'Our breed of horse is considered one of the top in the world,' Rumal’s rich voice was full of pride.
'Are your sisters training too?' Kassie wondered if women would be allowed to.
'Vecina is, but Breena has decided she wants to be a messenger, so she’s training for that instead.'
'How does that work? Being a messenger?' She remembered Melanite talking about it.
'Breena is training to run long distances each day and learning how to camp out safely by herself. It’s a dangerous job for a young woman but she loves meeting new people and traveling so it suits her perfectly.'
'Do you have any brothers?'
'Just one, he’s five and just learning to ride well at the moment. He’s spoilt rotten by the girls, but he’s a good kid. I’ll have to go back for a visit soon,' he sounded wistful.
Kassie fell silent while thinking about it; I’d really like to go too. It would be fascinating to see another land.
CITAAN AND I cantered ahead of the others. When we sighted the town we stopped to rest the horses, allowing the others to catch up. Nnelg blinked in, startling us, and as usual Audi came racing up a moment or two later. 'You’re going to have to carry her home at this rate,' laughed Citaan when the dog flopped onto the ground, panting. Nnelg had learned to be vocal with her and made a soothing chattering noise while he curled around her, waiting with us for the others to arrive. Sabyn and Loi arrived next, while Rumal and Kassie came last. I was pleased to see her smile. Kass normally just rode the beginner trails when we went horse riding, so it relieved me that she could ride double. Rumal appeared the most skilled of the men at riding, his reins loose on the pommel even with Kassie seated behind. The riding stables would never have allowed that on Earth. Remembering all the rigmarole of the safety gear and instructions before each trek we went on caused me to laugh. The others glanced at me and I looked to Loi.
'It seems so strange not to be wearing a helmet or to be following each other in a line on a particular path.'
She nodded, a serene smile gracing her face. 'It’s the way riding should be.'
'What’s the name of this town?' Sian asked. 'You guys just keep referring to it as town.'
Daron laughed. 'Normally everyone knows what we’re talking about when we say town.' He indicated the now visible buildings in the distance. 'That’s Gartoll.'
ALEK SLOWED THE pace when they reached the town gates and stopped, swinging a leg over the saddle to the ground. He gave Urell’s head a good rub around his ears as the horse liked and then went to help Kassie down from the pillion saddle. Cat ignored him now, which only gave him more to consider. He couldn’t get what Elena had said out of his head. They cast a spell to find their soul mates, he thought, who knows how genuine her feelings are for me. He’d barely slept all night. I finally meet someone who I begin to consider my equal only to discover this. Part of him wished Elena hadn’t told him. The guys had been giving him looks all day, but he wasn’t in the mood to discuss it yet.
CITAAN WATCHED CURIOUSLY to see what the girls thought of the town. Many townspeople had gathered when they’d arrived, crowding the streets, the word spreading quickly that the Prince had arrived. Citaan hung back, observing the relationships that had appeared to develop within the group. I wonder why Alek is behaving so coolly toward Cat, she thought curiously, I’m sure Gredel said they looked like they were a couple. Cat didn’t even seem interested in him. She stuck with the other girls, chatting and greeting people.
SIAN WALKED HAND-in-hand with Daron and observed more than one set of raised eyebrows at that. It made her smirk.
Compared to the village of Lothost, Gartoll looked grand with wide paved streets and the buildings all complimenting one another with their almost romantic alpine chalet style; high pointed roofs and arched entrance ways and beautifully detailed windows. Shops lined either side of the main street and all of them had covered verandas, now crowded with townspeople wanting to see the Prince and his Guard. The intense fascination of the crowd unnerved her and she pressed closer to Daron who glanced down at her and winked. 'Not to worry, they’re just curious. '
ALEK WALKED TOWARD a larger detached building that I assumed was the town center. The crowds of people grew and plenty of people smiled at us while calling out greetings to Alek and the men. Others just watched, standing back quietly. On the veranda of the larger building stood a well dressed, portly man with whom I guessed were his wife and daughter. Both women wore full length dresses in patterned silk that fluttered in the slight breeze. The dresses were fitted to under the bust but then flowed down, flattering their fuller figures. The dresses wouldn’t have looked out of place in the castle but amongst all the casual townspeople, did. The daughter, a plump cheeked brunette with thin eyebrows appeared to give someone behind me a very dirty look and I glanced back to see Loi, with Sabyn standing beside her. Good luck with that, I thought in amusement.
'Welcome, your Royal Highness,' the portly man bellowed. 'You do great honor to our humble town with your presence.'
ALEK MANAGED TO keep a straight face. 'Not at all, sir, it’s our pleasure to come and show the Sorceress’ guests your township.' He turned back to the group behind him, avoiding Cat’s gaze, and introduced the mayor, his wife and daughter, to the girls who all inclined their heads, murmuring greetings.
EVERYONE’S EYES TURNED to the four of us and I almost stepped closer to Alek, freezing at the last moment. I moved closer to Loi instead, with the dirty looks being shot her way she could do with the backup. The mayor’s wife and daughter held a mini court on their veranda, observing us with their noses in the air. It looked very comical and many of the townspeople gave them disapproving looks. I wasn’t bothered. They didn’t look like people I wanted to know.
LOI NOTICED THE mayor’s wife and daughter glaring at her again and she turned to Kassie. 'Is it just me or do those two on the veranda keep glaring at me?'
Kassie discreetly had a look and confirmed. 'It does look like they’re glaring, I wonder why? We haven’t met them before, have we?'
Loi shook her head. 'Never.'
They heard Citaan chuckle and turned to look at her. 'The mayor’s daughter has had a crush on Sabyn for years. Her mother has determinedly thrust her into every opportunity to be close to him.' She gave Loi a mischievous wink. 'I think she’s a little tetchy at having her grand plans ruined.'
SIAN HAD A look through the shop windows. The girls joined her, curious to see what each window revealed. Their newly made acquaintances tagged along, appearing to enjoy the experience of seeing it all through strangers’ eyes. All the shops seemed interesting and there were more than a few that she wanted to have a good look inside. The men had finished their business with the mayor and wandered with them. Sian froze in front of one store when she spied magickal items. A beautiful wand and a pentacle lay on display in the window with dozens of small tumbled crystals around them. She stepped back to look for Daron. He stood a few feet away surrounded by adoring girls and looked a little flustered, Sian giggled at the sight. Each of the men had circles of women around them and the townsmen had to talk loudly over them because they couldn’t get any closer. Annoyance was obvious on more than one face.
'Daron?' Sian called loudly. 'Can I borrow you for a moment?'
The profound look of relief on his face made her want to giggle, and his admirers took to giving Sian envious looks.
DARON FELT VERY relieved to have an excuse to get away from the pressing throngs of females. Honestly, if he’d passed through by himself he’d never have known there were so many females in this town. The downside of visiting anywhere with Alek was the guaranteed crush of unwelcome attention and an absolute lack of regard for personal space.
'What sort of shop is this?' Sian asked excitedly.
He glanced through the window. 'It’s the local arcane store.'
'Really? Is this sort of store is normal?'
I HEARD SIAN grilling Daron about the magick shop but didn’t turn; too busy st
udying a dress in the window of another shop. Something about it seemed wrong. But I couldn’t place a finger on what. The dress, a lovely soft rose color, had graceful bell sleeves with a mandarin style collar. It fitted the mannequin like a glove, but there was still something wrong about it.
KASSIE NOTICED CAT frowning at a dress in the shop down from where Sian gushed over a wand to the very happy shopkeeper.
'What’s wrong, Cat? Are you trying to memorize the pattern?' Kassie teased. Cat’s head snapped round to her, her mouth dropping at Kassie’s words.
'That’s it. How the heck did they do that?' she cried.
ALEK PUSHED THROUGH the crowd of idolizing females and headed to Cat’s side without thinking. 'Do what?' He touched her shoulder, wondering what had her so excited.
'There are no seams. It’s not possible, how on Earth could you do that?'
Everyone watched when she dashed inside the Tailor's, rushing past a surprised looking Kristanya—the shop's owner.
Alek stood with Kristanya and watched Cat. She inched her way over the pink dress in the window display, keeping up a running murmur with occasional sounds of astonishment.
MY MIND TRIED to understand how they’d done it, but I couldn’t figure it out. I turned and saw Alek standing close to me with a robust gray haired woman beside him. His eyes finally seemed warm. My heart did a little skip.
'Catherine, let me introduce Kristanya. Kristanya owns this shop and is the top tailor in Gartoll,' Alek smiled at Kristanya, who flushed in pleasure at his compliment.
'Please, how was this made? Did you make it?' I had to know.
KRISTANYA SMILED AT the enthusiastic young woman before her.
'Come,' she pointed to the seating area where she discussed designs with clients. 'Have a seat.'
Once they’d settled on a couch she took a seat facing them.
'The dress was made by someone gifted, who works with fabrics, also known as a fabricer.'
'Like Ada?' interrupted Catherine, she blushed and apologized.
'Yes. Fabricer’s have the ability to re-weave the fabric with a thought so any clothing made by one is instantly recognizable by its lack of seams. The most skilled tend to simply drape their client in fabric and then meld it around them. It takes an awful lot of work and practice to become a fabricer, and obviously, you must be gifted. Those who aren’t gifted but love to sew become tailors, like myself, and though our work isn’t as fine as a fabricer’s, it is a lot more affordable for everyday wear. Really, anyone gifted with fabrics will head to the noblest house in their district or realm as they will have guaranteed work there.' She could almost see the wheels spin in Catherine’s head and it made her smile. 'If you have any questions I’ll be happy to answer them.'
'Clothing made by a fabricer must last a lot longer than regular clothing?'
'Yes, and there is the occasional fabricer who will transfer their skill to metal work, creating highly sought after armor.' Kristanya shrugged. 'Those are most often men who have had enough of dressing women.'
It was Alek’s turn to interrupt and he invited her to lunch with them.
LUNCH WAS LONG and Sian snorted in amusement at the sight of Cat, eyeing up everyone’s clothing. Normally she’d do the same but Sian was far more interested in conversing with the owner of the arcane shop, sadly it didn’t seem like there’d be time today. She smothered the urge to sigh, instead smiling at the people Daron introduced her to.
'Sian, this is Artama, he’s the region’s bow master. This is his son Claud and daughter Nikol.'
She managed to halt her look of surprise just in time. The people before her didn’t appear to be human. Artama had dark tan skin which glowed with delicate green undertones. His eyes were cat-like and much larger than a human’s, with long eyelashes. His ears seemed small in comparison, with pointed tips that stuck out a hint. Nikol and Claud must have some human in them, she thought, glancing at them before responding to Daron’s introduction. Both Artama’s children had the same slanted, large eyes, but they were light brown instead of dark like their father and their skin had only the faintest hint of green. The three of them appeared to be wiry—as Kassie would say—light builds but with strength and grace.
THE GIRLS APPEARED fascinated with Artama and his family. Daron watched Sian chat to them, pleased that she’d had the chance to meet them. Artama would likely be training the girls in throwing weapons when they began their training regime. Realizing how late it was, Daron made his way around the men and suggested they head home.
'What is Artama?' Sian asked him as they rode back toward the castle. 'He doesn’t look human.'
'Artama is a half breed. Half elven, half goblin,' Daron explained. 'And he married Toualine, who is also a half breed but half elven, half human. That’s why Claud and Nikol look so unusual.'
Cat moved her horse closer to listen to Daron. Alek still appeared to be giving her the cold shoulder. 'Are goblins good or bad?' she asked. 'And is a half breed seen as a good thing or a bad thing?'
Sian bit her lip at Cat’s bluntness and hoped it wouldn’t offend Daron. He looked at her in surprise. 'What do you mean good or bad? They’re like anyone else, some are good, decent and honorable, and some,' he paused. 'Aren’t. And a half breed is what it is. It has no bearing.'
WELL THAT’S NICE, I thought, impressed. I guess after nine millennia or so you’d get over the race issues. Sian gave me a narrow look. It seemed she wasn’t so impressed with my questions. I wrinkled my nose at her and steered my horse toward Gredel and Citaan. I’d thought Alek had been getting over his weird mood but it appeared I was wrong.
That evening while we got ready for dinner Sian pulled me into the wash room for a word. 'Has he said anything?'
I shook my head. 'No. Just this weird cold shoulder thing. I don’t get it?'
'I wonder if perhaps Elena or Yakov had a word to him.'
'About what?'
'He is the Prince, Cat. Maybe it isn’t deemed appropriate.'
I hadn’t thought of that.
CAT FELL SILENT after she’d pointed this out and Sian gave her a swift hug. 'I’m sure he’ll sort himself out and if he doesn’t, we’ll do it for him.' She gave Cat a devilish wink making her chuckle. 'C’mon, let’s get out of here, I’m starving.'
SIAN’S IDEA HAD merit to it. Still, when we entered the Great Hall it felt like a public slap to the face when I saw my chair between Elena and Yakov’s. My breath hitched in my chest and I fought back an embarrassed blush.
Stop it Cat—no-one else knows, so you can’t be embarrassed by this. It’s a great honor to sit between Elena and Yakov, my rational voice said firmly.
Holding my head high, I smiled pleasantly at everyone, even Alek, and took my seat. Yakov did his best to make me laugh and was utterly charming.
But I could feel him, the whole time we sat there. I was so intensely aware of him watching me. I wanted to leap out of my seat and march over to him, demanding to know what this was about. I didn’t eat much, half scared I’d blurt out the words that felt wedged in my throat. I kept my fingers mentally crossed that this was just to keep things looking appropriate and waited to see what happened at the end of dinner.
HE WATCHED HER the whole time, unable to resist.
Does she have genuine feelings for me? Or had she fooled herself into thinking she did, given she expected to meet her soul mate? Cat didn’t glance at him once during dinner. Alek shoved aside the nausea swirling in his gut. Fine. Then we’ll deal with this out in the open and it can be done.
When dinner ended and the men invited the other women for a walk, Cat stood and finally looked at him. Her face looked like a cold mask. Alek flinched inwardly at the awful, tight sensation in his chest.
LOI SMILED UP at Sabyn, about to say yes to his invitation to wander in the courtyard when Alek spoke up. 'I believe I’ll have an early night.' His voice rung out through the room, the tone in it apparent, and everyone in the Great Hall turned to look at Cat.
Loi wa
tched in horror when Cat turned white, the freckles across her cheekbones in stark contrast. Then she flushed red and walked slowly out of the room. Sian and Kassie made noises of shock while Loi went stiff with anger.
In a surprisingly even tone she managed, 'Actually you know what? An early night sounds good to me.' She marched out of the room and made sure to brush past Alek, feeling a twinge of revenge when he flinched; you mongrel.
SABYN GAPED IN surprise when the three women went from friendly to furious. All made terse replies then stormed out of the room, shoving past Alek.
Alek.
A feeling of absolute annoyance swept through him and he eyeballed his cousin.
OH SHIT. PERHAPS a public statement wasn’t the best idea. Alek gulped when his three friends turned to stare at him. Yakov and Elena didn’t appear impressed either. Indignation flashed through him. Since when was this their business? So what if the other women were grouchy at him, they’d get over it. Rumal took a step closer. Giving him a hard look, Alek turned and stalked out the room, ignoring the courtiers’ gasps of shock.
Chapter Twenty Three
I WOKE THE next morning and lay there, feeling a horrible sense of loss followed by an overwhelming fury.
Why am I letting this bother me? So he’d turned out not to be who I thought he was; it wasn’t the first time this had happened to me. And I liked being single. I loved it. No-one to have to report to or think about and I LIKED BEING SINGLE!
The Arrival Page 24