Chapter 5

Pearl walked along the path, wondering if Melia would still be waiting for her.  She had recently seen a magical being, hadn't she?  Or was all the trauma from the day before causing her to imagine things?

“You didn’t imagine anything,” Melia said, standing next to the ash tree.

“Can you read minds, too?” Pearl asked in surprise.

“My dear, you have a delightful habit of talking to yourself,” Melia replied, “which makes it easy to know what you’re thinking.  No mind reading necessary.”

Pearl smiled.  “I didn’t realize I was doing that, but I guess it’s just a habit from being the only child in a court full of adults.”

“Didn’t you have any playmates?” Melia asked in surprise.

“A few children over the years, but rarely my own age.”  Pearl shrugged.  “Mainly nannies and tutors, later a few court ministers.”

“Surely you must have had a few friends,” Melia said, touching Pearl gently on the shoulder.

“My best friend was killed yesterday,” Pearl replied, wiping an eye.  “She was the only real link I had to my parents.  I feel more like an orphan than I ever have.”

Melia reached to the ground and pulled up a piece of grass.  Smiling, she blew on it and a small yellow flower appeared out of nowhere. 

“A buttercup,” Pearl said smiling.  “We rarely see one this early in our kingdom.”

It was a buttercup waiting to bloom,” Melia replied.  “Just like you.  Everything is there that you need, but you’re not quite ready to shine.”  She smiled.  “I can help you with that.”

“I appreciate your offer,” Pearl said, “and your help last night, but I am not comfortable entering into a bargain I don’t fully understand.”

“Always best to be cautious,” Melia agreed.  “A stranger in the forest rarely offers something for nothing.”

“And what are you offering?” Pearl asked.  “Besides helping me find a place to sleep last night.”

“You have more talent than you know,” Melia said, waving her hand towards the forest on her right.  “All these trees are in danger, and you could be the one to save them.”

“Save the trees?” Pearl raised an eyebrow.  “Why do they need saving?  What could possibly happen to them in this large forest?”

“You are not from this kingdom,” Melia said, “so you have not heard of the threats to our land.  Our king is greatly influenced by his chancellors, and one in particular has what he calls great plans for our forest.”

“King Edward has always seemed to be a fair man,” Pearl replied, “at least that’s what I remember my parents saying.”

“Oh, fair indeed,” Melia agreed.  “As long as Queen Gertrude was with him, but since her passing, and with no heirs, the king finds himself in the position of either taking a new bride or possibly losing the throne to his younger brother.”

“I see,” Pearl replied.  “My parents did not hold Duke Harold in the same esteem as his older brother.”

“And with good reason.” Melia took a few steps, which caused her long brown dress to move in small waves along the ground.

"Is he the one threatening the forest?” Pearl asked.

“Not directly,” Melia conceded, “but his best friend, Chancellor Grant, has a great love for hunting, and has convinced Duke Harold that the forest is being squandered by the peasants.”

“Squandered?” Pearl repeated, glancing around.  “The forest is amazing.  A bit overwhelming perhaps, but also beautiful.”

Melia smiled.  “You might be the one.” She reached over and took Pearl’s hand.  “Wood magic, great water magic, and even some air ability.”  She traced a line on Pearl’s palm.  “All these will benefit you greatly if you decide to help us.”

“So, what you’re asking is to somehow convince King Edward to leave the forest alone, so you don’t have a bunch of royal hunters carousing through the woods?”  Pearl looked around.  “I can see why you’d rather not, but I’m not sure that’s much of a threat.”

“No,” Melia said, dropping her hand.  “I’m asking you to help save our woods from Chancellor Grant and his plans to destroy them, so he can build and export wood to the southern kingdoms.”

“What?” Pearl asked in surprise.  “Why would anyone do that?”

“The southern kingdoms do not have as many trees,” Melia said, “as I’m sure you know from your studies.  Up until now, they have been happy to use stone and even clay for most of their needs, but Grant has promised them many, many shipments of prime woodland, if in return the southern kingdoms send our king rare jewels.”

“We both have mines in our kingdoms,” Pearl said.  “Why would your king want these so-called rare jewels?”

“That is what you need to find out,” Melia said, glancing down.  “I cannot walk more than twenty feet from the forest.  My bond with these trees allows me to move freely within the woods, but I cannot travel beyond them.”

“If I help you,” Pearl replied, “is there any way we can also help the miners on strike?”

“They told you about that?”  Melia smiled.  “They must truly believe you are Ulster’s granddaughter.”

“I don’t like lying,” Pearl said, “but I think we can all help each other if we come up with a good plan.  Save the forest, help the miners, and maybe even get me back to my kingdom.”  She paused.  “If I can find a way to get past my uncle.”

“That will not be easy,” Melia replied.  “You see, your uncle is rumored to be in league with Chancellor Grant, and if that is the case, they may both want to stop you.”

“They’ll have to find me first,” Pearl said, uncovering her dress.  “This is not going to work.  I’m going to need something more in line with a woman of my new station.”

Melia smiled.  “I think I can help you with that.”

Chapter 6 

Pearl followed Melia's instructions and soon found the village.  The third cottage on the left as she walked along the main path had the green door.  Pearl walked up and knocked.

“May I help you?” a young woman asked as she opened the door.

“I am a friend,” Pearl glanced around and whispered, “Melia’s.  She said you might be able to help me.”

The young woman nodded and backed up so that Pearl could enter the cottage.  Closing the door, she asked, “How do you know Melia?”

“I met her last night,” Pearl replied.  “I was separated from my companions after our horse came up lame.  When I heard some wolves, I ran and managed to lose my dress on some branches along the path.”  Pearl smiled.  “Melia thought you might have something I could wear.”

The young woman smiled.  “My name is Rowena, and I am happy to lend you a dress.”  She looked Pearl up and down.  “You’re a little taller than I am, but I think I have one that will work.”

Pearl followed her past the small alcove by the fire and into a room with a bed.  Opening a tall armoire, Rowena pulled out a dress.  “Try this one.”

“That’s a nice armoire,” Pearl said, looking at the detail work carved on the wood.

“My father made it,” Rowena replied proudly.  “He is a craftsman for the royal court.”

Pearl nodded.  “Do you go to court often?”

Rowena shook her head.  “I’m hardly one to go to court.  My brother and I help when needed, but we do all the work here in the village.”

Pearl held up the dress.  “This is very nice. Are you sure you don’t mind?”

“I’m happy to help Melia,” Rowena replied.  “She has been a good friend in the past, but if you want to repay me, you can help me tonight.  We’re understaffed at the tavern, and tonight is going to be busy.”

Pearl remembered her conversation with Owen and smiled.  “I’d be happy to help.”

“Do you have any experience?” Rowena asked hopefully.

“Not exactly,” Pearl admitted, “but I’m a fast learner.”

“Fair enough.”  Rowena smiled.  “If you do well, you might make enough to buy a dress of your own.”

“That would be wonderful,” Pearl said.  “All my clothes seem to have disappeared with my fellow travelers.”

“We can ask about them tonight,” Rowena offered.  “Someone must have seen them come into the village.”

“Actually, we were traveling south.”  Pearl shrugged.  “I was planning to visit some friends, but they won’t expect me any time soon.”  She smiled. “In fact, I was going to see them in hopes of finding employment.  If something here works out, I might not even continue my trip.”

“Then, this may work out very well,” Rowena said.  “My shift starts about an hour before dinner.  Did you want to wait here, or…”

“Actually, I was hoping to look one more time for my dress,” Pearl said.  “Would it be all right to meet you here and go to the tavern together?”

“That would be fine,” Rowena agreed, “but if you’re late, I’ll have to leave without you.”

“I won’t be late,” Pearl promised.  She tried on the dress, which fit fairly well, and wrapped up the tunic and leggings she’d borrowed from Ross.

“Remember, an hour before dinner,” Rowena reminded her as she opened the door.

“I’ll get here a few minutes early.”  Pearl gave her a quick hug and went outside.  If she hurried, she could get back to the cottage and tell them her plan with plenty of time to meet Rowena.

As she walked along the path, she noticed more people looking at her than when she’d arrived. 

“How are you this fine afternoon, Miss?” a man asked, taking off his cap and bowing.

Another smiled and said, “I don’t remember seeing you here before.”

Pearl realized they must have thought her a young man in the leggings and tunic.  She curtsied.  “I am here to visit a friend, but she seems to be out.”

“We would be happy to entertain you,” the second man replied, winking at the first.

“Thank you, but I have other errands to attend.” Pearl kept walking down the path, but the second man grabbed her arm, turning her around.

“That’s not very friendly.”  He smiled at his friend.  “This is a friendly village.  We like friendly people.”

I’ll bet they do, Pearl thought to herself.  She glanced around.  No one seemed to take any notice, so she pulled her arm away.  “I am already promised to someone.  Kindly leave me to go about my day.”

“Is he here?” the man asked.  “I don’t see anyone, and I doubt he’d let a pretty thing like you wander about alone.”

The first man shook his head.  “Let her be,” he said.  “The last thing you need is to get in trouble with the sheriff…again.”

“I don’t see any sheriff neither.”  The man smiled at Pearl.  “Come on, one little drink.  A friendly drink.”

Pearl knew she could handle this herself, but the last thing she needed was to attract even more attention.  When the man tried to grab her arm again, she spun away from him and kicked him in the stomach.  As he bent over, she interlocked her fingers and swung them up into his chin.

The man swayed for a moment, then fell to the ground.  Pearl looked at his friend, who laughed and shook his head.  “Not many women can say they’ve knocked Billy down, but he definitely deserved it.”

“If you’d acted like a gentleman, you would have done it yourself,” a voice said behind them. 

Turning around, Pearl saw a very handsome man with dark blonde hair and green eyes.  She just stared for a moment, then curtsied.  “Thank you, Sir.”

“If I were a gentleman, I’d have a better class of friends,” the other man said, picking up his companion. 

As they left, Pearl reminded herself she needed to return to the cottage.  “I will take my leave.”

“A woman should not be traveling alone,” the man said, “but you seem more than capable of taking care of yourself.”  He smiled.  “I am Sir Brandon of Barrington, and I think I would have remembered seeing you in the village.”

“I’m here visiting a friend,” Pearl replied.  “She’s out, so I’ll return later.”  She couldn’t help a small smile.  “By your leave.”

Brandon watched her go, wondering where she’d learned those moves.  That man was an oaf, but he wasn’t easy to take down.  This woman might prove to be interesting, and he’d found very little to be interesting lately.

Chapter 7

 Pearl hurried up to the cottage and opened the door.  “I have an idea,” she said as she entered.

“Where have you been?” asked Ross.

“We were starting to get worried,” Callum added.

Daniel shrugged. “Told you she’d be all right.”  He turned to Pearl.  “You are Ulster’s granddaughter.”

Pearl felt that annoying pang of guilt and decided if she could help them, she would feel less guilty.  “I got a job.”

“At the tavern?” Owen asked with a smile.

“As a matter of fact, yes,” Pearl replied.  “Well, I’m working there tonight, and I might keep working there if I do a good job.”

“And that’s your idea?” Walter asked.

“No, my idea is to listen to what people are saying about the mines…and the forest,” Pearl explained.

“What about the forest?” someone said from the kitchen.

Pearl looked at the young man and smiled.  He was obviously related to Daniel.  They looked very much alike.

“This is Flynn,” Daniel said.  “My nephew. He’s here to help.”

“I’m here to relay information,” Flynn said, bowing slightly.  “I didn’t realize they already had such a lovely woman working with them.”

Pearl smiled.  “How old are you, Flynn?  Shouldn’t you be in school?”

Daniel snorted.  “No young man who can work stays in school…even if they did have one in this area.”

“No school?” Pearl asked in surprise, then realized she was getting sidetracked.  “Never mind.  I, um…heard about a threat to the forest when I was on my way to the village.”  She realized she couldn’t tell them how, so she was going to have to stretch the truth a little more.  “The young woman who loaned me this dress and offered me the work tonight.  She said she’d overheard some men talking about cutting down a large part of the forest.”

“First I’ve heard of it,” Callum said, “but we haven’t exactly been to the village lately.  He turned to Flynn.  “Have you heard anything?”

“Not about the forest,” Flynn replied, “but there was some talk about importing some minerals and gemstones from one of the southern kingdoms.”

“Yes,” Pearl agreed.  “This had something to do with trade to a southern kingdom, but I’m not sure which one.”

“Maybe working at the tavern is a good idea,” Ross conceded, “but you need to be careful.  Someone new to the area shouldn’t be overly curious about what’s going on in our woods.”

“Ross is right,” Owen agreed, then smiled.  “Maybe I should stop by and keep an eye on things.”

“You’re just as likely to get arrested as any of us,” Walter reminded him.

“I can go,” Flynn offered. 

Callum looked at Daniel, who shook his head.  “You’re too young to be going to a tavern…but maybe you could do some work there.”

“Now, that’s a good idea,” Walter agreed.  “Pearl can listen to conversations between the customers, and Flynn could find out if the kitchen staff knows anything.”  He turned to Callum.  “You still have that cousin who delivers ale to the tavern?”

“I do,” Callum replied.  “Flynn can take a note to him…I’m sure he’d help us.”

“Then it’s decided,” Ross said, and Pearl realized he and not Callum or Walter seemed to be in charge.  For some reason, that surprised her, then she realized it made sense.  He was level-headed and seemed to know what each of them could contribute.

“I need to go,” Pearl said, “I’m supposed to meet Rowena soon.”

“Rowena,” Ross said thoughtfully.  “She’s a good one to teach you.”

As Pearl turned to leave, she heard Daniel say, “That’s all we need,” under his breath.

When she turned back, she saw Ross shake his head slightly and Daniel went into the kitchen.  “Be careful, Pearl,” Ross added as she walked out the door.

Chapter 8

 Rowena was waiting for Pearl and ran to meet her as she approached her cottage.  “I’m so glad you’re here.  I was about to leave.”

“Am I late?” Pearl asked.

“No, but I have to be there early.”  Rowena lowered her voice as they walked.  “I was told we have some important visitors tonight.”

“Really?” Pearl glanced around.  “Is that a common occurrence?”

“We sometimes have visitors,” Rowena replied, “but my boss doesn’t often come to my home to tell me to be early.”

Pearl raised an eyebrow.  “That’s interesting.”  She smiled.  “Maybe they’ll be rich and handsome.”

Rowena laughed. “Doubtful, and if they are…that is sometimes worse.”

“How so?” Pearl asked.

“Those are the ones who think a barmaid will faint into their arms with a single compliment.”  Rowena shook her head.  “And don’t get me started about how hands on they can be.”

Pearl nodded.  “Good to know.  What is the acceptable behavior with that?”

“Dodge when you can.”  Rowena smiled.  “And slap when you cannot.  Our boss doesn’t stand for any of that behavior.”

“That’s good to know,” Pearl said with a sigh of relief.  She wasn’t used to dodging customers or anyone else for that matter.  Most people went out of their way to avoid physical contact with a royal.

“We’re nearly there.  I told Orrin about you helping me tonight,” Rowena explained.  “He said he’d welcome the help, but I was planning to have you follow me for the first part of the evening to make sure you knew what to do.”  She paused. “That might not be possible if we’re going to be this busy. Do you have any experience serving?”

“I, um…I’ve served before,” Pearl said, hoping that breakfast counted.  “I’m a fast learner, and if I get into any trouble, I’ll find you.”

“That will have to do,” Rowena replied as they walked into the tavern.

 

For the first hour, Pearl focused on not spilling ale on the customers.  She’d never served with a tray and had to set it down while she handed out the mugs.  One time the tray nearly flew out of her hands when she bumped into a customer, but she managed to keep the drinks from sliding off and landing on the floor.

“How’s it going?” Rowena asked as they were waiting for the owner to pour more ale.

“Great,” Pearl said with a shaky smile.

“Look, you’re doing fine,” Rowena assured her.  “Just make sure they pay before they leave,” she added as they watched one group head for the door.

“I’ll be right back,” Pearl said as she hurried after them.  “Sir, you forgot to pay your bill.”

“It’s on the table,” he said, looking over his shoulder.

Pearl glanced back and noticed there was nothing on the table but empty mugs.  “I’m sorry, Sir, but could you please stop?”

The man laughed and kept going, when another man swung out an arm in front of him.  “She asked you to wait.”  He smiled at Pearl.  “I believe you know my cousin.”

Pearl nodded, realizing this must be Callum’s cousin.  “Thank you.”

The other man pulled out some money and tossed it on the floor, then walked around Callum’s cousin and out the door.

“I’m John,” the man said, helping Pearl pick up the money.  “Sorry about that one’s rudeness.”

“Thank you for your help.”  Pearl smiled.  “Did Callum tell you about…” she stopped glancing around.

“I know what to do,” John assured her.  Looking around the room, he added, “It’s busy tonight.”

“Too busy,” Pearl admitted.  “I haven’t had a chance to find out anything.”

“Don’t worry about that,” John said.  “Just do your best, and I’ll stick around for a while…in case any others get the idea they can walk out without paying.”

Peral nodded.  “Thank you.”

“Looks like that table is trying to get your attention,” John observed.

“Right, I’d better go.”  Pearl smiled.  “Thanks again.”

John watched her leave, then shook his head.  She didn’t look much like Ulster, but she seemed to have his determination.  He could tell she had little idea what she was doing, but she was definitely giving it her all.

 

Pearl was getting comfortable with the tray and keeping it balanced on one hand as she handed out the mugs, when a new group of men entered.  They were talking and laughing, but they were much better dressed than the others in the tavern.  Pearl glanced over at John, who nodded.

“How may I help you?” she asked, walking up.  She noticed Rowena was coming up behind her and moved closer to the group.  “I’m Pearl, and I’ll be serving you tonight.”

“What exactly does that entail?” one of the men asked, smiling at his friends.

“It means you’ll get the finest ale in the area,” Rowena said, walking up to the man, “and the best customer service anywhere.”  She smiled.  “We are happy to have you here tonight, so please grant us the manners associated with men of your station.”  She looked over at Pearl.  “Can you help the group that just came in?”

Pearl nodded and walked over to talk to the two men who sat down by the fire.  “Would you like some ale?”

 

It was later that evening when Rowena asked for her help with the larger group.  “They’re a handful,” she admitted, “but just keep the tray between them and yourself at all times.  Especially the one with the light blond hair and beard.”

“Why do you put up with it?” Pearl asked. 

“Oh, most of them are harmless,” Rowena replied, “and they usually tip well.  Believe me, if I could punch a few of them, I would.”  She smiled.  “I’ve considered it.”

Pearl wondered what would happen if she did, then realized she’d probably lose her job.  “Don’t worry,” Pearl assured her.  “Things will get better soon.”

“What do you mean?” Rowena asked.

“Just that women can do anything a man can do,” Pearl said.  “And there’s no reason we should allow them to think any differently.”

“You really aren’t from around here, are you?” Rowena shook her head.  “Just keep the tray between you and them.”

“I will,” Pearl assured her, reminding herself not to toss anyone on the floor unless absolutely necessary.  She didn’t want her friend to lose her job.

Read the next part of the story here!