Page 35 of The Gargoyle's Glade
I forced a smile over the pain. “I’m fine. Just a little clumsy.”
Her sidelong look told me she didn’t entirely believe that, but she didn’t press. “Well. What can we do for you today?”
“I need to send something to my family. Can you tell me the best way to arrange that?”
Her whole face lit up and she led me inside. “Of course, my dear. Come with me. We’ll need to speak with the headmaster. Rylan?” she called.
“Yes?” He turned from where he was seated at the new family dining table as Grace hauled me into the dining room.
“Merry needs to send a package.”
“An envelope,” I explained. “But it’s money, so I wasn’t sure if there was a special way?”
“Ah. I’ve got just the thing.” His smile was broad as he got to his feet and took us down the hall.
Rylan’s massive black owl was perched on a tall stand near a person-sized hearth in a mostly empty classroom. Hearing us, heperked, head swiveling as he took us all in. I focused, prepared to hear him speak, but heard nothing.
“Archimedes enjoys a mission now and then. What do you say, care to take on a courier job?”
“I’d be happy to pay.” I addressed both the owl and the mage and was amused to get a similar expression of interest from them both.
“He does love a good vole or rat.”
“Anything you like, I’ll be happy to get it.” I cringed, but Rylan winked in a way that reassured me I would not be personally responsible for obtaining the rodents.
Archimedes stuck one of his legs out, talons open like he was requesting the item. “Do you have the envelope?” Rylan asked.
“Oh, of course.” I dug it out of my pocket and handed it to Rylan, who passed it to Archimedes.
“Where is he going, exactly?”
The bird looked directly at me, his golden gaze intelligent and intense. I was proud that I managed not to look away and pleased his eyes didn’t paralyze me. “Take it to the big market off the main street in Ravenglen, if you please. They’ll get it to my mother. Her name is on the envelope and there’s a letter inside.”
Archimedes bobbed his head. It was then I heard a faint voice.Help friend. Journey. Treat.Then with a powerful flap, he flew out the window Rylan had crossed the room and opened.
“Is there anything else we can do for you today?”
“No, thank you very much.”
“Anytime, Merry.” Rylan gave a graceful bow, and I did a terrible imitation of a curtsy.
After allowing Grace to care for me with tea and honey cakes, I went to the paddock to see Jacks, who thankfully had calmed quite a bit. I fed him an apple and some carrots from the bucket near the gate, and he mouthed at my bracelet while I scratched his nose.
“I won’t be back for a few days,” I told him, resting my aching head against his. “I’m not feeling very well. You behave, alright?” Jacks looked at me in a way that had me convinced he understood, and I fought back tears as I threw my arms around his neck. “I bet if you could, you’d help me figure out what I’m supposed to be doing.” He nickered gently, and I gave him a squeeze. “Maybe one day you can join me in the glade. Can horses use portals?” I tilted my head, and he snorted, but I was unsure if that was a yes or no. “Long way around perhaps, then. No matter. For now, stay here and get some pampering, yes? I’ll come see you as soon as I can.”
I walked away before I got too worked up and forced myself back to go back to the glade, worried I’d lied to Jacks for the first time ever as the portal split my head wide open before it spat me back out.
I draggedmyself back to my cabin and slept for nearly a whole day. I felt slightly better upon waking again, but the persistent banging in my skull remained.
Even if I didn’t see Coltor, there were new carvings waiting for me on the porch almost every morning. The variety of beasts on my hearth had grown nearly as vast as the actual animals still hanging around. He’d even made me a squirrel.
Unable to focus on the writing in the contracts, I took the little book Ophelia had given me and sat on the porch steps. I turned several pages, finding a word here or a phrase there that made sense, but not much else, just like every time before. Frustrated, I kept flipping while walking the garden beds, encouraging the little plants to grow with some gentle leaf pruning.
I looked around at the closest animals. “Thank you for taking care of the bugs and weeds. That’s very helpful.” I wasn’t sure where it came from, but I did hear a faint response.Welcome. Friend. Help. Pledge now?
There was some gentle stirring as I started off toward Hailon’s, but they followed at a respectful distance instead of crowding me along the path. About the time I crossed by the hot springs, I realized the words on the page in front of me were easily understandable.
I stopped walking, stunned by what I was seeing.
