“Good day, ladies,” Sir William said as he greeted us in his usual clipped tone.
“Good day, my lord,” Sam and I said in unison, bowing a little with our arms full of wood.
“May I ask what you are doing?” he said in a surprised tone, motioning for one of his men behind him to dismount as he did.
“We are collecting firewood, my lord,” I replied.
“Firewood?” he said staring at the heavy load in Sam’s arms. “Where is the servant boy?” he asked, snapping his fingers at his own servant to relieve Sam of her burden.
“He is ill, Lord Wentworth,” I answered, addressing him formally, still holding my own wood.
“Yes, the nights are becoming chilly . . . which reminds me. I should come back with you to inspect your living quarters. I would not want you to be cold,” he said sympathetically, staring at Sam. The servant finished putting Sam’s bundle in his saddle bags and came back for mine. Once everything was secured, the four of us walked back to the clinic. Sir William, to no one’s surprise, walked pulling his horse next to Sam as I walked behind them with his servant. I could not help but smile a little; it was plain to see Sir William had a thing for Sam.
Sir William marched into the clinic first, surprising Dr. Thorpe as we followed behind.
“My Lord,” he said bowing reflexively. “What can we do for you?”
“I am here to inspect the living conditions, Doctor,” he said while glancing around the room. “There are no glass windowpanes in your windows.”
“No, my lord,” Dr. Thorpe said plainly. Peasants like us could not afford such a luxury. We only had wooden shutters.
“With only shutters to cover the windows there must be quite a draft,” he remarked in a concerned tone, glancing at Sam.
“Yes, I suppose so,” Dr. Thorpe agreed.
“And the bedchambers upstairs?”
“The same.”
Sir William studied Sam for a moment before glancing back to me and Dr. Thorpe. “I will have glass windowpanes installed on all of the windows here,” he said pleasantly, smiling at Sam, who returned his smile. As he turned with his servant to leave, he said, “and Dr. Thorpe, if your servant cannot fetch firewood for you, send a message to Arthur,” he pointed to his servant.
“Yes, my lord,” Dr. Thorpe agreed.
After that, they left. Dr. Thorpe gave us a brief look and then walked back into the kitchen area shaking his head and muttering something about how Sir William never gave a damn about how cold the nights were for him. Sam and I chuckled together as we stacked some of the wood by the clinic hearth and carried the rest upstairs.
∞
The princess summoned me again early in the week. I had begun to enjoy my visits with her, although I couldn’t say that we were friends. Her thirst for knowledge of my world and the future was insatiable. Luckily, I don’t think that I would ever run out of things to say.
“I am impressed by the way you saved Lord Gyfford’s life at the joust,” she mentioned as a servant laid refreshments at the table between us. “You are such a brave girl.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. That was the first time in my life I’ve had to try that on a real person,” I said thoughtfully.
“That shows you can think fast and independently. Those traits could make you an interesting defense coordinator. You are unpredictable. It would be hard for an opponent in my world to anticipate what you might do next,” she mused.
I kind of got the feeling that she was hinting at something but I couldn’t quite understand it.
“Back in your homeland, did you have someone special in your life?”
This was the first time she had really inquired about my personal life. It caught me off guard. “No, Your Highness. I was seeing someone, but the relationship ended a few months before I arrived here.”
“Why?”
“Well, . . . I realized he wasn’t as serious about the relationship as I was and it just fell apart.” I shrugged. She nodded.
“What about you, Your Highness? Will you be married soon?”
I had seen what appeared to be suitors surrounding her, vying for her attention as recently as the joust. She looked reminiscent for a few moments and surprised me by answering my question.
“I was married once. It was a long time ago,” she said softly. “He died, and after I returned home to Eteryn I wanted to marry someone else . . . but it was not to be,” she said with a mild tone of bitterness while looking directly at me. I could swear she looked a little teary eyed for a moment.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness.”
“We must never lose hope, Evelyn. It is a powerful notion and sometimes it is all we have,” she said smiling briefly. “It is getting late, you should come to the banquet this evening for supper before you leave. Your companions are most likely dining without you,” she waved to one of the servants waiting outside the door who I recognized. “Corlan will show you the way.”
“But, . . .” I stammered looking down at my work dress with the black chemise and burgundy overskirt. She waved me away as only a royal can.
My mind filled with anxiety as the servant led me to the banquet, an informal one by the looks of it. I supposed the more I learned about the castle, court life, and the way they do things here the better. Who knows when that information would be helpful. Luckily, I spied Paul as soon as Corlan left me inside the doorway. I practically rushed over to him, grateful for a familiar face.
“Evie!” he said, looking surprised.
“Paul, I’m so glad to see you,” I gushed. I hadn’t seen him since we visited the witch Rosalind. After a brief greeting, I got down to business. “So what do I do here? Who eats first?”
He spoke quickly because technically he was working. “When Princess Emeley arrives and takes a seat, she will motion for the festivities to begin, then you can help yourself. Find me before you leave; I’ll inquire about an escort for you.”
“Thanks, Paul!” I practically wanted to hug him.
A few minutes later, Princess Emeley and her entourage arrived in fresh new gowns. It’s always awkward to be at a party when you are underdressed and know nobody so I kept close to the wall. But that didn’t stop me from being noticed.
“Is there some sort of medical emergency here or are you now taking on extra duties?” asked a sharp sour voice I recognized.
“Lady Bluteau, good evening,” I said politely, curtsying to her per the custom. She was dressed impeccably as usual.
“I do not remember seeing your name on the roster this evening,” she continued.
“It was a last minute invitation,” I replied with a smile, suddenly wishing I hadn’t come. Especially now since most of the nobles started to gawk at me.
“Yes, I can see that,” she said nastily. “Perhaps whoever invited you did not realize there is a dress code.”
I would be lying if I said it was easy to let her negativity roll off my back and not take offense, but in reality she annoyed me so much I would love to just tell her off. Too bad I couldn’t. If I did, they would probably lock me in Ironhaven and throw away the key.
“I apologize, my lady,” I said as sweet as I could manage, curtsying low again and making to pivot and move away from her. My appetite was gone. All I wanted to do now was leave.
“Where do you think you are going!” she squawked.
“My lady?” What did she want now?
“I am thirsty and you are a servant. Go over there and fetch me a goblet of wine!” she demanded irritably pointing over to where another servant was busy pouring wine.
I really wanted to walk away from the little brat. She was just trying to prove a point, but since she had raised her voice a little, several nobles were staring at us.
“Of course,” I said, turning to do as she asked. Several fantasies flashed through my mind as I carried the full goblet back to her, many involving me throwing it in her face. Instead, I handed it to her and curtsied again, backing away. This time she let me go. I
saw Princess Emeley walking toward her as I turned around. I was done. Escort or no escort, I didn’t care. I marched out of the door to the banquet hall, stopping abruptly to curtsy low again as Prince Eythan and his entourage arrived. My cheeks were flushed with embarrassment but I doubt he saw it. Princes don’t pay servants any mind. I felt even lower than before. As soon as he was inside, I rose and retraced my steps to the path that would lead me home.
As I hastily made my exit, I rounded a corner quickly and gasped as someone moved out of my way in a blur.
“Watch where you are going, Wayfarer!” a snide voice commanded.
I reflexively curtsied, then looked up to see an angry appearing lord standing there dressed in elegant attire . . . I could sense he was not human. There mere sight of him sent shivers through me. He was the embodiment of all the evil depictions of vampires from my world. There was something about him that set the alarm bells ringing in my head.
“I’m sorry, my lord,” I stammered.
“It is a travesty that the likes of you are even allowed in here, especially after what you did to Lord Gyfford.”
“I saved his . . .” I began to explain, not getting very far before he reproached me again.
“How dare you talk back to me!” he reprimanded in a low voice. I had never heard a vampire raise his voice in all my time here. Perhaps it was due to their super sensitive hearing. “If you do so again, I shall have you thrown in the dungeon, woman! You do not have the authority to act independently. Your actions might have killed a prestigious member of our society. You are lucky he survived because if he had not, I would have loved to sentence you to hang. Now be gone before I change my mind and have you arrested!”
I sank low into my curtsy and raced off to the end of the hall. The sooner I was out of here, the better.
“Miss Evelyn,” I heard another familiar voice call. What now? I stopped and saw Sir William standing there.
I curtsied again. “Yes?”
“What are you doing out so late?”
“I was just on my way home from the banquet, my lord,” I stated politely, trying to keep a grip on my frayed nerves from my encounters with Lady Bluteau and the angry lord I just escaped from.
“I see . . . let me escort you. I am sure your friend, Miss Samantha, will be worried about you. We must get you back to her safely. Come,” he gestured.
“Thank you, Lord Wentworth,” was all I could say, feeling somewhat relieved. Something told me he wasn’t really interested in my safety . . . he probably wanted to see if he could catch a glimpse of my friend. I smiled at the thought. At least he didn’t scold me or put me down about the way I was dressed.
∞
The following day I had just finished wrapping up the burned forearm of one of the baker’s apprentices when the clinic door swung open and one of Princess Emeley’s servants appeared. “The Princess requests an audience, Miss Evelyn,” he stated formally. Used to this by now, I glanced at Samantha and Dr. Thorpe and moved to follow the servant to the castle. She sent a carriage for me this time; she must be in a hurry.
I was led through the formal corridors to a large den with elegant furniture and a desk by the windows. “I will alert the princess that you are here,” the servant said as he shut me in. I seated myself as there was nothing else to do but gaze out the window on the far side of the room. It did not take long for her to arrive.
“Miss Evelyn,” she said with a welcoming smile as she approached me. I stood and curtsied as per protocol, waiting for her to speak first. My medieval manners had started to become instinct. “I am interested in learning more about your world. Would you be willing to entertain me?”
“Of course,” I replied, grateful that she did not mention anything about the previous evening.
The princess began asking me questions about women’s fashion and music before the conversation took a more serious turn. I felt a little surprised when she started inquiring more about the military and history of war in my country. I am not a historian and described what bits and pieces I knew about the most famous wars in U.S. history.
“You describe a world that is somewhat peaceful,” she remarked when I was done.
“Well, my country is for the most part, I think, but terrorism is always a threat.”
“Our worlds have that in common. Rulers are always looking to expand their empires while protecting what they have.”
I nodded in agreement.
“We are always on constant alert for that threat and seeking ways to improve our own military and defenses,” she elaborated.
I slowly started to sense where she was going with this. “I was hoping that you would agree to a meeting with my brother. He and my father share responsibility commanding the military here. You may have knowledge that he might find useful.”
Speaking one on one with Prince Eythan? My knees started to go a little weak, but I felt myself nod in agreement. It was one thing to admire him from afar, but to actually interact with him? I hoped I could keep it together. “I do not know much about military tactics, but I will help you in any way that I can, Your Highness.”
“Good,” she replied and gestured to a servant, who promptly disappeared. Right now? I thought. We chatted for a few more minutes before the door abruptly opened and Prince Eythan strode in un-announced. He greeted his sister as I rose and curtsied to him. My stomach twisted in knots and I felt my nerves come alive. I could not put a finger on what it was about him that made me react this way. Maybe it was his handsome face, but more realistically because I knew that he was dangerous. I felt more or less comfortable that the princess did not want me dead, but this man? Who knew? He motioned for me to sit and I obeyed. He sat across from me in the strictest posture I had ever seen in a man. A servant wandered in with goblets of wine. He served the royals first and then, surprisingly, offered me one. I tentatively grasped the goblet but did not drink. To do so before the hosts would be bad manners. After the prince took a sip he placed the goblet down and leveled me with his beautiful blue-green eyes.
“The princess tells me that you are a wayfarer loyal to the crown,” he stated plainly in a business tone.
“Yes, Your Highness,” I replied. I guess it was true. At least I was alive, clothed, and fed. Who knows what would have happened to me if I had surfaced somewhere else in this strange world. I probably would not be talking or drinking wine with royalty, I imagined.
“She also tells me that you are from a future dimension and have knowledge that we have yet to possess.”
“Yes.”
“Whatever is said here will not be repeated . . . to anyone. Is that clear?” he quirked an elegant eyebrow at me.
“Of course,” I replied, wondering what exactly we would be discussing.
“Good. Because if I find out that any of this, or our future conversations are repeated, you will pay for it with your life,” he said lightly, however the seriousness was there.
“I understand, Your Highness.” I don’t think I’ve ever met someone so hard core, I thought.
He began by asking me questions about the Civil War and World War II, apparently having been apprised of them by his sister and our conversations in the past. He asked me specific questions regarding how and by what means the wars were ended. Our discussion of air strikes and weapons created more talk of things that did not exist in this world. I answered his questions to the best of my ability but I was distracted by how young, powerful, and handsome he appeared. I felt like I was being interviewed by a celebrity. His next question threw me off guard.
“How does your world control and counter magical forces?”
I remained silent for a moment. Was he serious? “Magical forces?” I asked bewildered. He glanced at Princess Emeley, who had remained mostly quiet for our long discussion.
“Yes, magic . . . you are familiar with the concept?” he stated gently and eyed me curiously.
“Yes . . . I am,” I said slowly. I wasn’t really sure what to say. I really had to k
eep a grip on myself so that I wouldn’t laugh. The thought of witches and other paranormal events and creatures was often fodder for movies and books where I came from, but they were not real, despite what I have seen here.
“Well then?” he prodded gently. There was something sincere and kind in his demeanor. When he first walked in he seemed more like a robot, but in conversing with him he had started to relax a little.
I glanced at Princess Emeley. “It’s just that magic doesn’t really exist.”
“What do you mean?”
“Simply that, Your Highness.” I stated, starting to feel awkward. “No one has magical powers in my world. It doesn’t exist.” I repeated. If he truly was a lie detector, he no doubt could sense my honesty.
“How do you explain the way you came to be in my world then?” It was a simple question for sure.
“I do not entirely understand what happened, but there has to be a perfectly logical scientific explanation for it . . . maybe we stumbled into a wormhole . . .”
“A wormhole?” he looked puzzled.
“Yes, it’s thought to be a connection or tunnel between separated places in time.” Although I think my answer impressed him, he continued on.
“Then how do you explain the existence of some of the creatures in my world? Vampires for example.”
“Real vampires do not exist in my world. This is a different world from what I was born into. Perhaps vampires are a product of evolution,” I said, holding to my scientific reasoning. I sensed their bewilderment as I spoke. Though I had to admit, since arriving here I had began to wonder about the legitimacy of some of the fictional things in my world; like mermaids or Bigfoot.
“I can assure you, Miss Evelyn, vampires as well as other creatures, demons, and witches are real, and do exist here,” he responded gently. “In time, you will see,” he said indifferently before rising to leave. The princess did the same and thanked me for the visit before I was dismissed.
The Twilight Star Page 11
