“Sorry madam. I can come back later,” she stammered.
“No. That’s not necessary,” I said. “What’s your name?”
“My name’s Sophie, madam. I’m sorry your room wasn’t properly prepared. But, we didn’t know you were coming. I have towels and fresh water for you and I’ll bring up a chamber pot too. While you’re having breakfast, I’ll change the sheets and brush down everything, so there isn’t so much dust.”
It wasn’t so long ago that I was in her position. “Thank you,” I said. “That’s very kind.”
“Is there anything particular you need?”
“I don’t think so. When is breakfast being served?”
“The family should be eating in the morning room now. Just go down to the first floor, and it’s the first room on the left.”
“Thank you,” I said. I had slept in a shift, which wouldn’t be at all appropriate for breakfast. As I tried to put the day dress back on, I found that I couldn’t manage to reach the buttons on the back of the dress.
“Do you want me to help you dress, madam?” Sophie offered, shuffling from one foot the other. She was more considerate than I had been at her age. I don’t think I would have had the forethought to make such an offer.
“I would appreciate your assistance.”
She looked over at the boning of the bustle I had torn out of the dress. “I’m not sure I can get that back in. I’m not much of a seamstress.”
“Don’t bother. I’ll forgo this particular Courtshire fashion statement.”
After she buttoned up the back of the dress, I went down the stairs. A floral print rug of muted colors ran across the hallway floor and helped to mask the sound of my steps. I touched the first door I crossed and pushed it open. Thomas, Cedric, and Mediera were seated at a rectangular table laid out with scones and muffins and carafes of juices. Clara and Mediera could almost pass for twins with their blonde curls, fair skin, and blue eyes. Clara was thinner and looked more elegant and severe. Mediera’s hair frizzed a little, and she was softer around the arms and middle–though not by much. The differences were minor, though.
Mediera’s eyes widened when she saw me. “Sweet sisters of mercy, Ani, is that you?”
“It’s me,” I answered.
“When…how…” she trailed off.
“Fynn and I left during the battle. I think we followed the same path through the mountain you and Cedric took. More or less.”
She stood from the table and pulled me into a tight embrace. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered.
“You’re not staying in our house, are you?” Clara asked.
“She’s staying in the blue room,” Thomas said.
“Ugh, is it really necessary to take her in? It’s bad enough that Mediera and Cedric are staying here. This house is tiny,” Clara complained. “We can’t even properly entertain.”
“Shut it, Clara,” Cedric said. “You’re not exactly contributing anything useful.”
“That’s enough, both of you. Anais, sit down and eat something. You’re part of our household now, and breakfast is the least we can offer you,” Thomas said.
After Mediera sat back down, I took a seat next to her. The muffins on the silver platter looked enticing. I grabbed one and found it to be spongy and filled with warm cranberries and blueberries. After finishing it, I wiped crumbs off my lips and then grabbed another.
“Thomas, have you spoken to Lord Weston’s son about the matter we discussed?” Clara asked.
Thomas looked up from the scone in his hand while he turned his attention to his sister. “I did.”
“Well, what did he say?” she asked.
Thomas looked around the table at Mediera, Cedric, and I. “Perhaps we should discuss it at another time,” he murmured.
“No. I want to discuss it now.” She fluttered her hand at us. “It hardly matters what they think. Is he amenable to marrying me?”
Thomas sighed. “This is not to be discussed outside this room, do you understand?”
Clara nodded, leaning forward in her chair. “Of course.”
“The rest of you?”
Cedric, Mediera, and I nodded.
“All right then. His intention is to abdicate his position when his brother, Justin comes of age. He didn’t think it right to enter a marriage contract under false pretenses. But perhaps, you could consider the brother.”
“Why in heaven’s name would he do such a thing? It’s preposterous.”
“It’s his father’s wish. And it’s not our place to interfere with their family business.”
“I don’t want to marry Justin.” Clara pouted. “He’s a child.”
“I’m sorry. But, it’s not the end of the world. And best yet, it frees him for Mediera. She needs a husband who is not in line for his own lordship. I haven’t spoken to him about it, but I imagine he’d be willing to consider the idea. This way he can please his father by giving Justin the family seat, and he can rule a shire. It’s a win-win scenario.”
“What!” Clara sputtered. “She doesn’t even care for him.”
“That’s neither here nor there.” Thomas turned to Mediera, who sat frozen in her seat. “If he asked, you would accept, wouldn’t you?”
“I suppose so,” she answered. “He seems a decent enough fellow. Although, there’s something about him that’s a little peculiar.”
Clara threw down her napkin. “I can’t believe this. She gets everything.”
“Now, Clara, do be reasonable.”
She fled the table, choking back tears.
“Does she truly love him?” Mediera asked Thomas. “I don’t wish to hurt her.”
“She’ll get over it. You need a husband.”
“Why don’t you focus on finding yourself a wife, instead of on marrying Mediera off,” Cedric said. “You need an heir. Can’t you just work on that and leave us alone.”
“I am working on it,” Thomas answered slowly. “I’d also like to find you a wife. Is there anyone you are considering?”
“No. Stay out of my affairs, brother.” Cedric’s jaw tightened, and he threw his napkin on the table before stalking away.
“I wish I could,” Thomas murmured.
CHAPTER 14
“WELL THAT DIDN’T go well,” Thomas said to Mediera and me.
“You know Cedric is sensitive about the marriage topic.”
“I know, I know. He’s sensitive about everything these days. It’s impossible to please him.”
“He wants to rejoin the army. You know that,” she said.
“I’m aware. There is only the small problem of him leaving his unit in Barriershire without permission shortly before the battle to end all battles.”
“That wasn’t his fault. I needed him to escort me here.”
“I appreciate that. But the General Errol doesn’t feel the same way. I have tried to get him re-instated. I really have tried.”
Mediera sighed. “Of course you have. I’m sorry. Everything is just difficult right now.”
“I know. It’s been one thing after another.” Thomas sighed. “I’m going to the camp today. Would you both like to join me? Scouts have been sent across the mountains. There may be new reports.”
“I’m sick of visiting the camp. It’s depressing. I’m getting fitted for a few new dresses today. I need something new for tonight.”
“Anais, would you like to join me? You might find it interesting.”
“No, she’s going to need something to wear tonight too. That dress is adequate for the day, but it’s not suitable for the party this evening.”
“I don’t need to attend a social function, and I don’t need another dress.” The thought of enduring another fitting made me nauseous.
“You have to go. I absolutely insist. It’s going to be in the courtyard, therefore hardly out of the way. Everyone will be there. Including some of the sisters and the mothers from the Abbey. You really ought to go.” Mediera scrunched her nose. “Do you need to rep
ort to the Abbey?”
I hadn’t even considered the Abbey in Courtshire. I supposed I was still a sister of mercy and still beholden to the sisterhood. That part of my life seemed infinitely far away. But I did have an obligation.
I nodded. “I suppose I should go then–if only to seek out one of the mothers. But, I am not getting fitted for a new dress. I’ll just wear this one.”
“If you don’t want to get fitted, at the very least wear one of mine that has ribbons in the back. My maid can cinch it in for you. The sisters of mercy that we met last week all wore the latest fashions. They are nothing like the sisters from Barriershire…” Mediera gasped. “Oh dear. I forgot. Sister Zilla and Sister Tatiana. What happened to them? Why didn’t they come with you?”
I closed my eyes, remembering how I had abandoned them. “I don’t know,” I whispered. “They were staying with Jacarda, for they couldn’t get back to the Abbey after Carenhail closed the city gates. They were stuck in the city.”
“Oh no. I suppose that means…”
I nodded. “I should have gone back for them…I’m so sorry.”
“No,” Mediera said. “It’s good that you got out while you could. I’m certain the situation must have been dire for you to flee without them.”
I took a long uneven breath and looked away, not liking to think about what must be happening or had already happened to the three of them. They had been my friends, and I had abandoned them to save myself. There was no pretty way to look at what I had done.
The doorman who had been so unkind to me stepped into the morning room. “Your carriage is ready, Lord Thomas,” he said, unblinking. His eyes swept the room, but his gaze did not fall on me.
“Thank you, Erlich. I should probably get going. Anais, are you joining me?” Thomas asked again.
“Yes,” I said quickly, putting a hand on Mediera’s arm. “I’ll find you after we return.”
She shrugged. “If that’s what you want. My maid is a wonder. She’ll be able to whip something together for you for tonight. One way or another.”
I remembered Fynn’s request to be included in any event that might include Courtshire’s elite. This party seemed to be just the sort of thing he would relish.
“Before we go, could I send a note to Fynn? I think he would appreciate an invitation to tonight’s party. He’s staying at the Rockside Tavern. Would that be a problem?”
Thomas and I went into his study, which neighbored the morning room, with Erlich trailing after us. Thomas handed me a sheet of paper from out of a drawer in a large oak desk along with a quill. The paper was cleaner and whiter than the paper we had used in the East. I wondered how it had been made, but I doubted Thomas would know. I dipped the quill in a small ceramic cup of black ink and jotted down a quick note.
Rockside Tavern
Fynn,
There is going to be an event in the courtyard of Worthington Square tonight. I will ask Thomas put you on the guest list.
Anais
Thomas read the note. “Does this Fynn have a surname?” he asked.
I shook my head. “I don’t think so.”
“Just Fynn then.” Thomas looked to Erlich who was standing at attention underneath the doorframe. “Have Fynn placed on the guest list for tonight. And have this letter delivered to the Rockside Tavern.” Thomas handed over the sheet of paper.
“I’ll see to it, my lord,” Erlich said.
Before we left the small office, Thomas pulled a tall top hat off a rack in the corner of the room and settled it on the top of his head.
“I look like quite the dandy, don’t I?” he asked as we left the townhouse by the back entrance.
“You do,” I agreed. It was an odd fashion trend–terribly impractical. Everything about Courtshire’s dress seemed bizarrely embellished.
Once we were outside, an elderly man in a clean black suit assisted us into a waiting carriage. The carriage, harnessed to a single white horse, was a sporty open vehicle with four very large wheels, a pair of swan-neck leaf springs, and opened seating. The carriages used in Barriershire seemed much larger and sturdier and were generally covered with thick fabric, and could easily seat six people and a driver. This one looked like it would barely fit the two of us.
Thomas shrugged when he noticed my examination of the carriage. “It’s a phaeton–quite fashionable in Courtshire. It’s lightweight and enables rapid transport. You’ll love it.”
“Where does the driver sit?” I asked.
“I’m driving.”
“You? What about him?” I gestured to the man in the black suit.
“He just delivers the phaeton. It’s too small for a driver. It took me awhile to get used to driving, but I’m growing fond of it.”
My stomach folded into a thousand knots as Thomas drove the horses. The phaeton flew over the ground, and I felt every bump as it careened forward. It reminded me of the ride on the coal cart–entirely too rocky for my taste. I decided I needed to do something to take my mind off the churning in my stomach.
“How can you afford all of this?” I asked Thomas. “The townhouse, the staff, the carriage, the clothes… You don’t have anyone to collect rents from anymore.”
“The lords’ council allotted both Mediera and myself a sizable allowance. There are a few privileges to being a lord in the Seven Shires.”
“If Mediera has an allowance, why is she living with you?”
“Oh, it seemed easier. She’s barely been here more than a week, and setting up a household takes time. Clara and I are her nearest relatives. And it’s nice to have them, even if all Cedric and I do is argue. It was lonely with just Clara and myself.” Thomas paused. “Don’t tell Cedric I said any of this. I don’t want it getting to his head.”
I had forgotten that Mediera and Cedric had really only just gotten here. Somehow it seemed as if they had been residents of Courtshire for years. But of course, that wasn’t true. As the carriage took us through the city, I was struck by the size of the buildings. They soared into the sky. I couldn’t understand how mere men could construct anything so large. Some of the buildings jutted into the sky with walls made of sheer glass, though most had white sandstone exteriors. The smooth black roads we traveled upon were unlike the cobbled stones of Barriershire or the hard packed dirt roads of Brightshire. I had imagined that Courtshire looked different. I had read descriptions in some of Thellium’s books when I was younger, but I hadn’t ever been able to conjure up an image that matched this.
“This city is so grand,” I said.
“Indeed it is. I don’t think I will ever feel as if I belong here.”
“Is Thellium in Courtshire?” I asked as we continued moving south through the city.
“No. And he wouldn’t like it if you called him that. He’s pretty particular about us calling him Merdin now.”
“Why did he change his name?”
Thomas shrugged. “He wouldn’t tell me. But it’s like he’s an entirely different person. I can’t explain it. You’ll see when he comes back.”
“Where is he?”
“He went to Candel to look for mages to help with the war. He should return soon. The last letter he sent said he found what he was looking for.”
“I didn’t think that there were many mages left…”
“Well, he wasn’t very optimistic when he set off. But he felt we needed to rebuild the boundary between the Southlands and the Seven Shires. He said the only way it could be done was through magic.”
“Oh.”
“Is it something you can help with? If I had a way to contact him, I would let him know that you’re back.”
“I’m not sure. My control isn’t very good. Hopefully, he’ll find someone with more skill.” I couldn’t even imagine where to start if I were tasked with resurrecting the barrier. It seemed an impossible sort of thing.
We left the section of the city filled with tall buildings and moved to a large field, where what looked like thousands of tents were scattered a
cross the ground. A large group of men were marching in formation in the center of the field, while on the outskirts men in small bands trained with weapons. It was a dizzying and inspiring sight. This had to be enough men to push the furies back.
We left the horse and the phaeton with a groom at a makeshift stable near the entrance of the field and then walked in the direction of a group of rectangular leather tents in the center of the field to the west of where the men were marching. I followed Thomas as he ducked under the flap to one of the tents. A young man in a decorated uniform with dimples and an impish grin looked up from a table full of letters. It was Captain Brentwood. I hadn’t expected to see him again. I thought he had been in Barriershire during the battle.
He smiled as he looked up at us. “Now that’s a face I recognize. Sister Anais, I’m glad to see you made it out of Barriershire in time.”
“It was a close thing,” I acknowledged. “I thought you were still stationed in Barriershire. How did you get here?”
“Carenhail kicked me out a few days before the battle. I didn’t want to go, but I didn’t have a choice. He didn’t mean to share the credit as he expected a sweeping victory. He was such a fool.”
“Do you know if Carenhail survived?” I asked.
“The word is that he fell during the battle. To be honest, I’m not entirely devastated by the news.” Brentwood pursed his lips. “I’ve wondered about your friend Gorman… Do you know if he made it out?”
“He didn’t make it,” I said, a lump forming in my throat as I remembered the hoard of furies descending on him.
“Well, that’s unfortunate. He had the love of his men. I would have angled to put him through officer’s training if it had been up to me.”
Brentwood turned to Thomas. “I assume Lord Thomas didn’t decide to visit me to hear us banter about old times.”
“No, but it’s certainly illuminating,” Thomas said. “Do you have any news for me?”
Anais and the Broken War (The Blood Mage Chronicles Book 5) Page 11