T. Church - Return to Canifis

Within his first week, Theodore had discovered the true value that lay in these galleries-they were very useful if you wished to avoid meeting anybody waiting on the floor below. True, it took longer to go up one of the many discreet stairways to the floor above, and to cross the castle via the winding maze of corridors, but it usually guaranteed secrecy.

The galleries were also frequented by youngsters of the noble houses, who used them for meetings of a more illicit nature.

Theodore followed William up a stone spiral staircase to emerge near the portrait gallery commonly considered the most boring of all in the palace’s collections, and hence far less likely to have visitors. It was an ideal path.

“I need your advice Theodore,” William said quietly as they progressed toward the southern end of the palace.

“With what?” the squire asked in equally muted tones. Austere and wrinkled faces of Varrock’s royal line stared down at him as they walked.

“Lady Caroline,” the young noble began. “She is pleasant enough to me, but I am at a loss of how to take it further. I am not a strong man, Theodore, as you know, so I cannot hope to impress her with any martial skill. In fact, violence scares me. I don’t know what to do,” he struggled finally, stopping near the entrance to the Salve gallery.

Through the door, in a dimly lit chamber, Theodore caught a glimpse of horrifying scenes depicting the events leading up to the battle of the River Salve. The undead of Morytania, led by the vampire Lord Drakan, had sought to cross the river and overrun the forces of the living. It was a gory chronicle.

“Have you tried poetry?” Theodore suggested lamely. “That seems to work in the romance tales.”

“Poetry?” William nearly choked. “I don’t want to torture her.”

Somewhere a clock chimed, signalling midday. Suddenly William turned, looking into the dark recesses of the Salve gallery.

His alertness made Theodore wary.

“What are you looking for, William?” he asked.

“Probably for me, Theodore.” Lady Anne’s voice carried along the length of the gallery. Suddenly, even the portraits of Lord Drakan’s undead seemed far less frightening.

Betrayed! I have been lured into a trap.

“William!” he hissed as the nobleman stepped briskly away, his expression one of uncontrollable mirth.

“Most men would be jealous, Theodore,” William said laughing. “Make the most of it-I would,” he added.

“But your price is less ambitious, de Adlard, and may I say probably far wiser, as well,” Lady Anne said. “I spoke to Lady Caroline this morning. She is so looking forward to a dance with you this evening. Who knows, before winter we might even have a wedding to bring joy to the small folk. So, run along and prepare yourself. I advise a brief rest, followed by a lot of red meat. Good for your energy, and from what Lady Caroline said, you might well need it. To dance, of course.”

Theodore debated whether to run, but decided that it would be far beneath his dignity.

Too late, he felt Lady Anne’s arm slip around his own.

I wonder if this is how a ship feels when it’s being boarded?

How stupid he had been! William’s giggling faded as the nobleman disappeared toward the nearest stairwell, no doubt planning to raid the pantries on Lady Anne’s orders.

“You have the advantage, my lady,” he said, resigning himself to the moment. “What do you plan to do with it?”

“I belong to one of Misthalin’s wealthiest families, Theodore,” the young woman said, her lips uncomfortably close to his ear. “My ailing father lives in the country halfway to Lumbridge, my mother is dead due to circumstances that even today make some suspicious, and I have no brothers. Like William, I am the last of my line.”

“Then perhaps you should marry him ?” Theodore suggested, trying to sound glib.

“William?” she replied scornfully, then adjusting her tone. “I think not. He is a good man, in his own limited way, but he is no knight. He does not have the respect of the court in any meaningful way. No, Lady Caroline is the very best he can hope for. Trust me Theodore, they are a good match, and I know that she harbours a genuine affection for him. Truly, there actually is a possibility of a wedding.

“Ah, Lady Caroline,” she continued with a dramatic wave of her hand, “my meek little lamb.” She glanced at Theodore. “Although I’ve known many lambs who were considerably less meek.”

“You mock too much, my lady,” he responded. “Is there anything you take seriously?”

“Of course. But if I were to confide that to you, then you would only laugh. You have a heart of stone, Theodore. Incorruptible, yes, and I fear incapable of love, as well.”

She stopped, removed her arm from his, and very slowly walked around to face him. For a long moment she said nothing. The daylight shining through the windows fell upon her face. Her eyes sparkled.

Was that a tear I saw?

“Am I so wicked Theodore?” she asked, and the words sounded earnest. “Am I so detestable that you cannot even be civil to me? Is it because of the rumours of my mother, of her sympathy for Zamorak’s worshippers, whom she protected from persecution?”

Her voice rose in barely restrained anger, causing him to respond.

“No, Lady Anne,” he sighed, “I don’t believe you are wicked at all. And you are certainly not detestable. And it’s got nothing to do with your mother’s history. It’s just…”

It’s Kara , he finished silently. If anything happened between us, I would have betrayed her.

“I am a Knight of Falador, Lady Anne. My love is duty. I can have no other.”

“But you have not denied me either, Theodore. Because of that, I have refused the Kandarin ambassador’s son tonight, so I think I deserve an answer.”

Suddenly she curtseyed, and remained in that position before Theodore’s startled gaze.

“Don’t make me beg, Theodore,” she whispered. Her voice cracked slightly. “Please don’t make me beg.”

The woman is impossible . His thoughts were in chaos. And she is beautiful.

He gazed down at Lady Anne for several seconds. Her blonde hair was plaited down her back in Varrock’s fashion. She wore a diamond ferronniere upon her forehead, which complemented her perfect blue eyes. Her smooth skin was deliciously pale. He remembered a romantic verse he had once heard where a maiden’s skin had been described as being like shards of captured moonlight.

Was that what the bard had been singing about? he wondered. It can’t have been too different.

“Very well, Lady Anne,” he conceded. “You shall have your dance.”

I have waited for you Kara, and you didn’t even write to me.

Her blue eyes fastened onto his. He had expected them to possess a triumphant shine, but there was nothing save honest relief.

“Thank you, Theodore,” she said humbly. “Thank you.”

She rose slowly and looked to the nearest of the pictures on display.

“I understand that this afternoon you and your men are to be involved in a melee?” she asked.

Theodore nodded.

“We are. Against the finest knights of Varrock.”

“You are aware that Lord Hyett will be fighting against you?”

Theodore caught his breath. Lord Hyett, known as the Black Boar due to the tusked beast on his family crest, had taken an irrational loathing to Theodore since the squire had first arrived in Varrock. He was a dangerous opponent, as big and ill-tempered as his nickname implied. Yet Theodore had unhorsed him in their only competition.

“I will look for him then. I have beaten him before, and I can do so again.”