Don't Forget to Dream (5 page)

Rhyla was so adamant that Callum was forced to see things from her perspective. He had never thought of the possible consequences when he had given her the ring
, he just wanted
her
to
have something from him, yet couldn
’
t understand why he felt that way.
“
I understand. I don
’
t want to create any problems for you.
”

“
Thank you,
”
she said placing the ring in his hand just as he had the night before.
“
I have taken up too much of your time as it is. I had best be going.
”
With another, steadier, curtsy she said,
“
Good bye, my Prince.
”

As she rose and began to turn away
,
Callum gently took hold of her hand so she had to face him once again. The touch sent a tingle to her arm and a flare of colour to her cheeks. Meeting his gaze she felt a strange lon
ging she had never known before.
She
could look into those eyes for hours.
“
If there is ever anything you need Rhyla, if I can ever be of assistance, you must call on me. I will not see you turned out on the street.
”
Conviction was clear on his face.

“
Thank you, that means a lot to me.
”
She braved a smile but he could see no confidence behind it. He released her hand, watched her gather up her basket and
leave
the garden.

Later that afternoon Prince Callum could not stop thinking of Rhyla. Upon first meeting her weeks previously, he was taken by her intense eyes, the golden shimmer that highlighted her long chestnut hair and the strong stature with which she carried herself. He had never been one for the delicate, fair girls most favoured around court. It was obvious that she had worked hard throughout her life to have such a physical presence but he saw none of the
ravages that took many women who worked the fields or other such harsh laborious occupations. Over the weeks since he had first met her Callum had been impressed by her dedication to her work and her easy balanced manner with every customer. The agile and lithe movement with which she manoeuvred between tables and deftly avoided the groping hands of some patrons, spoke more to him than the intricate dancing he had to endure at various events
at the palace.
But today she had given him a great deal more to think of and fingering the ruby ri
ng he had replaced on his finger,
he knew she was
a
young woman that he needed to know more about. He had never before been anywhere where he was not known by name and rank, never been treated like any other person
. It was such a pleasant change to that of being fawned
over. He knew that there was something special about
Rhyla;
he also knew th
at she was right to be concerned.  W
omen were turned out of positions like hers for the most minor of reasons. What ever happened he knew he could not see her come to harm.

After sitting through several hours of meetings with councillors, merchants and trade groups at his fathers
’
behest, Callum sought out
Martin in the b
arracks. Even though he knew he was expected to learn the dutie
s of a Prince and King, as having an elder brother with
two fit sons, Callum knew his father only inclu
ded him in these meetings because he was a member of the Royal Family.

As a captain
,
Martin had his own room within the barracks. He was polishing his boots when Callum approached his open doorway.

“
I
’
m sure there is someone else to do that for you,
”
he chimed in false pomposity.

“
There is, but performing the simplest tasks keep a man
’
s feet on the ground no
matter his station,
”
his friend intoned in reply.

“
Martin, I can always rely on you to strip away the pretension my father surrounds me with.
”

“
Not at all my Prince,
”
he replied placing his boot and cloth on the ground before standing and bowing formally,
“
I am but a humble soldier.
”

“
A humble soldier,
”
Callum laughed as he entered the room.
“
t
he youngest captain of the royal guard in living memory, even being promoted earlier than your mos
t accomplished master at arms; your very own
father.
”

“
Perhaps, but you still manage to defeat me on occasion. Now did you come here to reminisce? Or heap praise upon me so I will participate in some ill-dreamt scheme.
”
Martin could not help laughing softly at his childhood friend
’
s feint at shocked indignity.

Callum joined in the laughter at the old jest of the numerous pranks, indiscretions and general misdemeanours around the palace the pair were either captured in the act of, or strongly suspected of, in their youth.

“
No, I think we both left those adventures behind us many years ago, much to our fathers
’
great relief.
”
Callum
’
s humour faded and he became more troubled. He looked out at over the courtyard and brushed his hand through his hair with a sigh. Unable to fully explain the reason for his preoccupation even to himself
,
he had trouble finding the right place to start with what he wanted to ask of his old friend.
“
Do you know why Rhyla came to see me this morning?
”

“
Rhyla, t
he tavern maid?
I thought she wanted to thank you for helping her last night,
”
he replied thinking it had been fairly obvious.

“
Yes, that was part of it.
But
…
I gave her this,
”
Callum fingered his ruby ring.

“
Your ring.
Why did you do that?
”

“
I
’
m not sure really. I paid her for the lost income for the evening then
…
I guess I felt sorry for her. Yet she gave it back
to me this morning.
She
refused to keep what she hadn
’
t earned.
”

“
How very honest and unusual for a tavern maid,
”
replied
Martin.
  A concerned Callum responded
“
That
’
s
what I thought. I don
’
t think she
’
s your everyday tavern maid.
”

“
Why, because she didn
’
t know who you were and now she does she isn
’
t swooning at the site of you.
”

Callum had to laugh at his friends jibe.
“
No.
”
His smile faded.
“
There
’
s more to her, to her situation. I know Tobias is a greedy, self serving ass who can
’
t hold his liquor, but he knows better than to make such a scene over a tavern maid.
”

“
I don
’
t know what you are getting at. Lord Tobias is not one to take any refusal lightly. He wanted whatever Master Drake owed him and with the spirits in him his temper just got the better of reason.
”

“
Perhaps, yet I still think there is more to this.
”
Callum
’
s troubled frown said more to his old friend than the words he failed to say.

Martin thought for a moment,
“
One of the younger lads in the guard, Brit, is a cousin to Joe. And one of the serving lasses worked for Duke Blake and should still have access to the house gossip. I should be able to ask around a bit and find out if there is more to this.
”

“
I would be most grateful.
”

“
I am but a humble servant of your esteemed household
,
my prince,
”
Martin said with an elaborate bow, and a broad cheeky grin that tarnished the servility of the gesture.

The following morning Captain Martin found Prince Callum as usual at arms practice as his father, Th
omas, Master at Arms.
Being distracted by Martin
’
s arrival Callum only just managed to parry a
lungeing
attack that should have pierced his right thigh, before stepping back and calling a halt to the session. His opponent drew himself up accepting the Princes
’
handshake to end the bout.

Sheathing his practice sword in an old leather scabbard
that was
dangling from his left hip
,
Callum strode over to the Guard Captain.

“
Prince Callum,
”
Captain Martin said with an appropriate bow for their surroundings. They were familiar after growing up together, with the pretence required in public by their respective positions, and played the game suitably.

“
Captain Martin,
”
Callum replied equally formally before lowering his voice and glancing around to ensure no one was close enough to over hear their conversation.
“
I trust you had an informative evening.
”

“
I did at that.
”
His expression was more tr
oubled than Callum had expected.
He
squared his shoulders as the Captain continued so that he alone could hear.
“
It would seem that Master Drake is seeking to profit from Rhyla
’
s pleasant appearance, above and beyond that of her simply serving food and ale.
”

“
Profit.
In what way?
”
Callum asked darkly, knowing already the unseemly answer he would receive.

“
Rhyla is a maiden,
”
he whispered.
“
Lord Tobias has the highest bid on taking her maidenhood. According to Joe she had no idea of Master Drake
’
s arrangements until Lord Tobias confronted her last night, intent on claiming his prize.
”

Martin knew there was no need to continue. Callum
’
s face had taken on a harsh red glow, and the veins standing out upon his neck and forehead had nothing to do with his mornings exercises. It took several minutes for Callum to draw a steady breath and control his words.
“
I have heard of this happening in the less savoury taverns around the city. But I will not stand by and allow this to happen under my very nose, not to Rhyla.
”

“
I agree with you, but what do you intend? No laws have been broken at this time. Confronting Lord Tobias will not help Rhyla, neither would
confronting
Master Drake. Even if Lord Tobias were able to force himself upon Rhyla, she has no family to defend her honour. It would be a tavern girl's word against a Lord.
”

“
I cannot let it get that far.
”

“
Do you think by simply telling them to call off the wager it will stop them?
”

“
No, I am not so ignorant. Anyway my open involvement w
ould only draw attention to it. N
o doubt that would lead to some scandal and p
ossibly do Rhyla more harm.
She
cannot stay under Master Drake
’
s control. I have to get her out of there.
”

“
Get her out? And do what with her exactly?
”

“
I don
’
t know. Find her a place here where she will be safe. There must surely be a position for her in the
palace
kitchens.
”

“
Are you sure you know what you are saying? Everyone will hear sooner or later that you had her brought in, make assumptions and equally ruin her honour.
”