River Heart

Chapter Eighteen - The Smith

‘There’s no joking about the daughters of Redstone,’ Timmit examined his own bread, then stabbed it with his knife to prise it open. ‘They’d do well to marry a prince; their Father would be proud and their Mother would die of happiness.’

Kit and Lyris exchange glances, ‘you think it’s likely?’ The wagon driver pried and Timmit shrugged.

‘It’s what any noble family would want,’ his cheeks were stained pink, as though the young man had been running up the hill before sitting down. ‘What about Prince Arnit, though, what would he do?’ The Smith returned.

Lyris was surprised to be addressed with the question and risked a glance at her former companion. She lifted her shoulders in a shrug, ‘he’s a prince. I’m sure he’ll do what he wants.’

Timmit glared at her, ‘why wouldn’t he want Lady Meredith?’ He attacked the butter next, squishing it over the bread and watching as it melted in the corners where it was spread thinnest.

The student studied the man, before she relaxed into her chair. Leaning back so Kit and Timmit could talk over herz

‘Perhaps her heart lies elsewhere?’ Lyris suggested and watched the smith’s ears turn red.

He shook his head, fast, ‘she’s a good lass,’ he muttered and looked up as the second course was served. Shredded crab in a seafood sauce was provided in a small glazed bowl and set beside the bread plate of each diner. Once the servants were dismissed Timmit risked a glance, ‘if her parents told her she was marrying a prince, she’d marry a prince.’

Lyris let out a slow sigh and returned her attention to the top-table. It seemed that the Smith was rather taken with Lady Meredith, and she wondered how long he’d watched her from afar. Curious, she watched the fairer of Redstone’s daughters and wondered if the affection was returned. However, neither Arn, Meredith nor Annabeth so much as glanced in the direction of the lower tables and Lyris resumed her meal, determined to make the most of the food and celebration. After the fish, a salad was served before meat and roasted vegetables were placed on the wooden tops and the guests left to help themselves. The cook’s must have had a heart attack being asked to prepare a feast on such short notice.

After the daintier portions, Lyris found that she wasn’t hungry and picked at the lamb that Kit pushed onto her plate. Finally, small decorations made of march pane were set on wooden platters with strawberries and pitchers of fresh cream. Timmit and Kit had continued their conversation over her shoulders, arguing about the best way to cure a horseshoe.

Lyris picked at the strawberries, though usually they were her favourite. On the Island they grew their own, but there was never so many that she would pass up the opportunity to eat them.

Torches burned in brackets that lined the room and her face felt tight from the heat and a day in the sun. Unable to watch the top table any longer, she waited for any sign that the gathering was dismissed. Timmit revealed that it wasn’t unusual for the tradespeople to join the staff of the fort for their evening meal, along with any soldiers who weren’t on duty. However, they’d been presented with a more lavish meal than usual. Lyris hid her yawn behind her hand as Annabeth was invited into the center of the room, and began to sing.

She had a sweet, high voice that complimented the musicians who joined her with a fiddle and a flute. The young noblewoman looked like a statue as she stood, hands clasped in front of her. Kit watched the Lady, with his mouth open until Kelanin kicked him under the table. Timmit only had eyes for Meredith who sat, listening patiently. Once, Lyris looked across at the Prince and met his gaze by accident. Cheeks flushed, she found herself anxious for the meal and entertainment to come to an end. It was too hot in the hall with so many people; the large fire really wasn’t necessary.

‘I wonder if they’re trying to cook us,’ she muttered to Kit who waved his hand back at her.

‘Shh,’ he returned to staring at the Lady, ‘she sounds so lovely.’

After Annabeth’s performance was met with applause, Redstone himself stood and gave thanks to the Prince for gracing his humble table. Arnit lifted his goblet in thanks, and Lyris was left wondering just how many cups of wine he’d finished. The young man looked a little flushed around the cheeks. Maybe he was just overheating too. Finally the diners were excused and the doors were opened to let in a flood of cool air. The musicians remained and started with a lively melody.

Redstone turned to Arn and Lyris found herself straining to hear what he said, almost disappointed that it was a request for a story about travelling through the land. What else had she been expecting? That Redstone would ask Arn to marry one of his daughters? It was hard to breathe, even with the door open and the fresh air rolling in. Whatever story Arn started telling, Meredith listened with eager intent. As a few of the soldiers had already made their departure, Lyris set down her linen napkin and stood. She excused herself to Timmit and promised Kit she would rise in time for breakfast. Having finished two cups of wine herself, the floorboards seemed to lurch like the deck of a ship beneath her feet as she stood. Lyris set herself straight and made her way down the edge of the hall. The wide entranceway to the Fort itself was far cooler than the great hall and the air washed against her burning face.

Finally, able to breathe, Lyris paused in the entrance way and struggled to make her plans. She hoped that she hadn’t been too rude to leave so early, but knew that if she stayed any longer, she might have made a scene or a mess. Jealousy rolled with nausea in the pit of her stomach. It was hard to separate one from the other and she couldn’t have stayed. She couldn’t stay; not even this close to the hall with everyone inside.

Jealous of a Prince, ridiculous, she scolded herself and took the final steps toward the doors. They were thrown open to a night that had arrived cool, crisp and without sight of a single cloud. The moon was hidden behind a tree and she heard the gentle coo of sleeping doves in the cote.

Why should she be envious of anything? She nodded to the guards who stood on either side of the door, collected her skirts and made her way down the wide-steps to the courtyard where they’d circled the wagons in the afternoon. The caravan was settled beyond the wall now, and out of sight down the hill and nearer to the lake. Her feet landed on the gravel beyond the stone steps and she found herself turning to marvel at the ring of expansive stone buildings. All hewn from the same rock that gave the fort its name. It seemed that Arn was more than comfortable with the luxury afforded to nobility. She however, had been happier camping in the wilderness with a mattress that smelt like fresh straw.

He hadn’t seemed dissatisfied with the obvious match Redstone wanted to create either. Her companion had not returned to the caravans after their arrival, so she could only assume that he had received a room in the home of their host and that his journey, had come to an end. Finally, with the last call of songbirds settling in the decorative trees, Lyris turned back to the path. Kit and the others would find their own way back, it was hardly a long journey. Just across the courtyard, through the gates and down the hill to the lake. Her own time was growing short with the caravan, travelling by boat across the lake would take her to Toscun within two days instead of the four it took to skirt the edge of the water and with the change of moon approaching, Lyris knew that she should choose the faster road or risk failing in her quest.