A Single Spark

by Tayvia Pierce

  He shook his head gently, seeming to know the course of my thoughts. “I am not suggesting you run away and become an adventurer or a mercenary.” He said wryly. “I only mean that you are not meant to follow. You are a leader, Lady Carys, and leaders do not blindly follow dictates that are handed to them. You are intelligent and capable and you are meant to make choices for yourself.” He looked up into the ever-brightening sky and back to me. “Perhaps you should return before your guards begin locking you in your room.” He had an amused glint in his eye and he rose, stepping in front of me and extending his hand down for me to take. “You will ache tomorrow. We will meet again in three days time.” He ordered as I took his hand, letting him slowly pull me up to my feet.

  I followed his gaze upwards with the dawning realization that the hour was later than I expected and I groaned. By now, the household would likely be fretting over my absence and I cringed, imagining their reactions. My berry-picking excuse was quickly losing its viability and murmured. “It may already be too late for that.” I could hear the lectures already, a painful symphony of snark and annoyance from all sides. I sighed and asked hesitantly. “Will you walk me home so I can at least say I was not unprotected?”

  He smirked, watching me intently for a moment before nodding. “Yes, Lady Carys.” He said with an obedient tone, picking up the basket that was meant to be my alibi. I gave a relieved smile before sliding the dagger back into my boot, smoothing out my trousers and coat as if somehow I might erase all evidence of our lesson.

  Ben let out a short laugh when I told him of my excuse for being gone so early, shaking his head as he wryly advised, “You may wish to come up with something a little more believable.”I stopped at the market quickly, to grab a large pack of berries and a few other things that would give me a more functional alibi, grateful for having three days to come up with something better. If Ben and I were going to have lessons on a regular basis, I might need a list with several believable excuses.

  The road back to the small village where we lived wasn’t all that long, though as we walked I could feel stiffness setting in. He must have noticed that my gait was slowing down and did his best to hide his amusement. “Your muscles are not accustomed to being worked in such ways. You will be achy and stiff...and it will be worse tomorrow. Hot baths with salts, if you have them. It will help with the stiff muscles.” He offered, and I gave him a grateful look.

  “And a lot of willowbark won’t hurt either.” I murmured, causing him to snort. “I’m not sure how I am going to walk around without my entire family wondering why I look like I’m made out of wood.” I admitted, already trying to come up with an acceptable explanation that my family wouldn’t question.

  He looked down to me with a curious look, though there was something unreadable there also. “Or you could simply tell them you are taking lessons.” He said casually, my head turning to glare at him with no shortage of frustration. “I already told you, Father specifically forbids his daughters from picking up weapons. It is the expectation of men to know swordsmanship to protect their women and children, but he is insistent that his daughters be true noblewomen, not...warrior savages.” I said with a frown, quoting my father.

  I knew a small handful of women in Perinthas who knew how to use blades, and they were the talk of the city, and not in a good way. They were viewed as lesser nobles, practically shunned from all Highborn functions. The belief among the aristocracy was that any female of wealth should be properly demure and peaceful. Knowing their way around a blade is evidence of a violent nature and thus, they cannot be “true” nobility.

  He fell silent and nodded faintly, his brow furrowing slightly as we finally approached my house. “Where I grew up, all were taught the blade.” He said softly, giving me a rare glimpse into his life. “Particularly the noblewomen. They are more fearsome than men, I have found.” He cast a sidelong glance down to me and smirked. “As I believe you will be, once you learn.”

  My pride in his assessment of my ability was short lived as the door flew open and Brynmor stalked out, a furious scowl on his face, a look that grew even angrier when he saw who I was with. “What the hell, Carys?” He snarled, his eyes flashing as he looked very much like he was about to leap off the stairs and strangle someone.

  My eyebrows rose in shock before plunging low in anger at being spoken to like that. I felt Ben’s dislike of Brynmor roll off him in a wave, feeding my own growing disapproval of my guard’s behavior. I stood tall and barked right back. “I beg your pardon?” My eyes narrowed back at Brynmor, a thick warning in my voice. Being belligerent is one thing, but cursing at me is completely unacceptable!

  He was not daunted, nor did he seem to remember his place as a subordinate. He stared down to me and threw the crumpled up letter that I had left, the paper ball bouncing off my foot to land in a puddle. “Berry picking? I don’t care if you are going to check the mailbox, you take a guard with you!” He turned his wrathful stare to Ben. “And I suppose you just happened to come across the same bush Carys was picking from?” He sneered, voice dripping with contemptuous sarcasm.

  Ben gave Brynmor a cold look and held the basket out for Brynmor, answering with complete calm. “No. She ended up near town and I saw her in the market as she picked up a few other items. I offered to walk her home since she had wandered much farther than intended and wished to ensure her safety.” He said evenly, and I found myself believing his story, even though I knew it to be a lie.

  Brynmor did not appear mollified as he stomped down the steps, snatching the basket from Ben’s hands and looked inside, roughly rummaging through everything and growling when it all spoke to the truth of our story. He looked even more annoyed as he realized that he had nothing by which to make an accusation, though I doubted he even knew what he was trying to accuse me of. His jaw worked as he struggled to formulate a retort, but finally he just snapped. “Your father wants to speak with you.” He whirled around and stormed off to the back of the house.

  Ben’s expression was stony, blue-grey eyes following after Brynmor with a clear look of disdain. He didn’t have to explain his thoughts on what just happened for they likely mirrored my own. Brynmor, while lax in his guardianship, had always been respectful, but I was beginning to tire of his growing mood swings. He was either too casual or too uptight about our protection, neither of which was helpful. He’s almost as bad as Rhian these days.

  My own jaw tightened before I let out a sigh and looked up to Ben. “Thank you for walking me home, Ben. Perhaps we will run into each other again sometime.” I said vaguely, doubting Brynmor would have gone out of earshot and I could not afford to sound too familiar with Ben.

  He dipped his head respectfully towards me, murmuring. “Of course, Lady Carys. Good day.” Another quick glance over to where Brynmor had disappeared with a cold expression and he turned, departing our yard with his usual lithe stride.

  A little sigh escaped me as I headed up the steps, pushing open the door to find my father. He had wanted to see me, but to my surprise (and relief), not about my berry picking escapade. He had a question about the accounts that was easy enough to answer, his attitude more one of joy that I came back with such a bountiful basket of berries and some preserves. He suggested I do that again sometime, and I did my best to suppress my smirk, off-handedly commenting, “Perhaps I will go again in a few days then.” Perhaps my alibi was not so weak as I had thought.

  CHAPTER 25

  Ben had not been jesting when he told me I would ache the next day. If anything, he downplayed the agony, letting me believe the ache would be no small matter, but instead, my muscles screamed for relief, angry with me for the torment I had subjected them to. I wondered how much worse it would have been if we had actually been sparring? I decided that I would probably have been utterly paralyzed and nearing death.

  I decided that day was a good day for reading various reports of the household, though I was quickly distracted by thoughts of my lessons the day before. Ben ha
d shown me only simple maneuvers so far (though my body clearly disagreed with the term ‘simple’) and I found myself reviewing them all in my mind’s eye, mentally reviewing everything he had taught me.

  It was the lesson in how to strike a swift killing blow that captured my full attention as I stared blankly at the report before me. The idea of taking a life made my stomach churn, though the more I thought on the circumstances that I could potentially find myself in, I knew without a doubt that if I found myself under attack and it was either him or me...If I was all that stood between my loved ones and harm...I wouldn’t hesitate, and I wouldn’t feel guilty. I would do what needed to be done to protect my family.

  A laugh brought me out of my reverie, finding Iolyn standing next to the table, arms crossed and looking down to me with the utmost amusement. “That report on monthly household grocery expenses must be truly riveting.” He teased with an ever-widening grin. “You have been staring at that page for fifteen minutes now. Are you trying to make the numbers change with the powers of your mind?” He laughed again before pulling out a chair to take a seat next to me.

  I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks and I knew they were nearly as red as the raspberries that I had “picked” the day before, bringing out another chuckle from my brother. “I take it you were daydreaming then.” He said with a wink. “It’s alright, no need to go into details but I’m always willing to listen to the juicy details if you want to share.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me, setting a goblet of wine down in front of me before sipping from his own.

  I flushed even more, managing a flustered smile as I reached out for the drink, retorting, “Wouldn’t you daydream if you had to read this all day along?” I took a casual drink from the cup, acting like I hadn’t just been caught with my head in the clouds. His insinuation of what I might be daydreaming about, or who I’m daydreaming about, had me completely addled.

  He snorted and shrugged, his teasing grin shifting into a casual smile. “Of course I would, and that is why I leave it for you, sister dearest.” He flashed another quick grin before reaching into his coat for a velvet pouch. “But that doesn’t matter, I actually have something for you.” He set the pouch soundlessly on the table as his fingers began to work the ties.

  My embarrassment was quickly forgotten as I eyed the pouch curiously, sitting up a little straighter as I peered over to watch him untie it. “Oh? What is it?” I was surprised, though when I look back now, I shouldn’t have been. Iolyn was lazy, but he was also extremely generous and thoughtful at times, his typically cavalier attitude sometimes giving way to a genuine care and consideration for others.

  He smiled at me, one of those smiles that held no sly humor or teasing but was genuine right down to its core. He dipped his thumb and forefinger into the bag to pull out a silver bracelet set with small emeralds and polished to a mirror-finish. It was exquisitely beautiful, easily the loveliest piece he had ever created and I was speechless. My astonishment must have shown clearly for he chuckled softly. “I’m glad you like it.” He teased, though I could hear how pleased he was at my reaction. Taking the two ends of the bracelet, he wrapped it gently around my wrist and fastened it with a proud smile.

  I still couldn’t believe Iolyn had designed it, and I couldn’t stop staring. Finally I blinked, murmuring. “It is the most beautiful piece I have ever seen you craft, Iolyn. It’s magnificent, really.” I marveled at the bracelet again, running my fingertips over it before leaning in to inspect it closely.

  “This place agrees with me, I suppose.” he said with a grin. “And perhaps there are far less distractions here than there were in Perinthas. I realize Father was right, I wasn’t putting in the time and effort in my trinkets, but I would like to think I am succeeding on that front now.” He patted my wrist before letting go, suddenly looking grateful. “I just wanted to make you something pretty as a gesture of thanks. I know you have been doing a lot to get us settled here, and I wanted you to know that I think you are brilliant and our family would be lost with you.”

  His sentiment came as a surprise, Iolyn wasn’t usually one to notice the hard work or efforts of others, so him noticing mine made this the best gift I had ever received from anyone. I could feel a small lump forming in my throat, smiling at him before pulling him into a hug. He chuckled softly. “Is it wrong to dote on my little sister?” He asked, amused, and I just rolled my eyes a little, letting go of him. “Speaking of little sisters…” He quickly tucked the velvet pouch back into his coat. “Rhian was caught sneaking out again.”

  I blinked. “What? When?” I blurted out, not having heard anything about it. To say I was bewildered and angry at this news was an understatement. I had finally begun to think her adolescent rebellion was at its end, but evidently I was wrong. I was filled with a renewed disappointment in my little sister, and fresh out of ideas on how to handle her attitude.

  “You were in the city with Madox, I think.” Iolyn said, taking a sip of his wine like we were doing no more than discussing the menu for dinner. “Father caught her himself this time as she was trying to sneak her horse out of the stables, and let me say, when Father goes very very quiet, I start thinking of places to hide. He finally said something needed to be done to curb her behavior, so I’m sure he will come up with something interesting.” Iolyn chuckled, though I was far less amused.

  When Father said things like that, he meant it, and it was usually something drastic. I withered at the thought, letting out a long sigh as my fingers pressed into my temples. “I’m sure Father will deal with it better than any of the rest of us. She actually cares what he thinks.”

  He chuckled and said. “Rhian is outside with Brynmor, who just finished setting up a couple of benches out by the pond. Come on. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind if we joined them.” He rose and gently took my arm, pulling me up from my chair, the sudden reminder of my stiff body bringing a mild grimace to my face.

  I snorted softly as I eased myself from the chair. “If she is alone with Bryn, I doubt she will want company intruding.” I commented wryly, shutting the ledger that I had barely read. It was the very reason I was choosing to go out there, knowing Bryn was just as likely encouraging her feelings. If she even still has feelings for him. I frowned a little, not sure with whom her heart lay anymore. Long had she held Bryn in her heart, but it seemed lately that her affections had turned towards Ben. Not that either was suitable for her, of course.

  Iolyn laughed and turned to head outside, not waiting to see if I followed. I cannot lie, I was relieved he didn’t wait, for my movements were slower and stiffer than normal and I didn’t want him asking about it. He would want to know why I was sore, and I doubted he would accept my lie as readily as Rhian would.

  Brynmor and Madox had been working on building a little patio near the pond since we moved in, and had forbidden anyone from going to look until it was completed. I hadn’t given it much thought, though now that I made my way down the path through the trees, my curiosity grew quickly. I emerged from the shrubbery to see their work, a flagstone floor met with larger rock on the shoreline to make the floor level. Marble benches were set in a semicircle, large pots of flowers lining the edge, and a birdbath set on one of the corners, all framed by the large willow trees that lined the shore.

  Rhian and Bryn were seated facing the pond as they whispered and laughed at their own private jokes, though turned to look over their shoulders at the sound of my approach. A smile blossomed on Rhian’s lips as she rose, bounding over to hug me when I drew closer. “Carys! Look at our pond patio! Isn’t it beautiful?” She grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the benches, and I tried my best to keep up without revealing the agonizing pain that caused.

  Brynmor had been grinning at Rhian until my arrival, his expression growing stiff at the sight of me, though he managed to force a smile a minute later. “Lady Carys, welcome to the party.” He said, trying to keep his tone light. It would seem he was still irritated over my arriving home with Ben the day before
and the subsequent “discussion” regarding the way he spoke to me. He had never been one to carry a grudge so this growing bitterness was beginning to concern me, particularly when paired with the change in his attitude.

  I took a seat and Iolyn topped up my goblet of wine, already having helped himself to some more. I sipped this vintage, still not up to par with that of Perinthas, but this was not terrible. It was growing on me, as was this new home of ours. Rhian led me to one of the benches and sat, pulling me down next to her with an uncharacteristically tenacious hold. If I was the gambling sort, I would bet that she wants something from me. Brynmor and Iolyn quickly found themselves engaged in a discussion of their own regarding the construction of this patio, though it quickly moved into a debate on the merits of fishing and what sort of catch this pond would hold.

  As soon as they were distracted, Rhian squeezed my arm and leaned against me, finally able to ask the question she always asked. “So Brynmor said Ben walked you home yesterday. How is he?” As much as she thought she sounded nonchalant whenever she asked, she was as transparent as the pond we sat next to. I looked over to her and said simply. “He seems well. He just walked me home, Rhian, we didn’t converse all that much.”