Page 120 of Unrivaled
“We’ll see you at the keep, mistress,” Chay called.
We were moving.
I wasn’t a hero.I had done nothing heroic.I’d read illegal books and kept going until I’d tried what felt like every possible option, andoneof them had been right.That was all.
The three men around me were silent.Chay’s gloved hand on my reins made Storm’s ears flick back.Beside her, Bliksem tossed his head, irritated at her proximity as much as she was, his.
“Just a little way, friend,” Chay murmured.“You’ll be okay.We’ll be home soon.”
He was talking to his horse, of course.
CHAPTERFORTY-FOUR
ISOLDE
Your archers are ample.They’ve vanished, as they always do, reappearing just to adjust my list of targets.Having your trackers to do the reconnaissance quietly in the background while mine do the day-to-day work of war is useful.As for sending more to capture a sorcerer...I’ve had a lot of bodies, old friend.I suspect they’re flimsier than their Cursed counterparts, hence their swift deaths in captivity.It’s of limited importance.—in a letter from General Victor, Duke of La’Angi to General Dieudonné, Count of Black Borough
9thDay of Autumn’s Son Moon,
Age of the Locways, Year 272
La’Angi Keep
My limbs started to feel tired.The post-exertion energy only lasted for so long, and there had beenextensiveexertion.How Audrey was still upright but functioning so well was beyond me.
I hoped she could maintain her pace until it was safe to slow.
I barely side-stepped the runner who dashed past me, his small legs pumping hard.They didn’t usually ask young children to do very much, so I was surprised to see official ribbons dangling from his hand.
“Sorry, mistress!”he crowed, skidding to a halt, his eyes bright as I juggled the tray, somehow keeping it straight.“Got a message for t’ lady,” he said, proudly, holding up a very tall, tightly rolled piece of paper.
I sighed, lowered the tray I held.“Go on, then,” I said.“Put it on.”
His grin was huge.“Thanking you, mistress Isolde!”
I continued along, passing one of the halls with the frescoes being restored by patient—and probably impatient—artists.They’d run over time, but because the delay came from a delivery Audrey had been responsible for, she upheld the contract in hopes the hall would be ready for the festivities in less than a week.She had alternative plans ready to put in place and a cut-off date to make the change already.
The reek of the paint made my head spin.Orvald was trotting along, his chestnut hair in artful disarray, a bundle of what could have been paint brushes or murder implements under his arm.If Orvald was here, Sandra wouldn’t be far.The boy had pickpocketed her heart and she didn’t even know she’d been robbed yet.
“Get the windows open,” I told him, seeing where he was headed.“Audrey won’t like dead artists in her hall.”
He grinned and tipped an imaginary hat to me, entering the room with a fancy little spin.All that energy was wasted on the young.I passed Thomas, standing smartly by the door, his shield resting by his feet, one had on his spear.He gave me a nod.I pretended not to see it and floated on past.
Audrey had chosen the room well.A large, rich table was the only item she’d left in here, but it needed no adornment.
When we’d cleaned it up half a moon ago, she’d stood in the center of the room, her hands on her hips.Covered in dust, her hair going everywhere, she’d grinned and declared, “It’s a place for business.”
Now there was no dust in sight, and her hair was neat as a pin.Comfortable chairs, paper, quills, ink, ledgers all stood very neatly on the table, but left plenty of space.
The merchant she was currently meeting with was rolling up a map, a smile on his face, his movements unhurried.Sandra leant over and pointed silently at a page—Audrey made a few quick marks where she indicated.I set the tray down on the other side of the table and went to look out over the bailey and into the city.The weather was still excellent.I knew Audrey had plans to have glass shutters installed so she could have the view—and the light—even during winter.
She ran through pleasantries as I listened with half an ear.A seabird glided into view, its wings carrying it high above with apparent effortlessness.I felt the tiredness in my own body with pleasure, watching it coast along.I could do that, on land.My feet carried me the same as its wings.I was free.
Pleasantries were exchanged.I listened to the merchant’s steps, the whisper of his paper and the sigh of his velvet and leather garments.I heard the door snib closed behind him.
“That wentverywell.”Sandra said the words sooner than I would’ve advised, tense with excitement she’d been unable to contain.That Thomas had seeded such an insightful human was proof a man’s input was of middling importance when it came to creation.
“I wouldn’t have been brave enough to ask for the eight-year contract after he offered such a good price,” she continued.“I almostchokedwhen you suggested it.”
