Of course, it helped that the trees liked her and let her know where she could find what she needed, if she but listened to their gentle susurrations, the wind whistling through their branches, the crackly secrets shared by leaves rustling against one another. When Jess tried to explain all this, remarking as well that there was little use in having a knack for plants if one didn’t have some skill at foraging and finding shelter, her friends soon forbore to comment at all, merely exchanging meaningful looks, the words Druid and greenmage quipped with increasing regularity.
Jess, for her part, was just happy that Twilight was willing to share some of the fish he caught at the small little ponds they stumbled across regularly. If Jessica’s friends thought anything odd of finding flapping fish twist oddly out of thin air, they forbore to comment, quickly getting into the habit of pointedly looking away whenever Jess remarked upon finding a new pool just right for fishing.
“Time for us to get sticks and a fire ready for grilling,” Alex would note, always getting Jessica’s approval before building their cook fires, never wanting to antagonize their hosts, as he would put it, gazing meaningfully at the trees all around them.
It was near a week before the party traveled beyond the edge of the vast woodland that covered so much of central Erovering. Jess alone seemed discomfited to be out from under constant woodland cover, for all that the main road running through it had been well maintained when they dared to make their way along it, doing all they could to avoid contact with anyone traveling the road. Jessica’s friends, however, looked more than slightly relieved to be out under open sky once more; dairy fields and vineyards all about, the vast forest reduced to an occasional grove carefully maintained for lumber or fruit.
“By the Crown it's good to see the horizon once more,” Jacob softly mused to nods of agreement, Jess alone furrowing her brows in counter sentiment.
“Oh come now,” Jera said, “you too must be a bit weary of looking for roots and low hanging branches that could trip up our horses or knock us off our mounts, aren't you, Jess?”
But Jess wouldn’t be mollified, not even by Jera’s teasing smile.
“I've never been bothered by roots or low hanging branches," Jess declared, knowing even as she said it that it was an outrageous claim to make, especially after traveling along old woodland paths for days on end.
“We're not all greenmages, you know," Jacob mused. "I, for one, can breathe a little easier." He turned to Raphael. "How far are we from your chateau?"
Raphael flashed a pleased grin and nodded toward what looked to be a grand villa off in the distance, the golden rays of the afternoon sun highlighting it to beautiful display, a glorious blue lake sparkling prettily behind it. "Your sense of direction is nothing short of exquisite, dearest Jess! I doubt the king's finest trackers could have navigated blind through the woodlands for days on end and still know precisely where to exit, so as to be such a short distance from my family chateau."
“Not a bad location for a chateau at all,” Twilight mused upon his master’s shoulder. “I am sure the diOnni pond has any number of rather tasty treats willing to give themselves up to a most worthy cause."
Jess smiled despite herself. “That cause, of course, being to fill up your belly.”
Twilight quirked an eyebrow. "They are fish, dearest Jess. What higher cause could they possibly aspire to?"
Jess laughed. “I take it these are your family vineyards?” Jess asked an animated Raphael, at that very moment regaling them with stories of childhood adventures had on these very lands. Jess, however, wanted to make absolutely sure of her bearings, her eyes settling upon more than one nervous looking farmer hurriedly looking down whenever they met Jessica’s gaze. That several had rapidly left the grapevines they had been tending after staring at them openmouthed had not been lost on her either.
“Indeed, Jess." Raphael smiled warmly at the nervous looking farmers. "Mind them not, my friends. It has been several years since I last traveled this way, and no doubt few if any recognize me from the ramblings I made as a good-natured boy through these parts. Few peasants are comfortable with a guarded nobleman's retinue, after all, when they don't know the temperament of the lord in question. Fear not, Jess. A few days to get comfortable with our presence at the family estates, and I'm sure everyone will be smiling with the best of cheer."
The gently sloping road that led to Raphael’s family chateau granted them a wondrous view of lush fields bright with ripened fruit and wildflowers, Jess's eyes naturally flowing to the grandest of villas adjoining a picturesque lake, for all that the edifice was still a considerable distance away. As her friends admired the scenery, Jess took careful note of the tiny looking figures milling about the front courtyard of the building they approached, the chateau's priceless stained glass windows at last apparent by the colorful sparkle Jess could now make out in addition to the brilliant late afternoon shimmer of the lake behind it.
“What I would give for a spyglass,” Jess sighed.
“Twelve men wearing uniforms of some sort, with one obvious leader gesturing at them and pointing up this very road. All on horseback.”
Jess laughed softly. “Well played, Twilight. I always forget just how very sharp your eyes truly are.”
Twilight smirked. "More like, too proud to admit to your dear master Eloquin how much of your brilliant counter-stratagems are at least partly informed by your familiar's exquisite vision."
Jess grinned in turn, affectionately stroking her familiar's purring form. "Oh, I quite openly let him know the source of my at times uncanny knowledge of our opponent's formation, and it didn't hurt that I taught you the hand signals we use to convey so much. Our dear commander, if you will recall, would say only that some cards were best held close to one's chest, and he would trust that I would be prudent with whatever gifts nature had blessed me with."
Jessica’s brow furrowed. “I suspect he sees you as no more than an extension of my gifts with the bounties of forest and field. Still, he was always gracious enough to compliment my loyal familiar, as he put it, those times we led the vanguard and helped secure tournament victory, or dealt with less savory affairs."
“Ah, yes," Twilight purred, "well do I remember the rather exquisite poached salmon prepared in our honor on tournament days, and the exquisite fish stew left in the Squires Hall whenever we returned from, how did you put it? Less savory affairs."
Jess laughed. “Whether or not he believed in you, a wise commander knows to reward loyal troops when victory has been achieved. Morale is important, even in imaginary friends, I think he quipped a time or two.”
Twilight nodded solemnly. “Ultimately, my dear Jess, your associate’s belief in me is irrelevant. So long as I am properly fed, that is good enough for me.”
Jess gave a bemused nod, petting her cat even as she gazed thoughtfully at the tiny figures still a good mile or so off, at the base of the chateau below.
“Is there anything else you wish to know, Jess?”
“Yes. What are dear Raphael’s housemen armed and armored with, and why are forming up on the field?”
Twilight effortlessly flowed from Jessica’s lap to seat himself upon her shoulder once more, Jess musing at that moment that he really did look like a bird of prey. A falcon, perhaps, with his piercing gaze and noble form.
“Stop that, Jess.”
Jess flushed. “I thought you couldn’t read my mind?”
Twilight turned his head, flashing a most feline grin, and Jess felt herself flush. “Don’t worry, Jess. Your naughty fantasies involving Josie and Raphael ravishing you in kisses and gentle caresses are quite safe, I assure you. But if you project your praise for me that loudly, of course I’m going to pick it up.” Twilight managed to look smug. “Not that your admiration for me is out of place in the least, my mistress.”
Jess felt her cheeks grow even hotter. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Of course not." Instantly, her familiar's wry banter t
urned deadly serious. "Jess. They are armed with crossbows, in addition to sword and spear. And it appears that two of their number are making the trek up the road to meet us.
Jess felt a sudden chill. “Crossbows. You are sure.”
Twilight gave a slow nod. “I’m certain.”
Jess turned to Malek, at that moment sharing a laugh with his lover. “Malek.”
Something in her voice, perhaps. Malek's cheerful features turned instantly serious, every motion one of cold precision as he quickly trotted to her side. “Yes, Jess?”
“What appear to be a dozen house guards have assembled at the base of the chateau. Two of their number are making their way up the road to meet with us.”
Malek grunted, taking Jessica’s observations on absolute faith, well aware of his shieldsister’s strengths in the field.
“The diOnni clan is reputed to treat their servitors unusually well," Malek noted. "I know they have excellent reputations as merchants and masters, and I am given to infer that their servants and soldiers are grateful to work for such prosperous and forthright employers. And showing a force of strength if an unknown party approaches is not unheard of in these times." He frowned then, catching his shieldsister's stony gaze. "I take it something is off?"
Jess gave a slow nod. “Crossbows.”
One word. All that needed to be said. Malek gave a slow, thoughtful nod. “What’s our play?”
Jess turned to gaze at her friends, all of them walking their mounts at a sedate pace to the chateau below after a long days ride, in no great hurry. Alex caught her gaze and broke off his animated conversation, Jera laughing softly and stroking his arm as he smiled once and trotted up to Jess.
“Jess?”
Jess turned to her friend. “Guardsmen below. Armed with crossbows.” Alex blinked, nonplussed. Jess shrugged and sighed. “Could be nothing. Could be their family has some discrete arrangement with the Crown that the rest of us don’t know about. Perhaps they were granted special privileges as a result of the exotic trade routes Raphael's grandfather had first developed to curry favor with the king. Either that, or a certain guard captain will be lucky to avoid the headman's block.”
Alex grimaced. “Or the situation is far worse than that. That’s what you wanted to warn me of. Isn't it, Jess?”
Jess nodded at her insightful friend. Quick of wit and reflexes, he had little martial training with his slender build, but as a battlemage he was as gifted a student as had ever graced the halls of Highrock. Alex was one of the very few students granted the privilege of training with Royal battlemages on the field, having experience working under the direction of Jess and Malek both.
"You and I both know the warm regard the Royal House as well as the Lords Court has for the diOnni clan." Jess noted. "The only question is, does that extend to a special writ allowing for the use of crossbows by house staff?"
Alex frowned thoughtfully. "Considering that your father was himself a highly esteemed general during our last war with Velheim, I would find it highly unlikely that Duke diOnni would be afforded military privileges that your own clan was not."
Jess gave a smile far wiser than her mother would credit her for, shaking her head. "Father already holds more influence and estates than most dukes, and he is but a baron. It would have ruffled far too many feathers for Father to have been afforded such privileges, particularly as he is one of the very few lords who could hypothetically lead a successful uprising; a fact lost on no one, least of all he who taught me the basics of strategy and swordplay years before I ever came to Highrock, he who now plays the affable country lord, far more interested in his apple orchards than in accruing political power, to exquisite effect.”
Alex raised a bemused eyebrow.
“Lord Arthur de Calenbry still has his head on his shoulders, Alex," Malek noted. "We all know what happens to those who overextend themselves playing the game of Houses."
Alex grimaced, nodding. “No lord dare be seen as too weak by his peers in the Court of Lords, lest his enemies unite to bring him down. Yet none dare be seen as too bright a rising star without showing absolute dedication to the Crown, or their ascent will be cut off with savage abruptness.” Alex sighed. “It probably is a good thing that your mother handles the political side of things, Jess, and your father focuses solely on administering his lands and caring for his people. He’s seen as a threat to no one, and a valuable asset for the inevitable war we all sense coming like a dark cloud, but seasons away from washing over us all with a storm of tears and blood.”
Malek chuckled wryly. “Such an optimist you are, my friend.”
Alex shrugged. “One reason why I am quite happy to be safely ensconced within the walls of Highrock; seen as a royal asset, free to pursue my studies, far away from Court. I don’t care for games of intrigue any more than you do, Jess.”
Jess grinned. "Just one of the many things I like about you, Alex. I think your assessment cuts through to the heart of the matter, and I know that Malek and I can trust you to have our backs, should we ever find ourselves facing a common enemy across the field of battle."
“You never need doubt that Jera and I will support you as best we can, Jess." Alex assured. "What's our play then?"
Jess smiled at her friend, grateful for his trust in her. “My hope, of course, is that it is nothing more than privileges granted a noble in royal favor. A pair of guardsmen ride up even now, no doubt to assess us and bid us welcome to the diOnni household when they discover who we are. But just in case, be ready. You and Jera both.
Alex gave Jess a thoughtful nod, moving back to ride beside Jera once more, whispering to his lover, whose cheerful banter was quickly replaced by a thoughtful frown of her own. She caught Jess’s gaze and gave a slow nod. Jess smiled, happy to know that her friends were ready for whatever was to come.
A thoughtful Raphael also caught Jess's eye, and she smiled as he approached, a reserved Josie in tow.
“Is everything all right, Josie?” Jess quietly asked her friend, catching sight of her troubled gaze.
“I’m not sure, Jess. You tell me.” Josie’s gaze boldly met her own.
Jess sighed, turning her head to gaze at both of her friends. “Guardsmen are riding up from your chateau even as we speak, Raphael. We need to be ready.”
Raphael’s brooding concern was instantly replaced by a relieved chuckle. “Oh, is that all! Here poor Josie and I had halfway feared that you had sensed some dark incursion from Shadow, or you had spotted our enemies even now preparing an ambush, or some such. Forgive me for saying it, but living around you has been quite an adventure, my dear Jessica.”
Jess matched her friend’s grin. “I could apologize, I suppose, but be honest! Wasn’t school a lot more exciting when we had to worry about evil liches and shadowy incursions around every corner? Far better than endless exams.” Jess shuddered. “You know how I feel about exams, having to actually pay attention to all those god awful droning lectures!”
Josie laughed. "You can hardly cry foul on that account, my dear Jessica. I happen to know for a fact that whenever the healers needed your help in harvesting a particularly potent specimen, they never even bothered sending the apprentices to your assigned classes! Everyone knew you were to be found on the training fields if not the rooftop garden itself, tending to the very herbs the healers needed most."
Twilight chuckled softly as Jess blushed. “She does have a point, Jess. You were a rather horrible student.”
“Master Eloquin didn't mind," Jess grumbled.
“That’s because you and Malek are his prized war-hounds.” Twilight quipped. “And with trouble brewing with our neighbors, no one really cared what you did, so long as you were readying yourself for the war to come.”
“Yes, but you actually studied for his class," Josie noted. "I can't tell you how surprised I was to see you comfortably reading under a tree while Malek and your other friends were sparring, 'til I saw it was a treatise on battle that had caught your interest."
Jess shrugged. “Lord Gilspeth did have considerable success with light cavalry and horse archers used in conjunction during multiple campaigns. I thought it had application with some of the stratagems Lord Eloquin was having us master.”
Raphael and Josie exchanged a bemused grin.
“You almost sounded like a scholar there, Jess.” Raphael noted. “In any case, no need to worry about the family armsmen. We pay them well for their loyalty, and they have never let us down.”
He chuckled softly, giving a fond shake of his head. “Truth to tell, I think of some of those men at the main villa as family. I know they would defend my clan with their lives, and they may rest assured that our loyalty is mutual. They will always have a bed to rest their weary bodies as they age, a cheerful fire to warm chilly bones during long winter nights, and tasty victuals to remind them of younger days. A good armsman could only hope their lords would treat them so well after their years of dedicated service, allowing them to live out their final years in comfort, imparting what lessons they can to fresh recruits; their gentle retirement in return for years of loyalty being the most important lesson of all.”
Jess nodded, her gaze solemn. “Does that loyalty and love translate to your father bargaining for extra privileges on your men’s behalf?” she asked quietly.
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