Chapter 29: Patient Plans
"My pop was killed three months ago in Florian's last attack on the castle," said Matthew. We were sitting at his mom's counter eating a delicious dinner of chicken and potatoes. If I had one thing to say about Madam Jellineck, it would be that she was an excellent cook; and I'm sure Conrad and Rose would agree with me. Rose forgot flies existed as she practically plopped herself into a dish of mashed potatoes.
"Your mother is handling it well. How long were they married?"
He glared at me then said, "She is brave, but even Florian doesn't see her tears at night. Only I do, because I cry with her." He suddenly blushed to have given out such personal information. "She was married at age fourteen. I'm nine."
I tried to keep my jaw from dropping open. I had forgotten Gauls marry early.
"And your father, was he...like Florian?"
"No. No one is like Florian. Or my father."
"I bet!" cried Rose. "That Florian guy gives me the creeps! I can't find my tongue when I'm around him. He doesn't even have to look at you to tell you to shut up. He just stands there and you get all tongue tied. I don't like it."
"Maybe for you, but certainly not for me," said Matthew. "In times of peace, he is funny, and talks more. But I haven't seen him really smile since my father died. He's my dad now. When I was a boy he taught how to swing the sling and he was going to teach me the sword, but then the good Lord James Douglas died and the trouble started. He became especially unhappy when Enid was taken from him."
It was funny how he said 'when I was a boy'. He sounded like he was done with kid stuff and was ready to be a man.
"Enid is Henry's sister?" asked Conrad.
"No," said Matthew firmly. "Enid is Florian's fiance. She has disclaimed Henry as her brother. She says only Florian owns her, and I agree. She is nice and very pretty."
"Where is she now?"
"Henry sent her to stay with a cousin until the wedding, which is in a week."
We fell into silence and began eating again. Matthew picked at his food nervously for a while then he asked timidly, "Rashling, do you think...can you teach me how to swing the sword the way you do?" He looked down bashfully and continued on hurriedly, "If I learn really good then Florian and my mother might let me be in the battle tomorrow. Could you?"
My chewing on the meat slowed as I thought about this. I had never taught anyone anything, and I wondered how to go about it. Plus I doubted the kid could hold my sword; it would probably topple him over.
"Ah, go on, Lance...er...Rashling," said Conrad. "The kid'll like that, and you need to learn patience."
"I promise I'll obey no matter how much you yell at me."
I smiled. "Ok, kid, I'll do. I have half an hour to teach you how to sword fight, because after that I've got to got with Florian. But frankly, I still think they won't let you go. You're too young."
"I'm nine!" he cried desperately and stood to his full height of four feet and three inches. He was short. "I've got a sword too. My father got it for me for my birthday. It's really short and light, he said it was made by the dwarves from Gaul."
"I didn't save you to be killed in a fight you don't belong in, kid. Come on, the half hour is slipping by."
"Don't chop anybody's head off!" warned Rose with her mouth full. "Remember! You are Rashling."
I waved her off.
Anastasia picked at the roasted chicken without the same zeal as Eric and Stanley showed. She had a request, and was wondering how she was going to present it to Eric in a way that would get him to agree without having to use too much energy.
"Eric dear," she said with a forced smile in her voice.
He reluctantly turned his attention from the chicken to her. He had learned that if he wanted to keep the princess of Kuran in his grip he had to give her his utmost attention. Even if it meant waiting to eat.
"Yes, Ana?"
"This chicken is the most wonderful thing I ate since I left the palace."
"Thank-you, sweetest."
Stanley had cooked it. He grunted now and glanced at Minerva who was resting painfully against a tree. He was glad he had snatched an extra piece for her later. She was growing worse by the hour.
"I was wondering something," she said thinning her eyes to show her emphasis.
"Yes?"
"When are we going to actually start moving swiftly and catch up to the prince? We are dawdling and spending too much time stealing from the towns. The dork is getting ahead too far. I want to hurry up and get the royal brat, get our money, and go back to my palace. I am sick and tired of living like a savage in the middle of nowhere!" Her tone grew louder with each word.
"I thought you liked the new horse I got for you at the last farm, and you told me you liked being away from the castle from fussy parents, and tight dresses."
"Yeah?" she said frowning. "Well, not anymore. Enough is enough. The horse is just a horse, nothing cool. There are plenty of those in my father's stables. Besides, they stink, horribly. I stink, Stanley stinks, that wench stinks.I want to go home!"
Eric chewed on the inside of his mouth. The princess was right. Even he was getting tired of it. Even though he was use to it.
"We can't catch up to him just yet, honey, because it isn't time. As soon as he leaves the town of Kadok we'll stay at a real castle and you can have silk and silver again, for a while. The young lord of the castle, Henry, is my rich friend, we will be welcomed. We should be there by tomorow night."
"Lance won't leave for a long time," said Minerva suddenly. Her eyes were still closed. Her voice was slightly mocking, also proud and even happy.
"How do you know?" challenged Ana.
"I know," she said simply with a smile.
"Don't listen to her," said Eric. But he was nervous. He knew that the curse allowed the girl to have a sort of connection with the man she loved. She could very well know exactly what Lance was doing and what was going on in his mind.
"He has long term plans there."
He hated it when she said things like that. It made him wary, suspicious and angry because he didn't know what was going on; and he couldn't get anymore information other than what she decided to tell him. Minerva didn't give into anything. He knew that from before. But he still tried everything to get her to tell him things. Things she knew. Of the future, of the present, of his enemies, of his victims. He beat her, he caressed and flattered, he bribed, he pleaded, and cursed. But she laughed, rolled her eyes, or simply ignored him by pretending to sleep.
"Well, they better hurry up, or we'll take him sooner than planned."
"Oh, but he isn't ready now. Not yet. After he goes to Gaul he'll be ready."
She suddenly blanched as if she had just said something she wasn't supposed to say.
"Ready for what?"
She shrugged and said, "The monster."
Stanley snorted.
"What are you laughing at?" demanded Eric.
"You," said Stanley. "I'm laughing at you. The monster is you. Soon the boy will be ready to take you on and win. Can't see that is exactly what she's been saying?"
Eric turned red with anger, and ended the conversation by hissing, "We'll see who wins."
"Careful there, kid," I warned. "I almost got you."
"Did not!" retorted Matthew.
I whacked his head gently with the broad side of my blade, and he stumbled back.
"Did to," I smirked.
Matthew was an impatient learner and did not like to admit when he had done something wrong. He insisted he was doing everything right, but then he would obey my instructions to the core. It was interesting. At first I got frustrated and thought he wasn't learning or even taking my advice. But after a while I knew his denials meant, "I did it wrong before, but I won'tmess up again."
He only messed up continually with one thing. For some odd reason he thought the sword was the enemy and would only strike and hit the sword. He never tried to get me, only the sword. I had to tell him several times that I was the target not the sword. Also it was difficult fighting with such a short person. I considered getting down on my knees so it would be more balanced, but the kid had some skill, and I didn't want to get whacked with his sword when he finally decided to go for me instead of the sword.
Conrad was right. I badly needed to learn patience. I thought my acquaintance with Ana had taken care of loosing my temper, but the kid still got on my nerves. I had made it a habit to bit my tongue every time I wanted to lash out or whack someone. After twenty minutes my tongue was nearly bleeding.
"All right, kid, we'll try one more time and remember, don't attack the sword, attack me. The sword is just a hunk of metal; I'm the one controlling it."
"Yes, sir," he said, his eyebrows scrunching up in frustration.
We raised our arms again, but we suddenly had a visitor. It was Conrad looking confused.
"Florian wants you, Lance. He says it's urgent."
I immediately slid my sword back and trotted for Madam Jellineck's back room. As I walked away I heard Matthew asking Conrad to teach him the use of the bow. I smiled and shook my head. That kid will be one good warrior when he grows up.
Florian was murmuring instructions to his second in command, Hans. I recognized him as the guy playing a flute in the tavern. Madam Jellineck was helping some other men take the guns elsewhere, and Rose was muttering to herself, probably orders. It was obvious something had happened, even though Florian's face was calm and showed no anxiety.
I didn't even have to ask. Florian explained as soon as he saw me. "We have to change our plans ofa direct attack onthe castle. Henry decided that he wasn't safe and has taken Enid back. She is in the castle now. If we attack Henry will use her as a protection, and we won't be able to burn down the castle. To add to this, he plans on marrying her offtomorrow. Got any ideas?"
To my surprise I did. "Yes. We can storm the wedding."
Florian raised an eyebrow.
I turned to Hans and asked, "Can you play the wedding march?"
I had the pleasure of seeing Florian's mouth twitch into a small smile.
