5
The next day as Adan and Jace were crossing the castle courtyard on their way to their sword class, they were forced aside as a large mounted party clattered into the courtyard and a bevy of servants came rushing forward to hold horses, help with luggage, and assist the ladies in dismounting. The pair of students watched in fascination from the shadow of the stables, ignoring the myriad guards and servants that accompanied the party, rather focusing on the lady just alighting from her horse, a girl about their own age, but judging by her entourage, clothes, and bearing, of noble if not royal birth. She was also the most beautiful woman either had ever seen. She disdainfully scanned the courtyard, completely oblivious to their very existence. They exchanged a rueful smile and then hastened off to class, knowing the swordmaster was far less keen on tardiness than all their other teachers combined.
When they returned after practice, the courtyard was again empty save for the usual denizens thereof busy about their errands at that particular time of day. Just then Briane ducked out of the stable where she had just finished her turn at mucking stalls, said she excitedly, “did you see that royal lady that just arrived?” They nodded, eager for her to continue the tale, entranced as they were with the comely maiden, despite her haughty demeanor. Continued she, “the Lady of Astoria herself came down to meet her, for she would speak to no one else. It seems she’s a veritable princess, if the eighth of twelve children, but she acts as if she were already a sitting Queen. Her father sent her here to study.”
She glanced around quickly to make sure no one was listening or paying them any heed, gossip was not a trait the Brethren encouraged any more than rivalry, she lowered her voice and said, “though in truth, I think she’s here to find a husband. There’s many a great lord and even a few Kings that send their sons here to study in hopes they’ll make better leaders one day. She was quite distraught when the Lady said her entourage couldn’t stay in the keep; she alone could remain, and only so long as she submitted herself to the role of Student. Her companions would either have to go back to her father or find somewhere to stay in the city. My how she gaped and railed, but in the end she had no choice, no one can match the Lady glare for glare, especially so spoiled a girl. I bet she won’t last a fortnight before she goes sulking back to daddy.”
Both of the boys looked rather disappointed which made Briane grimace in dismay and no little disgust, “don’t tell me you two are falling for her?!”
Jace said rather lamely, “she is rather pretty.”
She shook her head and sighed at her hopeless brother and then frowned at Adan, said she, “and what about you?”
Adan grinned roguishly, “and what business of yours is it whom I find attractive, my lady?”
She crossed her arms and scowled, “as your friend and your best friend’s sister, I should think it is some business of mine.”
Jace quietly studied his furious sister and the strangely taunting Adan, suddenly wondering if there might not be more between them than friendship, though apparently neither was aware of their deeper feelings at the moment, if any. A rather devious thought occurred to him, and happy for some distraction from this disquiet revelation, Jace said with an impish smile, “the lady in question hardly seems likely to join the Brethren, thus Adan must look elsewhere for female companionship if he truly intends to take his Oath one day.”
The pair had been exchanging glares, Briane’s was furious and Adan’s highly amused, but this outburst brought both sets of eyes to bear on the now abashed Jace, desperately wishing he had thought it over before just blurting it out. He saw the hurt in Adan’s eyes and flinched as if he had been physically struck while Briane was flabbergasted. She whispered at last, “is this true?”
Adan frowned at Jace in consternation at this breach of trust and then turned to face Briane, saying softly, “such is my intention though I had not yet told anyone but your brother, whom I did not give leave to spread it abroad.”
“Well,” said Briane, a little too sharply, “we had best get to class or we’ll be late!” She dashed off without a farewell and Jace thought she was trying to hold back the tears as she fled.
Adan gave him a grim look, Jace studied his feet and colored like a sunset, he raised his eyes to his friend’s stony gaze, and muttered, “I’m sorry, I didn’t think before I spoke. I was just trying to rile you both. I didn’t mean to hurt Brie or break your trust.”
Adan’s grim face melted into a rueful smile, “I suppose word would get out eventually, and you are right, I have no right to be making eyes at a woman who is not likely to become one of my future comrades. I had just hoped to enjoy a little more time as just another student rather than face my companions in the role of future Apprentice. You are my dearest friend and got all weird when I mentioned it, imagine how those less acquainted with me will take it.”
Jace smiled wryly, “my sister was example enough, but maybe once everyone gets over the initial shock things will go back to relative normalcy.”
Adan smiled, “I hope you are right, and even if they don’t, it is the truth and I must live with it regardless, I had just hoped to announce it in my own time, not have it prematurely broadcast hither and yon by an overwrought Briane.”
The noon meal was as awkward as either of them could have imagined, which only reinforced Jace’s opinion that one might as well commit suicide as join the Brethren, for the effects on one’s social status were inevitably the same thing. A few of their closer friends and most of the current Apprentices in residence came over to verify the rumor and wish Adan well in his future career, but most of the Students kept their distance and stared at him as if he had sprouted another head. Briane was nowhere to be seen, which only made Jace feel even more wretched over his ill-timed comment. Adan gave him a wry grin as they sat by themselves, as if they carried the pox. Jace smiled ruefully in return, deciding they might as well find the situation amusing if they could, it was either that or break down and cry, which wouldn’t help things at all. Besides, things would settle down in a few days, especially with a renegade Princess in residence who should provide distractions aplenty in days to come. He frowned as he considered what his continued association with Adan might do to his own social standing.
Thankfully his prediction came true before he had managed another forkful, providing some much needed relief from that last troubling thought, as the lady in question stormed into the dining hall, demanding that someone, anyone, attend to her needs immediately. Every lad amongst the Students, save the disgraced Adan and his companion, leapt to their feet to do her bidding, but a collective gasp ran through the hall and froze all where they stood, as the Lady of Astoria herself strode through the hall. Jace studied her in wonder, this being his first real view of the legendary leader of the Brethren; he was not disappointed, for here was power indeed! She calmly ordered the students to resume their seats and interrupted activities, before sternly drawing the girl aside to give yet another lecture on the behavior expected of a Student.
The Lady then withdrew, leaving an awkward silence in her wake, before everyone burst into conversation all at once. The seemingly cowed princess contritely fetched her own food and meekly looked for a place to sit before seating herself across from the other outcasts. Jace smiled warmly in greeting and for a moment, her icy haughtier melted away to reveal a warm and eager smile in return, but she soon schooled her features to indifference once more as she studied her erstwhile companions.
Said she with only slight disdain, “are either of you of noble blood?”
Jace grinned the more while Adan rolled his eyes, said the former, “I am in a way, my lady.”
She frowned, imperiously studied the food on the end of her fork, and then asked in perplexity, “in a way? Either you are or you are not, sir, be good enough to tell me if you are truly of that persuasion.”
Jace shrugged, taking the plunge, “my grandfather was a nobleman but forced to flee his homeland when war broke out. My mother
is likewise of noble stock, though long bereft of fortune. I shall bow to your wisdom in this instance, for I do not know if that qualifies me as nobly born or not?”
She smiled pertly at his boldness, “very well sir, I shall pronounce you a nobleman born and bred, and therefore one with whom I might feel at ease interacting. A well-bred horse is no less fine for having fallen in the mire or tangling itself in briar and bramble, neither do hard times destroy a noble lineage. What of your friend here?”
Adan grinned in spite of himself, “I am of peasant stock my lady and also in disgrace amongst the Students of Astoria, you could not find a worse rogue with whom to converse at the moment.”
She looked at him askance, as if she wondered at his bantering tone and whether his words were merely taunting or the truth.
Jace laughed, “he might be a peasant born my lady but knows nothing of playing the rogue. It has merely come to the attention of our comrades that he wishes to join ranks with our esteemed hosts one day and for this he is temporarily ostracized by our peers.”
She smiled slightly, catching their amusement, “ah,” said she, “a fugitive lord and his outcast friend must be far more interesting companions for an exiled princess than many hereabouts.” She thawed completely and Jace caught his breath as she smiled whole-heartedly, “very well, you shall have the honor of showing me about this peculiar place and teaching me all I must know.” Jace nodded exuberantly and Adan shook his head in wonder at his friend’s infatuation.
Just then a feminine throat cleared behind her ladyship and all three jumped to see Briane standing there, said she with only a slight tremor in her voice to betray the shock she had suffered earlier that day, “you want these two clowns to lead you around, my lady?”
Ella turned round to glare at the insolent girl, saying, “and who are you to gainsay me?”
Briane didn’t even flinch, but actually smiled, “your esteemed lord happens to be my brother.”
“Ah,” said the lady, “then I suppose you might join our company, if it is agreeable to you, for I cannot so easily dismiss perhaps the only lady of noble birth in all of Astoria.”
Briane could not help but laugh, “nay my lady, that would be very unwise, for I must either love you or loath you, for you are not a personality I may simply ignore. Very well, I shall accompany you and these reprobates for a time and we shall see what comes of it.” She glared warmly at said reprobates and seated herself beside the princess, who could not help but smile at the girl’s boldness and fiery temper. Thus it was agreed that the three would do their best to acquaint her ladyship with life in Astoria in the days to come, and for the first time since her father declared her exile, Ella felt the first stirrings of eagerness for what was to come.
Ella accompanied Briane to her remaining classes that afternoon, and eagerly plied the girl with questions regarding her rather handsome and roguish brother. She was delighted to hear that he was smart, popular, athletic, and had an upstanding reputation, though it must be taken into account that this was a fond sister’s representation, but that not withstanding, it was a promising start. By the end of the day, the two girls were chatting and giggling as if they were old friends, a display Jace was both happy and dismayed to see, wondering what his sister would tell her companion of her irksome brother yet glad to see that the comely girl could forget her royal heritage and actually act like a warm and responsive human being on occasion.
They suddenly seemed to sense his presence and glanced at him sharply, at which he grinned insolently and offered Ella his arm, saying, “might I escort you to dinner, madam?”
She beamed at him, gave him a perfect little curtsy, took his arm, and together they vanished in the direction of the dining hall, each giving Briane a smile in farewell, his was even more insolent and hers was most cordial. Briane shook her head in exasperation at her tiresome brother’s antics and went to find Adan, needing to talk with him privately after the day’s troubling revelation. She frowned, usually the pair was inseparable this time in the evening, but she could not see him anywhere.
She jumped when she saw a shadowy figure moving out of the corner of her eye but hid her chagrin rather well as she hastened after the retreating form, who had been watching from a far turning in the hall. Adan stopped when he heard Briane following, allowing her to catch up. He smiled ruefully at her and said quietly, “alone as well my lady?”
She smiled sadly up at him and said, “that I am, my good man.”
He grinned impishly, “have you forgiven me my intentions yet? Or your brother for his ill-timed outburst?”
She shook her head in feigned dismay, “that scamp! But yes, I cannot stay angry with him for long, he means well, if he is not always tactful in his approach.” She turned curious eyes upon Adan, “do you really mean to go through with it?”
He nodded, “it is my dearest wish.”
She looked at the floor, unable to meet his solemn but eager eyes, quavered she, “I had not realized what you meant to me until Jace’s announcement; I felt as if someone told me you were dead!”
He laughed heartily, “why does everyone react that way?”
She shook her head ruefully and met his gaze once more, but then looked away abashedly, wishing she had not, pled she, “is there nothing that will change your mind? What if I said that you are more than a friend to me and I hope one day it will be far more?”
He smiled down at her sadly, placing his fingers under her chin and raising her eyes to his own, said he, “not even that lady, though your words are music to my heart. Know that your feelings are not unrequited, but I know with all my heart I must do this thing.”
Tears glistened unshed in her eyes as she nodded, glancing again at the floor, “is there no way?”
He smiled wanly, “aye, there is a way, but I fear it is not a path you will take.”
She looked at him with all seriousness and said, “what must I do?”
He shook his head, “I may only pursue a woman of my own calling.”
She gasped but frowned thoughtfully, “I had never even considered it.”
He said quietly, “neither can you pursue that calling simply to win my heart, it must be done willingly for its own sake.”
She sighed heavily, but said, “I must carefully consider this matter.” She put a gentle hand to his cheek, smiled sadly, and walked away. Adan watched her go, wearing a smile both thoughtful and sad.
The Sampler Platter: A Little Bit of Everything Page 39
