A Ward's Tale

Chapter 3

Lying in bed that night, I could not sleep. I keep playing that man's, Peter's, words over in my head. I kept looking for a sign that he could be lying without finding one. Then my brother's concern appears and it makes me wonder if he could know something that I don't or could have speculated that I have magic all along.

I would think that telling me and helping me keep it under control would be the best way to keep it hidden. I've heard stories of children who have unleashed massive amounts of magic in times of trouble that kill the child and all around them because the child doesn't know what's happening or how to control it.

I finally realize I'm not getting any sleep with all this on my mind so I climb out of bed and put a robe on. I leave my room and walk down a hallway with its big windows open letting the summer breeze in. I shiver as the breeze is cold tonight. A few drops of rain start to fall, then they grow in volume until it is a downpour. I stand in the window frame with my head up to the sky and eyes closed as the wind pushes the rain inside.

The storm has finally made it to the castle.

"Lady Clarissa!" A maid exclaims pulling me away from the open window. One of her fellow maids was working on closing the windows that line the hall. "You could catch a cold standing there like that! Now come away, child. Let us get you back to your chambers. What in the heavens could have gotten you up this late?"

I let the older woman lead me away from the windows and back to my bed. I let her change my nightgown and get me situated in bed, thanking her for her kindness as she left. I know she does it because I'm one of the King's wards but she didn't have to take me all the way back to my bed. She could have just made me move from the window. She was genuinely concerned for my health.

The next morning it is still raining. I walk around the castle, bored as to what to do. I help Lola with deciding décor for the ball then take lunch with Margaret and her husband, Hubert, who are here for the ball. Margret is the oldest sister and the second oldest of the siblings. She is also my age and was the one I would always get in trouble with when we were younger, before she was wed and moved out.

I start to get antsy about half an hour after leaving Margy and Hubert, and I find myself leaving the castle and walking in the rain to Gayle's house.

Before I decide to knock on the door it opens and tall, balding Gayle is standing in the doorframe.

"What are you doing here? Were you just out there standing in the rain?" He asks concerned. He ushers me inside muttering about how I could catch a cold and wraps a blanket around my shoulders. I don't realize I'm shivering until Jane hands me a cup of warm tea.

"Thank you so much. I'm not sure what came over me. I was just walking around the castle then I found myself here." I explain before Gayle has a chance to ask.

Before Gayle can reply, a voice from the back room says, "It's your magic drawing you to kindred forces."

"He's still here?" I ask. I was sure he would be well enough by now to have been moved to the dungeon. He looked and seemed almost well yesterday when we first meet with him.

"Yes, he has some internal problems and should not be moved for a while. Your—Prince Arthur, would not be happy if he knew you were here, let alone talk with the...guest." Gayle says as I move to go talk with Peter.

I stop, contemplating what the worst Arthur could or would do to me and decide I need answers more than avoiding a little confrontation with my adopted brother, even if he is to be King one day.

"I understand, Gayle. But I need to know more. If there is something of the truth in his words, should I not prepare myself against it? If he is lying, then I will find out." As I walk past the aging man I whisper, "I can out trick him in the mind game of words."