Elf Sight (16 page)

‘Shadow, I have asked Thornton to arrange a present for you. We could not have completed the mission without you. I will see you as soon as loose ends are tied up. Your father is well and in good spirits if his constant threats to castrate me are any indication. My men miss you and there are times I wish you were still with us, but at other times I am glad you are not forced to play this cat and mouse game. I hope you enjoy my gift, it was once mine many years ago. Love Carson.’

Shadow folded the letter and tucked it into her belt pouch. “When did you get the letter?”

“It was with this morning’s dispatch.”

“And you waited this long to give it to me?”

“He wanted you to have the letter and the gift at the same time.” Thornton gestured towards the parcel. “Are you going to open it?”

Shadow stared at the parcel a moment longer until, with a nod, she began to untie the string that held the wrappings closed. When the wrappings were spread across the table, a sword sat amongst them, a scabbard beside it. She reached out a finger and ran it down the middle of the blade, feeling carvings that were worn in some places. She rose to her feet and lifted the blade, checking the weight. “This was Carson’s?”

“Yes. Back when he was a skinny little kid that would have been knocked over in a good breeze.”

Shadow’s daggered look did nothing to repress Thornton’s grin. “Are you trying to tell me something?”

Thornton laughed. “That you had best sheath your sword, you’re making my guards nervous.”

Shadow glanced behind her and saw two men she had seen on and off during the day. Their hands were on their sword hilts and one of them strode towards the parlour. “We’ve had guards with us all day?”

“They’ve been trained to be discrete. I don’t like having them under my feet.”

Shadow reached for the scabbard. “That might be why you ended up kidnapped.” She undid her belt and slid the sheathed sword onto it.

“Maybe.” He waved the guard back. “But I have nothing to fear with you at my side.”

Shadow snorted as she sat at the table. “Then you are in trouble. I’d probably end up in the dirt at their feet.”

“That was only because you were wearing that ridiculous dress.”

“See, you do know I’m not a lady.”

“You are a lady, just not the sort that needs to primp and pose all day. And I shouldn’t have needed Carson’s letter this morning to point that out to me.” He glanced behind her and pushed the wrappings onto the floor. “Finally. I don’t know about you, but I could eat a pig.”

Shadow breathed in the scents of the meal as it was placed in front of her. “A good thing the special is roast pig.” Her eyes narrowed. “But you probably knew that before you ordered.”

Thornton smiled in answer and gestured towards her meal with his fork. “Eat. We have places to be later.”

Shadow groaned. “No more shopping. Please.”

“Eat.”

Knowing it would be impossible to get another word from him, she did as ordered. But only because she was starving and the food was making her mouth water.

Once the meal was ended, Thornton returned with her to one of the tailors where an outfit of black trousers and a dark red shirt and black vest had been altered to fit her. At the cobbler dark brown leather boots waited and Shadow soon rode beside Thornton in her new finery with the promise of the rest to be delivered to the castle.

“Where to now?” Shadow glanced around when they stopped in front of a large guarded building.

“Here.” He dismounted and waited for her to do the same. “Some friends of yours were wondering where we were keeping you.” He nodded behind her.

Shadow turned to see Iain, Gwyn and Perrun in the doorway. She grinned when they waved at her in greeting. Shadow turned back to Thornton. “Thank you.”

Thornton shook his head. “I am the one who can never thank you enough. Your gift saved my life. I am eternally in your debt. And Shadow, don’t you ever forget that. The Lady Krisa and all her cronies together aren’t worth one of you. Don’t let them treat you like you’re insignificant. Not a one of them could have done what you did, regardless of your gift.” He glanced behind her. “I think your friends are getting impatient. When you’ve finished visiting the barracks see that someone rides back with you to the castle. Carson would never forgive me if something happened to you.”

Shadow nodded.

Thornton smiled. “I’d never forgive me either.” He beckoned a boy forward and gestured for him to take Shadow’s horse. “Go have some fun. I’ve barely seen you smile since we arrived.”

Shadow could only nod before she turned away and ran to Iain, throwing her arms around first him, then Gwyn and Perrun. She held Perrun at arms length. “You’re well? When did you get back?” Her eyes dropped to his legs. “She was able to save it.”

Perrun nodded, his face bright red. “My Lady-”

Shadow scowled at him. “Not you too. I’m Shadow. Can’t anyone remember my name?”

Iain chuckled. “I don’t know, kid. It’s such a mouthful.”

Shadow laughed. “Oh I wish I could stay at the barracks instead of the castle.”

“That’s no place for a lass.” Iain shook his head.

“Why not?”

“It’s full of men,” Iain said.

Shadow shrugged and glanced behind them. “Do I get to see inside, or are we going to spend the afternoon on the doorstep?”

“Not much to see,” Gwyn said. “Mess hall, training grounds, dormitories and storage. The officers’ quarters are at the castle along with the training grounds for the new recruits.”

“Helps keep them in awe of their superiors starting them off at the castle.” Iain grinned. “Maybe that was your problem.”

“I want to see.” Shadow peered behind them.

Iain shrugged. “Can’t see why you’d find it interesting, but I guess no one will complain.”

The mess hall, storage rooms, and dormitories where they left Perrun, who needed to rest, were uninteresting. Once they reached the training grounds, where Gwyn was called away to join a sword fighting session, Shadow stared around in fascination. Her hand dropped to her pommel as she watched two men fight with swords, light on their feet, weapons cutting through the air. She felt alive watching them. This is where she belonged. Not in some stupid dress at the castle, but here, in trousers, with a sword at her side.

She turned to Iain. “I want to learn how to use my sword properly.”

“I don’t know lass. The Captain’d want us to look out for ya, not encourage ya to risk getting hurt.”

Shadow drew her sword and held it out to Iain, hilt first. She watched him stare at it a moment before he took it from her. “I want to learn to use this.”

Iain looked up from his examination of the sword. “Where’d ya get this?”

Shadow smiled. “Carson.”

“The Captain’s back?”

She shook her head. “He asked Thornton to give it to me.”

“This was the Captain’s first real sword. I was there when the king gave it to him.” He handed it back to her. “Ya sure he gave it to ya?”

Shadow nodded. “He sent a letter.”

Iain gestured behind him. “This isn’t the place, lass. Ya need to be at the castle training grounds. Learn how to do it right. Train with lads at your level.”

“How do I do that?” She sheathed her sword.

Iain shrugged. “Drill Sergeant Dore will be the problem. He’s set in his ways. The best there is at training, but a look from him has some of them lads wetting their britches.”

“So I need to get his permission?”

“That’d be the day.” Iain snorted. “Ya can expect the sun to stop rising first. Might be best to talk to the prince. He’d probably help.”

Impatience tugged at her as she turned to watch the soldiers. “Can you at least show me a few moves?” She brought her attention back to Iain. “Please? I only got it today.”

Iain grinned. “We’ll find a quiet corner, lass.”

Shadow nodded eagerly and followed Iain across the training grounds. They found a place that started quiet, but they soon had several spectators. This didn’t bother Shadow. After all the time she’d spent with the army she was accustomed to this type of attention and grinned when she heard several place bets on how long she’d last.

She knew Iain was going easy on her. Not like Morell had. A twinge of sorrow hit her and she attacked harder, determined to show everyone that Morell’s student wasn’t completely useless, and then her sword was on the ground and the point of Iain’s blade at her chest. He held it there a moment before he sheathed it, holding out his hand to her.

Shadow shook the offered hand. “Thank you.” She grinned. “For not making me eat dirt.”

Iain chuckled. “And how’d I explain that to the Captain?”

She bent to pick up her sword, brushing it against her trousers before she sheathed it. “Training? I believe that’s the excuse Carson used.”

Iain clapped her on the back. “Come on, lass. Let’s get ya back to the castle before the day’s ended.”

Shadow’s eyes were drawn to the splash of red and orange in the sky from the setting sun. Her smile faded. “I guess.”

“What’s troubling ya, lass?” Iain walked to the front of the barracks with her where he called a boy to fetch their horses.

Shadow shrugged. What could she say? Her bed was too soft? Her dresses too pretty. There was only one complaint she could make. “I miss him.”

“He’ll be right. Back before ya know it.”

“I know.” The words were soft and lacked conviction. She took the reins of her horse from the boy who brought him to her. “You don’t need to come with me.”

Iain mounted his horse with a speaking look. He shook his head and urged his horse forward. Shadow fell into place beside him and they made the trip back to the castle silently. They halted at the stone bridge that led to the castle and Shadow tried to think what to say. The words ‘don’t go’ didn’t seem the best option, but they were all she could think of.

“Visit us whenever ya feel like it, lass,” Iain said. “And don’t ya let Dore scare ya witless.”

“Let me guess, he’s really sweet under all his bluster.”

Iain laughed. “If ya believe that I’ve got a castle in the Northern lands ya might want to buy.”

“Then why shouldn’t I be scared?”

“Because he won’t respect ya if ya show any fear.” Iain gave her a nod, turned his horse and rode away.

With a sigh Shadow urged her horse across the bridge. That’s all she needed, another tyrant in her life. She seemed to collect them like some girls collected admirers. She dismounted and handed her horse over to the boy who waited. “Thanks.” She ignored his startled expression and headed for her room where she found several parcels of clothes on her bed.

Her eyes flickered between the dress laid out on the chest and the unopened parcels. She strode across the room and lifted the dress, bunching it into a ball before she threw it in a corner. No more. Not even for the elaborate meals every evening. If the gentleman were allowed to wear trousers at the table, their swords at their sides, then she would too.

The whispers and catty remarks would be the same no matter what she wore. At least she’d be comfortable. She unwrapped the parcels, choosing an outfit suitable for dinner. Once she was dressed, she grinned. Now Brisa would have reason to give her one of her looks that made her think she was wondering who had forgotten to take the rubbish out.

Shadow’s hand went to her pommel and she wished Carson was here with her. She dropped her hand, straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. She could do this. Without help. She was Shadow Morgan, daughter of Gil Morgan, supposed hero of the realm. And she had elf sight and tenacity. She grinned, and she didn’t care what anyone said. Tenacity was good.

She flung open her door and strode down the hallway. No turning back. She was ready to face the hordes. The entire jewelled horde. And then she was entering the dining room, conversations stopping as she strode to her seat. For a split second she began to wonder what she was doing, then she met Thornton’s eyes. They were so similar to Carson’s. Even down to a touch of humour in the deep brown. He rose as she came closer and pulled her seat out for her.

“You look stunning.” He sat beside her, letting her pull her own seat into the table.

Shadow grinned. If they were alone, she’d argue his comment. “I need to talk to you later.”

“About?”

“Dore.”

Thornton chuckled. “A good thing I didn’t place a bet on that conversation. I was thinking it’d be tomorrow.”

Around them the conversations that had restarted came to an abrupt halt. Shadow looked up to see her brother slide into his seat as the King and Queen entered the room. Brisa’s eyes fell instantly on her and become frosty enough to make Shadow think winter would be early this year. Her winter anyway. Nickel seated his wife then gestured to the servants to begin filling plates.

Brisa’s gaze remained on Shadow. “Did you perhaps need a maid, Shadow?” Brisa’s voice was as frosty as her gaze.

“No thank you. I’ve been capable of dressing myself since I was a toddler.” Then quickly added, “Your majesty.”

Thornton eyed Shadow. “And here I was about to ask who her tailor is. She looks exquisite. I shall have to pay the man a visit.”

Shadow lifted her goblet to her lips to hide her smile. Under control again, she returned the goblet to the table. “I’m not sure which one this outfit is from, Thornton. I fear I visited so many I’ve forgotten who half of them are.”

“Surely there weren’t that many.” Thornton smiled at her before he turned to his father. “When are the officer’s lessons?”

“Oh, Thornton, never tell me you’re thinking of following in your brother’s footsteps.” Brisa’s jewelled hand pressed against her throat.

Thornton shook his head. “Never. How could I tear myself away from all these beauties for months at a time?” He raised his goblet, tilting it towards Shadow before he drank from it.

“Tonight and then two nights later. Same each week,” Nickel said.

“Does Dore still run them?”

Nickel chuckled. “As if he’d let another hold them.”

“And he still trains the most promising new recruits?” Thornton asked.

Nickel nodded. “Why all the questions?”

Thornton smiled. “Oh, you know me.” He made a vague motion with his fork before he used it on his meal. “This smells great. I’m hungry enough to eat a pig.”

“A pity you’re stuck with bull instead,” Shadow muttered.

Thornton laughed. “My other favourite meal.” He lifted a slice of the roast beef to his mouth. He leaned closer to Shadow, lowering his voice. “Although it’s best when you’re the one doing the serving.”

“Where did you wander off to all day, my lord?” Krisa asked Thornton from across the table. “I haven’t seen you since Shadow tripped over her own feet coming out of her room.”

Shadow ignored the titters she could hear along the table, but the look of laughter in Brisa’s eyes as she pressed her napkin to her lips shot anger through her. “We ate at a tavern in the city where Thornton gave me a letter from Carson.”

Brisa’s eyes became frosty again. “Carson sent you a personal letter?”

Nickel reached out and patted his wife’s hand. “I told you we received a dispatch from Carson today. He and his men are well and we’re working on the plan he suggested.”

Brisa’s lips curved into a false smile, her eyes never leaving Shadow’s. “Of course he would have to send you a personal letter. He would have clearly known you would never be privy to any of the army dispatches. We don’t trust just anyone to read them.”

Shadow had no reply she could make. Instead she nodded jerkily.

Thornton rose to his feet, most of his meal eaten. “If you’ll excuse me, Mother, Father.” He nodded to each one. “I believe I’ll step in on the officer’s lessons this evening.” He turned to Shadow and held out his hand. “Would you care to join me?”

Shadow rose to her feet and Krisa screeched, her hands covering her mouth. “You’re wearing a sword? What on earth will Captain Carson think when he returns home?”

Shadow’s hand dropped to her pommel and she fought the urge to draw it from the scabbard. “I can’t think he’ll complain since he was the one who gave me his sword.” She felt Thornton tug on her elbow and allowed him to lead her from the room, satisfied by Krisa’s gasp and the sudden whispered conversations that ran around the table.

“Don’t do that to me again.” Thornton pressed a hand to his heart once they were out of the room. “Are you trying to kill me?”

“Do what?”

“I thought you were going to draw your sword and carve that viper into little pieces.”

Shadow laughed. “I thought so too for a minute.”

“Maybe you better not wear it to dinner in future.”

“Avoiding dinner might be the better choice.”

Thornton stopped in the middle of a hallway, turning Shadow to face him. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Really?” When Thornton nodded she grinned. “That would be a perfect way to show your eternal gratitude.”

“Not riches and wealth beyond imagining?”

Shadow shook her head. “No. Never having to attend another one of those dreadful meals would be a lot better.”

“I can’t promise never, but I think I might be able to get it down to once a week. Will that do?”

“I suppose so.” She sighed then looked along the hallway. “Weren’t we going to an officer’s lesson?”

Thornton grinned and held out his arm. “My lady, allow me to escort you.”

Shadow placed her hand on his forearm and fell into step beside him. When they wound their way through hallways, staircases and past numerous rooms she was glad to have him with her. She didn’t know how she would ever find her way back here.

Their destination was a large room with an oval table in the centre, young men seated at it all looking towards a sharp nosed man with hazel eyes that looked like they could see through to a person’s soul. His head had dark stubble and his face was clean shaven, his left cheek marred by a three inch long scar. He stopped in mid sentence and all heads turned their way.

Thornton smiled, striding into the room without a glance towards those seated. “Dore.” A sharp nod. “Carry on. We’ve come to be enlightened.” His smile widened as he seated himself and Shadow at the oval table.

Dore stared at Thornton for several long moments. It wasn’t Thornton who ended up shifting uneasily in his seat, but the other young men. Then Dore repeated the sharp nod given to him by Thornton and picked up the thread of his conversation, gesturing towards the map in the centre of the room.

Shadow watched in fascination as Dore described a battlefield scenario then fired rapid questions at each of his students as to how they would react. She itched to give her opinion, leaning forward with each suggestion. Upon hearing the answers, she leaned backwards, wanting to ask them if they had any experience at all.

Dore pointed at Shadow. “Either spit out what you have to say or sit still.”

“It’s the battle of Wolf Ridge.” It had been the tale most spoken in the tavern, always in hushed whispers with glances towards Gil.

Dore’s eyes bored into her then he gave a single, sharp nod. His gaze skated across the rest of his class. “Haven’t the lot of you a brain to share between you? What makes you think you can be officers?”

Shadow felt instant pity for them. “I was raised on the tale.” When Dore’s gaze fell on her, she added a hurried, “Sir.”

He gestured towards his students. “This lot were raised on such tales. Why should you have learned it any better than them?”

“I’m Shadow Morgan.”

Dore stared at her. “Gil a relation?”

She nodded. “My Pa.”

Another lengthy stare then he reached towards the map and rearranged the wooden counters. He fired out the scenario in short, sharp words then returned his gaze to Shadow.

“The battle of Tun Mountain.” Maybe serving drunks hadn’t been a complete waste of time, although squiggles in the gravy remains on plates didn’t do as good a job as an actual map.

Dore grunted at her then rearranged the map, barking the next scenario.

Shadow bit back a grin, enjoying herself. “Murder Lake.”

“I knew that one, sir,” one of the young men half raised his hand, his gaze dropping to the table top when Dore’s eyes fell on him.

Dore’s narrowed gaze returned to Shadow. “What are you doing here if you know all this?” His hand swept above the table.

Shadow was lost for words. Because I want you to train me didn’t seem like it’d work. She glanced towards Thornton who sat forward, about to speak.

Dore held up a hand. “Not you, her.” He pointed at Shadow.

“Really, Dore, is that any way to speak to your future king?” Thornton leaned back in his chair, a slight smile on his lips.

Dore’s gaze remained on Shadow. “Well?”

“Carson’s been training me, but he’s not here. I was told you were the best trainer in Crell.”

“Girls aren’t allowed in the army.” Dore’s hands went behind his back, his stance widened and he stared down at her. “Ever.”

Anger spiked and it was all she could do to remain seated. “Then I have no idea where I’ve been all these weeks. Felt an awful lot like Carson’s company to me.”

“I don’t tolerate back talking.” His gaze momentarily dropped on Thornton. “From anyone.” It returned to Shadow. “No girls are allowed in the army.”

Her chin rose. “I didn’t ask to join the army. I asked to train. Next time I’d like to have some chance of coming out alive by my own effort.”

Thornton spoke up. “They’re not about to let elf sight sit at home knitting baby bonnets.”

Dore eyed her. “Like your father, are you?”

Thornton chuckled and answered before she had a chance. “In more ways than one.”

Shadow sent him a daggered look before she turned back to Dore. “If you don’t know how to train a girl tell me so I can find someone who can.”

Dore remained silent, his hands still behind his back, his shoulders straight, feet apart. “Your challenge doesn’t interest me, but I’ll give you one week to show me if a girl is trainable. If I give you a ball of wool at the end of the seventh day I better not see you on my training grounds again.” He paused. “Or in this room.”

Shadow wanted to shout, dance around the room and grin like a maniac. She did none of them. Holding herself still until the urge passed she gave a single nod. “Deal.”

He pointed at Shadow. “Daybreak. If you’re late, you get the wool and you’re knitting me a baby bonnet.”

She gave a single nod again.

Dore looked around the room. “Dismissed.”

His students quickly rose to their feet, saluting before they hurried from the room. Shadow remained seated since Thornton did.

Dore’s gaze flickered between them, remaining on Thornton after a moment. “Was there something else?” His tone changed to one of mocking subservience. “My lord.”

Thornton shook his head, a lazy smile forming. “No, I like to watch all the rabbits scurry. How are they going to gain a backbone if you whip it out of them?”

“I never raise a whip to my soldiers.”

Thornton chuckled. “I hear it raised all the time. I’m surprised they ever have any skin left on them once you’ve given them a tongue lashing.”

“And yet you still brought me another student.” His gaze darted to Shadow before it returned to Thornton. “What were you expecting?”

Thornton rose to his feet, holding his hand out to Shadow, his smile directed to her. “This one has a backbone of willow. I have no fear for her.”

“I believe the term is steel,” Dore corrected.

Thornton shook his head. “No. Willow. Steel will eventually break.” He flashed a smile at Dore. “I’m curious as to what you’ll do with the ball of wool when you can’t give it to Shadow.”

“I only ever have five in my squad at a time. Someone will be knitting me a baby bonnet next week.” With a sharp nod Dore strode from the room.

Shadow dropped back into her seat, her head into her hands. “What have I done?”

“I believe you got yourself the best trainer in the city.”

Shadow shook her head, dropping her hands to look up at the prince. “No, I’ve ruined some young man’s life.”

Thornton threw back his head and laughed.

Frowning, Shadow rose to her feet and glared at him. “Oh shut up.”

His laughter became a smile. “Did you ever think it might be you getting the ball of wool?”

Shadow shook her head, an image of serving drinks in the tavern as an old woman coming to mind. “No. Never.”

Thornton dropped an arm around her shoulders. “Come along, my willow. Let me escort you to your room. You have an early day tomorrow.”