Disclaimer: Some characters, plot, world, etc. are taken from Sherwood Smith's CCD. I claim no ownership over anything but my imagination.

Author's Note from Erkith: Well it's not quite July, but at least it's not September or something... again I seem to be posting on nights that I have dates cancelled rolls eyes at self very pathetic. On the bright side, I am updating:D YAY! So I'd like to thank my readers and reviewers for patience and inspiration!

Enjoy!

Erkith
Betrothed

Chapter Three: A Wager

Wind brushed over the old stones of Tlanth's castle, and pulled my hair across my face. The light spray of wind-whipped rain created a soft bristle that smoothed out the small waves, leaving them long, straight and damp. I pressed my hand gingerly to my left cheek that stung as the elements combed over me and found the knot of pain.

Looking out over those walls into the forbidding grey mist, I watched the colourwoods of our mountains sway gently – almost magestically in dramatic and colourful defiance of the dreary day around them. The sight was one I took in greedily. I knew it might be a long time until I could return home and surround myself with the simple beauty to be found there.

The air was charged with the magic that brought the soft music of the windpipes. It stirred over my skin, raising the hair on the back of my neck. The magic, the song, both spoke a sadness that was unburdened by words. There are no double-meanings to be hidden when one deals with the Hill Folk, which is a sharp contrast against the speech found at court and currently within my home.

The Hill Folk were sad because they knew, in that way of theirs, that I was leaving. They were saying goodbye. I longed to sing out to them in comfort and to be comforted, but I had already made my farewell.

So I listened. Eyes closed against buffeting rain, I fell into the darkness beneath my lids and let my friends' tribute flow through me.

It was some time before I heard the woman who had joined me on the walls. Her soft voice drowned in the competing forces of wind and rain. I turned to the Duchess; almost astonished that she had followed me out into the cold, for she was dressed far more elegantly than I.

"Lady Elenet," I sketched a curtsy that she returned. Seeing as she didn't seem inclined to explain her presence, I asked. "How may I help you?"

She shrugged. Somehow even that movement strangely graceful. Elenet was the very picture of grace to me; I honestly can't imagine anyone coming closer to the movement of Hill Folk than the Duchess.

I admired her. From what I'd heard from Papa and Alec, Elenet had rescued Grumareth from her late Uncle's abuse. She had rebuilt from the ground the pedistal of respectability and prosperity on which the Duchy rightfully sat again. Of course I admired her! She was an amazing lady, but I hadn't forgotten I was mad at her.

Very mad.

She'd abandoned me with Eldenwood of all people!

"My lady, much as I am honoured by your presence..."

"I thought I asked you to call me Elenet." The Duchess reminded me mildly.

"Elenet, I would greatly prefer in future that you do not force me into the company of your son..."

Elenet raised an elegant brow. "Whom you will most likely be marrying," she pointed out.

I let out an annoyed breath. "I don't suppose there's any point in me asking you not to do what you did last night again, is there?"

"And what was that?"

"Trapping me with him."

"Ah." That small smile touched her lips again. I was sunk. "Not much, no."

I sighed. Joy. I had a feeling that I was going to be around Eldenwood a whole lot more than I would have liked. Not that surprising as I had planned to avoid him as much as possible. Might have worked if he clued in to my tactic, which was likely – possibly the one thing I like about him – but with his mother working against us, the odds had just dropped considerably. I had a feeling that even if the two of us teamed up against her in an unlikely alliance; Elenet would win.

I was going to be stuck with Eldenwood. Ugh!

"Thanks a lot." I said dryly. Court was going to be awful.

Again that smile. It was beginning to equate to wicked humour, small and seemingly innocent though it was. Then it faded as she frowned at the red staining my cheek.

In my horror, I had turned more directly to her, and she had caught a glimpse of it. I glanced away. I didn't want her to pity me. After all, she could not possibly know that when in came to Nita; I held the advantage.

"My dear, what happened? Does your mother know of this?" The concern in her voice was genuine. It startled me. Very few people have ever given such a small injury to my person such importance. Least of all, my "mother" who had inflicted this particular wound.

"I promise you it's nothing."

Again the frown. "Shay. That was not there last night." The Duchess persisted.

I shrugged. Not quite true. It had been there at dinner, but I'd done a better job of hiding it. And this morning, I'd skipped breakfast all together in hope of keeping all, especially the Duchies and Papa from finding out.

Suddenly her eyes widened. "If Anders did that to you, I swear I'll...!"

I held up a hand to reassure her. He was my enemy, but I was not going to let him take the fall for Nita's crimes. Especially after he'd shown that unexpected moment of... human decency. "No, no. I assure you. It has nothing to do with El... your son. He's never raised a hand to me; though I'm sure I've deserved it."

The Duchess sighed. "He's not the type."

"No," I agreed. "He's not."

Elenet seemed to ponder that for a moment, then asked the question fated to end our conversation abruptly. "Shayla. Would you mind telling me why you seem to..." she searched for the words, "be at odds with my son?"

I gave her a flat look. "Yes."

A silence fell. Conversation closed. Elenet paused a moment, evidently hoping that I might change my mind, but eventually she left me to myself. I had no intention of discussing that particular memory with anyone.


A chill caught me about mid day, but I did not retreat to the castle's warmth, for it was the cold that kept the others away. Only out in the rain could I conceal Nita's cruelty, so I was bound to stay there until night fell, and the castle would be lit by candles and firesticks. I could hide the mark in the flickering lights and shadows. But until then I simply stared out towards the woods that were as much my home as the castle.

The sun was setting when a warmed blanket was wrapped around my numbed body. I didn't turn around, nor did I try to thank my benefactor. Alec was the one who surprised me with blankets after my long bouts of solitude in "inclement weather", as he'd once put it. And if he didn't yet know I'd been hurt, I wasn't about to make it obvious and anger him. Besides, my lips were too cold numbed to speak properly.

Warmth seeped from the cloth, into my body, prickling an awareness that spread from nose to toes. I still got the impression that I'd have a cold on the morrow, but it was much better. I stayed turned away, unsure if Alec had left yet.

When some time had past and the sun was nearly set I felt sure that my benefactor had left. I turned around and froze. I was wrong on two accounts: my benefactor had not left and he was most definitely not Alec.

I glared at Eldenwood. "How did you find me?"

"That's not very polite," he observed.

"My heart bleeds, but I can't quite grasp a reason I should observe social formalities." I retorted.

A dark brow winged up. "I thought we had an agreement, Tlanth."

Here I smiled. I spread my hands, defiantly indicating the overwhelming crowd of invisible friends surrounding us. "I believe I agreed to be civil in public, Eldenwood. See anyone else up here?"

He shrugged, as if he actually cared very little. The motion highlighted his relaxed pose. Arms folded across a black tunic, he leaned against the wall with his legs crossed at the ankles, and still managed to look just a little dangerous.

I glared. "So I repeat. How did you find me?"

"I asked Kitten and your father."

I shook my head. "Try again. Those two couldn't find me if I decided I don't want to be found."

"Which you did today?" Again I was treated to that mocking eyebrow. I had a well-developed hatred for it.

I ignored both comment and expression. Narrowing my eyes, I asked, "Alec told you, didn't he?"

"Why do you say that?"

I had resigned myself to their friendship this morning during my cold reflection; I reminded myself of this fact. Sighing, I said, "Because he's the only one who knows how to find me." Eldenwood looked like he was going to defend his friend... my friend... let's just leave it at Alec the traitorous... our friend. "Don't worry, I won't tell him I know, or kill him, or whatever else you've envisioned."

Golden eyes trapped mine with an unreadable look; then he turned away and walked to the castle entrance. At the door he stopped and called back to me.

"Lady, they're all busy listening to Kitten play the harp upstairs. It's almost dark. Come out of the rain before you get yourself sicker than you're already going to be tomorrow."

I blinked. "Why do you care?"

His head tilted slightly, as if I had missed something quite obvious. "Consider that I might not want to be stuck here tomorrow."

Courtier, I thought with disgust, as I changed out of my sopping clothing. A little mud and they run for their tailors.


My maid, Renn, helped me pack for the trip to court - a journey I was dreading. I was not fool enough to believe that I could escape Eldenwood's presence. There were only so many carriages after all, and the Duke and Duchess seemed bent on manuvering us together.

In short, I was doomed from the start.

However, a thought occurred to me. There was no reason I had to be in a carriage. Nita was wisely keeping her distance, so she wouldn't protest if I rode. The more I thought about it; the more it seemed to be the correct solution. The Duke himself might join me, which would be challenging.

He would no doubt insist on a race. Lord Deric Toarvendar was not put off by a little mud, having also grown up on horseback in the mountains, where mud was a way of life.

It was the perfect plan. Until...

"You're riding?"

I nodded dumbly.

Eldenwood had ridden up beside me on a chestnut mare. "Carriage rides on country roads."

I understood, wishing I didn't. I had a similar opinion. Carriages were terribly jolting on the poorly paved mountain roads, but at the moment it was unfortunate that he agreed. "I see."

Those gold eyes watched me closely, examining me much the way traders do with horses. Judging the strength and stamina of the creature involved. The eyes dropped lower – to the animal beneath me. They assessed my black mare with the sharp intelligence, for which Eldenwood was known among friends.

"How about a wager?"

Eyes narrowed I said softly, "You dare."

A small wince went through him.

"Shay! Anders! What are you two talking about? You're not yelling!" Alec's voice was mockingly shocked. He dropped his jaw comically.

"We were discussing a wager." Eldenwood answered evenly.

"Really?" Alec rubbed his hands together in anticipation. He too was seated on a horse. One, which I privately thought, would be left in our dust. "Stakes?"

"We hadn't set any." A wager was okay as long as it had little to do with Eldenwood.

"Hmm... how about the winner gets to chose the losers' price."

Eldenwood laughed. "Not a chance, Alec. We're not stupid."

Alec sighed dramatically.

"Personally, I prefer to work with prizes rather than prices." I added.

"So does Anders," Alec informed me, raising a brow. A comment was set to spill from his lips.

"Not if you value your life," I warned my friend. I was not in the mood to be teased.

"How about the loser hosts a party, and the winners are the guests of honour, but they have to dance at least once during the party," Alec suggested.

"Together?" I asked.

"Naturally." Eldenwood replied.

"Do we have an accord?" Alec grinned.

I nodded. As stakes go, these were not bad. I'd been victim of worse...

"Try not to fall too far behind, Tlanth." Eldenwood taunted as his mare broke into a run.

I wouldn't. After all, Aunt Mel had taught me that short cut. Black Rose and I would be right behind him, until I made my move – then we would see.


A/N: I'm really iffie about this chapter. Please review and let me know what you think

PLEASE REVIEW!

THANK YOU TO MY REVIEWERS

Swimgal: thanks for the review! Unfortunately, the reason for their enmity is still under wraps, but maybe next chapter it'll fit...

Mel: I'll try to work in the reason next chapter, but the problem is that Shay and Anders haven't explained the animosity to anyone.

Felsong: I sent you an email answering all this, I think... didn't I? I don't remember. If I didn't review and let me know and I'll answer the Q's along with any new ones... providing it doesn't involve telling you my plot!

Wake-Robin: Nita/Bran relationship should be revealed soon, such as it is... and I'm STILL waiting for that update! Grrrrrr!

Rootbeergirl19: I know, isn't it shocking? He has a shred of decency in him! I'm seriously considering a companion fic from his pt of view...

Autumn Fairy: So many good questions! Yes Eldenwood is one of his titles (he's a Baron... also the son of a count and a duchess... lots of choices in titles :D) As to the "Lady" "My Lady" Coriander is not being polite... it is meant to be just this side of disrespectful or sarcastic. Lady is a term he reserves for Shayla (the thorn in his side) : p! As to betrothal, that will come soon, but think of it this way. Tlanth becomes part of Eldenwood's lands, therefore they are under his protection and fortune...

Cinnamon: lol the land names certainly have ring don't they.

Racetrack's Goil: Thank you for the compliments! Shayla is loosely based on Mel because she's related to her, but I'm trying to keep her from becoming Mel reincarnate... after all she did have Nee as a mother and some court training – unlike our Mel. She's a bit more polished.

Luckylola: Thank you for reviewing and the compliments! I throwing twists on things that happened when they come up again... the wager etc. let me know what you think...

OneSassyPickle: I guess the companion fic would explain the unexpected kindness, but I agree with you. I tried to tone it down a little in this one. Giving him more edges as we go along. Let me know if I'm still going to fast. Thanks for reviewing!

Midnight Knight: Glad you like Shayla! I really enjoy the manners in CCD, so I'm working them into this fic. Besides Shayla knows more about court than Mel ever did at her age, so the manners should be there, don't you think?

Callie: Thanks for reviewing yet another of my fics! You've read them all! Didn't quite get the original character comment... Shayla doesn't actually exist in the book. If you're referring to the first chap, then it was written during the event, not as a memoir like the rest. And lol I like Eldenwood... I can't make him mean...

StardustPixie: Wait until I explain why there's the tension... I'm looking forward to writing it! Thanks for the review!

Gwendeleryn: lol Family Bonding? We just call it camping :D! And yes Nita is a hate character... beyond doubt. Lol as to the title... doesn't make much sense... he's a Baron and is the son of a Duchess and Count... really doesn't need the title, but good guess. Lol thought I'd twist the race by adding a third party. Shayla and Eldenwood have wager issues, so they'd never race without a third party... (HINT HINT) lol and tempting as it is to throw Nita of a castle... I'm going to write the companion fic... just don't know when I'll start posting it... wouldn't do to give too much double sided pt of view...

PLEASE REVIEW!