by M D Baker
Although I didn’t know what plans he’d made, it was in that same moment that I committed myself to whatever Tayson had in mind. He’d obviously pierced through the veil of illusion that had been placed before us, seeing for himself the truths I’d only recognized after he’d led me to them. If his vision was keen enough for that, I imagined he’d probably come up with something just as insightful to counter it.
Finding out exactly what that was would have to wait, however. The topic was potentially treasonous against both realms, so discussing any details or even the subject itself would have to wait for another occasion. Quiet whispers during some moments we could find alone would probably be the only safe time for Tayson to reveal his true intentions.
Leaving the village behind, we trotted on, each hoofbeat falling against the soft earth bringing me closer to my former home. Somewhere between the previous night’s sparring and Tayson’s uncomfortable revelations, the anxiety over my return had faded away, replaced with a sense of foreboding resolve. Although my life had been consumed with thoughts of this very moment, I couldn’t ignore the ominous shadow of what lay further ahead.
The dirt path soon yielded to a cobblestone road as the Keep’s silhouette finally came into view. Stark granite walls surrounded the fortress, its lone tower far less imposing than I recalled. Years of living in the sprawling capital served to skew my perception, and the once commanding spire seemed almost unremarkable in comparison.
Once inside, I found the vast courtyard exactly as I remembered, filled with the bustling activity of merchants, blacksmiths, and various other workers rushing about. While Griff unstrapped our baggage, a soldier grabbed hold of my horse’s lead as I dismounted, but before my feet were even firmly on the ground, I heard a familiar voice calling out.
“Mara?”
Her name came to me before I could turn around to find Abby standing only a few feet away. She’d been one of the few who’d risked Valda’s scorn to befriend me during the years my identity had been kept secret, and my eyes drifted from her welcoming smile to the very pronounced belly threatening to burst apart her servant’s garb as I returned her greeted.
“Hello, Abby,” I replied, embracing her awkwardly despite Griff’s look of disapproval. “I’m surprised you remembered me after all these years.”
“I had to look twice,” she responded, pointedly glancing at my fine clothes. “And then again before I was sure.”
I reached out, resting my hand on her stomach once she’d nodded her assent. “Is this your first?”
“Second,” Abby informed me as her smile faded away. “Though I fear things may be more difficult this time.”
“Are there complications?” Knowing something of such matters, it was a problem I might’ve been able to help her with.
“Not with her, no,” she replied sourly. “It’s the raiders. They’ve stolen or burned so many of our crops that I’m afraid for our future.”
I prodded for a bit more information, something beyond Tayson’s scattered hints. “How bad is it?”
“We’re fine for now,” she revealed in a low whisper. “But if the pillaging continues much longer, we might not make it through the winter. Rumor has it that the Count’s brought us a sorceress from Farren. I pray she makes short work of the bastards.”
Aside from the irony of her statement, the way Abby said ‘us’ was another poignant reminder of my outsider status. In my absence, the people I’d grown up with came to view themselves as part of Cyndhar, yet I couldn’t blame them for switching sides. Contrary to all the stories, there wasn’t a single sign of abuse; in fact, the exact opposite seemed to be true. The people were happy and well-cared for, giving them no reason to protest the occupation—if I could even call it that anymore.
“So, who’s the lucky fellow?” I offered her a smile as I changed the subject to something more pleasant.
“His name’s Reynold.” She beamed with pride. “One of the sergeants in Lord Tayson’s guard. He returned to me just this very morning. Perhaps you’ve met along the way?”
“Yes… I believe I have,” I replied, returning her smile. “Send him my regards, Abby, and let Reynold know that I look forward to meeting him again.”
Our conversation was interrupted by a soldier standing nearby, waiting for me to acknowledge him.
“If I could show you to your rooms, my Lady?”
“Of course,” I replied, responding to Abby’s jaw dropping to the floor with a mischievous wink as I moved to follow. “Please lead the way.”
Climbing up the many flights of stairs was just as arduous as I recalled, but after days in the saddle, I found the brisk walk invigorating. While Griff was directed towards a separate set of quarters, as we went higher, I finally realized where the soldier was leading me, and I halted outside the ornately carved doors.
“This is not appropriate,” I balked at the idea of sleeping in Valda’s former chambers. Not for any sentimental reasons, but for the fact that they were both adjacent and connected to Tayson’s suite. The… implications that would certainly be drawn went far beyond anything we’d agreed to.
“I’m afraid they’re all that’s available,” Tayson’s words echoed from across the hall. “Rest assured, the doors can be barred from inside—I promise there will be no intrusions on your privacy.”
I needed no locks or bars of metal to secure myself when necessary; magic provided me with greater assurances than any of those simple devices. Yet it wasn’t my safety that was at issue. Appearances alone were capable of inflicting a great deal of harm all by themselves.
“It is not a matter of trust, my Lord,” I replied, folding my arms across my chest. “My reputation is what’s at stake here, and I fear it might be irreparably damaged if I accepted these accommodations.”
“Forgive me, my Lady,” the young soldier spoke up. “I don’t know the ways of your people, but many visitors have shared these quarters before without causing any sort of scandal.”
“Oh, really?” Tayson’s cheeks reddened under my intense stare.
The Lord fidgeted as I turned towards the man standing in the hallway. “I appreciate your candor. It seems you’ve convinced me.”
I smiled at Tayson’s forlorn expression as I shut the door behind me, for once getting the better of the Cyndhari Lord. Despite my prowess, his greater knowledge had enabled him to blunt my sharp tongue, but now that I had a better understanding of things, that would soon change. He might’ve been the Lord of these lands, but Blackwood Keep was my home, and I wouldn’t be defeated on its grounds.
With some time to spare before the welcoming feast that evening, I unpacked my bags and went to hang up the few spare sets of clothing I’d brought along. I expected to find only empty shelves in the chamber’s vast closet and was startled to see Valda’s entire wardrobe still hanging there. Running my fingers over the soft silks and richly embroidered fabrics brought back a flood of memories, each of them tinged with the sadness of knowing that she was gone forever. Paying homage to her by wearing one of the exquisite garments to the evening’s festivities seemed like a fitting tribute.
As I flipped through the dresses, searching for something appropriate, one of Tayson’s cutting comments sealed the decision for me. The brilliant blue gown even had a faint hint of golden stitching across its slightly open collar, echoing Cyndhar’s former colors. Although she’d always been taller than me, I’d grown in the years since my departure, and the dress fit me far better than I’d imagined. While I possessed neither a fraction of Valda’s grace or elegance, somehow wearing her clothes made me feel like I was no longer simply playing a role—for the first time in my life, I felt like a true Countess.
After a time, a soft knock at my door let me know that the hour of the feast was finally at hand, and I found Griff waiting to escort me down to the grand hall below. The old Guard-Captain’s stony expression slipped momentarily with a flicker of recognition, telling me that the sudden transformation hadn’t been a mere figment of my imagination.
“You do her proud, Countess.” He extended an arm, offering me an elbow to lean on as we made our way towards the stairs.
“I intend to do far more than that,” I replied, stopping on the first landing below.
The doors across from us led to the library where I’d spent so many hours toiling away learning my craft, yet it wasn’t those memories that brought me to a halt. Tayson told me this was where Valda had fallen, and I searched the stone floor for any sign of her passing. But any traces of blood had been scrubbed away long ago, leaving nothing behind to mark the spot where she’d perished.
Griff read my hesitation easily enough. “I asked, my Lady. She’s buried outside with your father—I was promised that it was respectfully done.”
“I shall see them when I’m ready.” I gathered myself, bracing for the painful family reunion. “For now, we have a dinner to attend.”
Chapter 13
Griff brought me all the way to the doors of the great hall before leaving to keep watch a discreet distance away. In his stead, a soldier of Cyndhar showed me to my seat, a place of honor among the distinguished guests at Tayson’s table. Putting Valda’s lessons to the test, I tried to duplicate her graceful stride as I crossed the open floor. While I was certain I hadn’t matched her refined gait, the narrow skirts of my blue gown barely fluttered with my carefully measured steps, and I allowed myself a small smile of satisfaction as I took the single stair onto the dais.
“Are you feeling unwell, my Lord?” I inquired as I observed Tayson’s odd state. Staring at me with his mouth slightly agape, he lacked his typical sense of composure.
“Apologies, Countess,” he replied, reaching for his wineglass. “I confess, I wasn’t prepared for your entrance.”
“Was I not invited?” I countered, finally understanding the source of his awkwardness. Knowing the effect Valda had at times, I was amused to discover that I’d managed to capture a small portion of her refinement.
Tayson only nodded in response as he drank deeply from his cup, and I allowed him to escape without any further prodding. I’d already scored a point and saw no reason to push any further. His surprise would wear off soon enough, and my façade would crumble away when his vision finally cleared. There was nothing to be gained by taking advantage of Tayson’s momentary lapse; I’d only provoke his resentment when my carefully crafted illusion wore off, and he was left with the pretend Countess once again.
The situation wasn’t an unfamiliar one. I’d been introduced to many of my so-called equals, and some had even taken an interest in me, but only for a short time. Once they learned the truth of my circumstances, I was quickly cast aside. With nothing to offer them in return, any appeal I might’ve held was fleeting at best. That was the cruel reality of my lost station—without something to bolster my empty title, I was little more than an intriguing trinket.
The dinner itself was fairly pleasant, and I enjoyed the fine food and tempting wine that was served alongside it, though I was careful to drink only enough to savor its delicate flavor. After recovering from his initial discomfort, Tayson’s more typical confidence slowly returned as we began talking again. Thanking one of the servers by name after she’d delivered our next course, I took the opportunity to try and make amends for some of my past transgressions.
“You kept the staff mostly intact, I see,” I commented, glancing around the room at all the familiar faces. “Although I know better now, I must admit that I feared they were lost.”
“They would’ve been had my father survived the battle,” Tayson replied. “It was his intention to repay Lord Aldon in kind for the slaughter he committed, but when command fell to me, I couldn’t follow through on that order.”
“My father was no butcher, and neither was yours,” I responded to the sadness in his eyes. “The war turned them both into something less than they’d been, didn’t it?”
“Far less, it would seem.” He cast a sullen gaze into his empty cup. “As it was intended.”
After our previous conversation, the meaning behind his ominous comment was perfectly clear. Even the nobility wasn’t above the manipulations of whoever was pulling our strings. Lord Aldon’s orders might’ve had a legitimate purpose, but there’d also been more cautiously hidden designs behind them as well—turning the war into some sort of blood feud between our two houses was probably only one of them.
“Our partnership may only be temporary, my Lord,” I replied, raising my glass in a toast. “But hopefully, that’s vexing enough for our unknown adversary.”
“To strange foes and even stranger friends,” Tayson responded as our cups clinked against one another’s. “Although I must admit, I was hoping for something more than just a temporary alliance, Countess.”
I nearly choked on my wine when I mistook his words to mean something more than Tayson intended. Thankfully, he clarified before my sense of alarm became too apparent.
“Should we be successful, our cooperation might serve as an example for others. A first step towards overcoming the tensions of the past.”
I was relieved to discover that he didn’t view me as a puppet, or even worse, a symbolic conquest in his search for a display of unity. Tayson had earned my respect, if grudgingly, but all those gains would’ve been lost with even a hint of an ulterior motive. I was willing to work with him, even admit to liking the man, but I wasn’t about to relinquish the last shreds of my dignity just so Tayson could demonstrate how open-minded he was.
“Perhaps your next ally will help you release those tensions, my Lord,” I replied, letting him know quite plainly where I’d drawn my lines of ‘cooperation,’ in case there was any doubt.
Tayson’s steady mask gave away no hint of how he’d interpreted my retort, but I knew he was no fool. If he’d harbored any notion that my circumstances made me desperate enough to throw myself at his feet, the comment made it clear that wasn’t the case. The so-called guests who stayed in Valda’s rooms before me might’ve been eager to warm his bed, but despite what others might think, I valued myself a bit more highly than that.
The remainder of the evening passed without any further pointed exchanges, and we managed to part on a pleasant note when the night drew to a close. That was just the way of things. Sharp comments were an expected occurrence between nobles and were not to be taken as a personal affront. The ability to demonstrate both a quick wit and an acerbic tongue was greatly admired, as was having thick enough skin to withstand those assaults. We’d both scored a few points that night, each in our own way.
“Any word on how soon we set off in search of these bandits?” I inquired as Griff climbed the stairs beside me, knowing that he would have probed the guards for information while I’d been dining.
“I’m afraid the trail’s gone cold,” he replied sullenly. “It seems we’re going to have to wait for them to strike again before we can respond.”
Considering the incredibly large swath of territory they could be hiding in, it was our only option. Without a fresh trail to follow, searching blindly through the entire county would be a wasted effort, while leaving us vulnerable to attack in the bargain. The news wasn’t all bad, however. Tayson had allowed me full access to the Keep, and I intended to make good use of his generosity the following day.
I took my time getting ready for bed once Griff left me. Of all the nights I’d spent attending fancy balls and elaborate festivals, this was the closest I’d ever come to feeling as if I truly belonged. While my fellow nobles in Oldbridge stared down their hawkish noses at me, Tayson had treated me as nothing less than his equal—an exceedingly ironic twist, all things considered.
After slipping into a long nightdress, I bundled up beneath the heavy covers, practically lost in the vastness of the huge bed. I remembered changing these very sheets myself and wondering how it might feel to sleep between their softness, a luxury I’d never been able to enjoy until that very moment. With a subtle twist, I cast Spark, reversing its flow to extinguish the lone candle s
puttering at my bedside, plunging the room into near darkness. Long shadows danced across the ceiling as the faint glow of torches on the walls below wavered in the breeze while I lay still.
With a few quiet moments to myself, I finally recognized the familiar feel of the Keep’s unique blend of magic. Deep notes of Earth resonated off its thick granite walls, but the more powerful notes of that element came from the forest itself. Although Life flowed from the many inhabitants, its subtle pattern was far less chaotic than the hectic bustle of Oldbridge. Weaving between the two, the steady current of the distant Stillwater echoed powerfully, losing little of its influence as it traversed the bounds of the Blackwood. This was the first magic I’d ever tasted, the warm spark of energy that welcomed me when my powers had first awakened.
After all these years, I was finally home.
Chapter 14
Breakfast was waiting outside my chambers when I woke, left for me sometime during the early morning hours. Typically, a servant would knock before bringing the tray inside, but my deep slumber and the spell-locked door prevented them from entering.
I’d delivered more than my share of such meals, so bringing the heavily laden tray inside was no real burden. Lifting the various covers from the plates revealed a feast far beyond my ability to consume. Picking and choosing from the savory morsels, I ate my fill before wandering back to the closet to choose an outfit for the day.
While I’d brought my own clothes, I had nothing to match Valda’s impressive collection; not even the full wardrobe back at my estate could do that. Despite the sheer number of garments, I had trouble finding anything that suited my needs. Valda’s tastes favored elegant over practical; nearly all of her clothes were better tailored for the ballroom than anything I had in mind.
I’d almost given up and was about to pull one of my riding outfits from my pack when I stumbled across a few drawers tucked away in a back corner. They’d lain undisturbed for many years, likely not having been opened since long before the war, and I barely managed to pry the first one open on its rusty hinges.