The Mentor

Tanya Bird

Copyright © 2017 by Tanya Bird

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

For my readers.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Where to next?

Prologue

‘Hali!’

Hali was counting the coins in her hand and looked up to see her twelve-year-old sister, Linza, weaving through the crowd and running towards her. ‘Where have you been? You are meant to be watching the front of the table for little thieves. I just lost two loaves of bread while trying to barter for meat so that you get to eat tonight.’

‘The prince is here!’ Linza shouted, not hearing a word she had said.

Hali put the coins in the pocket of her apron and searched the marketplace. ‘Which prince?’ she said, playing down her own excitement.

‘Prince Pandarus,’ Linza replied, breathless from running.

At that moment their father stepped behind the table, carrying a bag of wheat. Hali stared at it and felt a wave of disappointment. She bit down on her lip in an attempt to stifle it. ‘Is that all he gave you for eight loaves?’

Felix laid the bag of grain against a leg of the table and fished something out of his pocket. ‘And this,’ he said, holding up a small jar of preserved quince.

A smile broke out on Hali’s face as she took the jar from him. ‘I love you for this. Your sweet rolls always sell, and there is enough here to last us a few days.’

‘Assuming you don’t eat them all, we should finish the week with a few extra coins in our pockets.’

‘Oh, stop it,’ Hali said, turning away from him. ‘Did you hear that Prince Pandarus is here?’

‘Yes, I heard Linza shouting about it from the other side of the marketplace.’

‘I saw him,’ Linza said, stepping between them, face flushed with excitement. ‘He rode right past me.’

Hali took hold of her sister’s face and squeezed. ‘I’m surprised he did not stop when he saw this lovely face.’ She let go and turned to her father. ‘Why is he here do you suppose?’

Felix bent down and kissed the top of Linza’s head. ‘Hopefully checking the scales of the merchants.’

‘I think you will find that task is a little below him,’ Hali said, smiling up at her father.

‘One needs to remain optimistic.’

Before Hali could reply, a woman approached the table and stood eyeing the rows of bread stacked in front of her. She was holding a basket with a few root vegetables in it. Hali exchanged a look with her father before turning away and pretending to appear busy.

‘Do you have coin?’ Felix asked the woman, his tone friendly. ‘Coin or meat is all that we are trading today.’

She stared up at him with an expression that suggested she had neither. ‘I have potatoes.’ She took two large potatoes out of her basket and held them up for him to see.

When Felix did not respond, Hali turned back around and spoke up for him. ‘They’re a good size,’ she said. ‘But as you know, there are eleven mouths to feed in our house.’

The woman stared into her basket. Most of the vegetables had been given to her out of kindness from marketeers who were aware that she was newly widowed.

‘I have six mouths to feed myself.’

Felix crossed his arms in front of him and let out a heavy breath. His gaze shifted to Hali, who shook her head at him. He ignored his daughter’s silent plea and picked up one of the smaller loaves from the table and handed it to the woman. ‘Keep your potatoes.’

The woman took the bread and held it with both hands as though it were a newborn baby. She was so overwhelmed with gratitude she could barely look up at him. ‘I won’t forget your kindness. I’ll be here next week when the carrots are ready.’

‘Carrots we might take,’ he said, waving her away to save them both further embarrassment.

She turned away, carefully placing the loaf on top of the vegetables in her basket as she did so. Hali stared at her father, waiting for him to explain himself. He kept his eyes on the table where he was rearranging the loaves and said nothing.

‘He’s coming!’ Linza said, grabbing hold of Hali’s arm. ‘The prince is coming!’

Hali looked up and saw Prince Pandarus walking towards them. She quickly untied her apron, letting it fall to the ground before kicking it out of sight. When he stepped up to the table, eyes fixed on her, her heart was pounding away in her rib cage.

‘Good day,’ he said, eyes flicking down to her round hips, then up to her lips.

His shaven face and red tunic drew the attention of nearby merchants. Hali felt her body grow rigid under his grey-eyed gaze.

‘Good day, my lord,’ she replied, curtsying. She grabbed hold of her sister’s skirt on the way down to remind her to curtsy. Her sister mirrored the action but was too overwhelmed to speak.

‘Good day, my lord,’ Felix said, bowing awkwardly next to his daughters.

Pandarus ignored the greeting and kept his eyes on Hali. ‘My men and I need some bread. We hear the best bread is right here.’ He glanced behind him where two men stood with the horses, and then he leaned forwards, hands resting on the table.

Hali looked nervously behind him at the men and then down at the bread. His close proximity was making her entire body blush. ‘Well, it’s the only bread sold in Arelasa, so I suppose that makes it the best.’

‘It is of high quality, my lord,’ Felix said, offering a loaf up to the prince. ‘All grain, no fillers. You are welcome to try it.’

Pandarus glanced at Felix for the first time and took the loaf being offered to him. He tore a chunk off the end and slowly brought it to his nose where he breathed in deeply, all the while watching Hali. ‘Does it taste as good as it smells?’

‘Better, my lord,’ she replied, not breaking eye contact with him. Her heartbeat was drumming in her ears, but she found herself unable to look away from him.

Pandarus took a piece of silver from his pocket and held it out for her. It was enough to buy every loaf displayed between them. Hali stared at the coin in his hand.

‘How many loaves are you wanting, my Lord?’

‘Just enough to satisfy our hunger.’ There was something suggestive in his tone that made Hali’s cheeks turn a deeper shade of red. ‘Take it,’ he said, extending his hand towards her.

She hesitated before reaching out and taking the coin from him. As she did so, he closed his hand slightly so that his fingers brushed hers. The rush of heat she felt made her look away.

Felix clear his throat. ‘Perhaps we could package up some loaves for you to take with you.’ He turned and picked up one of the empty sacks that the bread had arrived in.

‘That won’t be necessary,’ Pandarus said, grabbing a few loaves from the table and tossing them back to his men. ‘But there might be something else you can help me with. Perhaps we can talk in private?’

Felix stilled for a moment. When he finally stepped out from behind the table, he glanced at Hali, whose expression no doubt confirmed every warning bell sounding in his head.

* * *

Hali felt much younger than her nineteen years as she stood before her parents that evening. Her father sat, staring down at the floor in front of him. Hali’s mother was standing next to him, face pinched with worry.

‘It’s a lot of money, and their appetites are growing,’ Hali whispered, pointing to the other room, where her younger siblings were finally asleep. The only way to ensure they finished their conversation was for them to stay that way.

‘We are not making this decision for money,’ Felix said, sitting straighter in his chair and closing his eyes.

‘Why not?’ Hali asked. ‘You have an entire family to think about, not just me.’

‘You’re a big part of that family,’ her mother replied. ‘We will not sacrifice one on behalf of the others.’

Hali’s gaze returned to her father. If she was ever going to convince her mother, she needed him onside first. ‘Going to live at Archdale Castle is hardly a sacrifice. It’s what most girls dream of.’

‘Most girls dream of becoming princesses, not mistresses,’ her mother said, shaking the idea from her head.

‘Not a mistress, a Companion.’

‘That’s just a fancy word for mistress,’ her mother snapped, throwing her hands up.

Felix finally raised his tired eyes to Hali. ‘Do you understand what he is proposing?’

‘Yes, money we desperately need and an opportunity for me to be educated and socialised among the upper class.’

Her mother’s hands went on her hips. ‘Education doesn’t change the fact that you will be expected to share a bed with the man.’

The idea should have horrified her, but she felt only an odd excitement. ‘It’s all right. I understand.’

Both parents stared wide-eyed at her for a moment.

Hali drew a breath before continuing. ‘We all know I should be married by now. I have turned down two offers because I did not care for the men that made them and because we cannot afford for me to be gone from the household. Well, I care for this offer. And the money will mean that father can get an apprentice until Niko comes of age.’

Her mother shook her head. ‘This is not an offer of marriage, this is an offer of a sinful existence, one that will mean you can never marry.’

Her father watched her reaction to the words, and then said, ‘I think Hali understands the implications.’

Her mother turned to him, eyes widening even more. ‘Are you actually considering this? God will not forgive such a choice.’

Hali exhaled loudly and looked between them. ‘Are you really going to bring God into this? We barely attend church here because Sunday is our biggest market day. I will attend more mass at Archdale, where it is compulsory.’

‘You will need to if you are fornicating,’ her mother shot back.

Felix raised a hand to silence his wife, but his eyes remained on Hali. ‘Pretend that there is no money being exchanged. Let’s say that you met the prince today and he asked you to come to Archdale with him. What would you say then?’

Hali glanced at her mother, whose pleading eyes wanted a different answer to the one she was about to give. ‘I connected with Prince Pandarus today in a way I have not connected with a man before.’

‘That’s because he is a prince. It is nothing more than a girl’s infatuation!’ her mother said, glaring down at Felix. ‘The girl is confusing lust with something more.’

Felix ignored her. ‘So you would choose this proposed life at Archdale? One of books, fancy clothes and noblemen, without the offer of money?’

Shame boiled inside of her. With an apologetic expression, she replied, ‘Yes.’

Everyone fell silent for a moment.

Felix reached out and took hold of his wife’s hand, then looked up at her. ‘She is old enough to understand the implications of this choice,’ he said with a shrug.

Her mother pulled her hand free and covered her face with it. ‘And she will pay for this choice for the rest of her life.’

Chapter 1

From the moment Hali’s eyes snapped open she knew something was wrong. She had not just woken, something or someone had woken her.

‘Hali,’ came a voice into her ear. ‘Come with me.’

She turned, searching for a face in the darkness.

‘Come with me,’ Fedora said again, keeping her voice low. ‘Quietly now. Do not wake the others.’

Hali sat up in the bed, trying to gauge the time. All the Companions were still asleep. She looked down at Aldara, who continued to sleep soundly next to her. Something was wrong. Fedora was now standing up, gesturing with her hand. Hali carefully removed herself from the bed and tucked the blankets around Aldara. She followed Fedora to the door. A lamp was burning in the dressing room, and they moved towards the soft lighting.

‘What is it, my lady?’ Hali asked, as they stepped into the room. ‘Is everything all right?’

Fedora turned to her, calm and composed. Hali could read nothing from her face.

‘You are leaving for Veanor tonight. Prince Pandarus has organised transportation for you. There is a guard waiting outside to escort you to the stables.’

That woke her up. ‘Veanor? I thought Prince Pandarus was going to Zoelin?’

‘He is. You are being to transported to Veanor. The prince has organised temporary housing for you there.’

Hali tried to process the information. ‘What am I to do in Veanor?’

Fedora remained patient with her. ‘You will be staying with Lord Clio and awaiting further instructions.’

Hali knew then that something was very wrong. ‘The awkward sheep farmer?’

‘Lord Cleo is shy.’

She thought for a moment. ‘Am I coming back here, to Archdale?’

Fedora’s expression softened. ‘I do not believe so.’

Panic crept up Hali’s back and restricted her throat. ‘Is this the moment? Is this the moment I disappear in the night while the others sleep?’

Fedora’s hands went on Hali’s shoulders, holding her gently.

‘Yes, this is that moment. Do not be afraid, it is just a moment.’

Hali pulled herself free and staggered back from Fedora. ‘I want to see Aldara.’

Fedora was forced to take a tougher approach. Picking up the velvet dress draped across the chair, she held it open. ‘Put this on. I will answer as many questions as I can while you dress.’

Hali stared at the dress extended in front of her. Her limbs refused to move. ‘Will I get to see Aldara before I leave?’

‘No. There is a process I have to follow. It protects you both.’ She pushed the dress closer to Hali, who reluctantly lifted a heavy leg and stepped into it.

‘Will my family be told?’

There was silence for a moment.

‘It is unlikely that Prince Pandarus will notify them. I might be able to, but it will most likely be without his knowledge or consent.’

Hali nodded and lifted her other leg into the dress. It was such great effort. ‘Do you know where I am to go from Veanor?’

Fedora glanced up as she guided Hali’s arms into the dress. ‘To Zoelin. Prince Pandarus is currently negotiating the terms of your residence there with King Jayr.’

Hali’s arms were limp at her sides. ‘I cannot live in Zoelin. Don’t you remember how bad I am at with other languages?’

Fedora did not argue that particular point. ‘Not only will you live there, you will find a way to thrive there.’

The Companion’s heart slowed. ‘How?’

‘By applying everything you have been taught. From the moment you arrive, you cannot show any form of fear or weakness before King Jayr. You know how to command a room with body language alone. Those skills are universal, and you will need to use them.’

Hali shook her head. ‘King Jayr has not even met me. What could he possibly want with me?’

‘He wants you to mentor the Companions.’

Hali frowned. ‘What Companions?’

‘Newly acquired Companions that will eventually be sold to buyers in Asigow.’ Fedora turned Hali around by the shoulders so that she could button the dress. Hali had known the moment was coming for weeks, but she never imagined she would be leaving Syrasan. Pandarus had once stood before her father and promised that she would remain safely tucked within the walls of Archdale. She was beginning to lose track of his lies.

Fedora buttoned the gown, her expert fingers moving quickly. She appeared to be running out of time, no doubt wanting to avoid guards storming through their quarters and waking the others. ‘Remain strong and you will be fine.’ She walked over to the dressing table and returned with a brush and a comb. ‘I know you feel as though your world is ending right now, but it is not. You have the privilege of preparing these women for what will be a challenging and uncertain future. They will be counting on you to ensure they are not eaten alive by the men that own them.’

Hali closed her eyes as Fedora brushed her hair. ‘We both know I would never have made it as a mentor here. Astra is a far superior candidate, but he would never hand her over to a man like King Jayr.’

Fedora stilled. ‘No, he would not.’ She resumed her work. ‘Careful. King Jayr is soon to be an ally. You need to go in with a clear head. Arrive as a mentor, not as a prisoner, and they will treat you as such.’ She did a quick plait, twisted it into a bun, and secured it with the comb. Turning Hali around to face her, she took her by the arms. ‘Do you understand what I am telling you? Command that room from the moment you arrive. Own the role assigned to you.’

Hali nodded while fighting back tears. She was unable to command even her own body at that moment.

Fedora let go of her and straightened. ‘Put your cloak on. The guard is waiting for you.’

Hali could barely feel her feet as she followed Fedora out of the room, guided by the soft flickering light of a lantern. When they passed the bedroom where the women remained blissfully unaware, she stopped at the door, but she did not look in. Fedora stopped also and spoke without turning around.

‘Be sensible, Hali. You are leaving with the guard in a moment, and there is not a thing any of us can do about it. Do you really want your last memory of her to be of her restrained by guards? Let her sleep while she can. The days ahead are going to be hard.’

Hali kept her eyes forward, but her feet did not move. ‘I will never see her again, will I?’

Fedora looked over her shoulder then. ‘It is very unlikely.’

Hali stifled a sob and forced herself not to look in the room. ‘You will take care of her, won’t you?’

‘I do the best I can with every girl under my care.’

Hali nodded, and her feet moved once again, one foot in front of the other, until they reached the guard, whose face she would not remember. Fedora handed Hali a small bag, no doubt filled with some personal belongings and clothes.

‘She is ready,’ Fedora said to the guard.

She did not have a choice.

Chapter 2

Lord Clio was one of the kindest men that Hali had ever met. He welcomed her at his home as though she were a noble house guest. Not only did he have an upstairs room prepared for at his manor, but he also gave her the services of one of his maids, Isaura, for the duration of her visit. The young maid was more wary of Lord Clio’s visitor, watching Hali with suspicion as she went about the duties inflicted on her.

‘Can I get you anything else, my lady?’ Isaura asked one morning, taking the breakfast tray that sat on the table in front of the Companion.

Hali had been watching the sheep from the high window as they sifted through the snow in search of grass. She jumped at the sound of the maid’s voice. ‘No, thank you. And please call me Hali.’

‘My lordship would not have it,’ Isaura replied, clearly not in agreement with him.

‘I won’t tell, if you don’t,’ Hali said, smiling up at her.

The maid did not smile back.

Hali looked back out of the window as Isaura hustled from the room, leaving her alone once again.

For five days it had been that way. While all of her needs were being met, she was alone. Lord Clio’s shy nature meant that he did not even invite her to dine with him in the evenings. So each night, she had her food brought up to her room, and ate with her reflection in the window. The girl reflected back at her appeared sadder with each passing day. In the evenings, when the house fell quiet, she would venture downstairs for a walk through the large house, ignoring the disapproving glances of the servants she encountered. She would browse the books in the library and sit in the comfy chair reading none of them. She knew Aldara would have finished half of the library in that time. Perhaps that was why she visited the elaborate collection.

Only when the lanterns had been extinguished throughout the house, and all was dark, did she climb back up the stairs and into the large bed she shared with no one.

It was the first time in her life she had ever slept alone. There had been no opportunities to be alone growing up, and no desire to anyway. She had always thrived amid the chaos of family, small people hanging off her skirt and calling her name repeatedly. Becoming a Companion had almost seemed like a natural next step, only this time living in close confines with people her own age. The Companions had become her new kin, Aldara her closest sister. Another family she would leave behind.

A knock at the door pulled Hali from her self-pity. Isaura stepped into the room again.

‘Pardon me, my lady, but you have a visitor.’

Hali shot out of her chair and stared wide-eyed at the maid. ‘What visitor? Who is it?’

‘Lord Yuri, my lady.’

Hali’s hands went over her mouth. ‘Did he say he was here to see me, or is he visiting Lord Clio? Do you know if Lord Clio informed him that I was a guest here?’

Her words spilled through the gaps between her fingers. Isaura just stared at her as though she had sprouted another head.

‘He arrived here a few minutes ago, and he asked to see you. That’s all I know.’

Hali looked around the room in a panic. ‘I should change my dress.’ She glanced down at her dress and brushed at it with her hands. ‘No, this one is fine. I do not want to appear too formal. It’s a casual visit, after all.’ She looked back at Isaura. ‘Where is he?’

‘Waiting in the library.’

Hali nodded, her mind racing and hands growing clammy. ‘Tell Lord Yuri I will be down in a moment.’

‘Yes, my lady.’ The maid left her, head shaking as she went back through the door.

Hali walked over to the dressing table and picked up the small hand mirror. She examined herself, then applied a small amount of paint to her lips and before placing the mirror facedown on the dresser. ‘Calm breaths,’ she said, breathing deeply through her nose. She reminded herself that she was a Companion. At least she had been.

She ran her hands over her hair to smooth it down and then left to meet with Lord Yuri.

* * *

Hali found Lord Yuri pacing in front of a wall of books in the library. She stopped to watch him from the doorway. His gait was so elegant, and his hands were clasped behind his back like a true gentleman. He had a few more grey hairs since the last time she had seen him, but he still looked as good as ever in his red tunic and black boots. Was he nervous? The idea relaxed her.

‘Lord Yuri,’ she said, stepping gracefully into the room. ‘What a lovely surprise.’

He stopped walking at the sound of her voice and turned to face her. His hands went to his sides as he took her in, and a grin spread across his face, one that made his eyes crease at the corners. He gave a small bow. ‘Hali. How well you look.’

She stopped a polite distance from him. ‘Lord Clio has been spoiling me. I am incredibly lucky to have such a generous host.’

His smile faded, replaced with a worried expression. ‘I am pleased to hear it.’

While she continued to smile at him, there was a childish part of her that wanted to run to him and fall at his feet, crying. ‘So, are you here on business?’

He gestured towards the chairs by the fireplace. ‘Shall we sit and talk?’

‘Of course,’ she said, walking over to the fire. ‘Shall I have some refreshments brought in?’

Lord Yuri waited for her to be seated before sitting himself. ‘I am afraid I will not be staying long.’

Hali felt as though her stomach had fallen to the floor. ‘How disappointing.’

He fixed his warm eyes on her. ‘I am not here on business. I came to see you.’

That cheered her a little. ‘Who informed you that I was here?’

‘Fedora wrote to me.’

Hali could not hide the shock on her face. ‘Really? What did she say?’

Lord Yuri’s face grew more serious. ‘She told me of your situation. That you had been sold. That you are to be transported to Zoelin soon.’

They were both silent for a moment.

‘I am surprised she contacted you at all,’ Hali said finally. ‘Why she thought that you would care to know the news is a mystery.’

Lord Yuri stared at her. ‘Is it? Perhaps she could see what you cannot.’

Hali felt her mouth going dry. ‘And what is it I cannot see?’ She was really hoping that his answer matched her suspicion.

‘That I care about you. Deeply in fact.’

She swallowed and tried to think of an appropriate response. Her mind was not behaving.

‘I was worried about you,’ he continued. ‘I wanted to make sure you were all right.’

She nodded in place of words.

‘Perhaps Fedora hoped that I might be able to help you. However, it seems I am too late.’

Hali leaned forwards in her chair and placed her hand over his. Her eyes were welling up, and she needed him to stop speaking. His gaze searched her face, moved down her neck, then fell to the delicate hand spread across his.

He cleared his throat. ‘So are you? Are you all right?’

She blinked and a tear escaped. ‘Actually, I am quite terrified.’ Another tear fell. ‘I do not want to go.’

He gave her a warm, comforting smile. ‘I thought that might be the case. If I had known that Prince Pandarus intended to sell you, I would have paid whatever he wanted.’

Hali withdrew her hand and settled back in her chair. ‘Why?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘You would have bought me? For what purpose?’

He appeared confused by the question. ‘To be free. To live a life of your choosing.’

The tears just spilled then, and she could not wipe them away quick enough.

He reached for her face and helped her, gently wiping at her cheeks with his thumb. ‘Goodness, what have I done to you?’

‘What indeed?’ she said, turning into his hand in a way that made him go still.

‘Hali,’ he said. ‘I know I am probably just an old man in your eyes–’

‘Don’t say that.’ She took hold of his hand. ‘I have never known a man that radiates so much light. I am truly grateful for every conversation and moment of laughter we have shared over the past two years. Please do not diminish it by speaking of age.’

He smiled, all the way up to his eyes again. ‘I did not just come here to say goodbye. I suppose I wanted to say sorry.’

She shook her head. ‘What could you possibly need to apologise for?’

He looked away as he searched for the right words. ‘For not saving you the way I had always wanted to.’

A few more tears escaped her. She let go of his hand, and they both sat back in their chairs, gazing at one another.

‘I am glad you came,’ she said. ‘Because it has given me a chance to say thank you. For every kind word, every thoughtful gesture, and understanding glance under extremely difficult circumstances, I thank you. I am so lucky to have met you and had you as a part of my life at all.’

Lord Yuri’s expression collapsed at hearing those words. He stood in an attempt to take control of his emotions. There was not much more they could say to one another without causing further pain.

‘When will you be leaving for Zoelin?’

Hali reluctantly stood also. ‘I don’t know. When Prince Pandarus sends for me I suppose.’

He nodded. ‘Well, I will not call again. It will not do either of us any good. I don’t wish to make trouble for you. Far from it actually.’

She smiled, but it was not convincing. ‘I understand.’

He looked at her properly then. ‘I hope we meet again one day, and when we do, I hope to find you very happy.’

‘Likewise, Lord Yuri.’

He bowed, and she curtsied. An appropriate farewell with plenty of distance between them.

‘Good day, Hali.’ He turned and walked to the library door.

‘I would have wanted a life with you,’ she called after him.

He stopped walking but did not turn around.

‘If you had been successful in buying my freedom, I mean. I would have wanted a life with you.’ She swallowed down the rest of the words forming in her throat.

He turned to her, smiling, eyes shiny. ‘And what a life it would have been.’

He bowed again, turned and left the room.

Hali collapsed back into the chair and watched the flames consume all the air in the room. She could never have imagined the pain this life would bring, and she had no idea how much more of it she could take before it broke her.

Chapter 3

The only thing Hali hated more than travelling on horseback in freezing temperatures, was sleeping in a tent in freezing temperatures. For the next few days she would do both.

Her small party of three had left Lord Clio’s manor early that morning, and by mid-afternoon she found herself asking aloud the childish question, ‘How much further?’ The two guards accompanying her had exchanged a look that made her think she might be better off not asking again.

Her temporary stay at Lord Clio’s had turned into more than six weeks of soul-destroying boredom and grief. Lord Yuri had kept his word and not returned to the manor. While she knew it was the right decision, she had found herself bolting upright every time Isaura knocked on the door and entered her rooms. A part of her had hoped he might navigate the impossible and find a way to buy her freedom. But she had already been sold.

When news arrived that she was to be transported the following morning, the reality of her situation hit hard. She was unable to eat or fall asleep. Eventually she had climbed from her bed and made her way down to the library where she sat by the dying fire. At some point Isaura had gently woken her and taken her back to her room where she tossed in her bed amid a stream of dreams featuring all the people she would likely never see again.

In the morning, after Lord Clio had attempted a very awkward farewell before disappearing outdoors, Isaura had presented her with a package of food and a flask filled with fresh water.

‘That should last you a few days, my lady. Keep the water against you, it will stop it from freezing.’

‘That is very kind, thank you,’ Hali had said, staring at the package in her hands. She had not eaten one bite of breakfast. ‘And thank you for all that you have done for me these past few weeks. I’m sorry that you were stuck with me as a house guest.’

Isaura had smiled at her, an expression that Hali had not seen on her before.

‘I’m not sorry,’ she had replied, reaching out and squeezing Hali’s hand. ‘I wish you well, my lady.’

Hali had warmed to the maid. Six weeks too late. ‘Please just call me Hali. We both know that I am not of noble blood.’

‘Well, Lord Clio looks upon you as noble, so that’s good enough for me,’ Isaura had said, removing her hand. ‘Happy travels.’

She had disappeared into the kitchen then, leaving Hali alone in the entryway, staring through the open door to where a snow-covered horse stood waiting for her.

Soon after she had mounted that horse and was now enduring the first leg of the unbearable journey.

‘When you hear the river, we are close to camp,’ said one of the guards, eventually taking pity on her.

Hali resisted the temptation to ask how long that would be, instead replying with, ‘Thank you.’

Two hours later, the unmistakable sound of rushing water reached them. Hali sat a little straighter in the saddle from that point, watching for rising smoke, or any other sign that they were close to the camp. The road they were on led them to the river, then they travelled along the water’s edge for almost an hour before the stone bridge finally came into view. By that time the temperature had dropped and Hali was so cold she could no longer feel her feet.

As they neared the large tents, Prince Pandarus stepped out of one to watch them approach. Hali had not considered the possibility that he would be there. She would have guessed that he was back at Archdale, where there was food, warmth, and women for his bed. The sudden increase in her heart rate helped to warm her at least. But how was she meant to greet the man who had sold her?

The horses came to a stop in front of the larger tent, and one guard dismounted before walking over to help Hali from the saddle. There was no chance of Pandarus stepping up to help. She watched him as she slipped from the saddle and found her legs on the ground. She did not curtsy. In her mind, an entire day on horseback in freezing temperatures was enough of an excuse.

‘My lord,’ she said, trying to compete with the wind. ‘I was not expecting to see you here.’

‘I was not expecting to be here,’ he said with an annoyed expression. ‘Prince Tyron returned to Archdale yesterday, so I am forced to remain here a few more days.’

That made more sense to her. He would never have planned to see her again and face his decision. She turned to retrieve the bag tied to the back of the saddle. It fell to the ground, and the guard went to pick it up for her. She had a strong urge to appear capable, so held up her hand to stop him. Hauling it over her shoulder, she walked unsteadily towards Pandarus. When she reached him they stared at one another for a moment.

‘Which tent am I sleeping in?’ she said, trying to be practical.

His eyes shone at her. It was an expression she had seen many times before.

‘Which tent would you like to stay in?’

‘Preferably one that is warm.’ Her expression was neutral. ‘And private,’ she added.

He nodded and turned away. ‘Very well. You can take the second cot in my tent. It is private enough. Nothing I haven’t seen many times before from all angles.’

Hali’s gaze fell to her feet.

‘Follow me,’ he said.

She trudged through the snow after him. He did not offer to take her bag, which was disappointing, as she wanted the chance to say no. He went on ahead, slipping through the opening of the tent and letting it swing shut in front of her. She took a cleansing, icy breath before following after him. As soon as she stepped inside, her anger melted as the warm air hugged her. A modest fire crackled away in the middle of the space, its smoke escaping through a deliberate gap in the roof of the tent.

‘That one is yours,’ Pandarus said, pointing to the smaller cot. He took a seat by the fire, not looking at her.

Hali walked over and placed her belongings on the ground next to the cot. She collapsed onto it with a large sigh before removing her cloak and boots. Her feet were like blocks of ice. She could not feel a thing as she rubbed at her arches, working up to her toes.

‘Quickest way to warm them is in water,’ Pandarus said, still not looking at her. ‘Not too hot though, just warm.’ He held up a metal pot for her. ‘Just fill it with snow, and we will heat it a little.’

Hali realised he was trying to be nice, even if he could not meet her eyes. She put her boots back on, pushed herself up, and walked over to take the pot from him. ‘Thank you.’

‘Don’t collect it too close to the tents. The men have been relieving themselves there for weeks.’

‘Appreciate the warning,’ she said, rolling her eyes.

Evening arrived while Hali’s feet sat thawing in lukewarm water. The pair shared a meal of boiled potatoes and salted meat. They barely spoke three words to each other. As soon as they had finished eating, they climbed into their separate cots and stared at the roof of the tent, watching it bend in the wind. They had spent enough evenings together to know the other was still awake.

‘It was fun for a while, wasn’t it?’ Pandarus said.

She continued to stare at the roof. ‘For a while.’

‘I don’t know why that happens. It always feels good for a moment. And then suddenly it doesn’t.’

There was a quietness to his voice she did not recognise. ‘I knew what it was. I just never expected you to hurt me. Or hate me.’

‘Hate is a rather strong term.’

‘Is it? Were you not repelled by me in the finish?’

He was silent for a moment. ‘Do not take it personally. I am repelled by most things of late.’

Hali turned her head to look at him. His face was lit up by embers. ‘Why did you do it? Why did you sell me to King Jayr?’

Pandarus rolled onto his side so that his back was to her. ‘Get some sleep. You have two more days of riding ahead of you.’

She blinked away the tears that had surfaced and turned back to the roof of the tent. Gripped by mental and physical exhaustion, she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

When she woke in the morning, the cot on the other side of the tent was empty. She sat up, looking about. Pandarus was not there. She got up, dressed and had a wash. She sat in front of the lively fire, eating the bread he had left on the end of her bed. When she had finished, she packed up her few belongings and waited for Pandarus to return. But he did not come back to the tent. Instead, a guard arrived to tell her that her horse was saddled and waiting.

‘Where is Prince Pandarus?’

‘Haven’t seen him this morning.’

He was probably hiding somewhere, waiting for her to leave. Being present while she crossed the river into Zoelin would mean facing what he had done.

A few minutes later, as the horses stepped up onto the bridge, hooves clicking against the stone, Hali glanced downstream. She spotted Pandarus in the distance, seated on his horse, watching her. She made sure he knew she had seen him before turning away. The man was a coward, and she was furious at herself for not seeing through him from the beginning. None of that mattered now. Her horse walked on, the rushing Lotheng River below them. In a few moments she would be on Zoelin soil, riding towards a new life at Onuric Castle. She was afraid, and yet somehow she needed to arrive as the mentor Fedora had told her to be.

The bridge tilted down towards her foreign home, and when her horse stepped onto the snow-covered road, she sucked in a breath. The guards turned to look at her.

‘What is the matter?’ one of them asked.

She shook her head, eyes on her hands. ‘Nothing.’

Everything.

Chapter 4

Hali remained standing as she waited in the throne room for King Jayr to arrive. She was mentally piecing together all the lessons she had yawned through at Archdale. She adjusted her posture to appear more dominant. Chest forward, head high, arms relaxed by her side, and vulnerable areas exposed. Thankfully, no one could see her heart pounding as she took in the unfamiliar environment. The smooth, white marble floors were like nothing at Archdale. A sculpture of an open-mouthed man with a tortured expression watched her from each corner of the room. Two guards stood motionless by the door, eyes to the floor, their inked hands clasping spears that resembled axes. She had to remind herself that all these aspects of Zoelin culture were familiar to her, no matter how confronting they seemed in person.

Hali jumped when the heavy doors swung open. The guards fell to one knee in unison, spears extended to arm’s length as King Jayr strode between them. She forced herself to keep still. She had a plan to follow.

King Jayr sat on the elaborately dressed throne, its back reaching high up the wall behind him. ‘Ah, the mentor,’ he said, taking her in.

She dropped into a curtsy, deliberately slow, an illusion of confidence. ‘Your Majesty,’ she said, matching the volume of his voice and using his native language. When she rose, she tried to focus on his face, and not the left side of his scalp, which was shaved and covered in ink.

He nodded at her. ‘You can speak the Syrasan language with me. The servants will be a different matter.’

‘As you wish.’

He leaned back in the chair that could comfortably seat two men and looked her up and down. He then assessed her face, as though trying to gauge her level of discomfort. ‘If you would prefer to sit, I can have a chair brought to you.’

‘Actually, I would prefer to stand, Your Majesty.’

He watched her for a moment. ‘So you are the mentor sent here to train the women.’

It was not a question.

Hali raised her chin just a fraction. ‘I am here to educate the women and ensure they thrive in their new roles.’

There was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. ‘Does that not translate to pretty them up and ensure they are sexually compliant?’

Hali did not even blink. ‘No, Your Majesty. That is what madams do for their prostitutes.’

He shifted in his chair, a smile tugging at his mouth. ‘What do you need to perform this role, the one you hold in such high regard?’

She needed him to hold it in high regard also or she did not stand a chance. ‘I hope you understand the importance of such a role. The value of the women is dependent on my success.’

The king ran his fingers along his short black beard. She could tell he was enjoying figuring her out. ‘With regards to your role... do you practice what you teach?’

There it was, his stroll along the boundary to test its strength.

‘If you are referring to strong values and good social etiquette, then yes.’

‘Actually, I was referring to sex,’ he said, not missing a beat.

Hali managed not to look away, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her. ‘That depends on if you want a Companion or a mentor. My understanding is that I am here as a mentor. If you decide to take a Companion for yourself, I would be happy to groom her for you.’

‘Why can’t I have both?’

Hali swallowed. He was not buying her act. ‘You are king. You can have whatever pleases you, Your Majesty.’

Satisfied with her response, he signalled to a guard, who stood in one swift motion and came to stand before him. ‘Make sure she is guarded at all times.’

This was not going to Hali’s plan. ‘For what purpose, Your Majesty?’

He faced her again, and she could see by his expression that he was beginning to lose patience with her.

‘Do mentors just do as they please where you come from?’

Hali thought of Fedora and was tempted to say yes. ‘No, Your Majesty, they do the job expected of them.’ She clasped her hands in front of her in an attempt to still them. ‘Of course, you are welcome to have me guarded if it makes you feel better.’

He leaned forwards, resting his elbows on his knees and narrowing his eyes on her. ‘I do not trust women at the best of times. Do you really expect me to trust you?’

‘I do not expect anything. I am here to do a job and guarded or not makes no difference to me.’

He stood, eyes remaining on her. ‘Very well. No guard.’ He walked over to her, stopping so close she was forced to adjust her posture to avoid contact. ‘But make no mistake, mentor. In my kingdom, if I call you to my bed, you come. You follow my rules here, and if you do not, I will sell you to a brothel and simply request another.’ He bent down so that his lips brushed her ear. ‘You are not in Syrasan now. Do we understand each other?’

Hali’s entire body began to tremble. She hoped he would not hear it in her voice. ‘Your kingdom, your rules, Your Majesty.’

He straightened and took hold of one her hands, running his thumbs along the top of it. ‘Behave, and we shall see this pretty skin inked with my marks.’

Her hand shook in his. He remained where he was, watching it shake, clearly enjoying the effect he had on her. ‘That is better,’ he said, finally releasing her. Then he turned and walked towards the door.

Only once it had closed behind him did Hali suck in a breath. Her hands went to her knees, holding them for support. The door opened again, and she shot upright, thinking King Jayr had returned. A frowning Zoelin woman stared back at her. Her dark, curly hair was held back from her face with a blue scarf. Hali did not have it in her to pretend anymore. She sounded like a child when she spoke.

‘Who are you?’ she asked in Zoelin, taking in the woman’s sleek body and sharply cut leather dress.

The woman studied her for a moment. Eventually her frown melted into something softer. ‘You will be no match for him,’ she said. ‘Come.’

Hali was not sure why, but she followed the woman without hesitation. She was led down an open corridor where a fresh dusting of snow swirled about their feet. The Zoelin woman’s arms and back were exposed, and yet her skin seemed to repel the cold wind howling about them. Hali pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and watched her breath, visible in front of her face. They arrived at a stone stairway, polished so smooth that Hali feared she would slip off it and land in a broken heap at the bottom. At the top they turned right and stepped into a large room with four rows of beds and a wide glass window overlooking snow-capped mountains. Hali walked to the middle of the room and stared out the window. She suspected every room in the castle had the same view. Zoelin had more mountains than roads, and Onuric was so far from from what she classified as civilisation.

The woman stepped past her and stopped by the window, watching the snow fall for a moment. ‘What is your name, mentor?’

‘Hali.’ Her voice was barely above a whisper.

‘My name is Ursa,’ she said, crossing her arms in front of her. One of her hands was inked on the back and down one finger. ‘Come stand by me, Hali.’

Hali hesitated before joining her by the window. She followed Ursa’s gaze down to the grounds beneath them. There were around thirty women and children pacing in the snow below them. Four guards stood watch.

‘None of them speak the Zoelin language. I know only a few words of Syrasan. It has not been easy for them here.’

Hali looked at her. ‘They are Syrasan?’

Ursa nodded. ‘Yes.’

It occurred to Hali in that moment they were the women and children taken from their homes in the North. They were not Companions, they were prisoners. ‘They should not even be here. They were not sold, they were stolen.’

Ursa turned to study her. ‘I know. Some may be returned to their homes soon enough.’

Hali’s eyes widened with surprise. ‘Did King Jayr tell you that?’

Ursa laughed, softly. ‘The king tells me nothing, except which way to lay. I keep my ears open and hear more than he would like.’

Hali’s gaze swept over her again. ‘Are you his mistress?’

‘What is a mistress?’

She considered her answer for a moment. ‘Someone who shares the bed of a married man. Someone who is not his wife.’

The woman smiled and faced the window. ‘You will meet a lot of those here.’

Hali turned back to the women walking in a circle below them. ‘What are they doing down there?’

‘Daylight is important for good health.’

‘So is warmth.’

Ursa smiled. ‘Syrasan women are smart enough to know they need to move to keep warm.’ She turned and leaned her back against the cold glass. ‘You will need to be smart also. If you are passive in bed, he will be rough with you. Dominate him, and he will be as docile as an old dog.’

Hali kept her eyes down as her body tensed.

‘You need to share his bed on occasion,’ Ursa continued. ‘It will keep you safe.’

Hali looked up at that. ‘Safe from what?’

‘Other men. No other man will dare touch you if he has marked you.’

‘You mean, with ink?’

‘No, I do not mean ink,’ Ursa said, smiling to herself.

‘Oh.’ There were four signs that showed if someone was lying: hand touching, face touching, crossed arms, and leaning away. It seemed Ursa was speaking the truth. ‘I would have guessed that he prefers to be the one in charge.’

‘They are different in bed. They become children if handled correctly.’

A worried expression formed on Hali’s face. Ursa glanced at her.

‘Do not crease your pretty face about it. He spends most of his time at Drake Castle, and you will be staying here with the other women.’

Hali looked down again. ‘And what am I to do with these women and children? If there is a chance they are going home, it all seems a bit pointless.’

Ursa turned back around also. ‘You are the mentor. I am just a mistress,’ she said, her lips curling into another smile. ‘And you know nothing of them leaving here, remember?’

Hali read her expression and nodded. ‘Of course. I know nothing.’

Ursa’s eyes warmed. ‘I will bring them in.’

She walked quietly from the room, leaving Hali to stare out at the mountains imprisoning her.

Chapter 5

Ten girls stood before Hali. None of them were more than eighteen years, and some of them barely looked of age. She stood straight-backed, face expressionless, eyes moving over them. It did not matter how many times she made the speech, she always remembered the the first she had heard it. She had wilted under Fedora’s stern gaze. She never let the memory soften her resolve though. If they were to survive what lay ahead of them, they needed to be toughened up.

Ursa was standing off to the side, slightly behind her, ready to assist in whatever way she could. She had been a godsend for the previous six months. Hali had even begun teaching her the Syrasan language so that she could better assist with the large quantity of girls that kept arriving.

Hali was about to speak, when King Jayr slipped into the room unnoticed by the other women. He stood by the door at the back, listening, watching. He often made the journey to Onuric Castle when the new arrivals came. He liked to have first pick of those who took his fancy, usually the younger ones that cowered in his large shadow. Hali had tried a number of times to deter him by explaining that their value was in their virtue, but he only laughed at her, claiming that Asigow men would not be able to tell the difference. She suspected he was wrong, but did not dare so. On the few occasions that she did offer her opinions on certain matters, she was usually met with a hard slap. She had soon learned to swallow down her opinions and remain silent.

Hali nodded at King Jayr, wanting to respectfully acknowledge his presence without drawing attention to him. His lips curled up into a smile as he nodded back. She felt heat come to her face as she recalled the previous evening when she had been called to his bedchamber. Nothing was off limits within those walls. The man made Pandarus look like a saint.

When she had entered the room and seen the flogger sitting on the bed, she had inwardly cried. But then she had dutifully tied his hands to one of the bedposts and lightly whipped him until he yielded. She whipped him one more time, telling him to repeat himself, just the way he liked. He only sent for her on rare occasions, but when he did, he expected her to be the tough mentor she had presented on the day she arrived. Outside of those walls was a very different matter.

‘You are not yet Companions. Right now you are nothing,’ she said, addressing the women. ‘You are uneducated commoners, unworthy of even serving food to King Jayr’s guests. You will have to work hard for the privileged life ahead of you. Only once you meet, or exceed, the high standards set by Companions before you, will you have the opportunity to prove your worth.’

It was almost Fedora’s exact script, only now it spilled from her own unsmiling mouth.

She glanced back at Ursa, who gave the slightest nod in her direction. It was a small gesture of encouragement. Ursa knew that kindness simmered beneath the hard exterior on display. She was also aware of the fact that the mentor could not afford to falter in front of King Jayr.

Hali faced the girls again and drew a breath. Raising her chin, she said, ‘Herbal tea will be served with your meals. You must always drink it. The herbs greatly reduce the risk of pregnancy.’ She paused to ensure they understood. Frightened faces stared back at her, confirmation that she was getting through to them. Idalia’s fevered face flashed in her mind, and she closed her eyes against the image. When she opened them again, she saw King Jayr slip from the room, the door closing soundlessly behind him. Her eyes returned to the women, seeking out the youngest among them. ‘Everything I teach you will help or protect you in some way. If I am hard on you, it is because I want you to succeed. Do you understand?’

They nodded mutely.

‘Yes, my lady,’ Hali said, her tone cold.

‘Yes, my lady,’ came an echo.

‘There are robes on the end of your beds. Collect them and follow Ursa to the bathing room. Today you rest, tomorrow we get to work.’

As the women scampered about her like uncovered mice, she felt a hum of pride. She was becoming something fierce. Someone Fedora might be proud of. Someone her mother would pray for and who Aldara would not recognise.

She was proving to be a survivor, and she would not lose herself to this life.

I hope you enjoyed this bonus short read. Hali is one of my favourite characters from The Royal Companion, and she deserved to have her moment in the spotlight.

The second book in The Companion series, The Common Girl, is available now.

https://tanyabird.com/books/the-common-girl/

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