A week later, after a fitting to test the fit of my gown for the harvest ball, I was walking the edge of the ridge as I often did in the afternoons. Harford had been back on his bench every night since the ball, but I was no closer to finding a way to meet him.
A movement in my periphery caught my attention and I glanced over to see a familiar figure approaching.
I had been introduced to Mistress Jenkava Ildasan two nights ago and found her rather cold and aloof, but even more beautiful than she appeared from a distance. Now she was walking towards me quickly, a determined look on her face.
"Hello Mistress Ildasan," I greeted with a cheerful smile.
"Mistress Renvalda. What are you doing out here on your own?"
"I often walk the ridge in the afternoons. It's so lovely out here."
"Alone?"
"I see no reason to pull a servant from their work when I am not going to be far from home."
She frowned. "You are strange."
"Perhaps. What brings you out to the ridge?"
"I saw you passing by and wanted to speak with you."
"Certainly."
She was silent for a moment. "Do you know Harford well?"
Her question surprised me so much, I just stared, dumbstruck. When she met my eyes and raised an eyebrow, I managed to find my voice.
"I- I have never met Master Convarta. I have only really seen him the evening he danced with you."
"You have truly never met?"
"I promise. He would not know me from Jestina," I said with a sad smile.
"That was not the impression I got," Mistress Ildasan answered thoughtfully. "You have no interest in him then?"
"Actually, I would quite love to meet him. I just have not had the opportunity." I spoke with my usual frankness, not considering the consequences.
"Is that so?" She looked me over appraisingly and I tried not to feel self-conscious over my simple gown and hairstyle. "You are quite lovely. And I am sure many people find that cheerful, good-natured personality of yours quite appealing."
"Thank you?" It came out as a question because, while her words were complimentary, her tone seemed more derogatory than anything.
She sighed. "I will not risk it."
"Risk what?"
"The competition," she said, frowning. "I need you to promise that you will never approach or speak with Harford, that you will avoid his company at all costs."
"I cannot promise that."
"Then you leave me no other choice." Rolling her eyes, she took another large step in my direction. I stepped back to avoid her, forgetting that I was already standing at the edge of the ridge.
I gasped as my foot met open air and I fell backwards. I managed to right myself and grab at a small ledge, catching myself only a stone's throw from the top.
"Go for help!" I called to Mistress Ildasan, who was peering at me from the edge.
She just laughed and disappeared. I yelled after her, yelled for anyone who might hear me, but when my voice grew hoarse and my fingers began to lose their grip on the stones, I still had not received an answer.
Looking down, I surveyed my options. The ridge was not a straight drop. If I turned and slid on my bum like a slide at the park, I could probably reach the bottom with minimal injury. Since I had no way up, going down seemed to be the best choice. I positioned myself towards what seemed the best path down the slope, closed my eyes for a moment, then let go, flipping onto my back.
The ride down was fast, bumpy, and terrifying, but also a bit exhilarating. Shortly before I reached the bottom, I hit a small rut that flipped me, tossing me into a wild roll for the short distance I had left.
I lay in a heap at the bottom for a few minutes, getting back the breath that had been knocked out of me. When I stood, I groaned in pain. My body ached. I would probably be quite bruised from this adventure, but at least nothing seemed to be broken and I did not see any blood.
Looking up the ridge, I knew I would have to find another way out of the forest. I would follow the ridgeline until it was either low enough to scale or until it was on level with the trees.
I had been walking for at least an hour when I began to feel a little faint. Thinking that I probably just needed a drink, I listened intently until I heard the trickle of water. I broke away from the ridgeline and followed my ears to the small, clear stream. I knelt and dipped my face in the cool water, drinking until I felt I would burst.
Sitting back, I sighed. My head felt much clearer. I rested for a few moments, then turned back to where I thought the ridgeline was. Soon I saw it through the trees and was one again following the unyielding rock wall. I had never realized just how long the ridge was.
Shortly after my break at the stream, I glanced into the trees and stopped in surprise. There was a figure moving parallel to me through the trees. He stopped with me, but did not look in my direction.
I continued forward and he did the same. I was not making any effort to move quietly. He moved like a ghost. If he were not walking close enough to be in my line of sight, I would have had no idea he was there. I kept sneaking glances at him from time to time and he remained on a path parallel with my own.
And then, in between glances, he disappeared. I slowed, prepared to turn and see if I could find him, but before I could change direction, I crashed into an unexpected obstacle and stumbled, nearly falling back.
A pair of muscular arms encircled me, pulling me against an equally muscular chest. My arms instinctively wrapped around my rescuer and I looked up in surprise.
"You!"