Chapter Three
Oliver groaned internally as the frail-looking girl, Gretchen Everdain, carefully made her way down the hill. While the two had grown up together in the castle, Oliver thought Gretchen’s tedious personality aged like a bottle of sour wine. Gretchen felt the same, considering Oliver’s ability to create such a wide gap in their relationship despite sharing the same castle. She hoped Oliver wouldn’t notice the couple beads of sweat slipping down the side of her neck. It’d taken her a while to find him.
“You look pleased with yourself,” Gretchen called out as she approached. The wind kept blowing her long hair into her eyes, she fought the irritation creeping up her throat. She should have done it up before she came looking for Oliver. Leave it to the weather to put a damper in her plans.
“I was enjoying my day off,” Oliver caught himself just before he emphasized the word ‘was.’
“Why haven’t you come to see me?” Gretchen stopped just feet away from Oliver. He did not attempt to greet her. Instead, he collected the cloth and leftover pastry paper from his lunch and stuffed them into a small basket.
“Because I didn’t want to,” Oliver griped, “You don’t normally go outside, what are you up to?”
“Up to?” Gretchen tilted her head and smiled, “Why? You curious?”
“Of course not,” Oliver stood up and brushed himself off. Gretchen was probably the only part of Oliver’s life he felt no control over. He was the one who asked to be trained to become a Guardian. He woke up early, exercised, ate breakfast, then practiced his archery. In the afternoons, he studied magic in Wizard Fen’s study. Everything was routine in Oliver’s life, except for Gretchen. She popped in and out whenever she pleased.
Gretchen pursed her lips, “You don’t have to be so blunt. I came because I wanted to see you before…”
“Before what?” Oliver didn’t realize the trap until it was too late.
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Gretchen smiled again, she’d drawn him in, “Before your mission, silly.”
Oliver’s look of surprise was priceless, Gretchen loved it when she caught him. It was this part of Oliver Gretchen loved the most. Oliver hated surprises; he was a man of habit. Well, almost a man, Gretchen thought. Sure, he was seventeen and technically a man, but it was traditional that men waited until they were eighteen to marry. Gretchen didn’t have many options when it came to possible suitors, but she had no reason to look harder. Oliver was too much fun!
Gretchen twirled her parasol, “Did you think I didn’t know? I have eyes and ears all over the castle, who do you think my mother is?”
Oliver knew Gretchen enough to understand her sense of humor. He knew she hated her mother, Lady Everdain, but admired the way she’d maintained her powers after Gretchen’s father died. Thankfully, Gretchen only inherited her mother’s cunning.
Gretchen didn’t wait for Oliver’s response. She stepped up to Oliver, lifting her eyes to look at him. She had to rise on her toes, just a little, as she came close, “Don’t be so rude. I’m all dressed up and surrounded by such a romantic summer scene. Doesn’t that make your heartbeat race just a little?”
Oliver bit his cheek, “Not one bit, you’re too close.”
Gretchen turned around, “Not close enough, I guess. You better not disappear without saying goodbye.”
Oliver picked up his basket, “What’s it matter to you? I’m not going to be gone long, just a few weeks.”
“You’ve forgotten the fact I know everything about your mission,” Gretchen’s voice turned to a hushed whisper, “I’m worried…”
“What did you say?” Oliver took a step forward, curious what Gretchen was so afraid to say aloud, but Gretchen took a step back, as well.
“Nothing,” Gretchen sang vainly as she walked back up the hill without so much as a glance. She was irritated and tired of the outdoors.
Losing Oliver as a close friend frustrated Gretchen to no end. Before they turned twelve, she and Oliver were inseparable. Everyone else in the castle was either old or aging, so Gretchen was grateful to have someone her age.
But now, things had changed. Oliver was so focused on his training he had pushed her away. Of course, Gretchen knew she wasn’t much better. Her training to take on her mother’s position of Dutchess of Westvale consumed most of her free time as well. Unless Gretchen escaped her studies to find Oliver, the only time they spent together was at dinner.
Gretchen could only hope that the dragon-sighting was false. Oliver was a capable warrior, but over the years Gretchen discovered she possessed something Oliver did not - guts. If Oliver came face-to-face with a dragon, Gretchen wasn’t sure he had the gall to either run away or fight it to the end. Then the only exciting thing in her life would disappear in a puff of smoke.