“Are you looking forward to the engagement?” Kestrel asked cautiously.
“I look forward to not being isolated and alone in a house in the country. Is that so bad? Do you know what it’s like to be an outcast?” the young noblewoman asked passionately.
“I’ve got some idea, but probably not like you do,” Kestrel replied.
“I wish you all the best,” Kestrel told her with a touch of formality. Based on what he had heard, he had come to the quick conclusion that she was a girl who would forever be unmarried, despite her earlier marriage, unless her aunt found another blind nobleman. Her news made him feel a different sense of how to think of her, in some inexplicable way.
“You’re going to meet your fiancé?” Gail turned the tables.
“Well, that was exaggerating,” Kestrel said. “I’m on my way to help a girl, someone I was on a journey with. I promised that I’d come to Uniontown to help her family. I hope she’ll still want to see me,” he said with a touch of false modesty.
“Who wouldn’t want to have you around?” Gail gushed. “You’ve got powers greater than any of the sorcerers still in the war. You’re kind and courageous. You’ve got a sense of humor. And you’re good looking, in an elven kind of way.”
She stopped, worried that she had overshot the mark and been too warm in her compliments.
“Will we be in Uniontown today?” Kestrel asked.
“I think so,” Gail equivocated. “I haven’t made the trip many times, but I think we’ll be in the city by dinner time.”
Kestrel slumped down further, exhausted, and feeling the pain from his injuries once again. He fell into an uneasy sleep, and only awoke in the mid-afternoon, when he felt the carriage come to a stop.
He opened his eyes, momentarily confused, and saw that his companion had re-donned her hat and veils.
“What’s happening?” he asked, sitting up straight in his seat.
“We’re in the outer portion of Uniontown. I asked Coplin to stop so that I could refresh myself. We should be at my aunt’s city home in less than an hour,” Gail told Kestrel.
“Would you,” she paused, and Kestrel sensed she was trying to be delicate, “would you like to change into some cleaner clothes?
“I want to introduce you to my aunt, of course,” she added immediately. “And I just wanted you to make the best impression you can, if you have any other clothes. If you don’t them don’t worry at all. With all that you’ve done to get me here safely, she will be eternally grateful.”
“My lady, I’m sorry, but over my travels I’ve not had any better clothes than these,” Kestrel said.
“Nothing to worry about,” Gail said cheerily. She opened the door. “I’ll be back shortly,” she promised, then departed.
The air felt comfortable outside, the warmest he’d felt since returning to the land of the Inner Seas, and he stepped out of the carriage.
“Coplin,” he called up to the driver, who was caught covertly taking a drink from a jug. The man hastily put the jug under his seat and wiped his mouth as he turned towards Kestrel.
“Yes, my Lord Destroyer?” he replied.
“Don’t, don’t call me that,” Kestrel said. “People will get the wrong idea.
“Coplin, do you think my clothes are presentable for meeting Lady Gail’s aunt?”
“With a certainty, my lord,” the man said expansively.
Gail returned from the shop she had entered, and Kestrel held the carriage door open for her to enter before the carriage resumed its journey.
“Will you be able to have dinner with us tonight, Kestrel? Where are you going to spend the night?” Gail asked, as the sounds of the city surrounded them, the carts and the calls and the other evidence of commerce.
“I’m not sure I should have dinner with you. I’m not well dressed,” Kestrel confessed the sudden doubts he felt. He remembered his time in Graylee, when the clothes one wore had determined how one was embraced by the wealthy and noble classes.
“You’re fine!” Gail assured him. “I know she won’t look at your clothes at all, once she sees those ears and those eyes of yours. And when I tell her how you saved me, she’ll be positively adoring. With this spot of shaved scalp to show what I nearly suffered, she’ll beg you to stay for dinner.
“Where did you say you’ll spend the night?” she repeated the earlier question.
“I’m not sure,” Kestrel answered. “I’ve been so focused on coming to Uniontown that I hadn’t thought about how to pursue my goals once I got here.”
“You know where your friend is, don’t you?” she tried to pin him down.
“I don’t, not yet. She’s being held captive. The Marquise had suggested that you might be able to help me find out where she is,” Kestrel answered. He wished he had brought the topic up earlier, instead of now, at virtually the last second, when he felt as though he appeared unprepared.
“Of course,” Gail seemed eager to help. “As soon as we get settled in, we’ll ask my aunt what she knows, and how to find out more. You’ll have to spend the night with us now, so she can help you.
“And then tomorrow, you’ll just go and rescue her, and that will be that!” Gail said brightly, making Kestrel laugh.
“If only it were likely to be as simple as that,” he replied.
The carriage slowed, and the sounds of the cobblestones changed, while the city noises descended in volume. Gail pulled aside the curtain to look out. “It’s the palace,” she announced. “We’re home.”
Kestrel busily sat up straight and tried to smooth over the appearance of his clothes. “Did you say ‘the Palace’?” he questioned his companion.
“Not ‘The’ palace,” Gail assured him. “I just refer to Aunt Tyle’s home as a palace because it’s so large,” she assured Kestrel.
The carriage came to a stop, and before Kestrel could open the door, a servant on the outside pulled it open.
“Langravine, your aunt will be delighted to see you,” the man said pleasantly as Gail stepped out.
“Well, what’s this?” his voice held a trace of poorly concealed surprise as Kestrel stepped down behind her. He had his hood raised over his head, and he looked about curiously once his feet were planted on the ground. He was in front of a large, noble home, one that reminded him of the estates of the nobility of Graylee, or Kirevee, except that Gail’s aunt’s estate had only a small park around it to buffer it from the intruding noise and prying eyes of the surrounding city.
“He is my protector, Reb,” Gail asserted. “The Marquise Thuringa provided him to me. He’s a nobleman from one of the northern lands,” she dissembled.
“He’s welcome to join us, of course,” the footman smoothly responded. “Won’t you both please follow me to the summer parlor?”
“It’s called the summer parlor because of the sunny scene painted on the ceiling,” Gail informed Kestrel as they followed the servant through the imposing main door.
They reached the parlor a minute later, where they were left alone with the doors open, with a platter of bread and fruit and cheese on a side table.
“Would you prepare plates for us?” Gail asked Kestrel, as she began to unwrap her veils. “Aunt Tyle will want a sliced apple, the white bread, and the white cheese, finely sliced,” she informed Kestrel.
He cocked an eye brow at the precise instructions. “And what would you like, my lady?” he intoned a mock formality.
“The Langravine will have a pear, and the blue cheese,” a deep voice intoned from the doorway.
Kestrel turned and saw a tall, elderly woman, dressed all in black, very thin, with a face that was deeply lined, her deep set eyes a pair of reflected sparks in the shadow beneath her brow.
“Gail, what are you doing?” the woman asked immediately. She stepped into the room and shut the door behind herself.
“I wanted to show you what happened,” she said. “And I wanted to breath fresh air,” she added as the last turn of the veil came around, freeing her
, as her other hand pulled her hat off.
“Oh my,” the Duchess said as she observed the hair that was missing from Gail’s right temple.
“Villagers were going to shave my head completely, but Kestrel saved me,” Gail explained.
“And who is this ‘Kestrel’?” Tyle asked skeptically, turning to look at Kestrel.
“You have a title, don’t you Kestrel?” Gail asked.
“The Warden of the Marches, ma’am,” Kestrel replied, as he bowed.
“Show her who you are,” Gail prompted with a slight smile.
Kestrel responded, raising his hands, and pulling his hood back.
The Duchess gave a sharp intake of breath. “Step closer,” she said peremptorily.
“You have another title, don’t you?” she asked.
“In Uniontown I do,” he agreed.
“You are the Destroyer,” she stated.
“So I’m called,” he admitted.
“You’ve ruined our nation,” she spit out the words.
Kestrel stood for a moment, surprised by the accusation.
“I saved the world,” he responded. “The people of Uniontown ruined their own kingdom.”
The duchess was silent. “Perhaps you are right,” she said reflectively.
There was silence in the room.
“What a pair – a redheaded monster and an elven horror – traveling together! How rich!” she cackled.
“Did you destroy the village that attacked my niece?” she asked.
“He did better than that,” Gail spoke up. “He gave them all red hair!”
The Duchess stared at Kestrel.
“Quite a sense of humor you have,” she laughed.
“You can truly do such things?” she asked. “Never mind – I’ve heard the myths about your battle at the mountain lake.
“So why are you here? Have you come back to finish destroying our nation?” she asked grimly. “Are you going to challenge Fields’ Triplets?”
“He’s here to help a friend, a girl,” Gail spoke up.
“Ah, even the great monster has a soft heart,” the Duchess said. “I’ll be interested to learn more. I hope you’ll stay here and share dinner with us?” she asked.
“I’ve asked him to spend the night here. He doesn’t have a home here,” Gail spoke up.
“The Destroyer as our house guest,” the Duchess smiled. “We’ll be the most popular and most feared home in the city, ranking up there with Fields’s castle and the palace.”
“Would you prefer I stay elsewhere? I don’t mean to put you in any danger,” Kestrel replied. “I can go elsewhere,” he said. He wondered if Duke Listay was in the city, and whether Stuart was with him.
“No, my powerful friend. You’ve protected my niece, and I owe you hospitality for that. And there’s no harm in shaking up the way people look at us; it may put me on a more advantageous position as we negotiate a new marriage for Gail. I’m sure it will, as a matter of fact,” she mused.
“Oh Kestrel, I didn’t think of that, truly. I had no idea,” Gail spoke up, mortified.
“And besides, right now, no one knows you’re here, do they?” Tyle asked. “I’m sure good-hearted Gail did not know or consider that you might be a bargaining chip as I tied down a husband for her. I know our best candidate might be moved by the thought.
“Now, let me send you to your rooms, so that you may refresh yourselves before dinner,” the Duchess took a step back and opened the door. “You might wish to keep your identity hidden from the servants for a bit more time,” she suggested to Kestrel.
He took the hint and raised his hood. “You’ll help me to find someone I’m looking for?” he asked. “I am happy to help you help Gail, but I’m here for my own purposes,” he said, as a servant entered.
“Of course,” the duchess agreed. “Lead our guest to the garden cottage,” she told the servant.
The man was staring at Gail in a state of horrified fascination.
“Hrant!” the Duchess said sharply.
“My apologies. The garden cottage, right away,” he tore his eyes away from the redheaded noblewoman. “Follow me please,” he said, and turned from the room.
Kestrel bowed to the Duchess and discreetly waved to Gail, then left the room.
The two of them walked and turned a number of hallway corners, then entered a small garden where bushes and ornamental trees were beginning to show swelling buds and a hint of new greenery as winter waned away. A large brick wall surrounded the garden, and built into a corner away from the house was a cozily built cottage.
“It may be a bit noisy here; the city’s on just the other side of the wall,” Hrant warned Kestrel as he opened the door. “Your bags will be delivered shortly,” he added, then departed.
Kestrel stepped inside, and examined his residence as he considered the garden around it. The walls were high by human standards, but with his elven heritage and the trees around it, there was no impediment to his opportunity to slip out of the estate and explore the city, he thought with a grin.
There were four rooms in the small building, he found, as he strolled around. He took off his hooded cowl, and draped it over a chair, then sat down and removed his boots, then sighed with relief, glad to be more comfortable after a long day of travel.
He heard a sound in the front room, and stood up. “Hello?” he called, as he pulled Lucretia from its sheath.
“It’s just Gargery,” a wavering woman’s voice called.
Cautiously, Kestrel looked through the doorway, and saw a small elderly woman standing just inside the front door.
“How can I help you?” Kestrel asked.
“I’m here to help you,” she replied. She held up a bolt of cloth and a measuring tape.
“I’m not sure I know what you mean,” he said.
“The Duchess sent me and told me you need a new wardrobe,” the woman said. “I’m here to measure you, then go back to the manor to sew up a couple of outfits for you. ‘Take his existing clothes and burn them, too,’ she told me,” the woman added.
Her eyes were wandering the room, Kestrel noticed. He stepped into the room, and her head belatedly turned in his direction.
“Ah, there you are,” she said. “I don’t see so well as my eyes have aged. I’m nearly blind as a bat,” she laughed. “But I’ve made clothes for more than sixty years. I dressed the Duchess when she was a young lady, and made her the most fashionable belle of many a ball!
“Now, get over here and let me take your measurements,” she snapped.
Kestrel slid his knife back into its sheath on his hip, and walked over to the woman, who proceeded to apply her measuring tape to him immediately.
“You’re a slender fellow, aren’t you?” she said as she worked around him. “Don’t want to get any wrestling matches, do you, unless they’re with the fairer sex?” she chortled at her own wit.
“Well, about average height, and slender – it won’t take much material to work up some clothes for you. We’ll have them for dinner tomorrow. Do you like bright colors? Want to stand out at the dances?” she asked.
“No, that’s okay, I don’t need to stand out,” he laughed.
“Already know what pretty eye you want to catch, do you?” Gargery shrewdly asked.
“I know a couple that I don’t want to notice me so much,” he was enjoying the verbal fencing with the wise old woman.
“You’re smarter than the average man, I’ll give you that,” she rubbed his shoulder approvingly. “Now show me to the door, and send me on my way,” she told him. He obliged her by taking her to the door and even walking her along the garden path back towards the house.
“This is fine young master,” she told him. “I’ve walked these grounds for more than fifty years; I know the rest of the way,” and she tottered alone up the path, while Kestrel returned to his cabin.
He rested in the cabin for the next hour, glad to have the opportunity to relax, as his wounds continued to produce a dull ache.<
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A servant came to knock on his door as the sun was setting, informing him that dinner was ready. Kestrel put on his cloak and raised the hood, then followed the man through the garden and the house to a small dining room. Gail and the duchess were already seated, and the dishes of food sat on a side table, steam rising from many of them.
As soon as Kestrel entered the room, the servant stepped out and closed the door, leaving the three nobles together, alone. Gail immediately, began to unwrap her veils.
“Gail, will you serve us?” the duchess asked, as Kestrel sat down.
“You said your mother dyed your hair when you were younger. Why don’t you do that any longer?” Kestrel blurted out the question he had thought about during his rest in his cottage.
“There are no members of the nobility that do not know of her disability,” the Duchess replied. “They all know the color is false when they see it, and she is scorned and mocked, despite her royal lineage,” Tyle answered.
“Royal?” Kestrel looked at the women in astonishment.
“Absolutely! Did you not tell him?” the Duchess turned to look at Gail as she carried a pair of dishes to the table.
“The girl is too modest,” The old woman muttered. “When you put on your spectacular little display in the royal audience hall over a year ago, the king whose stage you invaded happened to be my first cousin. His grandfather and mine were the same man, the king two generations past.
“Gail’s royal blood is one of her attributes, along with the substantial dowry I’m pledging. Her potential husbands look upon her as a way to solidify their own claims to the empty throne. Since neither my cousin nor I had any children, she would be the closest available heir, if females were allowed to inherit the throne.
“And I was there in the audience when you pulled your stunt and stole the captive girl from the stage. She was a beautiful being. What ever became of her; I’ve always wondered. I’d assumed you’d saved her for yourself, but that’s apparently not the case?” the Duchess asked.
A Marriage of Friends Page 23
