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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8pqP1L7qm
“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.332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqy3NKM4hKS
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.
_________________________________________________________________________________332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1fei13086v
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnkSdN7SEd
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, she332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qvjUMIyS8
is still Lady Elwood. She is a born, bred and trained high lady. But,” I held332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KeKsYCem7
up the arrow, showing the fletching to the captain, “she is also a high-ranking332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡydKCS9gtLK
Black Dove.”
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0kIWCnI1G4
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbh3u4z5V2k
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6R6K3CQms1
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0oKXHnFtZ
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEy7VfaGyKn
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXH25jCTxCH
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7CeOeiT9sB
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk0DNet1w4A
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbixT5QpAi
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXBW0lsqgTL
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2s0g3vOYeK
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbhpnO2nzwq
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZcasfdVhLr
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQzGnrAQLd
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz4XgqJSfH2
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUG18pKvMrs
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe7WcziwBMr
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHXBtSAqVi
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZO5OE1X7Ud
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVYCHTtEF99
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhvwC6dFTKj
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPv6xelqC8y
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODW5j4JuxU
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ05nL7wIN3r
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡecrvkQ69f7
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtdMYOIoSf2
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIRBqZO59A2
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXkmP11CRa
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6fYYN1CN6s
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW6NnS6oHg
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcbcLG1gNOg
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo9cHRfRltT
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavnx5eVvSK
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlhbgq2EzQf
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmeUUA8d3i
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTXR4JDGO7W
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9dIMDNlZnX
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡamI2XIueR0
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjPo31jbvG
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPJjwf4oLuG
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBekKeqZ3tk
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnD5kU41qC3
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7tBOOVgf1
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CfAwnd9YJ
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMtJqRda3Xr
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJZqdSI3Ae0
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ51Re1fFf7j
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFP9rKlt0YR
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡliwBQBNNJx
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvQGduk2Djf
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4f0xwfAtcZ
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxnyavW6rV
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerjEaTLet4
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWJs4n0pp4O
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwAAPEeTc8g
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF6QamqZL7N
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p8vy76FwE
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡge2mDa5CeC
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50x32LFFQ9
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtrhqbIGJrt
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMVjB2cHcDj
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyyOEO1npJ
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn6ucaNiKNm
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY9r4OsSm7P
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrI4zbEKfu
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlq12XtfVXZ
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDsRTpryxAa
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgTnmKX6bpQ
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVFj8OMv500
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOlJ4xPl4e
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42JKDcui4m
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLrpuTOTdBJ
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWftgd4myY
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXrmoYZMal
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsMMx0o4Byv
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyPYuaKEYU
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYSjlxp7ks
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz6IlMDwYD
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlbBm8DNKgX
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77WPb2nUca
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUwoqNvOcCa
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSaf78NZbK
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU6jUzPbz29
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2LYhMJdGb
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCZRfpPNmPs
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD8njFjzZ4x
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzvVyTcCMlo
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lh6TbBtep
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhzmUP8qywI
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3MbaiEu2Hq
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXsRCEKD3xB
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsx0XsFVlNY
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjd2NdpGzJ
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEplDM6s8NZ
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01ApLfNB4n
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAWVB7REab
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKaZdJMkre
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuSoqCCU5X
332Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAF5pllIqX
→ Request update
and then Add to home screen.