Ghost Fields - Book One of The Fields of Mendhavai Trilogy

Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

A week passed and still we had no word from the Messenger Selanne. Danu’s growing frustration bore down on me in our weapons practices and in the afternoons with unceasing pacing in my study. By the fourth day of it, I accused him of wearing a hole in my carpets and sent him to the village directly after practice to help with milling the last of the grain from the harvest. He would come back to the keep a few candle marks after dark, hungry, tired, covered in flour and stinking of sweat. But he had no energy left to worry about Selanne.

Taphille was adopted into Murcii’s family, which had grown smaller as most of her children had reached adulthood and started families of their own. Murcii and her children, who had lost their father in the mage war, were grateful to have another young hand about to help with chores. And Taphille seemed grateful to have a family again, though he clearly mourned for and missed his own. Murcii’s children that remained at home, and one of the guards, an old sailor, were schooling the boy in Rowheem and he was picking it up quickly.

Early the eighth day after we’d sent the young Messenger to Khallad, Danu and I were practicing in the courtyard of the keep. We’d decided to stay close until the Messenger returned so we could be there right away to receive the reply.

Your Messenger returns, Lundir told me.

I misplaced a foot in a stride to block a sweeping strike from Danu in my distraction. I saw his eyes go wide with fear, as it was a full strength swing, but he turned the blade at the last moment and flat side of the heavy sword knocked me to the ground. My twin swords skittered out of reach and Danu put his foot lightly on my chest, sword point a mere finger-span from my throat.

“What distracted you? You should be concentrating on your opponent, not what is going on around you,” he scolded.

“It is nothing around me,” I retorted, tapping my head. “Selanne is back.”

The scowl lifted from his face and he sheathed his broadsword in the scabbard Tap Hill’s apprentice leatherworker had custom made for it. He’d loved it since the day I had presented it to him, oiling the stiff new leather nearly every day. He helped me to my feet and we each retrieved one of my swords, which I sheathed crosswise over my back.

“You’re right though, not even a message in my head should distract me. I shall ask the animals to shock me with news at random while we practice so such a distraction will not affect my performance when it really matters.” Being the ruler meant that I would likely have such distractions while fighting in the battle that loomed so near.

He nodded wisely at me and the two of us nearly ran to meet Selanne just outside the stable after he had handed the reins of his horse to the stable boy. Danu and I flanked the messenger as we made our way into the keep and I stopped one of the gardeners in his work to have him send someone to my study with food and wine.

I closed the door to the study behind us and Selanne stood before the desk, stiff and proper.

“There’s no need for formality here, Selanne, we’re all friends. Please rest, you look weary.” I gestured to the couch in front of the hearth.

Selanne collapsed onto it in obvious relief and gratefully accepted a small glass of port from Danu.

The prince could barely contain himself. He made to speak but I motioned him to wait until the poor young man had finished the drink and recovered somewhat from his long speedy journey. Danu began his pacing anew and I glared at him in annoyance.

After a servant had brought fruits, cheeses and bits of meat, and Selanne had helped himself to a few pieces, Danu could wait no longer.

 “What of my mother and father?” He came to stand before Selanne, his back to the hearth, arms crossed impatiently.