Bound to Survive (The Magic Within Book 1) (27 page)

‘Thank you, but could you slow down a little,’ she said. ‘So is it true? Have you come for him? Do you have a plan?’ Elle was quite bold with her questions, but she felt she’d no reason to doubt why he and his friends were here.

Christopher stopped. ‘What are you talking about?’ he said as she caught up with him. ‘Who am I here for, and why would I have a plan?’

‘Your friend in the manor,’ she said.

Christopher placed the buckets down. ‘Who said I’ve a friend in the manor?’ Christopher wasn’t sure of Elle. She was quite forthright as she questioned him.

‘I saw you meet your friend in the market after he left Hank’s shop. When I went to see Hank to collect my order, he eventually told me the older gentleman was here to look for his friend and hadn’t known he’d been imprisoned in the manor. I just assumed you were going to help him escape.’

Christopher gave in. There was no need for pretences. Instead he asked his own questions.

‘So you know him then?’

‘Yes, I’ve known him since I first came to work in the kitchens. I’ve cared for him when no one else would.’

Christopher was pleased that someone had looked out for the man’s welfare when many didn’t care if he lived or died.

‘Could you take me to see him?’

‘Do you know how many guards live in the manor? It’s impossible for you to get in to see him,’ she said.

‘But you see him?’

‘Yes, every day. It’s my place to feed and tend to his needs. I could let him know you’re here. That would surely ease his mind and lift his spirits.’

‘So I wouldn’t be able to speak with or see him?’

‘It may be possible, but I doubt it. You’d never be allowed down in the cellar without a guard. We better head on to the house, the others will wonder where I am.’

With that Elle picked up one of the pails and headed for the kitchen at a brisk pace. Christopher picked up the other bucket and followed her. They entered the kitchen and Elle placed the water over near the fire. Christopher followed and placed his bucket next to hers.

‘Sit over there,’ Elle said as she pointed out a seat near the end of the table. Then she continued with her chores.

Workers entered the kitchen and took their seats around the table as others collected their evening meal and ate elsewhere. Some of them didn’t like to be under the same roof as the soldiers, who’d come and go as they pleased and instigate trouble wherever they could.

Christopher talked with the other workers as he kept an eye on the routine of the kitchen. Noticing nothing unusual he watched Elle as she worked. The cook sliced fresh bread and lavished it with butter before placing it on a tray and putting it to the side. Collecting a large tureen she placed it near the fire and then after ladling the steaming stew into it she placed it next to the bread.

Christopher was amazed at the quality of the food he saw served. Then Elle was summoned to take the food upstairs. She carried the heavy tureen while Hannah carried the tray of buttered bread. Then the cook filled the pot with water to add volume and stirred it again. She reached under the bench and took out what was left of yesterday’s bread and cut it into slices. These were placed in the middle of the table for the workers. No butter garnished these slices and Christopher was sorry he’d stayed for the evening meal.

One of the kitchen girls half filled wooden bowls and as Christopher received his he looked at the watery liquid, poking the vegetables with his spoon so they disappeared beneath the surface. There was no tray of meats or prepared vegetables to follow but everyone around the table began to eat. Each took a slice of the stale bread and placed it on the table next to their bowls. Christopher thought this strange and imagined that they’d have sopped it in the bowl to soften it some, but he did the same and placed his bread on the table and ate his meal along with the others.

Hannah was a year younger than Elle and she too had only known life under the oppression of the army. The difference between the girls was that Hannah liked life the way it was. Her mother was the cook for the manor and like her mother Hannah aspired to heights greater than her station in life. She often flirted with the officers in hopes that one of them would choose to wed or bed her. Quite attractive she was also a well-endowed young woman with a curvaceous figure. The officers, in fact all the soldiers in the town ogled these two young lasses only noticing their physical beauty. The real differences between the two however were that while Hannah was a great beauty, she was selfish, cruel and would do what ever it took to gain the upper hand with the officers. To rise to a higher station in life was her entire purpose.

Elle was strong and kind and in her free time she’d help the people of the town. When the women of the village rallied together to store the season’s harvest, Elle would be there to help them. In the night when someone’s child was sick, Elle would leave her bed to help. She’d learnt how to mix balms and potions as a young child and had helped her mother when she’d been alive when it had been part of her daily life. There was still much about the craft Elle didn’t know and she could only tend to basic illnesses, but the people in the town were grateful for her help.

So while the small garden Elle’s father tended went a long way to feed them, the town repaid Elle’s services with produce from their own small gardens which wasn’t much and Elle didn’t like to take from them, but it made the people feel in some small way that they in return helped Elle and her father survive this harsh life.

Elle struggled to carry the heavy tureen up the stairs to the dining room as Hannah flounced ahead, ignoring Elle’s plight. Hannah careened into the room to announce that dinner had arrived. Elle managed to get through the door and placed the tureen on a small-wheeled trolley. She would have to push the tureen around to every officer at the table and serve their meal while Hannah chatted and flirted with the men.

The officer stationed in Canameer sat at the head of the table. Silas Remon had been in charge for the last twenty years and ruled the people with an iron fist. Any slight against the army was viewed as treason to the Lord of the realm and retribution was dealt with a swift hand.

At the other end of the table sat Captain Kovak Turr. He’d enjoyed the company of the other officers but what made the journey this time palatable was his plan to take Elle home with him when he left.

Captain Royston Hark also had journeyed to Canameer for his part in the monthly event. He intended to impress upon the people the Lord’s total rule of the realm. These were the three who were supposed to govern the prisoner every month, but over the years their attendance had waned, which suited Silas well. Silas liked to be in total control and to show off his wealth when he entertained.

Elle pushed the small trolley around to serve them. She ladled a bowl of the hearty stew to all and then placed the tureen on the sideboard and left the officers to their meals. Hannah stayed behind and was supposed to clear the bowls after they’d finished, while Elle left to bring up the main course. When all the food she brought was arranged on the sideboard Elle collected the officers’ empty bowls.

Kovak handed Elle his bowl as she neared his chair. ‘Elle, I’d like to speak to you about something. Could you wait for me in the hall before you head back to the kitchen?’ He knew this was the last time she’d be in the main house tonight.

Elle was a little puzzled. Kovak had never asked any such thing of her before and she didn’t want to be alone with him on any occasion.

‘I’ve much to do before I can head home to my father. Could I not speak with you tomorrow?’

‘No, it’s a matter I must speak about tonight.’ Kovak wasn’t going to give up this chance to speak with her. He didn’t know when he’d have another before he left and he wanted to make sure he told her tonight.

‘Very well,’ she said. ‘I’ll wait for you in the hall, but I must be quick.’ She hoped Kovak would also feel the need to be quick about his words.

Elle finished her work and headed out to wait for him. It wasn’t long before Kovak entered the hallway. Elle made sure she placed the trolley of dishes between herself and Kovak.

‘Elle,’ he began and then he placed his hands behind his back and paced the floor in front of her. ‘As you know I’ll be leaving Sunday.’

Elle stood in silence and wished he’d hurry up and finish.

‘I’ve planned to settle down and take a wife when I return home and I’ve decided to take you with me when I leave.’

Elle’s heart began to race as fear rose up within her.

‘I may not have time to speak with you again before then, so make sure you’re packed and ready to leave,’ he said.

Elle couldn’t believe what she’d heard and blurted out, ‘And when were you going to ask me?’

Kovak stopped. ‘I’m asking you now,’ he said, annoyed at her remark.

Not sure of what Kovak would do if she refused, Elle tried to think of something to say.

‘It’s very sudden, and I’m not sure I could leave at such short notice. Besides, I need to be here for my father.’

‘Your father will be fine. I can find him work in the barracks. The soldiers always need someone to clean their armour and weapons. I’ll speak with Silas about finding a replacement for you in the kitchen. So don’t worry yourself about that. We’ll leave straight after the parade on Sunday. Have your bags packed and in the coach before the parade begins. I shall see you then. Goodnight, Elle,’ he said and returned to finish his evening meal.

Kovak was pleased with himself. As he sat back down at the table he wore a grin across his face. It had all gone well, just as he’d expected.

Elle was gobsmacked. Who did he think he was? She wouldn’t leave with him. She didn’t even like the man. How could he expect her to pack up and leave?

To be told she was going to be his wife was the last thing Elle had expected to hear and she headed back to the kitchen, dismayed.

‘You look pleased with yourself, Kovak,’ Silas remarked as Kovak seated himself back at the table. Hannah was still in the room and helped the men plate up their meals.

‘Yes I am,’ Kovak said and then related the facts as he saw them. ‘Elle will join me when I leave for home, and as soon as the Lord can attend, we’ll be married.’

Silas raised an eyebrow at Kovak. He seemed quite sure of himself. ‘So what did the gal have to say about it then?’

‘Oh she was a little worried to leave her father at short notice, but I’ll organise some work in the barracks for him before I leave, and I told her you’d be able to find another girl for the kitchen. It won’t be a problem will it?’

Silas was amazed. What a pompous ass! Kovak might have been good with a sword, still was, but Silas didn’t care for him at all. ‘No it won’t be a problem,’ he said and then proceeded to ignore the man.

Hannah had overheard the conversation behind her and her cheeks reddened in anger.
That little bitch,
she thought to herself. She’s gone and stolen one of them right from under my nose. She excused herself from the room and flew down the stairs to the kitchen.

Elle had already returned down stairs and Christopher had noticed that she seemed upset. She no longer had the light-hearted step that he had seen in her earlier. Instead every step she took seemed to weigh her down and she was noticeably agitated. Washing the dishes she rammed them in the trough and clattered them on the rack. With every dish that crashed onto the rack, the workers around the table cringed. They knew something had upset her, they just didn’t know what. They sat in silence as they ate their meal.

Hannah shrieked as she flew through the door. ‘You little bitch!’

‘What’s going on? What have you done, Elle?’ the cook said.

‘Well, I’ll tell you what she’s gone and done, Ma. She’s gone and stolen one of those officers right out from under my nose.’

‘What? What are you talking about, Hannah?’ Her mother said.

‘I heard it from Captain Turr’s own lips. He’ll take her back home with him on Sunday to be his wife. I don’t think Master Remon is too pleased with it either. Now he’ll have to find someone to replace her before they leave.’

A spoon fell to the floor and then a chair scraped as the occupant moved to recover it. Christopher pulled his chair back into the table. Not only did he now know the reason for Elle’s anger, but he’d also discovered Kovak Turr was in town.

Elle’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Hannah had a big mouth. She hoped the news didn’t reach her father before she was able to return home. There was no chance in hell that she’d ride out of her own free will at Kovak’s side.

Elle kept her opinion on the matter to herself as she finished the dishes.

Hannah whined until her mother suggested that she should escort her up to the dining room to serve the dessert. This brightened Hannah’s spirits, as she knew her mother would have some sort of plan up her sleeve.

‘Bring the cakes over, Elle!’ the cook ordered.

Elle placed the cakes on the bench where Hannah would decorate them with cream and fresh berries. Elle was annoyed with Hannah and her big mouth and as she turned around to continue on with the dishes her elbow clipped one of the cakes and knocked it to the floor.

‘You stupid cow, look what you’ve done!’ Hannah shrieked. ‘Pick it up! Pick it up now!’