Knight of Thieves

Chapter 8

Sister,

I hope all has been well for you in your first week at training. All has been well for me in Verlent, though the days seem to be growing warmer. The summer here never seems to end. Gaius says I need to become accustomed to it.

I am writing to you because I need you to do me a favor. As you know, I have been writing to Lady Olivia Heczah. In truth, she has demanded that I go see her as soon as possible. You will have nothing to do this weekend. Please, for my sake, go see her. I have not told her of our arrangement. Please go see her, as she expects, at your earliest convenience.

Thank you.

You loving brother,

Kyler Dern

Dear Kyler,

Training has been going fairly well for me. Thank you for asking. I really should have done my best to train while I was at home over the summer. I am far more tired at the end of these days than I was last year. This year, it seems, Sir Wylan is doing his best to exhaust us. We no longer just fight with swords but with lances, spears, and bows and arrows as well. I even heard a rumor that we will be learning about knife throwing next week.

I have officially conceded that I will never have a head for war strategy. I suppose I do not have a logical mind. Will has been doing his best to help me, but it seems war strategy will always be miles ahead of me.

Tell me about your time with the physician, Gaius. I would like to meet him one day, if at all possible.

By the way, in regards to the request asked of me, the one about Olivia Heczah, I will absolutely not be helping you there. I refused to sit for hours among the Heczahs, all of whom despise you, by the way. Olivia and I would have nothing to talk about, and I will never, ever be the conduit you use to flirt with anyone. Never. I will never do that for you.

Love,

Emberly

Emberly,

I am happy to hear that training is going well for you. (That is, apart from the war strategy lessons.) Apprenticing under Gaius has been amazing. I learn so much from him. Did you know that people, without even meaning to, can make themselves ill? Just last week, a woman came to see us because she thought she was pregnant. When I was speaking with her, I would have thought for certain she was. But Gaius, with only three questions, was able to discern that she was making up the symptoms in her head. Apparently, her husband had just left for the war and she was afraid that he wouldn’t return. Gaius says she was just hoping for a piece of her husband to remain with her.

Emberly, I love Olivia with my whole heart. She will be my wife one day. I need you to become friends with her and her family, at least with James. I need them on my side when I ask for her hand. My heart is hers. I understand that you won’t see her as me, but perhaps you could call on her as Emberly. Explain to her that, while I adore her, it would be unwise for me to come and see her. Please, Emberly, she means everything to me.

Yours,

Kyler

Kyler,

You are a moron. If you really need to see this woman so badly, come to Central and see her for yourself. And truly, I do not understand your attachment to the woman. She is hardly a suitable wife for a physician. When and how exactly are you going to explain this all to her? I don’t understand you.

But because I love you, and because you are my brother, I will consider going to see her and her family. I make no promises though. You know I cannot stand any of them. And if I do go to see them, I will do my best to present you as the perfect future son-in-law. (Have you told Father about this?)

Love you, write soon,

Emberly

Emberly took a deep breath. She should have brought Kyra. Kyra always seemed to make all situations better. She would be able to make Emberly laugh while simultaneously causing her to groan in annoyance. When Emberly explained why she needed Kyra to send a letter to Heczah, she had just laughed. “Good luck with that,” she said.

Finally, finding the courage, and mostly wanting to get this visit over with, Emberly knocked hard on the door. A maid quickly came to meet her, ushering her into the parlor room. Emberly was forced to sit there by herself, contemplating how she could have joined the procession of squires who were now milling about town. She demanded that Arran and Will wait for her before going to Bandello’s, claiming she had to visit her grandmother first.

As these thoughts passed through her mind, the door to the parlor room opened. Olivia Heczah clambered into the room, excitement in her eyes. “I could hardly believe it when Kyler told me you would come to visit.” She reached out her hand to Emberly, who was now standing, as elegance dictated.

Emberly took the girl’s hands, forcing a kind smile on her face. Olivia Heczah was easily one of the prettiest women Emberly had ever seen. She, like her mother, exuded grace and elegance.

“Hardly?” asked Emberly, unsure of how to respond to the girl.

“Hardly!” she said. “I am glad you are here. I do hope we will be good friends, like sisters. Would you like that? I suppose we do not know each other very well, not nearly as well as I know Kyler, after all. But I think we will be good friends, do you not agree?” You’re doing this for Kyler, Emberly had to remind herself. Olivia Heczah had so much to say and she was still clutching Emberly’s hands. Finally, she let go of Emberly, taking a step back to look at her. “You really do look like Kyler. Oh, and your dress is amazing. You simply must tell me who your seamstress is.”

Emberly wanted to fidget with her dress a little but refrained. She much preferred the dress to her training uniform. Still, she had only been in training for a week and she grew far more accustomed to the uniform than she liked to admit. It was strange to be back in her own clothes.

“My maid makes all of my clothes,” Emberly informed her. “She is the best seamstress in all of Etrusca.”

“Well, I hope you will not mind me asking her to make me one, too. My tailors certainly cannot compare.” Emberly groaned inwardly, but kept a smile on her face. Kyra was her friend and maid. She did not want anyone taking advantage of her talents. Olivia gestured to the sofa and Emberly quickly plopped down on the seat. Remembering her grandmother’s training, Emberly straightened her back, sitting like a lady of the court, rather than a squire in training. “Kyler talks about you all the time.” Olivia was somewhat sheepish at the revelation. “I fear I will never measure up.”

“Kyler only writes to you about me because we are siblings. We have always had each other. But Olivia, he adores you. His letters to me are filled with you. He loves you more and differently than he loves me.” A smile spread across Olivia’s face.

“Thank you, Emberly,” she said. “You have reassured me exceedingly. I know we are going to be good friends.”

It was at this time that the door to the parlor opened, emitting Countess Heczah into their midst. Politely, Emberly rose to her feet, giving her superior the small bow she deserved. She could feel Olivia’s eyes carefully on her and she realized, belatedly, she should have curtsied instead of bowed. “Lady Emberly,” greeted the countess, “how lovely it is that you are visiting us. We rarely see you or your family at court. Please, be seated.”

Obediently, Emberly fell, once more, onto the sofa. “It is so kind of you to bring me into your home. My grandmother has often praised Havens Manor in the past, she did not do it justice.”

“You are too kind, Lady Emberly.”

The countess had often been described as a goddess among men. And she was. She held herself with dignity and refinement. She had a kind disposition about her. Emberly could see the resemblance of both Olivia and James in the countess’ face. And while James had dark brown hair to her blond, it was clear they were a family.

“My father despises court,” said Emberly. “He much prefers the fresh air of Northem.”

“It has been a long while since we have visited Northem.” What?

“Forgive me, Countess, but I do not recall the Heczah family visiting us at Northem.”

“Oh, we’ve never been!” Olivia said. “What are you talking about, Mama?”

“Your mother and I were good friends when we were younger.” Emberly was stunned. She had never heard this before? How often did the Heczahs visit Northem prior to the death of Embelry’s mother?

“I am sorry. I never knew this.”

“She was the kindest woman I have ever known. She was good for your father. He was not so much of a recluse when she was around.” The countess’s voice was gentle, stating all of this as though it were mere fact. “She would have been proud of you and your brother, I am certain.”

Tears appeared unbidden in Emberly’s eyes. “Thank you, Countess,” she said with all the sincerity in the world. “You do not know how your words have touched me.”

“Your mother always made Northem seem like magic. I presume it is still full of beauty to this day.”

“It is my favorite place in the world,” Emberly admitted.

“Mama,” said Olivia, “we must go sometime.”

“I fear you will not enjoy the countryside, Olivia,” her mother said, humor dancing in her eyes. Olivia straightened, defiance igniting in her.

“I could learn to like anything, if I put my mind to it.”

“And why would you put your mind to liking Northem, may I ask?” Emberly discerned the Countess knew the answer long before she asked it.

“For when I marry Kyler Dern, of course,” Olivia said. She held a resoluteness Emberly had never seen in her before. All this time, she assumed her brother’s attachment to the woman was mostly one-sided. This was all just a passing fancy for her. She had not realized how much Olivia wanted Kyler, until now. Olivia loved Kyler.

And for the first time, Olivia Heczah was worthy in Emberly’s eyes.

“Olivia,” chided her mother.

“I love him, Mama,” Olivia said. The countess glanced at Emberly.

“I do hope you will not misunderstand me, the count and I have nothing against your brother. We just think this union is a little…fast. They are still so young, after all.”

“I can assure you, Countess, my brother would never do anything untoward.”

“I believe you. However, we are concerned for Olivia’s attachment when your brother is away at war.”

“My brother would wait a thousand years for Olivia if he had to. He has always loved her. He will survive this war if it means he will have Olivia’s hand at the end of it.”

Her words hung in the air for a moment. Olivia was exceedingly pleased that someone was finally on her side about all of this.

“And what does your father think about the match between my daughter and your brother?”

Emberly was saved from finding an answer to this question by the arrival of a maid, who was carrying a tray of tea. She set the tray down on the small table before turning to the countess. “Your son has just arrived, ma’am. Shall I send him here?”

“Please do,” urged the countess, excitement filling her while dread poured out on Emberly. Was James coming here?

As the maid said, James Heczah entered the house, greeting his sister and mother with a found embrace. It was only after he finished hugging his sister, did he realize they had company in the room. James bowed politely to Emberly as she fell into a curtsy.

“Lady Emberly, I did not know you would be joining us today.”

“Isn’t it wonderful?” gushed Olivia. “Take a seat, James. You’re making everyone nervous standing there.” Emberly found she did not know how to act in the presence of James Heczah. She rarely spoke to him at court. She only met him through training, when she was a completely different person.

“Ah, so you invited her then?” he said, his tone fiddling with humor. Emberly observed this interaction, not knowing James Heczah could sound so fond.

“I did. I think it’s time Emberly and I became friends,” Olivia said.

“Indeed,” James murmured, disbelief mixed with scrutiny. James knew what his sister was doing. He knew Olivia and Kyler just wanted to be accepted among the family. Emberly strongly doubted James would ever give his blessing to them.

The next half-hour was filled with idle chatter about appropriate conversation, including a fascinating monologue about the weather from the countess. Eventually, the conversation fell away to topics in which Emberly wanted to participate.

“Tell us about training,” Olivia demanded of her brother. James glanced at Emberly briefly before answering his sister.

“Prince William excels in sword training, I am second only to him.” Emberly frowned. Will was a fine swordsman, but he was nothing in comparison to James, who far out matched everyone in their year. Why was he not telling his family the truth? “We are still learning the Cyran language, which is a waste of our time and resources.”

“It is good to know your enemy, James,” reminded his mother.

“Kyler, as I have heard,” interjected Olivia, “is unparalleled in your class.”

“He has moved on to learning the language of Malidor,” affirmed James, somewhat reluctantly.

“Some are born with a talent for languages,” said the countess. She turned her eyes to Emberly, drawing her into the conversation. “And you, Lady Emberly? Have you been taught the language of Cyra?”

“Indeed. I have been studying it since I was very young. It is a necessity, living so close to the border.” Emberly did not mention how much she despised the Cyran language. It was crass and hard, holding little appreciation for the words drifting through the speaker’s mouth. She much preferred Malidorian. It was pleasant to the ear, like sweet violins.

“Perhaps that is why your brother is so adept at the language,” said Olivia. “He knew of it before training.” James said nothing but scrutinized Emberly carefully, as though he were considering something.

Emberly left an hour later, all thoughts of racing to Bandello’s in her mind. She promised Will she would meet him there. It was as she made her excuses that James realized how late he was himself. “I will walk with you,” he said, presenting himself as a noble gentleman. Emberly could not, by the laws of polite society, reject him and it would be too suspicious if she tried.

"Goodbye, Emberly,” Olivia said as she embraced Emberly, “please do come see us again!”

James and Emberly walked in companionable silence. Meanwhile, Emberly decided she would arrive at her grandmother’s but disappear out the back before her grandmother trapped her in conversation. She silently cursed James Heczah for suddenly becoming a gentleman. If he had not accompanied her, this would have all gone more smoothly for her.

“Lady Emberly,” said James, “I know that we do not know each other very well, but I wanted to ask your opinion about the relationship between your brother and my sister.”

“Is this why you wanted to accompany me home?” Emberly raised an eyebrow.

“Partially, but I am also a gentleman.”

“If you must know, I have little objection to the union. Clearly, not as much as you or your family.”

“We just want what’s best for her,” James protested, stopping his long strides to look down at her. Emberly stopped too, glaring up at him.

“My brother adores your sister! He could be what’s best for her, you know!”

“Then why isn’t he here!” James shot back, causing Emberly to be silent for a moment as she considered. James continued, knowing he had made his point. “It is our first weekend this year. He told Will he had to do something of vital importance. If it was not to see my pining sister, then what was it?”

“You do my brother a great injustice. He adores your sister, she is all he will talk about. He loves her with everything inside of him. Clearly, you cannot see this for yourself.”

“All he’ll talk about? He has not mentioned her once during training.”

“Perhaps, you should stay out of it, then,” Emberly determined, her voice hard.

“Perhaps you should see the idiocy of a match between them.” They were glaring at one another now. Emberly decided she despised James as much outside of training as she did inside of it.

“I do not understand you, James. Why did you lie to your family about your stance in training? I know Prince William does not measure to your skill in swordsmanship.”

James studied her before he spoke. “I forgot you write to Will often,” he said, his voice kinder and slower, considering each word carefully. “Prince William is better than me. That is the way people must view our future king.”

For the first time, Emberly found herself respecting James Heczah. She continued walking, disturbed by the feeling. He wanted everyone to admire Will as the strong king he would be. This was true friendship and loyalty.