“I’m Orrick’s apprentice,” said Noah proudly. Even if it wasn’t true, the boy believed it and it made him feel special.
“You’re the sorcerer’s apprentice,” she repeated and raised a brow and giggled. The sound of her laugh was like the chirping of a small bird. Orrick liked it. It reminded him of a time when he could make Petronilla smile and laugh. His heart ached to think of it, but now he only wanted to hear her laugh more. He found himself attracted to this mysterious woman for some reason, and he didn’t want her to leave just yet. “Well, Noah, if Orrick isn’t willing to help me, then mayhap you can.”
Orrick cringed inwardly. Sure enough, the brash wench was going to use an innocent child to do her bidding. He didn’t approve of that in the least.
“Sure I can help you,” said Noah excitedly, jumping up and down. “Tell me what to do.”
“Noah,” Orrick said in a low voice, shooting the boy a glance that warned him to behave. “Lady Hope, I’m intrigued,” he said to get the girl’s attention away from the young boy. “What is this legendary item you search for? Perhaps I have heard of it in my travels after all.”
She took a step closer to him, causing the steward to shift nervously from foot to foot in the doorway. The man did not want to enter the chamber and neither did he want the woman getting so close to Orrick.
“It’s said there is a candle or torch of some sort that is magical and even guarded for fear the flame will extinguish,” she told him.
Orrick’s body stiffened. He knew exactly what she was talking about and he didn’t like it in the least. “Really. Tell me more.” He found it interesting that anyone but him would know about this.
“It’s called an . . . infernal flame,” she blurted out, making Orrick cringe.
“Eternal,” he corrected her, too softly for her to hear it.
The woman kept talking. “I’ve heard that this flame can make one live forever. Supposedly the holder of the fire is also invincible and the flame cannot be extinguished, no matter how hard one tries.”
“Are you looking to live forever for some reason?” he asked cautiously, needing to know more of what she knew. She’d gotten part of the story straight, but he was sure she didn’t know all that was involved.
“Nay. Not really. Although the thought is enticing.”
“You do not know what you’re doing,” he said in a low voice. “It’s not for you, so leave it be.”
She blinked twice, smiled, and stood up straighter. Suddenly, the seriousness of their conversation faded away. “I’m just intrigued, that’s all. I’ve been hearing stories about this ever since I was a child and I would love to see it.”
“From whom did you hear these stories if I may ask, my lady?”
Orrick had never told anyone about the Eternal Flame. No mortal had ever seen it, and he planned on keeping it that way. Not even his good friend, Lord Corbett Blake, knew the powers that surrounded this magical icon. The only one he’d confided in about it was someone he trusted with his whole heart, and it had been many, many years ago. Petronilla knew about the flame, but she promised to take the secret to her grave rather than to tell a soul. Had she gone back on her promise?
“The stories came through my family. I had an ancestor who said he heard the legend from a dying woman,” she explained.
“He did?” Orrick asked, feeling confused how this could be so.
“Aye. He was an archbishop, and heard confessions of dying people all the time,” explained the girl. “He heard about the flame from one of my family’s enemies about a hundred years ago. Or at least, that is what I’ve been told.”
“That long ago?” asked Orrick, thinking about the day Petronilla died in his arms from old age. It was a century ago, but it had to be only a coincidence and have naught to do with this girl’s story. Petronilla never would have betrayed him.
“So tell me, Sorcerer. If one owns this Infernal Flame, can they snuff out the lives of their enemies with ease?” It angered Orrick to hear she wanted the flame for an evil purpose.
“Nay, I am sorry, but I don’t know where to find it.” Orrick turned around and crossed his arms over his chest. He wouldn’t help a woman who wanted to use such an honored and revered piece for a dark purpose.
“All right, then, I guess I’ll leave,” she answered from behind him. “Steward, there is one person who might know where it is, and perhaps he can find it for me.”
“And who would that be?” scoffed Orrick, thinking she was lying just to get him to help her.
“The person I speak of is the Guardian of the Flame,” she told him. “I am going to find him and won’t stop until I do.” She turned on her heel once more and headed out of the room with the steward following right behind her.
“Keeper of the Flame,” said Orrick softly, watching her go. He knew exactly whom this woman searched for, and also where to find him. If only she had known she was closer than she thought. Orrick was the person she sought, because he was the Keeper of the Eternal Flame.
Chapter 2
Lady Hope Threston was escorted into the great hall of Blake Castle by the steward. Her escort for the trip, and also her father’s advisor, Lord Irwin Ash, waited for her in the hall, drinking a tankard of ale with the lord of the castle, Lord Corbett Blake.
Her stomach twisted when she laid eyes on the man who brought her here. He was evil and not to be trusted, but her father could not see that. Instead, she’d been betrothed to Lord Irwin in a deal that didn’t include her opinion. Now, the only way of breaking the betrothal was to do the man’s bidding.
“Lady Hope,” said Irwin, lowering his tankard as she entered the room. His dark, beady eyes bored into her, sending a shiver up her spine. “Have you spoken to the sorcerer?”
“I have,” she said with a slight nod, her eyes scanning the room. Blake Castle was vast. The great hall was filled with heavy, wooden trestle tables that the servants were preparing for the meal. Colorful tapestries woven with scenes of a hunt as well as a tournament covered the walls. Long, arrow slit windows rose up to the ceiling where the smoke from the fire lazily drifted out another opening directly above the hearth.
“And have you gathered any information?” asked Irwin with bated breath.
“You talked with Orrick?” asked Corbett, sounding confused. Corbett was a tall, older, handsome man who probably had grandchildren her age. His dark hair was peppered with a good amount of gray, most of it being around his temples. He was dressed in a blue tunic with his crest of an eagle displayed proudly across his chest. “Lady Hope, as my new ward, I must insist you stay out of the turret that houses my sorcerer’s chamber. It isn’t appropriate for a lady to make the climb.”
“I’m sorry, Lord Corbett,” apologized the steward. “I sent the boy up to get the sorcerer but when he didn’t return, Lady Hope decided to go see Orrick herself.”
“Noah,” mumbled Corbett, taking a swig of ale. “He’s not reliable. You should have sent a page.”
“Noah is a delightful lad,” said Lady Hope. “Is he related to you?”
“Nay,” answered Corbett. “He is an orphan that was left on the stairs of the church when he was only a baby. My wife took a liking to him and so we’ve been raising him as our own. I refer to him as my ward, the same as you are now.”
“Did I hear you mention me?” A woman with dark and graying hair walked up to join them with a tray of sweetmeats in her hand. She was dressed like a noble, but yet held a tray like a servant.
“I’d all like you to meet my wife, Lady Devon,” Corbett introduced her.
“Lord Irwin Ash of Norfolk at your service.” Irwin made a grand display of bowing. Hope wasn’t at all sure he wasn’t going to grab Lady Devon’s hand to kiss it, making her drop the tray.
“Lady Hope is our new ward,” Corbett told his wife.
“Pleased to meet you,” said Hope with a curtsey.
“I’m so happy you’ll be staying with us, Hope. How old are you?” asked the kindhearted L
ady Devon.
“I am twenty years of age as of recently, my lady.”
“Really.” Devon glanced at her husband and then back to Hope. “Why are you first being sent to another castle as a ward at this age? Most noblewomen are married long before now.”
“Devon,” Corbett warned under his voice. “I’m sure Lord Threston has his reasons.”
“I’ve been a ward to over a dozen lords through the years but it never lasts long,” Hope told them.
“She’s never found the right man,” Irwin broke in, reaching out and taking her by the arm. “Before now. We’re betrothed and will be married soon.”
“Betrothed?” asked Corbett. “Then why does her father ask me to be her guardian?”
“The wedding isn’t for a while yet and he . . . he wants his daughter to learn more of being a lady of the castle before we’re married,” explained Irwin.
“I’m not sure I quite understand that,” said Corbett. “It seems to me she should know those things by now.”
“Enough of all this talking,” scolded Devon. “I think we should all celebrate their betrothal with a sweetmeat and a glass of wine.” Offering them the candied fruits, she held out the tray.
“My lady, that is the task of a servant, not a noblewoman,” said Irwin under his breath.
“Nonsense,” said Lady Devon. “I enjoy serving my guests.”
“She does,” added Corbett with a smile and a wink at his wife. “After all, she was once my servant and can’t seem to stop waiting on everyone.”
“You were a servant?” asked Hope in surprise, thinking she must have heard him wrong. After all, nobles never did the menial tasks of servants.
“It was before she discovered she was really a noblewoman.” Corbett took the tray from his wife and handed it to a server boy passing by. “Lord Irwin, will you stay for a bite to eat before you take to the road?” asked Corbett.
“Aye, I will,” said Irwin. “If you don’t mind I’d like to stay here for at least a sennight and possibly even a fortnight, to make sure Lady Hope gets accommodated to things here.”
“Nay, it’s not necessary, I assure you,” Hope protested. She didn’t want Irwin anywhere near her. The further away from her the better. “Besides, my sister, Grace, is in the wagon, here by my request. She’ll be staying with me so there is no need for you to be here, too.”
“Your sister?” asked Corbett raising a brow. “I didn’t know there would be two of you. Actually, three now, with Lord Irwin,” he mumbled into his tankard as he took a swig of ale.
“I hope it isn’t too much of an inconvenience. If so, I suppose we could make other arrangements.” Hope flashed him one of her sweetest smiles. If he said her sister couldn’t stay, she didn’t know what she’d do. She needed Grace for support – and to help keep Lord Irwin away from her.
“Nonsense,” said Lady Devon, laying her hand on Hope’s shoulder. “I think it’ll be fine. Don’t you, Corbett?” Devon asked her husband.
“Well, I – I don’t know,” he said, running a hand through his hair. “When I agreed to be guardian to Hope, I didn’t know I was agreeing to house two more people as well.”
“It’s only for a while,” said Devon.
“That’s right. And the house of Blake and the house of Threston are now allies,” pointed out Sir Irwin.
“Having allies in this time and age is a good thing,” agreed Devon. “Now, Lady Hope, take me to meet your sister. I don’t want her sitting outside in the cold and in a wagon nonetheless. Let’s get her in here to warm her bones by the fire.” Devon put her hand on Hope’s shoulder and directed her to the entrance of the hall. But as they exited the room, she stopped in her tracks, almost bumping into the little boy. Noah bounded down the stairs with Orrick right behind him.
“Noah, watch where you’re going and stop your running inside the castle,” called out Orrick as he descended the stairs. Then he saw the girl who he thought would have left by now. “Lady Hope,” he acknowledged her with a nod.
“Orrick, Noah is just a boy,” said Devon, gathering the lad into her arms and hugging him against her in a motherly way. “I’m sure you were just as excitable when you were his age.”
“Probably more so,” mumbled Orrick, wanting to forget about his childhood. It was mostly a blur to him appearing in his nightmares and not much else. “Well, goodbye, Lady Hope, and nice to have met you. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“Oh, I’m not leaving, Orrick,” she told him, using his name now that she’d heard it. “We’re only on our way to the courtyard to collect my sister.”
“Not leaving?” Orrick asked in question. “Why not?”
“Orrick, I’m surprised Corbett didn’t tell you,” said Devon. “Lady Hope is going to be our ward.”
“What?” Orrick’s head snapped around to look at the lady of the castle. “She’s staying? For good?”
“For now,” said Devon. “At least until her wedding.”
“Wedding? What wedding?” His eyes traveled back to the beautiful young woman once more. “I didn’t know you were to be married.”
“Aye, she’s betrothed to Lord Irwin Ash of Norfolk,” said Lady Devon. “Isn’t that nice?”
“Aye. Nice,” said Orrick, feeling the information hit him like a punch to the gut.
“Excuse us,” said Devon, taking Hope by the arm, chatting with her as they headed toward the courtyard.
“Orrick, can you show me how you light a candle with just the wave of your hand?” asked Noah, tugging at Orrick’s sleeve. “Or how about turning a bird into a stone statue? Can you do that for me?”
“Not now,” grumbled Orrick, noticing Corbett flagging him down from the opposite side of the great hall. “Go see if you can help in the kitchen with the meal. I need to talk to Lord Corbett. If you behave, I might suggest to him that he make you a page.”
“A page?” The boy made a face, seeming less than excited at the suggestion. “Does that mean I can’t be your apprentice anymore?”
“Go,” said Orrick, shooing the boy away with his hand. He hurried across the great hall, stopping in front of Corbett.
“Orrick, I hear you’ve met my new ward.” Corbett grabbed a tankard of ale from the tray of a serving wench and handed it to him. “Have you met Lady Hope’s betrothed, Lord Irwin of Norfolk, as well?” Corbett nodded to a man that Orrick almost hadn’t seen standing there. Immediately, he didn’t like him. He wasn’t sure why the man made him so uneasy. Mayhap it was only because he was going to be marrying a girl that had taken Orrick’s interest.
“Nay, I don’t believe we’ve met,” said Orrick, studying the man’s face. Something about Lord Irwin’s shifty eyes and the way the man wouldn’t look directly at him made Orrick uncomfortable.
“Lord Irwin will be staying with us for awhile and I was hoping you could show him around the castle later,” said Corbett.
“Me?” Orrick didn’t like this idea at all. “I’m afraid that will be impossible, my lord. I am setting out on a journey so someone else will have to do it.”
“You are?” Corbett seemed surprised. “Why wasn’t I notified about this?”
“My lord, might I talk with you in private?” asked Orrick.
“I think I’ll head out to the courtyard to escort the ladies back inside,” said Irwin, taking the hint to leave. Once he was gone, Corbett turned back to face Orrick.
“What is this all about?” asked Corbett. “You didn’t say anything about leaving. Where are you going?”
“Nowhere actually.”
Corbett took another drink of ale, surmising Orrick over the rim. “You’ve got the look on your face again.”
“What look is that, my lord?”
“The one that tells me we need to talk. Follow me to my solar where we can speak in private.”
Once in the lord’s solar, Corbett shut the door behind him. Crossing his arms over his chest, he waited. “Go ahead, Orrick. You’ve got something up your sleeve and
I have a feeling I am not going to like it.”
“Aye, you’re right as always,” answered Orrick. Thoughts ran rampant through his head. He had a plan but was hesitant to use it. Still, he felt it necessary.
“Have a seat,” said Corbett, sitting down on a chair and waiting for Orrick to sit as well.
“I think I’d rather stand, my lord.” He started pacing back and forth.
“Orrick, I’ve known you ever since I was a child.” Corbett leaned back on two legs of the chair, stretching out his long legs and resting his feet up on his bed. He folded his arms over his chest. “The last time I saw you so anxious was when you gave me the amulet to give to the baroness. Right before you disappeared. Do you remember?”
“How could I forget?” he mumbled. “But this is different, my lord. It has to do with the girl.”
“Lady Hope? What about her?” Corbett stretched his arms above his head and yawned.
“She approached me looking for something.”
“What did she want? An herbal potion perhaps?”
“Nay, my lord. She was looking for . . . the Eternal Flame.”
“What?” Corbett made a face and yawned again. “So she wanted a candle? Whatever for?”
“Nay, not a candle.” Orrick paced back and forth.
“Stop that obnoxious pacing before you wear out the rushes,” Corbett told him. “Now, are you going to tell me what this is all about or am I going to have to command you to spit it out?”
“I think you just did give me the command.” Orrick stopped his pacing and faced Corbett. “We’ve been friends for a long time,” he said.
“That’s right. Ever since I was a child. We’ve already established that fact, I believe.”
“Aye. Of course. But you really don’t know much about me, do you?” asked Orrick.
“I know enough to see that something is troubling you. Does it have to do with this Infernal Flame the girl is searching for?”
“Eternal,” spat Orrick, tired of everyone getting it wrong. “It’s the Eternal Flame and, yes, it has to do with it.”
Keeper of the Flame: Second in Command Series - Orrick Page 2