Friday, 10 July 2009

• Cecily's Quest - Chapter Eighteen

  Hello,

  I am sorry that this chapter is so late.  I was on vacation last week and couldn't get a connection to my laptop in time to post last week.  Thank you for your patience.

  - Rachel Rossano

  http://rachel-rossano.blogspot.com

  http://www.freewebs.com/anavrea

  Chapter Eighteen - Larkaria

   

   

              “Land!”

              The cry of the watchman above their heads made most of the women look up, but Cecily scanned the horizon to the north.  After five days aboard ship, she was anxious to be home.  This was the first time the female passengers had been allowed on deck the whole trip.  Cecily had felt like dancing at the sight of the open sea and sky surrounding their vessel.  After looking at four grimy walls by the light of a lantern and the same people for more than four days, it was pure bliss to see the sun.

              She tried to keep her eyes under control, but she could not help occasionally scanning the men working around them.  She had not seen Ehren since right after they had boarded and she was missing him terribly.

              “I see it!”  The child that had been frequently sharing her bunk space bounced excitedly.  “Look!”  Pulling on Cecily's skirt, Ana craned her small frame to draw Cecily's attention to the dark shadow slowly growing on the northern horizon.  Cecily smiled a response and ruffled the child's feathery hair.  They had become great friends over the past long hours.  She would miss the minx's simple stories about everything imaginable.  The tales and her company had made every moment a little brighter.  She was constantly thanking the Lord for the small one's open acceptance of Cecily's silence and the unusual effect it had had on the other passengers.  She was left alone, but not ignored.  All of them assumed that she talked to the child when no one was noticing.

              “Is that Larkaria?”  Ana's clear voice traveled well in the crisp air.

              “Yes,” a male voice answered from the back of the group.  His presence caused a stir among the women, but it was small to the turmoil in Cecily's heart.  She recognized Ehren's voice immediately; it took all the control she could muster not to turn and look at him.  Instead she looked to Karolin, who was scrutinizing the intruder.

              “You must be my son's new navigator.”  The matron announced the information as if it made him worthy of some consideration, but not necessarily acceptance.

              “Only for this trip, madam.”  Ehren smiled.  “I am just working my way home.”

              “Ah, a Larkarian then.”  Karolin nodded knowledgably and then drew him into conversation.  The captain came over a minute later and introduced himself to the group.  During the following flurry of questions about the timing of their arrival and other details, Cecily risked a glance in the direction of Ehren.

              He was watching her and instantly caught her eyes with his.  Daring to hold eye contact for only a moment, Cecily moved her gaze to the ropes above his head.  The change was timely because Captain Howner was just turning to Ehren and saying, “Trace, how far off course do you recon we were blown?”  The next time that Cecily was able to safely glance Ehren's way he was explaining something to Herna.  It was obvious Herna was more interested in Ehren than the topic: she smiled extra wide, looked up at him with adoring eyes, and was using every excuse to step closer and touch him.  Cecily thought she was over doing it, but she also supposed she was also biased.  She did not have much time to mull it over, though.  Ana was soon tugging at her sleeve again and demanding that she look at some new sight.  And then, before she knew it, Karolin was directing them to head below and start packing for their arrival in an hour.

              She ended up being one of the last women to climb down.  As she waited in line, Ehren slipped up behind her and whispered in her ear, “Act like your boot lace needs tying.”  Obediently she squatted and smoothly slipped one of the loops free.  The time it took for her to retie it made a significant gap between her and the group.  Ehren made a show of helping her onto the ladder to the hold.  The moment she was seeking the next step, he whispered, “Wait for me on the dock.”  Her boot found the step, but he did not release her hand.  “Stay in sight of the ship.”  She nodded her head without looking up.  After a firm squeeze, he released her and turned away.  Carefully, Cecily continued to lower herself into the darkness below.

   

              Ehren concentrated on the rope in his hands as he coiled it neatly on the deck.  Cecily was among the women and luggage waiting for the gangplank to be lowered.  He could feel her position and frequently checked visually for her presence.  Wisely she had chosen to be last in the line and was perched comfortably on a trunk and watching the scene before her.

              “Trace.”  The captain's voice interrupted Ehren's thoughts.  “Help with the unloading,” the Captain Howner ordered.  Nodding at the command, Ehren placed the last coil onto the stack and made his way toward the men unloading the hold.  He spared another quick glance in Cecily's direction, but did not spot her among the women before he had to turn away again.

   

              Cecily's fingers were losing their feeling.  She rubbed her hands together briskly to warm them.  Nervously she looked at the ship's gangplank for any sign of Ehren.  It was difficult to see in the red light of sunset, but she was sure there was no one disembarking.  If he does not appear soon, Cecily shuddered at the thought.

              “Cold?”  A familiar voice asked from behind her.

              Instinctively, Cecily found herself reaching for her hidden dagger and her fingers wrapping around the hilt.  Shaking her head, she slipped the weapon from its sheath.  Only then, did she look toward the man behind her.

              “Could have sworn you just shivered just...” the man's voice dwindled off when she faced him fully.  “Cecily.”  The sound was barely a whisper.

              Kenneth!  It took all of her restraint not to drop the dagger and embrace the man.  Instead she smiled.

              “Man, am I glad to see you.”  Kenneth smiled back and moved to touch her shoulder.  “I just arrived and was afraid I missed you.”  He looked around, taking in the two bags at her feet.  When his eyes returned to her, they took in the worn look of her clothing and the leanness of her face.  “Where is Ehren?”  His voice was again almost below hearing volume.

              The sun was dipping even lower and Cecily had to peer to make out the gangplank in the shadow of the ship.  Carefully she pointed in the direction of the ship with her chin as she slipped her knife back into its cover.

              “His is still on board?”  Cecily nodded.  Kenneth's brow lowered and he looked concerned.  “Is he in trouble?”

              Swiftly shaking her head no, Cecily kept her hands down near her sides.  She still did not feel safe for some reason.  Signing would still could be a deadly give away.  It was better to be cautious and safe than the alternative.  Especially considering all the trouble Ehren and others had gone through to get her safely home.  They were so close.  She did not want to risk it now.

              “I have a wagon and horse boarded at the livery in town.”  Kenneth crossed his arms and eyed the ship as he spoke.  “We got word you were coming and I was sent to meet you.”  After a brief silence, he asked.  “Are you sure I don't need to go after him?”

              Cecily did not blame him.  She wanted to go after Ehren herself, but she was also afraid of exploring the ship herself.  The deserted dock seemed safer than the dark recesses of the ship.  With Kenneth with her, though, it might turn out alright.  She was about to indicate they board the ship when Kenneth suddenly straightened and looked more closely at the gang plank.

              “Someone is coming.”

              Cecily looked for herself.  A dark shadow seemed to be moving down the gangway.  The moment it reached the end it looked toward them, Cecily knew it was Ehren.  Picking up her bags, she started forward.

              “You don't know...” Kenneth caught her elbow.

              “Hey!” Ehren's started to trot toward them.  “Leave her alone.”  He wasted no time in covering the distance.  He immediately stepped between them, breaking Kenneth's grip and bodily blocking Kenneth's access to her.

              “We were waiting for you.”  Kenneth stepped back and spread his hands to show his lack of weapon.

              “Kenneth?”  Ehren examined Kenneth's face briefly before smiling.  “Kenneth!”

              “In the flesh.”  Stepping forward again, he offered Ehren his hand.

              Taking it, Ehren greeted him warmly.  “We heard you made it in one piece.  Did you lose any of your party on the way over?”  Turning to Cecily, he proceeded to relieve her of the larger bag, leaving her with the scribe's satchel.  Kenneth began to head toward the main road and Cecily and Ehren followed.

              “The princess and Dafney made the trip with little fuss.  I was impressed with their strength of spirit.  The princess reminds me of you sometimes, Cecily.”

              Cecily saw a flash of white that must have been a smile.  It was getting harder for them to see in the growing darkness.  Even the light spilling onto their path from the buildings on either side of the street did not help much.  They were walking three abreast, but Ehren seemed to be closing the space between him and Kenneth with each step.  Since she was walking between the men, Cecily found herself rapidly losing personal space.

              “Ronald is doing an excellent job and David has been improving daily.”  Kenneth eyed a straggling group of young men as they passed in the opposite direction.  “The inn coming up on the left is decent.  Do you think we should spend the night in town?  Considering...” he broke off when he realized he could not think of a polite way to say what he was thinking.

              Cecily knew him well enough to understand the issue.  He was being protective.  If it had been only Ehren and himself, they would be leaving town.  Getting his attention by catching his sleeve, she shook her head.  They came to a stop in the street.  I want to go home!  We are so close.  Oh, how she wished she could speak.

              “How far are we?”  Ehren asked.

              Kenneth shrugged.  “If we left now and traveled all night, we might be able to reach Fairean by early morning tomorrow.”  He looked over Cecily's head at Ehren.  She could feel his indecision.

              Ehren finally broke the silence.  “I say we should see how far we can get.”  He laid his hand on Cecily's shoulder and asked, “What do you say?”

              Cecily took three steps away from the inn and toward the edge of town.  Looking back, she waited.

              “I see I am out voted.”  Kenneth laughed.  “Onward.”  Taking the lead he strode out into the night.

   

              The wagon creaked and Ehren started.  Blinking his eyes he fought the fog threatening his senses.  Moving his legs for the third time in as many minutes, he willed his eyelids to stay up.  The horse wandered to the left slightly. Momentarily jumping out of the rut, the wagon wheels returned with a bone jarring thud.  Ehren bit his tongue and the lumpy form across the wagon bed from him stirred.

              Nursing the offended muscle, Ehren watched as Cecily shifted into a more comfortable position before relaxing again with a sigh.  The moon came out from behind a cloud and briefly lit the night scene.  Cecily's face stood out palely from the heavy, dark wool framing it.  With eyes closed and tussled hair falling about, she looked very soft and vulnerable.

              It is probably because she is.  Ehren leaned back against the wooden boards and tried to block the image.  I am already going to have a difficult time saying goodbye.  He reminded himself.   I don't need to get any more sentimental.  He stared unseeingly at the sky. 

              The fact he was going to have to make a decision soon refused to stop bugging him.  His eyes had found their way back to Cecily as he thought.  And before he consciously realized it, he was considering what it would be like to admit the love he felt and marry her.  Of course, to do so properly, he would have to ask her father for permission first.  No.  Stop!  He impatiently ran his fingers through his hair and repeated to himself the reasons he could not do just that.

              I have a job to do for Braulyn, Anavrea and Larkaria.  I have sworn to do all I can to win this war.  Right now, getting her to safety is my assignment.  As soon as I have returned her safely to her family and informed the nobles of the most recent news, I will be heading back across the channel.  Even if I was able to stay, I have nothing to offer her that her father has not given me.  She needs someone who can protect and provide for her.  I am not a man worthy and capable enough to raise her children and prepare them for their destinies.

              Deciding the thought had taken up enough of his attention already, Ehren firmly put it from his mind.  It was decided and he would leave it at that.  He was going to finish his job and then be gone.  She would be better off without his presence clouding her judgment.

              “Here we are,” Kenneth announced from the wagon seat.  Ehren pulled himself to his knees to look over the bench.  Dawn was about to break.  Already the rising sun was chasing the deep blue of night toward the eastern horizon.  From across the next valley from them sat the sprawling estate of Lord Lanalind, Fairean Manor.  Looking peaceful and welcoming in the pale warm light, it meant the end of their journey was near.  Ehren was surprised at the sadness the sight produced in his heart.

              “You should probably wake Cecily,” Kenneth suggested.  “She would want to see this.”

              Mutely nodding, Ehren turned back to her sleeping form.  He paused for a brief moment to memorize her face.  Then sighing softly, he gently nudged her shoulder and called her name.  “Cecily, you are almost home.”

   

              Cecily awoke instantly.  The sadness in Ehren's voice directly contrasted the words he was saying.  Home?  Fairean!  She sat up and scrambled to look over the wagon seat.

              Home!  O thank you, Father!  Home!

              “We should be there in less than ten minutes,” Kenneth informed her.  “You should probably make sure all the baggage is ready for unloading.”

              Cecily agreed and turned to refold her bed.  Ehren did the same with his blanket and silently stashed it in his sack.  But instead of closing the bag up and turning to the other gear, Ehren pulled out the Manuscript that she had given him to read.  Cecily did not notice he was sitting there holding it until he said her name.

              “Cecily.”  His voice was low enough that Kenneth would not have heard it over the horses.  She turned and looked at him over her shoulder.  He was not looking at her.  “I thank you for letting me read this.”  Carefully, he offered it to her.

              Cecily shook her head; he needed it now more than she did.  “I want you to have it.”  She signed.  “It is my gift to you.”

              “No.”  Ehren was on his knees and had crossed the space between them before Cecily had time to react.  “It is too precious for you to give to me.”  He held it out again, this time firmly, “Take it,” he ordered.  His hands were shaking, but Cecily shook her head.

              “I have it in here.”  She placed her finger tips against her forehead. “…and here…” And then, she moved her hand to her heart.  “I want you to have it.”

              Still avoiding her eyes, he opened his mouth to protest, but Cecily covered it with her hand.  Finally, he looked up at her.  She had to struggle not to reach out and react to the turmoil that was obvious in his face.  Instead, she mouthed slowly, “No.”  Then she smiled sympathetically and after brushing his cheek with a kiss, she turned back to her baggage.  The next time she glimpsed his face, it was masked and his eyes vacant.

   

              The moment that the wagon came to a halt, Cecily jumped down and started toward the front terrace.  There was no one in sight, but that was normal for the time of day.  Ehren caught up with her at the large front gate.  She did not hesitate to pull the chain that rang a bell in the front hall.

              “Cecily,” Ehren said.  She turned to him, but the opening of the door interrupted him.

              “Cecilia,” the doorman exclaimed, using her nickname.  “You are home.”  Instantly she was enclosed in a warm hug smelling of lemon and fresh bread.  Timoty, she smiled and hugged back.  After she managed to extract herself from the servant's embrace, she introduced Ehren.

              “Timoty.”  She used his sign name.  “This is my friend, Ehren Blythe.”

              Stepping back so they might enter, Timoty bowed slightly, “Pleased to see you again, sir.”

              “Thank you, Timoty.”  Ehren smiled and bowed slightly in return.

              “Where are mother and Aurora?”  Cecily signed as Timoty ushered them in and welcomed Kenneth who was on Ehren's heels.

              “Your mother is having breakfast in her rooms, but Aurora is....”   He never got to finish his sentence for Aurora appeared at that moment coming from the kitchen.

              At the sight of Cecily, she broke into a run.  “Cecily.”  she reached her and hugged Cecily harder than Timoty had.  “Thank the Lord you are home safe.”  She drew back and smiled broadly.  “Have you heard the news?  David and I are getting married in two days.  I have been so worried about you making it, but now everything will be perfect.  Father is due to arrive any day now and Arthur is already here.  We were only going to be missing you.  And now you are here and everything will be perfect.”  With that final statement, Cecily found herself being whisked toward the library.  Surprised that her brother had arrived before her, she only listened to Aurora with half an ear.  Arthur had still been outside Blairdark last time they had heard.  She had missed seeing him there only by a few hours.  Of course, she and Ehren had spent part of their trip avoiding the roads.  That must have cut into their travel time more than she had realized.

              Aurora did not stop chattering until she planted Cecily on the rug in the center of the library.  Cecily looked across the desk to find David standing in her father's usual place.  He had risen when Aurora had opened the door and now he was regarding her with a warm smile in his eyes.  Cecily felt Aurora stepping off to the side and withdrawing a short distance.

              “Hello, Cecily.”  David's smile shook slightly, but remained.

              “David,” she signed thinking of Ehren's amusement whenever she had used David's sign name.

              Reaching down beside the chair in which he had been seated, David brought out a cane.  Using it and the desk edge, he moved slowly around the end and approached her.  A hard lump formed in the back of Cecily's throat and she had to concentrate to keep the tears from her eyes.  She thought she had them under control until he turned and looked at her again.  Opening his arms, he asked, “Don't I get a hug?”

              Welcoming the opportunity, Cecily stepped into his arms.  The tears came then, silently.

   

              Ehren did not enter the library.  Instead he stood in the doorway to one side.  He was not letting her out of his sight.  Something was not right.  He could not put his finger on it, and until he knew, she was not leaving his sight.

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   

  © 2007 Rachel Rossano  All rights reserved.  Please do not copy, quote, or reuse this material without the writer's express permission.  Thank you.

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