Vrell bristled at how everyone so freely gave credit to the gods. As if mythical beings could be capable of acts of healing and controlling the weather. She itched to correct Mitt, but that would only draw attention and questions. She forced her thoughts back to the twins. “How lovely for Kehta there was one of each.”
“Yes. Though it’s rare for a boy to notice such things.” Mitt chuckled. “I suppose that’s why we get along so well, you and me.”
Vrell’s cheeks flushed. Even when she purposely tried to avoid drawing attention, she managed to slip. It was just so hard not to be herself around Mitt.
“How is your salve coming along?” Mitt asked.
With Mitt’s help, Vrell had been building her own healing kit. She had gathered quite the collection thus far. She was currently working on her first yarrow salve for cuts and bruises.
“It’s nearly finished.”
Mitt clipped a spring to the line and brushed her hands on her apron. She waved Vrell over to the garden. “Test time.” Mitt pointed to a small daisy. “What’s this?”
“Calendula? It’s the main ingredient in my salve. Does wonders for bruising and inflammation. And…grows naturally in the ChowmahMountains?”
Mitt nodded and pointed to a leafy tropical plant.
Vrell thought for a moment. “Kava kava? It’s used to make a sedative.”
“Yes, but how is it made?”
“You grind it and strain it to make a tea. And can you also chew it fresh?”
A strand of greying hair fell loose from Mitt’s braid. “That’s right. How about this one?” She pointed to a flat, petal-like, brown mushroom.
“That is reishi,” Vrell answered right away. “It is good for a weak heart, dizziness, and high mountain travel.”
Mitt led Vrell though the garden until she had questioned every plant. Then they went inside the shop, where Vrell helped make a large batch of clove oil for a customer with a toothache. Not long into the project, the spicy smell numbed her nostrils.
Vrell had just begun to grind willow bark for a tonic when young Gil raced into the shop, panting. At eleven, Gil was a weed. His body had reached that awkward stage where his head, arms, and feet seemed too big for the rest of him.
“Vrell! Father needs you at the manor straight away.” Gil shook his shaggy blond hair out of his wild eyes. “Some men have come for you.”
Vrell’s heart took off at a gallop. Could she have been discovered? How? She reached out with her mind to seek Lord Orthrop’s thoughts, but gleaned only his anxiety. “What kind of men?”
Gil’s eyes bulged. “Kingsguard knights, and one’s a giant!”
Mitt’s chuckle rose over the scraping of her mortar and pestle.
“Do not be silly.” Vrell tried to sound casual. She wiped her shaking hands on a towel and forced sensible words from her lips. “There are no giants around here.”
Gil grinned, baring his new adult teeth that looked oversized on his childlike face. “Just you wait and see, Vrell. He had to duck to come through the door.”
Vrell apologized to Mitt and walked back to the manor house with Gil, who prattled on endlessly about the Kingsguard knights. Vrell sought over and over but could not hear Lord Orthrop’s thoughts or the strangers’. If only Mother had taught her more bloodvoicing skills before Vrell had left. What if Prince Gidon had somehow found her? Sweat beaded under her wool padding at what may lie ahead. She prayed Arman would protect her.
The manor house at Walden’s Watch sat at the highest point on the cliffs. No wall or moat surrounded the sea stone dwelling. It was guarded by a single gatehouse entrance, which was the only way in or out. Vrell darted through the gate and pushed past the oversized oak door.
The manor was cool inside. She walked through the small foyer and down a narrow corridor. Her boots crunched over the dead rushes that were in need of replacement. Lord Orthrop’s study sat directly across from the dining hall. Two bulky packs lay beside the closed door, one three times the size of the other. Vrell stood outside the room, seeking the thoughts inside. Finally, Lord Orthrop’s amplified words rung in her head.
I’d like to travel again. It’s been a while since I’ve gone anywhere but to sea for fish. Been waiting for Prince Gidon to take the throne. Wondered if he wouldn’t make some changes to the appointed lordships.
Vrell groaned. If she had been discovered, they were no longer talking about it. But why else would she have been summoned? Lord Orthrop had always ignored her. Now that his wife had left, would he send her away? Sell her as a slave, despite Walden’s Watch’s laws? She did not know the man well enough to guess.
She raised her fist and knocked.
The valet opened the door, and Vrell stepped inside. Like the rest of the manor, the study was oak and sea stone. A large hearth lay cold behind Lord Orthrop’s driftwood desk. Lord Orthrop stood in front of it, pointing up at a wooden carving of a swordfish that hung over the hearth. “This is a replica of one I caught two summers past. Took me an hour to pull him in.”
Two knights stood before Lord Orthrop’s desk looking up at the wooden fish. They wore black New Kingsguard capes embroidered with the golden justice scales of Mahanaim’s crest. One man stood so tall Vrell understood why Gil had called him a giant. His head nearly brushed the timber ceiling. He was as wide as two men — but it was hard muscle, not flab. His legs were strapped in leather, sheathing daggers and axes. Most of his face was hidden behind a bushy black beard.
Vrell stepped up to Lord Orthrop’s desk. The giant looked down at Vrell with brown eyes the size of goose eggs. A red scarf was tied over his hair like a nightcap, and a fat braid hung over one shoulder and down to his waist.
Vrell suddenly missed her long hair. She shook the thought away and sought the giant’s mind.
She could not find it.
How strange. She could always read people this close, but when she tried for the giant, he was empty. The tops of her ears tickled suddenly, and she focused hard on drawing the curtains around her mind, as Mother had described the defensive action. One of these men must have the bloodvoices as well and was seeking her thoughts. Her ears always tickled the same way just before Mother communicated.
The idea brought a shiver of fear. If either of these men could bloodvoice, could they discover her true identity? Or did they know it already? Maybe this was about her being exposed, after all.
Vrell dragged her gaze to the other New Kingsguard knight. He was barely taller than she was. This scrawny man’s greasy brown hair hung in his dark eyes. Scruffy cheeks, a wild mustache, and a long neck added to his weasely appearance. He wore a sword at his side almost as long as he was tall. It looked ridiculous on him, like he was just holding it for the giant.
Vrell did not risk opening her mind to try and hear his thoughts. She was pretty sure she didn’t want to know what they were anyway.
Lord Orthrop turned to Vrell. “Ah. My good knights, this is the boy you’ve come for. Vrell Sparrow is what he’s called. Don’t know how you knew he was here. He’s only been my ward these past six months.”
Lord Orthrop walked from the hearth and sat at his desk. He motioned to the giant. “This is Jax mi Katt.” Then to the short man. “And Khai Mageia. It’s an incredible opportunity for you, boy. I don’t understand it entirely, but apparently you have a gift.”
Vrell’s jaw fell open. How could anyone have known about her bloodvoicing ability?
Lord Orthrop’s eyebrows rose. “You know of this?”
“I…” Vrell swallowed, hating to lie, but afraid to tell the truth. “N-None that I know of, my lord.”