Prologue~Ch. 1~Ch. 2~Ch. 3~Ch. 4~Ch. 5~Ch. 6~Ch. 7~Ch. 8~Ch. 9~Ch. 10~
Ch. 11~Ch. 12~Ch. 13~Ch. 14~Ch. 15~Ch. 16~Ch. 17~Ch. 18~Ch. 19~Ch. 20
Ch. 21~Ch. 22~Ch. 23~Ch. 24~
“I was curious about something,” Jessica began as she and Ewan dined that evening.
Now that she was up and around, Ewan saw no reason why they couldn’t dine together in a civilized fashion. A small corner of her tent was cleared, and a table for two was set up. A steady stream of pages served them their dinner, never less than seven courses, and two more pages stood ready to refill wine goblets or offer a fine linen napkin.
“Thee hast only to ask and I will make haste to alleviate thy curiosity.”
“I understand this is your land, and this appears to be an armed camp, but I have to wonder who, exactly, you’re fighting with.”
“Ah,” Ewan speared a piece of what Jessica really hoped was chicken. A line creased his brow as he frowned and she itched to reach over and smooth it away. “Be assured, as a stranger and guest amongst us thy safety is in no peril.”
“I wasn’t worried about my safety,” she was becoming increasingly curious.
“I would not needlessly trouble thee.”
“My people have a saying, a trouble shared is a trouble halved.”
“A most interesting adage.” Ewan toyed with the stem of his goblet and sighed. “It is a not unusual tale, but one most unflattering to our royal judgment.” He straightened in his seat and squared his shoulders.
“My father took into his employ a wizard of middling power, as is custom for a king of his stature. The wizard was not as he seemed and an argument ensued with my father casting the varlet out.” He took a sip of his wine. His turquoise blue eyes darkened with anger. “Through trickery and treachery the wizard came into possession of our castle and now sits yonder in comfort while we are kept at bay by his army of demons and monsters.”
Jessica was listening wide-eyed, not even pretending to eat. “A whole army?”
“Aye. He was more cunning than he appeared and turned to the black arts for his petty revenge. We took him in on good faith and thus he repays our generosity.” Ewan threw down his fork with a clatter.
Jessica started.
“Forgive me, my lady,” he said, instantly contrite. “ ‘Twas not mine intent for thee to be exposed to mine ill humour.”
“It’s alright. I don’t blame you for being angry over this whole situation.”
“My Lord?” the voice came from outside of the tent.
A look of intense anger flashed across Ewan’s face at the interruption, gone so quickly that Jessica wondered if she really saw it.
“Apologies, my lady, it seems I must cut our time together short.”
“I understand,” Jessica said.
She stared thoughtfully at the tent flap after it closed behind him. Finishing her meal, she dismissed the pages and went over to sit on her bed. When she was sure she was alone she pulled out the pendant.
“Howard? Are you there?”
This was the first time she’d tried to initiate contact and she breathed a quiet sigh of relief when he answered.
“I’m here, Jessica.”
“Did you hear what Ewan and I were talking about?”
“I heard you questioning him about this fight they seem to be having.”
“Well, what do you think?” Jessica reclined against the pillows and closed her eyes.
“I don’t know, Jess,” Howard hesitated. “It almost sounded to me like. . .”
“Like what?”
“Never mind. It’s a shame you were interrupted.”
“Howard, when I first woke up I overheard Gareth talking to someone and he said they thought I might be able to help them. Could I?”
She could almost hear the frown in his voice. “Jessica, you tried to call up a fire and just about blew yourself up. I don’t think getting involved at this stage of the game is a very good idea.”
“But if there’s something I could do, shouldn’t I do it? I mean, I do sort of owe them for taking care of me.”
“What happened to good old, ‘I don’t get involved in other people’s problems Jessie?’”
Jessica blushed, even though there was no one to see her. “Nothing, I just think I should try and help if I can.”
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with tall, blond and studly, would it?”
“No! I - well, maybe, just a little.”
There was a moment of silence through which Jessica could picture Howard smirking at her.
“You don’t think I have that Swedish thing going on, do you?” Jessica asked, sitting up suddenly.
“Do you mean Stockholm Syndrome?” Howard asked.
“Same diff.”
Howard sighed loudly. “Jessica, you do not have Stockholm Syndrome. You’re suffering from it being too long since you’ve had a boyfriend. So am I, but I’m not feeling the urge to go do something that could get me killed.”
“But—”
“Listen, we’re going to have to talk about this later, I’m losing our connection. Just promise me you won’t try any magic on your own.”
“But—”
“Promise me!”
“I promise,” Jessica said, pouting slightly. “Jeez Howard, you sure know how to suck the fun out of things.”
“Just be careful, Jess,” Howard replied, voice fading.
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