Cold Magics (44 page)

“She cannot court a commoner at all,” said Lady Prellham. “Here, there are different rules and Miss Eileen needs to follow them. And one of them is that the nobility, no matter how lowly, does not ‘court’ commoners.”

“If you think I’m going to stop seeing her because of your rules—”

“And once she appears in proper dress at the banquet, many of the young noblemen are going to take an interest in her,” said Lady Prellham.

“Then it’s a good thing the majority of them made asses of themselves in front of her,” snapped Thomas evenly.

“Baron Goshawk didn’t make an ass of himself,” said Rose. “And he likes Eileen a lot.”

And that’s just what I needed to hear.

Lady Prellham nodded. “The baron has been most attentive.”

Because I asked him to be.
Thomas managed to keep his voice level. “Baron Goshawk is a good man. But he is not courting Eileen, I am. Even if your rules say otherwise. And when we leave here, which we will, he will not be coming with us.”

“But while you are here, you must obey those rules,” said Lady Prellham. “And since you are going to be here for the rest of the winter, and until the raiders are defeated, I would suggest you get used to seeing her courted by other men than you.”

An uncomfortable silence fell over the carriage. Thomas looked out the window, feeling the cold stealing through his clothes and onto his skin as he watched the streets slowly pass by. At long last, the carriage drew to a stop and Thomas got out, offering his hand to each of the girls and Lady Prellham as they exited the carriage, then his arm to Eileen to escort her into the shop. She ignored it and walked ahead of him.

Inside, everything was lace and bows and ribbons, with swaths of rich fabric draping down in bolts from the shelves. A woman sitting behind a counter doing beadwork on the sleeve of a jacket looked up and smiled when they came in. “Miss Eileen. What marvellous timing. We are putting the final stitches into your dress as we speak. Would you like to see?”

“Of course,” said Eileen.

“I will accompany, Miss Eileen,” said Lady Prellham. “Rose, Thomas, wait.” Thomas, guessing that it was going to be a while, took a seat on a bench near the door and sulked. He cursed himself for fighting with Eileen, while reminding himself that he didn’t start it. It wasn’t his fault things had worked out the way they had. Rose remained standing in the middle of the shop until Thomas told her to sit beside him. She perched on the bench, twisting her hair around her fingers. After a time, she said, “Eileen’s really mad at you.”

“I know,” said Thomas. “I haven’t seen her enough lately.”

“The baron really comes around a lot.”

“I know that, too.” Thomas sighed and changed the subject. “How is it, being Eileen’s lady-in-waiting?”

“It’s good,” said Rose. She looked to make sure they were still alone and lowered her voice. “At least, it’s good when Lady Prellham isn’t around. Eileen’s very nice to me and we talk and have fun. Of course, when Lady Prellham is there, we have to behave properly. And I’m learning how to swordfight!”

“What are your parents going to think of that?”

“Mother will be horrified,” said Rose. “Father will probably laugh.”

Over the next hour, Thomas learned that Rose had three brothers—two were training to be knights and one wanted to be a lawyer—that her family lived in a small house about a half-mile from the palace, and that she was not in the slightest bit homesick. In turn, he told her about Elmvale and growing up with George and Eileen, and what stories of the Academy he could share without having to censor himself.

Finally, Eileen emerged looking quite flustered. A woman followed behind her with a large package wrapped in a thick cloth.

“Your choices are excellent,” said the woman.

“They weren’t my choices,” said Eileen, shortly.

“But they are good choices, nonetheless,” said Lady Prellham, coming out behind the two. “Thank you, Anna. Rose, take the package.”

“I can carry it,” offered Thomas.

“You can keep your hands free for your sword,” said Lady Prellham. “Rose, take the package. Payment shall be sent at once, on Lord Henry’s account,” said Lady Prellham to Anna. “And I thank you again. You do wonderful work.”

Anna curtsied deeply. “My thanks, Lady Prellham. So good to see you again.”

Eileen and Lady Prellham wrapped themselves in their cloaks and Thomas led them back out into the snow to the carriage. “Was it successful, then?” Thomas asked Eileen.

“I don’t think so,” said Eileen. “But Lady Prellham is happy and Anna says it’s the latest style, so…” She left it off.

“And now, back to the castle,” said Lady Prellham. “Eileen and Rose must both prepare if they are to be ready in time for the banquet tonight.” She gave Thomas another long look. “I would recommend you take the time to clean yourself up as well.”

Thomas didn’t bother answering. The ride back to the castle was long and cold and quiet. He stared out the window until they pulled into the castle courtyard, then helped the ladies out of the carriage and called for a page to take the package to Eileen’s room. Lady Prellham thanked him and Eileen opened her mouth to say something but a voice shouting across the courtyard interrupted.

“Thomas!”

Two dozen young men, dressed in heavy winter gear topped with black cloaks emblazoned with the Academy’s coat of arms rushed towards them. Thomas immediately picked out the one who’d shouted—John from his fencing class—and Mark and Kevin running beside him. The others Thomas didn’t know, but they followed in a flock of flapping black capes.

“Henry said you’d be out here soon, so we waited,” said John, holding out a hand for Thomas to clasp. “How are you?”

“Good,” he said, taking John’s hand. “Well, as good as can be expected. You?”

“
Colder than you can imagine,” said Kevin. “We’ve been camping out for a week.”

“I can imagine,” said Thomas. “Wait a moment, will you?”

He turned back to Eileen, Rose and Lady Prellham. “Ladies, these are the students from the Academy come north to help. Gentlemen, Miss Eileen, Miss Rose, and Lady Prellham.”

The students bowed in unison. “Eileen?” said Kevin, straightening up. “Not the same Eileen you used to talk constantly about, surely?”

“The very same,” said Eileen. “Unless there’s something I should be told.”

“And how did you end up here?” He turned to Thomas, “And why ‘Miss Eileen’?”

“Miss Eileen is the sister of a knight,” said Thomas.

“You never told us that! I thought she was the sister of that big blacksmith friend of yours.”

Thomas grinned. “Long story. For now, we should get the ladies out of the cold.”

“We should get ourselves out of the cold,” said Kevin. “But first, Henry wanted us to give you this,” he handed Thomas a sealed letter. “And we’ve got something for you, too. Who has it?”

“I do,” said a student Thomas didn’t recognize. He held out a bundle. “Read the letter first, though.”

Thomas was suddenly wary. “You know what it says?”

“Aye,” said Kevin, grinning. “Have a read.”

“We will go in,” said Lady Prellham. “We will see you at dinner, Thomas.”

“See you then, Lady Prellham, Miss Rose, Miss Eileen,” said Thomas, bowing. The rest of the students followed suit, a ripple of black cloth and white misted breath in the cold of the courtyard. The women left and Thomas pulled one hand out of his glove to break the seal on the letter and read it. He read it twice, then a third time. “He’s joking.”

“He isn’t,” said Mark. “He said that if anyone could manage an unruly batch like us, it would be you. So you’re our captain.”

Henry’s letter confirmed it. Thomas shook his head. “I will have strong words with him about this,” he promised.

“Well until you do, you’ll want this,” said the student with the large bundle. He shook it open and draped it across Thomas’s shoulders. It was a black cloak, emblazoned with the Academy’s coat of arms. “All hail the captain!”

“Hail!” yelled the others.

“Enough!” shouted Thomas. “All right. Have you got a place to stay?”

“There’s a building on the west side where we’re to bunk down,” said Kevin. “It’s one large room for all of us, but it doesn’t smell too bad and it has beds and it’s warm enough, so we’re not going to complain. Especially after a week in the snow. When do we face the enemy?”

Thomas sighed. “No idea,” he said. “What are your instructions for tonight?”

Mark grinned, “Stay away from the banquet if we know what’s good for us,” he said. “Apparently, only the commanders and chosen knights will be attending, and that doesn’t include us.”

Thomas kept his disappointment to himself. “I’ll make sure you get well fed anyway,” he said. “Now come, show me where you are staying, so I can find it. I’ll talk to Lord Henry tonight.”

“Lord Henry?” sniggered one of the students.

“Aye, Lord Henry,” said Thomas. “And don’t forget it. This place is all about the titles and the rank. So keep polite to everyone and don’t get yourselves into quarrels. Now come on. Let’s get inside and you can all tell me who you are.”

22

Thomas took the time to bathe, shave and comb his hair, before heading back to his tower. He was planning to wear his clothes from the previous banquets, Lady Prellham’s suggestions notwithstanding. Instead, he found a very bored page sitting outside his tower door with a new outfit, along with a note from Henry telling him to sit with the knights and to not be late. The coat and breeches were black, top to bottom, with the Academy’s coat of arms above a pair of crossed rapiers embossed in red on one breast of the black, knee-length coat. It fit quite well over the clean white shirt Henry had also supplied. Given a chance to bet on it, Thomas would have put money down that Henry had been planning his appointment since before he had left Frostmire to travel south. Taking a large breath, and wishing he had a large mirror to see how he looked, Thomas stepped out of his room and headed toward the hall.

The hall was half full, though Lady Prellham, George and Eileen were nowhere to be seen. The young lords were not present either, for which Thomas was quite thankful. He looked around the room, found Sir Rowland and Sir Patrick, and made his way towards them.

“Look at you!” said Patrick, as soon as he spotted Thomas. “Are you wearing this in honour of the arrival of the students, then?”

“Sort of,” said Thomas. “Henry made me their captain.”

“Congratulations!” said Rowland.

“I wouldn’t be too quick with that,” said Thomas. “I have no idea how to lead people in battle.”

“You’ll have all winter to learn,” said Patrick. “How many are there?”

“Twenty-four,” said Thomas. “And me.”

“Easy enough, then,” Rowland said. “Three squads of eight. Or four of six. Have each man paired with another and two men with you to act as messengers and your defenders. All fighters?”

“All fencers,” said Thomas.

“Then they’ll need lessons in war tactics,” said Rowland. “You should start them tomorrow.”

“And how am I to do that, since I know nothing about war tactics?”

“Ask someone who does,” said Patrick, smiling. “Us, for example. Or Lord Henry.”

“I’ll start with Lord Henry,” said Thomas. “I have a few words for him anyway.”

Patrick and Rowland grinned. The main doors swung open and a gaggle of courtiers swarmed in. The news of the new troops had caused excitement enough to rate new outfits for most. A hundred different colours and shades dazzled Thomas’s eyes. The young lords entered in a bunch, their clothes as flamboyant as they could manage, easily outshining the others in the room. One of them spotted Thomas and nudged another. Soon the whole group was heading towards him. Lord Charles was among them, moving slowly and leaning on another lord’s arm.

“Oh, lovely,” muttered Thomas. Behind him, he heard Patrick and Rowland get to their feet.

“Well, isn’t that an interesting choice of colours,” said Lord William. “Feeling funereal, were you?”

“I would be, if I were he,” said Lord Anthony. “Considering Baron Goshawk is escorting his girl tonight.”

“Well, someone had to,” said Lord Ethan, “and since Thomas lacks the manners to do it himself…”

“Sad but true,” said Winston.

“And what is that insignia on there?” said Cormac, leaning forward. His arm was still in a sling, and he had cut the sleeve of his coat to wear it.

“The coat of arms of the Royal Academy of Learning,” said Thomas. “With rapiers, to signal that the king’s students have come to war.”

“What students?” demanded Geoffrey, looking around the room. “I see one, and he is of no particular use.”

“There are twenty-four,” said Patrick. “They are in their barracks. Awaiting orders.”

“And why aren’t you in the barracks with them?” said Williams, stepping in front of Thomas.

“Because he is their captain,” said Sir Patrick.

“Their captain?” repeated William. “Henry is making free with his favours these days.”

Thomas spotted George working his way through the crowd. “This has been fun, gentleman, but there is someone to whom I need to speak. Excuse me.”

James stepped in front of him. “We didn’t say you could go.”

“And I didn’t ask,” said Thomas, his voice quiet. “So that solves that.” He stepped around James and when Geoffrey started to step in front of him, turned one shoulder sideways and shoved the young lord out of the way. “My apologies for your clumsiness.” Thomas turned on his heel to face the group of them. “Gentlemen, it is going to be a long night. Save some of this for later.”

He turned on his heel again and worked his way through the crowd to George, listening to hear if any of the lords pursued. None did. The merchants had arrived, moving at stately paces while their progeny attempted to look sophisticated and their wives attempted not to look bored. Amelia was coming in on the arm of her father, and as Thomas ducked around a group of merchants to avoid speaking to her, he nearly walked headlong into Father Roberts.

“Thomas,” said the priest with a smile. “How good to see you here tonight.”