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We had nearly finished our tour when we came upon a group of workers who were delicately trying to extract a bit of crystallized mage dust. All the workers were wearing charms to protect them from magical blasts, and Ruby had given us the same pendants when we came inside the mine. Mage dust could be unpredictable and difficult to extract. They collected the loose powder with fans and hoses, the process overseen by fae with air magic. But the occasional—and extra valuable—crystallized bits had to be removed by hand.
Ruby had just started forward to say something to one man, with a look of caution on her face, when the explosion occurred.
No one was hurt, thanks to our protective charms. And the tunnel itself was created and reinforced with magic cast by the drillers who created it. But while the equipment wasn't destroyed, it was sent tumbling around by the magical shockwave. I peeled myself off the wall where I had been gently but firmly shoved by my largest mate. Bach's broad chest was in my way, and I pushed him aside, noting that all of my mates were surrounding me. They had instinctively moved to block me from flying debris, even though none of us could be hurt by it.
The collection trolley had been overturned, spilling not only mage dust, but all the other bits of precious gems and metals that had been collected alongside the primary target. And tools were scattered everywhere.
It was this sort of situation that showed you a person's true character. The moment the blast was over, Fife was across the tunnel, checking Ruby and the workers for injuries, and prepared to use his healing magic. He hummed a bit as he looked them over, sending calm and comfort to them using his bard skills. Bach, Adder, and Mirri set about picking up tools. They righted the trolley and pitched in as if they worked here every day.
Not a single one of my highborn mates acted as though they were above the lowborn fae and human workers around them. They simply stepped in and did what needed to be done, with effortless grace.
I picked up a suction hose and got to work on the spilled dust, trusting in my reluctant mates to use their magic to keep another explosion from happening if they could. Between us all, we had things righted in record time.
Chapter 8
We finished our tour and gathered outside the mines. Fife pulled Ruby aside to discuss some enhancements to the magic containment in the tunnels, offering to help where needed. It surprised me he was volunteering his time and assistance, given his previous concerns about me using him for his magic. When we were all mounted up and making our way back through the wilds, I attempted to thank my mates.
"I appreciate everything you did back there," I told them softly, not sure how to say what I was thinking. How much it meant to me that they were not shunning my people and my homeland just because they were angry with me.
Mirri smiled softly at me in acknowledgement, but it was clear that he was still distracted, his mind elsewhere as he no doubt sorted through all the interesting things and new information he had learned today. Silence stretched out for a beat, and I thought no one would answer me, that they would continue to shut me out, even when I was offering them appreciation. But finally, Bach relented and broke the silence.
"It's obvious how devoted you are to this place, and your stewardship." He sighed heavily, as if the admission might kill him. "And though I'm still not pleased with the way things played out…I can see why you gave in to the queen's decree regarding the tournament. You were doing what you thought would most benefit your people. Yours, not the queen's." His blue eyes flicked to the side, meeting mine for a moment before he looked ahead again. "I think I can speak for everyone here when I say that, at least, is something we all understand. You don't have to thank us for helping others or for doing our duty."
The rest of the ride passed in silence as we made our way out of the Wilds, across the Northbower estate, and into town. I wasn't sure what to make of Bach's words. On one hand, it was high praise, an acknowledgement of my commitment to my people, and a promise that he and the others would do what they were sent here to do, and do it well.
But on the other hand, it was all about the duty. A reminder that they were here to do a job. And that it had very little to do with me.
We spent the rest of the day in Mistvale, where I paid a visit to several prominent businesses that stood to benefit from increased trade once the mountain pass was completed. My new co-stewards behaved impeccably, making themselves known to the townspeople and adding their input and expertise whenever it was appropriate. I was used to handling everything alone. But I didn't have very much experience with things like trade with other territories and how to handle the pending influx of wealth and business that was likely to occur. With my mates at my side, I felt more grounded and capable. Not that any of us had all the answers, but between the five of us, we were more than capable of figuring it out.
While we were in town, we stopped by my favorite clothier's shop to have the men measured and place an order for some additions to their wardrobes. The clothier would come out to the manor to do fittings and finalize things, of course, but this would save them a trip for the initial stage and get the ball rolling. It shouldn't be too long before the men's own belongings arrived, but I wanted to do this for them. To give them something as a gesture of goodwill. And because it made me feel good to provide for them.
They tried to insist on paying for the expense themselves, of course. But I waved their concerns away. "You're part of my House, now," I reminded them. "It's my duty to see to your needs. It's expected." Somehow, I thought they might be more willing to accept that explanation rather than the truth, which was that I just wanted to do this for them, simply for the pleasure of it.
While my mates were occupied with the clothier, I wandered the shop, looking for gifts for Saffron and a couple of the other household staff as a thank you for taking care of the manor while I was away. I chose a few items that they would use daily, but purchased them in a higher quality than they normally would. Saffron would fuss about how there was no need for a butler to own silk gloves, but I knew he would secretly love the luxurious feel of them. And Cook would never buy herself a unicorn wool scarf, but fall would be creeping in soon, and nothing was warmer than unicorn wool.
The clerk had just finished wrapping up my packages when a familiar voice spoke from right beside me. I had been so caught up in imagining the looks on Saffron and Cook's faces that I hadn't noticed anyone approaching.
"Kat! There you are. Out buying clothes instead of visiting your favorite baker? Unacceptable!"
I turned with a smile to greet my childhood friend. "Gambol, you startled me. Are you ever going to learn to use your indoor voice?"
The lanky lowborn fae rolled his eyes. His brown hair was ruffled, and there was a smudge of flour on his cheek. Clearly, he had just come from his bakery. "I know you've been busy," he said, giving me a mournful look, "but I thought you'd at least say hello now that you're back in town."
I took my packages from the clerk, who hurried off to help someone who was browsing the display of fairy-spun silks. When I turned back, some of Gambol's playful teasing had disappeared, melting into a wary look that was directed toward the back of the shop, where my four handsome highborn mates were laughing over something with the clothier.
"I hardly believed the rumors when we heard you were the prize in the royal tournament," Gambol said softly. Then his hazel eyes met mine, the hurt plain to see. "Why didn't you tell anyone, Kat? Were you coerced? Did the royals set the whole thing up without your knowledge?" He sounded angry on my behalf. "After all you do around here, they think they get to choose your House for you, too?" Gambol had always be a tad anti-establishment.
I shook my head. Fife shot a sharp glance our way, and I put a hand on Gambol's arm to urge him to lower his voice. "Calm down, idiot," I said in an exasperated tone. "You always get so worked up about things. I don't know what you have against the king and queen, but I promise you, no one coerced me to do anything. I entered the tournament willingly." Not entirely the truth, but it didn't matter now, since I could see that it really was for the good of Larkwood. And because even if things were still tense between us, I would never wish not to have met Raven team.
Gambol ran a hand through his hair and attempted to take his righteous anger down a notch. "I'm sorry," he said with a sheepish look. "But I worry for you, Kat. That's all."
I nodded. "I understand. But believe me, Gambol, all is well." Or as well as it could be. "You should be congratulating me. Would you like to come meet the new co-stewards of Larkwood?"
Gambol opened his mouth to utter what I could already tell was going to be an excuse. But he was interrupted by the appearance of his sister. Jig had the same brown hair and hazel eyes as her brother, but somehow she was sharp-edged and willowy, where Gambol was soft and lanky.
“Gambol!” She said, giving me a disdainful once-over before ignoring me and looping her arm through her brother’s. “There you are. I was looking for you at the bakery. I’ve brought a friend to meet you.”
Gambol groaned, his cheeks flushing with color. “Jig, not another of your matchmaking attempts! Buzz off. Can’t you see I’m busy? I haven’t spoken to Kat in ages.”
