Father’s head bobbed slowly as he considered this, his brow slowly furrowing deeply. “Our coin from Taurova is at least a month away, if not more.” He let out a heavy sigh, picking up the top sheet of my scribblings from the stack. “Thank you, Carys. I will take care of it.” He murmured, glancing down to me with a tired smile, and with that, I was dismissed.
CHAPTER 15
The following week consisted of many changes as we tried to accommodate our swiftly depleting funds. Father secured a modest investment in small vineyard that was looking to expand, which would bring in some meager amounts of coin each month, though not enough to keep us housed and fed at the Inn, much less living in the manner to which we were accustomed.
I began searching for alternative accommodations, finally locating two small cottages for rent in one of the villages a short distance outside the city. They would be cramped quarters, but in the long run, cheaper than paying for all the rooms and meals at the Inn, not to mention stabling and other expenditures. We had managed to gain another couple of weeks of debt free living, and it was my hope that between our investment payoff and a swift arrival of our coin, we could manage in Lund for awhile. At least, until we had replaced our coin that went to Rhian’s ransom.
Rhian had balked at the halt on her spending, so we finally told her the amount her freedom had been purchased for. Her face pinched and turned a ghastly white as she realized that our dire circumstances now were the direct result of her freedom, though the unforeseen result was her being oddly agreeable for the week as she tried to assuage the annoyance of the staff, who had learned they would be working for free for a time, all because of her.
The next few days were a bustle of activity as we began making the necessary arrangements to turn Lund into our temporary home. Setting up an account at the Lund Vaults and agreeing to terms with merchants around town for the easy acquisition of supplies and food (at a nice volume-based discount) was simple enough, though more time consuming than I liked. For such simple folk, they had more paperwork and bureaucratic hoops than any city I had ever heard of.
Once the stack of rental papers were signed, we began making the arrangements to pull some of our belongings out of storage. While this was a temporary situation, we would be here at least a couple of months, quite possibly through the winter if the weather was as cold as rumors dictated, and we would need many of our own things in the meantime.
The larger of the two would house Father, Iolyn, Rhian, and myself, and have an area for the guard on duty. The other household staff and guards would sleep in the slightly smaller house down the street, and while I explained to everyone that this was going to be very cramped for awhile, it was a temporary home until we could get back on our feet and continue on. Not only was it more affordable than all the rooms at the Silver Stag, but here we could have our own space both in home and land.
It was the arduous process of moving in that had my family and staff busy today, our trunks of clothing, as well as a few boxes of incidentals were being unloaded as I directed foot traffic inside. I was tired, but happy as I supervised the chaos, directing staff as they hauled our things into the house. Father obviously took the master bedroom, and Iolyn took the smaller of the regular bedrooms, Rhian and I sharing the larger. One of the two nooks would be the on-duty guard’s area, the second would be the study, and finally the large main room would serve as the kitchen, dining room, and sitting room. It was cramped, I knew, but it would have to do for now.
I heard Rhian’s annoyed voice drifting out from our bedroom where she was putting her things away, her petulant tone grating on my nerves as I set a box of dishes on the table. “Why does Carys get more wardrobe space than I do? It’s not fair.” Pedr’s voice was much calmer and quieter as he tried to distract her from my non-existent slight against her. “I do not believe she is actually getting more closet space, it just looks like it because you have far more dresses than she does and your side looks...well, cramped. She is a fair person, and I doubt she would slight you so. But enough of this for now, Lady Rhian. Why don’t we go for a walk, or go see the pond behind the house?” He offered, his hopeful smile evident in his voice.
I made sure the box of dishes was secure on the table before turning around, heading to our room to interject before she could refuse him, which I knew she would for several reasons and none of which I considered valid. I stopped in the doorway to speak, smiling gently at the pair. “Rhian, don’t worry about putting your things away, you can finish this up later. Why don’t you go with Pedr and see the pond? It really is very pretty, and I bet it will be a nice place to practice your music.”
Rhian had been growing more irritable with every day that passed since leaving Perinthas, and I knew she would rather sit and pout in our room. She wouldn’t care about the pond unless I mentioned practicing her music there, and even that hope was iffy. She would either grumble about it being sludgy and boring, or she would believe it beautiful and serene. I sorely hoped the latter, or this was going to be a very long few months here. I watched her face, nearly holding my breath as I awaited her response.
It would seem Lady Luck was favoring us today, and Rhian’s face brightened, taking on the whimsical look she usually got when she was daydreaming about something romantic. Her entire demeanor shifted and she smiled shyly at Pedr, suddenly demure. “Alright, we can go. Do you mind if I bring my lute to practice?” She was already reaching for it, knowing he wouldn’t refuse her.
Pedr smiled and nodded, gallantly extending an arm for her to take. He flashed me a grateful look as they headed for the front door and I returned to my task. The pair passed through the open door just as Brynmor and Madox arrived on the steps carrying some dining chairs, Brynmor’s eyes followed Rhian and Pedr as they walked off down the path to the pond. He smirked as he turned back to us. “If that lad falls any more head over heels for Rhi, he’ll give himself a concussion,” he teased, eliciting an amused snort from Madox.
I barked a quick laugh and beckoned them to the dining area where the table was already covered with boxes of dishes and cookware, the contents slowly being unpacked by Derryth as she set up her kitchen exactly the way she liked it.
Father came in through the door, his gaze sweeping the main room to see our progress with a satisfied smile. He looked unusually happy as he moved through the room, finally looking up to meet my gaze. “This place is looking wonderful already, Carys. Thank you.” He murmured quietly into my hair. “You are a great daughter.” He added, giving my shoulders a squeeze before heading to his room.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
We were exhausted by nightfall, but the moment Derryth had the kitchen set up she began to cook up a storm, chattering non-stop about how she had sorely missed being able to feed us properly and she would make up for it with a feast worthy of song. The tantalizing aromas quickly filled the cottage while we all put the last of our things away, the distraction nearly proving too much for our empty bellies. The Silver Stag had good cooks, but as the scent of Derryth’s baking filled the house, I realized just how much I had missed her sumptuous meals and I chuckled as she cheerfully sang while she worked, her tone slightly off key though nobody minded.
Rhian returned with her lute and no Pedr just as Derryth called us to the table, pouting though remained vague when pressed for the reason. She sat in stony silence through the entire meal while the rest of us carried on a lighthearted conversation, talking and laughing as we happily ate what Derryth had prepared. Finally Iolyn gave Rhi a grin and nudged her with his elbow. “Come on, Rhi. We have a home again...sort of... you should be happy!” Rhian looked guilty for a moment before sighing, absently picking at the food on her plate. “I am happy to have a comfortable place to stay, it’s just that it’s so far from the city.” She let out another overly dramatic sigh and finally took a little bite.
I rolled my eyes a little and gave her a look. “It isn’t that far, Rhian. Whenever you wish to go, you know one of the guards will escort you. Perhaps Pedr wo
uld take you tomorrow?” It was difficult not to tease her a little about the man’s obvious affection for her, but that teasing was poorly received today. She glared at me and rose from the table, sounding testy. “I am not hungry, I am going to retire for the night.” She rose from her seat and turned with a flourish, heading off to our shared room to sulk.
If she had been hoping for us all to leap up from the table and beg her to stay, she did not get what she wanted. The family remained silent until the click of the door echoed, the joyful conversation resuming a moment later as we were too delighted to let a little teenage angst interrupt our first evening in our new residence, settling on ignoring her dramatics with a slight roll of our eyes.
After supper was over, Father and Iolyn headed into the city with Madox for a few last errands, leaving Brynmor and I at the house, along with Rhian in her self-induced confinement. Settling on the couch with my goblet of wine and a book, I might have read all of two pages when Brynmor came to sit next to me with a frothy mug of ale, peering over my arm briefly to see what I was reading. He snorted at seeing that it was my usual tale of romance and his eyes turned to our bedroom door and he let out a quiet chuckle.
“I’m surprised she hasn’t come out to see why nobody is coming to talk to her.” He smirked, lowering his voice knowing all too well the dramatic tendencies of my sister. “You know I love Rhi dearly, and I’m not complaining about her, but she’s been getting worse ever since Lord Llew announced we were leaving Perinthas. Though...I blame her abduction for her current moodiness.” He shot another casual look to the bedroom door over my shoulder as he lifted his mug for a drink.
I grimaced as my cobalt eyes flicked from from Brynmor to the bedroom door, knowing this attitude change was to be expected with her adolescence, though our departure from our home and then her abduction had catapulted my sister into the throes of teen angst more than I had expected. I wasn’t sure how to handle it, feeling too young and inexperienced to be able to guide her through her situation very well.
I had no experience with children, and even less with rebelling adolescents, and I thought that somewhere, there had to be magic words I could chant that would get her to behave properly. In that moment, I wished Mother were there. Rhian always listened and did whatever Mother wanted and I could use that authority these days.
“I know, Bryn.” I said softly in case Rhian was listening in. “I think I understand it, at least a little. She didn’t want to leave Perinthas and she is miserable about it and wants everyone to know of her dislike.” My eyes fell to my ornate goblet, one that we had brought from home. It wasn’t like anything Lundham had, our lifestyle not one that mingled well with Lund’s more rustic way of life. Not that we have to worry much about our way of life for awhile.
Brynmor snorted and rolled his eyes. “She will certainly get the attention she likes, but it’s not going to be the same as it was back home. You aren’t wrong, Carys, but I suppose we should cut her some slack. She’s the baby of the family and having a tough time these days. She won’t have your maturity for many years. Besides. I recall you at fifteen and your own little rebellions and striving for independence.” His eyes glinted in amusement, nudging my arm gently. “How many times did I catch you kissing boys after sneaking out of the house, Carys? Fifteen? Twenty?” He teased, and it was all I could do not to punch his arm at his over-exaggeration of my exploits. It didn’t keep my cheeks from turning crimson, though, the heat of embarrassment flooding my body.
“It was only three or four, and it was the same boy, Bryn, and I only snuck out a couple of times. Besides, that boy was supposed to be my betrothed.” I muttered to him, only to have him laugh. Our fathers had already begun talking about a marriage between us, which suited Gawan and I nicely as we had already taken a liking to each other, and going off to kiss and spend time together seemed well within our rights.
“I know, I know. But I like teasing you. Besides, it was that lad that got you into being educated in the Healing Ward with his father, the Head Surgeon himself. I think you even managed to learn a few things while here.” He chuckled, grinning widely at me, unwilling to cease his tormenting. “When not drooling over your suitor, anyways.”
That comment did earn him a solid elbow to the ribs and he grunted, chuckling through his wince. “Alright...I deserved that. But honestly, Carys, your teen rebellion wasn’t so bad, and you grew up and out of that stage eventually, and look at you now. I mean...sure, you snuck out a few times, and I can’t lie, Lord Llew was mighty annoyed. But if there was one thing we both knew, it was that you weren’t stupid and you wouldn’t do anything dangerous. You just wanted some independence to do your own thing. And the things you wanted to do weren’t actually so bad, at least, in my opinion.” He admitted with a little smile which shifted into a frown at a thought. “You didn’t actually uh...do more than kiss, right?”
I felt my cheeks grow even redder and I bristled with exasperation. “No! Just...cuddled and kissed a little, nothing more. I’m a respectable lady, Bryn.” My thoughts drifted back to getting caught, despite my efforts to keep our clandestine meetings a secret. I had snuck out far more often than he even knew of, only getting caught a handful of times. Our desire was simple: we wanted to spend time together away from the retinue of chaperones that constantly hovered over us.
He looked relieved, then gave me a sly smirk. “Good. Anyways, I think Rhi is just doing the same as every other teenager alive does...she just wants some freedom and independence, and while she is admittedly being very childish about it, she’s just trying to spread her wings a little.” He shrugged and took a drink, finally settling back against the couch.
I took a sip from my wine, thoughtful as I turned my eyes to the crackling fire in the hearth, giving thought to what Brynmor said. For a man with such a casual nature, he had a better understanding of Rhian than I ever would. I chewed on my lip, a habit that my mother had detested, saying it made me look simple-minded, and I rose suddenly from the couch having made a decision. I would talk to Rhian, even though I had no idea what to say. Perhaps I just needed to listen, and I could do that.
Knock knock knock. “Rhi?”
My knuckles rapped against the door, the sound seeming loud in the small, quiet house. There was no answer, so I knocked again, more gently this time with the thought that perhaps she had fallen asleep. There was still no answer, though a slight draft came from beneath the bedroom door, the evening air chilly on my slippered feet. I frowned and opened the door, poking my head in to look around the room.
It was empty, the window left wide open as though not even trying to hide the fact she had slipped out. I cursed under my breath, Brynmor behind me a moment later to see what I was looking at. “She snuck out.” I told him flatly, looking around the bedroom. “And since you are here, she obviously did not take a guard with her.” I rubbed my forehead with my palm, instantly feeling the start of a headache. “She doesn’t even need to sneak out, she just needs to ask a guard. Bryn…”
“Yeah, I will go find her.” He broke in, already knowing what I would ask and swiftly moving to grab his coat and weapons belt. “Do you want to come with me, or just yell at her here when we get back?” He gave a little smirk, and I frowned back at him, wishing he would take this just a little more seriously. I knew there were dangers along the road, and while Madox believed the city was relatively safe, a teenage girl on her own was asking for trouble. Especially a wealthy and naive teenage girl. “You can tell her there will be a discussion when you return. Let her stew about it the whole way back.”
Brynmor nodded to me and gave me a lazy salute. “As you wish, Lady Carys.” He said with more joviality than the circumstances warranted, then disappeared out the door, the latch clicking loudly in the silence as I was left alone.
CHAPTER 16
He was gone a little over an hour, returning with a furious and embarrassed Rhian who stormed through the front door and stomped the entire distance to our bedroom, swinging the door
wide open only to slam it shut, rattling the very walls themselves with the force of her anger. My eyes flew open and my jaw dropped in shock, staring at the bedroom door for a long minute before looking to Brynmor who still loomed just inside the front door. “I see that you found her…” I muttered wryly.
Bryn looked deeply annoyed, shooting a glare paired with a growl to the bedroom door as an angry sobbing drifted out from our room. I winced in silent contemplation before finally asking. “I doubt I want to know, but what on earth happened?” I almost regretted asking, though her reaction to her manner of return had me believing that whatever she had been up to, it had not been entirely innocent.
He dragged his hand down his face, clearly frustrated, and thinking over the best way to tell me. “She was in the Silver Stag, no surprise there.” I gave him a look that said ‘and?’, as the fact that she had been there wasn’t terrible in of itself, only that she had gone without a guard. He kept going, looking even more annoyed as he ran his hands through his mop of brown hair. “She was flirting with some man at least twice her age, sitting alone with him in the back corner in the dark.”
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