Castle Walls by D Jordan Redhawk Page A

interior and, as expected, they shivered as warm air wrapped about them, the scent of fresh bread prominent. Most of the returning family was settled before the huge fireplace on the left wall. Sati was helping the redhead dish up healthy portions of stew over Em's protests. Young Wills, too excited to sit still, was running circles around the large room. Seated on a small stool, Sameer's eyes were bright as he held a small, squirming bundle in his arms, a tuft of reddish hair peeking from the cloth. To the right of the crowd was a wooden table that could easily sit twenty or more, half its benches now located before the fire. Shelves lined the back wall, filled with the usual tools and utensils for running a household, extra linens, and even a handful of leather bound books. Small windows on the two remaining walls let in light.
    Emerita bustled forward, pulling the new arrivals towards the group, fussing at them until they were comfortably seated, hot tea and stew within easy reach. Eventually, those that had been out with the horses returned, and another bench was added to the growing crowd. Ros settled down on a stool beside Katerin, wolfing down her food as those who had remained behind were brought up to date with the news of the world. The princess was introduced to Emerita's husband, Phizo, the other half of the aforementioned contortionist team. Additionally, Henry was Cristof's brother and the other elder man was Joseph, a widower who had spent his time in the circus as juggler and magician. Sameer's woman, Florin, did clowning and dancing, but she'd stayed home through the season rather than give birth on the road.
    "So," Joseph said, filling the bowl of his pipe. "What news of the Invader? I've heard at the market that he's taken another kingdom."
    As Katerin and Ilia froze, Ros nodded with a grim expression. She leaned forward, setting her empty bowl near the hearth with the rest of the dirty dishes. "Aye. He has. The kingdom of Dulce is no more. Took it near five months ago from what I gather." Blonde head turning this way and that, she eyed her family. "We were right near the border at the time."
    Florin made a small noise, reaching out to rub Sameer's back as she nursed the baby. Frowning, Emerita asked, "Did you have any trouble?"
    "Some," Ros shrugged. "He's looking for someone… or was. His guard rousted us one night near Hodsin, but nothing came of it."
    "Except the captain becoming completely disgusted with you," Cristof said, chuckling. "And Sameer acting flea-ridden didn't help matters in that regard, either."
    The dwarf screwed his craggy face into an ugly expression, scratching roughly at his neck. "I certainly don't understand to what you are referring."
    As Sameer continued his itching antics, everyone laughed. Katerin was glad of the distraction, her face quite red at the mention of the Invader's captain storming away. While she had come to terms regarding the circus owner's sapphist ways, it was still embarrassing to her. Perhaps because it was naturally assumed they were involved in such a manner due to the sleeping arrangements.
    Truth be told, however, Ros hadn't laid a hand on her. There were still the occasional rude comments, but these were made more for entertainment value than anything. Glancing sidelong at the blonde, Katerin caught a flash of dancing eyes and she felt her blush deepen.
    "Well, with our new additions, there'll be some changes in who sleeps where, I gather," Emerita said.
    "Aye," Ros nodded, sipping at her tea. "Cristof and Henry will have to share again. Kat and Ilia will take Cristof's old room."
    Henry turned to his younger brother, punching him on the arm. "You still snore?"
    "Never!"
    "Aye, he does!" Sameer insisted. "Many's the night I had to sleep under the wagon to get away from the racket!"
    Willem, quiet up to this point, nodded. "And I've had to move my wagon to the other side of the encampment!"
    "Henry, we'll give you extra pillows to cover your ears," Ros