SWNOVELXO Chapter 32: Trouble
The first stars began to prick through the dusky sky, their soft light a quiet reminder that the day's battles—both physical and political—were finally over for the day. Elara sat perched on the edge of the bench in the courtyard just outside their quarters, the cold metal of the crossbow Caspian handed her biting against her palms.
"This," Caspian said, standing close enough that his shadow blended with hers, "is simpler to use than a longbow. Less strain on the arms, easier to aim. You'll find it quite a great deal easier to work with. Ordinarily, the aristocracy looks down on the use of crossbows during the Hunt, but since you're an Otherworlder who's never been trained, no one will fault you for it."
Efficient, sure, but it still felt ridiculously heavy in her hands. Elara glanced at him skeptically. "So, you're telling me I could take down a rampaging boar with this?"
Caspian tilted his head, the faintest trace of amusement softening his sharp features. "Not on your first shot, no. But with practice, you might manage not to embarrass yourself in front of the nobles tomorrow."
"Your faith in me is truly inspiring," she deadpanned, earning a faint smirk from him.
"On your feet, then. Feet shoulder-width apart," he instructed, circling around her. His voice was calm and measured, the same tone she'd heard him using in Chirondale when addressing soldiers during a training session. "Keep your grip firm, but don't clench too tightly."
Elara did as he said, though the crossbow still felt unwieldy in her hands. "So, what's the trick to making this thing hit the target and not, you know, a random tree?"
"There's no trick," Caspian replied. "It's about control. Focus your aim, steady your breathing, and trust the mechanism."
"Right," she muttered, squinting at the wooden target he'd set up. She aligned the crossbow, took a breath, and pulled the trigger. The bolt flew wide, embedding itself in the grass a good three feet from the target.
Caspian let out a quiet hum, one that might have been a chuckle if he were anyone else. "You'll improve."
"I hope so," she muttered, resetting the crossbow with more determination than skill. "Can all noble ladies use bows and arrows? That wasn't mentioned in the novel."
Not that anything important ever is mentioned, apparently.
"During the war with Elardwyn, it was seen as important for women to learn to defend themselves to some degree. High society would deem it improper for a lady to use a sword, so the longbow was chosen instead."
Elara sighed. Yet another thing that was missing in the notes on the forum and hadn't been included in any of the books in the trilogy. At this point, Elara was more convinced the things that weren't included in the novel far outweighed the things that were.
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By the time they returned to their quarters, the moons hung high, bathing the palace in silvery light. Elara was tired, her arms aching from repeatedly resetting the crossbow, but her mind was buzzing too much to allow her any real rest. She barely had time to change before Chancellor Kyran appeared at their door.
"Your Grace, Miss Elara," he greeted them.
"Kyran, come in. We've been waiting for you."
When the door was closed securely, and the three of them were sitting in the large area for receiving guests, Caspian asked, "What news do you bring us?"
"Lady Olivia," he began, his tone clipped, "is stirring something up. After you left, I thought keeping eyes on her would be best given her...um...history with Your Grace and her obvious disdain for Miss. Elara given that history. She was making odd movements, sending away her maid who managed to give the squire we sent after her the slip. I cannot say for certain that Countess Volecrest knows of her granddaughter's doings, but we can assume that even if she does know, she will be of no help."
Right. Countess Volecrest was the type to let her granddaughter get away with anything. Even more than that, she thought Caspian should be honored at receiving Lady Olivia's affections despite the lowly blood in his veins.
"Edris and I kept a close eye on her movements all night, but whatever she's planning, it's still unclear. She's being uncharacteristically discreet."
Elara tucked her legs underneath her as she considered his words. "Discreet doesn't sound like Lady Olivia at all."
"Precisely," Kyran said, his eyes narrowing. "Which is why it concerns me. She's usually much more… overt in her scheming." The chancellor shuddered, and Elara just knew he was recalling incidents where Lady Olivia thoroughly crushed any woman who could be trouble in her competition to win the Grand Duke.
"Perhaps she's learned subtlety," Caspian remarked dryly. "Or someone else is guiding her hand."
"That's my suspicion," Kyran admitted.
The room fell into a contemplative silence, broken only by the occasional crackle of the fire. No one had to speak because in that moment, it was clear they were thinking the same thing: Lyanna was probably playing a hand in things.
Finally, Kyran leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly. "There's more. My contacts in the capital have received word from the leader of the Sons of Lyrel."
Elara straightened, her heart skipping a beat. "The assassin's guild?"
"An intelligence network for now," Kyran corrected. "They wish to meet with you both—to clear the air, so to speak."
"Clear the air?" Caspian repeated, his tone dubious.
"Their leader insists they're not responsible for the attempts on Miss Elara's life. They have reason to believe the real culprit might strike again and wish to offer their assistance in identifying this person—if only to avoid the Grand Duke blaming them for it."
Elara glanced at Caspian. "Do you believe them, Chancellor Kyran?"
Kyran hesitated, then shrugged. "It's difficult to say, Miss. Elara. But if their information proves credible, we can take care of the person who's been threatening your life.
"And if it's a trap?" Caspian asked, flickering flame from the hearth casting shadows on his face.
"Then, I'm confident you'll handle it well, Your Grace."
Elara sighed, her fingers brushing absently over the soft fabric of the couch. "It's not like we have much of a choice. If they have information, we can't afford to ignore it."
Caspian's eyes met hers, the intensity in them enough to make her breath catch. "If we agree to this, you'll stay close. I won't risk you walking into another ambush."
"I'll stay close," she promised, though her mind was already racing. If the Sons of Lyrel were willing to meet, perhaps this was her chance to piece together the threads of this tangled plot—and keep her wits about her because the story was only going to get more and more tangled the harder she pulled.
Caspian nodded, turning his attention to the chancellor. "Set the date. We'll meet them."
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The morning light from the suns streamed through the high-arched windows, illuminating the outfit Crisseda had laid out for her. It was one of Caspian's riding outfits, expertly modified by Crisseda to fit Elara's frame. Caspian had apparently handed it over to Crisseda sometime last night after it was announced the king wanted the women to participate, too. The dark green jacket, tailored to perfection, hugged her waist, and the soft leather pants were a revelation.
Elara ran her hands over the material, marveling at the sensation. "Pants," she said aloud, her tone a mix of awe and giddy disbelief. "I forgot how amazing it feels to wear pants."
Crisseda giggled behind her, busying herself with arranging Elara's boots. "You look splendid, Miss Elara. Were pants common in your world?"
She pulled on the boots and stood, twisting this way and that in front of the mirror. The look was practical and sleek, a far cry from the elaborate gowns she'd been wearing since her arrival in Isyndor. "Pants were an everyday thing in my world. I wore them every day. Wearing nothing but gowns has taken some getting used to." She spun around in the mirror. "I feel like I should be riding off into the sunset, chasing bandits or something."
"Maybe after today's hunt," Crisseda teased.
Elara laughed, but the sound quickly faded as she thought about the day ahead. Today wasn't just about following Caspian around and wearing pants for the first time in what felt like too long, despite the fact she'd only been here for a little over a week. It was about staying vigilant, keeping her footing steady in the ever-shifting currents of court politics. And, of course, keeping an eye on Lady Olivia, who Chancellor Kyran was sure was up to something.
As she adjusted her gloves, she glanced at Crisseda. "Thanks, Crisseda. Really. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Anything for you, Miss Elara," Crisseda said with a grin. "Watching you make that awful granddaughter of Countess Volcrest squirm is enough payment for me."
Elara's eyebrow rose. "She was that bad?"
Crisseda groaned. "Like you wouldn't believe. I told you once before that the Grand Duke is a little intimidating, so he's quite hard to talk to, but the one and only time in my life I felt sorry for his Grace was when Lady Olivia was around. Why, she was practically harassing the poor man." The maid shook her head with pity. "How wonderful that His Grace has found you, Miss. Elara."
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By the time Elara left the palace and arrived at the hunting grounds, the other noblewomen were already gathered, their elaborate riding clothes a clear indication that Elara wasn't the only one who had been taken by surprise at the king's assistance and had to use their male partner's clothing. Their horses, adorned with fine tack and decorative accents, stood patiently as grooms tended to them.
Caspian, Chancellor Kyran, Edris, Chirovan, and a few other knights who were participating with Caspian were there, as well. Caspian was already astride his imposing black stallion. He leaned forward slightly, his eyes scanning her attire before nodding in approval. "The outfit suits you."
She glanced over at the horse next to him, the only one without a rider. A sleek bay mare, its reddish fur brushed until it shone, gleamed under the light of the suns. The mare was pawing absently at the ground.
"She's yours," Caspian confirmed. "I picked her out myself this morning. She's quieter than the others and is less likely to cause a big fuss at a new rider. Would you like some help mounting?"
Elara shook her head. She placed a hand on the mare's saddle and swung up with practiced ease. Thank you horse riding lessons in Italy.
Chirovan whistled. "You're good at that, Miss. Elara. I thought you said your world didn't rely on horses to get around."
"We don't. I took lessons with my mom when I was a kid." She shrugged.
The corner of Caspian's mouth twitched, but he said nothing. He turned his horse toward the forest, and she followed, falling into step beside him as the other hunters prepared to depart.
Ahead, Queen Lyanna and King Alaric rode with practiced elegance, their every movement drawing the eyes of those around them. Lady Olivia and Lady Colina weren't far behind. When Elara's eyes met with Lady Olivia's, the woman smiled. The expression was far too friendly and serene to bring Elara any sense of peace.
The horn sounded, signaling the start of the hunt. Riders surged forward, their laughter and shouts echoing through the trees as they spread out into the forest. Elara's heart raced a little as her mare shot forward, keeping pace directly behind Caspian with Chancellor Kyran, Edris, Chirovan, and the two other knights in Caspian's party trailing behind her. The lessons she had taken were almost a decade old, but she was glad to see they still held. She was able to hold her own with her group, her eyes scanning the forest for animals—or trouble.