Book 4, Chapter 31: The Road Soon Taken
Though I had assistants and stable boys, I double checked the saddle, the bags, the quiver with the mage-killing arrows, making sure everything was tight but not uncomfortable for the horse. Morry had drilled the routine into me. One of Bechalle’s original chargers that he’d given me, it was a large mare, all black fur, with one white leg. A sign of good luck, I’d been told. Her name was Cloud.
“I wish I was going with you,” Brin said from behind.
I patted Cloud, then turned around, “I know. I know, but-”
“But it’s too dangerous, yes. It’s just that I miss Sapphire, too!”
“Well, you’re going to have all summer to flirt with Tread.”
“Yes, yes,” she took my hands into hers. “And who is going to dress you?
I proffered a little lie that would ease her mind, “Armorer apprentices.” Screw them, I’d be doing it myself.
“And take care of you! You’ll be all alone in a sea of bad smelling men.”
Suddenly feeling it, that I wouldn’t see Brin for a long time, I hugged her, “I’ll miss you. Truly. But, I’ll be fine. We’ll return as soon as we can, hopefully before summer is over.”
Her voice, quiet and near my ear, broke a little, “Well, I’m not going to miss you! So much to do here, and all the cute suitors you’re, you’re leaving behind!”
We hugged for a while. Annoyingly, I could barely feel her arms against me with this damned armor on. “Don’t let your dad be an idiot. Help, no, make him make good decisions.”
“Yeah. You’re going to get hot in this ridiculous armor.” Backing out of the hug, Brin tapped her hand on my plate mail. “Gods, Cayce, you had to go and give this thing breasts. They’re poking into my real ones.”
“Don’t say it! I see that look. You’re about to tell me that I’m not this endowed.”
Brin smiled, “Well . . . no. I mean, it’s just weird.”
“If the men can have giant codpieces, I can have these.” I couldn’t help but think of that time I accidentally found images of Henry the 8th’s codpiece online. Talk about insecurity. “Anyways, it’s just until we exit the castle and village. Have to give the people something to see. Got my fighting one all packed away on one of the spare mules or donkeys or whatever.” I carried Cloud’s reins in my hands as we left the stables. The earls and archbishop were waiting for me in a semicircle.
“Something to see alright.” As we walked over to where Morry was saying his goodbyes to Tread, near the entrance to or, I guess in this case, exit from the castle was, two boys ran over carrying a small chest. Despite its size, each held onto a glittering rope on either side of the little chest. They gave it to Brin, bowing and my ladying. Darkly stained wood, inlaid silver lines crisscrossing it diagonally and its latch sparkled golden in the sunlight.
“Cayce,” she said, barely paying the boys any attention and picking it up easily, so it wasn’t heavy, and offered me the chest, “this contains the necklaces you asked for. Made from your brother’s chain.”
“Oh! I’d nearly forgotten.”
“Of course.”
“Why did it take two boys to carry this?”
“Probably the jeweler’s idea of romance.”
“Romance? For delivering a box of plain necklaces to me?”
“I don’t know. You want me to go ask him?”
“No, no. Don’t trouble yourself.”
Brin smiled. “He’s probably just trying to stay in your good graces. Not that it matters, you’re leaving on a war campaign.”
“I hope they work. We never tested them.” The perseidian iron stopped magic. Well, all the wizard’s magic. Not mine.
“How’re you going to test them? Have Etienne send an inferno to drop on Morry?”
“Yeah, that’s the problem. I guess we could have had Etienne hold them and see if he could still produce magic.”
“You think he would have indulged you?”
“No. And it doesn’t matter. I want these to remain secret from the mages as long as possible. Let’s get them packed away before anyone sees.” I opened up one of my saddlebags, trying to find room.
“Ok.”
As I was stuffing it away, Brin said, “my last action as mistress of the bedroom is to remind you to politely – politely, Cayce! – say your goodbyes to each and every noble here to see you off.”
“Oh my god, seriously? Gods, sorry, gods.”
“Yes, seriously. Come.”
“Tread first.” I smiled at her, “Sir Tread, I mean.”
***
The big man patted Tread on the back, nodded at me and Brin, saying, “Lady Brin, I will take good care of the princess.”
“See that you do! You need to protect her from the indulgences of all those men. I can’t believe she’s not bringing a lady in waiting! She needs to brush her teeth at night and morning, eat three meals a day . . .” They walked off toward his horse.
“Well, Sir Tread, looks like you are going to be alone with Brin all spring and summer.” I winked at him, “You’d better take advantage of that!”
“Ah, yes my lady.”
“And take care of yourself, yeah? She’s got a domineering personality. If you’re not careful, she’ll have you in dresses. At least, that’s been my experience.”
“Uhm.”
I hugged him. “Tread, just take care of the castle, ok? And treat yourself well.”
“Thank you, Princess. I’m sure you’ll retake the kingdom. And,” he unhugged us, standing just a bit away, “if you push the Ketzles back, and you get the chance, if you can inquire to my sisters.”
“Oh my god! Yes, yes, I will do my best.” I’d completely forgotten about the promise I’d made to him about his sisters. And I didn’t have any photos of them, didn’t know what they looked like, and so had no idea how to go about doing that. “Uh, when I force peace upon them, I’ll take you to their cities. We’ll find them together.”
“Thank you, my lady.”
I put my hand on his shoulder, then headed toward the waiting nobles, wondering if I’d handled that well, wondering if I could find his sisters, and wondering how anyone found anyone else in this world lacking in all the technology I grew up with.
***
Bows and curtsies, except for me, I just nodded my head, as I moved down the line of nobles, trading some pleasantries, receiving well wishing, and so on. At the end of the line, Carlisele and his wife. No Hafthon, no Crygmore, and none of their troops.
“My lord, lady. Thank you for caring for the duchy while I’m away.”
“Had you exalted me, this would be much easier.”
“If you can hold onto it, the duchy is yours upon my return.”
“I see. It’s convenient how often you change your promises.”
“I promised you nothing and-”
“Now, now,” said Lady Carlisele, “let’s not begin the day with argument. Your Highness, may your campaign be successful and your return quick.”
“Thank you. I’m hopeful that we will succeed well and quickly.” I was really heading off to war for the goal of staying alive. Somehow, that seemed oxymoronic.
“You’ll note Hafthon didn’t come. Nor Crygmore. This bodes poorly for the kingdom.”
“Well,” I said, “maybe they’ll catch up to us on the way.”
“Unlikely.”
“Alright. He’s signaling his nonacceptance at my rule. I get it. Not something I can deal with immediately, so it’s up to you, Carlisele, to hold the duchy. I hope you’re up for it.”
“We are, rest assured,” said his wife. Carlisele looked grumpy.
“Also, Brin has my treatise on the institution of knighthood. Please go through it and make note of any changes you’d like to see.” Pause. Awkward silence. Looking around. Thinking of something to say but coming up blank. “Uh, I guess that’s all then. Best of luck to you.” I turned to leave, no hugs for them.
Brin’s mom took me by the arm as I headed to my horse, quietly saying, “Princess Cayce, I want to give you one last piece of advice.”
“Please do.”
“Treat the Barclays much harsher than you want to. I know Lady Sapphire is your friend, but kindness will bind you to betrayal. The Royal family, remember this, has no friends.”
“Ah, I see.” Stopping at the horse, I tilted my head at the warning, which I took to mean herself and husband, too. “Perhaps this is presumptuous of me, my lady, but I’d ask that you look out for your daughter, Brin. Keep the duchy intact, and,” I leaned in and lowered my voice, “carefully guide your husband.”
“Certainly.”
“Good-bye, Countess.” Turning away from her, I mounted the little staircase waiting beside Cloud. Pretty helpful in the armor. I wondered what I’d do without it. Get better at mounting horses, I guess.
Then, waving at everyone, more farewells, we set off.
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