“What are you doing here, child,” she asked pulling a piece of short springy curl, “and in disguise? If I’d known it were you, I would’ve said something.”
“I didn’t want you to until we were somewhere where no one else could overhear, or see. As soon as Garreth can get away I’ll tell you what has happened.”
She took Melenthia’s hands in hers and squeezed. “It must be something terrible if you are here at this time of day. I will bring you up some dinner and hot tea. You get comfortable. I will send Conor up with some hot water. You take a bath and eat, then Garreth and I will be up in an hour.”
“Okay.” She leaned over and kissed Kya on the plump cheek.
When Kya left the room, she slipped her bag off her shoulder and set it on the bed. She stretched her back and legs to loosen the muscles from being on horseback all day, and sat down in the chair. A quiet knock on the door alerted her to the arrival of Conor and the hot water, so she opened it, and a young boy of about thirteen came in. He looked just like his mother, but taller. He had the same brown hair she did, but had a build closer to his father, muscular but leaner. He came in carrying two large buckets of water and dumped them into the tub. He had always had a crush on her, and when he saw her looking at him, he blushed.
“I hope the water is the right temperature for you, Your Highness,” he said bowing.
“Please, Conor, we’re not in court. It’s okay to call me Melenthia.”
At that he blushed more. “I don’t think I could call you that, M’lady, it’s too improper.”
She smiled at him again. “Trust me, from this point on, Melenthia is all I have. I no longer hold the title of princess.”
“Has something happened?”
“Nothing you should worry about, Conor. I’m going to have a nice soak in that warm tub, then talk to your parents about some things. It’ll be alright.”
He bowed to her. “I will leave you to your privacy, Your..uh, Melenthia.”
“See, isn’t that much less stuffy?”
He smiled now, amused. “I guess so.”
“Good. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
He looked nervous again. “Oh, yes, I’m very sorry.”
He backed out of the room and shut the door. She laughed, locked it behind him and proceeded to get undressed. The dust from the day was only lightly coating her tonight, since she had not yet gotten too far, but the warm bath would help ease her tension and refresh her. She needed to be well rested for the long journey ahead.
While she soaked she went over in her head everything she knew so far. Fallon, having already acquired many parcels of land, and overtaking many towns across his realm, now apparently wanted land that belonged to her father. He was planning something and she was somehow the key to it all. She couldn’t fathom what on earth she could have to do with anything that related to power or riches, but the thought scared her. Her father had not been himself for quite sometime. He seemed so distant all the time, forgetful and melancholy. She knew that it had been hard on him after her mother had died, but this was different than loneliness. He seemed to have an agenda for every decision he made, and the agenda was not his normal one; it seemed more power driven. At times she felt he was afraid of something, like something had a hold on him, but he never let on as much. It was just something she noticed because she knew him so well. Obviously, Kevaan felt it too, and that’s why he knew she had to flee. She regretted that she broke her promise to him and didn’t wait for him, but things were happening faster than either of them planned. Leaving was the only choice. She leaned back in the tub and closed her eyes.
***
Kevaan and his father were in the conference room, just after dinner, talking about the arrival of Fallon and his men. Melenthia had been gone for many hours, and Kevaan had not let on to his father of that fact. He thought surprise would be best. Telling his father would make him nervous, and Fallon would see right through him. Kevaan was not concerned about himself. He would never let Fallon bully him as he was trying to do his father.
Kevaan sat at the table and watched his father pace back and forth across the room. Sweat was beginning to bead on his forehead, and he was mumbling inaudibly.
“Father, pacing back and forth isn’t going to make any of this better.”
“Yes, I know. I’m worried that Melenthia will do something to make Fallon angry. That would be bad. She just needs to accept what is done and present herself in a mature and civilized manner. I don’t need her making this more difficult.”
“We’re talking about Melenthia, father. She will not make this easier on you, you know that. She will more than likely make Fallon mad. We’ll just have to keep the situation under control. I’m telling you now, though, if he tries in any way to hurt her, I will put an end to it myself, pact or no pact.”