Chapter Five
Their father had taught them all he knew. While Willow wanted to speak to her sisters, she had been trained that it was better if they traveled the roads in silence. Better to hear approaching horses. Better to hear the sounds of the forest or lack therein. Better to hear distant noises.
The moon illuminated the dirt road before them. The trees at the side of the road cast shadows among the foliage. The air was cool, caressing Willow’s cheeks and fingers.
Even though Willow had been coached to stay alert, she wasn’t paying attention. She was thinking about the book. Why would Christian have it? He couldn’t read. It would mean nothing to him.
Sage had given her the book, and Willow had put it in the pouch and tied it tightly to her belt. They traveled most of the night, Sage in the lead, Raven at the rear. The moon was starting its descent.
Fatigue sagged Willow’s shoulders. She wanted to curl up with a warm blanket and sleep. She stifled a yawn.
“We should rest,” Raven called.
Rest or sleep? Still, Willow was appreciative of the break.
Sage led them to the side of the road. A hill rose upwards to their right, and flat land spread to their left. Not a good place to be ambushed, so it was a perfect spot to stop.
They dismounted. Willow arched her back, trying to remove some of its stiffness.
Sage checked the reins and bridle of her brown steed.
Raven bent over, stretching out her tired muscles.
Willow sat on the ground at the side of the road and untied the pouch. She pulled out the book and ran her finger over the cover. What could be in here? Spells? Witchcraft? Sage said the book held knowledge. What kind of knowledge could it hold?
She flipped through the pages. They all looked the same, with strange scribblings she could not read on each one. Had Christian looked through this book? Had he contemplated the same things she did?
Sage rested beside her. “Trying to read it?”
“I think I’ll leave that to Brother Nicolas. Or you. You’ve always wanted to read.”
Sage sighed. “I wish someone would teach me.”
Willow nodded and continued to turn the pages.
“Does it have pictures?” Raven asked, joining them.
“No,” Sage answered curtly. “That’s why we’re taking it to Brother Nicolas. He can read it.”
“What do you expect to find?”
Sage shrugged.
“The secret to the universe? The fountain of youth?” Raven asked mockingly.
Sage stood quickly. “You know, it’s not always about gold and riches. What if it tells you a secret fighting method? A forgotten way to fight and win.”
“What would I do with that? I already know how to fight.”
“You can always be better,” Sage snapped and walked to her horse.
Raven shook her head and towered over Willow.
Sympathy filled Willow. Sage was always intrigued by books, and Raven and Father thought they weren’t necessary. Willow closed the book and tucked it away in the pouch. “She likes books.” She stood and looked at Raven. “And if it’s important to Sage, it should be important to you, too.”
“It is. Except that if Father finds out what we’re doing, he’ll be furious. And that’s more important to me.”
They arrived at the chateau by mid-morning and were escorted to Brother Nicolas in the catacombs of the keep. Willow couldn’t help thinking of a cave. The walls were carved from the very rock the chateau was built upon.
