Seirsha of Errinton

by Shari L. Tapscott

  I glance at Pippa to see how she’s fairing under the villager’s scrutiny. The princess surveys them all, meeting their eyes, unafraid—unashamed of what she is. Her expression is in no way unkind, but it certainly announces she’s not a person to be trifled with.

  Archer steps out of the tavern before anyone can accept the challenge in Pippa’s gaze. I am grateful for that. Errintonians—peasants and nobles alike—don’t take well to being put in their place.

  “The physician lives a few streets down.” Archer mounts his horse. “But they said not to expect much.”

  My heart sinks. He has to help.

  Archer leads us to a manor house. A shutter hangs askew on the bottom story. At one point in time, one of the glass windows was broken, and it’s been boarded up to keep the weather out.

  “Are you sure this is the place?” I ask, incredulous.

  Archer shrugs. “Only one way to find out.”

  I swing down from my horse. I give the door three good raps with the iron knocker. The sound echoes through the entry on the other side of the door. I wait several moments, but no one answers.

  Has the manor been deserted?

  I look back at Pippa and Archer and raise my hand in question.

  Archer nods to the door. “Try again.”

  I’m about to knock for the second time when the door opens. A lean woman with hard eyes stands on the other side.

  “I’m sorry, but Master Aimlin—” She stops abruptly, running a sharp eye over my gown. Her attention drifts to Pippa and Archer.

  Hoping to take advantage of her temporary distraction, I step forward. “We’re here to see the physician.”

  She continues to study me. I think she means to send us away, but after a moment she stands aside, allowing me entry. “You may take the horses around the back to the stable,” she tells Archer and Pippa.

  I follow the woman inside. At one point in time, the physician must have been a very wealthy man. The house is large; the entry staircase is grand. Polished wood gleams, a testament to the care of the keeper of the house. But there is a noticeable lack of grandeur. Tapestry rods hang empty, and no art adorns the wall. There is no armor, no rugs. The house is a skeleton.

  The woman leads me to a closed room and motions for me to wait. She knocks on the door, and a man instructs her to enter. They speak for a moment, and then she waves me in.

  The physician sits at a desk, wearily rubbing his temples. “Agnes, would you—” He jumps when he sees me and stands quickly, bowing. “Your Highness.”

  The woman’s face mirrors the physician’s shock.

  “Master Kendal Aimlin?” I ask.

  He nods and sets aside a pair of reading lenses. “What may I do for you?”

  He’s younger than I expected—only five years older than me, ten at the most. His eyes are kind, and my confidence is renewed. “I’ve come seeking your help.”

  Master Kendal listens as I explain the situation, but his expression becomes troubled as I near the end.

  “Your Highness,” he says. “I would do everything in my power to help you, but I do not have the supplies.” He motions around his bare room. “As you can see, I’ve already sold everything I can. There’s nothing left.”

  I run my hands through my wind-knotted hair, ready to give in to despair.

  When he sees my distress, he quickly stands aside from his chair. “Please, sit.”

  Gladly, I accept his offer. I can’t believe we’ve come all this way just to be thwarted once again by my lack of gold. Why did wasteful, hateful, drunk Calden receive an allowance? What have I ever done to make Father hate me as he does?

  The physician wrings his hands. “I’m truly sorry—so sorry.”

  My fingers rub the pendant at my neck as I rack my brain for a solution. Suddenly, my fingers go still.

  No. I won’t do it.

  This pendant is the most precious thing I own. What if Rigel doesn’t return? It will be the only token I have to remember him by.

  But if I don’t, Marielle and Kara will die.

  Gritting my teeth, I pull the pendant over my neck and offer it to the physician.

  He shakes his head and holds out his hands to stop me. “No, I can’t—”

  “You must,” I say with more force than I intend. I shake the pendant. “These people mean everything to me.”

  He accepts it with a tentative hand, and then he shakes his head as he examines it. “This is exquisite. Are you sure you are willing to part with it?”

  I’m going to be sick. I fight back a wave of nausea. “Take it.”

  Slowly, he nods and tucks the pendant in the coin pouch at his side.

  It takes very little time for the physician to pack, and soon we’re on our way.

  At Thernrow’s gates, Kendal pulls his horse to a stop. He quickly climbs the steps to the guard’s barracks where he is greeted by a man on duty.

  “Why are we stopping?” Pippa asks.

  “Kendal must barter with the knights’ physician for supplies.”

  Pippa frowns. “Are you all right?”

  I nod, not quite looking at her. They don’t need to know. It would only make them feel bad.

  It doesn’t take Kendal long. He comes down the steps with a small leather pouch in his hand. Without a word, he offers it to me.

  Why would he give me the medicinal supplies?

  “What is this?” I ask as I take it from him.

  “The change.”

  I almost drop the bag. I don’t want this money.

  “You keep it.” I push it back at him.

  Kendal shakes his head. “It’s far too much. I won’t accept it.”

  I grit my teeth and stare at the physician. When he doesn’t relent, I shove the gold in my satchel.

  It’s late when we arrive back at the castle. The guards are too drunk to notice us, and we manage to slip in undetected. It’s a good sign they aren’t on alert. No one has noticed my absence. No one has cared.

  Bea answers the door as soon as we knock. With great relief, she greets me. Her eyes light with hope when she sees Kendal standing with us. Stepping aside, she quickly motions us inside.

  Rella immediately takes Kendal upstairs. Archer, Pippa, Bea, and I wait by the fire. Bea looks better than she did when we left. Pippa’s tea must have continued to help.

  Archer stretches and warms himself by the fire. Pippa joins him, and he wraps his arm around her shoulders. Exhausted and heart-sick, I sink into Rella’s chair.

  Bea kneels on the rug in front of me. “Did you meet any trouble?”

  Out of habit, I reach for my pendant. Bea follows the movement, and I quickly drop my hand. “No.”

  “Where’s your pendant?”

  I turn to the fire. “I must have forgotten to put it on this morning.”

  “Seirsha.” She sounds like she’s going to cry. “You sold it, didn’t you?”

  Pippa and Archer look over, startled.

  I shrug as if it’s not important. “It’s all I had.”

  “Why didn’t you tell us!” Pippa sets her hands on her hips. “We would have paid.”

  I shake my head. “What’s done is done.”

  Archer frowns but pulls Pippa to him when it looks like she’s going to argue. He shakes his head. Resigned, she sets her cheek against his chest.

  I set my head in my hands and rest my elbows on my knees.

  In what seems like ages later, Kendal comes downstairs with Rella and Antone on his heels. We all look up, expectant.

  “They’ll be fine.” Kendal turns to Pippa and gives her an approving look. “If it wasn’t for your tea, I don’t think the little one would have made it.”

  Pippa beams, and Archer squeezes her shoulders, obviously proud of her.

  “I would like to keep an eye on them.” Kendal turns to Rella. “Do you think you could spare a quilt? I’ll sleep in front of the fire, if that’s all right.”

  Rella’s eyes go wide at the thought of such a fine man not
only asking for lodging in her home but requesting to sleep on her floor as well.

  “You are more than welcome,” she says. “But please take the back room. Bea and I will be more than comfortable on the floor.”

  Kendal shakes his head. “I will not cast you from your beds.”

  Archer, Pippa, and I leave them to argue over the sleeping arrangements. I shut the door quietly, not wanting to wake up Marielle or Kara, and then I pause. After fetching the coin pouch from my mare, I pour half the contents into a flower pot by the door. Soon it will be warm enough to plant, and Rella always grows summer flowers. I cover the gold with a layer of dirt so it won’t be noticed by someone passing by.

  Not able to stand it any longer, Pippa finally asks, “Whatever are you doing?”

  I stand and wipe my hands on my skirt. “They’ll never accept it directly.”

  Archer smiles. “Are you finished?”

  “Almost.” I think hard, trying to remember the layout of a little map scratched in the dirt. I smile at the pouch when I remember where the little girl’s house was. She gave me something dear to her, and tonight I will return the favor. “I have one more stop.”

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Adrinel should have been back long before now. Something is wrong.

  The dragon’s cave isn’t very far, only half an hour’s walk. In fact, if it weren’t for a few tall, thick pines, a person could see the entrance from the castle battlements. Fortunately, you can’t.

  The route isn’t exactly a trail, but I’ve walked it enough I know which animal paths to follow. I’m not feeling very optimistic about my outing. I see Adrinel in the sky above the castle when she is here. For days, I’ve watched the clouds, hoping for a glimpse of her. I’ve seen nothing.

  Still, the weather is fairly warm, and the birds and squirrels chatter from the trees. Pippa’s right. It’s good to be away from the castle—and it’s even better to leave the horse behind.

  Careful not to catch my skirts on a prickly bush, I climb over a boulder near the top of my path. I glare over my shoulder when something snags me. I give my skirt a tug, hoping it won’t rip the fabric. I pull myself onto the short ledge and stop to examine the damage.

  This is when a riding outfit like Pippa’s would be useful.

  I’ve ripped out a few stitches on the bottom skirt. I drop the fabric and stare into the cave. It’s dark, but it always is. It smells musty, but that’s normal too.

  I step in and walk until I can’t see anymore. I wait for my eyes to adjust to the dimness. Not far down, sunlight shines through a fissure in the rocks above. I make my way to the light and turn down another tunnel. This one is darker. Finally, I reach Adrinel’s empty lair. I didn’t expect her to be here, but finding her home empty still bothers me.

  Without the dragon here to provide light, I can’t see anything. I take another blind step. I’ve reached her coins, and they shift under my feet. I sit on the pile and wrap my arms around my legs. My hand skims over the treasure. I pick up a coin and run my fingers over it.

  If Adrinel had been here, she would have given me the gold I needed to pay for Marielle and Kara’s care. I flick the coin down. What has happened to her? Why hasn’t she returned? No dragon leaves their horde for this long. There are plenty of men that would be glad to take possession of their gold—and dragons know it.

  Not wanting to linger in the dark, I make my way out of the cave. I had hoped being in Adrinel’s lair would make me feel closer to her. Instead, it’s just further reminded me she’s gone.

  I step from the entrance and sit on a boulder. The fresh air greets me, and I breathe it in as I let the sunshine warm my shoulders.

  How far has Rigel traveled? It’s only been a few days, but I can’t help but worry. How long does it take to reach the frozen wastelands? Three or four days? A week? I have no idea.

  All I know is I want him back.

  I take one more glance at Adrinel’s cave and then make my way back down the side of the mountain.

  Once I reach the outer walls, I turn into the village. Peasants call their greetings to me, their spirits improved by the warm weather. I wave my hellos as I walk to Bea’s home. Both men and women have set up meager stands in the square with a few vegetables and flowers for sale. Children dart in the streets, playing games. For once, I don’t worry they will freeze to death.

  I near the cottage and see Kendal working a spade into the ground under the window.

  When he spots me, he lowers his tool and bows his head. “Pleasant afternoon, Your Highness.”

  I pause near him. “What are you doing?”

  “Rella mentioned she would like a garden, but Antone doesn’t have time with all the jobs he’s taken on.”

  “So you’re putting one in for her? That’s kind of you.”

  Bea steps from the front door, and her face lights up. “Seirsha! I didn’t know you would be by this early.” More quietly she asks, “Was she there?”

  I shake my head.

  “Oh, I’m sorry.”

  Bea has always been very understanding of my relationship with Adrinel even though she is terrified of the dragon.

  “How are Marielle and Kara?” I ask.

  Bea hands Kendal a mug of water, which he gratefully accepts, and then she turns back to me. “They’re doing much better thanks to Master Aimlin.”

  Bea beams at the physician, and he returns her smile before he drains the mug.

  I look at the freshly-tilled ground. “What are you going to plant?”

  Her eyes light up. “Master Aimlin traded the herbalist for all kinds of things!” She gives Kendal a chastising look. “You really shouldn’t have done that for us.”

  He hands her the empty mug and picks up the spade to begin again. “It was the least I could do for the free room and board.”

  Bea snorts, though somehow it’s a pretty sound when she does it. “We’ll never be able to repay you for your kindness.”

  He smiles at his project but doesn’t answer her.

  “Come on,” Bea waves me inside. “We’ll leave him to his task. I’m sure he doesn’t need us gawking at him.” She looks back at Kendal. “Do tell me when you’re ready to plant, though. I would like to help.”

  She gives him another bright smile before she steps inside.

  Is it my imagination, or does Kendal look a little bemused? He realizes I’ve caught him watching her, and his eyes snap back to his task.

  I can’t help but grin as I walk in after Bea.

  Marielle sits by the window with Kara in her arms. She smiles when she sees me. “You’re cheerful today.”

  Seeing them out of bed lifts my spirits considerably. I kneel in front of them and stroke Kara’s cheek with my finger. “How are you feeling?”

  “Better.” Marielle's eyes are tired, but her cheeks have some color today. “Thanks to you.”

  I visit with them for a little longer, but Marielle’s tired. She and Kara both need rest. Eventually I say my goodbyes and leave Bea to tend them. With the evening meal approaching, Rella will be home from the kitchens soon. To relieve Marielle, Antone has taken on additional work with the castle’s blacksmith. He likely won’t be home until very late.

  I close the door behind me and survey Kendal’s progress. “It looks like you’re almost ready to plant.”

  The physician nods at the patch. “I think it’s ready.”

  “Thank you—for everything.”

  He meets my eyes. “They’re good people. I can see why they mean so much to you.”

  “There’s little I wouldn’t do for them.”

  “Such as planting gold in the flower pot?” He gives me a knowing smile.

  “They found it?”

  “Rella discovered it this morning. A neighbor woman dug a cluster of field daisies from her garden as payment for a poultice I prepared. I gave them to Rella, and she planted them.”

  Smiling, I shake my head. “You work for daisies?”

  “I’ve worked for less.
”

  I cross my arms, studying him. He meets my approval. “Bea likes daisies as well—but she’s partial to roses.”

  Kendal rubs the back of his neck. “Is that so?”

  While nodding, I walk away. Over my shoulder, I call, “Good day, Master Aimlin.”

  ***

  I glance over when Bea opens the door to my bedchamber.

  Her brow knits with concern. “Why are you awake already?”

  “I couldn’t sleep.” I set my head against the upholstered headboard.

  “You’re not ill, are you?” She sits next to me.

  I shake my head and stare at the light peeking through the heavy draperies. I’m not ill, but I am sick with worry. I know it solves nothing, but it’s hard to think of anything else, especially at night when I’m still.

  Bea pulls her legs up on the bed and crosses them under her skirt. “He’ll be fine. Have you ever met anyone as capable as Lord Rigel?”

  “No. There is no one.”

  She nods. “That’s right. Remember it. If you must dwell on something, dwell on that.”

  I know she’s right, but it’s easier in the light of day. It’s at night, when I’m trapped alone with my thoughts, that it becomes infinitely more difficult.

  Bea gives me a reassuring look, and then she starts her morning duties. “Do you want a fire?”

  “Not today.”

  She opens the draperies, welcoming the light in. A dragon flies in the sky, and for a moment my heart leaps. The dragon swoops low, and the sun catches her scales. They shimmer emerald in the light. I look away from the window.

  Bea tugs at my hands. “Come on, get up. Join the living.”

  I give her a wry smile but let her pull me to my feet.

  “I’ll order a bath to be brought up,” she says. “That will help.”

  She scurries off to call for a kitchen boy to bring up hot water. Soon I’m soaking, and she’s chattering about village gossip. While we talk, she mends the stitches in the gown I tore yesterday.

  By the time I’m done with the bath, I do feel a little better.