by Jody Hedlund
When he sensed my attention upon him, he looked up. His bright green eyes were filled with his concern. For me.
Adelaide followed my gaze. “’Tis evident you also care about him.”
“I do care,” I admitted, picturing the labyrinth when I’d thought he’d died. I couldn’t claim we were only brother and sister or only friends. My relationship with him had changed. My feelings for him had blossomed from some part of me I hadn’t known existed.
Nevertheless, it was a part of me I needed to shut off and lock away, a part of me that would cause us trouble if I didn’t utilize self-control.
Adelaide’s keen eyes swept over the silent terrain. “The truth is King Ethelwulf seeks you for the purpose of marrying you to his son and uniting the houses of Warwick and Mercia. If you wed Lord Chambers with all haste, we shall eliminate King Ethelwulf’s motivation to kidnap you. In doing so, we shall also eliminate his attempt to subdue the rebellion.”
The night of the attack, Colette had spoken of the king’s marriage plans for me. But at the time, I hadn’t understood what that meant. Now I shuddered at the reality of his plans.
“With so much at stake,” Adelaide continued, “I hope you can resign yourself to my decision. Perhaps someday you will even thank me for bringing you together with the person you love.”
She turned, then, and resumed her climb, leaving me to stare after her. I wanted to deny her, to call out my objections, to tell her I’d never thank her for preventing me from realizing the goal I’d worked toward my entire life. After all, she’d only just met me. How could she presume to know more about my feelings for Edmund than I did? And how could she think that I could so easily give up my plans to become a nun?
But this was neither the time nor the place to raise further objections. Besides, she was the queen, and as such, I must treat her with the respect she was due as my sovereign, even if she was my sister.
On the slope, a bitter, winter wind slapped my cheeks and stung my ears. I resolved to speak with her later. Surely she’d accept my plans if only I could explain to her how important they were, how long I’d dreamed of becoming a nun. Perhaps if she witnessed me using my physician’s skills, she’d understand.
The stones bit into my hands and occasionally my knees as I climbed to the level area where a band of soldiers waited with the horses. When I reached steady ground, Adelaide was already in conversation with her scouts, who were monitoring Captain Theobald’s position in the west.
We were soon on our way through the craggy outcroppings that led farther into the higher mountain passes. The climb in elevation was gradual but slow due to the rocky terrain. In order to steer away from King Ethelwulf’s soldiers, who were still distracted with the labyrinth, we kept to the east but always veering north to Norland.
Adelaide relinquished her horse for Edmund and me and rode with the broad-shouldered man, who I learned was her husband, Christopher, the Earl of Langley. As the path was narrow and we traveled single file, I didn’t have the opportunity to get to know her.
Instead, I plied Edmund with my questions.
“She lived at Kentworth Castle with the Langleys while growing up,” Edmund whispered in answer. “The former Earl of Langley appeared so loyal and dedicated to King Ethelwulf that no one had reason to question Adelaide’s identity. It was the perfect hiding place for her all those years.”
I tried not to lean back into Edmund—for fear of putting strain on his injury and also to prove to my sister that although I might care for Edmund, I could control my feelings and actions around him. She need not worry I would bring any further blemish to her efforts to reclaim the throne.
“So, Christopher was one of the earl’s sons?” I wasn’t sure how Edmund was privy to the information surrounding my sister. But I suspected Wade had divulged more to Edmund after his trips than I’d realized.
“The oldest of the brothers died in childhood, leaving Christopher the heir.”
I watched my sister’s profile from a short distance behind. Her poise, her beauty, and yet her fierceness. There was so much about her I didn’t know, that I longed to learn. “I wonder why she chose to marry Christopher?”
“He rebelled and ran away to Norland many years ago. Once there, he proved himself a valuable asset to King Draybane of Norland, becoming like a son to the king. Their marriage solidifies an alliance between Norland and Mercia.”
“Then she did not marry him for love?” With Adelaide’s talk of love regarding Edmund and myself, I had expected it was important to her—that it would play no small role in her own match.
Edmund’s gloved hand rested on my waist. His fingers pressed slightly, making me all too conscious of his nearness, of the heat of his touch through the layers of my garments.
He shifted as though he, too, was aware of our closeness. But the movement only reinforced the fact that there was no place to go, that his thighs securely hugged mine within the tight confines of the saddle. He lifted his hand from my waist and rested it on his leg as if that could somehow make the difference, but I was only made all the more aware of his long fingers.
“From what I have heard and now seen,” Edmund whispered, “theirs is indeed a match of love, as well as one of alliance.”
I studied the couple and noted the trusting way Adelaide reclined against Christopher to converse and how he bent in and spoke into her ear intimately. “Yes,” I whispered over my shoulder to Edmund. “They do seem to love each other.”
Edmund didn’t respond, making me conscious again of his nearness. I could almost feel the beating of his heart against my back.
“What shall we do once we are in Norland?” I asked, bringing up the question that thus far during our ride we’d avoided. “Adelaide surely will not force us to get married against our wishes.”
“Then it is still against your wish, Maribel?” Edmund’s voice rumbled low near my ear.
I knew he was referring to our talk down in the labyrinth after we’d kissed, when he’d asked if I was ready to forsake my plans to become a nun.
My chest constricted. I didn’t want to hurt him, didn’t want to make our situation difficult, and most certainly didn’t want to cause strife with my sister so soon after meeting her. But I’d never imagined anything beyond the convent walls. How could I start now? What would that kind of life be like?
Everything I’d labored over for years was at the convent in the apothecary—all my herbs cataloged so carefully, all my experiments recorded in detail, all the medicines I’d developed. I couldn’t give everything up and waste the countless hours I’d spent trying to become a master healer.
Of course, I loved the simplicity of a cloistered life, the community of sisters, and the devotion to God. I wanted to serve Him wholeheartedly. But if I was completely honest with myself, I knew my desire to become a nun had more to do with retaining my right to act as a physician than with my desire for a holy, secluded life.
I only had to think back to all the times I’d longed to explore, see more of the world, and have adventures beyond the convent walls. Would I have those longings if I was destined to be a nun?
What if I considered Adelaide’s plans? What if I married Edmund and started a new life elsewhere? For a heartbeat, I imagined myself by his side as his wife, never having to leave him. But in the next heartbeat, I pushed away the fantasy. Even if I moved my herbs and medicines to a new home, how could I continue to practice as a physician? People accepted nuns who were skilled in medicine. But outside of midwifery, women weren’t allowed to be physicians or surgeons. In fact, those who dabbled in medicine were often considered witches.
I sighed. “If God has gifted me with a healer’s touch, how can I not use the gift?”
Edmund took hold of my hand and squeezed it. The measure was one of friendship and was laced with understanding and support. “Have no fear, Maribel,” he said quietly. “We’re not beholden to the queen.”
At his sensitivity, tears stung my eyes. I was struck agai
n, as I had been since before our journey started, by what a good man Edmund had become.
“You did not have to take the blame for our predicament,” I said softly. “I was the one who kissed you.”
“I shouldn’t have placed us in such a position.” His declaration from earlier came back to me: I would die for her if need be.
Some part deep inside had known this to be true. Edmund had always been willing to sacrifice for me. The question was how much was I willing to sacrifice for him? The answer sobered me. I’d too often, in my enthusiasm for things, pushed forward with little thought to how my choices affected him. Including the kiss.
“I should have been more careful, Edmund.” Even if I hadn’t been fully awake, I shouldn’t have reached for him, should have considered how difficult our closeness was for him when he’d vowed not to touch me again.
“We’ll get through this together,” he said quietly.
We traveled for some time in silence, his hand enfolding mine with his reassurance. Ahead, Adelaide and Christopher rode hard, obviously skilled equestrians. Edmund and I were less so, having had few opportunities to ride over the years. Thankfully, his brief moments of communication with the horse kept us from lagging too much and slowing the guards that followed us.
The gray sky overhead blended with the rocks rising up around us. Since everything looked the same, I couldn’t tell where we’d been or where we yet needed to go. Who would guess that somewhere far beneath these hills lay a dark, winding labyrinth with all its dangers? In fact, we could very well be riding directly above the tunnels we’d recently traversed, quite possibly above an ancient treasure.
With so many obstacles deterring past kings from finding the treasure’s location, no wonder it had become nothing more than an old tale. Even now that Edmund and I had discovered the labyrinth and how to access it, there was no guarantee of a treasure inside, and the dangers inside were innumerable.
Nevertheless, I needed to share everything I’d learned with Adelaide as soon as I could. For certainly Captain Theobald would inform King Ethelwulf about the labyrinth too. If the king was smart, he’d likely suspect the labyrinth held the elusive treasure, and he’d send more men to explore.
Of course, the king wouldn’t have the map to help him navigate the maze. And he wouldn’t have the three keys necessary for unlocking the treasure—if indeed Edmund’s presupposition about the keys was true.
With Adelaide’s key and now mine, we only lacked one. If we located our other sister—my twin, Emmeline—before King Ethelwulf found her, then we’d most definitely have the advantage.
By midday, I was saddle sore and hungry. Edmund’s stomach rumbled, too, and from the stiff way he held his arm and shoulder, I guessed his injury was troubling him. Thus, I was relieved when Adelaide halted in a secluded rocky area to rest our horses. From our position overlooking the surrounding highlands, we’d be able to see King Ethelwulf’s men approaching if they were on our trail.
The absence of sunshine and the stinging of wind had numbed my fingers and toes. As Edmund lifted me to the ground, I could hardly stand for the scarcity of feeling in my limbs. He caught me and slipped his arm around my middle.
One of the guards nearby pointed up and several bowmen, including Christopher, readied bows and arrows.
Edmund glanced skyward. “No! Don’t shoot her.”
Christopher already had his bowstring pulled taut and his arrow nocked. His gaze darted to Edmund before narrowing once again on the bird. “We cannot let it escape and return to the captain with our location.”
“She won’t.” Edmund released me and started toward Christopher. “She’s mine. I’ve trained her from a hatchling. And she’s only come to deliver game and make sure Maribel and I are unharmed.”
With that, Edmund trilled a quiet call. Sheba whistled back as she continued to hover above us.
“At ease!” Christopher shouted to the other bowmen even as he released the tension in his own string and lowered the bow.
Edmund whistled again, and this time Sheba flapped downward until she landed upon a boulder. She dropped a hare from her talons before turning her dark eyes upon me.
With a soft, almost silent, warble, Edmund retrieved the gift and offered it to me. My stomach lurched with the need for the roasted meat, and I nodded at the bird gratefully.
When Sheba lifted and took flight, everyone stared at Edmund.
“You’re a Fera Agmen,” Christopher said once Sheba was gone.
Edmund hesitated in his response before bowing slightly, apparently deciding to trust this group with his rare skill.
“Then the gray wolf is a friend as well?” Christopher inclined his head to the path behind us.
“Yes.”
I strained to see Barnabas, searching the trail as well as the surrounding rocks, but I didn’t glimpse him anywhere.
“You should have told me earlier,” Christopher admonished. “I had a mind to shoot him and roast him as the queen loathes wolves.”
“Please, do not harm him. We have other meat.” I quickly dumped the other prey Sheba had provided for us before our descent into the labyrinth. The few small animals wouldn’t be enough to feed all Adelaide’s men but would provide something.
“We cannot start a fire.” Adelaide stepped forward, eyeing Sheba’s gifts. “If Theobald does not see our smoke, one of his scouting hawks surely will.”
I tried not to let my disappointment surface and instead reminded myself that even if I went hungry a little while longer, at least Edmund and I were safe and alive.
“Maribel has not eaten a full meal in several days,” Edmund said. “She must have something soon.”
Adelaide didn’t reply and instead returned to her horse. She dug in her saddlebag, retrieved a bundle, and approached me. “You will have my ration.”
“Let her have mine.” Christopher reached for his saddlebag.
“No,” Adelaide said. “You need more sustenance than I do. She will have mine.”
The giant of a guard who rode close to Adelaide frowned and began to unlatch the leather strapping on his bag. Adelaide stopped him with a touch to his arm and a shake of her head. “No, Firmin. If Captain Theobald attacks, you and all your men will need your strength.”
“So will you, Your Majesty.”
For the first time, I noticed the strain on their faces and realized an army of this size and this caliber of men would be difficult to feed, especially in the winter. They were apparently so low on food supplies they’d divided the remaining amounts into rations.
As if coming to the same conclusion, Edmund toed the game. “I’ll ask Sheba and Barnabas to hunt for us today. And then tonight, everyone will be able to feast on fresh meat.”
Adelaide dipped her head in gratitude.
“Can your eagle tell you if Theobald’s guards draw nigh?” Christopher asked.
“She’ll let me know if danger approaches.”
“Very well,” Christopher said. “Then we shall eat and rest for a few moments without worry.”
My frozen limbs could hold me no longer, and I sank to the closest rock and pulled Edmund down next to me. I unrolled the small bundle to find several slices of dried venison, a few dates, and a piece of hard rye bread.
“You must have some, Edmund.” I placed the food into his lap and opened my medicinal bag.
“I’ll be fine until this evening when we make camp.”
I rummaged through my supplies and found the healing ointment. “Eat while I tend your wounds.”
He started to protest again, so I promptly shoved venison into his mouth. At the surprise flickering in his eyes, I smiled and busied myself with pulling back his cloak and shirt to expose the spot on his shoulder. It was red and raw and in need of rest from the strain he continued to exert, but I couldn’t detect any bile or putridness. I started to speak, but before I could give him my prognosis, he, too, wedged some venison into my mouth.
It was my turn to be surprised. At the
mirth in his eyes, I realized he was just as determined as I was. He wouldn’t let me go hungry any more than I planned to let him.
I bit down on the tough meat, relishing the smoked saltiness. As I chewed, I applied the ointment, gently rubbing it into his flesh. When I finished, I adjusted his shirt and cloak and then reached for the drawstring at his waist so I might add ointment to the wound on his thigh.
Before I could loosen the string, Edmund caught my hand. “Not now, Maribel,” he whispered in a strained voice. A faint reddish hue colored his cheeks, and he darted a glance sideways in the direction of the knights.
I shifted my gaze. The men were staring at us as they ate their rations. Had they never seen a physician at work? Well, they would now.
Again, I slipped my fingers underneath Edmund’s shirt and tugged at the drawstring of his breeches. He caught my hand more firmly within his, the red stain in his cheek creeping higher. “If you pull down my breeches,” he growled low, “your sister will have us married within the hour.”
“I am only tending your injuries,” I replied even as I withdrew. I didn’t like having to refrain from doctoring, but these men wouldn’t understand why a young, unmarried woman had the license to touch a man to restore him to health. Perhaps they already considered my ministrations of his shoulder wound inappropriate.
And so it would be with everyone. Even if I was more skilled than most male physicians and surgeons, it wouldn’t matter. My doctoring would be frowned upon because I was a woman. Not only would people be unwilling to trust me, but they’d also assume I was inferior. They wouldn’t want me treating them and likely wouldn’t give me permission to tend to their families either.
Yet, as a nun devoted to a celibate life, people would readily put their confidence in me. They wouldn’t question my motives or reputation. All the more reason to continue with my plans to take my vows.
“Lord Chambers, you have sustained a terrible wound,” Adelaide said from behind me, making me jump at her nearness. I hadn’t realized she’d crossed to us.
“Maribel has worked hard to keep it from festering,” he replied, rising in my defense.
