Dare (The Blades of Acktar Book 1)

by Tricia Mingerink

  The kitchen door opened, and Shadrach strode towards the garden, a pitcher in one hand, two pewter cups dangling by their handles in the other. His brown eyes shot to Renna, and he grinned. “What brings you out here? Shouldn’t you be with Mother and the girls filling out invitations?”

  “I…” She should say something. Brandi would’ve come up with something funny, like how she’d come to see who was torturing that mule over here, but Renna couldn’t force her mouth to move.

  Both Leith and Shadrach gaped at her, and the longer they stared, the hotter her neck and face burned. “You have a Blade plowing your garden.”

  Leith stiffened and swayed onto his heels. His eyes dropped to his boots.

  Shadrach’s grin didn’t change. He nudged Leith with his elbow. “And you enjoy it so much, don’t you?”

  “Sure.” Leith's gaze swiveled back to the mule as if facing the stubborn animal was better than facing her.

  Renna fisted her fingers. She’d said the wrong thing. Should she apologize? She wasn’t exactly sure how she’d offended him. Should she pretend she didn’t notice his discomfort? Why did she always have to say such mindless things when Shadrach and Leith were around? “What will you plant?”

  “Corn, beans, potatoes. Lei—” Shadrach paused mid-word and cocked his head. “We never did come up with a name to go with your cover story.”

  “Daniel. I can be Daniel.” Leith’s eyes flicked towards her before returning to the mule.

  “All right. Daniel.” Shadrach waved towards Leith with the pewter cups. “Lady Rennelda, this is Daniel, our new gardener from…Where do you want to be from?” He cocked his head towards Leith.

  “Blathe.” Leith nudged a clump of dirt with his boot. The clump crumbled into a pile. “I was born in Blathe.”

  Renna focused on that pile of dirt by Leith’s boot. What would’ve it been like growing up as Lord Respen Felix’s servant? It couldn’t have been pleasant.

  “This is Daniel of Blathe. Obviously, his skills don’t lie in plowing, but he learns fast.” Renna glanced up as Shadrach jabbed at her with the pitcher. Water splashed over the rim and fell onto the grass at the edge of the plowed area. “Daniel, this is Lady Rennelda Faythe of Stetterly. She and her sister are visiting us for a while.”

  Leith—alias Daniel—gave her a stiff bow. “Lady Rennelda.”

  “Daniel.” Even though it wasn’t necessary, she curtsied, as if she were meeting a nobleman instead of a peasant.

  When she straightened, she met Leith’s gaze. The breeze toyed with his long, dark hair. His green eyes tossed her stomach. Her mouth got that urge to spout something mindless, but this time she snapped her teeth shut before she made a fool of herself.

  A rustling from the flower garden behind her grabbed her attention. She whirled as Brandi waltzed under the trellis. “There you are, Renna. Lady Alistair sent me to find you.” She halted and a grin burst across her face. “L—”

  Renna caught her elbow. “Daniel. His name is Daniel while he’s here.”

  “Oh, I see.” Brandi’s eyes got that knowing twinkle, and Renna let her go. More than likely, her sister did see what was going on much clearer than Renna did.

  A smile returned the dimples to Leith’s face. “Actually, your sister was just telling me I should ask you to help me with a little problem I’m having with that mule.” He pointed a finger at it. “It won’t move.”

  “You just have to ask it nicely.” Brandi skipped over the furrows to the mule. Running her fingers over its nose, she crooned to it.

  Shadrach poured water into the pewter cups he still held and handed one to Leith. They both turned to watch Brandi as she coaxed the mule to take a step, then another.

  Renna had been forgotten. Instead of standing around awkwardly, she gathered her skirts and backed toward the flower garden. She needed to return to the parlor before Lady Alistair worried about both her and Brandi.

  As she tiptoed under the trellis into the flower garden, she glanced back one last time. Brandi had the mule moving. Shadrach walked away, carrying the empty pitcher and pewter cups back to the kitchen.

  As he looped the reins around his back and gripped the handles of the plow once again, Leith looked up. For a moment, his eyes met hers. Her breath caught. Why couldn’t she look away?

  He looked away first, snapped the reins, and the mule threw itself against the harness. After stumbling against the trellis, Renna whirled and dashed through the flower garden without another backwards glance.

  32

  After supper in a corner of the servants’ quarters, Shad snagged Leith and led him down the corridor and up a back stairway. Leith’s legs wobbled as they reached the landing.

  Why had he made the deal to train Shad after plowing? He barely had the strength to stand, much less spar with Shad. But he’d made a deal, and he’d stick by it. Besides, Shad needed to know how to fight a Blade. It could save his life.

  Leith tottered in Shad’s footsteps down the corridor. Near the grand staircase, Shad opened a door and waved Leith inside.

  Leith stepped past him into the room. A four-poster bed dominated one wall, its oak posts as thick as the beams supporting the ceiling. A mountain lion skin covered the floor while a rack along the wall held arrows in various lengths and stages of completion.

  Shad closed and locked the door behind him. “This is my room. We’ll be safe to practice here without anyone asking questions.”

  They’d have to roll up the rug so they didn’t damage it with their scuffling, but the room had the open space they needed and no windows where they could be observed. “What’s below us?”

  “The dining room. No one’s in there now that supper is done and cleared.” Shad knelt and rapped the floor with his knuckles. “This floor is solid oak, tightly fitted in two layers to prevent sagging and bouncing. No one can hear us talk, and our fighting won’t be noticeable besides a thump or two.”

  Leith helped Shad roll the animal skin and place it on the bed. Shad drew the bundle of Leith’s weapons from under the bed and handed them to him.

  He fingered his weapons. After so many years, it was strange how quickly he grew used to being weaponless.

  He pulled a knife from its sheath. “A number of the Blades are good at throwing knives. I’m not, and most aren’t. It’s a skill that takes years to master, and most of us had better things to do than chuck knives.”

  Shad nodded, but his face and shoulders drooped. “So you aren’t going to teach me how to throw knives?”

  “No. But you’ll need to watch for it. Especially if the First, Second, Fifth, or Seventh Blades happen to be around. You’ll need to alert those nobles and their guards to be extra careful.”

  “What do you look for?”

  “Keep an eye on the hands, the wrists. Here’s how I’d grip the knife if I intend to fight with it.” Leith gripped the knife firmly around the hilt. He switched his grip so that he pinched the knife between two fingers. “Now I’m about to throw it. Depending on the distance, the place I’m holding might change, but it’ll always be pinched between my fingers instead of gripped in a fist.”

  Shad studied his grip, eyes narrowing. “I take it they can switch between fighting and throwing so fast, I’d probably be dead before I spotted the difference.”

  “Something like that.” Leith changed his grip back to a fighting stance. “They’ll only try to throw a knife if they have some distance. Get in close, and they’ll opt for fighting. Your best chance, if they’re standing back and appear to be toying with their knife, is to have your bow ready and shoot them. But don’t take too long. The minute they see an arrow on your string, they’ll throw.”

  Shad touched the arrows in his quiver. “I can do that.”

  False confidence, but Leith didn’t correct him. Leith handed half his knives to Shad and strapped on the rest.

  Drawing a knife, he balanced on the balls of his feet. The blisters on his heels and toes burned. His calves cramped. He faced Shad.
“I’m going to come at you. Try to block my thrust.”

  Shad drew one of the knives. “Aren’t we going to train with poles or something to start?”

  You’ll learn quick or you die. Respen had said as he pressed a knife into Leith’s hand for the first time. I’ve no time to train weaklings.

  Leith lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “This is how a Blade trains. Don’t worry. I won’t stab you.”

  Shad’s face remained tense as he bent his knees, knife in front of him like he was holding a sword.

  Leith lunged forward, arm tucked close to his body, the knife ready to thrust into Shad’s stomach. Shad tried to swipe away the knife as if parrying with a sword, but the move extended his arm too far from his body.

  Leith side-stepped, pinned Shad’s arm behind his back, and pressed the tip of his knife against Shad’s stomach above his sword belt.

  Shad glanced down at the knife, then up at Leith. His jaw set. All traces of humor fled his brown eyes. “If I’d been facing any Blade but you, I’d be dead. That took what, two seconds?”

  Leith stepped back. He’d made his point. “That’s the first move a Blade’s going to do. For most swordsmen, it works just as it did with you. If you can live past that first move, you might have a chance of fighting the Blade off. Maybe. You’ve at least bought yourself a few more seconds for help to come.”

  “That’s my best option? Delay until help arrives?”

  “Yes.” Leith met Shad’s gaze. “Respen is going to send First Blade Harrison Vane here to kill Renna and Brandi. Even I can’t face the First Blade alone.”

  “Then we’ll face him together.” Shad grinned and returned to his fighting stance. “He won’t stand a chance against the two of us.”

  Leith hoped so. Shad was becoming a friend, and Leith didn’t want to see him killed in the fight that was coming.

  33

  Leith gritted his teeth as the blisters on his hands popped against the rough wood of the hoe. He chopped at the clumps of dirt, softening it into fluffy mounds. Pausing, he rubbed at the taut muscles cramping his neck and shoulders.

  The kitchen door creaked open. Shadrach balanced a tray on one hand. Sweat marked his shirt under his arms and across his chest.

  Leith grasped the hoe and trudged from the garden. Propping the tool against the manor, he collapsed to the ground. “How did training go?”

  Shad flopped to the ground next to him, somehow keeping the tray steady. “Well enough. The men were confused when I showed them the defensive moves you showed me, but some got the idea eventually.”

  “Good.” Leith reached for a cup, filled it with water, and drained it in a few gulps. He polished off his hunk of bread and cheese in a few bites.

  After popping his last bite in his mouth, Shad turned his empty glass over in his hands. “So, do you think Renna likes me?”

  Leith’s stomach dropped. Did Shad like Renna? “Uh, no. I don’t think so. You’re asking me for girl advice? I’m a Blade. I don't talk to girls.” He rested his forearms on his knees, tightness moving from his throat to his chest. “Why do you ask?”

  “Well, Jolene Lorraine is coming with her mother, and I…like her. But I happen to know Renna used to like me back when we were kids.” Shad scratched his toe in the dirt. “I don’t want to hurt Renna. Should I tell her about Jolene?”

  The tension in Leith’s chest vanished. “Probably.”

  “Would you?” Shad raised his eyebrows.

  Leith leaned his head against the warm stones of the manor. The sun soaked into his shirt. “Not a chance.”

  Shad scowled and elbowed him. Leith scrambled to his feet and grabbed the hoe. “I need to get back to work.” He hurried to the garden before Shad came up with any more questions involving girls.

  In the heat of afternoon, the chatter of party plans drove Renna from the parlor. Now that she knew the truth about Lydia’s celebration, she couldn’t hold on to her excitement.

  Gathering her courage, she fetched two glasses, filled a pitcher with water, and tiptoed through the kitchen and out the back door.

  As she stepped outside, Leith swiped his sleeve across his forehead. His eyes caught on her, and he paused in his work. Shadrach strolled over to her.

  “I brought water.” Her face flushed. Of course she’d spout the obvious. She held up the glasses and pitcher to hide her burning face. She filled a glass and handed it to Shad. “Here.”

  “Thanks.” Shad gulped down the water. Renna tried to keep her attention on Shadrach, but her eyes strayed to Leith. He’d returned to his work, chopping the clods of dirt.

  Drawing her shoulders straight, she tiptoed towards the garden. The smell of rich, wet earth wrapped around her. Her heart pounded. “Would you like some water?”

  Leith straightened and rubbed at his lower back. His hands left dark smudges on his shirt. As he strode toward her, she caught a whiff of sweat and dirt. With trembling fingers, she poured water into the glass and held it out to him.

  His dirt-covered fingers closed around the glass and brushed her fingers. She jumped, but she managed to stop herself before she snatched her fingers away.

  He drained the glass in a few swallows, and she refilled it without asking. When he’d finished his second glass, he handed it back to her. “Thanks.”

  She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She should say something, but her jaw locked. A chorus of starlings jabbered as they swooped overhead, the thrum of a thousand wings vibrating the air. A cool breeze ruffled Leith’s hair and trickled down Renna’s neck. “How did you like church yesterday?”

  Leith’s gaze swiveled from the ground to the manor roof behind her. “It was different sitting with everyone else.”

  She hadn’t been surprised to see him there yesterday. She hadn’t even been surprised when Brandi plunked onto the bench next to him and Renna had no choice but to sit on Brandi’s other side. He’d had a Bible, though she could only guess where he’d gotten it, and Brandi had eagerly shared her songbook with him. After some whispered urging from Brandi, he’d even tried to sing along, though his voice faltered.

  Was it possible he was sincere?

  “I’m glad you were there.” Her thoughts and words jumbled in her head. She needed to get out of there before she said something stupid.

  Backing away, she turned and came within inches of running into Shadrach. “Sorry! I—” She stopped herself. She’d forgotten he was still standing there, but saying so seemed rude.

  Shadrach took the empty pitcher and glass from her and set them on the ground. “Can we talk?”

  The tone in his voice mixed into dread in her stomach. What did Shadrach have to say to her? She nodded, unable to speak, and followed as he led her under the trellis into the flower garden.

  The dead stalks of last years’ flowers filled the beds along the stone paths, but green stems poked from the ground. In another week or two, their blossoms would fill the garden with color and the air with scent. Newborn leaves curled on the branches of the indigo brush hedges.

  Shadrach slowed his pace. Renna eased next to him, her mouth dry. Something had to be wrong. Shadrach’s jaw didn’t knot like that unless he didn’t like what he had to say.

  He halted next to the empty fountain. “We spent a lot of time in this garden when we were little.”

  Renna glanced at the section of hedge where she and Lydia had once crouched, giggling, as they’d spied on Shadrach and the other young guardsmen training. That was the day Renna confessed to Lydia that she liked Shadrach. She wasn’t sure what to say to him now. “Yes, we did.”

  “You remember that last summer you spent here?” His voice lowered, and his gaze focused on the fountain rather than on her. “Lydia told me what you told her back then.”

  Renna’s mouth fell open. “You knew? She told you?” Her heart sunk into her toes. This whole time, Shadrach knew she’d been infatuated with him back then. Her face heated. What did he think of her now? Was he as embarrassed as she was?

>   “Don’t blame her. She was eleven and thought it’d be cool if her brother and her best friend someday…” He trailed off as a red tinge crawled up his neck.

  “Both of us were young.” Renna scrubbed her damp palms on her skirt. The heat from her face moved into her chest and across her skin. Why couldn’t he drop this?

  “I know. And people change when they grow up.” Shadrach rubbed at the back of his neck and finally turned to her. His brown eyes searched her face. “Jolene Lorraine has been here a lot when her mother comes to speak with my father. And I…and we…”

  Renna stared at the manor, the light brown stones, the ledge that ran beneath the arched windows of the second story, the chimneys that puffed smoke into the pale, blue sky. She’d made a fool of herself yet again. Why had she even thought Shadrach liked her that way? He’d only ever acted as a friend. Or a big brother.

  A burning lump settled in her throat. She couldn’t cry in front of him. She’d only make more of a fool of herself. If her mother was alive or Aunt Mara here, she’d at least have a shoulder to cry on, but she was alone. She couldn’t tell Brandi or any of Shadrach’s family.

  Drawing in a deep breath, she faced him and forced a smile onto her face. “Jolene was always nice when her family visited when we were little. Will she be coming to Lydia’s party?”

  Shadrach’s shoulders relaxed. “Yes.”

  At least he had the decency to tell her before Lady Paula Lorraine and her daughter Jolene arrived for the celebration and secret meeting. She stumbled towards the trellis. “I’d better return to the parlor.”

  Turning, she dashed under the trellis, scooped up the pitcher and glasses, and hurried to the kitchen door. As she juggled the pitcher and glasses to free one of her hands, a dirt-encrusted hand reached past her.

  She met Leith’s green eyes as he tugged on the latch. Her mouth was too dry to form words, her brain too muddled. Managing a bob of her head, she brushed past him into the manor, more confused than ever.