Was it possible the captain wouldn’t tell Lady Casen?

Maybe she won’t find out, Leisa thought as she poured steaming water into the bath. She cursed, shook herself, knowing the bruise on her face would all but tell the Lady Mage what she need not even ask. At least it was beginning to fade, a dark brown now, ringed with a sickly yellow tinge. She looked as if she’d caught something terrible. But it has been a week now.

The door opened. It was Lady Casen. Leisa bowed. “I am pleased you have returned, my lady.”

“As am I,” the Mage said. “I will be departing again early in the morning.”

Leisa passed Sorela as she entered the main bed chamber, busying herself, trying not to expose the side of her face. “May I ask why, my lady?”

“I have been charged to find and bring back lord Warfink’s son.” She entered the bath chamber and closed the door behind her.

That would mean traveling to the north. “But there’s a war on, my lady,” she said, trying to get the mage to open up further on the subject...through a door of all things. She nearly rolled her eyes at herself.

Sorela yelped.

“My lady?” Leisa asked, slowly opening the door to find Lady Casen robing herself.

“This water is near to the point of boiling, child!” the mage barked, waving her hand jerkily.

Leisa’s eyes widened. How could I be so daft! “I’m sorry, Lady Mage,” she said, trying to keep herself from stammering. “I will fetch you some cold water and—“

“Do not bother,” Sorela replied, turning to bend over the bath. She made motions with her hands, and a faint light seemed to appear from inside the tub.

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Leisa inched forward, but Sorela turned, frustration on her face. “Do not just stand there. Fetch me towels.”

“Of course.” She bowed, nearly ran, cursing and chiding herself. She piled two sets of towels over her arm. When she arrived in the bath chamber she stopped to find the mage relaxing in the tub that had been scalding only a few moments before.

Was it...mage craft?

Realizing her mouth was open, she moved to set the towels on a stool. “Can I get you anything else, my lady?”

Her response was terse. “Nothing.”

When would Leisa find the moment to ask her? Not now, you fool!

Despite her self-warning, she had to, before she missed her chance. “My lady?” she said gingerly.

The other woman exhaled with exasperated patience. “What is it?”

Leisa’s fingers tangled together behind her back. “I, uh...” How to put the question to the mage? Not with a smooth tongue, she thought, the lady mage can always tell. She had told Leisa on more than one occasion that she was far wiser than her, and Leisa didn’t doubt that for a second.

“Well, out with it, child.”

Her best chance was to be as honest as possible...well, almost. “I want you to take me with you, lady mage—to find lord Warfink’s son.”

Silence....

Leisa was about to leave the room when lady Casen said, “Why?” in a slow, cool voice, her green piercing eyes finding Leisa.

Leisa swallowed. “I want to be of help, my Lady.”

“You mean you want to prove your worth so that I will take you to the Hall,” she said. It wasn’t a question.

“I...” her eyes fell to her feet. “Yes.”

Lady Casen said nothing. Finally she said, “It will be dangerous.”

“I know. But I can take care of myself.”

The mage raised an eyebrow. “The way you took care of yourself with Captain Caldren last week? I don’t think so.”

Leisa’s face heated and she put a hand to her cheek. He told her already? She wanted to curse, trying to keep her face from getting any redder. “I can use a sword. You know I can.”

Sorela motioned her forward, then took her by the chin and examined her face.

Leisa bit her lip as Sorela tapped fingers pensively. “There will be no slacking, and you—“

Leisa jumped, uncontrolled excitement near to bursting. The lady mage frowned with a scandalized expression.

“Sorry,” Leisa said, hands behind her again.

“Pack warm, and pack for riding,” the mage said. “We leave on the morning. But I tell you now, there will be no soft bed for you. You will awaken with blisters—and you will likely find yourself hungry.”

Leisa nodded.

“You’re a wool-brained fool of a girl.”

“Yes, Lady.”

Sorela breathed in deeply. “Fine."