Rudimentum: Oracle

Chapter 15

"There's storms either side of us," said Anne, her words slightly slurred. "Give me your arm, Swift. I will beat you this time."

Swift reached over his desk, ready for Anne's challenge. In his other hand he held a tankard spilling with rum. "I got the name from some bastard in the arena. He thought he was the best, the prick."

Swift shook his head, dispersing the sudden memory. He took in a breath trying to control the tremble in his chest. He said, "I thought I knew the answer to that, but it seems I am still trying to find myself." Anna seemed able to pluck the truth from him like it was a strand of hair he had wanted to get rid of but never could. He had always protected himself, but Anna... Anna was somehow different. He threw on his iconic smile and said, "And who are you, Anna Pedrov?"

"I am the woman who sutures the wounds on the legs of men who are still trying to find themselves," she said. They both laughed, and the sound echoed heartily in the room. The flowers outside bobbed along as if in on the joke.

Swift turned away from the mirror and looked at her. The real her. "You are beautiful."

Anna looked away, a blush rising to her cheeks. "You flatter me, Ulric."

He took her hand, soft despite her work. "I do not want to scare you off, but I waited once and regretted it, so I am just going to say it. I like you, Anna. I want to get to know you if you will let me."

She gazed up at him her eyes glowing. "That is bold of you."

"I hope fortune favours the bold," he said, the smile he kept secret from all except those closest to him revealing itself.

"In this instance, it may just," she said. "I like you too, Ulric."

He looked into her eyes, a smooth golden-brown. "I want to kiss you."

"Fortune will only get you so far," she said with an alluring smile. She slipped her hand from his. "I must go. I have duties and people to attend to, including your friend."

"Will I see you tonight?" he called after her.

In the doorway she turned back to him. "Perhaps. Just to talk."

"I await the pleasure." His eyes traced her body as she walked away, lingering on her swaying hips.

#

Elysia stared at the healing scar on the top of her left hand. It felt so long ago she had broken that window on Swift's ship. One of the last times she had used magic. So much had changed. So many had died; her parents, her people, strangers who had been more than kind.

She clenched her fist, unable to give up but finding it harder to be hopeful. What waited in Vasilis? A dead brother? A kingdom maimed and murdered? Could she even be queen?

Her eyes fell to William, his gentle breathing barely stirring the particles floating in the rays of sunlight. A bandage ran diagonal across his face, hiding his forever scarred left eye. An overflowing melancholy spilled over the sides of her heart.

What waited for her here? A man she loved yet had betrayed. A man who probably did not love her back.

She inhaled deeply and looked down. "I'm sorry," she said, her heart feeling like someone had grabbed it and squeezed.

The door burst open and a woman in an elegant summer dress marched in. "Is this where he is?" she said, her voice a booming demand for attention. Elysia's head shot up. Confusion clutched her chest as she tried to disperse the melancholy swarming within her.

The woman slowed her warpath walk and stared at Elysia who remained seated. The woman's eyes narrowed, and she raised her head, looking down on Elysia. "Do they not teach you to bow to your superiors?" she said.

Elysia blinked. She realised she was wearing the same red dress as the women who worked under Nathanael. Her sorrow quickly gave rise to an irritated anger. She swallowed the indignation rising like a lump in her throat and stood slowly.

"My apologies, my lady," she said, bowing slightly. She had only ever bowed to her parents, other royals, and those she respected. Despite her resentment of the action, she knew she could not draw too much attention to herself.

"That is Lady Camilla Pedrov," she said. "Are you new here?"

Elysia raised her eyes. "Yes, Lady Pedrov."

"Lady Pedrov is my mother," she snapped. "Lady Camilla is fine. I suppose that explains your impropriety. You have most likely never encountered one as noble as myself." She went over to William. "Is this the man who bravely fought against the recent bandit attack?"

Elysia stared at her, unable to comprehend the admiring gaze she was giving William despite him being unconscious. "Well, is he?"

She recovered from her daze. "Yes, yes he is." Her resentment grew as she watched the woman lean over him.

"Quite handsome, if a little rugged," said Lady Camilla, a smile shining on her lips. She ran a gentle finger over his lips and forehead. Elysia watched on, stunned, and brimming with fury. Her entire body felt her every move like daggers pricking her skin.

How dare she touch him like that. How dare she lay one spoilt finger on the man who had faced so much more than she ever would. Lady Camilla's fingers traced his exposed neck.

"Stop," said Elysia. Her face grew hot. From the corner of her eye, she saw Anna enter the room. "Do not touch him."

Lady Camilla shot up. Her hand retreated as if it had been bitten by a snake. "What did you say?" she said, her voice traced with venom.

"What she meant to say," said Anna coming up beside Elysia, "is that he is still in a fragile state and should be left alone for now. I do, however, Cousin, know of someone staying here who is awake and not so fragile who also happened to fight the bandits."

"Do you now?" said Lady Camilla.

"I do," said Anna, a polite smile shining on her face. "He is in the small library we have playing chess by himself. Perhaps you could join."

"What is his name?" she said straightening, her interest clearly piqued.

"Ask him yourself. You know where the room is," said Anna.

"Very well, good day, Cousin," she said. She turned to leave as sharply as a drawn dagger. "You would do good to teach this new woman some manners lest she find herself in a spot of trouble." Elysia narrowed her eyes. The woman left with the clicking of her heels.

Elysia sighed and closed her eyes for a moment. "Thank you, Anna. I was..."

Anna grinned. "You looked as if you were about to murder her. My cousin can be quite forward, but she did not realise that he is already spoken for."

"Is it that obvious?" she said, a weak smile slipping onto her face. Her anger diminished quickly in Anna's calming presence.

"It is as obvious as the stars on a cloudless night," said Anna. "Besides, Camilla is terrible at chess, so it amuses me to think of her trying to play to impress someone." She laughed and Elysia joined with a chuckle.

"Swift might just let her win to charm her," said Elysia.

"Actually," said Anna, "I wanted to ask you about him. You are his friend and would know what he is like around people. Particularly women." She breathed uneasily. Elysia saw her hands clasped tightly together and knew exactly what she meant.

"I have not known him for very long, but the truth is, he charms many of the women that take his fancy. But once he grows to care for someone, he cares for them deeply." She thought of Anne and Ed and how those two people had so much weight in Swift's life that in one tragic night his entire world shifted off balance forever. "He can be sincere when he wants to, but most of the time his jests are his defence."

"Hmm. Thank you, Elysia."

She placed a hand on Anna's shoulder and offered her a smile. "But I have a feeling this game of chess will simply be a game of chess."