Off Track: A Romantic Magical Quest Series (The Madeline Journeys Book 1) Read online

  “Why would she wish to do that? If she requires entertainment, she will call her troupe of dancers. I’m sure they know this tango you mentioned – unless you are a dancer?”

  “No, I’m a lawyer. A very good one,” she said, making her tone cold and intimidating.

  “That word is unfamiliar. Tell me, what do lawyers do in your world?”

  Madeline frowned. “I thought you could speak my language.”

  “Yes, but not as you do.” Jode smiled at her again, the grin half covered by his thick moustache, his blue eyes sparkling. Madeline had never seen eyes actually sparkle. “The spell allows me to understand your words as if you were speaking my language. Some words do not exactly translate and the spell lets me know when it hasn’t been able to find the right word.”

  “How?” Madeline’s curiosity was taking over. She wanted to know how it worked because it was going to be cast on her.

  “I hear the word lawyer as negotiator or agreer, but it’s not sure which. What does a lawyer do?”

  “It’s my job to help people settle disagreements. I also help people make contracts so they are protected if something goes wrong.”

  “Ah, a mediator, negotiator and scribe, we have separate jobs for each thing.” He nodded to himself. “Now I begin to understand why it was you the vision found for this quest. It is a good profession for a woman of such passion. You must be a formidable opponent.”

  “Quest? What quest?” Madeline ignored what seemed like a pick-up line. This man could not possibly be trying to flirt, could he? She felt a pang of disappointment with the thought that he might not be.

  “Lady Arabela will tell you the tale later.”

  “Okay, okay. How is it that I can understand you?”

  “The spell changes the sounds of the words as my mind forms them. I speak your language, which is why you can understand me.” He pointed to a peaked slate roof poking up through the forest to their right. “We are almost at the castle. See there is the roof of the mews.”

  “Well, I’m about ready to get off this freaking horse. What will happen when we get there, will Simon and I be put in a dungeon?”

  He laughed, a rich chuckle causing a tingling in places that made Madeline want to squirm. She told her libido to go back to sleep. This didn’t feel like a good place for casual sex, and even if it was, she was too worried to enjoy a romp.

  “No,” he answered. “I do not know why you would think so. Lady Arabela will give you each a room, clothing, and servants to attend you. You are not prisoners. You are guests who may be of great service to Lady Arabela and her people.”

  “Does she need someone to defend her in court?”

  “Not in court, no. Now I must not say more. I must return to Lady Arabela and escort her into the castle.” He gave his horse a squeeze with his legs and trotted back to Arabela.

  “What did he say?” Simon had taken advantage of the slack in the horse’s reins to give Madeline and Jode some privacy for their conversation. “Did he tell you why we’re here?”

  “No, I think we’re just going to have to wait.” She nodded towards the roof in the distance. “I figure we’ll be there in an hour, and when I’ve had a chance to get the feeling back in my butt we’ll get our answers.”

  Simon laughed. “I pity them. Have you considered holding off for a few days. This is like a vacation. We can check this world out; maybe there’s more than bad plumbing and poor doctoring going on. This magic thing could be a hoot.”

  “Hoot! What are you talking about? Any time we spend here is wasted time. What? You think we can learn spells and take them back home and bewitch people?” She reached out, tried to smack his arm, and almost came off her horse as it stutter-stepped.

  “No, I’m saying maybe it will be good for you to have an adventure. You are way too tightly wound these days.”

  “You know it’s partnership time at the firm. If I’m not there I can’t have a shot at it.”

  “Is that what you really want?” Simon asked. “Those guys are as stiff as eight-hour old corpses. You aren’t easy to work for, crap you are a pain in the ass, but do you really want to be committed to the old farts with corner offices?”

  “I’ve been working towards it for years… since law school.”

  “You never wanted to do anything else?”

  Madeline looked around at the changes in the scenery. They had left the forest and were riding through a wide valley of grass and wild flowers. There was a lake jutting out from the corner of the last line of trees, the sun shining off the small waves. Children were running along the edge of the water, throwing a ball back and forth.

  “Yes, but it’s too late now. I need to get back and make partner. And I don’t care if I’m a pain in the ass to you. It only matters if I win my cases. That’s what my clients and the partners expect.” She looked away from Simon, trying to end the conversation.

  “Okay, keep your hair on. I get it.” Simon nudged his horse closer. “I wanted to be a musician. Had a band in high school; we were pretty good. I only took the executive assistant job to pay the bills. The main plan was to keep up with the band and make my future as a rock star.”

  “What happened?” Madeline was always intrigued by other people’s life plans.

  “Like Bryan Adams said; one of the guys quit. He joined the armed forces and ended up in Afghanistan. The drummer got pregnant, and then married. That left me and Wings, the keyboard guy.”

  “Why didn’t you just find someone else?”

  “Wings got scooped by someone else, and I got busy. It’s hard to build a whole band.” He clicked his tongue. “Maybe I’ll try again when we get back.”

  “Yeah, let’s hope we get back.”

  Jode and Lady Arabela trotted back to them. Arabela spoke to Jode in the same flow of syllables. He nodded and turned to Madeline and Simon.

  “Lady Arabela asks if you would prefer a view of the lake or of the trees.”

  “I’d prefer the view of the building next door to my apartment,” Madeline said through gritted teeth.

  “Lake,” Simon jumped in before she could continue.

  Jode relayed the answer. Arabela nodded before taking the reins to lead the horse.

  “Jode, buddy, I can take my own reins. The lady doesn’t need to lead me.” Simon reached for the reins. “I can ride.”

  Arabela looked at Jode for translation and shook her head. “It would be better if you allowed her to lead the horse until we arrive at the castle,” he said.

  Simon shrugged. “No problem. I guess you don’t trust me not to run away.”

  “Not at all, where would you go? Lady Arabela is concerned for her horses. They are all trained to respond to signals from knee and hand as well as from the rein. You could inadvertently give a signal and have the horse buck you into the lake, which would not be good for the horse.”

  “Oh, great, are we supposed to follow you around on a leash the entire time we are here?” Madeline shifted slightly in the saddle.

  “Not at all,” Jode answered, appearing unruffled by her waspish tone. “Simon, can learn the signals tomorrow in a couple of hours. I notice he has already started guiding the horse. You, I’m afraid might need more lessons than he does. Do you ride? Is it only the skirt that makes you look so uncomfortable?”

  “No, the damn saddle makes me uncomfortable. I can ride a little, but not well.” Madeline didn’t like to tell anyone she didn’t know how to do something. “Is there a different way to get around?”

  “For our quest? No, everyone will need to ride. I can teach you tomorrow. If you are right about your skills, you should be able to ride enough to not hurt yourself or the horse. You will improve with practice; you will need to wear riding clothes, though.”

  He spoke to the rider holding Madeline’s horse and she felt a small tug on the reins before it started to trot. She grabbed the saddle tightly and screamed at Jode. “A little warning would be nice.”

  “Please, accept my ap
ology,” he said. She could see a glint in his eyes. “I will remember next time. We must arrive at the castle before the sun goes down. It is not a good thing to be out in the dark unless you are familiar with the land.”

  3

  Madeline felt relief as they rode through the open gate of a grand house built of stone. Hanging banners flapped in the breeze and added flashes of color to the grey walls. At the sound of the horses stamping their feet and snorting, people came out of doors and around corners to help them dismount. Then they took the horses back through the gate. Madeline realized the stables were not inside the walls, only people lived in the safety of the enclosure.

  She watched as Simon limped after Jode through the open door. Madeline knew she was going to feel the effects of the ride as much as Simon. She slid her feet into her shoes, lifted her purse from the pommel of the saddle, and straightened her skirt before attempting to walk after them. To her embarrassment, the stiffness of her back and thighs made it more a hobble than a walk.

  Stepping into a wide hall where a long table covered in cloaks, and gloves, and other clothing stood, Madeline took a deep breath and inhaled a sweet smell of furniture wax, flowers, and unfamiliar food. Jode’s tall silhouette came into focus in the dim light. He was bent over talking to Arabela, who barely came up to his chest. Simon stood to the side in the shaft of sunlight streaming through a window. His suit showing the wear of their journey in the creases and dust smears.

  As she watched, Simon stepped forward. Arabela reached up, touched his forehead, and spoke a few words. When she removed her fingers, Simon spoke to her and she answered.

  “Bloody idiot,” Madeline muttered, and then stepped towards the trio.

  Simon moved forward anticipating Madeline’s argument. “Just let her put the spell on you and don’t make a big deal about it.”

  “How do you know it hasn’t done something to you?”

  “I don’t, but it’s much easier to talk directly to people and not through Jode.”

  “What does it feel like?”

  “It’s warm where her fingers touch, and then you start hearing whispers. All of a sudden, you know what she’s saying and it’s done. I honestly feel the same, including the sore muscles, as I did before she touched me. I still don’t know if I want to go home. I still think you can be a pain in the ass.”

  “Okay, shut up. If I’m going to argue my way back home, I’ll need to do it myself. You’re right; I can’t be persuasive through an interpreter.”

  Madeline pursed her lips. She stepped closer to Arabela. “Jode, can she take away the pain from the ride as well?” He translated and Arabela nodded, flashing a grin. Madeline chuckled when she heard Simon mutter in the background. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

  Arabela reached her hands up to touch Madeline’s forehead. As Simon had said, warmth permeated her skin and Madeline felt peace come with it. There was silence for a second or two; she feared the spell had gone wrong.

  “Don’t worry,” a soft voice came through the silence, followed by a wave of whispers like rustling leaves. “It is done,” Arabela said.

  Madeline realized she no longer felt the soreness in her back and legs. “Thank you,” she said as graciously as she could.

  “You are most welcome,” Arabela said. “I hope you will feel comfortable in my home. Please, let us take you to your rooms. I’m sure you will want to change and, perhaps, bathe before dinner.”

  “Why couldn’t you have done that spell when we first arrived? It was difficult to endure the day with only one person to talk to, and ask questions of.”

  “Ah, that would be part of the reason. I was not prepared to answer questions in the field in front of my men. The other reason is magic can attract attention if it is practiced outside the protections. In my home, the priests have built wards against those creatures attracted to magic.” She turned toward the grand staircase and wrapped her arm around Madeline’s.

  The two women ascended the stairs followed by Jode and Simon. “Come,” Arabela continued, “I have assigned you each a servant. Madeline, you will be attended by Elise and Simon by John.” Two people were standing beside doors. They nodded at the sound of their names. “They will draw you baths and find you suitable clothing. We will meet in an hour to talk, just the five of us in the small dining room. Dinner should be ready for service in two hours.”

  “Five?” Madeline looked around.

  “My priest will join us. We need to speak quietly and privately.”

  “Why can’t we talk now?” Madeline asked. She felt manipulated, politely to be sure, but this tiny woman expected automatic obedience and it rankled. “Or, at least, why not right after we’ve had a wash. I don’t really want to wait an hour. I’ve been waiting all day.”

  “My priest has information to add, and I trust him with my life. It is a long difficult tale and I am tired,” Arabela said. “Before I am able to share our story with you, I need to spend a short while resting, and then speak with my priest. There may be news that I have not heard.”

  Simon forestalled Madeline’s next comment. “We’ll wait until you are ready to tell us. An hour won’t make any difference in the long run, Madeline.”

  “I thank you Simon.” Madeline was surprised at the sudden weakness in Arabela’s voice; magic must take a lot out of you.

  “Is it possible to arrange a snack before dinner? We have not eaten since breakfast. In our world, we eat little in the morning and both of us are very hungry.”

  “I’ll have the kitchen send something to your rooms, and perhaps, dinner can be prepared sooner. Please excuse me now I must retire for a short while.” She turned to the two people standing at the doors. “John and Elise will attend you and bring you to dinner at the right time.” Arabela turned and took Jode’s arm, and both of them walked down the hall and passed through a curtained doorway.

  Madeline looked at her servant. The woman, looking every inch a milkmaid, was cheerfully waiting for Madeline to enter the room. “Simon, we should talk about how to deal with this. Can we meet in a half hour?”

  “As long as I get a bite to eat I’m good, where?”

  “My room, bring your food and we’ll eat while we talk.”

  Elise put her hand to her mouth and blushed, “Madam, that is not proper.”

  “What?” Madeline’s patience was drained to the bitter lees. “I can’t meet with my assistant?”

  “Not in your room without a chaperone.” She turned a deeper shade of pink.

  “It would be unusual and probably scandalous to meet in your room even with a chaperone,” John spoke for the first time, his voice deep and resonant not matching his fragile appearance. “If you wish to speak in private it would be proper to do so in a more public place. There is a bower in the back of the house. You may meet there. You will be in sight of people but they won’t be able to hear you. Will that suit?”

  “Fine.” Madeline pushed open the door of her room. “In half an hour, tops.”

  The room was large and square. In the center of the east wall stood an intricately carved bed covered in bright linens. The dark wood floorboards gleamed at the edge of a patterned wool rug. The walls were made of a warm red wood; panels of it were carved in scenes that depicted battles, parties, and hunts.

  Madeline felt the warmth of the room seep into bones she didn’t realize were cold. The fireplace was on the wall facing the bed, or more factually, it was the wall facing the bed. The white stone hearth and mantle were carved in straight, clean columns that repeated from the side of the fire to the walls, creating a sense of space and eternity, balancing the earthy colors of the rest of the room.

  “Please,” Elise said. “Take off your clothes and get into the bath. I’ll find you something to wear for dinner and by tomorrow you will have enough clothes for your time here.” She pointed to an armoire in the corner by the window.

  “Um.” Madeline tried to bring her wits back from where they had fled at the sight of the regal bedroo
m. “I don’t know how long I will be here. What do you mean enough clothes?”

  Elise took Madeline’s shoes, placed them in a box, and then tried to tug off the jacket. “For tonight you will wear a dress and slippers. By tomorrow, the seamstress will have made two riding outfits with a cloak and two more dresses. Please, remove your clothes, or you will not be ready to meet your young man.”

  Madeline shrugged out of her clothes and stepped into the tub of steaming water that was waiting in front of the fire.

  “Good,” Elise said handing Madeline a pot of soapy goop and a rough cloth before gathering the clothes and shoes. “Tonight, you will have to sleep in borrowed night clothes. Tomorrow night there will be a nightgown and robe made just for you. Do you have a family crest for the seamstress to incorporate in the clothing?”

  “Uh, no, we don’t go in for that much where I come from.” Madeline sat in the water, hot but not dangerously so.

  “Well, not to worry. What colors do you prefer?”

  “I like green and black. Why?”

  “I’ll ask the seamstress to use those colors and you will be known by the combination.”

  “Okay.” Madeline didn’t want to talk about clothes any more. She just wanted to soak and then get some answers.

  There was a soft knock on the door. “That will be the seamstress,” Elise said and went to answer it. She walked back into Madeline’s line of sight with her hands full of dark blue and white fabric, a pair of black sequined slippers on top. “If you wish to eat you must hurry.”

  “I suppose.” Madeline stood and looked around for a towel. Elise handed her a rough square of homespun fabric and helped her out of the tub.

  When she was dry, Elise showed her how to fasten the ties of the dark under-dress and to wrap the white over-dress properly around. Madeline noticed there were delicately embroidered stars around the edge of the white dress. She felt weird without underwear but at least the dress was tight enough across the chest to hold her up. The slippers fit snuggly and she wiggled her toes hoping there was not a long walk in her near future.