Ch. 2: Hidden Identities

Edward woke as he heard the door close, his head turning to see Celeste latching the lock on the door and placing down the basket. He slowly began to sit up, a bit clumsily due to his arm being in a sling. By the time he was sitting up, Celeste was walking over to him, helping him.

"How's your head feel?" Her voice was soft and caring, full of genuine concern for his well being, instead of for who he was. He lifted his head and smiled kindly at her. "It feels a lot better, thank you. I think that stew and the nap helped quite a bit. Did your trip into town go well?" He asked nonchalantly, missing the way her eyes looked torn before going blank.

Celeste stood, turning and grabbing a few of the fresh bandages, carefully beginning to unwrap the ones around Edward's head. "It was uneventful. Just the usual rabble. Tho there were a bit more soldiers there today. I heard from the tavern owners wife that the Crown Prince went missing last night."

Edward froze for a small moment, barely a second, but it was enough to confirm Celeste's suspicions. "Well that's horrible news. A-and what about the King? How is he taking the news?" Edward asked, trying to seem unconcerned, but he couldn't help it.

Celeste tried to hide the look of sadness on her face, but couldn't, so instead of answering immediately, she had Edward turn so she could replace his bandage on his shoulder. "The King didn't take it well. They say he may not live past the next two weeks. And it seems that the Prince's younger brother has decided to attempt to claim the throne."

Edward sighed, hopelessness washing over him. "But there's no need for you to worry about the affairs of the country with the state you're in. Your first goal is to get better." Celeste turned and stood in front of Edward, smiling gently. "It seems I was wrong about your arm. It's not broken, but it is dislocated. I'll have to relocate it."

Grabbing a piece of untanned leather, she held it up to his mouth. "You'll want to bite down on this." Edward leaned forward and bit down into the leather, closing his eyes and grunting in pain as her hands wrapped around his arm and shoulder, before pushing hard, his cry muted by the leather before feeling it pop back into place.

"There. Your foot should be healed in about two days time. After that it should only take a week for your arm to be healed as well. For the next-" Celeste stopped speaking as she heard the rough pounding on her door.

Both of them froze and held their breath, Celeste quickly helping Edward lay down before covering him with the furs laying on the bed. "Don't. Move." She said harshly, before turning and heading to the door. "Coming!" She called.

Glancing one last time to make sure that Edward couldn't be spotted, she subtly grabbed the hunting dagger hanging by the door, sliding it up the sleeve of her dress and opening the door partially.

There in front of her, stood the same guard from the tavern. His leering eyes stared at her figure before meeting her own, his lips curling into a creepy smirk. "Evening miss. Mind letting me in?" His voice made her skin crawl but she held her stance, her face remaining innocent and impassive.

"Good evening Sir. I'm afraid it would be improper to let you in, due to it being so late. It might damage my reputation as a lady. I do hope you understand." She kept her voice sugary sweet, dripping innocence as to seem unaware of what his invitation might have meant.

Opening the door more, she slipped outside, pressing her back against it. "You know, good Sir, not many people can find my humble cottage. I am very curious how you did. You must be extremely smart to have recognized it as a house." She stroked his ego, hoping it would reveal how he found her.

He stepped closer, pinning her against the door with one of his hands by her face. By the look on his face, her words pleaded him, making him look smug. "Why yes, actually I am quite smart. As for finding your..." his eyes glanced at the 'cottage', the disdain evident in his eyes  "cottage, well it's quite simple. I saw the reflection of light in your windows."

Celeste swore in her head, reminding herself to make some moss covering for them in the morning. She was pulled from her thoughts as she felt his hand on her waist, deciding she's had enough of his leering looks and his touch. "Well if you'll excuse me, I do believe it's time for me to retire. Good Evening to you Sir."

Celeste turned to open the door, forcing the man to step back, only to feel his hand grab her left arm again, the hunting dagger slipping out of her sleeve and into her right hand, pivoting on her heel and sliding the pommel of the dagger in her hand, holding the blade against his throat.

"Now good Sir. I do highly suggest you remove your hand from my arm or you will have one less sword hand to fight with. Now turn around, get back onto your horse, and ride away. And you will forget this place was ever here. Am I understood Sir?"

The soldiers eyes glared down into her own, but he quickly realized that she was serious as she pressed the blade harder against his throat. Letting go of her arm as if it was burning him, he stepped back, fixing his cloak and glaring.

"You will regret that some day Girl. Just watch. You won't know when it happens, but one day you will be under me, and you won't have a knife to protect yourself then." He spat angrily before turning and swinging himself up into the saddle, of his horse. Throwing one last angry glance at Celeste, he dug his spurs into the flank of the poor beast, and took off.

As soon as the dust had settled on the forest floor, Celeste slumped back against the door, her hand resting on her chest. Once the pounding in her chest subsided, she turned and entered her cottage, locking the door and shutting the window.

"You're safe to come out now Edward." She called softly to him, watching as he pushed the furs off of him and sat up. "Who was it?" He asked, immediately noticing the panicked and frightened stance she had. However, as soon as the words left his lips, she straightened and appeared normal.

"Just a soldier who I ran into in town that was more persistent than he should be. Don't worry. He didn't see you. He was here for me." Turning her back to him, she let out a small breath before grabbing the large bucket. "You need a bath. I'm going to fetch some water.  Feel free to explore the cabin. It'll do you some good to stretch your legs. But don't move to quickly or you'll irritate your ankle."

Celeste left the house, leaving Edward alone in the cottage. Deciding to take the chance to see if he could learn more about this strange woman living alone in the woods. Limping slowly over to the fireplace, he admired the sword and shield hanging there, recognizing the crest on the shield as that of the royal guard that personally served the royal family.

Turning his head, his eyes caught on a small picture, one of a man and a little girl looking a lot like the younger version of Celeste. Unable to stop himself, he picked up the picture, staring at the man in the picture. His face seems strangely familiar, but he couldn't remember how off the top of his head.

Shaking his head, he placed the picture back down, turning and noticing a scroll on a small table beside the picture. The seal had already been broken, so he saw no harm in seeing what information it might contain about Celeste.

As soon as he opened the scroll, he couldn't help but stare in complete shock, at what is said.

Dear Celestia Alwyn Audovera, we feel deeply for you, over the loss of your late Father, Caine Alexander Audovera. His shield and sword have been recovered from the battle he died in, as well as 1 thousand pounds of gold have been generously given to you over your loss. He was a brave warrior who fought valiantly for his country. With deepest condolences,

The Royal Guard of Asteria.

Edward was startled out of his thoughts as he heard the door opening, quickly placing the scroll down and pretending to admire the picture beside it.

Celeste noticed his hurried moves, then the scroll that was slightly crooked, then the picture he was staring at. "It's a picture of my father and I. He died a few years ago." The sadness in Celeste's voice made him sympathize with her.

"What was his name?" Edward asked, even tho he already knew. "Caine. Caine Audovera." She answered. "How did he die?" Edward's voice was gentle, not wanting to hurt her.

"They say he died in battle. But I don't believe it. All the other men who have died in battle their bodies were brought back. My fathers never was. That's all I wish to say on the matter."

Edward turned, staring at the young woman before him. It was then that he realized how young she truly was. She couldn't have been much older than 20, well past marrying age, and yet she seemed to have never had a husband by the way she shyly skirted around him, pouring the water into the pot above the fireplace.

She poured some cool water into the wash basin, then turned to Edward. "You can change here, and I'll go wash your clothes in the river." He couldn't help but notice the way her cheeks tinted as she mentioned him getting undressed, turning her back so she could add the hot water, making a nice steaming bath for him.

Stripping his clothes, he carefully walked over to the tub, slipping into the warm water and dunking his head under. Celeste grabbed the clothes, unable to help but glance at Edward's back, seeing it toned with years of hard work and scars, a blush covering her cheeks again as she hurriedly left the cottage.

Edward couldn't help but relax in the water before he sat up and started to bathe himself. He used his good arm to wash his body with the water, smiling at the small soap that had been left out for him, feeling thankful for the generosity Celeste gave him.

His thoughts troubled him as he remembered how the face of the man became familiar, sighing and sitting up as he heard Celeste come back.

"Celeste, I need to tell you something." Her eyes met his, that pink blush on her cheeks coming back. But his next words would wipe it from her face completely.

"Your father wasn't killed in battle. He was murdered."