Chapter Eleven
Vonetta
The ride to Nerine is slower than all of our travel so far, but the ride is relatively short in comparison.
The “entourage” includes several riders to both lead and follow our open carriage.
Everything is very stately; from the tall, magnificent beasts that pull us onward to the guards, to the rich cloaks on their shoulders and exquisite blades holstered on their backs.
When they met us at our door this morning, the men bowed to us, taking our bags and placing them in storage compartments on the rich navy carriage. Wren takes the middle seat on the bench, flanked by me and Chiron.
On the road, there aren’t many people waiting to catch a glimpse of us.
But when we get into Nerine in earnest, the cobbled streets are lined with men, women, and children all fighting for an opportunity to see the party—to see us.
Wren has his small book grasped tightly in his hands, nervous about all of the attention.
I am too, but I wave a little and smile at the children on their fathers’ shoulders, eager to see and be seen.
Chiron is as poised as I expected him to be. He has one arm across the back of Wren's seat, and with the other, he waves at the crowd with his charming grin on display. I imagine he has done this his entire life, traveling through townsteads and villages as the oldest child of the royal family.
I think he must appear at ease to everyone here, but I know that this is a face he wears when we are under the eye of his people, our people.
We arrive at a large inn centered in the city.
When we exit our carriage, Chiron offers Wren and me his hand, and we take it to step down.
I smile at him politely. I am careful to appear dignified and warm, but I do not feel it.
What I feel is much more complicated than that.
When we woke this morning, there was a quiet mourning of our plans as we made ready.
But before we exited our small retreat, Chiron took each of our hands in his own and said,
“We’ll find a way back here. Not for a while, but soon.”
I hold on to that promise now.
We wave our goodbyes to the people gathered on the street; their excitement for our arrival is alien to me, but not unwelcome.
We are led to a chamber on the upper floor of the great structure.
One of the guardsmen opens it with a key, nodding to us all and then placing his back to the wall next to the door.
Here we will be under guard for our stay.
Such a sharp contrast to our solitude on the Isle and through the hills.
We are alone in the large space, but only for a moment, when a knock lands on the solid wooden door and Chiron answers it.
He invites in two young men and one woman.
She is a girl, really, not much older than eighteen years, if that.
They all give a small, unexpected bow, and it brings heat to my cheeks.
“Lady,” she says, her voice melodic and soft. “I am Jessah. I was sent by the Queen to serve you during your time in Nerine and will travel back to the capital to await your arrival there.”
My surprise is unhidden; I had not even considered this part. I have served many years for Vestera and understand her role here now, so I take her hands in both of mine and bow my head to her.
“Thank you, Jessah. Please, call me Vonetta. I would be so pleased to have your help while we are here and in the capital.” Jessah smiles warmly back at me.
“My lady, the Queen asked that you be fitted for a wardrobe of anything you wish. I will take your measurements and wishes and shop for you while we are in Nerine, if that is well?”
I nod back to her. All I have with me are the riding breeches, the soft gown from the cabin, and the tunic I am wearing now. So I lead Jessah to a nearby settee, and we discuss some of the things she can procure.
She is a wise young woman in the ways of this court, and I know she will be one of my best resources for finding my place amongst the ladies there.
Her hair is a soft brown and is coiled and pinned at the nape of her neck.
Her gown is simple and slate, but has elegant embroidery in a slightly different shade at the hem and neck.
I wonder if simple elegance is how the ladies here are dressed.
“What colors and materials are appropriate for me?” I ask her. She seems surprised at my question, but her voice does not betray her.
“Lady, you are free to choose any color or material. I can give you suggestions for a base wardrobe, but the styling is truly up to your taste.” This confounds me; I have never had to consider anything of the kind before.
Our dresses on the Isle are simple tunics, often made from linen we wove ourselves and largely undyed. The Lady, though, has gowns of blues and purples, like the cloak she sent me with. I stand up, walking across the space, and take my cloak in hand. I hand it to Jessah, and she inspects it.
“I think I would like a woad gown, but something that would complement my cloak—and simple, please. Some breeches and short tunics, any color you suggest is fine for riding and hunting. And for my nightly wear, some very plain gowns please, undyed if that’s possible.
” Jessah smiles, taking down notes for her orders.
“Are you sure only one gown, Lady? I would suggest more, maybe 4 or 5 to start.”
This surprises me, but I defer to Jessah with the note that they all be simple in construction and of whatever style she sees best. She takes my measurements quickly, efficiently even.
She bids me farewell with another bow. When she’s gone, I remain sitting on the settee in thought.
I've never much cared for matters of clothing and adornments, but I see now this is important to the Queen.
I do not yet know her, but I will accept what Jessah finds on her behalf gracefully.
Chiron and Wren are still speaking with their men-servants.
Chiron is chatting with his, and I get the impression they are familiar with one another.
Wren looks very disturbed by whatever his attendant is suggesting, and I assume it’s in nature similar to what my maid had for me.
After the servicemen bow and excuse themselves, we are finally alone for what feels like the first time today.
“Five tunics for daily wear? Not accounting for dress coats and jackets, breeches…I didn’t realize I needed so much clothing to sit and speak with people. It’s a misappropriation of resources.” Wren says, lying back on the settee with his arm thrown across his face.
Chiron sits up near where Wren’s head lies, arm across the cushions, and is incredibly amused at Wren’s distaste for courtly dress.
“This is not a fight you will win, my friend. I’ve sat for fittings and judged swatches since I left my swaddling clothes behind. I suggest you let this one go.” I laugh with him. It’s so different than anything Wren or I have known, but it’s commonplace for Chiron.
I motion for Wren to lift his legs so I can sit back down. He does so and then drapes them lightly over my lap. I lay back into the cushions myself. Everything about this day has been bizarre. I close my eyes and relax for this one quiet moment.
“Do we have more plans this day, Chiron? A state dinner, perhaps? A ball?” I say to him, still amused by it all, and wary that he will say yes to either of those suggestions.
I open my eyes, and they both look at me, amusement and weariness melting away at our companionship.
“Actually…we are due to visit some local shops and speak to the people. It’s tradition to take a meal with some of the well-to-do families in town as well.
But we have time.” He lays his head back and closes his eyes; we all do.
This little block of silence we’ve earned sits well, and we stay this way until the next knock sounds.
…
For the rest of our day, we are escorted through the city by our guards and our attendants.
We visit the local leather-smith, the clothing boutique where Jessah shows me endless swathes of fabric.
To Wren’s delight—his only delight–a bookshop filled to the ceiling with tomes.
I do not blame him; it is a marvel to explore.
The seller welcomes us to return to his shop before we leave the city, and Wren heartily agrees to his invitation.
Chiron leads the conversation, to my great relief, nearly everywhere we go.
Discussing everything from local business to weather with them, and he never appears bored or uneducated about the subject.
People smile at him, and I believe they truly love him as their heir.
Passersby whisper and bow to us on the street the entire day.
My face feels tense from smiling, and my bones are ever weary by the end of the evening.
When it is late, and the sun is low in the sky, we make our way back to the inn.
We share an intimate supper with the Lord and Lady who oversee much of the land in this area. Lord Nephrys is seated at the head of the table, Chiron to his right, and Wren is to his left. I am seated next to Chiron and across from Lady Nephrys.
“Please, call me Menira. I hope you find Nerine well, my lady.” She is a petite woman with rich auburn curls bundled onto her head.
Her gown is a deep red and stunningly adorned with small jewels—fine as anything Vestera wears.
But she is kind and humble, so I do not mind asking her to call me by name.
“My lady, you do me a great honor. I want to do as you ask of me, but it is both a habit and a respect to use honorifics with the royal house. I will try.”