Anais and the Broken War (The Blood Mage Chronicles Book 5) (15 page)

“So you have an army then?”

“Yes–a combination of drafted Seven Shires men and a paid Candelan militia. We have ten thousand men in total. Understand, it was no small challenge to secure them. They currently occupy a base south of the city. Now, it’s just a matter of deciding what to do with them. We may keep them here to defend Courtshire or send them across the mountains to try to drive the furies out of Barriershire.”

“Do the lords fear that the furies will invade Courtshire?”

“It’s a risk. With Barriershire no longer guarding the pass, it’s almost certain that they will eventually come here.”

“What do
you
think should be done?”

“I don’t know. The pass across the mountains is narrow. We’d have an advantage if we could fight the furies as they descend from the mountains. Therefore it might be better if we wait. However, I worry that we may not manage to keep the men. It’s hard for them to stay idle. After every visit I make to the camp, I become more concerned that the men are growing restless.” Thomas sighed. “We’ll talk about it on the morrow. It’s late. You probably should have waited until morning to visit. Where are you staying while you’re here?”

“I don’t know,” I replied, considering the tavern in Rockside. I could try to return, but it was indeed late.

“Of course. I’m so sorry. I’m not thinking. You’ll stay here.” Thomas pulled a small chain on a wall near his bed and in short order the man who had answered the door let himself into Thomas’s bedchamber.

“What are you doing in here?” the man gasped when he saw me. “I told you it was too late to call on Lord Seve. This intrusion is entirely inappropriate.”

“Let’s not bother about that, Erlich. Sister Anais is a family friend. She’ll be staying with us in the blue room. I realize it’s too late to prepare it properly, but I’m sure it will do in its present state for tonight.”

Sun filtered in through a small square window. From the sill, I had a view of the courtyard, and I could see the bench I had occupied last evening as I waited for the sun to set. The blue room was on the third floor. It was small and needed a thorough dusting, but otherwise it was more than adequate. While I stood, a girl of perhaps eleven years of age entered the room. After seeing me, she started to back away.
 

“Sorry madam. I can come back later,” she stammered.

“No. That’s not necessary,” I said. “What’s your name?”

“My name’s Sophie, madam. I’m sorry your room wasn’t properly prepared. But, we didn’t know you were coming. I have towels and fresh water for you and I’ll bring up a chamber pot too. While you’re having breakfast, I’ll change the sheets and brush down everything, so there isn’t so much dust.”

It wasn’t so long ago that I was in her position. “Thank you,” I said. “That’s very kind.”

“Is there anything particular you need?”

“I don’t think so. When is breakfast being served?”

“The family should be eating in the morning room now. Just go down to the first floor, and it’s the first room on the left.”

“Thank you,” I said. I had slept in a shift, which wouldn’t be at all appropriate for breakfast. As I tried to put the day dress back on, I found that I couldn’t manage to reach the buttons on the back of the dress.

“Do you want me to help you dress, madam?” Sophie offered, shuffling from one foot the other. She was more considerate than I had been at her age. I don’t think I would have had the forethought to make such an offer.

“I would appreciate your assistance.”

She looked over at the boning of the bustle I had torn out of the dress. “I’m not sure I can get that back in. I’m not much of a seamstress.”

“Don’t bother. I’ll forgo this particular Courtshire fashion statement.”

After she buttoned up the back of the dress, I went down the stairs. A floral print rug of muted colors ran across the hallway floor and helped to mask the sound of my steps. I touched the first door I crossed and pushed it open. Thomas, Cedric, and Mediera were seated at a rectangular table laid out with scones and muffins and carafes of juices. Clara and Mediera could almost pass for twins with their blonde curls, fair skin, and blue eyes. Clara was thinner and looked more elegant and severe. Mediera’s hair frizzed a little, and she was softer around the arms and middle–though not by much. The differences were minor, though.

Mediera’s eyes widened when she saw me. “Sweet sisters of mercy, Ani, is that you?”

“It’s me,” I answered.

“When…how…” she trailed off.

“Fynn and I left during the battle. I think we followed the same path through the mountain you and Cedric took. More or less.”
 

She stood from the table and pulled me into a tight embrace. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered.

“You’re not staying in our house, are you?” Clara asked.

“She’s staying in the blue room,” Thomas said.
 

“Ugh, is it really necessary to take her in? It’s bad enough that Mediera and Cedric are staying here. This house is tiny,” Clara complained. “We can’t even properly entertain.”

“Shut it, Clara,” Cedric said. “You’re not exactly contributing anything useful.”

“That’s enough, both of you. Anais, sit down and eat something. You’re part of our household now, and breakfast is the least we can offer you,” Thomas said.

After Mediera sat back down, I took a seat next to her. The muffins on the silver platter looked enticing. I grabbed one and found it to be spongy and filled with warm cranberries and blueberries. After finishing it, I wiped crumbs off my lips and then grabbed another.
 

“Thomas, have you spoken to Lord Weston’s son about the matter we discussed?” Clara asked.

Thomas looked up from the scone in his hand while he turned his attention to his sister. “I did.”

“Well, what did he say?” she asked.

Thomas looked around the table at Mediera, Cedric, and I. “Perhaps we should discuss it at another time,” he murmured.

“No. I want to discuss it now.” She fluttered her hand at us. “It hardly matters what they think. Is he amenable to marrying me?”

Thomas sighed. “This is not to be discussed outside this room, do you understand?”

Clara nodded, leaning forward in her chair. “Of course.”

“The rest of you?”

Cedric, Mediera, and I nodded.

“All right then. His intention is to abdicate his position when his brother, Justin comes of age. He didn’t think it right to enter a marriage contract under false pretenses. But perhaps, you could consider the brother.”

“Why in heaven’s name would he do such a thing? It’s preposterous.”

“It’s his father’s wish. And it’s not our place to interfere with their family business.”

“I don’t want to marry Justin.” Clara pouted. “He’s a child.”

“I’m sorry. But, it’s not the end of the world. And best yet, it frees him for Mediera. She needs a husband who is not in line for his own lordship. I haven’t spoken to him about it, but I imagine he’d be willing to consider the idea. This way he can please his father by giving Justin the family seat, and he can rule a shire. It’s a win-win scenario.”

“What!” Clara sputtered. “She doesn’t even care for him.”

“That’s neither here nor there.” Thomas turned to Mediera, who sat frozen in her seat. “If he asked, you would accept, wouldn’t you?”

“I suppose so,” she answered. “He seems a decent enough fellow. Although, there’s something about him that’s a little peculiar.”

Clara threw down her napkin. “I can’t believe this. She gets everything.”

“Now, Clara, do be reasonable.”

She fled the table, choking back tears.

“Does she truly love him?” Mediera asked Thomas. “I don’t wish to hurt her.”

“She’ll get over it. You need a husband.”

“Why don’t you focus on finding yourself a wife, instead of on marrying Mediera off,” Cedric said. “You need an heir. Can’t you just work on that and leave us alone.”

“I
am
working on it,” Thomas answered slowly. “I’d also like to find you a wife. Is there anyone you are considering?”

 
“No. Stay out of my affairs, brother.” Cedric’s jaw tightened, and he threw his napkin on the table before stalking away.

“I wish I could,” Thomas murmured.

C
HAPTER
14

“WELL THAT DIDN’T go well,” Thomas said to Mediera and me.

“You know Cedric is sensitive about the marriage topic.”

“I know, I know. He’s sensitive about everything these days. It’s impossible to please him.”
 

“He wants to rejoin the army. You know that,” she said.

“I’m aware. There is only the small problem of him leaving his unit in Barriershire without permission shortly before the battle to end all battles.”

“That wasn’t his fault. I needed him to escort me here.”

“I appreciate that. But the General Errol doesn’t feel the same way. I have tried to get him re-instated. I really have tried.”

Mediera sighed. “Of course you have. I’m sorry. Everything is just difficult right now.”

“I know. It’s been one thing after another.” Thomas sighed. “I’m going to the camp today. Would you both like to join me? Scouts have been sent across the mountains. There may be new reports.”

“I’m sick of visiting the camp. It’s depressing. I’m getting fitted for a few new dresses today. I need something new for tonight.”

“Anais, would you like to join me? You might find it interesting.”

“No, she’s going to need something to wear tonight too. That dress is adequate for the day, but it’s not suitable for the party this evening.”

“I don’t need to attend a social function, and I don’t need another dress.” The thought of enduring another fitting made me nauseous.
 

“You have to go. I absolutely insist. It’s going to be in the courtyard, therefore hardly out of the way. Everyone will be there. Including some of the sisters and the mothers from the Abbey. You really ought to go.” Mediera scrunched her nose. “Do you need to report to the Abbey?”

I hadn’t even considered the Abbey in Courtshire. I supposed I was still a sister of mercy and still beholden to the sisterhood. That part of my life seemed infinitely far away. But I did have an obligation.

I nodded. “I suppose I should go then–if only to seek out one of the mothers. But, I am not getting fitted for a new dress. I’ll just wear this one.”

“If you don’t want to get fitted, at the very least wear one of mine that has ribbons in the back. My maid can cinch it in for you. The sisters of mercy that we met last week all wore the latest fashions. They are nothing like the sisters from Barriershire…” Mediera gasped. “Oh dear. I forgot. Sister Zilla and Sister Tatiana. What happened to them? Why didn’t they come with you?”

I closed my eyes, remembering how I had abandoned them. “I don’t know,” I whispered. “They were staying with Jacarda, for they couldn’t get back to the Abbey after Carenhail closed the city gates. They were stuck in the city.”

“Oh no. I suppose that means…”

I nodded. “I should have gone back for them…I’m so sorry.”

“No,” Mediera said. “It’s good that you got out while you could. I’m certain the situation must have been dire for you to flee without them.”

I took a long uneven breath and looked away, not liking to think about what must be happening or had already happened to the three of them. They had been my friends, and I had abandoned them to save myself. There was no pretty way to look at what I had done.

The doorman who had been so unkind to me stepped into the morning room. “Your carriage is ready, Lord Thomas,” he said, unblinking. His eyes swept the room, but his gaze did not fall on me.

“Thank you, Erlich. I should probably get going. Anais, are you joining me?” Thomas asked again.

“Yes,” I said quickly, putting a hand on Mediera’s arm. “I’ll find you after we return.”

She shrugged. “If that’s what you want. My maid is a wonder. She’ll be able to whip something together for you for tonight. One way or another.”

I remembered Fynn’s request to be included in any event that might include Courtshire’s elite. This party seemed to be just the sort of thing he would relish.