Something moved in the shadows. When Nicholas opened his eyes, the beginnings of a dream scattered from his mind. A sound had awakened him–a snapping twig? The crunch of dried leaves? He was shivering in the night chill. Then he noticed her figure standing nearby among the trees, the smoke from his dead fire swirling in front of her.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, sitting up, not sure how long he had been sleeping. He rubbed a hand through his hair, still a bit bleary-eyed.
“If you’d like, you may sit by my fire and keep warm,” the young woman said.
“No rock?” Nicholas replied with a faint smile, noting that she had approached unarmed.
“No flames?” she responded dryly, indicating the charred twigs with a turn of her head. “Being downwind of you, all I could smell was damp smoke for the last half hour. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Sorry.”
She beckoned him with a wave of her hand. “Follow me. I could inspect your sore elbow if you’d like.”
“Thanks.”
She gazed curiously at the weary stranger. “Do you have a name?”
“Nicholas,” he said, standing up while still wrapped in the blanket. “And you?”
“One thing at a time,” she replied guardedly while leading him back to her section of the woods. “Let’s tend to that injury first.”
A short time later, Nicholas was savoring a sweet apple in front of a warm fire. The soreness in his elbow subsided as the evening chill left his weary limbs. He noticed the woman throwing several glances his way as if still not convinced that he meant her no harm. They were about the same age, and in the glow of the firelight he noticed how pretty she looked. A pair of dark brown eyes matched the color of her hair. He thought he noted a slight resemblance to Katherine but kept that to himself.
“Thanks again for the apple. My food supplies have dwindled down to nothing,” he said.
“I’m happy to share with someone in need.” She nervously tended to the fire. “If I may ask, why are you out alone in these parts without food or a horse?”
“I might ask the same of you.”
“I still have food.”
Nicholas smiled. “You’ve got me there. But if you must know, I was heading to Morrenwood. Thinking about it anyway.”
“Morrenwood?” She glanced uneasily his way. “What’s in the capital city?” she asked, feigning a casual air.
“I was considering joining up–” Nicholas caught himself, wondering if he should reveal any of his personal life to a stranger in light of recent events. But as he was about forty miles away from Kanesbury and no authority had yet found him, he decided that maybe it was safe to open up a little to this woman who had just demonstrated a bit of kindness despite her earlier behavior. “I was thinking about possibly signing on with the King’s Guard–in spite of my recent failed attempt to build a campfire.”
“I’m impressed. That’s a noble calling.” She added a few sticks to the blaze and then tightened her cloak around her. “But why did you say possibly?”
“There are other complications I’m not eager to talk about. Some things back home still need tending to and, well... Maybe I should go back there.”
“And where is home?”
Nicholas was reluctant to answer as another wave of distrust swept over him alongside the memories of his escape. But sensing no deceit on her part, he decided to take the extra step and gain a bit more of her trust and perhaps make an ally, if only for one night. “I’m from Kanesbury, a small village to the east.”
“I’ve heard of that,” she said, seeming to relax a bit. “So you left home before first attending to these unfinished matters? You must have been in a hurry.”
He shrugged. “Like I said, it’s complicated. I really don’t want to discuss it.”
“Understood.”
“Not that I’m being rude or ungrateful for your hospitality–excluding that kick in the legs,” he quickly added. The woman tried not to smile. “By the way, what’s your story? And your name?”
She thought for a moment, her chin resting gently upon her folded fingers as she studied the flickering flames. “You may call me Megan. And I’m on my way to visit a relative in Kent County.”
“That’s quite a hike north. Where in the county does your relative live?”
“My great aunt Castella resides in a seaside village called Boros on Sage Bay. I’ve been told it’s quite lovely there.”
“And you decided to go to Boros all alone?”
Megan looked directly into his eyes. “That is also a complicated matter, Nicholas. I’ll spare you the details.”
“I’d love details. A good story would suit me right now even if it’s only about your aunt. I’ve been bored silly the last few days.”
“She’s my great aunt. But don’t expect me to provide details of my personal life just to ease your boredom, Nicholas. After all, I’m not a wandering storyteller.”
“Only trying to make pleasant conversation. And maybe I could help you since you said it’s a complicated matter.”
“That assumes I need help.”
“We all could use a little,” he replied, again sensing her prickly attitude returning. “You’re stuck here alone in the woods and I’m just wondering why. And who was that Samuel fellow you mentioned earlier?”
“If you needed to know, I would have told you. Besides, you didn’t want me interrogating you earlier, so now I’m asking the same favor as pleasantly as I can–please mind your own business.”
Nicholas leaned back, his mouth slightly agape as the snapping flames sent a flurry of sparks skyward. “Sorry, Megan. I didn’t mean to offend.” He took a last bite from the apple and tossed the core into the woods. “Maybe I’ll visit the folks over at the next campfire. I hear they’re planning to sing songs later on.”
“How amusing.” Megan combed her fingers through her hair during a few moments of icy silence before gently gazing at Nicholas. “Look, I’m sorry for being brusque. It was uncalled for. But I just don’t feel comfortable going into detail about...”
“Yeah, I understand. Complications. I have them too, Megan, and I shouldn’t have pushed you.”
“Perhaps we should tell each other ghost stories instead.”
“I heard a few scary ones growing up.”
“Or you could tell me more about your village,” she suggested. “And your family. Just the general details, mind you. Leave out any of the complicated parts.”
“Agreed,” he said with a pleasant chuckle. “But promise not to fall asleep if you get bored. Kanesbury isn’t the center of excitement in the kingdom.”
“Don’t be too harsh about your hometown. The busiest and most fascinating places in the world can at times have all the charm of a dreary prison,” she said. “Or so I’d imagine,” she quickly added.
“I suppose. But Kanesbury is a nice enough place. Plenty of good people living there. I just needed to get out and see something new. Bored, I guess.” Nicholas stood to stretch his legs and escape the heat of the fire. “I imagine you don’t think my reasons for joining the King’s Guard are so noble now.”
“It’s not my place to judge. But at least you’re considering offering your services to King Justin despite the reason. That’s more than most men would do.”
“But the closer I get to Morrenwood, the more doubts I have. I don’t like to have other matters hanging over my head.”
“What did your family think about you leaving home?”
Nicholas sat by the fire again, quiet for a few moments as he thought about Maynard and Adelaide, the only real family he could claim. He vaguely recalled how his mother looked, and any memories of his father were the result of other people describing the man to him over the years.
“Well, my good friend Maynard supported my decision to join up with the King’s Guard if it was what I really wanted. That was before my other problems snowballed. He and his wife, Tessa, raised me as their own since I was ten.” He glanced at Megan with a sm
ile, happy to tell her about Maynard. “He always gave me the best advice yet allowed me the freedom to find my own way. The same with Tessa.” Nicholas stared into the fire, recalling past sorrows. “She was really sick with fever about two years ago and passed away. That nearly devastated Maynard. He’s better now. Strong inside, just like the huge oak tree planted near his house.”
“He sounds like a good, honest man,” Megan said. “I hope I’m not being intrusive–and tell me if I am–but what happened to your real parents?”
Nicholas warmed his hands by the fire and spoke to the flames. “It’s all right to ask. I don’t mind talking about them. My father, Jack, died shortly before I was born, so all I really know about him was from what others told me. He was thrown from a horse during a bad storm one night away from home. Took some serious injuries. And, well, that’s what happened.”
“I’m sorry. It’s too bad you never got to know him. All sons should have a father to raise them.” She hooked a finger to move some hair out of her eyes. “And all daughters a mother.”
“It would have been nice. And though I don’t remember, I’m told my mother never really recovered from the shock of losing him. Her name was Alice,” he softly said. Embers glowed deep red within the fire as the flames cast wavering shadows over the lower pine boughs. Gray smoke meandered lazily through the bending branches. “She died when I was five. Sickness also, like Tessa. Maybe from a broken heart, too. Anyway, her older brother and his wife raised me, reluctantly, until I was ten. They lived on a farm outside the village. Neither were the best farmers nor parents,” he admitted with a laugh. “Everyone knew it. They had three children of their own which were three more than they should ever have had in the first place.”
“Nicholas, you make them sound awful!”
“They were in a world of their own and I was just another mouth to feed. One of my teachers during winter lessons suspected as much and took me under her wing. She was very kind, offering me extra help to read and write, or a hot meal at home now and then. She and her husband weren’t able to bear children and liked having me around. They even paid me for doing odd jobs on their farm when lessons weren’t in session.”
Megan smiled. “Maynard and Tessa?”
He nodded. “In time they offered to raise me as their own, which my aunt, uncle and I readily agreed to. So I’d been living on the farm ever since.”
“Quite an interesting childhood, Nicholas.”
“But since we haven’t compared it to yours yet, it may be as dull as dry mud. Does your family know you’re hiding out here in the middle of nowhere?” he asked. “Running away perhaps? I wonder if your great aunt Castella really exists at all,” he said with mock suspicion. “Or maybe there’s more intrigue to your story than you’re willing to admit.” He grinned but quickly turned serious when realizing that Megan was less than amused with his banter. “Hey, I’m only joking, Megan. Don’t look so sour.”
“I am not sour!” she said with a sharp edge to her voice. “Just tired. Perhaps we should put aside these irksome inquiries about each other’s families and get some sleep. I’ve had a long day.”
“Sure.” Nicholas scolded himself, realizing he had stepped over the line. He knew Megan had no intention of continuing their discussion any further that night. “I’m not tired. If it’s all right, I’ll just sit here awhile.”
“Suit yourself. Stay by the fire the entire night if you’d like, but I’ll be leaving at first light.” Megan retrieved a blanket roll from the shadows and spread it across some soft pine cuttings she had gathered earlier. She lay down and faced the fire, covering herself with her cloak. “I have more food you’re welcome to share with me at daybreak.”
“Appreciate it.”
She closed her eyes. “Good night, Nicholas.”
He gazed at Megan, feeling protective all of the sudden while wondering who this woman really was and how she had ended up here. “I’ll tend to the fire. Good night.”
Nicholas watched as the flames delicately illuminated her face. Though Megan looked at peace, he could discern a trace of apprehension etched in her features. Despite his growing curiosity, she deftly guarded the details of her personal life which he decided were none of his business. And since he wasn’t eager to tell of his woes, he knew he shouldn’t expect others to do the same. Yet it would be nice to unload his thoughts and get another perspective. Perhaps if he dared to open up first? But that would be impossible since Megan was leaving in the morning and traveling in the opposite direction.
Nicholas again debated the wisdom of joining King Justin’s guard. Running away wouldn’t solve his problems, yet he still needed time to figure out what to do. And he missed Katherine and Maynard, wanting so much to talk with them to determine what really happened back home, knowing he couldn’t solve the matter by himself.
He added a few more sticks to the fire, finally settling down for the night an hour later. He needed sleep desperately despite what he had said earlier and lay down on a bed of dried undergrowth, wrapping himself tightly in his blanket. He hoped their dual complications might be easier to deal with in the light of morning.
They awoke simultaneously an hour after sunrise with the cold gray ashes of the campfire between them. Slivers of sunlight slipped into the woods and a sapphire blue sky hung above the treetops. Crisp autumn air slowly washed the remains of last night’s sleep from their heads.
Nicholas yawned as he sat up, stretching a kink out of his back. “I don’t suppose the innkeeper set out any hot spiced cider or darlaroot tea.”
Megan smirked. “Would you like that with your eggs and biscuits, or before?”
“Give me a moment to decide,” he said, sitting with his knees bent and the blanket wrapped around him. He shivered as a morning chill shot through him.
“Don’t take too long,” she replied, fumbling through a small sack of food. “The kitchen closes soon.”
“I’m famous for snap decisions after a full night’s sleep,” he said, pausing a moment. “And I’ve just decided something important.” Megan turned around clutching an apple she had retrieved from the sack. “I’m going back home.”
“Oh?” she said, trying not to sound surprised. “So there’ll be no mighty adventure with the King’s Guard in your future?”
Nicholas caught the apple Megan tossed to him. “Maybe some day, but right now I have to get back to Kanesbury. Like it or not, there are some matters I can’t escape nor should ever have run away from in the first place.”
Megan offered an encouraging smile. “Those dastardly complications. They plague us all, don’t they?”
“Life would be dull without them.”
“What exactly will you do once you get home?”
“Still working on that part,” he added, taking a bite of the apple. “I need more time to think through the details.” He took a second bite. “But I was figuring, Megan, while I’m doing all this lofty thinking, maybe I could keep you company on the road as we’d both be going in the same direction for a while. If it’s all right with you, of course. I don’t mean to impose my charming and delightful company on someone unasked for,” he added with a wink.
Megan removed a bread roll from the sack and sat down next to Nicholas. She ripped the roll in two and handed him half. “It just so happens that I’ve been sorely lacking any charming and delightful company of late,” she said, playfully jabbing him in the side. “It’s tough to come by on the road.”
“Isn’t it though?”
“Just don’t expect a fabulous culinary experience like this at every meal, okay?”
“No more than twice a day, tops.”
“Only on the condition that you promise to scrounge up all the firewood.”
“As long as you don’t tell me how to build the fire.”
“Agreed,” she replied, extending her hand as Nicholas shook it with a smile.
END OF PART ONE
PART TWO
THE ROAD NORTH
CHAP
TER 11
A Brief Visit
On their first day of traveling together, Nicholas and Megan walked leisurely along River Road, passing through a tiny hamlet now and then, and stopping only long enough to eat or chat with the locals for the latest news. They kept their conversation to a few topics, aware of each other’s skittishness when broaching personal matters.
Nicholas, though, grew weary of hiding his problems and was tempted to tell Megan about the strange events in Kanesbury. But second thoughts cautioned him and he held his tongue. How could he tell her that he was an accused murderer and thief despite the falseness of the charges? Since she had no more proof of his innocence than did Constable Brindle, Nicholas feared she might run away if he told her.
He wondered at the same time about her life story. Could it be any worse than his? He seriously doubted that since Megan seemed too decent a woman to have wronged anybody. Yet that didn’t stop him from speculating about what she was hiding.
At noon the following day, they reached the intersection of River and Orchard roads, the former which continued east while the latter stretched north into Kent County on the shores of the Trillium Sea. When Nicholas had first passed this spot on his way to Morrenwood, he hadn’t cared a whit where Orchard Road might lead. Now his plans had changed.
“I’m going with you,” he told Megan matter-of-factly before she could fashion a few words to mark their departure.
“Excuse me?”
“I said I’m going with you. I mean, I’ll go with you–all the way to Boros–if you don’t mind some company. Just to see that you get safely to your great aunt’s house.” Nicholas smiled awkwardly as he tugged at his jacket collar. “I’ve got plenty of time on my hands.”
Megan raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Not eager to rush home and face those unappetizing complications? How bad can they be?”
He dug his boot into the dirt under the warm autumn sun. A flock of blackbirds chirped monotonously in a nearby grove of elm trees. “Pretty bad,” he muttered, looking at the ground. “So I spend a few more days mulling things over up north. Then I’ll go home.” He looked desperately at Megan. “What’s wrong with that?”
Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web (The Complete Epic Fantasy) Page 16