Chapter 492: The Spring and the Scheme

Chapter 491: The Spring and the Scheme

Lyria’s POV

"Because he is b-brilliant," I said. "And because I knew C-Crooked Crown would not choose him. So I c-chose him instead."

Duke Valenridge laughed softly at my answer, though whether he found the greater diversion in my reasoning or in the satisfaction with which I had delivered it, I could not tell. He merely inclined his head towards the cave, and extended an arm in a gesture of courtesy.

"After you, Your Highness."

I gathered my skirts and stepped inside, where the warmth of the place closed about me at once, soft and enveloping, rather like entering a room in which a fire had been burning for hours. There was a faint luminescence about the stone, too, though I could not determine whether it came from the rock itself, or from the mist that lingered in the passage, catching what little light entered from beyond.

Duke Valenridge followed me, and together we proceeded further into the cave.

The passage twisted through the rock, narrowing in some places until I was obliged to mind my footing, then widening quite unexpectedly, so that we might walk side by side. Moisture glistened upon the walls, and the deeper we ventured, the louder grew the sound of running water.

After some time, we came to a halt.

Before us lay a great heap of rocks and rubble, piled high against the walls and sealing the passage entirely. Some of the stones were small enough to be carried in one’s hands, whilst others were so enormous that I doubted even several strong men could have shifted them without proper equipment.

"This," the Duke remarked, "is the road by which the townspeople once came to the spring. As you may observe, it is now quite impassable."

He paused, then added, "Until the rocks that block it are cleared."

I nodded in understanding.

Then Duke Valenridge turned to the right and continued along the cave wall, walking with such ease that one might have supposed us strolling through a garden. I followed him without protest.

He stopped before an opening in the rock, a narrow gap with rough and uneven edges. Scattered stones lay at its foot, and the ground nearby bore unmistakable signs of recent disturbance.

"I did that," he informed me.

I looked from the opening to his face.

"You d-dug through the r-rock?"

"Not quite through it, Your Highness. I should hardly claim so extraordinary an accomplishment." His mouth curved faintly. "I discovered the opening, and enlarged it sufficiently to pass through. The distinction, I assure you, is an important one."

I could not help smiling at his explanation.

"I heard the sound of water when I stumbled upon this part of the cave," he continued. "Naturally, I wished to discover its source, and so I searched the surrounding rock, and at length noticed a small opening, scarcely large enough to admit my hand. I made it so that it should admit my whole body instead."

A small laugh slipped from me before I could prevent it, and he indicated the gap with a slight movement of his hand.

"After you."

I bent carefully and made my way through. The passage was so narrow that I was obliged to turn my shoulders, and mind the hem of my gown, lest it catch upon the jagged stone. A little dust settled upon my skirts, but I paid it no attention. There are occasions when propriety requires one to be mindful of one’s appearance, and others when the pursuit of something worthwhile ought to take precedence over a speck of dirt. And besides, my gown had gathered dirt enough already from our walk.

I continued forward, with Duke Valenridge close behind me, until the passage gradually widened. The sound of water grew louder still, a gentle, continuous rush that seemed to reverberate through the stone.

Then I stepped beyond the opening, and stopped.

Before me lay a cavern so magnificent that, for several moments, I could scarcely persuade myself it was real.

A great lake occupied the centre of it, its surface reflecting the faint moonlight that descended from the heights above. Water poured steadily from a cleft in the rock, cascading into the lake in a beautiful fall, and the droplets caught the light as they descended, scattering it into a thousand shimmering fragments before vanishing beneath the surface.

Mist rose from the water, curling lazily through the air, whilst the warmth of the cavern settled upon my skin. I felt a sudden longing to capture the scene upon the pages of my drawing book.

Around the lake, greenery flourished in astonishing abundance. Ferns spread their delicate fronds across the damp ground, moss covered the rocks in thick, velvety patches, and pale flowers grew in places where I should never have imagined anything could take root. Vines descended from the higher walls in long, trailing curtains that swayed faintly in the moving air.

The water was so clear that I could see the smooth stones beneath it.

I took a few steps forward, quite unable to restrain my curiosity.

"I have n-never seen anything l-like this," I whispered.

Duke Valenridge offered no reply.

Kneeling beside the water, I extended a hand, and touched its surface with my fingertips.

It was warm, very like the water with which I had washed earlier in the day.

A smile spread across my face before I could think to prevent it.

Duke Valenridge came to stand beside me, and for a little while neither of us spoke. We simply regarded the lake, listening to the steady rush of water, and the faint echoes that wandered through the cavern.

It was he who at length broke the silence.

"What is your plan, Your Highness?"

I turned my head towards him.

"I b-beg your p-pardon?"

"Your plan," he repeated. "For the town. I am quite certain you have one."

I looked back at the water, watching the mist drift over its surface.

"Apart from the t-townspeople, who are reluctant to accept any a-assistance, the chief difficulty is C-Corvin. Hence my having p-placed him in charge of f-food."

The Duke regarded me quietly, waiting for me to continue.

"He will o-obviously seek some m-means of sabotage. He may e-ensure that the supplies are i-insufficient, or that the food is r-rotten, or that it n-never arrives at all." I paused, considering the possibilities. "And that is w-where you and I c-come in."

I turned towards him fully.

"I have n-need of your help. And, once more, of your m-money. For e-everything that must be done in this town will require labour, and coin besides. I c-cannot expect the townspeople to rebuild their h-homes, restore their livelihoods, a-and recover from the s-storm, when they have so little with which to b-begin."

He studied me a moment, his expression thoughtful.

"You wish me to arrange food supplies behind Corvin’s back."

I smiled.

"I w-wish him to believe t-that everything proceeds a-according to his own wishes. Corvin s-shall feel as t-though he is doing precisely what he was sent to do. He shall have his r-responsibility, his authority, and every o-opportunity to convince h-himself that he is in c-control."

I clasped my hands before me, pleased with the notion as it took firmer shape in my mind.

"D-Daniel, too, will try to o-obstruct us, for he is likewise u-upon an errand of sabotage. You shall work w-with me, and shall have my authority. F-food is not the only matter we shall manage b-behind Corvin’s back. There may be many more. And I t-trust only yourself, Lucian, and Duke Thorncrest to work with me w-without difficulty."

Duke Valenridge stared at me a moment, before a low chuckle escaped him.

"You are quite dangerous, curious wolf."