Chapter 5
Cole
Cole couldn’t decide if he wanted to cheer or scream.
Mistel had followed him. Him! These past two weeks he’d thought she hated him. Clearly not. Yet her being here was also his worst nightmare. How could he want something so desperately yet dread it at the same time?
That Achan, Sir Caleb, Prince Oren, and Kurtz all knew this girl had followed him embarrassed him to no end. Did they think he had encouraged her to come?
He pondered this as he sat cross-legged with Kurtz in the tent they shared, both of their thoughts inexplicitly linked in a telepathic group meeting started by the king.
I have informed Prince Oren and Sir Caleb of the situation, Achan bloodvoiced. They are here listening as well. Before I share our opinions on this matter, Cole, I’d like to hear yours.
“I didn’t invite her here, Your Highness,” Cole said aloud. “I swear. In fact, I told her she couldn’t come.”
None of that matters at present, the king voiced. What is your will?
Cole’s will? Did he truly get a say?
“Honestly, I don’t know, sir. She’s not wrong about her ability to woo a crowd. We’d stand a better chance of getting hired to play with her than on our own.”
In fact, with Mistel at Cole’s side, they could give Jeffrey some decent competition, get hired to play at the Black Boar.
Yet I sense some hesitation in your words, the king voiced.
Plenty. “Just that I don’t feel equipped to protect her,” Cole said.
When he blundered in a fight with Kurtz by his side, Kurtz’s training gave the man the ability to protect himself. What training did Mistel have?
He’s not equipped to protect her, Kurtz said, which smarted. But he’s right about her skill with a crowd. She’s also downright cunning. If we could be certain of her allegiance…
Oh, I’m certain of that, Achan said. Uncle? Sir Caleb? What say you?
We all know the distraction a woman can be in the wrong situation, Sir Caleb said. This, to me, feels like the wrong situation for Cole.
Of course Sir Caleb would say that.
Yet, if she’s on his side…Prince Oren said. On our side. Brought into our confidence…She could be invaluable. I have too few women in the Marad.
No offense, Your Highness, Sir Caleb voiced, but that’s for good reason. The Marad is extremely dangerous, and Miss Wepp has no self-defense training of any kind.
Can we stop her from following Cole and making matters worse? Prince Oren asked.
If she causes a scene or interferes in some way, then I could warrant the use of force to detain her, Achan said. But I don’t feel right telling her where she can and can’t go.
We’re just over halfway to Tsaftown, Kurtz said. We could give it a few more weeks. See how she behaves in camp.
I don’t like her being the only female there, Sir Caleb said. I daresay Lord Livna won’t like it either. He must be informed.
I disagree, Prince Oren said. The woman hid herself well and was only discovered because the king used his magic to seek her out. No one else will be looking for a woman. If she can keep her identity hidden, that proves her mettle.
Derby Wenk knows, Kurtz said, but I can talk to him.
She introduced herself to Derby as my cousin and a member of our band, Cole said.
Cousin is a surprising twist, Sir Caleb said.
Can you do your job with her there, Cole? the king voiced. Will she distract you from your mission?
Cole thought about it. Not from any task. Only that I’d be worried about her safety.
It’s only natural to worry about a friend’s safety, Achan voiced. On the battlefield or off.
That’s the story you’re going with? Kurtz said. That they’re just friends?
Apparently, we’re cousins, Cole said. She told Derby so, and I’ll go along with it. That will keep things platonic between us.
Because the mission must come first. Ice Island and his uncle. Plus, Cole cared for Mistel enough that he didn’t want to risk her getting hurt because of him. Best they stay friends only.
As long as she doesn’t interfere with the mission, Prince Oren said.
Or jeopardize anyone’s safety, including her own, Sir Caleb added.
Cole, Achan voiced, if problems should arise, have Kurtz bloodvoice me right away. Is that clear?
Yes, sir. Cole tried to imagine what kind of scenario might constitute such a problem.
So, we let her stay? Kurtz asked.
It’s up to Cole, Achan said. If he isn’t opposed, she can stay.
Cole couldn’t deny that he wanted Mistel around, yet he could feel the conflict inside him, fear warring with the desire to be close to her—to sing with her. To show up Jeffrey.
She consistently tells me that she can take care of herself, Cole said. And dressed as a soldier, perhaps she can. But what about when we reach Tsaftown, and she is Mistel Wepp again? I’d feel better if she at least had a female companion.
That’d make me feel better, too, it would, Kurtz added.
Cole raised an eyebrow at Kurtz, but the man’s eyes were shut.
A prudent thought, Cole, Sir Caleb said.
I have just the person, Prince Oren voiced. I’ll check in with her. Contact me once you arrive in Tsaftown, and I’ll give you instructions.
Then it’s settled, Achan voiced. Mistel Wepp can stay and be brought in on the mission only as Prince Oren allows. She is to keep herself hidden until Tsaftown where she will have a female companion, and she will pose as Cole’s cousin.
A chorus of farewells filled Cole’s mind, and then his thoughts became his own again. A heavy silence fell over the tent.
Cole met Kurtz’s gaze and asked, “Since when do you think a woman needs a chaperone?”
“Since she attached herself to you.”
Cole smirked, and a breath of laughter escaped. “Whatever happened to letting a woman help me forget all my troubles?”
“It’s different when she’s the one causing trouble, it is,” Kurtz said. “Go on. Find your new cousin and tell her the news. And try not to look too happy, eh?”
Cole pushed to his feet, crouching beneath the low ceiling. “I’m not unhappy, but I am worried about her safety, especially once we reach Tsaftown.”
“If she wants to stay, she’ll fall in line, she will,” Kurtz said.
As if Mistel was a string Cole could tune on his lute. Plus, some strings refused to stay in place, no matter how often he adjusted them.
He left the tent and returned to the practice field. Mistel was nowhere to be found. No surprise. As he stood, considering where she might have gone, Jeffrey Korngold’s melodic notes reached him.
Hackles rising, Cole followed the sound, weaving through soldiers dismantling tents.
He reached a clearing around the remains of last night’s bonfire, where Jeffrey stood in a wagon bed, lute in hand, belting out the famous song Mistel had written about Achan.
At least a dozen onlookers had gathered.
“The pawn our king, sing merry, merry, merry.
The pawn our servant king.
For he was once the lowest of all strays
And now claims to be king.”
Mistel stood at the front, clapping, farmer’s hat back in place. Less than an hour here, and she’d already found their competition. A tangle of emotions rolled through Cole—seeing her admire Jeffrey, standing among soldiers who had no idea she wasn’t one of them.
He needn’t fear. Right?
Mistel caught his gaze and nodded at Jeffrey, her eyes bright, her lips quirked at the corners, just enough to hint at her approval.
No surprise there. Of course she would find Jeffrey a superior musician. Cole’s jaw tightened, and he turned and walked away. Deep down he knew she deserved better than him. And he wasn’t about to stand in her way.