Chapter 26:
Hamish
“This is insane.” I muttered, skirting around the small lake that fed the forest around it. William was already there, unaware of my presence. I stepped on some dry twigs, watching him swing around to the sound. It would be ill advised to come across a skilled warrior without him sensing it. Might bring about some troubling questions.
“Hamish,” he said in greeting, “punctual.” His words were clipped, a man who spared no time for pretty words. A natural commander.
“Where did your Lord find you? Recruit you?” I asked him, nodding my head in greeting.25Please respect copyright.PENANA2adzC7hsqm
“Far away.” He replied vaguely, “I doubt he would even remember the place. Between the wild lands and here I would say.”
I left the question, watching him catching his breath as though he was relieved.
“Now, blood pact.” He said as introduction, “two or more willing participants are rivy to information granted from each side. That which we speak of tonight may not be spoken of beyond this night – unless all parties allow it.”
“You must swear never to harm Lady Madelaine Elwood.” I said, “she is my mistress and master.”
He considered it for a moment, nodding his head, “I swear it.”
He revealed one of the ceremony daggers, a small silver dagger with the blood pact incantation carved into the side. Neither of us could read the runes, but every major city had such a dagger.
“Should anyone be listening in, may their ears bleed.” William muttered, cutting a line into his palm, and passing me the dagger.
“Aye,” I agreed, doing the same. The dagger seemed to warm in my hands the moment our blood mingled on the blade. We shook our bleeding hands, letting go to watch our palms heal over in moments. A silver line remained, one which would never fade. Depending on the pact depended on where the cut was. Some were right over your heart, or in case of a Saol vow… beside the artery in your neck placed by your master.
“Speak,” William commanded, “who is Madelaine really?”
I grinned, “she is truly Lady Elwood. But your questioning has left me curious. Who was Lord Westfield? Where was this man born?”
I watched William pale in the darkness, his skin reflecting the stars.
“It seems,” he said, “we have much to discuss.”
__________________________________________________________________________
Madelaine
“Where’s Hamish?” I asked Sarah, returning from dinner. Tomas, no – Justin, had been unwilling to release me. He had never asked for a reply to his question, and I had been unwilling to give it. Where Hamish was concerned, my mind bucked at any demand that needed me to reflect on my feelings about him. It always had. He was my safe space, someone who had known me all my life and cared about my safety.
He knew me.
“He’s gone to bond with William.” Sarah smirked, turning to look at me.
“Bond?” I asked quietly, “William is no fool. What is he demanding from Hamish?”
“The usual,” Sarah shrugged, “blood pacts and the like. Hamish seemed concerned though, he said that William was Saol bonded to your lord.”
I frowned, considering. If he were, there could be no secrets between Justin and William. Their destinies were tied together.
“Go,” I commanded, Sarah dropping her mending at the tone. “Give Hamish leave to provide what William wants to know. But demand to see the seal before you allow it.”
“As you will it,” Sarah grinned, sliding into the shadows behind us. I sat on the vanity stool, starring at myself in the mirror. My hair had slid free of the loose braid and gently curled around my shoulders, those piercing brown eyes staring back at me. I arched an eyebrow and watched my face change into a knowing smile, my full lips opening slightly. It was difficult at times to reconcile this face with the being inside it. I let go a breath, running a gloved hand down the mouse carving. As my hand slid down, I felt a beating inside the wood, as though small hearts hammered within the figures. Removing my hand, I once again slid my hand down. The moment my fingers grazed from one to the next the beating pressed against my hand. I reached over for the servant rope, pulling it and waiting moments before a knock sounded on my door. A pretty maid waited there, rosy cheeks as though she had pinched them. She was the kind that found a husband easily; rounded and cheerful, she would bear a brood to play inside the castle walls. I envied and pitied her.
“Good evening, Sasha,” I smiled, watching her eyes widen in surprise. “Do you remember the small bet the servants made concerning the mouse carvings?”
Her face reddened further, her eyes unwilling to meet mine, “yes mistress.”
I clasped her hands, her rough fingers jolting at the contact, “was there a winner Sasha? I would dearly like to know where they all are!”
My enthusiasm seemed to calm her, a supressed giggle waiting in her mouth.
“Yes lady! Although, your Sarah gave us until the engagement party to find them all.25Please respect copyright.PENANAzjCZ8zA8gu
We have found many – but there must be more.”
I nodded, gently letting her fingers go. “Yes, that does make sense I suppose. Thankyou for coming to my call. I appreciate your work.”
She stammered a thank you, taking her leave. I frowned after she had left, sighing into the empty room. Endless waiting. That was what I found my station demanded the most. Patience.
_________________________________________________________________________________25Please respect copyright.PENANASXBl8pVHhb
25Please respect copyright.PENANAAINgRMNgQO
Hamish
William frowned at me, looking me in the eyes. “Surly I can’t provide information while you hide behind half-truths.”
“If it was a half-truth I would be bleeding out – as the pact states. Only truth may be provided.”
He went to open his mouth when an arrow shot through the trees to land between us. William launched into action, drawing his sword, and running for cover. I looked at the black arrow, seeing the fletching was coloured black and a deep indigo blue only one organisation knew how to source. William watched in horror as I knelt in the open and pulled the arrow out, taking the small parchment attached.
I smiled, scrunching it up and popping it into my mouth. It dissolved in my mouth, lifting a hand in thanks.
“Will,” I called out, “not to worry – I know the archer. They won’t be bothering us again.”
He slowly came out of the trees, the most agitated I had ever seen him. “You know them? What a chance you took!”
I gave him a steady look, the captain catching my change of mood. He moved us closer to the river, seeing my look, he also whistled a couple falling notes. Scurrying feet echoed around us as small sentinels gave us some space.
“What was the message?” He asked finally, sitting cross legged by the water. I moved beside him, taking my shoes off and dipping my feet in the water.
“It seems our masters’ have had some words. Tell me Westfield’s identity.”
He eyed me, sighing. “He was a holy knight once. Although, I doubt he remembers much. His sect was eradicated, the temples burned to the ground. But holy relics and the like are not easy to destroy – the priests contacted the fledging rebels and hid much of the knowledge and people away.”
“That makes sense – I remember the Holy Purging.”
I did remember. I remembered as a child helping Black Swans flee the capital, including the holy and healing people in the exodus. It was an odd mix of two factions on opposite sides of a scale. But the Dead king had been relentless. He had destroyed my family. They had sacrificed themselves for many, my last memories of them ushering me into the arms of a healer woman and leading the soldiers away. The capital Black Swans had returned to their mistress, and the Holy men and women, and the temple healing sects went underground.
“How did he become the lord of the city?” I asked softly.
“The way it went about is… fuzzy. As though a fog is settled over the memories. But I know I was of sound mind when I chose to swear my life to him, and that we would commence this façade together. I know he was once named Justin. Funny thing is, the longer we serve here… the more we become the people we play.”
I nodded, also knowing the feeling of imposter syndrome. “But you don’t know who set it up?
Will shrugged, spreading his hands, “we have done nothing but bring prosperity to Westfield. We don’t know why we were placed here. Only that we were given orders to wait and protect.”
“Tomas – Justin, isn’t a bad man. You are good men.”
He gave me a nod of thanks, before settling his eyes on me. “And your mistress?”
“Oh, she25Please respect copyright.PENANALS18gSfObG
is still Lady Elwood. She is a born, bred and trained high lady. But,” I held25Please respect copyright.PENANAHFrNybGHEI
up the arrow, showing the fletching to the captain, “she is also a high-ranking25Please respect copyright.PENANAuHyTIaAEz8
Black Dove.”
25Please respect copyright.PENANAhZ8bthxsX3
25Please respect copyright.PENANAiSqZivdeq4
25Please respect copyright.PENANAarkNU3XFAO
25Please respect copyright.PENANAIHtpQqNDDh
25Please respect copyright.PENANAYtA7UU20nL
25Please respect copyright.PENANATmGVqphJs5
25Please respect copyright.PENANAmKpxratri1
25Please respect copyright.PENANAv2XhUeNynr
25Please respect copyright.PENANAQppettRn2s
25Please respect copyright.PENANAjwzOGA1GZH
25Please respect copyright.PENANAiwWZqke5ky
25Please respect copyright.PENANA13zF58PHOz
25Please respect copyright.PENANAdAukNP6w7W
25Please respect copyright.PENANAf3sIFebz4Q
25Please respect copyright.PENANARYoyLMthyC
25Please respect copyright.PENANAObuSIVMfhH
25Please respect copyright.PENANA98jNX0n0ex
25Please respect copyright.PENANASFIQiLuMzy
25Please respect copyright.PENANA7wR7xZH4Gm
25Please respect copyright.PENANAQ7cIFFDl2R
25Please respect copyright.PENANAO4qNHXg5kr
25Please respect copyright.PENANA69bNEapXbf
25Please respect copyright.PENANAQ5A8mN8Vgn
25Please respect copyright.PENANAzXdv9DOpSk
25Please respect copyright.PENANANLE2fgXSjr
25Please respect copyright.PENANAANVrovABN0
25Please respect copyright.PENANAicLNPGPv9c
25Please respect copyright.PENANALSobQn8lER
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbNAeQXwVaa
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtLoIrWmiy7
25Please respect copyright.PENANAvV9pnUPVAP
25Please respect copyright.PENANADqc8nkjico
25Please respect copyright.PENANABF6JtWWmej
25Please respect copyright.PENANA7o8mU5J6Mh
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVWLqGXahWq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAYWPXVJhImt
25Please respect copyright.PENANAcoaMrkl9FV
25Please respect copyright.PENANAqXSWi7ihob
25Please respect copyright.PENANAaC2qC4CVCj
25Please respect copyright.PENANALSciSmgLaS
25Please respect copyright.PENANAVmUPqT7uOm
25Please respect copyright.PENANAxyCRlXJKpc
25Please respect copyright.PENANAiagf2FpsA9
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgKgX6t8jiI
25Please respect copyright.PENANA2keLmhEh7I
25Please respect copyright.PENANA6PsYENBwdi
25Please respect copyright.PENANAWFjTD4qD9a
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfs6yfGMVkb
25Please respect copyright.PENANAtQxpmkM0XJ
25Please respect copyright.PENANAiSmgFoBkRV
25Please respect copyright.PENANANSNH05aUrU
25Please respect copyright.PENANAP1eBBGaSVC
25Please respect copyright.PENANA5DkMoLLqCQ
25Please respect copyright.PENANA1NZwDkilaL
25Please respect copyright.PENANAC6ZBAu273t
25Please respect copyright.PENANAeGPsymzm5K
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwaVTihP86d
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfmtC3Pu6sD
25Please respect copyright.PENANA61oYmG7C1E
25Please respect copyright.PENANA2hCO7tzMYp
25Please respect copyright.PENANAEGmDiH6uRh
25Please respect copyright.PENANAFQqhUO6vJc
25Please respect copyright.PENANA3VQazX8Lu3
25Please respect copyright.PENANA2oX8IBhqIn
25Please respect copyright.PENANASrrvkXgWKi
25Please respect copyright.PENANAbyUiyrngsA
25Please respect copyright.PENANAaqGq0T2Mdv
25Please respect copyright.PENANACGkcSLeIEx
25Please respect copyright.PENANAm8mWY91PkH
25Please respect copyright.PENANAfPufPxTCAw
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZ4ka3csCbD
25Please respect copyright.PENANAMGpiV875x6
25Please respect copyright.PENANAMnPjnfi5sS
25Please respect copyright.PENANABSgPM1S5zK
25Please respect copyright.PENANAXl2sgYxMvd
25Please respect copyright.PENANAp5WdvowdYe
25Please respect copyright.PENANARL33JRoo3l
25Please respect copyright.PENANA66RwYn1MhB
25Please respect copyright.PENANAwRndYrnIeG
25Please respect copyright.PENANAiNzjLoBHdG
25Please respect copyright.PENANAjAmEZoptzq
25Please respect copyright.PENANAMxPPNy4fE6
25Please respect copyright.PENANAUjA7czgIhp
25Please respect copyright.PENANAucB2Ov9mHn
25Please respect copyright.PENANA1T2PkxoMpb
25Please respect copyright.PENANAE7MPnOYxRf
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZ039K2tmuk
25Please respect copyright.PENANA2kJjag3WTk
25Please respect copyright.PENANAeyZExkj4Xu
25Please respect copyright.PENANA9hXJ6RqQjT
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZizUNmo24b
25Please respect copyright.PENANAE8Vveiua0P
25Please respect copyright.PENANAoEvsoFaDCU
25Please respect copyright.PENANAgxwZWbqTxT
25Please respect copyright.PENANApurb4SAEXK
25Please respect copyright.PENANAzoYVRWykQA
25Please respect copyright.PENANA40WgpZKwXu
25Please respect copyright.PENANAZYzssut9xg
25Please respect copyright.PENANA43wZqmyf1U