“Not much of importance. Mostly about her life back where she came from.”
“So you believe her? You don’t think someone sent her?” He stiffens.
“I believe she is not a threat to this castle, nor your people, sir.”
“What has she told you of her life?”
I hesitate to answer, which makes me question myself in more ways than I want to admit out loud. This kingdom. This castle. It’s all I know, and serving as High Warden, it’s an honour I would die for.
So why am I hesitating?
I suppose because I know what I’m about to tell him will probably change everything.
“She mentioned she was a botanist. Plant science, she said.”
The King's eyes snap to mine in understanding. “A botanist?” he repeats slowly, as though testing its weight. His fingers tightening on the window ledge. “Are you sure?”
“That’s what she said, sir.”
“That cannot possibly be by chance. Either this is divine providence, or someone believes I am a fool.” Deciding not to respond, I remain quiet, watching his expression as he stares out the window. “Find out more about her, Rothwyn.”
Nodding, I move towards the door, but before I can exit, the king’s voice echoes through the room.
“And Rothwyn,” he says. “She is here by my grace. Do not forget that. If she proves useful, I will require your cooperation, as always.” He looks at me then, his eyes testing me. “If she does not, I will require your obedience.”
I swallow, steadying myself before I turn the corner to my wing. The sound of laughter causes me to still. Laughter so real it doesn’t belong here. I stop just short of the door, remaining in the archway's shadow, telling myself I’m only listening for anything out of place. The soft scrape of chess pieces carries through the door, followed by Kael’s unmistakable laugh and then something lighter, softer. Elodie’s laugh, unguarded in a way I haven’t heard from anyone in a long time. I don’t move. I should announce myself, stop lurking, but something grounds me. She laughs again, and I wonder what's making her laugh so much.
“You are a force to be reckoned with, plant girl.” I hear Kael say. Knocking on the door as I enter, they both look at me.
“Well, if it isn’t the man of the hour,” Kael says, grinning as he leans back in his chair, meeting my stare. “Elodie just beat me at chess, not once, but twice in a row.” He drops his queen down on the board in surrender and grins at her.
“I warned you I’m good at chess,” she replies, her face flushing a slight pink.
“Well, next time I’ll believe you, but if this was a drinking game, I’d have you under the table by the second round.” They both chuckle.
“Commander Rook, I believe you’re needed elsewhere,” I say.
Kael opens his mouth, but thinks better of it. Pushing back his chair,
“Right. Duty calls,” he mutters, shooting an apologetic look at her before glaring at me. “Later, plant girl.” He waves at her before mumbling to me, “Sleep well, grumpy.” He taps me on the back before heading out and closing the door with a loud bang.
The room immediately feels colder, the faint hum of the wind outside seems louder now.
“Need I remind you that you are still under investigation? Until we know what to do with you, playing chess with my Master-at-Arms should not be a priority.” My tone comes out harsher than I intend, but the damage is already done. She looks at me, her eyes going wide as she shrinks into herself.
“Right. Sorry,” she says, rubbing the bridge of her nose. I turn to head into my room before her voice breaks the silence.
“Actually. If you don’t mind me saying…” I pause, my hand on the doorframe. She takes a breath, steadying herself. “I didn’t ask to be here.” I turn to her slowly. She continues, her words coming out faster now like she’s afraid she will lose them if she stops “One minute I was at work, doing my job, a job that wasn’t even meant to be mine, might I add,” she gestures with her hands. “And the next thing I knew, I was standing in the middle of your training yard with dozens of swords pointed at me.”
Her hands curl into the fabric of her sleeves, her breathing uneven and her cheeks flushed. I remain silent, letting her continue what she clearly has been needing to say since she arrived.
“My whole life is gone. My home, my friends, my job. Everything I know is gone.” Her voice breaks, her eyes glistening. “And I wake up every morning hoping this is all some dream, or someone will tell me it’s all a mistake,” she looks at me then. Really looks at me.
“So you can say I’m not a prisoner here, but don’t think I’m stupid. I am no better than one. I am simply trying to survive here until I can find a way home.” She releases a long breath and swipes at her face before looking away and clearing the chessboard from the table. I let her admissions hang in the air. Her hope of returning home fills me with a feeling I’m not sure how to describe.
“You are not the only one who’s lost things, Hawthorne. I didn’t ask for this either.” I regret it instantly, seeing the way her features soften and her arms cross over her body.
