Chapter 180

Ras was so busy chomping his apple, he didn’t notice her at first. She said, “Pardon,” twice before he glanced up. When he did, he nearly choked, recognizing her. He started to stand, grappling with the apple core and the lid to his water, but Kit protested. “Please, don’t rise. It’s quite all right. I can see I’m interrupting your midday meal.”

“Princess Katrinetta, I am honored. Please, have some.” He offered her the few bites that clung to the core, and Kit was moved that he would try to give her what little he had when he had nothing, much like Pim.

“Thank you, but I’m not hungry just now. May I sit with you?”

Ras looked further shocked but nodded, and Kit spread her skirts and sat down next to him, taking a deep breath and quickly regretting it. He smelled of sweat and horses, and not in a good way. She tried not to make a face. He obviously worked hard for the little he had, and she didn’t want to make him feel badly. “You are a delivery driver?”

“Yes, Your Highness. That’s my carriage there.” He gestured at the one that was nearly unloaded. “I bring grain, fruits, and vegetables from Hydleigh. I deliver three times a week. I wish I could go faster, but my horse is a bit lame, and I haven’t the funds to get another.”

Kit was confused. “You provide your own horse?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It used to not be that way, but a few years ago, we were told to keep our positions, we had to have our own steeds.”

Kit was stunned to hear it. “And what of your pay? Do you find it adequate?” These were not the questions she was supposed to be asking, but they were far more provocative than those the council had charged her with.

Ras was hesitant. He ran a dirty finger along his chin. “I do wish.... My wife is ill. It’s difficult. I wish I could provide more for her, and my daughters. Please, Princess, I am not complaining. I have employment, and I’m happy for it. Only....” He shook his head, and Kit didn’t press him to finish the sentence. She understood.

They sat for a few moments. Kit wished she’d brought food with her. She would’ve happily given him something more to eat. It didn’t look as if he’d had more than the small apple. “Does your wife live in Hydleigh?” The province was known for its rich farmlands, though Kit wondered if it was as rich as she’d been told or if that land had also suffered from overuse.

“She does. I see her one or two nights a week. My daughters are young. They try to help. I wear this red band around my wrist to remind me that I am doing all of this for them.” He shook his head.

Kit noted the thin red ribbon tied around his wrist and nodded in understanding. “What does she suffer from?”

A tear came to his eyes. “Lunger disease, Highness. The medicine... it’s expensive.”

Kit nodded. She knew of a noblewoman who had lunger disease. She coughed quite a bit, but other than that, she seemed well enough. But then, she had access to Armant’s medicine. There was a special plant concoction that eased the pain and wheezing from the ailment. Kit had learned about it when she still had time to visit the infirmary and read Armant’s books and talk to him about his methods, well before her Choosing had begun.

She wanted to help Ras and his family, but it would be difficult to do so now. She saw a few crates coming back out of the castle and onto the carriage. “What are those?”

“Foodstuffs,” he replied. “A few—items from the other provinces. Used to be, the cart would be full. Now, many of the crates are empty altogether or only half-full since the rationing began.”

“Rationing?” Kit hadn’t heard of any rationing.

“Yes, it’s been three, maybe four years. We make do.” He offered a small smile. “I’m not one to complain.”

“What of the others? Do they make do with this rationing?”

Ras shrugged. “It’s not for me to say, Your Majesty. I can’t speak on anyone else’s behalf. But....” He drew in a deep breath through his nose, and Kit realized he wasn’t nearly as old as she’d originally thought he was. Despite the worn look on his face, he might only be in his early thirties, where she’d originally thought he was closer to fifty. “But... there are those who wish it was different.”

“I don’t understand, Ras. May I be forthcoming with you?”

“Yes, of course, Princess.”

She managed a small smile. “I don’t understand why there is rationing. Was a reason given to you?”

“Only that there were other provinces needing the supplies more, Your Highness. Only thing is, I know others who live elsewhere who say they’ve been told the same. We can’t rightly tell where the rations are going.”

Kit had an idea where the shipments were being sent to, and it made her sick to her stomach. “What of the taxes? Do you bring those in as well?”

“Oh, no, Majesty. Those are collected by the army and brought in only by them. No, they come in through the barrack’s entrance. Only kitchen items come in here. Other items—cloth, paint, paper, those sorts of things—come in down there.” He pointed to another lane similar to this one closer to the middle of the castle. “And then....” He stopped talking, and dropped his arm.

“Then what?”

“Nothing. That’s all, Your Majesty.”

She could tell it wasn’t, though. “Do you know something of the secret nighttime deliveries, Ras?” Her voice was low, not that anyone was paying them any mind.

He turned to look at her, his eyes wide. “I only know what I’ve seen, Princess. Carriages out on the road, late at night. Drivers in clothes much nicer than mine. Guards, dressed in gray and maroon. Never have I seen them during the day nor at near one of the larger populated villages. I don’t know where they go or what they carry, but I’ve seen ‘em.”

Kit understood. These secret delivery drivers were obviously working for the queen. Perhaps this was the key to Eli’s suspicion that Rona was paying off their neighbors.

With a smile, Kit said, “Ras, thank you ever so much for your assistance. It’s been delightful to chat with you.” She offered her hand, expecting him to squeeze it, but instead, he raised it to his lips. Dirty as he was, Kit was touched at the gesture.

She pushed up off of the ground, dusting off her skirts, and he rose as well. “Looks like I’m nearly loaded up. Need to get back on the road if I’m to make it to Hydleigh by midmorning on the morrow.” He smiled, showing he was missing a few teeth. “Thank you for honoring me with your presence.”

“Thank you, Ras. I have been given an assignment by the Royal Council, and you’ve been most helpful.” It didn’t matter that not many of the questions she’d asked could be even remotely tied to her assignment. “When will you next visit Wrenbrook?”

“Day after the morrow,” he replied, “so long as the rain holds off, and we don’t have any muck to contend with.”

Kit’s eyes wandered to the skies. It looked clear enough, but it was getting to be the second rainy season, which was often much shorter than the first. And then there would be snow for a few moon phases before the flowers began to bloom. “Be safe, Ras.”

“Goddesses willing.” He nodded his head, and Kit left him, happy to see Cassius headed her direction.

Kit took her Representative’s arm, barely able to contain all of the information that wanted to come spewing out of her mouth. She bit her tongue and proceeded toward the entryway.

Until a familiar form filled the doorway. Kit gasped and took a step back, but Cassius didn’t retreat at all, though he did stop. He had little choice with scar face standing directly in their path.

“Princess Katrinetta, I’d heard you were far from your chambers. Is everything all right? Where is your guard?”

If his tone did not convey he was anything but concerned for her safety, the way his eyes darted around let her know he was trying to decipher what she was doing there. Kit took a deep breath, resolved to mind her manners, though everything about the man in front of her was disgusting. “I am on an errand from the council, sir. I’m certain that any member of the Royal Council would be happy to inform you of the specifics, but in order to fulfill my responsibilities, I’ve had to speak to delivery drivers. Unfortunately, only one was present, so I may need to return at a later date.” She did her best to smile, but she imagined it came across as a grimace. From his greasy black hair to the tips of his boots, he was revolting.

He did not look convinced. “Seems odd your mother wouldn’t know about this assignment.”

“Why do you believe she doesn’t know?” Cassius asked. “Did she send you out here after her daughter, Vin?”

He didn’t seem to appreciate being questioned by a Representative. Gesturing at his shoulder he said, “I would prefer to be called Commander, thank you very much. Unlike some residents of Wrenbrook, it is a title I have earned and deserve.”

Kit’s dander was up now. “And what exactly is that supposed to mean? Are you implying that the Commander of the Princess’s Guard is somehow unworthy?” Cassius pulled on her arm, trying to calm her, but that only made her more angry.

“I am not implying anything, Princess. Worth speaks for itself.” He snickered, running a gloved hand down the length of his scabbard, which Kit noticed was more substantial than the dress sword Cassius wore.

“I believe two members of my guard are waiting for us outside of the kitchen entryway. If you’ll excuse us, I do have other matters to attend to.”

“Very well.” But he didn’t move. His eyes traced up and down Kit for a moment before he said, “I would suggest, from now on, if you need to be snooping around in castle affairs, you request a member of the Queen’s Guard to accompany you. Your own guard is more for show. True authority and power lies within those who wear maroon, not purple.” His black eyebrows raised, his eyes narrowed, and Kit wanted to reach out and strike him.

But she didn’t, only waited for him to step aside. Instead, he backed into the castle, turned around, and folded his arms, giving them enough room to pass, but his eyes seemed concentrated on Kit’s every move. She didn’t like it.

They were almost out of earshot when he muttered, “Waste of perfect tits.”

Cassius wheeled on him so quickly, Kit didn’t know what was happening. He drew his sword, but by the time Kit turned around, Vin had his out as well, and the two collided. “Stop!” she screamed, jumping in-between them with her arms spread. Though she didn’t dare touch the Queen’s Commander, she pushed Cassius back enough to make him regain his senses. Despite the fact that he was a Representative defending the Princess, he couldn’t assault a member of the Queen’s Guard, particularly not her commander. Such a crime was punishable by death.

Coming to his senses, Cassius raised his free hand and waited for Vin to lower his weapon. Cassius slipped his back into its scabbard. “Beg your pardon, Commander. It’s only... I’m quite defensive when it comes to the princess.”

“Better learn to get that in check... or else you may be paying a visit to the queen’s chambers as well. Believe me, even someone as strong as you will break beneath the leather strap.”

Kit realized instantly what he was saying, and a raging fire ignited within her. This time, it was Cassius pulling her away. Without another word, he turned, dragging Kit along with him, moving toward the exit as quickly as he could go before Kit exploded in a fit of anger and did something they would all regret.