It must catch him off guard because I hear metal strike against stone as he drops the sword he’s cleaning. He looks at me, brows knitted, before returning his sword to its place at his side.
“Greyhollow Castle,” he answers simply.
“Right… and that’s where, exactly?” I ask, my voice thinner than I’d like. He meets my gaze, saying nothing, simply staring at me in a way that makes me feel completely conscious of everything.
“Likely the worst realm you could have found yourself stranded in.”
“What does that mean? What do you mean by realm?” The word sounds almost theatrical, like something out of one of my fantasy books I’d usually roll my eyes at for being too cliché. Geographically, it could mean I am a lot further from home than I’d care to admit. A completely different ecosystem. The same sky, perhaps, but altered chemistry.
“It would be in your best interest not to ask questions,” he grumbles at me.
“Right, sorry,” I reply on instinct.
“Why are you sorry?” he asks me.
I don’t even know how to answer that.
I’ve always apologised as a reflex.
I mean, I must apologise at work that much people don’t even register it anymore.
“Um. I’m not sure, actually,” I eventually respond. He gives me a look that I can’t quite decipher.
Before he can answer, a knock sounds at the door. We both turn, breaking eye contact. I place the fork down beside me, waiting to see who enters. It doesn’t take me long to recognise it’s the other knight from before. What did the king call him?
Commander Rook?
He seemed kind. Of course, I know nothing about him. But of the people I have encountered so far, he is the least intimidating.
He reminded me of Sam, actually.
The thought makes a pit form in the centre of my stomach, a twang of pain and worry beginning to form.
“Hey there, mystery girl,” the knight says to me. “You caused quite a commotion today at training.” He says playfully.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” I wince when I hear myself say it this time. The other knight pauses his cleaning to look at me. His eyes darkening slightly before he turns away.
“Ha, it’s okay,” the commander says, ruffling my hair and nudging my shoulder. “Listen, I thought you might want a change of clothes. Not that there’s anything wrong with yours, just, well-”
I smile, releasing a small breath. I thought today would have taken that from me too.
“That’s really thoughtful. Thank you. Actually, I should change. These are my work overalls,” I say, looking down at the mud and grime coating my body.
Oh God, I probably look horrific.
“Work overalls? What do you do?” the commander asks, setting down the spare clothes onto the bed.
“I’m a... um…junior botanical assistant,” I say, unsure of myself as I say it. “God, that sounds so stupid now I’ve said it out loud.” I cringe at myself, scratching my head.
The two knights share a glance, but neither comments on what I have said.
“Well, I hope these fit you okay. I grabbed them from my family's cottage near the village. My sister looks about the same size as you,” he says, giving me a smile. I decide to remain silent this time, choosing instead to return his smile and slowly grab the clothes from the bed. I turn to the other knight, who doesn’t look up once.
“Um, sorry. But would I be able to have a shower? I just… I’m covered in dirt and I—”
“You have your own washroom. You don’t need to ask permission to use it,” he says, cutting me off. “And stop apologising,” he mutters under his breath.
“Right, sorry.” I internally scold myself. “Crap. Sorry.” Shaking my head and releasing a sigh before gesturing towards the bathroom. “I’m just gonna…yeah,” I say, retreating slowly and removing myself from the room. Closing the bathroom door, I press my back to it and slide down onto the floor.
