Silver and Light

by J. R. Castle

  Ever since he’d given Kardia the modified quill, tongues had started wagging about his interest in the new girl. Not all of the whispered talk was good either. He was shocked to find out how many people thought the worst of the poor girl. They wondered why any regent would stoop to show any interest in a commoner, a possible thief, no less.

  Unfortunately, he’d learned that defending her only made matters worse.

  Mother had told him that if he would choose a wife, then the there’d be no room for speculation. But people loved stories, and the more sordid they were, the quicker they spread.

  Perhaps it didn’t help that when he presented his gift to Kardia in the library, she’d been so touched by his kindness that she’d tearfully thrown her arms around him in a grateful hug.

  At the time, he’d been touched, too. Until he realized that simple act of thankfulness had sparked a whirlwind of rumors that rippled out across the Halls and beyond. Even people in town were talking about how the regent had rejected the fine lady from one of the provinces in the north for a common thief from one of the outlying hamlets, no less.

  Leon opened the front door to find Samuel standing there dressed in his working clothes. Father had insisted anyone who directly served him dressed in fine silk green and yellow tunics that reached their knees and leggings of deep blue. The tunics were secured at the waist with a belt with the lion crest on the buckle. Leon had told Samuel to stop wearing the ridiculous outfits.

  “What are you doing?” Leon asked, his fists resting on his hips.

  Samuel gave a bow, being rather formal today. Troll’s breath, what was going on with the lad now? “Pardon Sir, but I’ve been sent to let you know you are late for a meeting with the Priors of Osas, Atser, and Deterre.”

  Leon’s hand rested on his forehead. “Oh my, I completely…” Well, no wonder the boy was dressed in his finest, he was sure Stewart Hoskins insisted on it since they were entertaining special guests today.

  “Let me…” he looked down to see what he was wearing. It wouldn’t bode well for Leon to show up in his housecoat and slippers. Luckily, he’d already dressed and only needed his jacket and boots. “I’ll be right there.”

  Samuel entered before Leon could shut the door on him. “I’ve been asked to wait and escort you back, Sir.”

  At least Sam had stopped calling him Sire and Your Majesty. Leon would take whatever little successes he could manage with his staff.

  “Brock,” he called out, despite the fact he was sure his friend was too wrapped up in his work to hear anything. “I’m heading to the Halls. Don’t forget to join us for dinner tonight.”

  A muffled response came from the study. Leon took that as a good sign that his friend had indeed heard him. Once his boots and coat were in place, he followed Sam outside.

  “I have a delivery for you, as well, Sire. A note from Lady Anabelle.” He handed the rolled parchment to Leon. Koloman’s seal held the paper together. So, she was still staying at the country manor. She’d written earlier in the week that her guardian had departed on a quick trip and would return before the festival.

  Koloman must not have relayed his last message to her. No matter, Leon didn’t wish to brush her off in a letter. Sometime soon, he’d need to speak with her in person.

  Perhaps he should have ridden out to Koloman’s farm, but he’d been so busy since Brock showed up. And every time he thought of making the trip, his gut twisted at the thought, giving him a sense of foreboding. No, he’d wait until she came to town. Then he’d find a way to tell her.

  He tucked the letter into the pocket of his jacket to read later. They’d reached the steps to the Halls and he needed to hurry to the council room. But then he caught sight of General Gailid giving the group of Priors, along with the two who resided here in Rodon, a tour.

  “Thank you, General,” He breathed in deep, not wanting to appear as if he’d run all the way. Even if Samuel was bent over panting, hands on knees while he tried to catch his breath. The boy needed to get outside more to run and play like other lads his age. “I appreciate you taking the time to show our friends around.”

  Prior Murphy, who ran the smaller Hall in town offered Leon a bow. “We feared you’d slept in, Sir. Luckily, your squire knew where to find you. The Regent Mother said you don’t have sleeping quarters here. I’m surprised.” Murphy’s silky, purple coat trailed down to his ankles. He almost looked as silly in the bright outfit as Samuel did in his.

  Most of the townsfolk attended Murphy’s weekly meetings. The Hall in town was much smaller and more comfortable than the large assembly room here in the Grand Hall. Leon tried to officiate the gatherings here, but more often than not, he assigned one of his council members to preside over the reading of the King’s Letters.

  “Well, I don’t blame him,” said Prior Jenson, who cared for the Meeting Hall on the outskirts of town. Most of his attendees worked the farms and gardens and didn’t have time to make the long trek into town. His simple stone structure with a thatched roof was very similar to Leon’s garden cottage. “I’ve visited the orchard on previous visits and couldn’t imagine a more pleasant place to wake up every morning. Has to be better than this drafty stone building. Right, Leonard?” Jenson jabbed Leon’s side with his elbow.

  Jenson was a merry fellow, thin in build and always laughing. His cheeks had a deep red hue from his time in the sun, and he wore casual linen clothing. Whereas most people wore their Medallions inside their clothing, Jenson’s rested on the outside of his shirt, along with a smaller necklace holding the Rodon crest.

  “Yes, I do love my little cottage. It’s homey and reminds me of the comfortable apartments I lived in while attending the Academy. There was always an assortment of beautiful flowers and greenery surrounding the veranda. In a way, it keeps me from missing Aloblase as much.”

  All of the priors had spent time at some point in their lives living in King Shaydon’s beautiful city. Each offered a nod of understanding.

  “Let’s head to the council room, gentlemen. Unless you’d like to continue your tour? I’ll be happy to show you the grounds. There are still pears that are ready to be picked. Of course, each of you will be sent home with a basket of them.”

  The men seemed pleased with his offer, and they all turned toward the front doors, heading out into the brilliant sunshine.

  * * * *

  Leon was exhausted by the time the sun rested on the tops of the Augazo Mountains. He slowly made his way back home to change for dinner. He’d taken the visiting Priors all over town, stopping to see Jenson and Murphy’s Meeting Halls and discuss the events both offered their congregations. Most towns only had one Meeting Hall, but Rodon was so heavily populated, they’d decided several decades ago to provide more places for people to gather for the end of week assemblies.

  If only Leon could find a way to encourage the people of Rodon to take up residence in some of the lesser populated towns and villages. That would certainly even things up a little more.

  “You naughty boy,” scolded a voice that always made Leon’s heart smile. “Get out of there this instant!”

  He looked around, following the sound of squawking geese and flapping wings to find Kardia trying to chase her little flock out of his strawberry patch that grew along the shady side of his house near the back entrance.

  “Good afternoon, Kardia,” he greeted.

  She spun to face him, her usually peaceful face pinched with worry. “Oh, please don’t be mad at Tilly and Tuck. We were all down at the pond when the tip of my pen broke. I thought they’d stay there while I came to see if you might have a replacement. When nobody answered the door, I assumed you were gone for the day. Then I discovered these two rascals followed me and found your strawberries. Now they refuse to leave.”

  Leon couldn’t contain his laughter. How did the Goia-girl always manage to fill him with joy despite how rough of a day he’d endured. If only he could keep the Sano at his side all the…time. The thought struck him like a
slap on the back of the head. He’d received many from impatient instructors who didn’t appreciate his habit of falling into daydreams or scribbling notes that had nothing to do with their lesson but everything to do with his newest brilliant idea.

  “Don’t worry about it, dear. Mr. Armut, my gardener, has already plucked the best ones and taken them to the kitchen. Your friends are welcome to whatever ones are left.” He scratched at his head. “Tilly and Tuck, huh? Have you named all the geese?”

  Her cheeks turned a wonderful shade of pink that complimented her golden-hued hair. She wore it in a braid today, most likely done by one of the young gardener girls she’d befriended. Thin tendrils hung in her face and danced around her merry green eyes and heart-shaped face.

  “Only the ones that we keep to produce eggs. I can’t bear to name those who are destined for the market next week.” She held up the pen that was still strapped around her palm. “So, do you have a replacement? I do hate to bother you—”

  “Not a bother at all, Kardia. I told you that any time you have a need to come see me.” He took the pen and strap, wishing the gloves were already done. He couldn’t wait for her to try them out. Hopefully, they’d work as well as Brock insisted they would. “Why don’t you wait here with your friends, and I’ll be right out with a replacement.”

  Matter-of-fact, he’d make her a few extra pens to keep in case it broke again while he was unavailable.

  She ducked her head, still blushing. “Thank you, Regent Leon. I fear I’ve been writing so many notes in this book Hilda gave me, that I wore it out.” She hugged a small book, similar to the blank ones sold in town, to her chest. “I’ve been writing down all the questions I have for King Shaydon. For when I finally get to meet him. My head was buzzing with them all before you gave me that wonderful pen so I could write again. I’m so grateful, Sir. I hate that I broke it already.”

  He touched her shoulder. “Don’t be. It happens to me all the time. These quills only last so long.” Excusing himself, he hurried inside before he did or said something stupid.

  She was such a good-hearted young lady. He hated that people thought so ill of her simply because she was an outsider and different from them.

  “Brock!” he called out, heading for the study. Hopefully, he’d find his stash of quills in all the gears and wires scattered over his desk.

  The sound of soft snores led him to the settee where his friend had fallen asleep with the glove clutched in one hand and a screwdriver in the other. Poor guy had been working non-stop on his invention. Not because Leon demanded it, but because he was also eager to see if they would work as well as they both hoped.

  He gently shook Brock awake. When his friend stirred, rubbing his sleepy eyes with the back of his hand, Leon said, “Sorry to disturb your nap, but everyone is eager to meet you tonight at dinner. Mother especially.” Leon shook his finger at his friend’s face. “Though I’m warning you now, what happened at the Academy stays at the Academy.”

  Brock sat up and stretched. “Oh, but the stories I could tell about Rodonal’s young Regent.”

  “I’m warning you Brockley.”

  That only caused his friend to laugh more.

  Leon went to search for the quills. “Hush. You need to go get ready. Soon as I replace this pen for Kardia, we’ll have to get over to the dining room.”

  Brock perked up and looked around. “Our fair Kardia is here?” He glanced down at the glove resting on his lap. “I do wish I could see if they will work, but… no, I’ll wait until I have both completed, then we’ll try them out.” He set the glove on his worktable. “Didn’t you invite her in?”

  Leon rummaged through one drawer then another before locating the box of feather quills. He’d need to trim away the feather portion for her. “Of course not, that wouldn’t be proper.”

  Brock’s grin widened. “Such a gentleman. No wonder everyone is talking about how smitten you are with her.”

  Scowling, Leon sheared off the fine hairs on the quill. “Am not! Riyah asked me—”

  “Oh, pixie fluff!” Brock waved his hands. “You are so smitten and rightly so. She’s a delightful young lady.

  “I do wish they’d all leave me alone about picking out a wife. Riyah said I’d know when the time was right.” Sometimes Leon wondered about that timing thing.

  “Makes me eternally grateful that I still have another fifty years before I’m expected to find a mate and settle down to family life.”

  Leon wanted to throw something at his friend, but his hands were too busy working the fresh quill into the strap.

  Brock stood and stretched. At the sound of a muffled squawk, he froze. “Are those geese I hear?”

  Now it was Leon’s turn to grin. “Her little flock got into my strawberry patch. That’s where I found her.”

  After trimming two more quills, he went to his room to pick out a fresh shirt and jacket, then checked that he looked presentable enough for the evening meal. Remembering his small book of notes still in his other jacket, he fished in the side pocket for it, pulling out Lady Anabelle’s letter, as well. Troll’s breath, he hadn’t even bothered to read it yet.

  Well, later. He tucked it inside his new jacket with his palm-sized book. There were still a few things he wished to discuss with the Priors over dinner. He’d need his notes.

  It would be a semi-formal affair since Mother was entertaining visitors from other towns. She’d also been eager to meet Brockley. Not having much of a chance to meet Curians in this part of the Kingdom, he was a bit of a novelty to her.

  His plan was to walk Kardia and her little goose friends back toward the Hall. The livestock pens were located at the rear of the building, so it was on the way. Sort of. He’d simply have to take care of where he stepped so he’d not risk tramping anything unpleasant into the dining hall.

  When he found Kardia outside, Brock was already with her. She had her book of the King’s letters open. How many times had she already read it front to back? Sometimes when he found her by the pond reading while her geese played in the water, he’d talk her into reading a few passages out loud to him. He loved those moments more than he cared to admit to anyone.

  “So,” Brock was saying, “You’d never seen the King’s book of letters before Regent Leonard came through your little town?”

  Kardia shook her head. “We had a couple of elders who remembered some things.” Her tone grew sad. “Our Herbalist had made the journey to Aloblase a long time ago. She shared what she remembered. Even my parents didn’t know much. Dadda could recall a few stories he’d heard in his youth, but he wasn’t sure how true they were.”

  Folding his arms across his chest, Brock asked, “But you had a Prior, correct?”

  “We did, but he died several years ago, and we were left without a replacement. Even when he was alive, he was so busy with keeping the town running, it was hard for him to have the weekly meetings as they do here. You know what I wish?” her voice trailed off as she ducked her head. “My apologies, I shouldn’t ramble on like this.”

  Leon wanted desperately to know what she wished for. “Yes, you should. I want to hear your thoughts because I’m at my wit's end trying to find a way to help the towns of this province. I’d thought of asking them to send their young to Radiance would help, but they refuse to do so.”

  Her green eyes widened. “I would have been terrified of leaving my family if we’d been ordered to do that. I’d heard only rumors about King Shaydon before I made friends with Miltie.”

  He remembered the old woman who had set his leg so Kardia could heal the bone. Handing her the new quill along with the extras, he asked, “I suppose that would be terrifying.”

  “I wish we’d had teachers,” Kardia stated as she accepted the quills. “Thank you for the extras.”

  “My pleasure, Kardia.”

  Brock interrupted, “Teachers, did you say?” His gaze widened before falling onto Leon. “There you go, Regent. The young lady has supplied a possible answer.
If they don’t know, how can you expect them to want to make such a journey? They need to be taught. The younger the better, I always say. In Denovo, we have institutions set up for children to attend. They do the same thing in Aloblase and even Radiance. Why the Kintian Province where I’ve been staying for the past year even provides education for their young.”

  He nudged Leon with the back of his hand. “Perhaps this is where you should start, friend. Find people who have the ability to instruct. Why, you said Issah himself sent you people from Aloblase to help that one little town, Tarrent or—”

  “Tarrest, yes he did.”

  Kardia gasped. “Prince Issah even visited one of our towns?”

  “Yes.” Leon smiled. He couldn’t wait until she was finally able to make her trip. She was going to love Aloblase and meeting Issah.

  Suddenly his heart sank, wondering if she’d love it so much, that she’d never want to return. In a way, he wouldn’t blame her for not wishing to return. Here she was nothing but the topic of the latest gossip. A goose girl with a shameful past. Poor girl. He’d not blame her if she decided to stay in Aloblase.

  “I think you’re right, Brock. I need to send out people who will teach about the Kingdom. People who can help the Priors and work alongside them.” The larger towns had Officials who took care of the town’s affairs, but not the smaller hamlets. The Priors were left with handling everything. No wonder they were so reluctant to take on more. “That will be a great topic to discuss at tonight’s dinner. We should get going. I’d hate to be late since I’m the one who is supposed to be hosting it.”

  Brock laughed, then offered Kardia a low bow. “Always a pleasure visiting with you, Kardia. And your geese are always a source of lively entertainment.” Turning to Leon he said, “I’ll change my robes now and meet you there.”

  “Don’t be late,” Leon warned.

  “I’m sure I’ll end up arriving before you, my tardy friend,” Brock said over his shoulder as he entered the cottage.