The King's Crest

Chapter 16

Weeks passed and I was starting to get concerned with how long this trip was going. There was progress, the king and prince now seemed quite fond of me, but I was still nervous. With knowing me I saw more of the darkness of Ahab. I had very little communication with Kenneth or Jeremiah and I was beginning to miss them very much. Surprisingly though, I was actually having a lot of fun. Learning to be a physician was hard work, but I was learning so much, I could not have enjoyed that more. Today, however, I was tired, and I was going to ask for the day off.

Kenneth prepare horses for my day off. I believe he also managed to contact Rem for me. I quickly went to Rehabiah to make sure he had no work for me. He agreed to me leaving only the day before when I worked late in the night. "Rehabiah," I called as I walked in to his quarters. Although I wasn't supposed to get close to anyone in Rethain, I was undoubtedly close to Rehabiah. We spent every day but Sundays together, and he was easy to open up to. He, too had lost many people, including his daughter, and hasn't connected to many since. Coincidentally, we became very close with a father daughter relationship. I knew it would kill me to betray him later.

"Ah, Grace, is that you?" he came behind a corner smiling, losing all formality he once had with me. "You are not supposed to be in today, Grace. What does bring you here?"

"I know, I just was reminding I you I was not to be here today. I also just wanted to say hello. I am going into town, do you have anything you need me to deliver or pick up?"

"You really are the best apprentice I could have," he laughed. He gave me a tincture in a bottle, grasping my hand and giving instructions on where I was to deliver it. He thanked me as I left, and politely wished me well. I went to say goodbye to King Ahaz on the way as well, making sure he knew I would be gone. It was polite, and I really needed him to like me. On my way I ran into Alexander. Unfortunately I really ran into him. I let my excitement to see Rem get the best of me.

"Well, Lady Grace, I always wonder whether or not you truly are a lady with the way you act. Why are you running in the castle Grace?"

"Sorry Alexander, I know I should not run. I have not had to use much poise around Rehabiah. I'm actually on my way to visit your family."

"What are you going to see my father for?" Alexander questioned as we walked. We approached the throne room and I asked the guards if they would have a chance to let me in. I waited for a few minutes until some man came out with his crying little daughter, and I felt instantly unhappy with the king. Even so, I remembered the quest and put on a false smile as I, along with Alexander, entered into the throne room.

"HOW DARE YOU BE SO LATE?" the unhappy king boomed at his sloppily dressed son entered in. "Lady Grace, my apologies, I do not particularly have the time, what do you need?" he said in a slightly happier voice. I explained my plans and quickly exited, on my way out I could hear Ahaz bitterly consulting Alexander in a hushed tone. Soon, I ran directly into Kenneth. "Oh, Sir Daniel!" I gasped, almost forgetting his real name.

He apologized, did a slight bow and said "Are you ready, Lady Grace?" I nodded and he escorted me outside, talking to other guards on the way, explaining little of our destination. They told us to be back slightly before nightfall. We agreed and walked off.

In no time at all we were out of ear shot of everyone around us except random pedestrians. It was as close to privacy as we needed to semi-openly talk, for the first time in almost a month and a half. "You do know Jeremiah might not be able to make it, right? I gave him the notice, but he can only sometimes get off of work. The only times I've really been able to see him is if he is with his master selling farm fresh produce on the street," Kenneth said.

"I know he might not, but I want to try. Besides, even just talking to you, someone I know, it feels so nice. How are you? How's Rem from what you've seen of him? Have you been able to talk to your wife?"

"I'm so busy, and exhausted. I'm working a lot as a guard and soldier. They are definitely taking advantage of me being here. But, I have heard that they have plans ready in case Vezana attacks, though I'm not told much more than that. However, they have openly told me that they stole the King's Crest," he paused as he looked at me "I haven't heard enough from Rem to know. He seems to be getting along well, but it is Rem, he will be fine. There has been no communication to Mabel."

"I'm sorry," I said, giving him a little half grin. "I need to stop by someone's house in town to drop this off," I declared, holding up the red tincture, afraid to ask more. He nodded and waited while I went to the house I was instructed to. I knocked and heard footsteps. I was surprised when the man who I had seen exiting the throne room just a little bit ago opened the door.

"Wh-who are you?" the frightened man inquired.

"Good afternoon. My name is Grace. Rehabiah told me to bring this to you. I'm hoping you know more about it than me," I said in a monotone voice as I tried to figure things out.

"But I cannot pay. A-and the king. What about-" his face clearly showed his surprise "please, how did you get this for my sick daughter?"

I suddenly understood why Rehabiah did not tell me what this was. He did not want me accidentally telling the king. He was using his position currently to go behind the kings back and heal the sick people, the king did not want to be healed due to financial issues. Suddenly, a smile crossed my face until I was grinning so much my cheeks hurt. "All I can say, sir, is that God is good. If you have time, look up James 1:12 next time things aren't perfect." The man was now crying tears of pure joy calling over his wife to tell her. They were so delighted and thanked me repeatedly, offering the little they had. I refused and walked away, praising God for allowing Rehabiah to make that for them.

Eventually though, I had to get back to Kenneth. He looked up from the ground and smiled when I came closer to him. The smile never left my face from the previous events. I told him what happened and generally about Rehabiah the rest of the way until we reached the spot he would normally meet up with Jeremiah at. Jeremiah was not there. I was a little dismayed but figured that was normal. I continued to talk to Kenneth for a bit.

"Kenneth," I heard my regular voice utter, "I do not think I will be able to betray Rehabiah. He is so close to me now. Working with him, I have a father again. MY father." He looked at me, and used his hand to gesture which way to walk.

I knew we would have to make this seem more normal, make it seem as if I was a lady with my body guard, curious of the town. Knowing that I started touring the town and its little shops. I was looking at jewelry, contemplating whether or not I should buy a necklace when I saw him. There, in the spot we were in earlier was Rem. My dearest friend, only a few feet away. Tears welled in my eyes as I walked to him, trying to act casual. "Rem" I exclaimed with a lump in my throat.

I could see the tears welling in his eyes, too as he saw me come up to him. "Hello, Kat, long time no see," he said with a large grin on his face. For a moment all I could do was look at him with joy rushing through me. He eventually spoke again "I'm not actually supposed to be here, I have a booth over there I'm running with my master. I only have a few minutes.

"It's enough. I'm just so happy to see you, and hear you! It has been too long since someone called me 'Kat.'" Knowing this, we did not have time for fun conversations. We discussed all that we knew and our upcoming plans with him. Then, too soon, we said goodbye. I left him after a brief goodbye. It was only when he lifted me slightly with his big embrace that I could feel his slimmer waist and stronger arms. He was being worked harder than I could know. Being so delighted, there was nothing else in town I wanted to see, and Kenneth and I made our way back to the castle.

As we walked back up, Kenneth and I happily chatted with each other as if we were back in Vezana. How I longed to be back there, but for now this was close enough. With that thought in mind I suddenly went serious. Kenneth did not need to ask me what was wrong, his thoughts were the same as mine. He gave me a knowing smirk and said, "Soon." As I fiddled with the note Jeremiah slipped into my hand at our goodbye.