by Kayla Maya
“Of course, of course.” Master Won wiped his hands on his apron, offering Bryn a genuine smile. “I’ll wipe you up anything you want, or I can just make something to surprise you. Either or is fine by me.”
“Thank you. Both of you.” Bryn hadn’t felt this happy or this full in a very long time. Was this what it was like to have friends? If so, Bryn hoped she could make more, if not keep the ones she already had. In fact, what was the harm in making more friends? She would start with Ericka before eventually branching out to other members of the Order.
“Ready to go home?” North asked.
Home. Something Bryn never thought she’d ever hear again. Especially coming from North, himself. She smiled and said, “Let’s go home.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Bryn started the day with an empty stomach as she was tossed between Olga and her assistant in prepping Bryn for court life. She was rather bored after only thirty minutes of Olga’s constant sermons on how to act around royalty and how to sit and eat properly. Who knew there were several different types of forks to eat different things? Bryn sure didn’t know that until today.
“Pay attention!” Olga slapped the table where Bryn sat with her fan. “Do you remember how to sit like a proper lady?”
“Yes.” Bryn groaned as she crossed her legs over the other, placing her hands neatly folded on her lap, fan in hand. “Just like you taught me the last few hours.”
“If you’re not properly trained, you’ll fail this mission instantly. Now pay attention. Which fork do you use for your salad?”
Bryn sighed as she pointed at the salad fork laid out beside the other dinner fork. To her, this constant torture was pointless. She’d give anything to go back to Master Won with North accompanying her. She secretly missed North’s company more so than usual. The thought of seeing him again made her heart flutter in her chest. Why would the royals care anyway which fork she used for a salad? Bryn decided she would never try to under royalty, even if she had to act like one herself.
“Correct.” Olga clicked her tongue. “Now, stand up and walk like I taught you.”
Again, Bryn groaned. “Do I have to?”
Olga flared her fan, and Bryn instantly stood, not wanting to be pulverized by the curseded fan again like earlier when she had disobeyed Olga’s instructions. Bryn held her head high, chin out as she walked back and forth, swaying her hips as Olga had taught her. Bryn hated acting girly and being in this deep magenta dress was not helping. Especially the corset that she was forced to wear. Bryn had no idea how a woman was supposed to breathe in that thing as it constricted her lungs. Olga had told her that it was for a woman’s figure as much for showing off a woman’s breasts. Which, again, Bryn did not understand the reason for it.
“You’re learning quick, I see.” Sister Grace said from behind Bryn.
“She’s done an excellent job,” Olga praised. “She’ll be ready sooner than expected, Lady Grace.”
“Thank you, Olga. Please, call me Grace. May I steal Bryn for a moment?” Sister Grace gave Bryn a genuine smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Of course.” Olga nodded. “I’ll go ahead and clean up. We’re done for the day, Miss Bryn.”
Bryn secretly danced as she followed Sister Grace out into the hallway and straight into Grace’s office. Bryn couldn’t help but gulp at being alone in Grace’s office again for fear of something going terribly wrong since she still did not fully trust the woman. Sister Grace sat at her desk, gesturing for Bryn to sit. She did.
“You’re doing very well with your studies, Bryn,” Sister Grace acknowledged. “Olga told me that you memorized the five kingdoms by heart in only an hour. How smart of you.”
“Thank you.”
“With you doing so well, I’m beginning to question whether or not to allow you to stay here and learn some more or to just send you off to Serena. The Council of the Crow is highly pleased with how you’re doing in such a short time. A span of a day, no less. Tell me, why is it you steal in the first place.”
“I’m sorry?” Bryn wasn’t sure if it was formed as a question or a command.
“Why did you steal in your adolescence and into your adulthood? You are very smart, and you catch on quick. It makes me question some of your intentions.”
A question.
“I’ve always been rather smart. My father used to tell me that I could become a teacher, but I wanted to become a historian. I loved history and anything pertaining to reading. Especially about the five kingdoms. As you probably know, growing up in Skeg means we grew up rather poor, so we couldn’t afford much, especially books that I need to become a historian.”
“So, you stole books.”
“I did at first. I enjoyed reading, and the only way to ever get them was for me to steal from the library. I never got caught, and I had a huge collection of books that I hid from my family. Honestly, I think if I weren’t such an avid reader, I wouldn’t have wanted to steal. When I knew that I couldn’t become a historian, I decided to just steal for money at that point instead of stealing books. There is one book in particular that I would steal if I ever came across it again since I lost it several years ago. I think I will keep on stealing to purchase that book if I ever saw it again.”
“And what book is that?”
“It’s called ‘The Songbird.’ It was an enchanting read for me as a young girl, and when my father died, and we were forced to move, I lost it on the way. At least I think anyway.”
“Such an intelligent child,” Sister Grace clucked her tongue. “I can’t say I’m rather impressed. You stole for the sole purpose of becoming smarter, which later made you steal for something more than just knowledge. Wealth. Can’t say I blame you in the slightest.”
“So,” Bryn cleared her throat. “Why did you want to know all that?”
“I was curious. You’re a Disciple of the Crow now, and I like to know about all my children. Especially the newer ones that show promise.” Sister Grace shuffled some paperwork on her desk before she folded her hands on the table. “In fact, since you show so much promise, I’m allowing you to go on your mission sooner than expected.”
“How soon?” Bryn asked.
“You’ll depart tomorrow morning.”
“Wait, tomorrow morning? That can’t be! I’m just learning about the court life, what if I slip up or I say the wrong—”
“You will do splendid,” Sister Grace cut Bryn off. “You show plenty of promise and potential. My decision is final. I will have Olga pack you a chest of belongings of all the clothes that were tailored for you. I already sent word to have North ready, as well as your fake husband, Lord Anderson. Better get some rest before the mission begins.”
“I understand.” Bryn stood and made her way to the door. She stopped when Sister Grace’s cold voice encased the girl’s heart.
“There better not be mistakes made, Bronwyn. Remember where your loyalties lie.”
“Yes, Sister Grace,” Bryn said as she closed the door behind her. With the door shut firmly behind her, she rested her back along the door, sliding down to the floor with her knees pushed up to her chest and her head on her knees. What on earth have I gotten myself into?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Bryn tried to make the most of her day after her brief meeting with Sister Grace. She opted out of staying in her small room and to just venture out to the gardens. It was the only place that wasn’t close to Sister Grace and could give Bryn a chance to try and master her magic like Brother Oliver had tried to teach her a few days before he left back to the Academy. She wondered why North had always been against the school if one of the Order's own disciples teached there. She decided to ask him that one later. After several failed attempts at trying to call the storms to her will, Bryn decided it would be better to go and find North. Bryn scoured the church, wandering from room to room in search of her friend. Unfortunately, after almost an hour of searching, Bryn decided to take a different approach.
“Exc
use me, Sister?” Bryn stopped a wandering disciple.
“Yes?” the other girl asked.
“I’m looking for No—Brother North. Have you seen him?”
The girl nodded. “Yes. He was going out to the stables to tend to the horses for tomorrow's journey.”
“Oh.” Bryn turned but stopped short when she realized that she had no idea where the stables were. Curses. She turned back. “Um, where exactly is the stables?”
The girl smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes, and seemed a little too annoyed at Bryn’s constant questioning and not knowing where everything was. “Out by the gates of Baltimore. As soon as you pass the blacksmith’s shop a few blocks in front of our church, make a right and then keep going until you reach Dixie’s modern jewelry. From there, make a left, and you’ll be met with the gate.”
“Thank you very much, Sister,” Bryn said.
“My pleasure, Sister Bronwyn,” the girl nodded and ventured away.
Hearing her full name felt like a stab in her gut. She hated her real name but hearing someone else say her real name…She just did not like it at all. Trudging through the halls of the church, Bryn made her way out into the streets of Baltimore, bringing her hood up over her features. She hated having to wear a hood over her face, but it was necessary now that she swore an oath of becoming a Disciple of the Crow. That was one thing she could deal without, but having sworn, she had to abide by it. That was something her father always told her to keep any oath that was sworn, especially if they were sworn with blood.
There was a slight drizzle today, so Bryn was kind of thankful for having her hood on regardless. The streets were just as lively as last night, and she would miss being in such a populated area where there were people out and about all day every day. But now, going back to Skeg, meant that she would have to endure milling about in a poverty-driven town. She sighed, keeping her head down as she walked through the streets. She followed the disciple’s directions to the T, finding the gates that led out of Baltimore and to the stables. The drizzle slowly turned into a downpour, drenching Bryn from head to toe. She spewed out some colorful curses and bounded into the stables, nearly running over a little boy in the process.
“Well, hello there.” Bryn knelt down to get eye level with the boy. “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you there.”
Bryn noticed that the boy was malnourished, his tattered clothes hanging loose from his frame like leaves falling from gnarled branches. He was bald, with slight stubble showing through along his skull where his hairline should be. He was also filthy being covered in what Bryn hoped was mud and not the manure of the horses. Luckily, his stench was not so bad she couldn’t smell past it. Seeing him reminded Bryn of how her life was back in Skeg, how she used to live like he had. Even though she had eaten rather well being in Baltimore the last few days, it still wasn’t enough to keep up her own malnourished body. She had more meat than her siblings, but she was still always hungry.
“What’s your name?” She asked.
The boy made a few gestures with his fingers, making some sort of code as he stared at Bryn with his wide eyes. He frowned when he noticed that she made no attempt in trying to converse back like he was. He tried again. Bryn cocked her head, curious as to what the boy was doing in the first place with his hands.
“His name is Scotty,” North said.
The boy, Scotty, smiled at North as the older man rounded a stall, brush in hand, and hay sticking out of his hair. North made a few hand gestures like Scotty had, giving the young boy a pat on the head before the boy ran off, snatching the brush from North’s hand as he did. North chuckled at the boy before he turned his attention back to Bryn’s open mouth.
“He’s deaf,” North explained. “He uses sign language since he can’t talk nor hear.”
“Sign language?” Bryn had never heard that word before, but she had heard of the word deaf. She hadn’t met anyone like that before, but she remembered her father coming home some nights talking about Skeg’s local deaf person. She felt silly for being so dumb about the outside world.
“It’s how they talk to others.” North made a few hand gestures. “This meant he was telling you his name.”
“But he’s deaf. How did he understand what I was asking him?”
“By these,” North reached up and touched his lips. “If you talk slow enough, he can easily see what you’re trying to say and converse using sign language. It’s a neat trick if you ask me, and it took me nearly a year to learn it. Sister Grace didn’t see it necessary for me to learn it, but I did it anyway because I want to help others.”
“That’s rather sweet of you.” Bryn’s heart swelled, hearing him say that. She could see just how great of a person North was, even though she only knew him for about a week, what with the traveling, and spending time together in the church and out in the city. It made her question why someone as good as him would even swear to become a Disciple of the Crow in the first place. “Truly.”
North shrugged. “I do what I can when I can. What’s up? Why are you here?”
Now it was Bryn’s turn to shrug. “I got bored and rather…antsy being at the church. I like being out and about. I figured you would be doing the same.”
“Not really. I used to be like that before I went on my first mission when I first became a disciple. I’m more confidant in my skills now more than I was back then.”
“How many missions have you been on anyway?”
“This would be number forty-five for me.”
“Forty-five? Seriously?”
“What can I say? I’m good at what I do.” North turned, inclining his head. “Care to help me with the horses since you’re here then? I doubt we’ll be able to walk in this rain without getting more soaked than what we already are.”
Bryn held out her arms, droplets still dripping down her shirt and hood. She was grateful she could spend time with North and spend a good long while out of the cold and the wet rain. She shivered, thinking about being out in the rain again before she followed North deeper into the stables. With her main focus now on the area around her than on running into another deaf child, Bryn could see how well designed the stables were. It wasn’t too long, but it was wide enough to accommodate nearly twenty or so horses and a wagon or two. The floorboards creaked underneath her weight but were otherwise sturdy and healthy-looking enough for her to trust them. Straw was scattered along the floor by the horses and the people who tended to them. There were at least five stalls on each wall, some with horses, and some held a few other livestock like goats and cows.
Farther back of the stables were five stalls, and three were empty save for two where beautiful horses rested. The first horse was rather tall, maybe around fifteen hands with a slight dark coloring of grey: speckled black socks and a grey tail. The mane was black but cropped rather short, but long enough, it still hung down over his neck. The second horse was a little smaller than the first, but now that much smaller. He was dark golden-brown, with a pitch-black mane and tail with socks to boot. His snout also had a touch of black, but his eyes were the warmest brown Bryn had ever seen. He was the most exquisite animal she had ever laid eyes on. She couldn’t help but walk over to him as he inclined his head towards her.
“I’m impressed,” North said as he too walked closer. “Apollo never lets anyone near him, especially Sister Grace.”
“Apollo.” Bryn ran her hand along his face and side, feeling his soft fur and thick mane as it trailed along her fingers. The horse huffed, closing his eyes and leaning his head to wherever her hand touched him. “What kind of horse is he?”
“A Kiger Mustang. Strong willed horse, I’ll give him that. Hates to be around other people, but it seems to me that he has chosen you.”
Bryn removed her hand and went over to the other horse that was stabled beside Apollo, running her hand over the other horse's face and neck. “And what about this one?”
“That’s Lumiere,” North patted the horse on the neck. “He’s a
Lusitano. Kind of rare for these parts but brought over from the other countries overseas.”
“You know so much about horses,” Bryn turned her attention back to Apollo, running her hands up and down his neck and then his face. “I’m kind of jealous.”
“One has tons to learn being a disciple. Before my missions and sometimes while I’m on breaks in-between my missions, I like to study and learn all that I can of this world. “I know Corvus would disapprove of it, but I just can’t help but be attracted to these animals.”
“What do you mean Corvus wouldn’t approve?”
“Horses are affiliated with the goddess, Epona, one of the gods we renounced during our Ceremonies. Being a disciple means we renounce any and all gods but Corvus, or until he deems other celestials worth his time. Epona, however, has not been worth his time it would seem.”
“But, you guys ride horses and stable them.”
“Correction. We use horses. We can’t bond with them, and we can’t keep the same horse because it would mean attachment, which would mean, in Corvus’ eyes, that we are praising the goddess of horses.”
“If that’s the case, why are you in here then?”
North’s hand never stopped rubbing the horse’s neck, his eyes never leaving Bryn’s eyes as he said, “Because deep down, I know that it’s wrong and that I don’t believe in Corvus.” Bryn opened her mouth, but it was once again North who spoke. “Come on. Let’s get out of here before the storm gets worse. Wouldn’t want Sister Grace to worry, now would we?”
Bryn followed North out of the stables and into the streets of Baltimore. The torrent of rain had finally let up enough for another slight drizzle, but it didn’t stop it from drenching her boots from the endless puddles of water along the cobblestone street. All Bryn could think about was what North had told her. He didn’t fully believe in the Order of the Crow, nor did he lose his faith in some of the gods. She knew how dangerous that was, swearing an oath only to break it later. Bryn knew that deep down, she too didn’t believe about the gods, but there was still that glimmer of hope that shined brighter than any star in the night sky. She knew that she also had to protect North from the Order before they found out his allegiance wavered.