reins through Anna’s hands. Bart hung on as Farley landed and set to launch forward.
“Whoa!” he said, snapping his rope over Farley’s nose and stepping in front of him, backing him up. When had Bart grown up so much? Anna wondered as he expertly handled the black beast of a horse. He seemed bigger, stronger and older. Soon he’d have giggling chamber maids fighting over him.
They reached the road. The field was still perhaps a quarter mile away when a rider on a dark horse approached. Anna recognized the cloak right away.
“It’s Seamus. Please, hide me. I don’t have time to explain.”
The horse stopped in front of them. Anna ducked behind Bart and Farley, who jigged in place. Anna struggled to keep her grip on the reins while she curtsied, eyes on the ground. She was thankful her head was covered.
“What are you doing with that horse?” Seamus’s voice was threatening.
“I-I-I- am just turning him out, my lord. He’s tearing his stall to pieces,” Bart stammered.
“On whose orders?” Seamus growled at him.
“As his groom, I-I-decided on my own, my lord.”
Seamus swung down from the saddle and picked Bart up by the collar with one hand. “How dare you!” He slammed him down and drew his sword. Before Anna could react, he hit Bart with the flat edge on the side of the head. Blood poured out of his ear as he fell to the ground. Seamus bent to pick him up, but Anna stepped forward.
“Leave him alone!”
Seamus started and looked at Anna for a long minute.
“How did you—” he began and his eyes fell on her wet clothes. “You jumped!” His mouth fell open.
“Never mind that—you leave him alone. I asked
him to help me turn Farley out, that’s all. I couldn’t listen to him kicking and screaming all night.”
“Indeed? You are much worse than I thought. Look at what you’ve done to this stable boy.” His lip curled in a sneer.
Bart was sitting up now, holding his head. “I’m not merely a stable boy, I’m a squire of a great knight,” Bart spat. His eyes flashed in defiance.
“Who requested you to speak?” Bart instinctively threw up his arm as Seamus pulled back his hand for another blow. “Your knight hasn’t taught you well. Why do you escort the princess without so much a stick to protect her?” Seamus laughed and wiped his sword clean on the grass. “You have much to learn, squire.”
“Leave him alone.” Anna stepped in front of Bart. Farley pulled on her arm and pawed in place.
“Very well.” He glanced at Bart. “Boy, leave us!”
“Go, Bart. I’ll be fine.” Anna’s voice trembled. Bart hesitated.
“I won’t leave you.”
Seamus picked him up by the front of his cloak.
“You wish to challenge me? I’ll stick you through for insubordination without a second thought.” In an instant the tip of his sword was touching Bart’s stomach.
“Stop!” said Anna, pulling on Seamus’s arm. “Bart, please go!”
Bart grimaced and staggered to his feet. He shook his head so only Anna could see.
“Bart, turn around and get your head seen at the castle. I’ll be back shortly,” Anna commanded him with a stern voice. He frowned and started back.
“That was quite bold, even for you!” Anna snapped when Bart was out of earshot. “Seamus, I swear, I—”
“Don’t start, Anna. I can have his throat cut any time I want if you breathe a word of this to anyone.” He smirked. “You like him, don’t you? You know, it’s not safe for a beauty like you to be left alone with young men.” His eyes traveled over her wet dress, sticking to every curve of her body. “You know how they are.”
“One day, you’ll hang.” Anna stepped back.
He laughed and leaned toward her.
“Perhaps, but I think not. Have you heard what the people were saying this morning?”
Anna glared at him.
“Of course not. You weren’t at breakfast. Let me fill you in. The people seem to think a king who can’t control his own daughter can’t be trusted to control a kingdom. They are whispering not only in the castle, but in the village, too. You will be the ruin of your father.”
“You lie!” Anna’s eyes narrowed.
“This is no lie.” His dark eyes gleamed. “Your behavior cost your father dearly. You will be his undoing, just like you were to your mother. She never recovered from bearing you.” His words hit like a knife twisting in her gut. “You weakened her. Then she got sicker and sicker, until finally, she died.” His face went slack for a split second.
Anna stood paralyzed.
“Your father has never forgiven you for it. That’s why he wants you locked away. He’s done with you. Even Stefan couldn’t convince him otherwise.”
Seamus ran his finger down her neck and onto her shoulder. Anna shivered in revulsion. He stepped behind her and pulled her to him with deliberate intent. Anna stiffened as his lips lightly touched her ear. He whispered, “But don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe. One day, I might even take you as my bride. No one else will want you.”
Anna recoiled from his breath and slammed her elbow in his ribs. He flinched but held her in a vise grip. Farley’s pacing yanked at the reins in her hands.
“Get away!” she said through gritted teeth. The sky darkened by the moment.
His hands slipped down her shoulders and his fingers circled one of her wrists, tugging her back. “Come back to your room and all will be forgiven. We’ll keep this secret from your Father. I don’t bite.”
The hair stood on the back of Anna’s neck. Her muscles froze, and her chest tightened more with every breath. She was no match for the skilled warrior. Flee. Farley danced sideways, ripping her out of Seamus’s grasp. She ducked under his neck and pulled hard on the reins. The big horse swung his hind legs toward Seamus.
He jumped out of the way, dropped his horse’s reins and lunged for Anna, but she was already steps ahead with Farley. She pulled on the reins again, curling Farley’s nose toward her as she wrapped her left hand around his mane, kicked her right leg up high and scrambled up the shifting horse. She was on! She imagined Seamus dragging her back to her room to teach her a lesson—or worse, behind the barn for a different kind of lesson.
Not today.
Seamus leapt for Farley’s head, but Anna punched the horse with her heels and screamed, “Yah! Yah! Yah!”
The big horse bolted, knocking Seamus down as he crashed into him. She clutched his mane for dear life.
Anna’s heart pounded with fury and fear. Seamus had crossed the line this time. His words flooded her mind as Farley ran. My father’s demise? No, he just likes to torture me. And now he’s sure to tell Father I’ve been riding again. She glanced back to see Seamus turn back for the castle, where he’d surely wait for her return.
Anna pulled on the reins to slow Farley from his blazing pace. Her stomach coiled at the thought of the trouble she’d be in now. She’d likely have a guard in her room forever.
Dark clouds approached. Anna managed to pull Farley down to a more controlled pace. She was shocked as he slipped into a trot.
She patted his neck.
“I knew you weren’t so bad,” she said.
Horse and rider both jumped as a loud crack of lightning popped overhead. The wind shifted, blowing leaves and rattling the branches of a bush nearby. Anna took a handful of mane as the sky grew into the darkest purple.
“Easy, boy,” she cautioned him. A flock of blackbirds exploded out of a shrub on the edge of the road, squawking and flapping. Farley lunged forward to a gallop, shaking his head as he ran. Anna slipped back.
“No, boy, no! Whoa! Whoa!” But there was no slowing him this time. With each peal of thunder, Farley surged forward. Her father’s fields streaked by. Peasants led their plow horses in for the night. She cried for help, but no one seemed to hear. Nor could they catch me anyway. The first large drops of rain fell hard, pounding her face as Farley flew into them. He raced down the road, past the track and onward, his hooves sinking into the slick mud. He should have tired by now, but his pace was only slightly slowing. The dark sky opened and hurled sheets of rain into their path. Farley thundered onto a twisted trail through the woods.
The trees popped and cracked above as a gust of wind howled through their branches. All Anna could do was hang on and occasionally shout at the horse to slow. He ignored the reins, and the lead rope around Farley’s nose was of no use to stop him. She considered jumping, but knew she could easily break bones at this speed. It was a miracle Farley hadn’t broken a leg flying around these rocks in the rain and dark. She pulled hard on the left rein and planted her right rein on his withers. He turned his head, but leaned to the right down a steep, rocky decline. Farley lurched to avoid a tree and slipped on the wet ground. Underbrush shredded Anna’s dress. She dug her nails into his mane and neck. Farley stumbled as he crashed through a fallen branch. His head tugged forward again, and Anna flew off to the left side, striking her head against something hard and rough. Pain pierced her head as she rolled and rolled, down, down, down. Lightning flashed. Then there was nothing but wet, sticky darkness.
Chapter 4
The jostling of the wagon woke Anna, but she couldn’t yet open her eyes. Her head was swimming through something heavy and sticky. Like honey. Pulling her back under. She heard bottles clinking, a voice whispering and now louder as if right over her. What was that accent? She couldn’t place it or the scent surrounding her. Spices. Perhaps cinnamon, turmeric and ginger? Her eyes wouldn’t budge open, and her heart picked up its pace. Her head whirled and her stomach churned.
“Think she’ll wake up today?”
“Dunno,” grunted
another voice. It too seemed foreign. “She’s had an awful knock to the head.”
“She’d better be up before we get there, or I don’t know what we’ll do with her.”
Anna’s heart raced, thudding the fog from her mind. Who were these people? Mary had to be near. She peeled her tongue from the roof of her mouth and wiggled her fingers.
“Mary, Mary,” she whispered.
“Hush, she’s tryin’ to speak!”
She pried her eyes open and lifted her head a few inches. The whole place spun. Her stomach lurched, and she clamped her eyes closed to stem the nausea. “Mary!” she called and her head fell back again into dizziness.
“Her name must be Mary,” said the first voice.
Anna drifted back to sleep. When she woke again, someone was dripping water into her mouth. She opened her eyes to a dark room and carefully propped herself up on her elbows. The room spun again. She was going to be sick.
“Where am I?”
“There, there,” said the voice, who she found belonged to a smallish man dressed in strange, purple clothes with jewels draped around his neck. Pungent air pierced her nostrils. “Can you take some water?”
Anna peeled her tongue from the roof of her mouth. She gladly accepted a drink. Her head throbbed with each swallow.
“Where am I?” she asked again, willing the haze to leave her mind. She recalled riding Farley in the race, and then facing her father—Seamus! Maybe he had thrown her in the dungeon! The wagon’s interior floated up and down, like she was on a ship in rough seas. Her stomach churned, and she laid her head back once more. She was just falling back asleep when she realized no one had answered her question.
The next day she was able to sit up and eat a little food. The men prepared a broth for her that, although bland, filled her empty, aching stomach.
“How long have I been here?” she asked.
“Three days,” said the man. “Didn’t know if you were going to make it.”
Anna’s head throbbed with every jolt of the wagon, which thankfully, soon came to a halt.
Gems of Fire: A Young Adult Fantasy Page 4