“Her father isn’t sure exactly what went on, but he believes one of three things. That Jedena refused the duke, who had Kirion twist the girl’s mind into compliance. With her mind twisted, even when Shastro fell out of love, Jedena couldn’t, so she hanged herself for her lost love or she killed herself in despair at what she’d been made to do. Or the duke seduced Jedena, then threw her over so brutally the girl felt she had nothing more to live for. Whichever way it was, the old man blames Shastro. According to Varra, he’s breathing fire and threats.”
“Ineffectual ones,” Keelan commented. “I seem to remember Carmorskeep is poor. It’s a week’s travel away by coach at this time of year too, and the roads will soon be impassable by that method. The old man will probably rant and rave awhile, then it will all blow over. But how stupid of Kirion not to have taken the love spell off the girl. He could have done that and blurred her mind or something. Made Jedena believe she’d been in love but had fallen out of it like Shastro.”
Hadrann was looking serious. “There’s more to it than that, Kee. Jedena was keep heir. She was the only child. Carmorskeep looks to the Coast Clan. Worse still, its lady is close kin to Franzo, and the keep is actually hers, not her husband’s, which is why Jedena would have inherited. Under clan law and with the heir dead, keep lord and lady must choose an heir from amongst the clan. There’s very little doubt who they’ll choose.”
“Who?” Aisling was interested. “And why will that affect things?”
“The who is a boy named Lorel. The why is because he is Franzo’s youngest son. Franzo and Carmorskeep’s lady are half brother and sister. They’ve always been close. He’ll be deeply distressed over young Jedena’s suicide and just as upset to see his sister’s grief. Knowing Franzo, if or once his son is formally named as heir, he’ll feel he should avenge Jedena’s death. He’s been at the gates of Kars with an army once already. I think he could be back here in spring with another.”
“In spring?”
“Franzo was a professional soldier. He won’t be silly enough to start anything at the beginning of winter.”
Aisling stood, stretching. Wind Dancer chirruped from his seat beside her, and she stooped to stroke him. Her mind received a clear picture as her fingers touched. It was overlaid with a hopeful wistful-ness. She straightened, her face lighting suddenly.
“Wind Dancer’s just asked why we have to spend winter here? Let’s go home, back to Aiskeep. Hadrann, you’d be welcome to come with us. Oh, Kee, let’s go home. I miss Aiskeep so much. I want to see Grandmother and Grandfather again. I want to see our friends. I want to laugh and not feel that someone is always watching in the walls in case I say something treasonous. I want to be me again.” She drew the word out in a soft humming hunger. “Hoooommme. Let’s go hooomme!”
Keelan groaned. “Aisling. Yes. I miss Shosho and everything else you said too. If we left in the morning we could be back in a few days.” He turned to his friend. “You could come with us. Go on and stay with your father awhile then return, whatever you wanted. But I know we’d be very happy if you spent time at Aiskeep.”
Hadrann was considering. “I could spend a couple of days, but my father’s old. He’d like to see more of me than he does. I’ll ride with you, stay three days, then go on to Aranskeep for the winter. Maybe I can come back in spring before you leave, and we can ride back to Kars together.”
Aisling had walked to the door to call the guard. “Find my maid please, tell her she is required. Start getting ready in the stables. We plan to leave for our keeps in the morning.” She shut the door and looked at them. “One other thing. Who tells Shastro he’s losing us for the winter?”
Hadrann grinned. “You can. Give him that speech about how much you miss your home. He’s sentimental.”
Aisling’s answering smile was rueful. “Just as long as he isn’t sentimental about us staying in Kars.” She went to change into a more formal robe. That was something else she’d enjoy about being home: it would no longer be necessary to change her clothes for almost everything she did. Court etiquette required clothing that ranged from casual to very formal and the appropriate level of garb for each occasion. Aisling was bored with it all.
In Aiskeep she could spend the day in riding clothes if she wished. There was no need to dress for breakfast, change to ride, change for lunch, change to spend time with an acquaintance, change for the evening meal, and change yet again for a later court revel—and that was a minimum, she thought. If you did more, you had to change more. She could recall days when she’d had to change her clothing as often as every second hour of the entire day. She bit back a groan as she flung off her robe and reached for a formal gown. Cup and Flames but she wanted to be home again.
Her maid pattered hastily in, and Aisling was caught up further in trying to dress, do her hair, and give orders all at the same time. The maid’s face fell as soon as she understood she’d be unemployed over winter. Aisling understood the look. She made a quick estimate as she brushed out her hair. She flicked a glance about their suite and asked a question.
“You also help Lady Hirrisyn. Does she remain in Kars over the winter months?” The girl nodded. “Then you will spend the winter with less to do.” She saw the girl’s lips thin in annoyance. What good was more time if you had no money to enjoy the time? In winter the palace would be chill. With no money to buy fuel, the maid would be cold and damp. Aisling continued, and as the maid listened her face lit with pleasure.
“I know what it will be like here in winter,” Aisling was saying. “I want you to do us a favor. We will be leaving many of our possessions here in the Aranskeep suite, as will the Lord Keelan, my cousin’s friend. If you will stay here, keep the suite warmed and cared for, we will leave money with the fuel merchant. We will pay you one third of your usual wages for the time we are away. I will give you half of that before I leave; the other half I will leave with the Lady Varra to be given to you the day before midwinter.”
She watched the maid’s happiness. “Is that satisfactory?” The girl was nodding before the question was completed. She’d be warm and comfortable in a noble’s suite all winter. She’d have less coin, but she wouldn’t have to pay for fuel either and she could let her rented room go for the time. She would be doing half her usual work and in the end she’d have as much coin as if she were caring for both ladies. Moreover if she made a good bargain with the fuel merchant they could both slip a few coins extra from the lady’s purse. Aisling understood all that.
Aisling had grown up in a keep. She knew the economies of a maid’s life. The girl would have a wonderful winter. Aisling would have to remember to give Varra the money for the maid. She would also leave the girl a small midwinter gift to be given with the coin. She finished her hair with the maid’s help. Then she sat and scribbled briefly before reaching for sealing wax and her ring. She turned, offering the sealed note.
“Here. This says what I have asked you to do. It says you have the right to be here caring for our rooms while we are gone. If anyone disputes that show them this letter. To make sure you are safe I will leave a copy with the Lady Varra. Go to her if you need and, in any case, for your payment before midwinter.” The elderly Varra would enjoy helping. She adored having a finger in any pie.
Aisling swept out, leaving her maid beaming and clutching her letter. Shastro was not so happy. He whined and complained. He would be lonely without her. The palace was always dull over the winter. His companions bored him. Aisling snorted.
“You’ll be surrounded with sycophants all competing for your attention; you’ll hardly notice my absence.” Shastro grinned, the truth for once amusing him.