Don't Forget to Dream (22 page)

“
Thank you Rhyla, I am glad to be home,
”
he said inclining his head towards her as he spoke.
“
Good night.
”
She couldn
’
t help blush a little as she turned away to help Lady Emelia out of the hall and up to her chambers.

The next time she would see him was in the company of his brother Prince Edwin and his nephews Prince
’
s Charlton and Joseph. The young princes were on the training ground being instructed in handling small bows as Rhyla
and Lady Emelia looked down from the walkway on the wall adjacent. Rhyla
’
s heart once again raced away when she saw him. As her pulse calmed she could look
on with an odd pride and warmth.
Prince Callum was kneeling by Prince Joseph
’
s side and gently explained the task to his eight year old nephew. Prince Charlton had seen ten summers and st
ood defiantly before his target.
It
took several minutes of firm instruction and demonstration from his father before the young prince would modify his stance and carriage in order to improve his accuracy. Lady Emelia and Rhyla smiled and waved as the boys spotted them and called out.

“
Great Grandmamma,
”
Prince Charlton called loudly,
“
Did you see me?
”

“
Of course I did my boy, I saw both of you. You shall be protecting your people in no time at all,
”
she called out to the excited boys.

Rhyla desperately wanted to join them, not just to practice her archery but to be a part of a family once again, to laugh and learn from each other. Reluctantly she turned at her mistress
’
s wave goodbye to the boys and men below and made their way to the women
’
s hall.

“
Those boys are growing so quickly Sophia,
”
Lady Emelia said once they were settled.

“
You have seen my boys?
”
Princess Sophia asked suddenly losing interest in her work.

“
Yes they are on the training ground with Edwin and Callum learning to use a bow. We watched them from the walkway on the wall that overlooks the training ground,
”
Lady Emelia said smiling.
“
They are so happy. Charlton was a little defiant at first but Edwin managed to reason with him. Joseph was just excit
ed to be out there with the men
on the training ground, but I am not s
ure who was enjoying it more
–
the boys
or Callum.
”

Rhyla looked away to hide her smile but needn
’
t have bothered as Princess Sophia
’
s ladies shared the pride and happiness of the Princess. She loved he
r boys and was as proud of them
and of every
their every little achievement as that of any
mother. The pressure that she and her husband had on raising
boys,
who would one day rule this nation did not lessen the strength of her emotions.

“
It is good that they are spending time with their father, and with Callum. I know
the boys miss being around
them. They are constantly asking after
their father
and uncle are when they are absent
for days and weeks at a time,
”
Princess Sophia said, her eyes glistening before she angrily wiped the tears away before they could spill.

“
There is always the difficult balance between duty and family in this life,
”
Lady Emelia said gently.

Princess Sophia nodded,
“
I am well aware of my
family
’
s responsibilities.
”
No one had a response.
In
silence the women continued with their needle work for a several minutes until Princess Sophia laid down her material and thread.
“
I think I shall take a walk and
see what my boys are doing. I
have
never thought of using the walkway.
”
She stood as she indicated to
her ladies to remain and left the hall.

The following afternoon a courier came in from the Eagle Dun. Lord Hough was one of the few nobles known to Rhyla before she came to Lestran. His dun lay only a few hours ride from Bendarin, which was considered within his demise. They had never
seen much of him over the years.
His
men came several times a year to collect tithes but little el
se in her hometown attracted this
lord. Even when the violent attacks started and Rhyla
’
s father had been murdered he had only sent a handful o
f men to gather the basic facts of such
an incident.
There had been no indication that any investigation or reprisals had been m
ade by Lord Hough for those violent
a
ttacks by the bandits. Rhyla was very upset by his lack of concern
but was still curious to see a rider arrive bearing the brown eagle on his tabard
; the colours of Lord Hough from Eagle
Dun.

Rhyla was escorting Lady Emelia to the gardens when she noticed Captain Martin and the courier. He was led to
the Great Hall and given ale while a page was sent to inform the King of his arrival. Lady Emelia was just as curious as everyone else and had Rhyla assist her inside with the rest of the Palace residents. Rhyla settled her mistress by the head table before looking to the Eagle rider. For a moment she thought he looked familiar but failed to place him. She had never been to the Eagle dun and he was certainly not one of the men who had come to Bendarin after her father
’
s death.

The young rider drank his ale in between exchanging words with Captain Martin. It was in between these
exchanges that he looked around the room and glanced at the number
of curious onlookers.
His gaze swept past Rhyla but quickly flashed back to stare
at her. He frowned in confusion. Noticing
his reaction
,
Captain Martin followed his line of sight before leaning forward to speak briefly to the young man while indicating Rhyla as he spoke. A further exchange caused the young man to laugh before he placed his mug upon the table and made his way up the centre of the hall. The entire occupants of the room followed his advancement. Realising he was approaching her
,
Rhyla gl
anced to her mistress and receiving
no excuse to depart
,
she stood straighter to see what this young man wanted with her.

As he approached
,
Rhyla's mind played tricks on her
as she recalled
a tall, thin, sandy haired boy with his fringe falling across his eyes. But for the breadth of his shoulders and greater height
,
Rhyla could
have sworn it was the same lad.
His short
hair still fell across his eyes.
He
brushed it away absentmindedly. The simple movement erased all doubt from Rhyla
’
s mind. Without he
sitation she strode towards him.
A
broad, elated smile filled her face and she broke out in laughter. They met in
the middle of the crowded
room. His arms engulfed her as
he
lifted
her off the floor and into a firm embrace.

“
Rhyla,
I can
’
t believe it
’
s you,
”
the rider said as he placed her down in the midst of the silent hall.

“
Kurt, it
’
s so good to see you,
”
she said unable to control the laughter that followed.

“
We had no idea what had happened to you. We heard
the sad news of your father
’
s death,
”
he said releasing her only to hold her hands. He looked questioningly at her and a brief grimace was enough for him to understand her pain and that they could talk more
at a later time.
“
Mame told me you left for the city but that was months ago. Shana has been worried sick over you,
”
Kurt said still oblivious to the ever growing crowd around them.

“
Your sister has more to worry about than me with that brood of hers,
”
Rhyla replied.

“
Aye she certainly does. Everyone will be chuffed to here you are well,
”
he paused to incline his head to indicate the room around them.
“
You seem to have found a good position.
”

“
I have,
”
she said looking to Lady Emelia. Before she could continue she realised the scene the
y had created and the
very
surprised
observers.
King Liam stood at the top of the hall with his sons flanking him. The King and Prince Edwin appeared mildly amused. Prince Callum stood in stark con
trast to his father and brother.
His
eyes flicked fr
om Rhyla to Kurt and back again.
His
fists
were
held stiffly by his sides
;
clenched as hard as his jaw. With his anger and jealously clearly displayed Rhyla feared the entire hall would
also
see his feelings. Her pang of guilt was swiftly followed by a pleasant satisfaction that he
too would suffer a few moment
s of the pain she was
subject to. Leading Kurt by the hand she walked to the top of the hall to stand before the King.

“
Your majesty,
”
she said curtsying.
“
May I present Kurt Rawlins
,
a rider from the Eagle
dun
.
”
Her eyes flicked briefly to Prince Callum but his stance didn
’
t relax.
“
His sister and I were close companions before they had to move away from Bendarin several years ago. We haven
’
t seen each other since. I am sorry if our reunion has caused you delay.
”
At her explanation she was relieved to see Prince Callum had the grace to blush and look away from her. She doubted anyone apart from Lady Emelia would have noticed or even come close to realising the reason for his reaction.

Kurt knelt before the King and kept his head bowed awaiting instructions.

“
Thank you for the introduction Rhyla,
”
King Liam said before turning to Kurt.
“
Rise young rider. You have a message from Lord Hough.
”

Kurt rose to his feet before speaking.
“
Yes your majesty. I know of the difficulties you have had with my lord in the past so I am sure you will understand the seriousness of the situation
once you hear of his request.
”

“
No need to soften me lad
. J
ust tell me what Lord Hough has to say,
”
King Liam said with a little exasperation marring his tone.

“
Yes your majesty. Lord Hough requests your aid. Farms and homes have been destroyed, crops and livestock taken and many lives lost. We are too
few to keep up with the attacks. W
e can no longer defend our lands or pursue the
se
renegades.
”

King Liam frowned at the rider who l
ooked down at his feet. Kurt soon became aware of King Liam
’
s
displeasure.

“
Don
’
t fret lad
. Y
our lord's foolishness and arrogance is not your fault. We are well aware of the escalating problem with the bandits. We have known of it for many months,
”
he paused to incline his head towards Rhyla.
“
Rhyla came to us a few months ago and informed us of the murder of her father and the destruction of her home and farm.
”

Kurt looked at her and clasped her hand once a
gain. Her lips tightened briefly.
She
looked up to find Prince Callum frowning at her, not in jealously but true compassion.