by Emma Miles
Catya beamed at her. Rosa looked at her in surprise.
‘Well, let’s get to it!’
***
Kesta chose a blue dress with silver embroidery and also wore the leaf necklace Jorrun had gifted her. Rosa wore a lighter blue and lent Catya a simple silver chain. Kesta paused at the door to the great hall, took in a deep breath and called up her knowing. She picked up on both her companions’ excitement and pride and she amplified it to drown out any anxiety. Catya opened the door and Kesta strode through with Rosa a step behind her. They had been keeping watch out of the window, so they knew Jorrun had just arrived. He stood at the back of the hall talking to Tantony and both men stopped to look up as they approached. Kesta noticed that Tantony’s eyes didn’t leave Rosa.
‘I thought you might wear the trousers,’ Jorrun said with his face so expressionless most would have missed his humour.
‘I work with the weapons I have to hand.’ Her mouth stretched to a grin and for a moment Jorrun’s composure slipped, and a smile lit his eyes.
‘Do you need more weapons?’
‘I need a good quality dagger for Rosa and Catya.’
‘Are you training assassins now?’
‘No, I am training more weapons.’
‘I see. Have you decided who your enemy is?’
She hesitated, her eyes still fixed on his, her heart beating faster.
Rosa coughed; the king had entered the room with his young servant. Jorrun span about to bow and Kesta dipped in a curtsy.
‘Come now, let’s eat.’ Bractius clapped Jorrun on the back, all amiability.
The room had filled with warriors and their families and as soon as the king was seated they fell upon the food. Older children and a few women rushed forward to pour wine and lay out more dishes. Jorrun indicated with his head that Kesta should take the chair to the king’s right, while he himself took the seat to his left. Rosa moved around to sit on Jorrun’s other side. Tantony moved down to the top of the lower table and Catya took a jug of wine from one of the children. The king piled his plate high with meat and tore the heel off a loaf. Jorrun had taken a thin slice of venison and a few carrots and Kesta saw Rosa offering him some potato from a dish to her left. She looked about and Catya darted forward to pick up a dish of pastries stuffed with vegetables and goat’s cheese. Kesta took two with a nod of thanks and, after pouring her some wine, Catya stepped back.
‘So; tell me more of your plans for the hold.’ The king glanced at Jorrun and then turned to smile at Kesta. She outlined her intentions, and he nodded as he ate. ‘It’s been many years since we had raiders this far inland, but it wasn’t unusual in my great-grandfather’s time. It’s good to see you so quickly making Elden your home.’
She started at his words; was that what she was doing? Blood rushed to her cheeks at the thought people might perceive her actions as her abandoning her own land and so readily accepting this one rather than the truth that she’d been forced into it. She looked down, blinking rapidly and drawing her hands into her lap to clench her fists.
‘It’s in the nature of my people to make the best they can of even a bad situation,’ she replied, and she saw his eyes harden to wariness. As tempted as she was to call up her knowing she didn’t want Jorrun to know that she spied on the king too often. ‘I’m enjoying the hard work and delighted to be of use to Elden,’ she added more diplomatically. He clearly wasn’t fooled.
‘It’s understandable that you’d be unhappy at being taken from your people and your expected life; but this was important. Very important.’
‘It would help if I understood your reasons and your plans.’
He drank down his wine and then put a large sliver of meat in his mouth. ‘I’m not used to discussing matters of war with women. We are working to save both Elden and the Fulmers,’ he replied eventually.
She clenched her jaw and took in several slow breaths to calm her anger. ‘Will you allow Jorrun to tell me everything?’
Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jorrun freeze.
Bractius sat back and looked at her. She held his gaze as he seemed to try to assess her, perhaps adding her worth against her faults.
She took a risk. ‘He told me he was a slave.’ She tried to put both insult and humour into the remark.
It worked; Bractius let out a bark of a laugh and reached past her to thump Jorrun hard on the back. ‘A slave!’
Several of the warriors looked up, wondering what had so amused the king. He turned and spoke softly to Kesta, his breath tickling her ear he bent so close. ‘He is no slave. I will think about what you asked.’ Then he waved at one of the girls to bring more wine. ‘This is good wine, Jorrun, not Cainridge?’
‘No, from Woodwick,’ Jorrun replied. ‘Tantony recommended it, he seems to have a good palette for wine.’
‘Not a bad trait for a Merkis.’ Bractius raised his goblet toward Tantony.
Talk turned to safer topics, trade, food, and gossip from around Elden. Bractius did most of the talking but both Jorrun and Rosa politely added to the conversation. Although the king acted merry and had his share of wine, Kesta was not fooled, she could see in his eyes that he was more alert and soberer than he pretended. He reminded her of her uncle Worvig who could drink most warriors under the table but still leap up to fight at a moment’s notice.
She was relieved when the king announced he was going to his bed. She waited a moment longer before apologising to Jorrun that she too was tired.
‘I must get back to my work, anyway.’ He stood and bowed. ‘Thank you for your patience this evening.’
He left before she could puzzle out what he meant by that and she and Rosa retreated to the south-east tower. Catya joined them quickly, a look of relief on her face.
‘I’m sorry that was such a long evening, Catya,’ she apologised. Catya shrugged and was overtaken by a huge yawn.
‘Get to bed!’ Kesta shooed her with a laugh. ‘And you, Rosa.’
Kesta went up to her own room and hopping up sat on the sill of the window facing east. Light flickered in the Raven Tower, but she could see no movement. Eventually sleepiness won over, and she blew out her candles and went to bed.
Chapter Ten
Kesta; Kingdom of Elden
The following day the king departed early, just after dawn, and Kesta left the tower to find several women and children cleaning up the great hall. Rosa and Catya had still been sleeping, and she’d decided not to disturb them. It was the first time she’d wandered the hold alone. Few warriors had come finding breakfast, and she guessed the ones that were there had just finished a night watch on the gates and walls. Tantony wasn’t in the steward’s room and there was no sign of him out in the ward. She paid Griffon a visit and also checked on Nettle, both seemed content and settled although Griffon itched to run out and stretch his legs.
‘Soon,’ she promised.
She went back out into the ward and surveyed their progress. Most of the land had now been cleared, and she decided to mark out where she wished the barn and the vegetable and herb beds to be placed. The cart where they’d been storing their tools had been moved up against the wall of the keep; probably to make the place look tidier for the king’s visit. She picked out a mallet and a saw but turning she almost walked into Adrin. She was so surprised she dropped the saw.
‘I’m glad I caught you.’ He smiled charmingly, stepping closer as she stepped back. Her hip brushed up against the cart. ‘I’m off with my men later today at the king’s command and I wanted to give you a proper goodbye.’ He reached out his hand to clasp her hair and bent his head toward her, but she managed to move aside despite being almost pinned by the cart.
‘No need to be shy.’ He grinned, and he grabbed for her with both hands. Rather than avoid him she punched him hard in the nose.
Adrin cried out in anger and clutched at his face. A small trickle of blood tracked down to his lip. She felt his rage rise and knew she had to act fast before he retaliated and really
hurt her. She drew up all of her confidence and pride, every ounce of command and hurled it with her words.
‘Jorrun is your Thane and I am his wife. How dare you presume to lay a hand on me! My friendship is not an invitation to take more! You will give me the respect I am owed!’
His fists loosened, and he spat blood.
‘You will apologise.’ She forced her breathing to slow and uncurled her own fingers, but she could still hear the rush of blood in her ears.
‘My mistake.’ He glared daggers at her. ‘I was only having a little fun.’
Were it not for her knowing she might have believed that, but his resentment for Jorrun flowed from him like a hot wind. He genuinely was a good warrior, clever and brave, but he was overlooked while the Dark Man, who barely ever lifted a blade or got himself dirty, was given all the credit and glory for saving Elden. What he refused to understand or recognise was that he was not promoted due to his dangerous arrogance.
‘You are a handsome man, Adrin, and you could be a great warrior. I wish you luck defending the coast; I am sure you will make Northold proud.’ Despite the fact her heart was pounding she picked up the saw and walked past him around the keep. She closed down her knowing and allowed her fear and anger to come. Movement caught her eye, and she saw Jorrun run out of the Raven Tower. He froze on seeing her and her steps faltered. It seemed an eternity that they stood looking at each other across the ward, her heart beating loudly in her ears; then he turned and went back inside the tower. Realising that Adrin was still close by she made her legs move and went to their pile of felled saplings to select thin trunks and stout branches to make stakes.
What had Jorrun been doing? Had he known she’d been in trouble? Had he somehow seen from the Raven Tower that Adrin had confronted her? She looked around; no, there was no way he could have seen the cart from the tower. Just a coincidence then? She would have to ask him when he came to see her tonight. She wondered if she should speak to Tantony about the confrontation. She decided against it; she’d dealt with it herself after all. She hoped she’d done so without making an enemy of the warrior; she had a feeling Adrin could cause a lot of trouble if he wanted to.
***
Rosa came to find her shortly after with Catya, and the three of them staked out the areas that Kesta wanted to mark. A few others came out and helped them begin to dig the herb bed, but with the work the king’s visit had created they didn’t do much and Kesta dismissed them early. The warriors chosen to go north to Taurmouth and fortify the coast gathered and left with much fanfare. Kesta joined Tantony to wish them well. Adrin didn’t so much as look at her; his nose looked swollen, but his eyes had not blacked. She wondered what story he’d told the other men.
After they departed Kesta and Rosa went for a ride along the shore of the lake; exploring as far as the bridge across the river. Kesta could tell that Rosa was nervous, so she kept to a walk although it left Griffon impatient and frustrated. When they got back to the gates to the hold Kesta shouted back to Rosa, ‘I’ll see you at the stables!’ Griffon needed no prompting but surged forward into a ground eating gallop. Kesta lay low against his neck and three times they circled the hold before he fell back into a walk and went without protest through the gates and back to his stable. Nip was there to take him from her and rub him down.
‘How did he do?’ the boy asked.
‘He is a wonderful horse.’ Kesta sent her feelings with the words toward Griffon. ‘He is fast, but I didn’t fear for a moment that he would let me fall.’
Nip grinned at her and patted Griffon’s shoulder.
‘You are a better horsewoman than me!’ Rosa exclaimed.
Kesta didn’t tell her it was only the second time she’d ever ridden a horse rather than a small island pony.
‘Let’s get cleaned up for dinner,’ she suggested.
***
They finished their evening meal and sat in the chairs by the fire finishing their wine. Kesta had seated herself so she could watch the doorway; but Jorrun didn’t come. Eventually she sent her yawning companions to bed, but she herself waited another hour before giving up and going up to her room. Was he angry with her for what had happened with Adrin? Or perhaps it was that she’d asked the king if he could give his permission for him to answer her questions? Then she felt a sick feeling in her stomach when she had recalled that she’d told the king Jorrun had said he was a slave. Had she betrayed a confidence? She’d spoken quietly so as not to be overheard but the king had blurted it out.
She went to the window and looked across. There was light, but it was soft and faint. With a sigh she went to the small fireplace and built it up. She felt strong enough to try walking the flame again tonight; but where should she try? She longed to see her home and feel some connection with it; but as ever the greater need was to know what the necromancers of Chem were doing. She looked deep into the flame and opened her mind to it, finding her connection with the life within. It was dangerous to daydream and allow yourself to be lost in the flame, it took great concentration and discipline to choose the path through which you wished to flow. She was not the first walker to be tempted to just let go and see where the flame took her; but did she dare?
No.
She set her thoughts toward Chem and pushed northward. It took little effort, and the flame seemed to pull her along easily until she found herself at the same docks she’d observed before. Except for three small fishing craft the docks were empty.
The dead army of Chem was on its way.
She came back to the room, her head pounding and her body chilled. She found the remainder of Jorrun’s incense and threw it onto the glowing embers. She stood with a stagger and went to the window to close it. She froze; there was no light in the window of the Raven Tower opposite. Sharp pain pushed at her eyes and she stumbled to her bed and climbed gratefully in. Sleep quickly overtook her.
***
She woke with a start from a dream of being lost in the flame and unable to find her way back. Sitting up her gaze went at once to the window. Hadn’t there always been a light in the window of the Raven Tower?
She got up and went to look. The tower appeared dark and empty. The ravens were cawing loudly and circling close to the tower.
Catya had left water out for her and she splashed it on her face, tied her hair back and dressed in her new trousers and tunic. She belted her dagger around her waist and went down to find the others. Rosa was going over the letters that Catya had drawn on her slate while the girl nibbled at some bread.
‘Catya, when do you take Jorrun’s food?’ she asked.
Catya dropped the bread. ‘Morning and evening.’
‘Have you been this morning?’
Catya stood up, her eyes wide. ‘I did, he hadn’t etten anything.’
‘Did it look like it had been touched at all?’
‘What’s wrong?’ Rosa demanded.
‘Probably nothing.’ She shook her head but knew she was lying. Perhaps … perhaps she should have walked to the tower to see if she could see inside. Would Jorrun know if she did?
‘I’m going to see Tantony.’
Rosa shot to her feet and both she and Catya followed her to Tantony’s study.
‘Good morning,’ he said, looking up with wary resignation.
Kesta came straight to the point. ‘When did you last see Jorrun?’
Tantony sat back in his chair. ‘When he said goodbye to the king yesterday. It’s usual for him to be holed up in that tower for days.’
Kesta nodded, but the frown didn’t leave her face and the words didn’t alleviate her concern. ‘He hasn’t visited for two nights,’ she admitted. ‘But he’s probably just busy.’
‘He was given a lot of work by the king.’ Tantony watched her carefully.
Kesta nodded. ‘And I had better get on with my work. I want to get the herb beds finished and planted today before the plants we were sent wither.’
‘I’ll be down later to help.’ Tantony smiled, but his
gaze turned toward Rosa.
Kesta forced a smile of her own and led her ladies back down to the hall and out into the ward. She started walking around to where she’d marked out the herb beds but stopped abruptly and turned back to face the Raven Tower. All the windows were dark, and the ravens were still unsettled. Gritting her teeth; she headed toward the tower.
‘What are you doing?’ Rosa demanded.
‘I am going to get Catya to check his breakfast tray.’
‘But you heard what Tantony sai—’
‘Catya.’ Kesta turned to the girl. ‘Is there always a light on in the Raven Tower?’
‘Yes.’
‘Are you worried?’
Catya hesitated. ‘Yes.’
‘You are making her worried!’ Rosa said. ‘You are making me worried!’
‘Look, we’ll just check.’ Kesta stopped outside the heavy wooden door. ‘Just look at the food tray you left,’ she prompted Catya.
The girl walked gingerly to the door and grasping the large ringed handle, lifted the latch and pushed it open. Kesta noticed that she didn’t use a key.
‘It hasn’t been touched either!’ Catya darted back out.
‘How unusual is that, honestly?’
Catya glanced at Rosa. ‘He never eats much but he’ll always take food up for the ravens.’
The ravens. Kesta stepped back to look up at the roof of the tower and called up her knowing. Birds were sometimes hard to pin down, but all the crow family had sharp little minds and often complex emotions; including humour. She felt their anxiety. She reached harder to see if any of the ravens would be willing to communicate and at once she was flooded with half a dozen responses. All showed her images of an empty window; two showed an arm on the carpet, palm up and fingers still.
‘Get Tantony!’ She turned to Rosa and then pushed past Catya into the tower. ‘Neither of you follow me in!’
When the door closed behind her she was plunged into darkness. After a moment, her eyes adjusted, and she could make out a wide room with no furniture but for a table on which stood the tray of untouched food. Opposite was the start of a stone stairway. She went to the foot of the stairs and drawing in a deep breath called up, ‘Jorrun? Jorrun are you okay?’