I watched him, attempting to understand why he humoured me so enthusiastically.
‘It’s but a vanity table M’lord.’
‘I have learned that small things are clues to bigger things. Especially in a castle that treasures little things.’ He smiled.
I hesitated further, unsure whether he thought me the fool.
‘Madelaine,’ he said softly, ‘I shall tell you something once, and only once. Pay heed.’ He watched me for a moment, the firelight caught in his eyes. ‘Be open with me, surprise me, laugh with me. Offend me! How else will I know your mind? I sense much more than a pretty face, and I shall take you for the worth you give me. Are your thoughts muted? Nay! A true spirit rests behind your eyes. I implore you to share it with me.’ His face burned golden flickers, his eyes held mine with that ever silent sincerity.
‘I have noticed mice within your castle.’ I said slowly.
‘I should hope not in the kitchens.’ He smirked, settling in his chair.
‘My vanity table depicts mice standing on each other’s shoulders, holding the mirror in place. And just now…’
‘The tapestry!’ he exclaimed, snapping his fingers, ‘mice dwelled within?’
‘Indeed!’
‘How curious! Mice depictions within our beautiful castle; painted into paintings or carved into the furniture. Perhaps it travels further into the town!’
‘You are enthusiastic Tomas.’ I noted.
At the mention of his name he turned from his exaggerated hand gestures to look at me. He smiled warmly, the light from his expression exploding in his eyes.
‘Indeed. It can be our personal little hobby. In fact…’ he stood from his chair to run his fingers down the carefully placed books on a bookshelf on his left, his fingers gently grazing spines. He began to mumble to himself, and as I leaned closer to listen I smiled. He was talking to the books.
‘Little wonderer where do thee dwell? Did I not delve into your pages but a month ago? Little page-turner, little legend where art thou?’
‘You are fond of books?’ I asked gently.
He turned back, the roguish grin back in full force. ‘I talk to my friends, for indeed I feel as though my soul is made up of the memories and experiences of others. Books are a privilege- I wish them to know how cherished they are.’
I smiled at him and blinked, coming forwards to kneel on the floor near his feet. There in the corner, as though mice themselves had inserted it, was a small book printed with small animal prints. It appeared as though mice had walked to and fro across the cover, stitching it together for our use.
‘You have found it!’ Tomas smiled, offering his hand to help me rise to my feet.
‘Indeed, it is such a small thing.’
He returned me elegantly to my chair, settling back into his own as I ran my fingers over the raised mice foot prints. ‘Wish me to read it Lord Tomas?’
His eyebrows rose and I corrected myself, my insides bubbling contentedly at his ready smile.
‘That would be most agreeable.’
My skirts rose up and over the chair like a waterfall, blending with the red chair. The fire warmed me through the velvet, my needs catered to. I was more than content, I was happy.
I turned the cover to find neat, curved letters within. It was handwritten, but with hands surly much smaller and more delicate then my own. I browsed the first page, about to read the first sentence when someone knocked on the door.
Instantly our calm, relaxed positions tightened, sitting upright in our chairs. I realised the armchairs had somehow been pulled closer to each other so our feet almost touched. Tomas quickly pulled his back as I fixed my skewed skirts, curling my fingers together as my hands rested on my lap, tucking the little book within my clasped hands.
With a nod from me Lord Tomas called out, ‘enter friend!’ and a cloaked figure slipped into the room. He was soaked and shivering, though made a powerful figure as he stalked over to the fireplace. He pulled back his hood to reveal my captain, his face grim, his eyes marking the room and where I sat.
‘Hamish.’ I said evenly, standing up to better view his shadowed face, ‘what has happened? Are the other men safe?’
He looked at the Lord and Tomas bowed his head in greeting.
‘I am sorry for the interruption Lord Tomas,’ Hamish said, ‘however I have grave news.’
‘Yes Captain Hamish? Speak.’
‘Six of your men are dead.’ He said bluntly, ‘we were ambushed on the road – we never made it close to the sight where we buried our fallen. Instead, I only bring tidings of more woe.’
‘It is not your doing. You were not responsible. Lady Madelaine, perhaps you had better retire – we shall look into our little mystery on the morrow.’
I felt my fingers curl and dig into the little book I held, my feet gliding apart as though prepared to fight.
‘Lord Tomas, these events have inflicted harm upon my captain. I would be a poor Lady indeed to leave him in this time of distress.’
Both men turned to stare at me, as though my little speech was a curiosity they could pick at and observe. I felt myself grow smaller under their gaze, a sparrow challenging two great hawks. Still, I ruffled my feathers and stood proudly.
‘I am not one to shy away from danger Lord Tomas, I can assure you that.”
He continued to stare at me, his eyes unreadable but for a small leap of wonder etched in the smile lines around his eyelids. Hamish too stared at me, his sword hand twitching as though he wanted to reach out to me. I endured this staring contest a moment more, before carefully filling my seat once again, rearranging my skirts in a more comfortable position.
A rouge grin pressed into Tomas’ gaze and he too settled, flourishing a hand out to a nearby desk chair for Hamish to occupy. Hamish’s eyes travelled to mine, demanding and begging answers from me. I smiled reassuringly and he took the offered seat, rearranging his scabbard. His left sleeve was torn, and mud slashed across his face like a cut. His hair stood up on end, as though he had run his hands through it numerous times in an effort to calm himself.
‘How did you escape?’ Tomas inquired.
‘I was at the back of the troupe. I was assigned there and was happy to comply with their wishes.’
‘When did the attack begin?’
‘We were just about to enter the gorge, hardly two hours from the city’s walls. It was dusk at best’
‘That close….’ Tomas muttered, staring into the fire, ‘how many bandits?’
‘They were too organised to be ordinary bandits, not to mention skilled. There were about twelve all together, they wore close fitting armor the colour of our surroundings. Each had their own fighting style. From daggers to arches to a battle axe – we stood little chance in the narrow space they trapped us in.’ Hamish’s eyes were the colour of ash, as though the blood he had witnessed had washed away the colour.
‘How is it you were unharmed?’ Tomas asked cooly. I felt my anger rise at the implication Hamish had ran as soon as the fighting started.
‘Believe me Lord Tomas, I wish I was beside your men even now. I find no pride in being the messenger. When many had fallen but me and four others I killed the two bandits on my left and broke through the formation. We paired up on the horses hidden behind the rock and fled.’
‘Where are these men?’
‘They are with the castle herbalist.’
Tomas nodded and I caught the slight wobble of Hamish’s knees, the sweat marks on his clothes.
‘Tomas,’ I said quietly, watching the two men direct their gaze on me. ‘Could I please have a private word with my captain?’
Tomas opened his mouth to say something, closed it and slowly nodded, ‘as you wish. I want to see my men in any case.’ He bowed before me, taking my hand to kiss it. I blushed and he slipped from the cosy room.
I stood the moment the door closed, meeting Hamish’s curious eyes.
‘Do you believe me?’ he asked as I walked closer. I silently nodded, tears in my eyes.
‘Oh Hamish.’ I whispered as he stood to meet me, ‘why must you be brave and strong all the time?’
Before he could move I curled my foot and gently tapped the inside of his knees. He grunted and fell back into the chair, sweat beading on his stubbled cheeks.
‘Lainie,’ he gasped as I knelt before him, pulling the dagger from the hidden compartment in his boots to cut through his leggings. The grey fabric was slick with blood, a deep gash running from knee to calf on his left leg.
‘Where else?’ I asked calmly, undoing his belt and sliding the sheath off and letting it clatter to the floor. Blood dripped down his leg and into the carpet as I undid the buttons of his shirt, revealing more deep cuts across his chest. These he had hastily bound up, scarlet blooming through the bandage to slowly stain his shirt.
‘You should be with the physician as well. What stupidity is it to report wounded?’ I demanded.
‘It is still fresh in my mind; I thought it prudent to provide information as soon as possible.’
‘What if you die from infection or blood loss? What aid would that bring us?’
‘I am but one man Lady Madelaine.’ He replied calmly as I ripped his shirt into strips and bound his wounds.
‘You are my man.’ I replied, angry tears running down my cheeks, ‘you are important to me.’ I looked up at him and he stared at me, as though I was some alien that had stumbled into his space.
‘Lainie,’ he whispered, ‘I’m sorry for scaring you.’
I stood up from kneeling at his feet, pulling my skirts away from his blood. ‘You’re an idiot.’ I said softly, my voice smooth and emotionless, ‘I have done all I can to stanch the bleeding, but you will need a healer. Stay here Hamish. Don’t move in case you make it worse.’
I moved for the door, curling my hand around the intricate door knob.
‘Lady Madelaine,’ I glanced at him as he used my title, ‘you must know how this looks, being alone with a man.’
I laughed without humour, ‘in your position you’re more likely to fall asleep than do me harm.’ I turned back to the door and he moved in a whirl, pressing me against the door between his two hands.
‘Still entertaining that thought?’ he asked haggardly, his face grey with exhaustion. I sidestepped under his arms the same moment I pushed him back and directed him into the chair I had occupied.
‘Sit tight moron, before you injure yourself further.’ I sighed and walked away from his shocked expression, his grey face small in the firelight.
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