Today, Brax wore a simple leather tunic stretched across his broad chest. Sweat slickened his tan face and arms. A flash of surprise, and then a hint of annoyance crossed his blunt features as he recognized her. “Women are not allowed on the training grounds.”
“Tell that to the queen.” Valoria stepped toward him.
He still held his sword in the air as if he’d slash her down. “Women warriors are the only exception.”
“I must speak with you.” Valoria held his gaze with the fiercest expression she could muster. “About the secret to saving your kingdom.”
He lowered his sword. For the first time, she saw the hurt in his eyes. He grieved for his father the only way he knew how, by training with his sword. “Is it true your song stilled the undead?”
She nodded. “But, I fear it will not work next time. We need a means to end the spread of swamp, to burn the dead waters away and unite the people of this land to fight together.”
He looked her up and down as if he’d appraised her unjustly before. Did admiration spark in his eyes or had she imagined it? “And you have this answer.”
Valoria used the most commanding voice she had. “I do. But, I will need a warrior’s help and you owe me a favor.”
Brax wiped his brow as he considered it. It was a far cry from dismissing her at the dinner.
“I see. And what does this favor entail?”
“A journey to an island off the eastern coast, and something valuable enough to trade.”
He shook his head. “I cannot leave my duties here. Not at a time like this.”
“The next attack will come in a fortnight. I know this because I saw through the eyes of the necromancer when I stole his song. Their army will be vaster, and they will not stop until we are all dead. We must regain the ground between the walls of Ebonvale and the valley of Sill. We must burn away the swamps.”
Winning the battle had done more than save Ebonvale, it had given her credence in his eyes. At least enough for him to consider her thoughts. “And you know how?”
Valoria nodded. “Blue fire.”
Brax narrowed his dark, beady eyes. “I have not heard of such a thing.”
Valoria wanted to tell him there were a lot of things he probably hadn’t heard of, but she needed his help, and she wouldn’t win him over with snide remarks. “It is made by the mermaids of the Sapphire Isles.”
He snorted. “’Tis a myth.”
Valoria stepped so close, she could have touched his chest with her finger if she’d cared to poke him. “’Tis the truth. Only the eldest minstrels know of it. The mermaid’s potion is strong enough to burn away the swamp and give you the battleground you need.”
He studied her as if seeing her for the first time. This close to him, she noticed green flecks in his dark eyes, a trait of his mother’s. Not all of him came from the stout-hearted late king.
“I will go whether you come with me or not. But the question is, do you wish to place the quest for the one thing that will win this battle in the hands of another?”
Brax crossed his arms over his chest. A small smile curled the corners of his mouth. “You are cleverer than I thought.”
Valoria narrowed her eyes. She’d see if he was cleverer than she thought as well. “So you will come with me?”
“On one condition. We must take the one person I know who can negotiate an honest trade, someone who has history with the fishermen who navigate those waters. Someone I trust with my life.”
Did such a man exist? He sounded like Horred himself. “Who is this man of whom you speak?”
Brax’s face softened, and for the first time, he looked noble and kind, almost handsome. “My brother.”
Chapter 14
Brothers in Arms
Nathaniel pressed his palm against the solid granite chunk as three mules heaved it into place underneath the arch where the gate had once stood. Would it be enough to hold the undead back?
Flames licked the sky behind him, warming his back as soldiers seared the corpses. The air stunk of rot and burnt flesh. As a boy, he’d never thought anything would smell worse than a dead wyvern, but he’d been wrong.
As dangerous as the wyverns were, they never pierced your soul the way seeing an undead woman or man did. The wyverns fought for their right to survive, whereas the undead took all life away. If Nathaniel had to choose a greater foe, he would have chosen the one he faced now.
Better now as an adult when he could do something about it.
“Nothing will move that stone. Not even I.” Brax surprised him from behind as he came up to tap his sword on the chunk of granite.
“I thought you were training.” Nathaniel clapped him on the shoulder. Losing the king last night had only strengthened the bond between them. Nathaniel knew what it was like to lose a father. Now he’d lost one twice. But, this time his adopted brother lived to share the burden.
“I was, but a princess convinced me otherwise.” Brax lifted his eyebrows as if a pig had taken off in flight.
“You mean Valo—I mean Princess Valoria?” Only hours ago, she’d seemed more inclined to go to him than Brax. What had changed?
Brax gestured toward an area where the workers wouldn’t overhear their conversation. “She has come to me with a way to win the next battle with the undead.”
Nathaniel followed him. “The next battle?”
“Did you not suspect they’d return?”
He sighed. “I did. I only hoped they wouldn’t.”
Brax nodded. “So did we all. But the princess claims she has seen through the enemy’s eyes. She knows what he is planning.”
A current of jealousy spiraled through Nathaniel, and he stifled it. Why hadn’t she mentioned this to him? Because he’d left in a hurry? Had he not given her a chance?
“And what is her plan?”
“She knows of a potion which will burn the swamp away. It would give us a level playing field and bring the battle away from Ebonvale’s walls.”
“What is this potion?”
“Blue fire. She says it comes from the mermaids in the Sapphire Isles.”
As ridiculous as it sounded, the idea held a kernel of truth. “Ah yes, as a kid I heard of such a tale. But, I thought it was only a story told by imaginative sailors and fisherman to while away the hours on their boats.”
“So did I.” Brax shook his head as if the world were stooping to foolishness.
“You trust her enough to leave our kingdom and search for this blue fire?” Didn’t the princess and Brax have trouble getting along?
“To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t have when I first met her. I thought her a spoiled, naïve princess who embroidered pillows and plucked trivial melodies on her harp. But after seeing what happened last night, I realize I’ve underestimated her. She controlled the undead as if they were her own. If she says she knows what the necromancer has planned, I believe her. If her idea to burn the swamp has any credence, than I would be a fool not to follow it. What I want to know is will you travel with us?”
Shock took his breath away. To accompany Brax would place himself in front of the one person he wished to avoid. “Go with you and the princess? To the Sapphire Isles?”
Brax put a hand on his shoulder. “I need someone with knowledge of the fishermen’s ways and experience in trading. You grew up in Shaletown, did you not?”
“Aye.”
“And you negotiated the metal trade with the albinos as a young boy?”
“I did.” Nathaniel had trading in his blood. His father had made deals as far as the continent stretched to get the precious metals he needed for his blacksmith work.
“Then, why do you hesitate?”
How could he speak the truth? He chose his words carefully. “This journey is the perfect chance for you to acquaint yourself with the princess. I would stand in the way.”
“Nonsense. I cannot put my personal concerns in front of the kingdom’s.” Br
ax did not look concerned in the least. In fact, was he avoiding a lone journey with her? Would Nathaniel have to mediate between the two of them the entire way?
Brax smiled. “We both know you are the best man for the task.”
The best man for the task, maybe. The most appropriate travel companion? No. “Who will stay to make sure the queen recovers from her grief?”
“My mother is a strong woman. Give her some time and she’ll have this kingdom back on its feet. She needs the distraction.”
“I do not think she will ever completely recover.” She’d lost the love of her life, the man she’d bent the law to marry.
Sorrow tinged Brax’s face. “Perhaps not. But, you forget, she led Ebonvale for years by herself after her father died. She can handle it now.”
“Even if she could, she won’t ever agree to both of us going.”
Brax polished the hilt of his sword with a handkerchief as a self-satisfied grin stretched across his face. “She already has.”
* * * *
“I cannot believe you are leaving.” Cadence watched helplessly as Valoria stuffed her traveling bag. “And not taking a single dinner dress, no less.”
“This isn’t a quest for looking pretty.” Valoria wished she had more practical clothes. How was she ever supposed to pass for a farmer’s daughter in her silk evening gowns? She glanced at Cadence’s simple skirt and apron.
“My lady, you look as though you would swallow me whole.”
Valoria smiled. “Fancy doing a trade?”
“A trade?”
“My clothes for yours. You can have whatever suits your fancy.”
A spark of excitement flashed in the handmaiden’s features before her good sense won her over. “I cannot possibly walk around the kingdom wearing your gowns.”
“It will be a necessity, if you are to impersonate me.” Valoria found a small travel knife and tossed it in her bag.
Cadence scoffed. “Impersonate you? Why?”
“I do not want to spread panic, or have raiders looking for me to hold me for ransom. Never mind what they’d do if they thought the castle was vulnerable.”
“But, that would be treason.”
“Not if the queen is aware.”
“Is she, my lady?”
Valoria nodded. “Hand me your plainest working clothes.”
Cadence scrunched up her nose as if Valoria had told her to drink from the chamber pot. “If that’s what you wish.” She rummaged in her room and returned with a simple, brown tunic, dark brown leggings, and knee high boots.
Cadence held the garments up as if they were made of poison. “These are for scrubbing the floor.”
“Wonderful.” Valoria unzipped her dress and pulled the tunic over her head. “Do you have a few extra ones?”
“Of course.” While Valoria dressed, Cadence brought three more from her room and placed them in the top of Valoria’s bag. “You’ll be able to scrub the floor for days on end.”
“Or at least look like I have.” Valoria smoothed the front of the work clothes and studied herself in the mirror. The tunic brought out her arms in an athletic way, while the leggings gave her the freedom to run and spar with a sword. Dressed as a servant, she’d never felt more invigorated and free in her life.
“You can hide your figure, but you cannot hide your porcelain skin and silver eyes.” Cadence smiled. “You still look like a princess to me, my lady.”
“Farmers can have pretty daughters.” Valoria handed her a burgundy evening dress with black, velvet trim—a hideous concoction she’d had to wear at the last concert at the House of Song. “Your turn.”
She helped Cadence slip into the evening gown and zipped up the back.
“My, this is heavy and hot.” Cadence teetered over.
Valoria picked her up and positioned her in the front of the mirror. “Walking in twenty pounds of finery is an art. You’ll learn.”
“I’ll have to if I do not want to fall on my face.” Cadence ran her hands over the smooth fabric and smiled. The velvet trim gave her a regal look, commanding authority. The red brought out the highlights in Cadence’s brown hair and the dark chestnut of her round eyes. She could have passed for a princess any day. “I’m beginning to enjoy this.”
“Good. Have fun. You look marvelous.”
“I do not, however, look like you.”
Valoria waved her concern away. “All you have to do is stand on balconies and wave. From there, the people will see you as the princess.” She held up a finger. “No one must know the prince and I are gone if Ebonvale is to remain safe from raider attack. When I’m traveling, I’m to be known as Val, daughter to a local farmer.”
A laugh escaped Cadence’s mouth. “And who will Brax be, your fool?”
Valoria gave her a look of warning. “No, he will be my brother.”
Cadence stifled a smile. “And the lieutenant?”
“My brother as well.”
“My, you have a lot of brothers.”
Valoria strapped her bag to her back. “In Ebonvale, the farmers have a lot of children to run the farm.”
“And who will see to it they do not compromise your honor?”
“I will.” Valoria gave her a stern look. “Not that Brax is interested.” She thought she’d leave Mr. Blueborough out of the picture.
“He is, you’ll see.” Cadence fluffed the fabric around her ankles. “Are you sure you do not want me to come with you?”
“You must be my eyes and ears here. Besides, a large party is more likely to draw attention and I do not want the raiders knowing they have nobles roaming through their lands.”
“So leave the lieutenant here and take me instead.” Cadence grabbed her arm and pleaded with her. “I like pretty dresses, but my duty lies with you.”
“I wish I could.” Valoria squeezed Cadence’s shoulder. She was so loyal and brave. So what if she couldn’t play an instrument or sing a tune. Valoria would have chosen her over a talented minstrel any day.
“But Lieutenant Blueborough knows how to trade with these people, and neither I nor Brax have much knowledge of any place south of Ebonvale’s borders.” Having Nathaniel come along only complicated the journey, no matter how much her heart wanted him to.
“I understand.” Cadence released her grip and narrowed her eyes. “Watch your back. Do not trust him. I fear he’s out to steal your heart.”
He might already have a piece of it. Valoria pushed the worry away. “My heart does not matter in this situation.”
The velvet rustled as Cadence walked her to the door. In the gown, she looked wiser and mightier than her years. “It matters if you cannot silence it.”
Chapter 15
Country Girl
Fireflies sparked in the training field as the covered wagon pulled up to the back door of the servants’ quarters. Brax pulled on the reins, halting the horses as Nathaniel pulled a hood over his head and jumped off.
He knocked three times in rhythm.
An answering knock came from the other side.
He knocked again, this time with four knocks, and the door opened. Valoria peered from a hooded, dark cloak, as one lock of her auburn hair slipped free. She wore a simple servants’ tunic, leggings, and slender boots that brought out her shapely legs. Dressed as an equal, she looked even more elegant and lovely.
He bowed. “Princess—”
“Call me Val. And do not bow.” She touched his chin, bringing his head up. A mischievous smile flashed in her face before she wiped it away. “Not if I’m your sister.”
“You are right…sister.” The word fell off his tongue awkwardly. Sister was not how he thought of her. Even though he should. She would be his sister one day. That harsh reality twisted his stomach.
“Did you acquire the necessary items of trade?”
Nathaniel nodded. “The queen was more than willing to part with them.”
Surprise lit her features. “
Truly?”
This was not the time to speak of the queen’s loyalties. Nathaniel only nodded. “Come with me.”
He offered his hand and Valoria slipped her hand over his. He felt her cool, soft skin as he lifted her into the back of the wagon. All too soon, she released her grasp and disappeared inside.
If only he could go with her. Nathaniel shook his head to rid his mind of his wild thoughts and joined Brax in the front.
Brax turned to him. “Cargo acquired?”
Nathaniel nodded, still trying to rein in the force pulling him toward her.
“How did she appear? Fearful?”
He shook his head and smiled. “Fearless.”
Brax whipped the horses and they set off at a canter. “If this was not her idea, I would not allow a woman, a minstrel no less, to come.”
Was he having second thoughts? Anger hardened like a fist inside him. Brax’s doubt in Valoria was grossly misplaced. “That minstrel saved our kingdom singlehandedly with her harp.”
Brax glanced over with a tired, defeated look. “I need no reminder.”
Was she that difficult for him to grow fond of? Helena’s sword, it wasn’t like she looked like a toad. Nathaniel shifted in his seat. Without giving away his immense admiration, he thought another vote of confidence was needed. “She will prove herself a useful ally, you will see.”
Brax sighed as if resigned. “She already has.”
They rode through the sleeping city with soft hoof clomps and rickety creaks. Tavern signs blew in the midnight breeze. A black cat scurried across the cobblestone, disappearing into an alley. Black smoke from chimneys wafted through the moon’s light.
So many people with enough faith to stay. Nathaniel hoped their loyalty would be rewarded. Ebonvale had been lost once before. He vowed to Helena and Horred to keep it safe.
They reached the main gate, and Brax needed only a single nod for the gatekeeper to raise the chains. The gate opened and closed behind them, and Nathaniel bid farewell to the city he’d grown to call home. They headed south, to the home he’d lost.
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