“He’ll sleep for another while yet,” Malcourt responded, but Phoenix noticed that he lowered his tone all the same, “as you should do once you’ve finished eating. I’ll wake you,” he held a hand up to forestall her arguments, “if there is any change.”
The two looked at one another a moment, then Sylvia nodded and rose. She took the plate that Phoenix had prepared for her to the corner and sat on the cot to eat.
Malcourt slid into the seat that she previously occupied. While sipping his tea, he reached for a loaf of bread. He ripped off a large chunk, slathered it in preserves, and topped it with an egg. Then, much to Phoenix’s surprise, he folded it neatly and put the whole thing in his mouth.
While he was chewing, he unhooked his belt knife to cut a thick piece of cheese, speared a segment of peeled rindfruit, and slid both pieces of food from the blade into his mouth. He then washed it all down with the remainder of his tea.
Phoenix was amazed by the skillfulness in which he was able to eat. He was stuffing himself, to be sure, yet he was doing it with such ease that he was obviously used to eating in such a fashion.
When he’d finished the rest of the small loaf, Malcourt finally sat back with a sigh and poured himself another cup of tea. He then gestured for Phoenix to take the chair opposite him, not lowering his hand until she sat.
“I trust you’ve been settled in the dorms,” he asked, once she accepted his invitation. His blue eyes were piercing, and for a quick moment Phoenix wondered if he cared more about her answer, or the way in which she answered.
“Yes, Master Malcourt,” she replied, noting his surprised blink when she used his title. “Rae’s been helpin’ me t’ get settled - in th’ dorm an’ th’ kitchens.”
“Ah.” He noted her cook’s outfit. “It was you who brought up such a lavish feast for us this morning? My stomach thanks you.” He placed a hand on his stomach and, without standing, bowed to her from his chair.
She found herself smiling at the display.
“So you’ve made some friends, then? That’s good. Rae’s got a good head on her shoulders, unlike some of the other young ladies here.” He made a knowing face, but he did not elaborate any further. “And your lessons?” He asked her. “How are they coming?”
Phoenix dropped her eyes to her untouched drink.
“I see,” he said, softly. She looked up to see him tracing the rim of his mug with a finger. “I forgot that not everyone starts off in life on the same footing. It was my mistake to assume that you had been forced to revel in the same benefits that most here have enjoyed, which makes it my fault that you suffered such embarrassment. And for that, Phoenix, I am truly sorry.”
Phoenix couldn’t think of a time when anyone had ever apologized to her in such a fashion. She shifted in her chair, realizing that he was waiting for her to speak. “Master Weston said I don’ belong here,” she blurted, unsure of what else to say. “He said I’m jus’ a waste o’ time.” As she repeated the words, the bitterness she felt made it hard for her to swallow.
“I dun wanna leave - at least, I don’ think I do - but I’ll go if I gotta. Jus’ let me work fer m’ keep durin’ th’ snows... Please?” Her voice trembled on the last word, and she lowered her eyes, afraid that she might cry from the look on his face.
The room was silent. Phoenix nearly startled out of her chair when Malcourt reached across the table and took her hand. “You do belong here, Phoenix, despite what Master Weston may think.” He paused, letting his dismissive tone set in. “No, Phoenix. I,” and he tapped on his chest, “brought you here. It is for me to decide; no one else. His opinion is none of your concern. You,” and he jabbed his finger towards her for emphasis, “are my concern, now. Do you understand? You belong here because I say that you do. Don’t listen to anyone who tries to tell you otherwise.” He smiled at her kindly. “You truly have a place here for as long as you want it. I want you to stay.”
She looked at him, wide-eyed. All the shame and resentment that she had kept down over the last few days rose to the surface. Hot tears filled her eyes and overflowed down her cheeks before she had a chance to hide them. She sniffed self-consciously.
“You’ve upset her, Tolen,” a sleepy voice said from the curtained bed.
“I seem to do that a lot... I’m sorry, Phoenix,” Malcourt said, giving her hand a squeeze, “that was not my intent.”
“S’alrigh’,” she insisted, with a soft hiccup. “I’m happy!” She sniffed before repeating the words softly, as if she couldn’t believe it herself.
Malcourt chuckled. “You have a funny way of showing it, my dear.”
“Well, what did you expect, Tolen?” The voice rasped from the bed. “You plucked this poor child from her home, only to announce her arrival with such dramatic flare, and then you abandoned her for days at a time. Of course there’d be push back. There’d be gossip, if nothing else. You know as well as anyone how much the castle cats love new playthings...”
Malcourt winced and rose swiftly, moving to pull back the curtains from the bed’s canopy. “An oversight on my part that I will rectify, I assure you. I found myself incredibly occupied, for some reason...”
There was a sound of rustling as the shape in the bed rolled into a sitting position. “Something had the audacity to distract your attention? How strange… Is that food I smell?” he asked, hopefully.
“Yes, your Majesty. Phoenix was kind enough to bring us our morning’s meal.”
“Did she now? Phoenix, you say? That was nice of her.”
“Yes. I thought so.” Malcourt gestured for Phoenix to come close. Nervously, she filled a plate from the platter and brought it to the bedside.
King Benedict - crowned ruler of Angoria, benevolent monarch to the kingdom, and Phoenix’s sovereign Lord - was an unbelievably frail little man. He seemed almost sunken in on himself as he lay in the over-sized bed, relying on the support of countless pillows to keep him propped up.
He had white bushy eyebrows, and surprisingly thick hair that stuck out in several directions from sleep. He looked haggard with jutting cheekbones and sunken eyes, and Phoenix remembered that he’d been sick for some time, but his smile to her was one of welcome. She gave him an awkward curtsy, and would have spilled the food in his lap had Malcourt’s hand not steadied the plate.
“Now, now,” the King said, with a wave of his pale bony hand. “I don’t stand on ceremony before breaking my fast - especially if it messes up my bedclothes!”
Phoenix blushed furiously, but the King’s eyes crinkled at her as he accepted the plate from Malcourt. “So, you’re Phoenix. You’re the one Tolen’s been telling me about. You’ve had quite the adventure getting here, haven’t you?”
He took a bite of his grilled bread and raised his eyebrows for an answer while he chewed. Phoenix curtsied again before she belatedly remembered that she wasn’t supposed to. “Yes, your Majesty,” she said, her face hot.
“Now who’s upsetting her?” Malcourt asked mildly, handing the King some juice.
The King made a face as he accepted the mug. “Shouldn’t you be off doing something important?” he asked, wiggling the fingers of his free hand. “Casting or Calling or whatever is it that I keep you around for?”
Malcourt gave a short bow. “Nothing is more important than that of the health of my King,” he said, elegantly.
The King gave a long-suffering sigh and rolled his eyes at Phoenix. “And you’re sure you want to stay here?” he rasped.
Phoenix, shocked by the ease with which the two men mocked one another, could only open her mouth. When no sound came out, she closed it again and managed a single nod.
The King chuckled. “Well, that settles it.” He swallowed his food and looked at her seriously. No trace of humor remained in his expression, and Phoenix was alarmed at the sudden change of mood.
“Phoenix, I owe you my most sincerest thanks. As you’ve undoubtedly heard, I have been sick for some time. Malcourt left a season ago on what we all conside
red to be a valiant last-effort on his part. A complete shot in the dark, if you will. Luckily for me it worked or else I wouldn’t be here anymore, which I’m sure is irritating my enemies to no end.”
“How unbelievably tragic,” Malcourt murmured.
“My point,” the King continued, casting a look at Malcourt, “is that I wouldn’t be here without you. It was your quick thinking during the attack that saved not only Master Malcourt’s hide, but mine as well - and for that I can never repay you. Angoria is in your debt - as am I. Anything you want is yours. Anything at all. Please, don’t hesitate to ask.”
They both looked at her expectantly. Flustered at being put on the spot, she could only swallow.
The King owed her a debt? What did that mean? Was she supposed to ask for something, or was that just a formality? What could she possibly ask for? Her mind was blank, but they were waiting for her to say something so she cleared her throat.
“I’d like t’ stay here in th’ castle, your Majesty.”
The King glanced at Malcourt, then raised a bushy eyebrow. “Is that it?”
“Well,” she swallowed nervously, wondering how far she could push it. “I, that is, Muler, I mean, needs a place t’ stay, too. If he could have a place in th’ stables... And Kit...” She trailed off, feeling uncertain.
The King looked at her a moment. His other eyebrow rose to join its counterpart on his forehead. “You’re asking me to let your donkey stay in my well-established stables? And your - what is it? - dog to stay on my grounds?” He looked at her for another moment, then made her jump when he burst into laughter.
Phoenix tensed, and Malcourt once again removed the King’s dishes from harm’s way. The two waited for him to recover.
“You’re right about her, Tolen,” the King said once he’d regained his breath.
Malcourt gave a little smile. “I know,” he said, simply.
Phoenix didn’t dare ask what was said.
“My child,” the King said, waving at Malcourt to return his food. “It would be my honour for your companions to stay here as well. I only laugh because it is absolutely no trouble for them to do so.” He picked up his glass and took a sip. “No. I will think of something nice for you. In the meantime, if you think of anything, you come to me straight away. I mean it. Promise?” He wasn’t satisfied until she’d whispered a promise.
He gave a dismissing wave. “Now, do as you will and enjoy the rest of your day. You’ll get settled in soon enough. Especially once Malcourt stops dallying and sees to your schedule.”
“I think it’s time for more medicine, Your Majesty,” Malcourt said tonelessly. “After all, I did spend all that time procuring it for you.”
The King made a face and plucked a piece of fruit from the tray, popping it into his mouth instead.
Master Malcourt rolled his eyes and gave her a nod. Phoenix clapped a hand over her mouth and hurried from the bedchambers.
***
Mid-day went by quickly. Buoyed by Malcourt’s assurances, and by the King’s great kindness, Phoenix spent her free time tending to errands. She dared to bother Minna again to borrow a needle and thread (the woman was incredulous: “Borrow? Borrow! My dear, I insist that you help yourself! You’re doing me a favour, after all.”), and she spent a relaxing hour mending and washing her clothes.
“It’s strange,” she remarked to the ever-present Kit, while hanging her washed articles in the drying room. “People here pay a lot o’ heed t’ their clothes. Dirt’s more frowned on than idleness.” Kit didn’t open her eyes, but gave a thump of her tail to show that she was listening.
Phoenix walked to the window and threw the shutters open. A fresh breeze fluttered around the small room, clearing out the musty smell that had accumulated after days of being closed off.
A loud shout made her pause and stick her head out the window. Multiple voices chorused an answer, and Phoenix craned her neck to see Captain Rolf running drills with the boys in the exercise yard.
Kit jumped up with a throaty growl and turned around in a circle. “Smell th’ fresh air, do ya?” Phoenix asked her. Kit pranced to the door and looked back at her.
“Oh, all right, then.” Phoenix opened the door, and Kit preceded her down to the yard.
The sun shed little warmth this time of day. Wrapping her arms around herself as she crossed the field, Phoenix leaned against a fence post as she watched the boys run through their training.
They stood paired off in the drill field, the grass worn away from countless footfalls against the earth during practice runs. Each was armed with a wooden weapon in an attempt to best the other.
“Sloppy!” Captain Rolf roared. “Richard! Guard your side - it’s wide open! If this were a battle you’d be dead.”
“Yeah, Rich,” Alan mocked from his spot in the drill. “Learn how to guard!” The next moment, the boy who Alan was sparring with feigned with his staff, then twirled it and used the other end to trip him up. Alan fell with a grunt.
“It’s a good thing you’re already a Runner, Alan,” the Guardscaptain called over his shoulder, “because if you don’t learn how to shut your mouth and learn something that’s all you’ll be good for on the battlefield.”
Alan flushed angrily. Ignoring his partner’s helping hand, he jumped up on his own and snapped a comment to the boy. Phoenix couldn’t hear the exchange, but by the look on Alan’s face she could tell that he said something nasty.
The other boy’s expression was cool and unchanging. With a shrug, he turned his back on Alan and made his way off the field. The other partners remained where they were and continued with their drills.
Alan glared and watched him go. A moment later, with an angry snarl, he picked up a rock and threw it at the boy’s back with all of his might.
Phoenix stepped forward. “Watch out!” she yelled.
Surprised, the boy stopped mid-step, his attention snagged by her warning. At her shout, heads turned to see the commotion. The rock continued to speed through the air until, to Phoenix’s surprise, it stopped a hand’s length from the boy’s head.
There was a sharp pop, as if the rock had struck an invisible wall, and then it split in two and fell to the ground.
With an angry roar, Captain Rolf lurched forward and grabbed Alan by his shirt collar, nearly lifting him off the ground.
“My apologies, Apprentice Camden,” the Captain said to the other boy through clenched teeth. “Apparently some of my recruits are still lacking in manners. If you’ll just leave the matter with me...”
“Of course, Captain,” the boy, Camden, replied. “I welcome you to deal with it however you see fit.
Captain Rolf nodded abruptly to Apprentice Camden, then turned and yelled at the others to start their solo drills. Red in the face, he dragged Alan off to the other side of the yard.
To Phoenix’s surprise, Camden changed direction and walked over to where she was standing. “Thank you,” he said to her formally, giving a slight bow. “Most here would not have bothered to try and warn me.” He glanced back at the rest of the boys. “I’m Camden.” He held his hand up, palm out. An ornate ring on his hand captured her attention momentarily as the large orange jewel caught the light.
“Phoenix,” she replied, holding her palm up in greeting, “and Kit.” She gestured to the pup sitting at her side. Kit gave a low woof at the attention.
Camden nodded to Kit. His expression was curious at her appearance, but he showed no apprehension towards her.
The boy seemed familiar now that he was closer, but Phoenix couldn’t place him. He wore a form-fitting grey jacket that shifted easily with his movements, allowing him the swift maneuvers that were necessary for the drills. She couldn’t recall seeing him in the hall for meals, but he also didn’t seem like someone who would sit near her table. He was roughly her age and height in front of her, but he stood with a level of self-confidence she had never seen in someone so young. His skin was pale, like most people who lived at Angor, and he smoothed hi
s brown shaggy hair behind his ears unconsciously as he looked at her. His eyes, she noted, were his most discerning feature. A dark edge circled the lighter grey, like the line of the horizon containing a storming sea. His gaze was the quiet before that storm.
“Phoenix?” He looked surprised. “I thought you looked familiar. You arrived with Master Malcourt. I took your mount from you the night you arrived.” He still wore the same unruffled expression as before, but his look had increased in intensity as he assessed her.
His look was calculating but not unkind, she decided. Remembering what Malcourt had said about her belonging here, she met his gaze easily. “I remember. You took Muler t’ th’ stables for me. Thank you for doin’ tha’ an’ allowin’ me t’ get settled.” She gave him a smile, secretly pleased with the way that she handled herself.
Inclining his head, he remained motionless as Kit sniffed the tips of his boots. “Will you be staying long?” He asked, watching Phoenix curiously.
Phoenix leaned back against the post. “At least for th’ snows. I told Master Malcourt I’d stay tha’ long, and then we’ll decide after tha’.”
The Apprentice’s eyes narrowed slightly. He was silent a moment while he stared at her - stared through her, Phoenix realized - and then he focused on her again. “You’re here to study with him. Master Malcourt asked you to come to the castle.” Phoenix couldn’t decide if he was asking a question or making a statement, so she only nodded. His expression of calm faltered, and she could see several emotions cross his face – hints of surprise, resentment, and even hope – before they stilled once more and disappeared under the blank mask he wore.
He bowed to her formally. “It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Phoenix. Thank you for warning me about Alan earlier. However, if you’ll excuse me,” he held his hand up in parting before turning and striding towards the castle.
Phoenix watched him leave. “Wha’ a strange boy,” she murmured to Kit. Kit wagged her tail and headbutted her legs as if agreeing with her.
A bell rang from inside Angor. The boys shuffled off to replace their weapons and to leave the yard. There was no sign of Captain Rolf or Alan among those who were leaving the field. She noticed that none of the boys made eye contact with her as they passed.
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