Chapter 84

Bastian was busy working on new clothes, Gladiola working alongside him, both their hands working nimbly with the woollen fabric and rough thread spun from horse hair.

Hydrangea and Periwinkle were out milking the cow and goat. Dimitri and Brigitte were both feeding the horses. Linden and Rowan were carving and forging certain tools that could be useful on the journey.

Rose was busy in the kitchen, her hands chopping and stirring. The sounds and scents of sizzling meat and vegetables were heavy in the air.

"Palmer!" She called, sweeping her hair into a bun, "Palmer, get your head out of that book and go get me some more wood."

Ariston was sitting in one of the chairs at the small table, his eyes scanning a map that detailed the path through the mountains.

He glanced up when he heard the young woman yell for her brother.

The young boy finally came in, his hands holding a book to his face.

He heard her sigh in aggravation and say, "Palmer. Did you hear what I asked?"

"Yes," He answered, the book not moving, "You asked me to get you some firewood."

"Yes, I did. And where is it?" She asked calmly but her voice was tinged with a warning. In her hands was a knife, it's blade preoccupied with slicing a loaf of bread.

"The wood is in the basket by the stove." The boy answered and with that he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, his eyes still trained on his book.

Rose balanced her knife on her fingers, her cherry red lips twisted in an annoyed grimace, "Well, would you look at that." She mumbled to herself as she moved to place the wood in the stove.

"I can get that." Ariston said, standing hurriedly.

She turned and blinked her sapphire blue eyes in surprise, "No, there's no need." She said with a kind, but gracious smile.

He shook his head, "It's alright, besides, you need to cook."

She smiled and then moved back to stand at the counter and continue in the slicing of the bread.

With long strides he walked to the hot stove and saw the basket of wood next to it. As he placed the logs under the pot he heard a gasp and then felt small, warm hands on his shoulder.

"What happened?" He heard her quiet voice ask. He could only assume she meant his scars.

He swallowed and continued with his task, "Back in Wanington me and Dimitri were each punished by fifty lashes each." Among other things, he finished in his head.

"Oh, dear. That's awful."

He stood, having finished with his task and glanced at her, her blue eyes wide with concern. It warmed his heart a little and he hurried to assure her, "It's alright, we've healed over the past weeks."

She nodded and he could see in her eyes that she was thinking, "Does it hurt?" She asked, looking up at him. The fire illuminated her brown hair and made it shine phenomenally.

He shook his head slightly, "Not anymore."

She frowned, "Still, those scars are awful." Her eyes then lit up as if an idea had come to her, "I have a balm that I make for Row and Linden when they get injured, let me fetch it."

He stretched his hand out, "No, that's alright."

She turned back and smiled, "Let me fetch it."

He dropped his hand and she went out of the room. After a few seconds had elapsed she came back in, a box in her hands, "Here you are." She said happily.

He received the box mutely and she returned to her work.

He sat back down and the door opened to allow his brother and Brigitte entry. Dimitri was laughing as always and Brigitte was smiling, her brown eyes looking up at Dimitri with an emotion Ariston was slightly shocked to see.

He could've sworn it was affection.

Before he could think too much on the matter he looked down at the map, only to feel Dimitri slap his shoulder, "What's this?" He asked picking up the balm he'd received from Rose.

He glanced up at her to see she was busy by the stove that held the roaring fire.

"It's a medicine from Rose." He said quietly.

Dimitri looked at the Queen's sister and smiled slyly, "Indeed?"

"Yes, and if I were you, brother, I would leave it alone." He said not looking at his older brother.

Dimitri's smile grew, "Alright, whatever you say." He held his hands up in surrender and glanced at Brigitte, both of their eyes were gleaming.

When dinner arrived they all sat in the couches in the sitting area, Ariston had said that he would eat in the kitchen. So Rose joined him, not wanting him to eat alone.

Brigitte was talking animatedly with Dimitri about their experience at the toll bridge in Waxingville. Dimitri was smiling and listening intently.

Bastian scoffed. He could see that his friend was falling for the maid. He glanced at the flower and saw that she was stirring her stew uninterestedly.

He looked back at his own stew and ate it with caution.

When night came they had successfully created a plan and many needed supplies. In the morning they would continue their work.

Climbing the stairs Hydrangea said goodnight to her sisters and to Brigitte, then crept into her room quietly and shut the door.

While she brushed and braided her hair her mind was preoccupied with what had occurred that morning. Why had he done that? She touched her cheek remembering the brush of his fingers.

She blushed when she remembered her glimpse at his body. Then she chastised herself for being so easily swayed by his appearance.

'He was not good at heart.' She reminded herself but she again felt conflicted when she recalled his gentle touch.

Shaking her head she blew out the candle and went to sleep. A certain Sovereign shaking his own head as he attempted to sleep.