The Witch's Daughter and the Rogue Lord

Sentiments

    Ferron remains silent as he follows behind me into the stables. I really shouldn’t be so upset with him. I’ve just been so anxious. I can feel the flicker of a flame inside my chest. It hurts. The burning inside me stung and it was only getting worse. It is starting to worry me, along with the angry bursts of fire.

    I decide there’s no better way to distract myself than by doing my chores. I begin to walk to the back of the stable, where the tools are kept. All the horses braying as I walk by. Except for one tall dark brown horse. Strange, it was in the normally empty stall.

“Mordecai!” Ferron shouts cheerfully from behind me.

    The dark horse bobs its head and neighs loudly. I keep walking, but I can hear Ferron patting the large beast. Without turning I say, “He’s beautiful.” I grab ahold of the pitchfork leaning against the wall.

“Did you hear that old boy?” Ferron chuckles. “The lovely lady called you beautiful.”

    I was very thankful that my back was to Ferron. I wouldn’t want him seeing me blush once again in his presence. I shoved my pitchfork into the large hay pile. I pulled out a bunch and with all my strength I toss it into the first stall. I turn back for more.

    I freeze upon seeing Ferron with the extra pitchfork. He does as I did. He shoves in the pitchfork and raises some up. Then, with ease, tosses the hay into a stall. “Um…My LORD.” I try to emphasize his title.

“Yes, Milady?” He looks at me with his cheery smile in place.

I shake my head and sigh, “These are MY chores. I don’t need any help…thank you.”

He scoffs and shakes his head as well. “I’m not going to stand by and watch you do all this work.”

“I do this work every day Ferron.” I huff, then sigh yet again. “This is servant's work.”

“Ugh.” Ferron groans in disgust. “This is simple work. Anyone is capable of doing it.”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, anyone is capable, but it's beneath you.” I have a stab of disdain in my voice.

“That is not what I meant.” He turns and shovels another bunch of hay. “Why shouldn’t a Lord do his own work? If he can, he should.”

Ferron has stunned me again. “Not everyone would agree with such a sentiment,” I mutter, still watching him shovel and toss. He doesn’t even seem to be breaking a sweat.

He chuckles. “No, they wouldn’t. But we can keep that between us.” He winks at me.

    I smile at him. The heat feels dull in my chest, but I could feel a small burst of warmth as Ferron smiled back at me. He pushed his dark hair out of his face. His sleepy eyes seemed even smaller as his smile pushed his cheeks up. My heart does a skip. Ferron is so beautiful.

    Ferron and I both jumps as the stable’s doors fly open. A let out a sigh of relief as Kade Smith walks through the doors. He looks over at me and smiles a large toothy grin. He then looks to Ferron and frowns deeply.

“Good morning, sir!” Ferron calls, unfazed by the obvious displeasure on the stranger’s face.

Kade nods but does not answer him, instead, he looks at me to ask. “Who is this?”

“Kade this is Lord Ferron Dellagashe, Dragg’s guest. Ferron this is Kade Smith. Our stablemaster’s son and apprentice.” I watch Kade’s expression soften.

Kade bows politely. “My Lord.”

Ferron rolls his eyes but smiles at the large man. “A pleasure sir.”

    Kade’s eyes then flicker between the two of us. Kade was always protective over me and his younger sister, Rachel, growing up. He is only a year older than us, but he always towered over all the other kids. Even more so now that we are adults. His shaggy red hair always hiding large green eyes, his less intimidating feature.

“What are you doing my Lord?” Kade eyes the pitchfork in Ferron’s hands.

“I’m helping Lii with her chores.” Ferron nods towards me but keeps his eyes on Kade.

Kade frowns again. “Lii is the one helping me.”

“Well, today I can help the both of you.” Ferron grins and nods as if that was the end of it.

Kade’s eyes flicker back to me with urgency.

“Um Ferron, this is Kade’s job.” I lean towards him, trying to make him understand Kade’s position on this subject.

Ferron narrows his eyes at me but slowly hands the pitchfork to Kade.

    Kade forces a smile at Ferron, then turns to give me a genuine one. Kade makes his way to the other side of the stables to get to work. Ferron leans against a stall door and stares at me. The heat stays calm. He looked upset, maybe even angry with me.

I shake my head and get back to work. Same as before. I shovel, then toss. Once again, I shovel then toss. I do it one more time before I hear Ferron groan.

“Do you need a break Lii?” His footsteps directly at my back.

“No Ferron I’m- “I turn towards him. He is standing very close to me. “I’m fine.”

“Why can’t I help?” He demands. It’s bothered him.

I sigh. “This is Kade’s living. Kade is paid to take care of the horses and stable grounds.”

“Are you paid for helping?” Ferron crosses his arms.

“I do this because I want to,” I answer immediately. “But that hardly matters. I’m not a Lady.”

“You are hardly a servant Lii.” He almost smiles but holds back. “I’m just wanting to make it easier on the both of you.”

I shake my head. “We do this every day, my Lord. I promise I’m fine with it.”

    Ferron stares into my eyes. He looks deep in thought. My heart beats a pace faster. I break eye contact and turn back to the hay pile. I steal a glance towards Kade. His head was a bit turned towards us. I wonder if he was listening.

“You said you owe me a debt.” I jump as Ferron whispers in my ear.

I turn and back away from him. I frown up at him. “That is correct.”

His expression is serious. “I’ve got an idea of how you can repay me.”

A shiver creeps up my spine and the heat begins to enflame my throat.

He lowers his voice to a whisper. “But I don’t think we can discuss it here.”

    I try to slow my breathing. I look towards Kade. He is not even hiding that he is watching us. His face was bright red. I nod at Ferron and raise my voice. “Kade will you be all right with the rest of this?” It seems I’ve forgotten that… Dragg asked me to take Ferron around the village.” I make a story fast.

Kade’s eyes droop. “If you have other obligations Lii, I understand. I can handle this.”

    I don’t say anything more. I walk out of the stables. Ferron is right behind me. I don’t know if he said anything to Kade as we left. My head feels like it's swimming. My heart is burning. I take a breath, hoping it’ll cool my chest from the inside. What is he going to ask of me?

    Ferron catches up quickly then matches my pace. I’m aiming to get into the village to my next task at the blacksmith's. Hopefully, I can find something to distract Ferron before he says anything.

“Milady I do have to speak with you,” Ferron says pleadingly.

I slow down but keep my eyes forward. I breathe in deep. “Speak then please.”

Ferron hesitates for a minute. His reluctance makes me even more worried. “Do you have a lot of work to do today?”

“Nothing of terrible importance…. Other than my work at Mr. Lance’s, the blacksmiths.” I bite my lip as the words leave my mouth.

“What work do you have to do at the blacksmiths?” Ferron seems intrigued.

We both keep a good pace. We would be at the village soon, maybe I can keep him distracted. “I don’t normally do much. Just some polishing and organizing. Sometimes I help with the King's commissioned work, that’s what I’ll be assisting with today.”

I can see Ferron’s face snap down at me. “The King commissions your blacksmith? For what?”

I shrug. It seems my distraction is working. “Swords and armor mostly. It's normally just an order a month but the King must have some event coming up. He has asked for double the amount in the past two months. Poor Mr. Lance has been exhausted.”

I hear Ferron grumble. But I can’t make out what he said.

“Today I’ll be helping him, and several others pack a cart for Sir Bane, the knight the King sends to retrieve the equipment.” I continue.

Ferron gasps. “Just the one knight?! That sounds like a lot of stuff to be defended by one knight.”

I look up at him with bewilderment. “He is a very capable knight though Ferron. Besides it’s a safe enough journey from here to the Kings court…. well I assume. His trips have been very successful the last few years.”

“But….that’s still a four-day ride from here.” Ferron seems very bothered by this.

“I’ll have to take your word for it.” I sigh. “I assure you, Ferron, Sir Bane is fine.”

“It isn’t just Sir Bane that the King is disregarding though,” Ferron says with no penance in his voice.

“That’s a dangerous thing to do Ferron. You shouldn't question the King.” I feel the flames whip angrily inside me. I agreed with Ferron, but my years here have taught me to be careful what I say about the King. People seemed to regard him highly.

“Everyone should always question the King. Don't get me wrong Lii, my opinion is one of concern for not only our King but for his people.” There was a calming feeling that came with Ferron’s words. I am once again feeling multiple things towards my new companion. I am so unsure of his motivations. But he keeps showing apathy and empathy towards others. I was beginning to be almost certain this is a good person. But I felt a cold tingle on my spine as I remember Ferron's whispered words. You said you owe me a debt. And moments ago he planned to ask me to repay my dues. Ferron's intentions were truly shrouded in mystery.