by Marie Hall
"Only two, sir," the scribe said, rushing to the stacks. He pulled the two top most from the pile and handed them to Gerald who snatched them away. The man stumbled back. "Io, did not leave this room with them I swear."
"Lady Io," Xavier corrected and ground his teeth when he saw the man start. It was a poor choice to allow Io to be so informal. Had she declared her status and made others acknowledge it, many of the problems wouldn't have come about. He'd start now ensuring there was no question to Io's place in this house.
"Yes, my lord, Lady Io," the man repeated.
"Why was the lady not to leave the room with any of the maps? Was she not long ago using them to study in her lessons?" Mark asked as they gathered around the table and spread out the very detailed map of the west most part of the kingdom.
"Lady Charlotte said—" The man stopped when Xavier held up his hand. Of course his mother was behind it. Why though? What did she gain trying to keep Io from the maps? Or was it maps?
"I want the ledgers brought to my chambers by the end of this day," Xavier commanded and saw the man visibly pale.
"I… I… which ledgers, sir?" the man stammered and scurried behind his table.
"All of them," Xavier snapped and then turned his attention to the maps.
"Hand me the other one," Gerald said. He spread the second, a map of a smaller area that showed on the first. "You were to go to Curdale?"
"Yes." Xavier nodded and then turned the maps so he could have a better look. The maps both showed the area where the festival took place but the second continued west to a bay. "You think she went here?" Xavier's finger came down on the map.
"I think what she said to Sarah she meant. She might want to know if the sea is salty, but she could go anywhere from here. Travel by ship makes it less likely she will be seen. And because she may not know exactly where she lived before her mother's death, she might be looking for a landmark and has some reason to think the ocean can get her there."
"Is it wise to focus on this?" Seth asked. "Certainly she was looking at these maps last but Io's memory… she could have used any of them she looked at in the past."
"No," both Gerald and Xavier said. Gerald yielded and Xavier continued. "Her memory is very good but there are things she struggles with. The art in the few illuminated manuscripts she goes back to look at them often. She remembers where to find the pictures but she cannot always recall the details. Her lessons on maps, reading and using them, was a challenge to her."
"Yes, she wrote she worried she would fail the lesson in the last letter I received," Gerald added.
"She did not," Xavier told him, pride in his tone.
"If Io looked at these maps several times, we should give it heavy consideration." Gerald pushed away and scratched his head. "It is still a very large area. There are miles of shore line and if she truly means to—"
"No," Xavier cut him off. He was done thinking his wife was suicidal. If she wanted to kill herself, she'd have done it here. He had to hold onto the belief she only meant to vanish, to go so far away no one would be able to make decisions for her. "No, she is no weak woman to lie down and die. Not for anyone. No, Io is a fighter. She does not fight fair, but she fights." Xavier turned on his heel and headed straight back to his chambers. He needed to pack and gather supplies. For the first time in weeks he had a direction, a possible location and he wasn't going to waste time. He'd catch up to Io and he'd bring her back where she belonged.
Chapter Eighteen
Xavier drew his hand across his face, wiping away the rivulets of rainwater. They'd been under a steady downpour for the last two days but the skies were parting now and the sun was breaking through. Maybe it was a sign Io wouldn't be missing for much longer.
He knew he was grasping. He'd not set eyes on his wife for nearly seven weeks. Worse, no one else claimed to have seen her either. There wasn't a single sighting of Io by anyone from there to here.
It was possible she was staying away from the larger shires and towns, but the nearly one hundred men who joined this search were divided into numerous smaller groups that fanned out to cover the entire area. None sent word she might have been seen. They'd all continue to ride towards the sea and then they'd all ride towards the center to regroup.
Xavier's group was the center-most party. Logic dictated Io would take the shortest and easiest path. He was following that path. If only some clue would present itself. Just something small to keep his hope alive. The rain came to an easy stop and Xavier took a moment to remove the oilskin and shake off the damp. The men around him did the same, packing away the protective coverings.
Everyone was tired but no one even grumbled at the pace set. It took a full week after deciding on the course, to choose the men who'd accompany them. Xavier hadn't thought it mattered who went, but Jon advised the men allowed to come be screened as any of them could be behind the attempt on Io's life. Not willing to risk someone trying to hurt her was the one who found her, the search party was selected with great care. These men wanted to be on this mission. They wanted to find Io. Back at the house, he'd left men he trusted to hold the house as well as make it ready for Io's return by continuing to look for the would be assassin.
The person in charge of both was Sarah. He'd asked the woman to make a list of anyone she thought was disloyal to Io, anyone she suspected wanted to harm her. She was to put every effort into it and he'd left Seth behind to ensure she was given cooperation. He'd not be at all surprised if Sarah had the villains imprisoned by the time they returned. The thought caused a rare smile to bend his lips.
"Glad to have the rain stop?" Mark asked, riding up alongside.
"Yes," Xavier said and shifted in the saddle.
"But something else has you uplifted."
"She is close," Xavier said, then looked at the man expecting to see mockery. He didn't. "I do not know how, why, but Io is close. I know."
"Then we best not delay. There is a village over that ridge, maybe she is there. Maybe the flow of coins will help find her. We need to resupply or we will not make it to the shore."
"Then let us be onward," Xavier told him and spurred his horse into a gallop.
* * *
Their presence in the village caused a stir. Shop shutters closed at the sight of a small army riding in. By mid-day the people all understood they were there to buy supplies and the leadership of the community came to ask about news they may have brought.
Xavier stood back as Gerald and Mark began their questions about Io. The people who listened would deny seeing her but then call to someone else who perhaps had. They were all but through questioning everyone with the same results. No one saw anyone who might have possibly looked like Io a little. He was beyond disappointed. He was sure he'd finally get a little closer to her this time. Taking up the reins of the big black horse, he set his foot in the stirrup then noticed a group of children spying on him from the side of one of the buildings. They squabbled among themselves, pointing and shoving at each other. All but one boy. That boy stood apart and looked at Xavier with intent surprising for one so young facing a knight.
Xavier pulled his foot from the stirrup and, as casually as he could, started for the children. Io told him many times he frightened them because he came at them too fast. He stopped several steps from them as a few turned tail and ran. But that one boy still stared. A few more steps and some of the others scattered. He continued towards the one child who'd not moved at all. An older girl was tugging frantically on the boy's arm but he shook her off and took a step towards Xavier. The girl ducked behind the wall but didn't flee as Xavier closed the distance and stood over the boy. The child's face was dirty and his body gaunt. He was the kind of child Io would bring home. He tipped his grubby face up and met Xavier eyes.
"You look for the angel," he said strongly but not loud.
"Jacob," the girl hissed a warning to the boy.
Xavier's eyes flashed to her then came back to the boy still leaning back to look at him. He squat
ted down so the boy could put his head in a more natural position. He was about to reach out and touch the child when the girl found her courage and rushed to pull the boy back against her own small body.
"He is looking for the angel," Jacob said and struggled to be free of the girl.
"I beg pardon, my lord." The girl's arms tightened around the boy. "My brother sometimes says things he should not. We will be away." She tried to pull the boy along but he wouldn't budge.
"No, I saw her. I saw her. I am not lying. I saw the angel." Jacob began shouting and pulling to get free of his sister's desperate hold on him.
"Do not say things to the better people. You will cause trouble," the sister warned.
"No," Xavier said softly reaching out to still the battle. "No. I would like to hear of this angel you saw."
"You look for her. Are you going to fix her wings so she can go back to heaven?"
"Jacob," the girl groaned and covered her eyes with her hand.
"Can you tell me about the angel? What she looked like?" Xavier pulled the boy closer and held him in place by his arms. It didn't seem he wanted to flee but it was Io who was good with children not him.
"She was so beautiful. Angels are beautiful." Jacob sighed. "She had eyes like the sky. I never saw eyes like that."
Xavier dropped his head and blinked back tears. He had to clear his throat before he could ask his next question. "Did she have hair like wheat?"
The boy hummed a bit before he answered. "I think, but when angels fall they get dirty some." It was a good enough answer for Xavier but his next words sent a thrill through him. "Angels do not wear shoes." The boy giggled and gave Xavier a sly look like it was a great secret to know this.
"Thank God," Xavier breathed. This angel had to be his wife. "Can you tell me where you saw the angel?"
"In the thickets by the river." Xavier made to stand but the boy grabbed him back. "She is not there now."
"How long ago was she there?" Mark asked as he and the others stepped up to discover what business Xavier was conducting with children. The girl's eyes went wide in fear but she wouldn't leave her brother.
"Ummm," the boy hummed again then shrugged.
"Three days, sirs. Jacob told us he found an angel after mass on Sunday, but when we went to look the next morning, she was not there," the girl spoke up perhaps prompted by her concern her brother would have his head ripped off if he couldn't answer.
"Can you show us where you saw her last?" Xavier asked standing now.
"This way," Jacob shouted and tugged on his hand.
"Wait boy," Jon cautioned. "Where is your father?" Both children paled. "Or your mother?" Jon added which caused both children's eyes to well with tears. "Well, who cares for you then?"
They got the answer when a fat fist reached around and grabbed the boy by his neck. The girl's piercing scream and wild attempt to grab her brother back earned her a vicious slap as the bloated man in black robes pushed past Xavier. He was wringing the boy's neck while pulling the girl from the ground by her hair.
"Let them go," Xavier's tone should have told the man all he needed to know—these children were now under his protection.
The man was dense though. He not only didn't let them go, he began dragging them away. "Do not worry, my lords, these two will be sorely sorry for bothering you."
"I said let them go," Xavier snarled and grabbed the man's arm. "My business with them is not done and you will not interfere in royal matters."
"Royal?" the man gasped and dropped the girl who hit the ground hard. "What business of the crown can these two devil bastards know?" The man finally turned around and pulled himself straight. That was when they all saw it. The man still choking the boy wore the chasuble and stole of a priest.
"The matter is private, priest," Lucas said lifting the girl from the ground and pushing her behind him.
"I am charged with dealing with these thieving, whoring whelps. This good town would be over run if not for me. I would know what matter, and who you are to interfere."
A sword point appeared and pressed into the man's neck. "You are before Xavier Brice, and if you do not let go the child, you will be meeting your master sooner than might be of your liking." Jon's voice was soft but the intent and the assurance it'd be carried out was solid.
The boy fell out of the man's hand, was on the ground only for a moment before he was behind Xavier with his arms around both Xavier's legs. "The angel would not like him," Jacob whispered.
"No, she would not," Xavier confirmed and worked to hide the grin.
"She was this way," Jacob said pulling on Xavier's hand.
"Bring the girl and hold him here," Xavier ordered then took the first step that ended the boy's futile struggle to get the search started. As soon as the group began moving, Jacob raced ahead. He jumped and kicked, picked up a stick and jabbed it at the air in an imaginary battle. Xavier, Mark, Gerald and Lucas followed behind.
"Xavier, what are we doing out here?" Lucas asked as they continued towards the sound of water.
"The boy saw Io," Xavier said, ducking under branches to continue after the child.
"Are you sure?"
"Never more."
"Please, my lord, do not hurt my brother," the girl called as she raced to keep up.
"No one will hurt him," Xavier said as he stepped into a small clearing encircled by small trees and dense brush. To the right a small river rushed and the trees there were a little sturdier.
"She was here," the boy shouted, jumping wildly up and down and pointing to a spot near the biggest tree.
Mark and Gerald rushed forward to keep the child from destroying any signs that might be there after the rains and three days. The boy raced back and grabbing Xavier's hand again began trying to pull him closer.
"Jacob, give him peace," the girl told him in a way that made it clear the child already spent too long acting as a mother to the exuberant boy. "Here." She removed her apron and handed it to him. "Better you find us a meal, Father Berkham will not be letting us eat tonight."
Xavier watched the boy rush off towards some bushes. What he might find so close to winter Xavier could only guess. There had to be something edible. Hadn't his own wife survived the very same way for years? The thought pinched his heart. Was there no shelter for children orphaned or abandoned in the whole of the kingdom?
"Sir, please." The girl stepped around to stand facing him. "My brother does not understand things. I am sorry he wastes your time. Please do not hurt him. I… I can…" Her hand came up to her throat and her face flushed. She looked away but smoothed her hand down over her completely flat chest. "I will…will make it up to you, sir. I… I know… how. Please just leave Jacob alone."
Xavier let the words sink in. This girl, this child couldn't be more than ten years herself. How in the name of all that was holy did she know how to make things up to a man like him? How often had she needed to do it? How often had Io considered such a thing for her own survival? That she'd never had too, didn't mean she'd not at least let it cross her mind. Damn the world for the burdens placed on children.
"What is your name?" Xavier asked.
"Eva," she said turning to look at him. Fear was the only thing in her eyes.
Dropping to his knees he pulled Eva closer. She was stiff and fighting not to resist what she must have expected to be her rape. "Eva, no one is going to hurt your brother. Or you." His hand wiped the tears that dripped down the small face. "You will never have to offer yourself as you did. Not ever again."
"My lord, you are seeking an angel?" Her skepticism was valid given the observation she'd made.
"No, Eva," Xavier set her away and stood as he was being waved over by Gerald. "I am not seeking an angel; I am looking for a goddess." Xavier left her standing with Lucas and joined the men by the tree.
"Someone was here, slept here. It could be Io. There are foot prints, bare," Gerald stressed the word. "The rain has washed out most of them but downstream close to the w
ater there are some left in the mud." Gerald led the way down river where Mark was still looking for signs on the opposite bank.
"She crossed back to this side and looks to have been trying to get back to the road." Mark came back towards them splashing up the middle of the river.
"Then we are only three days behind her." Xavier barely stopped himself from jumping with the same joy as Jacob.
"We need to talk to the boy," Mark said, climbing up the bank with Gerald's help. "He saw her enough to know her eye color. He might be able to tell us other things that will make it easier to reach her.
Xavier knew exactly what Mark was trying not to say. Io was caught by a child after weeks of avoiding every other human. It could be she wasn't threatened by a young boy who thought her an angel. But it could be she was hurt and weak. All three men moved back to where they'd left Lucas. The children sat on the ground at his feet. The boy either found a feast or Lucas shared his supplies, because he was shoving more food in than he could possibly swallow and, to her credit, his sister was handing him more and encouraging him to eat it before it was taken away. Lucas leaned in and stopped her from handing more over when they arrived.
"You eat that," he told her sternly. She hesitated and Xavier wondered if it was a female thing to refuse food from strangers. "There is more, Jacob will get his fill as should you."
"Did you find the angel?" the boy asked, food spilling out as he spoke.
"She was not an angel," Eva hissed.
"Were too," Jacob spoke even as food went in.
"We found her tracks," Gerald stated.
"See, an angel would no leave tracks." Eva poked her brother; he poked her back.
"She would if her wings were broken," Jacob said, poking her again.
"Enough, be still," Lucas cut in before the siblings started fighting.
"Her wings were broken," Jacob said solemnly then turned his sharp eyes on Xavier. "Are you going to fix her wings so she can go back to heaven? She is going to tell mother to come back."
