Tinderbox Under Winter Stars

by Emma Sterner-Radley

  Eleonora grabbed the sleeve of her husband’s smoking jacket and said something in a strangled voice. Anja leaned close to Nessa and Hunter to translate. “She’s reminding him of some sort of inconsistencies he has been finding over the last year. Saying that she told him that something was wrong. She’s talking about ‘the missing coin and the way it has been covered up.’ Apparently, just last week he was complaining about the ever-increasing secrecy coming from the top.”

  Albert nodded dazedly at his wife. He looked like a rabbit that has been told that he’s sharing his warren with wolves. Still, Nessa could see his reluctance. If he called for a servant she’d assume he was sending a message to his superiors. She’d prepare to run. Her hands were already on the chair, about pull it out and get up.

  Time ticked by. It seemed the whole room was too busy thinking to breathe. The maid brought a tray of coffee and little cakes topped with sunberries.

  Albert waited until she had left. “Why… why did they take Elise, then?”

  “Because the Queen of Arclid wants her. And they want a question answered. Thusly, it appears they traded Elise for the answer,” Hunter said.

  “Why did the Queen want… No, never mind. I know too much already.” Albert rubbed his pale face. “If what you say is truthness, and I see no reason for you to lie, why tell me? I am only a worker bee, yes? I have no power over them and their decisions. I cannot get your wife back, Nessa.”

  Nessa swallowed down another sob. “I know. I don’t need you to. I’ll do that. Well, we will.” She pointed to the other two before focusing back on Albert. “I need something else from you.”

  It wasn’t Albert who replied, but Eleonora. “Name it. We only knew Elise for a short time, but she’s impossible not to love, yes? If she’s in danger, we will help any way we can. Right, husband?”

  Albert nodded feebly, shock still glazing his eyes.

  Nessa’s tense shoulders dropped a little. “Wonderful. Thank you. What we need are some Joiners Square uniforms.” Nessa was still not sure whether to relax or prepare to run. Reading people wasn’t her strong suit, she had Elise for that.

  “Uniforms?” Albert spluttered.

  Hunter sat forward, suddenly animated. “Yes, allowing us to disguise ourselves as Joiners Square soldiers and get into the castle. We shall have Storsund rebels with us who can maybe wheedle out where Elise is from the other soldiers. Then we sneak her out without the Queen knowing there are intruders at her court and then we get on the first ship back. Hopefully.”

  “You’re bringing Storsund people?” Eleonora asked.

  Hunter replied, “Yes, seven of them. So, we need four female and six male uniforms.”

  Eleonora tilted her head. “Why bring others?”

  “Reinforcements,” Anja explained. “If there’s a fight we’ll have more manpower and people who are used to scheming and fighting, unlike us. And for appearances. With seven others, we’ll look like a normal, minor squadron sent to assist the delegation at court. Not like three weak civilians.”

  Albert was frantically tapping his fingers against his leg, eyes still glazed over.

  After a pause in which they all watched him, Anja cleared her throat. “Mr Lindberg. A strong heart and solid spine come from a confident mind. Have faith.”

  Focus returned to Albert's eyes. “Quoting the works of Gyllenkvist? We… read her books at school, yes? That quote fits well here.” He ran his hand over his beard. “Well, I don’t know about this plan, but I want to help. I suppose I can go back to work, make up a reason to go down to the supply section and pick up some uniforms. It should be quiet down there this late at night.”

  Eleonora patted his arm proudly. “Well done, sugar badger.” She turned back to her guests. “Is there anything else?”

  “Well…” Nessa hesitated.

  Hunter had no qualms and happily filled in, “We would be terribly grateful for lodging for the night. Our ship sails tomorrow.” He paused. “Do you say ‘sails’ when it is a steamship? I was on a clipper once, big beautiful white sails. On that they said that we ‘sailed’, but is there a different steamer term? I have been wondering about that for months.”

  “Not relevant right now, Hunter,” Nessa murmured.

  He looked down. “No, of course not. Nor is where we sleep. We will find beds for the night somewhere around the Charlottenberg docks. Hopefully.”

  His pitiful speech worked as Eleonora clasped her necklace again and exclaimed, “Certainly not! You will stay with us, yes? We have many rooms. I’ll have three guest bedrooms prepared, and Albert will go fetch uniforms. You sit there and enjoy the coffee and the sunberry tartlets, poor kittens.”

  With that she rushed off and Albert, confused without his wife’s guidance, hummed to himself.

  “I will get leaving then, yes? Yes. Hm. I need my hat and my coat. I will return late, you’ll likely be asleep. So, I shall bid you goodnight. Tomorrow, I will hire a carriage and escort you to the docks with the uniforms safely in a bag, yes?”

  Nessa squeezed her eyes shut, well aware that she had to ask what she didn’t want to. “Albert?”

  He turned while putting his top hat on. “Yes?”

  “You… aren’t on your way to turn us in, are you? You’re not about to warn Joiners Square about our plans?”

  “What?” He stepped back through the arch into the drawing room, looking taller than his short body should allow. “Child. Who do you think you’re speaking to? I may not be so wonderful... I know I talk too muchly and I don’t understand rules of being a social creature. But…” He banged a fist against his chest. “I am an honourable person and decent. I would never put an organisation ahead of a friend in need. Especially not a rotten organisation.”

  Nessa swallowed. “No, I’m sure you wouldn’t. It’s just that I d-don’t know who to trust. I’m in over m-my head and I feel like I’m… drowning. I wasn’t made for this.”

  He deflated back into his usually slouched posture, smiling slightly. “I see. If it makes you any more calmly, I swear on Sonja's head that I shan’t betray you in any way. And you know there can be no oath that means more to me than that.”

  Nessa felt an unexpected rush of affection for this man. Right now, he seemed five times the man she had thought him to be and she regretted her annoyance at him. Well, most of it, anyway.

  “Thank you. Once more, I’m sorry to have doubted you, Albert.”

  He smiled wider. “Think no more of it. Have cake and coffee. Or milk if you want to sleep better. Then go to bed and even if you can’t sleep, try for some resting, yes?”

  They all murmured their agreement and he put his coat on and left.

  Anja, Nessa, and Hunter ate in silence. To Nessa, the cakes tasted like air and the milk seemed to curdle as she drank it. Nevertheless, she remembered Anja's words about eating and resting to stay strong. She forced down another mouthful of milk as she prayed to every deity she could remember, begging them to keep the love of her life safe and unharmed, pleading with them to make her strong and brave enough to save Elise.

  The next morning found Nessa exhausted. She had flitted in and out of sleep for a few hours. The rest of the time she had laid there in the plush bed while her brain painted nightmare scenarios of how Elise was spending the night.

  Nessa had never looked forward to a drink as much as the several mugs of coffee she was currently inhaling. She forced down some bread and salted ham with it, casting glances at Albert as she ate. After a while he noticed.

  He gave her a paternal smile. “I have the uniforms and I spoke to no one while getting them. Please feel free to calm some.”

  She obeyed. Hunter, who was buttering his bread with as much sophistication as he could muster, was making small talk with Eleonora. He complimented her drapes, making Albert join their discussion. It evolved into a chattering mess where Albert and Eleonora talked over each other as they boasted about travelling all the way to northern Obeha to buy their drapes and cushions. Hunter hap
pily interjected questions when he could, clearly not minding the loud, confusing, and fast speech of the Lindbergs. Nessa caught Anja scowling into her coffee, though. That scowl deepened as Sonja came in and added her chatter about waking up to find people in her house.

  It was a relief to Nessa when they were finally getting ready to go to the docks and sail for the Arclidian harbour closest to Highmere, Cawstone.

  As they were donning their outerwear, Anja got Nessa’s attention. “I had a thought this morning. Do you remember what I was doing in Charlottenberg the day we met?”

  Nessa thought for a moment. “You were picking up your earnings from your investments in the Storsund Trading Company.”

  “Exactly. I’ll pop in there when we pass it this morning. You carry on to the docks to meet up with Diinna and the rebels. I’ll meet you there. It might be good to have some extra coin. After all, we do have six weeks on the ship, then a few days travelling from the port to Highmere, then six weeks back.”

  Anja paused to take the gloves that Hunter handed her. “Thank you. Oh and Elise won’t have any luggage. She’ll borrow clothes from us and we’ll just have to do our washing more often.”

  Nessa swallowed. “You’re so sure that we’ll save her and that we’ll come back? All of us?”

  “You’ll fail unless you assume you can win. But yes, I am certain. Between my determination, Hunter’s apparent skill for survival, and your unwavering loyalty to Elise, we can face down any enemy.”

  Nessa nodded, unconvinced and yet with tears crowding her eyes. Anja grabbed her by the shoulders. “That loyalty isn’t all you have to offer, lass. You’re strong and smart. You can do this. Now, I know you have a heart full of worry and a head full of doubts, so leave the mundane things to me. I’ll keep us all clothed and fed.”

  “Thank you. I can never thank any of you enough,” Nessa said, trying to conceal a sniff.

  “We are not solely doing this for you, Nessa. We are doing it for Elise and for ourselves, too,” Hunter said, gingerly placing his fur hat over his perfectly combed hair. “Not to mention that it is the right thing to do. No need for thanks.”

  “Still. Thank you,” Nessa croaked. “I have never had much faith in myself and my abilities. Without you all, I would—”

  “Be fine and manage to help Elise on your own,” Anja finished sternly. She raised her voice. “Is everybody ready?”

  They all answered yes and marched out towards two carriages waiting outside.

  “Two carriages? But they seat four. Even with all the bags and the uniforms, we still only need one carriage,” Nessa said.

  Albert waved her concerns away. “The lad. You know, the letter child—”

  “Messenger boy,” Nessa, Anja, and Hunter all corrected at the same time.

  “Yes, him. He accidentally got two carriages, so we thought we’d all come along and wave you off,” he said.

  Nessa shrugged. “All right. As long as we all keep calm and discreet when we get there.”

  “Of course. We’ll all be quiet and subtle. That includes you, doesn’t it, Sonja?” Eleonora said.

  The child bounced a little on her heels. “Yes. I’m good girl for whole trip. I’ve promised, yes?”

  Nessa tried to smile at Sonja, but her fraught nerves probably made it into a grimace. “Splendid. Let’s get moving.”

  She, Hunter, and Anja stepped into the first carriage and got comfortable. Hunter was looking out the window, one hand lifted to rap on the roof to signify to the driver that they were ready, just as soon as the Lindbergs were in their carriage. They waited as Hunter surveyed the scene, a line forming between his eyebrows.

  “Strange. They are putting something into their carriage. Playthings for Sonja perhaps? Gods, how many toys does that child need for a short journey?” he asked.

  Finally, the line between his eyes smoothed, and he rapped on the roof. They took off down the slush-covered roads, and Nessa’s nerves calmed a tad. Moving was good, moving was doing something.

  A painfully long time later, they were at the harbour, getting out of their carriage.

  Anja grabbed Nessa’s arm. “I am going over to the Storsund Trading Company’s office, then. Diinna is undoubtedly right where the ships are docked. She loves the sea air.”

  “All right. Hurry back.”

  “I will,” she called over her shoulder as she marched away.

  The Lindbergs finally spilled out of their carriage. Eleonora was struggling with a large box marked Joiners Square Supplies, seeming completely unaware of how indiscreet that was.

  The uniforms. Good. But what’s in those big bags that Albert is hauling out?

  “Those aren’t toys for Sonja,” Nessa muttered to Hunter.

  He sucked in air between his teeth. “No. Sorry, I simply assumed. I should think that is…”

  “Travelling luggage,” Nessa filled in. Her fatigue increased as her stomach began to ache.

  Sonja leapt out, a stuffed toy under one arm and the little red bag she had been travelling with on the Fairlight in her other hand.

  Nessa groaned. “No, wait a minute! Surely they don’t mean to take Sonja along? Dash it, what are they thinking? Why would we even allow such a harebrained idea?”

  Hunter winced. “Not sure. Nevertheless, you should speak to them before they start packing all that onto the ship. I doubt Diinna shall be happy with that.”

  “Happy with what?” a voice asked behind them. They turned and saw Diinna standing there in an elegant, white-grey coat which matched her hair.

  Nessa chewed the inside of her cheek. “You’ll see soon enough. First things first, good morning and thank you for coming to find us.”

  “Think nothing of it. The Wave Cutter shall be leaving for Cawstone in a little less than an hour. Plenty of time to converse and get you settled on board before she sails.”

  “Oh! So you do say ‘sails’ on a steamship then,” Hunter exclaimed.

  Diinna squinted at him. “Pardon?”

  After a glance from Nessa, Hunter smiled and said, “Never mind. You were saying?”

  “I was saying that the team of underground rebels are already on the ship. The people I had in mind were all willing. They’ve been waiting for something to do for weeks. They’re eager to free Elise and bring her back here to testify about her kidnapping.”

  Nessa breathed a little calmer. “Excellent. I look forward to meeting them.”

  “Good. Now, I must point out that this is as far as the Viss can be involved. We have to lay low until the new government is ready to take control. Well, an interim government during the court case against Joiners Square, that is. After that, we hope to hold elections where everyone can vote.”

  Hunter clapped. “That sounds like what the Western Isles have – a democracy. That settles it, I am putting down roots here. Unless it is turns too chilly, then I may have to go to the Western Isles. Would you and Elise consider moving there, Nessa?”

  Nessa gave him a sidelong glance. He held his hands up and muttered, “Not the time. Understood.”

  Meanwhile, Diinna was looking at Sonja, who was waving frantically at them.

  “What is that child doing?” she asked.

  Nessa stifled a sigh. “Yes. About that. I must speak to that child’s father. We might have a… snag.”

  Diinna raised elegantly arched eyebrows. “A snag? It would be wise to unsnag it as soon as possible.”

  With that she stepped aside and let Nessa and Hunter approach Sonja and her parents.

  Nessa gathered up her patience and tapped Eleonora on the shoulder. “Hello. What’s all this?”

  Eleonora turned and had the decency to look ashamed. For a moment. Then she smiled and blinked her long lashes at Nessa. “We’re accompanying you to Cawstone, yes? We have holidayed there before, but it was years ago.”

  Nessa pinched the bridge of her nose. “No, you’re not.”

  “Yes. We are. We shall help, yes?”

  “No,” Nessa answer
ed.

  Eleonora adjusted the box of uniforms in her arms. “Oh, I think so. I doubt you’ll get these uniforms unless you allow us to help. Albert! Where did he get to? Albert, come here and explain to Nessa that we are coming along, yes?”

  Nessa closed her eyes for a minute. Dragging Anja and Hunter into this, not to mention the Storsund rebels, was bad enough. But at least those people knew what they were getting themselves into. And they could be of use. The Lindbergs did not fit either those categories. A chatty socialite, a child of about six, and a hapless man who was risking his livelihood and reputation simply by being here… no, they were not coming along.

  When Nessa opened her eyes again, Albert was in front of her. He was holding his top hat in his hands, nervously spinning it round and round by the brim.

  She clasped his shoulder. “Albert. You three cannot come with us. It’s incredibly dangerous. Besides, we have to be stealthy, quiet, and look like Joiners Square soldiers. I don’t see Sonja pulling that off, I’m afraid.”

  “Oh, she will not arise with us to the castle. She and Eleonora will stay at a sweet, little inn we know in Cawstone. Their job will be to guard the possessions. All the clothes and things that we cannot bring to the castle. Soldiers don’t carry big bags, yes?”

  While that did make sense to Nessa, she still wasn’t sure about the idea. Clearly it showed on her face as Albert spun the hat even faster.

  “Nessa, don’t be idiot. Travels are dull without children and pretty people. My wife is pretty and my Sonja is a child. They don’t want to be without me for months. Especially not if I go away on a dangerous trip. Also, they are both bored.”

  “Like you?”

  “No. I’m not bored. I am essence.”

  “Essential,” Nessa corrected. She pinched the bridge of her nose again. “Why? Why are you essential, Albert?”