Something Darker; Chapter 7

I stand by Frowin, scanning over the letter my mother had left for me. A year after she had passed, Micah and I had each received a letter from her. Letters she had written to us with the intent of them being given to us after she died. I remember the first time I read mine. It was before the Shadow Marks had appeared. Back then, her apologies for the 'mess she had made,' hadn't made any sense to me, but now they were beginning to.

"Do you always get up early?" a voice asks from behind me.

"You're one to talk," I say, shoving the letter into the saddlebag. I pretend to adjust the straps on the saddle. Zanthus, I call out, Anytime you're ready.

"I, um, I was hoping to run into you, actually," Jax says.

Stopping, I turn my head to look at him. "Oh?"

"I wanted to thank you. For what you did yesterday. Getting rid of Harsing."

Looking back on last night, I know that my action had been rash and stupid. I had to hope that Harsing's desire to stay out of prison or worse will keep his mouth shut about having seen me, especially if my brother has told the nobles to be on the lookout for me. I turn my head back to the saddle and continue the 'adjustments.' "It was nothing."

I'm right outside. Anytime you're ready, Zanthus's voice purrs in my mind.

I push Frowin's stall open and lead him out. "Have a good day," I tell Jax as I exit the stable.

Once I'm out, I swing up into the saddle and pull my hood up. I can see the castle of Havenwoods on the far side of the town.

I tap Frowin's flank with my heel and he begins moving. I urge him to a canter, and he picks up speed, carrying me towards the castle. Zanthus, in crow form, flies overhead.

xXxXx

I make it to the castle in good time, but of course, my luck couldn't allow for two good things in a row. Lord Calus was in a meeting that he couldn't just leave, and formality forced me to wait until he could greet me, as since he was in the castle, I had to ask for permission to go digging through the library and its records. Following formalities was not something I missed.

I wait impatiently in the sitting room, tapping my fingers on the arm of the chair I sit in. Finally, after two hours, the door opens, and Lord Calus enters.

I stand and bow my head, greeting him, "Lord Calus."

Lord Calus bows in turn. "Princess Violet. Please forgive the wait. I wasn't expecting your highness's visit. I would have thought you'd be at the palace preparing for the annual Spring Festival."

The annual Spring Festival. I had nearly forgotten about that, but if Lord Calus thought I was at the palace, that means my brother hasn't told the nobles to be on the lookout for me, which is good.

I smile at Lord Calus. "Unfortunately, no. I don't have time for that."

Lord Calus nods, smiling. "May I ask what has so taken your time and brought you all the way to Havenwoods?"

"I need access to your library and records."

His smile fades into a puzzled expression. "The library and its records?"

I nod. "Yes."

"Might I ask why?"

My mind goes blank. I hadn't anticipated this. Thankfully, Zanthus from his unseen location is quicker on his feet than I am.

Tell him exactly what I tell you too. Say you were going through old volumes in the palace library, he tells me.

Careful not to let my own confusion show, I repeat what Zanthus said to Lord Calus. "I was going through old volumes in the palace library."

There were some missing. "There were some missing." The records show them traveling all around. "The records show them traveling all around." In New Port, the final record said some came here. "In New Port, the final record said some came here." You're hoping to find either them or the next possible location. "I'm hoping to find either them or the next possible location."

Lord Calus smiles again and nods. "Of course." Lord Calus offers me his arm. "Allow me to show you to the library."

"Thank you," I say, taking his arm.

The walk to the library is thankfully short. Giving orders to the librarian to give me access to all the records and give assistance as needed, Lord Calus takes his leave.

I begin with the records from Lord Devon's final years, thanking librarians for their sniff-necked organization and record keeping.

I find nothing that fell out of line, more-or-less, with the story Zanthus had told me about Lord Devon's final years. I find nothing useful. I sit staring at the record book, trying to think of something.

My eyes wander to a special, locked bookshelf. Curious, I walk over to it. Looking through the glass panes on the door, I notice that none of the books inside have titles. They also all vary in size. Some look to be more worn than others. Closer to the bottom of the bookshelf, there is empty space for more books.

Journals. This bookshelf was full of journals. Of course.

Smiling, I send a silent prayer that Lord Devon had kept a journal and go to find the librarian to open the case.

The librarian didn't want to open the lock for me though. I had to convince him that journals counted as records, and there-by fell under my unlimited access. Reluctantly he opened the lock, but not before warning me that I had to return the key before I left the library, or else.

Once he was gone though, I began digging through the journals. Beginning at the top I worked my way through, journal by journal until I found the one that had been written by the Lord Devon I was looking for.

I walk back to the table with my prize, but before I can start reading, I hear a noise from behind me. I turn in my chair to find a maid standing between two bookshelves.

She quickly bobs a curtsy before speaking. "Forgive the intrusion, your highness, but Lord Calus was wondering if you would like to dine with him and his wife."

I look to the only window I can see, to see that indeed the sun is dipping quite low in the sky. I hadn't realized it was so late. "Yes, of course. Just give me a minute."

Reluctantly, I return the journal to its place on the shelf and lock the doors. At the entry of the library, I return the key to the librarian.

Following the maid to the dining room, I realize how famished I am. I glance down at my un-gloved hands to make sure that the shadow marks aren't appearing. Seeing that, for now, I'm good, I focus the majority of my remaining energy into the concealment spell.

At the entry to the dining room, the maid bobs a farewell curtsy and the harold announces my presence. Lord Calus and his wife welcome me to the dining room and then dinner begins.

At the end of dinner, Lady Claus turns her surprisingly sharp eyes on me and asks, "Princess Violet, did you find what you were looking for?"

I smile ruefully. "Unfortunately, not yet, but I do believe that I am very close. Speaking of which, I should probably head out so I can get some kind of sleep tonight before trying again tomorrow."

Lord Calus looks surprised, and Lady Calus gives me a look of mute horror. "You don't mean you intend to ride out at night?"

"Uh, well, I'm staying at an inn in the town. I actually only just arrived very late yesterday."

"My lady, forgive me if I speak out of term, but I must insist you spend the night here. I couldn't live with myself if you were to leave, and something were to happen to you. Besides you look absolutely pale, you're in no condition to ride."

I look at Lord Calus in surprise. He simply shakes his head. "I would try to help you but, I'm afraid that once my wife had her mindset, there is little anyone can do to dissuade her."

"I didn't bring any of my things with me. I had thought I'd find my answers sooner," I say, my last idea to get out of staying.

"I'm sure I can find something for you to sleep in," Lady Calus says, "It would be no trouble."

I bow my head in defeat. "Very well. I'll stay for the night."