The Lone Apprentice

by I K Spencer

  Anthen shook his head but looked at each man more closely before answering. Both were breathing and the leader was starting to stir. "No, madam. In fact this one here is starting to rouse so let us be off."

  The guardsman returned to her side, taking her proffered right arm and propelling her forward. They started walking quickly north, back toward the main thoroughfare. Once they were a block from the thugs he slowed down so as not to force the small woman to run. They walked in silence and both kept glancing behind every few moments.

  As they passed beneath the each street lamp, Anthen stole a few glances at the young lady. She was clothed in a costume of rich blue fabric—a full skirt with small matching boots, coat, and bonnet with veil. Her hands were hidden inside a muff made from the same fine material. He could see that she had fair hair beneath the bonnet, worn up in an elaborate braid. White lace covered her throat and wrists. She was trembling and he thought she might be cold.

  "Madam—" he started.

  "Miss," she corrected before he could continue and Anthen thought he detected a hint of annoyance in her voice.

  "Miss," he started again. "You are shivering. I would be honored to have you wear my cloak."

  "Sir, it is a truly kind offer but I am quite comfortable. Thank you. I am afraid it is the events and not the weather that make me tremble so. I am already greatly indebted to you for saving me but I would ask another favor, kind sir. Please escort me back to my lodging. I have lost my way and ..." The rest was lost to a fit of hushed sobs.

  "There there, Miss," he patted her arm with his free hand. "No need to fret. No harm will come to you as long as I am about and I'll not be torn from your side for any reason until you are safely delivered to your door."

  "Thank you, sir," she whispered, trying to stifle the quiet sobs that shook her delicate frame.

  The guardsman halted when they reached the corner of the main east-west road, not sure in which direction to continue. "Miss, there is one small problem." She tensed instantly. "Just a trifling matter," he added quickly, trying to calm her fears. "You see, I am a visitor to Verilia as well and I do not know the city, except the route back to my lodging." He gestured toward the west. "It is just a few short blocks to the west and there we can secure a coach and ride to your place of lodging, unless your destination is close by."

  "Oh sir, you are too kind! That would be grand!" she said enthusiastically, clearly very relieved by the suggestion.

  Anthen glanced back toward the south as they turned the corner, not surprised to see no sign of the two thugs. He didn’t think the pair would be foolish enough to try him again but knew he mustn't assume anything. As they walked he found himself trying to think of something to say to break the silence but the young lady spoke first.

  "Kind sir. Please do not think me too forward but might I know the name of my courageous benefactor?" she asked, glancing shyly up at him and then quickly looking away.

  "My name is Anthen," the warrior answered, unsure if he should ask her name.

  "Anthen," she repeated. "What a strong name. Master Anthen, I am pleased to make your acquaintance and am forever beholden to you for your protection. My name is Urvena."

  She paused to curtsy and smiled up at him.

  "It is my pleasure to meet you, Miss Urvena," he replied and bowed formally.

  He took her arm again and they continued on. Anthen's mind raced, struggling to think of what to say and trying to decide whether he should say the things that did eventually did come to mind.

  "Er, I am just glad to have been near enough to recognize the situation."

  "Aye, Master Anthen. It was providential. How came you to be positioned thusly?"

  Anthen explained how he had been out for a stroll and saw their struggle beneath a street lamp. He described his strategy for overtaking and disarming the pair. She nodded and murmured appreciative comments as he talked. He felt as though he was talking too much but felt powerless to stop.

  "Well, Master Anthen. I am truly lucky. Even a simple girl can see that you must be very skilled in such matters. Might you be a soldier or a nobleman?"

  "Miss Urvena, I benefited from some military training as a youth. It was nothing." Anthen's training surfaced and he delivered the instinctive reply to evade the question. He quickly questioned her as to how she came to be lost to distract her from further questioning into his vocation.

  "'Twas my cousin Darvin's fault to be sure, Master Anthen." she answered with evident disgust. "Cousin Darvin was charged with my care for the evening but he became distracted from his mission and I was left behind." By her tone, Anthen discerned that she did not wish to elaborate but he guessed that Cousin Darvin's distraction was either a woman, spirits, or both.

  "Master Anthen. Look!" she exclaimed suddenly, pointing across the street.

  Anthen followed her gaze. He looked up and down the street near where she gestured but saw nothing. He looked at her questioningly.

  "Oh sir, I apologize," she said with a giggle. "You must think me out of my wits. It's just that I visited that dress shop this very morn and know the way back to the inn. I'm so happy to have found my way! The inn is but two blocks up that street. Come on!"

  The maiden took his hand and pulled at him excitedly to run with her across the street. She pushed the muff up on her forearm and held her skirts with the other hand. Anthen jogged across the empty street beside her. She slowed to a fast walk and the pair hurried up the side street, still holding hands.

  "I see the sign ahead, Master Anthen. We will be there in but a moment!" she said, still giggling.

  Anthen could tell she was almost giddy with relief. In a few more minutes they halted in front of an inn. Urvena clapped her hands and laughed with relief. The guardsman could tell from the facade it was an establishment for the upper class, probably even nobles. Anthen backed away and started to say farewell.

  "No!" she said suddenly and he froze. "Master Anthen, you cannot leave yet. You must come have tea with me. I know it is late for tea but surely you have worked up an appetite. Please consent?"

  Urvena stood before him grasping both his hands and smiling up at him. She smelled wonderful and, against his better judgment, Anthen nodded.

  "Miss Urvena, it would be my honor but pray do not trouble yourself. It is not necessary."

  The maiden still held his hands firmly and gazed up at him. In the light from the windows he could see she was very beautiful.

  "Sir, you saved me from death or even worse." Fear darkened the maiden's angelic face. "It is necessary," she said quietly, pleading with her eyes. She held his gaze, then the moment passed and she pulled him up the stairs to the entrance.

  Urvena pulled the bell and the large door was opened by two finely dressed doormen. They bowed and smiled warmly toward the maiden and eyed Anthen suspiciously. She called for servants and immediately there was a flurry of activity around Anthen as she specified her wishes for her guest's comforts. The guardsman scanned the room's ornate decorations and furniture, feeling more and more out of place. After a few minutes, having discharged all the servants save one to complete their missions, she turned again to Anthen and smiled and he promptly forgot his qualms.

  "Master Anthen, the tea will be served in the sitting room momentarily. You will be shown to a room where you may freshen up. I will join you shortly." She curtsied and then glided from his sight up a wide staircase.

  "This way, sir," prompted the remaining servant, a gaunt, older man who looked to be half-asleep.

  Anthen followed the spare figure as he shuffled through a set of doors into what Anthen guessed was the sitting room. A serving woman was busy setting a table near the fire. The room was large, with several other tables like the one being set.

  "This way, sir." The servant stood by another door opposite the way they had entered. The man held the door open and gestured for Anthen to enter before him. The room contained a wash basin, soaps, towels, and a looking glass.

  "May I take your cloak, s
ir?"

  "No, thank you. I'll keep it," replied Anthen awkwardly.

  The servant rolled his eyes and left the room, closing the door. Anthen couldn't take the chance even though it showed poor manners. He took off his cloak, slipped his bag over his shoulder and inspected himself in the glass. He grimaced at what he was wearing—one of his worst tunics. The collar was frayed badly and he had patched the garment in a couple of places with mismatched scraps. He shook his head and slipped the tunic off, then poured the hot water into the basin. With the soap and cloth he soaped his upper body and then rinsed, thankful he had bathed before dinner. The towel he used to dry was the softest thing he'd ever felt. Having no other option, he donned the worn jersey, picked up his belongings, and returned to the sitting room to wait.

  The table was set and the fire had been banked. Anthen put his cloak and bag on one of the chairs and looked around the room. The walls and ceilings were covered in murals, mostly containing flowers, children, horses and unicorns. Rich fabrics were drawn across the room's windows and fresh flowers were in abundance.

  He sensed someone approaching and turned to watch the double doors opening. Urvena swept in and he barely stifled a gasp. Without a veil, he could see her face clearly for the first time and noted she was quite young and surely the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was very fair but her skin looked very healthy, like fresh cream. She possessed large brown eyes beneath full, soft lashes. Her white-blonde hair was pulled up behind her head and the low-cut gown exposed a long neck and delicate shoulders. Though far from an expert, Anthen observed that she wore no make-up except for her full lips, which were painted a soft rose color. Somehow, the white gown she had donned complimented the rich luster of her pale complexion. She smiled warmly, looking pleased at her effect on him. If possible, the smile made her even more radiant.

  The maiden curtsied and held her hand out to him. Anthen bowed stiffly and strode forward to take the proffered hand and they moved to the table. He walked her to the closer chair, then sat down across from her.

  "Miss Urvena, you are a vision; Queen Zuellen would be jealous." The guardsman glanced at his own rags. "I am unfit to be in your presence in these common clothes. Please forgive me."

  "Oh Master Anthen, do not concern yourself. After your deeds, you could visit me in beggar's garb and it would still be my honor. It is I who apologize for making you uncomfortable."

  Just then, the serving maids entered and filled the table with what seemed like enough food to serve a garrison. Once all the food was in place, Urvena dismissed the maids and rose to serve Anthen herself. The young warrior rose as she stood but she gestured for him to remain seated.

  "It would be my pleasure to serve you Master Anthen. What entrees would you care to sample?"

  Anthen scanned the table. Many of the items were foreign to him; the academy's fare was tasty but common.

  "Miss Urvena. Everything looks so delicious I cannot choose. It would please me to experience your favorites."

  The maiden nodded and proceeded to fill his plate, commenting on each dish she selected. The plate she placed before him was filled with a variety of meats and fish, breads, and sweets. She served herself smaller servings of fewer items, then poured them both a cup of tea while he waited. She seated herself and they started to eat.

  They, mostly Urvena, talked about the food awhile. She watched the guardsman try each dish and queried if it was to his liking. She seemed, to Anthen, to be more interested in his reactions and barely nibbled at her own plate. They eventually exhausted topics about the meal and she again questioned him to his vocation. He had thought she might return to the subject so had prepared a response.

  "I am traveling to Gates to become an apprentice to my uncle, who owns a large estate near there."

  Urvena's shriek of delight at his response nearly caused Anthen to drop his teacup.

  "Gates? Oh Master Anthen that is wonderful!" she exclaimed, then seeing his confused look added, "I too, journey to Gates. I thought I would never see you again but we will be well-nigh neighbors!"

  Now it was Anthen's turn to be shocked. He could not picture this refined creature in the rough border town. He listened intently while she explained the purpose of her trip. The maiden was an artist and had been commissioned to paint a number of portraits of some of Gates' leading citizens. She expected to be there for a year or more. He learned her travel plans and was relieved to find out that at least they weren't journeying east at the same time. She was not to leave for another week. Anthen earnestly warned her of the dangers and difficulties associated with traveling to the border region but she assured him that she would be well guarded.

  They chatted for a few minutes longer while the guardsman emptied his plate. Anthen politely refused her offer of more food, explaining that he would leave for Gates before dawn. He scooped up his gear and they walked together toward the sitting room door. Urvena slipped her arm through his and Anthen felt a rush of warmth from her touch. They paused at the door and she bade him to call on her in Gates. He bowed and she curtseyed but as he turned to leave she rushed forward and hugged him quickly, thanking him again for saving her.

  "Please come", she whispered against his chest, her voice thick with emotion. She pulled away and he could see her eyes watering. She blinked away the tears and smiled again. "'Til we meet again in Gates, Master Anthen."

  Anthen nodded and smiled. "I look forward to it Miss Urvena."

  He bowed again and left the sitting room. The servants in the lobby looked at him as if suspicious that he had the inn's silver in his pockets. He smiled broadly in return, put on his cloak and walked out into the chilly night air, not feeling the cold in the least.

  ********

  Garrick watched the apprentice leave the woman's place of lodging with relief. The elder guardsman had witnessed the fight and was skeptical; the young apprentice had dispatched the two thugs too easily, even for a guardsman. The woman seemed genuinely in distress but he didn't feel right about it. He had then followed Anthen and the woman from a great distance, knowing first-hand the young guardsman's skill at detecting pursuers. He had been too far away to hear their conversation so his concern had heightened when the apprentice did not come out soon after the pair disappeared inside the elegant inn.

  Garrick trailed Anthen back to the main road where the apprentice turned, presumably returning to his own lodging. There Garrick left him and hurried through an alley to intercept the younger man before he reached his inn. Garrick stepped to the main road a good distance ahead of Anthen and shook his head in astonishment, seeing the apprentice had already detected his presence. The elder warrior strode forward, glad the young man was not his enemy.

  As they neared, Garrick nodded to his younger comrade. Anthen nodded in return and continued to walk past, knowing that a main thoroughfare was not a suitable place for them to meet. Garrick, though, stopped Anthen and tried to carry on what might be construed as a normal conversation for strangers.

  "Good evening, sir," said Garrick, bowing slightly.

  "And to you, sir," responded Anthen cheerfully, though his eyes questioned the elder guardsman's business.

  "Sir, I am a stranger here. Could I trouble you to direct me to my inn?" queried Garrick, the intense frown on his face in contrast to the innocuous question.

  "Sir, I too am not a Verilian but am happy to help if I am able." Anthen's eyebrows arched in silent query.

  "Well then, I should warn you. These streets I am told can be dangerous at night." The older man's voice emphasized the warning.

  "Thank you for the warning," Anthen replied blankly, still waiting for Garrick's true meaning to emerge.

  "Yes, these days treachery is all about ... and things are not always as they seem."

  "True, but I am well equipped to take care of myself. Where is it you are trying to go?" Anthen asked with an edge of impatience. Now that he understood the old guardsman was warning him about Urvena he was eager to end the meeting.r />
  "Never mind, I will not trouble you further. Take care, young traveler," warned Garrick.

  "You as well."

  Garrick gave Anthen a final glare of admonition, turned and disappeared into the darkness. Anthen stared after him, wondering what the old man was so angry about. He wasn't going to stand there idly while a young woman was assaulted before his very eyes! Escorting her home made sense after the attack. True he did not need to have tea with her but there was no harm in it as long as he remained on his guard. He shrugged and walked back to the inn where he was staying.

  Anthen spent a few minutes with Rorc, then went up to his sparse room. He took off his clothes and got into the small bed. He was exhausted after the long day's ride and the evening's excitement but sleep did not come quickly. Thoughts of the beautiful young maiden kept him awake for a long time. Eventually he did sleep and for the first time in weeks, he dreamed of something other than Cidrl.

  Chapter 9

  Anthen woke at the usual time and remained still for a few moments, adjusting to his surroundings. As usual, the room was basic; the sagging bed and a lone stuffed chair were the only features. Guardsmen had nearly unlimited funds but he had been taught to pick establishments that would not draw attention, places where few questions were asked. He could only imagine the fine suite that Miss Urvena enjoyed, no doubt her dressing room alone was larger than this space. He smiled at the images he remembered from his dreams, mostly of the fair maiden. He lay, enjoying again the few parts of the dreams he could recall and then rose, feeling better than he had in weeks.

  Anthen proceeded through his morning ritual. He kindled a fire, visited the chamber pot, and retrieved an urn containing fresh water from outside his door. He filled a pot and hung it over the fire to heat for bathing and coffee. He completed his morning exercises, then bathed, dressed, and repacked all his gear while sipping the strong coffee. He had considered saving his supply by drinking the inn's coffee with breakfast but he had found few innkeepers capable of making a decent brew. He did eat breakfast where he lodged if it was available at the early hour he departed, or made do with a cold breakfast on the trail. This morning luck was with him and he could smell bacon as he descended the steps to the lobby.