Destroyers and the Dragons

Page 13

I watch mistress pull a rope and someone with similar looks comes in with a tray piled with food.

     "Leave us," she says, dismissing the servant. I wait while she bars her door and then drops the hoop onto the chair. She fills me a plate before helping herself.

     "We have much to discuss, but we must wait for others to sleep," she says quietly. "For now eat, my friend." I nod and dig into a beautiful dinner. Mistress shares her bed with me and I sleep okay given the circumstances. I wake to her nudging me, after helping her dress for the day. She adjusts my scarf again and we go about her daily routine. This mostly consists of her going about castle business and me following meekly behind her. My only perk is I get to eat what she does, after a long lunch of the upstart talking about wedding plans and Mistress making excuses. Finally, she manages to get us away and we end up in the garden with her tutor. He is a kindly old man and welcomes me as a student as well.

     "One student or thirty it matters not to an old man," he says, with a kind smile.

     "Then she will stay with me," Mistress says, and so I sit and listen as he tries to educate her. I halfway listen until he gets to my life.

     "You are wrong dear scholar," I say quietly.

     "What would you know of the Destroyer?" he asks. I look to Mistress and she nods. "I am she whom you speak of," I say.

     "How can this be she is a demon," he sputters.

     "I am but flesh of the plains, forged in hard winters and hot summers full of wars, and death for me pain is a part of life."

     "How did you come here?"

    "We cannot include you in our plans, dear friend. When you go to bed tonight bar your door and do not open it until I come for you."

     "As you wish my lady. Will you tell me accurately what happened at the battle of the forge?"

     "If I live," I say, shaking his hand.

     "I will see you tomorrow," he says, as we rise for the evening meal. The upstart comes from among the roses and smiles like a snake.

     "Will you join me tonight at dinner?" he asks Mistress.

     "I have a headache, my tutor tries to hard to make me smarter," she complains, and clutches her head in a most ladylike manner. "I will retire to my rooms." I take the hint and come to lead her up to her room as carefully as possible. Once inside she rings for food again and then bars the door. We eat in silence until the castle quiets. Then she opens another chest and pulls out some leather armor.

     "It isn't what you're used to but maybe it will help. Try it on," Mistress demands. I strip down to my undershirt and my breeches. I try on the armor but it is ill-fitting and restrictive.

    "It won't work," I say quietly. "It is to stiff for me."

     "It was worth a try," she says, grinning at me.

     "I've fought in worse than these," I say.

     "How could you fight in worse?" she asks.

     "I was almost naked," I say watching her face.

     "You jest."

     "No, I don't makeup stories about myself. Others seem more than willing to embellish the truth.