The Majestic Impostor by Tanya Bird

Author:Tanya Bird [Bird, Tanya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Tanya Bird

Chapter 19

Twelve pieces of gold. That was her worth. She later discovered that ten pieces was standard. Prince Felipe had paid Quinn twelve, likely hustled by the savvy farmer who got to keep the gold as payment for the part he played. Quinn left with Loda, assuring her that he would return the mare to the manor where she would wait for Aldara to return. He had said goodbye in a way fitting of a father before leaving her, casting a concerned look in her direction as he disappeared from sight. Aldara suspected the concern was genuine.

She travelled to Masville Castle in a cart filled with servants. They stared at her as she climbed in and took a seat on a hessian sack stuffed with straw and continued to stare at her for the rest of the journey. Aldara turned her face away, looking out at the bare paddocks and crumbling houses where people stood with drawn faces and stooped heads, watching her with the same blank expression the servants were.

The castle rose on the horizon, reaching out of the thinning trees. When they arrived at the high wall, they waited as the portcullis went up. Aldara took mental notes of every detail and was surprised to discover a second gate. The cart stopped once more, the portcullis behind them lowering, momentarily caging them in. Her eyes travelled along the walls, discovering holes, men visible through them. She marvelled at the cleverness of the space, one that trapped unwanted visitors and allowed archers to shoot at them while remaining protected behind a wall.

She felt relief when the gate in front of them began to move, cart lurching forwards once more. The sound of it closing behind her made her hands clammy. She looked around the courtyard, alive with people unloading carts and shouting instructions. Tilting her face up to take in the castle’s sharp rooftops, she closed her eyes, feeling for Tyron. Surely if his heart was beating inside these walls, she would hear it.

‘Move,’ came a voice beside her.

She opened her eyes to find one of the servants glaring down. The cart had come to a stop and the other passengers were waiting for her to move out of their way.

‘Sorry.’ She jumped down and stepped to the side so they could pass. She looked about, wondering whether she should follow them inside or wait for someone to collect her.

‘Medea?’

Aldara turned to see a woman standing in the doorway, light brown hair braided to one side and sad blue eyes. She wore an embroidered dress that showed off her figure. Her chin was raised, hands folded in front of her. ‘Are you the mentor?’

The woman nodded. ‘My name is Petra, but you will address me as “my lady”.’

Aldara exhaled, once again trapped in that world. At least she had come willingly this time. ‘Yes, my lady.’

Petra regarded her for a moment, as if trying to decide something. Her overall demeanour was far less threatening than her previous mentor’s.

‘Follow me.’

Aldara watched her turn and walk away.

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