Open by Ashley Fox Page A

dream, to be a Princess. In reality she knew she was just
chattel.
    “ I know what
you say is true, how can I not? I abide by what I must do, I study
hard, and soon enough I ’ ll
be sent away. I ’ m aware of
the efforts made to make me saleable. Then I will marry and perhaps
bring a strong ally to our House. But why
can ’ t I also have something
for myself? Something I can do good with? It is not unusual for
ladies to pursue gardening, it is a well respected sport for us
Danuans. So why can ’ t I
learn? I ’ m not proposing to
run off to dedicate to Balm Springs or
anything. ”
    “ You ’ re not? Because
that would truly be folly. Is that why you keep sneaking off? And
why you stay up half the night writing? ”
    “ Yes, yes!
Would you like to see? ”
    Mera arrayed
some her papers before Tansy, and she was soon lost in the
contents. Pointing out diagrams of particular herbs and describing
their properties to her, telling her of the tea she had made for
her mother. At one point she was denouncing the use of Gladwin by
women, who used it to make sure that they were not with child,
explaining that it had a vigorous effect on the womb, essentially
forcing a woman ’ s time, with
prolonged use it could actually make a woman barren.
    “ I overheard
some of the scullions once, can you believe that
it ’ s what the healers
recommend? I mean I suppose it does the job,
but …”
    Tansy had
gone red, at the talk of men and women laying together she
supposed. It pleased Meredith to show her knowledge. Maybe she
would take her more seriously, and with the subject know she
wasn ’ t such a child! She was
nearing thirteen after all.
    “ So what are
you supposed to use? ”
    “ Well, there
are a few different ones that do the job, but the best is thistle
to prevent and wild carrot in the fertile time, can you believe it?
Almost all gardens have it in abundance. Hypericum used to be known
as a soldier ’ s best friend,
because it prevents laying illnesses and diseases. Celandine sap
for warts, with lemon balm and liquorice. Prunella if its virulent.
Horrible, isn ’ t
it. ”
    “ Mera! I
can ’ t believe you know of
such things! ” Tansy had a
healthy blush now, but could stop the grin from creeping across her
face. There was also a considering light in her eyes. “ Well, it seems you really are
serious about this then. I suppose you are right in that
it ’ s a suitable hobby for a
lady … well perhaps not how
to treat venereal disease. But as long as you tell me when you are
going off, and don ’ t let it
interfere with anything else, then I
can ’ t see that
it ’ s such a problem. Are the
woods safe? ”
    “ Oh yes, of
course they are, they ’ re the
Kings ’ Woods. I
don ’ t go out on hunt days,
and hardly anyone uses those, people only really forage the very
edges. Oh, thank you Tansy, thank you! ” She had been so worried that Tansy would pry
more or forbid her from going alone, or even make her ask her
parents ’ permission first.
They would definitely ask more questions and probably tell her
no.
    “ Where were
you off to anyway? I see you ate your lunch.
That ’ s good, you missed
breakfast. ”
    “ I was going
to see Mother and take her the tea I made, and the honey and
fortifying wine, then to my lesson with Tomas, then I had to go to
the library- ”
    “ Princess!
Have you not seen your self? And this is another reason you need to
tell me where you are. If I don ’ t keep an eye on you people will start mistaking you for
some pauper ’ s
child! ” So saying Tansy
turned her around, her hands on
Mera ’ s shoulders, and pushed
her toward a mirror.
    Her hair was
windswept, bits of twig and leaves caught up in it, stains from her
soup about her face and ink on her cheek. That must have been from
last night. Her clothes were rumpled with dirt smudged in, her
stockings still damp and spattered with mud. What would her mother
have said! Tansy had been watching her reaction and burst