Milsy and Bursila continue their efforts to learn to read, but the only materials available are difficult to follow. After lunch, the two set out to continue their exploration of the palace but become lost and attempts to find their way back result in a meeting Milsy would rather have avoided.

What Milsy Did

A Tale of Anmar by Penny Lane

7 - "You, Girl!"

Disclaimer: The original characters and plot of this story are the property of the author. No infringement of pre-existing copyright is intended. This story is copyright (c) 2016 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

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When Tarvan arrived the following morning he was most apologetic.

"I have attempted to find other documents for you to read but it is proving most difficult. You see, until the Baroness came to us, almost everything that had writing on it was either written by a Scribe or was personal correspondence from one to another. You will need to be able to read professional documents, I deem, since that is what every document presently is. Very few are in the new printed form, though if I understand the Baroness right, that will rapidly change."

Milsy nodded. "I understand. I don't think I mind that, since most of what I'll be reading will be in that form, will it not? But what of this personal correspondence you mention?"

Tarvan made a face. "The writing of most who send correspondence is... not so clear to read, I regret. Most write in a hurry or after drinking much wine, I deem, which makes their letters very hard to read. It is an acquired ability to be able to read much of what one receives. I am fortunate that I do not have to suffer so much correspondence but I know that Master Parrel constantly complains that important letters are hard to read."

"I assume that I'll be writing my own correspondence in future, won't I? That means that I must needs make sure that my own writing is readable by others and remains that way."

"A creditable notion, Milsy, but," he smiled, "do not promise what you may not be able to fulfil. My own writing today is greatly different than that which I was taught not so many years ago."

"As you say. So, what have you managed to find for us to read today?"

"I regret there is only these." Tarvan placed a small paper pamphlet in front of each woman. "This is a small book which Mistress Margra, the senior palace healer, requested from the printers. It describes how the human body works so there will be many unfamiliar words within but it will give you a chance to read something other than Lady Merizel's book of letters."

Milsy opened the booklet. The center of each page was taken up by a diagram with text at top and bottom. The diagrams interested Milsy and she began to read. Tarvan took turns helping Milsy and Bursila with various words while all discussed what the contents of the book described. In this way a bell and a half passed without anyone noticing.

After a stop for a drink of pel Milsy resumed her reading.

"Blood flows from the ...heart... to all parts of the body through tubes called... what's that word? Art-"

Milsy put the book down and looked up. Tarvan leaned over her shoulder to see what she was having problems with, an action that Milsy had no problem with.

"I think that word is Arteries, Milsy. It must be one of the words that Garia brought. Look, the next sentence says that the blood is carried back to the heart through Veins." His brow furrowed. "Now why have two words for tubes that do the same thing? I always thought that they were all called veins. There must be a reason but I cannot think of one."

"Art. Er. Ees," Milsy muttered, distracted since it was the spelling she was grappling with, not the content of the medical pamphlet. "Oh, yes! I see." She placed a finger on the word. "So that's ahn, rone, ert, ern, another rone and that thing which I remember indicates a plural, right?"

"What? Oh, aye, that's right. That thing, as you name it, is a -ris ending when the word describes more than one of the things being named. The Scribes made a joined-up character of an ith and a sish but the separate characters can be used if desired." He shrugged. " I understand it is to the preference of the writer which he chooses."

"Or she chooses."

"My apologies, Milsy. Of course, most Scribes are presently men so it is natural to think that way. I doubt not my ideas will change in time. With Garia to lead us it could not be otherwise."

"As you say. Oh, it's obvious to me why there are two words for tubes."

"What? Oh, you mean the Arteries and Veins."

"Aye." Her expression indicated that she considered the matter self-evident. "The heart is a pump, is it not? Then I deem it must be sucking blood from one side to push out the other. Veins must be made to withstand being sucked flat but arteries must needs be made a different way to stop them splitting with the pressure from within."

Tarvan considered the matter with a frown. Naturally his perception of Milsy had been set by the information that she had spent her life as a kitchen worker but he was belatedly discovering that, though she was woefully short of knowledge and experience, her intellect was at least as great as his, if not greater. He would probably have discovered the difference between arteries and veins in due course but she had seen it immediately.

He wondered what would happen on the morrow, for that was the day that Milsy could walk the corridors for the first time in her guise as Baroness Blackstone, a short journey that would end at the Laboratory. Once she caught sight of the wonders that were laid out on the benches, what would happen? He hoped she would become interested in his projects.

It would be nice to have someone he could talk to who might at least have a chance of understanding what he was talking about. Master Parrel had other concerns and he was still in awe of the Guildmistress, despite her friendly manner. He had been proud to be asked to work on special projects at the palace but, with the Guildmistress absent for some weeks, the laboratory was beginning to be a lonely place.

"Aye, I see," he replied. "I had not considered the matter but of course you are correct. Is this book too hard for you? It was the only one I could obtain at such short notice."

"It is not easy," Milsy admitted. "It does give me the chance to read some of the characters which I haven't seen much of so far. There are things like that -ris ending, for example. Still," she smiled, "a medical book is better than no book at all, I deem. Bursila, are you finding it difficult?"

"Like yourself, Milady," the maid replied, "I struggle with words I have never encountered before. I deem that I prefer printed words to those written by a Scribe, however. They are much clearer to tell apart."

"I agree! Much of what we will be reading will be written by a Scribe so we must needs learn their letters but as yourself I prefer the printed kind."

Tarvan grinned. "Perhaps I should interest you in another machine described to us by the Baroness called a typewriter. It will allow you to write but the result is as if you printed the letters yourself."

"Then why didn't you say so before! Why must we toil with reed and ink if such a device may be used?"

"Firstly, Milsy, a typewriter is complicated to make and there are not very many around yet. Secondly, to use one you must already know your letters before you can learn to use a typewriter to make them."

"Oh." Milsy sat back, deflated. "So we must continue with the messy inks, then?"

"I regret so."

The morning passed and lunch was delivered. Conversation turned to future activities.

"Do you walk the corridors again this afternoon?"

"I do, Tarvan. Are you coming with us again?"

"I regret not. This afternoon I must attend the Hall of the Guilds for an important meeting." He raised an eyebrow. "Does this mean you will be going out on your own?"

"I think so. The Queen has visitors this afternoon so I can't borrow a maid like I did the first time and Tord says he shouldn't send one of his men with us because it would look out of place." Milsy shrugged. "A day must come when I have to go out on my own. The palace isn't so big, I deem. What could possibly go wrong?"

* * *

Milsy was both confused and frustrated. Learning the corridors, even of so vast a place as the palace, should have been easy. Shouldn't it? After all, the corridors seemed to run in straight lines, either from the front to the back of the building or from side to side. Nice easy intersections, no funny little routes that went off at odd angles, around gentle curves or up or down ramps like in the castle. Everything was on the same level! True, she had decided to memorize the upper level before tackling the lower level where most of the major meeting rooms and chambers of state were situated, but even here she had been thwarted in ways she had not expected.

Instead of the simple four-way intersections at every junction which she had anticipated, there were T-junctions, L-corners and even a disturbing number of dead ends. The differing color schemes that Bursila had pointed out hadn't helped, either. Since every corridor was slightly different, there were so many variations to remember and many of the variations seemed trivial. In time it would not seem so confusing but right now... she sighed.

"Milsy?"

Since both were wearing servants' dresses, Bursila was using Milsy's real name. After all, it was known - if not very widely - that the Queen had brought back a temporary helper from Dekarran for the Baroness while Jenet was away injured so no secrets were being compromised.

"I just thought it would be easier than this." Milsy gestured at the T-junction they had come to. "I thought that the corridors would be laid out in a simple grid pattern, with the courtyards being the spaces between the lines, if you understand what I'm saying." Bursila nodded. "I just didn't expect all these funny intersections and blocked-off corridors."

"I agree, it is more complicated than I had imagined," Bursila said. "Perhaps the lower level is more what you would expect."

Milsy snorted. "Do you really believe that?" She shrugged. "Oh, I can understand some of it. There must be big chambers like that Receiving Room you described, where you couldn't have corridors at the upper level, but..." she gestured again, "I wouldn't be surprised if somebody has gotten themselves lost up here from time to time."

"Perhaps they would find the nearest stair and ask someone below," Bursila suggested. "We know that more people walk the corridors below than up here, which is mostly residential."

"True..." Milsy's voice tailed away as she looked along the corridor their route had intersected. In both directions, as far as the eye could see, there were no doorways on the far side. Had they finally reached one side of the palace complex? If so, it would help her mental map immensely to know that she had finally reached one edge of the building.

Her eyes narrowed. What she had originally thought was some kind of tall display shelving, the only item along the facing wall, instead now appeared to be a pair of immense, thick, wooden doors. The urge to investigate was strong and she started out in that direction.

"Milsy, wait," Bursila called after her, before reluctantly following. Although she wanted to learn her way around the palace almost as much as Milsy did, she was becoming uncomfortable at how far they had strayed into unfamiliar territory.

"I'm only going to see what's through those doors," Milsy said. "I think we've come far enough for today, especially as we're on our own."

"As you say. I have never been along this corridor before. Doors? They are unlike any other I have seen in the palace."

Milsy reached the doorway and discovered that it was an archway through a short passage some four strides long. The whole thing, like the walls of every corridor they had been passing through, had been paneled by master craftsmen, although their objective here had been functional rather than decorative. Stepping through, she found herself in another corridor, just like the one she had come through... which stretched off into the distance both directions.

"Two corridors, separated by a wall?" Milsy muttered as Bursila joined her. "What is going on?"

"I have no idea, Milsy. This is an unusual construction, I deem."

"Can I help you?" a male voice asked. "Are you lost?"

Both women jumped. Behind them, from the direction they had come, a guardsman had mysteriously appeared and was looking at them with interest.

"Well, yes and no," Milsy said, temporizing. "We've never been here before, it is true, but we are learning our way around the corridors."

The guardsman, who must have been in his mid-twenties, scrutinized them carefully.

"We don't see many servants coming this way," he commented. "If I may ask your business."

"Of course!" Milsy said hurriedly, while thinking furiously. The truth would serve, as Garia had told her it often would. One just had to be careful how much truth to reveal. She gestured. "This is Bursila, Lady Merizel's maid, and I am Milsy, come from Dekarran to stand in for Lady Garia's maid Jenet until her injuries heal."

The man nodded recognition of the names and they could see him relax.

"Do you not attend your mistresses, then?"

Milsy thought quickly. "Uh, Lady Garia presently attends a private meeting with the Queen at which only one of the Queen's maids is required. I thought to use the opportunity to remedy my ignorance of this amazing building." She looked uncertain. "Are we not permitted in this corridor?"

The guardsman shrugged. "There is no restriction, merely that it is so unusual we tend to question any who pass. It is possible that any who do pass are thieves or spies so we take care." He nodded at Bursila. "I have seen you in the Large Training Room with your mistress, I am satisfied you are no criminal. Do you require directions back to your mistresses' chambers?"

Milsy briefly thought. "No thank you. I deem it will help our memory if we make our own way back." She gestured at the doorway. "What is this for? Why two corridors?"

"I am not sure. If there is some alarm, then the doors will be closed to prevent intruders to pass, or to protect one side or the other if there is a fire. If we are beset, we are commanded to defend the opening. Why it is here at all I do not know." He grinned. "I will ask someone when I may. There is a mystery here and I thank you for bringing it to my attention."

Milsy grinned back. "It cannot harm any, can it? What lies beyond, if I may ask?"

The guardsman pointed forward. "That way lies the front of the palace, which is mostly offices, meeting rooms and storage chambers. The way you came is of course where most reside, as you already know."

"Ah. So, these corridors go from side to side?"

"As you say."

Somewhere in the near distance a sequence of bells sounded, the corridors echoing with the sounds.

"Oh! We'd better go, Bursila! We have explored too long, I deem, we must return ere our mistresses require us." Milsy addressed the guardsman. "If I may ask your name?"

He grinned and executed a bow before saluting. "I am Tilmar, Your Ladyship, and pleased to make your acquaintance. Mayhap we shall meet again."

She grinned back. "Almost certain, I deem, if our wanderings are permitted to continue. Come, Bursila."

A little while later, Milsy stopped at the entrance to yet another dead-end corridor, the feelings of alarm beginning to grow.

"This isn't right! We should have passed a stairway by now and this should meet another corridor at the far end." She turned. "I'm sorry, Bursila. I think we're lost."

"I think we are lost too, Milsy, though I could not say where we have strayed from our route back."

Milsy stared at the decorations of the three corridors that intersected where they stood, trying to recognize something that distinguished them. "What should we do? Go back the way we came and try another direction?"

"Aye, we must..." Bursila considered their situation. "This part we have never explored, I deem. We must return, find somewhere that we recognize." A thought occurred. "Perhaps we could return to that stair, find someone below to help us."

As they reached the previous intersection a young woman servant appeared from a different direction.

"If you could help us," Milsy asked. "We are returning from an errand for the Queen and have become lost. Can you tell us the way back to the Queen's Sitting Room?"

The woman smiled. "Of course. If you go along here..." The smile disappeared. "I am not sure. I do not know this part of the upper floor very well. I do not think that you can return that way without... No." She came to a decision. "If you would come with me, I can take you by a route I know, but it means going downstairs and up again."

"It does not matter. Just so long as we can get back to the Queen. We have tarried and we have heard the bells for the evening meal."

"Come with me, then." The woman turned, Milsy and Bursila keeping up with her. "I have not seen you around these corridors before. I am Sindra and I work in the kitchens."

An introduction was implied, so Milsy said, "I am Milsy, temporarily attached to the Royal party while Lady Garia's maid is injured, and this is Bursila, Lady Merizel's personal maid."

The woman's eyes lit up. "You work for the Baroness? What is she like to work for? I've heard so many stories, the half of which I refuse to believe! Tell me!"

Oops. Perhaps that wasn't the best thing to say, but I had to say something.

"Um, I haven't been with her very long, I used to work in Dekarran. Of course, because of the kidnap attempt, the Baroness has been kept in her chambers for safety, so I don't really know about anything she might do." Milsy thought about her time with Garia in the castle. "She's very nice, though. I haven't had much to do with nobility before but I like her attitude. She doesn't have airs or anything, she just treats us friendly-like, doesn't she, Bursila?"

"Aye," Bursila replied, "she is not like any noblewoman that Lady Merizel has known, that I can confirm."

The three turned along another corridor and soon came to a stairway going down.

At the bottom Sindra said, "I must leave you here, I regret, I must hurry back to the kitchens, since the evening meal is already being served." She gestured. "Look you yonder! If you follow this corridor and look to your left, you will pass a cross-corridor with another stairway in it. Go up the stairs and turn left at the first junction and you will be at the Royal corridor."

"You have our grateful thanks, Sindra."

Hurrying now, Milsy and Bursila took the indicated corridor and made it to the first intersection. No stairway. They carried on to the next one, same again. Just as they were about to continue to the third intersection they were abruptly halted.

"You, girl!"

Milsy's head whipped round. A peremptory call in that tone of voice usually meant trouble in the lower reaches of the castle. In the other direction, the one they had both completely ignored, were six servant women around what had apparently been an accident. Two were standing to one side, holding loaded trays. Two more were on the floor, one propped against the wall and looking distressed, the other appearing to be cleaning hot food from her body. Their trays were also on the floor, one placed tidily while the other had obviously been tipped, perhaps by some kind of collision. A fifth had put her tray down and was attempting to pick up some of the tumbled containers. the sixth pointed a finger at Milsy.

"Yes, you, girl! Come here immediately!" The finger moved to Bursila and the woman added, "and you too!"

"But..."

"I don't care what you were doing, we have a crisis here! There has already been too much delay and the food will be getting cold."

Milsy reached the group, closely followed by Bursila, and both automatically bobbed to the woman who was obviously in charge of this group. The woman pointed to the two trays on the floor.

"Take these trays to the Family Dining Room. Quickly, quickly, now! The Queen will be waiting!"

Milsy automatically said, "Yes, mistress!" and picked up one of the trays. It was silver and held two oval vegetable bowls with lids, also of silver. It was heavy and the heat of the food radiated through the metal of the bowls. Beside her Bursila picked up the other tray.

I have no idea where we are and no idea where I'm supposed to be going with this.

I have a good idea who's going to be waiting at the other end, though. Hope she's not too mad...

"Uh, which way, mistress?"

The woman gave her an odd look then said, "Follow these two. I'll deal with you once the food has been delivered."

Milsy and Bursila followed the other two who had trays a short distance before turning into a wide corridor with double doors at the end. As they walked, one of the other women leaned over to talk to Milsy.

"Never done this before?"

"No. What do I do?"

"Follow me towards the center table. Don't bob or bow to anyone. Stop when I do. The maids and footmen will take the dishes from your trays. Your friend had better follow Kelly. Ah, here we are."

There were guards at the doorway but nobody said anything. Milsy followed the servant into the largest room she had so far seen in the palace, which had three long tables laid out side-by-side. All three tables were filled with people eating, with the King and Queen sitting together in the middle of the center table. She followed the servant while Bursila peeled off to follow Kelly around the other side of the same table.

Terys looked up and noticed Milsy come to a halt opposite her seat. She had expected their paths to cross once the girl had been given freedom to walk the palace but she had not expected to meet in such a fashion as this. She managed not to show any surprise, though. She merely raised an eyebrow the merest fraction. As the footman removed each dish and placed it on the table Milsy returned a tiny shrug which was acknowledged with an equally tiny nod.

The woman servant indicated the door with her eyes and turned. Milsy copied her movements and followed until they were back in the corridor. Here they waited a few moments for Kelly and Bursila, all still holding their silver trays, now empty. The woman examined Milsy and Bursila.

"You two aren't kitchen staff. I know you," she said, nodding at Bursila, "I've seen you waiting on Lady Merizel at table. Are you not her personal maid?"

Bursila nodded. "I am. We were interrupted on our way back to the Royal Corridor. Can you help us?"

"I was coming to that. It is known that Lady Merizel has gone north with the Prince. I would not presume to know the customs of nobility but you are not at her side. I'm wondering why." She turned to Milsy. "Now you, I don't know."

Milsy thought swiftly. Time was passing and the whole situation looked as if if might fall to pieces right here.

"It's complicated. Jenet was injured in Dekarran and the Queen asked for a stand-in." True, though I haven't said who the stand-in was for. "That's me, my name is Milsy. This evening we are supposed to be serving the Baroness her meal, not the Queen! We are already late, having run an errand for her and become lost in this maze."

There was no need to say which Baroness, there could only be one who mattered.

The woman nodded understanding. "Aye. Now, Mistress Sharrel is going to be mad about the dropped food, you should have no part of that business. Give your trays to Kelly and follow me."

The two handed over their trays and Kelly promptly sped off down another corridor. Milsy and Bursila followed the woman as she set off at a brisk pace... in the opposite direction at the junction. She led them in a roundabout route across the palace to another, narrower staircase.

"Go up here, straight ahead past one junction and the next should bring you to the corridor with the schoolrooms. Do you know where that is?"

"Aye, we do," Bursila replied. "We can find our way back from there. Many thanks..."

"Hanna. It is a pleasure to help those who work for the Baroness. I must go, Mistress Sharrel will become worse by the moment."

Milsy bounded up the steps with Bursila trying hard to keep up with the younger girl. As they turned the corner into the corridor with the schoolrooms they saw two of their guards standing watch at the next junction across, so went to join them.

"You're late," one said. "The meals have already been delivered."

"Don't ask," Milsy puffed. "We got lost and then ended up serving the Queen."

The men's eyes widened. "You mean -"

"We'll tell you another time, if we may. We need to get inside and serve the Baroness her evening meal."

The man grinned. "As you say."

At the doorway to their suite Tord said, "I would hear that tale, Milsy. If there is a problem, I should know of it."

"Aye, we will tell all, but first, we must... do what we must within."

"As you wish."

The two entered and skidded to a halt in the bedroom.

"Dare we eat as we are, or should we change?"

"I know not," Bursila replied. "We do not know how long the food has been here. Apart from the food getting cold, we don't know how long it will be before they come to take back the trays."

"...But, if we eat as we are, and someone comes in, they will not see the Baroness but two servants eating her meal," Milsy added.

"Here," Bursila said, "let me help you off with that dress. If you would eat in a robe, that may satisfy any who may enter."

"Aye," Milsy agreed, "and if I sit facing the window... it is the best we can do in so short a time."

In the event they had time to finish their food and retire to the bedroom before any of the kitchen servants appeared. Milsy was expecting visitors and the first was Tord, who entered as the servants left with the empty dishes.

"Tord," Milsy sighed. "We went, I think, towards the front of the Palace and came upon a long corridor with only one door in one side. Do you know it?"

Tord nodded. "I do, Milsy. It is to do with the history of the palace, so I am told, but it has become useful in the event of fire, attack or pursuit of intruders. Were you accosted by those set to guard the doorway?"

"Aye, we were." Milsy smiled. "A nice young guardsman named Tilmar explained it to us. It was on the way back here that we became lost. It was necessary to go downstairs and we were spotted by some of the serving staff, since there had been an accident. Bursila and I were each ordered to take a tray to... the Family Dining Room? Is that right?"

"Aye, it is. You have not been there before? No, of course you would not."

"Well, I ended up right in front of the Queen carrying this silver tray and someone took the bowls off it. Then one of the serving staff called Hanna showed us how to get back without going past the accident again."

Tord blew out a long breath. "The Queen? She saw you? Of course she did. I could not say what she will think of such an adventure." He looked at Milsy from under lowered brows. "Will you now cease your explorations?"

Milsy shrugged. "That's up to the Queen to decide, I deem, but mayhap I will have less opportunity in the future. It was the first time we have gone out without a guide. Perhaps I was too ambitious."

"As the Baroness would tell us, you do not know if you can do anything until you try. You will keep me informed of any changes?"

"Of course, Tord."

The Queen arrived half a bell later.

"I trust that appearing in the Family Dining Room was not your idea, dear?"

"No, Ma'am."

Milsy and Bursila explained what had happened and the Queen relaxed.

"I thought it might have been something like that. Sharrel, you said her name was? I think I'll have a word with someone in the kitchens. If there is an accident, then all must keep calm heads, is it not so?"

"We certainly tried to in the castle, Ma'am."

"Just so. Now, as for yourself, it seems I was in error and for that I must apologize, dear."

Milsy was startled. "Ma'am?"

"I asked Rosilda to give you palace sashes, dear, so that you would pass without notice. Unfortunately, those same sashes mean that any may command you within our walls. Bursila, of course, wears the colors of Blackstone and I deem it will be safer if you do also. That way, none may command you but those of Blackstone. Shall you mind?"

"Why, no, Ma'am, I don't think it will make that much difference to what I'm supposed to be doing. Thank you, Ma'am. I tried to keep out of everybody's way but it is not so easy. I had not realized how many people live and work in this building." Milsy hesitated. "Does this mean I shouldn't go out any more?"

"I would leave it at least a day, dear, to let memories fade. Besides, from tomorrow you will be going to the Laboratory with Master Tarvan, will you not?"

"Why, ah, yes, Ma'am. Was there any special reason you asked?"

"Just to warn you, if Bursila has not already done so. The laboratory is a great chamber the same size as the Family Dining Room you attended today. Unlike that room the laboratory usually only has three or four people in it so it can be cold in the mornings but also very warm once Tarvan has his steam engine running or when he is using his furnace. Be sure to dress in layers that you can remove as the room warms, dear."

"Oh! Ma'am, thank you for the warning. I would never have thought about that."

"And how is your reading?"

"I think I might be doing better than I expected, Ma'am. Already I can recognize most of the letters but I prefer the printed ones because they are always made the same way. Some of the letters are very similar so it makes it very slow to decide which sound is meant, Ma'am. I am told that will soon pass and we will recognize the whole word at once. Bursila is managing but my memory seems to be better than hers." Milsy frowned. "Ma'am, I am told a letter is a single sound on a page but a letter is also something that is sent by the Messengers. This seems very confusing to me."

Terys thought. "Dear, there are many words that are spelled the same way that mean different things."

"Ah. I wondered about that, Ma'am."

"Worse, there are many words that are spelt differently that sound the same, and there are words that sound differently that mean the same thing! Our language is a complicated thing, I deem."

"Master Tarvan explained some of that, Ma'am, and he said that words which Garia brings will only make that worse."

"I'm sure you will both learn to read enough to make your lives easier," Terys told them. "By that time you will barely notice some of the strange customs attached to our words. I am sorry that we have not been able to provide either of you with very much reading material but to do so would draw notice to yourself and Bursila at a time when it is better not to. Perhaps this may change and you may then be treated as the person you are, instead of the person you pretend to be."

"As you say, Ma'am."

"Then I must leave you now. I hope you have a pleasant evening."

"Thank you, Ma'am."

A little later, as Milsy and Bursila were puzzling their way through the medical booklet, there was another unexpected visitor. Both jumped up and curtseyed.

"Captain Merek! Do come in. What can we do for you? It isn't Tord, is it?"

"No, Milady, nothing like that." Merek cast a glance at Milsy. "You suit that gown well, if I may say so, Milady. You are not Lady Garia, it is true, but you have the bearing of a noblewoman, if I may say so."

Milsy curtseyed. "Thank you, Captain. I thought to make sure that I could wear such gowns, against a time when it might became necessary. I know they are not mine, I will take care of them while they are in my keeping."

"I would expect nothing else, Milady. Now, I understand you had an adventure today."

"Aye, Captain! Bursila and I were exploring some of the corridors of the upper floor when -"

Milsy explained what had happened when they became lost and the subsequent encounter with the kitchen serving staff.

Merek nodded. "It seems no damage has been done, I deem. I have spoken to the Queen, she considers it safer that you wear the colors of Blackstone on your future expeditions."

"Aye, so she said to me earlier. There are several sashes here which Garia wore, I can use those, can't I? Bursila wears them, the men wear them, so it makes sense for me to wear one too."

"Indeed. If you would report to me any other... complications which arise as you walk the corridors, I would be grateful. Sometimes a fresh eye may see what a familiar passer-by does not."

"I'll do that, Captain." Milsy thought. "By the way, I wonder if you can explain that business with the two corridors. Nobody seems to know why it was there to begin with."

"The two... Ah, of course. If I may use the blackboard?"

The blackboard was partly covered with some of Tarvan's writings but, despite the use it could have made for their learning to write, Tarvan had decided that other people would see what was written there and draw certain conclusions. It was thus presently unused by Milsy and Bursila.

"Please do, Captain."

Merek cleared the board and then drew a large rectangle on it.

"Originally, this was a fort built by the Chivans long ago," he explained. "Do you know of the Chivans?"

"I have heard the name and Master Tarvan has explained a little of their history, what is known of it."

"Very well. This fort was a defensive structure and originally contained a number of separate buildings inside the grounds. All have long perished. The present palace began inside the walls more than three hundred years ago on the south-west side, roughly like this."

Merek began shading in part of the area inside the walls.

"After a while the palace became too small, but it could not be expanded that way," he gestured to the north-east, "since it would fill in the enclosed field behind the palace, which has many uses throughout the year."

Milsy nodded and Merek began adding shading to the area outside the south-east wall.

"Thus, holes were made in the south-east wall and the palace began to grow outside the walls to the size it is today. What you found was one of the places where the original Chivan wall cuts through the palace, and that door is one of only two which exist on the upper level. At the lower level there are five doorways, since there is more need for convenient passage at that level."

"Ah, I see. The guardsman I spoke to, who was guarding that doorway, spoke of closing it to prevent fire and also to stop intruders or thieves."

Merek nodded. "That's right. Such a thick wall of stone is a protection against fire and the few doorways sufficient to deter any who seek to do mischief within our palace."

Milsy frowned. "There's one thing I don't understand, captain. Why are the corridors so broken up the way they are? It is so very difficult to get anywhere. Even some of the servants we spoke to found it awkward."

Merek shrugged. "History, Milady. The palace has been altered so much over many years that we are left with what we have. There is always talk of opening some of the corridors to make service easier but it would require great changes to the chambers involved and of course all must be paid for somehow. Of course there are always maps which the Palace Guard may consult, as may the various guildsmen who keep the palace running."

"Maps?" Milsy's eyes lit up. "Would it be possible for me to look at your maps, Captain?"

Merek was defensive. "I could not possibly permit it, Milady. Not presently, I deem. Such documents are sensitive and of use to an enemy. I do not doubt that you would guard such valuable information carefully but there is always the chance of an accident." He considered. "There may be another answer, perhaps. If you would let me think more on what you ask of me."

"I'm sorry, Captain. I just wanted to make my life easier by finding out how the palace is laid out, that's all." Milsy shrugged. "As you command, Captain. I expect that in the next week or so I will be too busy to walk the corridors as before."

"Of course, from tomorrow you will be going to the laboratory, is that so?"

"Aye, Captain."

"Then I would ask that you keep your wits about you as you walk, that you might note if any takes particular interest in you. Dressed as you will be, I doubt not that most will believe you to be the Baroness, but many in the palace know her well and may notice a difference."

"As you command, Captain. I'll be alert for any problems."

Merek bowed. "Thank you, Milady. Then I'll leave you to enjoy your evening."

As the door closed behind the Captain Milsy said, "It looks like we won't be exploring for a few days, Bursila."

"As you say, Milady. I am certain that you will find the laboratory to be a sufficient diversion."

"I trust that you are right, Bursila. So, what shall we do until it is time to retire? I'm not sure I can look at that medical book again."

"We have practised much with reed and ink these last few days, perhaps we can look over what we wrote."

"Lead the way, Bursila."