“Along with Lady Mediera’s other companions, I chose to stay in Barriershire,” I said carefully.
“Then you should have returned to the Abbey,” she countered.
“Captain Carrenhail had closed the northern gate. Therefore, we could not leave the city.”
“Why? Why did you choose to stay in Barriershire?”
“For myself, I hoped to be of some assistance to the war effort.”
“What good could you possibly do? You’re not a soldier.”
“There are many roles to be played in a war. Women are needed to tend to the wounded and to feed the troops. We are not entirely useless during wartime.”
“An admirable point,” she conceded, her lip curling up in a half smile.
Keeping my face neutral, I nodded.
“How did you escape?” she asked.
“We were in town when the furies attacked. When the furies struck, I was separated from my fellow sisters in the chaos and encountered a young man I knew, an artist. He said he knew a way out of the city. So we left.”
“You abandoned your sisters?”
“Yes,” I admitted, my jaw tightening.
“I presume you thought you had little choice,” she said while nodding.
“I was afraid,” I admitted.
“Well, I suppose that’s fair. They say the furies are terrifying. How did you and the artist escape?”
“There’s a secret pass through the mountains. Fynn knew about it.”
She tapped her fingertips together. “I see. Well, I believe the gist of your story. It helps your case that Lord Thomas vouches for you. I can’t claim you’re an imposter, now can I?”
“Why would you wish to?” I asked her.
“And now we come to the crux of our problem.” Mother Mallay eyed me carefully. “Mother Asher can be impulsive. She told me that she offered you financial support.”
“She did say that. I had hoped…”
“I’m sure you did hope.”
I hadn’t brought up the subject of money, and it seemed unfair that I now found myself in a situation where I needed to defend myself.
“You’re young. We like to ensure that each of our sisters dedicate themselves to a path. Although we fully support your position as a companion to Lady Mediera, we cannot let you continue without following the dictates of the sisterhood.”
“I have a path,” I interrupted.
“Yes. Mother Asher said you claimed to be a member of the protectorate.”
“I told her that because it’s true,” I exclaimed, hating being forced into a defensive stance.
“So you say. But, we have little experience with that path. I can’t accept your word alone.”
“I see,” I said. Forcing a smile, I stood. “This conversation is over.”
“Wait, sit back down. I like to see a girl with a backbone. We can find a compromise. One of the previous mothers bequeathed me some candles. My understanding is that the only true way to prove oneself to be a protector is if you can light one. Although I’ve tried, with all manner of fire-producing devices, I’ve never lit the wick. I will offer you this, if you can light one these candles, well then, I will accept your word that you are one of the protectorate. If you cannot light one, you will enter one of our other orders.”
“That sounds fair,” I agreed and sank back down into my seat, perhaps too quickly. I hadn’t seen the candles after all.
She smiled widely. “Good. I appreciate that you are willing to be reasonable.”
She moved over to her desk and rummaged in one of her drawers, before pulling out a bundle of candles, and untying the twine that bound them. They were each of a different color but had the same waxy shine. “Do you have a preference?” she asked.
“I doubt it matters,” I replied.
She handed me one with a pale blue hue. As I stared at the wick, I plucked a tiny thread of energy from the blood coursing through my veins and directed it to twist around the wick, tighter and tighter, until the wick caught flame, shining a brilliant yellow. It was too easy; the candle did not even try to stop me.
Mother Mallay arched an eyebrow. “Well, it seems I misjudged the situation. I can’t argue with that little demonstration. I’ll have some clothes and personal effects wrapped up and sent to Lord Thomas’s residence. Do you think a stipend of two silver a week would be appropriate? The last sister in the protector’s path received that much. I checked the records after I spoke with Mother Asher.”
“You will not change your mind?” I asked her.
“How can I? You lit the candle. I won’t hinder you. The Seven Shires needs all the help it can get in these dark times.”
“Thank you.”
“I have one last question. If you truly are a protector, why did you flee Barriershire? Why didn’t you stay and fight? Protectors are supposed to defend the people. Aren’t they?”
“I tried,” I whispered.
“But you failed.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “I failed.” I felt like I wanted to sink into the floor. Being a member of the protectorate wasn’t just about my freedom. There was a price to be paid.
Sophie squealed in delight as she sorted through the large trunk that had returned with me to the townhouse.
“There are so many pieces,” she said while holding up a silk chemise. “So fine. You shall be the best-dressed woman in the city.”
“Do you think you can pick out something in there for me to wear tonight–preferably something conservative? I’d rather not look like I’m flaunting myself.”
Sophie smiled. “Of course, madam.”
She plucked a dark plum colored gown out of the trunk. “This is pretty. It’s a little dated, but I think you’ll like it.”
The skirt was made of rich velvet, as were the sleeves that fell just past my wrists. The white cotton body of the dress possessed a neckline that would fall modestly to my collarbone. Relief flooded through me. At least there was one dress in the lot that wouldn’t make me look like I wasn’t trying to sell myself to the highest bidder.
“It won’t support a bustle, though. There’s not enough fabric in the back,” she mentioned as she examined the skirt.
“Perfect, for I have no intention of ever wearing one again.”
“I know, madam. You dislike the bustle, but it is in fashion.”
“I care little for that sort of thing, Sophie. This dress will do.”
After Sophie had dressed me, she brushed my hair and tied it into a neat knot at the back of my head.
“There were some small pieces of jewelry in one of the compartments of your trunk,” she suggested. “You need a little something to make you feel special.”
“I have something,” I said quickly, pulling the black rock necklace from under my feather mattress. Hiding trinkets under my bed seemed to be a habit I would never break.
“Perhaps something with some color.” Sophie frowned as I secured the necklace.
I waved my hand. “This is the only necklace I’m going to wear.”
In front of Sophie, I removed my sheathed blade from the same spot and quickly attached the weapon to my thigh. Not the most convenient location, considering the dress had no pockets I could cut out, but it would do.
Sophie looked at me in surprise. “Why do you have a knife?”
“One can never be too careful,” I said quickly, hoping she wasn’t much of a gossip.
After the bell for dinner tinkled, I hugged the little girl. “Thank you for helping me with the dress. Will you be eating with the staff?”
“Yes, madam. Our dinner will be served downstairs, but not until later. At the downstairs table, I have my own seat now.”
During my tenure in service in Brightshire, I had never advanced far enough to be granted my own seat at the servants’ dining table. If I had been a lady’s maid, I would have had one. But I had skipped from a scull, the lowliest servant, to a scribe’s assistant, with no time in the middle.
After I left Sop
hie, I took the stairs down to the first floor. I followed the hallway down to the end and turned into the formal dining room. A long table of shining red oak was laid out with empty dishes and polished silver. My stomach rumbled at the thought of food, and I wished there was at least bread to eat, as I wasn’t sure how long it would be before the meal was served. The only others in the room were Mediera and Cedric. Mediera jumped up and linked arms with me while Cedric sat at the table, clutching a glass of port.
“I’m going to fix myself something to drink. Would you like a glass?” Mediera asked.
After I consented, she let go of my arm and disappeared into Thomas’s study, which was accessible to the dining room via an oak door set in the corner of the room.
“Have you spoken to Thomas yet?” I asked Cedric, as I took a seat at his right. There were eight ornately carved chairs spanning the rectangular table. Cedric was sitting at one the end seats, his long, muscled arms reclining on elegant armrests.
“No.” he shook his head. “As soon as he returns, I’ll ask him if I can leave. I’m wasting my life here, and I can’t stand it.”
“I hope it works out for you,” I murmured. He wasn’t the only person at loose ends. Mother Mallay was right about me. I didn’t belong here in the safety of the city either. As I hid behind the nobility, I was ignoring my responsibility. There was nothing to be proud of in that. I would have to decide how best to use my skills. I had to stop stalling.
Cedric emptied his glass and let it fall back on the table. “As do I.”
The door at the front of the room opened, and Clara walked in, dressed in an elegant silver gown, embellished with hundreds of tiny pearls. She looked at Cedric for a moment before glaring at me.
“Where did you get that dress?” she sneered. “No dressmaker worth their salt would have designed it this year. It’s horribly out of fashion.”
“The Abbey provided it for me.”
“Well, they could have done better. The sisters are annoying, but at least they are generally well attired.”
“I like it,” I said.
“You would.” She sniffed as she flounced into a seat. After she rang a tiny bell, a man dressed in a white suit scurried into the room.
“Would you like a drink before dinner is served, my lady?” he asked her.
“Of course. Something red, and from the better side of the cellar.”
“As you wish. And you, Sister?” he asked me.
“No thank you. Lady Mediera is fetching me something.”
“I’d like a glass of whatever you’re getting for Clara,” Cedric said.
“Don’t you think you’ve had enough already?” she asked him.
“No,” he grumbled.
“There really is no need to be drunk every day,” she said.
He rolled his eyes and looked away from her as Mediera re-entered the room carrying two glasses. Before taking the seat on my right side, Mediera handed me one of the drinks. I took a slow sip of the port. This was going to be a long night.
CHAPTER 18
I HEARD THE padding of feet before the door to the dining hall opened again. Thomas swept into the room, followed by three others. Although I recognized Azriel, I didn’t know the young man and woman who entered with them.
“We have guests,” Thomas said. “The table will be full tonight.”
Clara immediately jumped up and approached Azriel, pressing herself close to him.
“Azriel,” she purred. “I’m so glad you were able to make it.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder and gently nudged her away. “It’s always a pleasure,” he responded.
The young man standing next to Azriel frowned. With unruly dark hair and angular features, he looked like a younger version of Azriel, and I suspected he must be Azriel’s brother.
Azriel’s eyes moved to me, and he gave me a quick look, but his eyes didn’t linger. He looked tired. The council meeting must have been trying.
Thomas took a seat at the head of the table, opposing Cedric, and smiled at everyone. “I rather like having a full house. It’s a nice change. Let’s sit down, eat, and be merry. The food served at the council meeting was meager, and I for one am famished.”
Azriel took a seat on Thomas’s right while the girl with the curly honey-colored hair and easy smile took the place on Thomas’s left. Clara quickly took the seat next to Azriel, which left the young man as the last one standing. With no other option, he sat between Clara and Cedric, opposite of me. If he really was Azriel’s brother, I wanted to know him. I smiled at him, but he did not smile back.
The servants started to walk around the table, ladling soup into our bowls and placing rolls of bread onto our plates. I was thankful that we would finally get to eat.
“Thomas,” Cedric said, in a voice loud enough to carry across the length of the table. “I want to leave.”
We all went quiet at the boldness of the statement.
“But we’ve only just started the meal. Let me relish in having a full table,” Thomas responded.
“That’s not what I mean.”
Thomas sighed and put down his spoon. “We’ve talked about this. I can’t get you into the army. I’ve tried.”
“I want to go the new world across the sea. I want to start over.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to be here.”
“Okay.” Thomas paused. “If it’s what you want, I will support your decision. I wish for you to be happy.”
“Thank you,” Cedric said as he stood.
“You’re not going now,” Thomas said, his eyes widening. “It’s much too late.”
“If you insist, I will wait until the morning. But I’m not going to sit here and endure another formal dinner.” He took three chunks of bread off the table before leaving the room.
“Well, that’s an unfortunate way to start the meal. But, I suggest we try to continue as best we can.”
“I can’t eat,” Mediera choked. “I have to talk to him.”
“Wait…” Thomas said. “There’s no reason for you to go too.”
His words made little impression, for she fled the table. Before the first course had even begun, we had gone from eight to six. I wasn’t going to go running after either Cedric or Mediera, so I took a sip of the rich and creamy broth and a bite of the bread. There was no reason to waste good food.
The woman with the honey-colored curls who had been sitting next to Thomas moved into Mediera’s empty seat. She had a tiny pixyish frame, and I wondered if she was oft mistaken for a young girl. As she smiled at me, her full cheeks dimpled charmingly. There was something about her that seemed eerily familiar. But, I couldn’t quite place it.
“My name is Evie,” she said. “And you are Sister Anais, I presume?”
“I am,” I agreed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Evie.”
“Thomas has told me so much about you. It’s so wonderful that we finally get the chance to meet.”
It’s a strange thing to find oneself on uneven footing in a new acquaintanceship. I knew nothing of this woman. I didn’t know how to respond to her profusion of intimacy. So I just smiled. Was Thomas courting her? She was pretty, and he said he was in need of a wife.
“Are you from Courtshire?” I asked.
“Oh no,” she laughed. “My family hails from Laishire. Father brought us all here a few months ago when it became evident that he would need to be present for the emergency council sessions. When we first came, we only expected to be here a few weeks. However, the plan changed when it became apparent that we were at war.”
If her father was attending council sessions, she must be nobility.
“I’ve always wanted to visit Barriershire. Hopefully, once the war is over, I’ll have the opportunity.”
“It’s a lovely city,” I said. “The dust from the gold mines glitters in the air.”
“Thomas mentioned that. He said the Abbey was particularly beautiful.”
I nodded. It had
seemed like a prison when I had first found myself there. But, with its towers and ramparts, I had to admit it had a certain gothic beauty.
“The architecture is certainly more ornate than that of the buildings in Courtshire,” I admitted as I took another spoonful of the soup.
“I think my brother went to Barriershire. When we first started hearing stories of furies in the east, Malcolm wanted desperately to fight, but he was so young. Father said no. But Malcolm had a mind of his own. He told me he would go even without father’s permission. I should have told my parents, but I thought he wouldn’t really leave. Days later, he disappeared, along with our cousin Justin. My father had Laishire searched. But Malcolm was smart. The two boys disappeared without a trace. I can’t imagine how he managed to convince Justin to go with him…”
Pinpricks erupted over my arms and stomach. Mal. This girl was Mal’s sister. We had been friends when we went through training as the fat man’s assassins. His death in the field had been utterly horrifying. I had tried to forget Mal, Justin, and Fallon and our ill-fated journey into the depths of the furies land. Did Azriel realize that this girl was Mal’s sister? Did he still think about them? Although guilt slashed through me, I tried to keep my face neutral. There was nothing I could tell this girl that would console her. I could only dash her hopes.
“The reason I’m telling you this is that I was hoping there was some small chance that you might have met him. He looks like me.” She swallowed hard. “I’ve asked Thomas, but he said he could not remember ever crossing paths with him. Thomas has also enquired with the captains to see if Malcolm had joined the army, but alas, there’s been no news of him from that quarter either.”
One of the servants interrupted us, removing the soup bowls and replacing them with plates piled with lamb cutlets and tiny red skinned potatoes smothered with gravy.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly once the servant moved on to the other side of the table. “I spent most of my time in Barriershire in the Abbey.”
“Of course.” she put her hand on mine. “I knew it was unlikely, but I’m desperate for news of him. I had to ask.”
“I understand. It’s difficult to lose a family member.”
Anais and the Broken War (The Blood Mage Chronicles Book 5) Page 14
