Squire Derel

by Rachel Ford

“About Ilyen?”

  “No. Not really.” I glanced up at her. “About you, actually.”

  “Oh.” She blinked, and there was something so genuine, so endearing, in her surprise that I felt my heart warm at the sight.

  It struck me at the same time that she was remarkably beautiful. I half wondered that I hadn’t noticed it – really noticed it – before. But she was, from the high cut of her cheekbones to the blue depths of her eyes to the dark luster of her hair. In that moment, I thought she might have been the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.

  I tried to force my mind back to the topic. “I mean, I just wanted to thank you, for everything. Not just taking us in. That too, but…well, letting me be here today. And…well, everything, I guess.”

  I wasn’t making much sense, but she didn’t seem to mind. She smiled and nodded. “Of course. But, to be honest, I’ve been a pretty shitty KP so far. Been on the road more than anything. Not that I’m worried about you. You know what you’re doing. But I feel bad about Aaronsen.”

  I laughed again. “You’ve been great. He thinks so too.”

  “Well, once this is over, hopefully I’ll have the chance to prove it. We can spend more time training, honing his melee technique. I might – if you’re game – have you help me with that.”

  “Of course.” I thrilled a little at the prospect, and the idea that she considered my skill sufficiently developed to serve as an example for Phillip.

  “And I’ll go back to the Shire’s End patrols. Take him with me. You too, if you’re interested.” She shook her head. “Just about my least favorite bit of the job, but it’ll be good experience for him.”

  “Oh, I’m game.”

  She grinned. “Wait until you spend a few afternoons carting drunk squires back to base. Or getting puked on. You’ll change your mind in a hurry.”

  I laughed at that imagery. I could only imagine Lilia – sober, aloof Lilia – reacting to that. “I pity the squire who pukes on you, KP.”

  “The squire? I’m the one getting puked on,” she reminded me.

  “Right. But…well, I still pity the squire.”

  “Well, hold onto that charitable attitude for when you’re on patrol. You’ll want to remember it as you’re covered in day-old food, half-digested ale and stomach acid.”

  “You know, on second thought, I might just be too busy after all.”

  “Oh, I’m sure we can rearrange your schedule so you don’t miss out on all the fun.”

  I grinned. “I don’t know. That sounds more like Aaronsen’s forte.”

  Chapter Twenty-One – Callaghan

  We disbanded after sundown, retiring to a kind of diplomatic social. The riders would stay the night, in quarters Lidek had prepared for them. Ana and I remained until I felt we could escape without giving offense.

  This sort of thing, I readily admitted, was Alduran’s métier rather than mine.

  He was good at rubbing elbows and kissing asses. I detested it.

  So it was a chore for me to sip wine and make small talk in the best of circumstances. But with SKP Valarian glowering over his glass at everyone, his poisonous gaze following me around the room? When I had to field apologetic inquiries from Representative Frilk, who for whatever reason decided to attach himself to me?

  That I could live without. Especially knowing the discomfort the whole business brought Ana. Especially seeing Representative Freylor’s ham-fisted attempts to engage her in conversation, and her increasingly annoyed efforts to escape. He was one of the diplomats, my own shadow’s counterpart, and he seemed positively smitten with Derel. As the night wore on, he followed her from corner to corner, seat to seat. When she’d manage to shake him for a moment, he’d return a few minutes later.

  Frilk was a nervous man, and we settled into something of a comfortable silence. Now and again, he’d ask me something mundane. I’d supply the answer, and we’d embrace the quiet that followed. I had the impression that my newfound companion was trying to discharge what he saw as a duty to be friendly, and nothing more.

  Freylor’s attention was not so disinterested – and he was not at all phased by her disinterest. About half an hour into the night, I caught her by the elbow. “Excuse me, Representative. I need a word with Derel.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief when we were out of earshot. “Thanks, KP.”

  “Everything alright?”

  “Yeah.”

  I glanced back at the Southern diplomat, who was throwing a lazy glance around the room. He smiled when he caught my gaze. “You need me to do anything?”

  She shook her head. “No.”

  “You sure? I can knock his lights out, if you need.”

  I was joking – I think – and she grinned. “If there’s going to be an international incident, I’ll be the one to cause it.”

  I grinned too. “Alright. But if you need me…”

  She nodded, squeezing my arm. “Thanks, Lil. I’m fine. Honestly.”

  “Well, um, alright.” I’d been nursing the same glass of wine all evening. I wasn’t keen on dulling my senses in the present company. But I realized I must have drank a little more than I’d thought. My head felt light.

  I left my glass on a tray and switched to coffee. Valarian’s eyes followed me, and I took a long, steadying sip of the brew. Then, I returned his gaze with one just as icy. I saw with pleasure that he turned away.

  I was just congratulating myself on routing the SKP when Frilk’s voice, quiet and unprepossessing, interrupted my thoughts. “KP Callaghan?”

  “Representative Frilk.” I tried not to groan.

  “Do you by any chance know the year of this red?” He was gesturing toward his glass.

  “Uh. No, sorry. But I know it’s made here. You could probably find out from Commander Lidek.”

  “Ah, no matter. The Commander looks busy. I won’t bother him.”

  And so the evening passed. As soon as it was safe to do so, I took my leave, drawing Lidek into a corner to say my goodbye. “Goodnight, Commander. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  He, I noticed, had been making the same glass of wine last all evening. I wasn’t the only one being careful.

  He nodded. “You should bring Aaronsen,” he said. “There won’t be much business tomorrow. But he might learn a few things about diplomacy.”

  He said the word as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. I smiled. “Not this time. I think that’s a lesson he can wait on.”

  “Would that it was one we could all postpone.”

  “Chin up, Commander. It’ll be over before you know it.”

  He snorted. “Says the one running off to her own house.”

  “True. But I’m not wrong.”

  He waved me away. “Get on with you, Callaghan. Retreat if you will. Some of us still have to pretend to be social.”

  Ana slumped back in her chair, shutting her eyes and breathing out a sigh of relief when we closed the skimmer door behind us. I laughed. “I half expected the Commander to ask to come with us.”

  She laughed too but didn’t move. “Good gods. I wasn’t sure I’d make it through that.”

  “I think you have an admirer in Representative Freylor,” I grinned.

  She opened her eyes to scowl at me. “I was really thinking about starting that diplomatic incident, if I had to listen to one more minute of his boasting.”

  “Well, I’m glad you didn’t. House Callaghan already pissed off Alduran enough. I can’t imagine how he’d react if one of my squires flattened a diplomat’s nose.”

  “No. But the idea was certainly tempting.” Now, she cocked her head to one side. “But what about you? You seemed to have an admirer of your own, Lil.”

  I snorted. “If you mean Frilk –”

  “I do. He was practically a second shadow.”

  “He was bored and nervous.”

  It was her turn to grin. “Nervous because of the company, maybe? He does seem a little bookish. No wonder he can’t find his tongue in the company
of a beautiful woman.”

  I shook my head. “Well, Freylor didn’t seem to have any such qualms.”

  “No. Unfortunately.”

  “It’s downright romantic, Derel: a wrong-side-of-the-border love story.” Images of penny romance novels flooded my mind, and I laughed at about the same moment she did.

  When we recovered ourselves, she said, “KP, I say this with all due respect: but if you don’t shut up, I’m going to kick your ass.”

  When we reached the keep, the courtyard was dark save for the electric lanterns and lit torches that illuminated important byways. Even with the headlights, it seemed hard to navigate.

  Phillip raced out to see us, skidding to a stop before I’d parked the skimmer. He opened Ana’s door, and poked his head in. “KP. You’re back. How’d it go?”

  “That’s right.” We stepped out, and I flashed Ana a grin. “Derel almost started a war.” His eyes widened, and she scowled at me. I laughed, surprising both of them, I think, with the loudness of my laugh. I certainly surprised myself. Damn. I really did have more wine than I realized. “I’m joking. It went well. They acknowledged Trajan’s crimes. They’re going to pay restitution, and so on. They want peace.”

  Phillip loosed a breath. “So…no war?”

  “No war.”

  “Good. I mean, Claxton will be happy. She’s been on pins and needles all day.”

  Derel snorted. “Just Claxton, huh?”

  It was his turn to shoot her a dirty look. “I’m glad you’re back, KP. We have dinner waiting.”

  Here, though, I shook my head. “We already ate, Phillip. And I – I think I need to lie down.”

  “Oh.” He was nonplussed for a moment but recovered himself the next. “Well, uh, of course.”

  “Ana, will you fill him in?”

  She was watching me and nodded. “You okay, KP?”

  I nodded too and drew in a great lungful of night air. It was crisp and cool, and refreshing after so long in buildings or in the car. “Fine. I’m just…tired.”

  “Alright. Well, I’ll fill Claxton in. And, if he’s saved me something good to eat, maybe Phillip here too.”

  I smiled. “Sounds good. But, don’t stay up too late. We have another early morning.” With that, I left them talking by the skimmer. I pushed the door open with an effort, huffing to close it, and started the long march to my room.

  The keep was dark, and my eyes swam in the dimness. The floor seemed to rise and fall unsteadily under my feet, and after a space I found myself trailing a hand against the wall to steady myself.

  “KP?”

  I started as Derel’s voice reached me. “Ana? Hey. Where’s Phillip?”

  “He’s downstairs. Lil, you alright?”

  I laughed. “Gods, Ana, I think I’m drunk.”

  She frowned at me. “How? You didn’t drink that much.”

  “I didn’t think so either. But apparently, I did.” I giggled at the idea. “My gods, I used to be able to drink like you wouldn’t believe. Now…drunk on wine? Getting old sucks.”

  “Beats the alternative, though.”

  I considered for a moment and laughed again as I took her meaning. “I like you, Ana. You know that? You’re awfully smart. And funny too.”

  She snorted. “You’re drunk, KP. And damned easy to impress when you’re drunk. Here. Let me help you get to bed. Last thing we need is you being hungover tomorrow.”

  I didn’t argue. The hall was swaying underfoot, and my steps were growing more lethargic by the minute. She slung my arm over her shoulder, and by time we reached my room, she was practically carrying me.

  I think I was singing by this point, some old song I’d learned in my academy days. Whether the words came out of my head or not, I couldn’t be sure. Derel, meanwhile, set me on the bed and pulled off my boots. Then, she brought me a cup of water. “Drink this, Lil. You need something other than alcohol in your system.”

  I did as she asked, laughing about some private joke of my own. I couldn’t remember what, only that it was remarkably funny.

  Ana watched me for a moment, then shook her head. “Good gods, KP. We’re lucky we got home when we did.”

  This, and the idea of me drunk behind the wheel, sobered me a little. “Sorry, Ana. I didn’t realize…well, I was so drunk.”

  “Neither did I. I guess you must not drink much anymore?”

  I shook my head, and it swam with the motion. “Not much.”

  She grinned. “I can tell. Well, we left in perfect time, before you did anything silly. And, I learned something invaluable.”

  “What’s that?”

  “What kind of drunk you are.”

  Despite my best efforts, despite reminding myself that I was not only a Knight Protector, but Knight of the Shire, I giggled. “What kind?”

  Her grin broadened. “A ridiculous one.”

  “Hey. I may be drunk, but I’m still your KP, young lady.”

  She took the mostly empty cup from my hand and set it aside. Then, with an impish smile, she said, “Well, you may be my KP, but I’m betting you’re too drunk to get off your ass and make me regret saying it.”

  She was right. I tried a few times, half laughing, half sputtering with indignation. I didn’t make it to my feet for more than a few seconds before collapsing backwards.

  “Told you,” she said, grinning. “Now come on. Get on the bed – so you don’t fall off. I’ll tuck you in. And sleep this off, Lil.”

  Grumbling and trying to smack her hands away, protesting all the while that I didn’t need assistance, she dragged me further onto the bed. I let her prop me up against the pillows and cover me over. I was still in my clothes, but I was too tired and discombobulated to worry about that. I settled back against the pillows and closed my eyes.

  “See you tomorrow, Lil.”

  “See you, Ana.”

  I woke up to my door being battered down. At least, that’s what it sounded like as I blinked into the early morning light. I raised a hand to shield my aching eyes and passed a dry tongue over parched lips. What in the hell? “Who is it?” I groaned.

  “It’s Claxton. Who else?”

  Well, that explains why it sounds like there’s a cavalcade out there. “Come in. For the love of the gods, come in already.”

  She did, with ample harrumphing. “Well, I didn’t want to barge in if you weren’t alone.”

  I frowned. I’d woken up alone every morning since Helena’s death. If Claxton wasn’t used to it by now, well, I didn’t know what to tell her. I was about to remark something of the kind, but before I could, she bustled past the bed, straight for the windows. A second later, and she drew back the drapes.

  Pink and orange hues flooded the room, and I groaned. “Dammit, Claxton. What the hell did I ever do to you?”

  “Hungover?” She snorted. “A fine example to those young squires, that. What’s gotten into you, Lilia?”

  “Oh, lay off, Claxton. Or let me get some coffee in me first, at least.”

  “No coffee until you get out of bed. You know the rules.”

  “It is my house,” I reminded her mildly.

  “That it is, Miss Lilia. And when you make your own coffee, you can drink anywhere in your own house. But as long as I’m making it, there’ll be no food or drink in the bedrooms. Now get up. Ana and Phillip will be up soon, and they shouldn’t see you looking like a homeless rat.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two – Callaghan

  It took a few cups of coffee before I was fit to see people, and even then, I was far from sociable. Aaronsen noticed it with concern, but Ana just smiled and shook her head at me.

  He had a million questions, and mercifully she managed answering most of them. I was mostly able to get away with a few that’s right’s and exactly’s.

  Breakfast was wrapping up when Phillip asked, “So I suppose they’ll be leaving tonight?”

  “That’s the plan, anyway.”

  I snorted. “If Alduran gets his way, they’ll be moving
into base.”

  “Too bad. I’d have liked to have caught a glimpse of them. Never seen Southerners before. Other than – well, the one time.”

  I glanced up from my mug at this. Phillip was young, and I’d had no opportunity to gauge his diplomatic prowess. He seemed to have less of a filter than Ana, but, then, that had been in private, where he would presumably be more comfortable being himself. “Well…uh…you could come with us, if you wanted.”

  His eyes sparkled. “You sure, KP?”

  I shrugged. “Doesn’t look like we’ll need anyone to hold down the fort. So…yeah.”

  He was grinning ear-to-ear now. “I’ll get ready, then. I won’t take a minute to change.”

  “No worries. We’ve got time. But Phillip?”

  “Yes?”

  “When we’re there…well, you and Ana will be the only squires present. So try to keep a low profile.”

  He nodded briskly. “Yes ma’am. You won’t hear a word out of me, unless you ask me a question.”

  Ana snorted. “Keeping you that quiet would take a miracle.”

  “You’re probably going to hear a lot of condolences, once they figure out who you are. Other than Valarian, it seems like Agalyn’s men want to make this right. You need to be prepared for that.”

  “What she’s saying is, be polite.”

  “Diplomatic,” I corrected. “So, the opposite of Derel here.”

  They both grinned. “You can count on me, KP. I’ll be on my best behavior.”

  “Good. Go get ready, then.”

  He did, and Ana smiled. “What?”

  “Nothing.”

  “That doesn’t look like a ‘nothing’ smirk to me.”

  She shrugged. “Just…last night, you were telling the commander you wouldn’t bring Phillip. Now today, you are.”

  “Well, I didn’t realize he wanted to come last night.”

  “You’re getting soft in your old age, KP.”

  “Not so soft I won’t have you spending your last three months as a squire mucking stables.”

  She laughed, and Claxton, from across the room, rolled her eyes. “Finish your eggs, Lilia. And you stop distracting her, Ana.”

  The morning passed uneventfully. Phillip’s presence raised a few eyebrows, earning a nod of satisfaction from the commander, and a frown from Alduran. He fidgeted in place, following me so closely I thought he might run down my heels. When he spoke, it was only to return salutations. His nerves were palpable, but he represented himself well all the same.