by P. A. Wilson
“No, they aren’t ready for the king, baby.” He twisted his hips and shoulders in the signature Elvis move. “Did you have fun tonight? You look like you had fun.”
“Yes.” She sighed. “I guess I forgot my problems. I took dancing lessons with my last boyfriend. He was a bastard, but I learned to dance. Thanks, by the way, knowing some of the music helped.”
“It’s all part of the job.” He waved as he turned back to the room.
“Hey, how do they get the sound to carry? They don’t have amps.”
“Magic.”
She laughed, and then realized he wasn’t kidding. Pulling out the chair, she settled in to enjoy the remainder of the evening. The current song was from this world. Simon had created a playlist that threw the new sounds in every few songs. The people on the dance floor were swaying around each other in a complex rhythm to what sounded to Madeline like a snake charmer song.
“Would you honor me with the next dance?” Jode stepped in front of her with a bow.
She considered declining then changed her mind. Her feet were just fine, not how they would feel after a night dancing at home. She could listen to Simon’s singing while she danced.
She stood, took Jode’s hand, and walked with him to the center of the floor. The rest of the dancers drifted away as the song started and Jode swept her into the waltz position. Simon’s voice came from the corner of the room.
“You can dance every dance with the guy who gives you the eye, let him hold you tight.”
His voice was warm and on the low side of the range. She smiled as she realized it was a set up. Jode spun her gently around and dipped her in the process.
“You’ve been taking lessons,” she said.
“Yes.” Jode smiled down at her. “Sir Simon provided me with this skill in exchange for the first dance steps. I must admit I enjoy your style of dance, it is more intimate.”
They owned the dance floor for the duration of the song. It ended with applause, for Simon and for the dancers.
Servants moved in and started clearing tables away, and the guests drifted through the French doors into the night. A few returned to the tables and wine glasses.
Jode led Madeline to the foot of the stairs and bowed over her hand, placing a light kiss on the back. “I have duties to attend before I retire. Good night, Lady Madeline, sleep well.”
Madeline crawled into the bed after leaving Jode to his duties. She expected the usual after party buzz to keep her awake for a while, but there was no buzzing, and no need to put a foot on the floor to keep the room from spinning. She sank into the mattress, tunneled under the covers, and fell asleep as she exhaled.
15
In the morning, Elise woke Madeline and placed a tray containing a warm bread roll spread with honey and a cup of caf on her bed. “You need to be ready to ride in an hour,” she said.
Madeline ran to the convenience and returned to find a set of black pants, a white sweater, and a black cloak laid out for her. The dress from last night had been removed and so had the travel trunk that they had packed yesterday. She dressed quickly and slid her feet into a pair of stiff black riding boots.
“This cloak can go over the back of your saddle until you need it.” Elise rolled it and tied straps around it. “The day is beautiful; a good omen.”
“We probably need all the good omens we can get.” Madeline felt like she was about to jump up and down with the sudden excitement that flooded her. She swallowed the last of the sweet roll and walked to the window. The grounds were empty. “Everyone has already gone.” She turned to face Elise. “When did they go?”
“They started to move out just before sunrise. A group that large moves very slowly. You and the mounted men will leave soon and will catch up by noon. Don’t worry, you aren’t holding anyone up.” She laughed. “You have certainly changed in the last day. Your decision to stay has agreed with you.”
“Maybe.” Madeline turned from the sight of the empty camp. “I don’t know if the decision itself, or just making a decision, has agreed with me. I hate not knowing what I should do. It feels good to be out of the fog.”
She tucked the rolled cloak under her arm and gave Elise a hug goodbye before running down the staircase, across the courtyard, and through the gates. The two sentries wished her a good journey and she thanked them over her shoulder, as she turned right to follow the wall. When she approached the practice barn, she saw it was full of men some were listlessly tapping swords. It was clear they were waiting for something.
“Lady Madeline,” one called out. She thought she recognized him from last night as one of the many men she danced with. “Will you be leaving soon?”
“I don’t know,” she replied. It wasn’t up to her to tell him if Arabela had not chosen to. “Why?”
“We are not allowed to come on the campaign. The least we can do is give a formal farewell.”
“Oh.” She understood why there were so many of the men here, and why they were so formally dressed. “I don’t know, but it probably won’t be long.”
“Thank you.” He bowed at the waist and started to button his jacket. “Men, form up.”
She sped around the curve of the wall. If she could hurry the start of the journey, she would. The thought that the soldiers would stand at attention for hours while they prepared to set out made her feel uncomfortable. At the stables, she saw a small group of people standing around their saddled horses. Jode stood next to a large chestnut stallion, Arabela a white mare, and Simon his chestnut mare. The other horses were solid looking mounts with well-used gear. A stableman stood just off to the side with Fortune on a tight rein.
“Good morning.” Arabela walked towards her. “Are you ready?”
“I guess, there’s nothing I need. According to Elise everything is on its way and I just have to get going.”
“You don’t have quite everything.” Jode handed her the sword she had practiced with yesterday. The new belt and sheath were made of green dyed leather and decorated with white stones that seemed to glow. “Please accept this as a gift from me.”
“It’s beautiful.” She wrapped the belt and straps so the sword hung across her back. “Thank you, it’s a perfect gift.” Great, now she was going to have to find him a gift before she left.
The stableman took her cloak and tied it behind her saddle. She tested her bounce before vaulting perfectly onto the horse. “Shall we go?”
Everyone else laughed and jumped on their own mounts. The column aligned in two rows, Arabela and Jode in the lead, Simon, and Madeline next, the other four pairs lined up behind. Arabela put pressure on her horse’s flanks and they started at a trot. They were headed out towards the woods where Simon and Madeline had entered this world.
As they rounded the wall, the soldiers were standing in two rows, facing each other at attention, backs straight, red-jacketed chests out. They stood far enough apart that the pairs of riders could pass. As Arabela and Jode entered this human passageway, the soldiers hit their chest and bowed their heads. Each said something as the horses passed, “Luck.”
When the entire company had passed through Arabela stood in her stirrups and turned to the waiting soldiers. “Guard my people well. I entrust them to you until we return.”
The soldiers raised a cheer that had the horses dancing. Madeline held her seat and hoped it wasn’t apparent that it was precariously. Arabela turned and sat in the saddle, let out a blood-freezing howl of ‘Summer Lands’ and kicked her horse into a full gallop. The others followed leaving behind the sound of the soldiers’ roar of approval.
They slowed to a walk as they entered the forest. Madeline was glad of the change of pace; the gallop had blown some of her hair out of the careful braid. “Was that really necessary?” she asked, pushing hair back out of her eyes.
“Yes.” Arabela looked at her quizzically. “We needed to show confidence for my men. If they thought I had doubts, they would not have slept until I returned. It was hard enough for them to
accept they had to stay. Would you have me worry them over-much?”
“No, I suppose not.” Madeline sighed. “I would have liked a bit of warning. I almost fell off. What would they have thought if the chosen one had landed on her ass during the first five minutes of the quest?”
“I assumed you would be capable. I saw you ride yesterday. You have good posture and control of your mount.”
“You know what, never mind. It’s not worth arguing about. In future let me know if the ride is about to get exciting and I’ll do my best not to embarrass anyone.”
“What happens if someone other than I causes the excitement?”
“I don’t freaking know. Look, I am trying my best.”
“To do what?” Arabela smiled. Madeline couldn’t help seeing it as a smirk. “To ride? Then your best seems adequate.”
“It is more than adequate,” Jode said from the other side of Simon. “Not many would have been able to control their mounts during that farewell. You did well, I’m sure some of the others were also in danger of falling.”
“Really?” Arabela asked. “Who? I was assured we traveled with the best riders of the camp.”
Madeline refused to let Jode step between her and Arabela. If they were headed for a fight, then that’s where they would go. “It is kind of you to say so, Sir Jode. I am sure it was just kindness and that the rest of our party is exactly as Arabela described them.”
“It is a pity that I cannot visit your world,” Arabela said looking straight ahead. “It must be a peaceful place if you are so startled by a loud noise.”
“Yes,” Madeline said. “It is a pity. I would love to see you try to cross the road during rush hour with no assistance or warning.”
Both women smiled icily at each other. Madeline tried to control her growing irritation. She could feel the tension transferring to Fortune in the way he stepped nervously. It didn’t make sense. She had started the day in such good spirits. If she was going to get pissed off every time something unusual happened, how the hell was she going to fight this coming battle, whatever fighting it meant?
She tried for small talk. “When will we catch up with the others? I understand they left hours ago.”
“The main body will reach the river in a few hours. We should catch up with them after they ford it,” Arabela said, apparently trying the same tactic.
“Then what?” Simon asked.
“We will pass them,” Jode said. “They travel slowly because they have the baggage and the supplies. When we reach them, we will stop for food and water to take with us.”
“Aren’t we camping with them?” Madeline was confused. If they were not camping with the rest of the party, why was their baggage with the slow group?
“Have you forgotten that we are supposed to be on a grand tour of the land?” Arabela sounded irritated.
“No, but what does that have to do with it?”
“We must visit some of the towns to keep that story realistic.” Arabela shook her head.
“So, are we staying in a town or something?”
“We will visit the village of Whitetree and eat our evening meal with the mayor.” Arabela said. “After that we will ride to join the camp. They will have set up for the evening. We will have an hour or two before retiring to talk and train.”
“Thank you.” Madeline bit back the word bitch. Arabela seemed to have a bug up her ass about something. “I appreciate knowing what is coming. Am I expected to talk to the villagers? Or, should I pretend to be mute?”
“You two need to cut it out,” Simon snapped. “If you are going to snipe all day, we’ll be exhausted before we meet the main camp.”
“I’m just asking for information,” Madeline said.
“I am only answering questions,” Arabela said.
“Look,” Simon continued. “Lady Arabela, we need a lot of information until we’re comfortable here. And, Madeline, you are perfectly capable of conducting an hour or two of small talk without being prepped for every fact and rumor.”
“Ladies, please, if you cannot actually be pleasant, it would be better if we didn’t ride together,” Jode said. “I am happy to drop back with Lady Madeline if it means keeping the peace.”
“I’m sure you would,” Arabela said with a laugh. “Riding with Lady Madeline would be such a trial for you. I appreciate the sacrifice.”
Madeline laughed too. “Okay, I’ll behave. Arabela, perhaps it would help if you gave me some information, or at least told me why you won’t.”
“It must be nerves,” Arabela admitted. “Until we set out I could imagine us attacking Sayer Goddard and leaving him dead. Now we have set out it’s too real.”
“Okay, so let’s gossip. That always takes my mind off anything that is bugging me.”
“What shall we gossip about?”
“Tell me about your family, or about the village we are headed to, or about friends, anything.”
“I could tell you about Sir Jode.” She looked at Madeline out of the corner of her eyes, a small Mona Lisa smile on her lips.
“If you must.” Madeline rolled her eyes. “I’m not going to fall for him, you know. At least not until I know what I am going to do.”
16
Whitetree consisted of ten small stone houses clustered close to a central green; a large inn occupied one side, the blacksmith the other, and a substantial house for the mayor at the east side. The center of the square was set up with tables and chairs for an afternoon of games and drinking.
The mayor and his wife invited Arabela to sit at the head table with their six children and four dogs. They heard the villagers’ disputes and helped to reach a settlement. Madeline sat with Jode and Simon across from them and watched the proceedings.
“So, I thought you didn’t have lawyers,” Madeline said to Jode. “This looks very much like a court of law.”
“You must be patient,” he answered and patted her hand. “Watch before you judge.”
She sighed and moved her hand away. “Okay, I’ll hold back.”
The first group to approach the head table seemed to be a family trying to make a man take responsibility for his bastard child.
“Hmm,” Simon muttered. “Let’s hope the punishment isn’t death.”
Madeline smacked his arm. “Idiot, I hope you aren’t using this as a way to assess the risk. Getting a girl pregnant here may mean a lot more than just punishment.”
The man and the pregnant girl’s family each told their story. He was married; the family had a different husband in mind for the girl.
“Not what I expected. Shouldn’t he be trying to deny he’s the father?” Simon asked Jode.
“Why.” Jode looked surprised. “The priest would confirm the girl’s story.”
“But won’t his wife want to leave him?”
“No, they have a good-sized farm. If they left each other, the farm would be split and it would not be as productive. Besides, they have their own son to provide for.”
Madeline tuned out the questions, concentrating on the two groups at the head table. She was mulling over solutions in her mind when the mayor and Arabela turned from a short conversation and gave the judgment. They suggested that the man put up the dowry for the girl and provide the new couple with a cow and a bull to start their new life. Both families agreed and shook hands.
“Will he really do what they agreed?” Madeline asked, thinking that the situation could not be resolved so easily.
“Of course,” Jode answered. “The man’s wife will ensure it is done.”
“Why? It takes something away from her family.”
“Ah, but it isn’t as much as it could be. If there were no husband for the girl, then she would move in with them. They would be responsible for her health and would take the child as their own.”
“And, the other man, the new husband, won’t he mind that his first born is another man’s?” Simon asked.
“The child will be his in all but blood. If it’s a boy he wil
l work the farm, if it’s a girl then she will help to keep the home.”
“Okay.” Madeline tried to end the discussion. “There are definitely different customs here. Now please be quiet and let me hear the next case.”
The next case was about a land dispute. Madeline expected she would see some representation for each side. Even if both people told the truth, they would have a different interpretation. She smiled and prepared to point out Jode’s error, and that they would need her legal skills.
One farmer claimed his land ran to the river, the other claimed it ran to a fence. The amount of land in dispute was extensive. Arabela and the mayor heard both sides and then asked three questions. Madeline looked around for the lawyers. Or whatever they called them here.
It turned out the river used to flow next to the fence; the fence was originally built along the riverbank. The previous winter a landslide upstream caused the river to shift. This had exposed a large tract of land as the river narrowed and ran faster. The ownership of the new land was under dispute.
To Madeline’s dismay, she watched as Arabela and the mayor suggested two solutions. One, each farmer take half the new land, moving the fence to mark the new boundary. The second choice was that one of the farmers would raise a crop and give half the proceeds to the other farmer. The second solution worked for the men. It meant they didn’t have to move the fence.
“So, they really have no use for lawyers,” Simon said. His shock showed in the awed tone of his voice. “Maybe they need your charm and diplomacy.”
“Very funny.” Madeline slapped his arm again. “Seriously, do you see this happening back home? It relies on a lot of trust and decency, both of which are in short supply.”
“I’m sorry.” Simon rubbed his arm. “I know you were counting on it being something you knew. It looks like you are back to guessing.”