by P. A. Wilson
“I cannot give you assurances that you will be safe. I will try to keep you so, but we are embarking on a dangerous quest, Madeline. There will probably be fatalities.”
“That’s not what I’m looking for. I want a contract that guarantees you will send me back after the quest is complete if I want to go.”
Arabela’s shook her head in confusion. “I’m not sure the spell translated that word, what is a contract?”
“It is a written agreement. A contract lays out all the actions we will each take and the terms that will define completion.” Madeline started to tense up at having to explain the word. What if Arabela said no? What if she’d insulted her? Damn Simon, she should not have listened to him.
“I see. Why would you need such a document? Does my word not carry sufficient weight? Do you lack trust in my word?” Arabela straightened her back as she spoke.
“By writing it down, we can make sure we both understand what we mean. I think we could easily misunderstand the intention if we just speak. We come from different worlds and words carry meanings that are not apparent. When things are written down, it gives people an opportunity to make sure the right words are chosen.” If she didn’t agree, Madeline had no plan B.
“I have not found it to be so confusing. When people agree to something they agree.” Arabela turned and pointed to the people, Madeline could only think of them as people, standing around the other table. “These others are here only on my word. We have no written agreement, and we don’t need one.”
“I do.” Madeline stood firm despite the babbling fears fluttering between her stomach and head. “It is the way of my world. We have many years of examples why writing agreements down is important.”
“I still do not agree.” Arabela stood. “But you may ask Blu to prepare this document if it is so important to you.”
“Wait,” Madeline said as Arabela started towards the planning table. “Do you want to be there when we write it?”
“No.” Arabela looked surprised. “Our agreement is that you will come and do the best in your ability to help us succeed. I will do my best to train you and protect you during the time you are here. When we are successful, and I will not entertain the idea that we will not be, I will send you back to your world if that is still your wish. What else would you write?”
“Can Simon stay if he wants?”
“Of course.” Arabela looked puzzled for a moment. “I see. You are worried about how your decision will affect him. No, the spell will not require him to return with you. You can both stay without causing great damage to your world. There you are not important in the grand scheme. Here you are vital to our wellbeing.” She looked at the other table. “I think you are vital to more than that. I am glad you are staying. Thank you.”
“You are very welcome,” Madeline said to the receding back of the Lady of the Summer Lands.
Jode looked up and nodded. Madeline hoped it was to her, but it could have been to Arabela. That thought brought a sour taste in her throat. Damn, she had no reason to be jealous. She was here to do a job then she was going home.
The priest was standing in the great doorway to the house. The sun shone on him and he raised his arms to the side and then above his head. Madeline was reminded of the pope giving a blessing. She waited until Blu turned and then walked towards him.
“I would be happy to help you,” he said after Madeline had explained what she needed. “Come to the library. We will get it done right away.” He took her arm and they walked up the staircase together.
“Why aren’t you telling me I should just take her word? Arabela seemed put out that I needed a written document.”
“Ah, written agreements are not unknown in this world. They are only used, though, when the two people do not trust each other, usually in settlement of a long and bloody war.”
“It’s not that I don’t trust her.”
Blu patted her arm. “No, it is that Arabela expects too much from you. You barely know each other and perhaps Arabela does not understand that you need to know someone before you trust them.”
Madeline smiled. “So, you know just what we need to do. Let’s get it done then.”
12
Blu carefully placed a sheet of blotting paper over the final signature on the document. “I will store this in the archives,” he said. “It will become a part of our history. When we look back in future times, it will remind us of the woman who saved our land.”
“I like your confidence in my abilities,” Madeline said.
“Not so much your abilities. I am confident in the prophecy.” Blu rolled the sheet and tied it with a pink ribbon.
“Now we must prepare you for the journey.” Arabela stood and beckoned Madeline to the door. “Elise tells me your clothing is ready. We should meet with Simon and Jode to show you how to wear your weapons and riding clothes. We may be traveling through some poor weather and it is important for the two of you to know how to get at your sword, even when you are bundled up in a cloak.”
“I won’t have to use a sword, will I?” Madeline asked. “I can ride well enough, but I have no idea how to ride and fight.”
“Let us hope not. But it is best to be prepared.”
Madeline felt like she was being pulled along by a powerful undertow. She was as helpless to stop, as she would be to save herself from drowning.
“Ah, John,” Arabela said as he came from Simon’s room. “Will you send Simon and Sir Jode to the fighting barn? We need to get these two ready for the journey. Please have someone take their riding gear and swords there as well.”
“Of course, my Lady.” He bowed. “Should I bring Elise to show the proper way to put on the gear?”
“No, neither of you will be joining us. I don’t want them to get dependent on your help.” She smiled and steered Madeline to the staircase.
“You know. I don’t like being talked about as if I’m not here,” Madeline said.
“What do you mean?” Arabela seemed genuinely surprised. “Did you have something to contribute to the conversation? If so, please in future feel free to speak.”
“No, I didn’t have anything to say,” Madeline struggled to explain. “I am not used to being referred to as ‘they’ when I’m standing right there. In my world, it would be polite to use my name.”
“How interesting, I will try to remember that.”
They reached the ground floor and Arabela led Madeline through the front door and past the sentries at the front gate. The sudden opening of her world made Madeline feel dizzy. For two days, she had lived enclosed in the wall of the castle. Her mind had been so focused on her decision that she’d forgotten what the world outside looked like.
About a half kilometer from the gate, the lake spread out in front of her, the other shore so far distant that she could only see it as a line of trees at the base of a hill. Arabela steered her right, and a quarter of the way around the outside of the wall. Along the way, Madeline watched people clearing the weeds from the lawn, or walking towards the lake, fishing poles in hand. There were soldiers taking a break from training, and a few people who had set up camp along the wall.
“This is where my soldiers train,” Arabela explained as they approached a spacious stone building. “We will be taking only a small contingent of them. When we go, we wish to appear as though we are traveling the land on a tour, not as though we are going to war.”
“It makes sense. You’re planning to sneak up on this Sayer Goddard and not give him a chance to form up an army.”
“Goddard would not need a chance. He has a standing army ready to fight on an hour’s notice. We wish not to alarm him. If we approach quietly we will have a better probability of success.” Arabela pointed to a long wooden bench. “We can sit here while we wait for the others.”
“Where are the horses?” Madeline didn’t want to get into a talk about strategy, plenty of time for that on the road. “Will I choose my own?”
“The stables are further a
round the wall.” Arabela pointed in the general direction of the back of the wall. “You can have the choice of horses if you wish. I will ask the stable master to pick five. You will then pick two, your primary and secondary mount. Would that suffice?”
“I think so.” Madeline tried to push away the creeping feeling that Arabela was being too nice, too accommodating. It was suspicious.
“Ah, here is your equipment. Why don’t we get started since the men have not yet arrived?”
“Sure,” Madeline answered staring at the sword that a young boy had placed on top of the stack of leather straps and belts. “Um, is that supposed to be for me?”
“Yes,” Arabela said. “It has been made for your height and sex. You can practice with it and the sword master will make the adjustments.” A large man wearing a leather apron and a lot of soot wandered up to the two women.
Arabela handed the sword, hilt first, to Madeline. It was not as heavy as it looked and Madeline worked through a few moves from fencing class. She would need to strengthen her wrists for this weapon.
Simon and Jode joined the group; Simon carried a much larger sword with him. “I expected some kind of elven carving and spells, it’s just plain metal,” he said showing Madeline the blade.
“I guess you can’t have everything. Hey, maybe you could add pretty swords to your list of things to change here.” She laughed.
“To make an instrument of painful death beautiful would be a new idea, indeed,” Jode said. “I am glad to see you here, Madeline.”
Before Madeline could respond, Arabela ordered Jode to show them how to attach the harnesses and sheaths for the swords. He turned to Simon and demonstrated the proper method of winding the belt around the waist, and then turning the belt harness into a back harness for riding. They made Madeline and Simon repeat the process each time faster than the last.
“You seem to be comfortable in the back harness,” he finally said to Madeline. “And you, Simon, seem more able to quickly use the waist harness. I suggest you stay with that.” While he spoke, he kept his eyes on Madeline, whose face glowed with the exercise.
“Before they choose,” Arabela interrupted, “they should try drawing the sword. It would not do for Madeline to cut off an ear just because she was comfortable with the harness.”
“It would truly be a pity to lose any part of Madeline.” Jode blushed. “I mean we might need her whole to complete the task.”
“Yes,” Simon said, winking at Arabela behind Jode’s back. “That might be the case.”
Arabela laughed. “Draw your weapons in the harness as it stands.”
Both obeyed quickly. Simon pulled his weapon out awkwardly, not cutting anything off, but in no position to use the blade. Madeline pulled her sword smoothly over her head with her right hand, the left rising to meet it mid-chest and support the sword, which now faced blade out perpendicular to her body. She felt the muscle memory take over and her reasoning mind step back as she moved.
“Perfect,” Jode said quietly. “You are perfect.”
“Yes, Madeline,” Arabela added, “very good technique. We will give you opportunity to practice combat on the road with some of our better fighters, I think. You need a challenge and endurance practice. Now, Simon.” She tapped her chin. “I think we need to give you basic training. Jode, will you take him on as a student?”
Jode turned his gaze from Madeline, who was practicing sheathing and unsheathing the sword and seemingly not paying attention to anything else. “Of course, it would be my honor to share my knowledge.”
“Good.” Arabela clapped him on the shoulder. “Then let’s show them how to wrap in a cloak and still be able to draw blade. After that we should find them mounts.”
They spent the next hour practicing the cloak wrap that allowed for ease of drawing the sword. Madeline helped Jode to instruct Simon in the basics, and by the end of the time, he was able to draw his sword and end in a defensive stance.
“You are going to have to practice with someone,” Madeline told Simon. “It’s fine to be able to stand there in perfect pose, but what happens if someone rushes at you with a pointy stick?”
“I’d probably be dead,” Simon admitted. “Jode says I’ll have time to learn the basics while we ride. That is if I can move my shoulders tomorrow.”
“It will get easier.” She rubbed his arm in sympathy.
They handed the swords to the sword master who promised to make the adjustments and have them ready tomorrow morning. Arabela and Jode led the other two around the curve of the wall to the stables. It was time to pick their horses.
“Come, Simon, ah, we really must find you a title, it seems odd to just call you Simon, anyway let me help you choose your mounts.” Arabela pulled him to the end of a line of stalls and started to confer with a stableman.
“Do you have a preference,” Jode asked. “Spirited? Reliable?”
“In a horse,” Madeline teased.
“What else?” Jode smiled as he spoke.
“Do you think it’s a good idea to have different preferences for different things?”
“That depends.” Jode coughed. “On your answer.”
“Ah, well, if I’m going to be riding for any length of time, all I ask is a smooth gait and even temperament.”
“A wise choice.” He called over another stableman and asked for two horses to be brought to the paddock outside the building. “Try these two and we can find others until you have the right pair.”
The stableman led a white horse with black mane and tail to the paddock first. The horse tossed his mane and pranced until they held him still for Madeline to mount. Jode bent and offered his linked hands to boost her up. Madeline shook her head and grasped the reins and the base of the horse’s mane with her left hand, turned the stirrup with her right and put her left foot in. Grabbing the saddle with her right hand, she bounced on the ball of her right foot, launching herself onto the saddle swinging her right leg over to catch the stirrup with her toe.
“Well done,” Jode said. “You have a good seat.”
“I wasn’t sure I could pull it off, but hey, thanks.” Madeline listened as the groom explained the hand signals and then practiced as he led the horse around the paddock.
The horse responded to her signals and carried her comfortably. When they returned to where Jode stood waiting, the stableman told her to circle again without him. The horse refused to move. Madeline sat quietly for a moment, and then squeezed her knees and shook the rein. The horse moved and circled the paddock under her control. When she returned to where Jode and the stableman waited, Madeline asked, “What is his name?”
“Fortune,” the stableman answered. “He’s a good brave horse.”
“He’s perfect. May I have him?”
Jode laughed. “That is why we are here. Bring Glory out and see if she makes a good second,” he instructed the stableman.
Glory turned out to be a roan, and Madeline quickly decided to take her as well as Fortune. Simon had chosen a black stallion and a chestnut mare for his mounts. “Witch and Valor,” Simon announced when she asked what their names were.
For the next half hour, Jode instructed Simon and Madeline on the leg and hand signals that would guide the horses. Then Arabela declared the visit a success and led them back. She walked arm in arm with Madeline ahead of the men.
“Sir Jode admires you,” she said without any preamble. “He would be a good mate.”
“I’m not looking for a mate.” Madeline had no intention of making any more entanglements than she absolutely had to.
“Everyone has a mate somewhere.” Arabela pulled back, her face showing surprise at Madeline’s statement. “Why would you not wish to find one?”
“I don’t know if I’m staying. It would not be fair to him.”
“It is not fair to leave him hanging on this string.” Arabela shook her head. “He is obviously aware that you might choose to return to your world. Why not be wooed while you are here?”
“As you wish, I thought it would be amusing for both of you. I see it is more serious than I thought.”
“It’s not serious at all,” Madeline snapped.
They walked the rest of the way back to the castle in silence.
13
Madeline was packing her new wardrobe into the travel trunk at Elise’s direction when someone knocked on the door. “Ignore it,” she said when Elise moved to answer it. “I don’t feel like entertaining anyone right now. Show me how to open that compartment again, please.”
Elise reached towards the box to show Madeline. “Remember the rose.”
“The rose,” Madeline said, looking at the interlace pattern of roses and vines carved around the box. “Do you think these books will be safe?” Madeline had chosen two books to take on her journey.
The knock came again, sharper and repeated several times.
Elise pressed the center of a carved rose and the drawer sprung open. “Remember, it is the rose to the left of center. If you press the others more than three times in a row, the drawer will lock itself and will have to be cut open. Your books will be safe. When you finish reading, make sure you reheat the wax and let it seal tight.”
The knock came again. Elise looked at the door and then back at Madeline. “I think they will keep knocking.”
“I guess you’re right. Let me get it.” Madeline stalked over to the door and wrenched it open. “What.” She snapped at Simon.
“The leaders of the allies are gathering in the dining room and Arabela wants to formally introduce us. Will you come and just get it over with?”
“Okay, I’ll be down in ten minutes.”
Simon nodded and headed back down the hallway. Madeline watched him go and sighed. She really didn’t want a fuss, and particularly didn’t want to see Jode right now. Arabela’s comments had not helped her ignore the attraction she felt towards him. “Focus on the quest and keep your mind off his muscles,” she told herself. “And off his great smile so your heart won’t skip a beat and you can breathe. You don’t need any more complications when it comes time to leave.” She knew herself well enough to know that if she fell in love and stayed to be with Jode she would come to resent him.