Madox snorted softly at Iolyn before responding to the invitation. “Sorry, Lady Carys. I have tonight off so I, uh….have a date.” He rubbed the back of his neck as he said this, looking uncomfortable but managed an awkward smile. “It isn’t really that serious, so don’t get too excited about it.”
I chuckled softly and nodded, rising from my seat. I was trying not to envy the freedom that he had to make such a choice. Not only in whom he courted, but the depths that the relationship would reach. “Fair enough, Madox. Now if you don’t mind, I should get some work done. A household doesn’t run itself, after all.” Nor does juggling creditors and begging for more time to come up with funds, I wanted to add, but thought better of it. The staff had already sacrificed enough without being reminded of it.
My less-than-thrilling afternoon of combing through the ledgers and juggling debts was interrupted by Darius who came in to go over the upcoming week’s schedule. He had jumped into his duties with a surprising enthusiasm, organizing supplies each day as they were delivered. It wasn’t long before he was helping to repair things, and take care of many of the general duties as they cropped up, and doing his part to earn his keep.
Derryth was thrilled to have the help with getting her kitchen goods organized, commenting several times on how sweet and handsome he was. I smirked inwardly, thinking his pleasant looks were probably why Rhian had hired him in the first place.
Rhian shyly knocked on the door of the study, eying Darius with a smile before looking up to me. “The food and wine is nearly ready, we just need to have the wood hauled down to the clearing by the pond.” Darius smiled and nodded cheerfully. “I can do that as soon as we finish up here, Lady Rhian.”
“Actually, we are done here for today.” I piped up, chuckling softly. “I will work on a list of other things that could use doing around here and post it for you. Check back in a couple of days, but for now, hauling the wood for the bonfire is the priority.” I smiled and rose, shuffling the parchments and ledgers back into the drawer.
Darius grinned at me and bowed gallantly. “Your wish is my command, Lady Carys.” and quickly headed outside to do as requested.
Rhian hung in the doorway, fidgeting. “Carys, have you seen Ben? I wanted to invite him to the bonfire, too, but I haven’t seen him all day.” Her delicate brow furrowed as she grew thoughtful and added, “Come to think of it, I haven’t seen much of him in weeks.”
I shook my head, giving her an apologetic look, trying to hide all the other conflicting emotions that always wove their way through me at the sound of his name. “Sorry, Rhi. I haven’t seen him.” I said, being truthful, though I knew the reason why he was around less, and didn’t feel like explaining those reasons. Rhian was jealous enough as it was over my betrothal to Brynmor, but to hear that Ben kissed me would only serve to increase that envy to spiteful proportions.
She nodded, a disappointed look flitting over her features, though Mother and Brynmor coming through the door, heavily laden with parcels and deep in wedding talk served to distract us both from thoughts of Ben. I groaned and let out a long-suffering sigh at the amount of shopping they had done. I prayed it was Yule gifts and not wedding supplies.
Brynmor eyed me and smiled widely as he set the parcels down. “We could get married next week, Carys. We did the shopping for you so you don’t have to worry about it. Lady Tesni picked out your dress, the colors and flowers, Iolyn will make our rings, we just need to pick what we want for the wedding feast and it will be ready!”
My reaction was not the undying gratitude he hoped for, and I barely managed to rein in my temper. He and Mother picked out everything? Was I going to have any say in my own nuptials? Everything I had asked for thus far had been ignored, and I gritted my teeth and forced a smile, though there was no power in the heavens or on Isirion that could make it look natural. “Are you going to let me do any planning of my own wedding, Mother?”
She flashed me a smile and laughed. “If we left the planning up to you, darling, nothing would get done.” She looked at the basket of food and the jugs of mulled wine on the table, then the pile of blankets on the sofa. “Where are we going?” She asked lightly, her eyes settling on Rhian.
Rhian blushed a little and said. “We are having a bonfire. There is a place about halfway around the pond that is pretty, and Derryth fixed us all sorts of food, and made cider and mulled wine. I will lead the way.” She beamed, pleased that her idea had been so popular, eagerly grabbing the basket of food.
Brynmor grimaced and shook his head. “Sorry, Rhi. I have a few things to do this afternoon, but bonfires aren’t my thing anyways. I hope you all have fun!” Rhian’s offended squeak was ignored as he ducked out before anyone could try to convince him to come along,
Mother smiled, nodding with approval. “That does sound lovely. Come, let’s go.” Rhian huffed at Brynmor’s swift departure, but nodded dutifully to Mother.
“I will just leave Ben a note...in case he wants to join us when he returns.” She stated, crossing to the desk to scribble the guard a note, propping it up where he would be sure to see it.
I nodded slowly, trying to look happy with the possibility of his joining us, though mostly the idea made me nervous. Sparring seemed to be the only thing Ben and I could still manage without some sort of catastrophe, but small talk around a bonfire seemed like trouble in the making. I pulled my thick coat on before gathering the blankets, ensuring that we had everything before making our way towards the large blaze set along the bank of the pond, a proud Darius throwing a few more logs onto the raging fire.
Darius had set up benches and chairs around the newly formed fire pit and I handed the blankets out for anyone that wanted some extra warmth. Rhian smiled happily and sat down, pulling the basket of food towards her to find the mulled wine, handing the bottle and mugs to me to pour for everyone. Darius began taking out the food, setting it out on a makeshift table created from a tree stump, while Tesni looked around the small expanse of shoreline. “This is a lovely choice, Rhian.” Mother commented with a smile, taking her seat on the bench while wrapping a blanket around her shoulders. “Perhaps we should have your wedding ceremony here, Carys.”
I ground my teeth as she started with the wedding talk again, pouring the warmed wine into the small cups and handing them out to everyone. It was Rhian’s pinched face that caught my attention as I handed her the cup, her eyes not meeting mine in a moment of awkward avoidance. It seems Mother is the only one that wants to discuss weddings.
Darius looking from Mother to Rhian, finally glancing to me as though trying to determine how awkward he should feel, finally hiding his face in his mug as he sipped his mulled wine. I gave him an apologetic look before expressing my disagreement with her idea. “Not in the middle of winter, we aren’t. We are not getting married until next year anyways, Mother. I mean it.” I gave her a firm look, though it seemed to do very little.
Mother waved her hand dismissively, ignoring my wishes once again. “You will marry sooner than that, darling. There is no need to put it off. Brynmor is a most enthusiastic planner when it comes to taking you as his wife. He is most eager to be wedded, as you should be.” She gave me a pointed look, and I was grateful that Brynmor had not joined us for the afternoon.
The sound of footfalls crunching in the skiffs of snow down the path drew our eyes to the newcomer, only needing to wait a moment before Ben stepped into view, though it was not the Ben we had grown accustomed to seeing. He had changed from his usual leather jerkin into a different coat, a deep green hooded leather coat that looked similar to what the Wardens clad themselves in..
I blinked at this new Ben with my lips parting slightly in surprise. Rhian gaped and then blushed, shyly fiddling with her hands, offering him a little smile as he came to sit down. “You saw my note. I am glad you joined us, Ben.” He came to the benches and sat, looking around the area with a keen eye, searching out the possible dangers that might prey on us from the shadows.
“It
is an honor.” He said to Rhian politely, though absently as his mind was on ensuring our safety. Once satisfied there were no hidden dangers lurking in the trees, he dipped his head to Rhian and Mother, turning to me last with a solemn nod, letting his gaze linger on mine for an extra moment. That extra moment might not be noticeable to the others, but I saw more in his eyes than the others would and my heart began to thud a little harder in my chest.
“Lady Carys, how is your arm?” He asked me, eyes finally pulling from mine to glance to where he had cut me. “I trust that the injury is mending well?” He seemed to be holding his breath as he awaited my answer, a hint of worry in his eyes.
I gave him a little smile, pretending that his presence wasn’t affecting me though I was already finding it more difficult to breathe. “It’s healing quickly. I’m fine.” I reassured him, managing to sound more calm and collected than I felt. He nodded, his usual indecipherable look giving way to a very faint flicker of relief.
Mother broke in and gave Ben a cool look, swirling the contents of her wine cup. “Perhaps you are not the teacher you claim to be if you cannot prevent yourself from nearly killing my daughter.” A muscle in Ben’s cheek twitched as he turned to narrow his eyes at Mother.
I shot Mother a glare and defended Ben. “He did not nearly kill me. It was a mere scratch, and he was pushing my limits so that I can be better.” Mother lifted a brow at me, feigning a distasteful look, though I could see a hint of satisfaction within those blue eyes. Satisfaction over what?
Darius looked at me with an unwavering gaze, finally commenting. “I think it’s a good thing to take lessons. The world can be a very dangerous place, even with a guard on your arm...and especially alone.” He looked over to Rhian who seemed to shrink into the blanket wrapped around her shoulders. A quick smile aimed at me before he reached over to help himself to some of the roast boar that Derryth had prepared.
The sun was warm despite the cool air, slowly descending below the horizon as we enjoyed the food, warm drink, and hot fire with its distinctive smoky cedar scent. Amidst the sparks swirling skyward and the crackling of the logs as they burned, Mother questioned Darius, subtly prying into the man’s life though he was either being vague, or there was little to tell.
He was from the Eastern land of Ihan, north of Taurova, hailing from a small village that was more inclined to agricultural pursuits rather than gearing itself to militia training like so many border villages did. He had left his family behind after an argument, though he wouldn’t say what the conflict entailed. He was Iolyn’s age, seemingly easy going with an odd sense of humor, and a charm that instilled a sense of trust. He reminded me a little of Iolyn, though, with less sarcasm.
As mother effortlessly interrogated Darius, I picked at my food in silence, Ben was seated directly in front of me, so it was difficult not to look at him as we listened to Darius. Ben had been wound even more tightly than usual these last few days, even more so than he usually was. The memory of his amused smiles from those first days flitted through my mind and I wondered what had happened to that Ben? Has the weight of our family problems done this, or is it just me?
Ben’s gaze had been on Darius, studying the man with thinly veiled suspicion, though a moment later, I suddenly found him looking directly at me. I blinked in surprise, having drifted off into my thoughts, not realizing that I may have been staring. I managed a weak, though embarrassed smile and turned to look at Darius again to listen.
Mother must have decided Darius seemed normal enough and chuckled, giving Rhian another approving look. “A fortunate bit of luck in choosing this one, Rhian.” My sister blushed, pleased to have earned our mother’s praise once again.
The food that Derryth had prepared had nearly been picked clean as the skies darkened at last, the orange glow of dusk becoming the indigo of evening and the air cooled all the more with no sun to warm it. Darius, the keeper of the flames, threw a few extra logs on, building up the fire to provide some added heat.
CHAPTER 47
Iolyn arrived, bringing some fresh mulled wine with him and laughed as he saw how little food was left. “I suppose it’s good that I had dinner already. I cannot seem to count on my beloved family to save me anything to eat.” He winked good-naturedly at us and found a place next to Rhian, popping the cork from the jug to top up everyone’s drinks with the steaming drink, the aroma of the spices quickly filling the air.
Rhian beamed, licking her lips at the prospect of having more than her usual, holding up her mug for Iolyn to fill, though Ben objected gently. “Lady Rhian, I would not advise you to have more. I think you have already had enough.”
I was almost to the point where I would agree, eying her flushed cheeks, but instead, I spoke up in her defense, not because I wanted to argue with him, though he would likely think that the case. I was just tired of always being the one to say no to her. “Let her have a bit more. If she is going to learn what being drunk is and how knowing her limits is important, I would rather her learn that with family in private than making a fool of herself in the Stag. But, the choice is yours, Rhian, as are the consequences of that choice.”
Ben frowned at me as I expected he would, Rhian looked between Ben and myself with an uncertain look, unsure whom she should please, finally jutting out her cup to Iolyn, who poured her half a cup with a smirk and a soft ‘Atta girl’. It seemed her want of more wine won over Ben’s good sense.
Ben’s jaw tightened as he gave me a hard stare, his brow creased in his aggravation directed solely at me. I gave him a tired look in return, not having the energy to argue with him tonight. He must have sensed my weariness for the annoyance he wore on his face faded slightly and he grunted softly.
Iolyn set the jug down, resting his elbows on his knees as he started talking. “The reason for my delay was not, as you might expect, my date running long, though I sorely wish I could say that was the case. I was talking with Father, who spoke of an interesting business investment opportunity. It will require a trip for a few days, and I thought, why don’t we all go with him? There are accommodations along the way, so no camping, thank the gods, and it will be a great way to see more of the lands to the West.” He flashed a grin and added. “Father said he would love to have his family with him, and he wishes to leave in three days time, for anyone who wishes to go.”
Rhian’s smile grew wide as her excitement bloomed. “I want to go! Mother, are you going? How many days are we going for? How far is it? What kind of town is it?” She rattled off questions faster than Iolyn could answer, so he just sat there, grinning at her.
Mother nodded, smiling in amusement at Rhian’s excitement. She patted the teen’s arm to quiet her. “I am going, yes. I believe we will be gone for a week, two days there and two days back, the remaining days spent in the town itself while your Father conducts his negotiations.” She looked over to me and smiled. “What about you, Carys? Are you going to come too?”
All eyes turned to me as I shook my head. “As much fun as I think it will be, I am going to stay here. I have too many things that require my attention, and I cannot spare a week away.” Mostly I was looking forward to a week without my family where I could enjoy some solitude at last, but I couldn’t admit that to them without them getting upset with some non-existent slight.
Rhian wrinkled her nose at me and frowned. “Gods, Carys, you are so boring. Whatever so-called work you have can wait. Come with us and enjoy life a little.” Darius nodded his agreement, as did Iolyn, but I didn’t have the luxury of dropping everything to go on a trip, even if I did want to go.
Rhian’s ransom had crippled us financially and someone had to manage the fallout, so I shook my head. “I’m afraid someone needs to be here to manage the household in the absence of everyone else.” I said, my words coming out more tightly than I had expected. “I will stay here.”
Iolyn gave me a strange look, but nodded his acceptance of my choice. “I suppose you are right, Carys. Brynmor has already said he will come alon
g, though Derryth would rather remain here also. I suppose that means you won’t accidentally burn the cottage down when you try to cook!” He laughed, as did the rest of my family. My one attempt to cook dinner went very badly, and they were more than delighted to remind me at every opportunity.
Ben growled under his breath and looked over to me. “You will not stay here alone. I will remain here also as your guard.” The prospect of being here mostly alone with Ben made my stomach lurch and my heart drop, wondering how we would manage a week when we could barely be in the same room without arguing? He would never take no for an answer, so I had no choice but to nod, accepting his offer.
Rhian’s bottom lip poked out into a pout, her disappointment written all over her face as Ben announced he would stay with me. Her eyes narrowed enviously as she looked from him to me before huffing softly, turning to Darius for his answer. “But you are coming, aren’t you, Darius?”
Darius looked surprised at being asked, then pleased for a moment before giving a quick look over to me as though asking permission. “I suppose that depends on whether or not I have work to do here. I wouldn’t want to shirk my duties.” He grinned before turning his gaze back to Rhian. “But I would love to go, if it’s not too much trouble.”
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