She had slept almost the entire day away, yet Marissa was still weary to the very core. It didn't help that the late afternoon had found that damnable Isolde rousing her from bed, and handing her yet another task that she wasn't entirely sure could be managed. Whatever fleeting good will the discovery of Marissa's powers had earned from the woman had faded during the day's rest, if Isolde had truly ever been impressed at all.
Instead, Marissa found herself sitting on an old stone slab overlooking the path from the village to the manor. She was tasked with delaying whoever might come from town, at least long enough for Isolde to finish her chat with the Prince. Marissa hated the woman with a passion, but little could be done about it. Even having seen Marissa's newfound powers, Isolde was fearless, more amused than anything. She was as arrogant and confident as ever, and that fact alone made Marissa wary of testing her patience.
One day, though, one day she would see that harpy burn.
Things weren't entirely bad, however. The weather was clear and cool, and though the shadows grew long under the fading sun, her chosen perch offered a lovely view of the village environs with a minimum of exposure. And of course there was her companion in misery.
The powerful figure who knelt behind her worked her shoulders and upper back with a firm touch, just as she had instructed. Marissa didn't know what influence Isolde held over the Black Dog, but he had thus far obeyed the younger noblewoman without question, just as Isolde had commanded him to.
Rufus might have been as old as her own father, but he was still frighteningly fit, and rather handsome in a grim, brooding way. Perhaps once their business was done, she could delay returning to the manor long enough to see just how far the knight's obedience would run. Marissa's body warmed at the very thought.
It was such a pity they had to remain vigilant.
Truthfully, Marissa wasn't certain how they were expected to keep watch much longer. Once the sun finally disappeared below the horizon, and twilight engulfed the land below, she'd be unable to see much of anything. Throughout the afternoon, the sounds of some sort of commotion had been echoing across the landscape from the village. Perhaps a half hour prior, it had died down and given way to the lazy whisper of wind over the fields, and the chirrups and squeaks of the earliest risers among those nocturnal creatures that would soon be out in full force.
Sulking, the noble woman leaned back into Rufus's hands, knowing he'd have to hold her to keep her from falling back entirely. She was not disappointed, his powerful hands soon grasped her shoulders, supporting her easily.
"I don't see why we have to keep watch out here. Surely if anyone was going to come from the village, they would have by now. And why could we not watch from the comfort of the keep?"
"I'm certain the Lady Isolde has her reasons for wanting this path watched. Besides, from the looks of it, the keep's walls are in such disrepair that a stiff wind very nearly risks leveling them." Rufus's tone was at once weary and disapproving.
She was certain she didn't like it.
Marissa glanced back over her shoulder at the older knight, only to find him scanning the twilight expanse before them with a hawk's eyes. She followed his gaze outward, about to chastise him for paying more attention to empty fields than to her comfort. What she saw there in the growing darkness stilled her tongue.
There in the distance, a rider made his way along the path leading toward her father's manor. He certainly wasn't one of the King's Men, for he wasn't wearing their colors, and his mail shone even in the twilight. It was new, unmarred by the rigors of the road or battle. He had a sword at his side, and a long spear held in one hand, braced against one of the stirrups below. The rider's mount looked vaguely similar to those the King's Men had ridden, but she wasn't particularly learned in judging horseflesh.
Marissa froze up, uncertain what she should do. Should she order Rufus to charge? Perhaps it was best if they waited until the rider was closer, so they might have the element of surprise.
Her hesitation made the decision for her, for the stranger continued his approach. As the rider neared, she could make out a second figure on the horse behind the first, clinging to the warrior before her. It was a woman, with a long, loose dress and hair the color of night.
The woman was Jenrea. It had to be.
As recognition dawned, Marissa's expression hardened. Whatever that strumpet was doing with this strange knight, it was just another example of the girl vexing her at every turn. The aristocrat's hand fisted at her side, and little arcs of electricity danced over her knuckles.
"Kill them," she hissed, expecting Rufus to obey her whim as he had been commanded. "Slaughter both of them."
"I cannot kill the girl."
As that answer rumbled forth, Marissa whipped her head about to glare at the looming knight behind her. "Why not?! Lady Isolde was quite clear, you were to follow my orders."
His dark eyes settled on hers with a steely gaze. "She also commanded I bring the woman Jenrea to her, if she should show up. And she was very insistent that the girl be brought in alive."
The red haired witch bit her tongue to keep from screaming in rage. Stymied again! At every turn it seemed that the little barmaid would deny her what she wished, even when she wasn't around! "Fine," Marissa spat out. "But we must intercept them."
"Might I recommend the bridge over the brook? They will likely cross there, and we'll have the advantage of surprise."
