Keeping control.

---

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 © 2020 - 2022 Julia Phillips. All rights reserved.

It uses some of the associated characters and situations that arise from the world called ‘Anmar’ created by Penny Lane, whose stories
are also copyright © 2010 - 2022 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

---

Afterwards

… … …

Yussuf and Frang squatted companionably together and gazed across the Sirrel to distant Bibek.

“… another two days at least to get upriver to another country.”

“Do you say?”

“Indeed so. Yes, with a good sailing vessel and sturdy oarsmen, maybe, just maybe, you could get as far as the border to Thesk in a single day, but the country there is very remote and an overnight would not be the most comfortable.”

“I deem then I shall have to be satisfied with having been to the Upper Fanir of my birth, Pakmal and Faralmark, and now I can add Zebrin to that list.”

“Talking of lists, we should perhaps make a start on the fishing we are here for.”

Frang nodded in agreement and effortlessly stood up straight. “I shall check our Brakky trap.”

Yussuf was a little slower getting to his feet, an action which brought home the realisation that he was not as young as he used to be.

“With luck,” he called, “we should get a decent haul of Gadis this side of the river, even though the fish are normally not so active in the middle of the day; then I know a special spot for Foti just a little way up the Faral. If we get there in the late afternoon...”

“We had better get under way, then,” returned the younger man. “That is a serious amount of waterwork to get done today.”

… … …

“Right then Marsel, I have to be serious right now. Please sit there so we can talk face to face while I row. Move carefully so as not to rock the boat too much. I will compensate for your weight as you squeeze past here. And whatever you do, don’t knock one of these oars into the water.”

A puzzled-looking Marsel moved carefully from behind Brid, where he had unfastened the oars from the chains that held them, to the bench across the back of the boat, the ‘stern’ as Brid had told him it was called. He sat in the middle, of course, and looked at the older man.

Brid started slowly, for he was finding this all very complicated, and he had to advance with great caution. “Where exactly is Willem’s Wharf?”

Marsel’s eyebrows rose, for he hadn’t been expecting this. “It’s not actually Willem in that name. It is Whyrrham ...” he spelt it out for Brid “… and it exists about two hands of marks downriver from Yod City. Opposite one of the side valleys that flow into the Sirrel in what used to be Lower Fanir, before that was forcibly absorbed into the ‘Yodan Sphere of Influence’. ’Tis on the big loop to the right where Yod eventually faces across the river to Ferenis.”

“So, round about the most northerly part of our country, then?” Marsel nodded. “And you were conscripted you said? And you also said that you thought even the Yodans are almost prepared to revolt against our rulers?”

He broke off again, even as Marsel was nodding his further agreement. He saw Marsel was about to speak, so he hurriedly grabbed both oar handles with one hand and held the other up to keep the boy quiet.

“Now, my young friend – and yes, I DO count you as a friend – I must pose you a most difficult question. I hope you trust me sufficiently to be able to count on me. I am about to tell you something shocking and need an answer to my first question before I go any further. You must understand that from now on, I am in your hands.”

He took a deep breath.

“Marsel, I am deserting. Are you with me?”

“WHAT? How? Why? Who … where? I have so many questions!”

“I can answer those questions, but only after you have agreed to join me. If you have not given me your word, then I cannot reveal anything. I have worked hard to keep you in the dark. Now I am working hard to keep you alive! Agree and we shall float on leisurely down the river. If you cannot agree, then I shall put you ashore back in Upper Fanir over there, and we shall part, all further questions unanswered. You should perhaps know that the populace of Upper Fanir are about to rise up and attack any Yodans they see. I shall only request you hold back a while before raising the alarm; to allow me time to get away.”

… … …

“We must get away as soon as we may! Berm awaits us in the Count’s house where he is reorganising the household. ’Twill take a day or so before rooms can be allocated more permanently, but we as a family shall move in there.” Wallis was being most insistent.

The uprising had passed off at the fifth bell as planned. Very few of the Yodans had put up any resistance as the young and middle-aged menfolk of Faralan chased them down the road heading east. Berm and Wallis were worried about the family safety when those men returned to the capital later, drunk on success – and probably on beers and wines as well. Respect for the old Count would keep them from too much mischief at that large mansion. Or so it was hoped.

Berm however was worried that they might chase the remaining Yodans so swiftly, they would catch up with the convoy that had left a bell beforehand. If that happened, then the Yodans could well return in a vengeful mood. And with those ‘wonder weapons’ that killed so indiscriminately.

And the safest place in either case would be in the mansion.

… … …

“Brid, with what I know at the moment, I could never betray you. So yes, I deem I am with you.”

“I thank you for your confidence. I must say that we cannot return to Faralan, for, by now, they will have risen up to kick us Yodans out. They were going to do it at the third bell today, but I persuaded them to delay it until the fifth. I knew, you see, that another half of our forces were to be sent east along with nearly all the ‘guns’ at the fourth bell, so the uprising would be better AFTER that convoy had left. And I arranged for this boat to be made ready for us to leave at the third bell so that we could be considered lost in all the chaos. I dared not wait until the fourth lest we be rounded up and shipped out as well.

“Several Yodans shall be killed this day, I wanted to make sure that we two were well out of harm’s way. I have arranged it so that we can now disappear into the hinterlands of Yod and no-one shall be looking for us.”

“YOU have arranged it? But how have you done that? I have seen no contacts that you have made!”

Brid laughed out loud at that statement.

“Marsel, you have seen me make contact so often! You just didn’t interpret the events correctly. For example, this boat. I told them I wanted this one specifically, and you were right next to me at the time!”

“What? How? When?”

“There you go again. All those incessant questions!”

Marsel glared at him, but then couldn’t prevent himself from grinning and muttering: “Yes, Mother!”

“When we went down to the riverside that time, and you played along unwittingly when you asked me why one boat was different.” Marsel nodded. “There were two men there as well, edging away from us.” Another nod. “I could almost have kissed you when you asked me about that boat, for then I didn’t need to be the one to bring the subject up. I could just say loudly that I would want the brakkyboat. The men were there specifically for me to announce which boat should be prepared.”

Marsel’s mouth worked like a fish out of water. And then a frown came onto his face. “But how did you know they would be there at that time?”

“The two simpletons,” replied Brid, obscurely.

“I don’t follow.”

“They are not simpletons. They just pretend to be!”

“But what have they …?”

“If I clapped one on the shoulder, then that meant I had a written message for them and would hand it over in the parting handshake. It worked the other way too. The shoulder clapper would pass a message to me.”

“Oh!” He thought for a bit. “But surely you did not write EVERYTHING down?”

“Definitely not. All those stops we made of young men. I made sure you had your back turned each time, and were ‘guarding’ us several paces away. We spoke then, but disguised it all as a heated argument, or someone trying to wheedle out of being arrested.”

“But what would have happened if they really needed arresting?”

Brid just looked at Marsel until his face furrowed and he again said: “Oh!”

“I was worried that you might connect the fact that we stopped a lot of young men and yet not one of them was actually arrested on any charges.”

Marsel’s face crumpled. “I have been so childlike, haven’t I? All this going on under my very nose!”

Both men recognised when the next thought shot across Marsel’s brain.

“But,” he began slowly, “how did you manage with the other man, the one that preceded me?”

“Kalvo?” The disgust in Brid’s voice was clear. “He it was that forced me to do all this underhand stuff. He was … Hold! Your voice goes all tight and bitter when we skirt round the subject of rape. Why is that?”

… … …

“Two dozens of Gadis should suffice, but let us gather a hand or two more – in case. Fill our water tank with them. We have a couple of bells of hard work now to get up the Faral far enough for the Foti. But the results shall be worth it. Dab makes an excellent fish stew. And, by the way, diplomatically ’twould be sensible if we gave some of our catch to the Margrave, or at least to the Fortress! I happen to know he has visiting dignitaries from upriver at the moment. Some of them even from as far away as Stirmond.”

“Ah!” replied Frang understandingly. “I shall stow the nets then.”

Soon the little boat was ready to travel again, two sets of oars deployed and two men ready to use their combined strengths. A last shove into the stream of the Sirrel, and the boat was floating free.

The two men set to work with a will.

And really quite soon they were back into the waters on the Faralmark side of the Sirrel.

… … …

“Mistress Orlet, we shall be safe enough here in the Count’s mansion; there are enough of us to keep most unwelcome visitors away. I have enrolled you here as if you were always one of the staff that run this place; you shall be titled ‘Housemistress’. Chara will become your assistant, your very PERSONAL assistant. She will work solely for and with you. For now, the two of you shall have to share a room, which is not an ideal solution as we know; ’twill take us a day or so to arrange all as we want. But then I expect those shall be the duties of any Housemistress we might encounter, heh?”

“Steward Berm, so shall it be,” stated Orlet formally. “What other staff still remain from the old days, and how many more might we need? Are there any that might require any … special attention?”

“If you refer to my wound, then I deem ’tis fine. These bandages suffice. And the other two wounded men are even less damaged than I. And I can personally tell you that the Yodans are running away, as fast as they can. They won’t stop until they reach their homelands.”

“Nay, Steward. I was referring to any precautions we might need to take with certain others. Some are old, mayhap, and wish to retire but some might have had a … seniority, for example, that needs preserving. Or rivalries that mean they should be kept apart. Or knowledge from before the Yodans came. Or anything else?”

“There is one, I deem, who requires a little more information. We will deal with her in the morning. Just keep out of the way for what’s left of this afternoon and evening, if you would. But, as for the rest, that is MY domain and I intend to return this establishment to the way of doing things that the old Count implemented. If you require more manly muscles to do any task, then be pleased to ask me to assign the appropriate persons.”

… … …

“You are right, Master Yussuf,” said Frang as he successfully suppressed a burp. “This fish stew is truly excellent.” He turned to his hostess. “Mistress Dab, your man warned me in advance but I fear you must take him to task. He failed to describe its true magnificence! And to have that combination of freehee, lepsat and irris powder with your stew just takes it all up to a level that must be worthy of the Margrave himself.”

Dab smiled a pleased smile and tried not to blush.

“I should get back now to the Representative’s house, but I thank you profoundly for what has probably been the best meal of my short life. I daresay that Count Olva shall writhe with jealousy when I inform him of what has been consumed here.”

… … …

The marvel in Marsel’s voice was almost comical. “But … how are my kitbags here? Who packed them?”

Brid had told him to sweep aside the covering on the misshapen pile stored in the front of the boat. Again reiterating the need to keep the boat steady whilst doing so.

“I arranged for our kitbags to be taken from our rooms and stowed here. That’s why we spent a little while patrolling round the less usual parts of our area this morning. Just to keep from revealing what was going on. I knew not then if you would be with me. You had just two choices really, to join me or not. If you were not going to be with me, then I had to make certain that you could legitimately claim to be innocent of all goings-on.”

They were approaching quite a tight large bend to the right in the river and Brid steered them to the right bank, the Pakmal bank, where they tied up securely to a sturdy tree bole.

“We will spend the night here,” announced Brid. “You scout around for a largish flattish area where we can get two makeshift beds either side of a fire. Pick up any dry wood too, for we shall need to cook our dinner. I shall start unloading the necessities from the boat, and I dare say I shall manage to catch a few brakkis for us to eat.”

… … …

“Berm! Can we do something more definite please? The kitchen staff refuse to let me do any of the cooking. They say that it is their duty, and that they have been vastly underused in the past weeks and months. And that, until Count Darkwin is officially announced as being dead, they have a further duty to maintain the proper standards in this mansion.”

“Eginet, my love, we must accept their restrictions for the time being. I expect to have everything sorted out on the morrow. Failing that, on the day after. Let them produce our evening meal this once, if you please.”

And that night, there were no fewer than four hands of bodies sitting down to their repast. All seated around the giant table that countless Counts had used to entertain guests and dignitaries. Some felt distinctly uncomfortable doing so, though.

The meal over, Berm took the opportunity to make several announcements. His one bandaged arm helped greatly to enhance the respect he commanded from all present.

“We should be safe here as long as nothing changes the reasons for being basically uninteresting. Once the Yodans had killed our Duke and his entire family, along with two Counts and all theirs, we were left with but three Faniran Counts as the surviving people of rank. The Count Olva is off in Faralmark, where he has been liaising with their Margrave. He and the missing Count Darkwin are the only two … candidates, if you will … whom any petty ‘warlords’ would fear. The third remaining Count is far too old and doddery for anyone to bother with. These ‘warlords’ know they have no chance if either of them appear, so they shall be trying to consolidate their positions before anything like that can happen. Then they will wish to negotiate from a position of strength.”

Orlet could not resist adding, somewhat bitterly: “If either of those two shall have any citizens left to rule over. Some of the people may end up feeling that we were better off under the Yodans than under the chaos that these ‘warlords’ might bring. And ’tis but bells since the uprising.”

“We must make certain that things don’t get out of hand. I don’t believe it will go too much further. I intend to meet with some of the men who ran businesses before the Yodans went and ruined everything. Mayhap I can prevail upon THEM to exercise some control over the hotheads.”

There was a brief moment of silence as all digested the words along with their dinner.

“Steward. May I make a suggestion?”

“What’s that, Mistress Orlet?”

“Why don’t you make your meetings here, in this mansion? By doing that, without great fanfare, you might manage to create the impression that this house is the centre of some sort of control – all without killing off rivals. People will associate this location with authority again.”

Berm was silent, the surprise writ large on his face.

Everyone seated around the table looked at her in awe.

And some with narrowed eyes.

… … …

The dawn breaks, and minds ache!

… … …

“I need to fully understand all this. Point one: you used to be an officer in the Yodan army?”

“Just so. I got disgusted with … just a heartbeat, pass me a handful of those twigs, please … disgusted with the way they treated people, the arrogance they assumed, the unthinking … obedience to some sort of ideal that was never spelt out.” Brid, stirred some more twigs into the fire and watched as the water began to boil. “And was forced to be a witness to a particularly brutal rape. So what did I do?”

“You deserted!”

“Exactly! So I am not what you would call inexperienced in doing this.”

“Was that why you asked me about rape yesterday?”

“Yes and no. You had indicated to me by your voice and body that rape upsets you. Greatly. Bitterly, even.”

“Why do some men have to use this brutality just to have sex?” Marsel obviously steered the conversation away from his personal reasons for his aversion to it.

“Rape is about violence, not sex. If a person hits you with a shovel, you wouldn’t call it gardening, or farming or mining. It’s just a perverted sense of control.

“So one night, I went out on an inspection. And never went back. After a rough night, I bullied my way across the river to what was then known as the Lower Fanir island. My intention was to settle down there and simply farm quietly in their rich fields of golden grain. But the locals were all wary of me. I couldn’t somehow scrub the Yodanness off my skin, however hard I tried to.”

“So what did you do?”

“I waited until I was fairly sure the rains were about to break, paid a local to ferry me across the river, and landed back in Yod. Then I walked south, keeping clear of the trade route at first, for the rains had not actually broken by then, and came across a small village where I struck a deal for work in return for a roof over my head. I chose a new name, of course. As soon as the rains ceased, I left the village heading north but then looped back around it to head south. That taught me a BIG lesson. It took me two whole days just to disappear a mark to the north and reappear a mark to the south. Just because the rains had stopped, it didn’t mean the countryside dried out immediately.”

“I find it difficult to picture all this. My mind aches!”

… … …

“My head hurts!”

“I’m not surprised, Wallis. You drank a little too freely last e’en.”

“Shhhh, Berm. Not so loud!”

Berm laughed but stopped abruptly when a very grumpy brother made to hit him on his bandaged arm.

“Go see the healer about your wounded arm. Leave me in peace!” muttered Wallis.

The brothers were seated at the giant table sipping at some pel, whilst the kitchen staff enthusiastically busied themselves with serving a breakfast to everyone who had been sleeping in the mansion.

Everyone that is except Orlet, Chara and an old servant named Janani. Those three were having a ‘private meeting’ in the girls’ room.

The streets had been rowdy in the night as the people celebrated the departure of the occupying forces. This morning, though, they were even now unnaturally quiet. Probably due to the lack of any cohesive leadership, most were wondering what to do and what the future would bring.

Some wondered if there was yet any work to do.

… … …

“I shall go a’fishing, Milord, which seems to be the best use of my limited talents. But I know not if Master Yussuf shall accompany me once more. I had the feeling last night that his wife had plans for him this day!”

“Ah!” replied the Representative. “I have had, in the past, the rare misfortune to observe that particular lady when she has chosen to be in full flow as it were. Very well, thank you for sharing your time with me at this breakfast. I shall let you get on. We shall dine together this evening. If you are indeed with Master Yussuf, then perhaps you should invite him and his wife to dine with us. Please let the staff here know early enough, of course. Now I must go and visit the Margrave, we have much to talk about, what with Faralmark forces poised to cross into our land.”

… … …

Orlet was ‘on duty’ for the meeting Berm and Wallis had with the business men. The Meeting Room itself was chill, not having been used for so long, so the large fire had been lit soon after the breakfast had been cleared away. Berm had insisted to all the staff that Orlet be present, giving several reasonable and logical reasons for it. But the really persuasive reason was that he wanted the girl to be aware of how these meetings went; what might be expected of household staff and so on.

The discussions had ranged far and wide and several agreements were concluded. Which eased some of Berm’s fears. But not all.

“Fellow citizens, we here in Faralan are now, thankfully, mostly of a mind as to how to get our businesses up and running again. I suggest we make haste to implement the decisions, to get the populace happy with us. As soon as those who fled to the Uplands hear that the way is clear to return, then we shall have a small crowd of people descending upon us to try to take over the city, maybe even the country. The more solid a front we can present, the stronger shall be our ability to resist ‘help’ from those who have suffered but little.”

“’Tis a shame the Yodans murdered the Duke and his entire family, not to mention the three senior Counts and all their kin! We have no one person to call our leader. ’Tis sure to get bloody as that gap is attempted to be filled. And you have no news about young Count Darkwin?”

Berm smiled at the speaker, the one who had been the most pessimistic throughout the meeting. “Master, had the Count been in a position to do so, I’m sure he would have returned here by now. I fear the worst, but have, as yet, no actual proof of his fate. I myself dragged his body from this mansion and delivered him to some healers. He was in a very poor state when I did that, barely breathing and with blood pouring from his head. The healers said they did what they could, but the lad was unable to speak, barely able to eat and drink.

“A woman unknown to them came one day and took the lad away, fearing that the Yodans would find him and finish off the job ‘properly’. She said she would hide him. With all the other work the healers had to do in those dangerous times, none of them gave further thought to the lad, and the woman was soon forgotten.

“As regards a leader for our country, then I have to inform you all that I have sent an urgent message with the Valley Messenger Service to Count Olva who has been our country’s Representative across the upvalley border in Faralmark. I shall endeavour to entice him to return.”

“A good choice, Steward. And thank you for getting us all together here today.”

The men all rose as one and went off in their varying directions, some discussing how they would work with another. It was pleasing to hear that one of the growers already had a consignment for one of the shippers to take upriver to his contacts based in Fort Vanip.

… … …

“So you are agreed then? We shall stick together for at least until the rains cease? I know you wish to return to your womenfolk on the farm, but you quite rightly know that you could be arrested and killed as a deserter if you did that. If we leave now, now that our long discussions have covered everything, then we can reach my village of Klyhill.

“The villagers there, friends for near 20 years, shall hide us from interference and should any officials come along, we both shall wear some bandages or some such to avoid being dragged back into the Yodan forces. Apart from the settlements up the side valley, this is just about the farthest it is possible to get from Yod City. From what I gathered, most of our forces are engaged up in the north, in Ferenis even. I see not why anyone of real importance should get interested in Klyhill and events around there.”

“Very well. Let us hope so.” Although Marsel did look worried as he said that. “And shall we need to change names, as a sort of protection?”

“A good question. I deem my villagers would not be able to adapt quite so easily, so I shall rely upon the remoteness of our village and remain as Brid. But mayhap the combination of Brid and Marsel shall be too much of a reminder. There must be several Brids, several Marsels but very few Brid and Marsels, or Marsel and Brids.”

“Then I shall change mine. What shall it be, I wonder? Let me see…”

“Do you have a name you would particularly like for that shall make it easier to remember? Or should I, or someone else, choose one for you?”

“I deem I should like to have mrmr…” Marsel murmured, almost tasting his reply. Which had not been quite loud enough for clarity.

“What was that?”

… … …

What on Anmar was THAT? Frang’s heart was suddenly hammering in his ribcage. He was alone over on the Zebrin shore, not far from where he and Yussuf had caught all those Gadi yesterday.

His catch of Gadi was less today, but then he was alone and he didn’t really need as many. They seemed to him to be running even more freely than they had been the day before, and yet he didn’t need to catch so many as then. He shook his head at the irony.

Today, as he had crossed over here, he had noticed a slight ooze of water coming in through one of the cracks between two of the parts he had bolted together, so he was allowing his Gadi to swim around in a large catch-net barely submerged at the water’s edge whilst the boat was lying on its side on the mud just a stride away. He had lit a small fire and was softening some of the caulking tar he still had in a box in the bows of the boat. He determined to do a better job all round today now he no longer had to hide the work away from prying eyes. He was beginning, however, to doubt the wisdom of such a course. The afternoon was slipping quite swiftly away.

His attention had been upon the playful leaping of the fish in the river whilst the tar warmed. A vicious spit from the fire made his eyes jerk that way. So the sudden great commotion in the water happened when he wasn’t actually looking there. His eyes shot back just in time to see a huge eye and head disappear under the surface amidst a series of very large ripples. So unexpected was such a sight, so absolutely alien to anything he had ever experienced, that he almost immediately began to doubt the evidence of his eyes.

Then his eyes widened. His catch-net was no longer there. No trace of it at all.

But then he was suddenly very aware of something else; he was going to have to relaunch his little craft which his imagination was now telling him was considerably smaller than the head he had only half seen. His legs quaked at the thought of stepping into the water once his repairs had been effected.

… … …

“Imagination is a wondrous thing. It can totally unman a man, some times.”

“I confess to being worried about learning to swim. How do you assure yourself there are no underwater monsters?”

Brid laughed, joylessly. “It has happened, Mar… er … Ling. But ’tis a very scarce happening. ’Tis known that there are several large bottom-dwelling things, ranging in size. The largest of those are a few Gogon that dwell in their lairs in the river, but ’tis said they usually appear only in the darker hours, only very occasionally in the afternoon.

“The so-called experts suggest that, if there is a particularly strong swarming of fish, then a Gogon could well grab the opportunity for an easy feed. But those creatures tend to concentrate upon fish for their prey; many a fisherman has reported that he has been left alone. Larger boats, particularly ones with many oars, HAVE been attacked, ’tis true. But mayhap one or two a year, at most. The same ‘experts’ suggest that that is in fact a size-challenge; they don’t seem to worry about little boats but can get somewhat territorial when the larger boats seem to threaten their ‘home waters’ if you like.”

Ling was almost sure Brid added “generally” to the end, but only very quietly.

Brid however changed the subject rapidly: “Now, Ling. Ling. Ling. Ling. Ling. Ling. We are rapidly approaching our destination. See there in the distance, off to our right, the side valley that comes down to join us on this river?”

“Aye, Brid, that I do.”

“Our future home village is just a mark or two further beyond where the tributary river pours into this one. There is a side stream, peaceful most of the time as it does not drain a large area. The village lies but half a mark up it.”

“Ah! Thank you for the information.”

“I have another question for you!”

“Oh yes?”

“What is your name?”

… … …

“Yes. I would say that undoubtedly, you saw a Gogon. I find myself jealous of you. All these years afloat, and I have never seen one. And have heard about only two!”

“It was HHHUUUGGGEEE! And the Gadi seemed to know they would be eaten by it. They almost leapt into my boat once I had relaunched! I just thought maybe I could catch one or two to give you and Count Olva this e’en, so I lowered a bucket over the side and I immediately got no less than six fish in there. I did it once more and got another four.”

“A bucket? And just twice? Dinner enough for ten folk? Surely you have betrayed yourself now. I have NEVER heard of any fisherman getting fish like that! I can only doubt your entire story now.” But his face was excitedly interested as he said that so Frang knew Yussuf wasn’t calling him a liar. “And I expect you didn’t see your monster again afterwards?”

“Ah!” replied Frang, “but I DID! I was a third or so of the way back to this side of the river, when I saw it swimming beneath me, going across my path. I can tell you plainly that this thing was as long as three tall men standing on their shoulders would be high. And it was rapid! To my eyes, and I cannot tell you why, I had the impression it was heading home. Going upriver. Somehow I deemed ’twas no longer hunting.”

“I would talk to you more about this amazing event, but you are running short of time for dinner with Count Olva. You had best be off and have a swift shower and change of clothes! Thank you for all the fish.”

… … …

Berm was with Orlet and Chara and an old servant named Janani. The three women were all crying heavily when he came into the room after his urgent knocking had told them he needed as immediate access as possible. All three were twitching their clothes into place as he strode towards them after Orlet had called: “Enter!”

“Can you get the Meeting Room ready to be used in the forenoon tomorrow? I wish to start properly with your idea then. We shall have an important visitor for discussions.”

The short silence was broken by the still-sniffling older woman: “How important? Is this to be full diplomatic dress, or is it just a meeting with locals?”

Berm was taken aback. This was obviously something that had not occurred to him. He stuttered a reply: “Janani, is this important?”

“Oh yes! If you want to create the right impressions. We would hav…” she broke off and looked searchingly at the two younger women. “Do either of you have any ‘best’ dresses? I should inspect them, if you do. Mayhap the house seamstresses would be happy to have something to do, and could alter some of the Countess’ dresses to fit. But not for today. Nor for the morn. At the earliest would be tomorrow afternoon.” She regarded the other two critically. “What you have on, would do at a pinch. Once cleaned. Hmmmm. Yes. We must clean those overnight at the very latest.”

She turned back to Berm: “Have your meeting in the morn, we are not overly shabby. But we shall need to tidy many things up afterwards. …” The others could see her going off in her thoughts so were not surprised when she said in a musing tone: “We can always add some jewellery.”

Berm looked at them all with wonderment in his face, before he shook his head bemusedly and strode to the door.

He turned and said: “We have the commander of the Faralmark forces coming for those discussions. When they saw the Yodans run away yesterday, the Faral forces decided to give chase. They crossed the river and helped our countrymen send the invaders packing. The entire day was both confusing and hectic. They now wish to know what they should do here in our land. The hotheads have been taken aback somewhat and hesitate to show force to our avowed friends.”

… … …

Frang had rushed back to the Representative’s home, showered and changed and presented himself to the dining room with less than a hand of moments to spare before the scheduled time for dinner. And then had to wait nigh on half a bell before Count Olva came bustling in, extremely energised. He wasted no time in imparting his news.

“The Yodans have left Upper Fanir, they have massed at the very short border from there into Lower Fanir. But Upper Fanir is once again free. I shall return to Faralan to see what I can do to help rebuild. Shall you accompany me?”

“Milord, I would be delighted to come with you. I am grateful for your kindnesses to me since I arrived. Shall we go overland, or by river?”

“The overland route is half the distance of the river route and the latter would probably still be quicker to get there, but far longer to get back. We shall ride.”

Frang’s face dropped. “But Milord, I have never ridden a frayen!”

“We shall have need of a baggage and food wagon, you could ride on that.”

“When do we depart?”

“Your wagon shall depart at the dawn bell. The driver knows where we shall make our halts, so we will be at first chasing after you, being able to travel so much more quickly. We shall cross the Fa at the nearest point, and make as much distance as we can. I doubt we shall gain Faralan for the next night, but we shall attempt so to do.”

“As you say, Milord.”

… … ...

“Mistress Orlet, you can now have this room. Janani conveyed the urgency we require to get you settled.” Berm waved his arm, the one not in the bandages of course, towards a door off the corridor. “Next to the one you girls have shared up to now, directly below the one the young Count used to have when he was here. Chara shall have that next room you have so far shared. There is a connecting door betwixt the two. Eginet shall share the rooms on the first floor with myself, of course. Wallis shall be next door to us. And Janani shall be close to you two girls, on the opposite side of the corridor. She correctly pointed out that you two girls should have separate rooms.”

… … …

Ling settled back on his blanket which had been laid over the pile of collected twigs and branches that kept the ground from sucking all his body heat away. His head was whirling as he absorbed all the new information that had been flooding in ever since the enthusiastic welcome the two deserters had received when they dragged their boat up the shore. Brid had been practically engulfed by a sea of arms and bodies.

Of course, he had been greeted as a stranger. But Brid’s influence had ensured there was no noticeable antagonism.

And when Brid explained that he would be staying at least until after the rains, the villagers promised to make a start on a more permanent dwelling for him, one that wouldn’t be washed away when the heavens opened in a few weeks and months time.

… … …

The next dawn breaks on a day filled with uncertainties

… … …

Frang shivered and wrapped the blankets tighter around himself. It had taken a little while to find the right combination of sacks and pillows to minimise the pains in his posterior, but now the daylight was flooding across the landscape there was much more for his eyes to process and thus distract him from his discomfort. The road they were travelling along was one of the better ones he had ever encountered in his short life and yet the driver assured him that the great Trade Routes were infinitely better. He found this hard to believe.

But his eyes never stopped drinking in all the new visions that opened up as they progressed. He was wishing, however, he had consumed a little more breakfast and pel.

Bibek was a town, city almost, that had been built at the confluence of the Faral River with the Sirrel and at the foot of a cliff, which was the nose of a crestline up in the hills. The wall of the Great Valley formed this nose, and, to the east of it and the crestline, the Great Valley floor spread until it met the Fa River. This last-mentioned river formed the border between Faralmark and Upper Fanir. Frang knew from his questions last evening that the road they were following reached the Fa River at the point where it curved furthest into Upper Fanir. They would cross the water there after waiting for the frayen riders to catch them up, and then cut straight across country towards Faralan.

They could have crossed the Fa straight into Faralan at its mouth, since that was where Faralan had been built, but that would have meant a long loop through Faralmark territory which would have almost doubled their journey distance, since the Faralmark by-roads were not the best maintained so their route would not have been the most direct.

… … …

Orlet opened her eyes, already feeling energised to deal with all that was required to be done. Events of the last evening had been momentous; fundamentally shifting her entire basis. But which had strangely settled her internal confusions sufficiently for her to sleep deeply for the first time for a long while.

Her eyes had been opened in another sense, indeed in two senses, the evening before as Janani had explained the importance of the right ‘level’ of female attire at various functions. The three women had ascended the stairs and entered the murdered Count and Countess’ suite. Chara with an enthusiasm and curiosity, the depths of which had surprised her. Janani though had to concentrate on supporting the sobbing Orlet, whose tears were flowing down her face in copious quantities.

A fourth woman had soon joined them; Soa, the Mansion’s head seamstress.

And then things had got serious.

Janani started the proceedings off, whilst Orlet dug deep and drew herself up, suppressing her sobs with great effort.

“Soa, thank you for attending so promptly. I must inform you that Mistress Orlet here has some very important information to give you but which MUST remain secret. We must first obtain an oath from you that you shall never impart what you are about to learn to anyone else. Everything you learn here in the next few moments must remain untold and anything in the future which is an obvious consequence of what is to be revealed must never be remarked upon or caused to be wider spread. Is that clear? If you are NOT prepared to so swear, then please turn around and depart immediately, find another seamstress, and then send HER here.”

The smile that Soa had shown when she entered dropped rapidly from her face. She looked at the three faces all awaiting her reply. She saw the tears of Orlet, the stern face of Janani and the more timid features of Chara.

Her own face registered a seriousness as the full import worked its way into her brain. She swallowed to make sure her voice was steady and then stated formally: “I swear to keep any revelations I learn in this room this evening secret and shall never reveal such until released from this oath. I shall never cause this knowledge to be spread wider.”

Janani and Chara turned to look at Orlet, who thought it through before nodding her acceptance. Janani then intoned: “Heard and witnessed.”

All then looked at Chara who was at first puzzled but then worked out for herself what she should say. She too uttered: “Heard and witnessed”.

Soa looked then to Orlet, who swallowed, grabbed a hand of each of the women flanking her, gulped even more deeply and said: “Mistress Soa, ’tis I – Count Darkwin.”

Soa gasped, and stretched forward to examine the girl – the boy – no, the girl more closely.

“Mistress Janani here recognised me as soon as she was introduced. ’Tis scarce surprising, after all she was my nurse for several years! I have to remain as Orlet for a little while lest enemies might send assassins. These are very confusing times. Steward Berm has arranged many things well. So that I can be present as decisions are made and I can learn the current climate without being recognised. To that extent, Mistress Janani has suggested that now I require a wider feminine wardrobe. And that …” here she had sniffed back tears once more “… my mother’s clothes could be used and altered to fit me and Chara here.”

“Ah!” said Soa as everything clicked into place in her brain.

And so the four women got to work taking the clothes from the cupboards, discussing what requirements might be, and so on. After a half bell or so they started giggling as Soa had asked Orlet to strip down and the false breasts and false hips were revealed. Soa said: “This makes things a little easier. Rather than cut the clothes, we could adjust your body to fit!”

“As long as my figure doesn’t have to change from day to day!”

Orlet felt a great weight lift from her shoulders as the matter was thoroughly discussed. The women all agreed that Orlet should remain Orlet. It would be too confusing for her to be Darkwin at times and Orlet at others. And the constant changing would have to be noticed sooner rather than later.

So from then on, it was agreed that she would always be addressed as Mistress Orlet. She was sent to fetch that box of Kalvo’s that contained some jewellery pieces, once Chara had remembered about it. Upon her return, she was shocked when the other women told her the value of what had been her mother’s adornments.

She soon found that she was enjoying herself, and was amazed to learn some of the differences between various materials.

The other three all looked at each other knowingly when one dress was slipped over Orlet’s head and she shivered and gasped in pleasure as the material settled around her. She twisted and turned to make the skirts flare and swirl.

In fact, that one memory was foremost in her mind when she awoke the next morning.

She ran through her scheduled tasks, wondering in the back of her mind if Soa could indeed produce the new dress promised for her to attend the morning’s meeting with Berm.

… … …

Brid also awoke well refreshed. He luxuriated in his bed for a few moments before he started to think about his and Mar… Ling’s journey.

But that triggered another thought about the welcome they had received. Brid groaned. This development had NOT been foreseen. Well, he ruefully acknowledged to himself, it HAD been foreseen, but just not here. He would have to find some way to calm things down.

But the first task today would be to get on with building somewhere for Ling to shelter. There would be no problem finding work for the lad, but he would have to have his own room. And the siting of that room might not be quite so easy after all.

Brid dragged on his clothes and sat on his cot to put on his shoes. He was thinking hard as he did so.

Brid surged to his feet and went out to find one or two of the village elders.

… … …

Orlet observed the discussions between Berm, Wallis and the four men from Faralmark. She tried to concentrate on what they were saying but it was difficult. She wanted to keep wriggling inside her new dress, so pleased was she with it. They had had to slightly reduce her breasts, which she was noticing now as the weight hanging around her neck on a broad ribbon band had been reduced slightly but noticeably after a little while; but her hip padding, hanging from her waist had been just the right size. She was still reeling from the sensory overload the sleek material had produced. She could NOT believe that just wearing something could produce these feelings she was now coping with.

She was standing to one side, ostensibly awaiting some sort of housekeeping orders but actually gaining much important information. Or at least she SHOULD be gaining important information. She forced herself to switch her concentration back to the men and what they were saying.

The Faralmark contingent was headed by someone named Woltass, who had introduced himself with the rank ‘Captain Of The Field’. With him were two other Captains and a Deputy Captain.

That Woltass was explaining what the Faralmark forces had done and would do, given permissions. “… turned left as they crossed the Fa and have blocked in some of the Yodans there. Those Yodans have now surrendered and we must decide what we shall do with them. They must be kept there as we have nowhere else to put them. We must prevent them from adding to the enemy forces down in Lower Fanir. First reports suggest that all other Yodan forces have now departed Upper Fanir and have retired either down or across the river.

“So we have split our forces into three. One keeping the encircled enemy cooped up in the upper reaches of the Fa, another chasing the enemy back into Lower Fanir and a third patrolling the countryside and towns, winkling out any pockets that may have remained. We shall keep a small reserve here in Faralan ready to be called upon should any of the three divisions need assistance. Perchance you could be good enough to suggest how and/or where we might accommodate them?”

… … …

“We must discuss the location of Ling’s shed!”

“I thought we had decided upon that last evening?”

“Ah! Yes, we had thought to put him up there at the end of the footpath to the road. But I detected a problem with that. Did you not see the way the young girls, and some of the young women, all were taken with his looks? If we are not careful, we shall have a war amongst those girls which will destroy the harmony of this settlement. And the young men who have been parading themselves for those girls won’t take kindly to a new rival.”

“Shiba-bubufu!”

“Precisely,” said Brid wryly, but he was also smiling as the man employed those ancient curse words. “If we put him up there away from nearly everyone, then some of the more forward girls will simply go there. And sooner or later, one will succeed in attracting his attentions. And she shall crow about it.

“But if we put him somewhere here in the village centre, then the girls will know they are unlikely to be unobserved. That might add a level of control.”

“I take your point, Brid.”

“As do I!” said the second elder.

The three men continued to make suggestions and their discussions were only halted when the subject himself turned up to find out what he could do to be of use to the community. Brid smiled to himself as he gradually withdrew into the background while the two others started to talk with Ling. Finally, the matter was decided.

“As you are here for a good few months yet, then mayhap you should learn more of how we exist here. Therefore, I deem that you should be in the centre of things at least for the next week. I propose therefore that we add a siding to my home here and I can teach you what you must needs know.”

“I would not wish to be a burden to you and your wife.”

“’Twould be no burden.”

“Well then, I deem I would appreciate that,” replied Ling after a quick glance to Brid, who nodded his approval. Brid gently moved away to go brakkycatching as Ling listened attentively to the elder’s further words.

… … ...

Frang was listening attentively to Count Olva as the little convoy made its way across the Upper Fanir countryside. The roadway was climbing a slight incline as the Count said: “… letters for Palarand. They departed a few days ago, I deem you shall recall. So the Margrave shall make his way downriver to Palarand and its capital. The river is held to be a free passage so he should be able to sail through the war zone. He shall leave Bibek tomorrow morning and overnight in Faralan as his first stop. I promised we shall find decent accommodation for him. Which I am assuming will not be too difficult, although I myself might be in some danger, if there are too many hotheads around, plotting to take over our country. Which places you yourself in a certain amount of danger, if you are associated with me.”

Suddenly, Frang had a taste of matters far larger than he ever imagined he would have to consider.

The road then reached the top of the incline they had been climbing. The views from there were astounding. Faralan could be seen, far off. The afternoon sun revealed several villages between them and the distant capital.

Olva sighed loudly. “We shall not have time to reach Faralan this e’en.”

He shot his eyes at Frang as the youngster said: “It seems I am to have several long-distance views today.”

Before they could continue this thread, a frayen rider could be seen coming faster than either man had ever seen before. Their conversation dried up as all watched in fascination. As the rider neared them, flashes of yellow identified him as belonging to the Valley Messenger Service. The rider slowed as he approached.

“Count Olva?” he called as came within earshot. He made it obvious he would press on if this was not the man he sought.

Frang learned another lesson just then. The Count looked around carefully, and the four servants all pressed closer to him, one keeping a watchful eye out in each direction. Still the Count did not answer. The Messenger realised first what was going on.

“If you are he, Milord, then I bear messages from Steward Berm in Faralan. Here is my Messenger Service accreditation.”

He proffered a document. Of which, it suddenly occurred to Frang, he should be the one to take delivery. If this WAS an attack then all the servants would require to be unencumbered. He reached for it and was surprised at the tremble in his hand.

But all was in order.

The Messenger was sent back to the capital with a message suggesting a time of arrival in the morning.

… … …

Brid returned to the village with a good catch of brakkies. They would add their delicate tastes to the tureens of fish and vegetable stew which would be cooked in the centre of the village. It was traditional that the entire village ate together once every week and tonight was the night for it. The weather was perfect for such a gathering.

This was normally a joyous occasion, with various musicians (of varying talent!) performing to the best of their abilities, with singing and poetry readings and tale-tellings. Even sometimes, some very amateur play acting.

Yes, there were disagreements in the village, some of many years standing, but all disagreements were suppressed for these evenings. Indeed, sometimes disagreements had been resolved under the influence of togetherness.

But tonight, there were strong negative undercurrents, felt by everyone.

… … …

It was doubly frustrating to Frang that they stopped for the night so tantalisingly near their destination. One because, had he been aboard his boat, they would have been there by now. And two, because he knew he could walk there and arrive before the midnight bell.

And his mattress was lumpy.

And he could have cooked a better meal that that which they were served in this run-down tavern.

But he would not have been able to carry the many baggages and documents and equipment that was loaded upon the wagon. And that would have been rude in the extreme to his host, the Count Olva who had been so generous to him.

And he also wanted to stay close to learn so much more about the current crises.

Everyone retired early.

… … …

Orlet had made a suggestion to Berm which was eminently sensible and had met with instant approval. Since the Count’s guards had all been murdered by the invading Yodans, then the guardhouse here at their mansion was sitting empty. The facilities there were offered to Woltass, who jumped at the opportunity.

The hidden advantages that would accrue to the more normal residents was that now there was some military presence to deter any casual attack that might have been planned.

Berm, however, told the astute Orlet that there was a disadvantage: “You do realise that this means you shall have to continue in your disguise all the while the soldiery are here?”

Orlet’s eyes twinkled a little as she replied: “I deem I could manage that. The advantages of being a mere servant, and a mere female on top of that, is giving me, us, much valuable information.” Several of those gathered were sure that that was not the complete reason.

The entire company were once again seated around the dining table for the evening meal when there came an interruption.

A Valley Messenger was ushered in and asked for Steward Berm. When he was identified to him, the messenger said: “I bring compliments from Milord, Count Olva. He has asked me to tell you that he expects to arrive in the morning, at around the third, maybe fourth bell. He has a small entourage with him, six persons in total, and expects to stay in Faralan for several nights. He would appreciate it if some good secure accommodation could be found.”

After declining to join them for a meal, the messenger soon departed and the diners turned back once more to their interrupted meal.

Only for a second interruption.

Captain Of The Field Woltass apologised for breaking in and then explained: “I have just had a message from my Margrave and felt you should know as soon as I can impart the news. He shall depart Bibek tomorrow at first light and come down the river to overnight here in Faralan. He wishes to inspect the arrangements for his troops, to have brief discussions with some form of authority and then he shall pass on on a long journey down to Palarand.”

“I thank you, Captain Woltass. I deem we can organise something, somewhere. Would you allow us time this evening to come up with a suggestion. We can discuss all possibilities and tell you of our decision first thing in the morning. You should know that Count Olva, our nation’s Representative to Faralmark, shall also arrive tomorrow; in the morning. He would be valuable in the discussions with the Margrave.”

“Indeed so, Steward. They are quite good friends I deem. I am pleased with this news.” Woltass declined an invitation to join them for the meal and graciously took his leave. The meal finished without further interruptions. Once the clearing up had been done and everyone else had retired to their rooms or indeed homes, the ‘family’ group gathered together in a sitting room.

And so something was born at that moment, a ‘tradition’ that survived for quite a long time. Berm, Wallis, Eginet, Chara and Orlet sat down and discussed what should be done, both domestically and locally and which soon expanded all the way up to nationally. Advisors were soon organised to add in their points. Amongst just the ‘family’ group, Orlet was decisive and indeed showed some strong leadership, but when others who were unaware of the disguise were present, it was Berm who took over.

Domestically, and in the short term, it was decided that the Margrave would be accommodated in the old Count and Countess’ suite, whilst Olva would take what had been Darkwin’s. Locally, some of the junior officers could be housed in their old home if the mansion’s barracks proved to be too small. It was assumed that both Count Olva and the Margrave would be travelling with some bodyguards who would have to be stationed near their principals.

… … …

Brid rose rapidly to his feet and started speaking in his command voice: “I am ashamed. I chose to come here because this was the friendliest village I knew. I was certain that a fellow fugitive would be welcomed, but you youngsters have managed to ruin the reputation within a day or two. This is a small hamlet but with a towering reputation; but one that has been crumbled so easily. Can anything now be as it once was?”

His voice softened a little. “You girls are all vying for attention from a young man who is already spoken for, and you should know that it is to that girl that he will return as soon as the rains have ceased, assuming this wretched war shall be over. You boys are scared that this newcomer will ‘steal’ one of your girls. Between the lot of you, and without stopping to ascertain any facts, you have managed to ruin the traditions of this remote village. Ling and I shall depart in the morning, at first light. It will be dangerous for us, but I do not want any part of this simmering hostility. We shall try to find somewhere else.

“Feel free to enjoy the brakkies I have contributed to this night’s feasts, but you will do so with neither Ling nor myself. We shall retire now, both to my hut. May your behaviour be under close examination while we disappear.”

With a sad shake of his head and a commanding hand gesture to Ling, he stomped off towards his little hut.

… … …

Today, there were more clouds than had been the case yesterday. Thicker and higher. It was obvious that the winds aloft were stronger, for the scudding clouds were zooming across the skies, and yet, here at ground level, the air was all but still.

… … …

With breakfast out of the way, Housemistress Orlet commanded all the available servants to help her clear out or secure belongings in Count Darkwin’s rooms and then in the master suite, ready for the temporary guests to arrive. They all worked hard before Orlet arranged a short break. Someone was sent for pel as the rest flopped down onto whatever chairs, sofas and beds were handy.

“Keep your knees together,” hissed Chara privately to Orlet who blushed and promptly fidgeted as though she was simply adjusting her skirts. Neither thought that anyone else had noticed.

In a remarkably speedy time, the tasks were completed and a pair of girls were assigned to making up the beds for their guests.

Janani took Chara and Orlet into Orlet’s room where she insisted they changed into nicer attire. She inspected Orlet’s hair and declared that, despite the many weeks since the Yodans had so viciously attacked, it wanted still enough length to make a convincing female style. So she would have to keep wearing one of the headscarves with the hair sewn into.

Janani selected the dresses that both should wear for the imminent arrival of Count Olva. She told Orlet to wear the jewellery found in Kalvo’s box, and she found some other trinkets for Chara.

And then they sat back to await the arrival.

… … …

“You look tired,” observed Count Olva as the small party made their slow way along the road towards the capital.

“I slept not well, Milord. The mattress seemed to get harder and lumpier each time my eyelids closed.”

“And did you have any hard thoughts? Hard as in difficult rather than hard as in mattress lumps?”

“I did indeed, Milord. All that I have learnt in these days and hours have opened my eyes to a far wider world than that I thought I knew so well.”

“Would you be so minded as to tell me some of those thoughts of yours?”

And so a deep discussion on many levels and events ensued, with both parties surprising and impressing the other as the time flew by.

Both were surprised when they realised they had entered Faralan already.

… … …

Brid thrust open the door to go and wash in the stream and promptly stopped as he became aware of a delegation of the younger men outside.

With a noticeable degree of bashfulness, their appointed leader said: “Good morning Brid.” He raised his voice slightly as he then called a greeting to Ling. “Good morning, Ling.” He swallowed and then rushed into an obviously prepared speech. “We are come to apologise for the events of last evening. You were correct in your assessment and we and the girls are suitably admonished. We are all on extra chores and we find that really we have gotten away lightly. We are here this morn to beg you to reconsider. Before you were conscripted, your contributions to village life, Brid, were much valued.

“And we can only assume that the excellent pukan music we heard from here last night was produced by Ling. Mayhap we could persuade him to teach some of us?”

… … …

“Steward Berm!”

“Milord Olva! ’Tis a pleasure to meet you once more. It has been quite a while. But I must warn you, if certain factions know you are here, then plans might be drawn to … dispose of you. You, as one of only two known-to-be-surviving Counts, would represent a severe danger to several of the would-be-warlords that shall arise, all vying to take control of our land.”

“You seem to be well ensconced in this fortified mansion, though?”

“Indeed Milord! We have made it a rock, nigh-on impregnable. The surrounding houses and businesses are all loyal to Count Darkwin and none may get through the gates without hindrance.”

The Ambassador coughed slightly and half shivered, which immediately made Berm aware that he had been somewhat remiss.

“May I offer you some refreshment, Milord? I am sorry I have been slow to do so!”

“Some pel would be a boon right now, I deem.”

Berm turned and snapped his fingers at the serving girl standing against the wall to the left of the crackling fire in its large fireplace. Orlet was initially annoyed at the finger-snapping but swiftly realised that it would add to her disguise, for surely the Steward would never snap his fingers at anyone important.

“Master Berm?” she said as she approached and curtsied respectfully.

“Orlet, would you be so kind as to arrange for some pel for our guests, and mayhap some pastries?” he asked, turning his head once more to his chief guest.

“Some pastries would be nice,” acknowledged Olva.

Berm turned once more to the girl and nodded a confirmation.

Orlet curtsied neatly and turned away, her ample figure demanding attention from the men all gathered there.

“Put your tongue away, Frang,” growled Berm, once the door had closed behind her. “She is not for you. Trust me on that one. And anyway you are spoken for, your mother tells me. Housemistress Orlet is employed by Count Darkwin here in his home while he recovers in a secret location. She too is spoken for - elsewhere.”

Frang blushed but looked Berm unflinchingly in the eye. Who looked back, inspecting the lad more closely. “You have matured in the past week or two. I see a more manly carriage, signs of more self-confidence. Congratulations.”

He turned back to Olva. “Milord, we are ready for your inspection, as we said downstairs. Things are still uncertain generally in the country but I have managed to persuade several influential people that the Count Darkwin is currently too ill but is still very much alive.”

“Indeed, Steward. I did understand the cryptic message you sent with Frang here. And if I deem it practical, if all conditions are in order, then I would indeed be prepared to rule until the Count achieves his majority. I would be prepared to swear an oath to that effect. But I feel from all that you have said, the country is not yet free from turmoil. And ...” he broke off into thought.

“And?” asked Berm after a lengthy pause.

“Yodan forces are fighting on downvalley, according to my latest bulletins and reports. Some of my information sources suggest that even the Yodan populace are very unhappy with their leaders. They feel rebellious. There will probably be a revolt in their own country. That shall spell the end of their … vindictive rule. The end is in sight, it can be in a short while or in a long while, but it IS over.”

“I deem that right now I can be of more service to this country if I return to Faralmark, where my communications are already all set up and where their ruler, Simbran, has been very open with me. You have things in a certain amount of control here, and I shall be able to learn more when I am up in Bibek. Were I to remain for the moment, then my reports would be cut off and any learning of what is going on around would be silenced.

“If the young Count appears, then I shall of course rush back and help him. I deem I should stay for a few days only, then return to Faralmark.”

“Talking of the Margrave Simbran, you should be aware that he is due to spend the night here in this mansion tonight as well.”

“Do you say? This is intriguing. I do know him very well actually.”

“So said Woltass when he told us last evening. Apparently the Margrave is under passage to deepest Palarand and will inspect Faralmark forces here in Faralan this evening before discussing matters with whomsoever he finds that might be in some sort of control in Upper Fanir.”

The men discussed the situation for a moment or two more, whilst Wallis and Frang talked about family matters and what had happened in the uprising.

Just then, Orlet returned with a large tray of pastries and sufficient empty mugs for everyone. She placed them on the table and turned prior to leaving again to fetch the warm pel.

Frang had broken off in mid-sentence as his eyes watched the girl.

Berm shook his head at Frang’s behaviour while Olva narrowed his eyes, concentrating keenly on the girl as she left the room.

The previous discussions continued until Orlet returned with the pots of warm liquid. Again, there was a silence as the men all watched the girl cross the room. Her twitching buttocks and wobbling breasts had quite clearly touched something inside Frang. His eyes did not leave the girl who showed no sign of having noticed.

Berm signalled to Wallis that he should usher the boy out, leaving just Berm, Eginet, Olva and the girl in the room.

The silence stretched until the door closed behind the two, Frang sending a last lingering look at Orlet, who did notice that time. She blushed and looked quite flustered as she cast her eyes downward. Her fingers fiddled with the necklace around her neck, the coloured glass on her finger and that on the chain competing for attention.

… … …

“You both are most gracious. We apologise for our younger ones once more.”

“We shall see if the apology lasts from them, but we are prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt.”

“Indeed so. If the village evening next week is also disrupted, then we know that we fathers will apply harsh corrective actions.”

“When we landed, I was pleased with the reaction and the welcome back. I noticed that Ling was also accepted with many words such as ‘Of course’ and ‘Your friend is our friend’ and the like. Not a week has passed, and the story is now radically different. We didn’t even get round to selecting a spot for Ling to occupy, let alone start the building of it. You will forgive me if I take your words with caution. I would prefer to leave rather than disturb further our village traditions.”

“That’s harsh – but, I confess, fair. We…”

“SOLDIERS! On the trade route!”

The men swung round to pay attention to the youth who was running urgently towards them. As urgently that was as the narrow path through the marshy ground allowed.

… … ...

Olva looked at Berm, then glanced at Eginet. Berm reassured him that he could go ahead and speak his mind in her presence.

Olva led the two adults across to the fire just by where the girl was standing.

“Master Berm, I understand now a lot more than I did earlier. You have indeed done well, you and your wife here.”

He turned to Orlet, and looked her straight in the eye: “Milord, how can I serve you? How may we work together for our land’s benefit?”

Orlet’s eyes opened wide. “How…?” Her face paled.

Berm took over rapidly. “Milord Olva, ’tis difficult enough for Count Darkwin to maintain such a disguise. We are trying to help him by NEVER referring to her as anything but in the female form. She has daily lessons in deportment and mannerisms and we address her as Mistress Orlet at all times, that she might become fully accustomed to answering as such.

“I should point out that had we even begun to understand the underlying difficulties we were, and indeed are, creating for ourselves, then a differing path would have been taken. The more we do it, the more we need to continue doing it.

“But that is now in the past, and must be lived with. All those in our family know of the pretence, naturally. My brother does too, and here in the mansion we required another to be brought into the circle of those aware. Once out in public, as it were, then we could not allow my daughter to continue to have to react with someone who wasn’t actually female …” Eginet nodded vigorously “… in the most intimate areas. We could oversee all that when we were in our small home, but not here. So Darkwin’s old nurse Janani has been included. Others might suspect, just as you did, but none have actually asked or declared. Oh – and we needed one of the seamstresses to create a passable wardrobe for the girls. She too is aware of the deception. And is oathsworn to secrecy.

“But we have a great advantage with doing things as we are. In this way, Dar… Orlet, can be present at most meetings and learn much without being obvious. Indeed, she may hear things that people – who naturally dismiss servants as being of no consequence – say outside of the formal meetings! We have discussions amongst ourselves and I am happy to say that I find myself implementing nearly all of … Orlet’s suggestions. On occasion, Eginet and/or myself have managed to explain other things and Orlet has agreed with our proposals.”

That thought had obviously not occurred to Olva beforehand, and he started thinking hard about it. All were aware of what was happening and gave him time to contemplate.

… … …

“They’re not Yodan,” hissed Brid to his two companions. “Those colours must be from Pakmal. Quite rapid reaction from them, surprisingly. It’s only years since we invaded their territory up the Watercourse valley.”

“You must know more than we!”

“The Pakmali leader is renowned for shilly-shallying. He is laughed about for his indecision. To see those troops here must mean that things are going even worse for Yodan forces than I had heard.”

He lapsed back into thought.

The trio watched the troops continue along the Trade Route. About one third of the way along the column, someone pointed out the side road that led down to Klyhill. A man swung his frayen round and rode back to an obviously senior officer, judging by the colours and plumes he was wearing. The officer’s group all stopped and gathered round as another trotted up brandishing a large piece of parchment.

This was obviously a map as subsequent events showed.

The trio watched the several moments it took for a decision to be reached. A small squad of two hands or so was detached from the main body and they turned into the road, whilst the main force continued. The trio crawled back slowly before standing up again when shrubs and trees obscured them. They broke into a trot and headed back to the village. In order to accommodate wagons across the marshy areas, the road made a long loop, studded with frequent bends. The narrow and twisting path the trio were following, which involved a fair few hops across boggy soil, was only about one third of the distance, so they knew they would be back to the village well before the military detachment reached there.

… … …

Lunch was cleared away, Count Olva having declared himself satisfied with his accommodation, and Woltass adding his approval of the arrangements for his men. The rest of Olva’s travelling group, including Frang, had been shown to Berm and Eginet’s old home. They ate there.

Woltass went off to gather the very latest status to report to Margrave Simbran later.

That left just Berm, Wallis, Eginet, Chara and Janani with Orlet and Olva.

It was Orlet who started the discussion: “Milord Olva, how did you know?”

“Milord ... Housemistress … oh this is very difficult.”

“And how difficult do you deem it is for me? ‘Housemistress’ is fine, indeed is a must for these troubled times. I am doing my best to live my life outwardly as a humble Housemistress here in this mansion. So, for now, no more ‘Milord’s.”

“Very well, Mistress Orlet. So shall it be. ’Tis easier for my brain to cope with the visions I see. And you are indeed most convincing.”

“But what gave me away?”

“The ring you are wearing, and the necklace,” he replied with a grin. All the others gasped. Orlet looked quizzically at him and was about to ask him to expand upon that statement when Olva chose to do so himself. “They were a present to your mother.”

“How could you know that?”

“The present was from me!”

“Ah!”

“That made me observe you most closely. And there were tiny little indicators, tiny little mannerisms that were just off for a natural female. The use of fingers and wrists for example. A certain clumpiness in your gait; you are a little heavy on your heels from time to time. Women are generally lighter on their feet than you demonstrated, although so much of you is very good indeed. When you sit, you are slow to close your knees together. Women tend to often close them and then sit, smoothing their skirts under their rears as they do so. Or they bring them together immediately their weight is settled. A hand tugs the hem of her skirt, and smooths the skirt when she stands again. As I said. Little mannerisms.

“On the other hand, your shape is excellent and you have managed to learn to move it femininely.” He laughed. “Poor Frang is much taken with your shape and your … wiggle.”

Everyone laughed at that, except Orlet who just blushed and confessed: “I don’t know what I should do about that.”

Olva grinned. “You should do nothing differently, I deem. Every young girl must learn to handle such situations and I am sure young Chara here will teach you how to keep him, and other men, at arm’s length - until such time as you want them closer.”

This just made Orlet blush more.

Berm joined in then: “I will keep him away as much as I can. Perhaps I should send him back to his family in the east.”

Olva jumped in there. “I must speak with you about that. I am formulating some plans for that young man. He has impressed me greatly.”

… … …

“Impressive!” The elder showed his appreciation of Ling to Brid.

The village had received sufficient warning to slip into their well-rehearsed procedures to minimise interference from outsiders. The basic tactic was for the younger men to take to the waters in their boats and to disappear onto the big river, hiding in various spots amongst the river bank reeds. This left the older men and the women and children, most of whom were hidden in huts to try to minimise explanations, to meet the soldiery. Brid took it upon himself to check all around that no tell-tales had been overlooked.

Ling had swiftly grasped that he had no boat to escape on so would have to remain to play the injured soldier returned home. He sent all the boatmen to their huts to gather belongings while he saved valuable time by lining up their boats for them.

As soon as the ‘escapers’ had departed, he and Brid had swiftly bandaged themselves, with dirty bandages of course. Brid slipped a stone into one of his shoes to ensure he limped heavily, while Ling grabbed a stave to represent a crutch.

They had a hand of moments to attend the arrival of the troops, during which time the elder men hid anything of value, rendering the entire scene one of simple poverty, with the villagers barely capable of eking out an existence. All acted surprised when the soldiers suddenly appeared round the bend. Two of the women dropped the heavy cauldron they were apparently carrying up to the fireplace from the river’s edge. The water burbled out and spilt into the ground as the two hugged each other, appearing for all the world to be terrified. Brid knew that they actually had short swords hidden about themselves ‘just in case’.

The men swept to the centre of the village, eyes darting everywhere, on the lookout for an ambush.

One pointed at Brid and the elder: “Who’s in charge here?” he demanded with an exaggerated clarity of accent which suggested that either he thought they were too stupid to speak properly, or they would not understand him if he spoke normally.

The elder piped up: “That there’d be me, then. Who be you?”

“My name is Ufo. I have the honour to be an underofficer in the Pakmali Army of Liberation.”

“What be ye wanting?” Brid briefly wondered if the elder was overdoing the simpleton-speaking-in-a-country-accent act.

“You Yodans have created far too much trouble for others in the Great Valley and ’tis time we other nations put you in your place. We are searching for sign of your forces.”

“Pssshhh. Them belong to the Overlords, Maker rot their souls.” He hawked and spat on the ground. “Not seed any of them for months, ever since thems surprised us and conscripted all our fightable men. ’Ad no notice of where them be, or even IF they be. ’Cept for these two what is come back, too damaged to help around the village.” Another hawk, another spit. He waved his hand. “Feel free to look around. And if yer can suggest a way we can make life easier, then we’ll listen.” With that he stumped over to a log they used as a bench and sat down grumbling to himself.

Across to one side, another of the older men flung open the door to a hut and gestured the Pakmalis to enter with a sweep of his arm and a deep bow.

… … …

Berm opened the door to the meeting room with a deep bow, and a twinkle in his eye. Olva too offered a deep bow along with a twinkle. Orlet made a very credible deep curtsey and twinkled back at the two of them with a very feminine look upwards through her eyelashes. A little shiver ran through her as she found it suddenly quite exciting. It was becoming all so thrilling on an unaccustomed level.

“Mistress, you had better not do that with Frang around. He might burst!” Olva said as he shook his head. She blushed again, but secretly hugged to herself a little warm feeling deep inside.

She went to close the door behind the three of them but Janani coughed meaningfully. The three leaders looked perplexed.

Janani said: “A single young woman alone with two men?”

Their brows cleared and Orlet beckoned Chara. Janani coughed once more. They all looked again in her direction.

The old nurse looked around and lowered her voice: “A single young woman alone with THREE men?”

Eginet said simply: “I have duties elsewhere right now. And need Wallis’ assistance if Berm is going to be tied up here.”

“Very well,” said a decisive Orlet, “Janani, you should also attend.”

So the conference started with five people in attendance.

It started, but not in the way that Orlet had expected.

“Mistress Orlet, I would fain learn the story of your remarkable deliverance.”

“Milord Olva, ’twere simplicity in itself. The Yodans overwhelmed the house guards and rushed up to kill my parents and myself. One little fellow, named Kalvo, swung a stone club and broke my father’s knee. As he went down, the club descended on his head. Mother went to hold him, to nurse him somehow, to be with him, although I now realise he must have been killed instantly for his brain matter was exposed through the shards of bones. Kalvo’s club descended on her head with just the same sickening results. He was bent over her, taking her necklace and rings, and my father’s rings when I lost my senses, I must confess. I ran over to him in a high temper and beat his back with my fists whilst I scrabbled to get at his sword.

“I shall never forget the laugh with which he simply plucked me from his back and threw me into my mother’s lifeless breasts. He raised his club and I remember it descending.

“The next thing I knew was months later when I awoke, and I was wearing a dress, and my head hurt and my shoulder hurt and these strangers were looking after me. ’Twas all highly confusing. And then someone came in that home, someone I recognised. For ’twas my father’s steward Berm.

“And thus began my education in becoming a girl. And the re-education my muscles and limbs required after lying abed for so long.”

Berm spoke then. “There was just a little more to it than that. I myself was knocked unconscious off to one side of the room, but came to to see the Countess being murdered. I watched as the young Darkwin rushed across in his forlorn attempt. I winced as the club was raised. That Kalvo was obviously an expert wielding it. I learnt later that he named himself Kalvo Skullcrusher. Just then a Yodan officer called out and ordered all the men down to the gates, telling them of a counter attack coming in. Kalvo’s attention was taken from his blow and he merely glanced the side of Darkwin’s head, crashing into his shoulder instead. But the blow was sufficient to bring forth blood from the head. And brain matter from his parents had splashed over the lad. Kalvo assumed he had done his usual efficiently murderous job. I have my suspicions as to who the Yodan officer was, for he was never actually seen and the soldiers found no counter attack when they got to the gates.”

Everyone looked at him, their eyes demanding more information.

“Soon after that, one of the Yodan guards spoke with me privately. He claimed he was sickened by the Yodans’ behaviour and wanted to establish some communications methods so that we were kept informed of anything he could think of that we would need to know, as far as his sources could stretch that is. We soon found out he was able to be trusted and our neighbourhood was the safest part of the entire town from then on, within reason. He had to show occasionally that he was a Yodan patrolman, so some things had to be punished.

“He was passionate about bringing Kalvo to justice for his crimes, for Kalvo loved to molest the local girls too, and our man swore he would not rest until Kalvo was dealt with. He informed us at the end when Kalvo would be alone and unlikely to be missed immediately. I confess to you now that we combined together a group of almost two hands. Kalvo was immobilised and we each took a turn stabbing him. After three rounds, it was obvious the scum was dead but none of us know the actual blow that killed him.”

A great silence filled the room then, until Count Olva broke it: “And what happened to your informant? Was he able to get away safely?”

“That he was. We kitted out a boat for him to take and watched as he rowed away. He had a young lad as his new partner so we put on a show for the lad of chasing down to the riverside when they took the boat, just in case the pair were caught by the Yodans. Then the lad could only report his innocence. I know not if they escaped the Yodan warships. I’m sure that Brid was canny enough to do that.”

… … …

Brid watched the soldiers ride away. They had conducted a cursory inspection but found nothing – for the simple reason that there was nothing to find. The elder, Brid and Ling had trotted up the narrow path across the tussocks in the marsh to the top of the slight hill that gave their village its name. There, amongst the trees and shrubs were a hand of huts which looked to be in poor repair – but which were actually well appointed inside. For this elevated area was where the village retreated to when the rains raised the river level to make the lower area awkward.

From that vantage point, the watchers could see the entire sweep of the wagon road all the way to the distant Trade Road. By the time the trio got there, the soldiers had managed maybe a third of the way. They were not hurrying which was probably an irritation to the large detachment of the army that had been left to await them.

But even as they watched, that large detachment boiled into a heap of activity and mounted up before trotting off to the north along the Trade Route. Brid didn’t need to be told what had happened. Obviously the van of the army had found someone to fight.

They kept their observations up until the ones that had visited their village reached the main road and were briefed by the soldiers who had been left behind to convey orders. They all then hurried off to the north as well.

The trio then returned to the village, Ling and the elder not trying to get anything out of a deeply pensive Brid.

Brid remained quiet the entire evening, letting the others do their returns and tidying up all around the village. He grunted a few times when Ling asked him if he wanted anything and he muttered some thanks when one of the women served him a platter for his evening meal.

Everyone just shrugged their shoulders and left him to his own devices. Occasionally he would mutter words that didn’t seem to make much sense when considering a connection, but such were the gaps between them that no-one even tried to string a sentence together with them.

“Island”.

“Trade Route”.

“Big battle?”

“Peasants ready?”

“What happens after?”

… … …

“What shall we do afterwards?” asked Orlet.

Their discussions had been long and very wide-ranging. Orlet’s education had been expanded beyond belief. Eginet had rejoined them a little later while Berm, Olva, Janani and Chara had all joined Orlet from the start; they had been seated now for several bells and the broad outlines of governing Upper Fanir had been agreed upon.

Olva would be pleased, nay proud, to be Orlet/Darkwin’s mentor and guide. He would first have to leave to return to Bibek, there to close down his organisation and affairs. Berm and Eginet could continue, with Wallis, to exert control and educate the young noble. Olva would return as soon as circumstances permitted.

“You have managed very well so far. You have established this place as a centre of authority and there are welcomed foreign troops billeted here to afford you some extra protection to that afforded by your outside supporters. At the moment, I deem the various parties vying for a larger say in matters are all squabbling with each other, which gives you time to establish even more of a presence. I shall return from Bibek probably in a couple of weeks.”

“You speak wisely, Milord.”

Orlet then piped up with a question or two: “This Margrave that shall arrive shortly. How do we address him? Should he be met formally at the dock? And …” she said with a faint blush whilst waving her hands down her body “… should he be informed of my - what shall we call it - duality?”

“That last is a tricky question that requires some thought, I deem. The first, however, is easy to answer. He is referred to as ‘Your Grace’ until such time as he relaxes the formalities. As for the second question, then I deem it would not only show him honour, but it would also bestow an importance upon both yourselves and upon him when the citizenry see his reception.”

Berm and Eginet nodded sagely at that last point and began an open conversation about the composition of the welcoming committee. Olva also agreed to go along as they all agreed he was the sensible one to make the initial introductions. Of course, the Faralmark forces would also be present, so a messenger was despatched to find Woltass or a senior aide to ask what arrangements THEY wanted.

It was decided that it would be too difficult to have Orlet also in the welcoming party. She would have to wait until Margrave Simbran the Younger was settled into place here in the Mansion. And, reluctantly, they all agreed to keep Count Darkwin’s presence a secret from the visitor. Olva had expressed his confidence that Simbran could handle the revelation, but revealing it might mean too many other ears got wind of the ruse.

… … …

“So Ling, shall you travel with me? On a map, it seems as if the river goes straight towards the north-east, but there are constant curves, sweeps, sandbanks and so on that our route shall be far from straight. It then curves to the right and heads north through several bends before it splits on the point of what used to be Lower Fanir island. I shall there follow the right fork, keeping the pure Yodan shore on our right hand. I know not how far we shall travel, but almost as soon as the river comes together once again, there lies Yod City. Which might be tricky to negotiate. And beyond the City are also several disputed pieces of land. I suspect that they – which lie opposite your home – shall also be difficult to get through, with so many forces arrayed there.”

“And your mission is to persuade the Yodan peasantry to rise up against their rulers? You are engaging in sedition?”

“For a concerted action at the right time, yes!”

“Then indeed I shall accompany you! I approve of your sentiments, I acknowledge the dangers of our actions and will actively assist you!”

“Not to mention that you shall thus travel a little nearer your home, huh?”

Ling laughed. “Well there is that bonus too.”

… … …

“And where IS Mistress Orlet, Mistress Chara?”

Chara coloured slightly but answered swiftly and surely: “She has some matters of a female nature to deal with so early this morn.” She then clapped her hand across her mouth and coloured even more.

“Excuse me for embarrassing you. My impressions last night were that the two of you are very close friends. I was surprised that the Housemistress had not turned up to escort me to Count Darkwin but had sent you to do so in her place. I had not anticipated that my feeble attempts at light conversation as we make our way to the Count would be of a more … intimate nature than I intended.”

“Your Grace, it is I who must apologise. Mayhap I should have concocted some story rather than just blurt out the truth as I did. But alas my brain is just a feeble woman’s and I could not conjure a sufficiently intricate story so swiftly. And you have been so nice and considerate with us, I forgot for a heartbeat that you were not a part of our family.”

“I find myself inordinately pleased that you could consider it so. But come, Mistress. Let’s put this behind us. Tell me what you can then of living under the yoke of Yod.”

“There was one patrolman,” she started bitterly, “we all particularly disliked, not simply because it was he who had murdered Count Herik and Countess Silet, but because he was generally a most unpleasant man. Several of the girls around here were assaulted and their fathers could do nothing about it. The man himself had a dreadful way of undressing you as he stared at you, practically drooling.”

“Oh! How dreadful. I suppose you must have been happy when the Yodans left so swiftly?”

Chara coloured and looked uncomfortable. Somehow, Simbran knew she was lying to a certain extent when she said; “Oh yes, Your Grace. That was a happy day indeed.” And yet there could be no denying that the last sentence brought her both great joy and yet also great sadness.

“Curious!” he thought and then opened his mouth to try to ascertain a little more. He had no time however to take that conversational thread any further as they had by then arrived at Darkwin’s door.

Somewhat hurriedly, Chara knocked perfunctorily and ushered the Margrave in, saying to the Margrave: “Someone else will await you, Your Grace, when you come out, and shall bring you to the breakfast room.”

Chara then performed the introductions and scuttled out of the darkened room almost without stopping.

“Very curious!” thought the Margrave briefly before concentrating upon his latest surroundings. He looked around and saw that the room was darkened to a far greater extent than he had anticipated. The figure of the Count was sitting hunched in a well-padded chair off in one corner, wrapped in what appeared to be several blankets. Behind the chair rather than beside it, a single candle was alight, whilst two other corners had flickering flames on long handles. In a wider part of the room, better illuminated, Count Olva raised a hand in greeting.

Simbran, as politeness dictated, addressed himself first to the beshadowed invalid: “Good freshness, Milord Darkwin. And Milord Olva.” he added as he swung his head around to the second Count.

Darkwin replied, in a voice that somehow sounded rusty, as if its use had been recently very infrequent: “Your Grace, so kind of you to come and visit. I am so sorry for the lack of hospitality on my part, but that wretched Yodan who killed my parents, slammed both my head and my shoulder. I am improving but it all seems so very slow, not like the active life I had before all this.”

“Milord, I am grateful that you have found the time and strength for me. I will keep this visit to pleasantries if you desire, but there are some weighty state matters that mayhap we should discuss. I will, with your permission and if you so desire, delay these until my return, for I am underway on a river trip down to Palarand. I could call back in here on my journey home and provide details of those matters I discover whilst down there with King Robanar? Or we might profitably spend a little while now discussing what I may be able to do for you whilst I am down there. I shall be meeting most of the leaders of the lower Sirrel countries.”

“Ah! I understand. Hmmm, I should have liked to have a little longer to think on these matters and to discuss them with my advisors.” Olva and Darkwin exchanged looks. “So mayhap, we could indeed await your detailed report upon your return. My country has been gravely wounded by the invaders, and I must first think of how we are going to rebuild and regain strength – just as I must do myself.”

“A most sensible reaction, Milord. Should I discuss anything in greater detail with Milord Olva before I depart this very morn?”

“I deem that maybe ’twould be a sensible thing to do, but only if you have time.”

“Yes, time is so very important these days, is it not?”

“When the Yodans were here, it seemed that time had slowed down and we all suffered as if in a durance most vile. But even those hard times came to an end, so I deem we have all learned far more about patience than ever we expected to. So mayhap, when you are with the others downvalley, you could ascertain just what they intend to do to prevent anything like these Yodan atrocities from ever reoccurring.”

… … ...

And so it came to pass that Simbran left Darkwin to his suffering shortly after that, and he and Olva had some discussions about the depths of various political matters and thoughts as to the progress of the war. Breakfast was scarcely noticed by the two as they continued their dialogue.

No more mention was made of the domestic arrangements in the Count’s Mansion and soon the passengers of the Spirit all gathered on the jetty next to the vessel. It came as a small surprise to Olva when Simbran had a quiet word with him just then.

“That housekeeper business intrigues me, Olva.”

The Count’s brain worked feverishly. He was oathbound not to reveal more of the Orlet story and yet he felt the Margrave might spend a while trying to get to the bottom of the matter. His long association with the Margrave meant that he knew the man exceeding well.

Olva made sure the Margrave saw him look carefully around before replying in a whisper: “Your Grace, the natural leader of Upper Fanir is now Count Darkwin. Several ambitious men might try to dispose of him, so his very whereabouts, indeed his very existence, has been kept in doubt. I assure you that Darkwin is in fact making some good decisions.”

“Yes, that was my impression when we met him earlier this morn, before we all broke our fasts – but I still understand not how the young Count, who according to Steward Berm may be shortly elevated to be a Duke, can make such decisions. How can he have knowledge of each of the sides of an argument?”

“Ah! Very good. You have picked up on that. Well, I can happily tell you that the Count is kept informed in great detail because every meeting of importance, every word spoken, reaches his ears via Mistress Orlet.”

Simbran’s eyes widened. “Ah!” he breathed. “Clever!”

Olva was left uncertain as to whether or not the Margrave had actually understood the full picture.

---