Chapter Eight (Pt.2)
Walking towards Harlan, Leah slowed her pace for he seemed to be deep in conversation with Kayla, who towered over him. She was almost as tall as a man and was one of the few women who could look Edmon in the eye. She always carried herself tall and erect, yet still had an uncanny ability to fade into the background. Noticing the newcomer, she smiled widely. “Good day to you, Leah.”
“You don’t look like you got much sleep,” said Harlan.
She shrugged. “Don’t know why, the quarters are comfortable enough.” In truth, Leah did know the reason why she couldn’t relax enough to get a good night’s sleep: she was terrified Meraud would appear.
Harlan nodded. “Our hosts are very generous in ensuring their guests don’t want for anything.”
The Kurabarans’ had built a low-ceilinged structure for the sole purpose of housing large numbers of people, be it their own kind who came in from the desert, or visiting warriors. It was fairly basic, intended to be nothing more than sleeping quarters, but the bedding provided was far from basic. The warriors had slept on cloth-covered mattresses packed so full of straw they’d been unable to feel the hard ground under them.
“And that is why it took forever to get the warriors up and at their chores this morning,” said Kayla. “So, if you will excuse me, I shall now satisfy myself that our warriors are all suitably employed and not sitting idle.” As she strode away, she glanced back at Leah and Harlan, still leaning against the low wall. “And I hope you two will be joining me soon.”
“Yes, commander,” they replied, neither moving a muscle.
Moments of silent contemplation slipped by until Leah remembered the original reason she’d sought out Harlan. “How’s Conor?”
“Conor? He’s fine.”
“I asked you to keep an eye on him, remember?”
“I have been when I can, and he seems fine. I don’t see the point in shadowing him constantly here; what can go wrong?”
“Nothing, I suppose…” Her brow remained furrowed. True to her word, she’d told no one of Conor’s drinking.
He scratched at his jaw. “You sound as if you’re expecting him to do something wrong. What harm could he possibly do here? Or anywhere else? Be fair, Leah, give the man a chance.”
She fixed him with a steely gaze then relaxed. “You’re right. I suppose I am worrying for nothing.”
“Leah.” Evalan trotted up to them. “Are you busy?”
“Hello, Curly-top.” She ruffled his hair.
“Stop it.” He pulled away. “Don’t call me that, not here.”
Holding her hands up, she apologised.
Harlan hurriedly smothered his laugh, attempting to turn it into a cough instead.
“I don’t want to be seen as a child. Not here.”
“I am sorry, Evalan. I didn’t realise.”
“That’s alright.” A wide grin lit up his face. “Are you busy?”
“Sorry, love, but I have duties I need to get on with.”
His entire body sagged as he sighed loudly.
“But the minute I’m done, I’ll come find you, and then I’ll be all yours. How’s that?”
“Alright.” Barely managing to raise a smile, he dragged himself away.
“I think he’s only now coming to realise the reality of having you here in your role as assistant commander and not the king’s daughter.”
“I’d love to spend all my time exploring Kurabar with him but, as Kayla said, we can’t allow idleness amongst our warriors.”
“Come then.” Straightening up and chuckling, he rubbed his hands in glee. “Let us whip them into shape.”
* * * *
Enough of being assistant commander for the moment; time to be simply me. Leah strode away from the warrior encampment, intent on finding Evalan as she’d promised.
Small clouds of dust swirled up around her booted feet as she made her way through the alleys towards the extensive array of buildings that housed the families of the leader and their servants. Even though the tall walls of the surrounding buildings blocked her view of the other alleys that ran like rivers towards the sea that was the leader’s residence, they didn’t block the sounds. She smiled at the ebb and flow of unfamiliar dialogue, mixed with the clamour of animals, all shot through with the distinctive wail of Kurabaran music.
Not for the first time that day, she found herself thinking of Nadeen. Taking advantage of being the king’s daughter, Leah had spent some time at the leader’s dwelling the previous night where she’d happened upon Nadeen, still as beautiful as ever even through her veil of sadness. Leah had tried to draw her into conversation, but the rift that had begun with Nadeen betraying Leah’s confidence to Conor had widened; they now stood too far apart, neither seeming to know how to put things right. They’d parted, more strangers than friends.
* * * *
The royal visit was proving to be a success. Flindt and Edmon spent many hours together, reinforcing their relationship and discussing ideas that would be mutually beneficial to their peoples, with equal amounts of time spent on leisure pursuits, namely riding and hunting. Maeve was well taken care of by Mara and her daughters who filled her days with stories, music and dance.
Even Evalan could find no cause to complain as Mara’s nephews took him in hand, showing him their city and teaching him to hunt with their scythewings, their prized hunting birds. The warriors were kept busy, engaging in mock battles with their Kurabaran counterparts; but it wasn’t all hard work for they were also allowed to indulge in more pleasurable activities.
* * * *
This has surely been one of the best visits, mused Leah as she made her way to Flindt’s residence. I thought sixteen days would be too long and tedious... especially without Eoli. But I can’t believe in three days’ time, we’ll be on our way home.
Stepping into the welcoming shade of the entrance, Leah paused for the guards to motion her through. Marvelling yet again at the tranquillity of the place, she waited as a servant hurried towards her, and allowed herself to be led down numerous corridors until she was standing before a pair of ornately carved, dark wood doors. The servant was about to knock, but Leah thanked her and assured her she could announce herself.
She slipped in and immediately sensed that something was amiss. Maeve’s maid appeared from the inner chamber and started when she saw Leah.
“Highness. I did not hear anyone announce–”
Leah was already shortening the distance between them. “What’s wrong? Has something happened?”
The small, thin woman bobbed another curtsy, her eyes darting about nervously as she indicated the inner chamber. “Her Majesty is inside, Highness.”
“Norin, who is it?” called Maeve.
“It’s me, mother.” Leah stepped past Norin as Maeve hurried out. “What’s wrong? Is it Evalan?”
“No, no. It’s not...” Maeve frowned. “Why would you think that? Never mind. Come, we can talk in here.”
Perched on the edge of the low, wide bed, Leah waited with growing trepidation.
Maeve ran her hands over her head, smoothing down her already smooth, fair hair. Drawing a deep breath, she said, “It’s Nadeen. And Conor.”
Leah stared blankly at her mother.
“Mara and I were together... thank the goddess her daughters weren’t with us. We passed a door that wasn’t fully shut. Thinking she heard Nadeen’s voice, she went in and... Oh, Leah, we just stood and stared like a pair of fools, we couldn’t believe our eyes–”
“What?”
“They were in each other’s arms, Leah... about to kiss. There was no way they could hide what they were doing. Mara was furious. Both your father and Flindt know, Nadeen has been confined to her chambers, guards have been placed at her door... I don’t know what the situation is with her husband–”
“Where is he?”
“Her husband?”
“Conor. Where is he?”
Maeve spread her hands before her, clearly baffled. “I don’t know. I’m not sure if–”
Leah leapt to her feet and stormed out, ignoring her mother’s pleas. “How could he?” she said, shaking her head. “How could he do such a thing? When I get my hands on him...” She reached out with her magic, searching for his aura. To her surprise, she detected him almost at once, which meant he had to be somewhere close. Following her magic-sense, she came to a set of smaller doors, in front of which stood a pair of Kurabaran guards.
“I wish to see him.” She had no doubt that Conor was behind the doors.
“No one is to see him,” said one of the guards.
“I’m his superior, and I have the right to see one of my warriors.”
“Your king has set the rules.”
“I will take full responsibility.”
They regarded her for a long moment, before relenting.
She made sure the door was shut behind her before she moved forward. Sure enough, Conor was there, sat alone amongst a pile of plump cushions, his head in his hands.
“What were you thinking?”
His head jerked up; he stared at her.
“Do you have any idea what you’ve done? You’ve embarrassed your king, your fellow warriors... I wish I’d never agreed to help you be part of this escort.”
“Leave me alone.”
“No, Conor, I won’t leave you alone. I want to know why.”
“You won’t understand. You don’t know what I’m going through, how I feel... The woman I love, the one I thought loved me–”
“That doesn’t mean you find comfort with the wife of another, especially one who’s married to the leader’s son. For goddess’ sake, Conor, it’s Nadeen.”
He leapt to his feet. “It wasn’t only me. Have you spoken to her since we’ve been here? I have. We’ve spent enough time together, just talking.” He regarded her with raised brows. “You seem surprised. She’s unhappy, Leah. Ever since Artur died, she’s been numb to everything around her, nothing mattered anymore. And when Flindt’s son wanted her for his wife, she didn’t argue because it made everyone happy; she didn’t care for herself. But seeing us – her friends, Orenheart warriors – has opened her eyes. She thinks it’s all been one big mistake, leaving Orenheart, marrying him...”
Blinking rapidly, Leah struggled to voice her thoughts. “We tried to talk but...”
“We’re both lonely, confused...”
I’m lonely. Hugging herself, she quickly looked away. Yet you never turned to me... As he continued to speak, she shook her head as if to silence her disloyal, yet painfully true, thoughts.
“It was a mistake... we both made a mistake.”
Her expression hardened. “And got caught.”
He cursed loudly. “So you’ve never made a mistake?”
“This isn’t about me. Don’t you understand? You’re not here simply as you, you’re also here as an Orenheart warrior. I feel for Nadeen, I wish there was something I could do, but you have to keep away from her or you’ll be in real trouble. And I won’t be able to help you.”
Crossing his arms, he turned his body slightly, away from her. “You could help me, no matter what sort of trouble I was in. And you could help Nadeen too.”
Blinking rapidly, she frowned.
“Your powers,” he whispered. “You could use your powers but you won’t, I know you won’t because it involves me. And gods forbid you put yourself out on a limb. For me.”
Feeling inexplicably cold, Leah could only stare. “Conor, it’s not–”
“Go away, Leah.” Turning his back to her, he resumed his seat. “I’ll deal with the consequences of my actions on my own. I don’t need or want your help.”
She stared at his back, unable to find the words to justify her inability to help him. Pressing her fist against her mouth, wincing at the knot in her belly, she quietly left the room.