What a smell! His mouth watered. He reached out a hand and picked one orange. He brought it to his nose and nearly wept at the craving he felt. She had said not to pick more than three, nor eat one. Pulling the orange away from his face, he hurriedly picked two more, trying to breathe shallowly. The smell was making him insane with hunger, which he didn’t understand as he had eaten more than enough of the porridge. Bundling the oranges in a corner of his jerkin, he turned to go back to the house and away from temptation. Just as he turned, something stopped him.
She would not know if he had an orange from the tree. He turned back, and inspected it. He was looking for the smallest orange, but none seemed to be anything but large and inviting. Finally, after walking around the tree several times, he picked one from the back of the tree. He didn’t think she came out and counted them. He would be safe.
He set down the three he’d picked for her and crouched under the tree. Better to eat it now and bury the evidence at the tree itself. Then it would look as though a bird or some other animal had gotten to it.
He caressed the orange, inhaling its wondrous smell. He broke the peel with his thumbnail, nearly gasping as the smell of the fruit within burst free. How did such a person get such an amazing tree? He had orangeries in both his and Aland’s castle, and none of them—ever!—had this aroma, this draw. He broke the orange open into two halves, and then broke off a single section and put it to his mouth.
The flavor exploded into his mouth like a physical blow as his teeth sank through the fruit. Then he knew no more.
—Thea? Where was she?—
—Where was he?—
He picked his head off the pillow and looked around. There were several men in the room with him, and a fine room it was. Much finer than the likes of him ought to be enjoying.
“What happened?” He said. It came out with a groan, and the men around him all sprang into talk.
“You are awake! Praise God! We were not sure you’d come back to us!”
“Good man, good man,” said another, clapping him on the shoulder. “Lord Maddox’ll be glad to hear of it. You saved his life, you know.”
“Indeed, and a prettier piece of bravery I’ve never seen,” said a third man. “He’d be food for the crows had you not stopped the bandit who sprung for him!”
“Who, who are you?” He asked. He knew none of them. “Who am I?”
“What? You don’t know who you are?”
At that, a woman entered. The three men turned gratefully to her. Eagerly, it seemed. “Mistress Catrin! He has no memory of who he is!” The man who’d clapped him on the shoulder cried. “When will he know himself?”
“Peace, good men. He has taken a hard blow to the head and is lucky to be alive,” she said, smiling as brought a cup towards him in the bed. “It is normal for wounds of the head to cause a loss of memory. Leave him with me, and I will heal him and send him back to you.”
“Be sure you do, woman” said the man who’d spoken first. “Lord Maddox owes his life to this brave young man, and I’ll not have him die.”
The woman called Catrin smiled and bobbed her head. “You may count on me. That is why you brought him here, yes? I will heal him. Now all of you, out. I will send word when he is ready to return to you.” She made a shooing motion, and, muttering amongst themselves, they all left the room. He didn’t know why, but he felt bereft at them leaving. He turned to the woman, who was still smiling.
“Drink this. We’ll have you feeling right as rain,” she said, handing him the cup she held. He took it, carefully and looked at her. “Thank you, madam. Please, tell me, who am I?”
“Your name is Hadden,” she said.
Chapter Seven
“It is good to see you awake!” The woman smiled broadly. “I’ve been worried about you.”
“I thank you, I think,” he said. “I must confess that I do not know your name, good dame.”
“You may call me Catrin,” she said with a twinkle. “I’m the one who’s nursed you through your illness, and a right scare you’ve given me.”
“Forgive me, but I can’t remember a thing.”
“That’s all right. Sometimes a good knock on the head will do that. Your command sought my help after your courageous defense of Lord Maddox.”
“My command?” He had no idea what she was talking about.
“The Home Guard. You are an esquire in the Home Guard of King Aland of Gallivas, under the command of the Earl Constable Burleigh. According to your direct commander, Lord Maddox, you are one of his trusted aides, and he was most concerned when you became unable to ride your mount.”
As Catrin spoke, he begin to remember what she spoke of. He recalled bouncing along on his horse, Shadow, and feeling most clumsy and ungainly. He thought he might have toppled off, and had a vague recollection of being carried into this room with Catrin issuing orders.
“It would seem I owe you a great debt, madam Catrin.”
“Catrin is fine, Hadden. I am but a poor widow, and happy to offer succor to one of the Home Guard. After all, it is the Home Guard that keeps the bandits at bay.”
Her words brought further memories. He was in charge of the second company of Lord Maddox, one of five. They had been patrolling along the border between Gallivas and Ethion. The banditry crossed between the two nations with great ease and lack of care for the fact that they increased the burden of those who lived along the border.
“How long have I been here?”
“You have been here some days. I have had word from Lord Maddox. He sends one of your company daily to know of your health, and I was able to send the latest man back with word of your beginning recovery.”
“I feel good,” he said.
“That is good to hear. You are young and healthy, and your spirit has aided your recovery.”
“When may I return to my company?”
“I think another day to ensure that you will not set yourself back,” she said firmly, as though expecting argument.
Hadden leaned back. “I find myself in agreement. I do feel good, but the thought of getting on horse does not inspire me at this moment.”
Catrin laughed. “That’s a sure sign that you need more rest. Most young men are eager to be up from the sick bed. Take your ease, Hadden. Lord Maddox is happy to have you back once you are well. He values you greatly.”
“He is a good man, and a good commander,” Hadden said.
“Here. Drink this. Then sleep some more. I feel you will be ready to depart in the next day or so.”
Hadden took the cup gratefully. “Thank you, Catrin.”
She smiled at him with dimples, which surprised him to see in a woman so old. “I am happy that you are mending, Hadden. It has been my pleasure.”
Hadden merely nodded as he drained the contents of the cup. Instantly, he felt sleepy. Catrin must be an herb woman of some renown for such a quick response from her brews.
He burrowed down into the bed, pulling the coverlet up to his chin and let sleep take him.
As he fell into the land of dreams, he saw the face of a dark haired woman looking at him intensely. He felt a flare of unease and concern, and then nothing more.
***
The next day, Hadden felt himself able to rise from bed and dress. He went out to the crude stable behind the dwelling and tended to Shadow. It seemed that Catrin had looked after his horse, as well. Shadow seemed as happy to see him, and he brushed the stallion, talking in murmurs that really didn’t make any sense, but felt right.
Later in the afternoon, a rider from Lord Maddox arrived. It was Roysten, a man from his own second company.
“Hadden! Good to see you back among the living!”
“I didn’t realize I was so close to leaving it.”
“Gave us all a right turn when you tumbled to the ground. Looks like the old dame managed to drag you back, eh?”
“Yes, the old dame did,” said Catrin dryly, approaching them from the hut.
Roysten whi
rled around, the color high on his cheeks. “I meant no harm!”
Catrin laughed. “I know you did not. You may have him back now.” She gestured at Hadden. “He’s right as rain, and fit to return.”
“Lord Maddox is most grateful,” Roysten said, offering up a small leather purse. Hadden was surprised. He hadn’t realized Maddox valued him enough to pay for his care.
Catrin took the bag and tucked it into her kirtle. “Please sent my thanks to Lord Maddox. If you both will step inside for a time, I have some provisions to see you back to your camp.”
“You are too good to me, Catrin,” Hadden said.
“I told you, I appreciate you keeping the bandits from our little village. We can ill afford to have them raid us, and I believe they do not because of the presence of Lord Maddox and his cavalry.” She turned and walked back to her hut leaving Hadden and Roysten to follow.
Within the hour, both were mounted, saddlebags filled with food, and riding from Catrin and her hut. Hadden looked back and saw her watching them, arms crossed. He felt queer for a moment, as though he’d forgotten something, but the feeling passed.
“So tell me what I’ve missed,” he said to Roysten.
Roysten launched into a detailed recitation of the doings of the members of their particular company. Hadden was glad to hear that outside the normal foolishness, he had no major issues with his men to manage as a result of his absence.
“What of the bandits? Have we found any trace?”
“No, more’s the pity. They are like spirits at times. It’s as though they blend into the trees themselves.”
“Well, most of them have lived in this area their entire lives. There are many of the border villages who will not offer any information on them as they benefit from their thievery.”
Roysten spat. “And it’s been a hard year. The grain hasn’t been as plentiful as in years past, so I figure we’re in for a long summer. There will be plenty looking to put aside what they can, whether they have a right to it or no.”
Hadden reached across and clapped Roysten on the back. “All the better for us, man! We’ll not be short of work.”
Roysten made a rude noise. “Some of them poor devils. I have a hard time feeling a lot of anger other than the chase they lead us on.”
“Don’t speak that too loudly. The king wouldn’t agree.”
Roysten spat again. “Well, the king is not here. Not that the man’s not got his own troubles.”
“What do you mean? Don’t stint on news. I’ve heard nothing the whole time I was under Catrin’s care.”
“He just lopped the head off the future king.”
“What?”
“Them girls of his, they’re hiding a mystery, or some such. He wanted them to tell him the truth, and being girls and princesses to boot, they wouldn’t. So he told the whole kingdom they was welcome to try and solve the mystery. Do you not remember this?” Roysten looked shocked.
“Vaguely. Though truly, when I first awoke, I knew not my own name or even how I came to be there.”
“You were lucky we were near her. Sure you’re all better?”
Hadden nodded. “I feel fit as can be. So, the princesses are being princesses and deviling their father. Didn’t one of them have a betrothed that tried to solve the mystery?”
“He did, but he didn’t solve it, and that’s how the king came to take his head.”
“Wasn’t it the prince of Ethion? There’ll be hell to pay for sure.”
“All the more reason for us to be on the border, you ask me. Maddox is a jumpy as cat. Once word reaches the King of Ethion that King Aland’s killed his son, we’ll be facing more than local bandits looking for some extra bread.” Roysten was gloomy.
“They’ll work it out,” Hadden said. “Kings always do. It does them no good to be at war with one another.”
“This was the Crown Prince, though,” Roysten argued. “That’s a bit more important than just a border dispute. He was also to marry Princess Thea, the eldest, which would have made him king of both Gallivas and Ethion. Mark my words, this will not end well.”
“Then it’s a good thing I am returned, though I still think neither country wants war.”
“I hope you’re right.” Roysten seemed determined to think the worst. Hadden laughed to himself. It was always so. Roysten tended to be the voice of gloom regardless of how much the sun might shine.
“Aren’t I always?”
His only answer was a grunt. That meant that the conversation would go no further. He and Roysten spurred their horses. Hadden felt the need to return quickly. He would not let Roysten know, but the death of a Crown Prince would indeed add to the tension between the two nations. He wanted to speak to Maddox as soon as possible, to assess what this would mean for the command and his company.
Within the day, they had returned to the camp, and Hadden went immediately to the command tent.
“Hadden! Good to see you’re still among the living. I wasn’t sure the old woman was up for it, but I am man enough to admit when I’ve been wrong.”
“She was a good choice and a good healer. I thank you for your concern to my welfare. Honestly, thank you for making sure I continued breathing.” He grinned at Maddox.
Maddox waved a hand. “Think nothing of it. You saved my life, and I value my own skin above all!” He laughed. “Did Roysten bring you up to speed on what is happening?”
“He told me the bandits have not been found, my men have not disgraced me or themselves too badly in my absence, and he fears a war with Ethion.”
Maddox looked up, his face grim. “I know he’s a grumbler of the first class, but he is not far off with his concern. Never seen such as this. A Crown Prince beheaded over some chit’s shoes. King Markellus is not going to stand for that. We just don’t know what his response is yet. As soon as Prince Casimir was beheaded, his body was returned to his family. The king sent messengers to all of us along the borders to be wary and watchful. King Markellus may have a kindly disposition, but when his family is wronged, he does not forgive easily. I don’t mind telling you, Hadden, I am concerned. We won’t discuss it with the men, but I want you to be as watchful as can. Any bandits we come across we will need to question carefully. They may be more than they seem.”
Hadden was silent. He didn’t realize how serious this was. To see Maddox, who epitomized calm in chaos, express concern made a frisson of fear crawl up his spine.
“I’ll be alert. What shall I tell the men if they ask? You know they gossip like women.”
“Tell them we are watching carefully, and who knows what kings do? We’ll double our patrols, and those not on patrol will be put to work. This is a good time to make sure all our equipment is in good repair, and those not working at that shall be practicing drills I want the smiths to work another shift as well. We need as many bolts as they can make, same with pikes. Get them on it.” He turned back to the table behind him. Hadden could see it was piled with parchments.
“Yes, sir. Anything else?”
“No. Let’s get this moving so if the worst should happen, we’re ready. We also need to have our messengers on the move between the five commands so that we don’t act like a dog with too many heads.”
Hadden nodded. “Yes, sir. Have you spoken to the other companies?”
Maddox grinned as he looked up. “What, do you think we all collapsed in a heap merely because you were not here to move us all along? Yes, I have. Go to your men. Let them see you’re still alive.”
Hadden grinned back at his commander. This was why Maddox was so successful with men of all classes, in spite of his noble lineage. He stood on no ceremony with anyone. “Yes, sir.”
Maddox turned back to his overflowing table as Hadden left the tent. He felt grateful that such a fine man had such trust in him. In spite of the obvious concern and outright fear Maddox had given voice to, Hadden was happy. Happy to be back where he belonged. Picking up his stride, he headed to where second company was likely to be
.
Once he reached the encampment, he was met with the cheers of his men. He sat around the fire with them, talking, laughing, and working to allay the fears that Maddox had been right to suspect. Everyone was talking of the beheading.
“I don’t care how beautiful a girl might be, she’s not worth losing your head over!” One of the men said defiantly.
“Ah, you say that now,” Hadden laughed at him. “Wait until that special lady steals her way into your soul. Then you will have a different tune for us all.”
“No, no, no!” The man protested. “Fine she is, my girl, but my head? And I am not even waiting on a kingdom.”
“Well, not being fortunate enough to have a girl willing to tolerate me, I’ll have to take your word for it.” Hadden said, still laughing. “Mayhap you can offer some advice to me on how to get past hello with the fairer sex.”
As he’d hoped, the conversation moved to women, the getting of women, and how to keep them. Deepening evening heard the conversation move to the bawdy. Normally, Hadden might stop the talk, but he let it go. They would all be working hard tomorrow. Better to allow for a bit of levity tonight. He sat back a little, letting his men steer the conversation, joining in from time to time, but mostly hanging back.
Finally, he stood. “Damp the fire and settle in. I spoke with Lord Maddox when I returned, and he has a list we’re all going to have to get through on the morrow.”
The promise brought good-natured grumbling, but no real complaint. He stayed until the fire had been banked and then returned to his own small tent. There was not much to it, but he was glad to see that his men had set it up for him in preparation of his return. He appreciated the privacy. It was not easily found in the king’s army, but Maddox insisted each company commander have their own space, however small.
He sat on his cot and removed his boots, feeling tired for the first time. He stripped down to his undergarments and stretched out. Finally he felt right again. He’d been off since he first awoke in Catrin’s hut, and the feeling was finally dissipating. The world felt right again.
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