Shining Armor

by Halle Dean

  "Oh."

  "Edric kept you locked up all these years," he said. "I should have been there to help you. Or at least to keep you from being alone."

  Sophie sighed. "I wasn't completely alone."

  "You weren't?"

  "N-no." She mentally kicked herself for her slip. She paused for a moment to gather her thoughts before continuing. "There were two maidservants that visited me on occasion. And there was the healer."

  "Healer?" he repeated, stopping in his tracks. She inwardly chided herself again. "Did I… I didn't think you would need a healer. I thought you were all right when I left."

  "I wouldn't say that I was all right," she said. "But I did recover from… that… well enough on my own. The healer was for—" She couldn't think of a good reason. "—something else."

  "Were you sick?" he asked, turning around.

  Sophie sighed. "No," she said. "It's nothing you need be concerned with any longer."

  "Any longer?" he repeated. "I should have been concerned at one point? Was it my fault? What did I do?"

  "I don't wish to speak of it, Warner," she said, trying to keep her voice from wavering. "Please, don't ask any further. There is nothing to apologize for."

  After a moment, he turned around and started walking again. "Very well," he sighed. "I'll do as you wish."

  * * *

  Sophie watched the sun set on the horizon as she rode along. The trees barely constituted a forest anymore, so she could see the silhouette of the town ahead of them. She was beginning to grow nervous again, and resolved to act as though everything was normal. They would pass through the town in the night. Not many people would be around after dark.

  "We should stay the night in Hestia," Warner said.

  "What?" Sophie asked, her nearly suppressed panic resurfacing all at once. "No! Why would we?"

  Warner looked back at her in surprise. "We need to rest?" he suggested. "You told me I must rest when I am tired."

  "Not in Hestia," she protested.

  "What is wrong with Hestia?!" he exclaimed. "Was there something bad that happened there? Is there something dangerous?"

  "Nothing is wrong with it," she said. "It isn't a good place for you to be."

  "For me?" he asked. "Why?"

  "We need to get through quickly," was all she said.

  "Now I'm intrigued," he murmured.

  "Warner, please—"

  "We won't be spending much time there," he assured her. "We'll sleep at the inn and leave at first light."

  "At the inn?" she said slowly. "That's on the west side of town, correct? That… won't be so bad."

  "Good," he said. "Though, I'd still very much like to know why you are so averse to this."

  She didn't answer, so he sighed and continued on walking. Sophie took a deep breath and began to prepare herself. They would reach Hestia very soon.

  Twelve

  Ella

  They had almost reached the town gate and Warner still hadn't managed to pull Sophie's secret out of her. She shifted uncomfortably on her feet. She had used her disguise magic before they neared the town, but she still seemed very nervous.

  "This town is cut off from Coriander," he said. "Even if they did recognize me, they have no reason to turn me in."

  "No one we know should see us in any case," she said.

  "Are they dangerous? Whoever you're avoiding?"

  Will there be a fight? other Warner chirped. Finally, something interesting?

  "They're not dangerous," she said. "But they know who you are, and will not be happy if they see you."

  "They're friends of yours, then?" She nodded, but Warner noticed she looked sad. "You could visit them," he said. "I'll wear the bandages so they won't recognize me." He was trying to make her happy, but tears sprang to her eyes and she turned away. "I'm sorry," he said quickly. "What's wrong? What did I do now?"

  "I am all right," she sniffed. "We won't visit them. I don't want you to."

  "Oh," he said. "That's… Very well. I understand." They came upon the gate that led into town, which was closed for the night. "We'll leave straight away in the morning."

  "Thank you," she said, wiping her eyes.

  Warner still didn't understand why she was so opposed to coming to Hestia. He wondered what the situation was between her and her friends, but he stopped pressing the issue. He knocked on the gate and, a moment later, a small panel opened. The face of a dark-skinned man with a well-trimmed, gray beard appeared behind it. The man began to speak, but stopped short when he locked eyes with Warner.

  "Good night, sir," Warner began, thinking he looked a bit familiar. "We—" The panel slammed shut, taking him by surprise. A door in the gate opened instead, revealing the man in his entirety, including a long gun pointed at Warner.

  Is that a rifle? other Warner asked warily.

  I think it is, Warner thought, eyes wide. I've only seen one a few times. "Uh, whoa, hold on," Warner said aloud, holding his hands in front of him, palms forward.

  "You filthy son of a bitch." The man was glaring daggers. "Give me one good reason not to kill you where you stand."

  "Uhh," Warner said, trying to think of one.

  "Mr. Smith, stop."

  Warner and the man looked over at Sophie, who had dropped her disguise magic and looked resigned.

  The man lowered his firearm. "Sophie?" he said in surprise. "You're back already?"

  Sophie nodded. "You're not supposed to be guarding the western gate," she complained. "Why are you here?"

  Warner looked between her and Mr. Smith. "I'm assuming that this is one of your friends?"

  "You aren't allowed to speak!" Mr. Smith exclaimed, leveling the rifle at Warner's chest once again.

  Whoa there, other Warner said.

  "Mr. Smith!" Sophie protested again. "Lower your weapon!"

  "This is him, is it not?"

  "Yes, this is Warner," she told him. "But you are not going to shoot him."

  "Why in the hell shouldn't I?" Mr. Smith demanded.

  "Because I said not to," she insisted. "We are only passing through here on the way to the castle."

  "Why would you go back to the castle?" Mr. Smith asked. "And why with him?"

  "We have our reasons," she said. "Now please, let us in. We're going to stay at the inn and leave at first light."

  "You won't come to see the others?" At last, he lowered his weapon and Warner let out a small sigh of relief. "Ella has been asking after you endlessly."

  Sophie glanced at Warner out of the corner of her eye, looking nervous. He wondered who Ella was and why the mention of her was making Sophie start to tear up.

  This is so uninteresting, other Warner grumbled, bored as soon as the fear of being shot wore off.

  "It's not a good idea," Sophie said shakily. "She'll only be more upset when I leave again."

  "I told you before, you don't have to leave," Mr. Smith said kindly. "They won't find you. We've kept your daughter safe so far; we can keep you safe as well."

  Sophie tensed up at his words. It took Warner several moments to process them himself. He was vaguely aware that Mr. Smith and Sophie were still talking, but he didn't know what they were saying. His mind was occupied with other thoughts. He tried to keep them straight, but it was difficult.

  Wait… other Warner said, just as confused. What?

  She has a daughter? When did that happen? Warner wondered. Why didn't she tell me? Well, what reason would she have to tell me? He felt a rush of emotion, dismay mixed with a violent jealousy. Who is the father? Do I know him? Are they married? Why isn't he with her now?

  We could kill him easily, other Warner grumbled.

  Is this the reason she wished to avoid Hestia? Warner's thoughts continued. Is this where the father lives? She was afraid I would kill him? Warner finally found himself able to speak again and voiced a simple question. "You have a daughter?"

  Sophie and Mr. Smith looked at him, pausing their conversation. Then Mr. Smith shot an incredulous look a
t Sophie, who put her head down.

  "You didn't tell him?"

  "He didn't need to know," she said, almost too quietly to hear. "He has enough to handle at the moment."

  Warner was confused again. Why would this be something I have to handle? he thought. Because I would feel guilty for bringing her back to the castle when she has a family to be with? Or… wait... A strange, hopeful feeling filled his chest.

  No. I don't believe it, other Warner said. This is far worse.

  Warner looked down at Sophie, who was avoiding his gaze. "How old is she?" he asked slowly.

  Sophie looked up at him, her eyes shining with tears. "Four," she said.

  "Four..." he breathed, trying to calculate months in his head. "When was she born?"

  "The first day of December," Sophie mumbled.

  "I see," he said. "Is she—What I mean to say is—Were you already—when I—or was it after I left?" His question wasn't altogether coherent, but his mind was racing. He knew she'd understand well enough and he couldn't bring himself to ask more clearly.

  "You're the only one who I ever..." She stopped, looking around. She seemed uncomfortable, but Warner felt relieved by her words. "Can we continue this conversation in a more private area?" she inquired.

  "Yes, of course," Mr. Smith said, standing aside to let them through the door. As they passed, he glared at Warner, who was too distracted to care. "Go to the house, Soph," Mr. Smith continued. "I must stay to guard the gate for now. You know the way."

  Sophie nodded and led Warner through the empty streets. "Warner," she said, after a few minutes. "Are you angry?"

  Yes, other Warner growled.

  Warner looked at her in surprise. "Why would I be?"

  Sophie stopped and turned to look at him. "I didn't tell you before," she said. "Even before everything happened."

  "You knew then?" he asked.

  "It had already been a month before… all that happened," she said. "I had noticed some changes."

  "Why didn't you tell me?"

  "I don't know." She shrugged, staring at her feet. "I wasn't certain of how you would react."

  "You thought I would be upset?" he asked.

  She looked up at him forlornly. "Would you have been?"

  "Of course not," he said. He wished to embrace her, but he figured it wouldn't comfort her much. "I could never be upset with you. I might have been nervous, but we would have been all right." She turned and started to walk away. "I'm sorry that I wasn't there to help," he whispered, following her.

  I'm not, other Warner spat. I hope it was extremely difficult.

  "It wasn't so bad," she said. "Caroline and Jane, the maidservants, helped me. I'm sure they were assigned to me by Edric more to make sure I didn't leave than to keep me company. But I did make friends with them eventually."

  "That's good," Warner said. They walked in silence for a while, leaving him to his thoughts. I wonder what she looks like, he thought. I suppose I'll see in a moment. His heart began to race again. I am about to meet my daughter. He was starting to panic. What if she hates me? What if she was affected by what I did? "Sophie?" he said. "Did you... tell her about me?"

  Why do you care so much? other Warner drawled. I'm going to kill her as soon as the chance presents itself.

  Sophie didn't look back at him and didn't say anything for a long while. Warner was about to assume that she wasn't going to answer, when she finally spoke. "Yes," she said. "I did. I showed her your face, as well. I have no doubt that she will recognize you."

  "Does she—What does she think of me?" he asked.

  "I didn't tell her what happened," Sophie said. "She's four. I only said that you had to leave. She knows only good things about you, so don't fret. She is shy, however, so don't feel hurt if she won't talk to you." Sophie sighed. "It took days to get her comfortable enough to stay with the Smiths."

  "Why is she with them?" he asked.

  "I took her with me when I ran from the castle," Sophie said. "I couldn't leave her there. But it was hard, running through the forest. The Smiths were friends of my parents at one point, so I managed to convince them to keep her. I told them everything; the entire story."

  "That explains his desire to shoot me," Warner said. "Is that Carl Smith? He's much older now."

  "Yes," she said. "I wasn't sure if you would remember him."

  "We met him and his family on a few occasions," he recalled. "They were kind folks. They have a son, don't they? Darren?"

  "Darrell," Sophie corrected. "He's fourteen now, if you can believe it. They have a daughter as well. She's a year older than Ella."

  "It's been such a long time..."

  Sophie nodded. "We're almost there," she told him. "Ella should be asleep, though."

  "Of course," he said, though he was disappointed. "It's fairly late now."

  Good, other Warner said, pleased. Easier to kill a sleeping target.

  No, Warner growled back at him. You will stay right where you are.

  "You should allow me to knock, this time," Sophie suggested as they reached the door. "Mr. Smith isn't the only one with access to weapons."

  "That is a good idea," Warner said, standing back slightly as Sophie knocked.

  After several moments, they could hear the shuffling of feet. The door opened a crack and a woman Warner recognized as Shelby Smith peered out at them sleepily. She gasped and opened the door all the way before pulling Sophie into a hug. Sophie laughed, and the sound made Warner smile. He hadn't heard it in so long.

  "I'm so happy to see you again, dear," Shelby said. "Why have you returned so soon? Has everything been sorted?"

  "Um, not quite," Sophie responded, pulling back. "It's good to see you. We met your husband at the gate and he insisted that we stay here for the night."

  "We?" Shelby repeated. "Who else is—" She broke off when she caught sight of Warner. As expected, she glared at him. "What is he doing here?" she asked coldly, pulling another rifle from behind the door. "He's not coming into my house."

  How many of those do they have? other Warner asked in exasperation.

  "Please, Mrs. Smith," Sophie said, holding her hand up to halt the woman's progress. "It's difficult to explain, but he's with me."

  "Why?" Shelby asked.

  "Trust me," Sophie said. "We are very tired, so please let us in." Shelby continued to give Warner a death stare, but she let them in. "Thank you," Sophie said.

  "Anything for you, Soph," Shelby said. "Even if I don't understand at all." She glared at Warner again.

  She still hasn't put down the gun... Warner noted.

  "Leave him alone," Sophie sighed. "You can be angry with him later. At the moment, we need sleep. Do you still have extra beds in your kitchen?"

  "Of course," Shelby said, leading them into a kitchen and gesturing to three beds against the far wall. "Feel free to use them. I apologize again for the poor quality."

  "This is plenty," Sophie said. "Thank you. You should get back to sleep—"

  "Maaaa," a little voice called out. Everyone looked around at the entrance to the hallway. Warner could sense a strong magical presence further down the hall. It made him feel lighter, somehow. "Ella woke up again," a curly-haired little girl said. She looked up at the visitors. "Sophie!" she exclaimed. "Hooray!"

  A small, hopeful voice drifted down the hall, where the magic was coming from. "Momma?"

  The next moment, a little shape darted out of the dark hall and practically crashed into Sophie. It was a small girl with dark brown, wavy hair that was a tangled mess from sleeping. Sophie knelt down to hug her tight and Warner looked on, eyes wide. It was surely his daughter; she looked very much like him.

  "Why hello, sweetheart," Sophie said, tucking Ella's hair behind her ear. "Are you not tired?"

  "I am tired. But I can't go to sleep."

  "Are you at least being a good girl?"

  Ella nodded. "I am a good girl," she insisted.

  "She is," Shelby agreed. "Better behaved than Darrell,
even."

  Sophie and Ella giggled together. Warner was frozen to the spot, watching them. New emotions flooded him and he didn't know what they were. He was trying to figure out what he should do with himself when Ella spotted him. She looked confused for a moment, but then, shockingly, her face lit up with excitement.

  "Daddy!" she exclaimed, wriggling out of Sophie's arms and bolting towards him. She wrapped her arms around his legs and looked up at him, smiling. "Did you decide not to leave anymore?" she asked.

  "Um," he said, unable to find words to say.

  Ella didn't wait for his response. She grabbed his hand and started pulling on his arm. Not knowing what else to do, he allowed her to lead him, looking to Sophie for help. Amusement tainted her concerned expression and Warner figured he must look fairly hopeless. Ella started to pull him down the hall.

  "You come to my room, Daddy," she said, squeezing his fingers with her small hand. "It's also Mary's room—since she always lived there since she was born—but now I live there also. There are stars on the walls and—"

  "Ella," Sophie called.

  Ella turned back to Sophie. "Come on, Momma," she said, offering her other hand. "I have a new bed to sleep in. Come see it!"

  "In a little while," Sophie said, smiling at her. "I need to talk to Mrs. Smith."

  "I'll just show Daddy now," Ella decided.

  Shelby frowned. "That's not such a good idea, Ella."

  Warner's spirit, which had risen so much in the past few moments, promptly came crashing down. Of course it's not a good idea, he thought. I can't be trusted with her. What if he tries to take over? But he didn't feel the darkness pushing against him at all. The other version of him didn't seem to have anything to say.

  "No, it's… all right," Sophie said, sounding a bit unsure. "I must speak with you alone."

  Warner was torn between wanting to hear what Sophie had to say to Shelby and wanting to do whatever Ella wished. In the end, prompted by Sophie, he followed his daughter to her room. My daughter, he thought. This is a small human that would not exist if it weren't for me. That's strange, isn't it? He waited for the other Warner to make some sort of remark. What? No comments? Still no response.