“We do not need your magic, so stop pestering me!”
With that, he flew down the stairs before she could stop him. Maxi stood frozen as she numbly stared after him. A number of servants stuck their heads into the corridor and threw furtive glances at her. She hurried away, her face flushing in embarrassment. The cold rejection burned away what little confidence she had, and she was left heartbroken.
Having returned to her room dazed and deflated, Maxisagged to the ground in front of the door. An anger she had never felt before began to rise up as the shock subsided.
He would rather die than take me somewhere dangerous…. How selfish! He forces me to remain within the confines of this castle while he throws himself into peril? Do only his feelings matter?
Maxi rubbed her forehead in irritation. If she let him depart like this, she was certain that she would not be able to have a single night’s rest. It would be months of torturing herself with visions of Riftan being poisoned or suffering some grave, untreatable injury. Was that the life of comfort he wanted for her?
Her face pallid, Maxi stared at the corner of the dimly lit room before storming out once more. It was no use trying to convince him; she would have to get the knights to agree first.
Riftan might be willing to take the risk, but his knights might feel otherwise. If she could get them on her side, they might be able to win their commander over. Maxi clung on to the shred of hope as she made her way to the training grounds, which was currently bustling with knights and servants preparing for the campaign. Maxi hurriedly walked past the stamping warhorses and men inspecting weapons.
She had worried that she might run into Riftan, but he was thankfully nowhere to be seen. Maxi surmised that he must have gone outside the castle to survey the construction site before making his own preparations to leave. Her eyes roamed the grounds in search of a familiar face among the knights.
It did not take long for her to spot Hebaron polishing a giant sword near the guardhouse. Maxi immediately ran tohim.
“Sir Hebaron…c-could you spare me a moment?”
“What can I do for you, my lady?” he asked as he looked up from his wooden chair. He rose to his feet and set his sword aside, not bothering to conceal the annoyance on his face. Maxi was intimidated. The news that his comrades were in danger seemed to have robbed the knight of his usual cheerful demeanor.
“I w-wanted to speak with you…about the matters from yesterday.”
“Please, continue.”
Feeling nervous, Maxi looked around. Although some of the knights glanced their way, none of them seemed particularly interested in their conversation. They were all absorbed in inspecting their weapons and horses and saddlebags.
Fidgeting nervously with her skirt, Maxi spoke as calmly as she could. “I heard that the j-journey to Livadon requires a mage, and…I would like to take on the role.”
Hebaron’s eyes grew wide. He straightened and regarded her pensively.
“My lady, we are grateful for your offer…but has the commander consented to this?”
Maxi’s face flushed. “Riftan…r-refuses to listen to anything I s-say. So…I wished to hear the opinions of the other knights.”
Hebaron remained silent for a moment, before saying cautiously, “The commander has told us that he intends to poach a mage from the Earl of Loverne, so I do not think it would be necessary for you to endanger yourself, my lady.”
“And if he f-fails? What will you do then?”
“Then, we would leave without a mage—”
“Do you mean to tell me…that you could travel all the w-way to Livadon without any of you getting hurt?”
Hebaron clenched his jaw. His expression alone was answer enough.
She continued in a firmer tone. “I am sure…y-you are aware, Sir Hebaron…that the time I spent in the infirmary…has improved my abilities immensely. Melric says I am better…than some of the inept healers you might find…w-working for the mercenary groups.”
“My lady,” Hebaron said with a troubled look on his face, “you are certainly talented. Believe me, you have us all amazed, and I would be lying if I told you that I have not considered having you fill in for Ruth. However, a campaign is no trifling matter. We would not be able to take you by carriage as we did last time. You would have to be on horseback all day like the rest of us and camp out until we reach a city. There is also the danger of monster attacks, but the only magic you are capable of—with all due respect, my lady—is healing.”
“That is not t-true. I have also learned to cast defensive m-magic,” Maxi countered, raising her chin. “I might…not be able to cast a large barrier…b-but I should be able to protect myself.”
Though she had never tested the true limits of her barrier, Maxi put up a confident front. Going on this campaign with Riftan was more important to her than her own safety. If her husband was going to take the risk, then so would she.
“I shall try my best…not to g-get in the way. So…”
“This will be difficult enough for a seasoned knight, butyou are…” Hebaron trailed off, looking her up and down.
Maxi frowned, feeling more like livestock than a lady. “I am what?”
