Time for chapter two

(12-12-04)

Berec stood in the kitchens scouring the largest of the cast iron cauldrons, a bit of sweat on his brow, on account of all the steam. He was used to the task at hand, seemed that one day out of two he was up to some mischief that landed him with kitchen patrol. He didn't really mind the work. He'd grown up in a bakery. Dishes had been part of his upbringing. Across the room, Gentry was stacking a new pile of fire wood for Mistress Narelle. She walked over to inspect Berec's work, arching an eyebrow at him as she did.

"Is that the last one Berec?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am." he assured her. She nodded

"You may go then." she said.

He quickly left the kitchens before she changed her mind. He had that funny feeling again, something was happening. Something important somehow. On his way out into the courtyard he pulled on his green coat and ran up to the parapets to the watch post in the gatehouse.

Gideon, who was on watch, grinned at him. "Did you expect a visitor?" he asked Berec as he gestured out towards the horizon. Berec spotted a single rider approaching from the East as Gideon pointed.

"I just had one of those feelings." he said softly, not really expecting the older man to understand. Gideon nodded anyway.

"Go let the Commandant know a woman is coming." Gideon said after looking through his spyglass.

"Yes sir." Berec said as he took off at a run to do so.
*********************************************

Keygan rode up to the gates of Arsenal. She called up to the gatehouse. Gideon called down to her, asking her name and business. She called back that she had a letter for the Commandant. She did not give her name. After a time Berec and the Commandant came up to the watch post. Gideon told the commandant what he'd learned so far. The Commandant ordered Berec and Gideon to open the gates as he started down the stairs.

**********************************************
Keygan stayed on her mount as the gates opened. A lone man came to stand at the end of the drawbridge furthest from her, once the gates were wide. He was an older man, wearing non-discript simple grey woolens, his tunic had a hood which was lowered. His boots were soft grey suede and made no sound on the draw bridge as he strode to the halfway point and gestured for her to come forward. She dismounted and slowly led the horse, making her way to him.

"I understand you have a letter for me." He said once she reached him.

"If you are the Commandant." she replied.

"I am." he said smiling.

She withdrew the letter from within her coat and passed it to him.

He read it through intently and studied Keygan for a time. "It seems you'll be staying for a time." he said wryly returning the letter to her. Her head drooped slightly momentarily. "Come with me." the Commandant said gently before turning back towards the gates. Keygan followed.

The gates were closed once they were inside. Berec took Keygan's horse to the livery, while she walked with the Commandant to the kitchens.

They took a table in silence. "Stormingbyrne....." He said softly, " An old house, though I thought the line had died out, Is it your name by marriage, or your maiden name?" he wondered out loud.

Keygan's eyes met his curious gaze." It is my father's name, I have never married." she told him a twinge of contempt in her voice.

Tell me of your father Keygan, Is he any relation to Timodeus Stormingbyrne?

Mistress Narelle walked over to ask what they wanted to eat and drink before Keygan could answer. The Commandant asked for a bottle of mulled wine. Keygan asked for hot tea.

Timodeus, my father's uncle, I knew him not.

"Ah, Belsarius is your grandfather then, I did not know him, except by reputation." the Commandant said as Narelle left to fetch their requests.

I did not know him either, He died before I was born.

The Commandant nodded. " I gather you have no fondness for your father?" He asked her.

None.

"You know nothing of your forbearers except for him do you?" He inquired puzzled.

She only nodded. "If I am to be staying, how should I call you?" She wanted to know.

You may call me Jerle, but if you ask after me, the Commandant, or Commandant Nidoma will do. Did you read the letter?

She shook her head.

He sighed, then spoke," Lucius is very vague in it, he only asks me to look out for you and give you lodging till he can join you. Are you willing to tell me what you've become mixed up in?"

Keygan began her tale from the beginning, she started with her childhood and filled in the details up until now. She talked long into the night. Narelle came and went with wine and tea several times before apologizing to them both before going to bed. Once Narelle left the kitchens Jerle refilled their drinks as needed. Keygan told him things she had never told anyone. She felt at ease with him, in a way she had never felt with anyone before. He did not interrupt her, he only listened with pointed interest and watched her with soulful eyes.

By the time she finished talking it was nearly dawn. Early grey filled the sky." Let me show you to a room." Jerle said. Keygan nodded as she realized how weary she was.