The Sartious Mage (The Rhythm of Rivalry)

by B. T. Narro

  Chapter 20: Courting

  The deeper we went into the forest, the less light came through the bushy trees. Many were covered with moss, the playful green color always reminding me of Sartious Energy.

  My father and sister were ahead now but close enough to overhear. They were looking for somewhere to settle, someplace Sannil could find again when he returned tomorrow. It seemed like they were interested in the mountain about a mile east of us.

  They saw something that stopped them. I followed their eyes and stopped as well when I saw what it was. A heavyset man on a horse, frozen, staring.

  The man was close enough for us to see that he had no markings on his clothes. I felt some relief knowing he wasn’t a guard, at least, but this was still bad.

  He kicked his horse to trot toward us. I moved in front of Lisanda.

  I positioned myself not directly between the man and her, as that would’ve been too suspicious, but it was just enough to partially hide her in a protective manner—not too uncommon when meeting strangers outside a city or town.

  “You’re the first people I’ve seen in these woods.” The man had himself a long look at Lisanda past my shoulder, too long of a look.

  Although he shared a polite smile with us, and his tone was friendly, none of us replied. We each knew the danger this posed.

  He studied our faces. “What are you doing out here, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “We’re traveling, just passing through,” Sannil answered, urgency pushing his words out quickly.

  “Looks like you’re headed east. Is there some sort of secret town in these parts I don’t know about?” The man’s tone was rhetorical. His grin went wider.

  “What are you doing here?” Kalli demanded.

  “Traveling, just passing through.” His voice deepened, an attempt at imitating Sannil. His smile remained, now looking more forced, like he wanted to scowl but didn’t allow himself to do so. “Will you all be here for a while?”

  “No,” Sannil answered firmly. “Is there something you need before you’re on your way?” It was more than a subtle hint.

  The man turned his cheek like he’d been slapped. “I see. Private business you all got going on here. I understand. Sorry to disturb you.” He had another long look at Lisanda before turning his horse.

  Over his shoulder he called back to us, “I don’t see how you can get too far with one horse between the four of you, but good luck.” He disappeared between the trees.

  Sannil started into a jog the opposite way of the man. “Come on.” He waved.

  Kalli and I followed, but Lisanda held still, her face full of confusion. I motioned for her to follow.

  “What just happened?” Lisanda asked, now rushing to keep up with us. Her backpack jumped back and forth with each step.

  “Nothing good,” I answered.

  Lisanda caught up to me. “Who was he?”

  “There’s no way to know,” I said. “But he was far too interested in us to be a mere friendly stranger.”

  Sannil slowed down, glancing at me over his shoulder. “There’s been odd business in this forest, Jek.”

  “Odd business?” I wondered aloud. It was a strange statement that didn’t give me much of an idea of anything.

  “I don’t know what else to call it,” my father answered.

  “How is it odd business?” I asked.

  Kalli answered. “Father and I have noticed travelers pass by our farm on wagons filled with boxes of some sort. They go straight into the forest, only to come back hours later with the boxes gone. There’s some sort of business happening, but we can’t figure out what.”

  “Yet another reason I’ve been wanting to move,” Sannil added.

  With each of us now glancing over our shoulders, we walked quickly toward the mountain ahead. The grass got thicker, soon covering the entire forest floor.

  Eventually, we were shrouded in shade. It became rare to come across a tree short enough to see its top without needing to strain our necks. A gray mist settled at the tops of the trees, slowly seeping lower as we continued. The sun was still pushing through, but bleakly, weakening by the hour.

  “Looks like rain is coming,” I muttered.

  “I think we have until sunset.” Kalli had a hopeful tone.

  When we reached the rocky mountainside, the sun had begun its descent. Half of the mountain was covered in trees jutting out of crevices. The other half of the mountain that could be seen between the trees was composed of smooth boulders packed on top of each other. They were ripped with lines, making it impossible not to see shapes and faces.

  From my current angle, the boulders made a man with a perfectly oval head, like an exaggerated drawing. Coming out of the trees beneath him was his hand. It grabbed a sword-like shape being driven toward his face, pushing it to the side.

  Although Sannil would have no problem locating our camp when he returned, as the mountain could be seen from even outside the forest, it also meant that if someone was looking for us and thought to search near a landmark, this would be an obvious place to check.

  We’d seen no one else, fortunately, but a nervous feeling was burning a hole in my stomach. There was too much uncertainty to be comfortable. Who was that man? Did he recognize Lisanda Takary? What business has been happening in these woods? The worst of my fears, though, was Sannil going into The Nest…alone.

  There was a terrible feeling I used to get when my father would leave the farmhouse and didn’t come back at the time I’d expected. He’d ride into the city to pick up something simple, but then he wouldn’t return until dark. As soon as I’d start to worry, part of me would find it silly that I was scared. It would reassure me that this was my very capable father—a simple trip into the city had never been a problem. He’d been late countless times before.

  Still, I’d have this morbid feeling, a deep fear that the worst had happened, that he was hurt and needed my help. As absurd and pointless as I knew it was, I couldn’t get rid of the feeling until he came back.

  But what I felt now was different, much stronger. The side of me that usually fought against the worry, the more reasonable side, was only making it worse this time. Instead of telling me that Sannil was strong, that he’d be fine because he always was, it was urging me to stop him. It screamed at me, “Don’t let him go for you! Trouble is going to find him!”

  I listened and tried to convince him one more time.

  “Father, please don’t give them the note.” I opened my hand, showing I wanted it back.

  It was a small folded paper. The message on it was simple, telling them to bring the cure to an address by noon and Lisanda would be there. The date was for the day after tomorrow. The address was our farm.

  “Let me deliver it when you come back,” I pleaded.

  Sannil took a slow breath and then walked past my hand with open arms, giving me a hug with a sturdy pat on the back.

  “We have to finish this and get out of the forest as soon as we can, even more so after seeing that man. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be back before sunset tomorrow, unharmed.”

  Kalli embraced him next.

  “Take care of your little brother,” my father said loud enough for me to hear.

  “I will,” Kalli replied sheepishly, knowing I didn’t need her help.

  Then he was off, riding into the mist.

  We were left with three bags, two wheelbarrows, and the wagon the horse had pulled from our farm. We pushed the wagon into a cluster of trees farther down the mountainside, where it was hidden from view. We put our bags there next.

  “I’ll go cover our tracks,” Kalli said, already walking back the way we came.

  “We’ll go with you,” I said, not comfortable with her separating from me with Exo still about. And who knew what else was in these woods.

  “I’m not some princess who needs protecting, Jek.” Kalli patted the knife on her belt. “I’ll be back in a few hours. I expect a fire to be ready by then.” With a sm
ile, she turned and left.

  I glanced at Lisanda and motioned with my head for her to follow me to search for sticks, trying to show a courteous smile. She was sitting on a log, making no indication of moving anytime soon. Her knees were tightly pushed together while she held her hands underneath the loose fabric of her light blue tunic beneath her legs.

  “We just got here.” Lisanda looked at me from the tops of her eyes. “Let’s rest a few minutes first.”

  I looked at the bag beside her feet, the one she’d been carrying for miles. It looked far too heavy for her. I was surprised to realize I hadn’t heard her complain about it. Even now she was just requesting to rest, not blaming me for making her carry a bag that looked to be a third of her weight.

  “You can rest,” I said.

  Lisanda’s head was relaxed on her shoulders, but everything else about her seemed stiff and uncomfortable. Her back was perfectly straight, rigid even. Her eyes found no place to rest, looking in each direction before eventually finding their way to my face. She gracefully moved the hair that had fallen in front of her eyes behind her ear.

  “Are you just going to stand there?” Lisanda’s head lowered to my feet, but her eyes stayed with mine. It made her glance appear wanting, urging me to sit.

  I shrugged and used my feet to fiddle with a rock.

  “Why don’t you sit?” Lisanda asked.

  “I’d rather rest once we’re done,” I told her. I felt more comfortable standing than sharing a log with her, as much as I did want to sit. I was trying to make more of an effort to keep some distance.

  She gave a discouraging grunt. “I can’t relax with you so antsy.”

  “Well, I’m going to be antsy until I’ve traded you for the cure, so it might be best for you to learn to ignore it.”

  She cleared her throat and silence followed.

  “I’m sorry,” I said. “It’s just hard for me to relax.”

  “I understand.” Surprisingly, she spoke with the softness of a light embrace.

  I made an effort to keep my eyes off her beautiful face, looking instead at the endless trees.

  I held a deep appreciation for the forest. Whenever I heard the word “majestic,” no matter the context, I always thought of the sight before me, towering trees coming together in the sky to create a dome from their bushy tops, turning everything below into its own serene world.

  “Have you been in a forest like this?” I asked.

  “Jessend and I accompanied our father to Great Lake Katchitan. We passed through two forests like this one on the way there.”

  “In Zav?” I was surprised to hear of the Takary family going to the territory of their enemy.

  “It was before these recent problems between us.” Lisanda’s eyes left me to search through trees in the distance. “I hope Jessend isn’t too worried about me. My sister can be very protective.”

  “We have that in common then. What about your father? I’m sure he’s very worried.”

  “Let him be.” She waved a hand resentfully.

  “You mentioned your brother earlier. What about him?”

  Lisanda laughed bitterly. “He and my mother left for Chanren a month ago to recruit men and women to fight for us. He has no idea what’s happening with Jessend and me, nor would he care. Though, my mother would…if she knew.” Lisanda stood to show me she was ready to start collecting for the fire. From the way she was walking quickly, it gave me the impression she didn’t wish to speak any more about her family.

  We left the mountainside, traveling a minute in silence.

  “Do you know what to look for?” I asked.

  Lisanda stopped with her hands on her hips. “You think I don’t know what’s needed to make a fire?”

  “I figure you’d never need to if you have people to do that for you.”

  She grumbled, leaning closer to my face. “I’ve heard what people say about me. They think a princess has no idea what life is like for them. But I bet I have a more accurate idea how everyone else lives than what you think my life is like.” She leaned back onto her heels, crossing her arms. “Go on, let’s hear you describe my day to day.”

  I suddenly realized the ideas I’d had of her life were probably ridiculous. I’d imagined her waking up with servants waiting to slide slippers of the finest cloth onto her feet and a garish robe around her body so she could walk comfortably to the bathing room where a hot shower awaited. When she emerged, I’d figured there would be samples of three different breakfasts for her to try, allowing her to choose one so it could be ready by the time she was dressed.

  The rest of the day would continue just like that, with her never lifting more than a fork or spoon. I had no idea what she did with her time, perhaps try on clothes and gossip about wealthy families? I felt embarrassed about mentioning any of this.

  “Come on.” Lisanda tried to wave the words out of me. “I’m waiting.”

  I smiled, defeated. “You might be right.”

  “I am right. My life isn’t as easy as everyone assumes. I must know how to speak, sit, walk, dance, and even eat correctly. I have to know which clothes to wear for every occasion. I’ve learned to sew, embroider, and hem. I’ve learned to ride a horse just as good as anyone else. I’m sometimes forced to sing.” She clenched her fist. “As much as I despise my singing coach.

  “I know the entire history of Goldram and my family, down to each name and date, not that those specifics matter for more than impressing a haughty prince during a dinner between our families.”

  I found myself nodding along. I could feel her annoyance, her lack of freedom. And she gave no notion of being anywhere close to finished.

  “I’m frequently subjected to meetings between my father and some noble where my sole purpose in being there is to smile and answer any inane questions directed toward me. My father made me choose a language to learn for no other reason than to say I know more than one language. To spite him I’m now nearly fluent in Elvish. I—”

  “Elvish?” I interrupted, completely shocked.

  Everyone knew about the Elves, but no one talked about them. It was too controversial of a subject to lead anywhere except frustration. I couldn’t believe Lisanda’s father would allow her to learn their language, especially being a Takary. Her family controlled Goldram when the Bastial Steel War began—when the Elves refused to help defend Goldram against the three surrounding territories.

  “It’s actually a beautiful language,” she said.

  I waved my hands. “Sorry, go on.”

  “I’m rambling anyway.” Lisanda lowered her head and found a group of thin sticks scattered around us. I was so lost in her words, I’d forgotten to look. She squatted over them to start collecting. I bent down to help.

  “What’s the worst of everything you have to do?” I asked.

  She answered quickly, without a thought. “That I have to practice everything, no matter how good at it I already am.” She stopped, putting her hand on the curve of her hip as she thought. “Actually the most aggravating are the courting lessons Jessend and I have been taking since we were ten, absolutely pointless at this point.”

  “Courting lessons? Like how judgment is found for crimes?” It sounded interesting to me.

  We each stood. She had a somewhat shameful smile.

  “Courting men. Winning their favor.”

  “Oh.” I couldn’t help but laugh. “What could they possibly teach you about that?”

  “After six years? Nothing new. Jessend and I used to have fun with the lessons when we were younger. Now, it’s just demeaning.”

  “I have to admit I’m curious about these classes.”

  “It’s more boring than you’d imagine. There’s a lot of focus on the way we greet each other, the curtsy I’m supposed to give to show a particular meaning, the subjects I should and shouldn’t talk about, how to understand looks and reciprocate them.”

  She stopped, and I realized we were locked in an awkward stare. My smile quickly flat
tened, as did hers. We each turned away.

  “I see,” I muttered. “They don’t teach you anything specific to say or do to win men’s hearts? A special phrase, so to speak?”

  “Of course,” she said flippantly.

  “Show me.” I turned with a wide grin. “Try to win my favor. I want to see an example.”

  “I won’t.” Although her tone was reluctant, I found a grin she was trying to hide behind her wavy dark hair.

  “What’s the point of all these lessons then, if you can’t do it?”

  Lisanda gasped. Her foot must’ve been caught on something, for she stumbled into me and nearly fell. I dropped the sticks I’d collected to catch her.

  She clung on tightly to my torso and arms, very slowly standing upright again. She kept a hand on my arm for balance.

  “Thank you.” Lisanda’s voice was as sweet as sugar. She stood close to me, looking up into my eyes with her two front teeth nervously biting the side of her lip.

  “It’s nothing,” I managed. My breath had been stolen from me by her touch, and the way she looked at me made my heart want to climb through my throat after it.

  Lisanda slid her hand up my arm and then around my waist, pulling her hip next to me and nestling against my body. She ducked under my arm so that it rested around her shoulder. On reflex, I held on to her.

  “It’s getting cold.” She gave a slight shiver. “Do you mind if we walk like this?”

  My heart thumped so wildly I couldn’t utter any words, only a strange squeak. I quickly concealed it by clearing my throat and trying again. “You’re that cold?” The sun was barely visible through the trees in the fog, but its warmth was still there.

  “Not anymore,” she said softly. “My blood warms when I’m next to you.”

  The line was too unlike her, too sudden and strange. That’s when I knew she was just playing. I’d asked to see her attempt at courting a man, and that’s all this was. She slipped away from me, reverting back to a casual stroll as if nothing had happened.

  “Something like that,” Lisanda said, completely deadpan.

  I was still waiting for my heart to calm back to normal. All I could do was nod.