speed past. Before she knew it, she had to reread a paragraph about trading statutes several times before she realized she couldn’t absorb any more knowledge. She glanced at the stub of a candle that had been much taller when she’d begun. It had to be near dawn. A jaw-cracking yawn overtook her. She stacked her books and stepped outside the doors.
Map ready, she began the shortcut near the stables that led to her room. Footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Starbride froze in fear at being caught out so early in the morning, though she couldn’t say why. Perhaps it was because she didn’t exactly have permission to use the library, though Katya’s presence the first time made it seem like she did. She didn’t even know if a person needed permission. She ducked down another hallway and hid behind a statue.
Katya passed by a few moments later, wearing hunting leather and a rapier again. A slightly older woman with a bow slung over one shoulder followed her, and an enormous man in a red robe walked beside her, a large mace swinging from his belt. Behind them and also armed with a bow was the same pale-haired young woman Starbride had seen speaking with the king and queen.
It had to be dawn if Katya was going hunting. She didn’t look happy, though. Her expression mirrored neither the gentle jokester Starbride had seen nor the bored royal she’d turned on Lady Hilda. She looked grim, as if forced to hunt, an activity she was reputed to love. Maybe she was using the hunting as a disguise to sneak off and see her sick friend.
Starbride realized how hard it must be, how much of a façade someone would have to adopt when everyone wanted a piece of her. Even without the sick friend, maybe Katya always used her huntress reputation to get away from court. Maybe she went into the forest with these few friends to escape so many grasping hands, like Lady Hilda’s.
Her heart full of pity for Katya and anger at the court, Starbride followed them, only stopping when she’d nearly reached the stables. She wasn’t dressed for riding, didn’t even own anything for it at the moment. She supposed she could grab a saddle blanket, hike up her skirt, and follow without a saddle. Tempting, but she hadn’t ridden bareback for years. She started for her room instead, wanting to talk it over with Dawnmother, wanting to do something nice for Katya, something without strings attached.
Dawnmother slumped in a chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap, with her eyes closed, and her mouth hanging open in a soft snore. Starbride touched her shoulder.
With a little jump, she sat up, blinking rapidly. “What time is it?”
“Dawn or thereabouts.”
“Well, you must have had a good time.”
Starbride took the embroidery hoop and glanced at the fabric inside. “What’s this you’re making?”
“A little pillow for you to sit on. A lot of the other courtiers and nobles have them. I tried to make the pattern a little like your necklace. It’ll look better once I sew some beads on.”
“Where did you get this material?”
“Out of a closet.”
“You stole a pillowcase?”
“And a pillow. They have many. They won’t miss one.”
“You hope. What happens if one of those tyrannical housekeepers beats down our door?”
“Then I will throw myself in his or her path while you make your escape.” She yawned, making Starbride yawn in turn. “Let’s go to bed. We can talk later.”
Starbride nodded, too tired to argue, and after Dawnmother helped her undress, she slipped under the covers of her narrow bed. Dawnmother lay down on her pallet.
“Have you learned anything about the rest of the town?” Starbride asked after Dawnmother put out the candle.
“A little. Why?”
“I need to purchase something, a gift.”
“I see.” Starbride heard the curiosity in the words, but she didn’t elaborate, not yet. Instead, she drifted to sleep.
Chapter Five: Katya
When they reached the first crossroads, Katya’s party met Crowe
Map ready, she began the shortcut near the stables that led to her room. Footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Starbride froze in fear at being caught out so early in the morning, though she couldn’t say why. Perhaps it was because she didn’t exactly have permission to use the library, though Katya’s presence the first time made it seem like she did. She didn’t even know if a person needed permission. She ducked down another hallway and hid behind a statue.
Katya passed by a few moments later, wearing hunting leather and a rapier again. A slightly older woman with a bow slung over one shoulder followed her, and an enormous man in a red robe walked beside her, a large mace swinging from his belt. Behind them and also armed with a bow was the same pale-haired young woman Starbride had seen speaking with the king and queen.
It had to be dawn if Katya was going hunting. She didn’t look happy, though. Her expression mirrored neither the gentle jokester Starbride had seen nor the bored royal she’d turned on Lady Hilda. She looked grim, as if forced to hunt, an activity she was reputed to love. Maybe she was using the hunting as a disguise to sneak off and see her sick friend.
Starbride realized how hard it must be, how much of a façade someone would have to adopt when everyone wanted a piece of her. Even without the sick friend, maybe Katya always used her huntress reputation to get away from court. Maybe she went into the forest with these few friends to escape so many grasping hands, like Lady Hilda’s.
Her heart full of pity for Katya and anger at the court, Starbride followed them, only stopping when she’d nearly reached the stables. She wasn’t dressed for riding, didn’t even own anything for it at the moment. She supposed she could grab a saddle blanket, hike up her skirt, and follow without a saddle. Tempting, but she hadn’t ridden bareback for years. She started for her room instead, wanting to talk it over with Dawnmother, wanting to do something nice for Katya, something without strings attached.
Dawnmother slumped in a chair, an embroidery hoop in her lap, with her eyes closed, and her mouth hanging open in a soft snore. Starbride touched her shoulder.
With a little jump, she sat up, blinking rapidly. “What time is it?”
“Dawn or thereabouts.”
“Well, you must have had a good time.”
Starbride took the embroidery hoop and glanced at the fabric inside. “What’s this you’re making?”
“A little pillow for you to sit on. A lot of the other courtiers and nobles have them. I tried to make the pattern a little like your necklace. It’ll look better once I sew some beads on.”
“Where did you get this material?”
“Out of a closet.”
“You stole a pillowcase?”
“And a pillow. They have many. They won’t miss one.”
“You hope. What happens if one of those tyrannical housekeepers beats down our door?”
“Then I will throw myself in his or her path while you make your escape.” She yawned, making Starbride yawn in turn. “Let’s go to bed. We can talk later.”
Starbride nodded, too tired to argue, and after Dawnmother helped her undress, she slipped under the covers of her narrow bed. Dawnmother lay down on her pallet.
“Have you learned anything about the rest of the town?” Starbride asked after Dawnmother put out the candle.
“A little. Why?”
“I need to purchase something, a gift.”
“I see.” Starbride heard the curiosity in the words, but she didn’t elaborate, not yet. Instead, she drifted to sleep.
Chapter Five: Katya
When they reached the first crossroads, Katya’s party met Crowe
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