"I'll call you what I like, Milady. But your objection is... noted." His voice was soft.
As she turned away, he clutched the brooch she'd handed him. It was a sudden keepsake that he felt a strange attachment to, as it had everything to do with Tabitha. Her touch was soft, and delicate, and he found himself wanting to feel that touch again. Yet his task lay before him, and he needed to ride to the city again--a half day's journey--and arrive back home again. It would be late in the night, and he hoped she would take care of herself, or if not, that Landis perhaps would.
Llewen mounted Spirit again, and with one last, regretful turn, he began riding out of the castle, looking behind him one last time as he did.
~~~~
The journey to
Mardus was largely uneventful, which was useful for Llewen as he grappled with the conundrum he now faced regarding Tabitha's brooch. Assuming the apothecary even accepted the trade, did he want to save his horse over her dignity? All things had price that was too high to purchase, and he couldn't shake that this was one such case. The concern that she was a noblewoman of a past house also weighed on him; he worried for his estate and that word might get out that he'd kidnapped her, or some other nonsense, which might spark some other house to action, even if for an illegitimate claim. The whole situation was vexing, especially as his feelings for her were beginning to find purchase.
He looked for some time in the city streets to find the apothecary, who greeted him as he came off the street. Llewen entered, gazing at the many herbs and medicines on the store shelves before approaching the counter.
"Hello, I am Llewen of House Merrick. I have come seeking herbs to heal my horse. I need Chamomile, Dandelion, Devil's Claw, and... I think it was Meadowsweet. I'm prepared to offer this--" He said, offering the brooch. "--as payment."
The apothecary was an older man. His assistant could be seen organizing shelves behind him. The apothecary spoke.
"I've got all the herbs you need in stock, but the brooch is no good. I'll only take other herbs, or coin. And judging by the clothes you're wearing, Llewen of House Merrick, you might need more help than your horse. So bring me some herbs and you'll get your medicine."
Llewen was crushed. He'd come all this way, worried about these problems, and now there was nothing for it. He couldn't even use her brooch to purchase the herbs in the first place, so all of his fears had been for nothing. But now the situation was even worse. How would he get out of this, and get what he needed?
The shopkeeper's assistant suddenly spoke up.
"Master, I think that boy is Princess Helia's newest Paladin. He made quite a show at the palace the other day--we should help him, that might get us into the royal court's good graces."
The apothecary grumbled. "You may be right. Here, just a moment," he said, gathering various herbs and placing them into a small satchel. "Just remember us the next time you've got a need, your lordship. We certainly wouldn't want to cause a Paladin any trouble."
Llewen reluctantly took the herbs, nodding. "Thank you, your kindness may have saved this Knight's life. I will repay you someday."
They exchanged farewells as Llewen made his way back to Spirit. The sun was already starting to go down, and he would be riding most of the way home in the dark. Fortune smiled on him again as he was able to arrive safely home again. He stabled Spirit again, then moved his now tired body into the castle again, where he went into the great hall, looking for Tabitha again, where despite his exhaustion he was eager to see her again.
