Don't Forget to Dream (4 page)

“
Good morning Rhyla,
”
Martin said as she approached. He was in the uniform of a Palace Guard, dark blue woollen tunic and riding trousers with golden
buttons, collars and cuffs. The guards
also wore knee high black riding boots and each man had both sword and
dagger belted about their waist
, highly polished but evidently not just for show. Rhyla began to understand how and why her
rescuers had been so effective.
Few
men would challenge the Palace
Guard;
their task was not only to safeguard the Royal family but also to keep the peace within Lestran, and all of Calvadia. She also noted Martin wore two bands of gold brocade around each wrist and a thick braid of gold
looped around his left shoulder.
He
must have been of some rank but Rhyla had no idea what the additional adornment signified. She thought it strange that she did not reca
ll seeing him in uniform.
She
remembered his face from several evenings, not just the one past.

“
Good morning Martin,
”
she said glancing
at the men standing behind him.
She
was thankful he stepped towards her a little.
“
I would like to thank you for your assistance last night,
”
she said softly so as not to be overheard.

“
Not that I did much, but it was my pleasure,
”
Martin said with a slight bow.

“
I had no idea that you were a Palace guard. I guess that
’
s why Lord Tobias did not argue when you intervened. Is Callum also a guardsman?
”
Rhyla hoped she had sounded more casual in the question than she felt.

“
Ahh, not exactly,
”
he replied, appearing awkward, yet attempting to suppress a smirk.

“
Oh. I
was hoping to speak with him, t
o thank him,
”
she added hastily.
“
Do you know where I might find him?
”

For a moment she was disconcerted by the wry grin that spread from the smirk on Martin
’
s face,
“
Aye, I know where to find him. Come with me.
”
He turned and started towards a small side gate adjacent the guard
’
s hut.

“
Is he inside the palace?
”
Rhyla asked, reconsidering her decision.

Martin held the gate open and indicated for her to precede him,
“
Don
’
t worry,
I think it best if I fetch him.
You
can
wait
here
in the garden.
”

With her stomach churning and an overwhelming desire to turn about and take her chances of seeing him again at the Laughing Willow, Rhyla followed Martin to the gap in the wall to the left of the courtyard. He indicated for her to enter before heading towards the Palace entrance. Rhyla had expected to enter a small garden with perhaps a bench, a few trees and flower beds. What greeted her was an extensive park
that was easily large enough in which to grow
crops or
even
an orchard. She placed her basket by the entrance and walked
a little way
into the garden
.
A gravel path lead away from the entrance way, initially past rows of flower beds and hedges to lawns that fell gently down to a not so small lake. Benches were placed at intervals along the path, some under trees, others were you could enjoy the sunshine. Beyond the lake the scattering of trees became denser, if not enough to call it
a true
woodland it would certainly be very pleasant to stroll through on a summer
’
s afternoon.
The beauty of the carefully created and maintained garden drew Rhyla in so intensely that she briefly forgot not only her purpose in being there but also the recent turn of events that so grieved her. The freedom and peace she felt in those few minutes was more than she had known in all the months since her father
’
s death. The clearing of a man
’
s throat behind her startled her, causing her to yelp and spin around before she could stop herself.

“
I am sorry to have startled you, Rhyla. I often forget how easy it is too lo
se
oneself
in
this garden.  M
y mother and grandmother love to spend time out here,
”
Callum said casually, admiring the view before them.

Upon seeing him
,
Rhyla had lost all sense of her mom
entarily new found peace and
determination she had in finding him. He did not appear as she was used to seeing him. Normally he dressed in plain but well made shirts and trousers with good riding boots that had seen a great deal of work. She hadn
’
t given much thought to him over the weeks since she had first recognised him as a regular at the Laughing Willow. Of course she had noted his beautiful blue eyes and handsome
features;
she was not blind but had been determined not to pay anyone more attention than another. Yet now the very same man, the man who had rescued her the previous evening, was nothing like the young man she had come to recognise.

His crisp white shirt was of the finest weave she had ever seen and expertly crafted. His black woollen trousers were heavier but of equal quality and tucked into highly polished and well fitted leather boots. He wore no tabard or tunic but a perfectly tailored dark green jacket with scrollwork of golden thread around the lapels and cuffs. If this were not enough, ab
out his waist was a buckle
whic
h depicted a golden stallion with its full
mane and
outstretched tail.
The hilts of the sword an
d dagger were likewise gilded. It was
not the blade he had used in her defence.

Her surprise must have been clearly evident when Callum returned his attention to her. For a moment he hesitated, lookin
g for words, almost embarrassed.  Was it his
attire
or her presence that concerned him;
he could
not be sure.
“
I
…
Captain Martin said you wished to see me. I am relieved to see that you do not appear too ill used this morning.
”

Regathering herself Rhyla managed a reply,
“
I am fairly well, thank
you
…
Captain
”
she added after a slight pause.

“
Yes,
”
he hesitated and looked away awkwardly,
“
Martin is a Captain in the Palace Guard. We tend to be more casual with titles when we go out in the evenings.
”
Rhyla was not sure if this was
supposed to settle her nerves or not. B
ut if Martin was
a Captain, what was he
? Just who was this man dressed in such fine apparel.

“
I see.
”
Rhyla was not sure how to address him,
“
I
…
then
…
you said you weren
’
t a Lord.
”
It came out more as an accusation that the question she sought.

“
I am not a Lord,
”
he replied hesitantly, even embarrassed, searching for the right words. He looked away down the garden and walked past her in a clear attempt to avoid eye contact.

Turning to follow him
,
Rhyla pressed on, confused by his appare
nt games.
“
If you are not of the Guard and not a Lord, then how am I to address you? I may be from a small country village but no merchant would have such fine clothes and weapons, and have a family with ready access to the Royal gardens.
”
Rhyla realised h
er heart was pounding. For all the deductions she quickly
made
,
sh
e could not bring herself to a
final conclusion.

“
You are very observant
Rhyla;
yet...please don
’
t take offence.
It is so strange for me to meet someone who doesn
’
t instantly know me, who thinks they know everything there is to know about me, or at least wants something from me.
”
He paused and faced her with a slightly lopsided, almost sad grin.
“
For the past few weeks, seeing you at the Willow, having you treat me like any other customer and even seeing how truly thankful you were of my assistance last night, it has been a wonder
to me. Never has anyone spoken to me so openly and honestly
, y
et I have not been honest with you.
”
He glanced away again as he drew breath.
“
I said you could call me Callum, and I do hope that you will continue to do so at the Willow, but my rightful title is Prince Callum of Calvadia, youngest son of King Liam and Queen Aletta, fourth heir to throne.
”

Rhy
la felt her mouth open a little. H
er heart pounded harder within the confines of her chest. His beautiful eyes that had filled her thoughts as she had fallen asleep the previous night now looked on her,
beseeching an understanding.  S
hock
,
mingled with a touch of anger
overwhelmed her.  H
e too had deceiv
ed her, but he had not lied;
it had merely been an omission of a fact that he was not accustomed to having to announce, she rationalised to herself. She certainly had no right to chastise him for her own lack of education.

It took a few moments for her to form a response.
“
Please forgive me. I had no idea.... Prince Callum,
”
she said attempting an unsteady curtsy.

“
Please, Rhyla. Don
’
t do that.
”
He reached forward and lifted her up with a strong gentle hand, blushed as they touched, just as embarrassed as she was.
“
No one can see us talking here and I certainly don
’
t want you acting any differently around me.
”

“
But
…”

“
No Rhyla, I don
’
t expect or want any special treatment from you. I could drink and dine anywhere in the city, but I have come to somewhat of an understanding with Master Drake and enjoy the honest service you provide. If
I wanted to be fawned over I could easily stay in the Palace or go elsewhere.
”
He was so sincere Rhyla couldn
’
t help but briefly feel sorry for him. She nodded slowly.
“
Good, thank you. Now what did you want to see me for?
”

For a
moment Rhyla had forgotten
the reason for her being there but sensing the leather thong around her neck she remembered and took his ring from beneath the folds of her neckline.
“
I have come to return this to you. It is not something I can accept. I did nothing to earn it.
”

“
What? Of course you can. I gave it to you freely,
”
Callum said frowning, somewhat aggrieved by her blatant rejection.

“
I know you did, but if it is found with my things, he will think I have been stealing
…
. I cannot give Master Drake any further reasons to turn me out of my position.
”

“
Turn you out, b
ecause of last night? You did nothing wrong, Tobias had too much wine in him and had no right to assault you, regardless of any dealings he may have with Master Drake,
”
Callum pressed on reassuring her.

“
I am not so sure. H
e has no reason to listen to my explanation of what happened. Especially as I have offended a lord. I do not wish to give him anything else to criticise.
”

“
Then sell the ring, surly you could use the coin.
”

“
No
…
No I could never sell it.
”
She
paused;
looking down at the ring with an intensity of longing that Callum knew had nothing to do with the simple value of the gem. Closing her hand Rhyla was able to continue.
“
Besides any
jeweller would likewise take one look at me with such an item and call the guards.
”