Stephane smiled and they gazed at one another for a moment, then the Princess looked away to watch the rabbits cooking.
Ty watched this. Then, with a slight incline of his head to Gabriella he added, Im going to scout a bit for shelter.
Gabriella at once got to her feet. Ill go with you. I want to stretch my legs.
Both Stephane and Hal frowned slightly at the remark, but said nothing.
When they were out of earshot of the others, Ty said, Stretch my legs? After three days of hiking these mountains?
It was the best I could think of impromptu. Now, what did you want to talk about?
What just happened? Back there I mean, with Hal and the Princess?
Gabriellas eyes narrowed slightly. You feeling a pang of jealousy then, young rooster?
Ty didnt know whether to be amused or annoyed. He chose the first. Hardly. Our young lord there may be dreaming of your charge, but Ive spent enough time in court to know the Princess will not be married off to some rustic lord, even if he is to be Duke of Crydee some day, let alone a down-in-the-heels, title-poor, back-door-noble son such as myself.
He grew thoughtful. Men who think they need to protect their women get ferociously brave and stupid. If hes being courtly, fair enough, but if hes becoming a love-struck puppy, it would be wise to know.
He grew thoughtful. Men who think they need to protect their women get ferociously brave and stupid. If hes being courtly, fair enough, but if hes becoming a love-struck puppy, it would be wise to know.
She shrugged. I cant tell. Some of your Kingdom of the Isles nobles are as untrustworthy and conniving as Roldems best, but this one? She fell silent for a moment as they moved towards the sound of water. I think hell do the right thing, no matter what. Hes a very well-brought-up young man.
He smiled. And me?
You are the sort my mother warned me about.
He laughed. And you?
She looked off into the distance and said at last, I am not usually comfortable speaking about myself.
Fair enough. Comfort has been a quality sorely lacking lately. But if you prefer to remain a mystery, Im fine with that. I just need to know that if it gets bloody, youre there. He saw her jaw firm and said, I assume its safe to conclude youre not a lady-in-waiting.
I am the Princesss personal bodyguard.
Damn, he said lightly. I knew you were dangerous.
Caught halfway between confusion and humour, she frowned. Dangerous?
I dont usually encounter six-foot-tall beauties, and none before have been as adept at woodcraft as you are. You remind me of my mother.
Your mother?
They found themselves on a slight rise looking down at a large, fast-running creek and half-walked, half-slid down the incline to the bank. Ty looked in both directions then pointed upstream. There I think.
As they moved against the flow of the water, Gabriella asked, What is your mother like?
Strong, like you, he answered without hesitation. But in a different fashion.
Different?
Like a slender tree; she bends with the wind, but endures.
I think I understand, said Gabriella. She pointed. Look.
He saw the cave she indicated and as they walked towards it, continued, Before I was born, the summer my father was undergoing the naming rite of his our people, the Orosini, a man named Kaspar of Olasko ordered the obliteration of our people, because we would not allow his army to pass through our lands so that he could attack the Duchy of Farinda. Our homes in the High Fastness were destroyed and the few survivors were sold into captivity. My mother was one of those.
And your father?
My father, my real father, was some unknown soldier of Olasko.
But I thought ?
Talwin Hawkins married my mother. He had loved her since they were children, and he gave me his name.
But I saw you together. You look so much alike.
Ty grinned. An interesting coincidence, isnt it? My father must have been a handsome devil, I always say. His grin faded. Talwin Hawkins is the only father I have ever known and I love him as such. He has cared for me as if I were his own. Its reasonable Id mimic him as I grew. My mother has not been able to have more children, so hes stuck with me, he added on a lighter note.
She was silent for a moment then asked, Have you a wife?
Ha! he laughed so loudly it echoed through the dell.
He covered his mouth and she looked at him wide-eyed in surprise and covered her own mouth a moment, before saying with a smile, I assume that means no.
I havent had the time, he said quickly. My family is the demands He let the thought go unfinished.
I was wondering, she said as they reached the entrance to the cave. Rare is the noble that can catch rabbits like a poacher, or fish with mere twine and a tree branch. You know your way in the wild.
As do you. He paused, looking at her. She really was a beauty, though her manner disguised that, and being next to Stephane could render a goddess invisible. He quickly tore his gaze away as he realized he was staring and glanced around. I dont like the idea of going in there without a torch.
Not much dry wood to make a torch, she observed.
We might not have to, he said, hurrying down to the edge of the river. The heavy rain had washed a large amount of detritus into the creek, depositing it here and there on the shore. He found a likely-looking branch and hurried back. Wait here a moment, he said, and ducked into the cave. A short time later he emerged with a massive clump of moss. This will burn slowly and give a weak light, but its light. He wrapped the moss around the branch in as tight a knot as he could, then took out flint from his belt pouch and used his hunting knife to strike sparks. He blew into it and got it smouldering and picked up the torch and blew hard on one sport until a flame flared. It wont last more than a few minutes, but Ill get a look around.
Be careful of the bears, she asked.
He smiled, knowing the old joke that was coming. How can I tell if theres one in there?
Usually from the bleeding.
He shook his head and as he turned to enter he said, How many brothers?
Four.
All older?
Yes.
Shaking his head he only said, No wonder, and entered the cave. She followed him, smiling to herself.
In the gloom they found a widening path that led downward, into a very large cave. Once fashioned by flowing water, the underground hideaway was now above the water table, providing a dry floor upon which to rest. Ty poked the torch around in every corner making sure they were alone, then said, Something made a lair here, but two, three years ago.
Bear, I think, said Gabriella.
He made one quick circle around and then said, Lets head back. If we wait too much longer, therell be no rabbit left for either of us.
Yes, Ive been away too long as it is. The Princess is my charge and Ive already violated it by leaving her alone.
Then why did you? Ty asked as they exited the cave.
It seemed like the right thing to do at the time. Besides, she instructed me that at some point I should go off with you for a short while, as she had something she needed to discuss with Lord Henry in person.
Lord Henry?
Thats how she named him. I assume it must be something she considered a matter of state.
Now Ty looked completely confused.
Despite what one might think, Stephane is a very serious-minded woman when she chooses to be. She knows she will be highly placed in marriage, a duchess or even a queen, and that she will play a role vital in keeping peace between Roldem and their neighbours.
Now my curiosity is piqued, admitted Ty. Affairs of state, out here of all places.
No more improbable than affairs of the heart, surely.
Not entirely sure what to say to this, Ty merely nodded.
Stephane watched as Gabriella and Ty vanished from sight and turned to Hal who was turning the rabbits. How much longer until they are cooked? she asked.
He said, Another half hour. If we had a hotter fire, sooner, but too hot and it dries and is tough. Too slow and its chewy and tough. Just right and its savoury and tough.
She laughed. You do manage to keep your spirits up.
Hal let out a small sigh. Truth, Highness? Id as soon be riding through a thousand Keshian Dog Soldiers with a wooden spoon as my only weapon than having to drag you through this wilderness.
She laughed. You do manage to keep your spirits up.
Hal let out a small sigh. Truth, Highness? Id as soon be riding through a thousand Keshian Dog Soldiers with a wooden spoon as my only weapon than having to drag you through this wilderness.
Youre not dragging me, she said, smiling. Im escaping.
He laughed. Speaking of keeping ones spirits up. He turned the rabbits again. The spits were twigs and they rested on rocks, and seemed constantly to want to turn back one way. Vigilance was needed to ensure the rabbits werent burned through on one side and raw on the other.
She was silent for a moment, her expression turning pensive, and at last she said, I wanted to have a chance to speak to you alone.
He turned to give her his undivided attention. Yes?
My position is at best difficult, she began, hesitantly. Lady Franciezka holds you and Ty in high regard, or she never would have entrusted me to your care. Yet I fear that your king may not be
You worry King Gregory might see you as a bargaining chip, much as your Lord John does.
I dont know what to think, Hal, she said plainly. All my life I have been trained to rule, but in the Roldemish fashion of a queen, to offer quiet council to my husband when alone, and to smile and remain silent in public.
Hal thought of Bethany and laughed. Its a bit different in the west, especially along the Far Coast. Our mothers, and wives, are hardly shy in letting their feelings be known.
What Im saying is that if it comes to a conflict, Im not certain I can stand my ground. If Gregory threatens She fell silent. Roldems fleet combined with that of the Isles would drive Kesh back to their own ports.
Hal shook his head. I know thats conventional thinking, but with those pirates in league with someone, raiding free along this coast the balance of power may not be what we thought. Seeing her troubled expression, he decided to change the subject. But you didnt ask to be alone with me to speak of warfare. I pledge to you that as a son of the House of conDoin, I will give my life if need be to keep you from any harm. When this madness is over you shall be safely returned to Roldem. And youll have a Kingdom-born husband in tow only if that is your pleasure.