‘Aisle?’ Mistral spluttered, eliciting another bout of laughter from the others.
Phantom watched her beginning to panic and turned to whisper into his brother’s ear, ‘This is going to take more than I first thought.’
‘I wonder.’ Phantasm murmured back. ‘Just how unprepared do you think she really is?’
‘Let’s find out. Mistral? What will you are wearing on your wedding day?’
Mistral stared back, looking bewildered, ‘Er? This?’
The twins shared a long look.
‘It’s far worse than we first thought.’ Phantasm whispered when Mistral was drawn back into the merciless teasing.
‘Definitely. She hasn’t got a clue.’
‘So, did he go down on one knee?’ Xerxes demanded with a leer. ‘That one always works for me.’
‘Don’t you dare compare me to one of those bits of exercise you call girlfriends!’ Mistral snapped.
‘No, you’re not like them.’ Xerxes agreed with a grin. ‘There’s not many brides that can honestly wear white on their wedding day.’
Mistral stared at the twins, totally aghast. Was there anyone they hadn’t told about her Sight enforced celibacy?
‘Well none of the ones I’ve met anyway.’ Xerxes continued with a frown. ‘They act all innocent but believe me when I say that they could teach Eudora a thing or two.’
Mistral gagged into her tankard, ‘Eudora? Oh, brother. Say you haven’t!’
‘’Fraid so. In fact,’ Xerxes looked around table with a frown, ‘I think everyone has actually.’
Mistral noted the shifty expressions on Cain and Brutus’ faces and shook her head in disgust, ‘I’m going to the bar.’
The twins watched her until she was safely at the bar talking to Floris.
‘Listen!’ Phantasm leaned across the table, whispering urgently. ‘Enough wedding talk or she’s going to back out faster than a rat leaving a sinking ship and we’ll be facing the wrath of Mage De Winter again. Or have you forgotten how he looked when he found out she was in the Infirmary after that wretched cyclops disaster?’
They all grimaced and took long drinks from their tankards.
‘I think it’s safer all round if Mistral is an unsuspecting bride.’ Phantasm finished firmly.
‘It’ll be a nice surprise for her to be shunted unknowingly into her wedding day.’ Phantom added brightly.
‘I’m not sure that’s going to be the kind of surprise Mistral likes.’ Cain said with a frown. ‘Unless it involves weapons, hunting or a scrap she’s probably not going to be too amused.’
‘This is Mistral we’re talking about! I’m sure all of those things will happen at her wedding!’
‘You’re right.’ Cain grinned. ‘It’s going to be great!’
‘Shh!’
‘What?’ Mistral demanded grumpily, dumping a tray of full tankards on the table.
‘For us?’ Xerxes gave her a simpering smile. ‘How kind. Is this your stag night then?’
Mistral swore and everyone laughed.
‘That’s a new one!’
Mistral shrugged and reached for her tankard, ‘New Training Lieutenant, new batch of swear words.’
‘You should have heard the language her Mage knows! You can tell he’s high-born though. He even swears in French.’
‘Phantom!’ Mistral warned.
‘Are you training this afternoon or staying here with us?’ Brutus asked, sliding a tatty deck of cards onto the table.
Mistral set her tankard down with a belch, ‘This is my third tankard brother. I would either kill one of the first years or myself if I tried to train now.’
‘Ah, just like old times.’ Brutus offered her a grin and began to shuffle the pack. ‘Small wager?’
Mistral smiled, ‘How about a nice round gold coin apiece? You lot can put your money where your mouths are for a change.’
Cain gave her a narrow-eyed look and pulled his hand of cards closer, ‘Still no Sight?’
Mistral gave him a withering look.
‘I thought not. You’ve still got that tense look about you –’
‘Oh for crying out loud! Will you all please quit with that?’
It was early evening by the time Fabian returned from his meeting to retrieve a half-drunk Mistral from the card game. She left willingly, happily clutching a leather pouch full of coins.
‘Are you sure she hasn’t got the Sight?’ Cain demanded moodily while Fabian steered her across the room towards the door. ‘Only she plays damned well now!’
‘Definitely not got the Sight yet.’ Phantom confirmed. ‘The poor first years get annihilated in training every Monday morning.’
Xerxes laughed, ‘I almost feel sorry for them. She’s a handful enough without all that extra pent up energy! Damn it! Which one is that brother?’ he hissed urgently when an angry looking blonde burst into the tavern, obviously looking for Xerxes.
Brutus eyed the girl unconcernedly, ‘It’s sweetheart, isn’t it?’
‘No you idiot! I’ve had to stop calling them all that since they told each other!’
‘They talk about you? Is there a special weekly meeting for all your ladies then?’ Phantom enquired curiously.
Xerxes muffled voice came from under the table, ‘Don’t know, but it’s starting to feel like it!’
Mistral woke in the cool light of dawn to find that apart from her snoring dog, she was alone. Her recollection of the previous evening was slightly hazy. Fabian had eaten with her in the Refectory then left to travel home, stating firmly that he had business to attend to. Mistral had promptly returned to The Cloak and Dagger and elicited more money from her brothers in a series of card games that had run on into the early hours.
Dragging herself from her bed, Mistral staggered to the showers and returned feeling slightly more alive. She whistled Prospero before striding purposefully along the corridor towards the stairs; today she was going to begin her mission to master Sight.
Skipping breakfast she went straight to the Infirmary to find Serenity to begin her new daily routine. Once there she would spend the morning sitting quietly in a corner while Serenity worked, reading her calm blue aura and straining desperately to see beyond the swirling colours to hear her actual thoughts.
After a quick lunch in the Refectory Mistral would return to the Infirmary and repeat the process, only leaving when Serenity politely but firmly asked her to go, stating that the patients liked to sleep without being watched. Mistral would then go straight to the stables and saddle Cirrus for a long ride in the meadows, desperate to escape and be alone for a while. Fabian had not managed to persuade Leo to completely rescind her ban but had successfully negotiated making the meadows her boundaries, and for that she was eternally grateful. By evening she was so tired that she barely felt the ache of missing Fabian. She would eat a meal in The Cloak with either the twins or any of her brothers and then yawn her way through a game of cards. Thankfully, the subject of her impending nuptials seemed to have become old news and the talk each night was either of the Contracts they were being assigned or Xerxes’ girlfriend problems.
By Saturday morning she was sick to death of reading Serenity’s aura and went down to the Training Arena instead to find Leo taking the session.
‘The drills are for unarmed training today Mistral. It will not be necessary for you to attend.’
Mistral stared at her Training Captain in disbelief. Leo telling her not to train? Since when did apprentices not need to practice? Hadn’t he bored them countless times with the tired phrase “practise is the mother of all skill”?
‘But I want to train! Er, if that’s alright,’ she added quickly, wilting slightly under his hard stare.
‘No.’
Leo promptly turned his back and began barking orders to the terrified first years. Mistral was left with nothing to do but watch them train while she decided what to do with her suddenly free morning. The options were decidedly limited. She was banned from going home, so seeing Fabian was out
of the question. Hunting was possible, but she was limited to the meadows and only sick rabbits and lame deer ended up there, neither of which filled her with any sense of challenge. So, it was either drink herself into a coma in The Cloak or hope that Fabian had finished whatever was so important and came to rescue her.
‘They’re definitely improving.’
Mistral turned to see Phantasm studying the first years with a critical eye.
‘I suppose.’
‘Busy?’ he enquired, turning to look at her with his bright green eyes.
‘No.’ she muttered moodily. ‘Leo’s banned me from leaving the Valley and from training today. He reckons “It’s not necessary”! Can you believe it? Pompous git.’
‘I think he just wants to keep his first years in one piece for a while longer.’ Phantom remarked, drifting up beside her.
‘Well since you’re free, would you care to accompany us on a Contract?’
Mistral looked up eagerly, ‘I’d love to!’ her face abruptly fell. ‘Oh wait. I forgot. I can’t. I’m banned from going further than the meadows.’
‘Don’t worry. It’s all approved by Master Sphinx.’ Phantasm assured her smoothly.
‘It is?’ Mistral looked surprised. ‘Well, definitely then. What is it?’
‘It’s just your sort of thing actually. In fact I think we could all go – brother? Are the others still around today?’
‘I think so.’ Phantom frowned. ‘I’ll go find them –’
While Phantom went off to find the others Phantasm reached inside his shirt and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. A Contract. He unfolded it and Mistral watched impatiently while he studied the requirements.
‘Hmm, it’s a hunt –’
‘Great!’
‘More of a shopping list actually. Listen to this. Six adult deer, four boars, eight brace of birds, a dozen rabbits –’
Mistral’s eyes gleamed, ‘Who wants all that?’
‘Kitchen.’ Phantasm responded blithely and folded the parchment up. ‘Stocking up apparently.’
Phantom returned a short while later, smiling brightly.
‘All present and correct and saddling up as we speak. Oh, I should mention that Xerxes has a rather amusing injury that may require treatment. Apparently Cain is refusing to do the honours.’
‘No problem, my kit’s in my saddlebag.’
It was standard practise for either Mistral or Cain to treat the others. They avoided the Infirmary whenever possible since Serenity invariably wanted to keep them in for the night, forcing them to miss a night in The Cloak, or a date if it was Xerxes.
Mistral ran quickly up the path to the dorms and retrieved her saddlebag, crossbow, knife belt and swords. Whistling Prospero who was stretched out asleep on her bed, she left her room and was hurrying back down the stairs when she nearly ran into the stern-faced figure of Gleacher Shacklock.
‘Sorry Master Shacklock! I was just rushing to get out on that Kitchen Contract with the twins.’
To her utter surprise Gleacher smiled, ‘Ah yes, the hunting one. I thought you’d enjoy that one so I persuaded Master Sphinx to temporarily lift your ban. Well, good hunting.’
Mistral stared in disbelief, watching him vanish around a bend in the stairs. Gleacher had smiled? He had persuaded Leo for her? He had wished her good hunting? What was wrong with him?
Prospero whined, breaking the shock. She looked down at her dog and shrugged, ‘Probably been spiked with one of Cain’s potions.’
Prospero wagged his tail and whined again.
‘I know boy. Let’s hunt!’
A short while later they were thundering out of the North Gate to fan out across the meadows with Grendel, still horseless, running alongside on foot. Xerxes was loudly taking bets on who would bag what and arguing with his brother over his wager.
‘It’s all I can afford!’ Brutus insisted.
‘Come off it brother!’ Xerxes retorted with a pained expression. ‘I know you’ve been taking work on the side!’
‘Talking of on the side.’ Cain interrupted with a mischievous wink in Mistral’s direction. ‘Have you asked Mistral to treat your war wound yet?’
Xerxes shot him a cagey look, ‘Not yet.’
Cain winced sympathetically, ‘Must be getting painful by now.’
‘It’s bearable.’ Xerxes replied tersely.
‘What’ve you done brother?’ Mistral asked curiously. It wasn’t like Xerxes to avoid being treated. None of her brothers were squeamish when it came to being stitched up.
‘Can we talk about it later?’ Xerxes muttered, not meeting her eyes.
Mistral caught Cain laughing into his hand and frowned, ‘I dread to think this never mind say it out loud, but have your energetic activities with your ladies finally caused you to rupture something?’
‘No.’
Brutus started laughing and Mistral felt herself grinning too, ‘What then?’
‘Tell her brother or I will.’ Cain snorted, trying to hide his laughter. ‘Because there is no way I’m treating that!’
‘I don’t think I will be either. It’s starting to sound a bit sordid!’ Mistral said quickly.
Xerxes scowled and rode on in stony-faced silence. Mistral stole glances at him out of the corner of her eye and saw him wincing every time his horse moved sharply. He was definitely in pain and embarrassed about whatever was hurting him, but she couldn’t drag up any sympathy. He deserved some kind of payback for his callous treatment of the village girls.
They reached the edge of The Velvet Forests and reined to a halt to finalise a plan for the hunt. After splitting into smaller hunting groups they agreed to meet for lunch back in the meadow and review their hauls before hunting again for the afternoon.
‘This is my perfect day.’ Mistral said happily, riding off into the forests with the twins. ‘Well, apart from one thing.’ she added quietly, feeling the familiar ache of longing.
‘Your Mage will show up this weekend Mistral. He never lets you down.’ Phantasm muttered, his green eyes darting over the undergrowth around them.
‘No, you’re right, he doesn’t does he? It’s just me that’s stumbles around causing chaos and trouble.’ Mistral sighed heavily. ‘I bet he’s been at the Council all week, sorting out the mess I left behind.’
‘Never mind that ridiculous kafuffle. Do you want to know what’s wrong with Xerxes or not?’ Phantom leaned over, his eye lit with a salacious glint.
‘Not.’ Mistral said quickly. ‘It sounds like something that might put me off my dinner.’
Phantom laughed, ‘You’re going to love this, and it won’t put you off your dinner. I promise.’
Mistral suddenly grinned, ‘Go on then. What has Prince Charmless done to himself?’
‘It’s more what one of his ladies has done to him –’
‘Should I be hearing this?’
‘Yes! You’ll laugh, just listen! You remember the blonde that came in the other night?’
‘Vaguely,’ said Mistral with a frown. ‘They all start to look the same after a while.’
‘Exactly Xerxes’ problem! He thought he was dating her and it turns out he was actually dating her sister. They’re not even twins so I have no idea how he made that mistake. Anyway, since the whole sweetheart fiasco he’s made an effort to learn their names –’
Mistral groaned, ‘Don’t tell me. He got them wrong didn’t he?’
‘At quite the wrong moment too!’
‘Yuk! But funny!’ Mistral laughed.
‘Worse still, the misnamed lady took offense and carved her name into his back with her fingernails!’
‘Didn’t he notice?’ Mistral asked incredulously. ‘It must have hurt like hell.’
‘I think Xerxes thought she was just expressing some enthusiasm for his ability –’
‘Oh no! Stop please brother! I feel sick!’
‘Anyway, the other sister obviously saw the name the next night and all hell was let loose. Xerxes was seeing run
ning from the hayloft in his birthday suit in the small hours of the morning. Cain refused to treat him as he reckons Xerxes has gone and ruined his chances of dating the sisters now … something about them not trusting warriors any more ... anyway, Xerxes was too embarrassed to see Serenity and now they’ve gone sceptic.’
Mistral laughed and spent the next few minutes debating with Phantom whether to tell Xerxes that she knew or wait until he confessed and told her his version of events before treating him.
‘Here we go!’ Phantasm called happily as Prospero bayed loudly and flushed a heavyset buck from the undergrowth. He promptly sat down and looked expectantly at Mistral.
‘Go boy!’ she shouted joyfully.
Prospero immediately gave chase and the hunt was on. They urged their horses after him, crashing through undergrowth, ducking low branches and leaping fallen logs, caught in the raw thrill of the chase.
At midday they rode back into the meadow to find Grendel and Saul sitting beside a couple of small deer and a large pile of rabbits.
‘Rabbit good for lunch?’ Saul asked as she leapt off Cirrus and strolled over to see him.
‘I’d rather eat what we’ve caught – look!’ she pointed smugly to the large buck and a small bear the twins were untying from the back of their saddles.
Saul shook his head, still smiling, ‘What is it with you and bears?’
‘It’s not me, it’s Prospero! I think he likes the challenge of something that doesn’t run away from him but wants to go down fighting.’
Saul laughed, ‘That dog is so perfect for you.’
‘I know.’ Mistral smiled. ‘Fabian chose well.’
‘I think so.’ Saul said quietly, not looking up from the rabbit.
Mistral gave him a troubled look and chewed her lip, undecided as to whether to broach that particular thorny subject again. With the same uncanny timing that had irritated her to the point of wanting to kill him, Phantom abruptly interrupted her conversation with Saul; however, this time she was grateful.
‘Not rabbit!’ he exclaimed loudly while he walked over, swinging a brace of pheasants in one hand. ‘If I eat any more of those wretched things I’m sure I’ll grow long ears and a tail!’
‘Sorry. But we can’t eat the order. Rabbit’s surplus to requirements.’
The Assassin's Destiny (Isle of Dreams) Page 19