Ginny Hartman (19 page)

“I will not reveal to you her whereabouts, suffice it to say that she is being kept safe right now and do not ask me to speak any further on the matter.”

Asher bowed subserviently, “You are correct, Your Highness, tis none of my affair where she is kept. But if I may point out one thing...”

“Aye,” King Cedric said patiently, much more patiently then Terric thought was warranted.

“If Princess Rosalind were to wed immediately, the southwest territory could once more have protection from its rulers. Who knows how long it will take your defender's to track down your attackers.” Terric was irritated that the man would imply that King Cedric's defenders were less than competent, but his suggestion that Rosalind wed immediately made him want to kill the man. Unless of course he was suggesting she wed him, which he highly doubted he was doing.

King Cedric sat forward, suddenly alert as if Asher had brought up a most excellent idea. “I hadn't thought of that. I do not wish the kingdom to live in fear and uncertainty and an immediate replacement king and queen could help discourage some of that discontent.” Terric's mouth fell open. He couldn't believe King Cedric was even contemplating the idea. It was preposterous; it was premature; it was just plain stupid.

He was grateful that his helmet blocked his shocked expression from the men as he struggled to hold still and keep silent. But Asher's next words left him simmering with rage. “If you have no particular person in mind, I would willingly sacrifice on behalf of the kingdom.”

How kind of him to sacrifice himself, Terric thought sarcastically as he gripped the hilt of his sword tightly. As if marrying Rosalind would ever be considered a sacrifice. He knew that it wasn't an unheard of thing for a trajector to marry a princess, but neither was it overly common. He held his breath waiting for King Cedric to respond, knowing full well that if he granted Rosalind's hand in marriage to Asher, he may very well go ballistic.

King Cedric drummed his fingers against his thighs as if he was actually contemplating what Asher had said. “I must admit your idea has merit. I am, however, unsure if I am ready to make that decision right now. You have given me much to contemplate, and I assure you I will not take your advice lightly.”

Terric was relieved that he hadn't said yes, but he was not reassured by the fact that King Cedric hadn't completely dismissed the man and his asinine ideas. Asher bowed once more before the king, “Of course, Your Highness. I only want what is best for Darth.”

Of course
, Terric thought angrily.
Of course
.

***

Terric sat at the long table next to Aeden who was eating the food that was before him with vigor. He had no appetite for the rich courses that were provided, though it was the finest that Peltis had to offer. Nor did the entertainment that King Hadrian had brought in provide him with any sort of distraction. He felt on edge, as if he had been strung tight, ready to pounce for so long now that he just might snap unexpectedly. It seemed as if there were no leads on the attacks made at Brantonwall Castle, and from the look of King Cedric, who was laughing merrily as the jugglers performed directly in front of where he sat, he didn't seem too put out for having to prolong his stay at Malton Castle indefinitely.

Terric, on the other hand, felt restless by the lack of information that would lead them to the attackers. And now knowing that Asher sought to wed Rosalind only added to his already tense disposition. Or maybe, if he was being honest with himself, that was the root cause. Pushing his plate away, he leaned forward, his elbows on the table as he turned to Aeden, “I can't stand being in limbo much longer. Being at Malton Castle is driving me mad. I feel like it has turned into one big celebration and King Cedric seems to be just as caught up in the merriment as the rest of the castle. Have we forgotten why we are here?”

Aeden paused just as he was about to stuff another piece of roasted lamb into his mouth. “At least the food is good.”

Terric growled, “Who gives a fig what the food tastes like if the kingdom we have sworn to defend is destroyed? There is one king left in Darth, that's it, and it won't take long for that knowledge to slowly start being made known. The whole kingdom is left in a precarious position, and if we do not act quickly, whoever has designs on King Cedric may lay siege to Darth.”

Aeden pushed his plate away also, sobered by Terric's somber reminder of the seriousness of the situation they were in. “Aye, you are correct. At least you convinced King Cedric to forgo allowing Asher to make an announcement to the kingdom. That could have had disastrous consequences.”

Terric glanced behind Aeden's shoulder to where Asher was sitting next to King Cedric laughing gaily. The man looked powerful with his thick black hair that had barely begun to gray at the temples and his hawkish nose, a black cape hanging loosely over his shoulders. The man was perhaps a decade older then Terric, possibly even old enough to be his father, too old in his mind to be Rosalind's husband. Looking away from the vexing sight of the man, he turned his attention back to Aeden. “Except now he is trying to convince King Cedric to allow him to wed Rosalind so that the southwest can once more have a king and queen.”

Aeden sat back casually in his chair, “Tis not a bad idea, I must confess.”

Terric growled, “Of course it is, tis a horrible idea. It will not solve anything.”

Aeden eyebrows rose in amusement. “I've never seen you so incensed about a reasonable plan. Mayhap there is a reason you are being so disagreeable.”

“Aye, because it's a stupid plan that's why.”

Aeden laughed. “Tis only seems stupid to you because you are in love with the princess yourself.”

Terric's head jerked forward. “Why would you say that?”

Terric hated the way Aeden shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, and if they weren't in a very public place, he would have socked him. “Just a guess really.”

“Nay, you just like to vex me, to get under my skin. You already know that I'm in a foul mood tonight and you only wish to aggravate me further.”

“Isn't that what little brothers are for?” Aeden smiled at him, as if the conversation was the most entertaining thing that had happened to him all day, and perhaps it was.

Ignoring him, Terric said, “I want you to send some men back to Darth to try and find some leads.”

“We already have several men there searching out any information they can find.”

“Apparently, it isn't enough because they have yet to uncover a single thing. I want to find answers and get this settled immediately so we can leave this blasted place and return to our own kingdom.”

“And prevent Asher from marrying Rosalind?”

Terric rolled his eyes in lieu of a response. He would never admit to Aeden that indeed, that was his primary motivation at the moment. Nay, that secret would go with him to the grave.

Later that night, when he was once more in the privacy of his own chamber, he sat down at the desk and wrote:

My dear, sweet Rosalind,

I grow frustrated by the lack of progress we have made in trying to find the king's attackers. Nobody has stepped forth to claim the bodies of your parents’ murderers even though the information on their treachery has not been disclosed. This does not bode well for trying to figure out who may have sent them to Brantonwall Castle or what their true intentions may have been. It has proven to be another dead end.

Tonight Darth's lead trajector, a man by the name of Asher, asked King Cedric to consider allowing him to wed you in an attempt to restore the Southwest Territory to full power. I cannot even begin to tell you the anger his request provoked in me. How dare he offer to marry you when you belong to me? Well, if I'm being honest, you don't belong to me and that's what makes my anger at his request more vexing—how can I feel so possessive of something that I can't rightfully call my own? It's just as well that you will never read this, as I am not painting a very flattering picture of myself. I have learned tonight that I am a jealous man, something which I had never beforehand considered myself to be.

I hope you are doing well. I'm sure by now that Gwendolyn has taught you every name of each plant in the garden as well as its particular use. She can't seem to help herself, it's in her blood. If she has failed to teach you, I'm sure my mother has not been remiss in her duties. I hope they are making you feel welcomed. I have a confession, if I could be anywhere in the world right now, I'd be there with you. I'm envious of the time my mother and sister are getting to spend with you. I'd give anything to be in their place right now instead of here at Matlon Castle.

Terric

Chapter 20

A Fierce Curiosity

Bubbling with anticipation, Rosalind reached forth and touched the rainbow colored wisps before her face. It was getting easier and easier to make them appear now that she knew all she had to do was think of Terric. Sometimes they would even appear when she hadn't intended to summon them, so much were her thoughts preoccupied with him. She was immensely grateful that she was the only one who could see them.

A giggle rose in her throat when she successfully transported from the field next to the vegetable garden and into the bedchamber where Gwendolyn was waiting. She was getting much better at transporting to further destinations. Gwendolyn laughed with her as she stepped forth and embraced her in her excitement. “You have improved greatly in such a short time, tis very exciting to see you mastering your gift.”

“Tis very exciting, indeed.” Rosalind agreed.

“But I've had enough transporting for one day. Let's go down to the moat and dip our feet in the water.”

“On one condition,” Rosalind said with a twinkle in her eye. “Let's make a race of it. I'll even give you a head start. I will remain here until the count of ten and then transport down to the landing, let's see who gets there first.”

Gwendolyn rolled her eyes, “Tis never enough for you to simply agree; you have to complicate things.”

Rosalind smiled broadly, “One...two...three...” Gwendolyn wanted to argue with her more but wasn't about to sacrifice precious time in the process. Instead, she lifted the hem of her gown and ran as fast as she could towards the spiraling staircase.
Rosalind chuckled as she watched the absurdly fast girl take off. “...four...five...six...” Perhaps she had given her too much of head start. “...seven...eight...nine...ten!”

As soon as she had finished counting, she closed her eyes and instantly recalled Terric's kiss. She found it was the quickest way to produce the wisps. Sure enough, they appeared, and she wasted no time thinking of the landing leading down to the moat, as she reached forth and touched them. Her body felt as if it was being sucked forth and before she knew it, she was standing on the landing.

“I still managed to beat you with no use of magic whatsoever,” Gwendolyn instantly began gloating the minute she appeared. Rosalind was impressed.

“Next time I will not give you a head start; then we will see who wins.”

Gwendolyn walked to the edge of the moat where there were several stone steps leading down towards the water. Sitting on the steps, she pulled her dress up to her knees and placed her feet in the tepid water. Rosalind quickly followed suit.

“This is one of my favorite places. It's so peaceful here,” Gwendolyn said, as she flung her hair over her shoulder and leaned her head back to soak up what little sun was attempting to poke its way through the gray clouds above.

“Tis a lovely spot. Do you ever go out on that boat?” Rosalind asked, indicating a small wooden boat tied up to the balustrade.

Without even looking she said, “Terric, Aeden, and I used to go out in it all of the time. My brothers used to play king of the boat and see which one could get the other to go overboard first. I always hated when they played that game because inevitably I'd always get pulled in with the unfortunate loser. I think they did it on purpose.”

“Let's take it for a ride. I've never sailed a moat before.”

Gwendolyn cocked her head to look at Rosalind, “It's called rowing, not sailing. Do you see a sail on that boat?”

“Come on, let's go.” Rosalind ignored her and stood. Reaching for the rope, she began pulling the boat slowly towards them. Eventually Gwendolyn rose and helped steady the boat while Rosalind climbed in. She undid the knot in the rope freeing the boat before hopping in next to Rosalind, causing the boat to rock uncomfortably from side to side. Rosalind grabbed on to both sides and steadied herself until the rocking motion ceased.

Gwendolyn handed Rosalind an oar. “Alright princess, since this was your idea, you must help row.”

“Absolutely.” They rowed in silence underneath the shade of the trees, an occasional leaf fluttering to the water below. It was a relatively warm day, and as a comfortable silence enshrouded them, Rosalind found her thoughts turning to Terric. Though she loved Gwendolyn's companionship and the fast friendship they had formed, she couldn't help but wish he were there, that it was he that was rowing  the moat with her, teaching her about his childhood home and sharing stories of his growing-up years with her. Every day they were apart, her heart longed for him more and more. She refused to think that she may never see him again.

Over and over again she had replayed in her mind the day he had left her in the courtyard, refusing to promise her that he'd come back to her. And slowly she had begun changing the ending in her mind. She imagined him pulling her fiercely into his arms and promising her, with everything in his being, that he would be back for her. Then he would drop his head to hers and kiss her as if he never wanted to let her go, and when he finally gathered the strength to separate from her, he would proclaim is undying love to her before bravely riding off to save Darth.

Without thinking, she sighed dramatically at the romantic daydreams she was having. Gwendolyn noticed. “Please tell me you are not thinking about my brother.”

Rosalind's felt a burning blush flood her cheeks. Why was Gwendolyn always so bold? Instantly on the defense, she quipped, “Nay. Why would you suggest that? Do you see any wisps swirling around my face?”