“I daenae want to discuss it.” Iris lifted her chin, trying to salvage what remained of her dignity. “’Shouldnae ye be attendin’ to yer duties instead of sneakin’ up on people?”
Aliana’s grin widened. “I was deliverin’ fresh linens to the guest chambers when I saw ye duckin’ behind that pillar like ye were avoidin’ the plague. What’s got ye so skittish, me lady?”
“I said I daenae want to discuss it. Now, has Codie had his breakfast yet?”
“Aye, he ate with his faither this morning.” Aliana’s voice grew thoughtful. “The laddie has been askin’ about ye.”
Aliana’s innocent comment felt like a lifeline. She’d been so focused on avoiding Elijah that she’d only seen Codie a few times since the celebration. And the boy needed her—she’d heard it in his voice when they’d spoken and seen it in his shy smiles.
“Where is he now?”
“In the gardens, last I saw. Playin’ by himself as usual.”
Twenty minutes later, Iris made her way through the castle’s herb garden, her simple brown dress perfect for an afternoon outdoors. The summer sun was warm on her face, and she could hear the distant sound of laughter echoing from somewhere among the flowering shrubs.
She found Codie exactly where Aliana had said, sitting by the small pond, intently focused on sailing leaf boats across the water. He’d traded his formal clothes for simple breeches and a shirt, and his dark hair was already mussed from play.
“Those are fine vessels ye’ve got there, Cap’n,” she called out.
His head snapped up, his entire face transforming when he saw her. “Lady Iris! Did ye come to see me boats?”
“I did indeed. Mind if I join ye?”
“Please!” He scrambled to make room on the stone bench beside him. “This one’s me favorite. See how he has the biggest leaf for a sail? I call him Thunder because he’s the fastest.”
Iris settled beside him, genuinely charmed by his enthusiasm. “Thunder is a perfect name for a flagship. And what about this smaller one?”
“That’s Whisper. She’s nae as fast, but she’s sneaky. Watch!” He gave the smaller boat a gentle push, sending it gliding silently across the pond while Thunder rocked dramatically in the wake.
“Very clever! Where did Thunder come from? What’s his story?”
Codie’s eyes lit up. “He used to be a merchant ship, but pirates attacked and stole all his cargo! So now, he sails the seas lookin’ for revenge!”
“And what kind of cargo did he carry?”
“Gold! And... and spices from faraway lands! And maybe some magic stones that glow in the dark!” Codie pushed Thunder across the pond with more force. “But the pirate captain, Black Beard MacGillicuddy, took it all!”
Iris gasped dramatically. “Black Beard MacGillicuddy? That’s the most fearsome name I’ve ever heard!”
“Aye! He has a beard down to his knees and three gold teeth and a parrot that speaks seven languages!” Codie was warming to histale now, his hands gesturing wildly. “But Thunder is brave and clever, so he’s goin’ to get his treasure back!”
“What about Whisper? Is she Thunder’s ally?”
“Sometimes. But sometimes she’s a spy ship for the enemy! Watch—” He maneuvered the smaller boat behind a lily pad. “She’s hidin’ now, waitin’ to see what Thunder does next.”
“This is quite the adventure. What happens when Thunder finds Black Beard MacGillicuddy?”
“They’ll have a great battle! Thunder has twenty cannons on each side, and his crew is the bravest in all the seas!” Codie stood up, nearly bouncing with excitement. “And when he wins, he’ll share the treasure with all the poor villages that the pirates robbed!”
For the next half hour, they sailed their fleet across the pond, inventing elaborate stories about sea battles and treasure hunting. Codie’s imagination was remarkable; he created entire worlds with nothing but leaves and twigs, and his eyes sparkled with joy in a way Iris had never seen before.
“A noble captain indeed. But how will he fight without proper ammunition?”
Codie paused, looking puzzled. “Ammunition?”
“Cannonballs of course. Every proper naval battle needs cannonballs.”
His face brightened as understanding dawned. “Ye ken what would make this even better?” he said suddenly, jumping up from the bench.
