Chapter 26:
Hamish
“This is insane.” I muttered, skirting around the small lake that fed the forest around it. William was already there, unaware of my presence. I stepped on some dry twigs, watching him swing around to the sound. It would be ill advised to come across a skilled warrior without him sensing it. Might bring about some troubling questions.
“Hamish,” he said in greeting, “punctual.” His words were clipped, a man who spared no time for pretty words. A natural commander.
“Where did your Lord find you? Recruit you?” I asked him, nodding my head in greeting.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbvPqy6QU6d
“Far away.” He replied vaguely, “I doubt he would even remember the place. Between the wild lands and here I would say.”
I left the question, watching him catching his breath as though he was relieved.
“Now, blood pact.” He said as introduction, “two or more willing participants are rivy to information granted from each side. That which we speak of tonight may not be spoken of beyond this night – unless all parties allow it.”
“You must swear never to harm Lady Madelaine Elwood.” I said, “she is my mistress and master.”
He considered it for a moment, nodding his head, “I swear it.”
He revealed one of the ceremony daggers, a small silver dagger with the blood pact incantation carved into the side. Neither of us could read the runes, but every major city had such a dagger.
“Should anyone be listening in, may their ears bleed.” William muttered, cutting a line into his palm, and passing me the dagger.
“Aye,” I agreed, doing the same. The dagger seemed to warm in my hands the moment our blood mingled on the blade. We shook our bleeding hands, letting go to watch our palms heal over in moments. A silver line remained, one which would never fade. Depending on the pact depended on where the cut was. Some were right over your heart, or in case of a Saol vow… beside the artery in your neck placed by your master.
“Speak,” William commanded, “who is Madelaine really?”
I grinned, “she is truly Lady Elwood. But your questioning has left me curious. Who was Lord Westfield? Where was this man born?”
I watched William pale in the darkness, his skin reflecting the stars.
“It seems,” he said, “we have much to discuss.”
__________________________________________________________________________
Madelaine
“Where’s Hamish?” I asked Sarah, returning from dinner. Tomas, no – Justin, had been unwilling to release me. He had never asked for a reply to his question, and I had been unwilling to give it. Where Hamish was concerned, my mind bucked at any demand that needed me to reflect on my feelings about him. It always had. He was my safe space, someone who had known me all my life and cared about my safety.
He knew me.
“He’s gone to bond with William.” Sarah smirked, turning to look at me.
“Bond?” I asked quietly, “William is no fool. What is he demanding from Hamish?”
“The usual,” Sarah shrugged, “blood pacts and the like. Hamish seemed concerned though, he said that William was Saol bonded to your lord.”
I frowned, considering. If he were, there could be no secrets between Justin and William. Their destinies were tied together.
“Go,” I commanded, Sarah dropping her mending at the tone. “Give Hamish leave to provide what William wants to know. But demand to see the seal before you allow it.”
“As you will it,” Sarah grinned, sliding into the shadows behind us. I sat on the vanity stool, starring at myself in the mirror. My hair had slid free of the loose braid and gently curled around my shoulders, those piercing brown eyes staring back at me. I arched an eyebrow and watched my face change into a knowing smile, my full lips opening slightly. It was difficult at times to reconcile this face with the being inside it. I let go a breath, running a gloved hand down the mouse carving. As my hand slid down, I felt a beating inside the wood, as though small hearts hammered within the figures. Removing my hand, I once again slid my hand down. The moment my fingers grazed from one to the next the beating pressed against my hand. I reached over for the servant rope, pulling it and waiting moments before a knock sounded on my door. A pretty maid waited there, rosy cheeks as though she had pinched them. She was the kind that found a husband easily; rounded and cheerful, she would bear a brood to play inside the castle walls. I envied and pitied her.
“Good evening, Sasha,” I smiled, watching her eyes widen in surprise. “Do you remember the small bet the servants made concerning the mouse carvings?”
Her face reddened further, her eyes unwilling to meet mine, “yes mistress.”
I clasped her hands, her rough fingers jolting at the contact, “was there a winner Sasha? I would dearly like to know where they all are!”
My enthusiasm seemed to calm her, a supressed giggle waiting in her mouth.
“Yes lady! Although, your Sarah gave us until the engagement party to find them all.331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5IZhKMxt42
We have found many – but there must be more.”
I nodded, gently letting her fingers go. “Yes, that does make sense I suppose. Thankyou for coming to my call. I appreciate your work.”
She stammered a thank you, taking her leave. I frowned after she had left, sighing into the empty room. Endless waiting. That was what I found my station demanded the most. Patience.
_________________________________________________________________________________331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡelf6QJ1lkK
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuALdCLx6oN
Hamish
William frowned at me, looking me in the eyes. “Surly I can’t provide information while you hide behind half-truths.”
“If it was a half-truth I would be bleeding out – as the pact states. Only truth may be provided.”
He went to open his mouth when an arrow shot through the trees to land between us. William launched into action, drawing his sword, and running for cover. I looked at the black arrow, seeing the fletching was coloured black and a deep indigo blue only one organisation knew how to source. William watched in horror as I knelt in the open and pulled the arrow out, taking the small parchment attached.
I smiled, scrunching it up and popping it into my mouth. It dissolved in my mouth, lifting a hand in thanks.
“Will,” I called out, “not to worry – I know the archer. They won’t be bothering us again.”
He slowly came out of the trees, the most agitated I had ever seen him. “You know them? What a chance you took!”
I gave him a steady look, the captain catching my change of mood. He moved us closer to the river, seeing my look, he also whistled a couple falling notes. Scurrying feet echoed around us as small sentinels gave us some space.
“What was the message?” He asked finally, sitting cross legged by the water. I moved beside him, taking my shoes off and dipping my feet in the water.
“It seems our masters’ have had some words. Tell me Westfield’s identity.”
He eyed me, sighing. “He was a holy knight once. Although, I doubt he remembers much. His sect was eradicated, the temples burned to the ground. But holy relics and the like are not easy to destroy – the priests contacted the fledging rebels and hid much of the knowledge and people away.”
“That makes sense – I remember the Holy Purging.”
I did remember. I remembered as a child helping Black Swans flee the capital, including the holy and healing people in the exodus. It was an odd mix of two factions on opposite sides of a scale. But the Dead king had been relentless. He had destroyed my family. They had sacrificed themselves for many, my last memories of them ushering me into the arms of a healer woman and leading the soldiers away. The capital Black Swans had returned to their mistress, and the Holy men and women, and the temple healing sects went underground.
“How did he become the lord of the city?” I asked softly.
“The way it went about is… fuzzy. As though a fog is settled over the memories. But I know I was of sound mind when I chose to swear my life to him, and that we would commence this façade together. I know he was once named Justin. Funny thing is, the longer we serve here… the more we become the people we play.”
I nodded, also knowing the feeling of imposter syndrome. “But you don’t know who set it up?
Will shrugged, spreading his hands, “we have done nothing but bring prosperity to Westfield. We don’t know why we were placed here. Only that we were given orders to wait and protect.”
“Tomas – Justin, isn’t a bad man. You are good men.”
He gave me a nod of thanks, before settling his eyes on me. “And your mistress?”
“Oh, she331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7toyxpS29
is still Lady Elwood. She is a born, bred and trained high lady. But,” I held331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoi4Ene6Gba
up the arrow, showing the fletching to the captain, “she is also a high-ranking331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOcY2PPPLZA
Black Dove.”
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9pDCv20yO
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1mRiWHxbx
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSwWwUwKGk
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4aWbcX68V
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtonMB0igfl
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnROXZ7agX4
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeyDjxgX1iJ
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0fRS8WpKSp
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIuTIb0iKTL
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm74XM5BKUf
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7oZBcDyiX
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS9P2DTZRLc
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUVJLDFesFj
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQcLBJfGgW
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNq2PQiUXQS
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrN4OL0H6mV
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVJj8o1ziUD
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpY1dWbq8pJ
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BIzVExMG6
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtUAXMwDhnO
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMNpRifAF7
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrhkmVgekZK
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1YmYsdbi3u
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNjfcHxWp6
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVPGcQZFU8
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzdaQGOwttr
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVNDweC9Mp
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPWTBhaM3Ex
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiNd95xYOa4
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcC1nmziVjR
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtCrwa7Xfbn
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW4LsUukTK7
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa1XYqts5V4
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMjmLMqdsB
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcKinr9Lp7B
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTsolOljoeh
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb3Zb0mDCr8
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4zfCyxvj1m
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWG13TRSrAX
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkoV6acKkvG
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3VaHYk1nj4
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBoIPOgI7bj
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH5sdyM4mSa
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQmXViy3jl
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHAie57xtY
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3PqRCU2Lu
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTb6R9Vi9j
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXU0AlJ3HKG
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF5MWRurcyq
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDNItUiDcOO
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSnllUmBaYk
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHhZGwxSKLb
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqTimueqDzm
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4MIoulNRO
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmgrOg0GaMT
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUxkltpFprb
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe9abBVItrA
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIINtqSe2Qo
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh524cD3OQZ
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnr9dlZqFdl
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtnzQCFajGN
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqZwPC0Vlpw
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxCQAr86Jh
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJbAyAKz4I8
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKPYf5yPT8R
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2Ic3NIwx0
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlTZXkweMT9
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSPvxBYwQ01
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRhqnkQT0np
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5C6H6Tmd7x
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoHzzrRKFE9
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBTjMbKvVxK
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nomu8BpqT
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB4olf50HE9
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtBTlLFTpR9
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53qESrOQHC
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qCKmnC1HV
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtYNi8cwSuj
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwQpVVQEeF5
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiP7JEwnpl
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqsHKhioGzW
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDHjdxiHso
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09Y45hC0pK
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5XSwzHh4aA
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpfGPVV40f
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0p1dKFHsN0
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YqhHiPtTq
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ93RqXv2dS0
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs0wa1ITDzh
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMI3aJRbq0w
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJEFfaNeu5
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuWgdh5WCZZ
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTY4RqVJam
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9OLIoJ2yk
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHQBhel6LNy
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDy313QSGyL
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfQVbjtIZT
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUlQnBsWL0k
331Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHMfRl84xU
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.