by Tara Brown
As they moved through the forest, Lenny noticed there were no birds or crickets. It was the middle of summer and the heat wasn’t nearly as intense as it ought to be. The hairs on the back of her neck lifted as she grasped the hilt of the sword.
Her eyes darted to the hounds. Ollie was the same as always, his nose to the ground and face scanning for anything that might be edible. Scar wasn’t the same. She tried to follow him on his scent journey but her head lifted frequently. She paused and stared in varying directions for several moments, frozen and watching the unmoving woods.
There was a chill in the air, which should not have been felt for at least a month.
She quickened her pace, moving through the forest as quickly as possible without seeming in a panic. She hurried past her uncle’s and only breathed relief when she reached the smithy. “Just give me a moment,” Lenny said to Wen and Lord Ivor as she veered to the right, smiling when she saw James and Master Barnes.
“You made it home, Lenny!” Master Barnes smiled wide. Lenny assumed he hadn’t heard yet.
“I did. By the skin on my knuckles I’m afraid.” She laughed nervously. She didn’t know how to ask for what she wanted, how to word it, so she blurted the request and prayed she wouldn’t have to answer questions, “I’d like you to take this sword and make it smaller. If that’s at all possible. It’s heavy for me.”
“Let me see.” James walked over, his eyes focusing on the blade as he lifted her hand as she held it. His skin against hers made her swallow hard. “This hilt is twice the size of what you need. And the length is at least a quarter too big.” He slipped his fingers into hers and took the blade from her. “It’s not a great sword, Lenny.”
“I agree. We have some rough swords in the back. We can make something else up for you. Let us have a couple of days and we’ll have something better.” Master Barnes said with a gruff tone, “Is this for killing lupine, Lenny?” he asked, not laughing. James didn’t laugh either.
“Uhm, yes. I suppose if we were unlucky enough to come upon some, we might have to fight them.” She blushed and gazed downward.
“Don’t be so shy about it. Most men would be walking about town proud as a peacock they’d killed two lupine as the queen’s guard was dying at their hands.” Master Barnes slapped her on the arm.
Ollie nudged him.
“Oh right, I forgot.” He walked into the smithy and came back with the small sack of biscuits. Scar and Ollie both planted their bottoms to the ground. Scar glanced back to check. Lenny nodded and they accepted their cookies.
“Thanks, Master Barnes.” Lenny waved. “And James.”
“Of course.” Master Barnes smiled wide. James offered a small wave and Lenny tried not to sigh. Since they had eaten dinner together, he was much more vocal around her. She let it be more than it was. Because deep down she knew, it would never be what she wanted.
She walked back to Wen and Lord Ivor on the road. Lord Ivor’s eyes stayed with James and Master Barnes. “If you wanted a better sword, all you had to do was ask. I would have had one commissioned,” he said.
“They’re good at what they do,” she insisted.
They walked to Quays and Lenny noticed the boats had yet to leave the harbor since the storm.
“There she is!” Uncle Alek smiled wide with his arms out. “My little niece. You’re not above doing some diving work this afternoon, are you? The boys have been trying to do your job, and I will say, you are sorely missed.”
“I don’t mind at all.” Lenny laughed, turning to the docks. “It’ll keep me away from Mother and the queen and Aunt Mildred.”
“And the princesses,” Wen groaned, blushing when he realized Ivor was next to him. “Forgive me, I know they’re your family.”
“I never take issue with a man speaking the truth.” Ivor fought a grin.
Lenny laughed the whole way down the dock with her dogs at her side.
For a moment everything felt normal.
If Lenny had known to treasure that feeling, she might have lingered with it.
But she didn’t. She spent it before she should and dove into the cool ocean, surfacing and staring at the ship next to her, unaware her world had just begun to fall apart.
Chapter 27
Lenny swam to a third boat, checking the port side for damage or weak spots. She was tired and the swimming with one arm barely working was hard, but she pushed through, certain her uncle needed her as much as she needed this time to herself.
She wasn’t simply swimming and checking boats. She was processing.
Her thoughts jumped about like one of the bunnies they’d had when they were young, starting at the inconsequential and working toward downright terrifying.
James loved Hilde.
Hilde was marrying Landon because she had to.
Landon seemed like a perfectly decent young man, but he was to be king and that would always be a burden.
The courts were exhausting and the people surrounding the king and his crown were terrible.
Lord Ivor had feelings for Lenny, though she didn’t understand how or why.
Did she have feelings for him? She couldn’t say she didn’t. Which in her mind suggested she might. And she wasn’t certain what to think of that.
Amaya would be devastated when Hilde left again, but what if Lenny had to go as well? Could she say no to the queen’s request to help train the guards?
Why had the lupine watched her from the alley?
Was it linked to her strange ability to fight?
Questions circled in her mind, confusing and overwhelming her to the point she had to shake her head and go back over several parts of the boat.
She was still distracted and worried when she pulled herself up onto the docks. The only positive was that she hadn’t seen the blue stone or the jellyfish again. That was a relief. She didn’t need to add anything else bizarre or possibly cursed. She was more than enough of both.
Scar nudged her, checking her over as she always did. Lenny giggled as the dog’s nose dug into her armpits and neck. When she was satisfied Lenny was in one piece, she lay next to her and snuggled in. Lenny sighed and stared up at the clouds. The wind moved differently next to her, but she didn’t turn to see who it was. No one else chilled the air the way Wilfred did. He stretched out on the dock next to her, and she wondered if he was cloud watching or just keeping her company.
They were alone a long time before Uncle Alek called, “Hey, you guys get up here. We’re going to start the lanterns now.”
“Coming!” Lenny smiled, realizing Uncle Alek had called Wilfred too. She turned her face to his. “He can see you. Amaya can see you. I can see you. I guess that means you’re really here.”
He nodded silently.
“I wish you were alive still. I wish I could hug you, and you would tell me that you didn’t love me and I would know you did, more than anything.” The sadness she had managed to push down rose up a little, stinging her chest and throat. “But I’m not saying this because I miss you or I think about you.” She grinned through the pain. “You were a shite brother anyway.”
He grinned back, his silvery eyes twinkling.
“If they force me to go to the city, will you come?”
He scowled and pointed at the shore. Lenny lifted her head and followed his whisper of a finger to the boardwalk where Bethel stood, her stomach poking out.
“Right, of course. You can’t leave her,” she whispered. “That was selfish of me to ask.” She needed to get a handle on her inability to think of others. “Well, let’s get this over with.” She sat up fully, then stood. Scar followed. “Feels ridiculous sending you lanterns to find your way home while you’re standing next to me,” she grumbled.
Wilf’s smile grew as he walked next to her, making no noise and only stirring the air a little, almost as though he nudged her.
When she reached the boardwalk where everyone was standing, waiting as her mother and Aunt Mildred and Amaya handed out the lanterns, she
caught the princesses’ stares. They leaned into one another and whispered, eyeing her as though they wanted her to see it. She frowned at them, causing the queen to take notice. She glared at her daughters who froze, wide-eyed, then slowly lowered their hands from their mouths.
Lenny focused on her family once more.
Hilde sighed deeply, taking her lantern and walking to the dock. She held it, her eyes closed and her face solemn. She pressed her lips together, then lifted the lantern and let the breeze take it.
Amaya took one and followed Hilde’s lead. Their mother handed Lenny hers, though she was about to protest that she had already done a lantern. Her mother gave her the look, the stern one. She took the lantern and said nothing, though she couldn’t help but glimpse at Wilfred as she walked to the dock where her sisters stood.
Amaya’s gaze drifted to Wilfred. Tears flooded her face, although she saw him. She didn’t close her eyes. She stared at him as the lantern lifted off, tears streaming her cheeks.
Wilfred tilted his head, crying ghostly tears that didn’t land.
Amaya didn’t watch the lantern at all, missing what Lenny saw, as it joined Hilde’s and veered to the right just as Lenny’s had.
Hilde took Amaya’s hand in hers, squeezing as if she needed to cling to something. “I cannot believe he’s gone.” Her face was wet with tears.
“He’s not gone, Sister,” Amaya whispered, staring at Wilfred.
“I know, his spirit has likely found its way back to us,” she rushed the words as if she didn’t believe them.
“No, I mean he is here. He is standing next to Lenny, if you just look,” Amaya murmured. “Lenny and Uncle Alek see him too. He’s here, Hilde. If you just relax the focus of your eyes, you will see him.”
“How do I relax my focus?” Hilde snapped. “Is this a game, Amaya? It’s cruel.”
“I see him too. And he responds when I speak to him,” Lenny admitted quietly. “Uncle Alek said the same thing. Gran said only some of us can see. It’s a gift from Crail.”
“Have you been able to see him from the start? From the moment he died?” Hilde asked Lenny sharply.
“No. The moment he found his way back to Blockley. But he won’t leave Bethel so I have only seen him here.”
“Why didn’t you tell me before?” Hilde’s eldest-sister tone rose.
“Gran told me not to tell.”
“Why can’t I see him?” She was visibly annoyed, her emotions making her temper flare.
“You will,” Lenny said, hoping it wasn’t a lie, her gaze darting back to Wilfred who stared out at the sea. She followed his gaze, squinting at what had to be a hallucination. “Is that a storm?”
Wilfred nodded.
“What?” Amaya and Hilde asked at the same time.
Lenny ignored them and turned to her father and uncle who watched as her mother lit her lantern. She pointed to the east. “Is that a storm?” she shouted.
Her father’s and uncle’s eyes followed her hand, their brows furrowed exactly the same. Lenny hurried up the dock to her family.
“Bloody hell, it looks like one,” Uncle Alek groaned. “We never have a second storm on the heels of the first. We haven’t had two storms in one summer in—”
“Let me guess, it’s also been a thousand years?” the queen asked, turning to face the incoming dark clouds and what appeared to be a wall of rain.
Scar nudged Lenny, whining and turning back to the darkness that quickly approached.
“Well, I don’t think anyone could say it’s been a thousand years. But even when I was a lad, there were never two storms in one summer, if we so much as got one.” Edwin scoffed. “Either way, we have some preparation to do.” He sounded weary.
“And we just finished patching the last of the boats,” Alek grumbled as he stomped to the boatyard. Lenny focused on the entrance to the harbor, not seeing ships coming in.
“Are there many locals out fishing?”
“Aye, dozens.” Her father shook his head. “Our family is all here. Your cousins haven’t gone back out since the last one.”
“Thank the gods for that. I’ll get the magistrate to ring the bell.” Mildred hurried away.
“I suppose this will delay the ship we are meant to board the day after tomorrow?” the queen asked Elsie who was red-faced and swollen from the tears she had cried sending off her lantern.
“Indeed, my dear friend. It will delay it by at least four days. They will have seen the storm and turned around, sheltering in Wetwood’s harbor,” Elsie answered as though this were something she was accustomed to, though it was rare during the season.
“Well, if we’re here for a storm, we might as well be useful. Tell us what to do.” The queen wasn’t what Lenny expected.
“Of course,” Lenny’s mother spoke as she linked their arms, though her usual energy and spirit was nowhere to be found. “Your girls may go with mine and you can help me with Gran.”
“And what would you suggest I do with my guards?” Lord Ivor asked Edwin.
“They’ll be helpful getting the town closed up again.” Edwin’s eyes flickered to Lenny. “Get your sisters and the dogs home. Close up the barn and get everything ready. Shutters and all, you know the routine. Take the princesses with you. Put them somewhere safe.” He looked again at Lord Ivor. “If you would accompany my daughters and the princesses, I would be grateful.”
“Of course, sir.” Lord Ivor dug his fingers into Ollie’s fur as he scratched the hound’s wooly coat, making Ollie press harder against him, demanding more attention and pats. He was oblivious to the storm, the opposite of his sister who was already panting and whining.
“Hilde, Amaya, we have to go home,” Lenny called to them.
“And I suppose I will go help my mum close up the shop,” Wen grumbled. “She’s been weird all week. Said she wasn’t leaving the shop and if the queen came in, she didn’t want to see her.” He rolled his eyes. “Between her and these storms, I’m starting to think I might come with ya to Waterly City when ya leave. I’ll pop over when Mum is sorted.” He waved and headed to the alley that led to his shop.
“Shall we?” Lord Ivor asked Lenny and his cousins, Alba and Margit.
“I suppose so.” Lenny started walking with Scar keeping pace, nudging Lenny as if telling her to hurry.
“You want us to walk?” Alba asked, her feet not moving.
“Well, I’m not carrying you,” Lord Ivor said with a sigh.
“You can walk with us,” Hilde said as she hurried up the dock stairs to the princesses with Amaya right behind her.
Hilde was in a hurry and didn’t want to get caught in the rain; her dress was too fine for that. She walked at a pace the princesses wouldn’t likely be able to keep, but they tried. The four girls passed Lenny and Lord Ivor. Ollie stayed with them, walking next to Hilde, but constantly glancing back at Lenny.
When they were out of earshot, Lenny muttered, “Do you think the storms are linked to the lupine?”
“No. I highly doubt it’s been a thousand years since two summer storms happened in one month. But now I do understand why you asked about the king’s bastard. Your friend Wen is the child you spoke of. The obvious son of the king.” Lord Ivor lowered his voice more, “He is identical to his father as a young man. Surely, your mother has noticed that?”
“She has never said anything about it.” Lenny shrugged. “Though she does know of the rumors. Wen’s mother gets drunk and goes on about her affair with the king to anyone who will listen.” Lenny winced. “It’s a sore spot for poor Wen. People mock him for being a shopboy living in a fishing village while being royalty.”
“Is that why she lives here? Far removed from the city and the queen? It’s no doubt she didn’t want to see her.” Lord Ivor exhaled with a whistle. “To be a fly on the wall when those two run into one another.”
“Indeed.” Lenny hadn’t thought about that. She’d had too much on her mind. The wind began to pick up, blowing her hair in front of her. Sca
r whined again. “We should hurry.” Lenny walked faster. The four girls were quite far ahead of them.
Lenny checked over her shoulder, surprised to see the dark clouds were nearly upon them. They moved so fast. “Run!” she shouted and took off.
Lord Ivor regarded it, then began running too. They caught up to the girls, passing them. “Hurry, ladies! Run!” Lord Ivor shouted as the wind pushed them on. “Your fine gowns will be ruined!”
And he was correct. It was pouring and blowing a gale by the time they reached the barn, and all four girls were hardly able to walk in their ruined and soaked dresses.
Hilde rushed everyone into the house, which Lenny was grateful for. She was tired of their squealing and screaming.
She and Lord Ivor fortified the animals, moving quickly to get everyone in a secure place.
She blew water from her face as she sat on the hay after they had finished barricading the door.
The ox groaned and Asher reared a little, but all in all, the animals seemed to be calming down.
Lenny knew she would have to spend the evening in the barn, again. She got comfortable on the hay, rubbing Scar’s face which was rested on her knee. Ollie curled up around her feet like a dragon.
“You’ve been through a lot of these?” Lord Ivor asked as he too sat on some hay, stroking his large horse’s face as the animal lowered it to sniff him.
“Summer storms? No. We rarely get bad weather in the summer. When we do, it’s a small gale, not a full-on storm. But we have them all fall and even early spring, before fishing season starts. The farm chores remain the same in the fall, minus whatever has been slaughtered.”
“We don't get summer storms in Waterly City either.” He grinned. “Perhaps my aunt is correct and it has been a thousand years and Hithu’s father’s bargain has been spent.”
“Perhaps.” She chuckled softly.
“Will the princesses be all right?” He lifted his gaze to the doors that rattled as though someone were trying to break in.
“Better than we’ll be.” Lenny sighed. “The house is hundreds of years old. It’s withstood far worse than this. And Hilde and Amaya aren’t completely useless—” She paused. “I didn't mean—”
