The Heartstone (14 page)

The serving maid came and brought food and drink. There was a roast swimming in juices, a roast trussed and sitting on a nest of yellow grain. Bread and creamy butter vied for space with heaping bowls of mashed spiced turnips and greens of some sort.

Sitting down to enjoy their first hot meal in weeks, they tacitly decided not to spoil it with conversation, especially since they were in public. They concentrated on eating; even Cerynus had a small slice of beef and some chicken instead of the usual piece of bread with a small wedge of cheese he usually ate. Rua kept them all amused with a series of stories. Ariana knew she was just warming up to entertain the room. But she was grateful for the distraction.

Jarod’s hand was warm in hers he hadn’t let go for more than a minute since they sat down. Her eyes strayed to Jarod. Jarod mirrored her. Cerynus gave them a piercing look. Rua caught his eye and distracted him with a question. He forced a smile, knowing what she was trying to do. Eventually, they were all stuffed not even scraps remained. The girl cleared the table and they all sat with the strong red wine that was the specialty of the house.

“We need to discuss our plans now that we are here in Amathwyr. We also need to discuss any complications that may have arisen.” Cerynus said with a look at Jarod. Jarod colored but said nothing. Cerynus looked at Ariana. She met his gaze directly.

“Ser Cerynus, take my word, there are no complications that need concern you.” Rua said. Ariana looked gratefully at her.

“Very well, I’ll take your word for it. Our first concern is finding passage down the river west toward the Morwyn Pass which will lead us up into the mountains of the Serenvale and Galancarrig.”
“I can do that. I know a fair amount of people here in Amathwyr.” Rua said. “It shouldn’t take us longer than a week to arrange passage.”

“Ariana I think it would be best if you stayed in the rooms out of sight unless one of us is with you.” Cerynus said. “I know it’s boring, but it’s too dangerous otherwise.”

“Alright” Ariana agreed with a sigh.

“Now I must earn our night here.” Rua said taking out her harp.

“Well I for one am tired still from the rigors of the road. Lady Rua will you forgive me?”

“Of course, Ser Cerynus, Fair even to you.” Cerynus rose to leave but first he turned to Ariana and smiled gently at her. “My dear a word,” He held out his hand. She had no choice but to rise and be pulled aside. Cerynus looked into her eyes piercing to her depths.

“Ariana, I would not offend you. But this is a mistake.” Cerynus said. “You cannot afford to be distracted at a critical moment by emotions.”

Ariana stared at him. He continued, “That is all I’ll say. Don’t bother to deny it. We are bound by the magic you used to heal me.”

Ariana opened her mouth. Quiet and precise, he put his finger to her lips. “Fair even.” He left smiling the small-pursed lip smile that he only gave to her.

Ariana turned back to the table, everybody had an opinion, what about her opinions? She looked over at Jarod. He grinned at her. She sat down next to him with a smile. She was going to have fun tonight, she thought rebelliously. Jarod sat beside her with an arm around her shoulders. She leaned back enjoying the warm comforting weight.

“Would you like more wine?” He asked.

She nodded. They sat sipping before the fire watching Rua tune her harp.

“After this, we won’t be eating under a roof again for a long while, so let’s enjoy it.” He lifted his glass and toasted her. Ariana smiled and returned the toast.

“What was your life like before this?” Jarod asked.

“Well, it seems like a dream to me now. I lived in a big city. We had machines that did everything. Instead of horses we had cars, large mechanical chariots. People rushed around and we even had machines that flew over the ocean. Everything was fast and furious. I don’t remember ever taking time to just enjoy, like this.”

“It sounds wonderful, you must miss it.”

“Sometimes I do.” Ariana admitted, “But sometimes I feel more at home here than I ever felt there.”

The ruddy light cast his eyes into shadow. It brought out the structure of his face, high cheekbones and full lips. She took his hand. He smiled gently playing with her fingers, and then lifted them up to place the barest of kisses on the tips. Ariana’s heart pounded. She tried to remember Cerynus’ warning.

“What about you?” She said.

“I am the second son. My brother Gareth was destined to rule. He was the heir to Dun Caer. Early in life I discovered my talent as a woodsman. I was glad I wasn’t the heir. It left me free to do what I liked. My mother died bearing me. I never knew her. My father adored her. Sometimes I think he blamed me.”

“No, I’m sure he didn’t. Your father was proud of you Jarod. But I know how you feel. My mother died ten years ago. It was a car accident. I always thought I knew her. We were close but lately I realize I never knew her at all.”

“Why?”

“Well, this whole thing, she came from here and never told me.”

Would you have believed her?” He asked gently.

“Probably not.” She admitted.

“Maybe she was waiting for the right time but died before she could tell you the truth.”

“But I could have gone my whole life never knowing.”

“But you know now.” He smiled at her.

“Yes, I do.” She put her hand on his cheek. He looked down at her, smiled the sweetest smile she had ever seen and kissed her. He tasted like wine and sunlight. This time the kiss was sweet and tender. Slowly reluctantly Jarod pulled back. He looked at her from sleepy green eyes and smiled. She smiled back. His hand idly twisted a lock of her hair and she kissed the wrist near her cheeks. His pulse bounced under her lips.

“No, this is madness.” he said.

“But…” Ariana said.

“I wish… I would court you, if I had any right to speak. But I have no right. You are in my charge.”

“Jarod, listen…” He stopped her. “No, it goes against my honor. But nights like this…”

His voice trailed away as he raised his hand to caress her cheek. She leaned into his hand like a purring cat. “Don’t do that, my honor won’t survive.”

“Jarod please listen to me.”

“I cannot listen, I have sworn.”

She sighed. Rua looked over to them and started a merry jig. The patrons started singing and beating time on their tables. A few men stood up and began pushing the tables and chairs against the wall. Two sailors were forced up next to Rua with their instruments and soon a very lively session began. Ariana took Jarod’s hands and pulled him up.

“Come on, let’s dance.”

He smiled and joined her in the line. She didn’t know the steps but he guided her. Soon they had linked arms and were prancing and whirling with the rest of the dancers. The dancing went on for hours and always Jarod was there. His sure hands guided her through the steps. Later the dances grew wilder. He lifted her into his arms, her feet left the floor and she was flying. She laughed looking at his face so close to hers. Rua stopped everyone roared clapping and cheering. Jarod’s face was flushed from wine and dancing. He grabbed her and kissed her. She kissed him back clinging. Arms entwined they went up the stairs.

“I wish tonight could have lasted forever.”

“Me too,” she said. “Jarod, I –“

“Fair even.” He raised her hand to his lips kissing it gently. He opened her door and turned to his room.

Ariana went into her room. He had practically admitted his feelings. It was only his dammed sense of duty stopping him. She admitted what she’d sensed for weeks. She loved him. She loved his eyes when he was scouting the trail. She loved how he stuck out his tongue slightly when he was saddling Firebrand, loved his rare laugh. Giddy with the knowledge, she wanted to shout it to the sky. She loved him. He loved her. That was all that mattered.

She couldn’t stay in bed. She got up looking out the window the moonlight shafted through the window in wide swaths of light. We’ll finish this journey, and then we’ll be happy together, she vowed. Without Jarod any victory would be like ashes. The moon stayed silent. Sure of her course she fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

Breakfast, the next morning was silent. The only sound the clink of knives busy at work. Cerynus only pecked at his bread and sipped his tea. Ariana ate little; her stomach was sour from the ale and the late night. Rua on the other hand was fresh as ever. She ate a large breakfast of fruit and bread washing it down with a large beaker of tea. Jarod looked hung over too; he glanced at Ariana a few times. Ariana noticed Cerynus frowning at him. Ariana looked more closely, there seemed to be a swelling on Jarod’s cheek and Cerynus’ lip seemed puffy.

She frowned. “What’s going on?”

“Ariana, I don’t think...” Rua interrupted.

“What do you mean, Ariana?” Cerynus asked.

“I mean what happened to Jarod’s face and your mouth?”

Silence.

“Jarod, were you two fighting?” She asked. He looked intently at the piece of bread on his plate.

“Somebody had better answer me.”

“You don’t understand, Ariana.” Cerynus said quietly.

“It was you wasn’t it? You have no right to interfere Cerynus. What is between us is our business.” She turned to Jarod, “and you, what possessed you? Fighting like some great big bully. You are both stupid idiots.” She turned and ran to her room. Jarod started to rise but a look from Rua stopped him.

They’d been fighting about her. What jerks. If she chose to kiss someone or dance with someone it was her own business. Just thinking about it made her furious. Cerynus had no right to tell her what to do. She decided to leave. Screw their rules. She had to get out of here. She put on her cloak, left her room and peered into the common room. She didn’t want to talk to anybody. The coast was clear. She slipped out the door and left the Inn.

She walked down the bustling streets. The early morning air was fresh and chill with the moist scent of the river, a slight tang of fish and running water. As she got closer to the piers it grew stronger, a fishy tarry smell that wafted from the docks through the narrow cobbled streets. She wended her way amongst the throng of farmers and merchants on their way to Market to trade and barter. Once or twice she slipped in a gelatinous substance. She wished they had a curb your livestock law.

She rambled through the stark white light that threw the bright colors of the painted houses into high relief against the low-whitewashed walls near the Market Square. Walking, her anger dissipated under the influence of the morning around her. On her right a harried mother held her toddler with one hand and called out to her four-year-old to be careful. On the left a portly merchant strode, behind him a harried clerk scribbled notes as he dictated.

Ahead on the street, a troop of street performers in motley colors played mandolins and pipes in a merry jig which one nimble girl demonstrated. Their leader a white-haired acrobat dressed all in blue passed the hat holding it in his powerful arches and flexed toes as he walked by on his hands. He reached her, fixed her with his cobalt blue eyes, cocked his upside down head and said, “Hail pretty maid, any trinkets for a poor struggling artist?”

She smiled and dug into her small pouch for a copper to give him. His legs bent the hat forward and she dropped the penny into the voluminous hat he held in such an awkward position. She wondered at the strength of his feet. He must have seen the question in her eyes because he laughed rich and mellow.

“Maid that’s not all that’s strong about me.” With a brazen flip of his largest toes he swept the hat into his belt pouch and was on his feet. “Alcydar the Magnificent” he intoned sweeping into a graceful bow. He was very tall; all rangy sinew like a greyhound; electric blue eyes and bushy eyebrows dominated his craggy face. Ariana stepped back.

“I see you are speechless with amazement and admiration. Your name pretty maid?”

Frantic she tried to remember the name they’d decided on. Her mind was blank.

“A lady of mystery, where are you bound, pretty one?”

Ariana found her voice, “The market.”

“You are new to our fair city. I’ll escort you. There are ruffians everywhere trying to take advantage of a pretty maid.” Ariana looked behind him to where a pretty young woman with glossy black hair stabbed a look at Alcydar and Ariana as she strummed violently on her mandolin.

“I don’t…”

“Nonsense, you need someone to show you the beauties of Amathwyr. You will find no better guide than Alcydar. I know this city from the smallest porthole tavern to the Great Lord’s Hall.”

“Why?” asked Ariana bluntly.

“I can enjoy the company of a beautiful woman,” his eyes twinkled merrily, “and also her gratitude.” He held out his arm gallantly.

Ariana smiled and let him take her arm, noting the significant look he gave to the young woman as they passed. She subsided but with an angry toss of her head and a pointed strum that broke a string on the mandolin.

“I don’t think she’s happy,” ventured Ariana.

“Take no notice of her my dear.”

They continued down the sun-bleached street into the Market Square. Stalls open to the bright morning sun or shaded by flapping canvas rimmed the open courtyard. The tables were heaped with fabrics, trinkets and necessities. On one side fragrant smoke trickled up into the blue sky from braziers in the food booths serving skewered meats, Meat pies and pastries to hungry browsers. Opposite the food court bleating squawking and lowing rose in a cacophony from the livestock pens. In the center of the cobbled courtyard spurted a fountain, already surrounded by women filling pitchers, washtubs and buckets for the day. The clatter of their greetings and laughter cut through the hawking of the various merchants.