3 Getting Lilys Help (1/2)

James held the book, debating whether or not he should continue his study in the forest or back at the castle. It seemed pretty clear that Lilly didn't want him around. Maybe didn't want him nosing around about her people. And yet, she had helped him find where, in the book he held, there was mention of her people. He tucked the book in his saddle bag then went through the process of putting the saddle back onto Torta.

They returned to the castle. James took the saddle and bridle off of Torta. He set them aside. The stable hand would take care of them. But care for Torta's coat was his responsibility. Especially if he didn't want Torta acting up when he rode him. James grabbed the brush to do just that. But Torta shied away from him or nudged his hand away when he tried to run the brush down his side.

”You prefer her comb, don't you?” he asked Torta.

Torta squealed and nodded.

'Great, now I'm talking to animals,' he thought.

'And understanding how they talk back,' Lilly's voice said.

He turned to see if she was nearby. But there was only the stable hand and the other horses.

'Don't happen to have a spare comb for Torta do you?' he asked her.

Lilly didn't respond.

He sighed. He patted Torta's neck then took his saddle bags with him to his room. He put his saddle bags away before pulling out the book Lilly had helped him mark. He took it with him down to the library. He was surprised to see Lilly and a stack of ten books, already bookmarked with sheets of parchment.

”Lilly?”

She winced. 'No noises, Human. I already feel like a shredded tapestry.'

'Why did you come to help me?' he asked.

'I didn't.' She removed the comb from her hair a few tears slipped down her face. 'Torta wanted my comb. I need to go now.'

Lilly started to leave, but James took her hand in his.

'Lilly?' His voice was gentle and she looked at him. 'Thank you.'

She gave a nod then slid her hand out of his. But before she could reach the door, the King came into the room.

”Here you are, James,” he father said loudly. ”Who's this?”

Lilly bowed to the king and took a step to leave, but he stopped her.

”Is this Lilly?” the king asked James.

”Yes, Father. But she needs to leave. She has work to do.”

”That can wait. Bring her to dinner. I want to know more about this woman since she has clearly caught your fancy.” He snapped his fingers as he turned to leave.

Several servants came in to take her to another room. But Lilly pushed them off her. The king paused seeing this and James stepped to her side. Lilly's head bowed with a painful grimace on her face.

'Sorry,' he said to her.

'What is your father wanting of me?' she asked in return, trying to understand the situation she found herself in.

'To have you join us in the dining hall for a meal where there will be a lot more noise.'

'And the women trying to take me from this room?'

'To bathe you, change your clothes. Make you presentable according to Human custom.'

She gave a slight nod.

'You don't have to stay. You don't look well.'

”James?” his father asked.

”I'll help her, Father,” he said.

The king nodded and the servants left.

James walked with her down to the hall. 'I'll take you to the stables. Torta can take you out of the city.'