Chapter 10: Withering Dreams
Haven was awoken by the sound of clanking dishes. She slowly peeled her eyes open and looked around the room for the cause of the clatter. Standing on the opposite side of the bedroom was Maubella; she was picking up a shattered water pitcher.
"Oh dear. I did not mean to wake you Miss. Forgive me." She curtsied with weary eyes.
"Do not think anything of it Maubella. Let me help you." Haven rose from her bed and made her way over to the glass shards sprawled about the floor.
"Oh no! I can finish." Maubella's eyes went wide.
"I am not a completely useless, mind you. You must remember I grew up in a household with only a brother to company me...I have dealt with my fair share of broken objects." She gave a small laugh and picked up a piece of the broken pitcher.
"Of course Miss." Maubella smiled wide.
"Must I ask you everyday to call me Haven?" She teased.
"No Miss...no Haven." Maubella met Haven's eyes with gratitude.
Suddenly a loud bang startled Haven; causing her to drop the debris.
"What in Heaven's name was that?" She gasped.
"The King and his newly arrived son have been sharing words all morning." Maubella sighed.
"I presume they are not affectionate words." Haven mumbled.
"After everything I have done for you this is how you repay me! By running off and not even sending a word of your nature!" Arthur roared.
"Oh yes I can see now how that would have resolved things...Dear Father, I have decided to renounce my duty to the thrown and instead take part in a centuries old war. With love, Ryn." Ryn replied, sarcasm seeping from his every word.
"Do you find this funny? Do your mother's and sister's cries amuse you?" He yelled from his thrown.
"Enough! Both of you!" Derek broke in.
The room went silent.
"We have much bigger things to occupy our thoughts with." Derek continued.
Arthur closed his eyes and began to rub his temples.
"Your brother is right. This war is our only priority. But for now you are to stay on the castle grounds and not interfere-" He started.
"Father! This is ridiculous! I am no longer a child-" Ryn interrupted.
"You have already put yourself in grave danger by simply becoming involved! You will not leave the castle grounds! Am I to be understood?" Arthur glared at his son.
Ryn shut his eyes tight and ran his hand through his hair.
"Yes father." He responded coldly.
Haven grasped a withering rose in her hand before plucking it from its bush. She slowly lifted it to her nose and inhaled it's aroma.
"Do you enjoy dead flowers or do you just pity them?" A deep voice came from behind her.
Slowly Haven raised her gaze and turned around. There stood Ryn; smiling, arms crossed over his chest.
"Neither...I envy them." She said as she looked from her intruder to the clouds above.
"And why is that may I ask?" Ryn's brow furrowed.
"For the same reason you object them. They can die; wither away until they are nothing but a few petals easily carried away by a slight breeze." Haven sighed and once again turned to face him.
"You crave death Miss Dashwood?" Ryn stepped closer.
Haven shook her head.
"I crave the opportunity." A small smile curved her lips.
Ryn's eyes met hers and for an instant a look of understanding overcame him.
"You are not like any woman I have met before." He said more to himself them her.
"Is that an insult Mr. Fiarpriece?" Haven raised an eyebrow.
"Never." Ryn's eyes twinkled.
Haven looked down at the rose as she twirled it in her hand.
"You have read the letter that your father gave to William. Now I must ask you...how did he intend to save my father?"
Ryn was quiet.
"I know that you will not accept this answer, but I fear that I have not the slightest idea." He tore his eyes from her and tread to the garden bench.
"You are correct; I will not accept that answer." Haven breathed heavily.
She looked at Ryn and frowned.
"If I discover that your father played a part in my father's murder...I will do everything in my power to pay him back for the hardship that he has caused my family."
Ryn looked shocked by her sudden outburst.
"Is that a threat Miss Dashwood?" He peered at her.
"I believe it is Mr. Fiarpriece." Haven released the now crushed rose from her clasp and turned to leave.
Ryn watched as it fell to the dirt with a silent thud.
My Dearest Haven,
I have taken to your request. Although I have not uncovered our Mother's true motives I have come across something rather disturbing. While going through some of Father's old paperwork I recovered an old letter addressed to Mother. Father was not residing at the Western Clan's Headquarters at the time of his untimely bereavement; as we were primarily informed. He was in the Northern Clan's territory in search of a medicine man. I will write back to you if I discover anything more.
Your Brother,
William