Lies of the Line

Chapter 10

"I'm really sorry." Adrienne looked up from her bread at my statement. "About?" She eyed me questioningly, spreading strawberry preserves across the rye bread.

"About what I said in Cephille at dinner. I didn't mean it, I was just upset that you weren't as excited as I was. Do you forgive me?" I put my fork on the table and set my hands on my lap.

"Of course. I did the next morning. I understood the strain you were under and I regret now saying it when I did but I was just trying to look out for you." She bit off a piece of her bread once she was done talking.

"Well thank you. I shouldn't have overreacted." I looked down at the steaming pottage in front of me before picking up a fork and starting to eat.

While I swallowed my bite I looked down at the quill and paper in front of me, contemplating what to write. I realized while we were walking down to lunch that Adira and I never talked about our plans. I was going to write to her with a few suggestions but I had no idea what I was talking about. I had never imagined overthrowing anything. I had always just been where I needed to be. I broke a few rules now and then but I hadn't fully rebelled until recently. After thinking that through I knew what I wanted to say to start my letter.

'Dear Adira' I started. The quill had dripped most of the ink I had previously put on it onto the torn piece of paper I had set under it. I dipped the quill back into the pot and wrote my next sentence. 'I honestly don't know what I am doing, but I am going to try and help. I realized when I got home that we hadn't discussed anything as we planned. The Winter Ball has been mentioned and I know that you will be invited I heard people talking about how the new King of Lamorence was invited as well. I think it would be the best move to attack Malik while he is without his guard. The rebellion has offered their assistance if we need it.' I set the quill down satisfied with what I wrote and took another bite of my lunch.

"Mind if I give it a read?" Adrienne smiled at me and extended her hand, resting her fingers on the edge of the paper.

"Not at all. Tell me what you think when you finish." I slid the paper towards her and she picked it up and read through the paragraph I had written. I ate while her eyes skimmed the page, nervous when she didn't say anything.

"Lilac we have a bit of a problem here." Adrienne said as she put the paper down on the table again. "I offered my assistance, but no one else in the rebellion offered anything. The only people who know are Jax, Andrew, Greyson, and me." She ate the last bite of bread she had.

"Oh." I thought about it. She was right. No one knew what was going on so they couldn't help with something they didn't know existed. "How would I schedule a meeting to ask for their help?" She stopped chewing for a second as she thought through the question.

"Well," She said through her last bite. "I could talk to them about meeting you and if they accept that's good, if not then there's nothing we can do about it, but I'm sure they'll at least listen to you before denying it altogether." She swallowed and wiped the crumbs from her face.

"Perfect, let's do that," I said, smiling at her from across the table. "We'll see Jax today while we're walking around so you can start with him." I picked up my quill and paper and scribbled down my reasoning why the rebellion could be helpful before signing the bottom and rolling it up.

I finished eating quickly and pulled my coin purse out of my pocket. I dropped two silver coins on the table and waved goodbye to the woman who had been tending our table before grabbing my things and putting them in my bag. Adrienne stood up from her chair as well and followed me out of the tavern. The streets were bustling with mothers walking their children to the shops to buy their winter clothes before the first snow. Vendors stalked the streets trying to sell whatever they could to anyone who passed by. The afternoon air was cold as the sun began its slow decline back down to the horizon. We had about five hours of sunlight left before the day would turn to night.

Adrienne and I walked down the street leisurely, taking in the scene. The wind picked up and the air seemed cooler. I pulled my shawl tighter around myself. People stared as we walked down the street. Two girls wearing pants one with fur and the other dressed like a peasant. We were quite the pair. Adrienne didn't let that bother her as she walked and talked very animatedly beside me.

"I'll go talk to Jax about that meeting." Adrienne said as we neared the inn. She veered off from my path once we walked inside.

"May I speak to Jax please?" I heard her ask Cora before I walked up the stairs. I passed a few people going down on my way up.

I sat down at the vanity, moving a few things out of my way before I set my letter on it. I took the ink pot out of my bag and dipped the quill into it before unfurling the paper.

P.S. thanks for being so willing to help.

I scrawled the words quickly across the bottom of the page before allowing the ink time to dry. I stood up from the small stool in front of the vanity and walked the length of the room. I circled back and stopped in front of the vanity before picking up the letter and folding it. I wrote Adira's name across it in my best handwriting before laying it back down on the vanity.

I turned my head towards the door at the sound of the latch clicking and it being pushed open. Adrienne stepped through and closed the door behind her. She flashed me a big smile as she walked to me.

"They excepted your request and would like to meet with you tomorrow over lunch. I know our meeting spot and will help you get there." She grabbed my hand and swayed from her heels to the balls of her feet. "I think things are going to start looking up, Lilac."