‘Did you have a good time?’ Sabe’s brows rose, he grinned and looked over the drenched figures.
‘Yes, we did.’ A wry grin bit him back. Taking a towel and a blanket handed to him, he quickly covered Eloise.
‘Put some water on the fire to heat, and have it taken to Eloise’s room.’ His order to the house woman made Eloise startle.
‘Are you sure it will be alright?’
Grinning, he leaned forward and nuzzled his face close to hers. ‘I think you deserve it, after your hard work.’
Smiling and blushing, Eloise politely nodded and scurried off inside; she had lots to tell Nissa and needed to get out of her wet clothes.
Frowning as he studied Kai, Sabe hadn’t expected his temperament to be so jovial after he’d stormed out earlier with Eloise. Something happened between them to change his mood and whatever it was, Sabe liked it.
Kai waited until he was sure Eloise had left before turning to Sabe with raised brows.
‘What do you think to the rain?’
Sabe frowned. ‘It’s wet’ He looked to the sky to confirm his deduction.
Kai shook his head and sighed. ‘Did it look like it was going to rain this morning?’
Shrugging his shoulders Sabe continued to frown. ‘What’s your point?’
‘It was Eloise!’
‘What was?’ Sabe shook his head. ‘Are you feeling alright?’
‘Eloise made it rain! She’s got some magic gift or something... She thought about it raining and it happened!’
Kai’s frustration started to show; raising his voice to drum it home and waving his arms about, he tried to make Sabe understand what he was saying.
Confused why Sabe didn’t look impressed with his news, Kai frowned and stared at his friend with his mouth partly gaping, and sighed. After a moment, Sabe’s eyes widened and Kai grinned; it was finally sinking in.
‘You’re not serious, are you?’ Looking out into the courtyard with furrowed brows, Sabe had to admit he wasn’t expecting rain that morning.
‘Yes! I am!’ Kai threw his hands in the air and slapped Sabe’s arm. ‘She was amazing!’
Sabe’s silence and lack of excitement on the news brought Kai to remember what Eloise had told him about Roulan, and he swiftly changed the subject.
‘Roulan is up to something, I’m sure now. He told Eloise she wasn’t to let their father know she could do this kind of thing.’ Gesturing his hand he pointed at the rain. ‘He’s trying to control her, but I don’t know why just yet.’
‘Is he now?’ Sabe’s interest peaked.
Nodding with a sneer, Kai decided he really didn’t like Eloise’s brother. ‘He’s lying to her. I think he wants to use her gift for himself, but I can’t think why.’
‘Funny you should say that.’ Sabe moved towards the doorway, and stepping into the hall he waved Kai inside.
‘I think we need to have a drink, while I fill you in. I’ve had an interesting conversation with Leon while you were gone.’
‘You know where Roulan’s been?’ Kai eagerly followed him inside.
‘No, that’s still a mystery.’ Sabe scratched at his chin, ‘But Leon was having him followed back at Brightstone and you’re going to be interested to know who he’s been meeting with.’
Instructing the house woman to fetch some wine and a bite to eat, Sabe glanced back to Kai and shook his head at the pool of water collecting at his feet.
‘I think you should change first, don’t you?’
Pursing his lips and looking down his body at the state of his clothes, he nodded his reply. With a smirk he hurried off to change; shouting over his shoulder while he was still in earshot.
‘Don’t drink all the wine!’
***
Nissa rocked on the bed with her arms cradling her knees, eyes focused on the door, doing nothing but waiting for Eloise to return. Concern for her mistress gnawed at her stomach despite Sabe’s assurance she would come to no harm. But the moment her thoughts turned to Sabe, her stomach twisted in a more pleasant way. Memories of the encounter with his lips brought heat to her cheeks; closing her eyes she drew in a deep breath, expanding her lungs to bursting point and releasing the air slowly she tried to regain her composure. It wasn’t working; about to draw in another breath, but distracted from a faint sound, she stilled her body and listened intently to scuffling of feet behind the closed door.
Nissa watched the door open slowly at first, and then jumped off the bed when she saw who was there. Greeted with a tentative smile from Eloise, Nissa’s eyes widened as she took in the wretched form before her. Hurrying towards her mistress, she reached her arms wide in readiness to cradle Eloise’s drenched body.
‘You’re soaked!’ Pushing off the blanket draped around Eloise’s shoulders, Nissa quickly turned her around and started to unfasten the soaked fabric, tugging at the ribbon to loosen the clinging dress.
‘Kai’s having hot water brought up, for a bath.’ Her excited tone caused Nissa to pause.
She gave a knowing look. ‘Well, I’m glad you’re finally getting one!’
Continuing with the undressing, Nissa pushed the heavy gown over cold shoulders then started to drag at the sleeves. Finally freeing Eloise’s limp arms, she pointed her finger to the window and whispered.
‘Is this your doing?’
Nodding and biting her lip as gravity pulled her dress across her curves and towards the floor, Eloise giggled. ‘Amazing, isn’t it? Kai’s impressed.’
Widening her eyes at Eloise’s excited state. ‘Is he now?’ Nissa couldn’t hold back a grin; she wondered exactly what they’d been doing in the rain.
Free from the weighty clothing, she steadied herself and placed a hand on Nissa’s shoulder while her attentive servant bent low and slipped the dress from under her feet, one at a time.
Eloise’s apparent mood convinced her Sabe had been right to assure her she would be safe. Her stomach lurched when she thought about him and her moment of weakness. Shaking away the memories she concentrated on Eloise’s undressing.
Stepping out of the crumpled heap Eloise couldn’t wait to tell Nissa about the afternoon's events. Balancing with Nissa’s aid, she raised her leg at the knee for Nissa to remove her shoe then promptly swapped to the other.
Crouching lower and slipping off each shoe, then casting it to the side, she rose up and started on Eloise’s undergarments. Shaking her head, she wondered why they’d not taken to shelter.
The wet undergarments were placed aside, along with the rest of Eloise’s clothes. Marching towards the bed, Nissa recovered the blanket she used for her own comfort, quickly wrapping it around Eloise. She studied the expression clouding Eloise’s face.
Seemingly in a euphoric state, she wondered if her skill at bringing the rain was to blame, or something else. After watching Kai drag her away, she’d expected tears and whaling; yet Eloise’s excited eyes indicated that clearly wasn’t happening and she was eager to learn why. Her inquisitive mind got the better of her; she couldn’t wait any longer and had to ask.
‘Why are you so giddy?’ Nissa relaxed her arms by her sided and huffed. ‘It can’t be just because of the rain, surely?’ Leaning towards the vanity unit and taking a dry towel she smoothed it over Eloise’s head and started to dry her hair.
‘I’m sorry Nissa.’ Eloise’s muffled voice apologized from under the toweling administered by her friend; pushing the drying cloth over her head and away from her face, she leaned close and whispered.
‘He was so gentle and tender.’ Eloise paused as her mind remembered his touch. Nissa started rubbing her hair, reminding her she was waiting to hear the rest.
‘Sorry!’
Pulling back her head and freeing herself from Nissa’s rough manhandling she grabbed the towel and let it fall to the floor. Snatching Nissa’s hands she led her over to the bed; hurriedly perching on the edge and pulling Nissa with her, she landed with a bounce by Eloise’s side. Scrambling to the middle of the bed and making
herself comfortable, Nissa waited for the details.
Seeing Nissa’s impatience and eager to fill her ears, Eloise tightened the blanket around her shoulders; bending her knees and pushing away from the edge she scuttled towards the center to join her companion.
‘Where you worried about me?’ Raising her brows touching her hand to Nissa’s thigh, she gave her a sympathetic look.
‘Yes! Of course I was!’ She shook her head at Eloise. ‘Sabe kept assuring me that you’d be fine, but-’
‘I was worried too… at the beginning, but, I didn’t need to be.’
Eloise could barely catch her breath while she told Nissa how she’d shown Kai her skills after seeing the dry lake. The details she carried when describing him touching and holding her, and how gentle he was, made Nissa gasp. Her garbled words fell from her mouth hurriedly and without a pause for breath in some places. Nissa listened in amazement. Shaking her head and nodding to each detail and noticing Eloise’s newfound infatuation with her intended, she felt relieved.
‘But I am a little worried one thing.’ Eloise could barely look at Nissa. ‘We’re to bathe each other tomorrow.’
Nissa’s hands instantly sprang to cover her mouth as she gasped aloud. Her wide eyes caused Eloise to turn her face away in embarrassment.
‘But you won’t be married at that point!’ Nissa wondered how this was going to sit with her father, not to mention Roulan.
‘We’re to be taken to a secret temple, somewhere in the mountains.’
Managing to face her friend, Eloise brushed a stray lock of wet hair from her face.
‘It’s a bonding ceremony or something, we ask each other question and if we don’t tell the truth, it’s a bad omen for our marriage.’ Remembering about the observers, she added.
‘There’s going to be someone there to make sure nothing… inappropriate happens.’ Eloise drew her lip nervously into her mouth and fell silent, she could feel herself tense.
Unable to speak, Nissa covered her face and fell back on the bed screeching as she kicked her legs. After a few moments and managing to contain her excitement she sat up and started to giggle.
‘It’s no laughing matter!’
Nissa smirked, her grin smothered by her hands ‘I’m sorry Eloise, forgive me.’
‘What am I going to do?’
‘You’re going to ask lots of questions!
Chapter 19
Crossing the border from the Highlands into Wild Plains flooded memories into Caster’s mind. The last time he’d crossed a border was nineteen years ago when he moved to Stonegarth with Ellanor and their baby from Middenland. He’d never traveled to Wild Plains previously and looked forward to seeing new territories.
It took five years for the memories of his life before the accident started to come back. In that time, he’d married Ellanor and they’d had a son, Jace, and he cherished both of them and was thankful every day for his survival from the fall.
As soon as he was fit enough to work he left the village of Tileworth, where they lived, and found employment with a farmer from the Highlands. The merchant, Steadman, as he was called, traveled regularly from his home in Stonegarth down to Tileworth, to sell his sheep at the busy market there. He was in his late fifties and made the journey despite struggling with many ailments. Struggling one day to shepherd his livestock into the pens at the market, Caster had come to his aid and having made friends over a pint of ale and some lunch later, he offered Caster work. Steadman retired to his home at Stonegarth in the Highlands, and Caster moved his stock from the Highlands to Middenland. Selling them in markets through the regions it paid well and provided him with a good wage. Considering himself fortunate in finding an honest and trustworthy man in Caster and not having any family, Steadman looked on Caster as his own.
Caster worked hard for Steadman and never took advantage or sought to rob or cheat him. For his rewards and after three years Steadman offered Caster the opportunity to buy stock of his own at a cheaper rate and start breeding, so that he could sell his own livestock. Eager to take up the offer he soon made a tidy profit after his selective breeding plan came to fruition. After another two years he’d made enough money to buy into Steadman’s business as his equal partner. He had a knack for business and enterprise and soon started making changes that brought in higher returns.
Caster and his family still lived in Tileworth but when his memory returned, everything changed. Selling up their home they moved to the Highlands and Steadman let them live in a cottage on his land, provided they maintained it and took care of the expenses. Caster had never set foot in Middenland after he’d moved up to the Highlands.
Barely watching the path ahead, it was only when his horse stumbled did he wake from his daydream of the past. Looking around at the forest and taking a deep breath, he brought his thoughts forward and started thinking about the meeting in Blackhill with Kai of Darkmide. He was worried the plan wouldn’t work, and his idea of peace between him and Garlan was a nothing but a pipedream. Thinking that Kai, a warrior in his own right, would need an alliance with Caster and his small army of Highlanders was ridiculous.
Caster worried they were making a mistake and feared it would end badly for him and his family. There was still time to turn back and forget all about it; without any objections from his wife or son, they would follow his decision without question. Taking in a few deep breaths he closed his eyes and considered his options.
It was late afternoon and Ellanor couldn’t find a comfortable position any longer in the saddle. Shuffling and rubbing her thigh, she tried to ease the irritating aches. She was finally ready to admit to Caster that she was tired. Each time he’d asked if she would like to rest, her stubbornness and pride made her say no. They’d covered more ground than expected and still had many hours of traveling ahead of them. But feeling weary and sore, Ellanor reasoned with her pride and thought about suggesting they should rest for the night and continue their journey early in the morning.
Glancing over to her husband, she could see the furrows in his brow. Married for twenty-four years, she knew the lines on her husband’s face well, and knew the past memories of his life before her would start to pray on his mind.
Spurring on her horse to draw up by Caster’s side, and gave his shirt sleeve a gentle tug. The pulling snapped Caster out of his daydream and back to reality, with a shake of his head he turned to look at his wife and smiled.
‘How are you feeling my love?’
‘Truthfully, I’m very tired and a little sore.’ With a shaky smile she hoped Caster would forget that it was her idea to come along, despite his advice to stay home.
‘I think we all are.’ Reaching his arm over the gap between their horses, he leaned closer and rested his hand on her thigh.
‘You’ve done well, but I think we’re all ready to rest and have a bite to eat.’ He gave her a warm smile and winked before looking over his shoulder to Jace.
‘I think we’ll start looking for a good place to rest for the night Jace, do you want to ride ahead and see if you can find somewhere?’
Without hesitation Jace kicked his horse forward and came up by his father's side.
‘Yes, of course.’ Jace sped off, putting a little distance between them.
The path they traveled cut through a forest and gave plenty of protection from the howling winds coming down from the mountains. They just needed a small clearing with a little shelter where they could sleep soundly for the night.
Caster drew in a long breath and turned to Ellanor. ‘Do you have any worries?’
‘I think I’m a little nervous.’ she drew in a deep breath. ‘I know we’re doing the right thing, but I’m still worried.’
Ellanor swapped the reins into her other hand and held Caster’s as it rested against her thigh.
‘Me too.’ Squeezing her hand to reassure her, ‘but we’re almost there and we’ve got each other for support. I’m sure we’ll be alright.’
Caster smiled hopefully, relea
sing her hand to rub along his thigh to ease the muscles.
‘We’ll set up camp and have ourselves a bit of a feast eh?’ Chuckling, he glanced back to Ellanor with a grin. ‘Maybe we can finish off the wine and take it in turns to rub out each other’s aches.’
Winking at his wife Caster grinned wider before turning to watch Jace speed towards them.
‘Did you find anything son?’
‘Yes I did. Follow me!’ Speeding ahead and turning off the path towards the left, Caster and Ellanor kept up behind him.
They halted in a clearing just off the path. Surrounded by thick oak tree’s there was a bare area where they could make their fire for the night. Using their blankets, they could fasten them between the smaller trees to make a canopy and be out of the rain should it turn stormy.
Each of them dismounted and took a few moments to stretch and get their bodies working again. They’d been riding since before dawn with only a few short breaks and they were all tired and eager to rest. If they made another early start and made good time, they would be at Darkmide by lunchtime, then onto Blackhill.
***
Arriving in Blackhill soaking wet from the unexpected downpour, Darion sought lodgings for the night. He’d found a small Inn and while it wasn’t the biggest, it was clean, and on the menu they offered wine from his home town of Braxton.
Hoping the food was better than the last place he’d stopped at Darion walked into the small room and looked around for somewhere to sit. The low ceilings and small windows made the room dim despite it still being daytime. He changed into dryer clothes in his room, but even the ones he’d kept for spare, were damp. Noticing a large table set in a corner occupied by only two men, he thought he might ask if he could join them as there weren’t any free tables.
The two men huddled over the table drank from large mugs and appeared quiet. Darion walked nearer, but hesitated when one of the men stared at him. They were both very well built, one had long blond hair with his back towards Darion; taking up more than half the table he was so broad. The other wasn’t so big. He and had shorter, darker hair and kept his eyes on Darion, mumbling incoherent words to his friend without losing eye contact. Feeling he should maybe leave, Darion turned and started to walk away but suddenly stopped when one of the men called out to him.
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