Chapter 2
Keira lived with her parents in a small house at the end of the village, where they owned a few acres of land. As a landowner, Master Carver was considered wealthy by village standards, and he had ensured that his daughters received a basic education from a traveling tutor. He’d spent a year in their home, sleeping in the tiny attic at the top of the house. In exchange for food, shelter and a few pennies a week, he taught Keira and Anna their letters and numbers. It was this knowledge that enabled Keira to take her place at the stall, where she meticulously wrote down each piece that was sold, keeping a running tally of the numbers.
The only other landowner in the village was the village reeve, Matthew Hobbes, who served the manorial lord by upholding his interests within the village and maintaining law and order in the surrounding area. It was the lord who appointed the reeve, which was a pity, Keira thought. If the villagers were allowed a say in the matter, Matthew Hobbes would certainly not be the man they had chosen. He was mean and vindictive, and used his position to serve his own ends.
As Keira headed home, she pushed her way through the crowded market and past the village church that overlooked the square. Beside the church was a small, shadowed churchyard, and behind that was a large field with a well-worn path that led into the forest at the foot of the mountains. Keira knew the path well – it also led to a small lake that was a favorite swimming hole for the villagers. Arriving at the house, Keira skirted around the building and entered through the kitchen where Mary was stirring a large pot over the fire. Keira greeted Mary with a smile as the housekeeper bobbed her head.
“Morning, Mistress. ‘‘Ere for your dinner? It’s fish pie.”
“Wonderful, thank you Mary.”
For as long as Keira could remember, Mary had been mistress of the Carvers’ kitchen. She lived at the other end of the village, in a small, dingy cottage that was shared between three families. Each morning, she arrived just after sunup to take command of the household, and did not leave until after dark, when the pots in the kitchen shone like new. She delivered her directives to Bess, the young housemaid, in an imperious voice that had the girl running from room to room in fright, but Keira knew that Mary had a soft, motherly heart. When Anna and Keira were younger, she’d scolded them many times when they returned with muddied gowns or torn aprons, but she always slipped a treat into their pockets before sending them on their way once more.
Sometimes, if Keira awoke before Mary arrived for the day, she’d invite the woman’s censure by creeping into the kitchen and lighting the fire so that the heat could begin to warm the bedroom above. She’d endured many a scolding about doing work beneath her station, but she knew Mary was secretly pleased at her display of independence.
She slid into the bench at the large kitchen table and waited as Mary placed a bowl before her. A wonderful aroma of fish, herbs and spices, cooked within a crispy pastry, assailed her nose, and her mouth watered as she slid her spoon into the lightly browned shell.
Half an hour had passed when Keira left the house and headed back to the market. In the distance loomed the mountains, stretching as far as the eye could see in either direction. Keira had never been beyond the mountains, and she often wondered what marvels could be seen there. Her tutor had told her once about a large city where hundreds of people lived, and where anything could be bought for a price. Keira’s mind wandered back to the stranger at the market. Perhaps he’d lived in the big city. How strange to leave that behind for a remote and mysterious castle in the middle of the mountains! Especially if the dragon really did live in caves nearby. There were few who were not terrified of the creature, and fewer still, Keira guessed, who’d want to live so close to such a dangerous beast. Keira thought of the first time the dragon had flown over the village, some three months earlier. The villagers had fled to their homes in terror, but necessity had forced them from their hiding spots a few days later. It had taken a few more weeks before people began to resume some semblance of their normal lives, but even then, they’d scurried for shelter every time the dragon had flown overhead.
Keira supposed that the reaction of the villagers shouldn’t be too surprising. Eighty years may have passed since a dragon had last inhabited the Northern Mountains, but when it died, it had left behind a village frightened and scarred. It had lived in its mountain lair, so the story went, for many years without bothering a single soul. In fact, some even argued that the villagers were quite happy to have a dragon living close by. If ever the village were attacked, they thought, perhaps the dragon would assist them in their defense. But that had all changed when the dragon tried to abduct a maiden from the village. The story was a little murky on the details, but all agreed that the dragon would certainly have killed her if it hadn’t been for the young man who’d bravely – and single-handedly – attacked the dragon so he could rescue the maid, then raised the hue and cry that brought others to his side. The dragon had burnt down half the village and killed some of the villagers before finally breathing its last. The woman’s fate was unknown, not that it really mattered, the storytellers agreed. The important thing was that dragons were dangerous, and should never be trusted. As though drawn by her thoughts, the dragon glided over the village as Keira reached the market, making the villagers clutch their children closer as it climbed into the mountains.
Keira often saw the dragon soaring through the sky in the days that followed. When it first came to the mountains, the sightings were few and far between, but now it regularly flew over the village, soaring low as if to see what the villagers were doing. Sometimes it flew so close, Keira could hear the massive wings as they cut through the air, and feel the heat that emanated from the beast. She always stopped to watch as it soared past, admiring the way its huge golden wings cut through the blue sky, holding its huge frame as though it weighed no more than a feather. Its golden gaze would catch hers, and she’d hold her breath as she stared back, marveling at the dragon’s beauty. It was, she decided, more splendid than anything she had ever seen.
A week passed before Keira saw Aaron again. She was at the market, negotiating the sale of a dozen cups when she looked up to see him standing a few feet away, his light eyes watching her as she worked. He caught her gaze and nodded, but stayed away until she had completed the sale.
“Good morning, Mistress,” he said with a smile as he stepped towards the table. “I’ve come to make another purchase.”
“Milord,” Keira said with a nod. “I understand you’ve already purchased enough plates and bowls to feed a large household.”
“My cook tells me we need a new platter.”
“Your cook? She discusses such matters with you?”
Aaron smiled. “She told my steward, and since I was coming into the village, I offered to make the necessary purchase.”
Keira nodded. What the man did was his own concern. She picked up a platter and handed it to him. “Is this the size you’re looking for?”
Aaron frowned. “I’m not sure. I didn’t think to ask her the size.” He looked up at her. “I’ll take it, and if it’s too small, I’ll come back for something larger.”
“Or send your steward.”
“Oh, I’m not sure about that! I rather enjoy making my own purchases. I meet such interesting folk! People in the city are so dull and conventional, always doing and saying what polite society demands.” His tone was amused, but Keira didn’t miss the teasing barb hidden within his comment.
“I’ve never been to the city,” she said, “so I don’t know how people act there. I prefer to be myself and speak my mind.”
Aaron laughed. “Yes, I already know that much. I didn’t intend an insult – you’re like a refreshing breath of air.”
Keira pointed at the platter. “Are you purchasing this or not?”
Aaron smiled and pulled out his purse. He handed her a few coins, waving away her protest that it was too much.
“Consider it a down-payment on my next purchase,??
? he said, and walked away.
“Who’s that?”
Keira turned to see the son of the reeve walking towards her. Edmund Hobbes was a year younger than her, and Keira had known him all her life; in fact, they had practically been raised together. Their mothers had been great friends, until Mary Hobbes had died a few years before.
“Master Drake. He’s moved into Storbrook Castle.”
Edmund whistled. “Indeed! Why would anyone want to move into that place, I wonder?”
Keira remained silent, wondering the same thing. Edmund watched the retreating figure for a moment, then turned back to Keira, his blue eyes capturing hers. He was a good-looking man, Keira acknowledged, with high cheek bones and a strong jaw. His lips were full, giving him a slightly sensual look. He leaned closer, his eyes narrowed and his mouth grim. “You aren’t becoming too friendly, I hope. He looks like a dangerous man.” Before Keira had a chance to respond, he pulled away again and looked over her shoulder. “Madam Carver,” he said as Keira’s mother drew near, “Shouldn’t you be inside on such a hot day? I’m sure Keira would be happy to mind the table alone, although, of course, I’d be glad to offer whatever assistance she requires.” Keira groaned quietly to herself. The last thing she wanted was Edmund’s company.
“Oh, Edmund, you’re so kind,” Mother replied, her hand fluttering lightly at her chest. “You’re right, of course, it is a frightfully hot day, but I couldn’t possibly leave Keira to manage all on her own. Mistakes can so easily be made!” Keira took a deep breath and turned away.
“In that case,” Edmund said, “I’ll leave you to your work.” He gave her a charming smile. “Good day.”
Keira watched as Edmund walked away. He stopped to exchange a few words with Sarah Draper, then waved at Gwyneth Jones across the way. They laughed and giggled, pleased at the attention.
“Edmund is such a lovely young man,” Mother said. “Always so considerate.”
“Where’s Anna, Mother?” Keira said.
“Anna? I saw her earlier. I think she was with Jane. Why?”
“Well, perhaps Edmund is right – you should be inside. Anna could help me here, and maybe learn a little more about the business.”
Mother waved her hand. “Anna’s young. Let her have her fun. I’m happy to stay here and make sure everything runs smoothly.” Keira smiled tightly and reached beneath the table to place Aaron’s coins in the strongbox.