by Guy Antibes
“I heard there was some trouble up there,” Willa said, playing along.
“Rumors, most say, but some rumors are true. Their families might have meant more to them than defending Stonebridge.” The vendor observed Sara putting the ribbon up to her hair in front of a polished metal mirror. “That color suits you very nicely, miss.”
Sara smiled and nodded her head. “And this silver comb and brush set?” Her comb had bent and she had lost her brush during their travels and her hair showed it. She paid and gave the little cloth bag to Willa to carry.
“Won’t the Grand Duke send soldiers out to bring them back?”
The woman shook her head. “And let the other groups leave? I don’t think so. Not with Parthy troops nearly to the Narrows.”
The King’s Army evidently had made good time. She felt pressure to get Duke Northcross out of captivity before the fighting began. The Narrows would be the first line of defense and then the gently rolling lands wouldn’t stop the army until it fought through Stonebridge’s streets.
A hand grabbed Sara’s arm and yanked her around. Her heart went to her throat. Could they have been captured so easily?
“Sara, what are you doing here?” Lily Evertrue looked astonished. “I heard you were out of Shattuk Downs.”
“I was in Parth for a bit, but just returned through Belting Hollow and Obridge.”
“Trouble up there.”
“No more,” Willa said.
“And you are?” Lily nearly sneered at the presumptuousness of Sara’s servant.
“She’s Willa Waters and my companion through all of this. Currently she plays the part of my maid. It’s okay to listen to her, Lily,” Sara said. “Willa, this is Lily Evertrue, a former classmate at the School. She can be trusted.”
“You would have had to fight your way here with the Red Swallows in control of the north,” Lily said as she steered them to a secluded spot in the market. “I have visited the men of Obridge and they’ve been treated none too well. Imagine my shock, seeing you here.”
“The Red Swallows aren’t in control any longer. We assembled a little army along the way. Our captain died in Obridge, saving us from a rebel trap, but we managed to pacify Belting Hollow. Professor West had taken it over and burned Brightlings to the ground, and then he burned to the ground.” Sara pressed her lips together. She wasn’t too proud about using her power to kill him, but he deserved it. “Obridge was a bit more trouble, but the rebels got more than they bargained for.”
“A women’s army,” Willa said, giving Lily her squint. Lily squinted back.
“Then we traveled down here. I hardly had to convince Ben Featherwood and the Obridge contingent to head back north as well. They are needed with their people, not starving down here.”
“Yes they were. It’s more difficult to leave Stonebridge than it is to enter.”
Sara nodded and would remember that—meaning more problems to solve. “The College will be filling up by the end of the week.”
“Good for them. Why did you come here?”
Sara didn’t want to talk about saving Duke Northcross in the marketplace. “Why don’t you come to Klark’s house this evening?”
“Klark’s here too?”
Sara nodded. “Lisha was with my troops but left to return to the School.” She’d never been truly comfortable around the much-more-sophisticated Lily. But here, she might be an ally.
“Lisha actually fought?”
Sara nodded yet again. She didn’t want to say too much in the market, but Lisha kept at her questions. “Many women in Obridge fought and some died, including Analea Yester. She was a Red Swallow.”
Lily frowned. “You already identified her in Dry River. Dead, eh? And West, too? My, you’ve been busy. I’d like to learn more.”
“Tonight,” Sara said. “Please come.”
Lily laughed and said, “I’ll be there. I’ve been keeping my eyes open and I think we might be of help to each other. Tonight, then. I’ll be there at eight o’clock, in time for dinner.” She walked in the opposite direction from where Willa waited and casually waved goodbye.
Sara returned to her friend.
“And she is?” Willa said. Sara shivered from the coldness in her voice.
“She worked for Duke Northcross through Doctor Hedge. I knew her from school and Klark knows her much better than I do. She’s a bit above me, I admit. I’ve always been intimidated by her worldliness.”
“Hmm. I don’t know if I trust her, but if Klark does, then there’s nothing we can do about it. She has nothing on you that a year in Parth wouldn’t fix, and unless she’s the wife of a Duke, she can’t be higher than a Countess.”
Sara didn’t know if she’d want to spend a year in Parth unless she developed an intense desire to attend the Women’s College. If so much planning and effort yielded a Royal Charter, then perhaps she had to take advantage of it. Sara tucked the thought into the back of her mind where a lot of such thoughts were hidden; ready to emerge when Parthy ended its war with the Grand Duke.
Sara bought a presentable dress for dinner and one for Willa, as well, from a ready-made shop that was located on the perimeter of the market. The sun had lost its warmth and a wind began to blow ending their market foray. Once they were a block from the market, she took her own purchases to carry through the streets. The walk to the carriage works took a bit longer than she had thought, but her aches had disappeared with the exercise. They strolled through the gates and entered Brownhill house.
“I see you’re back. Did you learn anything?” Klark said as he took their cloaks off and handed them to a servant. He led them to the parlor and closed the door.
Sara shook her head. “Nothing we didn’t know before, however the rumors of men leaving the fields and returning home are firming up. We heard it from a vendor. We also ran into Lily.”
“Well that’s good news. My brothers aren’t too willing to help. My father wants you to leave Stonebridge as soon as you can, but I’ve found it’s easier to get in than leave.”
“We were told that, as well,” Willa said. “Do you trust this Lily?”
Klark smiled. “With my life. She has no liking for the Grand Duke. He gave her father’s title to a relative some years ago. That’s when Lily decided to go to School. The family got to keep their townhouse and a large payment had to be made to the new Baron, so she didn’t wish to be around in her reduced circumstances.” Klark looked at Sara. “It seems a lot of us have escaped to Tarrey Abbey.”
Sara nodded. “It’s as good a place as any in Shattuk Downs. At least you get an education along with it.” She smiled. “She’s coming to dinner. She said she’d be here at eight.”
“Ah, yes. Lily has dined with us a few times. It’s no secret that dinner commences precisely at eight-thirty. That will help round out the party. My brothers will be there with their wives. There is no Mrs. Brownhill as you might have noticed.” Klark sighed. “We can sit at the far end of the table and plot.” Klark laughed, but then turned serious. “If anyone knows what’s happening in the palace, it will be Lily. She has connections everywhere. I wouldn’t be surprised if she knows where the Duke is.”
~~~
Chapter Twenty-Three
Plotting a Duke’s Salvation
Lily’s all-silk frock put Sara’s to shame; however, Sara noticed how provincial it was compared to the latest styles worn in Parth. Sara’s own dress was fine blue wool trimmed with silvery dark gray silk. Willa’s was all black, but had a fine cut that accentuated her figure.
Lily cruised in expecting all of the men to fall at her feet and she did outshine every other woman. The sitting room was twice the size of the parlor and, even with eleven people and servants, it seemed nearly empty.
Klark’s brothers, Korter and Kinean were shorter, but much broader than Klark. They took after their father, but Klark must have inherited his mother’s looks and maybe her intelligence. The brothers looked presentable, even amiable, but the snap of intell
igence that animated Klark didn’t exist in their eyes. No wonder his father wanted Klark to run the business rather than his older brothers.
Korter, the oldest, with thinning light brown hair, asked Sara. “So your father bought one of our runabouts. They are rather dashing, don’t you think?”
Sara gave him a smile and tried to let him down gently. “My father and stepmother were run off the road before I ever saw it. As I told Mr. Brownhill, it wasn’t the carriage’s fault. But I did see a red version in your courtyard just before Winter’s Rise. It is a quite handsome vehicle.”
“That one went to Earl Middlefork. He lives on the other side of the Gost on a large wheat farm. We had to stiffen it up so the terrible roads in his domain wouldn’t shake it to pieces.” He chuckled. “What kind of carriage do you like?”
“I’m sorry, I’ve never been in a position to have an opinion. Our family carriage was a creaky old thing. A six-seater. You’ve ridden in it Klark. What’s your opinion of it?”
“A creaky old thing made by Darkleaf in Obridge.”
The brothers grunted their disapproval. “Serviceable, but no real style or quality. We have another runabout, a larger four-seater, just about finished in the shop. It’s supposed to go to Parth, but,” Kinean shrugged his shoulders, “I doubt if the owner will be expecting delivery soon.”
“Perhaps I might drive it up for you. I hope to be headed to Parth as soon as I can,” Klark said.
Mr. Brownhill frowned. “I’m afraid that might not be possible for some time. At least you can use it for transportation north if this crisis ever ends.”
Sara endured more carriage talk. She counted it as the price for staying at the Brownhill mansion. Lily just sat and smiled. A glazed look in her eyes told Sara that Lily’s thoughts were some distance away as well.
“Dinner, my lord.” A servant intoned.
Sara looked askance at Klark at the mention of ‘my lord’. “It’s what we do in the house.” He smiled and shrugged. “My father is proud of his noble blood, Countess,” he whispered in her ear as they filed into the dining room.
She had never thought carriage-makers could make so much money. The dining room’s moldings were gilded and mirrors were placed in between them. The sconces on the walls, together with the candles on the tables lit the room brighter than some days. The carpet she walked on had a ‘B’ worked into the pattern. Mr. Brownhill certainly spent like a lord on his dining room. The table sat thirty people the way Sara counted it.
He noticed Sara observing the room. “I keep this room opulent for my noble clients. I’ve sold many carriages and coaches at my end of the table over lunch. Korter and Kinean, I’d like you and your wives on either side of me. I want to hear how my grandchildren are doing. Klark, why don’t you commandeer the foot of the table. I understand all of you have been students at Tarrey Abbey.” Mr. Brownhill gave Willa a little bow. “You may enjoy regaling your latest adventures to the lovely Lily.” He smiled and made his way to the head of the table and sat with his two sons.
Perhaps that was Mr. Brownhill’s way of distancing himself from any subversive activities. It suited Sara just fine, although she wondered at the incurious nature of Klark’s brothers and mentioned it once they had sat and the brother’s wives were deep in conversation with their children’s grandfather.
“Do they know what we’ve been through?” Sara asked.
Klark shook his head. “I told them all they wanted to know this morning. Both of their wives have relatives in the Stonebridge court. It wouldn’t do for us to say too much at dinner. They both leave early unless Father has noble guests.”
“I’m noble and so is Sara, sort of.” Lily put her lips in a pout.
Klark laughed. “My friends don’t count.” He put an emphasis on the word ‘count’. Sara returned his smile along with Willa.
“What is so funny,” Lily said giving her rendition of the Willa squint.
“Please don’t tell anyone else while we’re here, but Sara’s been presented to the King,” Klark said.
“So?” Lily furrowed her perfectly manicured brow.
“She is a Countess, Lily. By proclamation from the King’s own lips. The only Countess in all of Parthy.”
Lily’s mouth dropped open in a quite un-noble manner. “Countess?” she mouthed the word.
“Yes she is,” Willa said.
“You’ll have to tell me more about that later.”
Klark nodded. “I will. Father is giving me nasty looks. We will have to improve our decorum.” That made them all laugh.
Dinner was served and they did indeed talk about Tarrey Abbey for the rest of dinner. Willa expressed her disbelief at the progress made by the School since she had gone twenty-five years ago. The very idea of male professors teaching College and School seemed to make her head spin. Sara didn’t know if Willa thought it was progress or a shocking development.
True to Klark’s prediction, after the final dessert course, Mr. Brownhill rose and the brothers made their farewells.
“Miss Featherwood, don’t fail to check with me personally about the availability of the runabout. We are just about done with the canopy and are about to install the custom floorboards. I expect it to be done in a day or two. Perhaps you might be able to slip out before the hostilities begin.” Korter shivered as he said it and his wife put her hand to her mouth. These people were afraid of what was to come, even if they sometimes put on a brave facade.
Klark ushered the three ladies into the parlor after Mr. Brownhill said he would retire to his upstairs study and wished them a good night. Klark closed the door and moved them towards the far end, close to the fireplace.
“Ears by the door. We can’t trust any of our servants.”
Lily stood with her fists clenched. “I had expected better, Klark. Your father leaving? No social calendar for the evening?”
Klark put his hand to his chin. “I seem to recall Sara saying that you invited yourself to dinner tonight? Was I correct?”
“Yes.” Lily expertly pouted.
“Then you get the three of us for your social partners. Now sit all of you. Let’s bring Lily current on what we’ve done, regardless of what she has heard in the streets, and then she will inform us of what she knows. I’ve wandered around and haven’t gotten anywhere in our search for Duke Northcross.”
Lily sat and straightened out her gown. “I’m ready.” She lifted her chin and raised an eyebrow as the three of them described their adventures since leaving Parth.
When they finished, an impressed Lily sat before them. “Warriors. I didn’t expect it of you, Klark. Sara, I somehow considered you to have hidden talents, I just didn’t expect them up your dress and strapped to your thighs.”
Sara cleared her throat. “Strapped to my lower leg, Lily. Now it’s your turn,” Sara gave Lily an intentionally dark look.
“I know roughly where Duke Northcross is being kept. I’m in and out of the palace with my friends often enough to hear all kinds of gossip. This afternoon after I left you, I wandered the palace halls ‘looking for a friend’ who I knew was home ill. I heard of their prime prisoner referred to twice. He’s in the West Tower somewhere. There are thirty rooms in that tower and he could be locked in any one of them. Two ferocious men guard the Tower entrance. I asked them if they’d seen my friend and they quickly sent me on my way. They gave me the shivers.” Lily, appropriately, shivered.
“What about the war?” Klark said. “What is the Grand Duke up to?”
“Oh, everyone at court knows that. He’s in league with Belonnia, don’t you know? Our own Doctor Miller is the secret ambassador.”
“And Duke Goldfields is in on it as well?” Sara said.
“How do you know that?” Lily squinted at Sara. “If you know that then why don’t you know the rest, Countess?”
“I’m the last Goldagle. Hence my title. I couldn’t be called a Duchess, so the Royal Genealogist decided that I should be a Countess.”
“I’m s
ure there is more to it than that. I’m a baron’s daughter and I’m not a Lady.”
“There is, but that’s for another time in another place. Anton presented me to the Grand Duke before Winter’s Rise and introduced me to Lord Goldfields, who hasn’t a drop of Goldagle blood, and guess who pulled them away to a meeting of some sort?”
“Doctor Miller.”
“Right. I remember when he tutored me, he wouldn’t stop talking about how wonderful the Belonnian language would be to learn.”
“And you learned it.”
Sara smiled. “I did, but Miller did more than promote the language. We had to learn all about Belonnia. Now that I think about it, he was trying to indoctrinate me. I had so many other things on my mind at the time, that he had no chance of succeeding.”
“Now if Lisha Temple were here and even the ghost of Doctor West, what would you think of the Grand Duke’s strategy?” Klark said, looking at Lily.
“He has no where to go if he fails. He can’t board a boat for a far off land and the only roads out of the Downs are guarded passes and the three Gost roads. There are King’s soldiers on both sides of those,” Lily said.
“He means to use Duke Northcross as a hostage,” Willa said. “And if I remember my geography, the Belonnian border on Lord Worthy’s lands would be open for an invasion.”
Klark, Lily and Sara looked at Willa in amazement.
“I learned things other than practical mathematics at school and Lord Worthy himself often talked to me about the strategic value of his lands and why he kept his own troops.”
“The notion fits entirely with their mindset, Willa. Very good and that means that Duke Northcross is a hostage for Shattuk Downs, but a diversion for Belonnia,” Sara said. “He’s got to be rescued. I’m pretty sure that the King won’t sacrifice his brother. We’ve got to get him out and the troops dispersed to the Belonnian border!”
“Do you think the Grand Duke knows?” Klark said.
“I’ll bet he’s been told that the independent kingdom of Shattuk Downs will be recognized by Belonnia. He told me that he expected great things to happen and this must be it. He’s a useful tool of the Belonnians and nothing more. If he fancies himself as King, the Belonnians will make his a very short dynasty. They are an empire without Kings of any kind,” Sara said.
