Blizzard Page 4

  Clenching his fist and shaking his head to try to erase the irrational thoughts, he turned away from his beloved and made his way back to the bed. Before he could crawl within its comforting confines, she stopped his advance.

  Her gentle words and the voice she had held before returned. “Two months will not be long enough.”

  Without turning around, only tilting his head slightly back her direction, Effren spoke in a strained voice. “It is all Lord Reegan would agree to. It is all we can ask, and do not expect to visit often. We are in uncertain times, my most beloved. Travel is unsafe and resources will surely be restricted.”

  “I love you,” Janice spoke softly. “But I truly hate you for what you have done to us.”

  Reegan had watched the group leave before returning his attention to the stables below the window. Though Francis had met the family at the start of dinner, he had been dismissed to finish his assigned work. The claim was that he was to eat elsewhere, but he had indeed gone to seek answers regarding inquiries Reegan had made in the previous weeks, and to Reegan’s great pleasure, they had well paid their dues.

  “Lord Reegan.” Francis provided a mocking bow, a snide smirk on his face as he saw the irritation it had brought to Reegan. “Your sources have provided many details on the movements you had monitored.”

  They had met in Reegan’s private study, a fire going and curtains drawn, door locked for absolute privacy. The two men faced one another. Shadows were cast between the scars on Francis’ face, a more sinister visage than Reegan had previously recalled.

  “And?” he prodded, knowing he had to play some small part for Francis to be appeased. All men must have their egos sated to keep them in service, just as his mother had taught.

  “News has spread that three of the five advisors to the king have been assassinated. It is expected that as of this very night, the last two will be no more. All thanks to certain men whom you’ve made quite an alliance with, but nothing is verified.” Francis’ one good eye glimmered as a jewel catching its first sunlight.

  Reegan felt himself smile, truly smile, in the wicked way he did when his plans went accordingly. “I assume there are no witnesses, lending all the more credence to them being Lord Effren Charan’s men?” Reegan turned about, waiting for the rest of the report as he poured cups of a deep, red wine for himself and Francis.

  “Seems to be so, m’lord.” Francis licked his lips in anticipation, but Reegan knew to hold off until he was certain all facts had been exchanged properly. “It also seems that several vital storage points have been attacked and cleared out. The goods returned to the peoples, good deeds they claim. All want to thank Lord Charan themselves, but know they’d bring death to his door.”

  At this, Reegan paused. “Which storage points? What vital goods, Francis?” Turning, Reegan saw the dumbfounded look on Francis’ face at the question.

  “Well, ah, iron, money collected for taxes, foods used in taxing, materials of all sorts—”

  “Where?” Reegan pressed, holding both glasses in his hands hostage as he stared at Francis, both men unmoving.

  “I can show you on the map, m’lord.” Francis licked his lips again as Reegan considered that the man already smelled of drink. His one major weakness was his drinking, but it could be used to Reegan’s advantage such as in that instant.

  “Do, then.” Motioning with one of his hands, he drew Francis near to where he stood, pointing to a large map opened to their continent. Francis quickly scanned the map and took up a quill that sat idly to the side, marking eight, ten, twelve different locations.

  “Those are all they spoke of.” A tremor lightly shook Francis’ hand. Though rare, it was not the first time Reegan had witnessed the man’s sickness. Reegan knew he could not keep such a man in use much longer, lest he become a threat to all Reegan had worked for.

  Handing Francis the still full cup, Reegan stepped forward to review the markings. Most were along major routes, two off in seemingly obscure regions, and one cut through his own lands.

  “Francis,” Reegan spoke slowly, carefully. “You have done very well, but we are not quite finished with our work.”

  Francis had taken two large gulps of the wine before lowering the cup to look at Reegan directly. “Aye. You aim to rid yourself of the Lord and Lady Charan?” Francis smiled knowingly, his contorted smile nightmarish.

  “Not quite yet. They are of use. I am not a man known for being wasteful, Francis, and I need to ensure no evidence or doubts can be left linking their unfortunate passing to me. No.” Reegan was careful surveying the two obscure locations and the one that fell within his property. “Their time will pass before much longer. Terrible business.” Taking a swig of his wine, Reegan didn’t remove his eyes from the map. “Dealing with in-laws can be so frustrating. If only they had not pried so closely…”

  Francis had slowed his drinking. Though barely three sips remained, he regarded Reegan with a wary eye. “What’s out there, m’lord?” his voice croaked out in curiosity.

  Reegan smiled, sly and stone-faced. “I will show you soon enough, Francis.”

  The subtle promise brought a chill to Francis, but he kept his unnerved fear to himself.

  TIME PASSED AS it always does, without consideration to any and all its devastating touch crippled. The wedding between Lord Reegan and the young Lady Eliza came and went, with Lady Janice staying and Lord Effren returning home to their kingdom. The agreement was for Lady Janice to stay for two months’ time, at the very most, and Lord Effren would return to retrieve the Lady Janice upon the end of that time. Lord Reegan had kept his word in keeping his quarters separate from Eliza, but they were only a few doors apart from one another, which left Janice uneasy.

  “Lady Janice, your room connects to Lady Eliza’s through this door. I hope this will offer you some comfort.” Lord Reegan bowed as Lady Janice offered a quiet smile, small and mirthless as it was. “I will leave you ladies to your own devices, though I would suggest you, Eliza, familiarize yourself with how things are run in our corner of the kingdom. In the library you will find several books regarding the rich history of our lands, and you can ask Mrs. Deboan any questions you feel inclined; she knows all. She was my teacher before and can be as such for you now.” He cast a charming smile upon Eliza, the empty smile Janice recognized too well as a curse.

  Mother and daughter had been moved to their rooms the day Effren left, only two days after the wedding, as he was summoned back to their homeland. Janice feared his departure, as whatever news he had received had shaken him a great deal, and though she bore such anger towards him for their daughter having been wed to a man of uncertain character, she knew in her heart that their time was running out.

  “Stay here with Eliza. I will come for you soon.” He had kissed Janice firmly and swiftly. “Both of you, if I must.” Those parting words were what had caused an already gargantuan knot to finish its noose around Janice’s throat.

  Going between rooms, the two ladies found all their belongings had already been moved from the previous rooms and placed properly in the new ones.

  “It appears all our belongings have been managed. How about we get straight to your studies then, my dear?” Janice worked her voice to sound calm, confident, and supportive. She still held the edge of being Eliza’s mother, and Eliza was not apt to rebel, especially knowing her mother would be gone in two months’ time. The prospect left Eliza feeling both excitement and a twinge of fearful uncertainty.

  With a nod and smile, Eliza turned to her mother. “Yes, of course, Mother.”

  So they spent the first several days in the confines of the library and their rooms, though Eliza did not initially understand her mother’s rabid pace of absorbing every iota of knowledge available within that library. Eliza was so astonished at her mother’s focus she found it most difficult to keep up, let alone grasp what she was seeking in such a desperate manner, but she found her own pleasure in reviewing the boundaries of her new home, the landscape so very
different from the one she had grown up knowing of the ocean side, cliffs and caverns, and mines she had snuck away to but a year ago in search of her own treasures. Places she had dreamed faeries surely lived, magic abundant in those rich crystals with dwarves and goblins. Here, in this new place, she imagined woodland elves and sprites as the land was plush with forests and fields. Three large lakes made up the lands which she was now, as she saw, master over.

  Three weeks into the tireless studies, a slight panic welled up within Eliza as she recognized people, real people who were not make-believe creatures, would one day be relying on her for guidance and help. The thought swallowed her up like the undertow currents of her home shores and threatened to break the bow of her emotions. In her daydreams she had always imagined her heart as a ship that came to port, strong and proud, bearing her family’s crest on the banner. Now, that ship had been taken out to sea never to return, and she had instead been handed a staff, cloak, and crown fit to her present size. It was far more real than she had ever dreamed, and as all dreams, that fantasy had ended on that day. By the fourth week, one month after the wedding, word came from Effren to Janice. The note was at least two weeks sooner than planned, and Eliza had just barely befriended one other girl who was a year older, one whom Janice had not yet had the opportunity to fully test for trust. Otherwise, there had been only one other formal meeting that Lord Reegan had provided, an introduction to his cousin, Zachariah. Five years Eliza’s senior, he was just barely 18, but as equally handsome as his cousin.

  “Zachariah has been in my care for the last four years, since my uncle, his father, passed away,” Reegan explained.

  Eliza had taken in the young man with wonder, his brown hair tied back neatly and blue eyes beneath a serious brow. He seemed distant, quiet, almost without presence until he spoke, and when he spoke he commanded attention as much as Reegan did. Yet his was not as disciplined and came across as cold, Janice noticed. It was youth, the inexperience of how to win the hearts of those around him, and Janice could not help but marvel a bit at the slight pompous air he gave about himself.

  “Lady Janice.” He had barely bowed to her. “Lady Eliza Theeds.” Again, barely a bow.

  “Is it not customary for a young man to properly give greetings to the lady of the house and guest?” Eyebrow cocked, Janice refused to let her daughter be treated in such a fashion, let alone herself.

  Finally the young Zachariah turned his somewhat surprised stare on Janice; a slight fury had riled beneath that cold exterior that all, Reegan included, had caught.

  “It is,” Reegan interjected, calmly, and only provided a placid stare upon Zachariah, prompting his sudden animation.

  “Pardon my poor behavior, m’ladies.” Taking Janice’s hands first, he bent over, halfway, kissing her hand. “Lady Janice, it is an honor.” He turned halfway, picking up Eliza’s hand in exchange and kissing hers in kind. “Lady Eliza, the pleasure is mine to have such a beautiful lady to lead my cousin’s household. If you would all excuse me, I have my own business to attend to.” Standing more fully, the young Zachariah provided a courteous nod and slight bow before exiting from the entryway where they stood.

  Watching Zachariah leave, Reegan released a drawn-out sigh. “I do ask you forgive my cousin; he suffered a terrible loss then and even now. It appears someone has been vandalizing the king’s storages, one of which my beloved uncle had owned. Zachariah was to take over those lands so long as he protected the king’s properties. It appears he will no longer have that opportunity.” Reegan turned halfway around, looking down the way back inside. “I’m afraid I still have some business to complete for the day myself. Please make yourselves comfortable.” He swiftly returned to both ladies, taking Eliza’s hand and kissing it gently. “We will all dine together tonight. I guarantee my cousin will be in better spirits then.” His eyes briefly met Janice’s as he pulled away and left both ladies standing in a state of silence, with no opportunity for him to see their curtsies in return.

  Zachariah waited impatiently in the stables as his horse was saddled, irritation and disgust burning in his eyes, lips, and hands. After all the contact he had experienced with the two females, he wished some way to remove the imprint he felt they had left upon him physically.

  Reegan’s voice shook Zachariah. “You must learn to control your emotions better, Zachariah.” Reegan had slunk from the shadows within the stables. The smell of the horses and fresh hay filled their nostrils as Zachariah plucked a stray piece of hay from the stack he had been leaning against. “Have you been studying the book I lent you? It will be most useful in your future.”

  “How can you stand to be near them, be married to that man’s daughter?” Zachariah kept his focus on the golden object between his fingers, twisting the strand back and forth meticulously.

  “My young, ignorant cousin.” Reegan’s voice was a low growl as he closed the gap between the two of them, sealing the proof of his anger with a swift punch to Zachariah’s gut, doubling the young man over. “Heed my words now.” Another swing of his opposite arm caught Zachariah’s right ribs, a slight cracking sound barely audible beneath the oomph. “When I tell you to behave as though you know nothing.” Now, fallen to his knees, Zachariah could only try to stifle his cry of pain as Reegan’s knee landed squarely in his chest. “Because you truly know nothing.” A deep, heaving sigh followed Reegan’s movements as he drug Zachariah from his knees by his coat lapels. “Do as I say, or you will suffer the consequences. Be sure to study that book. It lists the poisons most commonly used by assassins. I would hate to think of any harm coming to you, my cousin.”

  Zachariah coughed after a moment of shock, trying to force air back into his lungs.

  “Put his horse away. He is going back to his room to be tended to and prepared for dinner.” Two men rounded the corner at Reegan’s words, each taking and wrapping one of Zachariah’s arms around their necks. “Be sure not to be seen. Take the hidden passages.” The volume of his commands was low, forcing the two men to lean in, giving Reegan the chance to pat his young cousin on the cheek, firmly, nearing a slap. “Consider this an opportunity to consider the best path forward rather than backwards, as is your habit.”

  The two men, dismissed, immediately began dragging Zachariah back towards the castle.

  “Bit harsh, m’lord.” Francis entered the stables from the opposite end. Even in the daylight, he appeared a wretched creature, even washed and cleaned.

  Reegan motioned to those remaining in the stables to leave, and those remaining after the disciplining left without a breath between one another.

  “He will never learn if I do not keep a firm hand on the boy.” Reegan straightened his coat, flexing both hands from the impacts they had landed. “I have spent far too much time and effort in molding him to lose him now, to a momentary lapse in judgment. Have you managed to procure the required evidence I requested?”

  “Yes, m’lord.” Francis had been walking towards Reegan and closed the gap by handing him an envelope, a wax seal ensuring the privacy of the contents. “I’ll give you fair warning now, sir.” Francis held tightly to the colored envelope, making his peace before relinquishing the precious document. “Zachariah’s no boy, not anymore, and he’s a sharp man at that. Keep yerself guarded ’round the young master, sir. I wasn’t born this way.” Francis motioned to the black patch. “I did a man wrong, believed he would never turn on me, but eventually even a dog bites back.” Only a slight squint of his eyes gave any credence to Reegan’s considering the man’s words as the envelope was finally released.

  “And you, Francis, are you not a dog that would bite the hand that feeds you?”

  Francis only offered his crooked smile, shaking his head gently.

  “I shall call for you when you’re needed again. For now go finish the tasks I have assigned to you. The rumor must be spread that Lord Charan is openly challenging the king, that he seeks to disrupt our peaceful ways.”

  “Aye, sir.” With that, both me
n parted ways.

  Janice and Eliza sat in the now desolate library, secluded to their personal exchanges.

  “Eliza…” Janice hesitated a moment, seeing her daughter’s youthful face on the cusp of thirteen. “There is so much I have not had time to tell you, so much you must know before I leave.” Again the pain threatened to expose itself in its usual fashion, but Janice held it back. “There is so much to warn you and teach you against, but we have no time, truly. For this reason, for my departure to come soon, I must teach you what I can and leave the rest in your hands to learn on your own.”

  Eliza, who had been reading her first book for pleasure since their arrival, turned a quizzical gaze to her mother. “Whatever do you mean?” Eliza’s face pinched together in consternation.

  “Do you remember the stories I have told you, about my family? About the…powers?”

  “Yes, the bedtime stories.” Eliza closed her book and leaned towards her mother, anxious at the truth to follow.

  “They were not just bedtime stories, my darling.” Janice reached across, tucking back a loose curling strand behind her daughter’s left ear. “They are the stories of the women before me, your ancestors and mine.” Janice stole a quick glance back around the room, fearful even then that prying ears and eyes might catch what she wished so desperately to conceal, what she knew needed to blossom. “You have that power, though it has not yet been revealed to you because you have yet to reach your womanhood.”

  Eliza watched as her mother’s face became a sorrowful expression, pained by the very words she was expelling.

  “When you do, you will inherit these powers. A priestess’ powers.” Janice had gone almost mute as she continually lowered her voice.

  Eliza heard and gasped all the same. She knew the stories of magic and strength yet never once believed them true. They were the terrifying tales her mother had told her of women controlling great nations to small countries, of changing the course of history or the briefest changes in time that had saved countless lives. They had also cost countless lives, depending on the woman who wielded the power.