Page 4 of Keeper of the Flame: Orrick

“Nay, I am sorry, but I don’t know where to find it.” Orrick turned around and crossed his arms over his chest. He wouldn’t help a woman who wanted to use such an honored and revered piece for a dark purpose.

“All right, then, I guess I’ll leave,” she answered from behind him. “Steward, there is one person who might know where it is, and perhaps he can find it for me.”

“And who would that be?” scoffed Orrick, thinking she was lying just to get him to help her.

“The person I speak of is the Guardian of the Flame,” she told him. “I am going to find him and won’t stop until I do.” She turned on her heel once more and headed out of the room with the steward following right behind her.

“Keeper of the Flame,” said Orrick softly, watching her go. He knew exactly who this woman searched for, and also where to find him. If only she had known she was closer than she thought. Orrick was the person she sought, because he was the Keeper of the Eternal Flame.

Chapter 2

Lady Hope Threston was escorted into the great hall of Blake Castle by the steward. Her escort for the trip, and also her father’s advisor, Lord Irwin Ash, waited for her in the hall, drinking a tankard of ale with the lord of the castle, Lord Corbett Blake.

Her stomach twisted when she laid eyes on the man who brought her here. He was evil and not to be trusted, but her father could not see that. Instead, she’d been betrothed to Lord Irwin in a deal that didn’t include her opinion. Now, the only way of breaking the betrothal was to do the man’s bidding.

“Lady Hope,” said Irwin, lowering his tankard as she entered the room. His dark, beady eyes bored into her, sending a shiver up her spine. “Have you spoken to the sorcerer?”

“I have,” she said with a slight nod, her eyes scanning the room. Blake Castle was vast. The great hall was filled with heavy, wooden trestle tables that the servants were preparing for the meal. Colorful tapestries woven with scenes of a hunt as well as a tournament covered the walls. Long, arrow slit windows rose up to the ceiling where the smoke from the fire lazily drifted out another opening directly above the hearth.

“And have you gathered any information?” asked Irwin with bated breath.

“You talked with Orrick?” asked Corbett, sounding confused. Corbett was a tall, older, handsome man who probably had grandchildren her age. His dark hair was peppered with a good amount of gray, most of it being around his temples. He was dressed in a blue tunic with his crest of an eagle displayed proudly across his chest. “Lady Hope, as my new ward, I must insist you stay out of the turret that houses my sorcerer’s chamber. It isn’t appropriate for a lady to make the climb.”

“I’m sorry, Lord Corbett,” apologized the steward. “I sent the boy up to get the sorcerer but when he didn’t return, Lady Hope decided to go see Orrick herself.”

“Noah,” mumbled Corbett, taking a swig of ale. “He’s not reliable. You should have sent a page.”

“Noah is a delightful lad,” said Lady Hope. “Is he related to you?”

“Nay,” answered Corbett. “He is an orphan that was left on the stairs of the church when he was only a baby. My wife took a liking to him and so we’ve been raising him as our own. I refer to him as my ward, the same as you are now.”

“Did I hear you mention me?” A woman with dark and graying hair walked up to join them with a tray of sweetmeats in her hand. She was dressed like a noble, but yet held a tray like a servant.

“I’d all like you to meet my wife, Lady Devon,” Corbett introduced her.

“Lord Irwin Ash of Norfolk at your service.” Irwin made a grand display of bowing. Hope wasn’t at all sure he wasn’t going to grab Lady Devon’s hand to kiss it, making her drop the tray.

“Lady Hope is our new ward,” Corbett told his wife.

“Pleased to meet you,” said Hope with a curtsey.

“I’m so happy you’ll be staying with us, Hope. How old are you?” asked the kindhearted Lady Devon.

“I am twenty years of age as of recently, my lady.”

“Really.” Devon glanced at her husband and then back to Hope. “Why are you first being sent to another castle as a ward at this age? Most noblewomen are married long before now.”

“Devon,” Corbett warned under his voice. “I’m sure Lord Threston has his reasons.”

“I’ve been a ward to over a dozen lords through the years but it never lasts long,” Hope told them.

“She’s never found the right man,” Irwin broke in, reaching out and taking her by the arm. “Before now. We’re betrothed and will be married soon.”

“Betrothed?” asked Corbett. “Then why does her father ask me to be her guardian?”

“The wedding isn’t for a while yet and he . . . he wants his daughter to learn more of being a lady of the castle before we’re married,” explained Irwin.

“I’m not sure I quite understand that,” said Corbett. “It seems to me she should know those things by now.”