‘I could tell you a story,’ came Bear’s voice, croakier than normal.
‘Do you know many?’
‘Not really. But my mother used to tell me one when I was young.’
Scarlen smiled to herself at how comforting his presence was, even on the other side of a wall. ‘All right. Tell me the story.’
‘It’s about knights and a ring of fire.’
‘The ones who save kingdoms?’
‘You know the story?’
The memory of her mother telling her such a tale came to mind. ‘My mother knew a story like that. Perhaps it’s the same.’
‘It is said they come here to fight wyrmocs.’ Bear scoffed. ‘I think the king heard the story as well, then came up with the idea to use the wyrmocs to scare everyone.’
‘Yes, I hear that’s what some say in here.’
‘Do you believe in the mythical creatures?’
She shook her head even though he couldn’t see. ‘I’m not sure anymore. In the south, it’s what we’re told, but since being here, I’ve heard other beliefs.’
‘It’s quite simple when you lay it out. The king told the lower section of Borough Mids that a prophecy said a wyrmoc invasion was coming, but if they were under his rule instead of the government’s, they’d be safe, as his army would fight for them. The people invited him in, then he started to charge them taxes. At first, they didn’t mind, but then the taxes doubled, and people were struggling to cope with their businesses. The rest of theBorough saw this, so they said no to the army helping them, and now we have battles breaking out. If the king takes control of the whole of Borough Mids, he’ll come for the north next.’
‘You truly believe the wyrmocs aren’t coming, and the king just wants ownership of the kingdom?’
‘Makes more sense. It was under a royal rule once.’
Scarlen had to agree raising taxes didn’t make the king look good, and she hoped no such creatures were going to destroy her kingdom, but what if her father wasn’t lying about them. What if his army was needed all over to help fight them.
‘Wyrmocs are as make-believe as the knights,’ said Bear.
Scarlen smiled, hearing her mother tell the tale. Her soft voice floating on air, such a warm feeling in her dismal home. ‘I like the story of the knights.’
‘Yeah, well, it would be nice to think someone could save us all if need be.’
Scarlen had been taught by her father to save herself, to be strong in her mind, and able to figure things out by herself. He was still training her now, and no doubt would love the idea of a dark cell. She was surprised there wasn’t one in the palace.
‘What would you be doing now if you were at home?’ she asked, thinking she would be reading by the window that overlooked the beach.
A long moment passed before he answered. ‘I’d be running through the woods, then I’d stop at the waterfall for a swim, feel the breeze on my face as I climb out to sit on the bank, then inhale the sweet scent of the wild flowers that grow close by.’ His sigh was deep. ‘It’s a good day.’
‘Sounds lovely, especially the waterfall. I’ve never seen one.’
‘I’ll take you there one day, and …’ He sighed again. ‘Sorry, I forgot myself for a moment.’
She understood. ‘We can pretend we’re there now. Tell me what I would see.’
‘It’s not too high, and its water is the clearest blue, with white froth at the base, and the sound is soothing, more a trickle than a whoosh. There are always tiny colourful flowers that grow around the verge, and they smell of apples and pears. The grass is dark green, and in the near distance are rolling hills and rocky valleys, with mountains beyond.’
Scarlen had her eyes closed, imagining his home, floating in the water with him, sharing food on the bank. She’d place flowers in her hair, then put some on him, and he would smile that warm smile he didn’t reveal often, and they would hold hands. She held her own hand as her heart thumped at the thought of running free. To have such a life out in the open. ‘I like the sound of your home.’
‘That’s what it’s like in the summer months. Winter can be harsh, but I think you’d still like it there. A village close by has a wishing well, and each morning on the first day of spring, the villagers toss down a coin and make a wish.’ The smile was there in his voice. ‘And in the town we have celebrations during the full moon, where songs are sung and music is played.’
‘Sing me a song, Bear.’ She laughed at his laugh, the distraction welcome, as her stiff limbs were cold and weary.
‘It’s Raven who is the singer in my family. He often makes up lyrics and speaks them in song to Wyn.’
