by Guy Antibes
“Are we!” Banna said. “At every turn, the University is plotting our quick demise. If we fail, they get our campus, so the stakes are very high.”
“Is it a friendly rivalry or are the men over there turning nasty?”
“About to turn nasty,” Willa said. “I had to re-survey the Rumball field we leased to them. They grabbed nearly a quarter more land than we agreed to.”
Lily nodded. “So once their field was established, you’d never be able to run them off. No buildings of course.”
Willa squinted, this time with a different look. “Of course.”
“I need something to do and I would suppose Sara does as well. Can we work on the political aspects of the establishment of this soon-to-be-glorious institution?”
“Be my guest,” Banna said.
“I have the capacity to be a bit nasty, Headmistress. Is that permissible?”
Banna smiled. “Dean. No bridges burnt, but it’s fine if they might be a bit difficult to cross.”
Lily bowed her head slightly, “Dean Thresher, there are other ways besides arguing and playing naughty games to fight wars—and knowing just what you told me and what Sara’s intimated, it’s going to be one ugly war.”
The other three women agreed.
“Now that we have that out of the way,” Willa said, “Let me show you what we’ve got in store.” She began to go over each building’s purpose.
The plans had changed since Sara had last seen them. She perused the modifications, but her thoughts went back to what Lily said. The woman had dragged her into playing political games. From what Lily intimated, dirty politics.
~
Lily came down late for breakfast. Sara had received word that the Duke had finally arrived back in Parth and would soon send for her. She had been playing with her food, wondering and worrying about that encounter.
“Do you know someone who can get us information about the professors?” Lily said as she selected her breakfast from the breakfast buffet.
Sara thought a moment. Surely Obed Handy wouldn’t want to be involved in such a thing, but it wouldn’t hurt to ask. “Perhaps.”
“Who?”
“The Royal Genealogist is an acquaintance.”
Lily rubbed her hands. “He’s at the University?”
“He’d the one who provided the Library plans, if you recall. Why do you ask?”
“Background. In a situation like Banna faces, information is a very valuable commodity,” Lily said tapping the handle of her fork on the table. “Let’s visit him.”
Sara called for a maid and wrote a note to Obed to be delivered immediately.
Just before noon, Obed arrived on their doorstep carrying a valise. He entered the foyer looking around. “It’s been years since I’ve stepped into this house. You know the King used this as a meeting place from time to time in the early days? That used to be the main purpose behind the hidden door into Renall’s house.”
“Renall? You are a friend of Duke Northcross, Master Handy?” Lily said.
“Cousin actually and it’s Obed to you ladies,” he pulled out a notebook from his valise. “And you are Lily Evertrue.”
Sara gasped. “I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce you. Obed Handy, the Royal Genealogist, this is Lily Evertrue.”
“That’s good enough, Sara,” Lily said. “I’m very pleased to meet you, Obed.”
“So am I. Lily Evertrue. Daughter to the former Baron Overhill, a city-bound noble in Stonebridge. Your father is Willium Evertrue, who lost his title in a political squabble with the Grand Duke, and your mother is Triria Redoak, granddaughter to Earl of Yellowleaf in South Parthy. Your father’s cousin, Axle Evertrue is a landless baron in Parth.” He consulted his notebook. “Yes. You were introduced at Court by the King last summer.”
Sara colored. “I did tell him we would be meeting together.”
“So, how can I help you? Does it have anything to do with the planned Women’s College?”
“It does. And I suppose that’s why you came to us rather than wait for us to visit you,” Sara said.
“Indeed. You are two very intelligent young women, so I’ll be frank, people like to use me and I’ve already been visited by representatives of the University for background on Willa Waters and Banna Thresher. They are both commoners with no significant noble blood, although Willa had a son in the army born on the wrong side of the blanket.”
Sara coughed. She came from the wrong side of a blanket, but this was something she never knew. “Lord Worthy’s son?”
“I am among friends, am I not?”
Both of the women eagerly nodded.
“He was. Lady Worthy could no longer have relations with her husband after her last child and permitted Lord Worthy a few ‘liberties’. She sent Willa to Obridge during her confinement where she took classes at the Women’s School while pregnant. The boy was born during the summer and kept by a nursemaid in Obridge. Willa returned to the family’s estate soon to be followed by Worthy’s newly-discovered ‘nephew’. The boy died in the army as a squire to a minor baron. His death ended up as the final nail in Lord Worthy’s coffin. He never recovered from the shock.”
Lily sat captivated by Obed’s words. Sara had to smile at her reaction. She had been likewise amazed at Willa’s history, but Obed’s command of his life’s work didn’t surprise her.
“Now, you’d like me to do the same for our friends at the University?”
“Yes.” When Sara heard the University sought out personal information, her reservations disappeared. “They don’t want the Women’s College to exist. Now that the old army camp is no longer Royal property, the Dean wants it in the worst way.”
“And the old men will do their worst to get it,” Obed said. “I get enough derision from them so I’m game. That’s why I decided to visit you, rather than have you two observed meeting you in my rooms at the Library and it is ever so nice to get out on a fresh spring day.” Obed smiled and rubbed his beard.
“What kind of information do you need? I’ve been tracking the goings on at the University for years. It’s helped me keep my little cave intact at the Library.”
“Everything,” Lily said. “We’d like to assemble a book on every decision maker and significant professor at the University.”
Sara thought for a moment. “Also, the Board of Regents and all of the major donors.”
Obed stroked his beard again. “That’s a great idea. I’ve never thought of going over the Dean’s head. It will be a pleasure because it will only add to my personal arsenal.”
The man paused for a moment. He wanted something else, but he kept silent. The only thing the Women’s College had to give was land. Land! Sara brightened.
“What if we promised you sufficient land to build a Genealogy Archive tied to a new library at the Women’s College? If the Dean traces all of this information to you and any information on him gets out, you might lose your leverage at the Library and they would love to have all of the space your archives currently consume. I’m sure the Women’s College would jump at the chance to have such an august personage as yourself on the campus.”
Obed’s eyes sparkled. “I have certain protection from the King, but you’ve just given me an additional reason to help and I would be happy to accept, but I’d like such an offer in writing—for my archives.” Obed smiled.
“When the Women’s College is out of danger, certainly,” Sara conceded. She no longer felt disconnected from the process of setting up the College. Her fears of having nothing to do had disappeared.
“Now that our little business is over with, I’d like your little story. From the hidden door all the way to your return to Parth. I already know the gist of it, including the regrettable loss of Captain Choster.”
“I wrote down an account on my way here from the Narrows, I can give you that.”
“You can’t get off quite that easy, Sara, if you want me to help you, because nothing beats the poetry of a first hand account.”
“Y
ou will stay for lunch?”
“Of course. My notebook is ready,” Obed said, pencil in hand and eyes bright with anticipation.
~
Two days later, Sara walked up the steps to Duke Northcross’ apartment in the palace grounds with her palms wet with perspiration. She didn’t normally feel so nervous, but she couldn’t help her anxiety after the Duke’s acceptance of his paternity and their separation soon after.
“Sara, come in, come in.” The Duke acted nervous as he pointed to a chair beside his fireplace. He pulled another closer. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been working on the Women’s College.”
“Obed has told me.”
Sara reddened. What about some discretion? “I didn’t know he shared everything with you.”
The Duke laughed. “He doesn’t share everything with me and I don’t share all with him. His charter is through my office, not directly to the King as many think. You’ve given him some freedom with Banna’s offer of an alternate site for his archive. I’m not opposed to him working with you. He’s been battling the University for years and now he has some additional help and a weapon to hold over the University’s head should it come to that. It probably will.”
“If you have no objection, why don’t you just command the Dean to accept the Women’s College?”
“Parthy is struggling to become a special country where the government doesn’t run every little thing. You will note that the Women’s College has a Royal Charter. It is not a ‘King’s College’. The University is likewise an independent entity under charter. It used to be a Royal University, but Terrant didn’t like how moribund it had become and set it free. After fifteen years, both the King and the University like it that way. It saves the royal treasury a great deal of money. The Women’s College is funded by the crown, but only for twenty years.”
Sara knew that, but never thought of the twenty-year term. Banna would be wise to start raising funds as soon as possible. “That’s good to know.”
“Yes. You’re probably wondering why we’re meeting.”
Sara didn’t know what to say. She wouldn’t bring up their relationship to him, relying on him to raise the issue.
“I have decided to keep any paternity issues private. It isn’t because I don’t admire you, I do. But we are entering a difficult period with Belonnia and I don’t want the complications of family matters impinging on future events. I’m sure you understand.”
The man was rationalizing and that disappointed Sara. However, the Duke had the right to live his life as he wished regardless of the reason. If the encumbrance of a family inhibited him in the pursuit of his job, then it did. She just wished he could admit it.
“I can see the disappointment in your demeanor. I’ve gotten used to being alone.” At least he admitted it.
“Do you want me to move out of the house?” Sara could feel her face heat up.
“No! We have reason to be friends and associates. Obed has designed everything so that you have Passcold blood in you, but no one knows how far back or whose line your are from. You saved me in Stonebridge. That’s well known and can be the overt reason for our relationship. I want you to agree to let me use the house for some special purposes from time to time in lieu of any rent.” The Duke permitted himself a smile.
“Of course. That’s more than a reasonable price to pay. Will we ever see each other?”
“I said publicly acknowledge. Terrant already knows full well that you’re a Passcold and he agrees with my approach. You are an heir to the throne, which is another secret worth keeping. The possibility of your being my daughter is already documented in Obed’s archives, so there will be no need for evidence.”
She never had put in a claim as his daughter. Had Obed? “I don’t want to impose myself on you, and I’d rather the situation not be publically announced to be used by others. I’m sure you understand,” he said.
Sara felt disappointment, but could see personal advantages to the arrangement. “Millis Shields?” Sara couldn’t help but mention her name. She wanted to know how the Duke reacted.
“Especially Millis Shields. She is a formidable opponent and with her engagement to Terrant, I would be careful around that woman. We all have to deal with her and the fewer the complications, the better.”
“I noticed the kind of woman that she is. I’ll watch my step. It’s been an amazing few years,” Sara said. And it had. She had lost so much of her life to anxiety and troubles ever since her mother died two years ago and she had experienced too much for her life to be considered carefree with other people.
Her life at Brightlings would never be recaptured. The casual style of rural nobility that she loved had disappeared and now she lived in Parth—now with a house to use as her own. Brightlings would never be built to accommodate her memories. No unused ballroom or dreadful conservatory only her mother would love. Ben would rebuild it to his own tastes and Enos would inherit the manor from her.
The Duke continued, “I’d like to think that the future would allow us to build a workable relationship. I would not an appropriate father. I hope you can get used to my foibles and we can be friends.”
“I’ll always respect you for who you are and what you’ve done,” Sara said. “Perhaps more of a mentor relationship?”
“Ah, that would indicate me teaching you something and I do believe I can,” the Duke said, “Once this Women’s College startup is behind us, we can get together on a project that I’ve been working on for a number of weeks since the Belonnian unpleasantness.” He smiled.
“I’m so sorry about Choster, but I’d like a new weapons trainer. My shoulder is healed as well as its going to be and I’d like to do more exercise and learn some techniques that would be suitable for my size and strength.”
“You’re certainly big enough, Sara.” The Duke cringed after he said it. “I mean, you are as tall as a man,” then his face reddened. “I’ll talk to Yanna Silverthread. She has the right kind of people to help you. I imagine Willa will want to join in like she did before?”
“I’m not so certain. She’s living at the Women’s College, managing the building renovations and doing a very good job.”
“So I hear,” the Duke said. How much did the Duke know? She’d have to assume everything.
“Lily Evertrue has taken up residence in the house.”
“I hope you will forgive me for inviting her. I thought her to be a suitable companion considering how well you worked together in Stonebridge.”
“I think she could use a bit of exercise while she helps us with our efforts to get the College started.” Sara smiled. “I need some activity where I can throttle her when she gets insufferable.”
“The girl is a bit arrogant and cynical, but she is very intelligent and can teach you a thing or two. I encouraged her to seek you out. No offense, Sara, but you could use a bit of finishing. You are a Countess and you will need to learn how to act more like one. If I were you I would take advantage of doing so while Lily is living with you.”
Sara thought back to her crash course in court etiquette from Lady Worthy and Willa in the last few months. As much as she didn’t want to think about it, her noble social skills were still lacking. “I will follow your advice, Duke Northcross.”
She needed to learn some social skills and the Duke needed to learn some fathering skills. It made her feel more bound to her real father to realize that.
“How is Klark Brownhill?”
“I honestly don’t know, Sara. He is helping us root out the Belonnian influence at Stonebridge. Terrant has appointed an interim Grand Duke. He’s an Earl from Parth, who hasn’t been an active part in ruling anything, but he is highly supportive of the unique progress the Downs has made to showing the rest of Parthy how we need to cast off the old feudal remnants of our society without turning into the dictatorship that Belonnia has become.”
“I think that’s wonderful.” Sara beamed a smile at the Duke.
He looked e
mbarrassed. “I’m glad you feel that way. We are of a same mind and for that I am glad. I’m a dour bachelor and am not used to joyous thoughts, but I think I’ve felt one or two today.” He smiled and Sara loved it.
~~~
Chapter Five
A New Trainer
Sara clipped fresh spring blooms that now grew in the courtyard. She wished she had access to the Duke’s gardens that could be seen from her bedroom. They were filled with all kinds of flowers. Sara had taken to looking at the garden every few days to see what new plants had emerged. At least she held sufficient flowers for the dinner table. She thought of her mother’s own brand of magic and wished she could use it to preserve the arrangements now popping up throughout the house.
Lily had gone out shopping with Willa. Sara hoped the two might develop some kind of peace treaty. Their visit to Parth’s dressmakers might be just the thing. She heard a crunching on the crushed stone pavement and looked up to see a very trim woman. Her face was not quite gaunt, but she exuded fitness. She had olive skin and light eyes with dark straight hair pulled straight back into a short ponytail. Her hair wouldn’t reach much past her shoulders—very unfashionable for a woman of Parth.
“Is the Countess at home this morning?”
“That’s me.” Sara realized that she wore the old school dress she had worn when captured in Stonebridge. The woman must have thought her to be a servant. That brought a smile to her lips.
“Oh.” The woman paused and gave Sara a polite bow. “My name is Meldey Streams. I work for Yanna Silverthread.”
‘And?” Sara said.
The woman just about gnashed her teeth. She was so uncomfortable. “I am here to train you in combat.”
“Could you wait a minute until I cut a few more blooms and then we can go inside and talk?”
“Of course.” The woman nearly stood at at ease, leading Sara to identify her as a military type. Sara let her walk ahead of her. Every step Meldey took was controlled. Sara thought that underneath the dress she had muscles on top of muscles. She wasn’t bulky at all, but Sara would bet her skin would ripple as she walked.
