Mercy's Prince (29 page)

Is
the gray not yours?

“No.
My horse is black and even taller. His name is Theo. I named him after my
grandfather, who was King Theodoric. Poor Theo went lame just after we left the
Keep so Kieran took him home and brought me the gray.”

I
hope Theo is all right.

“I’m
sure his leg is fine now. I only hope he hasn’t forgotten me.”

He
will not forget you. You are not forgettable.

Valerian
had to look away from the intensity of her gaze. He stood and held out a hand
to help her stand. Valerian should have let go of her hand, but he didn’t want
to. He felt a strong urge to take her in his arms. But he fought the desire,
very glad Merry could not
See
his thoughts in that moment. He tried to
think of a flippant comment, but his emotions were too powerful.

He
cleared his throat and released her hand.

“We
should go back now. Kieran was concerned about you.”

Merry
nodded and turned toward the manor house. As he followed her, he remembered his
grandfather’s words while he was teaching Valerian battle tactics years ago.

“The
obvious dangers are not the most deadly. The ones you least expect will kill
you.”

Valerian
had not considered the one danger he should have seen coming. He never expected
that he might fall in love with Merry.

After
Merry entered Ruddy’s hall, Valerian continued to the back so Kieran could help
him out of his ornate purple surcoat. She felt sad watching them, for she knew
their brief time of lighthearted friendship was over.

Of
course, Valerian meant what he said. He was truthful in all of his dealings. She
knew that he
wanted
to keep his promise to help her communicate. But he
was a prisoner of his rank and position and could not control his own destiny. For
so long Merry had envied those of noble birth, believing their lives were easy
compared to her own. But no one could escape life’s difficulties; they just
came in different forms.

She
bit back her tears, weary of crying. There was no more relief to be found there.
Her life had been spared, but she still did not know why. She could not speak,
except to Valerian’s mind. She was a Healer, though she had no one to advise
her on how to keep from overextending herself. Valerian wanted to take her to
the Keep, the place where the men in her life had suffered in the dungeon. What
would happen to her there? Could she really make a place for herself among
those people?

Merry
sighed. Though she didn’t want to, she needed to be honest with herself. She
could have faced any kind of future knowing she had Valerian’s companionship. It
was the certainty of its loss that made her heart so heavy.

“Hello,
Merry.” Shannon came out from the kitchen. “Are you hungry?”

Merry
shook her head. She couldn’t imagine ever eating again.

“Kieran
said Valerian wants to go to Eldred’s. Are you going with him?”

Merry
shrugged. She would like to see Eldred again, but she didn’t know if Valerian
wanted to speak with him alone. What a burden it was to be used to speaking and
no longer be able! But it was no use getting frustrated with Shannon or anyone
else. Even Valerian couldn’t truly understand how much she depended on him.

The
three men came into the hall. Valerian had changed into his plain tunic and
Ruddy into his work shirt. Both Valerian and Kieran wore their swords on their
belts. In his hand Valerian held two scrolls.

“Are
any of you hungry?” asked Shannon.

“Aye,
Lady MacNeil,” said Kieran with a grin.

“But
you are always hungry.” Shannon sounded pleased.

Merry
envied Kieran’s ability to accept things as they were and not let life’s woes
interfere with his enjoyment of simple pleasures, like eating and dancing. She
smiled. And sleeping. He could probably sleep through the worst thunderstorm.

“I’ll
eat, woman.” Ruddy sat heavily on the bench.

“Thank
you, Lady Shannon,” said Valerian, “but I must see Eldred first.” Merry felt
his eyes upon her and glanced his way. “Will you come with me, Merry?”

She
nodded.

“Oh,
Merry, we have not collected our prizes from last night.” Shannon turned to
Valerian. “Your Highness, would you be so kind as to take Merry to the square
when you are finished at Eldred’s?”

“Of
course, Lady MacNeil.” He beckoned to Kieran as he and Merry left the hall. Kieran
followed them outside.

Valerian
glanced back to make sure they weren’t overheard.

“I’d
like for you to sound out Ruddy while Merry and I are away.”

“What
about, Sire?” Kieran cocked his head, curious.

“Make
sure he has all he needs. I don’t think he would tell me if he lacked
something, because of his fierce pride. He might let it slip to a fellow
Highlander, though.”

“Oh,
aye, Sire. We Highlanders have ways to ken these things.” Kieran placed his
finger beside his nose in an arcane gesture.

Valerian
clapped him on the shoulder.

“I
have no doubt of your ability,” he said.

Merry
and Valerian walked in silence to Eldred’s cottage. There were so many things
she wanted to ask him, but it didn’t seem the time or place to pester him about
details of the journey to Lord Reed’s, and the garrison, and the Keep. She
would have to adopt Kieran’s philosophy and experience each day as it unfolded.

Valerian
knocked on Eldred’s door and opened it when they heard him say, “Come in.”

They
went inside and found the old man sitting in the same chair with the same
coverlet across his lap. He smiled at them.

“Come
closer, Merry. You too, Valerian. I have news for you.”

Valerian
replaced the two scrolls in the desk.

“I
was only able to finish one of them.”

“No
matter, my prince. I have found the information I’ve been seeking.” Eldred
reached down and picked up a scroll lying beside his chair. “Open this and
begin reading about halfway down.”

Valerian
carefully unrolled the parchment and scanned the writing. Watching him, Merry
decided she would ask him to teach her how to read those symbols. Maybe she
could learn to write them, too.

“So,
it’s true.” Valerian let the parchment roll back and handed it to Eldred. “King
Sigmund did not enter a monastery; he changed his name and founded the peaceful
Brethren.” He stared at Merry.

She
gasped, realizing the import of those words.

Then
we
are
cousins.
She clasped her hands in a silent prayer.
Perhaps your wife
will not mind if you speak to me, since we are family. Does she have a sister? I
always wanted a sister. Do you think she will like me?

“I
hope so, Merry.” Valerian’s smile was sad.

Eldred
sighed, and they both turned to look at him.

“I
do wish I could hear your thoughts, Merry. Perhaps the Sight fades with age, as
eyesight does. You’re going to leave me, I hear.”

She
nodded and knelt beside him, resting her hand on the arm of his chair. He took
her hand in both of his, and she felt them shaking, just like her grandfather’s
hands used to do.

“The
idea of going to the Keep must seem a little intimidating to you, but I lived
there a very long time, and I can tell you that you will learn to be
comfortable there.” He smiled. “There is so much activity going on every minute
of the day and night, but there are quiet times, too, and places for you to be
alone when you need it. Isn’t that so, Valerian?”

“Yes,
you’re right.”

“My
prince, what have you got on your belt? Is that what I think it is?”

Valerian
slipped the blade from the scabbard and held it closer so Eldred could better
see.

“A
sword.” Eldred’s voice was reverent. He let go of Merry’s hand to touch the
hilt.

“Not
just any sword. This belonged to Alden himself.”

“Where
did you find it?”

Valerian
replaced the sword in the scabbard.

“In
the Keep’s armory. There were two blades in an old, old trunk. Kieran has the
other one. We’ve been learning how to use them. I have an idea they may be
effective against the Horde’s battle-axes.”

“There
is much forgotten lore about these elegant weapons. Perhaps you can learn more
in the Keep’s library.”

Valerian’s
smile lit his face, and Merry was reminded of his love of learning.

“I
plan to look when we return.”

Eldred
turned to Merry.

“Though
I wish I had more time to spend with you, I must bid you both farewell.”

She
stood and kissed him on the cheek. He sighed.

“I
could get used to that, my dear.”

She
curtsied to him. It was the only way she could think of to let him know how she
felt about him.

“If
you would wait just outside, I have one more thing to tell the prince.”

Merry
nodded and glanced up at Valerian.

I
won’t wander off. I promise.

“Thank
you. I’ll be there shortly.”

At
the door Merry turned back to Eldred one last time. Then she stepped outside
and closed the door behind her.

***

As
soon as Merry left, Eldred handed Valerian a sheet of parchment folded and
sealed with the old Seer’s emblem in red wax.

“What
is this?” Valerian fingered the seal.

“I’ve
written out all the evidence for King Orland proving what really happened to his
great-grandfather Sigmund. And I’ve proven Merry’s lineage through him so there
will be no question of her royal blood.”

“Thank
you.” Valerian tucked the letter into his tunic’s hidden pocket. “I shall
personally give this into my father’s hand.”

“One
thing more before you go, my prince.” Eldred leaned closer. His eyes bore into
Valerian’s. “I have reason to believe Merry is unique in her talent of speaking
to your mind. That, coupled with her rare gift of Healing, makes her doubly
precious. Please take special care of her.”

“You
know I will, Eldred. I’ve promised the Most High to guard her with my life.”

Eldred
sat back, satisfied.

“Good,
good. I only wish she could speak to me, as well.”

“Yes,
so do I.”
But probably not for the same reasons
, he mused. “I hope I
will see you again. The Keep is not the same without you.”

“And
I am not the same without the Keep. But the southern climate is much easier on
these old bones.” Eldred held out his gnarled hand and Valerian grasped it. “May
the Most High be with you, Your Highness, and prosper all your dealings.”

Valerian
inclined his head in order to show his respect for the aged Seer.

“And
you also.” Then he turned and left with no delay. There were few things he
disliked more than emotional partings, especially when it was quite possible he
would never see the man again in this life.

True
to her word, Merry stood waiting outside.

“Shall
we find out what you have won for your bread?” Valerian held out his arm for
her. She stared at it, momentarily confused, but then she slipped her hand
under his elbow and tentatively took hold of his sleeve. He gazed down at her.

“This
is just a polite way for a gentleman to escort a lady. It lets passersby know
she is under his protection.”

I
saw people walking like this at the festival. I wasn’t sure what it meant more
than just being together.
Her face grew thoughtful.
I have a lot to learn, don’t
I?

“As
do I.”

When
they reached the square, the “courtroom” had been replaced by hawkers selling
produce and handcrafted items. Valerian spotted two men at a table who looked
as if they might have been involved in the festival’s competition. He steered
Merry in their direction and stepped up to the table.

“This
is Merry, whose bread won first prize last night.”

The
smaller man studied her and nodded.

“Oh,
yes. Your delicious braided bread will ever be remembered in the history of our
festival.” He searched through one of the baskets on the table and pulled out a
blue and green linen scarf. “I realize this has nothing to do with baking,
except to keep your hair out of it.” He handed the scarf to Merry. She took it
from him with a look of delight on her face. Then she curtsied.

The
man asked Valerian, “Does she not speak?”

“Unfortunately,
no,” he replied.

Merry
touched his arm, and he met her eyes.

Don’t
forget about Shannon’s prize.

“Oh,
yes. We are also here to collect Lady MacNeil’s third place prize for
needlework.”

The
man gave Merry an embroidery hoop to take back to Shannon, as well as her
framed picture of the dragon and the knight. Merry slipped the hoop over her
wrist so she could hold the picture and still take Valerian’s arm again.

“I
would like to make a short detour to show you some flowers I saw yesterday,” he
said. “Nothing blooms this time of year in the north. Perhaps you can identify
these for me.”

I
will try. You are right, there aren’t many flowers in winter here. But when
spring comes, there are so many the ground is thick with blooms in every color
of the rainbow
.

“I
would like to see that someday.”

They
headed in the direction of Ruddy’s house, but took a path off the road that
wound through the trees. A burbling creek ran nearby. The air was pleasantly
cool.

They
had just reached the border of Ruddy’s land when strong hands whipped a garrote
across Valerian’s throat, jerking him back. Though he couldn’t breathe, Valerian
grabbed at the assailant’s corded arms and tried to bend over to pull him off
balance. But the man was too solid and too strong. When Valerian stomped on
what he hoped was the man’s foot, the assailant only tightened the cord,
crushing Valerian’s throat. As his vision began to darken, Valerian saw the
horror in Merry’s eyes.