Orphan's Blade (8 page)

She grabbed a medic by the arm. “Excuse me. These men are deemed able to leave?”

“Commander Thoridian has given the minstrels two carriages to transport the wounded, my lady.”

“How kind of him.”

The medic smiled, as if unaware of her mockery. “He is kind, indeed.”

Kind enough to kick them out. Valoria found Echo propped on a pillow, reading a song of protection against enemies. If anything, she was glad to see him leave. At least near the House of Song he’d be safe. The undead would have to storm all of Ebonvale before reaching the bluewood forest. “Where you’re traveling, you will not need such tunes.”

Echo raised a gray eyebrow. “I’m not traveling anywhere.”

“Am I mistaken? Or have you lost your mind cooped up in this warrior’s excuse for a healing dome?”

Echo chuckled and rolled the parchment on his lap. “The medics have deemed me unfit to travel.”

“Helena’s sword! Are your injuries fatal?”

“Not even close.” Echo tapped on a different scroll near his arm. Valoria unrolled the parchment and read the notes. “This is an enchantment of façade. Have you been serenading the medics?”

He smiled wryly. “They love my voice.”

“Horred’s grave.” She collapsed on the side of the bed. “What if the undead attack? You are not in the condition to defend yourself.”

“I have a hunch I’ll be more use to you here than in the House of Song.”

“You’ll be no use if you are dead.”

He picked up a scroll. “I have my songs to protect me. Come.” He gestured for her to lean closer. “There are more serious matters to discuss.”

Valoria’s stomach churned as she moved closer. “What could be more serious than your health?”

A medic came by, bringing Echo a mug of water and asking if he needed anything. Echo waved him away.

Valoria pursed her lips. “I can see why you want to stay.”

“Never mind that now.” Echo’s gaze grew hard as stone as he placed the mug on the table to his right. “Braxten Thoridian is a proud, arrogant young man. He believes he can squelch this threat without the minstrels’ aid.”

“You do not need to tell me what I already know.”

“Watch him with a wary eye. As the sole minstrel at the castle’s back gate, you must make sure the undead do not break through.”

“He’s sent most of the minstrels home. What can I do all alone?”

Echo smiled fondly. “I heard your song during the battle with the raiders. It was you who turned the tide in our favor. Not Ebonvale’s Royal Guard.”

Valoria crossed her fingers together and glanced away. Fear resided deep inside her. Echo had no inkling of what she might have summoned that day and it did no good to speak of it now. “They fought nobly and bravely and we must not take that away from them.”

“It is you who fought nobly and bravely. You have become more than what I could have ever hoped for. ’Tis time I admit your abilities have surpassed my own.”

Valoria’s cheeks burned. Echo was the greatest minstrel in the House of Song. He had no rivals that even came close. “Come now, no one can trick a medic like you do.”

He wiggled a finger at her. “I do not jest. I have full faith you will save us, and I do not mean by marrying Braxten Thoridian.”

She teased him with a mischievous smile. “Does that mean I’m off the hook?”

“Sadly not. ’Tis a cruel fate, but not as cruel as the alternative.” He patted her hand. “I’d marry him myself if it would take the burden off your shoulders.”

Valoria laughed. “I do not think Brax will like you any better than he likes me.”

“Let us hope he likes you a lot.”

“Or at least a little.” Valoria sighed.

“Give him time. He may possess qualities we have yet to see manifest. And the same goes for you. He hasn’t heard you play.”

“Oh, please. No warrior here appreciates music the way we do.”

Echo smiled secretively. “You may be surprised.”

“Even if he does grow to like me even a little, Braxten Thoridian will no sooner allow me on the battlefield than in the council chamber room.”

Echo took her hand and squeezed. “So be it. But that doesn’t change the fact that you must find a way.”

Resolution hardened inside Valoria as she left her old music teacher in the apothecary’s shop. He would not leave her to the wolves alone. He would stay beside her, even if it meant tricking the medics with his music to do so. As long as he lived, she’d always have someone on her side.

Speaking of those on her side, Valoria spotted Nathaniel approaching the temple steps from downtown. What business had he in the city?

Nathaniel recognized her and increased his pace. He caught up just as she took the first step.

“Valoria, you should not be out alone. Where is your handmaiden?”

“Taking a nap.” She glanced at him with irritation. “And you are not my mother.”

“That is certain.” Nathaniel smiled slyly. “But it is not safe in this city for any minstrel to walk alone.”

“Because of all the hatred?”

He glanced away, as if deciding whether or not to tell the truth. When he looked back at her, his face was solemn, resigned. “Yes.”

“All due to Sybil running away with the minstrel years ago?”

“I am afraid so.” Nathaniel told her the truth of the matter—like Cadence. She was growing to love that about him.

“This morning, after the meeting, there was an old woman walking behind the queen. Was that Sybil?” She shivered, thinking of how the old woman’s fierce gaze had bored into her—seeing the raw nakedness of her heart unfold.

Valoria tripped, and Nathaniel took her arm. “Yes, it was. I am sorry no one introduced you. The commotion from the spies has upset our traditions.”

“That’s understandable. Although being left out of the meeting was not.”

“I have no excuse for that.” Nathaniel glanced at their feet as they stepped on one of the ancient, ivory steps from Helena and Horred’s temple.

“The excuse is not yours to give.” Her reply came out harsher than she intended, and Valoria looked away, watching a noble couple descend the steps on the other side, arm in arm, like her and Nathaniel. The only difference was that couple looked like they were married to each other.

“My apologies on the postponement of the wedding.” Nathaniel sounded sincere, but he seemed preoccupied watching the pigeons eat breadcrumbs sprinkled by a boy on the top step.

“No matter.” If only he knew how much she dreaded the wedding. “The king and queen must focus on protecting Ebonvale. That is what is important now.”

“Spoken like a true ruler.” Nathaniel regarded her with pride. “You will be a magnificent queen.”

Valoria laughed and glanced down at her slippers as embarrassment heated her cheeks. “I cannot speak of any magnificence. I only want to be fair.”

“You will be more than fair. That I know.”

History’s Lesson

Whips lashed, and the horses jumped into motion. The two carriages of wounded minstrels rolled down the cobblestone following ten men of the Royal Guard in their silver armor. The minstrels who could ride brought their trumpets to their lips. A fanfare echoed over the cobblestone and reverberated through the stone buildings. They played a song of farewell, wishing Valoria good fortune.

They might as well save their breath.

Valoria waved, portraying a resilient smile while deep inside, she mourned for the countrymen they’d lost, the growing threats on the horizon, and the horrid atmosphere of her new home. She could not show her sorrow to the minstrels. She had to give them a union to believe in, and a future to hope for.

A small crowd of villagers stood on either side of the procession. Woman held children in their arms and on their shoulders, and men brought their drinks from the local tavern into the street. A young boy carried a basket of painted wooden flutes, selling them at too high a price in Valoria’s eyes. The crowds’ feeble waves made Valoria wonder if they were here to support the minstrels or bid them good riddance.

At least Echo had stayed.

“I am thankful for your compliance on this matter.” Brax spoke beside her as he held up his hand to the final soldier. He wore his armor, like every other day of his life. Was he ever rid of it, or did he sleep with a helmet on?

Valoria stiffened. “You did not give me a choice.”

“There is always a choice.” Brax smiled, but it came across as self-satisfied. “You chose wisely.”

He meant she’d chosen not to complain. Frustration prickled her composure. Valoria crossed her arms over her chest. This could not set a precedent for the future. Brax must know she meant for this to be an equal partnership. She was not another servant to be ordered around.

“Which means I’ll get my wish on our next disagreement.”

Brax’s horrified expression curled the sides of her lips. Without staying to hear his reply, she turned and climbed the temple steps. Cadence joined her, lifting the trail of her long, burgundy dress.

“Well, said, my princess.”

Valoria glanced over her shoulder and spoke under her breath. “I thought you were supposed to push me into his arms.”

“Following through is one matter, but becoming a mute, trophy wife is another.”

“Good to know you are still on my side.”

“We are all on the same side.” Cadence reminded her of the reason why she was here. Not to draw lines but to remove them.

They passed by Nathaniel, standing at the back of the congregation of nobles next to an older solider. He bowed his head and Valoria nodded in return. An unspoken understanding passed between them. What of, she wasn’t sure. But, it was enough for Cadence to give her another warning glare.

“That one over there I do not trust at all.”

Valoria painted on a face of innocence. “You mean Lieutenant Blueborough?”

“You know very well who I speak of.”

Valoria bit her lip. It was as if his name had been burned into her heart and there was no way to remove it. Every time she uttered it, her ears turned red.

You will be more than fair.
Valoria had turned those words over and over, trying to find what manner of creature lurked underneath. Had he faith in her leadership abilities? Or did his compliment extend to more of her attributes?

She shouldn’t have given the phrase another thought, but there it was, recited through her mind like a nursery rhyme.

They reached the top of the steps and the train of her dress fell from Cadence’s hands. She huffed and picked it back up. “You wonder why there are so many.”

“They built the castle around Helena and Horred’s sacred temple. They couldn’t very well tear them down.”

“I’m aware of the history. But they could have at least leveled a few.”

Statues of the great gods stood watch on either side of the doors. Helena’s face had been carved as stoic and certain, as if she never doubted one decision in her life. Horred stood burly and tall, much like Brax with a broad forehead and a strong jaw. But, his expression was more open, as if he’d listen to even the poorest beggar on the street.

“To them the temple is sacred, just like our House of Song.” Why Valoria felt like she had to stand up for these warriors, she had no idea. They were full of grandeur and display, when the House of Song valued peacefulness and clarity.

“Every time I climb those steps I feel like ghosts hang over my shoulders.” Cadence shuddered. “All I can think of is how the undead stormed Helena and Horred’s temple and how they stayed behind to hold them off as the people burned the city around them.”

“They gave their lives so others could go on with their teachings, so they could rebuild.” Valoria poked Cadence in the arm. “You told me you weren’t afraid of Sill. That Braxten Thoridian’s army could defeat the most horrid foes.”

Cadence’s face had turned pale. She swallowed hard. “That was before a bird that should not have been flying at all fell atop our heads.”

“Helena and Horred did not have the great wall.” Valoria put her hand on Cadence’s shoulders. Even though she took a position of strength, she’d said it to calm her own nerves as well. Maybe she’d learned a thing or two from Helena’s countenance.

Cadence squeezed her arm. “With all the minstrels gone, except for you, me, and Echo, let us hope that is enough.”

* * * *

“The family is not complete without you by their side.” Timber murmured to Nathaniel as they stood three steps behind the king and queen.

Nathaniel had caught himself staring as he watched Valoria and her handmaiden leave. It took him a moment to form a reply. “I do not doubt their love for me. But, I have my place and Brax has his.”

“You are the elder son.”

“Not by blood or by name.” He gave Timber a look that told him to let it be. The king and queen had given him so much—a home, a family, a title, and a place in their army. To ask for anything more would be ungrateful. And he hadn’t wanted more. Until he’d laid eyes on Valoria.

Ashamed, he pretended to pay attention to the last of the procession. Something Echo had said the other day clung to his thoughts. The old music teacher hadn’t been surprised when Nathaniel mentioned the
force
that drew him to save the minstrel. Echo had known exactly who convinced Nathaniel to save him.

That same voice sang in Nathaniel’s dreams each night.
Justice is served…when one man…outnumbered…has a second chance.
He’d ignored it until a few moments ago, when Valoria had snapped at Brax in a commanding tone he’d not heard from her mouth before, the same voice from the battlefield.

She’d enchanted him. She’d called on him to protect her former music teacher. That, in itself wasn’t a crime. He would have done the same if she’d asked him outright. But, her secret led to another question—had she enchanted him with additional charms? Was this unhealthy preoccupation with her a product of her own doing?

Disbelief clouded his thoughts. Why would she? She was set to marry Brax. Having Nathaniel dote on her would solve nothing. In fact, it would only cause trouble, and she wasn’t a troublemaker. Guilt trickled through him for even considering it. So, if she hadn’t enchanted him, than his feelings for her were all of his own doing. He couldn’t decide which truth was worse.