Mrs Bellmar was not amused about being forced to teach Astrid Politics or Statecraft. Astrid knew this to be a fact as Mrs Bellmar spent the entire lesson telling her about it.
“It’s not my place to say anything about Lord Draynon’s choices, and I really shouldn’t say anything,” Mrs Bellmar said in a voice that could have easily commanded troops across a battlefield.
Astrid feared that the buxom Mrs Bellmar would say something, and that particular something would be extended.
“Why a young girl such as yourself needs to know politics and such is beyond me. Young girls should be concerned only with sewing, cooking and catching a suitable husband.&nbs
Astrid found the Women’s Etiquette class to be as bad as she feared and her thoughts meandered as Mrs Bellmar repeated the ‘women are servants’ speech again. She is Princess Astrid Nara Katrall, the true heir to the Kaltharian throne. Does she really want to be a Queen? People have sacrificed their very lives and outlawed themselves permanently for her. Just for her. She remembered all the risks she had taken with her own life as a thief, never knowing that thousands, maybe tens of thousands of people depended on her.“Miss Astrid,” Mrs Bellmar called. “What are the two main duties of a woman?”
“Brian,” Sigwulf called as the older man ran past.“In your office,” the man replied before he disappeared into the swarm of people scurrying everywhere.Sigwulf grumbled as he stalked into his office and collapsed onto the chair behind his desk.He picked up the letter on his desk and scanned through it.Sigwulf,Be informed that we are conducting an investigation of all reports relating to the following...1) Galadon Knights,2) The Katrall family,3) Reports of large numbers of people moving into forests across Kalthar,4) Sounds of large groups of voices in the forests,5) Anything else relating to the above.The functioning information you gather is to be placed into three annals.
Serra let Astrid borrow her dark green blouse and white skirt with matching green trimmings. The blouse had long sleeves with flared cuffs and gold coloured cordage braiding the front together. The heavy cotton material was perfect for the cold of the tag end of winter.“You seem partial to green,” Astrid noted, looking at her reflection in the mirror after the pair had spent the better part of an early morning rummaging through Serra’s extensive wardrobe.“What else matches red hair better? It’s either green, black or occasionally blue. Deep purple can look good if I’m feeling daring. Anything else looks drab by comparison.
It was the next afternoon and Astrid was just heading to tend to Swift when she saw Sigwulf gallop his horse into the compound. He leapt from Kann’s back and sprinted past her, casting her a quick glance as he ran past into the fortress.“He’s in a hurry,” a male voice murmured close behind.“Quite,” Astrid replied, tensed, and turned to look behind her to see the owner of the voice.A tall man that appeared to be only slightly older than her was smiling. “My name is Sir Berwyn. You’re that new girl I heard about. You’re from Derrell aren’t you?”Astrid nodded. “Astrid Chance.”
At Draynon’s orders, Sigwulf left the stronghold early the next morning to return to his office and keep an eye on any more orders about excavations of Galadon or Katrall history. Sigwulf was dressed in his administrative uniform of royal blue tunic, black hose and black half-boots. He thought that he was the first to arrive until he caught a flash of scarlet in his office. Briefly wondering if he should go to the staffroom first and find a hot tea, he quickly thought better of it and walked straight to his office where he greeted the Kalash Priest, his superior, it rankling that he had to pleasantly greet the man rather than killing the blood drinking scum.“My Lord,” Sigwulf said formally, bo
Astrid squirmed in her seat as Draynon stared at her. He stood up and walked around the desk to sit in the chair next to her.“Please tell me. Tell me about the knight, and you being my daughter. What other tales have you been spinning to keep us all safe, my little Astrid?Astrid looked up at the ageing knight who had been there when she was born and was now looking at her with a fatherly expression. Tears welled up in her eyes and she gave in. Astrid told him everything. Astrid sat in the chair, a warm cup of tea in her hands as Draynon stared out the window, watching the knights practising at the archer
“Ask quickly,” Astrid said in a strained voice.“Sir Wilson, my name is Lord Draynon.”“I know thee, friend,” the body replied in a voice that sounded as though it was far away. “What be it thou wish of the dead.”“You have the second half of the pendant of the Katralls. Where is it?”“Thy Princess be here?”“She is in the stronghold as we speak. Where is the pendant?”“In mine book. There the answer shall be found.”“Which one?”“Mine time groweth short. I must import to thee a warning. Beware the dark one.
Astrid awoke to the sensation of a cool cloth being placed on her forehead. She stirred and opened her eyes.“Good afternoon, sleepyhead,” Mary said quietly.“Mary?”“Yes, tis I,” the girl replied with an airy toss of her head.“What happened?”“I have no idea. Sigwulf brought you here yesterday and you’ve been asleep right through the night and until this afternoon. Serra said that Sigwulf told her you had fainted. Would you like a drink? Annabelle has just brought some chilled water up with some sliced lemons for taste dropped in it. We’ve been taking