Rook and Shadow (Salarian Chronicles Book 1)

by A. G. Marshall

  She giggled and threw her arms around him.

  William returned her embrace with three pats on the back and stared at me.

  “Oh, my manners!” Elsie said. “William this is- Um, well, I don’t know actually.”

  “Sa- Sara,” I said, instantly regretting using a name so close to my own. “And William and I-”

  “Are pleased to meet each other,” William said. He took my hand and kissed it, frowning at me.

  “What? Oh. It is charming to meet you, William.”

  “Out with it, William. All the latest news! Did Divinia come to the opera?”

  Elsie served William a bowl of oatmeal from the pot hanging over the coals. Edsel brought me one and watched me eat it. I picked my way around burnt lumps. Disgusting, but I was too hungry to care. Much.

  “The majestic Fairy Divinia did not make an appearance. Naturally, everyone was devastated.”

  “Princess Salara will be so disappointed,” Edsel said to me. “She has been longing to have her blessing confirmed by her fairy godmother. And of course she has wishes lined up.”

  “I managed to catch a glimpse of the opera,” William said. “Salara wore white silk-”

  “With a diamond snowflake around her!” Elsie said. “Sara told us all about it. She was in the opera. Her costume is just like the sketch of the ballerinas you brought me. They didn’t revise those outfits at all!”

  “Anything else Sara told you?”

  “Did they sign the treaty?” Edsel asked.

  “Yes, Princess Salara took a fancy to the head of the delegation. A dashing young sea captain.”

  “He must be dashing if he can outrun the Dragon,” Elsie said.

  “Is Roslynn here?” William asked. “I thought she might be working today.”

  Elsie crossed her arms.

  “She went home.”

  “Business has been slow,” Edsel said. “And her parents need help on the farm.”

  “Any idea when she’ll be back?”

  Elsie tossed her head, making her butterfly chignon flap.

  “Oh, we won’t need her anymore now that Sara has come.”

  William and I both choked on our oatmeal.

  “You will stay, won’t you?” Edsel said. “You could tell us all about the latest fashions.”

  “And palace gossip!” Elsie said.

  “That’s my job!” William protested.

  “Don’t be jealous, William,” Elsie said. “Of course we’ll still need you.”

  “Jealous?”

  “Yes, don’t be jealous, William,” Will said.

  I jumped. When had Will entered the room? He stood in the corner farthest from the fireplace watching us. I stared at him. He had removed his mask, but his dark hair covered most of his face. I still couldn’t tell what he looked like beyond a narrow chin and infuriating smirk. He now wore the baggy shirt and trousers of a peasant, but in a darker color than William and Edsel’s outfits.

  “Oh, please stay, Sara,” Elsie said. “It will be such fun! We’re about the same size. You can borrow my clothes until we make you new ones. My shoes might even fit you!”

  “I doubt that.”

  “You would be very helpful,” Edsel said. “You could model our clothes at parties. Everyone would want them if you wore them.”

  He stared at me. His expression reminded me of the poets. I stared back for a moment, then nodded.

  “Then it’s settled,” Will said.

  I glared at him, but kept silent.

  The door burst open, filling the room with sunlight. Will lifted his arm to shield his eyes.

  “Elsie! Edsel! Just wait until you see what I’ve got!”

  The girl stopped. She dropped her basket and put her hands on her hips.

  “I see you’ve started the party early. Who on earth is that?”

  “Estrella, this is Sara,” Elsie said.

  Estrella crossed her arms and glared at me. She had blond hair pulled back in a braid that reached her knees. Her green dress brought out her blue eyes. At least, I thought they were blue. It was difficult to tell in the dim light.

  “Why is she here?”

  She directed the question to Will, but Edsel answered.

  “Sara is from the palace.”

  “I can see that,” Estrella said. “The palace is in a quiet uproar today. Guards everywhere. Lots of whispering and running. Everyone is trying to act normal, but the royals didn’t have their public breakfast today. I had to borrow a boat to get out.”

  “I knew it,” Edsel said. “They’re devastated the Fairy Divinia did not come.”

  “How do you know?” I asked.

  “Princess Salara has been looking forward to meeting the Fairy Divinia for-”

  I waved my hand at him.

  “Not that. The things about the palace.”

  Estrella ignored me and turned to Will.

  “Something is up. Something big. The New Salarians even cut their visit short. They’re leaving this afternoon.”

  “Sir Gilbert is leaving?” I exclaimed, my voice louder than I intended.

  Everyone turned and stared at me.

  “I mean, the delegation just got here, and they barely made it past the Dragon.”

  “As I said, something is up. I don’t suppose you know what it is?”

  Will shook his head.

  “Nothing seemed unusual last night.”

  I laughed and covered my mouth to make it seem like a cough. Nothing seemed unusual last night?

  “Enough gossip,” William said. “What did you get, Estrella?”

  “See for yourself. I think you’ll like it.”

  Elsie and Edsel transferred the basket to a table and pulled out yards and yards of red fabric. The silk matched my ballerina dress perfectly.

  “Lucky I grabbed the red,” Estrella said. “We can copy that gown exactly now.”

  “Three at least,” Edsel said, his eyes darting between me and silk in his hands. “And if Sara wears one to a party, they’ll sell for double the price!”

  “No time to waste!” Elsie said. “I’ll help you change!”

  She grabbed my hand and pulled me up a flight of stairs.

  “What is going on?” I asked as she unbuttoned my dress. I turned my necklace backwards to hide the healing charm under my wig.

  “I’m sure my clothes will fit you. Not as nice as your dress, but you definitely can’t wear this out. What if someone recognized it?”

  I could hardly be in more trouble than I was now. I stood in my chemise while Elsie rummaged through a wardrobe. Downstairs were the most devoted Salara fans I had ever met. Sir Gilbert was leaving. And I was trapped barefoot in a peasant village. I twirled my fingers around a lock of blond hair. What would happen if I removed my wig, revealed my true identity, and demanded passage back to the palace? If we left now, I might arrive in time to say goodbye to Sir Gilbert.

  Or convince him to stay.

  That would almost make life in the palace bearable.

  Almost.

  “You should hide your jewelry,” Elsie said, gesturing to the bracelets. “Someone might try to steal it. I’ll give you an apron. Very useful for storing things. Estrella enchants the pockets so things won’t fall out, and it will keep your dress clean.”

  She shoved an itchy brown dress over my head. I struggled until I found the sleeves and pulled it past my shoulders. I had never put on a dress without magic. Elsie found a pair of socks and peasant boots like the ones she wore and helped me lace them. To my surprise, they fit. She helped me with the buttons on the front of the dress and tied the apron around my waist. I slipped the bracelets into a pocket on the side.

  “I told you we were the same size! You can trust a cobbler to know these things.”

  She rushed downstairs with the ballet dress. I stayed upstairs, looking for a mirror. There wasn’t one, but surely I looked less like a princess than I ever had. I went downstairs with my head held high.

  Will and William had
gone. Estrella and Edsel stood over the ballerina costume. A ball of light floated near the ceiling, a miniature indoor sun. It lit the worktable far better than the fireplace and candles. I squinted at it, trying to see how it worked. My magic books never mentioned a spell like this. The others focused on the gown and didn't notice my fascination.

  “This will be a bit tricky,” Estrella said, her blue eyes narrowed. “I may not be able to duplicate it exactly.”

  “If you can get anywhere close it will be a huge success,” Edsel said. He smiled at me.

  Estrella nodded and waved her hands in the air. Without a hint of sparkle, the bolt of red silk floated into the air and split into pieces. Elsie also waved her hands. As they worked together, the pieces shuffled around and arranged themselves into the same shape as the ballet costume. Estrella snapped her fingers, and a needle with red thread zipped around the pieces and sewed them together. Elsie hemmed the skirt. They lowered the completed dress to the table. Estrella collapsed into a chair and poured herself a glass of water.

  Edsel examined the dress.

  “Oh, well done!”

  “You’ll have to do the shoes on your own,” Estrella said, panting. “I can’t handle any more today. Watch out for that swan feather lining. Alma’s construction is always tricky.”

  “Of course!” Edsel said. “If we can copy these, oh!”

  He cradled the ballet slipper as if it were a kitten, stroking the brown leather.

  Elsie tugged at my sleeve.

  “Let’s go.”

  “Where?”

  “Don’t you want to see what you look like in your new clothes? And we need swan feathers for the shoes.”

  We left the shop. Edsel tried to follow us, but Estrella pulled him back and handed him the other shoe.

  Chapter 10

  Elsie and I walked to the outskirts of town and entered a small pink gypsy wagon with green and gold trim. There was no sign of the horse that pulled it. A wooden plaque painted with colorful pictures of wigs, ribbons, and feathers hung on the front.

  “Madame Delilah’s wig shop,” a voice crackled. “Are you buying or selling?”

  Madame Delilah? Had Lady Alma’s crazy wigs really come from this tiny wagon? I glanced around. I didn't see anyone in the dinghy interior. Just shelves full of boxes, bottles, and hair in the tiny portable shop.

  “Buying, Madame Delilah. We need swan feathers and a glimpse in your mirror.”

  “Ah, Elsie, how nice to see you. I have some new trim you might like.”

  A wrinkled face emerged from a pile of blankets on a chair. Her clothes, draped randomly over her body, blended with her shop. She smiled at Elsie, then stared at me.

  “Ah, I would recognize one of my creations anywhere. I am always happy to buy them back if you need extra coins.”

  “You made this wig?”

  “You’re wearing a wig?” Elsie asked.

  “I make wigs for Lady Alma and every noble mother who wants her dark haired child to have a chance at being Salara’s companion. They used to try dying their hair blond, but wigs are easier.”

  “Salara’s companions wear wigs?”

  Why had I admitted to wearing a wig?

  “So they can be blond like me!” Elsie said.

  I had always assumed it was natural.

  “And what does your real hair look like?”

  Before I could protest, Madame Delilah waved her hand. A lock of my real hair appeared from under the wig.

  Elsie gasped. The old woman smiled.

  “Almost dark enough to pass the rook test.”

  “The what?” I asked, stepping into the door to get further away from her. The sunlight hit my hair and reflected a dark prism of colors into the wagon. I jumped back into the shade.

  “They say Princess Salara’s hair is dark as a rook’s wing. I have a rook feather here for comparison. Ten gold coins for hair that passes the test.”

  “You’ll pay me because my hair is dark?”

  “No, dear. I buy hair. To make my wigs.”

  “I’m not interested in selling my hair.”

  Elsie pulled me forward.

  “Of course you’re not. But wouldn’t it be fun to know if your hair is as dark as Princess Salara’s?”

  I already knew the answer to that question and shook my head.

  “No need to be shy, dear.”

  The feather might as well have been a dagger. I pressed against the wall, grimacing. Madame Delilah advanced. Her wrinkled smile collapsed when she held the feather up to my hair. She squinted at the feather, and then at me.

  “Well?” Elsie said. “Does she pass?”

  “Not quite.”

  Was she blind? It was identical. Madame Delilah examined me and the feather.

  “You are sure you will not sell? The wig or your hair? You didn’t pass the test, but I’ll still give you a fair price.”

  I shook my head and backed away to put as much distance between me and the rook feather as possible.

  “Well, if you ever change your mind, blow on this feather and I will find you.”

  She handed me the feather and waved her hand. The strand of dark hair disappeared back into my blond wig. I ran outside while Elsie ordered the swan feathers.

  In the sunlight, the rook feather reflected the same spectrum of purples, blues, and greens that my hair did. I stared at it until Elsie came out. Madame Delilah followed her. She pulled a curtain back from the wagon’s side, revealing a full length mirror. Elsie pushed me in front of it.

  I stared at myself. This was not the face Salaria’s poets spent hours describing. I was still beautiful, but I did not look like myself in the rough brown dress and disheveled blond wig. My face was smudged with dust and creased with worry.

  “See, the dress looks great!” Elsie said.

  She pushed me away from the mirror and adjusted her green hair ribbons so her hair stuck out more on either side of her head.

  “Those are getting a bit frayed, dear,” Madame Delilah said from the wagon door. “I’ve got some pink ribbons that would suit you very well.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t replace these. Are you staying in town long?”

  Madame Delilah shook her head.

  “I’m on a gathering mission, but no one around here seems interested in selling.”

  Elsie straightened with pride.

  “Salt Spring is prosperous, Madame Delilah. No one here needs to sell their hair.”

  “I can see that. You girls have a nice day.”

  Elsie waved at her as she closed the curtain. I tucked the feather into my apron pocket and exhaled.

  As soon as we returned, Edsel handed me giant scissors and a piece of brown leather. Estrella sat at the table sketching. She did not acknowledge our entry.

  “Cut this to fit the pattern,” Edsel said. He pushed a handful of paper across the table.

  “I can’t do magic,” I said.

  I pushed the pattern back to him.

  “Who said anything about magic?”

  “You’re not going to replicate these by hand?”

  I stared at the shoes. No one in the palace made things without magic.

  Edsel handed me the patterns and clasped my hands for a moment.

  “It takes a lot of fairy salt to power this kind of spell. We would have to sell our shoes for double the price if we put them together with magic.”

  “But it will take days!”

  “Weeks!” Elsie said. “But it will go faster if you help. Edsel will show you how to follow the pattern.”

  Edsel unfolded his pattern, placed it on the leather, and cut around it until he had a piece shaped like the parchment. I slipped my hands into the scissors and snipped the air. Had it really come to this? Salaria’s greatest treasure earning her keep in a cobbler’s shop?

  “It will take years if you go that slowly,” Estrella said.

  She pulled the scissors from my hands and cut the pieces herself.

  “You used magic a moment ago,
” I said. “Why are you doing this by hand?”

  Estrella rolled her eyes.

  “You’ve lived in Castlemont your whole life, haven’t you? There are salt charms in every room, waiting to power your spells. Magic is precious out here. Fairy salt is expensive.”

  “It doesn’t matter to me,” I said. “I’ve never been able to work charms.”

  They stared at me.

  “Perhaps with proper training,” Elsie said.

  “I can teach you,” Edsel said. “I’ll show you every charm I know.”

  “You should change your name,” Estrella said.

  “What?”

  “If you’re going to stay, you should change your name. You’ll put Elsie and Edsel in danger if someone finds out they’re harboring a refugee from the palace.”

  “You should be Leslie!” Elsie said. “Elsie and Leslie! We can be sisters!”

  “Edsel, Elsie, and Leslie, cobblers and more. It does have a ring to it!” Edsel said. “I, um, don’t have to be your brother though.”

  He smiled at me. His cheeks flushed pink.

  “You could take off your wig!” Elsie said.

  Estrella nodded. “That might be wise.”

  I clutched the wig as if she might rip it off by force. The colors shining from my real hair would give me away faster than anything.

  “Fine, keep the wig, Leslie,” Estrella said.

  “Rook.”

  “I beg your pardon?”

  “I’ll be Rook.”

  I wasn't sure why I chose it. Leslie just didn’t feel right.

  “You did almost pass the rook test!” Elsie said.

  “That’s not a real name,” Estrella said. “You’re supposed to be blending in!”

  “I like it,” Edsel said. He put his hand on my shoulder and glared at Estrella. “Rook is welcome to stay here as long as she likes.”

  Estrella sputtered.

  “You’re all going to hang, and you don’t even care! I’ve dealt with nobility. I know how they think! They won’t let a companion run free when something big is going on!”

  “You used to know how they think,” Elsie said. “You haven’t lived in the palace in years. Rook lived there yesterday. She’ll have lots of valuable things to tell us I’m sure.”

  “You’re all impossible!”

  Estrella threw her hands in the air and muttered to herself in Castanian as she rushed out of the room. The gesture reminded me so much of Lady Alma a wave of homesickness sweep over me. The star on the ceiling disappeared when Estrella left, plunging us into darkness.