The Gallians had offered only a cursory pursuit. For good reason. This far north in Gallia, there was nowhere to go. The Eible Sea to the east and the Broken Swamps to the west.
Riley did not slow, even when the soldiers pursuing disappeared. Alexander kicked his horse to keep up, grateful for its strength. The six-sided cobbles threw sparks from the beating hooves. No natural barrier separated Gallia from Ariland. Only a long row of sentry posts.
Riley raced ahead of him, not waving to the men on the towers. The intricate clay road gave way to heavy-hewn stone. Their shape and size varied wildly.
Arilanders only care about function, not beauty.
The tilled fields stretched blackly around them. The only thing Alexander could see was the ghostly form of the white horse in front of him.
They galloped for hours. His horse was wild-eyed and lather flew from its mouth. It hurt Alexander’s heart to keep running, but there was no leaving Riley to go ahead. He patted the horse’s shoulder, and his hand came back wet.
Two lights in the distance. High, growing on the horizon. Dawn crept through the trees to his right. He kicked harder. His legs throbbed.
The castle rose before him, indigo in the dawn light. Riley slowed, and he tugged on the reins. The poor beast trembled under him, its breath in hoarse puffs.
The drawbridge was up. Riley dismounted and screamed across the gap, “You know who I am!”
Alexander hopped from his horse. He let it go, and it just stood, knees shaking. He looked into the moat. Fish, frogs, or worse threw the surface into ripples all across it.
A soldier called down from above, “We thought you were dead! Can it really be you?”
Alexander sighed when he heard the heavy grinding of gears. The bridge lowered. Alexander shuffled his feet, heart still racing.
Riley walked with her shoulders back. The soldiers tried to question her, but all she would say was, “Take care of these horses. Give them water, wash them, stable them.”
Alexander followed her into the courtyard. He always hated Ariland Castle. The stone was rough and raw, fit naturally together with little mortar. The gatehouses had endless stairs, up and down. Spiraling enough to make him dizzy.
It’s even worse sober.
He followed her to the inner yard. As they walked the winding path around the reflecting pool, he caught sight of his reflection. His hair stood on end and he combed it with frantic fingers. Ruskin disrupted the view by taking a drink, throwing him into cascading ripples.
“They should be at breakfast.” Riley paused at a set of tall double doors. “If not yet, soon. We will wait in the dining hall.”
Alexander thought of the turkey leg and rubbed his concave stomach.
She grasped the iron handle and pulled.
One woman sat at the head of a long oak table.
Lady Llanarth. She hates the Ellium.
Performing in Ariland Castle had been almost entirely tutoring and lectures. He did not attend either, hiding in the carriages, playing Writ with the townsfolk.
“Rileya.” The tone was mild and acrid. “Have you come to join me for breakfast?”
Riley walked to her mother, but Alexander’s eyes were on the spread of food. He followed Riley and sat down next to Lady Llanarth.
“Why are the borders open with Gallia?” Riley asked.
“Gallia is one of our greatest allies.” She dipped a piece of bread in the runny fried egg on her plate. “Longstanding tradition of trade.”
Alexander reached for a slice of bread and took stock of the room. Two soldiers stood in the corners. One servant, looked to be a butler from the vest and pressed shirt. Alexander glanced at his face.
I recognize that look of mewling servitude. I wonder if he’ll bring me something besides bread.
He waved at the man. The butler did not move.
Riley looked to the ceiling and then back down at her mother. “What the hell happened since my departure?”
“I had not realized you had left.” She took another bite and dabbed her face with a napkin to wipe the errant egg away. “You were always reticent to join me for meals.”
Riley rolled her eyes. “That is a ridiculous lie. What are you hiding?”
“Sit down, Rileya.” She turned her head. “Bring a plate for the princess. And one for her friend as well.”
The butler bowed and walked out backwards.
Lady Llanarth turned her eyes to Alexander. “What have you brought to my table? You both look as though you have been rolling in the pig pen.”
Alexander signaled to his dog and Ruskin hopped in his lap.
If they bring me anything to eat, I’ll share. It’s you and me.
The dog looked up at him and cocked his head.
Riley finished sputtering and said, “Did you just say ‘princess’?”
Her mother shook out her napkin and placed it back in her lap. She picked up her knife and fork and cut a tiny morsel of ham from her plate. “It is not official yet. We are awaiting the royal delegation.” She bit the ham from her fork, chewed and then continued, “You have not answered my question.” She pointed at Alexander with the knife.
The butler returned bearing a plate in each hand. He laid Riley’s before her and bowed.
Alexander’s fell with a clatter in front of him. The butler walked away. Ruskin sniffed at the plate.
Riley pushed her plate away from her. “Where is Father?”
Alexander ripped off a piece of the ham with his fingers and fed it to the dog before picking up the rest and shoving it into his mouth.
This is fantastic. While it lasts.
“The whereabouts of your father are a matter suited for private conversation after you have had rest.” She wrinkled her nose. “And bathed.”
He had no silver. Alexander scooped at the fried egg with the bread.
Riley stood up. “Father never misses breakfast. Is he sick?”
Alexander licked his lips and reached for Riley’s plate.
“Who is this man you have brought to my table?” Lady Llanarth’s voice had risen, but she continued in a silky tone. “I cannot discuss this matter in front of a vagabond.”
Alexander looked up from Riley’s plate, ham in his hand. He put the ham to his heart and bowed his head.
Riley said, “He has helped me in my travels. Father’s dead, isn’t he?”
Alexander dropped the ham onto his plate. Ruskin sniffed at it from his lap, but kept his paws off the table.
“Rileya. You know your father.” She sat down her fork and knife and reached for her daughter. “He was a risk taker. He should not have been riding that day. He was ill.”
Riley took a step back. “The Gallians are coming. You said you’re awaiting a delegation. Why?”
Her mother smoothed her napkin in her lap. “I am betrothed.” She looked up at Riley. “To his majesty Louis the Just, king of Gallia, twenty-third of his name.” She smiled. “You will be a princess. The wedding will be here. To celebrate the joining of Ariland and Gallia.”
Riley drew her sword. “You are a traitor! You would say it so casually.” The sword swayed in her hand. “I never… I couldn’t…”
The soldiers stepped forward, but Lady Llanarth waved them away with her napkin. “It is a shock. She will acclimate to the state of the world.”
Alexander began patting his pouches. He threw the pack from his back onto the floor and busied himself with it.
I put it in a pouch in another pouch, but that describes almost everything I own!
“You killed my father. You’ve been plotting with Gallia since the beginning.” Riley’s voice rose. “I know they sent the plague!”
Lady Llanarth laughed. “A plague? From the Plains? Sent by Gallians?” She picked up her fork and knife once more. “See, I wanted you rested. Calm. Speaking of this now will just excite you.”
Ah, here it is. Wolfsbane.
Alexander worked the pouch open and flipped it onto his napkin.
I wish I had gloves. These things never happen like they should.
Riley’s mouth hung open. “You are insane, Mother.” The sword fell from her hand. Alexander’s teeth snapped shut as the tinkle of broken black ice met his ears.
Lady Llanarth wrinkled her brow and shook her head. “You are overtired. The maids will draw you a bath. You will feel better clean and rested.”
“Where is he buried?” The question fell heavier than the sword. Alexander could hear her fighting the tears.
“Your father is interred with your grandfather. In the family crypt.” She took a bite. “It may be consoling for you to visit.”
Riley turned and walked away.
Alexander gestured to Ruskin. The dog hopped onto the table and Lady Llanarth gasped. “Get that beast out of here!”
Alexander stood up and waved his hands wildly. He pantomimed in the air as though he was reaching for him, but signaled Ruskin to jump into the Lady’s lap. Ruskin leapt across the table, knocking her plate into her lap. Alexander rushed over.
He grabbed Ruskin with one hand, and then reached down with his other. The napkin opened over her décolletage as he dabbed the egg off her corset.
Less than an hour. Time enough to write a letter and get out of here.
“You may be a friend of Rileya’s but I will not have you dine with me. Not you and certainly not that creature.” Lady Llanarth called over the guards. “Escort him to the crypts that he may talk sense into my daughter.”