Birthright

by Missouri Vaun

  Aiden pulled the saddle from Sunset and placed it on the ground next to her bedroll. Sunset was tied near some saplings and other greens that she was enjoying. Aiden watched Kathryn toss her bedroll on the ground a few feet away. Kathryn had hardly uttered a word since they’d left the raided farm.

  Gareth was building a fire while Rowan dug through one of her side bags for food rations. Everyone seemed lost in their own thoughts.

  “Hey, are you all right?” Aiden knelt to help Kathryn spread out the corners of her blanket.

  “I’m fine.”

  But she didn’t seem fine. “Did you know the people that owned that farm?”

  “Not well, but they offered us shelter when we passed by here a few days ago.” Kathryn sat on the blanket and rested her arms on her knees. “We just saw them, and now they’re…gone.”

  “What can I do to make you feel better?” Aiden wanted to soothe Kathryn like she’d done the previous night for her. She supposed it wasn’t ideal to ask a person how to help, it should be the sort of thing you just intuitively knew, but she didn’t know what to do. She had a strong urge to put her arm around Kathryn, but she was feeling a bit shy to do that in front of Venn, Gareth, and Rowan.

  Gareth glared at her across the fire pit. He definitely didn’t like her. He took every opportunity to let the group know that. Aiden should’ve known better than to ask stupid questions out loud. She’d set herself up for his ridicule. Aiden was nobody; Gareth could say whatever he liked to her. But why did Kathryn allow him to be so argumentative with her? She was the queen, his monarch. Aiden wanted to punch him for lashing out at Kathryn, but she’d held back. She didn’t fully understand the relationship Gareth and Kathryn had, and she didn’t want to do anything that would cause Kathryn to be more upset. Now, watching his smug expression from across the fire, she once again had the urge to punch him.

  “I think I just need to rest.” Kathryn gave her a weak smile.

  She rocked back on her heels and watched as Rowan handed Kathryn a strip of dried venison and some water. Then Rowan handed the same rations to her. Aiden moved a few feet away to her own blanket and settled against her saddle. She chewed the dried meat slowly, savoring the salt and smoked flavor.

  Kathryn didn’t need or want anything from her. She was obviously troubled by the events of the day, but she didn’t seek any comfort from Aiden. That hurt.

  Darkness fully enveloped them, except for the flickering flame of their small campfire. Rowan boiled water for tea and handed a cup to Aiden. Kathryn was either asleep or pretending to be. Gareth rolled over with his back to the dying fire. Venn was lying on her side, propped on her elbow. She nodded to Aiden as if to silently bid her good night and then rolled onto her back and closed her eyes.

  Rowan moved over to sit next to Aiden with her own cup of tea.

  “We’ll be in the heart of Olmstead tomorrow. We should make it to Starford Keep by early afternoon. Maybe even midday if we make good time.” Rowan watched the flickering embers and sipped her tea. She’d spoken as if she were talking to no one in particular, but Aiden appreciated the details of their journey. She had no idea where they were in relation to Kathryn’s home.

  “I’m glad. I’m sorry you’ve been away for so long because of me.”

  “Kathryn wanted to make this journey herself. The head of her imperial guard wanted to make the trip instead, but Kathryn insisted. So don’t take this on. This was her choice. Even though today was hard, I think it was important. Now it’s real.”

  Aiden sipped her tea and watched the red coals spark and flicker. She wasn’t sure why Rowan was talking to her in this way, and she wondered if what Rowan said was also for Kathryn’s benefit. She didn’t expect that Kathryn was soundly asleep so she could very well be listening.

  “What was it before?” asked Aiden.

  “What?”

  “You said that now it’s real. What was it before?”

  “Supposition and speculation.”

  They sat quietly for a few minutes. Aiden mulled over what Rowan was saying.

  “I think I complicate things.” Aiden finished her tea and set the cup near the fire ring.

  “I don’t think that’s true.”

  “You can’t really mean that.” Aiden rested her forearms on her knees and turned to look at Rowan. The remnants of the fire reflected in her dark eyes.

  “I do.” Rowan put her hand on Aiden’s arm, and the most soothing sensation traveled up her forearm to her shoulder. As if Rowan had some healing touch. “Life is complicated, whether you participate in it or not.”

  “To be honest, I thought I wanted complications. I mean, I didn’t really use that word, but I wanted to experience something beyond the simplistic way of life at the monastery. Now I see how much I was shielded during my youth there.”

  “You should prepare yourself for tomorrow because once we arrive at the court, things will likely seem even more layered with complexity.”

  “Great. I can’t wait.”

  “Get some rest and don’t take anything Gareth says to heart.” Rowan patted Aiden’s arm and then moved to her blanket to settle in for the night.

  Aiden lay on her back watching the stars overhead. After a time, she sensed the others were asleep. They were very still, and their breathing was deep and even. The embers only held the faintest glow and not enough to cast even the smallest light against the darkness. A slight glow began to materialize in her peripheral vision, and she slowly rotated her head in that direction.

  She flinched but quickly realized it was the white wolf. Her guardian. The white wolf had returned and was lying several feet away watching her. It was the strangest sensation to have this large animal lying so close. She wondered if this was simply another vision. If the others woke, would the wolf disappear like fog in the heat of the day?

  Aiden didn’t move and neither did the wolf. She wasn’t sure why the wolf had come, but the animal appeared content to simply lounge nearby. After a little while, exhaustion claimed Aiden, and she drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Relief rippled through Kathryn’s body when the towers of Starford Keep came into view. Covering the final distance seemed to happen quickly. Maybe it was the unspoken urgency that hastened time. The unmistakable stone towers of the keep were visible as they left the thick woods for the open grassy field that surrounded the walls of Kathryn’s domain. Her stomach seemed to settle a bit just at the sight of the stone gateway into the village’s interior.

  Kathryn turned to look for Aiden. She should say something. They’d made a plan not to reveal Aiden’s true identity to anyone except Frost. Just until they were sure what course of action they should take, if any. Aiden would simply be a guest of the house, along with her woman-at-arms, Venn. Even still, Kathryn thought she should say something more to Aiden. The next few days were inevitably going to be difficult for Aiden, or at the very least confusing, and Kathryn would be tied up with other matters. She didn’t want Aiden to misunderstand her distraction with the political affairs of Olmstead as disinterest.

  Aiden was at the rear of the small company of riders, with Venn trailing her. Kathryn peeled off and circled back. As she got closer, Aiden’s brilliant smile stirred things in Kathryn’s chest—a sense of longing and desire for her that had yet to be fulfilled. She’d had such plans for their transit aboard the wind ship, but things had conspired against her libido at every turn.

  “How are you feeling?” Kathryn pulled Blaez alongside Sunset, matching her pace.

  “I feel good. And you? You must be relieved to be so near your home.” Aiden sounded calm, relaxed, a sharp contrast to the intensity of her gaze.

  “I am happy to be home. Listen, Aiden, I know we talked briefly about what things will be like when we arrive.”

  “Yes, was there something else?”

  “No, I just… Well, I will have many demands on my time when we first arrive. I don’t want you to think it’s my choi
ce to not spend time with you.”

  “I think I understand.”

  “Good, well, if there’s anything you need once we arrive, the servants in my house are at your disposal. Just ask them.”

  Aiden nodded and Kathryn offered her a weak smile as she rode away to resume the lead as they neared the large stone gate. Venn materialized at her side as she watched Kathryn’s back, her hair blowing in the wind as they approached the looming gray walls of Starford.

  “What do you suppose that was about?” asked Aiden.

  “That sounded like a woman who wants you to know she’s interested.”

  “You think so?” Aiden looked at Venn, who was amused by Aiden’s doubt.

  “Absolutely. Trust me on that.” Venn slapped Aiden’s back and laughed.

  They rode single file past the gatehouse with its complex of towers, bridges, and barriers whose only purpose was to keep those unwanted from gaining entrance to the inner sanctum of the keep and the small clustered dwellings of the village that surrounded it. The scene within the walls reminded Aiden of the street market in the small town near the monastery. Vendors sold meat, vegetables, and other goods from carts and makeshift shelters. Chickens squawked and pranced about as they scurried to be away from the horses’ path.

  Kathryn still rode at the front, and as she passed through the central aisle of the stalls, some of the merchants recognized her. One portly woman wearing a long apron handed Kathryn flowers as she passed. A few others called out and waved to her. Clearly, she had a friendly rapport with those who lived nearest the castle.

  Small stone dwellings crowded the roadway as they ambled toward the towers that Aiden could see just ahead. When they arrived at the stables, Gareth and Kathryn dismounted, and two grooms took their horses. Rowan, Aiden, and Venn followed. Gareth took the reins of their horses and tugged them lightly toward stalls and fresh hay. Aiden remembered now that Gareth ran the castle stables. He seemed comfortable and at ease, back in his realm.

  As Aiden shouldered her bag and her bedroll, she realized how fatigued she was. This wasn’t her home turf, but for some reason she felt more relaxed here than she had in days. Maybe Kathryn’s calm was spreading to her.

  Venn and Aiden followed Kathryn and Rowan into the entry hall of the castle. Torches mounted in iron cages on the rock walls on either side of them cast a warm light into the small, high-ceilinged dark room. The moment Kathryn crossed the threshold, servants began to scurry about her. They accepted her cloak and took the satchel she carried and her crossbow along with the quiver. Then other servants did the same for Rowan.

  Aiden stood uncomfortably apart from the brief frenzy of activity, taking it all in. She wondered for the first time where she and Venn would stay. The stable building was solid and dry, a bed of fresh hay piled high sounded appealing at the moment. She was just about to turn and leave when Kathryn pulled a maid in her direction. The girl was young with blond hair and bright blue eyes. She was shorter than Aiden, and the dress she wore swirled around her slim figure as she moved.

  “Aiden, this is Juliet. She will see to your needs and get you settled into our guest quarters.” Kathryn pulled Juliet closer. She was a bit shy.

  “You mean I’m to stay here? In the castle?”

  “Yes, of course. You and your woman-at-arms are my guests.” Kathryn tipped her head in Venn’s direction.

  Kathryn was following their planned disguise by announcing Venn’s role. If Aiden were going to play the part of a royal-born, she would have to try to be a bit less self-conscious about her surroundings. That was a tall order considering this was the first time she’d ever set foot inside a castle. She had no idea what to expect or how to behave. She looked in Venn’s direction.

  Another chambermaid was relieving Venn of her gear and indicating that she should follow up the stairs to the second level.

  Kathryn touched Aiden’s arm. “Aiden, rest and bathe, and I will see both of you for dinner later.”

  Aiden nodded mutely and followed Juliet up the stairs on Venn’s heels.

  Kathryn watched Aiden climb the stairs. She wanted nothing more than to follow her, but she needed to find Frost and check the status of things before she’d have the luxury of relaxation. Rowan excused herself as Kathryn headed toward the throne room. Frost would likely be in the map room, which joined the throne room and the library. Before she reached the map room, she saw the outline of Frost’s tall frame approaching in the dimly lit corridor.

  “It’s so good to see you, Your Highness. The steward told me you’d arrived and that you brought two guests with you.”

  “Yes. Can we speak privately in the throne room?” Kathryn knew they would be undisturbed. She didn’t want anyone to overhear the details of her excursion to Eveshom, even innocently. Frost was the only person she trusted with her discovery of the missing heir to Belstaff.

  “So you were successful then?” Frost asked.

  “Yes, but I’d prefer to keep Aiden’s identity private until we’ve had a chance to deliberate about what, if any, path of action we should take.”

  “His name is Aiden?”

  “Her name is Aiden,” Kathryn corrected Frost, who was obviously still operating under the same original false assumption that the heir was male.

  “My apologies. When the steward informed me of your arrival, he mistakenly identified her as a young man.”

  “She’s not.” Kathryn feared that if she weren’t cautious she’d reveal more of her feelings for Aiden than she intended to.

  “It shouldn’t be difficult to explain having noble born visitors at the moment. Since the solstice celebration is tomorrow night.” Frost had thankfully not acknowledged Kathryn’s obvious personal interest in Aiden.

  “Oh, no, with everything that’s happened, I completely forgot about the solstice feast.” Kathryn ran her fingers through her hair. The tangles she encountered reminded her of how much she wanted to bathe and wash her travel-dusted hair.

  “Everything is arranged. The chancellor stepped in during your absence with preparations. No one will even suspect that you’ve been away.”

  “Thank you. And I’ll be sure and offer my gratitude to the chancellor as well. The celebration is important and anticipated by everyone in the village. I wouldn’t want to disappoint them.” The solstice feast was one of Olmstead’s largest events in celebration of the harvest. People came for miles to feast, drink wine, and dance. Kathryn couldn’t believe she’d let the date slip her mind. She must be more fatigued than she realized.

  “You should get some rest. We can speak further later.” Kathryn nodded. “Thank you.”

  She left Frost and climbed the tower steps to the solar chamber, her small fortress of solitude. Well, not complete solitude at the moment. Her maids-in-waiting had laid out a dress for her, and one of the women, Lillian, was adding steaming water to a large tub as she entered the room. She was grateful that they’d anticipated her desires and prepared a bath for her. She eagerly discarded her soiled, dusty blouse and trousers. Lillian offered Kathryn her hand as she stepped onto a small stool and then over the high-sided tub into the deep water. Kathryn moaned in response to the luxurious warmth that enveloped her weary muscles as she sank chin deep into the hot water scented with rose petals.

  Kathryn relished the occasional adventure, but at the moment, a hot bath was all the adventure she craved.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Aiden sloshed water around as she scrubbed at her feet and legs. Then she sank completely under the surface, holding her breath in the noiseless depth of the bath for a few minutes as she washed soap out of her hair. When she resurfaced, Juliet was leaving with all of her discarded clothing under her arm.

  “Um, excuse me, but if you take those what am I to wear?” Aiden was concerned she’d be left stranded in strange quarters with nothing more than a towel.

  “Not to worry. I’ll return straightaway with some clean clothes. I just needed these for sizing, and then we’ll put them out f
or the steward. He’ll see that they get washed.” Juliet smiled and closed the door.

  Aiden sank back into the sudsy water. She’d never experienced such a place of luxury as this room. In contrast, she now realized how stark the monastery had been. She catalogued the elements of the room from her watery perch. The bed had a high frame built around it with a heavy post at each corner. Fabric was draped around the crosspieces and had been allowed to drape down the side of each column. The bed was well outfitted with pillows and coverings. At the bedside was a small table with a lantern. The sun had not set for the day so the candle under the lantern’s glass had not been lit yet. There was a desk and a cushioned chair with ornate carvings all along its wooden arms. And a small hearth set with a fire that had also not been lit.

  She’d never had this much space to herself. The rooms within the orphanage weren’t much larger than the cabins aboard Nilah’s ship and nearly as sparse. Things were a distraction. Things weighed humanity down. In too many instances, the thing man thought he owned actually owned him. At least that was the perspective of the monks, and by association, the children raised under the monastery’s roof.

  The stone walls of the monastery were surrounded by lands tended by peasants who had no hope of owning land of their own. So it was easy to see how the perspective on ownership had developed. It seemed to Aiden that there should be enough to grant each household ownership of a small plot for farming. That was only fair, but she was beginning to see that fairness played by its own rules in the world that existed outside the community of faith she’d been raised in.

  Aiden lounged in the bath until the heated water began to cool. She was just about to climb out and reach for a towel when Juliet returned.

  “The tailor says these things should fit you. He’ll sort out something more formal for the celebration tomorrow night.” Juliet laid several items on the bed and brought a towel over for Aiden.