t is dark here, and the floor leaches the heat from my body. My shoes have been taken, and my torn robe gives me little warmth. My manacles are heavy and the metal jagged with rust and long age. I share my cell with scraps of bone, and the nests and refuse of rats.
I never should have brought Fina to my father’s grave. That night, I ran until I was exhausted, and still pushed myself. Temilla gave me a potion and a salve, which I took to Fina. I waited by her side until morning, but even with the medicines, she did not wake from her slumber. Oh, how terrible was that waiting. But it was not as bad as here, where I not only worry over Fina’s fate, but my own as well.
It was shortly after sunrise that the duke’s men found us. They accused me of defiling her, both with magic, and by raping her. Spirits, I know how it must have looked. They beat me and dragged me back to the castle.
It is not easy to sleep. As soon as my eyes close, a touch on my foot or a rustle by my ear wakes me. I felt pinching teeth on my leg, as if one of the rats was teasing me. I kicked it, and felt the kick connect. It scrabbled, but my kick sent it out of my cubby and tumbling down the vertical shaft of the catacombs. It gained me a short respite.
Posted by
Goran at 5:44 PM
Monday, June 8th in the 9th year of the King's reign
Coraff,
Dalla,
Goran,
Karl
y master’s body has been given to the fire, and his spirit given to the heavens, two days now, and that time has weighed heavily on me.
I gave no instructions to the forge boy, but this morning he nervously started the fires before disappearing completely.
Two weeks ago Karl demanded of me five hundred long arrowheads, or bodkins, in time for the Moot. Today Karl came to berate me, for he has seen me do no smithcraft in several days. He was angry and insisted I perform my duty for the Duke. I grew wrathful with him, for I am a freeman and no castle slave who owes labor. When I grasped one of the large hammers, he blanched and turned to leave without his usual swagger.
Then Lady Dalla was there, and she made me put the hammer down. The spell which overcame me passed, and I was ashamed.
ina opened the door. Lady Reiling’s apartment spread out before us. A bed fitted with tall posts and curtains dominated the far side, and a plush rug decorated with an ornate interlocking chain design bore it stoically. Tapestried walls told the Romancing of Elaine on each side of a pair of double doors, which were open to the breeze. Outside the doors stood Brenna (she insists I call her by first name), upon her balcony, staring out into the morning fog. A small cage sat on the stones beside her. She raised her hands, and a dove flapped vigorously and disappeared into the mists.
“Have a seat,” said Karl. “There are no strangers here.” He had been the one who bid Fina to open the door, and sat off to the side, eating at a small table.
Fina pulled my hand and we joined Karl. The table was laden with eggs, buttered bread, bacon, and spiced tea. It was a humble morning meal, not what I envisioned the nobility eating, but it smelled delicious.
Brenna took a seat, and we ate and talked.
“A love letter for Simon?” said Fina, referring to the dove, which were often trained to carry messages. Simon was Brenna’s husband, and lord of the neighboring island of Durain.
Karl snorted.
arl is an interesting man. He knew about Fina and me. He knew about the starscopes, the southerner, and Kean. He had news of Goran, as well. Because of him, I know so much more.
Oh, have I made a mess. I must make this right. I must see Fina tonight. I pray she will forgive me.
I must shake my head at the tangled web that wraps this castle. Karl is Lady Reiling’s lover. He also happens to be captain of the guard. If Lord Reiling ever found out…. Well, I hope that does not happen.
Posted by
Ivar at 6:30 PM
Tuesday, March 17th in the 9th year of the King's reign
Fina,
Ivar,
Karl,
starscopes
ina met me in my workshop. Her attendants asked me for paints, and I wrote down what they wanted. Then she sent them away.
“Kean left this place a mess,” she said.
I shrugged. “It’s not the only mess I’ve had to deal with.” I began to shelve some of the bottles Kean had left out.