Chapter 2
We were riding in the night. Sir Iopie claimed there was a resting place that was ideal for us, and he wouldn’t let us stop until we got there. I told him we would just go on without him, but I forgot he had the book. He refused to give it back. So we were forced to trot in the dark cold. I had my arms wrapped around my shoulders, the reins resting in my lap. I wasn’t the least bit tired, which was good, because I wouldn’t be allowed to rest.
It was a little alarming to be the queen, but not be in charge. I wasn’t use to it. But that book was our only way to the top of Mount Geot. I could deal him when I got home.
Even though I had been forbidden to have anything more to do with the strange flower Soea had thrown me, I had brought it. It was in my horses pack, to my right. Inside a flask of water. It had set long enough to test, and I was eager. Now that it was dark, I could get it out without being noticed. Anyway, I would just look like I was drinking normal water. I looked around, making sure Conrad wasn’t near just incase. If he knew what I was doing, he would tackle me and rip the flask from my hands with his teeth.
I used my own teeth to open the flask. I closed my eyes, breathing deep the sweet aroma. It smelled delicious. I was about to put it to my lips, but suddenly hands came from behind me and covered my eyes. I could tell who it was by the rough, big fingers.
“Conrad!” I screeched. I was in no mood for guessing games. I let go of the reins and reached behind me to try and knock his arms off me. I could hear him laughing. Then I lost my balance, and I couldn’t see since he was blocking my sight. I started falling off the horse, and the flask spilled out onto my legs. There was a sizzling sound, and my legs felt like they were on fire. I screamed and fell into the dust. Conrad jumped down beside me and started flinging dirt onto my legs. It took delirious moments to even become conscious of what had happened… the flower’s liquid hat eaten through most of my skirt, leaving it in tatters. My legs were blistered. I was breathing in and out through my mouth so hard I was almost panting. I wanted to scream again; I felt as if I had fallen into a river of fire. I squinted my eyes, clenched my teeth and grunted, leaning over to where my hair was in the dust.
“What was that?” Conrad said in a disbelieving laugh.
I couldn’t say anything. I bit my tongue so I wouldn’t break down in sobs.
He grabbed the flask, and sniffed it. Suddenly he got a disgusted look on his face, and he jerked his head towards me. “You drank the flower?” He got down on his knees, invading my personal space. “You drank the flower?”
I felt my eyes get round sad looking, regretful looking. I still couldn’t say anything. I nodded, then buried my face in my hands.
“Layla!” Conrad got up. I lifted my face and watched him. He put his hands behind his head, kind of chuckling in disbelief. He was looking to the side, his eyes saying I can’t believe her. I can’t believe her stupidity. “Layla!” His voice was louder this time.
I bit my lip, thinking he was overreacting.
“Why did you… that was so… ugh,” he ran his words together fast. He ran his fingers through his hair, deep in thought. “Why?” he asked.
“He…” I started. A sob rolled in my throat. “He said it would give me healthy fingernails.”
“Hah!” Conrad spurted, and spat on the ground. Then he cast his eyes upward. “Do you know what would have happened if you had drank that?” He shook his head. “Never mind. We have to find some healing powers. Fast.” He bent down and picked me up. I shook inside. I was crying inside. I didn’t want to cry outside, not with all these tough knights around.
“What are you thinking about, now?” Conrad asked me.
“I miss Brye.”
I was carried to our campsite without another word. I kept my eyes closed. I could hardly breathe, I was in so much pain. I felt like I had been dipped from my toes to my thighs in boiling water, even though there were only patches of blisters. What kind of flower was that? I wanted to ask Conrad, but I didn’t. I hadn’t the breath.
I heard Sir Iopie throw down and shatter a glass bottle when he saw me. He always had some kind of liquor in his hand. “Holy Swosette!” he bellowed. “What happened to you?” He grabbed an emergency flask off his waist. “Oh,” he said, pausing his flagon that was halfway in his mouth.
I looked up at Conrad. How would Sir Iopie know what happened? Perhaps Conrad had mouthed it to him. Or he read minds. Oh… I hoped he didn’t read minds. But that wasn’t really likely.
“Perhaps the peddler can help her. He just came by trying to sell us stuff and we invited him to sup with us. I think he has some herbal potions or something,” Sir Iopie scratched his back, unwilling to show he was worried.
“Do herbal potions sound good?” Conrad asked me.
I nodded and added miserably, “Anything sounds good right now, if it’ll help.”
The knights sort of stepped out of the way, and I saw the peddler sitting down, talking to Adda. Quickly I took a second glance.
It wasn’t a peddler.
It was Soea! In peddler’s clothing! I gasped, dreadfully alarmed, and my eyes flew to Conrad. Didn’t he know something was wrong? Was everyone blind? Or… was I?
I watched as Sir Iopie approached Soea – or, the peddler – and told him something in hushed tones. Soea nodded solemnly and pulled something out of a black bag. The cloth was black, dusty and moth-eaten. Just like the peddler who had sold me the spotters! Then I heard him mutter something, but part of it was muffled by his hood.
“You know what would have happened with that… flower in the water… very serious.”
The knight nodded at him and took the small, rectangular bottle with amber liquid closed by a light purple cork. “All of it?” He asked.
Soea nodded.
Sir Iopie came over to me and Conrad. “Drink all of it, in exactly three gulps.” He handed it to me.
I took it with uneasy fingers. Conrad set me down gently on the moist ground. My blisters seemed to sizzle on the grass. The pain shot up from my legs to my eyes, and I gave a little groan. My hand was shaky taking the cork off the bottle. I held it to my lips with mounting suspicion. Was this a trick? Was everyone on Soea’s side? That couldn’t be. Adda was too loyal, and she would have made sure I knew. If this wasn’t a trick, If Soea wasn’t trying to kill me, I decided I might be able to trust him. He was probably harmless anyway. I squeezed my eyes closed as tight as I could, the dry skin on my face getting taut. I took a swig of the orange liquid. It tasted like honey mixed with sunshine, and a drop of starlight. And I was still alive! I looked down at my legs. They didn’t hurt nearly as bad. I took another sip. It slid down my throat like a cloud. I felt my blisters start to disappear. With the last drop of the fire colored liquid, I was completely healed. Amazing. I was breathless with astonishment. I looked up at Soea, who had a humble look about him. He looked so friendly and helpful, just like he had that day when he threw the flower at my feet. The flower. Maybe he had picked the wrong one out of his magic garden. He had meant me no harm. I knew he hadn’t. I smiled at him, and he gave a reverent bow of the head with a triumphant smile. Suddenly a fiddle started up. I stood, now aware of the rags that fell about my waist barely covering my legs. Soea put his hood down, then took his cloak off and wrapped it about me.
“Thank you,” I smiled warmly at him.
Before I had time to protest, I was grabbed by the arm and slung back and forth by many partners in a toe-tapping folk dance. I could when I was dancing with Sir Iopie, because of his breath. I could tell when I was with Conrad because of his rough hands and flash of white smile. Then I was partnered with someone new– he smelled of ginger and greens, and danced like the wind. He didn’t seem to be even touching the ground. I looked up and found the face I expected. Soea. Up close, his face was sharp, and his eyes seemed to have lightning flashing deep in their brownness. His hair rested over his forehead, making him seem mysterious. Maybe that was why I had been so wary about him. Suddenly I was twirled over to Sir
Dedran, my head spinning now. I stopped the twisting, standing with my legs planted firmly in the ground, the liquid in my head still swishing around in circles. When I regained my balance, I pulled Soea’s cloak tighter around me, the night air getting cool. That was enough dancing. I was still recovering from recovering.
“Peddler, why don’t you tell us a story? I have always heard that peddlers told good stories, because of all the people they have met and places they have been,” Adda said, sitting down by the fire.
“Yes! Please do.” I sat down beside her. Eventually everyone was sitting down in a circle around the jumping fire. Soea, or the peddler, included. A story sounded pleasant now.
With a nod of consent, Soea sat in thought. Then, finally his eyes seemed to smile, and he sat erect, ready to speak. “Once upon a time,” he started with the familiar beginning. “There was a girl. She had a free spirit, and she did or felt whatever she wanted. Even when she was forbidden. One day she made a new friend, someone whom she grew to trust and even love like family despite the warnings from people she usually heeded. But her faithful trust was suddenly betrayed, and she was left in a poisoned muddle. Before her abrupt death, she wonders if any of the happenings had to do with her foolish, foolish heart.”