Wings of Grace

Chapter 32

        "I can help you with that too, if you like?" Threlu's offer to carry Sarah's empty basket, she'd brought to hold the activating crystals, after already carrying her woollen shawl, she thought was so sweet. The four of them were walking in the well-lit grounds of the castle towards the stables, she knew she should stop taking advantage of Threlu's generous nature, but she just couldn't help herself.

     "Thank you. You're too kind, Threlu," she beamed up at him with one of her most fetching smiles, a twinkle in her eye as the pink tinge deepened in his cheeks, when he took the woven basket from her. "Always the gentleman."

     Julie sidled up to Sarah and whispered, after seeing her take a small metal shovel from the deep bottomless pockets of her dark blue dress, preparing to wave it in full view of Threlu to see how long before he'd take that too. "You are incorrigible. Stop encouraging him."

     "I know. But it's so much fun. And anyway, a bit of appreciation is good for a gal, no matter what her age."

     Julie gave her an agreeable smile." That's for sure. Although half the men in this kingdom wouldn't know appreciation, if they fell over it."

     "The Wall should be just over that hill, I think." Flarego seemed to be hesitant in his words as he informed the small group, pointing in a direction over Sarah's shoulder. She turned to look but it was too dark to see anything in the distant. "Although this map is telling me it's in the hill and not on it, which doesn't make sense." He turned to face Threlu "Are you sure this is reliable?"

     "I do hope so. It's all the Council gave us. Just do your best Flarego."

     Sarah smile was thoughtful as Flarego glanced in her direction. She saw him swallow hard, looking very uncomfortable, as though afraid of her intentions before quickly diverting his eyes. How right he was to be nervous, as Sarah's own eyes, full of mischief, followed his quick retreat, as he moved as far away from her as possible.

     Fly my little Flarego. But you can't escape me for long. We have plenty of time.

     The poor man. She could tell he was suffering. It was written all over his poignant sour countenance. Lucky for him she was here to help for he was definitely in need of her matchmaking skills. She would find him a delectable female of similar bookish interests when they returned and just watch him melt. She had several likely candidates already in mind. The question being, did he like redheads or blondes?

     Sarah was renown throughout the kingdom, for having a very high success rate when it came to initiating romance, except for those odd few. Some people she just had to accept were beyond even her help. She frowned as the names John and Strauss quickly came to mind. They shouldn't really count; they weren't even trying.

     Starting out early, they travelled on the old dirt road for at least an hour by horseback and cart. The two men had sat up front with Julia and herself sitting on tied down hay bales in the back. They had chosen to take the less noticeable transport and not a comfortable carriage, just in case they were being watched. Threlu had not said much to anyone but, Sarah had been aware of him constantly turning around to ensure they weren't being followed. Not that he could see that much in the distant for their light was directed mainly at the front.

     Still shy of the rising of the Blue Moon, Threlu had set up several of the fully charged crystals, placed in the lanterns on both sides of the cart to see their way in the dark.

    Threlu, never ceased to amaze Sarah with his tricks of the trade. Using the illumination from such tiny, rainbow-coloured crystals to light up the road and the surrounding area, was brilliant she thought, making everything look so enchanting. Such a pity her adorable husband wasn't here to bask in the romantic opalescent glow which turned her beloved kingdom into a fairyland. It was just the perfect mood for smooching.