by Rachel James
Around her, contented sheep and oxen grazed on the luscious grass, and for a split second, she thought she had glimpsed a fawn skip away into the woods.
She found a comfortable spot by the water where the sun poured on her skin. Kicking off her shoes, she dipped her toes into the stream, only to retrieve them just as quick. The water was freezing. Lying back, she closed her eyes, trying to make sense of the moments before.
All morrow she had put up with Cinnia’s frosty tutelage. For some reason, Cinnia despised or resented her. She thought back to the feast when Teagen had received the majority of the attention. Since her return, Niall’s affections did not purely linger on Cinnia.
Cinnia must be jealous.
Mayhap it was more of Cinnia’s idea to marry her off and not Niall’s.
Teagen sighed. Since the Dyrahn raid, all she had wanted was to be reunited with her brother again, to have a home and a place of kinship. But more than that, she wished for freedom.
Now she had been reconciled with her family, she still did not own her freedom.
“Father, what’s going on?” she prayed aloud. “Is this your will for me? If so, God help me. I have little strength.”
Why was she so caged in and guilty for feeling this way? Surely, she should be grateful.
She shivered with cold and decided to walk around to warm herself. She pulled on her shoes, drew her blue woollen cloak closer to her body and wandered into the woods.
She breathed in the comforting scent of foliage and kicked the leaves that decorated the ground. She stopped to stroke the bark of a particularly old tree and remembered the one she’d engraved back in Elmetia.
A haunting howl caught her attention. What was that?
Standing absolutely still, she strained her ears. Mayhap her mind played tricks on her.
The creature howled again. This time it was answered by another cry.
Wolves.
Her heart racing, she hitched her long skirt and jumped. The first branch was within her reach. She caught the wood and winced as the rough bark rubbed against her already tender hands. Brushing the pain aside, she proceeded to swing her legs back and forth to gain enough momentum to pull herself up. Granted, it had been a few years since she had done this, but her memory did not fail.
With one final swoop, she landed on the first bough. The tree was ideal for climbing. Now at the top, she could stand on tiptoes and scour the countryside.
The wolf pack paced a nearby rock. They looked impatient, and judging by their snarled jaws revealing large fangs, they were hungry too.
She inhaled deeply, allowing the crisp air to fill her lungs. She needed to stay here for the night. Surely, they wouldn’t climb after her.
Or could they?
Clutching tightly to her branch, she sent up silent prayers for help. Why had she reacted like a spoilt child? If only she possessed more patience and understanding, she’d not be in such a predicament now. Since she’d arrived on the island, she didn’t know who she was anymore.
Her left shoulder began to throb.
Curse that stupid wound. Will I never be rid of the pain?
She angled herself around to view the other side of Angularem. To whom were the wolves howling? She couldn’t see any more animals. The last thing she needed was to be in the middle of a pack feud.
Suddenly, her foot slipped off the branch, and she toppled backward.
Reaching out with her failing arms, she tried to grab something to stop from falling. She clawed at leaves, which snapped from their twigs, and she hit her back on a protruding limb.
She yelped out in pain, spots appeared before her eyes, and she squinted desperately. With one last effort, she reached out and clasped hold of a shoot with one hand. Tears burned as she held on with all her strength.
Don’t look down.
Her arm gave out, and she couldn’t swing her body enough to reach the other branch. The pain in her shoulder was now unbearable. She could hold on no longer.
She let out a scream as she plummeted to the ground.
Ryce heard the shriek ring through the valley as he staggered with his horse down the steep hill. He’d had to travel on foot, guiding his stallion by the reins.
He’d noticed Teagen disappear earlier in the morrow, but when she didn’t come back for the midday meal, he’d decided to look for her. No one had mentioned what had gone on between brother and sister, but Cinnia had taken to her room, and Niall was subdued throughout lunch. When she’d not returned for lunch, he knew to take action.
He signalled Sherwin.
“What is it?” Sherwin shouted from the top of the mound.
“A scream. She might be in trouble. Head to the woods down the valley.” Sherwin nodded and disappeared. Ryce headed to where the wail had come from.
Daylight had almost departed, and they had not much time. As he scoured the woods to no avail, he became despondent. Had he imagined it? Nay, he recognized the cry. He knew it was she.
He dismounted and tied his horse to search on foot.
Then he saw her.
Lying rearward, motionless, with her eyes closed. Darting over to her, he checked for a pulse. Her heart continued to beat. Her leg lay in an unnatural position, and the back of her head was caked in blood.
“Oh, no...” He wanted to pick her up and move her, but knew better. He surveyed their surroundings. There was no Sherwin. Where had he disappeared to?
A twig snapped, and he jerked up. The darkness of the woods made their beady eyes appear brighter.
Slowly he reached for his bow. One of the wolves seemed to sense his motive and leaped through the sky.
He released and somersaulted out of the way of the dead animal. He quickly drew another arrow and shot at the beast who followed closely behind.
There’s one more.
He could hear the almost silent growl of the other wolf that remained hidden by a fallen tree.
The animal yelped and grew quiet.
Ryce swung round. “Sherwin!”
His friend, accompanied by Ansgar, ran toward them.
“How long’s she been like this?” Sherwin asked as he dropped his bow next to Teagen.
“I know not.”
“She’s breathing?”
“Aye.”
“We need to get her to the infirmary without causing her too much pain.”
Ryce withdrew his sword and cut two strong but slim branches, sliced off the leaves, and removed his cloak. He proceeded to craft a makeshift bed.
The men moved Teagen’s body on the stretcher with expertise.
Sherwin took care of the horses while Ansgar and Ryce carried Teagen. Sherwin arrived back first and sent word to Niall, who waited for them in the infirmary entrance.
“Oh, thank God!” Niall said as they carried the princess in. “Is she awake?”
“Not yet, sire.”
Sherwin pushed his way forward. “We need her to remain unconscious until we can get her comfortable and find out what’s wrong.”
Ryce shifted his hand, which now ached badly. To his horror, it was covered in blood. “Sherwin?”
Sherwin said hastily, “Quick, let’s get her on the bed.”
Ryce helped move Teagen and stepped back for Sherwin to tend to her once more. Her skin was pale and her body limp, almost lifeless. At least she didn’t seem in pain. Not yet anyway.
Ryce spotted Niall loitering. “Come, my lord, let’s leave them. I am sure they’ll send word the moment she is awake.”
Sherwin sent him a grateful look as they left the premises. Ryce took the king to his chambers and sat him by the fire.
“Please fetch the king some warm broth,” he said to the servant waiting outside the room.
“This is all my fault. Teagen had found out about her betrothal. I could see the fear in her eyes. What kind of brother am I to force her into something like that?”
Ryce stoked the flames to increase the heat.
“I convinced myself her marriage would
be for the good of the kingdom and a princess’s duty. Suppose she never awakes?”
“What betrothal? Sire, you must be confused.”
“You’re wrong. Cinnia thought of the idea. She wants Teagen to marry, not me.”
A soft knock sounded as the king’s servant arrived with the warm refreshment.
“Here, sire, drink this. You did not touch your lunch.”
Once Ryce was sure the king faired well, he went back to the infirmary using the rear entrance.
“Oh good, you’ve returned,” said Sherwin.
Ryce perched himself on a nearby wooden stool.
“I’m going to need some help with setting her leg back in place, which needs to be done before she regains consciousness.”
Ryce nodded and grit his teeth as he held Teagen’s leg for Sherwin. The awful crunch and grinding sound of bone-on-bone sent shivers right through him.
“Hold her still while I bind.” Sherwin proceeded to strap the leg together, first using wooden splints, then tying them with leather straps. He finished the splint off by wrapping bandaging around the entire bottom half of her left limb.
“And is her back...?”
“I think not. I’m more concerned about her head injury, which appears to be in a similar position as before. Only I can’t tell if this is a new wound, or the old one re-opened.”
Ryce sat. What was all this about a betrothal? She’d only just been reunited with her brother. Surely he didn’t wish to send her off yet.
“How is the king?”
“Disorientated. I left him in his room with some hot broth. You might want to check in on him when you’re done here.”
“I think I will, as I could do with asking his permission to grant one of the servants for an assistant. As much as you are an immense help, Ryce, I’m sure Teagen would prefer some female company.”
“You’re right. How about her maid, Lunet? She might as well be sent to care for her.”
Sherwin tidied his things. “I’ll go speak to the king now. You’re content to stay here until I return?”
“Of course.”
Ryce slid farther in his chair and kicked his feet upon another stool. It had been an exhausting day, what with a heavy stint of training, and then the panic of finding Teagen. The hard seat made Ryce long for his comfortable bed back in the barracks. But then he doubted he would be able to sleep, not until Teagen awakened.
A few weeks ago, he did not even know this woman. He would never have guessed that he’d be working for Wealdfolk on a remote island.
He’d certainly been acting out of character of late. One of his most praised qualities was his loyalty, and yet when hardly even knowing her, he risked everything, betraying his own king to save Teagen’s life. Had it all been in vain? Would she die this very night?
He was no surgeon, but he’d seen enough injuries to know that serious wounds to the head were potentially deadly. And this, her second occurrence. He wondered if he should pray to Teagen’s God for help. She would wish it, but he was no hypocrite. Still, if there be even a slim chance...
A sudden twitch drew his attention.
Did her finger move?
He watched her motionless figure for a few moments.
Naught.
Relaxing a little, he sat back in his chair. Must be imagining things. Nay, her hand moved again. He stared at her face with anticipation. Her eyelids fluttered and closed shut.
“Teagen? Can you hear me? Teagen?” He leaned forward and instinctively grabbed her hand.
At his touch, she opened her eyes.
Teagen stared.
Soft blonde hair to his shoulders, greyish blue eyes. Was he an angel? What had happened? She must be dead.
Nay, if dead, she wouldn’t feel such pain. Why did her head hurt so?
And then she remembered.
She moaned and tried to get out of the bed, but stumbled. Why was her leg in braces?
“Whoa, Princess, don’t move. You’ve been in an accident.”
“Away from me!” She drew herself as far up the mattress as she was able. Naught made sense. She gazed around the unfamiliar room, then settled on the man in front of her.
She knew him.
Her eyes rested on the sword placed next to her, she reached over and grabbed the blade.
She pointed it at him, but a sudden wash of dizziness threatened her and the weapon wavered.
“Teagen, put the sword down.”
The door swung open and in walked two other men.
“What’s going on here?”
Teagen did not move from her spot but waved the weapon in their direction. “Don’t come any closer.”
“Put the blade down.”
Her eyes flickered to the man who seemed a stranger, and yet...those eyes. She’d recognize them anywhere. In fact, she did every time she looked in the mirror.
“Niall!”
She allowed him to move closer toward her, and she let the sword slip to the ground. “Is it truly you?”
Niall’s gaze darted from her to his companion.
“Oh lass, you’ve been hurt pretty bad. Sherwin is going to help you.”
She glanced at the physician who stood next to her brother.
“Can you tell me the day, Teagen?” Sherwin asked.
She rubbed her forehead. “Nay.”
What was going on?
Niall paled. He whispered something to Sherwin. “Where was the last place you remember being?”
She closed her eyes. She recalled riding a horse and looking for Niall. She opened her eyes abruptly.
“The forest, on the way to Lyndisea. I remember being attacked—they wanted my gold.”
“So you don’t recollect coming to Angularem?”
“Where?” She felt so tired and dizzy, but her anxiousness prevented her from the desire to sleep. “Niall, may I speak with you alone?”
Niall nodded to the other men, and they left the room. “Aye, lass.”
The moment they’d gone she fell back with relief. Niall sat next to her on the bed, close enough for her to reach his hand.
“I can’t believe it’s you. I’ve dreamed of this for so long.”
“Teagen, have you truly forgotten the last few weeks? You’ve been here in Angularem almost a month.”
“I thought you were at Lyndisea—that is where I travelled to find you.”
“It was a decoy so that the Shieldoks wouldn’t find me.”
Panic rose within her once more. “Niall, he is here to kill you!”
“Who?”
“That man. Ryce. I overhead him talking with Kenric. They thought you at Lyndisea, and Kenric sent Ryce to locate you. That is how I found out about you, and so I rode on ahead.”
With sudden realization, she sat straight. “Ryce attacked me! He covered his face, but it must have been him.”
“You’re mistaken. These men saved your life. The Dyrahn king was going to execute you, but Ryce and Sherwin rescued you from your cell and brought you to me.”
“No doubt part of Eadward’s plan all along—to use me as bait to find out your hideout.”
“I’d thought of that already, but if true, then why stay? They’ve been helping me train the soldiers. Sherwin has set up this infirmary. They helped you today. These actions do not speak of guilty men.”
“Mayhap. What if you’re wrong? Mayhap they are waiting for our weakest moment of vulnerability. They’re Dyrahns, Niall. I’ve lived among them for the past few years, and I’ve not met a decent one yet.”
“Nay, Teagen, you’re confused, ’tis all. Now get some rest, and I’ll be back in to check on you tomorrow.”
“You’re leaving me?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll send Lunet in to look after you.”
“Who is Lunet?”
“Your maid. You can trust her lass, she’s Elmetian.”
Chapter Ten
“Stop scratching, Princess. You know it will only make matters worse.”
Teagen se
nt her maid an impatient look. “This splint is irritating me.”
“You’ve only had braces on a week.”
“You need not remind me. The days have gone by so slowly I’ve had naught else to do but count them.”
“My, my, aren’t we the grumpy one this morrow.”
Teagen frowned. “I’m sorry. I know not what I’d have done if not for your company.”
“A few more weeks, and you’ll be allowed to move around a bit. Till that time, we’d best discover you a past-time to keep yourself occupied with.”
Lunet rose from her wooden stool and grabbed an armful of washing.
“Where are you off to?”
“To find you something to do, Princess.”
Teagen eyed the dirty clothes. “In the laundry chamber?”
Lunet chuckled. “Don’t you fret now. I’ll be back in before you know.”
As Lunet left her alone, she tensed again. She had begged Niall to be permitted to stay in her own chamber, but Sherwin insisted she was not to be moved for a full month.
She bit her lip and toiled with the covers. She hated to be confined in a strange place not knowing anyone. At least in Dyrah there was a familiarity and a purpose.
Even Niall had much changed. He was no longer her playful older brother. He had grown into a man and become a king. Responsibility had altered him.
Pushing herself up in the bed, she angled forward to look out of the small window viewing the courtyard. Drill practice must be going on. She stiffened when Ryce appeared in her view.
Despite her sincerest protests, Niall had chosen to ignore her and continue to use the Shieldok savage to train their troops, which she found disconcerting. How could he trust these mongrels? Granted, they had been polite to her, and mayhap they did rescue her from her fall, but surely their golden behaviour was an act.
She continued to watch Ryce as he trained with Niall. A part of her wished she were there too, in the fresh air and open space.
“From what I hear, you are quite the expert swords-woman.”
Teagen jumped at the sound of Sherwin’s voice from the entrance.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” He walked around to the side of her bed and inspected her injuries. “How’s your head, Teagen? Any improvement?”
