"What do you mean...Somer is missing?"
He sighed and looked at the floor as I stared at him, wondering if he was playing with me, but looking at his face...
I could see he wasn't lying.
"She had a fight with Father over a marriage arrangement and stormed off, everyone thought she had gone to her room but when the maids went to tend to her they couldn't find her."
I frowned, so that's what that argument had been about earlier.
"But, I don't understand? I thought she really liked Lord Orion and wanted to marry him?"
Jans shook his head and sighed,
"She has been betrothed to another lord, a more...prominent and wealthy one. She did not like that apparently, she has become infatuated with Lord Blackabbey."
I just stared at him.
"But...he was courting her, has been for a while now..."
My voice was low and he just rubbed his face, looking more tired then I had ever seen him.
"It's the position that matters Rose, the money, what his name would do for ours..."
"Let me help look for her, please..."
I wanted so desperately to find my friend, to hug her like I used to...
"No, you will stay here in case she returns. I'm sorry Rose, but this isn't the work for a woman."
I was furious at him for that remark, but I held my tongue. No matter how I longed to go, I could not go against his will or the will of the house. My place had been made clear.
By dawn the men were almost prepared, Jans, The Master, Lord Orion and Padriach as well as who I assumed was Somer's now betrothed, Lord Angus Francis. A walked onto the terrace and saw My Mistress, she looked so sad, so...disappointed. It sent a pang through my heart.
She made no indication that she knew I was there, but she spoke to me as I approached.
"Dear Rose, where did I go wrong?"
I froze at that question, having no idea what to say, but it seemed she was not really looking for an answer. I heard her sigh as she looked over the men, preparing to head out in search of Somer.
"We women, we have our place in this world, and it is to serve our lords and husbands. We live so the line may continue and bring glory to the house, that is all that matters."
She turned to me and smiled sadly.
"You were always a good girl Rose, you know your place."
I turned to look back over the now retreating search party as she left, my eyes catching the figure of Jans as he mounted his horse.
If I was a good girl, I would do what I was told, I would have given in to his charms and become his woman. But I had pride, I had dignity...
He caught my eye as I looked down at him, I could not read his expression and I was sure in that moment that I didn't want to. Jans did not know his place, he had feelings for me that could never be, station would not allow it...
I would not allow it.
As he turned and followed the rest I made up my mind.
As discreetly as I could I made my way back to my room and got dressed. I had been saving the male clothing in case I ever needed to travel as it was easier to disguise myself as a young boy and safer, not that anyone would believe it now that I had grown. But the clothes still fit me so I couldn't complain.
I slipped quietly from the manor and headed in the direction I had seen the search party go.
The Grey Hart Forest, I had never ventured in alone as it was vast and many paths were lost. It had been mostly reclaimed by the undergrowth but I had a feeling if Somer had run she would have come here.
Hours passed, I had walked further and longer then I could ever remember in one day and I was getting tired. And now...
I was pretty sure I was lost.
I looked around for any sign of life but it was eerily quiet and the sun was rapidly setting.
I was such an idiot, in my haste and determination I had forgotten to pack anything to keep me going, I didn't have food or water, not even a knife. I sighed and sat in the shade of a tree, my feet aching and my throat dry.
I wondered how Somer was faring, she was less provisioned then me, or so I assumed, and she had to have been out here since last night. She must be cold, tired and hungry and my heart ached for her. I had called for her for hours, but nothing.
A noise in the trees caught my attention and I leapt to my feet.
My heart was in my throat as I pressed myself against the tree, my eyes straining through the forest for the source of the noise. I had no weapon, what if it was a wolf, or worse- Bandits?
A grunting curse made up my mind for me and I yelped, making a break for it and running through the trees for all I was worth.
"Hey!"
A voice behind me called out, but that just seemed to spur me on faster if that was even possible.
I didn't see the rock that caught my boot as I went down hard, knocking the breath from my lungs, I couldn't even scream as I heard the footsteps approaching and the heavy sigh that greeted me.
"What do you think you are doing?"
The voice sounded both irritated and mildly amused and I realised I recognised it. I turned onto my back to find Lord Orion staring down at me disapprovingly.
"My Lord I-"
He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, I was lost for words.
"I just...wanted to help..."
My voice was small, I felt like a fool and I knew I was blushing, I could feel the tears starting to form and had to choke them back.
"Well, it looks like I'll be rescuing two damsels today."
His voice did not sound as harsh as it had been and he reached out a hand to me.
"Are you hurt?"
His tone was gentle as I took his hand, it was warm and calloused and enveloped my own. I shook my head as I stood, only my pride.
I checked myself over but there was no damage and it took me a moment before I realised he had not let me go yet.
"My Lord?"
My voice was uncertain, he had a strange expression on his face, it took my words to snap him out of his thoughts. He let me go back he stood looking at me for a moment longer, standing so close it made me blush.
"You really should be more careful, it'd be a shame if you got hurt."
He turned on his heel and started walking briskly back the way he had come, I had to run to catch up to him.
"My Lord, where is your horse?"
I had only just realised he was alone when I had seen him ride off on the beast just this morning.
"I left him behind because he was slowing me down, I felt I must find My Lady as quickly as possible before something happened to her or the guilt would be too much."
"Guilt?"
I didn't understand quite what he meant by that.
"My Lady Somer came to me last night, asked me to run away with her...I told her I could not, considering she was betrothed to another."
He sighed and stopped and I did the same, not wanting him to see my expression.
"I feel that is the reason she ran away, because I would not go with her. I don't think anyone thought she would seriously do it."
He started walking again and I followed slowly, when he spoke next it sounded as though it was more to himself then me.
"It is probably for the best anyway. I do not think I could marry someone I didn't love."
Love?
But he was a lord, he did not have that priviledge, he must marry into a blood line that would secure his fortune and name. At least, that is what I had always been told.
I hurried to catch up to him, thinking not for the first time how odd a man he was.
We walked for a while longer, he seemed to be actually going in a specific direction rather than wandering aimlessly like I had. Suddenly he stopped and held up his hand, motioning for me to do the same.
"Do you hear that?"
I strained my ears, but on the wind a soft sobbing sound reached me.
"My Lady?"
He called out but she did not seem to hear as we approached.
"My Lady Somer?"
She was curled into a ball next to a giant boulder crying, it was obvious she had been there for quite a while. Lord Orion approached her and touched her shoulder, she jerked and cried out, not aware of his presence until he had touched her. Her eyes widened as she looked up at him.
"Oh My Lord! I knew you would come for me!"
Her voice was hoarse from crying as she leapt to her feet and threw her arms around him. He seemed surprised by the action and hesitantly returned her embrace. I did not like the jolt in my chest as I saw it, she seemed so happy to see him and to my eyes it was obvious she was more then just infatuated. I loved Somer and I wanted her to be happy...
So why did it hurt so much?
Voices in the distance caused them to break apart and turn as the rest of the search party arrived, Lord Haven, Jans and Lord Angus approached, the Master seemed more relieved to see Somer safe then angry at her disappearance.
To her credit she lowered her eyes and seemed chastised, I knew her experience in the woods has not been what she thought, she looked like a wild thing and she was embarrassed by all that had transpired.
"When we return, you will do your duty and marry the man chosen for you."
There was no room for argument in Lord Haven's voice.
My heart hurt for her, to be forced to marry a stranger when the man you loved stood not three feet away, I could not imagine such a fate and was glad of the fact that I was not high born. Her quiet assent was all that was needed as everyone turned to leave.
"I told you this was not your problem."
Jans seemed unhappy and I knew that even though Lord Haven was glad to have his daughter back, I would not go unpunished for my disobedience.
"I found her didn't I?"
But I could just not let go of my defiance. My emotions warred within me, why was I so torn with keeping my place and wanting to break free of it? Why could I not be happy? I did not mention the fact that it had mostly been because of Lord Orion that Somer was found.
"Besides, Somer is my friend, I may not be blood but I grew up with her, and you. We are practically family. Why would it not be my problem?"
He just stared at me for a moment before shaking his head and smiling.
"Come, it is getting late and I'd like to be home before I can't see my hands in front of my face."
He took my hand and I let him, I knew I could not refuse nor argue with him at this point. I would take my punishment and I would not complain, but next time, I would be better prepared.
