“Only that I remember your daughter’s birth coming just after the forests stopped growing.” Antony let a particular page fall open and leaned back triumphantly. “There it is.”
Everyone leaned in to get a better look, but it was impossible to see from afar what the scribe had written in his spidery script.
“That was also immediately following your arrival, too.” Antony looked at Peter.
Peter leaned in closer and squinted at the dates recorded in the book. “I nearly died that night.”
Antony nodded excitedly. “And we haven’t had reports of the forest growing or sightings of the olc since that night. I wonder if—” He glanced at Peter and pressed his mouth shut.
“Wonder what?” the king asked.
Peter had a dark feeling that he knew. He only wished Antony wouldn’t say it.
The look of regret that Antony was giving him made him think his friend understood. But the king had asked, and they couldn’t very well refuse.
“I wonder,” Antony said slowly, looking back down at the ledger, “if Katy has something to do with the timing of it all.”
Four pairs of eyes turned to Peter.
“Not that I’m accusing her of anything,” Antony said quickly. “Only that I wonder if this creature of the forest has some interest in her that we’re interfering with. Especially after that letter from last night.”
The strange parchment from his windowsill, still folded in Peter’s pocket, suddenly had the weight of a boulder.
Peter’s uncle stood and walked across the dark room to peek outside one of the drawn curtains. “Did your father ever say anything about this? Perhaps something about when he found the girl?”
Peter would have to tread carefully. “He said he saved her from two olcs who were trying to take her for their own.” He frowned. “But they died the night he saved her. So it can’t be one of them.”
“What was a babe doing in the forest to begin with?” Briant frowned.
“My father didn’t tell me much about how he found her. Only that her parents believed she was different, even at four weeks old, which is how old they told him she was.” He paused. “They said she could save people.” That much was true. His father had been vague with the story of Katy’s origins. He’d even hidden most of the books about magic and lore the first time he’d discovered Katy paging through one of them, and he’d never said much more about the subject, even to Peter. Of course, Peter had developed his own theories about Katy’s lineage long before that. But the others didn’t need to know the specifics. Not yet. Not before they got to know her as he did.
The others stared at him for a long moment as though he’d sprouted a beanstalk from his head. Finally, however, Antony spoke again.
“Let us suppose, then, that the same olc who assaulted the prince and grew the forests eight years ago has returned. And let us assume that he’s searching for this girl.” He leaned back in his chair. “Where do we go from there?”
“I propose a few things.” Peter stood and looked at them all. “We keep Katy close. She’s either in the castle or with one of us personally, should she need to leave the castle walls.”
“Why would she need to leave the castle?” Antony sat up in his chair, but Peter ignored him.
“Second, we begin doing rounds again.”
Tomas groaned, but Peter went on. “We’ll rotate with the other knights. One of us will accompany them or we’ll go two together. Not in the forest, but near it, just to see what is changing over time. And we’ll begin to scout for clues, starting at the two towns that were taken by the woods. We’ll be more heavily armored when we go out, too, just in case we truly find something.” He glanced back down at the ledger Antony still held open. “And I will research. There was much my father didn’t tell me.”
“Perhaps there was a reason,” his uncle said, but Peter shook his head.
“I believe he would have told me had he known he was going to die so young.” He sighed. “I don’t think he wanted me to carry the kingdom’s secrets at the age of fourteen.”
His uncle watched him for a long time. Finally, he nodded. “Very well. If you are convinced, then that is how we shall proceed.” He looked at the other knights. “Are we agreed?”
Every knight gave his affirmation and then exited as quickly as possible, anxious, Peter was sure, to be back with their families before he sent them out again. Before long, it was only Peter and Antony left. To Peter’s surprise, however, Antony went to the door and closed it before turning and facing Peter.
“You may be able to hide it from them, but I know you too well.” His dark eyes were bright, and his mouth was set in a stubborn line.
“What do you mean?”
“Don’t feign ignorance, Peter. I don’t know what it is that you’re hiding, but you’re keeping something from us. Something important.” When Peter didn’t respond, Antony sighed and ran his fingers through his neatly trimmed mustache. This time, his voice was quieter. “When you arrived that night, soaking wet and nearly unconscious, I was the one that carried you in.”
Peter blinked. “I don’t recall that.”
“I’m sure you don’t. I’d just been knighted, and it was my job to stand with the sentries that miserable night. So when we realized who you were, I was the one to bring you in to your uncle.” He took a step closer. “But before I was able to deliver you inside, you awoke with a fervor and passion that rivaled a madman’s. You fought me and screamed over and over again about saving her. Having to go back for her. Because if you didn’t, it would be too late.” Antony lowered his voice. “You said something about a promise.”
“I told you,” Peter said, trying to keep his gaze cool and steady. “I promised to go back and get her.”
“Yes, but your uncle was able to delay you for eight years. Then, suddenly, you’re off like a wild horse, promising to accept the crown after fighting it all those years before.”
“I got a letter from the firin in Downing that Katy was being hunted.”
“Ah, there it is.” Antony smiled. “So you knew she was being hunted before we even left. It wasn’t a mere cry for help from starvation or a badly thatched roof.” From Antony’s triumphant smirk, Peter knew immediately that he’d said too much. Blast.
“Sweet farm girls aren’t hunted by governors. Particularly not on a regular basis.” Antony continued. “Nor is there a time for when saving them will be too late. Now, do you wish to tell me what it is that you’re hiding?”
Peter mashed his lips shut. Some part of him desperately wanted to share, to tell his friend everything he’d seen and done and said and worried about since that fateful day. But there was too much at stake. He needed to try on his own before he risked Katy’s life with someone else who had the power to help or harm her.
“Very well then.” Antony nodded, though Peter could detect the sliver of hurt in the words. “I trust you. You have a good heart. And though I don’t understand her, I like Katrin.” He paused. “I just hope that whatever you’re keeping from us is worth their lives.” He glanced at the empty chairs around the table.
Peter swallowed hard.
“And I hope,” Antony said softly, “that it is worth the kingdom’s as well.”
Peter stared at Antony’s back as he left and closed the door behind him. How did he do that? Every single time they spoke, Antony had the ability to make Peter question himself and his choices. The only thing that prevented him from feeling too much guilt, however, was the feeling that Antony was hiding something as well.
18
Remnants
“I thought I might find you out here.”
Katy turned to find Peter walking through the tall grasses toward her.
“You really shouldn’t be outside the city gates alone, you know. It’s not safe.”
“I know.”
He bumped her shoulder with his. “Get it all out yet?”
“Not even close.” She looked at her hands. “Lady Saraid says I
’m to join everyone at supper tonight with the king. I was hoping—”
“No need to explain.” He came to stand beside her. “I understand.”
Even as he said the words, Katy felt her shoulders relax. Yes. If anyone understood, it was Peter. “How did you find me anyway?” She glanced around them at the giant gray boulders that had somehow fallen off the mountain centuries before. They had once been sharp, most likely, but years of wind had eroded their edges down to smooth curves. They were also very, very tall. She should have been hidden from view of the castle or its walls.
“I don’t know.” Peter shrugged and gave her his crooked smile. “Probably because I was stuck around you for so long.”
“It’s been a long time.”
He made a face. “Doesn’t matter. I can feel you as much as ever.” He chuckled. “But then, how the others can’t feel you is beyond me.”
She slapped his shoulder. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Are you going to finish with this or do I need to give you a deadline?”
Katy shook her head and smiled as she tried once again to concentrate on ridding herself of her power. “It’s probably not safe for you to be around when I do this, you know.”
“Since when have I been bothered by—”
“Peter, I mean it.” Katy turned to face him, all joviality gone. “It’s become much stronger.” She should tell him about the field. She knew she should. And yet the shame whispered, begged for her not to. If only she could have a little longer before he knew what darkness she was really capable of. But, if she hurt him... “I—”
“Just do it, Katy. Get it over with. The sooner you’re done here, the sooner we can go in for supper.”
Katy huffed at him, but turned and placed her hands flat against one of the boulders. It was large and flat, nearly the length of Peter and the width of four men. Closing her eyes, she gathered the dancing heat from all over her body and imagined it moving up to her hands. “If you’re determined to stay here like an idiot, at least step back a bit.”
She heard him grumble, but footsteps indicated that he was doing as she told him to. As he moved back, Katy wondered. There was so much she wanted to say but so much that she didn’t know how. How did one capture eight years of mourning and longing and loneliness and put them into words? Were there words he wanted to say as well but wasn’t? For this moment, at least, the world felt right. Just him and her and the silence of rocks and plants and animals. But deep down, she knew there was so much more.
When he was far enough away for her taste, Katy pressed down on the rock, digging her fingers into the smooth exterior as hard as she could.
The boulder groaned.
She pressed harder.
The longer she pushed, the more she could feel the heat begin to work its way into the cracks and crevices within the stone. After several minutes, the stone began to shiver as she continued to pour her power into it.
“Katy?”
Katy kept her eyes closed, reaching even deeper. The anxiety from the journey over the mountain. The pain of knowing Peter would never be hers. And if the villagers were right, the looming birthday that might just change everything.
“Um, Katy? That rock is glowing.”
Still Katy pushed harder. The unfair gap between herself and Lady Saraid. The way she’d felt when Peter looked at her back in the ravine. The fear in Peter’s voice as he tried to warn her even now.
The boulder shivered once more before giving way. Katy opened her eyes just in time to see it turn to powder and float to the ground.
Part of her wanted to start running and not look back. She wasn’t sure she could bear to see the disgust, or worse, the horror in his eyes now that he’d witnessed what she could do. Before she could really consider leaving, however, she sensed him standing right beside her.
“Wow.”
She turned. “Wow?”
He was staring at the pile of dust where the boulder had been. “You really are stronger.” Then, to her surprise, he grinned down at her. “That was amazing!”
Katy squinted up at him in the falling darkness. “I just destroyed an enormous boulder. That doesn’t bother you in the slightest?”
He reached out and pulled her in, and Katy suddenly found herself enveloped by strong arms and pressed against his chest. Regret and hope and bliss flooded her.
“You’ve always been odd,” he said into her hair.
“Um...thank you?” she said, her voice muffled by his shirt. Much to her regret and relief, he pushed her back and bent low enough to look into her eyes.
“What I mean is that I know you’re different. I don’t know why you assume I’ll expect anything different from you now than I ever did.”
Katy’s stomach turned in a ticklish sort of way, and she hurried to change the topic before she gave him the goofy, girlish grin that was threatening to appear on her face.
“What happened on the way back when Odhran sent you here? How did you survive?”
Peter bent down and picked up a round, smooth stone, the kind that was perfect for skipping across a pond. “To be honest, I have no idea. I should have died. I really thought I would.”
“Why?”
“Apparently, my father didn’t kill all the olcs when you were a baby.”
Katy thoughts went to the little whistle in her pocket, and she was immediately filled with guilt. “How do you know?”
“Remember the storm that took place the night he sent me away?”
Katy nodded. She would never forget how it felt, standing there in the rain as she shrieked his name, watching him ride off, his shadow moving farther away with each flash of lightning.
“The storm grew worse the closer I got to the forest. The trees weren’t so close to the road back then as they are now, but they were close enough. If I stopped and studied them, I could see the shadow staring at me from the trees whenever lightning lit the sky.”
A shiver went up Katy’s back.
“The lightning kept getting closer and closer, but when I reached the mountain and was finally able to find a shelter, the storm stopped. And I never saw him again after that. I made the rest of the journey safely.” He gave a little humorless laugh. “I guess it’s something we’ll never know.”
Katy shuddered. She should tell him about her helper in the forest. But fear kept her mouth closed. She would wait until she knew more. Yes, that was it. After all, the man who had helped her had mentioned something about a brother. It wouldn’t help anyone if she spoke too soon and stirred up confusion.
Besides, she was here with Peter alone. Couldn’t she simply enjoy the moment? Didn’t she deserve that much?
The little whistle stayed safely in the folds of her dress.
Peter looked up at the graying sky. “You ready to go back?”
No, nor would she ever be. Still, she did her best to smile and nod. She wouldn’t be alone. Peter would be there. And for this moment in time, she could be content with that.
19
Complications
Katy got back to her room just minutes before Saraid arrived with two maids and two manservants carrying a gigantic metal tub filled with steaming hot water in tow. As soon as the men had set the tub down and stepped out, Saraid ordered the maids to strip Katy down and wash her till she shone.
Katy was mortified, but she did as she was told.
“Did you go outside again?” Saraid held up Katy’s dress and squinted at it.
“I did,” Katy admitted, praying no one but Peter had seen precisely where she had gone.
The maids helped her into the bath. Once she got over the shock of being covered in warm water, she decided it was one of the grandest sensations she’d ever experienced. All of her bathing before had been done in a stream. She let out a little cry of surprise, however, when one of the women dumped a bucketful of the water on her head and began to comb her hair. But Saraid went on as if she didn’t notice.
“I suppose it must be difficul
t to be around so many people at once when you’re familiar with a small town,” Saraid said sympathetically, holding up a brown dress Katy had never seen before, then a blue one. “I brought these. They’re from someone else a little closer to your size, and they’re not as elegant as mine would have been, but they should fit better. Will that be alright with you?”
“Oh yes!” Katy exclaimed, grateful nothing more was being said about her adventure outside. The dresses could have had holes in them for all she cared, as long as her secret was still safe. “They’re far nicer than anything I’ve ever worn before.”
“Perfect. Minda, when you’re done, pin her hair up with this. And Ana, I need you to fetch her some shoes from downstairs.”
“Downstairs?” The older of the servants blinked at Saraid. “But the shoes down there are only for the s—”
“Just do it.”
Ana bowed her head a little. “Yes, ma’am. My apologies.”
“So,” Katy said, “does the king hold these suppers every night? With the majority of the court, I mean?”
“He holds them often enough, particularly whenever the knights and Peter are home. He says it makes him feel like he has a family.” Saraid brushed a lock of hair out of her face and shook her head indulgently. “He really is a dear.” Then she looked up at Katy and smiled. “But don’t you worry. It’s only the inner circle of the court. More should have liked to be invited, but Peter didn’t want you to be overwhelmed.”
Katy nodded and smiled down at the water. As always, Peter was right.
Saraid paused in the doorway. “Do you believe in Atharo, like Peter?”
Katy looked up in surprise. “His father taught us to. Do you not?”
“You’ll find most here don’t. The knights are more likely than anyone else, not that I know why.”
“Why...why do you ask?” Katy ventured.
“Oh, nothing. I just don’t want you to feel uncomfortable when we don’t pray before supper.”
“Oh. Thank you, then,” Katy said as the door shut, even more grateful that this was to be a small gathering. Still, even with the smaller crowd, Katy had the sneaking suspicion that supper would be more of a menagerie than a meal. And she would be the animal on display.
The Autumn Fairy (The Autumn Fairy Trilogy Book 1) Page 11