Between the Water and the Woods

by Simone Snaith

  Reese stood there in his trousers and bare feet, a large bandage taped to his neck. There was an impatient frown on his face. His bare chest was badly scarred—the life of a Lash Knight was not an easy one—and Emeline stared. An elderly doctor, looking very tiny next to him, marched away with a shake of his head.

  “Lash Knights,” he grumbled.

  Reese caught sight of Emeline and his eyes lit up. Her stomach flipped.

  “Are you all right? What happened?” he asked a bit gruffly.

  “I’m fine. We’ve been sitting with the king and Innish. I mean, Lord Irwind,” she corrected herself, ever more aware of the fact that he was half dressed.

  “Sitting with the king! Well! Things have changed a bit, haven’t they?” he said, regarding her seriously.

  “I don’t understand all that. I don’t understand any of that.” She scowled, not realizing she was copying a look he wore often. “Why it matters who we are and where we’re from and who we sit with.” She felt a world of weariness rush out of her as she stood there, huddled in her damp cloak. She wanted to go home to Equane—except she didn’t; she absolutely didn’t.

  “It doesn’t matter. Not to anyone worth knowing.” Reese folded his arms, watching her.

  “All that matters is that the king promised to send guards to Equane,” she told him.

  “Good. What did Irwind have to say about his charming toys?”

  Emeline lowered her voice and told him the story quickly, stopping whenever a doctor or attendant passed.

  “Son of a maggot,” he swore, glaring at the floor. “So first that lesion Helid let loose a pack of deadly automatons on the kingdom, and then he tried to assassinate the king’s heir.”

  “And now Irwind might be the heir,” she told him, unable to keep the concern out of her voice.

  “I suspected as much.” He sounded grim. “I hope the king is wise enough not to allow that.”

  “Irwind wants to study my magic,” she whispered.

  “I imagine he’ll end up frustrated. It’s not something he can copy, is it? It’s a part of you. I can be there when he summons you, if you’d like,” he offered, studying her face. She nodded eagerly. “Good. Let’s leave this place.”

  He took her hand and led her back toward the white doors. The smell of medicine, sweat, and the woods rolled off him, making her a little dizzy. They stopped by a row of hooks in the wall, where he collected his shirt and his boots.

  “Where’s your armor?” she asked, watching as he carefully pulled on his shirt.

  “They sent it up to my quarters.” He looked at her for a moment. “Do you know why I have a ring symbol on my breastplate?”

  She shook her head. He took her arm and gently pushed up her sleeve. It sent tingles up her to shoulder, but it also revealed her gold armband, which was, naturally, in the shape of a ring.

  “The Keldares?” she exclaimed.

  “Lash Knights are required to bear a symbol when we graduate from the academy. Most wealthy families have heraldry already, but I had none, of course. So I thought of the people who had been kind to me.” He smiled, and went out through the white doors. Emeline followed down a hall, enormously flattered, and happy to walk alongside him, wherever they were going.

  He turned around a corner, and Emeline found herself greeted by fresh night air. They were in a secluded nook with a small balcony, which overlooked the practice field and the city beyond. The capital was brilliantly lit, glittering away into the distance.

  A cold gust of wind blew her hair back, and Reese wrapped an arm around her and held her close. She felt herself melt into his warmth. A sigh escaped her, and he leaned down and kissed her.

  In all of her sleepy life in Equane, she had never imagined this kind of happiness. She could never have dreamed up this gruff, kind young knight, who wore armor that honored her mother’s own people.

  “I love the way you look at me,” Reese murmured. “Your eyes don’t judge me…except when I deserve it,” he added, grinning. “When I’ve forgotten my manners.” Emeline laughed at that. “But not because of my ‘lowly status.’ ” He kissed her hair, and then added, with a chuckle, “Although you didn’t know that I was lowborn for quite a while, did you?”

  “It was the kitchen girls at the Mother’s Milk who gave it away,” she said. “But all it did was help me understand you better.”

  His expression turned suddenly serious. “Remember Erd, Rellum’s driver? I overheard in the infirmary that Helid already confessed to hiring Loddril, and he named Erd as his informant. He’s the one who revealed Rellum’s travel route.”

  “Erd did that?” Emeline exclaimed. She remembered that Rellum had dismissed suspicion of him during the storm.

  “He did, the little weasel. He’s been locked up with Helid. But I owe him a favor, or perhaps even two,” Reese said, grinning unexpectedly. She gave him a confused look. “Well, if he hadn’t been an informer, I would never have met you that evening in Blyne.” She smiled, realizing it was true. “And when he leered at you at dinner, I realized just how strongly I felt.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I was boiling with jealousy,” he admitted. “And anger. I could tell you didn’t like his stares, that eel.” Emeline leaned against him and laughed, remembering how mad he’d looked in the dining hall. He kissed her again, and suddenly her heart panged at the thought of the journey home.

  “I don’t want to leave,” she murmured.

  “I don’t want you to leave,” he said, his voice fierce.

  “But my father? And Dale?”

  Reese was quiet for a long moment. “Let’s take it one day at a time,” he said, and kissed her on the forehead.

  “Yes.” She felt comforted by that kind of reasoning. There was nothing else they could do tonight but sleep away the terrors and revelations of the day. “What is your room like in the knights’ quarters?” she asked curiously.

  “Do you want to see it?” Reese asked.

  “Oh.” Emeline blushed embarrassingly. “I was just wondering…I mean, I’m supposed to ask Quaith to take me home. I mean, to the inn….”

  Reese started laughing and she cursed herself for babbling.

  “It’s late. I’ll call Quaith.”

  She nodded, ducking her head against his shoulder. Bless water, he smelled good.

  the morning, the sky was thick with gray clouds, but still bright; the air smelled like rain was on its way. Emeline looked out the inn window and shook her head. Rain would certainly have been helpful the night before.

  The villagers had been woken by a liveryman at the door with a letter from the King’s Hall, requesting her presence before the king and Lord Irwind the following day. Fish’s face clouded at the continued delay, but he said nothing, looking at Dada. Dale and Aladane gave each other small smiles.

  The liveryman left without any mention of breakfast, which sank everyone’s spirits.

  “Maybe the guards can take us to the Mother’s Milk,” Dale suggested.

  “Maybe so,” Dada said hesitantly, watching Fish. He had started pacing slowly in the room. Emeline watched him too, her shoulders drooping. It was unfair to ask him to stay.

  “So now they expect us to wait around while they sort themselves out,” the farmer muttered. He didn’t sound angry as much as determined. The others watched him quietly. “Irwind might not manage to see her for days and days.”

  He stopped pacing and faced Dada, looking tired and hungry. “Bird, I don’t blame you if you want to stay awhile. I know that what Emeline can do has changed some things…and you have to figure out how much,” he said. “But I would like to go home. And I think I should bring the stowaway back to his family.”

  “What?” Aladane exploded.

  Emeline stared at Dada, not having considered the idea of splitting up. She saw that her father had,
however; he seemed more contemplative than surprised.

  “I just don’t know how you’ll get back home, if I do take off,” Fish said, frowning.

  Emeline looked at the boys and saw that they were stunned, their eyes darting back and forth between the grown-ups. She suddenly felt stomach-twistingly guilty—her magic, and her feelings for Reese, were causing this. She was responsible for splitting up the group. Wasn’t she?

  “I know your families are missing you,” Dada said slowly. “And you’re right, this is just about my family now. We did our duty together and reported our story to the king.” He paused and looked at Emeline. Her heart beat loudly in her ears. “Let me find out first how I can secure a wagon and horses to get ourselves back home. If Irwind insists on talking to my daughter, then he ought to be able to help us with that, at least.”

  Dale heaved a sigh of relief, and then flashed a guilty look at Aladane. The other boy kicked at the tile floor and said nothing.

  Fish nodded and shook Dada’s hand. “I will take care of your crops, Bird. As long as you don’t stay too long,” he said with a grin. Dada shook his hand with both of his.

  “Thank you very much. And thank you for helping us out there in the grove. If you hadn’t been there at that moment…” His voice broke and Fish patted him on the back.

  “Say nothing of it, my friend.”

  Everyone stood there for a few moments, trying not to relive the night before. Then Dale shifted his feet and asked, “Can we go eat now?”

  Dada turned to address the guards just as they heard the sound of a carriage approaching. It was Quaith’s small carriage with its open top—a welcome sight.

  “Hello!” he called breathlessly, quick-stepping toward them. “My apologies for not attending to you earlier. As you can imagine, things are in a turmoil.”

  He glanced at Emeline with absolute awe for several seconds. It was quite a change from his usual condescension, and she looked away, flustered.

  “Mister Quaith, what’s going on?” Dada asked. “Has there been an announcement about Lord Irwind? Or the Ithin?”

  “Not yet. People have heard about the attack, of course, and that it was dealt with. But His Majesty will issue a statement this afternoon.”

  “Where’s Reese?” Dale asked, not bothering with his title.

  “Sir Reese has been helping drain the King’s Grove this morning, but I imagine he will be free soon. He inquired after you as well,” Quaith said in a tone that suggested it wasn’t quite appropriate.

  “Can we go eat with him again?” Aladane asked.

  “Actually, Mister Quaith, we have a better question for you,” Fish spoke up. “It looks like our company will have to split ways, since the king wants to see Emeline tomorrow.”

  “Oh?” Quaith asked.

  “Yes, my friend here needs to get back home to Equane, but if he takes the wagon, then the rest of us won’t have a way to get home,” Dada explained. “Is there some way that His Majesty can help us with that?”

  “Ah.” Quaith started blinking rapidly, as if it helped him think. “I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to that. Why don’t we go straight to the hall and I will try to find out?”

  * * *

  They found Reese arguing disinterestedly with a red-haired man in the dining hall, someone Emeline recognized as one of the other Lash Knights. There were other knights milling around and filling their plates. A few of them ogled the villagers, especially Emeline. Gone were the sneers and the amusement, however; it was clear that news had spread.

  Reese’s face lit up as they approached and Emeline’s heart did a little spin. He cut off the red-haired knight with the disparaging remark, “As much as I’m enjoying this, Asai, we’ll have to discuss your tournament wins later.” Then he stood up and shook Dada’s hand, glancing shyly at Emeline. The other knight’s eyes widened at the group of them and then he slipped away.

  “Sir Reese, I’m afraid the Equanians were neglected this morning as far as breakfast is concerned, and since they also have a question for His Majesty, I’ve brought them here,” Quaith told him.

  “Go get some food before it disappears,” Reese told Dale and Aladane. They darted off for the side table, and he asked Dada, “What’s the question?”

  Emeline lingered for a moment, but the smells from the knights’ lunch were too delicious. She left Dada and Fish to explain and followed the boys. This time, there were thick slabs of bread to load up with spiced meat, cheese, and vegetables. There was even a pitcher of coffee, which Emeline helped herself to, having developed a taste for it.

  They returned to Reese’s table with their plates full. Fish clapped his hands together as Emeline sat down and said, “Perfect! Al and I can head out right after we eat.” Aladane’s face fell immediately and he sat down with a thump.

  “What happened?” Dale asked.

  “Mister Fish will take the wagon back. Reese thinks Lord Irwind will grant us a carriage ride home when it’s our time to leave, and Reese will escort us,” Dada explained. Emeline smiled at Reese, realizing he had just given them more time together. He winked.

  “Can’t we leave in the morning?” Aladane asked Fish. “Isn’t it better to start early?”

  Fish looked at Aladane, considering. “Well…maybe,” he said, frowning. “I don’t know, son, I’m so hungry I can’t think.” With that, he went off to the food and Dada followed, smiling.

  “Al, you might have some crazy adventures on the way home,” Dale said sympathetically.

  “Yeah…” he grumbled, and took a huge bite of food.

  “You should get Mister Fish to teach you how to shoot,” Emeline suggested. He perked up a little at that and nodded, chewing.

  “He got the Ithin through the eye, just like that thief,” he said.

  “What are you doing today?” Dale asked Reese with his mouth full.

  “I see you have the table manners of a Lash Knight already,” Reese told him. “I have some more work to do, but then I thought I would make a visit to Willen, that village nearby. Would you like to come?” He looked at Emeline and she smiled.

  “Yes,” she said eagerly as Dale nodded, keeping his mouth closed.

  “Oh, good. If you’re just going to see a village, then I don’t mind if I have to miss it,” Aladane declared.

  * * *

  It was a couple of hours later that the group of them headed out to Willen. They rode in a steam-carriage driven by a young servant whose eyes flew from Emeline to Reese in sheer astonishment, noticing the way they smiled at each other. She could imagine the gossip back in the King’s Hall.

  They headed north along a mostly empty road. Past the outskirts of the city, there were few houses or cottages, and the land was dotted with clusters of trees. The clouds broke and rain came down, rattling pleasantly on the carriage roof.

  “What will the king’s announcement say?” Fish asked Reese after they’d been riding for a while. He had been persuaded to wait until the morning to leave, and now he seemed eager to see what a village so near the capital was like. Aladane was hanging his head out the window.

  “I’ve heard some speculation that he may leave out the part about Irwind’s original model,” Reese said drily.

  “You mean, he might tell everyone that all the Ithin were automatons?” Emeline exclaimed.

  “In order to avoid widespread panic, yes,” he told her. “But the story about your magic is circling the hall, and he certainly still plans to combine the council.”

  “That’s the important thing,” Dada said, catching hold of Aladane’s sleeve. “If you fall out and bang your head, Al, you do still have to go home.”

  “I see some cottages coming up,” the boy announced, ducking back in. “And a big lake!”

  The carriage slowed to a stop a few minutes later and Emeline looked out to see a larger village than she’d exp
ected. The cottages weren’t round and red like in Equane, but many were built with a white clay that was pretty in the watery sunlight. There was a large ring of them around a glittering lake, with farmland beyond. Emeline climbed out with the others and admired the scene.

  “This is a sight for sore eyes,” Fish declared, and Dada nodded, smiling.

  Aladane shrugged at Dale. “It’s kind of like home.”

  “Yeah, but so close to the capital!” Dale said, amazed. Emeline agreed. It was hard to believe that their short journey had taken them here.

  Reese led the way down a dirt path, following the curve of the lake. Some children ran past the group of them, stopping to stare at Reese for a second. The knight was conspicuous with his whip coiled at his hip, but also for his size. The Equanians didn’t get much more than a glance, for once. The children were dressed like Dale and Aladane, simply, although one little girl wore a bell tied around her neck with a ribbon.

  “Look at the birds on the water,” Dale said, pointing at the lake.

  “Are there no ducks in Equane?” Reese asked, surprised. Dale shook his head, watching the birds glide serenely across. “They’re delicious. So are these.” He gestured at a handful of chickens and geese being herded along by a woman in a dress printed with flowers. She gaped at Reese as they passed.

  “What do they grow here?” Dada asked, looking out toward the fields.

  “Everything, I suppose,” Reese said. “I know they raise a lot of animals and sell meat to the capital.”

  “Must be good fishing in the lake,” Fish commented.

  “I wouldn’t know,” Reese said with a grimace. Emeline grinned.

  “Let’s find the market and see what they got,” Fish told Dada.

  “It’s in the village center up ahead,” Reese said, and Fish snorted.

  “We know how to find a village market, son,” he told him, and sauntered off ahead. The boys followed Dada and Fish, and Emeline moved to join them, but Reese pulled her back gently.