respect for Argost, and he seemed to have relaxed somewhat with her as well. Marja had demanded that food and drink be brought about halfway through, noting that Nellis needed to eat.
When they were finished, Argost addressed Marja a last time. “I thank you, my lady. The information you have provided will prove most valuable to Catania and to Lord Gaelen. Now, if you wish it, Lord Gaelen has agreed it will be safe for you to tour the castle. He wishes you to satisfy yourself that all is as he has told you, and to see if it jogs any other pertinent memories. But, he insists that one guard remain at your door to make sure no one gains entry, and that the other, as well as these two men, stay with you. Your friends may accompany you, if you wish.”
Marja was elated but answered formally, “Thank you, Argost. I do indeed wish to see the castle.” Then, seeing how tired Nellis looked, she added, “But Nellis will stay behind to rest.”
Argost nodded agreement. “When you have finished, my lady, please send Mikost to me. I wish to offer him a position.”
Marja simply nodded assent. She must ask Mikost what he had seen and heard, and caution him not to trust too quickly.
~ 18 ~
THE TOUR
While Nellis rested, Marja led Brensa and Mikost through the castle. There were so many people Marja wished to hear news of. Who had lost husbands, sons, suitors? Who had been injured, and who had lost others of their families or their homes? It greatly relieved Marja to see many familiar faces among those in the kitchen, the laundry and bustling about the large halls, putting things back to rights as best they could. She greeted each familiar person warmly. She listened to their stories, offered condolences and did her best to make them feel like things had returned to normal again.
One woman she recognized from her work in the kitchen wept. “Oh my lady, I fear what may become of us. My man lost an arm in the attack, and me with a babe on the way. How will we survive? What work can he do now?”
Marja promised to speak to Gaelen. Surely work could be found for him when he recovered, even with only one arm.
Almost without exception, people greeted her with joy at her survival. Unlike her late father, Marja had always enjoyed the respect of the people. She took careful note of those who greeted her less warmly. The information might prove useful later.
When Marja entered the kitchen, Cook, her favourite member of the castle’s servants, crowed her delight. “My lady! You are well!”
Marja’s eyes pricked as they embraced. Cook had never married and so had no children of her own. Perhaps that made the bond between them stronger.
They had always been close. After Marja’s mother died of a fever when she was just nine, Marja had found a welcome refuge in the kitchen. Cook had always listened to her woes and kept treats for her favourite member of the lord’s family. The kitchen had become a haven where Marja could escape the suspicion and scheming that was such a prominent aspect of court life under Lord Cataniast. Even now, the familiar aromas of bread, onions and venison calmed her. She could almost believe things remained as they had been. Only the missing faces reminded her what she had lost … that, and the hovering guards.
Cook revealed with some pride that Lord Gaelen had spoken to her personally when she had come to resume her position. It seemed she was quite taken with him and thrilled that he and Marja were now joined. Cook had been one of the few who had known of the previous request for Marja’s hand. Marja had confided it to her, as well as her disappointment when Cataniast had declined.
“ It is a match meant to be,” Cook enthused.
Marja had to smile at her ebullience, secretly hoping to Earth she was right.
All through her reconnaissance, the guard stayed by her side, and the two spies moved about silently, observing but seemingly not part of the retinue. Marja wondered how many actually
When they were finished, Argost addressed Marja a last time. “I thank you, my lady. The information you have provided will prove most valuable to Catania and to Lord Gaelen. Now, if you wish it, Lord Gaelen has agreed it will be safe for you to tour the castle. He wishes you to satisfy yourself that all is as he has told you, and to see if it jogs any other pertinent memories. But, he insists that one guard remain at your door to make sure no one gains entry, and that the other, as well as these two men, stay with you. Your friends may accompany you, if you wish.”
Marja was elated but answered formally, “Thank you, Argost. I do indeed wish to see the castle.” Then, seeing how tired Nellis looked, she added, “But Nellis will stay behind to rest.”
Argost nodded agreement. “When you have finished, my lady, please send Mikost to me. I wish to offer him a position.”
Marja simply nodded assent. She must ask Mikost what he had seen and heard, and caution him not to trust too quickly.
~ 18 ~
THE TOUR
While Nellis rested, Marja led Brensa and Mikost through the castle. There were so many people Marja wished to hear news of. Who had lost husbands, sons, suitors? Who had been injured, and who had lost others of their families or their homes? It greatly relieved Marja to see many familiar faces among those in the kitchen, the laundry and bustling about the large halls, putting things back to rights as best they could. She greeted each familiar person warmly. She listened to their stories, offered condolences and did her best to make them feel like things had returned to normal again.
One woman she recognized from her work in the kitchen wept. “Oh my lady, I fear what may become of us. My man lost an arm in the attack, and me with a babe on the way. How will we survive? What work can he do now?”
Marja promised to speak to Gaelen. Surely work could be found for him when he recovered, even with only one arm.
Almost without exception, people greeted her with joy at her survival. Unlike her late father, Marja had always enjoyed the respect of the people. She took careful note of those who greeted her less warmly. The information might prove useful later.
When Marja entered the kitchen, Cook, her favourite member of the castle’s servants, crowed her delight. “My lady! You are well!”
Marja’s eyes pricked as they embraced. Cook had never married and so had no children of her own. Perhaps that made the bond between them stronger.
They had always been close. After Marja’s mother died of a fever when she was just nine, Marja had found a welcome refuge in the kitchen. Cook had always listened to her woes and kept treats for her favourite member of the lord’s family. The kitchen had become a haven where Marja could escape the suspicion and scheming that was such a prominent aspect of court life under Lord Cataniast. Even now, the familiar aromas of bread, onions and venison calmed her. She could almost believe things remained as they had been. Only the missing faces reminded her what she had lost … that, and the hovering guards.
Cook revealed with some pride that Lord Gaelen had spoken to her personally when she had come to resume her position. It seemed she was quite taken with him and thrilled that he and Marja were now joined. Cook had been one of the few who had known of the previous request for Marja’s hand. Marja had confided it to her, as well as her disappointment when Cataniast had declined.
“ It is a match meant to be,” Cook enthused.
Marja had to smile at her ebullience, secretly hoping to Earth she was right.
All through her reconnaissance, the guard stayed by her side, and the two spies moved about silently, observing but seemingly not part of the retinue. Marja wondered how many actually
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