Don't Forget to Dream (35 page)

The commotion around him brought Callum out of his troubled thoughts. Tam was being led
away;
no dou
bt to await the gallows along with the rest.
Callum had failed to listen to his father
’
s sentencing. Only a few of
the youngest and the most naive
captured
lads
would be spared the hangman
’
s noose.

Another prisoner was led in and forced to kneel before King Liam. The scribes quickly shuffled and rearranged papers before reading out the summation of the man
’
s crimes. Callum
’
s thoughts fought to drift back to Rhyla but he stubbornly refused to face the awaiting turmoil and pain his conclusions were leading to and instead forced himself to listen to Master Smythe relate the charges facing this young man.

The days continued to flow by with the care of her patients, her duties to Lady Emelia and daily sessions with Master Thomas filling her waking hours, pushing her to exhaustion. Rhyla
was content, if not truly happy
with her new routine within the Palace confines. Falling into bed each night, exhaustion would envelope her b
efore her thoughts could linger;
stray where she denied them. Yet her dreams betrayed her hard fought conscious control and hourly battle.

At night they were always together. Sometimes she just watched him practice his blade work, at others they would dine and dance or stroll beneath the orchard once again. On other nights he wore the simple homespun of a farmer and they worked the fields or tended the livestock together. Whatever they
did, however they were clothed;
they were always together, in each
other
’
s arms and happier than she could ever imagine. Yet dawn would inevitably rise, tearing her away from the idealic world of her dreams and into the harsh reality of status, propriety and the confines of Palace life. Every morning she would angrily brush away burning tears and reinvent the heavy facade that allowed her to function.

Rhyla believed her facade impenetrable, only exposing the composed, quiet, hard working servant in Lady Emelia
’
s shadow. But to those few, who she had allowed to get close,
knew the image to be a
false one, and no more
was it
apparent to Lady Emelia and Master Thomas
one fine warm morning a week after Prince Callum
’
s return.

Rhyla fiercely lashed out with a complicated tirade of attacks, lunges and pursuing attacks
towards Master Thomas. As he retreated she drove him
back the length of the hall before he reasserted his strength and forced her off balance with the brute power behind his parry. Only with his blade level before her eyes did Rhyla pause to regather her stance.

“
I think that is enough for today,
”
Lady Emelia called from her seat by the entrance to the weapon
’
s hall.

Rhyla barely managed to control the angry glare in
her eyes before remembering who
had spoken.
“
But we have only just started, my lady.
”
She realised she sounded like a petulant child but was thankful that was the worst in her tone.

“
That may be so, but today you are not learning. You launch yourself across the room at a man nearly twice your size and with the skill to take your head from your shoulders at any time he so desired.
”

“
But my lady...
”
Rhyla began.

“
Do not interrupt me,
”
Lady Emelia said quietly but with a firmness that fully expected obedience. She glanced briefly to Master Thomas,
“
That includes you.
”

“
Yes my lady,
”
the master at arms said more formally than usual for their private sessions, with a modest bow before he sheathed his blade.

Lady Emelia stood and walked towards them before continuing.
“
I allowed you to train where no other
woman does as it made you happy. It
gave you a peace you were unable to find within this world of ours. You showed sense and respect for the skill and discipline required. You shall never have the strength to fight a man in brutal combat.
”

“
But I can still fight,
”
Rhyla interrupted before a raised eyebrow silenced her.

“
Yes you can fight but not with strength alone. You must have speed, agility and skill to surpass your comparative weakness. In essence you must think
,
if
you are ever
put to the test. You must know your weakness, learn your strengths and embrace them so your movements are instinctive, leaving you to think.
”
Lady Emelia sighed before reaching out to place a hand atop Rhyla
’
s where it rested upon the hilt of the blade.
“
Today you fought. You did not train. You fought
as though you wish
ed
to die. If you wish to continue you must learn to control your emotions, focus on the skills and the determination that I know is within you to succeed.
”

Rhyla knew the truth of her mistress
’
words, but spoke before she could stop herself,
“
And what if that determination is gone? What if there is nothing more to fight for?
”

Lady Emelia exchanged concerned frowns with the silent master at arms.
“
I can
’
t believe the girl who
was brought to me all those months ago has truly lost her way. We have all been through so much recently and don
’
t think I haven
’
t noticed the extremes to which you push yourself when you see others in need of your help.
”
Rhyla opened her mouth but closed it again as Lady Emelia lifted a challenging eyebrow once again.
“
Tomorrow will mark the end of our ordeals and the final step towards healing, and I mean for you more so than for many of us.
”

“
Healing?
”
Rhyla asked,
“
What makes tomorrow any different from today?
”

“
Why, the bandits of course. Tomorrow you will see justice done. The men responsible for your father
’
s death, and countless other crimes, are to be hung
.
”

Rhyla
’
s face blanched as she took in the news. She had wanted justice for her father
’
s death, to see his mur
derers
pay for what they had d
one, but to actually witness it was something Rhyla had never considered.
Even to know it was taking place outside as she remained hidden within her room, was too must for her to confront.

“
Rhyla,
”
Lady Emelia
’
s alarm and the sudden security of muscular arms around her brought Rhyla
’
s focus back. She realised how weak her legs felt and trembled softly.
“
I think we had best sit her down.
”

Feeling herself being guided to one of the benches her composure quickly returned.
“
No my lady,
Master Thomas, I
’
m fine, really.
”
She
realis
ed she no longer held the blade.
Master Thomas had tucked her weapon under his arm
as he supported her with the other.
“
Please, I am
well;
it was just a shock after all this time. I hadn
’
t heard the sentencing, hadn
’
t expected it so soon.
”

“
No I guess no one would have thought to inform you directly. You have every right to attend,
”
Lady Emelia assured her but stopped as the colour drained again from Rhyla
’
s face and Master Thomas tightened his grip on her.

“
I.... I don
’
t think I wish to be there,
”
she stammered realising it was most likely expected of her. They would all expect her to be there to witness their hangings.

“
Oh my child, this is a harsh world we live in but no one will insist on you being there. It is not an easy thing to witness, even when you know the crimes they have committed. I have seen more than I care to remember and wouldn
’
t wish those memories on anyone.
”

“
Thank you my lady.
”

Lady Emelia looked again to Master Thomas.
“
Actually, perhaps it would be best for you to be o
ut of the city alt
ogether tomorrow.
”

Rhyla brightened at the prospect, standing a little straighter.
“
How is that possible?
”
she asked hesitantly.
“
Do you need to go somewhere?
”

“
No my girl, I won
’
t be going anywhere, but some of the men are riding out to the estates, to look in on the hunting grounds. I am sure it can be arran
ged for you to accompany them, d
on
’
t you think Master Thomas?
”
It sounded more an order than a question to Rhyla.

Master Thomas only bowed gently,
“
Of course, I shall see to it myself. I shall have a mare saddled and ready for you when the men are ready to depart, an hour after dawn.
”

Lady Emelia nodded with a highly satisfied soft smile for her old friend.

“
I don
’
t know what to say. Are you sure it
’
s alright to leave you for so long my lady?
”
Rhyla said in disbelief at
the sudden turn of events.
A
day out riding, even if it were with the guards
men, was a dream compared to the
prospects
of
a few minutes ago.

“
It is only for one day my dear, and I know it will do you a world of good to spend the day riding through the countryside.
”

Rhyla smiled for the first time in days,
“
I don
’
t know how to thank you.
”

“
Seeing you smile again is enough. Now let us find you a riding dress, you can
’
t exactly go out in those britches,
”
she said indicating the leather trousers she wore for her sessions with Master Thomas.

“
I still have the riding dresses from our time at the estates.
”

Lady Emelia smiled in what Rhyla recognised as her grandmotherly way,
“
My dear, you will be riding through the city on a mare from the Palace
stables surrounded by guardsmen.
You
can
’
t wear an old woollen country dress.
”

Rhyla knew from her tone that Lady Emelia would not be listening to any arguments.

Dawn greeted her eyelids with a gentleness Rhyla had not welcomed in a very long time. For once there were no tears or grit in her eyes, no anguish at the dreams left behind or
despairs
at facing another day. The excitement of
leaving the Palace if only for one day, even if in the company of guardsmen
, was enough to dispel her troubled thoughts
this morning.

Quickly dressing in the dark blue silk riding dress Lady Emelia had found for her, Rhyla hurried out of their room before Elsie had finished donning a clean shift. Rhyla called back that she would fetch their breakfast to Lady Emelia
’
s chambers and meet her there. Elsie had no time to query her sudden change in behaviour but casually took the opportunity to linger
,
as she washed her face, brushed and braided her hair and donned a clean dress. Their breakfast was hastily concluded as Lady Emelia announced it was time they made their way to the courtyard.

“
As you wish Lady Emelia,
”
Rhyla replied as she promptly wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin, placed it beside her plate and smoothly rose. E
lsie looked at her in confusion. It
had been weeks since she had seen even the half hidden grin that now lit her friend
’
s face. Aiding Lady Emelia to her feet they left Elsie behind to continue her morning chores and
also to prevent from answering the many questions she knew Emelia wished to ask. Slowly
they made their way from the lady
’
s private chambers.