The ride intoLeort was miserable. My discomfort had little to do with the rain that fell during the second half of my trip. Nor was it primarily caused by my lack of experience riding. My discomfort wasn’t physical.
I didn’t want to leave. When I couldn’t even mount the first two days, I had wondered if it was because of my own hesitations, not Felix’s. But I could do the most to help him by going to Leort and stopping whatever rumors Marc was spreading. Felix could experiment with the node without me. I had even written out dozens of ideas for him to try while I waited for Marc to say anything of note through the mirror.
When I reached Leort, I rode directly to the building where Rose Castle staff had set up shop months ago. Tying the mare to a post out front, I headed inside.
Berklay was easy to find, but hard to approach. People walked up to him in a never-ending stream, and he was constantly talking to at least three people at once. I tried to make my way across the room, but while the secretaries made way for each other, they mostly gave me confused looks. I didn’t know most of these people. Many had come from other parts of Nemya in order to work at Truthhold.
I had only made it past the first row of desks when Berklay looked up and spotted me. I had met the butler before, though I knew him mostly through his brother’s stories.
With a wave of his hand, he sent the people trying to get his attention scurrying away. “Miss Cardh!”
Suddenly, every eye in the room was on me. The secretaries might not know me by sight, but they recognized my name. Lovely. I ignored them and addressed Berklay, lifting the satchel at my side. “I have a delivery for you.”
“Come into my office.” He gestured at the far corner of the room, where a door led deeper into the building. I made my way past the desks, my progress unhindered this time, and met him at the door. He said nothing as we walked through a narrow hall.
We passed several doors before Berklay stopped and gestured for me to precede him into a room. “I take it Frederic delivered my letter, then? He was less than forthcoming with me when he returned from Rose Castle.”
“Technically, he didn’t deliver the letter, but Felix—I mean, His Grace—received it all the same. Marc was working against him this whole time. He’s responsible for the rumors and mentioned nothing about the princess’s visit after his last trip to town.”
Berklay nodded, not looking surprised in the least. “How did you end up helping His Grace?”
I shrugged. “I’m not at liberty to discuss the details, but His Grace included a letter for you in his latest report that should explain some things.”
Berklay nodded again, and I pulled the papers from the satchel and handed them over.
I closed the satchel again, not wanting anyone to spot the mirror. “I also rode the duke’s horse into town. She’s tied up out front, if there is someone who can get her settled.”
“Of course. I’ll see to it. Are you returning to Rose Castle tomorrow?”
“No. I have a few matters to see to in town.”
“Send Frederic my way if he gives you a hard time.”
“Trying to avoid him will only make things worse,” I said ruefully. My mentor among the constables trusted me when it came to digging up answers and solving crimes, but he overcompensated for my father’s lack of parental concern in my personal life.
“True.” Berklay’s eyes moved over the letter from Felix. “I wish you luck then.”
“Thanks.”
I exited out the back of the building, following the alley until it let out at the next street. I wasn’t far from the courthouse, which made my decision on where to go next simpler. I wanted to talk to Sofia before running into anyone else, anyway. Given the reaction of the secretaries to my name, I needed a better idea of which rumors had trickled out of the taverns and reached the general populace.
Larger than the neighboring buildings, the courthouse stood out with its brick walls. Most houses and shops in Leort had half-timber frames. I realized with a start that the courthouse no longer looked imposing to me. It was simply a brick building where hidebound old men resisted change.
Across the square from the courthouse stood the town hall, which blended into its surroundings better, apart from the clock tower. A glance at the clock made me decide to wait rather than go inside the courthouse in search of my twin. She’d come out within a quarter hour, and waiting sounded better than running into any of the magistrates when I didn’t know exactly what they’d heard about me. My approach would depend on if the primary rumors were the ones disparaging me or Felix.
I made my way to a shadowy corner between two buildings and watched the doors of the courthouse. Sofia came out when I expected, but instead of turning right, she made her way left. I cursed and dashed down the street after her. I should have guessed she wouldn’t be going to our home. She spent more nights with her beau than not. She had been at Leo’s the morning Edwin told me that Ineeded to go to Rose Castle, preventing me from even telling her about my departure.
“Sofia,” I hissed when I was a few paces behind her. I didn’t want to attract anyone’s notice but hers.
She slowed and looked behind her. “Isa!”
Well, so much for not attracting attention. My sister threw herself at me, wrapping me in a tight hug and garnering the notice of most of the other people on the street.
I hugged her back, ignoring the spectacle we made. “I’m so glad to see you.”
Sofia pulled back, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “Where have you been? I’ve been so worried!”
I frowned. “What did Father tell you?”
