“And truly, those things are not inherent to the nobility. Just wait until you meet the Duke of Penmond. But I understand your meaning,” Idris continued. “I can’t promise that you won’t face that kind of treatment, and I understand if you’d rather not deal with the entire thing. You should visit the University one day; there are wonderful things happening there that might give you some hope for the future. But if you do still wish to give it a go, I can promise you this—anyone who dares to say anything to you that you don’t like in my presence will live to regret it.”
Rinka was worried less about what they might say to her—she had heard it all before—and more about what they might do if they found her out. “Don’t most nobles travel with servants? Won’t they think it odd if I show up alone?”
Idris couldn’t help but smile that she was still entertaining the idea. “I travel alone. Perhaps they’ll think it’s just a quirk we share. Or you could invent some story—say your lady’s maidcaught a fever during the journey, and you sent her home to recover.”
Rinka could think of a dozen other objections, but the truth was, she was curious. “Alright,” she said simply.
“You’ll do it? You’ll join me for the summer?” His face—his dark and handsome face, she had to admit, although he was no longer as mysterious—was so hopeful, so joyous at the prospect, she couldn’t help but getting excited herself.
“I’ll join you for as long as we can keep up the charade. Can you protect me if something goes wrong?”
“It won’t, but of course I’ll protect you. Just keep clear of my sister. She schemes even worse than my father.”
“Even worse than you?”
“My games are child’s play compared to hers, believe me,” said Idris. He slapped his thighs and stood once more. “Come, let’s give Keir and Alison the news.”
“We’ll tell them the truth,” said Rinka. “I can’t possibly keep something like this from Alison.”
“Of course,” said Idris. “But once we’re in town, we’ll have to play the part. I hope you can handle it, Lady Rinka.” He held out his arm.
She looped her arm through his, holding the elbow upright as she had seen in the picture show. “I’ll do my best, your highness. It’s like my father always said. ‘Fool them once, shame on you. Fool them twice, and they’re the fool.’”
“I don’t—you know what. That one actually works,” said Idris through his laughter.
“Though I wouldn’t mind a lesson or two on our journey. Just in case.”
“With pleasure,” he said, and he led the great Lady Rinka from the room.
Chapter Sixteen
HAVE YOU SEEN THESE HUMANS?
Alison
Alison led the group from the treehouse back to the clearing. The bonfire was reduced to embers, and the great banquet table was mostly empty even though the sun had nearly made it overhead.
They bid goodbye to the fairies, thanking them for their “lessons” and their lodgings. Then they made their way back across the heath, through the cave, down the path, and onto the road to Fossholm.
By the time they reached the town, it was midday. With growling stomachs, they approached the inn for a bite to eat before continuing on to Weldan House, where Idris and Rinka were hoping to retain accommodations, Keir was hoping (and dreading) to have the opportunity to speak with his father, and Alison was hoping to meet with the korrigans and enlist their help.
The town had been amazingly spruced up in just the single day they had been gone. The thatching on the roofs had been repaired, the signs had been repainted, red buntings had been hung across the lane to honor the king’s royal colors, window boxes had been planted with cheery summer flowers, and thecobblestones had been swept and washed until they gleamed under the sun like pebbles in a stream.
A familiar dwarf with grey hair was barreling down the street towards them, fliers in hand.
“Hello, Gwenla!” said Alison, waving to her. “What do you have there? Can we help?”
Gwenla shrieked and broke into a run, sending the fliers tumbling into the air in her wake.
“My Gods! Alison, you’re alive! And Keir. You’re alive. You’re alive!”
She hugged them both fiercely. As she let go of Alison, Alison reached to the ground and retrieved one of the fliers she had been carrying.
MISSING:
Have you seen these humans?
Alison Lennox & Keir Ainsley
