Chapter 3

Crossing the castle’s inner bailey, Sir Nevan made his way into the Keep in search of dinner. As there had not been a hue or a cry for the guards, he assumed that the Wisewoman’s grandson had been sent safely home after being introduced to his cousin. Thankfully it ended peacefully; the thought of punishing the boy for Miles stupidity didn’t sit well with him.

Passing through the Great Hall, he expected to find his cousin moping about in one of the parlors. Unable to find him, the young Knight became annoyed to hear from one of the servants that his cousin had asked to dine in the Solar. Obviously Miles had found a new companion; however, the woman had no business being in the family’s private area.

With half a mind to make an issue of it, the young Knight came to a halt as soon as he entered the room. Who was the beautiful woman who sat across from his cousin? He would have expected to have been notified if a noble woman’s party stopped for the night at the Keep. Where did this she come from?

“Why cousin, now this is a surprise.” Sir Miles stood, followed by the young woman. “I thought that you had business with the Constable this evening.”

Nevan could tell that Miles was not pleased with being interrupted. Hiding his grin, he entered the room, “I finished early. Why don’t you introduce me to your dining companion.”

Sir Miles looked confused for a moment, then nodded. “I assumed the two of you had met before. Mistress Aislin, may I introduce Sir Nevan.”

Aislin almost lost it when Lord Kelvin’s son entered the room. So far, the evening had been rather stressful. Positive that he looked like a boy in a dress, no matter what his grandmother said, the young man waited to be arrested as soon the wagon entered the Keep. His appearance instead caused quite a commotion. The servant who initially met him in the courtyard panicked, quickly sending another servant to find Sir Miles.

The young Knight crossed the courtyard, obviously annoyed, but his attitude changed immediately. Instead of being brought directly to Sir Miles's bedchamber as expected, the two ended up in a small sitting area near the Great Hall.

By the way, the servant ran about setting up the small table, the change of dining venue must have been a complete surprise as well. Aislin understood that he was being treated differently, perhaps it was his mother’s clothes, other than that he didn’t know exactly why.

“Sir Nevan.” Coming down into a curtsey, Aislin felt Lord Kelvin’s son approach taking him by the hand. The young man almost jumped when he felt warm lips pressed upon it.

Helping him rise, the young Knight smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mistress Aislin.”

Sir Nevan couldn’t help but shiver as she looked up at him. Her piercing blue eyes were mesmerizing. Walking around the table, the young Knight motioned to one of the servants for a place setting. A little confused at the introduction to someone he thought he knew, it became apparent to Nevan that the beautiful creature standing in front of him, no matter what the villagers had professed, was female.

“I believe I will join you.” Nevan smiled as he took a seat at the table. “So, what were the two of you discussing before I came into the room?”

“Tapestries, my Lord,” Aislin quickly answered, of all things to have a conversation about. Traveling with his grandmother, he had only been to a few other castles, but he admired those tapestries he had seen. Surprisingly enough Aislin knew his limited knowledge was still far superior to that of Sir Miles.

“I was not aware that this was an area of expertise for you, cousin.”

Sir Miles made a face. Obviously, Nevan had planned this interruption beforehand. He couldn’t blame him; the young woman was enchanting. “We were discussing the tapestries found in Baron Ruarc’s Great Hall.”

Nevan scratched his chin. “I see. I assume that means you have been to Lisheen Castle, Mistress Aislin.”

“Yes, I was a guest along with my grandmother.” When he was younger, Aislin grandmother held a high office with the Wisewomen. During that time, he had met several Court healers, including Macha’s grandmother.

Sir Nevan found that intriguing; most villagers never traveled further than the next village. As the second course, rich pea soup was set on the table the three began to discuss difficulties of travel.

“You seem to know the Kingdom rather well.” Sir Miles sat back motioning one of the servants to remove his trencher.

“I have traveled through most the southern half of the Kingdom; the rest though is from what I have read.” Aislin thanked the servant, who took the soup away. Between being terribly nervous, and the richness of the food, he decided that smaller portions would be prudent.

Neither Knight missed that the young man dined like a proper lady, unlike the two men who finished off the soup and a loaf of bread each. Aislin however, just didn’t want to walk into his grandmother’s house sick to his stomach.

“So she can read.” Sir Nevan whispered to his cousin.

To both young men, the beauty in front of them remained a mystery. Besides her clothes, which rivaled anything the noble ladies of the household wore, her demeanor, the way she held herself, said that she was a gentlewoman. But if so, why was she living in the village.

“By your coloring, Mistress Aislin, your family must come from another part of the Kingdom.”

Pulling off small pieces of a stuffed meat pie, she nodded. “My mother’s family, who I have been told I take after is from Ardglass.”

“On the Goul River?”

Aislin smiled, obviously, Sir Miles being from Arklow had heard of his mother’s hometown. “Yes, her father was a merchant.”

Sir Nevan appeared startled; the rich merchant houses of Ardglass were famous. “Which family?”

“Dunne.”

While one of the servants filled Aislin’s cup with raspberry wine, Nevan leaned over to his cousin. “Dunne, the name sounds familiar. Do you know what they trade?”

“Textiles.”

Nevan nodded, from listening to his father’s complaints about the cost of buying clothes for both his mother and sister, he gathered that the young woman's outfit must be worth at least the same price as a good warhorse.

Both Knights began to wonder what political infighting within the merchant guilds kept her isolated in a village. Both of them also realized they had been improperly addressing her as well. Thankfully, she had been gracious enough not to be offended by it.

Looking at the young gentlewoman in front of them in a new light, literate, well-traveled and coming from a powerful family, both men sat back and contemplated the situation.

Sir Miles, a landless Knight, understood that marriage to Lady Aislin could be advantageous. As a third son, the chances of him marrying well was uncertain. The young woman, however, would be a perfect match. With a merchant family background, she would be able to manage a household better than any Bailiff. As for wealth, although she lived with her grandmother, she still had sufficient income to garb herself in clothes befitting one of her social status. Thoughts of a large dowry danced in his head.

To Sir Nevan, a marriage in the near future was not assured. One of the reasons why both his parents were away was to find him and his sister a suitable match. The most likely outcome for both siblings would be a marriage into one of the nearby Lords’ household.

However, Nevan knew, at least for him, that the closest families’ female children were either married or too young. The more he thought about it, the more auspicious it sounded, what would be the chance that a suitable candidate living in the nearby village?

Obviously, her social standing might be an issue; however, as a rich merchant’s granddaughter, that might not pose too much of a problem. What would appease his father, as a local, Lady Aislin would have a great deal of influence with the villages that surrounded the Keep. Nevan looked forward to introducing the young woman to his mother. Now, the question remained about her father.

“Your father?” Sir Miles asked before Nevan finished that thought.

Aislin smiled sadly; he didn’t really remember his father. “I was told he was a soldier. He died when I was very young. According to my grandmother, your uncle, Sir Nevan, the Duke placed him under the command of some of the local levies during some sort of rebellion. He was killed in a battle east of the River Mar. I don’t know the details; my mother always refused to talk about it.”

As the two Knights looked at one another, Sir Nevan mouthed the word. “Captain.”

Thankfully, the two Knights didn’t press Aislin for any more questions about his family. Why they were asking confused him, if the two of them were trying to determine his true gender, questions about his mother didn’t seem necessary. Thankfully whatever answers he gave pleased both Knights. If he didn’t know any better, during the rest of the meal, the two men seemed to be vying for his attention.

Sir Nevan, due to him being the heir, was quite learned; however, it was something both his parents insisted upon. While discussing the books the two of them had read, the young man was intrigued that she had a good enough relationship with several merchants that she often traded books with them.

Sir Miles, on the other hand, although he knew his letters, such things didn’t seem to interest him. What he enjoyed was riding, hunting, falconry, and other noble pursuits. Aislin feigned interest, which pushed the Knight forward to boast of his exploits in detail.

What both men found interesting, was Mistress Aislin’s medicinal knowledge. Neither was surprised that she was not her grandmother’s apprentice. Someone of her social standing didn’t need to do such work. However, having a wife knowledgeable about plants and herbs would make sure that any children would be healthy.

With the meal complete, Aislin heard the watch give the hour. With a smile, he said. “It’s getting late. I should be getting back home before my grandmother becomes worried.”

To his surprise, both men agreed and happily escorted him through the Keep. Somehow, with his mother being a merchant’s daughter, his status had been changed in their eyes to that of a gentlewoman. Thankfully, that had offered some protection from any unwanted advances, for now.

Rowena silently walked across the stone courtyard, entering the inner bailey as her mother and father spoke with her betrothed. Dinner at the Castle had always been a girlish fantasy, although, in her dreams, she sat at the head table next to Sir Nevan and his parents. Still, eating in a small dining room across from the Keep itself, and being served by the Castle’s servants had been thrilling.

“I’m pleased that you enjoyed our dinner, Rowena. I looked forward to sharing more of them with you in our future together.”

The young girl looked down and blushed. “I do as well.”

Looking up, she noticed her parents and Master Oran looking across the courtyard as a small group of people exited the Keep. Immediately Rowena recognized Sir Nevan, who every young girl in the village secretly wanted to marry. Standing next to him was the new Knight Sir Miles, but the third person must be an actual lady of the court.

A small pang of jealousy gripped her chest, as Sir Nevan helped the woman put on a beautiful cape. Rowena looked down, ashamed how dowdy she must look compared to the young woman speaking to the two Knights.

“Master Oran, what a surprise to see you and who, pray tell, are these good people.” Sir Nevan motioned for them to step forward.

The Seneschal quickly motioned his guests to follow him, and upon drawing close, all bowed or curtsied to the young Knight. “Sir Nevan, may I present my betrothed Rowena and her parents, Master Colcothar and his wife, Mistress Seara.”

“Ah yes, I remember you’re the village’s Headman.”

“Yes my Lord.” Master Colcothar didn’t raise his head.

“My Lord, may I apologize for not being present when your guest arrived. I didn’t realize-.” Later he would be horrified to discover that the Keep had originally sent a common wagon for the gentlewoman.

Sir Nevan waved him off. “No apologies necessary, Master Oran. Although next time Lady Aislin visits perhaps proper protocol should be followed, yes?”

“As you say, my Lord.” Master Oran bowed apologetically.

“Aislin” Rowena spoke up, receiving a stern look from both Sir Nevan and Master Oran.

Looking surprised, her friend smiled. “Rowena, good evening.”

About to say something about how he was dressed, Rowena stopped seeing the panic in his eyes.

Sir Miles looked at the group. “You know this girl, Aislin?”

“Yes, she and I grew up together.”

“Splendid, bring your friend tomorrow when you come to the castle for lunch. Afterward, we can go hawking together. I know you ladies always seem to need an attendant or two when you go out. I will have Nevan assign a few more if your friend is not enough.”

“Hawking, Miles?” Sir Nevan gave his cousin a look.

The young Knight laughed. “I asked her first.”

Rowena, now in awe, how familiarly her childhood friend talked to the two nobles, turned towards her parents. Knowing that they never liked Aislin, she was surprised her mother hadn't already said something. What the young girl found was that her mother looked both shocked and a little scared.

Master Oran and his guests stepped away when a carriage obviously for Aislin approached. “So we will see you tomorrow, Aislin.” Sir Miles reached over and kissed her hand. “Please say yes.”

“Of course, Sir Miles.”

“Excellent, and as I have said before, please just call me Miles.”

Sir Nevan took the lead and escorted Aislin to the carriage. “I did enjoy our dinner together; hopefully I will find time to join the two of you tomorrow.”

As four mounted men-at-arms approached as an escort, Aislin looked at his friend standing in the darkness. Remembering the uncomfortable wagon ride to the castle, he asked. “Sir Nevan, do you think it would be an imposition if my friend and her family rode with me back to the village.”

The Knight looked surprised as the thought never occurred to him. Realizing that the young woman might want her friend's assistance later in the evening, the Knight turned his head to speak to the four who stood off to the side.

“Master Oran, I don’t see this as a problem, do you?”

“No, of course not my Lord, thank you very much Lady Aislin.”

While the others were quickly ushered into the carriage, a servant came running up with a leather-bound book and passed it to Sir Nevan. “Here you go, Aislin, the third volume of the Book of Lord Stephen.”

“Sir Nevan, I can’t.” Aislin began.

“Of course you can, and when you finish, we will be able to have a nice conversation on the birds of the Lupine Mountains.” Sir Nevan smiled, almost getting lost again in the woman’s eyes. Sir Miles might think he had the lead; the young man thought however while Lady Aislin looked over the book on birds tonight, she will be thinking only of him.

Later, after passing through the gatehouse on the way back to the village, Aslin closed his eyes in frustration. He had mistakenly believed that with the meal finished, this nonsense would have come to an end. Now, there was going to be lunch tomorrow as well.

It’s not that he had a bad time with the two Knights, quite the opposite; there had been very few times in his life where people found his company enjoyable. However, he was under no illusion why the two Knights wanted to spend time with him. Although he didn’t understand it, believing that he still looked like a boy in a dress, the thought made him laugh. Aislin had expected the worst thing to happen to him was being given a spear and thrown into battle.

Reaching for her friend’s hand, Rowena whispered. “Aislin.”

“How was your dinner with Master Oran, I didn’t know that you and your family were going to the Keep tonight.”

The young man desperately needed to get Rowena talking instead of the three of them asking questions about why he was wearing his mother’s clothes. Aislin didn’t mind being in the carriage with his friend, but why did he agree to take her parents’ home was beyond him.

Rowena frowned, not understanding what exactly was going on. She noticed even Aislin’s movements and manner of speaking seemed entirely different from the boy she thought she knew. It was as if she was speaking to a completely different person.

“Yes, my parents and I dined with Master Oran inside one of the small dining rooms.”

“Err Lady Aislin; I assumed you had supper in the Great Hall?” Master Colcothar asked.

“No, the Solar.”

“I see, thank you, Lady.” He gave a nervous smile then looked at his wife, who only shook her head.

“So tell me more about dinner, what did you eat.” Aislin, seeing they had no more questions, prompted his friend again.

Rolling into the village, the group stopped right in front of the headman’s cottage.

“Aislin.”

“Come, Rowena, you can speak to her tomorrow. Lady Aislin, I will make sure that my daughter is properly attired for your lunch tomorrow. I will also have her come by in the morning and help you dress.”

Rowena’s father thanked him as well, leaving Aislin quite surprised at the sudden change of attitudes.

Upon thanking his escorts, and drivers, Aislin entered the cottage. With the door closed, he collapsed to the ground like a puppet that had its strings cut. Macha, however, caught him, holding him close.

“I have you; it’s OK.” Slowly she guided the young man back to her room.

“Macha.”

“Can you take your dress off by yourself?”

“Well actually no.” The young man gave a small laugh. “Where is my grandmother?”

“Asleep, she drank quite a bit this evening with Mistress Clar. The two of them were terribly worried about you.”

“And you.”

“I knew you would come home.” She whispered, then reached over and kissed him on his lips. “Now turn around.”

“I have to go back tomorrow.”

The young woman laughed. “Of course you do, I imagine you made a good impression on those two Knights.”

“Macha.” Aislin began to whine then she placed her hand on his mouth.

“Tomorrow, you’re exhausted.”

Nodding, he turned to head back to the front of the cottage but was steered instead towards his old bed. “Wait, I can’t share a bed with you.”

“Girls share beds all the time.”

“I’m not a girl.”

“It’s fine Aislin, come.”

Not having enough energy to argue, the young man was carefully placed under the covers. The young apprentice soon followed, covering both of them with another blanket. Reaching over, she drew him close.

“I thought I was going to be killed.”

“I know, but you’re safe now,” Macha said while gently stroking his head. “Go to sleep; we will talk about it in the morning.”

Aislin realized that declining either of the Knights’ invitation was no longer an option. The threat of exposing his true gender was too great, and the consequences of that discovery, he just didn’t want to think about.

However, if he continued down this path, it didn’t pose any less of a threat. With a seemingly dismal future ahead of him, Aislin slowly drifted off to sleep.