‘She married and moved away. I don’t know where she is now,’ Daniel said.
‘Maybe she’s no longer married,’ Amelie suggested knowing just how many animus people were being arrested or picked off and murdered. ‘And she’s alone like you.’
‘You don’t think Julie’s a good match then?’ Daniel asked surprised by her suggestion.
‘I don’t know,’ Amelie said slowly. ‘But she was firstly out to entice Jim and me. She admitted she knew exactly who you were, but she hadn’t approached you before today. If I were you I would have to be sure her intentions were genuine before committing. Her family seemed very keen to use you to get to us. They even threatened you with serious violence. I think your first reaction to stay away from them is still right. Sorry Daniel, I may be being unfair. Only you can be the judge of that,’ Amelie said and grasped his arm in sympathy. Daniel had just wilted before them unhappily. Wolves really didn’t like being alone.
‘Would you do something for me?’ Daniel asked her highly aware of Jim’s discomfort at her contact and proximity to another man. His jealousy was obvious. Yet he clearly didn’t feel he had any right to be both possessive and protective.
‘What would you like me to do?’ Amelie asked.
‘Kiss him.’
‘What?’ she squeaked.
‘You need to kiss him,’ Daniel told her seriously. He noted Jim was barely breathing.
‘Why do I need to?’
‘You could kiss me instead,’ Daniel offered. ‘I wouldn’t mind, but I’m sure Jim would.’ As he’d expected she nervously backed away, going automatically to Jim. ‘You do know you’re tormenting him don’t you?’
‘What?’ she asked horrified and turned to Jim. ‘How am I tormenting you?’ she asked him directly in a very small voice. He bit his lip and she knew Daniel was correct although she didn’t understand why. ‘You know I’d never intentionally hurt you,’ she added nervously. His eyes hadn’t left hers and they were full of the same invitation she’d seen the other night. He wanted this.
‘I know,’ he said softly and took her hand. He raised her hand and kissed her knuckles. She shivered, her eyes wide.
She watched a smile curve his lips and felt drawn to them and the fire burning in his eyes. Maybe it would be good to finally satisfy her curiosity. She let her lips meet his and a sudden hunger suffused her. She wrapped her arms about his warm strong body relishing the feel of his arms holding her closely in return. She’d never experienced this glorious warmth of feeling and sensuality before. She blinked up at him, as he pulled back a little, returning to the present with difficulty. Jim smiled at her and tenderly stroked back her hair. She wanted nothing more than to burrow back into his arms and stay there. But he shifted aside and she realised Daniel was watching them closely.
‘Why did you want us to do that?’ Amelie asked.
‘You two are a pair but still don’t know each other fully. Come and kiss me now,’ he said and had to hold up his hand as Jim immediately bristled.
‘But I don’t want to kiss you,’ she said, puzzled he should ask.
‘I know. That’s why I’m perfect. I want to show you something,’ Daniel said quickly.
‘What are you up to Daniel?’ Jim asked with a frown.
Daniel smiled; Jim already felt his relationship with her had changed. ‘Doing you a favour; you’ve nothing to worry about.’ She waited for Jim’s reluctant nod before approaching. ‘You’ve never been kissed before have you?’ he asked her gently and she shook her head. ‘I expect you now think kissing any man will be just as good as that. Let me prove just how different it is if you aren’t fully involved.’ He put his arms around her just as Jim had and kissed her. He’d always been attracted to her and it showed. ‘What was that like?’
‘Nice enough, I suppose,’ she said as casually as she could manage, but she was very uneasy.
‘Nice enough?’ He snorted. ‘Your body was rigid and pushing me away. You didn’t kiss me back either. That was barely tolerable for you wasn’t it?
She nodded reluctantly, unsure whether she had seriously offended him.
‘Remember what you’ve got with Jim and don’t let anyone split you from him, or you’ll have to make do with being kissed by someone like me, and it’s a very poor substitute. Truly reciprocated love is rare and you both have a long cold journey ahead of you. You will also meet many people who’ll try to entice you apart from each other. Or who’ll try to convince you that you’ll be happy to settle for separate lives.’
‘Thank you Daniel,’ she said softly now understanding why he’d pushed them to recognise their feelings for one another. He’d probably hoped to feel that spark, but there wasn’t one between them. But it had been there with Jim most certainly. ‘Find out what happened with your lost love,’ she advised him, then linked her arm in Jim’s and they returned to the house and their separate and doubly lonely bedrooms.
11
Departure
Jim woke abruptly and peered out the window into the dark garden. The dark sky had some tinges of grey indicating low cloud. But he felt that although earlier than he’d planned, he might as well wake Amelie rather than risk going back to sleep and perhaps sleeping late.
‘Amelie,’ he called softly and the shape swamped in the big bed moved. ‘Hello,’ he said cheerfully.
‘Is it time already?’ she asked sleepily.
‘Near enough, I think. It’s cloudy so can’t really tell without finding a clock.’
Amelie watched him perch on the side of her bed. He seemed very much awake, his eyes sparkling. He looked wonderful. She sat up pulled him closer and kissed him.
He laughed breathlessly, ‘do much more of that and we won’t be going anywhere today.’
‘I thought you said it was still early?’
‘Not early enough,’ he said wondering if she’d been suggesting anything more than simply kissing. But she did sound disappointed and that cheered him immensely. ‘I heard someone pass the door just after I came through. It’s cloudy; it could be later than I thought.’ Certainly the last thing he wanted was for either of the maids he’d slept with to walk in on him with Amelie.
‘Yes, much as I like being snug, warm and fed, I’d rather be gone before Prince Casper sends any orders to trap us,’ she said climbing out of bed. She eyed his half clad form wistfully. ‘I’m awake. Go and get ready my dear,’ she told him and he hastened to do just that.
Soon they were ready and trotted down to the kitchens, following their noses.
‘Nothing like the smell of fresh baked bread,’ Amelie sighed happily. They perched in the corner of the busy kitchen eating thickly sliced warm bread wrapped around pieces of bacon. A further sandwich each, slathered with butter and apricot jam followed. The cook finished preparing two large bundles, wrapped them in soft clean linen before placing them in a pair of small leather drawstring top bags. They thanked her sincerely and hurried over to the stables.
They were surprised to find their horses were saddled and ready. They loaded up their saddlebags and food bags and Daniel suddenly appeared.
‘You’re up early,’ Jim said.
‘I don’t need much sleep and thought I heard you getting up,’ Daniel said easily.
‘Thanks for doing the horses,’ Amelie said gratefully.
‘No problem. I thought I’d ride with you as far as the gate,’ Daniel added and brought out his own horse.
‘Where did these furs come from?’ Amelie asked appreciatively stroking the thick bear fur draped over her horse’s back. Jim’s horse also wore one.
‘I noticed you were short of such a thing for keeping your horses warm and dry when the weather turns nasty. See the fringe down both sides? They can also be tied together to make a snug shelter or windbreak.’
‘Excellent consideration, these will be really handy. Thank you,’ Jim said. ‘You didn’t buy these out of your own pocket did you?’
‘No. We use these on our hunting trips. But with th
e war, we haven’t had much opportunity for taking days out any more, and it’s now not so safe either for a nobleman. There’s always the risk of kidnap for ransom. I can get these replaced, so don’t worry, you’re not depriving anyone.’
They trotted through the gates and into the quiet wet streets. Widely spaced oil lanterns swung in the wind and gave pools of light that didn’t really link up properly. Daniel led them briskly and kept to the centre of the deeply shadowed road, making it more difficult for any potential attacker to take them unawares. Also a party of three would be viewed more cautiously than a man and a woman alone. Few people were up yet however, or lingering outside in the autumnally chilly wind, and the persistent drizzle.
A magical presence registered with Jim and he turned in the saddle. A large hound was watching them.
‘Daniel,’ Jim called softly and Daniel drew his horse alongside. ‘Is that Julie following behind us?’
‘Could be,’ Daniel said slowly. ‘I know she’s a dog but I’ve never seen it. The breeze is wrong, I can’t tell at the moment.’ He looked more carefully around them. ‘It’s more open here and dark, we should speed up.’
Jim had no argument with that. They cantered briskly across the paved square keeping to the narrow sandy horse paths inset into the cobbles which muffled the sound and cushioned their horse’s metal shod hooves. Once across they had to slow again as they returned to slippery cobbles. The lanes Daniel led them down were narrow and twisty in places and whilst few people were about, there was the odd obstacle to be wary of. He lost sight of Julie while they were wending their way past yet another cart delivering to one of the shops and hoped she’d given up following. However he kept an eye out behind for another five minutes or so.
‘I think
she’s gone,’ Jim told Daniel quietly. ‘You changed direction when you knew she was following. Do you think she’s reporting us?’
‘It’s possible,’ Daniel said uneasily. ‘Hopefully she didn’t see where we went. But if they are planning some mischief, at least they will be waiting for us in the wrong place,’ he said with grim satisfaction.
They turned left down another narrow alley leaving the wide thoroughfare they had just been on and which led directly to the main west gate. Now they had more distance to travel because of the diversion, but they were free of close pursuit. They had no idea if anyone was watching them but there wasn’t much they could do about it except hurry away. They meandered through a great many narrow back streets, avoiding the main thoroughfares that although quicker, were likely to be watched. What seemed an interminable time later they came out of a narrow grubby street and saw the North gate before them. Unfortunately Jim also suddenly detected a talented presence and stopped.
‘Is the gate being watched?’ Daniel asked the wizard noting his tension and eyes darting all over the open area near the gate, where a small crowd had formed.
‘Yes. Give me a moment,’ Jim added and urged his horse on at a casual pace that fitted in with the locals going about their business. They were more suspicious standing still looking about them. The crowd was due to people patiently waiting their turn to pass through, in or out, of the city gate. The guards kept strict order, making sure both queues either side of the gate moved along fairly evenly. Jim joined the queue, glad it was a short one. ‘The man in the long brown coat is animus,’ he advised Daniel.
‘Is he alone?’ Daniel asked, trying to get a good look at the stranger but without it being too obvious.
‘He could have armed backup,’ Jim warned.
‘True. But I doubt he’s planning on tackling us here in full view of the soldiers,’ Daniel added.
Just then one of the gate guards approached Daniel. ‘Sorry for the delay Sir, I didn’t see you back here.’ He then ordered everyone ahead of them in the queue to step aside and their well mounted and dressed party was swiftly waved through.
‘What was all that about?’ Jim asked of the almost subservient attitude suddenly adopted by the guardsmen.
‘A fringe benefit of being in Lord Dirk’s personal service,’ Daniel said with a grin. ‘They know me and that when I’m displaying the family colours,’ and he gestured at the deep blue cloak he wore. ‘I’m on official business for Lord Dirk and a nobleman’s errands always take precedence.’
‘Did the man in the brown coat join the queue to pass through the gate?’ Jim asked Amelie.
‘Couldn’t see him after we went through, so can’t be sure,’ she apologised. ‘But he’s unlikely to be able to get through quickly enough to see where we go if we hurry.’
‘I’ll feel better once we’re in those trees and out of sight of the wall,’ Jim agreed as they cantered swiftly for cover.
The sky was very grey but the dawn light had increased enough to see sufficiently where they were going. Daniel led them at a brisk canter along a muddy trail leading into the forest. Once under the cover of the trees it was darker and the visibility reduced markedly. They slowed to a walk, glad to be able to give their horses a breather from the fast pace sustained all the way across town. Rain pattered softly on the leaves all around them, dulling any sounds they might make, but also meaning they wouldn’t be able to easily hear anyone else nearby. They hadn’t detected any signs of pursuit but nevertheless weren’t going to drop their guard or take any chances.
Late morning they finally passed the last of the little hamlets served by this tiny road and the road, such as it was, ended. They crossed the steep rocky alpine meadow Daniel had spoken of, scattering a flock of bleating sheep. The open meadow gave them a chance to see the bleak mountain towering above them, its summit lost in the low clouds. Dark forbidding forest clung tenaciously to its steep slopes. They anxiously wondered how they were going to get the horses up there; they were not goats. Also, the climb aside, anything could be lurking in ambush in that forest. They could now see why few dared attempt this route to cross the border. It was daunting to say the least.
‘This is where I must leave you,’ Daniel said pulling up under the shelter of the first trees on the other side of the meadow. ‘That’s the path you want there. Look up. See there is a section of bare rock at the tree-line that looks like a stack of flat pebbles?’ They nodded. It was so high and far away it was barely visible in the clouds. ‘Well, the pass is just beside that on the right. Before you leave the last trees there’s a little foresters’ hut you could spend the night in. You don’t want to travel the pass at night, it’s far too dangerous. The footing is very tricky in places especially after all this rain. It’s best to have daylight and some strength in your legs. Ah, before I forget, here, I believe these are yours.’
‘My bow and knife!’ Jim exclaimed happily. He’d been rather concerned to have no weapons at all either to defend them or simply as implements with which to hunt and survive in the wilds.
‘Take this sword too. It’s good for show, even if you don’t know how to use it,’ Daniel added.
‘I can use a sword,’ Amelie spoke up unexpectedly and she took possession of it instead. Now they were both armed and properly equipped for the first time on their journey.
‘Take care of yourself Daniel. I hope you find what you’re looking for,’ Jim said sincerely and leave taking done they separated. They watched Daniel canter back across the meadow. The walled town was visible below them in the distance through the sheets of rain, but even in such inclement weather they were glad they were out of it.
‘Now it's just you and me,’ Amelie said happily. ‘Well, we’d probably better get a move on. It’ll be harder to see our way on these little game trails and I want to find that shelter for tonight.’
‘Yes, it’ll be nice to dry out. It hasn’t stopped raining all morning,’ he added, following her as she chose their path.
‘At least the trees keep that wind off and stop some of the rain reaching us,’ she said over her shoulder.
‘True, but I keep getting drips down the back of my neck,’ he grumbled and she laughed.
&nbs
p; As the hours passed and they kept on climbing, the broad leaf trees soon became small and twisted where exposed to the wind and hardier pine trees took their place. The gradient had become steeper and the horses had their heads down.
‘We should get off and walk,’ Amelie said.
‘Yes, I was just thinking that. They’re struggling on this slope now.’ With their weight off the horses’ backs, the animals could climb more easily and were better balanced.
‘Wait here and have a breather,’ Amelie said a little while later and handed him the reins to her horse. ‘The trail forks here and is really narrow. I’m going to see which one is the best route.’
‘Ok, just be careful. We might not be the only ones up here,’ Jim warned.
‘I know, but I haven’t scented any people so far. Hopefully we are alone and unobserved for a change.’
Jim watched her confidently move off into the gloom, seemingly with plenty of energy left. He tugged the horses nearer a fallen tree and sat down. His legs ached from the strenuous last two hours climbing on foot. And that was after hours of fast riding and then twisting through the trees and ducking under low branches. He got up and checked both horses; adjusted their burdens and gave each a small handful of grain. He found a dried strip of beef in the cook’s bag and sat back down to gnaw at it. When Amelie returned he handed her a strip of beef too and then noticing how quickly she got through hers suspected she’d sharpened her teeth! He was envious.
‘This way should be easier,’ she said and began leading her horse through the trees until she reached a new trail. She forced the horses to trot where she thought they could manage it. The light, never good on this overcast day, was failing fast. They were all puffing hard by the time they found where the trees made way for barren jumbled rock.
‘Well, we’ve reached the tree-line. Wonder where the hut is,’ Jim said breathlessly. He knew she’d been right to hurry them, the shadows under the trees were now inky black and virtually impenetrable. But his legs were burning.
Amelie: Wizards of White Haven Page 16
