Charlotte slides off the dog’s back, runs round and kisses it between its eyes, accidentally poking her finger in one of them.
‘Oh sorry, Charlie,’ the girl says affectionately, then gives Charlie’s ears a stroke as she takes off with a giggle.
When Charlotte has finished playing with the dog, she comes over to Arkarian. Surprising me, she takes his hand without any sign of shyness. ‘Will you lead my pony, Gascon?’
We go to the stableyard, where François has the pony saddled and ready. We are given instructions to take Charlotte to her favourite place – a waterfall near a bend in the river that runs through the Duke’s lands. As we walk, we keep an eye out for anything that looks suspicious.
‘We’re going to have to be very careful,’ Arkarian says softly. ‘I’ve been talking with a few servants. Apparently there have been no new members to the household recently, or for the last few months, so theOrder hasn’t made an appearance yet. And I’m starting to get the feeling they’re waiting for a specific reason before showing themselves – like our arrival.’
‘Do you think they’re after us , and not the child?’
‘If they’re not after the child, then you know what this is, don’t you?’
It hits me, and a shiver passes from my head straight down to my toes. ‘A trap?’
‘It’s possible.’
‘Oh great!’ Words fail me for a moment, giving my brain time to think. I drop my voice to a whisper. ‘You were only switched with Ethan at the last minute. So if the Order have finally figured out who Ethan is, they’re probably expecting him to be on this mission instead of you.’
‘Well – ’
‘This is a trap to kill Ethan!’
‘Look, we can’t jump to conclusions. Not yet. There could be other reasons Lorian substituted me in Ethan’s place. But I have to wonder why not Shaun or Marcus?’
To me the answer is easy: Lorian has a great belief in Arkarian’s ability. But I don’t air my thoughts. Arkarian would only deny it. While he is by far the most talented, powerful member of the Guard, he would never acknowledge it. ‘So do you think Charlotte is safe after all?’
‘We can’t take anything for granted. Who knows the mind of an immortal?’
‘Well, it’s been a year since Marduke’s murder. The Goddess’s patience must be exhausted by now.’
‘Yes, which means she may act out of character. That’s why we must be prepared for anything.’
Chapter Six
Arkarian
By the end of the ride Isabel has formed a strong bond with the child. It’s an easy thing to do. I feel myself doing the same. And that’s something I’ve managed to avoid for almost six hundred years. It’s just that Charlotte is well mannered and kind and so trusting. Many times she is close to tears.
After dinner with the Duke and Lady Eleanor, Charlotte insists that I must tell her another story. It’s unheard of for a mere stable-hand to be invited inside, but the Duke finally agrees. I think he is relieved to see his daughter smiling again.
With King Charles beside them, Isabel and Charlotte curl up by the hearth. As Charlotte cuddles the dog, Isabel whispers, ‘You know, it wouldn’t hurt for her aunt to be a bit kinder. That woman doesn’t come across as the loving mother type.’
I have to agree, and while I can’t find much in history on Charlotte, I did discover that Lady Eleanor will one day become the mistress of this very castle, marrying the Duke and taking the title of Duchess. But I’m reluctant to let Isabel know. She would hate thethought of Lady Eleanor becoming Charlotte’s stepmother. Forming attachments to those we help is strictly forbidden. This is an essential rule. It’s quite easy to develop friendships, and difficulties in letting go have caused serious situations for members of the Guard before. That was the catalyst for all our problems with Marduke. Thirteen years ago he changed the past by trying to stop the woman he fell in love with from catching
‘Oh sorry, Charlie,’ the girl says affectionately, then gives Charlie’s ears a stroke as she takes off with a giggle.
When Charlotte has finished playing with the dog, she comes over to Arkarian. Surprising me, she takes his hand without any sign of shyness. ‘Will you lead my pony, Gascon?’
We go to the stableyard, where François has the pony saddled and ready. We are given instructions to take Charlotte to her favourite place – a waterfall near a bend in the river that runs through the Duke’s lands. As we walk, we keep an eye out for anything that looks suspicious.
‘We’re going to have to be very careful,’ Arkarian says softly. ‘I’ve been talking with a few servants. Apparently there have been no new members to the household recently, or for the last few months, so theOrder hasn’t made an appearance yet. And I’m starting to get the feeling they’re waiting for a specific reason before showing themselves – like our arrival.’
‘Do you think they’re after us , and not the child?’
‘If they’re not after the child, then you know what this is, don’t you?’
It hits me, and a shiver passes from my head straight down to my toes. ‘A trap?’
‘It’s possible.’
‘Oh great!’ Words fail me for a moment, giving my brain time to think. I drop my voice to a whisper. ‘You were only switched with Ethan at the last minute. So if the Order have finally figured out who Ethan is, they’re probably expecting him to be on this mission instead of you.’
‘Well – ’
‘This is a trap to kill Ethan!’
‘Look, we can’t jump to conclusions. Not yet. There could be other reasons Lorian substituted me in Ethan’s place. But I have to wonder why not Shaun or Marcus?’
To me the answer is easy: Lorian has a great belief in Arkarian’s ability. But I don’t air my thoughts. Arkarian would only deny it. While he is by far the most talented, powerful member of the Guard, he would never acknowledge it. ‘So do you think Charlotte is safe after all?’
‘We can’t take anything for granted. Who knows the mind of an immortal?’
‘Well, it’s been a year since Marduke’s murder. The Goddess’s patience must be exhausted by now.’
‘Yes, which means she may act out of character. That’s why we must be prepared for anything.’
Chapter Six
Arkarian
By the end of the ride Isabel has formed a strong bond with the child. It’s an easy thing to do. I feel myself doing the same. And that’s something I’ve managed to avoid for almost six hundred years. It’s just that Charlotte is well mannered and kind and so trusting. Many times she is close to tears.
After dinner with the Duke and Lady Eleanor, Charlotte insists that I must tell her another story. It’s unheard of for a mere stable-hand to be invited inside, but the Duke finally agrees. I think he is relieved to see his daughter smiling again.
With King Charles beside them, Isabel and Charlotte curl up by the hearth. As Charlotte cuddles the dog, Isabel whispers, ‘You know, it wouldn’t hurt for her aunt to be a bit kinder. That woman doesn’t come across as the loving mother type.’
I have to agree, and while I can’t find much in history on Charlotte, I did discover that Lady Eleanor will one day become the mistress of this very castle, marrying the Duke and taking the title of Duchess. But I’m reluctant to let Isabel know. She would hate thethought of Lady Eleanor becoming Charlotte’s stepmother. Forming attachments to those we help is strictly forbidden. This is an essential rule. It’s quite easy to develop friendships, and difficulties in letting go have caused serious situations for members of the Guard before. That was the catalyst for all our problems with Marduke. Thirteen years ago he changed the past by trying to stop the woman he fell in love with from catching
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