Blood and Water: The Lionheart Province (The Chronicles of Alburnium Book 1)

by J. R. Castle

  Mr. Tillus had explained that they held the parting ceremony for the Herbalist while Kardia was fighting through her fever. Different Provinces had different means of taking care of their dead. Miltie was placed in a deep hole and covered with all the blooming flowers and herbs growing in her garden. Then she was covered with dirt and rocks. Her body rested beside her husband, but Kardia knew they were truly together once again in Everlasting.

  Knowing that was the one small comfort that kept her going.

  Mother’s tone softened. “I went to Silvie’s home and spoke with her mother who, I fear, was ready to run her pitchfork through me. Not that I blame her. I was out of my mind that day. The Sorcerer frightened me more than anything I’ve ever faced before.” Her gaze locked on her own bowl of stew. “However, I did manage to get them to listen to me. I knew Silvie has been courted by the Carpenter’s son. They had announced their intention to unite a while ago. I asked Silvie if she would like to take over the Herbalist’s work. She is good with growing things and understands plants almost was well as Miltie did.”

  “What did she say?” Kardia hoped the tenderhearted servant girl would accept the offer. It would help her station in town considerably.

  “She said if you did not wish to move in, then she would take it. She knew how much you loved Miltie. So, I suppose it’s up to you what happens with the cottage. I thought, perhaps when you are ready, I’d help you go through her things. Maybe there is something you’ll want to keep to remember her by. I’m sure Miltie wouldn’t mind. She was like a second mother to you. Perhaps over the past couple of years, a better one than I ever was.”

  Kardia watched her mother for a long moment, realizing the softer tone, the doting and care were her way of apologizing. She’s always said actions were stronger than words.

  “She was my friend.” Kardia rested her bandaged arm on Mother’s wrist. “I only have one mother, and I’m grateful for her. You tried to talk the sorcerer into taking you instead. I’ll never forget that.” She got up from her seat and wrapped her arms around Mother’s neck.

  With a sniff, Asmita said, “I was so sure we still had plenty of time. I’d been wrong about so many things.” She patted Kardia’s back, then began collecting dishes, even though neither of them had eaten anything. “I should get this cleaned up. There is something I need to show you. Meet me in the library. I’ll go put these in the sink to wash later.”

  They no longer had servants working for them. Dadda had dismissed them all, giving the few true coins he had left to them for their final pay.

  When Kardia entered the library, she found several crates stacked near the shelves. Some were opened to reveal an assortment of dishes and crockery. Another held bolts of leather and cloth. She’d never seen so many wonderfully crafted goods like this before. Oh, what did the world outside of her little hamlet offer? Would she be able to find out? How would people receive her in the other towns? Perhaps they’d assume she was a thief on the run.

  That thought sent a wave of panic through her.

  No, she needed to be brave. Somehow, she’d have to find a way past this.

  Only a few minutes ticked by before Mother joined her and headed straight for one particular box made of polished wood and brass fittings. She lifted the lid to reveal a stack of leather-bound books inside.

  “All those months you spent in here looking for something, I think, this is what you sought.” She opened one of them and rested it on Kardia’s wrists. “The King’s Book of Letters.” Returning to the box, she took out another one. “Your father and I are going to pass them out around town. I’ve been reading a little of it myself. And Miltie’s stories…? It seems she remembered rather well for her age.”

  Kardia placed the open book on a desk and carefully pushed the pages with her left stump. “What will be done with all this stuff? The Regent left all this behind, did he not?”

  “Yes, he did. I still plan to open a store.” At Kardia’s open-mouthed gaze, Mother insisted, “We need to find some way to earn back what was lost.” Kardia continued to stare at her. Some things had changed, but not everything evidently.

  Mother scowled, then rolled her eyes. “I’ll not charge much. Just enough for us to tuck away until it’s time to mill the wheat again. We’ll still have to eat, dear. I’m not going back to scraping by like we did before. The Regent told me to make good use out of all this, and that’s what I plan to do.”

  Shaking her head, a smile crossed Kardia’s lips and she realized it was the first one she’d had since waking up. It felt good. Refreshing. “I’m going to take this outside where the light is better. Maybe a bit of sun will… help.”

  Mother sent her a wink, then began sorting through the crates. Most likely calculating how much they’d earn if they sold it all. Well, Goia did not have a mercantile, perhaps it was time. Mother certainly had the smarts to run a store and the persuasive tongue to get people to buy things they didn’t even need.

  For the rest of the afternoon, Kardia sat on the front steps of the Meeting Hall and read one letter after another. The more she read, the deeper the desire grew to go meet this King.

  As the sun sank behind the horizon, Dadda finally returned home. Before he could make some excuse to head in a different direction, Kardia called out to him, “Dadda, how does one find the White Path. Does it run through our Province?”

  He stopped, his chest rising and falling with his deep breaths. Finally, he came to sit on the stoop beside her. “I do not know. All I’ve ever heard about the King’s Highway is that if you truly wish to find the King, it will show itself. But it’s such a long journey.”

  “I have nothing better to do,” Kardia stated, pushing the book closed on her lap. In time, she’d learn new ways to do things. “I still have a few months before I’m old enough unless you give me your blessing to go on.”

  He turned on the stair to face her. It was the first time she’d felt his gaze in weeks. “But how… you still have the bandages on. How will—”

  “I have to find a way, Dadda. And the bandages are there because I’m not ready… well, because I asked Mr. Tillus to keep them on. He says the skin is mending. He even removed the stitches he made.”

  A tear, one of many that her father had shed, trickled down his face, disappearing into his scraggly beard. “You are certain this is what you want to do? Not because you wish to escape, or hope to run away—”

  “I’m not running away. I’m running to. I want to go meet Miltie’s King Shaydon. I want to see him more than anything.” She hugged the book to her chest.

  Dadda’s hand rested on her knee. “I would go with you, but…your mother. She is not willing to make such a long journey. She does not feel ready to give up a year of her life to making such a trip. It’s a very long way away, Daughter. I don’t think you know…”

  “I don’t care. I want to do this. There is nothing for me here, Dadda. Nothing.”

  “We will take care of you. I will always make sure you have what—”

  But Kardia was already shaking her head. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust him, but she wanted to put her trust in something bigger. She wanted more than this tiny village offered her. She had to find her way. Maybe, somehow, she’d be able to still use her natural gifting. A part of her mourned the loss of not only her fingers but the amazing things she’d done with them. That night when she healed the Regent’s leg, she’d felt complete, as if she’d finally found what she was meant to do with her life.

  Now it was all gone. She had tried, and there was nothing. She wouldn’t remain here, feeling like an empty shell. “I have to go. I must.”

  Another tear followed the first one. Dadda’s smile wobbled. “Very well, my brave, kindhearted girl. If this is what you want, tell us when and we will be sure to give you anything you need.”

  She glanced down at the book in her arms. It had said to not worry about packing for the trip. It urged her to simply come. Whatever she needed would be provided along the way. Bu
t first, she would have to find the Highway.

  For that, she would need to pack a few things. But she didn’t plan to take much. Standing, she turned her gaze toward the dark cottage. “I’ll need to leave soon. While the weather is pleasant and warm. In one of those crates was a traveling pack. May I have that?”

  “Of course, my girl. Whatever you need. But what is your hurry? There is still—”

  Kardia would not entertain any excuses to tarry. “I’m going to Miltie’s house. I think giving it to Silvie is a wonderful idea. Tell Mother that’s where she’ll find me.” She knew there would be a few useful things belonging to the Herbalist she could use on her journey.

  For the first time since waking from her fever, Kardia began to feel alive. She bent over her father and kissed his cheek. “It’s time to stop beating yourself up, Dadda. What’s done is done. I’m free, and I still have my whole life ahead of me. There’s no point wallowing in regrets now, is there? Goia will survive. You and Mother will, too. And I’m finally free to make this journey. I’ve dreamed of it for so long.”

  Her father was up and wrapping her in his strong arms. “My precious brave girl. You are so right. I’ll go find the bag you spoke of and then your mother and I will come to help you sort through Miltie’s things. Silvia will do well growing herbs for Mr. Tillus. Everything will work out fine, just as you said.”

  * * * *

  Leon asked everyone he passed if they’d seen the Elderad Riyah. A letter had arrived from the Prior of Goia. Or former Prior. He’d requested that Leon appoint someone to take over the Meeting Hall. He and his wife had decided to step down and return to working their mill.

  The letter had said much more than that. Wilhelm of the house of the White Horse admitted he’d made a bargain with a Sorcerer. He shared what he knew about their plans of taking over the Province, town by town. He wrote of how they were capturing children with special gifts and stealing them for some terrible means to grow stronger.

  I don’t know all the details, sire, but I hope you’ll take my warning seriously. My family was able to stand against the Sorcerer Fajer. We suffered the loss of our Herbalist.

  Leon had felt sorrow over that. She had been the only person in that town that seemed knowledgeable about Kingdom ways. Wilhelm said the town was safe, but it needed strong leadership to protect it from falling into the Brethren’s hands again. He hoped, as Regent of Rodonal, that he would find someone suitable and willing to come. He would be waiting for an answer.

  Riyah had been talking about leaving soon. With the Elderad’s help, Leon found three new advisers, but there was still much work to do before he was able to reach out to the surrounding towns and begin his plans for unifying his Province again.

  In the meantime, the threat of the Brethren’s encroachment constantly loomed over his head. Something needed to be done about the growing Wizard clan. But his military might wasn’t near strong enough to deal with them. Not yet.

  As he entered the grand meeting chamber, he found General Gailid and a few of his men gathered around a map of Rodon. “I believe we’ll set up a training center in this vale,” the general was saying. “We’ll need to call the lumbermen to clear out some trees, but I think— Regent Leon, I hear you were looking for Riyah?”

  Relief flooded Leon that someone had finally seen him. “Yes. Where is he?”

  “I saw him heading for the river from your garden. I suppose he was searching for a secluded spot, as he likes to do when he needs to think. You’ll find him there if you hurry.”

  Leon rushed out the double doors, hoping Riyah wasn’t preparing to leave already. Wouldn’t he have told him? Maybe, maybe not.

  By the time he left the pear orchard, Leon huffed to catch a breath. He didn’t stop until he reached the sandy shoreline. There, in the shelter of a willow, Riyah stood before a wall of water.

  “Hey, you’re not leaving without saying goodbye, are you?” Leon panted, reaching his dear friend’s side. “I was hoping you’d wait a few more days.”

  Riyah wasn’t standing before a portal, but rather what looked like a watery looking glass.

  “What are you doing?” Leon asked.

  Riyah’s pale brow raised. “What are you doing? A Regent doesn’t scamper through town like a child running races. You are covered in sweat and look as if you might faint right here.”

  Leon nodded. “I’m a little out of shape, truth be told. Sitting endless hours in all those meetings…anyway, here, look what arrived. It’s from Goia.” He thrust the letter at the Elderad. “Except, he made no mention of his daughter. Why is he so reluctant to speak about her?”

  “Shame, I suspect. Guilt. Remorse.” Riyah scanned the letter. “Yet, redemptive. Hopeful.” A smile titled upward on one side of his face. “They defeated Fajer. I tried to tell Dar… him that he’d chosen wrongly.” He waved his hand across the water mirror.

  Leon’s mouth gaped as a new scene began to form. A town. Goia, perhaps? Figures of various colors moved about. Riyah seemed to be searching for one in particular. “Why did you wish for me to remain a few more days?” he finally asked.

  “What is that?” Leon pointed to a blue figure crossing the road.

  Riyah’s brows furrowed. “Oh, that’s a vision of how I see…things. Back to my question?”

  Were they looking at people? Leon wondered, but the expression on Riyah’s face told him he’d get no answers today. “I need to pick a new Prior. I’d hoped, perhaps, you’d accompany them to Goia. You can lay a road, along the way.”

  Perhaps, if the Sano girl survived, and he had to assume that she had, then maybe eventually she’d decide to leave Goia. If she did, he hoped she’d have a safe road to travel upon.

  “I’d go myself,” Leon added. He desperately wanted to. The golden-haired Healer still plagued his dreams. He had so many questions. Hopefully, their paths would cross again. Soon.

  “You cannot leave at this time, I understand.” Riyah’s smile grew wider as he continued to watch the town. Leon leaned in closer when a pale-yellow figure separated from the rest. It continued walking away from the town and toward the bridge that bordered Goia. “Yes, I’ll go with them. And I know exactly who you should pick to take on this position.” Riyah waved his hand again, and the water returned to normal.

  Leon glanced out over the waters, glad the guardian of the river hadn’t appeared. Sapphire, the worm dragon, made him nervous. She’d been assigned to protect the capital city from intruders who tried to sneak in. In return for her services, the dragons stored their eggs deep in the river bed.

  More than likely, Leon mused, she protected them first, then the city. But he would never question a dragon.

  Riyah patted his back. “Come, Leon the Lionhearted. Let us go tell your cousin about his new position. I believe he’ll be pleased and I’m hoping he’ll be quick about packing. I’m eager to get started.”

  * * * *

  Kardia stood before the bridge, remembering the last time she tried to cross. Her heavy pack pressed into the small of her back. Mother had stuffed it way too full, but Kardia was sure in the end, she’d be thankful for her mother’s foresight.

  The book of letters remained tucked under her right arm. She kept it near her at all times since receiving it and had already read nearly half of the pages.

  “Well, the bridge won’t come to me.” Kardia mused.

  Moving first her right foot, then her left, she slowly increased her pace until the thunk of her boots sounded off the wood planks. Below, the West Mir tributary rushed past. Dadda said this road would take her either to Warton if she headed left, or Rodon, if she kept straight. The thought of heading to Rodon sent a little thrill through her that she quickly dismissed as pure foolishness.

  The Regent, most likely, wouldn’t even remember her. Besides, she was searching for the King’s Highway, not the Regent with the kind brown eyes. Hopefully, she’d run into the path or someone who knew how to find it before she reached Rodon.

  The
middle of the bridge loomed a few feet ahead. Kardia held her breath. Two more feet. She squinted her eyes and braced herself for the possible impact of the invisible barrier. One more foot…and she kept going until she reached the other side.

  “Ha-ha!” Raising her bandaged hand, she threw back her head and shouted, “I’m free! I’m truly free! And I’m on my way to see the King.”

  Before You Go…

  Thank you for taking the time to read Blood and Water. If you enjoyed this story, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review from the place where you purchased this book. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated. Thank you.

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  Blessings and Peace

  Ephesians 4:32

  Jackie Castle

  Author’s Note

  I hope you enjoyed your time in Alburnium. If you’ve read the White Road Chronicles, or the novella series, The White Road Tales, then welcome back.

  For some time, like a few years now, the idea of writing retold fairy tales has played in the back of my mind. I’d think about it, pull out my thick book of Grimm's fairy tales and skim through a few stories, then close the book and forget about it. Nothing ever popped out at me, or rather, came alive for me.

  I love reading fairytale retellings. There are some really good ones out there. And they seemed kind of popular. But... I wasn’t sure how to go about retelling my own.

  Then, one particular Saturday, I came across a tale that I’d never heard of. And it wasn’t a very cheery tale, matter-of-fact, it was pretty ‘grim.’