Her emotions rose, tension on tension, over worry for Taavin and what she needed to say next to Jayme.
Vi cleared her throat. “How did it go?”
“Good.” Jayme abandoned her position with an ease that gave Vi hope. She strolled over, hands in her pockets. “I enjoyed hearing more about my father from someone who knew him well before the Mad King.”
“Your father really is Daniel Taffl,” Vi whispered softly.
“I told you I didn’t lie.” Jayme folded her arms over her chest.
Vi looked at her toes, then up to the woman, down again, and back once more. Somewhere in her bouncing gaze she found the resolve she was looking for. “Jayme, I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“I’m sorry for doubting you, for the harsh things I said… And for not thinking through… well, knowing this makes a lot about you come into focus.”
“Does it?” Jayme sighed. There was resignation in her walk, but instead of retreating to her room, she moved to the balcony. “Tell me, what of my father do you know already?”
“Mother mentioned him,” Vi started. “She told me Daniel Taffl was a good soldier, a better swordsman, and one of the best men she’d ever known… But the Mad King had taken his toll on him. She said he was with her in her journey across the Empire, but they split ways in the East when she went West to collect the army. Then, when the Mad King marched on the East and put it to the torch, she lost all contact with him.”
“She wasn’t completely honest with you, then.”
“We all have our secrets, don’t we?” Vi muttered. “I know many don’t like talking about the time of the Mad King.”
Jayme gave a solemn nod. Her expression wasn’t just pained, it was angry. “The scars from that man are still on this Empire. You see it in Erion and his hand. And you see it in my father.”
“What really happened?” Vi took a step forward, resting her hands timidly on the railing, feeling as though she no longer deserved to share the space with Jayme.
“Your mother spoke true up to a point.” Jayme gave a small, bitter laugh and shook her head. “She did find my father, free of the Mad King. But the man had already done his work. He took Erion’s hand, but my father’s mind.
“She returned him to his parents in Leoul and just left him there, trusting them to know what to do with him in that state.”
“Leoul was put to the torch when the Mad King’s armies marched from the South, reclaiming that territory. My father may not be of sound mind, but he had an intimate knowledge of the Mad King and his movements. That was what kept him and his family alive.
“Eventually, he returned to Leoul, met my mother, and had me.”
“Why did he never reach out to anyone—Erion, my mother, Jax? Why call yourself Graystone?”
“My father did much better, I’m told, after having a wife and child… and having a farm to work again. But he always struggled talking about the old times.
“So my mother banned talk of it in the house—banned it altogether. Father didn’t seem to mind; it kept him level not to think about the war or have people calling after Daniel Taffl. I didn’t even learn who my father truly was until I was fourteen and exploring my own options to provide for my family.”
“You said my mother didn’t tell the whole truth… Your father finally reached out to her, didn’t he?” Her heart was breaking for her friend. Jayme shouldered so much, and silently. When she gave a nod, Vi continued her speculation. “So my mother finds out he’s alive and has a daughter looking for work. That’s how you were appointed courier, and guard—an Eastern girl of humble background.”
“Right again.”
Vi shifted uncomfortably, looking out to sea. She ran a hand over her braids and let out a sigh. The information weighed heavy on her; she couldn’t imagine how it was for Jayme.
“I’m so sorry,” Vi whispered. “I truly had no idea.”
“I didn’t want you to.” Jayme shrugged. “What good could come of it?”
“I’m your friend… I want to help you.”
“Help me by letting it drop.” Jayme pushed away from the railing. “I’d rather not have all this hanging over our heads. We have other things to focus on.”
“Yes, we do…” Vi turned to face her friend. She tried to tell by body language alone how she was feeling. Jayme was a closed book, however. And all Vi was left to go on was her word and faith that she meant what she said. “Is all forgiven? Are we all right?”
“Yes, we’re all right. Graystone or Taffl, I’m still Jayme.” Jayme pulled her in for a small hug, then promptly started for her room. She looked exhausted, which was perhaps why Vi didn’t try to stop her.
