Cassandra blushed and looked modestly down. It wasn’t exactly a compliment, but then again it was. Taleon smiled and looked away, down at Chambria. Turning around, she leaned out on the wall, looking down on the city that seemed so small but was so large.
“Miss it?” he asked.
“A little, but I am not sure why. There is really nothing for me to miss down there.”
“The people.”
She looked down at the mountain spreading out below them, her mind racing over what had happened the last day she was there. The people were so needy. She glanced at Taleon who was lazily swinging his leg back and forth along the outside of the castle wall.
“How on earth can you do that?”
“What?” he asked.
“Sit over the edge.”
“It is quite comfortable.”
Cassandra shook her head.
“You don’t think so?”
Cassandra laughed, the thought of trying such a stunt frightened her.
“You should try it sometime,” he said with a chuckle.
“I don’t think so.”
“Can you see the star that is just hanging above the mountain? It’s sort of a reddish color.”
Cassandra looked but couldn’t see it. “No, why?”
“That’s a planet.”
“A planet? And how do you know about such things?”
Taleon’s smile smirked on one side of his face. “Your father used to teach me about the stars.”
Cassandra looked away and tried to see it again. In a moment Taleon was beside her. “Let me see, if I can see it? Sometimes vantage point changes everything.”
Cassandra pulled back and Taleon leaned out over the wall. “The turret gets in the way.” He moved back to where he had been seated and leaned out. “Come, you should be able to see it from here.”
She walked to his side and leaned out over the wall, searching in the place where he directed.
“I still can’t see it.”
“Probably because you are shorter than me.”
“And how in the world does that make a difference?”
“You can’t lean as far out. Now, if you were sitting in the gap, you could see it.”
She looked at him skeptically, then carefully pulled herself up into the crenel.
“Put your back to the wall and wedge yourself there with your feet. Now you can inch towards the edge and look out.”
Taleon was surprised that she dared to do it. He sensed a rivalry burning within her. She wanted to be in on everything her father had taught him. She had been denied all of it—the education, the attention, and the affection of father and mother. He had the education and attention and some of the affection, but she had none until now. For the first time in her life, she was experiencing something more than just a tiny box of expectations; she was living.
Could he not forgive her for taking away King Aric’s...everything that he had been to him? She had stolen it in one sweep and he had helped her do it. There was so much she needed to learn; she was the one with a crown hanging over her head; she would have to be responsible for the kingdom; why should he envy her? Why? But still he did, somewhat.
He looked at her as she dared to lean closer to the edge. Her hand shot for the inside edge, clinging to it for dear life. She barely leaned three inches out to see, her hand gripping the rock. Even in the moonlight, he could see her hand turning white from the tight hold.
Taleon put his hand around her wrist. “I’ve got you.”
Unexpectedly her hold relaxed and she leaned further. “Oh, I see it now. It’s pretty.” She looked down. With a small scream of terror, she turned and flung herself at Taleon, clinging to his doublet and hiding her face against it.
Taleon couldn’t help himself. He laughed, but quietly.
“It’s not all that bad, is it?”
She nodded.
Looking down at the dark head that hid against his doublet, he couldn’t help but feel for her. She was young and afraid and what was to come would be much harsher than looking over the wall of the castle. Cassandra clung to him; she trusted him. He put an arm around her shoulders and another beneath her legs that were holding her fast in the crenel gap lifting her safely off the castle wall.
She seemed to realize what he was doing and pulled away from him as he set her gently down.
“I am sorry I...”
“You don’t need to apologize, Cassandra; I am just here to help.”
She looked up at him, with a mixture of emotions that he could not quite translate in her eyes. “Thank you, Taleon. Good night.”
“Good night, Cassandra.”
He watched her leave. He felt as if they were being watched; he turned and scanned the castle walls. It wasn’t the sentries; it was someone else. He thought he saw a shadow flicker and then disappear into the safety of a far turret. He could run after it, but it would be too late by the time he got there to trace the elusive shadow, and there was no knowing where it would hide. Turning, he looked up at the stars. What would they witness in the coming years? What did the future hold?
Chapter 19
Cassandra closed the door to her room and locked it; she tossed the key on her dressing table. Taking off her cloak, she slipped into bed. She tried to close her eyes, but what just had happened flashed before her eyes. Blushing, she hid in her pillow.
Why did I have to do that? I didn’t have to. I just wanted to see it because father and he saw it together. Maybe I should ask Pappa to show me the stars, but he is so busy. I can’t compete with Taleon. He has had my Pappa forever and I just a little while. Taleon is everything he needs and yet my Pappa loves me more than I could hope. But Taleon knows everything and I couldn’t let him show me up. I couldn’t. Isn’t it the mark of a queen to know everything she can and let others help her when she doesn’t know? Why does he have to know so much and be my father’s right hand? ‘Cause you weren’t here...
She turned over restlessly and fluffed up her pillow, then buried her face against it, closing her eyes. Taleon’s face flashed before her—the way he was looking at her after he had helped her down. Yes, helped her—certainly no more and unfortunately no less. His look puzzled her. It was tender, gentle, concerned, searching, and something else she couldn’t put her finger on. The moonlight always boggled her.
No, thinking of that wasn’t going to help her sleep either! She turned on her back and stared at the ceiling. Why did she have a sudden urge to scream? Now she wanted to laugh for wanting to scream. She turned over on her side, making imaginary courses between the stones on the wall going nowhere in particular, just wandering. Cassandra wondered about the paths on the mountain, how the refugees had gotten from one point to another, finally reaching Raven Castle. Turning over, she kicked the sheets. Sleep was going to make her fight to find him tonight.
There was a soft knock on her door. Cassandra sat upright in bed.
“Cassandra, are you awake?”
“Coming.” In a moment, she leapt out of bed and found the key on her dressing table. She opened the door. “Hello, Pappa.”
“Hello, daughter,” he said, entering and closing the door behind him. “I am glad you are still awake. I wanted to tell you myself.”
Cassandra looked up at him with concern in her eyes. “What is it, Pappa?”
“I am leaving at dawn tomorrow, down to the western valley—where our army has been training. I was planning on leaving tomorrow afternoon, but when everything was pulled together tonight so quickly, I thought immediate action best.”
“You are leaving so soon?”
“I’ll be gone less than a week.”
“But I haven’t even had you for a whole day.”
“I know, Cassie; that is why I wanted to tell you myself. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Promise?”
“Promise,” he answered pulling her into a warm embrace.
She buried her head against him. Being wit
h him she felt so safe.
“Taleon will continue to keep an eye on you and make sure everything is all right. How are the two of you getting along anyway?”
“Pretty well for the most part.”
“I am glad to hear it,” he said, stroking back her hair and looking into her eyes.
“How long have you known Taleon?”
“Since he was eight. You were five when he came up here.”
Cassandra nodded. That explained a lot. That is how they knew each other so well. It would take her a long time to get that close to her father. Maybe with Taleon’s help it wouldn’t take as long as she feared.
“I love you, Cassie,” he whispered.
“I love you, Pappa.”
“Sleep well now,” he said, bending down and kissing her cheek.
Standing on her tiptoes, she returned the caress—and then he was gone. Cassandra locked the door and allowed herself to sink to the floor. Slowly she realized how tired she felt. The world was too big to take on and conquer in one night. For that she needed sleep, and Cassandra crept into bed.
It was dark when she awoke, but she heard the rustling of preparation going on. Dressing quickly, she left her room and went down into the courtyard. The morning air was cold. Several men were readying to mount horses. Among them were her Pappa and a few council members. Taleon was standing beside her father, helping him pack the last things away. It was Taleon who saw her while her father was talking to a council member. When her pappa turned his attention back to Taleon, he nodded his head in her direction. In a moment, her pappa was by her side, pulling her into a warm embrace.
Cassandra could feel his chainmail beneath his thick wool cloak. Wrapping her arms around him, she could feel a dagger at his back, and the sword and dagger by his side. Could it be that this was dangerous?
She looked up into his face, trying to hide the worry that had washed over her. He kissed her forehead and smiled. “They are only precautions, Cassie. Now stay safe. I’ll be back in a week.”
“I love you.”
He smiled and kissed her cheek before turning and mounting his steed which Taleon was holding for him. The gate was opened and the first rays of the morning colored the far sky. Stars still hung in the heavens above them. Without cue or hesitation, the men moved as of one accord out of the gate.
Cassandra watched them go, her heart aching. Taleon came and stood beside her. They watched until the men disappeared, but still they stood. Cassandra stared at the small clouds made by her breath in the morning air. She hugged herself tightly and looked up at Taleon.
“They’ll be fine, Cassandra,” he said without looking down at her.
“Have they ever had trouble?”
“No, they are just being safe. The Imposter is becoming quite anxious in the valley. Your father is going to bring his army them over the mountains. From there your father will come back and oversee the army from here. You don’t need to worry.”
Cassandra nodded. “Thank you, Taleon.”
He turned and smiled at her. “You are welcome, Cassandra.”
She shivered, “Well, I best go back to my room. At least it is warmer there.”
“Would you like a fire?”
“I would.”
“I’ll bring some wood up in a minute.”
Cassandra went to her room, curled up in her cloak, and sat beside the faintly glowing hearth waiting for Taleon to appear. He did in a few minutes, carrying a bundle of wood under one arm and a mysterious basket in the other.
“Here we go,” he said, setting everything down by the hearth.
Cassandra watched as it took him only a few minutes to get a warm blaze started. Taleon sat down comfortably in front of the fire warming his feet.
“You hungry?”
“A little, I guess.”
He uncovered the basket to disclose a loaf of bread, cheese, and a small pot, with two mugs. Taleon placed the kettle over the fire and sliced the bread and cheese. Forking it, he held it close to the fire.
“What are you doing?” asked Cassandra.
“Toasting bread and cheese. Don’t tell me you have never had this before.”
“Then what should I tell you?”
“The truth.”
“But the truth is I have never had it before.”
“Well, I hope you like it.”
“Can I try toasting it?”
“Sure.” And he nodded for her to come sit on the rug by the fire. He handed her the fork and started a second one.
“Did you plan on me asking?”
“It never hurts to be prepared,” he said with a smile.
Neither said much and the only thing that broke the silence was the bubbling over of the kettle, which Taleon took away from the heat, pouring the hot liquid into two mugs.
“Yours should be done,” he said.
She pulled it back from the fire and tried to slide it onto a plate, but it was too hot. Taleon reached over and did it with ease. She refrained from glaring at him. In a few minutes, they were both eating, still in silence.
It slowly began to aggravate her that Taleon was so silent. Here he had built a fire and brought food, and now they were sitting in utter silence, save for the munching of their toast. But then again, what was there to talk about?
She gazed deeper into the fire and took a sip of the warm cider. She smiled.
“This reminds me of when I would have a tea party with my dolls.”
There was a long silence before Taleon spoke dryly. “Do I resemble a doll?”
Cassandra giggled. She tried to restrain it but in a moment it broke into a hearty laugh that even Taleon had to join in. Moments later she gasped for air, barely able to catch her breath.
“It wasn’t that funny; you must be really tired,” said Taleon, amused.
“I have never laughed so hard in my life; my sides hurt; why is that?”
“Don’t know, just is.”
The silence returned between them, but was not so strange. In a few minutes, they had both finished and Taleon gathered the dishes into the basket, then he turned to Cassandra.
“Your father wants you to get some rest.”
Cassandra nodded. “I will.”
Rising, he was nearly to the door when Cassandra’s voice halted him.
“You are sure he’ll be back?”
“I am sure, Cassandra, but why are you so worried?”
“If he didn’t come back, Taleon, I am not sure I would know what to do. It would all be up to me and...” Cassandra turned and looked into the fire. With a shake of her head she turned back to face him. “Thank you Taleon.”
He nodded.
Cassandra glanced at her bed. It really wasn’t half as inviting as the fire. Curling up on the rug, she closed her eyes and fell asleep. The world wouldn’t have to rest on her shoulders quite yet.
Chapter 20
The next few days passed pensively for Taleon and Cassandra. A new group of refugees came up from the valley and most of their spare time was spent with them. Some came ill, with rumors of a plague starting in the valley.
It was evening and Cassandra and Taleon were reading together but separately. Cassandra put down her book and looked at Taleon, who looked deeply involved in the pages of his book.
“Why are so many people ill, Taleon?”
He didn’t raise his head. “Poor food in the valley makes the people weak and when they are weak, people get sick. It’s surprising that this hasn’t happened earlier. Your father has tried for many years to make sure the valley has enough food, but this spring and summer have been one of the worst. Hopefully that will all be over soon.”
“Do you think we are in any danger?”
Taleon shrugged. “Don’t know; not likely, but then again there is no knowing.”
“Why has my father never attempted an attack before this?”
“Aren’t these questions you should be asking your father?”
“I would, but he isn’t here.”
“Why, I don’t understand.”
“Torture.”
Cassandra shook her head. “He is so cruel.”
“You say that now.”
“Now that I know, I see things in such a different light. It’s like I was blind my whole life, and now that I see, I am shocked at what is all around me. How can a man do such things? Turn against his own brother, murder my mother—an innocent woman, kill, blind, beat, hurt so many people without a heart.” Tears formed in her eyes and she looked away.
“Your father had to protect you the best he could. You were the only heir left.”
Cassandra turned abruptly to him. “The only heir left?”
“You had a brother. He died while you were still an infant.”
“I had a brother.”
Taleon nodded.
“What was his name?”
“Arthur.”
“Arthur,” she murmured under her breath. “How did he die? Was he also slain by my uncle?” She shuddered at the thought.
“It was an accident; your uncle was out of the country on diplomatic business when it happened. He was riding a horse. I don’t know what happened; I just know that he died. Your father has never spoken of it to me.”
“Do you know if you bear any resemblance to him?”
“To who?”
“My brother?”
“I wouldn’t know; I never saw him and if I had. I probably wouldn’t remember it. With such losses, he couldn’t bear to lose you. The torture of knowing you were being raised by his mortal enemy was a severe affliction, but he bore it. You were still living, and heir to the throne.”
“I don’t understand that. Why did my uncle never marry and have children, an heir of his own? You would think that is what he would want, to get rid of my father completely.”
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