Chapter Five
Rillie
Rillie didn’t walk for long. As always, she found herself drawn to the docks. Something about the water both comforted her and intrigued her – she could never look at the sea without thinking of her mother, Cirilyse.
She began humming to herself as she walked, and soon she found that she was swaying and twirling on her feet. The path down to the waterfront was empty, as usual, but Rillie barely noticed. She closed her eyes and took hold of a tree trunk, twirling around and singing louder.
A loud burst of giggles made Rillie freeze in her tracks. Her eyes flew open and she blinked, adjusting her gaze to the darkness of the woods.
A group of small children stood there, blinking nervously at Rillie. One of them put a finger in his mouth and began to suck.
“Hello,” Rillie said. She squatted down so she was at the same height as the children. “I’m Rillie.”
The children giggled again.
“My name is Aelis,” one of them said shyly. Aelis jabbed her elbow into the side of the boy who was sucking his finger. “And this is my brother, Firo.”
Rillie smiled. “Hello,” she said. It’s been so long since I’ve seen young children, she thought, staring at them. “Do you live around here?”
Aelis and Firo stayed silent. Finally, Firo licked his lips and wiped his hand on his pants.
“Can you sing again?” He asked quietly. “You have a pretty voice.”
Rillie flushed self-consciously. She began to sing, an old song about mermaids swimming under the sea.
The maids swam and swam, ducking ‘neath the waves
Till the sailors appeared, close to the rocks
Oh, one maid said, I’ve never seen such young men!
She swam to the surface, her fins glittering in the rays of the sun,
And peered above the water, watching as the men danced on deck.
Rillie finished the verse and smiled.
“Please, sing more,” Firo said. “Please, lady!”
“You can call me Rillie,” Rillie said gently. “Are your parents nearby? Are you lost?”
Aelis looked at her brother and frowned. “We’re not supposed to say,” she said with the self-importance of a spoiled child.
“Come with me,” Firo said. He reached for Rillie’s hand, grasping it with his small fingers. They were unpleasantly sticky and warm, but Rillie didn’t mind. She allowed the child to lead her closer and closer to the docks.
“We’re going on this ship,” Aelis said, pointing to the large ship in the harbor. “We’re going away from here.”
“That’s not a good idea,” Rillie said cautiously. “What will your parents think if you run away?”
Aelis and Firo exchanged another look.
“Mother and Father are no longer here,” Aelis said softly. A tear dripped down her chubby cheek and Rillie reached forward to wipe it away.
“I see,” Rillie said softly. “Did something happen to them? Who is caring for you, now?”
Aelis pulled a handful of coins from her pockets and handed them to Rillie.
“Come with us,” Aelis said. “On the ship.”
Rillie frowned. “What about your family?”
Aelis and Firo didn’t reply. “We are going away,” was all Firo would say.
Rillie frowned. Someone should really take care of these children, she thought. She knew Gwiven wouldn’t be pleased to learn that his daughter had stayed out all night, but somehow her father’s moods seemed very far away at the moment.
“Okay,” Rillie said finally. She reached down and took Aelis’s hand, leading her closer to the ship. “What do you say if I get on the ship with you, and help you find your family?”
Aelis nodded. “Thank you,” she said.
Rillie frowned. Now that she was closer, she saw the ship’s decks were a flurry of activity. People walked and talked aboard, and she wasn’t sure how she could have possibly missed all of this.
“This way!” Firo yelled. He seemed more animated now than before. Rillie felt a great sense of relief. His guardians will be pleased when I return with him and Aelis, she thought. Rillie led Aelis and Firo up the gangplank of the ship. She gasped when she was at the top – she felt as though she’d never been so high up before, in all of her life.
“This is beautiful,” Rillie said to Aelis. “Now, can you show me where your family is?”
Aelis nodded. “Come with me,” she said solemnly. “And can you sing more?”
Rillie obeyed. She broke into a light song – this one, a cheerful tune that she’d learned from a traveling bard. She was barely aware of the men and women around her falling silent.
When Rillie finished her song, she gasped. The men and women on board the ship had formed a large circle around her, and they were staring – the men, in particular. They looked hypnotized and frozen like she’d somehow magicked them all into silence.
Rillie coughed nervously.
“That was beautiful,” a woman said, stepping forward. There were tears in her eyes. “Why, I’ve never heard that song before…but now I cannot get the words from my mind!”
Rillie smiled. She bit her lip. “Thank you,” she said. Then she remembered the children. Whirling around, she gasped when she realized that they had gone.
“What’s wrong?” The woman asked. She stepped closer and put her hand on Rillie’s shoulder. “Someone with a beautiful voice such as yours should never be sad!”
“I came aboard with two children, who were looking for their guardian,” Rillie said. She reached into her pockets and came up with the handful of coins. “They gave me this – I think it’s only responsible for me to return the money to their family.”
The woman frowned. “Why, that is enough for passage on this ship,” she said. “Why not come with us? You have an incredible voice, and I am sure you will find employment singing where we are going.”
Rillie thought for a moment. “Really? I could…I could sing, for money?”
The woman nodded. “Aye,” she said. “I’ve never heard such a voice!” While she spoke Common, just like Rillie, it was impossible to notice her accent – her voice was silky and smooth.
“Thank you,” Rillie said. She flushed again – she’d never drawn a crowd before with her voice. Is it possible, Rillie wondered.
“You should really come with us,” the woman said again. “I am sure the captain would be more than happy for you to join us, especially if he hears you sing.”
“Thank you, but my father—“
The woman chuckled. “You are a grown girl,” she said. “I am sure your father would be most happy for you if you find success with your art.”
Rillie’s heart leaped and she closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. I have always wanted to sing, she thought. And it is the only thing I know how to do well – maybe I could even make enough coin to send father money, and take care of him! Rillie had made a little money in the past, singing and performing sleight of hand tricks for travelers at the Nasenian pier. But her father had insisted that wasn’t a dignified living for a woman…and most of the time, she was reduced to sneaking out at night whenever she wanted to earn a little coin.
“All right,” Rillie said. She handed the woman a handful of golden coins. “I’ll come with you.”
“Wonderful,” the woman replied. “We’re going to Zheka.”
Rillie’s jaw dropped. “Zheka?”
“Yes,” the woman said, frowning. “Why? Have you been? Is it poor?” She leaned back and sniffed. “I have always heard positive things about that land, but perhaps you are right.”
“I…” Rillie trailed off. “I just do not think they care much for people from Nasenia,” she said nervously.
The woman laughed. “Child, with your voice, I doubt anyone would care where you come from,” she said. “Come with me – let us work on finding you the perfect accommodations on board.”
--
The voyage took days. True to the woman’s word, everyone on the ship took to Rillie. She sang every night, after supper, and earned a great deal of coin. Rillie decided that upon landing in Zheka, she would take it upon herself to contact Gwiven and send money back home. That way, at least if I am not there, I will know he is taking care of himself, she thought as she looked over the piles of coin that she had accumulated over mere hours.
When the ship pulled into the Zhekan harbor, Rillie was struck by the beauty of the strange land. The emerald grass sparkled as if it was as valuable as gemstones, and the cloudless blue sky ahead made her feel peaceful and relaxed.
It was hard to think that these people were the very same people who had attacked Nasenia. Rillie was nervous – she didn’t want anyone to learn her secret – and she pulled her cloak over her hood as everyone disembarked the ship.
That night, most of the travelers found lodging in the village. Rillie paid for a room, but slipped out of the inn after dinner and watched the stars. She walked down the sloping hill to the harbor, singing under her breath.
That was when Rillie saw the bonfire. There were three young men lounging in front of it. She kept her voice as quiet as ever, but the young men had heard her. When they spotted her, Rillie gasped. Two of the men began to fight, rolling around on top of each other and throwing vicious punches while the third wailed for them to stop it.
Men are the same everywhere, Rillie thought, slipping into the trees. They’re all a bunch of fools, prone to fighting at the slightest provocation!
--
When the first rays of the sun touched Rillie’s face, she opened her eyes and blinked, expecting to be back at home with Gwiven. Instead, she frowned – she was cold and soaked to the bone with dew. Why, I fell asleep in the woods, Rillie thought, running her tongue over her dry lips. I can’t believe it – I must have been exhausted.
Rillie got to her feet and slowly walked out of the woods. The fire had long since been extinguished, but Rillie saw one of the young men sleeping on the ground, near the spot of char and black from the flames.
She coughed. The sound was enough to make the man sit up in a daze and rub his eyes with both fists. He was handsome – thin but leanly muscled, with dark hair flopping into his bright blue eyes. Rillie found herself drawn to the perfect shape of his mouth – it was pouty and luscious, almost like a girl’s.
“It’s you,” the man said, scrambling to his feet. He looked shocked. “I can’t believe it!”
“I am sorry, I am not sure what you mean,” Rillie said nervously. “I…I am new here. I traveled yesterday, by way of that ship.” She pointed into the harbor, at the large ship that had sailed from Nasenia. She was suddenly acutely aware of her own musky scent emanating from under her arms, and she blushed hotly.
“You were singing, last night,” the man said in obvious excitement. He grinned at Rillie, exposing a mouth full of strong, white teeth.
Rillie giggled. “Yes,” she said, narrowing her eyes. “And were you one of the men fighting?”
The man’s cheeks pinked. “Aye,” he said.
Rillie felt inexplicably drawn to the stranger. “My name is Rillie,” she said. “Rillie Caulmont.”
The man frowned. “You’re not from here,” he said. “My name is Baelan. Baelan Covendane.”
Just as Rillie was about to reply, she saw a large crowd of people approaching Baelan and herself.
“It’s the queen,” Baelan said suddenly, shielding his eyes from the sun and staring at the large crowd.
Rillie’s heart began thudding in her chest as she watched the large train of people. Sure enough, there was a group of uniformed guards. In the midst was a beautiful woman wearing purple and gold robes of silken fabric.
“I wonder why she is here,” Baelan continued. He turned back to Rillie. “Perhaps she is going to address the navy.”
“The navy?” Rillie frowned. “Are you a sailor?”
Baelan puffed his chest out and gave her an arrogant smirk. “Maybe,” he said, winking.
Rillie flushed.
The crowd drew nearer and nearer.
“Hey,” Baelan said suddenly. “You should sing something! I bet the queen would love it!”
Rillie glanced nervously at the group moving closer and closer. “I don’t know,” she said doubtfully. “I don’t know if it’s a good time, Baelan.”
Baelan chuckled. “With a voice like yours, every time is a good time for song,” he said.
His words buoyed Rillie with confidence. Licking her lips, she took a deep breath and began to sing softly – one of her favorite songs, a song about a princess and a fierce warrior.
The result was immediate. The crowd stopped dead in their tracks. Rillie found the gaze of hundreds of men and women upon her, and while she was slightly embarrassed, she continued to sing. She’d never had such a large audience before, and she had to admit that the attention was as intoxicating as a glass of syrupy wine.
When Rillie finished her song, she gasped. The queen had pushed her way through to the front of the crowd. Up close, she was even more beautiful…and more intimidating than Rillie could have imagined. The queen kept her chin tilted high in the air, with her eyes downcast.
“Who are you?”
Rillie trembled. Baelan gently elbowed her in the sides and her cheeks flamed bright red.
“I am Rillie, your majesty,” Rillie said, keeping her eyes downcast. She dipped into a clumsy curtsey. “Rillie Caulmont. I…I am from Nasenia.”
The queen nodded. “Very good,” she said. She flicked her eyes over Baelan. “Have this young man bring you to the castle, after dinner tonight. I wish to speak with you in private.”
Rillie blinked. “Yes,” she said after a long moment. “I will, ma’am.”
Beside her, Baelan winced and Rillie groaned inwardly. I’ve made a mistake, she realized. But it’s not my fault! I’ve never been around royalty before!
The group slowly turned and began proceeding back to the castle, leaving Rillie and Baelan alone on the docks. A few men lingered, staring at Rillie with hungry eyes until Baelan shooed them away.
“Baelan, why would she want to see me?” Rillie asked, trembling with fear. “Have I done something wrong?”
Baelan laughed. The sound was like rough music to Rillie’s ears, and she found that she was beginning to relax.
“I doubt it,” Baelan replied. “I am sure she is thrilled with you – she probably wants to honor you at a Zhekan banquet!”
Rillie narrowed her eyes. “But, I have not done anything worth honoring,” she said softly, biting her lip. “That makes no sense.”
Baelan stared at her for a long moment before shrugging. “Well, I do not know,” he said.
“And furthermore, why did the group come down to the docks,” Rillie said. “The queen didn’t speak to anyone but me.”
Baelan frowned. “I do not know,” he repeated.
Rillie bit her lip. “Will you take me to the castle?” She asked softly. “I…I am afraid to go alone.”
Baelan chuckled. “I get the sense that very little frightens you,” he said. “But I would be honored to accompany you.” He reached for Rillie’s hand. When their skin touched, Rillie felt an electric thrill jump from Baelan’s body to hers. She shuddered as a foreign feeling swept over her body – it was warm and urgent, almost like the air around her was pushing her closer to Baelan.
Rillie nodded. “Thank you,” she said.
Rillie sat by the docks for a few hours, watching Baelan and some of his fellow sailors washing the sides of their massive ships. She felt strange and conflicted as she watching Baelan’s handsome brown body working under the heat of the sun. He is a sailor, he could have been part of the attacks on Nasenia, she thought, biting her lip. And yet, I’m drawn to him.
Rillie didn’t feel much better by the time the sun was setting. As Baelan stripped down to his leggings and washed in the cool water, she could hardly tear her eyes away from his body. By the time he joined her, his dark hair slicked back from his head, Rillie was flushing hotly.
“Don’t be nervous,” Baelan said.
Rillie was relieved he’d chosen to ignore the pink blush on her cheeks. “Well, I am,” she said, working the words in her mouth like marbles. “What if the queen is cross with me?”
Baelan snorted. “You are being far too paranoid,” he said. “Come with me.”
Rillie obediently followed behind Baelan as he led her across a grand wooden drawbridge and into the castle hold. The castle was beautiful – shining blocks of stone in a brilliant white shade that Rillie had never seen. When Baelan wasn’t looking, she ran her hands over the smooth surface and closed her eyes. It felt calming, soothing – almost like the surface of water.
Baelan led Rillie through room after room – each more lavish than the next. The carpets were brilliantly patterned in a rainbow of shades that Rillie had never seen the likes of. Emerald, sapphire, bright red ruby…and they were all so soft! Rillie longed to slip out of her leather shoes and run her toes through the soft material. But she didn’t dare – she kept her hands to herself as Baelan led her through twisting and turning passages.
“My best friend, Aerdan, and his wife live here,” Baelan said, a trace of arrogance in his voice. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”
“Is Aerdan a sailor, too?”
Baelan chuckled. “No. He’s going to be the next High Commander.”
Rillie had never heard of a term. She didn’t reply.
“He’s like the king, except he doesn’t make any decisions,” Baelan explained, rolling his eyes. “Lucky dog.”
Rillie made a small noise of agreement, bobbing her head. Baelan showed her into a long corridor.
“The queen’s chamber is just beyond,” he said. He cleared his throat and walked up to the two guards stationed at either door. “We are here to see Queen Zornaya.”
The guards didn’t seem all that impressed by Baelan’s manner.
“Has she requested an audience with you?”
“She has with me,” Rillie said, stepping forward.
The men blinked at her.
“She heard me singing, down by the docks,” Rillie continued. “And she asked me to visit her.”
“I see,” one of the guards replied. He pushed open the door and disappeared inside. Rillie could hear a low volley of voices, but she couldn’t make out the words. When the guard reappeared, he beckoned Rillie closer.
“The queen is ready for you,” he said.
Rillie and Baelan stepped forward. The guard stepped in front of them, blocking their entrance.
“Only her,” the guard said, narrowing his eyes at Baelan. “The queen doesn’t wish to see you, sir.”
Baelan frowned and Rillie felt another surge of anxiety. What does she want with me, she thought nervously. What am I to do?
“It will be fine,” Baelan said, although Rillie could tell that he was surly at having his own invitation revoked.
Rillie nodded. She was afraid to open her mouth, lest she vomit.
The guards showed Rillie inside a small chamber. Even though it was not large in size, it was the most beautiful room Rillie had ever seen. The floor was covered in scarlet and gold carpeting and the walls held beautiful tapestries.
Rillie whirled around at the sound of a small cough. The queen was seated on a wooden bench. She was still wearing golden robes, but they were less ostentatious than the ones Rillie had seen earlier. The queen’s face was serene, yet stern and her long hair was bound with a golden cord.
“You may curtsey,” the queen said, keeping her eyes locked on Rillie.
Rillie flushed, obediently dipping into a curtsey. “I am sorry,” she said. “I am not used to royalty.”
The queen chuckled under her breath. “I understand you are from Nasenia, yes?”
Rillie nodded. Remembering her manners, she added: “Yes, ma’am.”
“Sing for me.”
“Ma’am? I don’t know about that,” Rillie said quickly.
“Nonsense. Sing for me,” the queen repeated. Her voice was steely and hard, a touch less warm than it had been a second ago.
Realizing she had no other choice, Rillie began to sing. She sang of a pirate queen, a troupe of mermaids, and finally, a love ballad about a bird and a fish. By the time she was done, her throat was raw.
Queen Zornaya smiled. “That was very beautiful,” she said. “You have a very rare gift, Rillie.”
“Thank you,” Rillie said weakly. She licked her lips. “I am grateful for your praise.”
The queen nodded. “Yes,” she said. She frowned, her brow furrowing.
“What is it?” Rillie asked.
The queen laughed shortly. “Such impetuousness!”
Rillie blushed hotly. “I am sorry, ma’am,” she said quickly. “It is just…well, you seem to be in distress.”
The queen nodded. “Aye,” she said. She sighed. “Rillie, I am not quite sure how to ask this, so I will trust that you are a smart woman who can figure out what I am about to say.”
Rillie nodded. She felt more confused than ever.
“Recently, Zheka experienced a very frightening event,” the queen said. “You may know of what I speak – you have been associating with Baelan Covendane, correct?”
Rillie nodded. “Yes, but he hasn’t said anything to that effect, ma’am.”
The queen laughed again, but it struck Rillie as not particularly humorous laughter.
“Of course not,” the queen continued. “Why should he?” She gave a brief shake of her head. “Rillie, to make a long story very short, Baelan married a woman that he believed to be good.”
Rillie frowned. Is he married? She thought in horror. Why didn’t he tell me? She felt like a fool, especially at the memory of his brown muscles rippling under the sun.
“She was not good. She was, in fact, a sorceress in disguise,” the queen said, raising an eyebrow at Rillie’s queasy expression. “And Zheka was placed in very grave danger.”
“I see,” Rillie lied.
“It was quite a scare for me,” the queen said. “And now I must ask you a very large favor.”
“Yes?”
“You are never to sing in public again,” the queen said. She smiled, but Rillie knew that her words were serious. “I am sorry to require this of you, but right now, I cannot take any chances that my country will be placed in danger once again.”
“My voice is harmless,” Rillie said. “I haven’t harmed anyone!”
“That may be,” the queen said smoothly. “But nonetheless, this is a demand from me – Queen Zornaya. And if you refuse, I shall have you sent away from Zheka forever.”
Rillie blinked. Tears welled in her eyes but she nodded.
“I cannot have you placing undue influence over the men of this country,” the queen said. “I am sure you understand, do you not?”
Rillie nodded again. Humiliation and shame flooded her body – she wanted nothing more than to throw herself under one of the large pieces of furniture and melt into the luxurious carpeting.
“Well, it is settled,” the queen said. She got to her feet and Rillie instinctively curtsied once more. The queen clapped her hands. “I shall have a guard show you out. Thank you again for such a wonderful private concert.”
Before Rillie could think of a reply, the guards entered the room. They flanked Rillie at each side and showed her out of the queen’s chamber.
Rillie walked through the castle in a daze. There was some kind of ball or feast going on – the halls were crowded and full of men and women in fine silks. They were all chattering and laughing.
Seeing their joy just made Rillie feel worse. By the time she emerged from the castle, she was struggling not to cry. And worse, Baelan was nowhere to be found.
Rillie ran down to the docks. The air was beginning to cool and it felt wonderful against her face as she ran faster and father. By the time she reached the pier, she was out of breath. The embarrassment was beginning to fade, and Rillie felt confused and angry. She didn’t understand – what exactly had the queen been thinking would happen? It’s not as though I can incite people to violence just by the sound of my voice, Rillie thought angrily. She hummed a few bars of the song under her breath. It felt scandalous but good. Closing her eyes, she sang a bit louder, strolling along the edge of the water. She took her leather slippers off and carried them in one hand, enjoying the wet sand under her feet as she sang and walked.
That was when Rillie saw Baelan emerge from the edge of the wood. He looked both relieved and worried to see her. Rillie was so happy to see him, she forgot what the queen had told her about his marriage.
When Baelan saw her, he grinned. “I heard your singing! What did the queen wish to speak with you about?”
Rillie sighed. “She had me sing,” she said. “And then she told me I was forbidden from singing in public, ever again.”
Baelan’s jaw dropped. “What? Why in the name of the gods would she give you such a strange command?”
Rillie shrugged. “I have no idea,” she said softly, shaking her head. “It was humiliating. I feel as though I am being punished for something I didn’t even do.”
Baelan took her hand. Rillie felt the same spark between their bodies, and she was glad it was dark so that Baelan wouldn’t see her blush. He pulled her close.
“Rillie, you have a very special gift,” Baelan said quietly. “Perhaps the queen is jealous.”
Rillie frowned. “I do not think that is it,” she said. She sighed. “She told me of the recent trouble, of the peril that Zheka…but I am unsure how that would be a problem now.”
Baelan shrugged. “The queen has been through a great deal,” he said.
Rillie bit her lip, hoping Baelan would talk of something else – his failed marriage, perhaps – but he stayed silent, gazing out to the sea.
“I do not know what I should do,” Rillie said. She sighed and flopped down onto the wet sand. “I have no other skills, no talents – I can do nothing but cook a few dishes and sing.”
“I am sure that’s not true,” Baelan said. “Why, everyone can do at least a few things well.”
Rillie raised an eyebrow and stared at him before laughing. “You are so arrogant,” she said, tossing her long hair over one shoulder. “You come from privilege – you think everyone has it as easily as you!”
Baelan frowned. “That isn’t true.”
Rillie smirked. “Are you sure?”
In the moonlight, Rillie saw Baelan’s cheeks flush.
“Perhaps it is true, if only slightly,” Baelan said. “But Rillie, do not worry. I…I am sure you will find a way to make a living.”
Rillie felt cheered by Baelan’s words, even if she knew them to be false. “My father always told me that I was useless,” she said, licking her lips. She took her hands from her lap and traced patterns in the wet sand around her body. “And he was right. I should never have left Nasenia – at least there I had a home, and a roof over my head, and a family.”
Baelan didn’t reply.
“I just wanted something more, you know,” Rillie said softly. She tilted her head back and stared at the creamy white stars in the sky. “I wanted more from life – I didn’t just want to cook for my father and watch him grow old. I had fantasies…I wanted to make money, to send back to him, so he could live more comfortably.”
“That’s very noble of you,” Baelan remarked.
“And yet I feel a fraud,” Rillie replied softly. “Baelan, I am not sure what to do now. What will happen to me?”
Baelan opened his mouth to reply but no words came out.
“I shouldn’t be burdening you with my problems,” Rillie said. “It isn’t fair. We’ve just met.” She took a deep breath. “And yet, I feel…so comfortable speaking with you, almost as if I’ve known you for my whole life.”
Baelan chuckled. He reached for Rillie hand and brushed the damp grains of sand from her fingers before lacing his grip with hers.
“I know exactly what you mean,” he said. He squeezed her hand and Rillie’s heart skipped a beat in her chest. Baelan locked eyes with her and she shivered – there was something intense and dark about his sapphire gaze. Rillie was very aware of the breath filling her lungs, of her chest expanding with each moment. Just as Baelan leaned closer to her and closed his eyes, she felt a surge of happiness and arousal swelling inside of her heart.
“Covendane!”
The loud exclamation was enough for Rillie and Baelan to leap apart.
“Oh, why,” Baelan groaned, whirling around.
“What is it?” Rillie asked, yanking her hand back and scrambling to her feet. “Who’s there?”
“It’s my captain,” Baelan said, sighing.
“Covendane, get over here!” The sharp male voice barked. “Right now!”
“I have to go,” Baelan said. “Promise me, you’ll be here tomorrow. Promise!”
Rillie nodded quickly. As she darted into the woods, her heart pounding, she thought of the word. I promise, she thought. Oh, Baelan! I promise.