Chapter Eleven

Cailin/Silence

The moment I set out to find where my brother was being held I knew it was a dangerous idea – a very stupid dangerous idea. Nevertheless I knew I had to do it, otherwise the very knowledge that he was so close to me would drive me absolutely crazy. It took me ages to find where he was, since I couldn't very well go and ask someone where the dungeon was, and there wasn't even that many people out at such a time of night. That was bound to raise some questions. Instead, I tried to examine the pattern of the guard, and followed them while they switched shifts. I had covered myself in an inconspicuous cloak that could have belonged to almost anyone so as to not attract any unwanted attention and spied. Generally the guardhouse was always located next to the prison, at least that's how it was in Wyldt, and thought I couldn't be perfectly sure, I had to at least give it a try.

As I made my way to where I suspected Raleigh was being held, I noticed a large, garrison type building that I knew must be the guardhouse, and just as I had hoped, along the bottom of the walls were barred grates that I could only assume were part of the prison. I was well aware that I wouldn't be able to call to my brother, or see him for that matter, but there was one thing that I could do that was better then all of that. If he thought I was dead, as he most likely did, the sound of my voice would prove a ghostly echo to him instead, and perhaps he wouldn't be quick to give what he was hearing away to the guards who were passing by. I realized that if I sang, I might frighten him a little, or even make him sad. But the fact that it could ultimately serve to comfort him was far more important to me – and so I stood across the way from the prison and sang, just like I was a beggar searching to earn my next meal.

I didn't even know if he was able to hear me, but the very fact that he might made me feel immeasurably lighter, as if I wasn't just standing by while he suffered. When the door to the guardhouse opened, I immediately stopped my singing and began to walk towards the building, my hood covering my face. To my surprise however, it was Lady Leyrn leaving. I hadn't expected to see her, and so for a brief moment I was shocked, and also slightly worried that she would see me. When she continued on her way she seemed awfully frustrated, and I wondered what it was that could have been bothering her so much. She was dressed, not in her armour, but the fanciest dress I had ever seen her wear so she must have been attending some sort of royal function. I wondered what she could have been doing there.

Was she talking to my brother? Would he even speak to her in the first place? I almost hoped so because then maybe Leyrn would learn the truth about Wyldt and be able to convince her family that it was Tsadran that was the guilty party. I figured that I should probably pay Leyrn a visit the next day after looking after Cara. Perhaps she would divulge some of her troubles on me in order to ease herself of the burden. If so, I could piece together the sequence of events one by one until I had enough evidence to free my brother, clear our names and return to Wyldt.

The next morning everything was back to normal, and even though Cara was injured she was still able to maintain her normal routine of lessons and free time. Despite the fact that she was practically an invalid, she didn't become less active – quite the contrary really since she was so skittish at not being able to do what she desired. As her nursemaid I found it immensely challenging to watch her, in fear that she would damage her leg even more then it already was. Paulette seemed to be having the same difficulty, and together we had managed to convince her that it would be a fun idea to teach me how to make daisy crowns again, just like she had a few days before.

Excited to be the teacher for once, Cara sat us down in one of the palace gardens eagerly, plucking a few of the cheerful flowers and demonstrating how to latch them together. In order to amuse her, I pretended like I was having a very difficult time with the task, and so she spent what felt like ages trying to correct my errors. When I had finished she clapped excitedly.

"Look Silence! You did it! I knew you could." Laughing she put the crown on her head and began to hobble around the garden paths, but so wobbly was she that the crown fell off her head. So that she didn't have to bend down and pick it up, I rushed over to help her, but I was too late. In front of me, appearing from what felt like nowhere, was Lady Shae, who was walking with several other court ladies – obviously paying her attention to get on the good side of the future Queen. It was annoying really. Daintily she offered the little princess her crown.

"Here you go Cara. I never got a chance to introduce myself properly before since you had been injured. My name is Shae, and I'm going to be your new big sister." She said in a falsely sweet voice, that the child picked up immediately.

"You aren't my sister. Only Leyrn is. You're just marrying Varien. I don't want to be sisters with you because you're mean." She stated in honesty only children can boast of.

The court ladies looked nervously from one another, unsure of how to respond to Cara's words. Shae on the other hand seemed entirely unperturbed, her fake smile still painted on her face as if Varien had drawn it.

"Now that isn't very nice little Cara. Wouldn't you rather play with someone who can talk and sing with you instead of Silence here?" She asked, causing me to glare at her. Cara spun away from her, just – I suppose, so she wouldn't have to look at her.

"No. Silence is nice. I wish she was going to be my sister instead of you!" Cara cried out, rushing away as fast as her injured leg would carry her. Paulette, who hadn't said anything throughout the exchange in case she overstepped her boundaries, rushed after her.

"As a nursemaid you are expected to teach that little beast some manners, but how can you do that without a voice. You also must instruct her on how to behave and appear like a finely bread lady. Obviously though you aren't meeting your job requirements, and so you can be sure that as soon as I am Queen, I will begin instructing Cara myself. Especially since I can't stand to look at you." Shae scolded. If there was one thing I hated, it was being talked down to, and in Wyldt it hardly ever happened due to the fact that I was of a higher rank then everyone else. Truth be told I was a much higher rank then Shae was as well, however such internal knowledge was useless when faced with the beast. All I wanted to do was tell her:

"And you want to be her role model? A frozen rat is warmer and more compassionate then you are!"

But as usual I said nothing, but unlike our last encounter I refused to be upset. Now I was just angry since I wanted to defend myself more then anything.

"I apologize Lady Shae, however when you are Queen, I will be King – and it is my decision that Silence will not be going anywhere. She displays more virtue in a simple gesture then you do in an entire paragraph of speech. Unless you begin acting more compassionately you shall not be permitted to see my sister let alone take charge of her education." I heard Varien say from behind me. Shae turned a rather putrid shade of red, and then rushed over to the side of her fiancé – clenching his arm with a grip that an earthquake couldn't shake.

"Oh don't misunderstand me Varien Varien! I merely want to take more of a leadership role in your family, but if employing this brute on your staff makes you happy then everything can just stay the same." She soothed while she stroked his hand a little.

"If you speak to my staff in such a manner again you can be certain that I will ensure that you will be given no authority over them." He said abruptly, while he shook her off of him with much effort. Shae harrumphed, disappointed that her coy behaviour had been entirely ineffective. Next Varien turned to me, grabbed my arm and declared that we had important matters to discuss regarding his sister, leading me into the palace.

When we were inside, without a word he led me towards the tower where we had first really spoken – or in my case listened, and he kept quiet until we reached the top.

"You rushed off in such a hurry the other night that I was very concerned. I thought you took ill. Are you alright?" He asked. I nodded in reply, which only made him appear more confused.

"Then why did you leave like that? Did I do something that offended you?" He pressed. This time I shook my head violently. Nothing was his fault at all, and even now I had no idea why I had done what I did. But sitting on the ledge of the tower I began feeling the strange symptoms from before eating away at my stomach once more.

Varien had no more questions, he just sighed deeply as he sat down next to me.

Turning to face him, I poked him in the shoulder to gain his attention. When he looked over at me I pointed to him and frowned exaggeratedly, ending my mute question with a shrug.

"Why do I seem upset?" he clarified, to which I responded with a resolute nod.

"You'd be upset too, if you were going to marry Shae, but then again I have no choice in the matter. Her family prevented a war against Wyldt, and so it is my duty to ensure that they reap the benefits of such a sacrifice – whether I'm happy about it or not. I live by politics. It's all that matters to me, and all that ever has so I suppose I will be able to live with my decision, at least a lot better then Leyrn would have been." He said, sighing again.

Smiling, I reached out a hand and touched his tentatively. I felt him almost recoil, like he wasn't used to being touched. And the truth of the matter was that he probably wasn't, but nevertheless he allowed my hand to linger for a short moment before pulling away. My stomach did a flip again, and the uncomfortable feeling continued.

"I left this up here hoping that you would return." He said, walking around the corner of the tower and pulling out the drawing he had done the other night and handing it to me. Was it really a gift? I almost couldn't believe it. I hoped my excited smile was thank you enough. It seemed to be, because he smiled warmly back.

"Well I had better go repair the damage I probably made with Shae. I'm usually up here at night though. If you ever get a chance please join me. I really do enjoy your company." He said honestly. Nodding I curtsied and rushed down the stairs, my drawing in hand.