by Guy Antibes
“It’s not for me to say, Lady Worthy, but that is my opinion. This will be my first Winter’s Rise in Parth and, as you know, I have a few friends in the city. I’m not up to your level of sophistication, so I would be a bother as you pursued your own enjoyment of the holiday week, so postponing makes a great deal of sense to me.”
Sara could actually see the thought take hold in the woman. “Of course. Perhaps one night out with me might be sufficient to give you a good impression of life in the city and you really haven’t been presented to the King yet, so yes.” She nodded her head in confirmation. “We will give it a fresh start. I did have a helper and he’ll need to be told, but since I believe he isn’t presently in Parth that we’ll leave that until after the holiday week as well.”
Sara gave Grianna a totally sincere smile, even if she had an ulterior motive. The longer that West didn’t know about the changes the better. That might give Lord Northcross an opportunity to capture him and more time for Sara to spend with Klark and Dr. Hedge. She’d had a very productive twenty-four hours.
“Might I borrow Willa for a turn in the local marketplaces. I’d like to purchase some souvenirs for my brothers. It’s too late to send them for Winter’s Rise, but they’d be tickled to get something from Parth at any time.”
Grianna sighed. “Please do. I think I will return to bed. My friends exhausted me last night and I have another party to attend this evening. I’ll get some rest.”
~~~
Chapter Seven
Armed and Dangerous
The cutting cold of Parth sliced through Sara as she walked from stall to stall in a rather nice marketplace. She couldn’t spot many common people among the crowds. The smooth pavers that made up the streets were easy to walk on, but became as slick as the rounded cobbles when ice clung to them. Men would come along and throw salt on the walks.
“They don’t do such things in Obridge. Salt, who would have thought.” Sara said to Willa as they strolled through the market.
“I imagine the cost of transport is too high all of the way up there. When you live next to the sea, it’s easy to make,” Willa said.
“How do you know so much? You’d think you went to Women’s School.”
Willa laughed. “You’re the first person to catch me out. My mistress sent me there after I served in her household for a while. I’ve been to Obridge and spent some time in the school. It wasn’t what it is today. I hear you girls sit side by side with the men students. Not in my day. Ladies taught us and that was that. Still I learned my numbers and letters and a lot more. I learned to think, but I’m not as accomplished as you, Miss.”
“Sara.”
“Pardon me, Sara.”
“I think you’ve made the most of it, Willa. I’ll bet your first mistress and you were great friends.”
Willa pushed an errant strand of gray hair from her face and tucked it into her winter bonnet. “We were, for a servant and a noble. I’ve been observing how others act all my life. I admit it’s made me bitter at times after my first lady died, but that’s just part of my ‘now’.”
“My mother displayed some bitterness. I learned recently that my father resented her abilities.”
“Yes! That’s it. Resentment. For me, the other servants pulled away from me. I became a bit isolated, but my mistress encouraged me and I’ve been a housekeeper for a generation of Worthys. One and a half if you count Grianna,” Willa laughed.
The laughter surprised Sara. She didn’t know this side of Willa existed, but it made sense. Sara could empathize with the woman’s situation. An educated woman trapped in service. No longer of the servants’ world, but not one of her mistress’s either. Perhaps her mother’s and Willa’s source of bitterness were the same, the more she thought about it.
“I need something that two boys in their early teens might like,” Sara said remembering the purpose of their outing.
“Sport or weapons,” Willa said. “That’s what boys like. Knives like you have, for instance.”
Sara didn’t think that would go over very well with Ben, but then if he didn’t care about her…
“Yes. Not something to strap to their leg. Perhaps a blade that could be used for some other purpose. Is there a weapons tent?”
Willa stood thinking. “I doubt if there are any good weapons at a stall, but I do know of a regular shop that might have the novelties you seek. It’s not far.”
The walk warmed Sara up. The shop looked respectably shabby.
“Willa Waters, as I live and breathe. I haven’t seen you for some time—not since his Lordship passed away.”
“Indeed, Plant. It’s good to see you again. I supposed these years are long enough to end my mourning period if you’re of a mind.”
“I am, Willa. I am. When are your days off?”
“I’m always free of a morning, but Sixday, always.”
“Maybe we can spend an evening during the holidays and catch up on old times.”
“I’d like that.” Willa blushed. “I’m sorry Sara. Plant’s an old friend.”
“I can see. I felt like I was intruding,” Sara said, “but in a good way. I’m glad to see people meet old friends, I’ve met a few in Parth myself, Master Plant.”
He nodded. The man had quite a bald spot in the back of his head, fringed with gray. “What can I be helping you with?”
Willa looked at Sara. “I have two brothers. Early teens. I’d like to send them a souvenir of Parth and Willa suggested sports or weapons. Do you have anything that can work as something practical and double as a weapon? Like a letter opener?”
Plant put his mind to work and excused himself as he went in the back of his shop. Sara looked at the knives and swords that Plant displayed. These were much better than the weapons in the tent where she bought her knife. It gave her an idea. Willa had her back turned while Sara unstrapped her weapon.
Plant returned with his arms full of odd implements. “I’ve got some letter openers. This is a lamp snuffer, but you can see the how, that with a twist, there is a long stiff pin.” Sara picked the snuffer and a riding crop that both hid piercing implements without an edge. Seb would get the snuffer. He had the imagination to make the long pointy rod a lot of fun.
“I have another request. Do you have something like this?” She showed him her knife.
“This is yours, milady? It’s seen service.”
Sara blushed. “Indeed it has and saved my life in the bargain.”
He went in the back again.
“One on each leg, eh?”
Sara laughed, “Something like that.”
He brought back three knives that contained the scabbards. “I’ll start with the best. Now this one is a beauty. A bit longer than yours, but the blade is a superb example of Hanlese steel. It won’t break and takes a fine edge. Supple as a green willow.” He drew the blade and Sara could see the quality in the forging lines in the blade.
She grasped the flat hilt. “It makes my knife seem like a toy.”
“Yours is no toy, as you well know.” Plant said.
“I’ll take it.”
Sara paid Plant and waited outside as Willa and Plant finalized their plans. She glanced in the window to see Plant steal a kiss. Good for Willa.
“Don’t tell her ladyship about Plant, will you? I have a reputation,” Willa said, rubbing her hands as she left the shop.
“It’s about to get worse, Willa. I’m giving you my old knife. I was going to buy you a new one, but I’ve never felt such a balanced blade.”
“I won’t want to wear such a thing.”
“Yes you will. If nothing more than to defend yourself or Lady Worthy against West and any men he might bring to visit. He’ll do anything for his cause. I’ll tell you about my kidnapping some time.”
“Kidnapping?”
Sara only nodded. “Shattuk Downs isn’t always so idyllic. Remember The Gost?”
“Ah. I had forgotten. I must admit, you’ve led quite a life for one so young.”
“It’s been quite a year, Willa.”
“In that case, I will accept your gift. You say it has bitten flesh?”
“Dr. West’s limp, remember? I also had to kill a man in self-defense. The knife works and I can give you some basic lessons.”
“That might not be necessary, but a little refresher would do me well.”
“Refresher? Willa!” Sara laughed as they began their return to Lady Worthy’s. Sara didn’t even notice the cold.
~
“You want me to have Lord Northcross’ men check out a housekeeper?” Klark said as he speared a slice of roast beef with his fork. They sat inThe Pretty Penny, another restaurant close to his house on the palace grounds.
“Yes, Willa Waters. She’s Lady Grianna’s housekeeper and she currently serves me as a personal assistant. I’ve developed a close relationship with the woman and I want to be sure she’s who she says she is.”
Klark scratched his head. “I suppose, if West has popped up there.”
“It’s important to me and to my stay in Parth. Besides, she’s a very observant woman. I think Lord Northcross can use people like her. She put my message in your little box.”
“Now that’s thinking. You mean to have your own intern. If Lord Northcross has me, you will have Willa. The ages are switched!” Klark laughed and raised a flagon of ale. Sara responded by lifting her mug of mulled wine.
“She’s older than your lord, but I believe her to be a good woman, trapped in a job that doesn’t take enough advantage of her mind.”
Klark put his hand over Sara’s. His touch always sent a thrill, even if she repressed her reactions. “I’ll do it for you. So what are you doing during Winter’s Rise?”
“I’d like to spend some time in the University library looking up my lineage. You said that Hedge knew the Royal Genealogist. Could you ask him to send the letter?”
His hand left hers and plunged into his jacket. He pulled out a sealed envelope. “Hedge thought you might need this. The Genealogist’s name is on the envelope as well as a written recommendation to enter the library. Hedge has signed the front. Give this to the man. It seems that he lives at the library and is generally there.
Sara took the envelope from Klark, brushing his fingers. She felt brazen at the move, but couldn’t restrain herself. Klark didn’t even notice.
“I have something else for you,” Klark said. He snapped his fingers and the waitress brought over a box. “Open it.”
Sara looked askance at Klark. The box had ‘Pretty Penny’ printed on the front. “A slice of roast pork or a chicken drumstick?” Sara laughed as she opened it. “Chocolate! If I eat all of this, I’ll be sick.” She couldn’t help but beam. He was so thoughtful. The chocolate pieces were broken into smaller morsels.
“Don’t.”
“Don’t eat it?”
“No.” Klark laughed and took a small chunk of the candy from the box. “Don’t eat it all at once. See? I’m helping you through it.” They both laughed. Sara felt wonderful, sitting in the restaurant with Klark. It almost blocked out all of the troubles in her life.
“Your face just fell. What’s wrong?” Klark said. “Don’t you like my present?”
Sara shook her head. “It’s not the chocolate. My life is still a mess. I had a wonderful feeling with you in here, being surprised, but I can’t cast off all of what has happened in the last year and what’s about to happen. Shattuk Downs…”
Klark put his finger to his lips.
“I know.” She swatted at him. “Shattuk Downs, my family. My short time in Parth has exposed a criminal act. Perhaps it’s all too much for an eighteen year old girl.”
“A special eighteen year old, Sara. Don’t worry. Even if there are trials to come, there is no girl or woman that I know who can meet those trials like you.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead.
“Didn’t you miss?” Sara said. He then kissed her on the lips. “Three times. I’ve remembered them all.”
The door opened and a man made eye contact with Klark. “I’ll keep remembering them. I’ve been called into the presence of Lord Northcross. Save a few pieces of chocolate for me.” He pecked her cheek and left some money on the table.
Sara sat alone, absently eating another piece of chocolate, trying to recapture that one moment during their time in the restaurant that all seemed well with the world.
~
Willa walked into the Lady Worthy’s library with a note that had been delivered to their door. Sara groaned when she read that Klark might be unavailable for much of Winter’s Rise. He wrote that he was heading ‘West’. He capitalized west and that meant that Lord Northcross had believed her. Unfortunately, his absence had been the result of her observations.
“I’ll be spending more time working on the project than I thought, Willa.” Sara threw the note into the fire. “Klark is on an errand for his superior.” Lady Grianna continued her absence.
“We’ll work on refreshing your knife handling skills this afternoon and I’ll be heading for the University tomorrow.”
“I’ll arrange for a carriage. It’s too far to walk, especially in this weather,” Willa said. She moved some chairs aside, creating a large space in the middle of the library.
Sara hadn’t had much time to play with her new knife and with the rain turning to sleet this afternoon, she had no desire to take a walk. She lifted her dress and pulled her knife out. Willa did the same.
“This is still a nice knife,” Willa said. Sara noticed that the blade had been polished to a sheen, she had never been able to reach. The handle now sported a new black leather wrap. “You noticed the new grip? I didn’t like the blood on the lighter leather.” Willa shivered. “Now I’ve made this mine, and I thank you for it.”
“What do you know?” Sara said. The balance of her new knife still amazed her as she waved it.
“Again, my first mistress wanted me to be able to protect myself, so I learned to wield a kitchen knife. I used to know how to block a sword and keep my feet moving but I haven’t practiced in years.”
“Good! I haven’t for some months. Let’s begin. Stand in front of me and we’ll warm up with some exercises I learned and then we’ll go through a practice sequence,” Sara said.
Both of the women faced each other and stretched. Willa was limber for her age, but Sara would still go a little slower.
Willa breathed heavier after the exercises. “Age, Sara. It always catches up to us at some time. Now what can I do with this knife that I couldn’t do with something from the kitchen?”
“The guard is larger, so your opponent’s blade doesn’t slide down and cut your hand. The blade itself is lighter, if you have good kitchen knives, they have thicker blades to handle all of the use, but a lighter blade is easier to wield and uses a thinner sheath. If you are fighting a man with a sword or a long knife, you are better off knocking it aside. These knives are not meant to defend you in a fight against a sword. I was very lucky that West and the other man had no skill. That’s where the footwork comes in.”
“Keep moving so you can dodge a blow,” Willa said. “My intended foes would not have weapons, just man-sized fists.”
“Good, that’s the same kind of thing,” Sara said. “However, you have to be aware of the larger blade and the force that can be applied against you. With a knife, you can only hope to deflect a wielded blade and then swipe at your opponent. That’s what we will practice today.”
Willa had been taught better footwork than Sara and Sara’s handwork seemed superior. At the end of their session both women were sweating, but felt as if they had both learned enough to make themselves better.
“Are there any swords still around the place?” Sara said.
“A few in a closet. Oh. I see, one on defense and the other on offense.” Willa grinned. She seemed a bit more excited than Sara had thought she would be.
The door handle wiggled. “Is this locked?” Lady Grianna said.
“It is,” Sara said. Both lad
ies sheathed their blades and Willa mussed up the papers on the table.
Willa then opened the door.
“This room needs airing out,” Grianna said as she waved her hand in front of her face.
“My fault, Lady Grianna,” Sara said. “Willa showed me some exercises to stay fit in the winter. The weather is horrid today and I wanted to go for a walk. I’m afraid it is a little close in here.”
Grianna walked to the table and randomly examined a document. “I find other ways to exercise. I thought you weren’t going to work on the proposal.”
“I can’t really keep the project out of my mind. Even if we are starting fresh, what’s been done prompts me to think differently about our approach. I’m going to the University Library tomorrow and get a feel for the University.”
Grianna’s eyebrows rose. “You have access? I couldn’t get any.”
Sara thought furiously on how to tell Grianna the truth and keep her friends identities secret.
“Banna knows a former professor from Obridge who now works on the palace grounds. He once worked at the University and knows one of the library workers. I have a note from him that might work as a pass,” Sara said.
“Wonderful! Come up with something new.” Grianna said. “I don’t care how cold it is, Willa, open a window. Please promise me, no more exercising today.” Grianna’s steps faded up the stairs.
Both women laughed softly. “How does Lady Grianna get exercise?” Sara said.
“It’s better that you don’t know,” she gave Sara a wicked grin.
~~~
Chapter Eight
The Genealogist’s Cavern
“But I have this letter!” Sara wanted to throttle the little self-important twit that refused to read Hedge’s permission request.
“No women!” he said it as if he wanted to stick his tongue out at her.
“Will you have someone deliver this to the Royal Genealogist?”
“Go away. He just takes up library space.” The student had the temerity to shoo her away with his hand.
Sara ground her teeth and restrained the desire to pull her knife.