Page 99 of Beast and Remedy
If we are friends, does skipping formalities include jumping straight to nicknames, Rosebud?
It seems fitting given we are discussing expanding and sharing our knowledge and favorite subjects with one another.
Sincerely yours,
Beau
P.S. You certainly have lived up to the name.
22
Doubting You?
The borders of the mountain pass fade into Dereen Forest. We stride past the villages of Mezu and Vanta, but my legs quake at they grip the horse’s saddle. And so does my heart as Northtry’s castle peeks through the green foliage.
“Are you sure we have the right plant?” Jules asks as she and Christine ride up.
“I know the texts we’ve discussed and read over the last few nights mention chamomile, but we have that in Belmur. The plant local to Northtry has to be roseroot,” I answer, taking in the winding path we have to follow up to the vast home braced against the spread of the Malfell Mountains.
“That and the lavender we’ll need grows in Unterkirch rather than here,” Beau adds, approaching my other side.
“I hadn’t known about lavender,” Christine comments as she twirls a loose blonde curl.
“It’s not common in Torgem, but when I first was learning about my abilities, I read up on past healers’ remedies and medicines. Many had lavender in their tonics and tea.” Beau eyes my sister and Leo conversing before he adds, “On our way back, we can pivot near Unterkirch’s border and gather a lot and brew a tea for Marian to try—”
“We should only be worrying about using the lavender to help create a cure,” I interrupt, his open mouth halting and pausing.
“True, but lavender tea relaxes one’s inner turmoil and could aid with Marian’s mood swings during our travels to Belmur. It can be an additive treatment along with her healing sessions while we formulate a remedy,” Beau replies with his dimples on full display.
Oh.
Heat blasts across my cheeks in embarrassment. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions about his suggestions. I glance at the towering castle.
The sculpted gray stone melds together, creating a fortress surrounding the inner estate. The roofing stacks into a funnel tipped with black metal, spearing the clouds themselves.
Beau and I lead our group, taking in each spiked tower armed by soldiers studying us with their arrows nocked and swords at the ready.
I’ve never seen a stronghold guarded by so many officers. Then again, King Vinzent is a military man, the only dual swordsman in our time. Maybe he believed in having an excessive number of warriors protecting the outer barrier, but… it seems unnecessary.
Creating this fear of power that can strike at any moment?
Are they kind rulers to their people?
The thoughts do nothing to ease my nerves as each soldier watches us like we are an enemy they seek to end.
Beau’s eyes pierce into the side of my cheek as we reach the barred metal gates at the top of the slope. “I thought you said Prince Stefan would receive us?”
I’ve worked with Marcel to disperse my correspondence anytime when we’ve stopped in towns. He’s been updating Torgem while I’ve been writing Tove about our progress, messaging letters for Papa with Marian, and letting Jean and Pierre know of the plants we are hoping to collect and when we expect to return home.
I’ve gotten responses from them.
But never one from the Prince of Northtry.
Did I miss something?
The commanding officer halts his soldiers, and bile lurches up from my stomach.
Someone behind us nocks their bow as Beau reaches for his sword. I cover his hand with mine, holding his eyes with a silent warning to wait.
