Knight of Thieves

Chapter 16

Emberly breathed deeply, exhaustion pouring over her. Sweat beaded across her forehead. She loved training, truly. But she was certain it would be the death of her. Just that morning, Sir Wylan pulled all of the second-year squires out of their morning lesson to run around the castle four times. Lady Elizabeth was clearly displeased by this, but she held her tongue, keeping her thoughts to herself.

Sir Wylan forced them to work harder than they ever had before in their lives. Emberly saw that the relentless training was beginning to get to the other squires as well. They were tired, effectively giving up on extra training during this time and racing to bed immediately after dinner. Was he still trying to prepare them for the war? Or was he a Cyran spy training to kill them before they stepped foot on a battlefield?

The only squire who seemed unbothered by the relentless training was James Heczah. He took to each new task and challenge as though it were nothing. As though this were something he had done all his life. Emberly hated him a little for it. “Put more force into your swing,” ordered James as they parried. He had been partnered with her all week, much to Emberly’s dismay. Usually, Sir Wylan switched pairings every day, but this week, it was just the two of them.

Emberly stifled a groan and took a step back. She wiped the sweat from her brow and fell into a prepared stance once more. James did not hesitate before lunging forward.

As they fought, Emberly’s mind drifted. She was greatly looking forward to the weekend, where she would have two full days to herself. She would not have to train or worry about the sweat streaming off of her. She and Kyra made plans to spend part of the weekend in the stables with Feste. Last year during training, Emberly spent the vast majority of her free time with the personality-driven horse. Now, between her friends, her growing relationship with Will, and the time dedicated to training, she simply did not have the time or energy to sit with Feste like she used to.

And the horse seemed to notice.

Just yesterday during training, she took him out of the stables. She swung up onto his back like she had done a hundred times before. But this time, in his petulance, Feste kicked and fought back against Emberly, tossing her off of his back and onto the ground below. The laughter of the other squires permeated the air and hung over her like a cloud for the rest of the day.

Feste held more personality and character than some people could ever hope to have. Consequently, Emberly needed to be aware of his feelings. She really could not afford another incident like that one.

“You’re not working hard enough,” James snapped at her again. Emberly glared at him. She was genuinely considering throwing this knife into James’ body. At every turn, James criticized her. Even if she blocked him correctly, he still claimed she had done it wrong and needed to improve if she was ever going to be able to fight at his level.

She absolutely hated him.

“I hate you,” Emberly said. She took her fighting stance once more, breathing in deeply to catch her breath.

They were still working with knives. As it turned out, Emberly rather liked working with knives. The smaller objects felt better in her hands, more like an extension of her arm, more than the sword ever did. Besides, the knives allowed her to move around more distinctly than the swords.

James drew back for a moment. “Dern, you’re sloppy. If you continue to stand like that, I’m going to defeat you again. Fix it.”

She held the knife up, ready to throw it at James. She was fairly good at aiming now, she could hit certain appendages. It would ensure James never criticized her again. But before she could do anything, Sir Wylan declared training finished for the day. The squires were sent off to clean up before dinner.

Emberly, with a heavy sigh, put the training knife away and followed her friends into the Great Hall.

This was one of the few nights Arran did not have dish duty, a surprise to everyone. So, Emberly and Arran decided to spend the night doing something they had not done since their previous year: they explored.

They were only half way through their excursion before Arran declared he had a small headache and was going to go to bed early because of it. Emberly dawdled for a moment, considering before she continued on alone.

It was surprising to her to find how relaxing a small walk could be. The last few days in training had been horrific, draining the energy out of her. This walk was peaceful. As she walked, she could feel the exhaustion and stress of it all slowly drop off of her shoulders.

Even when she entered the ballroom, no one interrupted her walk. This ballroom was typically reserved for important events, like royal weddings or the Winter Festival. It was large and elegant. Something out of a fairytale. It was dark now, the candles blown out as the room was out of use. But the majesty of the room shone through. It was magnificent.

“Well, then, what should I say? For future reference?” The memory filled her mind, spreading a smile across her face along with it. She stood there, almost one year ago, dancing with Prince William. It was the start of all of this.

When she left the room, she collided with someone walking by at the time. Both parties fell to the floor, disoriented. Emberly rubbed her head where it had collided with the other person’s. She glanced up to see who she had hit. In a moment, Emberly was back on her feet, holding a hand out to Princess Rosaline on the floor. “Sorry about that.”

“That is alright,” reassured the girl as she placed her hand in Emberly’s. “I was not looking where I was going either.” The peincessclimbed to her feet, a feat which was difficult given the elegance of her gown and the book firmly in her hand.

Princess Rosaline was Will’s younger sister. And even if they did not see it, Emberly could depict the similarities between them. Rosaline was short for her age, only barely reaching the top of Emberly’s shoulder. A book was firmly in her hands, giving Emberly the distinct impression she was trying to read and walk at the same time. Her dark brown hair was longer now than when Emberly had last seen her, it fell down her back in long ringlets, reaching for the small of her back.

After helping the girl to her feet, Emberly bowed respectfully to the princess. “What were you doing in the ballroom, Squire Dern?”

“Enjoying the general splendor,” said Emberly. “What are you reading?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just a book on war strategy.”

“I’m terrible at strategy,” commented Emberly. “It is my worst subject. I just don’t understand it.” Princess Rosaline blinked in surprise. Inwardly, Emberly kicked herself for the blunder. Learning war strategy was for men, not princesses.

“I found it fascinating,” admitted Rosaline. “And not everyone has a head for strategy, so you mustn’t worry too much over it.” An awkward pause ignited between the two of them. Emberly, unsure of how to progress from here, gave the princess a small smile and a slight bow, ready to leave the area. Before she could escape, Rosaline spoke again, “My brother speaks highly of you.”

“I should hope so; he’s my friend,” said Emberly.

“I was really worried about him when the Cyrans entered the castle and he did not come to the safe room with us. I thought…well, just thank you for protecting him.”

“I didn’t really do much. I even took him to the wrong place.”

“Still. He means everything to me. So, thank you for protecting him.”

“You’re welcome,” Emberly replied. It’s my job as my future knight, after all.

“Rosaline told me this morning that she approves of you,” Will declared, bursting into her room. He locked the door behind him, drew her into his arms, and kissed her passionately.

“What do you mean ‘she approves of me’?” Emberly asked, pulling him to sit down beside her on the bed. He kissed her once more before replying.

“Well, you as in Kyler. She thinks he’s a good friend to me,” Will said. He fiddled with her hair as he spoke. She tried keeping it longer these days, knowing how much he enjoyed tugging at the strands. “She apparently enjoyed spending time with you last night.”

“We spent hours in the library. She even helped me with my Kentre pronunciation.”

“I’m glad you’re getting along.” His face was covered in sincerity. Emberly looked down as she spoke.

“Well, she’s important to you and you’re important to me, so…” she drifted off with a shrug. He kissed her by way of response.

A large knock sounded on the door. Emberly jumped off the bed, lunging towards the door to open it. Will chuckled, watching her.

Kyra stood on the other side of the door. She shuffled into the room and closed the door behind her. She held an envelope out to Emberly, who took it, a frown decorating her face. “It’s actually for you this time.”

Dearest Emberly,

I hope you haven’t forgotten your promise to me about your maid and the exquisite dress she made you.

Would you be available to come see me this weekend with your maid? I was hoping for a new dress for the Winter Festival.

Also, I have received very troubling news about Kyler and was hoping you could clear it up for me.

Your Friend,

Olivia

“I think you’re coming with me, Kyra,” commented Emberly, as Kyra and Will read the letter over Emberly’s shoulder.

Emberly and Kyra arrived at the Heczah household early Saturday morning. Kyra grumbled as they walked through the halls, murmuring something about not wanting to make a dress for a random noblewoman.

“She’s probably going to marry Kyler,” Emberly reminded her. “So, we have to get along with her.”

Olivia was waiting in the parlor room. Instantly, the blond girl raced over to her, throwing her arms around Emberly in an embrace, causing Emberly to feel distinctly uncomfortable. The two fell to the couch behind them.

Only once having shown her affection for her friend, Olivia noticed the other girl standing in the room, her arms crossed. Olivia leapt to her feet. “You’re the servant I met in town a few weeks ago.”

“Yes,” Kyra answered.

Olivia crossed her arms, matching Kyra’s pose. “And you made Emberly’s dress?”

“Yes.”

“Well, take my measurements and do whatever you have to.” She stood rigidly. Kyra shot Emberly a glance. Is this what Olivia had been worried about?

“Kyra is an old friend of the family,” said Emberly. “She’s served our family since we were children. We’ve always been close friends, all three of us, right Kyra?”

The girl nodded as she worked. Olivia noticeably relaxed. “Oh, I see. I am willing to pay for any materials you will need, Kyra. And we can pay you handsomely for the dress.”

“You want this for the Winter Festival, right? Something like that dress I made for Emberly, yeah? I think green will look great on you. I can stitch jewels down the center. I think it will look very elegant.”

“I would like that very much.” Olivia looked at Emberly. “Now, you must promise to be honest with me. Is it true about Kyler and Rosaline?”

Emberly blinked in surprise. “P-princess Rosaline?” Olivia nodded as though her life depended on it. At this, Kyra and Emberly burst into laughter, Kyra clenching her sides as she moved around in the laughter attack. “No, no, no, no it’s not true. Kyler could never break his promise to you, much less get up the nerve to talk to Princess Rosaline.”

“But you must have heard about it? They say Rosaline and Kyler spent hours together!”

“I assure you nothing happened. He loves you.”

Olivia began pacing the room, causing Kyra to sigh in exasperation. “I know he loves me or he claims to. But he never comes to see me. And the other day, he was walking around with your servant. And now with Rosaline. All Kyler gives me is words. I want more than that.” Olivia folded her arms around herself as though to protect herself from a possible reality. And for the first time, Emberly considered Olivia in all of this. She’s insecure, Emberly observed in surprise. This girl was so in love with Emberly’s brother it made her insecure to hear and see his involvement with other women. She loves Kyler.

“Olivia,” said Emberly slowly, “what I am about to tell you must never be repeated. Do you promise to keep this secret for Kyler’s sake and for mine?”

“Em,” warned Kyra in a soft voice.

“It’s okay, Kyra.”

“Of course,” swore Olivia. She sat down beside Emberly.

“I’m trusting you,” said Emberly, “please don’t let me regret this.” She took a deep breath. “Kyler can’t come to see you because he’s not in Central. He’s been in Verlent all this time.”

“This is a strange game, Emberly. I’ve seen him myself, he has training—“

“No, Olivia, Kyler never wanted to become a knight. He’s always wanted to help people, not destroy lives. And really, he would not be terribly good at it. He started corresponding with a physician in Verlent, who offered him an apprenticeship there last year. The only time Kyler has been in Central in the last two years was for the Winter Festival.” Olivia’s face was wrinkled in concentration and confusion.

“I do not understand. Then, who has…you? You took his place in training.” In response, Emberly nodded. “So, it’s been you this whole time?”

“I have all of your letters forwarded to Verlent. I don’t read them.” That last part was not entirely true. She often read Kyler’s, but it felt wrong to read anyone else’s. “He does love you.” Emberly waited a beat, trying to discern Olivia’s focused expression. “Are you angry?”

“No. A little embarrassed. That was you the other day, then?” Emberly nodded. Olivia buried her face in her hands, utterly mortified.

“Don’t feel too bad,” interjected Kyra. “Emberly makes a convincing Kyler.”

“Oh! And I wrote to Kyler telling him how envious I was of you being around him!” She gestured to Kyra. She hid her face again.

Emberly wanted to comfort the girl but was saved from doing so by the door to the parlor room opening.

James Heczah strode into the room, bowing to Emberly politely and merely glancing at Olivia. “Olivia,” he said, “your face is red. Are you feeling unwell?”

“I’m alright, Brother.”

“And Lady Emberly? How are you?”

“I am quite well. Do you know my servant, Kyra? She is going to make your sister a new dress.”

“Oh, I see.” He sat down on the sofa next to Emberly, watching his sister carefully. “I notice your brother is not here, Lady Emberly. I thought I saw him leave early this morning. I assumed he was coming here.”

“Sir Heczah, I feel you are building up to ask me a question. I cannot give you the answer you need if you don’t answer the question.”

Olivia smirked and met Emberly’s eyes. Kyra, on the other hand, rolled her eyes.

“Do you mind if I speak to you, Lady Olivia, about your dress?” Kyra asked. “I want to make sure I get it right.”

Olivia brightened and turned to Kyra, speaking excitedly about all the dresses she had ever dreamed of having.

“I did not mean offense, Lady Emberly,” James said, his voice quiet so that their conversation was just for them. Emberly chuckled.

“I think you did. You despise my brother.” James opened his mouth to refute this claim. “But I suspect he despises you, too.”

“Don’t misunderstand me, please. Your brother is talented and strong. He will make a good knight.” Emberly froze, her mouth falling open. James chuckled, a deep rough and melodic laugh, a sound she rarely heard. “Don’t tell him I said that. And anyway, he is sloppy. He does not manipulate his ability because his form lacks any strength."

“Then, why don’t you help him?” Emberly asked. “Oh, let me guess, you criticize him instead of trying to help him be a better knight.” At her words, James said nothing, so she continued. “My brother works hard outside of regular training hours. Perhaps you should go and help him and the other squires. You’re the best in your second-year, right?”

“Second-best, next the prince,” James corrected. He was watching her carefully.

Kyra and Emberly stayed for a few hours. And when they left, James Heczah, like a gentleman, walked Emberly back to her grandmother’s home. He did not say another word about Kyler.