Riley thought the ‘inn’ was really just a house. The bedrooms shared a bathroom at the end of the hall. The shutters used to be blue, and the curtains used to be flour sacks. The common room was where Alexander was playing. He had worked out a deal in exchange for lodging.
Riley was sitting on the bed with Lissie. She unwrapped the dirty linen and was pleased to see that the burn was a shiny pink. Healing. Cora was washing her face in the basin in the corner. The new bandages were laid out beside it.
Lissie stretched her hand, flexing it with care. “I’ve had worse from the ovens.”
Riley scowled. “You shouldn’t have had it at all.”
Cora patted her face with a towel and went over to the bag. She started pulling out clothes. “You don’t think we could do some laundry while we are here?”
The sun was already down. Emma May had insisted that they stay for the party. She wanted to celebrate something much more exciting than her wedding. The town had already been gathered, and she was not going to let them down. It took hours. Riley hated parties.
“I don’t think we can. We would have to wash them in the river. In the dark,” Riley said, glancing out the window. She walked over to the clean linen strips and took one to Lissie.
Cora sniffed her clothes and said, “That was a really good thing you did.” She threw down the dress and picked up another.
Lissie held out her hand for Riley and said, “He might have taken something less important.” Her tone was light, but Riley could hear her concern.
Riley replied, “The only other thing I had to give was Sugarsnap. Alexander’s things are not mine to barter with.”
Lissie raised an eyebrow, “He would have taken Peach.” Riley wove the linen around, taking care not to make it too tight. She made a loop and made another wrap, tying it off.
Cora laughed and said, “You would have loved that! No more riding.”
Lissie looked askance. “It’s not that—Riley, you’re a skilled duelist. Now you are unarmed.”
Riley took a deep breath and stood up. “I’m trained in hand-to-hand combat.”
Cora took a step back and Lissie flinched and said, “I know that. We both know that. But do you really think you could fight a grown man? Or three? I mean, with the sword…”
Cora added, “It made me feel safe.”
Riley wrinkled her brow. She felt tears pricking the corners of her eyes. “I’m sorry.” She sat down and put her face in her hands. Cora sat next to her.
Lissie hugged her and said, “It was an accident.”
Riley threw her hands out and shouted, “It’s always an accident! That’s why I can’t trust myself.”
Cora put her lips together, her eyes wide. “We trust you.”
Riley said in a hollow voice, “Then you’ll trust me without a sword.” Tears were streaming freely down her face now.
Lissie asked, “How long have you been training with a sword?”
Riley wiped her face and replied, “Ten years. Since I was six.”
Lissie continued, “How many times have you carried one outside the castle?”
Riley said, “You know this is the first time.”
Lissie concluded, “So you’ve had ten years to learn how to use a sword. And five days to learn how to carry one.”
Cora said, “Tempers were really hot last night. When they showed up in the woods? I didn’t know what they were going to do. The only thing that made me feel safe was knowing you were with me.”
Riley laughed and sniffed, “What about Alexander?”
“I don’t know him! I’ve lived with you for three years, Riley.” Cora stroked her hair.
Riley looked into her friend’s green eyes and felt more tears. “I pulled you all into this, and now I disarmed myself and I can’t even protect you.”
Cora wrapped her arm around Riley’s shoulder, “You can get another sword at Terndowns Castle when we see my mother.”
Riley thought of her own mother and felt her stomach twist. Thinking of Mother led her to thinking of Father and the tears came hot and fresh. “The worst part is that Father would understand why I took it. But not why I gave it away. We could have given them a horse. I won’t be able to tell him anything.”
Lissie cupped her cheek in her hand, “You will tell him. You’ll tell him everything. One day.”