by Avril Sabine
Shadow sighed. As if she didn’t have enough to worry over. She’d seen that expression on Gil’s face numerous times and each time had ended in a fight. There was nothing she could do about it except hope he kept his promise to take care of Carson. She rose to her feet and opened the door to find the servant still standing patiently in the hall.
“I’m finished.”
With a nod he took away the bucket and soon returned with several other servants who scooped buckets of water from the tub before they removed the half empty container. Thornton entered as they left and Shadow suspected someone had fetched him.
“A gift.” He held out a sealed jar to her.
Shadow stared at it while her hands remained at her sides. “What is it?”
“Bruise balm.” He reached out for one of her hands and placed the jar in it.
“Isn’t this cheating?” She eyed the jar suspiciously.
Thornton laughed. “You tell me tomorrow who’s cheating when each one of your fellow students return to class with not a single bruise on them.” There was a tap on the door and he turned to open it. With a smile in Shadow’s direction, he said, “Dinner is served, my lady.”
Shadow watched as servants brought in a small round table, two chairs and numerous dishes of food that made her mouth water.
Chapter Thirty-Four
A knock on her door dragged Shadow from sleep and brought her to her feet. Still in her nightgown, she grabbed her sword that lay on the floor beside her bed and half opened her bedroom door. A servant stood there with a plate of large biscuits filled with oats and nuts, steam rising from them. In her other hand, she held out a letter.
The servant made an awkward curtsey as she tried to hold the plate steady. “My lady, I had orders to bring these to you before you left for training.”
Shadow leaned her sword against the wall by the door and took the plate and letter. The servant curtseyed again, more graceful this time, before she turned and fled. Shadow smiled. It seemed to be a common reaction among the servants. She closed her door with a bump of her hip and returned to her bed, sitting the plate beside her so she could open the letter.
‘Shadow, One of my favourite memories as a child was sneaking out of the nursery early in the morning while only the servants were awake and going to the kitchen, which was filled with the smells of freshly, baked bread, pastries and biscuits. The cook always made my favourite ones when she knew I was home. Filled with oats, a mixture of nuts and sweetened with honey. It’s a different cook now, her daughter, but still the same recipe. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. And did you like your gift? How many people have you pestered so far to teach you how to use it? I wish I was there to show you. Love Carson.’
She smiled as she took a bite of one of the biscuits. She hadn’t pestered that many people. Yet. She glanced towards her window. If she didn’t hurry and get ready she’d have to find someone else to pester because Dore would fail her.
When she reached the training grounds it was to find the other five already there. A quick search of the area showed Dore hadn’t arrived. She finished off the last of her biscuits and dusted the crumbs on her trousers as she eyed her silent companions. Not a single one of them showed any signs of the bruises they had sported yesterday afternoon and she bet like herself all their aches and pains were gone. She reminded herself to thank Thornton later then joined the line the lads started to form when Dore strode towards them.
Before Dore reached them, Jurn pressed a piece of paper into her hands. She glanced at it to see a knitting pattern. Tucking it into her belt pouch she said softy, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep it safe for you.”
Jurn ignored her, but that could have had something to do with Dore arriving and shouting at them to choose partners. She nearly groaned when Jurn turned to her, a look of retribution in his eyes. Today she was going to eat dirt if he had anything to say about it. Her chin came up with her hands and she waited for him to throw the first punch.
The rest of the day continued like it started. Jurn choosing her as a partner whenever possible. It was close, but she didn’t eat dirt. She had more bruises and plenty of aches and couldn’t wait to use her bruise balm, and then the moment she’d been waiting for arrived and they were standing to attention in front of Dore, the day nearly over.
He stood in front of them, stance wide, glare firmly in place. “Officer lessons tonight.” His gaze dropped on Shadow. “For anyone who thinks they have the balls to reach that level.”
Her chin rose. Screw being a willow. “I’ll see you there, sir.”
Jurn stood beside her. “Yes, sir.”
Shadow felt like groaning. Or shoving the knitting pattern down Jurn’s throat. And they called her Shadow.
“Dismissed,” Dore barked before he strode away.
Shadow watched as the squad moved away, Wirrin, Dalan and Marsh falling into step together, Vin hurrying away on his own and Jurn to jog around the training grounds. Shadow suppressed a groan and joined him, ignoring the protests of her body. She watched as he pulled away from her, his longer legs making it seem effortless. She glared at his back, her boots hitting the ground as the distance between them grew. A sparkle in the air ahead drew her attention.
A man stood, his back to her, watching Jurn run past. He was magic hid, his solid frame clothed in rich dark colours, his brown hair, with several streaks of grey, tied at the base of his neck in a stubby pony tail and a hand on his hip. Shadow met his dark eyes when she jogged past and he took a step back. When she would have had to turn around to watch him, he gave her a nod and strolled away. She stopped and watched him, standing there long enough for Jurn to pass her with a sneer.
Her sympathy evaporated. “Who was watching you?”
Jurn stopped to face her. “What?”
“The magic hid man with the pony tail and dark eyes. Had his hand on his hip as he watched you.”
His face tightened and he turned away, starting to jog again.
“I guess I could ask around.” She began to follow him.
Jurn slowed until she was beside him. “My father, Hurrin.”
“You father’s a wizard?”
“Yes.” There was a wealth of bitterness in his tone. “One of the most powerful wizards in the country. And I haven’t an ounce of magic.”
Magical talent, like elf sight was hereditary. But unlike elf sight, each descendent usually had at least a little skill. Shadow momentarily closed her eyes. She didn’t want to feel sympathy for Jurn, but what must his life have been like to be born to a famous wizard when you had no magical talent? If the disappointed expression on his father’s face was anything to go by, it hadn’t been pleasant.
She watched as Jurn pulled away from her again, promising herself once more around the grounds before she left to get ready for the officer lessons. Jurn finished before her. She watched him leave, trying to ignore the sympathetic feelings that flooded her. He wasn’t interested in friendship and he was determined she’d fail. She had to continue to treat him the same. He wouldn’t welcome her sympathy.
When she reached her room, the same servant stood at the door. She nodded in greeting before she stepped inside to use the bath waiting for her and eat the tray of food on a small table set against the wall. She pitied the servants forced to lug the furniture around for her convenience. As she was about to leave her room, she recalled the pattern in her belt pouch and dropped it inside the chest at the foot of her bed. She stared at the chest a moment before her lips curved into a smile.
Pulling the door open, she asked, “Can you get me knitting needles?”
“Yes, my lady.” The servant nodded.
“Now?”
Another nod.
“And I need someone to show me where the officer’s lessons are held.”
“If you meet me in the main hall I can fetch the needles and lead you from there,” the servant offered.
“Thanks.” She started to turn away then stopped. “What’s your name?”
“You’ve been here twice. Were you assigned to serve me?”
“No, my lady.”
“Then why are you here?”
“I serve the Captain when he’s home, my lady.”
“That doesn’t mean you have to automatically serve me. And quit calling me my lady. It’s very annoying. Shadow. It’s simple enough to say.”
“Yes, my… yes Shadow.”
“What’s going on here? Evasive answers and eyes that look everywhere but at me. I’m not an idiot.” Her hands went to her hips and she stared at the man until his green eyes met hers. He couldn’t be much older than her, maybe Carson’s age. His narrow freckled face was topped by a mess of sandy blond hair. “I’m waiting. You’re going to make me late.”
Radler sighed. “I should have known a lady of the Captain’s was sure to be difficult. Prince Thornton came to the kitchens and said there was to be a bath in your room for you when you finish training. And the nights he isn’t to dine with you, a meal.”
“So you took it upon yourself to follow his orders?”
Radler shook his head.
Shadow grinned. “Let me guess. No one else was willing.”
“There was a suggestion from someone else you might prefer to seek your own bath and meal since you’re so independent.”
“Someone else?”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Shadow,” she said automatically as she continued to stare at Radler. He only nodded, volunteering no more information. Right now she could have done with being able to read minds. Elf sight and the odd vision weren’t that helpful sometimes. She nodded slowly. “I’ll meet you in the main hall, Radler.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Shadow.” She said it sharper this time.
Radler’s grin was fleeting. “Yes, Shadow.” He hurried away and Shadow stared after him. With a shake of her head she strode towards the main hall.
She wasn’t there long before Radler joined her, handing over the two polished wooden knitting needles. After staring at them for a moment she tucked them down the side of her boot that didn’t contain a sheathed knife and gestured for Radler to lead the way. He led her quickly through the warren of the castle, pausing several steps away from the room she’d visited two nights ago.
“Thank you, Radler.”
“I’ll return for you, my lady.” He glanced towards the person walking along the hallway before he nodded deferentially and left.
Shadow turned to see who was there and her lips curved into a smile when she saw Jurn. His steps slowed at her expression. “I brought a present for you. After all the effort you went to in choosing one for me I wouldn’t have considered forgetting to get you something.”
He halted in front of her. “You wasted your time. I want nothing from you.”
“You’ll want this.” She reached for her boot and saw Jurn tense, his hand going to the pommel of the sword hanging from his belt. She withdrew the knitting needles and held them out to him, her smile firmly in place.
Footsteps sounded in the hallway behind her and Jurn’s gaze flickered over her shoulder before he reached out and took the knitting needles, sliding them down the side of his boot. “I’ll keep them safe for you.” He spun and entered the room.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Shadow turned to see Dore. With a nod in his direction she entered the room and found herself a seat. As well as all who had been there last time there were three new people. Only two of them she knew. Jurn and Vin. Neither of them met her gaze when it fell on them and she turned towards the front of the room when Dore strode to his usual place.
His hands went behind his back and his stance widened. “Each of you take paper, quill and ink from those in the centre of the table. There won’t be enough. I expect you to pair up. If you can’t sort it out amongst yourselves I’ll do it for you. Tonight you’ll be feeding troops on campaigns. Ask plenty of questions because at the end each team will be given a scenario. You fail that I don’t want to see you back.”
Shadow looked to the young man on her right. He spoke to the one on his other side. She turned to her left and had the same problem. A quick look around the table showed only one without a partner. A young man who swallowed visibly when he came to the same conclusion. His gaze darted to the door. Shadow’s lips thinned as she glared at the young man. Anyone would think she was contagious. She rose from her seat and started around the table, taking her chair with her. The young man also rose, his gaze darting between her and the door.
“Sit down Dan. Only one of you needs to relocate.” Dore glared at him.
“Oh… ah… I was…” Dan gestured towards the exit.
“Sit.”
Dan dropped into his seat at Dore’s command.
Shadow looked to each side of Dan. On one side was a stranger, the other was Jurn, a mocking smile on his lips. Eyes still narrowed, she stepped closer to Jurn, pushing her chair towards the table. He met her gaze, making her stand there long moments before he shifted along to give her the barest amount of space.
Shadow leaned towards him as she sat, her voice soft enough for only Jurn to hear. “I didn’t realise how keen you were to be close to me. No wonder you single me out as a partner every morning.” She smiled up at him and managed to prevent her smile from widening when he scraped his chair across the timber floor giving her more space.
“You will need to take into account the terrain, what is expected of your troops and the weather. These will all have an effect on how much your troops eat.”
Shadow’s smile faded as she concentrated on Dore’s words. When he started giving amounts and her partner was the only one not writing she tried to take the quill he tightly gripped. Dore sent a glare in her direction and she let the quill go. A snicker on her other side made her want to draw her knife and stab Jurn. Or better yet have kept the knitting needles and jabbed him with them. Still trying to listen and retain the information Dore was sprinkling through his explanations, Shadow slid the knife from her boot and pressed the sharp blade into the back of Dan’s knee, leaning close to him.
“Drop the quill or I’ll make you lame.”
He made a sound halfway between a squeak and a gasp, but he dropped the quill and Shadow sheathed her knife and hurriedly started to write the information she needed to pass tonight’s test. When the question and answer portion of the evening was over Dore handed out scenarios for them to read.
Shadow read the paper she held, Dan sending her frequent nervous glances. He wasn’t going to last long. It was a wonder Dore hadn’t kicked him out long ago. She placed the paper in front of Dan so he could read it and began to scribble notes on a clean page.
Dan’s finger pointed to her second line of writing. “That’s wrong.”
“No it’s not.”
A whispered and heated argument followed until they figured both had been wrong. When they finally finished and handed their answers to Dore, Dan muttered to Shadow, “You cut my trousers.”
“Oh shut up.”
“How am I meant to explain that?”
“You caught them on something?”
“And the blood? You cut me.”
Shadow smiled at his petulant expression. “Must have been a nail sticking out of something.”
“And what about you? How do I explain this? My father’ll kill me when he finds out I talked to you.”
“Don’t be such a baby,” she hissed, her glare destroying her smile.
“You don’t know what it’s like. So he mightn’t kill me, but I’ll wish he had by the end of it.”
Shadow sighed. She did know. “Sorry. Tell him Dore made you partner me. That you hated every minute of it.”
“That won’t work.”
“Why not.”
Dan stared at her a moment, swallowing visibly. “He can tell when I’m lying.”
Shadow met his stare, wishing she hadn’t pushed him into being her partner. “Tell him you were terrified Dor
e would throw you from the room if you disobeyed. Think you can tell that convincingly?”
Dan nodded. Then turned to face Dore when he slammed his hand on the table.
Dore raised his other hand to point his finger at two young men across the table who visibly paled. “You. You. Out. Your troops are dead. Don’t come back.” He straightened, his hands going behind his back. “The rest of you go home. I’ll see you next week.”
“Yes, sir.” The words rang out around the room as Dore strode from it.
Shadow stared to rise, but Dan placed a hand on her arm. She turned to him with a questioning look, but he was watching the doorway with everyone else. Then as if a signal unheard by her was given, there was a scramble for the reports in the middle of the table. She watched silently as the report from the two who had failed was dissected. It was only once this was done students drifted from the room.
“Thanks.” Shadow said softly to Dan.
“Don’t mention it. And I mean that seriously. Never, ever mention it.” He kept his voice equally soft. “And please don’t talk to me.” He sent a nervous glance around the room before he hurried away.
Shadow saw Vin and Jurn huddled by the door, arguing in hushed tones, Vin shaking his head. When he saw Shadow watching them, he spoke to Jurn who turned to meet her gaze. His eyes narrowed and he pushed Vin out the door, dragging him along the hallway with him. She strode to the doorway and watched them leave, wondering what they were planning. Hoping it had nothing to do with her, she turned towards Radler. Maybe she was getting too suspicious.
“My lady? Is everything fine?”
“My lady?”
Radler smiled fleetingly. “This way. Lady Shadow.”
She followed him, unable to resist smiling. Her smile faded when she reached her room and closed the door as Radler left. She took a deeper breath, closing her eyes. The scent was faint, but familiar. Frowning, Shadow stepped further into her room and looked around. Nothing seemed out of place. Reaching out, she placed a hand on the chest and felt a tingle in her fingers as she tried to see what had happened while she was gone.