Julina gets the feeling that events are carrying her away.

---

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 © 2013 - 2020 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 - 2020 Penny Lane. All rights reserved.

---

I woke up as usual and dragged my feet onto the cool floor. There was sufficient of a chill in the nights now to make it time to fetch out the crude slippers we used during the darker days of the year. I put them in the back of the cupboard once the mornings got warm enough each Spring. My sluggish brain tried to make a mental note to do that later.

I grabbed a coat to huddle into and gave Kords a shake as I passed her bed on my way to the bathhouse. She would get up to poke the various fires into life that I had made sure were properly banked before we all went to bed.

I was in full automatic mode as I slobbed my way along. I opened the door and crossed the short distance to the bathhouse, which was attached to the kitchen area. I shuffled over to the door and swung it open - and was suddenly fully awake! I expect the rest of the house was too as I gave out an involuntary scream.

The bath facilities were fully lit, fully warm and some real hot water was there, ready for use. As were Swayga and Father, the latter of which said: “Surprise ’Lina, we have got everything ready for you to have at least a hot bath for yourself in the morning. I can’t think when the last time was you had a comfortable start to the day. I shall leave you two women alone for now, and I will go and get started in the kitchen.”

He went to the door now behind me, opened it and turned with a soppy smile on his face.

“I knew you could not break your habits just like that — not at first. So enjoy yourself for once and …”

“Oh be off with you man! You’re letting the heat out with that door open,” interrupted Swayga.

Papa grinned and bowed, before swinging the door closed behind his retreating back.

“So how long has it been?”

“Just over four years now. Kord was just a nipper, the poor lad, when Mama went. The first few days were awful as Papa was so devastated. One of us had to start getting things organised, and I was the eldest so I pitched in and got a routine going for us all, which seemed to help everyone.”

I trailed off as Swayga gently removed my coat and indicated I should remove my nightdress and get into the warm water in the bath. I realised that they must have been up for at least a bell already to get this organised. I was sort of surprised that I had slept through it all. I lowered my naked self gently into the — yes! Scented — water. I had a pang as I realised that I had never done this since I became the housewife. I watched as Swayga disrobed and climbed in too. It felt strange to bathe with a stranger but she was nearly my mother now… I felt a tear start but clamped down on my emotions by thinking of other things — usually I would plan the day at this moment, starting with what I had to do for breakfasts.

Suddenly, I was nervous about Papa doing things in my kitchen and I tensed up, sitting upright, but Swayga held me gently and hushed me as she indicated that she would wash my hair for me.

“No. I can’t wash my hair this early. I have too much to do and I can’t trail around with wet hair. It takes a good two bells to dry, there is so much of it.”

“Hush, little miss. That’s MY responsibility now. You can just watch from the sides and point me in the right directions. So you can wash your hair with no qualms. And if you stay in the kitchen warmth, it will dry a lot quicker. My goodness, it IS long isn’t it. You know you have the sort of face that would suit the Baroness’ hairstyle, have you thought of cutting your hair shorter? And who cuts the others’ hair? You, I would guess? Not that it’s wrong in any way, just that my impression of you is that you would save coin wherever you could. Was that a nod?”

I nodded again more deliberately, but it was awkward as her hands were massaging my scalp and neck. Then they moved to my shoulders and started kneading. Oh, it was heaven! I was so tense without realising it. I had not had this treatment since Mama … Suddenly, I couldn’t hold back any longer and I just sobbed and sobbed and sobbed.

… … ...

It was nearly to the noon bell when Papa mounted Judd. Our doe frayen, Trumpa, was due a rest as she had been with Papa on his travels for the past few weeks; she looked on with what I can only describe as a puzzled expression on her face. All of us humans were quite amazed too, as Papa now had one of the new-fangled saddles and he consequently sat higher and straighter - far more authoritative. Judd simply exuded an air of smug delight mixed with a tinge of appreciation.

Swayga, Kords and I were red-eyed as we waved Papa off for his week or so away - but that may have been from the big sob-session we had this morning. Kords had rushed into the bathhouse to find out what was wrong, and we all three got wet together, from tears and from warm water. Something had shifted inside me - I felt afterwards as if I had finally said a proper goodbye to my mother - and we all three formed a bond there and then. I was still incapable of entirely trusting Swayga, she was still a stranger really, but the three of us did bond in some indefinable way.

We selfishly occupied the bathhouse for a good half-bell as the other two encouraged me to share my feelings and insights of the younger ones, of the house, of the family, of chores, of everything that had become my housewife life, thus rooting me back into reality but with the knowledge that my knowledge could be shared - this last was an unlooked for and unexpected benefit. Kords was quite amazed as I listed a host of little things, like Kord needing to always have his stuffed cuddling pakh within a stride or two. She hadn’t ever noticed that, but realised that I was right. She got embarrassed when I mentioned some of her little quirks but was forced to confess that I was right in these areas too.

It was very strange indeed to take an observer’s role during the morning as the chores were done. I sometimes suggested other ways of doing things, most of which Swayga appreciated and adopted - there were a couple of things where she demonstrated her way was slightly more efficient and I had to mentally kick myself for not thinking of them. Kords explained that she was happy to assist Swayga in everything for at least up to my coming of age, according to Papa’s wishes for me to be as carefree as possible. Looking back, it wasn’t until after Papa had returned from his exploration trip that I actually relaxed into my new role - the younger ones were very confused to start with, and were thus extra clingy with me, but theirs was just a childish mistrust of change. I had to intercede on Swayga’s behalf on only a few occasions, and just once did I have to gather them all together and lay down the law. Whilst still maintaining a natural suspicion. I was more and more won over by the woman, and felt more secure in my father’s taste and sense. I, perhaps reluctantly, began to suspect that he had chosen wisely.

… … ...

And so it came to pass that I had my first totally free afternoon since my mother had died.

Swayga made her first executive decision and stated that she was going to insist on a bell’s period of peace and quiet, preferably of sleep, after our noon meal every day, starting from the moment that everything had been cleaned and put away. I remembered that Mama had often insisted on a rest period, and I was most forceful in telling the kids that Swayga was right, and that they had to try their hardest to keep quiet during that period. It was a clever move on Swyaga’s part, knowing that it would be unpopular, but at the same time sensible. It was a good way to get them used to her authority.

I had long since learnt to impose harsher terms than I wanted, so that when I relaxed the terms, it seemed they had a small victory and we all ended up being happier about it. Swayga adopted the same tactics by originally demanding a bell and a half, and settling on the bell she wanted all along.

Thus it was that I found myself alone, with no tasks and no chores to perform, wandering round our tiny town, intent on being able to go peering at the changes under way. I had also intended to tell Molly, Kelly and Gyth my momentous news first, but that was not to be.

I chose, this time, the route down the hill to the Claw, prior to walking up to Kelly’s to break the news there. But, on the north corner of the Claw where the lane joined Main Street, was a group of three who hailed me as I neared.

“Well met, Mistress Julina,” called Mistress Yanda, as a way of introducing me into their conversation.

“Well met, Mistresses Yanda and Sukhana, Master Michen.” I replied with a nod - somewhat formally I was aware, however Mistress Sukhana was a relative stranger to me.

“Are you come here for your chores, Julina, or have you time to add your fine wisdom to our deliberations?” asked Michen.

“Oh no, not really, Michen,” I saw the others eyebrows rise as I addressed him so familiarly, “I have no chores today. Indeed very few in the near future! I will always have time for you as you know well, but I have great news - my circumstances are set quite on their head. Suddenly. As of last night …”

I proceeded to explain the changes at home which explanations were greeted with many gasps and sighs and other expressions of awe. Then I was shocked to hear Mistress Sukhana laugh in her very attractive way.

“This town! It just gets to me! We were just discussing a problem for you, Master Michen, when the solution just walked straight up to us. There is something in the air or in the water up here, I swear it, or Mylady Garia sprinkled some otherwise unknown dust around that concentrates the minds.”

Michen’s face changed as the realisation of what Mistress Sukhana had said dawned on him, and Mistress Yanda laughed and nodded her head in agreement, as she breathed: “Of course! Such a perfect solution too!”

My face must have shown my confusion and so they all tried to explain at the same time, until Michen claimed priority: “My house, my topic!”

The others calmed down and let him take the lead.

“Julina, my dear. I have decided to change my life a little. This arm no longer supports my past life too well. I have come up with an idea that may be of benefit to the town and was just asking these two ladies for their opinions. I can see with the increasing population that there will come a requirement for increased eating and drinking establishments. The house into which my father and I have moved, with your family’s much valued assistance my dear, was used in the pakh-wool high days, as a private drinking … er … club, if you will, with access by invitation only. Food was also offered but only if ordered the day before, and thus I have decided to resurrect this usage. But I cannot cope with the cooking as well. These two ladies have no objection to the scheme as I could not proceed without their approval, intending as I am to take some of their business, after all …”

Mistress Yanda and I looked at each other and raised an eyebrow as we gave each other a little grin, which I was sure was missed by the other two.

“… and so we were just discussing how to go forward, when you came along. YOU could be my caterer! I know first-hand of your skills. And it would be a wonderful way for you to earn some coin. Please say you will!” he finished by pleading.

I decided to tease him a little: “But Michen, you must remember that I am not an adult …”

His face fell. I let the pause build some more before continuing, “… for another three weeks!”

We all burst out laughing which attracted the attention of some others who were around, but they nodded to us and allowed us some privacy as we did not indicate that they should join us.

“I would be delighted to work for you, dear Michen. Thank you for your trust. But there is a lot more to talk about before it is final. I wish to learn more of my letters and numbers and there is a trip down to Tranidor to make - I have to arrange all these things. And Master Jepp has been pressuring me to help somehow in setting up the school Mylady, our Baroness, wants to start.”

“Oh it would take me some weeks to get everything set up for the food side, so there is no rush. I need to make sure we have cooking pots and tableware and drinking vessels and so on and so forth. It takes just under a week for orders to reach us, if I have to send down to Tranidor. However, I will go and tell Father that we can start our little scheme. I’m sure that our potential clients will be understanding that we need to get opinions from them before setting up the catering side, so we can use that for our advantage. Yes, I shall get things started immediately. Oh how delightful! Ladies, I shall take my leave.”

He was grinning widely as he bowed to us, before swinging round and almost skipping up the hill towards his home.

I turned to the other two and was at first disconcerted by a very calculating look on Mistress Sukhana’s face.

I glanced at Mistress Yanda and she indicated that she didn’t know any more than I, why the other lady should look quite like that.

Mistress Sukhana’s face changed into a sort of grin as she said slowly: “There’s a women’s circle in this town isn’t there? And you’re both in it! You both glanced at each other as Master Michen outlined his plan and neither of you were surprised. I bet this idea of his isn’t actually one of his, is it? You women thought this out a while ago, I’d wager. Ah, I see from your expressions that I am right. Now then, you don’t have to worry about me being not in this group of yours - after all, I have only just arrived and wouldn’t even think I should be included … yet!” she finished meaningfully.

Mistress Yanda and I both confirmed her interpretation, and she grinned knowingly. She was about to go, when I called her back. I had wanted to talk with her for some time, and Mistress Yanda’s presence would also be a potential benefit, as she could add an objective view.

“So Mistress Sukhana, as you are aware, Master Michen’s old house up there above the town has been chosen as the site for this new Community Hall. In order to build it, they need an access road, but the best route for that means that our present house will have to be removed. Master Bezan and I have been over the plans and we have decided upon the layout of our buildings. But we would not have anywhere to let our animals wander - we have two frayen, a buck and a doe, Judd and Trumpa are their names, and we also look after Dralla, Michen’s doe. I was going to ask you Mistress Sukhana if we could use your large paddock across the back lane behind the Claw? Our new house would be backing onto the fence after all.”

She thought for a moment or two, her face reflecting the facts as various thoughts whizzed through her head. I was beginning to get nervous that I had done something wrong but then a grin spread again across her features.

“Oh I’m sure we can do better than that. Why don’t you stable your frayen in the Claw’s stabling and then just deal with them as you normally would from there? I’ll keep an accounting of anything that you use, and you can have that at its cost price. It would be so much cheaper for you that way, and I would have someone to go riding with if I can persuade you up on your animals' back or backs.”

I think my enthusiastic nodding told her clearly what I thought about being able to ride.

“Would that be acceptable? That way you can have an extra room or two for your new house, now your family has expanded.” She trailed off briefly as another train of thought went through her head.

“Oh! And maybe I could let you have a hand of strides width all the way along the north side of the paddock, then we could use that land for the two of us to grow vegetables. That would provide your family with some supplies, and my wagoneers' kitchen as well. Yes, that sounds like a good arrangement for us both. And you will have easy supplies for your catering work at Michen’s. The advantages multiply by the heartbeat. Oh do say you will!”

I was shocked that I hadn’t thought about the new house and fitting Swayga into it just yet, I had just assumed she would move into father’s room. But I did see the advantages very quickly, and I shook Mistress Sukhana’s hand on the deal, and thanked her formally.

“Oh, my dear, I’m not so stuffy. Just call me Sookie like everyone else does. And I’ll call you Julina. Is that acceptable?”

Mistress Yanda also said something similar, and suddenly there were two more friends on my list. And my brain was racing feverishly as I could see a start to increasing the family’s coin.

Just then, I saw someone ride a frayen up towards the Bell. It was someone I needed to talk to now.

“Oh look. There’s Master Bezan. I must go and tell him of the changes. Excuse me, Yanda and Sookie. I will run to catch him before he disappears again.”

They waved me off and I scurried to where I had seen Master Bezan turn into the Bell’s courtyard. I did indeed manage to catch up with him, and I hovered as he was finishing a conversation with someone else.

“… and I really need to understand the water system in this town in great detail. Otherwise there will be even more delays. I know we are in a warm climate area, but winters can still be cold enough to be disruptive, I have heard. We have so much basic work to be done. I think that you should move the building team up here tomorrow. The roadhouse is well enough appointed now, and the mining won’t start in real earnest until the Spring, so I think we need to get on as much as we can while the weather permits.

“We have some of those joined corner walls just waiting there until the expansion starts again. We can use those to save some time up here. I would very much like to get the groundwork close to being finished, if not actually finished, before the year ends. It will be camping for your men again, I’m afraid, at least until we get the miners’ quarters squared away but, you must own, 'twill be luxury camping conditions compared to many other sites.”

“Yes, sir. I’ll get that in hand. Expect us the morning after the next. And we’ll bring the unused pre-built modules as well. We’ll have notice aplenty of any requirement for the roadhouse expansion.”

“Good man!”

He turned to me, having acknowledged my presence earlier with a little hand gesture.

“Mistress Julina. Well met. Are you waiting for me?”

“Well met, Master Bezan. I was indeed hoping for two or three hands of moments of your time. I wish to report some potential changes to our house plan, nothing drastic, but just wanted you to be aware.”

“Oh very well,” he said with what seemed to be a grudging tone. “Oh - that didn’t come out right. I’m sorry, I’m quite tired - and I have a lot on my mind. I didn’t mean to be curt. Why don’t you take a seat in the common room and order some pel; I’ll just go up to my room, make myself comfortable, change out of these work clothes and come down to you - say half a bell?”

“As it pleases you, Master Bezan.”

I went into the common room, but nervously, very aware I was an unescorted female - but yes, I may just have passed by the flat looking-glass on the way and perhaps spent just a very short while in front of it. I found a secluded corner in which to sit and sip my pel whilst waiting. I caught some quizzical looks from other patrons but they stopped when Mistress Yanda came in from outside, saw me sitting there and came across to sit with me, chatting away merrily before leaving when Master Bezan arrived. In such an open room, it was not too bad to be 'alone' with a male, for there were several other females around.

“So, Mistress Julina, again I apologise for the somewhat peremptory nature of my earlier remarks and attitude. I am much refreshed now and dare say that one of Mistress Yanda’s ales will put the final polish to my recuperation.”

He waved at Yanda and made some elaborate mime which she seemed to understand for she smiled and nodded in return. Sure enough, barely two moments had passed when one of the girls brought a foaming tankard over to our table.

I commenced my report to him with the news of the fact that I was no longer the mistress of my own home, to which he expressed his sorrow and shock before I had fully finished the explanations - but I convinced him that it was in fact a good thing. I then explained how that would change the requirements of the layout and then continued to add the information about the stabling of our beasts and the vegetable planting. He graciously acknowledged that the information was valuable and that perhaps a slightly better layout could be achieved. He also thought that maybe Papa and Swayga would need a private sitting room sometimes and I realised that that would be a splendid gift to them for their spousal present. He also added that he had been speaking with a relatively new arrival named Rindal, who was anxious to plant some fruit trees. Here was a golden opportunity to start some of HIS experiments. Yes, all around this seemed to be a good idea.

He then continued with a slightly surprising statement that got my immediate attention.

“It is most frustrating though that I suspect the works may be delayed significantly from our plans. It may not now be until Spring when we can complete the new place for you. I have discovered that I lack some vital information. The lack of which is likely to delay all the building projects. I just don’t know how to solve it at the moment, and it’s getting really most frustrating.”

“What is the problem, then, Master?”

“Oh, I don’t suppose that you will understand, my dear. It’s a matter of the water supply.”

“Oh, you mean directing the water to the houses from the Cistern?”

His attention sharpened as he looked at me in some surprise. “Do YOU know something about it? I need to understand how the water gets around, all the way from the dam. I understand the basics but not the details. The designs of our expansions are very dependent upon these details. What do you know, may I ask?”

“Well actually I know how the water gets to the Cistern and how that flow is regulated!”

“You do? How on Anmar can that be so?”

“Ah! I have some contacts here in our small community that maybe you do not. Tell me, does the name Deegrum mean anything to you?”

“That name seems familiar. For some reason I also associate it with that of your father. And a few others. Now why should that be? It must be Assembly business. Assembly. Assembly. Hmmmm … Why in the Assembly? What would … Aaah! We pay these men from town funds. So why do we pay this Deegrum?”

“His family have passed down the responsibility from son to son for generations - the responsibility for dam and aqueduct maintenance. And he is the last of his line.”

“Oh Maker! Why didn’t I know? Where is this man? How can I speak with him? Oh, thank you Mistress, this might be the break I needed!”

“Well I must caution you. Maybe Deegrum won’t talk with you!”

“What? Why?”

And so I repeated what I have relayed to you in an earlier tale.

(‘Older’ Julina says: She is referring to number 02 in this set of tales.)

And Master Bezan was sensitive enough to take all this information into his cognisance.

“Would you consider being with me, Julina when I meet him? It is vital that I get the information. We may have to split the aqueduct to have a separate feed for the upper houses we are going to need. It makes no sense to bring water down only to pump it up again. And then maybe … Oh, sorry. I hope this isn’t too technical for you?”

“Oh no Master. Your explanations are so clearly made and you have kept things simple enough for even me to understand. I do have a question though, if I might?”

He shook his head as he replied: “Women and this town have redefined my attitudes, I must confess. So I look forward to your question with interest … and a little trepidation!”

“Well … allow me to set a little background first. As I understand it, the water comes from the dam, which collects it, and it is then directed to the Cistern?”

He nodded so I continued, “… and the water is delivered from there to the houses?”

Again a nod.

“I have made the assumption that there would have to be a similar, second Cistern that would be needed to feed any houses that are built on a higher level than the existing town?”

A further nod, slower this time as I could see his mind engage a more technical gear, allowed me to ask my big question. “Well, it has always worried me that the existing Cistern is a building that has no human function. I have always wondered why the tank area couldn’t be beneath something useful. Couldn’t we make the basement of the new Community Hall the second Cistern?”

He looked at me shocked, and swayed back in his seat. He opened his mouth to speak, but then just shut it again. He tried to speak two or three times before he eventually managed it.

“Maker!” he breathed. “Mylady was right! Maybe we really should have a woman or two on the Assembly. I doubt if any one of us old men would have found such a simple idea. We would have looked for complicated solutions.”

He shook his head once more as he continued: “The whole town should probably thank you for this Mistress - I certainly thank you upon their behalf. Now, if I understand your circumstances properly, you have no duties at your home. So I would like to invite you for a meal here this evening at the town’s expense and ask for your help to speak with Deegrum. Would that be acceptable?”

“Er … My goodness! … I have never not been at home for a meal. Um … I guess it would be alright. At what hour should I attend? Oh no! What should I wear? I don’t really have any fine dress for evening wear. Oh, maybe I should refuse.”

The Master laughed and with a wave, summoned Mistress Yanda over. He rapidly explained the situation and she also laughed.

“Be here at the seventh bell, Julina, and I shall help you. Don’t be late as Deegrum usually gets here at the eighth bell to eat. I will be less busy that early. We usually get most busy at dusk, which is just after the ninth bell at this time of year.”

“As it pleases you both,” I replied faintly, wondering what it was I had got myself into. Mistress Yanda then added that she would send one of her ‘urchins’ as she called her young runners to my home to tell them I would not be there for the meal that evening. Why did I feel that the whole world was running away from me and that I had no more control over anything?

“Right then, that’s all decided. I must be off to speak with Master Brydas about how those truss experiments have been going. I shall see you later Mistress Julina. And you Mistress Yanda,” said Master Bezan as he rose and gave us a little bow before striding out purposefully.

I suddenly felt as out of breath as if I had run all the way home and back.

“Julina,” said Yanda, “a lot has just occurred, so I suggest you pop up the road to tell Master Michen. A fair amount of the changes wrought in the past bell directly affect him after all. And you don’t need to feel uncomfortable in the common room of an inn. When you return at the seventh bell, come round via the courtyard and send someone to tell me you have arrived. Just stand up for a moment though, and stand with your back to mine that I might compare our sizes.”

I did all that and was waved off when I enquired about paying for the pel. I made my way across the common room, waiting for a few heartbeats as a young woman from across the Bray turned and twisted in front of the looking glass, before I could have my turn to do so.

By and by, I found myself knocking on Michen’s door.

His housekeeper let me in and ushered me to a sitting room, in which Master Morden was gently snoring. I was shocked at how frail he seemed to be. It was only recently that they had come to dinner, and yet there was a noticeable difference in his skin pallor. He was breathing regularly though and it did not seem laboured to me.

I suppose I sat for a hand of moments, keeping silent, when I heard a quiet throat-clearing from the door. I looked up and saw Michen beckoning me and signing that I should keep silent as I followed him. He led me to a room of surprising understated charm, and somehow larger than it at first seemed.

“This would be our room for the invited guests for that scheme of mine I was telling you about earlier.”

I suppressed a grin about him thinking it was his idea as I looked around at the very nice room. I could see the attraction of this venue as opposed to the common room at the Bell. I asked him about the storage and serving facilities for drinks, and asked him to show me the kitchens - all the while keeping him updated about the arrangements that had been made since we met in the street a little over a bell ago.

“Oh Maker,” he surprisingly interjected, “I believe that Mistress Sukhana is right. Things that look like problems suddenly seem to solve themselves just with a shift in mental attitude. It MUST be something in the water or the air. Now, let me explain; I have damaged my arm again in all this moving and regenerating this house - oh no, it’s not so serious, it has just set me back some weeks in the recovery process - which has presented me with a problem as Dralla needs exercising. YOU could ride her and make some excursions with Mistress Sukhana. I will come up to the saddlers with you after we are finished here, and get him to change my new saddle to fit you, and leave making mine for a few weeks - I assume you know Master Waldan?”

I nodded - and nodded even more vehemently when he asked me if I would like to be able to ride.

I was more and more convinced that this day was spinning faster and faster out of control - more and more vistas were opening up for me and it was still early in the afternoon!

I finally needed to ask him to show me the toilet facilities, as that pel had worked its way through quite rapidly. He ushered me to that area and I was pleasantly surprised to see, for the first time in my life, that these facilities were segregated between men and women. This gave me yet another idea for a change to the designs of our new house, there being five women in the household now, and just three men.

After I had finished, I was just ‘tidying up’ when another thought sprang into my mind. There was a small water pipe sticking out of the wall with a strange-looking (to me) spigot at the end. Michen had assumed I would know what it was and had casually told me to make sure it was twisted shut when I finished, which was sufficient of a clue for me to be able to use it. I squealed a bit as I twisted it open and the water pressure shot a stream out with far more force than I expected. I filled the bucket provided and swilled down the hole area I had used, when I suddenly thought of a slight improvement to the system in that we could have a bucket with a bung in it, affixed to the wall below the spigot so that users could wash their hands in water, then use the bung in that bucket to fill the sluicing bucket. There would need to be a drying cloth available of course. My mind was occupied with refining my initial thought.

I turned to the door and went to open it, but it only opened a little way before there was the scraping of a sharp pebble on the tiled floor and the door jammed. I was just not strong enough to shift it either way and had to call for help. Michen came along fairly quickly and between us we managed to clear the blockage and get the door open. There was quite a scar in the tile underneath and Michen knelt down to investigate it. I twitched my skirts out of the way and stepped delicately past the kneeling figure as he fumbled with his one good arm. I offered to do it for him and knelt down myself, using both hands as I ran my fingertips on both the floor and the door bottom. I needed the door to be opened a bit more so asked Michen to move.

Michen went to stand up.

There was a loud ripping sound and his tunic was torn all along a seam - I had been kneeling on the hem without knowing it. I was naturally upset my clumsiness had damaged his clothing and was going to apologise profusely.

I let out a gasp of surprise as Michen frantically tried to hold the edges together.

It was too late. I had seen his secret.

And I had seen that he had seen that I had seen.

It was a secret no longer and I was unable to pretend not to have noticed, which was what had been my first reaction.

Michen had gone as white as a fresh snowfall and I have never seen anyone look so scared in all my life.

---