Elf Sight (19 page)

Shadow was doing push ups on her bedroom floor when there was a knock at her door. She jumped to her feet, grinning that she felt no aches after last night’s practice session. Or had it been a fight she’d twice lost? Either way, she never wanted to run out of bruise balm. She swung the door open and took the well folded paper Radler handed her, her name scrawled across the front. In his other hand was a basket covered in a cloth.

“Enjoy your breakfast, Lady Shadow.” He held out the basket.

“Thank you.” Once she took it from him, he turned and headed down the hallway. Shadow was surprised to see her brother coming towards her, yawning. “What are you doing up so early?”

He grinned. “I’m not up. Or should I say I haven’t gone to bed yet.” He yawned again. “Not everyone wants a daily dose of the torture they call army.”

“Who told you?”

He shrugged. “There’s rumours everywhere. Most of them are about you failing. You better not.” He pointed at her in warning. “I’ve got a lot of money riding on you.”

“You’re betting on me to win?”

“I’m not stupid enough to think you’re going to lose.”

“No, I mean-” she broke off, waving the rest of her words away with her hand. “Oh forget it. I should be used to you gambling on everything possible.”

“Only on a winner.” He grinned and reached out to check under the cloth draped over the basket.

Shadow dragged it away from him. “Mine.”

“Heartless wench. I’m off to bed.” Irlan started to move towards his room.

“Irlan.” She waited until he turned towards her. “You’re fine? Everything’s well?”

Irlan grinned. “Couldn’t be better. Who’d have imagined we’d end up at the castle? Not bad little sister. I’m looking forward to your next miracle.”

“There aren’t going to be anymore miracles.” She emphasised the last word.

“Of course there will. In four days.” He grinned. “Night.” His grin remained in place as he turned and strolled towards his room.

Shadow shook her head as she stared after her brother. Miracle. Not likely. It was going to take a lot of hard work. She closed her door and sat on her bed, pulling back the cloth from the basket to find a mix of pastries and Carson’s favourite biscuits. She took a bite of a biscuit and dropped it in the basket so she could undo the string holding the letter closed. It was folded up several times and she quickly found the reason. A lock of Carson’s hair.

‘Shadow, I hope this will make it easier for you. I wish I could do the same. I guess I will have to wait to find out what chaos you’re creating. Love Carson.’

With a smile, Shadow tucked the letter into her belt pouch along with the other two. With Krisa thinking she could wander into her room there was no way she’d even think about leaving them behind. She fingered the lock of black hair and focused on Carson. She felt a tingle and closed her eyes as the vision sharpened. He walked along, leading his horse, two of his men in front of him.

Carson looked up from the ground he studied. After a glance around, he smiled, pressing the fingers of his right hand momentarily against his heart. His glance had shown Shadow the rest of the soldiers and her Pa following him.

One of the men looked back and stared at Carson for a moment. “What are you grinning about, Captain? We’ve been dancing through these hills too long to find anything worth celebrating. How long’s it gonna take to get that army together?”

“A couple more weeks. Maybe a little longer and then we can head home,” Carson said.

“Grinning?” Gil came alongside him. He rubbed the back of his neck once he came into Shadow’s viewing area. “I thought so. You better watch out for that brother of yours, Shadow. You owe me for this, girl.”

“For what?” Carson asked.

Gil shook his head. “That’s between me and my girl.”

“The pair of you have cracked,” the soldier said, hurrying ahead. “That’ll teach you for playing cat and mouse with an army too big to take on.”

Carson chuckled. “I wasn’t the one talking to people who aren’t actually here.”

“She might as well be,” Gil grumbled. “Take up embroidery or something. Try and stay out of trouble for once.”

Farnell joined them. “How can you be certain it’s Shadow? It could be anyone spying on what we’re up to.”

“You need something personal to view over long distances, or be very attached to the one you’re viewing. How many people are running around with locks of his hair?” Gil nodded towards Carson.

“One,” Carson answered.

Shadow almost groaned when the vision slipped from her grasp, but a smile still formed when she thought of his answer. One. That had to be her. She slid her hand into her belt pouch and reluctantly let go of the lock of hair. And no one else was going to get hold of it. No wonder people threw their hair into a fire when they had it cut. She thought of the hair she’d left behind for her Ma to find. Usually.

Shadow did groan when she realised how much time had passed. She’d have to rush to get to the training grounds before Dore. Grabbing a handful of the food from the basket she slid her boots on and raced through hallways, ignoring muttered curses from the few people she passed. Once she stepped outside she slowed her pace, arriving at the training grounds minutes before Dore.

They fell into place before him and he glared at them, holding up a page. Shadow stared at the pattern, keeping her eyes on it when she would have preferred checking Jurn’s reaction.

“Well? Anyone going to tell me what this is?”

“It’s mine,” Shadow said at the same time as Jurn said, “It belongs to me.”

She had no idea what Krisa had instigated, but it wasn’t fair to let Jurn take the blame when it was her Krisa was trying to harm. “You can’t take it back, Jurn. It’s mine.”

“He gave this to you.” Dore faced Shadow.

Shadow nodded.

“Why?”

“How did you get it?” Shadow stalled for time.

“I ask the questions. You answer.” Dore’s eyes bore into her.

Shadow was tempted to tell him her Pa could teach him a few lessons on how to have a person quiver in their boots with just a look. “It was a joke. I gave him knitting needles.”

Dore stared at her a moment longer. “You.” He pointed at Shadow. “And you.” His finger aimed at Jurn. “Follow. The rest of you.” His gaze fell on the rest of the squad. “Push ups.”

No one dared to groan as Dore strode away. Shadow and Jurn followed him.

“What do you think you’re doing?” Jurn hissed.

“Don’t blame this on me. It’s all Krisa’s effort.”

“What did you do to her?”

Shadow couldn’t resist grinning. “She’s threatened by my stunning beauty and worried I’ll steal all her love struck followers.”

Any words Jurn might have spoken were prevented by Dore. “Wipe that grin off your face. There’s nothing amusing here. Or is that the plan? Get rid of the toughest competition.”

“Maybe you should be telling us what’s happening. We’re the ones confused,” Shadow said.

Dore’s eyes narrowed further until he looked like he might draw his sword. “A palace guard brought this to me this morning.” He shook the paper. “The queen is not impressed her protégée is the brunt of these unamusing jokes and would like the soldier at blame to be punished for his poor attempt at humour.” His gaze turned to Jurn. “Can you imagine how severe that punishment would need to be, soldier?”

“Yes, sir.” Jurn held his gaze unflinching.

“I started this,” Shadow said.

“This is your writing?” Dore waved the paper at her face.

“No, sir. Ask him where the knitting needles are I gave him.”

Dore turned to Jurn. “Well?”

Jurn pulled the needles from his boot and held them out. Each wooden needle had been sharpened to a point, looking more like weapons.

“When did you get these?” Dore pointed towards the needles.

Shadow answered before Jurn could. “We swapped gifts yesterday. Sir.”

“Did I ask you?”

“No, sir.” Shadow shook her head.

Dore turned back to Jurn. “Well?”

“We swapped gifts yesterday, sir.” Jurn repeated Shadow’s words.

“Then what’s going on?” Dore roared.

“I guess the queen was misinformed about the joke, sir.” Shadow shrugged. “It happens. You know how many mouths every comment goes through. I’m surprised it wasn’t even more garbled by the time it reached the queen’s ears.”

Dore stared at her a moment longer. “And what do you suggest I do with this?” He waved the pattern at her again.

Shadow remembered Iain’s words about how she should act around Dore. She took a steady breath and tried to remain relaxed. “Maybe you should keep it for the one who wins your ball of wool. Sir.”

Dore pulled the ball of wool from his belt pouch and held it out to her. “Maybe I should give both of them to you right now. And those knitting needles.”

Jurn held the needles out to Dore again.

Shadow was tempted to thank him for his help. Right before she stabbed him with one of the needles he’d sharpened. “That was a quick seven days, sir.”

Dore glared at her a moment longer before he turned to Jurn, shoving the pattern at him. “Fifty push ups. The two of you.” He strode back to the rest of the squad.

“That’s mine.” Shadow snatched the pattern from him and folded it to fit in her belt pouch.

“How did Krisa get it?”

“She obviously believes people welcome her going through their things and helping herself to whatever she wants.”

Jurn slid the needles into his boot before he dropped to the ground and started doing push ups. “This changes nothing.”

Shadow joined him. “What do you mean?”

“This is your fault. I owe you nothing.”

She was about to make a reply she was sure she’d regret later when a glitter caught her attention. Jurn’s father was at the edge of the training grounds, watching. “Why does your father trail after you?”

“Where?”

Shadow described the location and was surprised when Jurn didn’t even look in the direction. “Does he do this often?” When he didn’t answer, she said. “I saved your butt. How about we call the answer a fair exchange.” Silence stretched out and she began to think he wasn’t going to answer.

“Must do. Or at least someone regularly follows since he knows everything I do.”

They fell silent, both doing their push ups. Jurn finished first. She watched him walk away then glanced to where his father still watched. She was beginning to think Gil was the better father and that was a scary thought.

When Shadow rejoined the squad, Dore called them to attention, ending the hand to hand training early. He clasped his hands behind his back and waited until they were neatly lined up. “Dagger throwing. You better all be carrying one. No soldier wanders around with a single weapon.” He was silent a moment. “Well? Where are they?”

They all reached into their boots and pulled out daggers, looking towards the targets they usually used for crossbow training when Dore pointed in that direction.

“Well? What are you waiting for? My funeral?” When they started to move away, Dore pointed first to Jurn, then Shadow. “Not you two.” He paused while they came to a halt in front of him. “I believe you both have another weapon you prefer.” His gaze fell onto Jurn’s boot he’d tucked the knitting needles into. “Well?”

“Yes, sir.” Jurn tucked his dagger into his boot and pulled out the needles, handing one to Shadow.

“Sir.”

“What?” Dore snapped at Shadow.

“Why does Jurn’s father watch us while he’s magic hid?”

“Where is he?” Dore growled. “Exact location without staring at him.”

Shadow nodded and with a glance from the corner of her eye did as she was ordered.

“Tell me if Hurrin moves.” Dore readied his crossbow that had been slung on his back. “Well?”

Another quick glance. “Still in the same location, sir.”

Dore fired his crossbow and a bolt embedded itself in the ground at the wizard’s feet. He turned to Shadow. “Well?”

“He’s leaving sir.”

“Good. Now start practicing.” His eyes fell on Jurn. “Both of you.”

Jurn walked beside her. “Did I ask for that?”

“It wasn’t for you.”

“Who was it for?”

“Me. It was distracting all that glitter in the air.” She threw the needle at the target and glared as it fell far short. She almost cheered when Dore finally told them to use crossbows. But that was the last time she felt like cheering. After their meal break Dore paired her with Jurn for sword practice and he wasn’t giving any quarter. Four times her sword landed in the dirt. The fourth time she did too. When she rose from the dust it was to see the entire squad watching her.

Her gaze narrowed and she picked up her sword and held it ready. This time she concentrated on defence. There was no way she could attack with the mood Jurn was in. He seemed out for blood and hers looked to be on the top of his list. There was no way she could draw blood with her sword, but there were other ways to wound.

“When did you first pick up a sword?”

“You don’t seriously wish to talk right now.” Jurn looked at her in disbelief, his sword barely slowing.

“Oh, I see, it’s a secret.”

“How would I know? I was little. Maybe five. Six. Something like that.”

“That long ago? Huh, I’d have thought you’d be better than that then.”

It was Jurn’s turn to narrow his eyes. “You’re the one who lost four times today.”

She blocked. Barely. “What do you expect? I only picked up a sword two months ago and most of my training’s been with a dagger.” She almost laughed at the renewed speed of his attack. At least she would have if she’d had the energy. Her sword landed in the dirt again, Jurn’s at her throat. She met his gaze. “Only five times.”

There was an unreadable flicker in Jurn’s eyes and he turned away. “Can’t I be paired with someone more my level. Sir?”

Dore stood watching with the rest of the squad. “Fall in.” He waited until they were lined up, Shadow collecting her sword before she joined them. “Just because tomorrow’s a rest day doesn’t mean I’m not still counting it towards the seven days. I’ll see you all the day after. Dismissed.” His finger pointed at Shadow. “Not you.”

She nearly groaned. Now what. She managed to hold back that comment. “Yes, sir.”

Dore waited until the squad had moved away. “When was the first time you used a weapon?”

“Two months ago, sir.”

“And you think you can outdo one of these lads.”

“Who are the three best at the crossbow amongst us?”

“That isn’t the only ability I’m judging. You lost your sword five times.”

Shadow could have happily remained silent, but that had never helped her. Only kept her serving at the bar. “Against Jurn. Who’d you say is the best at sword fighting in the squad?”

“Don’t back talk,” Dore growled.

“I expect a fair chance. Against each of them. On the seventh day we should be tested against each other. With the amount of bets I hear are riding on the outcome you wouldn’t want someone to claim the outcome unfair.”

“I don’t need you telling me how to do things, girl.”

Shadow nearly smiled. He sounded like her Pa with the way he said girl. Annoyance, exasperation and probably a desire to clip her across the ear. She wondered if he’d roar too when she ducked out of the way.

“Dismissed.”

Shadow nodded and turned away before she ended up in more trouble. She should skip jogging today for the same reason. She spotted Vin and Jurn arguing. Heading towards the castle, she wandered closer to them so she could hear.

“I can’t,” Vin said.

“You want to fail?”

“You know I-”

“Forget it. You can fail for all I care.” Jurn turned away from Vin.

“Jurn-” Vin broke off at the gesture from Jurn.

Jurn sent a glare towards Shadow before he looked around. Vin looked between them, Shadow having stopped to watch, before he ducked his head and hurried away.

As soon as no one else was close enough to hear, Shadow said, “He’s not here. Or anyone else magic hid.”

“I wasn’t looking for him.”

Shadow shrugged. She was tempted to call him a liar, but she was surprised by the relief in his eyes. She watched him a moment longer before she continued towards the castle, wondering what was going on. She was nearly at the castle entrance when she saw the crowd. Krisa was amongst it, fawning over Brisa. There was no way she wanted to get caught up in that drama. She headed towards the gardens, stopping to sit on the edge of a fountain. Her fingers tingled against the stone and she let the vision come.

It was night, a lantern casting dim light over the fountain, creating shadows out of the two figures that stood there. Both were hooded. “It’s too soon.” The voice was a harsh whisper. “Tell our mutual friend it’ll take time to plan again.”

“He’s running out of patience. With both princes. You’ve been no help in finding out what the army’s doing and you know what he’s like when he runs out of patience.” The second hooded figure’s voice had a slight accent. Shadow couldn’t place it.

“Don’t threaten me. I’m stronger than the two of you. You can barely hide yourself let alone do anything more powerful. I’ll let you know when it’s time to set a new plan in motion. But it’ll be soon. Before they have time to fully recover from the last attack.”

“You know where to find me.” The man started to move away.

“Yes. You better remember that.” There was no mistaking the threat.

Voices dragged Shadow back from the vision and she cursed, words she’d learned from the soldiers. She headed further into the gardens, not wanting to encounter anyone. She needed to see Thornton. That vision was too insistent for it to be old, a night or two at the most.

Taking a circuitous route, she made her way inside the castle and after asking several servants, finally found Thornton. He lounged with two other men, sipping from goblets and talking.

“My lord, could I have a moment of your time?” Shadow’s eyes begged Thornton to agree.

“Surely you could have washed the dirt of the training grounds from you before bursting in here,” one of the other men said. “Soldiers have no sense of propriety.”

Thornton rose to his feet. “As many moments as you’d like, my lady.” He smiled when she glared at the way he addressed her.

Shadow nodded and spun on her heel, heading for the door. She heard Thornton tell his companions he’d be back later and then he was beside her.

“What’s wrong?”

She waited until they were clear of anyone who might hear. “Where did they kidnap you from?”

Thornton came to a stop, pulling Shadow back to him. “What’s this about?”

She shook her head. “Where?”

He stared at her a moment. “My suite.”

“Can you show me?”

Thornton grinned. “You love making the rumours fly, don’t you?”

“You dine in my room regularly, what’s the difference?”

“Never mind.” He shook his head. “When?”

“Whenever you’re ready.”

Thornton nodded. “How about now?” He leered at her. “I can’t wait to drag you back to my room.”

She laughed. “Bull.”

Thornton escorted her to his suite, his guards remaining outside. They walked through a sitting area and into a bedroom, a large bed dominating the room. She crossed the room, resting her hand against the smooth covers of the bed. When her fingers started to tingle she closed her eyes. An image of Thornton, limbs tangled with those of a smiling blonde filled her mind. Her eyes flew open as she quickly pulled her hand back, heat filling her cheeks. Her gaze met Thornton’s.

He took a step back, a hand held up. “Look Shadow, I don’t think this is a good idea. Why don’t we-”

Shadow shook her head, firmly putting the image from her mind as she interrupted Thornton. “Where’d they come in?”

He gestured to floor length curtains. “The balcony.” When Shadow strode towards them, he continued. “There’s always two guards out there now.”

She nodded, pressing her hand against the door before opening it. Night had fallen while she’d been looking for Thornton.