While Wynnow left with Basil, Trina led me onward to the far end of the corridor, opening the door to the same room from which Basil had just come.
The room’s layout was far more established than I’d expected, given the primitive cells and rough carved walls of this cave system. A large table stood between us, with a map of Antora and the surrounding countries, carved into the wood. The rough-hewn walls were lined with dried skins painted with estimates of military strengths in various areas, weapon designs, and lists of names. I deliberately ignored them. The less I knew, the safer I was.
Except Captain Tenger surely wanted information from me. He’d be disappointed though. I knew little of the affairs of my kingdom and probably held fewer secrets than the lowliest servant at Woodcourt.
But if I had nothing of value to offer him, would he conclude that I was of no worth as a prisoner? Maybe he already had, which was why he felt secure about bringing me into this room.
My heart began pounding. I glanced over at Trina. “I won’t go in there.”
“We’re friends here.” I hardly believed that, but Trina ducked her head in and said to Tenger, “She didn’t like the closet. Everything else seems sincere.”
I turned back to her, sensing that she had somehow revealed something of great importance. I took note of that and swore I would never let those feelings of panic be observed by anyone here again.
Tenger smiled and rose to his feet to
greet me. “Before we begin, let me introduce you to our physician, Loelle.” An aging woman approached me from the corner. Over a simple calf-length skirt, she wore a longcoat lined with pockets and a coif over her hair. The gentle lines on her face seemed kind, even compassionate, but I hardly considered that a reason to trust her.
Loelle set down a mug of steaming tea, placing it near another full mug that smelled enticing. Then she stepped forward. “Lady Dallisor, I heard you were recently in an accident.”
“I fell from a window. If Lord Endrick had not been there to heal me, I wouldn’t have survived.”
“How very … lucky for you.” She’d chosen her words as carefully as I’d chosen mine, but in fact, I had been exceptionally lucky. It must have been draining for Lord Endrick to heal me. Perhaps that was why he needed to rest at the Blue Caves.
Loelle picked up the second mug of tea and held it out to me. “The cells where they held you last night are drafty. This will help warm you.”
I took the mug but stared into its dark liquid. “What’s in it?”
She picked up her tea again. “If there were anything harmful, I wouldn’t be drinking it too.”
She sipped from hers and I smelled mine, as if that would give me any clue to its ingredients. But I was terribly cold and thirsty, and so I took a small taste, as a test. It was sweeter than I’d expected, but delicious. I survived the sip, so I took more. And then more again.
Loelle continued, “After you were healed, did you lose any memories?”
How would she know that? I tried to smile that away, as if it was a minor thing. “My father has assured me there’s nothing forgotten of any consequence.”
“Your mind is not like the ordinary Antoran’s. There is a chance for you to recover some of these memories, especially now.” Her gaze fell to my mug.
It was almost empty. My eyes narrowed. “What was in that tea?”
“A combination of herbs that absorb some effects of magic. I hope they will help to restore your memories, though there are no guarantees. I promise it will cause you no harm.” Loelle stepped closer to me, but I backed away. She added, “I’m also told that something unusual happened to you in All Spirits Forest.”
My back stiffened. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Something pulled you under the water. Then something … or someone … pushed you up. Can you tell me more?”
“Only that it never happened.” That was a lie, but telling her the truth would have required an explanation I couldn’t provide.
When I didn’t answer further, she reached out to touch the gray pearl necklace I still wore. “What is this?”
“A gift.” I tried to push her hand down, but she kept hold of it.
“From Lord Endrick?” Loelle moved the necklace aside, then pressed her palm over my heart. After several beats, she gave Tenger a distinct frown, wordlessly communicating a concern I did not understand.
He cursed, then walked over to examine the necklace closer. “What do you know about this so-called gift?”
I shrugged, feeling a strange pinch in my chest, like a warning to be careful with my words. “It’s a wedding gift, nothing more.”
Eyeing Loelle, Tenger said, “We can’t take the risk. She must go to the caves.”