Romana's Freedom (Soul Merge Saga Book 1)

by M. P. A. Hanson

  “Do I have to keep my room tidy here too?” Katelyn asked.

  “As long as it’s tidy on seventh-day, the rest of the time it can be as messy as you want it to be.”

  She smiled at the look of glee on Katelyn’s face.

  “Really?” The girl asked

  “Really.” She replied. “Now can you go get your things and unpack for me sweetie?”

  “I can do that.” Katelyn replied, rushing through another door that led back to the main room with Romana following.

  Chapter Four

  TAMING OF THE HORSE

  Their first wages were in a small, yet neatly sewn bag on the kitchen table as Hana had promised, and she picked them up putting them into a high cupboard in the kitchen, where Katelyn couldn’t just help herself.

  Then she pulled a piece of parchment from the kitchen table, and began to write a list of what she would need to buy during the afternoon.

  After that, she brought her bag into her room, and began to unpack her slave clothes, only to find the draws already half full of servant uniforms all in her size. The prince, she remembered, Hana had said that he’d sent a letter ahead. He must have had a guess at her size and told them to get her some uniform sorted out.

  Good guess, she thought. Putting the list down, she took some money from the top cupboard.

  “Katelyn?” She called “Do you want to come to the market with me, so we can see about getting you some play clothes?”

  “Yes please!” The girl grinned, bouncing into the room.

  “Come on then,” Romana replied, picking up an empty loose weave bag she’d found in a cupboard.

  Katelyn shot over and grabbed her free hand, skipping slightly as Romana led them out of the room, and through the door that Hana had pointed out earlier.

  On the other side, there was a sheltered pathway made of crossed over willow branches, and they walked along it, passing the stables and the guards training grounds as they went. Romana began to worry that they’d gone the wrong way, but her fears vanished as they reached the front gates.

  The guards opened a smaller door to one side of the main gates for her, and gave her a piece of paper giving her free passage to and from the castle. She accepted it and walked out through the door, half lifting Katelyn over the large step.

  The sights and smells of the marketplace hit her like a slap in the face. To her elvensense it was like a foghorn blaring in her ears. She’d relaxed her control over it in the gardens, with the peaceful quiet that she’d found there. Now she pulled all her senses back sharply, muting them before any permanent damage could be done. Then she took a step out, clinging to Katelyn like a life raft. The girl understood, and squeezed her hand in sympathy.

  They bought food in the marketplace, before walking away from its bustling activity and into the quieter streets where, conveniently, they came across a clothes store.

  They walked in, to find the place quiet and calm, a relief after the noise of before. Katelyn ran off to the children’s clothes, leaving Romana free to browse the rest of the store. She found some normal trousers and some tops, plain, but practical, before buying a plain dress in a sea green, and after the shop assistant insisted, she bought a necklace to match.

  Katelyn chose a pale yellow dress at first, but Romana made her put it back and pick another, it was far too pale and, knowing the little girl, would become filthy in a matter of hours. Her second choice was a pink one, which Romana rejected as well, it was too fancy.

  Five hundred or so dresses later Katelyn decided on a blue dress, which had some nice stitching around the hem. Romana, relieved that she’d finally picked something decent, paid as quickly as possible, and ushered the girl out of the shop and onwards to the city stables to pick out a horse.

  When they arrived, the Horsemaster looked a little stressed.

  “Difficult birth.” He informed her when she asked. “Could’ve done with one of you elvenfolk to calm the mare.”

  “Did she make it through?” Romana asked.

  “Sure. But one of the twins died and the other’s very weak.”

  “I will see what I can do, if you’d let me.” Romana replied, knowing that as an elf the affinity with animals was a natural thing to her people. The only elves without it were the rare human-elf half breeds.

  “Sure thing.” The man replied “Not sure what you’re planning to do, but thanks anyway.”

  The man led her over to a stall towards one side of the barn. On the hay, one of the smallest foals that Romana had ever seen lay next to its mother, breathing shallowly.

  She opened the stall door and came to crouch near to the mother, speaking softly in elventongue to her, reassuring her. She put her hand on the foals head, and gently soothed it, murmuring until its breath became long and deep and its eyes closed in relaxation.

  She kept petting both of them for a while and then left the stall to face the amazed Horsemaster.

  “They’ll be fine.” She replied, having sensed it the moment she’d touched them.

  The Horsemaster looked relieved for a moment, and then thoughtful.

  “The little one told me you were both looking for horses because you work at the palace.” He began. “Choose any of the horses you want and supplies, everything free for you and half the normal price for the little one.”

  “Oh, no I really couldn’t—”

  “Lady, I could give you three free horses and it wouldn’t be more than half what the animal curies would have wanted to tell me the same thing.”

  “I’m still not sure that—” She began to protest, thinking that maybe she should at least pay half price on both horses.

  “I insist.” He replied. She nodded, knowing that arguing further would offend him.

  “But only on the condition, that if you ever have anymore problems with your animals, you ask for me at the palace.” She replied.

  “That might be easier if I knew your name.” He suggested.

  “Romana.” She replied instantly.

  “And I’m Katelyn!” Katelyn added. As she ran back to Romana from where she’d been petting horses in a pen a short way away. “Romana, I found the horse I like best.” She tugged at her wrist. “Come see!”

  Romana allowed herself to once again be tugged forwards, till they reached a stall where a dun coloured horse was standing trying to eat the hay from the neighbouring stall.

  “Raeburn. He’s a quarter horse, five years old and the greediest thing I’ve ever seen.” The Horsemaster supplied, trying to push the horse’s reaching mouth back into its own stall. “He’s actually perfect for your little one. Quite good tempered if you don’t try to put him on half rations.”

  The horse suddenly swung its head around towards them, and Katelyn reached up to try and pet it. “Lift.” She commanded when she couldn’t reach. Romana raised her eyebrows. “Lift please.” Katelyn amended, looking upwards hopefully.

  Romana lifted her so she was half balanced on her hip and watched as the little girl stroked the horse’s soft muzzle. The stallion quite liked Katelyn already, she could tell from her elvensense.

  “Is he for sale?” She asked.

  “Yes, and I’ve already trained him. He’ll give her no troubles.” The Horsemaster assured her. “Any idea which one you’d like for yourself.”

  “I really don’t have a clue.” She replied “They’re all wonderful.”

  He looked her up and down, as if checking her size for something. Then a thoughtful look came into his eye.

  “You must be at least five foot eight.” He observed. “Elves always are tall though aren’t they?”

  “I’m five nine,” She replied, unsure where he was going with this. “And yes my people are one of the tallest humanoid races.”

  “I have the perfect horse.” He replied “Bred for racing and one of the fastest I’ve trained but she doesn’t like people, so she’s no use in the races. Maybe an elf’s touch will win her over.” He started walking out of the barn and into one of the fiel
ds behind it. She followed, leaving Katelyn behind with the dun coloured pony.

  He whistled long and shrill for a moment, and then waited for something.

  Romana extended her elvensense cautiously, hearing the sound of hoof beats almost immediately. Then she saw the black horse galloping towards them. She could tell she was a thoroughbred the moment she used her elvensight, she was pure black, with a single spot of white on her forehead.

  “She’s beautiful.” Romana breathed as the mare came to a stop right in front of them.

  “She’s seven and a half, and her name’s Jayde.” The Horsemaster replied, petting the horse lovingly. “See if she likes you.”

  Romana approached from where she’d stopped at the gate. Jayde saw her and her muscles tensed; about to turn and run. But Romana realised, and began speaking softly in elventongue, telling the mare that she was a friend.

  She walked slowly, and when she reached the horse, she was even slower about patting her, continuing to reassure her in elventongue.

  When her hand finally made contact with the mare’s shoulder, there was no more tenseness in the mare’s muscles, and the horse even leaned into her touch slightly.

  “Well,” the Horsemaster looked at her astonished “it would appear the worlds most grumpy mare may actually have found a person she likes.” He walked over and took a lead rein from over the fence, clipping it quickly onto Jayde’s bridle, and passing it over to Romana. “Here, if you lead her in, I can get her and Raeburn’s saddles an’ whatnot from the tack room.” He disappeared off to a small shed next to the barn, leaving Romana to lead the gorgeous mare inside.

  “Come on Jayde.” Romana said in a low tone to the horse, “You don’t mind coming to live with me at the palace do you?”

  The horse whinnied softly and Romana laughed, before starting to walk forwards. Jayde following calmly beside her.

  When they reached the stall where Katelyn was, the Horsemaster was already bullying two saddles through the door.

  “It’s two gold pieces and eight silver then.” The Horsemaster informed them.

  Romana fished three gold pieces out of her pocket, and handed them over, The Horsemaster glanced at them quickly and put the saddles down to count out her change.

  “Two silver pieces in change. All the things you’ll need for them, brushes, tack cleaner and all that stuff is packed into the bags on the saddles.” He pulled up the smaller saddle and handed it to Katelyn. “Do you know how to take care of them and put on a saddle?” He asked Romana.

  “Yes,” she replied “but Katelyn doesn’t.”

  “Well, if you saddle up Jayde over there I’ll teach her.” He offered, handing her the other saddle.

  Romana nodded and got to work. It only took her a short while, and she had to wait slightly while the Horsemaster helped Katelyn, but they were done soon enough and they walked back to the palace, not wanting to give Katelyn her first riding lesson just yet.

  When they arrived back it was past sunset and Romana had to explain to the guards why she was back so late, even though she still had the piece of paper she’d been given earlier.

  “There’s no curfew as such,” A helpful guard informed her; having learned it was her first day. “But most tend to try and be back to the palace by sunset, unless they’re a message runner or something else similar.”

  “Why is that?” Romana asked.

  “Those folks of the thieves’ guild and the smugglers guild usually own the night, and occasionally the guild of death joins them.” He shuddered “They’re an honest man’s worst nightmare, so most honest men understandably avoid them. Why the prince doesn’t clear them out I don’t know.”

  “I’m sure he has a reason.” Romana replied.

  “Most likely he’s as scared of the guild of death and their associates as the rest of us.” The guard replied, turning back to his watch.

  On instinct Romana checked on Katelyn quickly, making sure she was okay, before leading the way to the stables.

  There was only one stable boy left there when they arrived.

  “You two have the stalls at the front on the left.” He informed them when Romana asked, “There should be two blank wooden plaques on the hook on the door. If you take them to the carpenter, he’ll carve the horses names on them.”

  “Thanks.” Romana replied as the boy carried on sweeping the hay out of the stables. They led the horses into the stalls he’d indicated, and Romana left Katelyn cleaning the tack while she took the pieces to the carpenter. When she returned, pieces of engraved wood in hand, the tack was surprisingly well cleaned, and Katelyn demanded that she’d hang Raeburn’s nameplate up, even though she couldn’t reach, so Romana lifted her up briefly, and then carried her out of the stables and back to their rooms, where she made them both a very quick dinner, before demanding that Katelyn have a bath.

  When she finally got them both to bed it was very late, too late really for Katelyn. She needed to get the little one into bed earlier than this, she admonished herself, she was supposed to be taking care of her.

  Chapter Five

  LOOSE OF THE STRANGLEHOLD

  When Romana woke the next morning she immediately glanced at the miniature grandfather clock on the table by her bedside. Her first thought was that she had slept past regulation time, and she shot upwards, wondering why the bell hadn’t woken her. Then she remembered that they were in Morendor, not the Slave Shop, and she had two hours till she needed to go anywhere, and two days before she actually had to do any work.

  The next thing she noticed was that she’d gone to bed fully dressed. How tired had she been? She got up and checked on Katelyn, who was still fast asleep; she saw as she peered around the girl’s half open bedroom door and into the gloom. Quickly changing into some of the clothes she’d bought the day before, she put on some breakfast ready for when Katelyn woke, then added a log to the fire and relit the oil lamps.

  There was a soft knock on the front door, and as she turned to open it when a sleepy eyed Katelyn emerged from her room, wearing the same top Romana had worn when she’d been ring fighting back at the Slave Shop. She didn’t understand why Katelyn chose to steal her clothes to sleep in, it must be one of the human things.

  “Romana, I’m hungry.” A sleepy complaint from a little girl who Romana was sure wasn’t fully awake yet.

  “Sit down and I’ll get you something after I’ve seen to the person at the door.” She replied, pointing at the table with a wooden spatula she hadn’t realised she still held.

  She went to the door, and unlocked it, before turning the knob to find Hana waiting on the other side.

  “Hello dears.” She began, “Just popping round to see how you’re getting on— oh, is that bacon I smell?”

  Romana had to smile “Yes. Would you like some?”

  “I really shouldn’t, but if you insist.” Hana walked in the door, and sat down next to Katelyn. “As I was saying, I’m supposed to be reporting on how you’re getting on to his highness.”

  “Why would he wish to know?” Romana asked.

  Hana paled. “I’m sorry,” She apologised at Romana’s questioning look. “I know that, you being an elf and all, you don’t need to use his title or station, but I’m so used to telling the maids off for it. I bet you don’t even curtsey in his presence.” Her hands shook at the idea.

  “Would you prefer it if I used his title to refer to him when I speak to you?” Romana asked, trying to make the woman feel more comfortable. Her people weren’t exactly known for having a submissive nature, but in order to keep in the head maid’s good books she could allow that tiny concession. “I would find it very difficult to curtsey.”

  “I understand that elves require respect before they’ll lower themselves to even acknowledge someone.” Hana replied “Although it doesn’t surprise me that he’s done something to earn yours already.”

  “He – his highness – prevented the Slave Master from beating me.” Romana replied, seeing no reason why she shou
ldn’t share the information with the woman.

  “So what did I do?” Hana asked curiously.

  “You were considerate enough of my nature to keep your voice low when speaking to me, a sign of kindness, which is a trait I greatly respect.” Romana answered “You’re still doing it now.”

  “Well I was hardly going to bellow at you.” Hana muttered. “Thank-you,” She said as Romana placed a bacon roll on her plate and one on Katelyn’s. “Aren’t you going to eat?”

  “Elves only require nutrients once every twenty-four hours after they reach sixteen, the end of their growing period. Hence the reason for the negligible obesity rates among my people.” Romana replied.

  “You’ve never known any others of your kind though, how do you know these things?” Hana asked.

  “During my time at the Slave Shop I would use the money I saved by not eating the same amount as the other slaves to buy books on my species. None of them were written by elves, but humans appear to be better at researching us than we think.” Romana explained. “I was very lucky considering what could have happened.” There was a lot that could go wrong with raising elven children, and the Slave Shop appeared to have avoided them all by pure luck.

  “So how are you coping?” Hana asked, not about to be led completely off topic.

  “Well I haven’t exactly done anything to have to cope with.” Romana replied, wary of the counselling session it appeared Hana was trying to give her. “I saw the gardens earlier, they were…nice.”

  “Oh dear, only ‘nice’?” Hana replied around a mouthful of bacon roll, “I’ll have to tell the gardeners that they’re doing something wrong if the only thing you can say about their life’s work is ‘they were nice’.”

  Romana laughed.

  “They were quiet.” Romana added “It was a relief.”

  “Sorry if this feels like interrogation.” Hana replied “You’re the only elf here, and to be frank I have no idea what to do with you.” She paused “Usually I can see exactly what a person will be like as a worker the moment I meet them; it’s why I’m head maid. But with you, I have not got a clue.”