Page 47 of Lady's Steed
“Doesn’t Gustav know about this troubled son?”
“Yes.” Josslyn sighed. “But he played it off at the time as boys will be boys. He can’t seem to grasp the son could be so different from the father.”
“And yet he saw it in my own siblings. Aldrich was nothing like my mother. Even my sisters were nothing like me.” More concerned with their dresses and hair than anything of substance.
“I think that’s why Gustav likes you so much. You remind him of the late queen. He spoke about you, you know, with the pride of a father.”
“He did?”
Josslyn nodded. “The time you knocked the sword from his hand in training, I thought he’d burst. He was so pleased you’d bested him.”
“Tell that to the bruises I got the next lesson.” A rueful admission to which Josslyn laughed.
“Not to punish but to ensure you didn’t get cocky. A failing of many who think they’ve mastered a craft.”
Avera slewed a glance at Josslyn. “You’re close despite the age difference.”
“I think it’s because he couldn’t have children of his own. Which is dumb. I never understood why rooks couldn’t marry and have a family.”
“It has to do with ensuring those closest to the royals can’t be threatened or blackmailed. A man fearing for his wife or children might not perform his duty to the crown.”
“So why does the rule only apply to those who attain the rank of rook?”
“I don’t know.” But it would be something Avera delved into, should she ever manage to regain her throne.
Rather than enter the town proper, Gustav took them around the outskirts, past huts with dirt yards where chickens pecked and dogs lifted their heads to utter a bark of warning. A fewchildren scampered here and there, pointing at the trio riding by. None called out or tried to stop them, not even the woman hanging her wash.
At least they weren’t recognized. Then again, why would they be? It wasn’t as if Avera had been well-known or popular before. She also didn’t dress like the ladies of the court. Josslyn appeared more royal than her, given her more voluminous skirts and the ruffle of her blouse peeking through her jacket. Their horses had been stripped of any identifying marks and Gustav had his coat, with its royal emblem, tucked away.
In the distance, they spotted a small pond with a tiny dock upon which sat a boy with a stick, fishing. Past it they saw a manor built of wood, two stories in height. It boasted a stable to one side and a large barn-like building on the other, but no paddocks.
Seeing Avera’s stare, Josslyn explained. “It’s a wood shop. Inside Harry’s got saws and planers to smooth the planks which then go to the carpenters who fabricate everything from wagons to fine furniture. The palace has several of his pieces.”
“I’ve never seen such a large shop,” Avera murmured, not surprising since she’d never strayed further than Horizon’s End. However, she’d always known Daerva was quite self-sufficient, exporting many quality items. The only thing they didn’t make locally was specialty items, like silk—they didn’t have the right kind of web weavers for it—certain spices that only grew in specific climes, stones for jewelry, and metal for weapons—their mines didn’t have enough ore.
As they neared the manor, with Gustav already swinging off his horse ahead of them, Avera murmured, “A war would destroy much.” Was it worth it just so she could call herself queen?
“A despot like Benoit will be worse.”
“We’re assuming he’ll be a bad leader.”
“A man willing to murder so easily won’t be good for Daerva.”
A woman of wide curves answered the door and smiled at Gustav before hugging him. Avera and Josslyn dismounted, letting the lad holding Gustav’s reins take theirs. As they neared, Gustav turned and introduced them. “Lady Rianna, you probably recall my sister, Lady Josslyn. And this is my niece, Sara.”
Avera almost startled at the name he’d given her before smiling broadly. “Milady.” She curtsied prettily, knowing it would be expected since he’d not given her a title.
“Welcome. Welcome. Harry’s just out in the mill, but he’ll be in shortly for dinner. What a lovely surprise. What brings you this way?” the lady inquired.
“Escorting my niece to Vultures Peak for her wedding.”
Avera latched on to the lie and gushed. “Uncle Gustav is so kind. I was ever so nervous to be travelling what with brigands in the woods.”
“Brigands? Goodness. They must be thinking they can take advantage of our new queen. Such a tragedy what happened to the last one.” The lady put a hand to her chest.
“Awful,” Josslyn agreed. “But at least her daughter seems capable. I’m sure she’ll handle those thieves.”
“How rude of me to keep you outside. Come in. Come in.” Rianna ushered them into a home that had an insane amount of wood. Floors, walls, ceilings, furniture. Probably to be expected given Lord Harry’s job.