Two days later, Millie returned the laundry and Cillian’s altered shirt, which I discovered was for me.The quality stitching and the cut of his old blue shirt were skil fully done.
The sleeves had been removed, creating a short tunic for me.Millie had removed some of the front and back to expose more skin.She had also sewn on binds that crossed between my breasts and tied around my waist, which was rather flattering and would stop any fabric from gaping when I leaned forward.Millie waited for me to change, and when I returned, she checked her work.
‘It fits well,’ she said, gathering her things.
‘Here – take this,’ I said, handing her a decorative hair fastener that I had made.I’d intended to keep it for myself, but it was a fair gift for her exemplary work.
‘Thank you!’She placed it in her dark, curly hair with a smile.‘Goodbye, Caris.’
Millie had left my clothes neatly folded and smelling like a meadow beside Cillian’s.Perhaps I would engage her to wash my clothes in the future.
I gulped down the coffee that Cillian had left for me.He must have started early, as he did most mornings now.Wearing my new sleeveless shirt, I hurried to the forge to thank Cillian for his thoughtfulness.
I was grinning stupidly as I entered the forge, and two sets of eyes turned to me as I skipped through the entrance.I stopped when I saw who the early-morning visitor was.
The captain’s eyes travelled from my face to the exposed skinof my arms and collarbones, then took in the leather breeches covering my long legs.
His scarred face gave nothing away, but I was sure he couldn’t recognise me as the girl he had held by the river nearly ten years ago.She had been small and weak.Now, my arms were muscular, and my legs were thick and long, making us the same height as I stood eye to eye with him.
‘Here she is!’Cillian exclaimed, and I moved to stand beside him.‘This here is Captain Torgrin.’Cillian was a good actor.He had warned me not to trust the soldiers in Murus, so I followed his lead.
‘Good day, Captain.’Did he detect the slight shake in my voice?
‘I believe you’re a master swordmaker?’His voice was deep and soft, just as it had been years ago.
‘I’m not sure about being a master, but I like to make quality swords,’ I said.
‘Yes, I have seen your work, and like I said – a master swordmaker.’He motioned to one of my swords lying on a workbench.
Torgrin and I stared at each other silently.Did he remember?Was he pretending too?If so, why?Was he hiding something?Or someone?
The stillness grew, and I looked away from Torgrin’s piercing dark eyes.
Thankfully, Cillian broke the awkward silence.‘He is here because Lord Warwick heard about your skill and would like you to make him a sword for the tournament,’ Cillian explained as Torgrin continued to watch me.‘I was telling Captain Torgrin that you don’t work for me.It’s your decision if you have the time to do the work.’
I was touched that Cillian left me to decide, while well aware that making a sword for Lord Warwick would be good for Cillian’s business.
‘I have limited time, so if you want something intricate, it will cost Lord Warwick more.’I crossed my arms and stared back.I didn’t usually haggle on price, but Torgrin’s stare pressed against my chest, sharp and unyielding, turning my usual confidence into a brittle shield.
‘Lord Warwick only wishes to have his family crest included in your design, and he will pay ten times your normal rate for the inconvenience of delivering it on such short notice.’
That left me speechless.It was an excessive amount of coin, and I hesitated.What if it wasn’t up to his lord’s standards?
Cillian nudged me with his elbow.Was I mistaken, or had Torgrin’s eyes narrowed at the contact?
Sounding more confident than I felt, I said, ‘I’ll do it.’
‘Thank you.Caris, is it?’he asked quietly.
‘Yes,’ I said, swallowing hard as my stomach somersaulted at the sound of my name on his lips.
‘I will tell my lord the good news.’He didn’t smile but nodded politely to us both before leaving the forge.
Cillian whistled low.‘Wow, that man is intense.’
‘I suppose he has to be to command soldiers as young as himself,’ I murmured, ignoring how rattled I was by Torgrin’s sudden visit.
Cillian wrapped his arms around me and lifted me off my feet, which surprised me, considering my size.‘Are you okay?’he asked.
