The Jewel of Kamara (The Delthenon Chronicles) (3 page)

Would
she and Chae still love one another? She feared that his time in the city may
have changed him. Had his quest to be a knight and be accepted hardened him?
Would he still laugh at her tales and calm her temper? Would they still share
the same thoughts and ideas?

—

The
convent buzzed with excitement. The visitors from the city would be upon them
at any moment. Refreshments were prepared, troughs filled with water, benches
wiped down.

Tempani
sat in the infirmary, her packed bag at her feet. She knew she should have been
outside, waiting like the well-bred noblewoman she was, but she couldn’t bear
the thought. She didn’t want people to believe she was going away willingly. At
least in the infirmary, she could distract herself. Keep her hands busy.

She
rinsed her cloth and wiped the face of the young villager who had been brought
in two nights past with a fever and horrible cough. The boy gripped her hand.

“I’m
scared,” Asher whimpered.

“There’s
no need to be scared,” she whispered. “We’ll look after you.”

“I
don’t want to die.”

She
bit her lip and fought back tears. She knew his chances of surviving weren’t
good. She had seen too many like him. Starved, the fever set in and then the
cough. He would have only a matter of days.

She
pressed her lips to his forehead. “Blessed Goddess, guide my hand. Show
compassion to this child.”

Their
clasped hands grew hot, and she fought back a yelp. “Rest Asher. There’s no
need to be afraid.” She watched him until he fell asleep and then freed herself
from his grasp and inspected her hands. That had never happened before. Perhaps
the Goddess had assisted her.

She
walked out of the infirmary, wiping away her tears and almost crashed into
Mother Chennai and a man she did not know.

“My
daughter, it’s time.” She placed an arm around Tempani’s shoulders. “This is
Sir Madoc of Pina. He is to accompany you to Fenella.”

Tempani
scowled before remembering her manners and sunk into a curtsey before the young
knight.

He
was handsome. She noticed straight away. He was tall, perhaps an inch shorter
than her father, but he had a larger frame than his former mentor. He had dark
hair that was cropped above his ears, watchful dark eyes and skin that was dark
for a Kamari.

“Lady
Tempani, it is a pleasure to accompany you. Once our horses are rested, we will
make a start on our journey north.”

Tempani
forced a smile. “I will say my goodbyes and be with you shortly.” She walked
away, not really knowing who she needed to say goodbye to. The only friend she was
leaving behind was Nika. And she had bid him farewell the night before.

He
had not taken the news well. “You don’t have to go. You have rights.”

She
shook her head and tried to make him understand. “I am my father’s daughter. I
must do as he wishes no matter how much I may disagree with the decision. I
have no option but to travel to Fenella and be reunited with my family.”

“Do
not forget that they are only half your family.”

She
shook her head. “Never. You of all people know how much I miss her.”

He
frowned and then did something that surprised them both. He pulled her into his
arms. She hesitated for a moment before wrapping her arms around his waist. He
pressed his lips against the top of her head. “May the Goddess guide you.”

She
reached out and stroked Kwahi’s feathers. “And may she reunite us one day.” And
with that she left him standing there.

She
wandered through the stables and took one last look at the horses she had loved
and waved farewell to the sister who helped her tend them. Then with a heavy
heart she went to find Sir Madoc.

—

The
road north was a slow one as the snows of the winter melted away. The day had
been especially long for Tempani because as a lady she’d had to ride in the
cart they’d brought along and the man who drove it had uttered no more than a
greeting to her.

So
she had sat beside the man they called Rando with a frown on her face, her arms
crossed, and
Tilaw
resting his head on her lap. She
almost leapt from the cart when they finally arrived at their resting stop for
the night but then remembered who she was and waited for Sir Madoc to offer his
arm in assistance.

He
led her inside a run-down inn and spoke quickly to the barman, who glared at
the girl and then limped away. Sir Madoc gestured Tempani forward, and they
followed the man. He unlocked a door and handed the key to Tempani before
disappearing.

“It
isn’t much,” Madoc apologized as he carried her bag inside and set it down
beside her bed. “But our options are very limited.”

He
didn’t meet her eyes as he spoke and understanding dawned on the young girl.

“Perhaps
I should have covered my face with a white powder, and then we could have
stayed in the finest accommodations,” she said.

“I’m
sorry. There’s no excuse for ignorance.” He went to close the door and then
stopped. “I’ll have them bring dinner to your room shortly.”

She
simply nodded and then turned away so he wouldn’t see the tears forming in her
eyes. She thought she’d be used to being treated this way. How did Chae put up
with all of this? Or was it a different matter now that he had his shield? She
would have given anything to have him with her right now. To tell her that
everything would be all right and that not everyone would look at her with
disgust in their eyes.

She
let the tears fall and fell asleep soon after, not even waking to the tapping
on her door when her dinner was ready.

Tempani
woke before the sun had risen the next morning and clutched her growling
stomach. She shoved her feet into a pair of slippers and opened her door
quietly. No one was about but the smell of fresh bread wafted down the hall.
She crept down the stairs and followed her nose to the kitchen.

She
tapped lightly on the door and pushed it open. A loud crash echoed through the
room as the blonde serving girl dropped the tray she was carrying, sending two
pitchers of water flying, and stared open mouthed at Tempani.

“Oh,
I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you,” she said. “I was just looking for
something to eat.”

The
girl didn’t move and continued to stare.

“What’s
going on?” The cook burst through the door, his eyes darkening as saw the
pitchers and spilt water on the floor. “
Neria
, clean
this mess!”

The
girl finally blinked and bowed her head, hiding her bright red cheeks. She
knelt down clumsily and tried to mop up the water with an already wet rag.
Tempani pulled a dry one off the bench and bent over so she was level with the
girl.

“Here,”
she said and held the rag out.

The
girl yelped and pulled her hand away from where it was almost touching
Tempani’s.

The
cook finally registered Tempani’s presence and glared at her. “Ye
shouldn
’ be in ‘ere.”

“I’m
sorry,” she stammered. “I was just looking for some food.”

There
was a strong hatred in his eyes and it sent a sent shiver down her spine. She
stepped backwards, but as she did, he advanced on her. She sent a panicked look
to
Neria
, but the serving girl kept her head bowed.

“
Ye’re
all the same,” he spat. “I told Jan we
shouldn
’ let the likes of ye in.”

Tilaw
bared his teeth and snarled at the man. A
flash of anger coursed through her, and as it did the temperature in the room
rose. Tempani didn’t notice it through her fury, but the cook’s eyes darted
around to see if a flame had been left unattended.

The
door burst open and a large hand grabbed Tempani’s upper arm. She spun, ready
to throw a punch in defense, and found herself facing Sir Madoc, who had a
worried look on his face. He surveyed the room quickly and then pulled her
behind him.

“I
hope there’s not a problem here,” he said.

The
cook backed away and forced a smile onto his face. Tempani thought it made him
look even more menacing. “No sir,” he said, through clenched teeth.

“We
need food for our journey,” he said shortly. “Have a basket ready for us when
we leave.” He turned on his heel and beckoned Tempani to follow him. He led her
quickly down the hall, up the stairs and back to her room.

“Don’t
ever wander off on your own again. It’s not safe.”

“I
did nothing but ask for food,” she whispered.

“Next
time find me, and I will get whatever you need.”

She
felt the spark of anger again. “I am more than capable of fending for myself.”

“Back
in the convent, no doubt. But here it is a different story. I promised your
father I would get you home safely, and I intend to do so. Please just do as I
say.”

The
mention of her father made her stop in her tracks. “My father would no more
care what happens to me than that cook,” she scoffed.

“Believe
what you want,” he said. “But my orders from him were very clear, and I intend
to honor them.” He opened her door and walked in ahead of her. “We leave before
the next hour. Pack up your things and be downstairs ready to go. And please
cover your head today.”

Tempani
scowled but did as she was told and covered her head like any normal unwed
woman before she joined her group and took her seat beside Rando. The trek
wasn’t as bumpy as the day before, and she was able to sit back and take in the
scenery. She had never seen this part of the kingdom before and was surprised
to see how bad things had become.

She
knew the king didn’t care for much beyond the walls of his palace, but she
would have thought he’d ensure his people were cared for. The villages they
passed looked like they were on their last legs. Homes had parts of their walls
missing; some didn’t have roofs. There was no protection from those creatures
that preyed on humans. The convent had been safe, protective charms keeping
unwanted species away, but there were none here that she could see or feel. And
no guards to keep the people safe.

They
rolled past a large group of common men, their bodies caked in mud, as they
trudged up the grassy hill towards the fields. They stared at her, their faces
devoid of any emotion.

“Keep
it moving!” A deep voice thundered as he advanced on the men.

She
flinched as the flesh of one man was whipped. The harsh sound was foreign to
her ears, and she brought her hands up to cover them. The fallen man was met by
the boot of the whip yielder.

“He’s
hurt,” she cried when Rando kept the carriage moving. “I have to help him.”

“
Ain’t
nothing you can do for him, my lady. Best keep
moving.”

“No,
I can help him. Turn around. Please.”

 Madoc
wheeled his horse around and rode up alongside them. “What’s wrong?”

“That
man’s hurt,” she said. “We have to go back so I can help him.”

Madoc
shook his head. “There’s nothing we can do.”

“I
can help!” She cried. “I’ve been trained.”

“No,”
he snapped. “You’re not at the convent anymore. There’s nothing you can do. How
a man chooses to treat his people is up to him. We stay out of it.”

She
glared at him, shocked by his stance. Wasn’t a knight supposed to protect
people? Didn’t they take oaths pledging to help those weaker than them? Or was
it all just for show and all they did was escort young ladies to and from the
city? If that was the case then she didn’t want a part of it.

“Take
me back to the convent,” she said. “I would prefer to stay there then keep
company with men who stand by and let others be hurt.”

Madoc
turned his horse around and kicked it forward. “We’ll stop for the night soon.
There’s a merchant nearby who will give us shelter.”

She
opened her mouth to object, but he was already gone. She slumped back against
the carriage and angrily swiped away her tears.
Tilaw
whined beside her as he batted her with his paw. She looked down at him, but he
was fixated on something up in the sky. She glanced up and found herself
calming down as she watched the eagle flying above them. Kwahi stayed with them
until they stopped for the night.

—

The
road into the city was busy with people pushing forward to be first through the
sentries. Their carriage rolled to a stop while they waited for the merchant’s
carriage in front of them to move along. Her eyes fell on a man, his clothes
hanging from his thin body. His dark eyes were vacant as he stared longingly at
the cart ahead of them that was laden with bread.

She
fumbled in the basket beside her. She was sure there was some leftover cheese
and cold sausage that she had put away for
Tilaw
. Her
fingers closed around the sausage and she pulled it free. Ignoring the look of
joy in the dog’s eyes, she jumped from the carriage and hurried over to the
man. Behind her she heard Madoc curse and call out her name.