Invocation

by Nicole Warner

  “Yes.”

  “Will the King not mind that I have left?” His look gave answer, and I sighed.

  We walked towards a darker section where there were no lights around the trees and bushes. Eadred halted. “Wait here.” He spoke in low tones to his friend.

  “No, Red,” was the firm reply before another furtive exchange.

  Then Eadred was back at my side and guiding me deeper into the garden. “Anais, we don’t have long. Your brother left something behind for you.”

  “You saw Willem.”

  “I did,” he confirmed.

  “Why did he leave without seeing me?” I lamented.

  “I wish I could explain, but it isn’t my story to tell.”

  “Was he well?”

  “He was, as was his betrothed, Lady Vivica.”

  I almost cried from the news. This must be the surprise he hinted at in his last missive. I could not guess his reason for leaving, yet my curiosity about the woman he loved became the prevalent emotion. “What was she like?”

  He let out a huff of breath, half in humour and half in exasperation at my eagerness. “I’ll tell you in my next letter,” he promised. “We have little time to speak of her now. Prince Willem left me with a box. It’s full of herbs and spices, plus a recipe book. For the palace cooks.”

  “He did?” I asked, filled with wonder at my brother’s gift.

  Eadred gave a low laugh. “Don’t sound so happy. Your secret is out. I know all too well how much you hate our food.”

  “I do not …” I started to deny it, but even in the dim light I could see his expression of disbelief and I drew my lips together in consternation.

  He moved closer, his heat surrounding me. “Liar,” he teased, taking my hand and kissing the top of it. “Maybe one day you’ll get to show me why you think Chartel food is so superior.”

  “I would like that.”

  Our hands entwined, I greedily inhaled the intoxicating smell of him, something of steel, wood and horse, but unmistakably earthy and warm. With great reluctance, he let go and walked towards the well-lit path.

  Eadred asked if I wanted a tour of the palace before he took me to my apartment and, happy to prolong my time with him, I agreed. With Elron following close behind, his scowling look of disapproval clear, it reminded me of that first evening in Arnil Wale and, when I told Eadred this, he gave a bitter-sweet laugh.

  He led me to the library entrance. “The ballroom and some staterooms are in the eastern wing,” he said with a wave to his left. “The throne room is through there, via the King’s entry chamber,” Eadred continued, indicating a doorway to our right.

  As we walked past the rows of shelves he explained, “The library is primarily used by council members, but all courtiers have access. The council chamber is just across the hall, their stairwell to the second level beside it. King Edmund’s personal stateroom, parlour and drawing room are through there, with his own private staircase going directly to his apartment.” A turn to the right and then again as he took me through the passage lined with black tiles. “This is the onyx hall. Down to your left is a service stairwell, leading up to the higher levels and to the one below.”

  “There is another level below?”

  “Yes. There you’ll find the servant’s quarters, kitchen and vault. Under that are two more, though only a fraction of the size.”

  “What is their purpose?”

  “That’s where the dungeons are. They’re rarely used and only for those who’ve committed crimes against the crown. There are prisons in two locations in the city for the more dangerous and common criminals.”

  We turned left. “The service staircase at the end of this passage leads directly to the west kitchen.”

  We walked into a large, dim room with bare, white walls and dark curtains. Three long tables ran through the middle, chairs lying upside down on them, leaving the floor clear of any obstructions. “This is the dining hall. All the courtiers who are staying in the palace break their fast here, including the King. You may do so as well. Or you might find you prefer to dine in your apartment.”

  He led me back past the onyx hall into an area filled with marble busts, statues and beautiful artwork. Confused by all the turns in this vast palace, I tried to take everything in.

  “This is the gallery. And there’s a second entrance to the throne room on our right. That’s the entry you’ll most likely use, as your private stairwell is just here.” He pointed and then said, “The banquet hall, royal supper room and another stateroom are all in the west wing.”

  We entered the stairwell, illuminated by a single wall sconce. Instead of ascending, he opened the door ahead. There was nothing to see except darkness, so I took him at his word when he told me, “The Queen’s drawing room. As you’ll soon learn, these stairs give you access straight to your apartment.”

  He led the way up the tight staircase. It turned, going up two flights. At the top, before we entered the ornate white door across a narrow hallway, Eadred said, “Here’s the entry but, before I leave you, I’ll show you around the upper level.”

  He stepped to the right where there was a large expanse of the widest hall yet, what he called the royal walkway, lined with tall windows. When we walked over to one of them, I could see faint lights below and knew the dancing and merriment in the garden were still in full swing.

  The royal walkway was carpeted in a plush red. Along the edges, small chandeliers and wall sconces provided soft lighting. A magnificent dome of glass arched above us. “At the far end is the King’s apartment, with a guardroom between your two sections for additional protection, should you need it.”

  We went back and moved to the left, going past an enormous staircase with a golden balustrade. He confirmed it was the top of the one that started near the palace entry. “Around the corner are smaller apartments and rooms for visiting nobles and courtiers.”

  We returned the way we had come, both of us walking a little slower, trying to delay the moment of our farewell. He hesitated and dropped into a bow, but I asked, “Please, would you show me in there too?”

  Eadred grinned and admitted, “I haven’t been in the Queen’s apartment for years. Not since I was a young boy playing in the nursery with my cousin. For most of my life it’s been empty.”

  “Then we shall discover it together.”

  Elron shifted, using his creaking leather jacket to good effect. As if he knew what he was going to say, Eadred held up his hand and told his friend, “Not now.”

  Upon our entrance, Adele stood from her position on a seat to the left of the door. That Eadred was with me flustered her a little and she hastily curtsied. The entry became crowded as Elron squeezed through, nearly knocking over the fresh flowers arrayed on a low stand. I dismissed Adele, telling her I would call for her when I needed help. She wasted no time in leaving, squeezing her way past the men.

  Before us was a round table of deep mahogany set with four chairs. To the right of that were two armchairs and a chaise lounge cosy with plump pink and yellow cushions before a fire burning brightly. Three windows, covered with thick, golden curtains, looked out over the gardens.

  “Aha,” Eadred said, “another drawing room, I believe.” He gave a soft laugh. “Shall we explore?”

  “We shall,” I answered lightly, as always enjoying when his playful side came out.

  We discovered a long nursery in the first chamber on the left, white sheets over furniture pushed against the far wall. There were two doors on the right leading into other rooms. The furthest opened to reveal Adele’s bedchamber. She was sitting on her bed and gave a startled cry when we looked in.

  The next door yielded the study, with a table and chairs set in the middle, and another lit fireplace. Upon the table was a small chest. I rushed forward, opening it and exploring the gift from my brother with a gleeful smile.
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br />   He watched as I opened each little bag and inhaled, with a dreamy happiness, the rich scents contained within. “If that’s how you look just smelling those spices, I can’t even imagine how happy eating them will make you,” he commented.

  “Very happy,” I warned him with a grin.

  “What’s the first thing you’ll ask the cook to prepare?”

  “Chille cordelle.” I opened a bag with a dark red powder inside and licked the tip of my smallest finger, placing it into the bag until a tiny amount stuck to it. I held it before his mouth and demanded, “Open up.” A little disconcerted he did so. I wiped my fingertip on his tongue, and his eyes widened at the intimacy.

  “Oh, that’s hot!” he burst out, smacking his lips together and blinking away the quick tears that formed at the spiciness.

  “Yes, it is. And one of the key ingredients in chille cordelle. Are you sure now you want to try it?” I teased.

  “Every day of the week, if I get to see you smile like that,” he vowed, heat suffusing his gaze.

  Elron made a disgruntled sound. We both turned, witness to his glowering expression. With a sharp look, he shifted aside, wordlessly telling us to get the tour moving.

  Undaunted, we kept exploring. The rooms in my new apartment did not seem to end, always more to find. There was a dressing room with a table and mirror, the emerald comb already lying in a prominent position on top. A door opened into an adjoining chamber where all my dresses were neatly hung. Another opening, on the opposite side, led to the bathing area, where a massive copper tub sat in the middle, strange pipes around the walls.

  Eadred, showing a keen interest, explained how the pump worked to draw hot water all the way from the lower levels into my bath. I tried to move the handle up and down in a quick motion, but only the tiniest of trickles came out before I gave up, giggling at my failure.

  Another opening led back into the drawing room, but the far door opened into my bedchamber. Suddenly, all I was aware of was my breathing and Elron’s heavy creaking. Pride of place was the raised bed, piled high with white pillows and a large, cushioned blanket. Four wooden posts stood at the corners, holding up a pretty lace curtain. An embroidered chair sat in the corner with a small side table beside it and another next to my bed. A third fireplace was at the far end, near the bathing room, providing warmth to both areas. Overlooking the gardens was a single window, covered by a curtain, the match to those in the drawing room.

  There was one last doorway and Eadred told me, “I think you’ll like this.”

  We stepped out into the brisk night, onto a private roof-top garden, the sides lined with plants in pots of different sizes, bursting with greenery. The cold air was scented with such invigorating freshness, I was instantly captivated. I stopped to stare at the stars twinkling above us, thinking it was already my favourite area.

  Yet, when I turned to share this with Eadred, I saw his eyes were closed. His face, raised to the sky, revealed misery. I did not need to guess what pained him, for I knew it all too well, my heart echoed with the same sentiment.

  “I should go,” he said.

  “Eadred, if I ask you something, will you do it? For me?”

  “Surely you know the answer.” I tilted my head questioningly, and he confirmed, “Anything.”

  “Elron, please wait inside.”

  “Your Highness,” he began.

  I refused to heed his warning, cutting him off with, “Now. There is one last private matter between us. You will grant us this moment of privacy and will never speak of it. Is that clear?”

  He gave a grudging nod and retreated from view. I looked up at Eadred, seeing the confusion in his eyes. “What is it you ask of me?”

  “One thing. A kiss.”

  Eadred shook his head and swallowed visibly. “A bad idea, Anais.”

  “You just said …”

  “I know what I said, but I cannot.”

  I stepped into his surrounding warmth. “You have not asked why.”

  His mouth parted as he stared down at me. “Why?”

  “Because I have never been kissed before and soon I will be wed. Just once, I would like to be the one to choose, when every other decision is made for me. I want you, my dearest friend, to be the first man to kiss me.”

  He took my hand and lifted it to his lips, pressing his mouth to the top. “There,” he announced. I shook my head, disappointed at his evasion.

  “Not good enough,” I cautioned, though there was a small smile playing about my lips as I said it.

  With startling earnestness he told me, “Anais, you know I would stop this marriage if I could, don’t you?”

  “You would?” I asked in return, and then, “Why?”

  He sucked in a ragged breath and kissed my hand a second time. “For reasons best left unspoken.”

  I pulled on our joined hands and brought the top of his against my hot cheek. I turned my face, kissing his skin. “Tell me one reason.” My lips lingered over his knuckles and his grip tightened.

  “To ensure the happiness of my dearest friend,” was Eadred’s low answer.

  “My greatest happiness is easily achieved this night,” I promised him.

  He surrendered first. “One kiss. Between friends.”

  Our bargain struck, I softly agreed, “Between friends.”

  His other hand came up to touch my cheek, and I felt how it trembled. It matched the quivering of my knees and the fluttering in my stomach. With agonising slowness, his head lowered, until his breath swept with dizzying heat against my skin. Eadred’s lips touched mine, the lightest caress, and then pressed down. Our kiss, in all the important ways yet chaste, lingered now with an aching longing for more.

  We shifted together, his hand travelling around my neck, while my fingers flattened over his chest, feeling the way his heart raced in time with my own. Desire increased my shaking. Our breath mingling, my lips parted …

  “Red,” Elron hissed. “Someone’s coming.”

  We leapt apart and Eadred asked, “Who?”

  “I don’t know. I can hear them talking to the servant. Get out here now.”

  Eadred gazed at me helplessly and then drew me into his embrace, hugging me like he never wanted to let go. I wrapped my arms around his back, my hold just as tight. “Edmund can be cruel and selfish, but his vanity has no bounds. Use that if you must. Stay strong and true to yourself. God help him if he ever hurts you,” he said into my ear. “For he’s the luckiest man alive to have you.” Tears pricked my eyes at his fierce words.

  He let go and stepped back, forcing my arms to drop. The emptiness of loss filled me.

  We exchanged a quick look and then dashed into the bedchamber. Eadred began saying, “As you can see, you’ve a lovely apartment, Princess Anne. If there’s anything you ever need, any additions you would like to make, you only have to ask.”

  Lady Drusilla swept into the room and faltered when she saw us. “Lord Eadred!” she exclaimed. “What on earth are you doing in here?”

  “I was just showing the Princess her new apartment.”

  “That is not for you to do! Your father sent me here to see what was taking you so long. I’m afraid the answer will be most displeasing to him.”

  “I’ll take my leave,” he told her and gave me an apologetic look. “Your Highness.” He bowed, keeping his gaze trained to mine with an intensity I shared.

  “Now, Lord Eadred,” Lady Drusilla ordered.

  When they all left, I sat on the edge of my bed, touching my lips wistfully, remembering the wonder of his kiss. Of being where I belonged. The only place I would ever belong.

  It hit me then, tears slipping down my cheeks. The next time I saw him I would be married.

  Pain in Division

  I threw the saw onto the table beside the bed. “It’s barbaric and I won’t do it!”

&nbs
p; “You weel! Because I tellt you tae dui it!” bellowed Professor Ludlow, his rolling brogue nearly indecipherable in his anger. “The limb is in a state of growing putrefaction. Left untreated, it’ll spread tae the rest of the body. The only suitable course of treatment is amputation. If you canna dui this simple task Master Rougeulf, one has tae wonder what you’re aiven still duin here! Nou, pick up tha blade!”

  It terrified the man on the table, but I couldn’t make myself look into his eyes and give him words of reassurance. My manner brusque, I stuffed the wad of leather between his lips and instructed him to bite on it. Shen and Tergen grabbed his arms and held him down.

  My teeth gritted, I placed the sharp, serrated blade on his skin, below the tourniquet, and moved it back and forth. The man thrashed and screamed through the leather. I carefully took hold of his blackened leg with my left hand to prevent more kicking and used the opportunity to ease a bit of his pain. It worked and his thrashing calmed, allowing me to complete my grisly operation.

  The bone was the most troublesome part, the sound and sensation of the saw grating its way past the hard surface and into the marrow in every way horrifying. Fortunately for the patient, he’d long passed out, and I could use both hands to apply the greatest pressure.

  When I finished the amputation, we wrapped cloths over the severed limb, soaking up the blood, while another student picked up the lower part of his leg and rushed it away to be burnt. Professor Ludlow kept up his lesson, instructing us on the best way to treat, post amputation, our patient. We transferred the unconscious man to the stretcher and carried him to the ward. When no one was looking, I put my hand on the man’s shoulder and sent a tendril of healing into him.

  It wasn’t what I’d hoped for, coming to the university in Arnil Wale. In truth, I felt betrayed by the abbot and leaders of the Holy Path, never imagining they’d force me to hide my gift so completely. Yet, here I was, dismembering limbs I believed, with both time and the will for it, that I might heal.

  Ludlow cleared his throat, and I turned to look at him, at his greasy black hair and expression of derisive superiority. He was pale, with an unhealthy and clammy sheen to his skin. His prominent nose overwhelmed his eyes and chin. The man was held in the highest esteem by many in the physic faculty, lauded as a luminary of extraordinary skills and knowledge. I only knew him as an arrogant know-it-all, never caring for him or his methods. He was a visiting professor from the neighbouring country of Birne, where they also spoke Tellen, though a butchered and half intelligible version called Birnesh. It confused me, and many other students, how they spoke the same language as us. Even more so when I considered how the border had been closed between the two countries for centuries.