Page 31 of Lady's Steed
“Do you mean her clothing or personal effects?”
“Personal effects. She’d mentioned something about objects in a cabinet?”
“Ah, her majesty’s collection of curios.” Dame Tauteapron nodded. “We had those crated and put in storage.”
“May I see them?”
“Of course. I’ll have them brought at once. Where would you like them?”
In short order the crates, three in total, crowded the open space of her office. Avera lifted the lid on the first and saw mounds of straw to cushion the items within. She pulled out a clock, the face of it round with the hands that pointed to notches to indicate the passing of time. She’d never understood the need for one since looking outside could do the same thing. Sun overhead? Noon. Dark? Night. However, despite not seeing the practical use, she did enjoy taking clocks apart to see how they worked.
She dug deeper and pulled forth other intriguing pieces. Some she recognized, like the abacus for doing sums. She marveled at a kitchen tool that had a handle she could rotate to spin the beaters. She put it aside as a gift for the palace chef.
Most of the objects in that first box were simple in design. She opened the second and uncovered toys. A palm-sized trebuchet that could actually fling the marble in its cup. A boat with a mast and sails rolled tight that could be unfurled. Adoll with a winding key that when turned had her clapping her hands. A wooden horse with articulated joints.
The eclectic collection fascinated as it implied Avera and her mother might have had more in common than expected.
The third box, the smallest of the three, held only two objects. The first appeared to be a dagger with a thick hilt. She palmed it and ran her thumb over the protrusion at the base of the?—
The blade suddenly extended, taking it from a foot long to three. She blinked. A compact sword. How marvelous. She turned it over in her grip but couldn’t figure out how it worked. Pressing the tip to the floor pushed it back into its small size and when it clicked, locked into place.
Since its weight felt good, she tucked it in the pocket of her skirt—something she’d insisted on having despite the seamstress’ objections. The second item in the crate confused. Avera held up an amulet, round in shape and made of metal and cloudy glass. Not a very attractive necklace which might explain why she’d never seen her mother wear it. However, it obviously had some significance otherwise why keep it. A tingle went through Avera when she stroked its surface. Odd and interesting enough she tucked into a pocket.
She thought the crate empty only to spot a glint in the straw lining the bottom. It turned out to be a locket, heart-shaped and of finely wrought metal. It took a moment to get the clasp to release. It popped open and she stared.
“What sorcery is this?” she breathed, seeing a perfect image of her mother in one half and a handsome man in the other. Avera didn’t remember ever seeing her mother so young, nor smiling so brightly. And who was the stranger with a swarthy complexion and purple-colored eyes—just like Avera.
Could this be her father?
Even more curious, how did someone manage to paint something so tiny and with so much detail? The artists she’d seen displaying their wares in the city never managed anything so perfect, let alone so compact.
Rather than stuff the necklace in a pocket, she chose to drape it over her neck. She couldn’t have said why, only that it seemed right.
She took her midday meal with the rest of the palace, still alone at her head table island as she didn’t count as companions the random people curtsying and bowing as they spouted platitudes. Perhaps she should think about forming her own inner court because while she’d spent most of her life alone, for the first time it grated. It made her think of Josslyn. A refreshing lady who’d not asked for favors and had a quick wit. She wondered if Josslyn would accept her offer to become duchess.
She found out that afternoon.
Josslyn returned and sought an audience.
Gustav, who’d returned to his post, knocked and stuck his head in to say, “The Lady Druuven is here to see you.”
“Send her in.” Avera clasped her hands to control her excitement.
Gustav cleared his throat. “I have to step out to check on some things and am leaving a pair of rooks to guard but?—”
“I know, you’d prefer I not wander around.” She rolled her eyes.
“I was going to say if you do feel a need to wander, bring a weapon.”
“I’ll be fine.” She waved him off and Josslyn entered wearing a wry smile.
“Majesty.” She dipped into a curtsy as the door shut behind her.
“We’re alone. You can drop the title.”
“Very well then, Avera. I’ve been thinking about your offer and after talking myself out of it numerous times, I’ve decided to take the position.”
“May I ask what swayed your decision?” asked an amused Avera.