The Blue Bird

Chapter Thirteen

"He took the deal." I announced upon entering Margery's chamber.

She looked up from the book she was pouring over, quizzical.

"They turned him into a blue-bird because he refused to marry Sibeta." I explained. "Now he's marrying her, they've agreed to let him be human again."

"And that's..." She studied my face for clues. "Bad news."

"I'm not sure." I sat down opposite her. "Do you think...do you think he could be happy with her?"

"No." She replied flatly. "But I think he's doing what is necessary."

I nodded as I contemplated my options. Hector was alive and well, by all accounts. He was back with his people and on the throne, where he belonged. But he was still very much at the mercy of Dina and Sibeta. He'd once told me he would never submit to blackmail, yet now he had done exactly that. Whatever Hector's motives were, I had to see him. I had to know he was okay, one last time.

"Margery, I need you and Gustave to help me get my affairs in order." I said, examining my arm that still wore the beautiful silver bracelet Hector had once given me. "I have a wedding to attend."

********

The carriage hit a pot-hole, jostling me from my slumber. I looked outside. The sun was setting over fields of wheat.

"Rufus?" I called to my driver. "What say you to finding an inn for the night?"

"You read my mind, my lady...I mean...your highness." He shouted from his seat atop the carriage.

"Just call me Hana," I shouted back. "We've known each other too long for such formalities."

We were three days into our journey and well ahead of schedule, Hector would not have received my formal acceptance of his wedding invitation yet.

I watched the landscape change from wheat farms to closely packed little cottages as we grew closer to Hector's palace. Finally, we reached the local tavern. Rufus jumped down and opened my door.

"Thank you." I nodded at him.

He nodded back and led the horses to the stable. I started walking towards the inn, but stopped when my eyes fell on a little old lady sitting against the wall near the door. Her clothes were clearly made from old rags, and her face was so gaunt, it looked like she had not had a proper meal for many days.

"Can you spare some coin or water?" She whispered through a hoarse throat.

My heart broke for this woman. No-one should be in her position. I returned to the carriage, retrieving my own water flask.

"I'm sorry, milady." I said, handing her the flask and some gold. "I am foreign to these parts and do not carry the coin of the realm but I can offer you this gold. Please will you also consider joining my companion and I for a hot meal this night?"

She reviewed me with cautious eyes, then accepted my proffered arm.

"My name is Hana" I gave her a reassuring smile.

"Lillian." She returned my smile, though her eyes remained cautious.

As we entered, the noise alone made me want to turn back around. The entrance opened up to a bar, with the innkeeper also serving as barman to a large group of rowdy patrons. My chest tightened, my hands started shaking and my breath seemed to catch in my throat. A world-worn hand took hold of mine.

"Close your eyes." Lilian whispered. "Remember that you are safe. Breathe."

"What's wrong?" Rufus asked from behind us, turning to Lilian, "who are you?"

"I haven't..." I took a shaky breath. "...been around so many people in a long time...This is Lilian. Give me a moment."

I turned and walked back out of the front door.

The air was crisp, and I took solace in the coolness of the brick as I pressed myself into the wall. I listened to the noise coming from the tavern. Beyond the shouting, laughing and general sounds of merriment, I could hear the sound of a string quartet playing one of my favourite jigs.

By my estimations, we couldn't have been more than a day's carriage ride away from Hector's Winter palace. With about four days until the wedding, I wondered how early would be too early to arrive. I wasn't even sure what I would do when I got there.

I took a moment to prepare myself, then walked back into the inn.

"I managed to barter for some rooms." Rufus informed me as I joined him and Lilian.

After dinner it became clear that Lilian had no place to stay for the night, so I offered to share my room with her. Rufus was displeased and expressed concern that it may be dangerous to share a room with a complete stranger, until I offered to scream really loudly if I felt like I was in imminent danger.

It had been a long day, so it didn't take me long to fall asleep once my head hit the pillow.

Bluebirds haunted my dreams, this was usual, however, Lilian had never joined them before. She started as a distant shadow among the trees. As she walked closer,  I noticed that her cheeks had filled out and her skin took on a healthy glow, her brown eyes looked bright and alert, her black hair looked silky and shiny and she wore a beautiful golden robe.

"Dear, sweet Hanna." She smiled as she approached, taking hold of my hands.

"What is this?" I asked, resisting the urge to pinch myself.

"Forgive my deception, but I wanted to see your heart." She said, reaching out to lift my chin to meet her eyes. "You are undoubtedly your mother's daughter."

"You knew my mother?"

"I've known many people through the course of my long existence." She smiled at my surprise. "But I am here because of my sister whom, unfortunately, you have already met."

I puzzled over this for the briefest moment before comprehension dawned. "Dina!"

"Dina indeed." She nodded grimly. "I'm here to warn you, and help you in what little ways I can."

"Warn me about what?" I asked.

"You can't go to the wedding as you are. They will kill you. But I am going to help you get into the castle and rescue your beloved." She started to fade with the dream. "I've left you a gift. Go to the kitchens tomorrow. There is an opening for a new scullery maid. That is where you must begin."

And then she was gone.