Knight of Thieves

Chapter 15

Kyler Dern was tapping his foot incessantly. He wasn’t sure when this habit started, but he found himself doing it absentmindedly wherever he was reading one of the books Gaius had given him to study. Kyler despised those books, finding them uncommonly dull. So much was still unknown about the human body. These books were incredibly useless.

His thoughts were fixed on the news a patient relayed to him only a few minutes prior. The castle is Central was attacked by Cyrans. Emberly was attacked. It was his fault, wasn’t it? He was the one who should have been at training, not her.

Kyler never regretted choosing the field of a physician over that of a knight. He rather liked helping others. He never regretted his action until this moment when he realized exactly what his actions had come to. The Cyrans attacked the castle and Emberly.

He pushed the book Gaius gave him away. He was not retaining anything from it anyway.

In its place, he took out a piece of parchment and quill. He dunked the quill into a small cup of ink. Then, he put the quill over the parchment and began to compose a letter.

Emberly,

What is wrong with you? Why didn’t you tell me about the Cyrans attacking the castle? I had to hear about it from one of the Watch here in Verlent. You could have died and you didn’t think I might want to know about it?

Should I come to Central? Should I take my rightful place in training? Perhaps it would be better if I did.

How did they even get into the castle? It’s supposed to be the most secure place in all of Etrusca. If they could infiltrate the castle, where else could they infiltrate? I heard no one was harmed during the attack and I’m glad for it. But I worry about you Emberly. I’m really scared of what the future may hold for you there.

Have you informed Father at all about this? He would rather hear from you than through the town gossip. I would have rather heard it from you. And you should probably visit Olivia for me, just to encourage her you are well.

Your loving brother,

Kyler

He held the quill over the letter for a moment, deciding whether or not he was satisfied with the words he outlined there. Finally, he put the quill down and sealed the letter. He let the letter rest on the table for a moment.

Then, with a heavy sigh, Kyler returned to the book Gaius gave him. There was much more information he needed to know than he originally anticipated when he entered his apprenticeship. Kyler found himself spending the vast majority of his time studying. Being a physician was not only examining the sick people who came to him, it was also ensuring he knew the latest theories and the best ways to treat each patient. He found the family members of the patients were just as important.

Kyler loved his apprenticeship. He could see his whole future before him. He would marry Olivia once he finished his apprenticeship. Then, he would return to Northem and be the physician at the village there. He would help the people he grew up with live better and healthy lives. He and Olivia would be happy together, maybe have a few children. It was perfect.

But then he remembered the deal he struck with Emberly. Could he ever tell Olivia the truth? This secret was beyond him, putting even his sister’s life at risk. He could never tell Olivia the truth, not without consulting Emberly first.

With that passing through his mind, Kyler took up the letter to Emberly once more.

Emberly, he wrote, I would like to discuss the possibility of maybe telling Olivia the truth. I know you do not care for her, but she means so much to me. I do not think I can move forward with her without first telling her what we’ve done.

Once again, he put the letter down on his desk. What would Olivia do with this news? She only started to notice him in the first place because Emberly, dressed as him, saved her life. He was lying to Olivia in more than one way. How would she react when she learned their entire relationship was built on a lie?

With a deep sigh, Kyler tried to push these thoughts away from him. It was no good to focus on these things, which he could not control now. Besides, he had studying to do.

Once again, he took up the book, determined to understand what was recorded there. Gaius would ask about this later, so he had to know what it was talking about. But this time, when he was interrupted, it had nothing to do with his own thoughts. Barely had he even finished a sentence before a messenger knocked on the door with a letter in his hands from Olivia.

Excitement flooded inside of Kyler, as it always did when he saw her handwriting. He tore open the letter, taking in each word as though they were written in gold.

My dearest Kyler,

Even though you apologized for not sending word to me about the attack, I am still angry with you. You could have been seriously hurt and you did not bother to send word. I just worry for you.

And, I’ll have you know that I know you lied to me. I spoke to my brother, he told me everything. I know that you took your sister’s maid to the tavern the day I saw you. You said she was nothing. You said she had only come to see you at your sister’s bidding. I know the truth. You care for her, don’t you?

I’m just confused. You always write to me, saying you want to kiss me. But you never come to see me and you spend your time with a girl of low status. Do you really love me as you claim or are you too much of a coward to break off this relationship between us?

I just need reassurance, Kyler. And I think you can only give it by actions, not your wonderful words in these letters. These are just words. You understand, don’t you?

I love you. Please love me, too. Don’t let my heart go to waste.

Yours,

Olivia

Kyler took a deep breath, his heart aching. This arrangement was crushing his ties with Olivia.

He drew the letter to Emberly once more. Swiftly, he crumpled the parchment and started again. He needed to know more details before answering Olivia’s letter.