After the meal, hot bitter tea was passed round. Eleanor wondered if this was meant to help sober up those who had been drinking too much with their mountains of food. Eleanor had stuck to a cool, spicy, syrupy drink diluted in water; it tasted a little like ginger. She had never been a big fan of alcohol, disliking the loss of control that came with it, her mind requiring a permanently firm grip to function. Will, Amelia and Conlan managed to make a couple of glasses of the heavy, blood-red wine they had been served last the whole meal. Freddie had consumed several more glasses, but far from inebriated, he was just happy. Eleanor hoped it lasted.
Once the tea course was over, people began getting up from the tables and milling around the great room talking as an army of servants cleared away the mess and then the tables and benches, leaving only the top table and a large room. At the far end, a small stage area was erected and a band began setting up, tuning strange-looking instruments. The noise was shrill but strangely tuneful. Eleanor felt her heart drop into her stomach, which, on top of the huge meal she had just eaten, made her feel rather sick.
Music… Does that mean there’s going to be dancing? Am I going to have to dance? In front of people?
Conlan felt her sudden terror and gave her hand a squeeze.
“Are you OK?” he whispered in English. She looked at him, loathing her fear.
“Am I going to have to dance?” she whispered back hoarsely. She saw the amusement sparkle in his eyes, but he made a huge effort to keep it out of his voice.
“Not if you don’t want to,” he replied solemnly. She nodded, somewhat mollified, and watched as the band finished setting up their instruments.
Nials and Urerla, as the happy couple, were the first to take to the floor. The music was a bright, lively tune in the tempo of a waltz. Both Nials and Urerla were good dancers and moved around the floor as if they were one graceful being, the subtle sound of Urerla’s belt a backdrop to the band’s music. Urerla clearly loved every minute of the attention and Nials loved Urerla’s ecstatic smile, his eyes barely leaving hers as they moved together in a flowing, sensual dance. There was thunderous applause as the dance came to an end. As other people began to take to the floor, Laurice asked Conlan to dance. He smiled and rose from his chair. Leaning over slightly, he took Freddie’s hand, placing it around Eleanor’s.
“Freddie will keep you company until I get back, OK?” he said in English. Eleanor nodded and noticed the strange look on Freddie’s face. It was quite a while before Conlan returned, as once Laurice had danced with him, all the other tribal leaders wanted to as well. Then Urerla had insisted on having a dance, Nials smiling indulgently as Conlan whirled her round through the other guests. Eleanor watched him travel lightly across the floor; he seemed to know exactly what he was doing and was thoroughly enjoying himself. Eleanor smiled, his happiness making her feel floaty and content. The dances moved on to more set pieces, with all the guests moving together in complicated steps, which seemed to be as natural to them as breathing. Conlan, laughing and joking with his various dance partners, did not seem to give the dancing a second thought. Will and Amelia were also dancing. Eleanor was surprised to see that Will also seemed to know what he was doing, just as he had known which knives and forks to use. They watched the dancers with interest and giggled at the less elegant attempts made by some of the more drunken guests. Freddie kept up a running commentary of silliness, and Eleanor added her own observations.
Eventually Conlan returned. Taking his seat and looking a little flushed, he leaned across to Eleanor and whispered in her ear.
“Dance with me, please. I want to make every man in the room jealous.”
Eleanor smiled, a tight, warm feeling flooding through her, and whispered back.
“Flattery will get you nowhere. Besides, if you want to make every man jealous you need to pry Amelia out of Will’s arms, not dance with me.”
His cheek brushing hers, he whispered again. “If you don’t say yes, I’m going to get down on my knees and beg… very, very loudly.”
Eleanor felt a deep heated blush rise to her face at the thought. “How much have you had to drink?”
“More than I’m used to,” Conlan admitted with a mischievous chuckle. Eleanor realised he was serious. She weighed up the embarrassment of her dancing against the embarrassment of having Conlan beg at her feet and decided that dancing would be a better idea. She nodded slowly.
“OK, but I have no clue what the dance steps are, and you’re going to regret it when I break your toes.” Conlan laughed, took her hand and helped her from her chair, leading her to the dance floor. Eleanor walked with her eyes firmly down, hoping nobody would see her. Conlan placed a light grip on her waist and took her hand.
“Eleanor, take your eyes off your feet and look at me.”
Taking a deep breath and trying to calm her racing heart, Eleanor raised her head.
“Allow me to lead you and let yourself follow. Don’t over-think it. I know these are difficult concepts for you, but try, OK?” Conlan instructed, grinning. Eleanor nodded, her anxiety making her a little sick. She concentrated on Conlan, the way his body moved, the hints he gave her with a flick of the eyes or a tensed muscle, about where he was going to move next. Time disappeared and she had no idea how long they danced. She was aware that the music style and tempo had changed several times, as Conlan changed his steps to match. Now Eleanor was a little more comfortable, his movements were quicker, more the beautiful fluid motion she had seen when he danced with Urerla. He looked down at her with a happy smile on his face, his eyes holding hers, spinning and twirling her.
I’m dreaming
–
this is all some strange fantasy my mind has cooked up.
The glow of candlelight, the full moon she could see shining down through the open roof, stars scattered across a cloudless sky, the blur of smiling, happy faces as she twirled past and Will’s amused encouragement as Amelia tried to teach a giggling Freddie how to dance – they all worked to convince Eleanor that this could not be real.
Eleanor woke late the next morning, still tired and feeling like she had only just gone to bed. Her stomach felt swollen and stretched, too full. She needed to take a walk, and preferably a long one. Shambling out of bed, yawning and trying to get her eyes to open, she pulled her clothes on and smiled as her eye caught the green dress draped over a chair. It was physical proof that last night had not been a dream; she smiled again and ran her hands over the silky material. Walking down the corridor and heading for the outside world, Eleanor heard Merl’s voice through the partially open door of the living room; she stopped and listened.
“She did what?” Merl sounded confused.
“Asked for Meran,” Conlan replied.
“One of the most powerful people in Mydren offered her a gift of her choosing and she asked for a half-dead nag?!” Merl spluttered, disbelief making his voice louder.
“Meran was once a fine horse,” Conlan said. “With the proper care he can be that again. Unfortunately it means that we must stay here for another two weeks while he has a chance to recover.” There was a pause.
“Maybe we can use this time to our advantage,” Merl said thoughtfully. “We could leave the others here, and you and I could travel to Termont. It is the nearest town where I can send a message to my friend, but it is a little off course. If we go now, when we leave in two weeks’ time we can take the quicker, more direct route to Katadep.”
“That is not a bad idea,” Conlan said, and Eleanor felt her overfull stomach lurch. He was going to disappear off with Merl, just the two of them, with no protection. Was he mad? She debated marching in on them and demanding an explanation. She jumped as an energy string brushed against her.
Didn’t you say your mother told you it was wrong to eavesdrop?
Freddie asked, walking up behind her.
Merl is trying to convince Conlan to go with him to a town called Termont while we wait for Meran to get stronger. It will be just the two of them, in order to send a message
, Eleanor told him, unable to keep the slight edge of panic out of her thoughts.
I’m sure he’ll be OK. Let’s face it, the Lords of Mydren want all of us, so nothing would be gained from apprehending just Conlan
, Freddie reasoned.
You’re being remarkably calm and practical about this
, Eleanor noted.
That’s because if Conlan does agree to go with Merl, I’ll be going with him
, Freddie told her.
Great, so then I get to worry about both of you,
Eleanor muttered.
I’ll protect him, Eleanor, I promise. I failed you once, but it won’t happen again.
Eleanor felt tears prickle her eyes and hugged him, touched by his thoughtfulness.
I do love you, Freddie, you know that, right?
Yes I know
, Freddie said, gently kissing the top of her head.
The door to the living room was pulled open and Freddie jumped, whipping his hands behind his back. It was a totally pointless gesture, as Eleanor still had her arms wrapped tightly around his waist. She wondered why he had done it. She turned her head and Conlan gazed at her, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“Spying in doorways are you now?” he asked, amusement running through the dwarfish.
Eleanor blushed. “I just heard you talking as I was walking past…”
Conlan held her gaze as her cheeks turned an even deeper shade of red.
Is Conlan angry with me?
Freddie asked.
No.
He’s not jealous?
No, he’s not jealous, why would he be jealous?
Eleanor asked, slightly bemused.
It’s different now…
Freddie started, but then he stopped, unsure of himself.
Eleanor was so perplexed that she ignored Conlan and stared into Freddie’s face.
Nothing’s different, Freddie. I don’t understand.
He… cares for you, Eleanor.
And Eleanor heard pain in his voice.
Freddie, he’s always cared for me, just as he cares for you, Will and Amelia; he’s just getting more comfortable with the concept. He’s getting better at showing his feelings. Nothing has really changed, and anyway, I don’t understand why he would be jealous.
Freddie shrugged and looked uncomfortable, as if there was something he wanted to say but did not think he should.
“Are they talking in each other’s heads again?” Merl asked, coming to stand at Conlan’s side. Trying to hide her embarrassment at being caught eavesdropping, Eleanor nodded.
“We were discussing your trip to Termont. Freddie wants to go with you.”
“It is your decision, Conlan, he can join us if you want him to,” Merl said. Conlan stared at them for a moment as Freddie gently returned his hand to Eleanor’s waist.
“Pack your things and check your horse, Freddie, we’re leaving at first light tomorrow,” Conlan said. Freddie nodded and smiled. Conlan nodded, an odd look on his face, and he moved past them down the corridor with Merl trailing behind.
Freddie took Eleanor’s hand and they wandered down to the stables. Horse and Meran were pleased to see them, and Eleanor spent some time petting and stroking the animals while Freddie checked out his horse, making sure all his kit was ready for the next day. Eleanor had never really paid much attention to Freddie’s horse, or Will’s and Amelia’s for that matter. She looked at the very average chestnut-coloured animal in front of her.
“Freddie, what’s your horse called?” she asked from her perch on the corral fence. She held Horse’s head in her hands and scratched the animal’s face absently, her four-legged friend dozing in blissful contentment. She knew there were people around them, children staring; she tried to pretend it was just her and Freddie.
“I call him John, but I’ve no idea what he thinks he’s called. He doesn’t answer to his name,” Freddie said, not looking at her, his attention on ‘John’s’ raised hoof as he checked it for splits or damage. Eleanor pushed an energy string into the animal’s head and giggled.
Freddie looked at her over ‘John’s’ back, gently placing his leg back down. “What?”
“Freddie, your horse doesn’t want to be called John, because that’s the name you call him when you’re angry and frustrated with him. He wants you to call him ‘Pal’, because that’s what you call him when you pet him and give him treats,” Eleanor said. Freddie stared at her and then moved to the horse’s head and took it in his hands.
“I’ll call you Pal, if you like,” he told it as the horse nuzzled his head affectionately into Freddie’s chest.
“Why did you call your horse John?” Eleanor asked, thinking it was an odd name for a horse – not that she had any room to comment, considering her horse was called Horse.
“It’s my brother’s name,” he said quietly as he checked Pal’s other hooves.
“Do you still miss him?” Eleanor asked, feeling guilty that she had not given her family and friends a second thought in months.
Freddie sighed. “We were very close, best friends... I miss that.”
“You have best friends, Freddie,” Eleanor said, not understanding the bitter melancholy in his voice. Freddie looked at her.
“No, all I have is you. I don’t think I’d be in a hurry to call Will, Amelia or Conlan best friends. Will and Amelia think I’m an idiot and Conlan is too caught up in himself to notice me.”
Upset by his obvious unhappiness, Eleanor thought his words through. Will and Amelia did not think Freddie was an idiot. Will found his juvenile humour and lack of manners grating on occasion and Amelia did not like being the butt of some of his ruder jokes, but they both loved him, she was sure of it. Eleanor suspected that Conlan, on the other hand, found Freddie rather funny, just as she did. He certainly seemed to have had more patience for his jokes and behaviour recently. Perhaps it was time he got to know Freddie better, maybe then he would appreciate him a little more. Conlan could do with more of Freddie’s silliness in his life, to stop him taking himself so seriously.