Chapter 16: Seeking a Man

Lady Elara had not left her rooms since her return. She had not even gone to see her little brother off. The news that she was suddenly leaving the manor shocked the entire Thorne household.

The Grand Matron and her daughters-in-law all speculated that she needed to clear her mind. They would not dare stop her, of course. Instead, they scrambled to prepare a full entourage of ladies, maids, and servants to accompany her. The ladies’ quarters were in an uproar.

Going out with the female members of the family was a complicated affair. But Lady Elara refused their offer. As she informed them of her decision, she was already leaving, with only Master Bramwell driving the carriage and Valerius acting as her escort.

Lord Corvin Blackwood, who was staying at a manor outside the city, received the news immediately. He was overjoyed. "She is coming to see us!" he said, his face alight. Now that Lord Kael had gone, the comforted Lady Elara must be ready to speak about her marriage to House Blackwood. She would finally show them the proper respect.

But as he had washed, changed his robes, and had his entire courtyard swept clean, he received news that Lady Elara had already passed by. Lady Elara was headed for Hooded Peak, in the southeastern part of the city.

The Grand Matron had sent her own people after her, but they were sent back with the message that Lady Elara was merely taking a stroll and required no one. The Grand Matron did not send anyone again, but she was not pleased.

"The people who work for you, Mother, are all known in Riverbend Hold," Lady Seraphina said, trying to console her. "If they follow her, everyone will know she is a Thorne. But her driver and Valerius are from the Swordfall Marches, and no one will recognize them. Given her situation, she probably does not want to be seen. It is better for her to travel this way."

The news of Lady Elara’s plight had already spread throughout Riverbend. Just like in the Thorne family, the common folk of Riverbend had been in awe of the saintly young lady who had come from the Swordfall Marches. But this saintly girl had suffered two misfortunes: first, the death of her father, and now, an injury on the road that had disfigured her. Her story was the talk of every street corner and tavern. If she were to go out, she would surely be stared at.

The Grand Matron smiled. "I did not think of that," she said, looking at the wives and children in the room. "I am old, and I forget that even a good intention can sometimes cause harm. You must all remind me."

Everyone rushed to object. When their voices died down, Lady Gwynn, who was holding a bowl of soup, said, "Grandmother would never be so thoughtless. Even if people recognized her as a Thorne, would Grandmother let them get close? We can go to the temple and walk around without any trouble at all."

When she heard the word "temple," Lady Serena nodded. "Yes. The temple is always full of people, but Grandmother always has a clear path for us."

The Grand Matron glared at her. "Your grandmother does not have the power to clear out all of Riverbend. If you wish to go to the temple, do not use this as an excuse to make demands."

Lady Clarice giggled. "Grandmother is not old at all. You were not fooled." The entire room laughed, and the Grand Matron’s smile became genuine.

"But Lady Elara doesn't believe in Grandmother," Lady Gwynn said, holding her teacup. "If she trusted Grandmother, she would tell her what she needs. Grandmother would do anything for her."

Stolen story; please report.

Lady Seraphina shook her head. "Do not speak that way about Elara, Gwynn."

Lady Gwynn's mother, the Third Lady, gave her a stern look. The Grand Matron also gave Lady Gwynn a warning. "Elara is in great pain. You, her sisters, should love and protect her. Do not play petty games."

Lady Gwynn was not at all afraid of the scolding. She nodded obediently and quietly finished her bowl of soup, which the Grand Matron had made for her alone.

Though the Grand Matron had been unable to send an entourage, her spies were still in place. Lord Cassian soon returned with news. "She is in the area around Hooded Peak."

"It is a quiet place," Lady Seraphina said. "Good for clearing one's mind."

Lord Cassian shook his head. "She is not clearing her mind. She is looking for a healer."

A healer? Everyone in the room was surprised. "They stop to speak with travelers," Lord Cassian explained. "After they move on, we question them. They told us that Lady Elara and Valerius were asking about a healer." He looked helpless. "They asked about a Master Hunt."

The Thorne family had already hired dozens of renowned healers, but Lady Elara had refused to see any of them. Now, she was going out and looking for one herself. "There is a Master Hunt at Hooded Peak?" the Grand Matron asked. "I have never heard of a healer by that name. What is he known for?"

Lord Cassian smiled bitterly. "The locals have never heard of him either," he said. "I do not know where Elara heard of him."

Elara had lived in Riverbend for only a year before her journey, and she had barely left the manor. "Perhaps our brother told her about him?" Lady Seraphina guessed.

Even if Lord Anson had told her, why wouldn't she tell them? Why would she go to such lengths to find him herself? Lady Seraphina did not voice her more sinister thoughts. The Grand Matron chuckled. "Whether she is looking for a healer or clearing her mind, as long as she is happy, it does not matter. We will not press her. If she is comfortable, her wounds will heal more quickly."

The people in the room rose and nodded. The little children, barely able to speak, repeated their words, making the Grand Matron laugh. She embraced them all, a picture of blissful happiness.

Lady Gwynn sidled up to Lady Clarice. "I don't know what she's thinking."

Lady Clarice was uninterested. "She has never thought the way we do."

Lady Gwynn smoothed her new skirt. "That's not true anymore. With our father gone, she must be sensible." Being sensible meant being respectful to her elders, and being friendly to her sisters. The family was all she had now. Lady Gwynn did not like her cousin's haughty air. She never had.

Elara was unaware of her sisters’ dislike. And even if she had known, she would not have cared. Likes and dislikes were trivial things compared to life and death. She returned to the manor before dusk, having found nothing. "Hooded Peak is too big," Valerius said. "If the people here do not know him, we will have to ask in other places." Valerius was suspicious. Hooded Peak was not that large. If Master Hunt was a known healer, people would have heard of him, even if they lived far away.

Elara knew his confusion. She also had her own doubts. "Perhaps he is not yet famous?" she said.

Valerius stared. "Yet?" The word implied a future. "A future?" he thought. "Does my Lady know the future?"

Elara realized her mistake and quickly corrected herself. "When my father mentioned him, he was not yet famous, but my father said he would be. Perhaps he is still not known."

Valerius had unwavering faith in Lord Anson. He nodded. "Do not worry, My Lady. As long as he is at Hooded Peak, we will find him."

It was not difficult for them to find a person. All it would take was a single order to search all of Riverbend. But she could not do that. If they were to find him that way, he would not be willing to follow her of his own accord. "We will go again tomorrow," Elara said.

Valerius nodded, but as he was leaving, Elara called out to him. "Are you well?"

Her Lady was very concerned for his health. Valerius nodded. "I am well, My Lady. Thank you."

How strange. Elara watched him leave. He had not died in the Swordfall Marches, as he was supposed to. Why did the heavens allow it? There had been no hailstorm, no mudslide. She had gone out with him, and there had been no sudden collapse of the mountainside. He had walked in the sun without any ill effects, and there were no burn marks on his body.

It was a good thing. If she could find Master Hunt, she could change the future. She could make him a Thorne man, and not an ally of the Blackwoods.

Elara sat at her desk, looking at the list of important people and events she had compiled from her past life.

Master Hunt was not a physician for everyday ailments.