Apprentice (The Black Mage, #2)(57)

The maid gave me an odd look. "She won't – her meal is almost done. She and the little lady Tamora are always done before dark."

"L-lady Tamora?" And then I saw the small child at the lady's right – a fistful of black curls like the mother, with wide, innocent blue eyes. She could not be more than five years of age.

My stomach clenched. Lady Sybil had a daughter.

"What did you say your name was?" The maid's stare had changed from annoyance to suspicion.

I swallowed as I realized too late my mistake. Even a new maid would know if her lady had children.

A series of shouts and the clamor of a sudden panic below stole the maid's attention away. She and the others rushed to the railing to see what had caused the commotion below. I pretended to do the same while silently thanking the gods that Darren had noticed my signal.

Below, on the southern edge of the city's farmland was a huge, hungry fire eating away at the local crop field and its adjoining pasture with frightening speed. The prince had done well in such a short amount of time.

Men and women were running with buckets of water, guards were searching the crowds, and there, dressed in a heavy peasant's costume, was the non-heir. Slinking along the shadows as the city erupted in chaos.

"Your ladyship – you and the child must get back to your rooms immediately!" The maid who had questioned me was busy dragging the baroness to her feet while the guards secured the railing behind us.

"They will be fearful of an attack. Their first move will be to get the lady to safety. You must find a way to remain in her presence at all costs."

Most of the ladies-in-waiting had already run to their quarters, but two guards stood waiting for the baroness and her child. I would never be able to join them unnoticed. Not with the suspicious maid watching my every move.

I needed to do something.

Pretending to busy myself with the lady's belongings, I cast out my magic. At once the maid's mouth and nose were covered in a thick rag, sealing her airways.

Thirty seconds. That was all I needed.

The maid let out a muffled cry, clawing at the object on her face. The guards and lady started to turn - I coughed loudly, bringing their attention back around to me. The child was too busy clutching her mother's skirts to notice.

Sixteen. Seventeen.

The maid stomped her feet loudly and I pretended to fall to cover the sound.

Twenty-two. Twenty-three.

"Miss, are you okay?"

I stared up at the guards and shook my head, pretending to be frazzled.

One of the guards smiled. "No need to worry miss, we are very apt at sensing danger."

Are you now? I let the casting disappear and then scrambled to my feet as the maid fell to the floor, unconscious. "Please, sirs," I cried, "the maid has fainted. She needs a healer!"

The two men glanced at one another and I made myself shrill. "You must take her! I can escort Lady Sybil to her chambers!" The maid was young and pretty. I hoped one of them had a soft spot for the girl, enough to leave their baroness' side.

"It's okay, Red, you can take Mila – Tamora and I will be fine." Lady Sybil's voice was calm and authoritative. I felt a wave of guilt. Her sympathy for her servants would ultimately lead to her demise.

At his lady's command, the guard with short, straw-colored hair rushed forward to take the unconscious girl from my arms and hurry down the corridor. The other guard remained and followed Lady Sybil and I down the winding hall to her chambers.

Just as I began to enter the lady turned to me and shook her head ever so slightly. "I would like to be alone with my child. That is all." Her keen blue eyes watched me, and for a moment I thought I saw a flicker of suspicion. Then she shut the door, leaving me and the other guard outside her chamber.

"You'd best hide in the servants' quarters, miss," the big man addressed me. His eyes held the same doubt as his lady and my insides squirmed uncomfortably. "There is nothing more you can do here."

I hastened a glance to my left and right – a quick study to make sure no one else was watching. The man drew his blade and I threw my power at him, letting the man hit the wall with a loud thud and then crumble to the floor. I'd had a feeling the casting I had used on the maid wouldn't have stopped a choking man from attempting to cut me in half.

I quickly knelt and grabbed the large ring of keys hanging from the guard's pocket. I thrust the key I had seen him use just moments before into the door lock, clutching the guard's sword in my other hand as I prepared for the lady's defense. There was no way she could have missed the commotion.

I needn't have bothered. The others were already there – weapons in hand - as the lady cowered and begged them not to harm her child.

"I'll come with you willingly," she was saying, "just don't hurt Tamora."

Mira was standing in front of the lady while Cethan bound the baroness and placed a gag in her protesting mouth. The lady was still fighting her restraints. I realized why when I saw Andy was holding Tamora by the wrist uncomfortably.

"What do we do with the girl?" the mage asked our leader. "Flint never told us there would be a child."

Mira shifted her cold yellow gaze to me. "Silence the child, Ryiah. We'll take her with us. Andy, I need you to help me cover the front until we meet Darren and Flint outside."