She walked blindly, taking no note of where she was going until she reached a dead end and threw herself down on one of the many stone benches that lined the hall. She sniffed softly.
She felt like Speaker Thomas had just finished yelling at her. If everyone at Castle Angor knew how to read and write - and if she was truly as hopeless as Master Weston had indicated - then how much longer would it be until they, too, kicked her out? Where would she go this time? And where was Malcourt? He had wanted her to come, yet he was quick enough to pawn her off as soon as they arrived.
Angry, she blinked away her tears, wiping her face with the heel of her hand. No sense in crying, she told herself firmly, there was no help for it now.
Unless… Unless she could speak with Tessa. Surely she could work in the kitchens until she got sorted out. Maybe she could move out of the dorms and away from Brianna and her cronies. Before she had to spend too much time around them. Before she became too attached to the rest of the girls there. Before she made more friends…
With a sigh, Phoenix straightened her shoulders and looked around. She had no idea where she was. She must have gone in the opposite direction she had come from. She must be on the other side of the hall, otherwise her surroundings would seem at least a little familiar.
Phoenix stood and tried to get her bearings from a nearby window.
Looking outside, she was struck by the enormity of Castle Angor’s lands. She watched the wind play in the yellowing fields, causing the grass to dance and bow in waves.
The castle was making Phoenix feel claustrophobic. She was used to the open air and the sunshine, not stuffy halls and thick-walled rooms. Perhaps she could work for Tessa until she had enough to pay for traveling supplies...
Phoenix turned determinedly from the window and began to look for an exit. She noticed a cramped stairway in the wall to her left and quickly slipped into it. The winding stairs led down to a corridor that seemed familiar, but with so many of the halls looking similar she realized that she was still unsure how to get back to the dorms.
Something nudged at her leg, and Phoenix looked down to see a wagging tail and bright eyes looking up at her.
“Kit!” Phoenix exclaimed. Excitedly, she knelt down to rub the pup all over as Kit wagged her tail harder and licked Phoenix’s face.
“Where’d you come from, girl?”
Kit gave a yip and scampered away a few paces before stopping to look back at her. Phoenix followed her curiously.
Kit led her through a doorway and down a side corridor. A moment later, the pup squeezed through a thick wooden door that was left ajar. Phoenix paused, then pushed on the heavy wood and was rewarded with the morning’s sun on her face. Quickly she slipped outdoors.
The air was cool against her skin. She took a deep breath, savouring the chill as it filled her lungs.
Kit trotted ahead of her, across the open courtyard and towards the stables. Smiling, Phoenix lengthened her stride to catch up.
The barn was cozy with the smell of hay and animals. Feeling comfortable for the first time since she arrived, Phoenix trailed her hands along the stall doors as she walked down the aisles. The horses barely registered her presence, their temperaments mild enough that they flicked an ear or tail as she walked by, still chewing their feed uninterrupted.
They were far grander than she was accustomed to seeing; even grander than Malcourt’s mare, Powder. Phoenix realized that he must have thought his disguise had been a good one, and she chuckled softly to herself as she continued down the line.
A pen was next. She could see several donkeys, as well as hinny and mule foals munching contentedly on their oats. Muler stood off to side on his own, a warm blanket fastened over his back. Breathing a sigh of relief, she unlatched the door to his stall. Muler nickered a greeting and nudged his nose into her hands when she approached.
“Hey there,” she greeted him quietly. She picked up the currying comb in his stall and brushed out his mane. He had already been tended to, but she felt guilty for not being the one to clean him after their travels so she gave him a thorough grooming anyway.
“I’m sorry I’ve been gone so long,” she told him softly. “Angor’s a confusin’ place.. . I dunno if I like it much. Everyone’s so prim an’ proper. I dunno... Rae’s nice. And Tessa. But everythin’ seems so busy all th’ time. I jus’ wanna be left alone. I wanna spend m’ day wit’ you an’ Kit - not be stuck inna stuffy ol’ castle.”
Phoenix sighed. Kit perked her round ears towards her and came to sit by her feet. She gave a whine and lifted a paw. “Don’t you start,” Phoenix berated half-heartedly. She ran a finger up the black stripe that ran between Kit’s eyes. “I’m glad you found me,” she told the pup.
Kit’s tongue lolled out in a wolfish smile. Phoenix felt a soft breeze move her hair, and she looked up as Kit’s ears swiveled forward.
A large owl had entered the barn. It swooped past them on silent wings and perched on a rafter above their heads.
“Pip?” Phoenix asked. Pip looked at her silently with large yellow eyes. Looking away, the owl flipped her wings to her back and began to preen.
“Why issit I have more friends inna barn than I do inna buildin’?” Phoenix asked Kit. The pup wagged her tail and yawned in reply, stretching out on the floor of Muler’s stall.
The sound of a bell could be heard from the castle. It was time for mid-meal, but Phoenix was feeling more sick and tired than anything, so she made no move to join the others in the hall. Instead, with a sigh, she sat down next to Kit. “Glad t’ see you’re alrigh’ sleepin’ inna barn,” she told her. “Me an’ Muler have a bad habit o’ stayin’ in them.”
Phoenix reached out to scratch Kit’s ears. She felt herself calming down the longer she sat there stroking the velvet fur. “We’ll be all right,” she told the two resolutely. “We don’t need anyone else.”
Phoenix made herself comfortable in the hay next to Kit. She decided that she would speak to Tessa after meal’s end, after the commotion had died down. There was no sense in putting it off any longer than that. If she was lucky, they’d be able to leave before the snows came.
Phoenix pointedly turned her head so that she was unable to see the golden eyes watching her from the rafters.
CHAPTER 8
“I’m tellin’ ya: she’s not in ‘ere!” Phoenix heard a gruff voice exclaim as two sets of footsteps drew closer.
“And I’m telling you that she is,” replied a familiar patient voice. A moment later, Sylvia stuck her head over the side of the pen. “Ah, Phoenix. There you are.”
A man with a ruddy complexion stuck his face in as well. “What’re you doin’ ‘ere?” the stocky man demanded.
“Maybe if you’d stayed at your post, Sean...”
“Horses dun jus’ clean themselves!” The short man glared at Sylvia, then Phoenix, before turning on his heel and stomping back the way he came. Phoenix could hear him muttering to himself.
Pip chirped a question and peered down at the two women. “Yes, thank you, Pip,” Sylvia said. “And you,” she continued, turning to Phoenix. “What are you doing here? Mistress Ruby has been looking everywhere for you. Why didn’t you return to the dorms after your morning’s lesson?”
Sylvia leaned against the pen door as she regarded the girl with a level gaze. She had cleaned up since their travels, her fresh outfit reminded Phoenix of her dirty appearance, but she looked exhausted, and Phoenix felt a pang of guilt that the woman had come looking for her.
Phoenix fought against the embarrassment that coiled in her stomach. “Tha’ was no lesson.” She resisted the urge to clench her hands into fists. “Master Weston dismissed me early. He said it was no place fer me; that I was wastin’ everyone’s day.” She blinked furiously against the tears, tilting her head forward so that her hair hid her brimming eyes. She didn’t know what she’d do if she started crying in front of Sylvia. She couldn’t handle any more embarrassment.
Sylvia’s face darkened. Her expre
ssion tightened around her eyes, and Phoenix had a momentary image of the woman yelling at her. Instead, when she did speak, her voice was soft and even. “It’s okay, Phoenix. It’s not your fault.” Sylvia smiled at her, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “There’s no help for it, now. But we’ll get it sorted. Don’t you worry.” She extended her hands to help Phoenix stand. “It’s almost time for evening’s meal. We might as well get cleaned up for that, at least.”
Phoenix nodded and accepted the help, brushing the stray straw from her trous.
“Did you bring any clothing with you besides that?” Sylvia asked, only just realizing that Phoenix wore the same outfit that she had been wearing while traveling. When Phoenix shook her head, the woman gave a small frown. “Come with me, then. There’s bound to be some discards in the share room...”
Sylvia turned to Kit. “You stay here,” she told the pup, pointing at the ground. “Minna would have a fit if you showed up as well.”
Kit gave a growl that pitched upwards into a whine, but ultimately settled on the floor next to Muler. Satisfied, Sylvia patted Kit’s head and led Phoenix from the stables.
Gargoyle statues peered down at the two as shadows stretched across the courtyard, lanterns and lights having already winked into life in the castle. Phoenix became aware that she had been with Muler for much longer than she had realized.
Castle Angor busted with activity. Scullers were furiously cleaning walls and watering plants; old Masters were seated at tables debating each other with words that Phoenix could neither recognize nor understand. A lone Runner she didn’t recognize zipped past them and bounded up the stairs, a crumpled parchment clutched in her fist.
“Just down here,” Sylvia informed her, steering them towards an out-of-the-way room at the end of a long corridor. She rapped smartly on the door before opening it, then wordlessly ushered Phoenix inside.
The musty room didn’t seem large enough to hold everything that was in it. Abandoned pieces of clothing and furnishings occupied any spare place that they could fit. Unorganized items were stacked in haphazard piles around the room, making Phoenix nervous that they would topple with the slightest nudge. She made a point of holding her breath as she slid between two looming stacks of leather.
“We’re closed,” a muffled voice called out from behind a pillar of broken chairs.
“Minna?” Sylvia asked, looking around.
“Healer Sylvia?” the voice asked, incredulously. A large woman with flushed cheeks came into view. How she maneuvered between everything was a mystery to Phoenix. “It is you! I’d heard you were here, but I hadn’t seen you around. Is it true that you’re treating... Ah.” She stopped when she noticed Phoenix standing there. “Who’s this?”
“I’m Phoenix,” Phoenix supplied, trying not to wince as a damaged saddle slid to the floor by her feet.
“Yes. This is Phoenix. Phoenix, this is Masterclothier Minna.” Phoenix was saved from attempting a curtsy as Sylvia laid a hand on her shoulder. “Phoenix came with Tolen.”
The Masterclothier straightened in surprise and looked at Phoenix thoughtfully.
“Unfortunately, she didn’t have time to bring a change of clothes with her...” Sylvia continued, almost as an afterthought.
The woman’s bright eyes sharpened speculatively. “I see. Well, I’m sure we can find something for one who arrives with the Mastercaller.”
Minna came closer to appraise Phoenix’s frame. “Tall bit of a thing, aren’t you? Boys clothes might be more appropriate. And you’ve already got trous on. Far more practical than skirts if you ask me…” She trailed off, and Phoenix certainly wasn’t about to point out that the Masterclothier was currently wearing skirts herself. “Are you working while you’re here, Phoenix?”
Phoenix nodded. “I’m helpin’ in th’ kitchens,” she replied, deciding not to mention Malcourt’s plans for her until she knew what they were.
If Minna heard her she gave no acknowledgement. She reached out to take measurements with her hands, measuring finger lengths between shoulders and waist, but she stopped short of actually touching Phoenix. “I have a few things that might do. At least in the short term.”
Taking one last look at Phoenix’s worn outfit, Minna pursed her lips and disappeared behind the stacks in the room. Phoenix barely had time to scrutinize her harvest work clothes before Minna reappeared with an armful of clothing.
Depositing them onto a lopsided chair, she motioned for the two to inspect the items. She grabbed a mirror and positioned it while Sylvia began handing Phoenix the different items of clothing.
“Some of them are still dirty,” the Masterclothier said, by way of apology, “but they should be fine once they’re freshened up a bit.”
“It’s far better than wha’ I got,” Phoenix assured her gratefully.
Sylvia smiled and held up a flared brown tunic. “This one should fit, and there’s only one button missing.”
“There’s a pair of trous that’ll go with that one, too,” Minna told her. Phoenix stood still as the women chose different clothing items and held them up to her.
“There,” Sylvia said after a while, appraising the pile of garments set aside for Phoenix. “They might not turn heads, but they’re practical and warm, at least.”
“I had that set aside as well,” Minna told them, pointing to a skirt draped over a broken chair back, “but I believe it’s too big.”
The skirt was pale green in color with a darker ivy pattern creeping up the sides. “Tha’s far too grand fer me,“ Phoenix protested. In truth, she was relieved that the skirt was too large. Girls at Avondale married in plainer clothing.
Sylvia folded it back up and set it aside dismissively. “You could fit two of her in there,” she said. Minna looked thoughtful and nodded. “Well, we must be off if Phoenix is to get to the hall in time for evening’s meal.”
“Thank you for takin’ th’ time t’ help me, Masterclothier Minna. I’m sure you must be very busy.” Phoenix attempted a curtsy, then quickly wished she hadn’t. She wondered if Rae could give her a few pointers.
Minna stared in surprise. She looked at Sylvia before giving Phoenix a genuine smile. “My pleasure, Miss Phoenix. Do come back at any time. That goes for you as well, Healer.” Minna fixed Sylvia with a long look. “You still owe me a tale or two from last visit.”
Much to Phoenix’s surprise, Sylvia laughed. It was a joyful, bell-like sound, and it transformed her whole face - momentarily erasing the exhaustion that had started to etch itself into her expression.
She handed Phoenix the clothes.
“I’ll come back before I leave. I promise,” Sylvia called over her shoulder, chuckling as she steered Phoenix back towards the dorms.
***
“She has a good heart,” Sylvia told Phoenix as the two climbed a small staircase, “but she doesn’t get out much. Don’t mind her if she seems small-minded at times. She means well enough.”
Phoenix was confused by the last statement but was too preoccupied by the pile of clothes in her arms to say so.
It was only a short walk to the entrance of the dorms. To her surprise, Sylvia didn’t leave Phoenix at the entrance but walked with her into the girls’ common room.
“Miss Phoenix!” a prim voice called out. The chatter of those present was silenced and the assembled girls looked up expectantly. Mistress Ruby regarded Phoenix with a scowl of displeasure. “When you are dismissed from class, I expect you to report back to me! I don’t know how you did it back in Avondale, but here we obey the rules!”
Phoenix could see Brianna watching her intently. She felt her cheeks get hot when she saw the smug look on the older girl’s face. Did Brianna know that the rules had never been explained to her?
Mistress Ruby stopped short when she saw Sylvia standing there as well. Phoenix watched her school her expression as she halted whatever it was that she was about to say next.
“Ah, yes. My apologies, Mistress,” Sylvia said, curtsying fluidly. “
I detained Phoenix by request of the Mastercaller. There were a few things that she needed to attend to.”
“I see,” Mistress Ruby said, flustered by the curtsy. At a loss, she mollified her tone. “That is understandable, of course, but I do expect to be advised of the whereabouts of all of my charges - even the new ones.”
“Of course. I’ll be sure to let Master Malcourt know. It’s my understanding that he will be setting Phoenix’s schedule as soon as he has the moments to finalize it. I’m sure you will be the first one he informs.”
The women exchanged a silent look. Sylvia’s gaze was steady, her smile so perfectly bland that it was impossible to find any slight with it.
Mistress Ruby looked away first with a small huff. “The call for the evening’s meal will ring shortly,” she informed Phoenix, eyeing the clothing in her arms. “Now would be the best moment to get cleaned up, if one were so inclined to do so.”
“Yes, Mistress,” Phoenix said, bowing her head. She could feel everyone’s eyes on her as she stood in the middle of the room. No one dared to whisper.
Sylvia curtsied again. Without another word, she clasped Phoenix’s elbow and steered her towards the rooms.
“I knew something like that would happen,” Sylvia said upon entering Phoenix’s room. She looked around slowly, her expression unreadable as she eyed the empty beds. Phoenix set her new clothing on her vanity.
“How are your dormmates?” Sylvia asked her. “Pleasant?”
Phoenix nodded quickly, surprised by the question. “They’ve been very kind. Rae’s been showin’ me around, an’ Elise an’ Sophie sit with us at meals...” Phoenix felt touched that she cared enough to ask.
Sylvia nodded and sat on Phoenix’s bed. Her shoulders slumped, her body showing a fatigue that she had been hiding earlier. “You’d tell me if it was otherwise, right?” When Phoenix nodded under her scrutiny, Sylvia smiled warmly. “Good,” she said simply. “Now go and get washed up.”
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