Chapter 09
Bree
Two days later...
I made a face when the sponge went through the wound on my arm. I looked at the wound that healed. It was a cut not too deep, but it would leave an ugly scar. Taking the ointment mixture that I had prepared, I began to cover the clean place. That was another one of my skills that had been passed on to me as an inheritance. My grandmother had made a point of teaching me how to handle herbs. I knew which ones could heal and which served to kill. Even those that were not a poison, I knew how to transform them and use them for that purpose.
- The secret is knowing how to dose, my child. - she whispered as she prepared the mixes. - An extra gram can kill. One ounce less may not heal. Everything must be balanced so that the effect is beneficial.
I remember I smiled at her with admiration. She was so different from my father, with his infinite wisdom. He made a point of teaching me every recipe. How to pick the ingredients, how to make a good roast. My grandfather taught me how to hunt wild boar. Setting a good trap and defending myself from any animal's attack. No matter where I was, I would never die of starvation or infection in my wound.
- What are you doing? What are you doing?
Keilan's voice made me jump and I almost fell into the lake.
- Are you out of your mind? - ...I've stirred up by standing up. - You want to scare me to death?
- Better me than your majesty. - he laughed.
- What do you mean by that? - I asked by frowning.
Keilan ran his hand through the goatee and stretched out his arms to get the sash I had separated. He signalled me to come closer and started bandaging over the wound.
- Alec is suspicious of your story about being kicked out of the house. - he said. - After he questioned Oliver, he questioned me about his abilities. So, in your place, I'd be more careful.
I froze on the inside and stared at Keilan with apprehension.
- Do you believe he knows anything?
- No, but I think you should consider telling Alec the truth.
I frowned. Keilan had never suggested that I reveal my identity to anyone. He knew how dangerous it was for my sisters.
- Keilan, you know that the lives of Aideen and Aileen are at enormous risk if my mother knows I'm alive. - I took a deep breath. - If I tell Alec, he'll tell Alistair and then my mom will know everything.
- I don't think so. - he said in a soft, confident voice. - I heard something during the interrogation that made me apprehensive. In fact, not just me, but Alec too.
I looked at him with apprehension. He had heard about the interrogation and the way Alec had conducted it. I was surprised that he terrified the prisoner, who now knew his name was Oliver, with a hot iron. I also heard that he broke the man's nose with a single punch.
- Aside from the fact that Alec has forbidden me to approach the prisoner? - I disdained. Keilan looked at me with a face. - What's that? What's that? You know he's an idiot and he's doing it to provoke my ego.
- I'm serious, Bree!
- Me too!
Keilan shook his head from side to side.
- Oliver said that Ravenna is helping Roy with the purchase of the mercenaries.
- I knew I had a rotten mother's finger on it. - I whispered. - After what she did to Aideen, I don't doubt anything else.
- I think Alec thinks so too, but one question came to my mind and I try to understand. - said Keilan. - Oliver had said that Roy has two paintings in a personal salon. One is that of a redheaded woman who, by the description he gave, was that of Ravenna.
- Makes sense. - I shrugged. - They were always very close brothers and he always showed a lot of affection for her.
- Yeah, but it doesn't explain why he had a Ravenna painting just with Aileen.
- That doesn't surprise me either, since he's always loved Aileen. - I frowned when I remembered the times when he would come with gifts just for her. - Aileen was always their favorite. Both my mother's and my uncle's. Aideen and I were like a plague in both our lives. It was like we were something that hadn't worked for Ravenna.
I took a break laughing.
- I think she thought my father would bring the title she'd lost years before. Obviously this didn't work out and Ravena had to settle for the fact that she was the wife of a silent lord.
Keilan let out a laugh and I followed him. Deep down, I was hurt to know that Aileen was always our mother's favourite, but I never blamed her for it. My middle sister had always had her own glow, an inner light which radiated and attracted everything to herself. It's okay that she had always been limited by my mother, but whenever she could, she showed her petulant and haughty personality. She had always had a keen sense of direction. I could get in and out of any place I've never been before. His ability with the bow
