For training, Felux had Beniter carry a load full of rocks and jog along the streambed. Aside from the tormentingly heavy rocks, Beniter loved this routine. The streambed was a beautiful area and Beniter liked to count the number of birds he saw.
Suddenly, Beniter stopped as a figure caught his eye. He said, "Tilda?"
Tilda looked over at him, her eyes were glazed over and dull. Beniter had never seen his sister so devoid of life.
He dropped his pack and ran over to her, saying, "Hey sis, you alright?"
Without warning, Tilda hugged Beniter.
༻✧༺
Tilda sat on a log, when Beniter returned with Felux. She hadn't said anything nor had she moved. It worried Beniter so he had run back to the castle and got Felux.
After showing Felux his sister, Beniter whispered, "She's been like that since she came back. Maybe you can help?"
Felux swallowed and said, "Aye, tell Morc to lead the trainin without me. I'll catch up later."
"Yes Sir," Beniter said, as he ran back.
Felux walked carefully over to Tilda. He asked, "Does Lady Cosaria know you're back?"
Tilda said, "Please don't tell her. I… don't want to see her right now." Tilda's eyes were desperate.
Felux nodded, then he took her hand and led her away. Tilda followed like a lamb to the slaughter.
They walked in silence. What should have been only a few steps, felt like miles.
She had no comprehension of where she was, until Felux stopped and placed a blueberry in her hand. She looked up and saw her favorite blueberry bush.
Felux said, "Yer always picking blueberries when there's somethin on yer mind."
She looked Felux in the eyes. A slight flicker of light had returned. She said, "You noticed?"
"Aye."
Tilda put the blueberry in her mouth, saying, "I didn't think it would be such a big deal. I thought I would be fine." Tilda sat down as Felux picked a few more blueberries. She said, "I saw Malel at the church. And Priest Goopty. And everything… it all reminded me of my sister."
Felux sat down next to Tilda and asked, "What're you needin?"
"I need a hug. I need to be told that there's something I could have done differently to help my sister. I need to know that it wasn't all my fault."
Felux looked at the blueberries in his hand as he decided whether or not to speak his mind.
He finally said, "I can't tell you there's something ye could've done differently. There's not. And I can't judge the place to designate blame. You can't control her passing, that's what I can tell you. You can't control what you did or didn't do. It's passed now. She's gone. What you did is what you did. That'd be the harsh truth."
Tilda was silent.
"I don't want her to be gone."
Felux nodded.
"Aye."
Tilda said, "But you're right. She is gone. You're right and I hate it."
Putting a hand on her back, Felux said, "If it's too much, I'll leave; If you're needing time fer yerself."
Tilda flopped onto his shoulder, saying, "No. I want you to hold me."
Felux wrapped his arms around her, cradling her against his chest.
She said, "And I want another blueberry."
Felux shoved his handful of blueberries into her mouth, as he said, "Ye poor baby."
Mouth full, Tilda said, "Shut up. I'm emotional right now."
Felux rocked Tilda back and forth, saying, "Aye, ye poor emotional baby."
Tilda glared at him, as she said, "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Felux smiled mischievously.
Tilda touched his face and said, "I missed you."
They kissed, a sweet and tender, loving kiss.
Finally, Tilda sighed and said, "We should head back…"
"Aye. I'm late fer the training I'm supposed to be leadin."
Tilda sat up. She said, "Am I holding you up?"
"Aye. But it's a good distraction."
Tilda shoved him as she said sarcastically, "I just love how honest you are."
He said, "Good, cause I love bein honest."
༻✧༺
When Tilda returned to the Arquix castle, Cosaria was ecstatic to see her. All the dread was washed away when Tilda hugged her adorable mistress. Cosaria's loving tenderness was enough to melt the toughest of hearts. They didn't have time to catch up before the lunch hour arrived.
In the dining room, Delrik sat across from Cosaria.
Having finished his meal, Delrik stood and said, "You must excuse me, I have business to attend to."
He leaned down to kiss her.
Tilda's eyes bulged as she thought, When did that development happen?
Delrik said, "I'll meet you for dinner."
After Delrik left, Tilda picked up his plate and said, "So… something happen between you two?"
Cosaria's face turned bright red.
Understanding dawned as Tilda said, "Ahhhh." Of course something happened.
Marley walked through the door holding a letter, saying, "A message for the Lady."
Cosaria said, "Oh?" as Marley gave her the paper. Tilda and Marley glanced over Cosaria's shoulder as Cosaria announced, "It's an invitation to a tea party." She turned to Tilda and asked, "Should I go?"
"That's up to you."
Cosaria nibbled her thumbnail. She said, "I don't think so. Delrik would say it's too dangerous. I don't think he would want me to."
Tilda frowned. Not a great way to make a decision, but at least she's making a decision. Maybe I'll try to say something to Lord Delrik.
Marley said, "Then leave it to me! I'll write them a reply and send it off."
After Cosaria nodded, Marley hurried out of the room.
Tilda watched as Cosaria stared out the window. She thought, It seems Marley's taken over the main tasks. There's not much for me to do for Cosaria anymore. I suppose now I can focus on looking out for her welfare and making sure she doesn't get hurt.
As Tilda cleaned up Delrik's plate, she thought of the man who had sat in the empty chair. His relationship with Cosaria had… grown.
She thought, But I suppose it might be too late for that.
༻✧༺
Delrik paced the floor in front of his office window. In common Delrik fashion, he was (obsessing) thinking about Cosaria and how he could (trap her) keep her safe. The current obstacle to his grand purpose was a letter on his desk that read, 'Visit from Lord Bartlyby.'
Lord Bartlyby was the brother's half-cousin to Duke Grysle's knight Yrse and was a devout church worshiper. Obviously, this was a spy for Grysle. (Definitely not paranoid.)
Delrik was mulling over how he could keep Cosaria away from the malicious, seductive spy. (Bartlyby was obviously a threat in more ways than one.) Delrik could lock Cosaria in her room. He could send her to the CPG again. He could fake her death. Then nobody would come looking for her.
A knock wrapped on his door.
"Enter."
Tilda entered carrying an invite.
Delrik asked, "Something to discuss?"
Tilda placed the invite on Delrik's desk next to the Bartlyby announcement.
Delrik glanced at the paper. He said, "What is this?"
"An invite for Cosaria to attend a tea party."
"I see. Why present this to me?"
"She doesn't feel like she can attend because of you. She thinks you wouldn't want her to."
"I see…" This news pleased Delrik. And Cosaria was absolutely correct. There is no way he would approve Cosaria leaving the estate at this time… except…
Tilda began to lecture, saying, "I'm telling you this for her benefit, but Cosaria needs to be able to make decisions for herself, not based on what she thinks you want. She needs to do what she wants, but she hardly knows what she wants, because she's never been given the option to decide. Everyone always makes decisions for her."
Delrik didn't hear a word Tilda said, as he was too busy thinking how this tea party could perfectly fit into his plans.
Tilda finished, saying, "This tea party would be a good opportunity for her to make friends and gain some independence."
Friends? Independence? Delrik could care less about Cosaria having those things. But an excuse to be away from the castle when Lord Bartlyby visited. It was perfect.
Delrik said, "I approve."
Tilda stood a bit shocked. She was expecting him to go into a rage. She even had Felux waiting outside in case anything happened. She said, "Uh… you do?"
"It's an excellent opportunity. It has my endorsement. Has a reply been sent yet?"
"Uh… no. Not yet."
"Tell her I approve."
"Uh… okay."
"Anything else?"
"Uh… no… I guess."
"Good, you're dismissed. Thank you for bringing this to my attention."
Tilda nodded and left the room. That went extremely well. It made her think that maybe Delrik wasn't as controlling as he seemed. Maybe he and Cosaria could have a… good relationship. Especially if he helped her grow in her ability to be self-sufficient.
Meanwhile, in his office, Delrik was planning how to convince Cosaria to stay another night with him.