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.

“The man is lonely. I hope my letter will cheer him up.”

“Yes. We don’t want him paying a visit. Likely as not, he’d bring an army,” said Karl.

“Simon is not a buffoon, despite what some may think. He realizes my value here, and even though he wishes to see me, bringing an armed force would only invoke the ire of Cairglas and her king,” she said. Cairglas is our kingdom, of which Cannaghdown is but a duchy.

“I think you overestimate the king’s concern for Cannaghdown. He has sent nary a soldier to the free towns in three months, and we’ve had more bandits on the road because of it. I’ve lost four men in that time trying to keep our roads safe, and Sorley has sent a third of our men to assist Fogreach.”

Fina said, “Bandits and soldiers are entirely different from matters of allegiance and influence.”

“Thank you, Fina, for realizing what a guardsman would not,” said the Lady.

“Well, fine. You have a point,” said Karl. “But still, the lack of men-at-arms is a worry that plagues me every time some idiot falls off a horse or gets himself clubbed while sparring.”

I said, “I can help with that. I have many enchantments that, if I knew they could assist you, I would provide.”

“You’re not too busy with the other affairs of the castle?” said Karl.

“Well, I’m busy, but surely the guard is a higher priority than half of what I do around here.”

“I’ll keep it in mind. Breck told me what a fine job you did, servicing our armor on such short notice. Thank you.”

I nodded. It really was nothing. Well, it was something, but it was a task I was happy to do.

“You’re asking for more work? You’ve been terribly busy as of late,” said Fina.

“Oh, pish,” said Lady Reiling. “He’s just trying to earn his keep.”

“And what would you know about earning one’s keep?” said Karl.

She rolled her eyes. “Admittedly, not much. But guiding Fina in the ways of noble womanhood must count for something.” Then she flopped down on his lap. “And then there’s keeping you happy.”

“My lady! I am scandalized! I would never presume—”

“Oh, just shut up,” she said, kissing him roughly. She clasped his hand and moved it to her rump.

Fina was grinning at my wide eyes. She whispered, “At least she hasn’t provoked him into slapping her yet. That really gets her going.”

I was confused, I admit. She giggled and said, “Oh, I thought you knew. She likes it.” Suddenly, I remembered the charms of healing and disguise that Kean and I had given her to hide her bruises months ago.

When Karl came up for air, he smirked and said, “Oh, look at their faces. See what you’ve done? Now you’ve given the kids ideas.”

I protested, and Fina put her hand on my arm. “Don’t you worry. Ivar’s had plenty of ideas to make even you turn red.”

That set them to laughing, and when I blushed, they laughed even harder.

Well, alright. I was hardly an innocent, and when I saw Fina, with her face flushed from laughter and the tip of her tongue just touching her upper lip, I could not pretend that her beauty didn’t cause my own ideas to bloom—often.

And with Karl and Brenna obviously infatuated and parading their affection before us, I soon decided it was time for us to take our leave, so that we could have our own time alone.