by Naomi Lane
“Jenna?” Sebastian looked confused, but she held up her arm to ask him to wait.
“I thought I heard something.” Just then, she sensed the eavesdropper was about to flee, so she moved quickly, darting into the bushes and grabbed an arm. Without thinking, Jenna repeated the throw she had used against Peter earlier that day, and her observer landed on his back with a hard thud. “Prince Eamon!” She instantly let him go and stood back up.
Sebastian stood right behind her. “Brother, what the Heavens are you doing here?”
“I just wanted to find out where you went off to every Sevday morning,” Eamon replied, while sitting up and brushing some leaves from his doublet. Jenna was still horrified by her actions, but felt slightly reassured when she saw Eamon flash a half-smile. “You actually come here every week?”
“Yes, Highness,” replied Peter. Jenna could tell her brother was just as shocked as she was. “You must allow me to apologize for my sister. Please blame me for this. I started training her knowing if she doesn’t have an outlet for her boundless energy… uh, let’s just say things tend to go rather poorly. Unfortunately, I believe you now understand that firsthand.” He glared at his sister, who bit her lip.
Eamon stood and stared at Jenna. At over six feet tall, Eamon was nearly a foot taller than she was and even a head taller than her brother, who was now growing rapidly. “Indeed. It appears the Lady Jenna has talent.” He then turned back to face Peter. “As do you.”
Peter nodded.
“In fact,” continued Eamon, “I should thank you for giving Sebastian some extra help. I’ve been meaning to do so myself. Perhaps I could just join these sessions.”
Sebastian, who was taking a sip of water, almost choked. “I take it this means you won’t be telling Mother and Father about all of this.”
“Of course not, Sebastian. It’s good to see you taking your training seriously and getting your head out of those books of yours on occasion.”
“Thanks, Eamon,” Sebastian replied.
“Come, Brother, I’m being honest. I want to help. I do not mean to put down your talents, Mr. Mallory, which are considerable, but it would be fun.” Eamon beamed at Jenna. “And I am decent at swordplay.”
“Swordplay?” said Jenna, hoping against hope he might be willing to teach her.
“Yes, does that interest you, Lady Jenna?”
Jenna smiled and looked at her brother, but Peter did not look so amused. “I’m not sure that is wise, Your Highness. If anyone found out we were teaching a Lady to hold a sword, it would at least cause a major scandal.”
Eamon waved his hand. “Our laws against women holding swords are ridiculous. My father should have dismissed them long ago. I think he will soon anyway.” Peter still frowned. “And I can also assure you that if we are ever found out, I will claim full responsibility,” Eamon added.
Jenna once again looked to her brother, who sighed. “All right,” he agreed.
Sebastian just shook his head and shrugged.
“Thank you, Your Highness,” said Jenna, smiling.
“You are most welcome, My Lady. It would be a privilege to train someone as talented as you are.” The Prince bowed. As Jenna looked upon Eamon’s handsome smiling face, she was already looking forward to her next lesson.
Chapter 17
Jenna found her new combat training under Eamon’s instruction to be a thrill, but unfortunately they did not get too many sessions together before the winter freeze. Foul weather and snow then kept the group from meeting, and she hadn’t even had a chance to start training in swordplay. She cursed the blasted white stuff on her walk back from Harcourt Tower after her magic lesson one winter morning. This was something almost entirely new to her since it never got cold enough to snow in her Salara home on the seashore. She already felt awkward wearing gowns at court, and now she had even more trouble staying on her feet.
About a quarter of the way down the path she failed to notice a small patch of ice, and as her foot flew out from beneath her, she braced herself for a fall, but suddenly someone behind her grabbed her arm, and she regained her balance.
“You okay, Jenna?”
She looked up and was pleasantly surprised to find that her unexpected savior was none other than Prince Sebastian. “Yes, thank you, Sebastian.”
He smiled. “Happy to be of help. Good thing I happened along to see you.”
“Shouldn’t you be in classes?” Jenna asked as they continued down the path together. She knew the knight trainees had exams this week before the winter holiday, which included the rapidly approaching winter ball.
“I finished my history exam early, and thought I would spend some time outdoors while I had the chance.”
Jenna laughed and shook her head.
“What do you find so funny?” asked the Prince.
“Oh, just that I can imagine you would find history classes quite dull.”
He smiled in return. “Well, it is true that I already know quite a bit.”
“Do you have any more exams?”
“No, finally finished the last, as has your brother, well that is when he finishes his history exam. I imagine it won’t take him too much longer. He’s smart, Peter, like you.”
Jenna shrugged. “People say I learn quickly, but Peter likes to remind me that if I were that brilliant, I would know how to keep my mouth shut.”
Sebastian laughed. “Don’t worry too much, Jenna. Your… unreserved nature saved my life. I will always be grateful for it.”
Jenna smiled and even blushed a bit as she looked into the Prince’s eyes. “Well, I’m glad you found me anyway,” she replied. “Not only to prevent me from falling, but we haven’t seen each other in a couple of weeks because of the dratted weather.”
“Not used to it are you?”
“Not at all.”
“Well, I find it has its charms. You don’t find the grounds to have a certain beauty after a fresh snow?”
“It’s not too bad, I suppose, as long as I don’t want to go out and do anything in it.” She sighed.
“You remind me of Eamon. He too is going stir crazy with the winter. He will challenge me to play games just to do something and then storm off when I start to win. I was almost relieved when he threatened to head south with Sir Gerard for the warmer weather after the ball. Father won’t let him though.”
Jenna chuckled. “I can imagine he’d be a bear to deal with in the winter, but I can sympathize. I miss seeing him, too. Combat training was always my favorite thing to look forward to.”
“We can still meet to discuss magic if you like. We could even meet more often without regular classes for a couple weeks. Are yours nearly done?”
“Yes, and that sounds wonderful. The Queen won’t mind?”
He smiled. “As long as we don’t go off alone.” He shook his head. Jenna sensed there was something he wasn’t saying.
“What is it you aren’t telling me?” she asked.
“Nothing really.”
“I am a mind reader you know, a poor one, but I know you’re hiding something.”
He sighed. “Eamon’s been teasing me about being a ‘ladies man.’” He rolled his eyes.
Jenna blushed a deeper red.
“I’m sure if we continue to meet he’ll get worse, but don’t worry. I know how to deal with him.” He leaned in closer to whisper. “My magic is at least good for a few things.”
Jenna smiled. She didn’t fully understand how Sebastian’s magic worked, but could speculate it might be useful for shutting up troublesome siblings. She envied him.
“I wish my magic could do that.”
Sebastian nearly laughed. “But it does! You could learn everybody’s secrets.”
“No. I could try and then just end up with a headache. And Lord Harcourt would sense what I failed to do, then scold me for trying.”
Sebastian shook his head. “Sometimes I forget you train in the Tower. What’s it like there anyway?”
“You’ve
never been inside?”
“No, though presumably I will for my final magic testing. Everyone who is level six or seven does.”
Jenna shrugged. “I haven’t even seen much of it myself, just the base. The inside feels surprisingly warm given the Tower’s harsh exterior. I just wish…” Jenna’s voice trailed off. She didn’t want to say anything about the high mage that would get her into trouble.
“You were going to say something?”
Jenna bit her lip. “I just wish mind magic were easier to learn. My foreign magic doesn’t require any training, but the mind-linking can leave me exhausted.”
Sebastian shrugged. “I’m sure it will get easier with practice and study. Which reminds me, what time should we arrange to meet?”
“Um, today I still have some classes and then a performance tonight.”
“Performance?”
“A singing performance.”
“You sing?”
“Yes.”
“Is there anything you don’t do?”
“Oh, well, I can’t draw or weave. My needlework is always full of holes, and I think my protocol instructor has asked the Queen at least twice to send me home.”
Sebastian chuckled. “How about next Sevday, after the ball?”
“Should we meet in the library before prayers?”
“Sounds excellent, I will see you then. Good luck tonight, Jenna, and enjoy the Midwinter Feast.”
Jenna gave him a small curtsy as he bowed and walked off. She then headed in the direction of the stables, but before she got there, she saw a group of Ladies walking toward the West Wing, and they were not dressed for riding. Instead they were holding bows. Aylin smiled, and Jenna walked up to her.
“Aylin, where is everybody headed?”
“Jenna! Um, hello.” The Princess smiled. “We are headed to archery practice. The Queen told us after the magic lesson.”
Jenna remembered vaguely Sir Raymond mentioning the Ladies did this in winter. “Should I come along then?”
“Well…” Aylin blushed a bit. “The other Ladies said since you are not a noble, you will not be allowed on the Hunt, so there is no point.” She just shrugged. “Sorry, but we’ll see each other later.” She ran off to rejoin the group.
Jenna sighed and headed to the East Wing alone. She felt sad to miss out, but there was nothing she could do.
As she entered the grand foyer, she thought she would just head up to the dormitory to get a book to read, but Mrs. Hawes stopped her.
“Miss Mallory, the Queen wishes to speak with you.” Once again, the proctor led Jenna up to the Queen’s study where Her Majesty awaited. Jenna sat down across from her.
“I had Mrs. Hawes bring you here because the other Ladies are practicing archery for the Hunt.”
“Yes, Your Majesty, I heard. I saw them on my walk from the Tower. Aylin mentioned that the Hunt is only for the nobility.”
“Yes, well, it is true that historically only the nobility hunt, but it is also true that normally the there are no knights or Queen’s Ladies without noble blood. Of course you do have some noble blood.”
Jenna’s brow furrowed.
“I have discussed this with the King and have done some research with the palace archivist. We agree that there would be no harm in letting you and your brother accompany the Hunt once you are of age.”
Jenna smiled. “So I may join the other Ladies?”
The Queen smiled in return. “That is what you want then?”
“Yes, very much. Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“Very well, then there is only the matter of a bow. Normally the Ladies have special ones made or use heirlooms. I can allow you to use one from the palace stores, or you may wait and send for one.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I would like to use my own.”
“You will send for one then?”
Jenna grinned mischievously.
It didn’t take her long to grab the bow out of the linen chest, but she was lucky the room was still empty since guests would soon be arriving for the winter ball. She nearly ran toward the indoor training facilities in the West Wing. Normally only the knights would use them, but she supposed this was the exception.
She cautiously opened the door to the training room and found the Ladies with Master Durand. He was using Aylin for a demonstration, but stopped when he heard someone enter. He smiled when he saw her, and all the Ladies then turned their heads in her direction. Aylin also began to smile, but Jenna couldn’t help noticing the scowl on Crystelle’s face.
“Welcome, Miss Mallory, please join us,” said Durand. “I was just showing…” His voice trailed off, and his expression changed as he got a closer look at the weapon that Jenna carried. “May I ask where you got that bow?”
Jenna smiled. She looked around at what the other Ladies carried and saw her weapon was a bit different, somewhat larger and also carved differently. “It was made by the Rahtani. I got it when visiting the desert.”
Durand held out his hand. “May I see it?”
“Certainly.” She was about to hand it over before wrenching it back. She had nearly forgotten the bow might burn him. The other Ladies began to whisper to each other, wondering at both how she would have acquired such a bow as well as her strange behavior.
“Miss Mallory, is there a problem? May I see it or not?” Jenna bit her lip, but realized all was not lost. She felt magic in the bow and, using her training, attempted to make it safe for him to handle. She linked her mind to the object, sending it strong thoughts of the word ‘friend’ as she handed it over. He did not flinch when he grasped it, and Jenna silently let out a sigh of relief.
“It’s fine craftsmanship,” Durand continued, as he gave it close scrutiny. “From whom did your family purchase it? It must have cost a rather large sum.”
“It was a gift.”
“A gift from whom?”
“A family friend.”
“He gave it to you? What was his name?”
“Yes. It was to me, but I don’t remember his name now. It was some years ago. I was only five at the time.”
“Five years old?” Durand’s expression turned to pure shock. “And you were trained with this?”
“Well, no. Father wouldn’t let me, until now of course.” She smiled, but as she noticed that the other Ladies still looked at her askance wondered if Sir Raymond would soon owe her another debt of gratitude.
Durand pulled the bowstring back, smiling while he did so. “It is a fine weapon, but we may have a problem. Who strung this bow for you?”
“Oh, well…” Jenna realized she had no idea. It just appeared in her luggage that way. “I’m not sure.”
“Not sure? Well, I’m afraid, Miss Mallory, that this is a weapon you will need to work up to. Tobin!”
“Yes, Master Durand,” the young stable hand was nearby, assisting with some equipment.
“Fetch one of the training bows from storage for Miss Mallory.” Jenna’s face fell, but she didn’t try to argue.
Durand handed her weapon back. “Just put this one down and wait for Tobin.” He proceeded with the lesson, returning to Aylin to show the Ladies the basics of how to stand properly with their feet about shoulder-width apart and how to hold the bow to make a rest for the arrow. He then explained how to properly nock the arrow, so it would fly true.
Eventually they were ready for their first draw. Tobin had returned with a much less exciting weapon, but Jenna still eagerly grabbed an arrow ready to try it out anyway. It was just a practice arrow, not those that had come with her bow. She had left those behind, figuring it would be more appropriate to use the same arrows as everyone else.
She nocked her arrow into place and drew it back, aiming it toward her target in one smooth motion as Durand had shown her. She then released the tension in her hand to let the arrow fly. She was happy to see it hit the target, set at a distance of fifteen yards. She quickly grabbed another arrow to continue to practice and hone her aim.
After she had made three shots, she looked down at her Rahtani bow and frowned. Despite what Durand had said, she still wanted to give it a try. What harm could it do?
She picked it up and pulled back the string. It definitely took more of her strength, but not enough to make her waver. She released the arrow, and it hit the target, her most well-aimed shot yet. It was then she noticed the room was a little too quiet. She looked around to see the other girls staring at her, but it wasn’t their reaction that made Jenna’s blood run cold. Durand was staring at her along with another man, one she recognized: Lord Fyrian.
Jenna knew that it had been several months since her escapade in the West Wing stables and her ride on Storm. She prayed that meant he wouldn’t recognize her, but her heart started beating faster when he began to examine the results of the archery practice.
“Crystelle of Merrin, excellent as usual,” he said. Jenna was slightly envious of Crystelle’s aim. She had apparently been training for some time. “Princess Aylin, well done. Most promising.” The Princess curtsied and smiled. He then walked over to Jenna’s target. He stared at it briefly before walking up to her directly, Durand trailing just behind. “May I see your weapon?”
Jenna just nodded as her heart rate increased even more. She used her magic in the same fashion as with Durand and handed it over. Fortunately, he too did not flinch.
As he examined the bow he spoke again. “Durand, would you so kindly move the target back to twenty yards and bring the arrows here?” Durand complied, and when he came back to stand with the group, the rest of the Ladies had gathered around to watch. Lord Fyrian drew the arrow back and released it. The arrow flew straight and hit the center of the target. “Indeed a fine weapon. Now you again, Miss Mallory.”