A Nefarious Plot

I stood. "Then I suppose this is the end. A shame, really. I think we might have been very good for one another. But I will not force you to accept my friendship or my actions. I did what I felt I should do. It helped you as well, whether you will see it or not. I hope someday you may think of me more kindly."

"Perhaps someday I will."

"Rest well, Master Convarta." I swept him my most graceful curtsy then turned and strode quickly back towards home, blinking back tears. I had just reached the ridgeline when I heard hushed voices. I spotted two dark figures standing ahead of me and moved closer to the fence, trying to disappear into the shadows.

"-e's here every night at this time, always alone."

"He wasn't alone tonight."

"Yes, but she didn't show up until he'd been here quite a while. If we act quickly, we should be able to whisk him away tomorrow night, no problems."

"And where are we taking him?"

"We've got a spot that will work mighty fine to dispose of the wild man. The boss has a righty tighty plan, too, to get him killed without having to do the dirty work ourselves."

"Excellent. We'll need the carriage here tomorrow night, then?"

"Yes."

The men said their farewells and slunk away. Once they were gone, I breathed a deep sigh of relief at not being caught. Now to warn Master Convarta. Clearly someone wanted him dead.

I made my way up the trellis, which was only slightly harder than climbing down, and got ready for bed. I slept well again.

As soon as I was awake and dressed, I wrote a quick note for Master Convarta, as I now had to think of him.

"Master H. Convarta, I overheard a plot to dispose of you last night. I believe it would be best if you skipped your nightly vigil for a while. -JR"

I had Mirella send it with the post. Hopefully he would receive it in time. Just in case, I begged out of the family's evening plans (attending a play) and kept watch out my window. I did not expect to see the wild man at the park. I truly believed my letter would be enough to warn him away.

When I saw him approaching his usual bench, I groaned. I had already dressed for bed, so I threw on my long, black cloak over my white nightgown. Tucking the small, sheathed dagger Remdon had tried to teach me to use into one of the pockets, I also grabbed what I called my adventure knapsack. I had packed it after my second run-in with Mistress Ildasan and filled it with things that I felt would be useful if I ever got lost in the woods again.

I moved quickly out my window and down the trellis. When I reached the edge of the park, I found Master Convarta sitting on his bench. I was about to shout a warning to him when I noticed the carriage parked at one of the lesser-traveled entrances to the park. Two dark figures were creeping from the carriage to Master Convarta and I wondered if they had weapons.

Deciding not to risk a confrontation, I moved quietly along the edge of the park, keeping to the shadows. I reached the carriage and found only a coachman there. He was distracted, a large map spread on his lap that he was trying to read by the light of a flickering lantern.

Smiling, I let myself silently into the carriage and opened the benches. The rear-facing bench was empty, so I tucked myself in, making sure the bench closed securely over me.

I had been sitting in the dark for only a few minutes when the door crashed open and I heard the carriage shake as someone let out a loud grunt.

The door slammed closed and the lock clicked into place, and then we were off. I raised the bench just enough to peek out and confirm that Master Convarta was the only other person inside before throwing the lid open and climbing out.

"Jen!" he exclaimed as I sunk down on the seat I had just closed. I felt a tingle of pleasure at having shocked him into using my given name. He looked handsome, his dark hair slightly mussed and a smattering of dark stubble on his firm chin. He wore evening clothes, a white shirt with dark pants and jacket. I tried not to feel self conscious in my plain white nightgown hidden under my dark cloak with my hair in its usual nighttime braid.

"Del. Fancy meeting you here."

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, as my letter seems to have gone astray, I thought I might try my hand at rescuing you."

"Your letter did not go astray. I simply chose to disregard it."

"Why?"

"Did it not occur to you that perhaps I had a plan? That perhaps I wanted to get caught for some reason of my own?"

"Strangely, that did not seem as likely to me as the thought that my letter may have gone astray and that you were about to be taken by surprise."

He let out a short laugh. "I suppose that is fair."

"If you had wanted to keep me away, you could have thanked me for my kind warning. You could have really done anything to confirm that you had received my note and I would have left you to your own devices."

He snorted. "So it is my fault that you are here?"

I sighed. "I did not come to fight with you. I came to help."

"I do not need your help." His words were harsh, his tone bitter.

"As you wish."

With that, I relaxed back on the seat and watched the scenery flying past the window. It was a beautiful night. We were already in the woods. If the bumpiness of the ride was any indication, we were on a less-travelled road, which seemed like a sensible choice.

As I sat, I thought about what I would do. Since Master Convarta did not want my help, I would have to escape somehow. Perhaps, when they stopped, I could sneak out of the carriage and find my way home. Thankfully, I had some money tucked in my knapsack, along with a blanket, food, and water.

If only he did not hate me, my sad inner voice mourned. I would enjoy having his exclusive company if only we were still friends.