Elf Sight

by Avril Sabine

  “If you’re sane enough to be worth bringing back,” Shadow muttered.

  “Don’t tell me what you saw. I don’t want to think about it next time I’ve got to use a portal tower,” Thornton said. “Now, let’s go to the castle.”

  “I’m heading for the barracks,” Gwyn said as they headed outside to see a city sprawled in front of them, numerous lights holding the night back.

  “And me,” Iain agreed.

  “I’ll let Carson know where you can be found when he returns,” Thornton said.

  “We don’t need to go to the castle,” Shadow protested when Thornton led them towards the imposing building that towered over the city.

  A stone bridge spanned a moat that surrounded the castle and was the only entrance. Guards lined the bridge, lanterns hung at intervals. It was the largest building Shadow and Irlan had ever seen. It was even larger than the fortress.

  “Surely an old building like that doesn’t scare you,” Thornton teased.

  “Of course not.” Looking up at the castle made Shadow feel insignificant. “I just don’t think we need to go there.”

  “Come on. Procrastinating will only make it harder.” Thornton strode ahead of them.

  There was a murmur through the guards he passed as they realised who it was. “My lord,” each guard said as he passed, bowing low. Thornton paid them no attention as he walked along the bridge. Shadow followed, Irlan by her side. They received shallower bows since they accompanied the prince.

  At the massive front door, Thornton turned to grin at them. “Manage to live through that?” He turned back to the guards. “Open.”

  “Yes, my lord.” The guards bowed low and then pushed hard on the massive doors, which swung slowly open.

  Inside the door, a servant rushed forward and took the saddlebags Thornton carried. Shadow protested when he would have taken hers.

  Thornton waved him away. “Fetch my parents and have a meal prepared. I’ll be in the breakfast room. It’ll be quieter there. Come,” he threw over his shoulder to Shadow and Irlan as he moved across the room. They hurried to keep up.

  “How do you remember your way around here?” Shadow asked once they were seated in the breakfast room at a polished timber table.

  “You learn. I’ve had twenty-one years to learn the layout,” Thornton said as servants entered the room. “Ah, food. Help yourselves, I’ve missed this service.”

  A petite blonde burst into the room, followed by a man who it was easy to see was Thornton’s father. He carried a few extra pounds and had silver in amongst the black strands of his hair.

  The woman threw herself at Thornton, weeping. The jewelled rings and diamond necklace at her throat caught the light as she pulled back from her son, still holding onto him. She looked around the room. “Where’s your brother?” There was fear in her voice.

  “Mother, please, Carson is fine.” Thornton untangled his mother’s arms from him. “Let me introduce you to our guests. Irlan, Shadow, these are my parents. Nickel and Brisa. Or should I say King Nickel and Queen Brisa of Relthon?”

  “I have a letter from Carson.” Shadow rose awkwardly to her feet and took the parchment from her belt pouch.

  “That’s his cloak.” Brisa frowned at Shadow as she took the letter.

  “He’s very generous. I was cold.” Shadow’s words trailed off when Brisa read the letter, ignoring her.

  “Well. I’ll have a chamber prepared for each of you,” Brisa said frostily when she had finished the letter.

  “Mother! What has he written to have you act like that? This woman saved my life. She has elf sight.” Thornton strode forward and took the letter from his mother.

  “That’s none of your business.” Brisa tried to snatch the letter back.

  Thornton let her after he had briefly read what was written. Nickel then took the letter from his wife.

  “Is nothing private around here?” Brisa demanded.

  “She turned him down,” Thornton said.

  “And so she should,” Brisa sniffed.

  “He won’t tolerate interference,” Thornton warned.

  “And I won’t tolerate being discussed like I’m not here.” Shadow still stood at the table. “I have better things to do than wait around here, freezing to death.” She turned to go. She’d been through too much to ever stand by meekly and let someone walk all over her.

  “Wait,” Nickel ordered. “Carson requests we make you welcome.” He shot a look at his wife. “It’s the least we can do for our youngest son. He asks so little of us.”

  “Only until he returns. My Pa is expecting to find me here,” Shadow said.

  “And who is he?” Nickel asked.

  “Gil Morgan.”

  “A fine man. Quite a hero,” Nickel said.

  “Really?” Shadow asked incredulously.

  Nickel nodded. “I’ll have to tell you all about it while you’re here. Now, I’m sure you’re famished and tired. We’ll leave you to eat and then servants can show you to rooms we’ll prepare for you.” He and his wife left the room. Brisa went amidst protests she had barely seen her son.

  “You do realise you’re meant to bow to the king and queen, don’t you?” Thornton asked.

  Shadow shook her head. “Was I?”

  Thornton laughed. “I’m going to enjoy having you here.”

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Shadow slowly sat up, pushing the bedding aside as dread pooled in her. She wasn’t looking forward to another day of boredom and being reminded how useless she was by the court ladies. She eyed the dress laid out on the wooden chest at the foot of her bed, wishing she could return to wearing Irlan’s old clothes. Her eyes closed as she tried to force herself to feel some enthusiasm. There had to be something seriously wrong that a week of castle living made her yearn for the army. There were probably a million people who’d jump at the chance to change places with her.

  She forced herself to her feet. They weren’t going to have her hiding in her room. Brisa already thought little enough of her as it was. Yanking her soft linen nightgown off, Shadow slipped the dress on. The folds of the garment fell around her legs, hindering her movement when she tried to stride across the room. Taking smaller steps, she slid her feet into the black cloth shoes by her door and ran her fingers through her hair. As one of the court ladies had pointed out, it was a waste of time trying to do anything with hair as short as hers.

  Reaching for the door, Shadow paused, trying to remind herself she’d promised to stay. Promised Gil she’d wait for him here if he looked out for Carson. She leaned forward, resting her forehead on the timber door. She couldn’t do this, not anymore. She’d rather face down a hundred archers. A knock on her door caused her to jump away from it.

  Another knock. “Shadow? You in there?”

  Relief coursed through her and she opened the door to her brother. “Yes.”

  “You’re not hiding are you? It’s not like you to still be in bed at this hour, but no one had seen you, so…” he finished his sentence with a shrug.

  Shadow’s eyes narrowed. As always her brother seemed to be getting the better part of the bargain with his new clothes and the sword that hung at his side. “No.” The word was sharp. “What do you want?”

  “I’m going into the city. I’m meeting a merchant for the midday meal at one of the taverns there. Do you want to join us?”

  “No.”

  “What’s wrong with you? Isn’t this what you wanted?” He waved his hand around. “You’re free. No more serving drunks, no more being dragged around the countryside with the army, no more orders. You’ve been sulking for days.”

  “Get out of my way. I’ve got things to do.” She pushed past her brother and tried to stride down the hall. Instead her legs became tangled in her skirts and she landed on the thick carpet that did nothing to cushion her fall. The hard stone beneath caused her to curse. Laughter brought her head up and she caught sight of Lady Krisa on Thornton’s arm.

  “Breeding a
lways tells.” Krisa’s lips twisted in a mocking smile.

  Thornton dropped her arm and stepped forward. With a glance at Krisa, he said, “It certainly does.” He held out a hand to Shadow at the same time as Irlan stepped forward to offer his hand.

  “Leave me alone.” She rose to her feet, sending a glare around the hallway before she retreated to her room, slamming the door closed. Anger, humiliation and tears vied for supremacy. She ripped the dress from her body and left it in a pool on the floor, ignoring the repeated knocks on her door. Flinging open the chest, she pulled out the worn clothes she’d lived in for months. This was her. Not the finery on the floor. The pale blue silk belonged to someone else. Some lady. As she’d told Carson, she wasn’t a lady.

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, she pulled on her boots and looked down at herself. Dressed in her brother’s cast offs and boots, that were starting to wear through in several places, she felt more comfortable. But she still didn’t know what she was. Not a lady, not a barmaid. Where did she belong?

  Rising to her feet she knew one thing. It wasn’t here. This castle wasn’t her place. She pulled the door open and froze when she saw Thornton lounged against the wall opposite her. A glance in both directions showed Irlan and Krisa were gone. Shadow crossed her arms over her chest. “What do you want?”

  Thornton pushed away from the wall with a smile, offering her his arm. “My lady?”

  “I’m not your lady. I’m not anyone’s lady.”

  His smile became a grin. “Then let’s remedy that.”

  Shadow’s eyes narrowed and she continued to stare at Thornton. “What are you planning?”

  “A surprise. Do you trust me?”

  She shook her head. “Not at all.”

  Thornton laughed. “Then how about you humour me. I am the prince.”

  “Only when it’s convenient.”

  Thornton nodded. “I can’t argue that. But sometimes I still happen to be one when it’s inconvenient too.” He reached out and tugged on her arm until she uncrossed them. He placed her hand on his forearm. “We have places to be.”

  “What places?” Shadow walked alongside him.

  “Surprising places.”

  “You can be really annoying sometimes.”

  Thornton nodded. “I’ve heard that before. Never believed it though because it’s always Carson who says it. I did say you’ve been hanging around him too much. See, you’re even starting to think like him.” He grinned. “Isn’t that a terrifying thought?”

  Shadow tried to hold onto her anger. “You’re also an idiot,” she muttered.

  Thornton laughed. “Come. The horses should be ready.”

  “Horses?”

  “You don’t understand the meaning of surprises, do you?” He led her down the stairs at the end of the hallway. “Never mind. I shall endeavour to teach you.”

  “Why were you near my room? Your suite is nowhere near our rooms. Nothing is near our rooms. Are you sure your mother didn’t have some dark, distant attic she could have shoved us in?”

  “I came to see you.”

  “Why?”

  “That is something for later. For now,” he gestured towards the horses at the front of the castle. “Your ride awaits.”

  With another suspicious look at Thornton, she mounted the horse. She guessed anything had to be better than spending another miserable day in the castle. Several hours later she began to rethink that thought. Thornton dragged her from tailors to cobblers and then made her wait at the front of an armoury while he collected a parcel. The one place she would have been interested in visiting he refused to let her enter. She was still glaring at him when they arrived at a tavern, after midday, for a meal.

  “Maybe food will put you in a better mood,” Thornton said as they were shown to a private parlour. “When did you eat?”

  “Last night.” She waved the waiter away when he tried to seat her.

  “You should have said something.”

  “Would it have made a difference?”

  Thornton grinned. “I would have grabbed an apple for you to eat on the way.”

  “Nothing could have improved all that poking and prodding. I’ve already been measured enough times. How many more dresses do you think I need?”

  Thornton stared at her a moment. “Give it a few hours and I think you’ll change your mind. Stop glaring at me and order something to eat.” He beckoned the waiter forward who had retreated to the wall near the door. “Today’s special for me.” He turned to Shadow. “And you?”

  Shadow shrugged. “That’ll do.” Anything to get this trip over and done with.

  The moment the waiter had left the parlour Thornton lifted the parcel onto the table and slid it towards her. He then pulled a folded letter from his belt pouch and handed it over. “Read this first.”

  “What is it?” She stared at the letter.

  “Read it and find out. You can read, can’t you?”

  A glance at Thornton and then her eyes were drawn to the folded parchment. She slowly opened it, to see bold handwriting filled part of the page.

  Chapter Thirty

  ‘Shadow, I have asked Thornton to arrange a present for you. We could not have completed the mission without you. I will see you as soon as loose ends are tied up. Your father is well and in good spirits if his constant threats to castrate me are any indication. My men miss you and there are times I wish you were still with us, but at other times I am glad you are not forced to play this cat and mouse game. I hope you enjoy my gift, it was once mine many years ago. Love Carson.’

  Shadow folded the letter and tucked it into her belt pouch. “When did you get the letter?”

  “It was with this morning’s dispatch.”

  “And you waited this long to give it to me?”

  “He wanted you to have the letter and the gift at the same time.” Thornton gestured towards the parcel. “Are you going to open it?”

  Shadow stared at the parcel a moment longer until, with a nod, she began to untie the string that held the wrappings closed. When the wrappings were spread across the table, a sword sat amongst them, a scabbard beside it. She reached out a finger and ran it down the middle of the blade, feeling carvings that were worn in some places. She rose to her feet and lifted the blade, checking the weight. “This was Carson’s?”

  “Yes. Back when he was a skinny little kid that would have been knocked over in a good breeze.”

  Shadow’s daggered look did nothing to repress Thornton’s grin. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

  Thornton laughed. “That you had best sheath your sword, you’re making my guards nervous.”

  Shadow glanced behind her and saw two men she had seen on and off during the day. Their hands were on their sword hilts and one of them strode towards the parlour. “We’ve had guards with us all day?”

  “They’ve been trained to be discrete. I don’t like having them under my feet.”

  Shadow reached for the scabbard. “That might be why you ended up kidnapped.” She undid her belt and slid the sheathed sword onto it.

  “Maybe.” He waved the guard back. “But I have nothing to fear with you at my side.”

  Shadow snorted as she sat at the table. “Then you are in trouble. I’d probably end up in the dirt at their feet.”

  “That was only because you were wearing that ridiculous dress.”

  “See, you do know I’m not a lady.”

  “You are a lady, just not the sort that needs to primp and pose all day. And I shouldn’t have needed Carson’s letter this morning to point that out to me.” He glanced behind her and pushed the wrappings onto the floor. “Finally. I don’t know about you, but I could eat a pig.”

  Shadow breathed in the scents of the meal as it was placed in front of her. “A good thing the special is roast pig.” Her eyes narrowed. “But you probably knew that before you ordered.”

  Thornton smiled in answer and gestured towards her meal with his fork. “Eat. We have places to
be later.”

  Shadow groaned. “No more shopping. Please.”

  “Eat.”

  Knowing it would be impossible to get another word from him, she did as ordered. But only because she was starving and the food was making her mouth water.

  Once the meal was ended, Thornton returned with her to one of the tailors where an outfit of black trousers and a dark red shirt and black vest had been altered to fit her. At the cobbler dark brown leather boots waited and Shadow soon rode beside Thornton in her new finery with the promise of the rest to be delivered to the castle.

  “Where to now?” Shadow glanced around when they stopped in front of a large guarded building.

  “Here.” He dismounted and waited for her to do the same. “Some friends of yours were wondering where we were keeping you.” He nodded behind her.

  Shadow turned to see Iain, Gwyn and Perrun in the doorway. She grinned when they waved at her in greeting. Shadow turned back to Thornton. “Thank you.”

  Thornton shook his head. “I am the one who can never thank you enough. Your gift saved my life. I am eternally in your debt. And Shadow, don’t you ever forget that. The Lady Krisa and all her cronies together aren’t worth one of you. Don’t let them treat you like you’re insignificant. Not a one of them could have done what you did, regardless of your gift.” He glanced behind her. “I think your friends are getting impatient. When you’ve finished visiting the barracks see that someone rides back with you to the castle. Carson would never forgive me if something happened to you.”

  Shadow nodded.

  Thornton smiled. “I’d never forgive me either.” He beckoned a boy forward and gestured for him to take Shadow’s horse. “Go have some fun. I’ve barely seen you smile since we arrived.”

  Shadow could only nod before she turned away and ran to Iain, throwing her arms around first him, then Gwyn and Perrun. She held Perrun at arms length. “You’re well? When did you get back?” Her eyes dropped to his legs. “She was able to save it.”

  Perrun nodded, his face bright red. “My Lady-”