When Rose woke up, she could already hear talking in the next room. What was Caitlyn doing talking to someone so early? Had the servants already brought breakfast?
But the voices were male. Rose sat up quickly, suddenly on alert. The princess tensed until she realized that one of the voices was Silver. He did not seem to be in any distress.
The adventure of the day before and delight of the previous evening all washed over her at once. She was home with her brother who loved her. Home. With a stretch, Rose allowed her curiosity to get the better of her and sprung from her bed.
Peeking through the door, the lovely blonde observed the back of Conall and Aiden as well as Silver's hooded face. The princess glanced up at the slits along the roofline. It was still quite early for a meeting.
'Does my brother ever sleep?' the blue-eyed girl wondered a she pursed her lips. Rose had only been there a couple of days, but the princess had never so much as caught him snoozing. Silver was always doing something.
Because the voices were hushed, Rose could only make out an odd word here and there. "Sage"..."no message"... "time". From the bits and pieces that the princess could gather, they were waiting on a piece of information from Lakyle to arrive.
Unexpectedly, Silver stood from the table and disappeared from her narrow view. It was as if he had vanished like a ghost. Rose gasped softly, but the two men did not even react to the strange occurrence.
Perhaps he had indicated that he was leaving or maybe he just did it so often that it was not even above the other two's notice. Either way, they continued conversing about the topic at hand.
"Even if we get the information what will we be able to do about it?" Aiden murmured.
"We don't know what we can do until we have the information," Conall tapped the papers sitting between them. "I think--"
"You know you are welcome to join us." A black void appeared, blocking the crack in the door. A flash of Silver emanated from beneath the Guardian's hood. "At any rate, it's not nice to eavesdrop."
Startled, Rose slammed the door without answering her brother at all.
'How did he just appear like that?!' For a moment, the princess worried that she had hurt Silver by her sudden response. 'I could have broken his nose!'
But a deep, hearty laugh wafted to her ears and her fears turned to frustration.
'So cruel! He did that on purpose!' Try as she might, Rose really could not be mad.
She had been listening in without permission and been caught. Silver had simply taken advantage of the situation to tease her. Next time she would have to find a witty retort.
After making herself presentable, Rose rinsed her face and exited her bedroom. Even in that short time, things had changed.
The papers, which had been strewn over the table, were now absent as were the former soldier and the mayor. It was almost as if what she had seen before was only a dream.
"Sorry to disturb you. I was hoping to conclude our business before you awoke. Did we wake you?" Silver's hood laid around his shoulders; his face was apologetic.
"Do not worry, I slept most comfortably." Rose walked and sat down at the seat which Aiden had recently vacated. The wood was still warm.
How fast had the Guardian made them leave?
Her brow furrowed slightly. "You did not have to kick them out on my account."
"They were going to head to Conall's for breakfast anyway. I merely hurried things along." Silver pulled a pot which was simmering over the fire. "Had I asked them to stay, we would have had to share."
He lifted the lid and a smell of ages past filled Rose's nostrils. It was sweet, with cinnamon and spice that warmed both the heart and the belly.
"Mother?" Rose could not stop the word from escaping her lips.
The Guardian smiled. "Our mother used to make this on cold mornings to ward off the chill. Some of my fondest memories are of her stirring the pot and telling me stories both real and fantasy. I know I was a bit old for it, but I never had that kind of life when I was little, so I soaked up the moments when I could."
The man's gaze became far off. Rose could almost picture Silver, looking just as he did now, sitting at the feet of a woman that she only remembered from a vision.
Even the small glimpse that Rose had gotten of her long lost family was enough for her to know the depth of the loss that the world had suffered by Alexis's absence. The humble porridge was a part of her legacy that they could carry on in her stead.
"Thank you for making it for me. I am sure it will taste as good as it smells." The princess sniffed deeply, her mouth beginning to water.
"Just don't tell Ethyn I made it without him. It is his favorite morning meal." Silver chuckled softly. The young knight had tried to worm the recipe out of him more than once. Someday he would share the family recipe.
"Your secret is safe with me. Here, allow me to set the table." Rose went and fetched two bowls and spoons from the mantle. "Out of curiosity, what time did Sir Ethyn end up leaving last night?" Rose had gone to bed while the men were still talking. Although she had youth on her side, the physical exertion of the past few days was much more than normal. As such, the princess had politely excused herself when the moon was directly overhead.
"He only left just before Aiden and Conall arrived," Silver answered casually, like staying up all night was normal for them.
"You both talked that long? What in the world did you have to speak on after that much time?" The princess knew many courtiers could talk until they were blue, but Silver did not strike her as particularly chatty.
"Oh, we weren't talking..." The Guardian stirred the pot, oblivious to his sister's confusion.
"Then what were you--?" Rose stopped as the laid the bowls and spoons on the pristine wooden surface of the table. "You made him build a new table!? At night!? In the dark!?"
"He wanted to learn, remember? Much better than his last attempt, though it still needs some finishing touches." Silver let go of the ladle to pick off a splinter.
"You are wicked!" Rose's mouth hung open, though there was a bit of amusement in her eyes.
"I never claimed to be otherwise." Deftly, Silver dipped the ladle into the porridge and spooned it into the waiting vessels.
"It is no wonder Ethyn isn't here to dine with us. He must be exhausted."
"He better be, but Ethyn is not here for quite another reason. He is taking my place today on an important matter. I had actually meant to give Ethyn what he needed for the meeting, so it was fortuitous that Aiden and Conall made an early morning call."
"Are you referreing to the papers that were on the table?" Rose blew on her food. It was still too hot to eat.
"Those are the ones." Silver confirmed but did not elaborate.
"Why would Ethyn need to go in your place? You can go!" A pang of guilt hit the princess as she realized that she was holding her brother back from doing his duty.
"I promised to stay by your side until you leave and I shall. Not even the Fates will be able to keep me away this time." The Guardian took a decisive bite only for the scorching temperature to cause him to wince.
The princess thought for a moment, and then a bright smile bloomed on her face. "You shall not have to stay by my side, brother, for I shall stay by yours. Together we can go to your meeting and then we shall have the rest of the day to ourselves. It is a perfect solution."
Silver was a little stunned by her offer. Her days were probably filled with meetings back at the palace. He did not want to bore her, but he could also sense the sincerity in her voice.
"Are you sure?"
Rose nodded. "I'm sure."
"Ethyn was right about one thing." Silver chuckled lightly. "You are very sweet."