The Moonstone
Barcas gazed a moment longer at the jewel that burned as vivid as flame, then stepped forward and paid the merchant.
Thalia looked down at the ruby brooch now resting in her palm, her eyes clouded with dismay.
In an indifferent tone, Barcas asked,
"Anything else?"
It was surely nothing more than a casual remark, yet why did it feel as though he were sounding the depths of her heart?
She forced her gaze away from the moonstone and held it fast.
"I don't need anything. They're all rather ordinary."
The merchant's face twisted faintly. Pretending not to notice, she turned toward the entrance; Barcas followed at once and settled an arm about her waist, as if ready to steady her should she sway.
Accepting the touch that had already grown familiar, she stepped out of the shop and found Daren Dru Seorkan waiting with the other retainers.
One of them approached and made his report.
"We have finished inspecting the market. The supply of goods appears stable, and trade in the principal commodities is lively. However, there have been a fair number of complaints about somewhat unsettled public order."
Passing through a corridor that had grown noticeably quieter, Barcas turned to him.
"Is there some trouble with the security forces?"
"It seems less a failing of the security forces themselves than the recent boldness of bandit gangs. Successive raids have targeted the trading caravans."
A faint crease appeared between Barcas's brows. The man added carefully,
"To discuss the matter, the lord of Dorkaen has requested an audience. How shall we proceed?"
"...Very well. We will meet the lord first."
Stroking his chin, Barcas gave a ready nod. Watching him from the corner of her eye, Thalia glanced back once more.
The jewel she had cast aside still flickered before her mind.
She tried to console herself that a trivial stone like a moonstone was nothing she needed, yet the regret refused to fade. By the time they left the exchange and climbed into the carriage waiting on the main thoroughfare, a restless anxiety had begun to press upon her.
Perhaps a gem of that particular hue would never be found again. Seated, she stared discontentedly at the ruby, then peered out the window.
Barcas was conferring with his retainers; it appeared he was conveying the decision just made to the knights.
Seeing that departure was not imminent, Thalia rummaged through the carriage's storage compartment. After carelessly rifling through Barcas's belongings, she found a leather pouch heavy with gold coins. She stuffed it hastily into her clothing and slipped carefully outside.
The soldiers were busy loading wedding gifts from the city's notables onto the carriages. Watching for their notice, Thalia soon crossed the main street.
Re-entering the trade exchange, she saw merchants packing away their wares.
Pulling her hood deep over her face, she pushed through the crowded lanes. The hurried pace exacted its price; her calf muscles stiffened and the ache climbed into her pelvis. Ignoring it, she hurried into the jeweler's shop and walked straight to the counter.
The gem that so closely resembled Barcas's eyes glowed softly upon its red cushion. She lifted it, gazed at it for a long moment, then turned to the merchant.
"I will buy this jewel."
The man who had been staring at her in surprise broke into a broad smile.
"You have a discerning eye indeed. This moonstone is a rare piece of most uncommon color and pattern. Ordinarily it would command thirty-five soldems, but for Her Highness the Grand Duchess I shall specially offer it for thirty."
Thalia half-listened to the merchant's chatter as she opened the leather pouch. Just then a blunt voice sounded behind her.
"What a pure swindler. How can one moonstone be worth thirty gold coins?"
Turning, Thalia's eyes widened as she discovered Lucas Laedgo Seorkan.
He smirked down at the jewel in her hand.
"It wouldn't fetch five."
"W-what absurd words are those, sir!"
The merchant raised his voice as though deeply wronged.
"This moonstone is an uncommon premium piece! Do you think stones of such color and pattern are common?"
"Even so, thirty soldems is far too much."
"Thirty soldems is already a bargain. Put it to auction and it might fetch still more...!"
Before the merchant, whose face had flushed scarlet as he huffed, Thalia poured out the gold coins.
With a bright clatter, imperial-minted coins piled high upon the counter. At a glance there seemed far more than thirty.
She stuffed the jewel into her pocket and said haughtily,
"I can't be bothered counting them one by one. Take what you need."
Then she turned and left the shop.
Outside, cavalry warriors stood waiting with stern faces.
Thalia held her head high and stiff as she passed them. She had not gone more than a few steps before Lucas caught her.
"Hey, if you go wandering off like that—!"
"Hey?"
When she shot him a fierce look, the boy flinched back and lowered his eyes. It was the fruit of her diligent scolding these past few days.
With an expression as if swallowing irritation, he corrected himself.
"You shouldn't go about without an escort, Sister-in-law."
"I meant to return at once."
"Even so, you ought to have told us. What if you slip away like that?"
Thalia rather roughly brushed the hand from her shoulder.
"I am not a prisoner of the Seorkan family. I have no duty to report my every move."
"That isn't what I meant. What if something serious happens...!"
Thalia let the overstepping lecture wash over her and turned her steps toward the square.
In the interval, preparations for departure seemed complete; the knights were all mounted.
Thalia hurried up to the carriage. Nearby, Barcas, who had been speaking with a nobleman, cast a chilly glance her way.
Thalia swallowed dryly.
Was he angry that she had vanished without a word?
Tense as she was, Barcas let out a small sigh and gave a light gesture of his chin.
"Please board. I must travel on horseback."
Then he strode toward the knights. Thalia exhaled a quiet breath of relief and climbed into the carriage.
A short while later the halted carriage began to move along the main thoroughfare.
Thalia drew out the jewel she had tucked inside her coat. The silver-blue mineral cast a pale light in the dim shade.
She stared at it for a long time, as though she had never possessed a jewel in her life, then pushed it back into her bosom and looked out the window.
The sky that had shone brightly only a few hours earlier was now veiled in ash-gray cloud. Into the chill air, from which summer's heat had fully departed, mixed the scent of dry grass. From the humidity it seemed rain would come soon.
As she had expected, by the time the carriage left the city center and passed through the castle walls, the thickened clouds began to pour a fine drizzle.
Thalia pressed her cheek to the cold glass and looked ahead.
Atop a gentle hill veiled in the misty rain, a somewhat crude fortress jutted upward. That must be Dorkaen Castle.
"Thank you for coming!"
When they arrived before the castle gate, a man with a bearskin draped over his shoulders rushed out of the building. He was a middle-aged man thick with black beard.
He bowed respectfully toward Barcas at the head of the column.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Grace the Grand Duke. I am Uzan Darken, charged with the administration of this region."
Barcas leaped lightly down from his horse and accepted the welcome with a blank expression.
"I am Barcas Laedgo Seorkan."
The man who had been examining his new liege with curious eyes broke into a mild smile.
"You must have had a hard journey coming so far. Come, please enter at once. I have prepared a grand banquet for Your Grace."
"I appreciate the consideration."
Having observed proper courtesy with suitable greetings, Barcas handed the reins to a servant and approached her.
Standing blankly in the drizzle, Thalia hunched her shoulders. Barcas spread the edge of his cloak and made a canopy over her head.
Watching that with interest-tinged eyes, the castle lord carefully addressed her.
"This beautiful lady must be Her Highness the Grand Duchess. It is an honor to meet you, Your Highness. Please feel free to call me Uzan."
Thalia answered with a single nod of her head.
Showing a slightly awkward air, the man quickly returned to a smiling face and began to flatter.
"It is an infinite honor to receive so noble a personage. I shall do my utmost so that you may stay without inconvenience."
"Spare me the formalities and just show us to a room. How long do you intend to keep us standing in the rain?"
When she snapped coldly, the man hurriedly climbed the stairs.
"Oh my, I apologize, Your Highness the Grand Duchess. Please, this way."
Following him into the massive stone building, the smell of burning firewood and candles pricked her nose.
Thalia pressed close to Barcas's side as she looked around the old castle that exuded a gloomy atmosphere.
Built, it seemed, in the era of the warring states, the interior of the aged fortress was thickly steeped in deep darkness and clammy dampness.
"You may use this room."
The castle lord guided them to a chamber on the second floor. It was a bedroom furnished quite cozily and well.