Lord Ackbar had broken three fingers on his right hand and they had already been set. Marlaina took a look at them and asked that the splints be changed and new bandages applied. Bishoff took care of that.
Sir Taz had a badly bruised shoulder and wrist from the items that Madina had sent flying at them. Marlaina applied the same cooling salve to his arm, shoulder and back.
Elise and Merk had finished plucking the feathers off of the chickens and Sir Matthew put them on a spit over the fire.
Marlaina turned her attention to Merk and Dax. Both had been malnourished and were in need of a hot bath and good food. She asked Raffial and Corbin to help get the wash tubs filled with hot water and instructed Dax and Merk to take the soap she handed them and get a bath. She told Raffial to burn their clothes.
She had Thaddious get a small tub of hot water for her and she added some powder and herbs and instructed Elise to soak her foot and ankle. This would help take down the swelling.
She cleaned Angelina's wound and put a few stitches in her back and front shoulder where the dagger had gone through. She applied the cooling salve and redressed her shoulder.
When they were taken care of she turned her attend to Lord Farley who had the most serious injury. She had a few of the men help him into one of the bedrooms and undress. She cleaned his wound and spent almost an hour carefully stitching up his side. Sir Asen applied a salve and clean bandages. Lord Farley was exhausted and had no trouble falling asleep.
Kimber sat in the kitchen on the edge of a shelf and watched the activity. There was nothing she could do and no one could help her with her injured wing. It would heal on its own. She had changed and now was in a deep purple outfit. Zeek had appeared and was curled up in the corner on a soft rug.
Once Raffial had gotten the hot water for Dax and Merk he pulled one of the chickens from the spit, put it in a large pan and covered it with water. He placed a large slab of lard in it as well then put the pan over the fire. When Marlaina came back into the kitchen, she saw what Raffial had done and she pulled out a jar from the cupboard and added a handful of dark brown foxroot powder. It had a highly rich mineral content. Since Dax and Merk hadn't eaten well, it would be best if they drank plenty of nutritious broth.
After everyone had eaten their fill, washed and changed clothes, they sat around the fire until one by one they headed off to bed. Marlaina had fixed things up so everyone would either have a bed, couch or soft blankets to sleep on.
They stayed there for a little more than two weeks until everyone was well enough to get back into the saddle and journey on.
Sir Taz pulled Angelina aside as she was about to get on her horse. "I wanted to tell you that we're not going to make it to Danus before the bad weather sets in. Once the ice starts forming on the waters, we're not going to be able to cross the ocean until next season."
Angelina looked at him with understanding and replied in a resigned voice, "I've already been thinking about that. I was hoping we could make it, but I was only fooling myself. I know colder weather has arrived and that means it's only worse up north." She sighed, "No one wants to be done with this journey more than me."
Sir Taz gave her a smile of encouragement before he turned to get on his horse.
Angelina knew that the Season of Snow was upon them and even if they could make it to Danus sooner than expected, it would be too late. They would have to wait it out for at least another four months before the coldest weather broke and the ice began to melt. Only then would a ship attempt an ocean crossing. And by the time they would get to Incaught, it would be the same thing. She sighed, before getting the groups attention. "It's no use," she began as they turned toward her, "even if we ride hard we're not going to make it to Danus before the ice sets in. If we have to wait it out for another four or five months, then I think we should travel back to Schoval and stay at my sister's castle. It will be a lot better than having to hold up in some cramped inn for all that time."
There was some talk, but eventually they all agreed. They knew it would be too much to hope for that the ice hadn't started to crust on the water and it would be a wasted trip to get to the coast and have to wait it out.
So they decided to head for Schoval.
Chapter 47
The Passing of Time
Amberlynn was thrilled to hear that her sister and companions would be staying with them for the next four to five months until the weather broke. She was due to give birth in approximately four months and was excited to hear that Angelina would be there with her.
Angelina told Amberlynn the entire story of their trip.
"I'm so sorry," she said with tears in her eyes. "It must have been horrible for you. If there's anything I can do....," she trailed off not knowing what else to say.
"No, nothing. But thank you," reassured Angelina. "I want to get back to Noachiam and see Airic and explain things to him."
"Well, since you're stuck here for some time," began Amberlynn, "I suggest we make the best of it. Why don't you finish getting settled in and then we can have tea and I'll introduce you to Krissi, Rodney's new wife. I was actually shocked when Jarrett told me his brother was finally getting married. He never showed the slightest interest in women and then all of a sudden Duke Trousoe pays a visit to the king and brings his young daughter along and Rodney is smitten." She smiled devilishly, "I'll give you the entire story at tea time."
Elise and Angelina headed back to their rooms. "My, oh my," Elise said to Angelina, "I guess all the court life has your sister under its spell. I haven't seen anyone so excited about sharing gossip in a long time."
"Well, she always did like to talk," responded Angelina. "As a matter of fact," she said with a gleam in her eye, "I know the perfect companion for her, someone who loves to talk. In fact sometimes you can't get her to shush."
"I heard that!" came a small voice from inside the pack Elise was carrying.
Angelina and Elise couldn't contain their laughter.
Elise and Angelina met Krissi at tea and they all had a wonderful time. The girls got along well and decided that they should make tea time an everyday occurrence since now that the snow had begun falling, there wouldn't be too much else to do. Elise and Angelina were right about Kimber. She and Amberlynn would sit for hours on end telling each other stories.
Time seemed to drag for Angelina, even the time they spent pouring over books in the library, having tea, taking walks around the castle, etc. It all dragged on and on and Angelina was getting more impatient by the day. She visited with the other women, but was lost in her own thoughts most of the time.
The only exciting time was when Amberlynn went into labor and Angelina got to be right there when she gave birth to the next heir to the throne, a beautiful little boy named Norman, after Jarrett's great-grandfather. He had a head full of curly brown hair and was so cute.
Angelina was excited to have been there and for once, actually forgot for a few moments about her impending journey back to Noachiam.
The midwives Lois and Dalra shooed everyone but Jarrett out of the room so that Amberlynn could rest.
That was the talk of the castle for the new few weeks.
Dalra had taken her son, Jon, up to see Norman. He was so excited to be meeting the little prince. Angelina was visiting with Amberlynn when they knocked and entered. Dalra took him over to where Amberlynn held little Norman and introduced him.
"Excuse me you highnesses," curtsied Dalra, "but my husband Jonathan has gotten word that the ice has begun to clear and travel across the ocean should be possible within the next month."
Angelina's heart jumped at the news. "Are you sure?" she questioned with excitement mingled with that all too familiar dread of having to face Airic.
"Yes, your highness," she replied. "He was asked by Sir Taz to keep him notified of the situation. He had just informed Sir Taz when I met him on my way here. I knew that you were anxious for the news."
"Yes, thank you Dalra," replied Angelina as she got up to leave. She planted
a kiss on her sister's forehead and told her she'd be back before hurrying across the room and out the door."
She found Pendrake first. He had heard and was on his way to inform Merk and Elise. She went with him. Once they met up with Merk and Elise, all four went in search of the rest of the group.
Once everyone was together, they decided that in two weeks they would leave. It seemed to be the longest two weeks that Angelina had to live through and she was relieved when it was time to go. They said their farewells, mounted their horses and headed for the city's gate.
Chapter 48
The Journey Home
They would first head to Danus. They would travel between the Enna and Carosell Forests and then travel close to the coast and on up to Danus. Once they got there, they would book passage on the first available ship and head across the ocean to the port of Soave. From there they would head west to Noachiam.
It was still very cold out and there was snow on the ground. It would be another month or so before all the snow was gone, but at least by the time they got to Danus the ice would be broken up enough that it wouldn't damage the ships.
All were anxious to get the journey over and done with and they traveled as quickly as they could.
When they reached Danus, they were told that all ships had been booked and it would be another two to three weeks before passage would be available.
They headed down to the docks to see what they could do about getting passage. Captain Romnanlee was in charge of two of the larger passenger ships and was standing on the deck directing his men on what to load and where.
"Excuse me," interrupted Merk, "are you Captain Romnanlee?"
"That'd be me," he responded not taking his eyes off his work. "Hey, easy with that load!" he yelled to one of the dockhands.
"My companions and I would like to book passage on one of the ships," explained Merk.
"Sorry, they're already full, lad," replied the Captain.
"We would be willing to pay for any inconvenience it might cause you to put us aboard," Merk responded, hoping to get the captain's attention.
"Sorry lad, but I don't have room and passage has already been paid for. You'll have to wait for the next ship," replied the Captain as he moved away to help tie a crate onto a rope.
Angelina was irritated and anxious to be on her way. She pushed her way past the dockhands and stood directly in front of the Captain so he couldn't miss seeing her. "My companions and I need passage on one of these ships, money is not an issue."
"Look lassie, I already told your friend that I don't have room and I don't care about your money," he said getting a little irritated.
"I am not just some lassie. Let me properly introduce myself, I am Princess Angelina of Talenvar and these are my servants," she said in her most haughty tone and paused to let it sink in. She did notice that now she had the Captain's full attention. "It is imperative that I reach Soave as soon as possible. And you of course would be properly rewarded for doing such a noble and honorable favor for a princess of Talenvar."
The captain gave a sweeping bow, "Your highness, I apologize. Had I known that you were royalty, I most certainty wouldn't have turned you away." He grabbed the nearest worker, "I need," he paused to count the number of her servants, "eight cabins readied immediately." He turned and shoved the worker in the direction of the loading plank. "If you'll give me a few moments I'll have your rooms readied." With that he hurried onto the ship that the worker had boarded to make things ready.
Angelina turned toward her companions and smiled. "Sometimes it helps if you're royalty."
It was only a short time before Captain Romnanlee returned and had their baggage loaded and allowed them to board. The ship they would be sailing on was the Arlad, a very large ship.
Bishoff had handed Angelina a pouch full of roots to chew on in case her seasickness returned.
It was an uneventful journey and they were glad for that. Within two weeks they were pulling into the dock at Soave. The captain was very happy when Angelina handed him a pouch full of gold and silver coins, far more than what a normal traveler would have paid. She was happy that they were able to get on a ship so soon and it was worth it.
They purchased horses and replenished their supplies before heading out. They wore thick wool clocks and heavy clothing because it was still cold out. They traveled as fast as they could. Some areas still had deep snow and they had to get off and walk beside the horses. It would be too tiring for horses to carry a rider and try to maneuver through the snow.
Each day brought them closer to Noachiam and Airic. Angelina was thinking that this must be how Sir Taz felt as they traveled toward Cardel.
It was weeks before they made it to the Shodd River. The current was swift and deep. The first bridge that they came to only had half of the expanse still intact. The ice blocks floating down the river had smashed the other side.
Lord Asen noticed the look on Angelina's face when they came to the damaged bridge. "Don't worry princess, it's only a small delay. We'll be across the river and on our way in no time," he reassured her.
"I know," she replied with a sigh. "I don't know if I'm disappointed that we have longer to travel or relieved that I have more time before I see Airic again."
Lord Farley rode over and gently put his hand on her arm. "Things will work out one way or the other," he said with an encouraging smile. "The sooner you confront him and explain, the sooner you can deal with what happened and move on."
She laid her hand over his and gently squeezed it. She didn't need to respond, he knew she was grateful for his support.
They had to travel downstream another eight miles before they found a bridge that was safe enough to cross.
They were close to Wayferd when they finally did manage to cross the river. That meant that they were near the end of the journey. It would only be a matter of a few more weeks before they reached Noachiam.
Angelina was glad that her companions had come with her to see it through to the end. She knew that Sir Taz was going to Talenvar to explain to her father that he was returning to Cardel. Kimber wasn't used to the cold and having to travel so much, but she refused to stay behind. She wanted to be there for her. Each of them had things to do and places to go but they all wanted to be there to support Angelina when she told Airic. She was grateful for each and every one of them.
Before she knew it, they were almost to Airic's estate. By the end of the day the journey would be over. No matter what the end would bring, it would finally be finished and she would be required to face her future. What would she do? Would Airic want her there to help find a spell or potion of some kind to end his curse? Would he tell her to go home? She had so many questions and not one answer. Her breath caught as she looked up and realized that they were therez: the edge of Airic's estate.
Chapter 49
A Journey Ends
Angelina reigned in her horse at the beginning of the long winding drive that led to Noachiam. She sat there for a long time thinking. Her companions had stopped a short distance behind her and waited. They knew the difficult task that she had before her and they were giving her all the time she needed. Her fingers ran along the pouch of broken crystal that she carried at her waist. She had been over it a hundred times in her head and still couldn't shake the feeling that if only she had done something different she would have recovered the Uzan crystal from Madina in one piece.
She looked down at the pouch and let her hand drop away. But it didn't matter now, what was done was done and she couldn't change it. She would have to face Airic and tell him she failed him. The hardest thing would be that he wouldn't have another chance, She had taken it and used it. Madina no longer existed and all hopes of checking her spell books for a solution were gone with her.
She sighed heavily and turned in her saddle so that she could see the rest of the party. There they waited. Some she had not known until she began this journey, but now she considered them her companions, her dearest friends. T
hey had been through a lot with her. She smiled at that, at least everyone she had started out with was there in the end, a little worn out and tattered, but still there. That was her only consolation. Her smile faded. She cleared her throat before she began, "I think I should go on ahead. I'd like to talk to Airic alone first."
They nodded in compliance.
"Are you sure you want to do this by yourself?" asked Elise. "After all, we were there and we did what we could. No one could foresee this outcome and no one blames you. He'll understand." Elise had tried to reason with Angelina numerous times on their return trip, but Angelina insisted on blaming herself. Elise knew it would take time.
"I'm fine," assured Angelina. "I have to do this." She pulled her cloak tighter around herself. "I must do this alone. And I thank you for your support." She noted Elise's smile of encouragement , however, it didn't seem to make a difference in how she was feeling. She turned around and gently kicked the flanks of her horse and began the journey to the estate.
The Uzan Crystal Page 37
