Sworn To Transfer

outskirts of the Ameles Forest that was close enough to the kith road to receive trade from travelers. “This is Borden. There have been reports of widespread disappearances in the area, but no deaths.”

Sebastian knew that only he, his father, and the regiment commander had been privy to knowledge of any kind of disturbance in the area. He had to wonder how she had gotten hold of it.

Continuing after a pause, she said, “That could mean that the villagers decided to relocate to an outside town and leave no notice right in the middle of fall harvest, or they’re all dead somewhere. Regardless, Borden is the town closest to the Ameles Forest, and one of the few with all human residents.”

Reluctantly Sebastian spoke while moving forward to eye the ten-mile distance between Ameles and Borden. “You seem to know more about the situation than anyone else outside of my father’s inner circle.”

Before anyone could issue denials, he raised a halting hand and said flatly, “I don’t care for platitudes right now. Let’s suppose the bodies were here at court. What does that tell you?”

“That someone wanted the court to find them, for the nobles to know about the massacre,” Stephanie said without hesitation.

“But why?” said Gabriel Somner. “The nobles don’t care for the poor.”

Hastily, he added, “Not to include yourself or those close to you, Lordship.”

Sebastian ignored the comment and said, “It gives them a reason—a reason to invade Ameles. The nobles have been trying to annex that forest since my forefathers set it up as an independent principality centuries ago. They want the forest.”

“And Ciardis is the oil to light the flame,” Christian concluded, “They didn’t need her before. But now the bodies are gone, out of the nobles’ reach. They need another reason to start a war. What’s a better way than sending the Companion of the Prince Heir to her death?”

“Who ordered her there, Milord?” asked Gabriel Somner point blank.

“I did,” said an authoritative voice from the doorway.

The regiment commander was beginning to get a headache. Where were his guards and why weren’t they guarding the blasted door?

After a pause, Stephanie smoothly stepped in. “Your Highness, Regiment Commander, and Christian Somner, may I present Maree Amber, Head of the Companions’ Council and Guild?”

Her presence filling the room, Maree Amber stepped forward. “I sent Ciardis to the forest ahead of me to build fortitude. I see I may have made the greatest mistake of all.”

Turning piercing eyes on young Christian, she said sharply, “You believe she is to be murdered?”

“Or forced to use her powers to kill more humans,” he said.

“Where is the second nearest town after Borden?” she said crisply.

As one, Stephanie, Sebastian, Gabriel, and Christian pointed to Hartspoint, which sat just southwest of the forest.

“Very well,” she said, “Milord, you’ll send a detachment of troops to the town immediately to secure the premises and evacuate all residents if necessary. We will go directly to the kith forest to end this foolish war before it begins.”

Eyeing them all and turning to Prince Heir Sebastian, she said, “If that suits you, Milord?”

What could he say to that? He knew that Lady Amber had been handpicked by his father, and besides, she was right. “It does,” he replied.

Turning to the Regiment Commander Sebastian asked, “Sir, how soon can your regiment be ready?”

“On the move by morning.”

“Good; there’s little time to lose.”

Chapter 27

An entire week went by before Ciardis and Terris felt well enough to venture outside their guest homes again. When they did, Ciardis decided to have a quiet day exploring the noonday market. As she stared down at the intricate fabrics laid out on a blanket outside a weaver’s shop, Ciardis was impressed. She picked up a particularly beautiful robin’s egg blue piece that had golden thread stitching on the border in a rose pattern. Footsteps behind her warned that someone had come up next to her, and a hand slipped into the crook of her elbow. She was quick to show Terris the beautiful design she’d found.

“Yes, yes, it’s beautiful,” said Terris, impatient with excitement. “But we need to go. The golden griffin is birthing her kits.”

“Hmm,” murmured Ciardis as she appreciatively looked over a deep red scarf that would go perfectly with the red ball gown she already owned. She wasn’t ready to go yet. But Terris wouldn’t take no for an answer, and alternatively tugged and cajoled her into heading to the healer’s birthing center. When they reached the door and stepped into the airy facility, they saw the laboring griffin in the corner.

By her side was the head midwife. The same stout human female with a thick waist and no-nonsense attitude who had hustled the group out of the healing center when Raina had first arrived. Helen had her sleeves up to her elbows and her messy hair thrown into a bun on top of her head as she positioned herself to ease the delivery of a third griffin cub.

She turned to face the door as they walked in. She pursed her mouth as she saw Ciardis. The girl was dressed in spotless attire that looked easily dirtied.

“I’m about to be arm-deep in a griffin, girls. This had better be important,” she said pointedly.

“I know,” stammered Terris. “We came to see if we could be of any help.”

Ciardis raised an alarmed eyebrow. We did? Blood, birthing fluid, screaming—this was not going to be good.

Helen looked them over for a moment and finally said, “I can’t handle the two cubs over there and take care of their mama. And she seems to like you, so come over here and lend a careful hand.” Terris was practically vibrating with excitement, while Ciardis was more inclined to start backing away slowly.

“Like us?” said Ciardis in a whisper, “How does the healer know? The griffin hasn’t said a word.”

“Precisely. If she had disliked us, we wouldn’t be standing here. She can project a powerful screech that will echo through your body in a wave. It’s so powerful that the shock has been known to crack bones,” whispered Terris.

“What?” said Ciardis in a harsh whisper, “And the kits?”

“Don’t be silly,” replied Terris. “They’re babies.”

Ciardis noticed that she hadn’t said they couldn’t project the shock screech.

As they walked over, Helen, the head midwife said, “Your clothes. Change them.” As they both turned, she said, “Just Ciardis. Terris, your practical ones are fine.”

As Terris came over and Ciardis was directed to a back room, Helen said, “And no speaking during this process. I’ll need to soothe Mama Griffin with vocal magic.”

Ciardis took in her options in the workroom and opted for the cleanest. She changed into patched brown breeches and a too-large, far-from-immaculate tunic. They were plain and clearly belonged to someone who was indifferent to measuring tape when cutting hems.

Oddly enough, these remind me of home. It’s been so long since I’ve worn something so...simple. She felt free for the first time in a long time. Irritated with where her thoughts were going, Ciardis hurried back outside. Going to a bowl at Terris’s indication, Ciardis rinsed her hand in the healer’s mixture of vinegar and rose water to cleanse them. Walking over to the griffin kits, she copied Terris’s motions. While holding each griffin kit in a thick blanket, Ciardis was careful to avoid the claws on its feet as she wiped it down from head to tail to get rid of the birthing fluid surrounding it.

Looking over at Ciardis, Terris motioned for her to first wipe the fluid from its eyes and to use an inflated pig’s skin to suck out the fluid from its nose. As she finished that task and slowly wiped down its body, the little griffin raised its head blindly search for the human holding it. Terris cooed in awe. Ciardis was less inclined to praise it, but her hands stayed gentle and focused. Standing up once their kits were clean, Terris motioned for her