“May I— May I stand?” I stuttered. “Sire,” I added.
“As you wish. Now, it would seem, you are the leader of this group of women.” Then he paused, as if weighing his words against the presence of those in the room. “Or it would seem you are the origins of this priestesses of Agnes trick.”
“It was my idea, yes,” I said.“Sire,” I added again.
“I have always liked the writings of Agnes of Eccleston,” said Thalia to no one in particular. “Smart woman."
Peregrine spoke as if she had not. “The captain seemed to think you were the head of this… order.”
The tension in the air was palpable.
Again, I tried not to glance towards the fireplace, towards the slender soldier leaning on it, his gaze still on the floor. After a moment, I realized the prince was waiting for my response. “I am head scribe,” I began. “Or I was. And I managed many other women in our scriptorium. So… So I, just— I felt it was my responsibility—” I cut myself off. In my pocket I clutched at the hagstone, reminding myself to breathe. “It was my idea and it worked. They did not cut us down. I felt it was my responsibility to continue… to continue the ruse.”
“I see,” said Peregrine, congenial. “I believe, whatever earth magic in you, you will be a boon to Cian what with your scrivener skills and ability to… manage.”
“We will begin your training, lady,” added Cian. “I believe you will, as the prince declares, be of service to Mother Earth. In many ways.” And he smiled at me, a genuine, welcoming look that almost surprised me with its courtesy. “We will meet the morning after your wedding day.”
This time I did dare a glance at Alric. He remained motionless, not a muscle moving, but, his face still angled at the floor, he looked up at me. And with that downward tilt of his head, his gaze was loathing.
I looked away, down at my left hand with its ranunculus.
Cian, likely sensing the need to brush over this, continued. “I look forward to our discovering your exact penchant.”
A knock on the door came and it opened, Zinnia stepping in, guiding a timid Catrin.
I turned towards her extended my right hand, pulling it away from the hagstone.
She walked quickly to me, taking it. We stood together, facing them.
Peregrine introduced himself to her but not the others. “May I guess that you are the Tigon woman the Lady Edie mentioned?”
I had been right. Her breeding made an impression.
“Yes,” she replied, head held high, if her palm was sweaty.
He nodded. “My mother has a fondness for Eccleston malachite. I believe it comes from your family’s copper mines?”
Catrin made an agreeing noise in her throat, belying her nervousness.
The prince gave her a smile and I caught the appreciation in his eyes as he took in her face and that bright red hair. “My mother is the dowager Queen Modwenna. She can be difficult, but also can be tamed in the right company. My brother has allowed for her to have many ladies in waiting, but I would prefer someone of my own choosing attend to her as well. I assume you can read and write, perhaps assist her in correspondence?”
“I can read and write,” said Catrin. Then, “Yes, I can assist in those tasks.”
I squeezed her hot little hand.
“Excellent,” said the prince. “Zinnia, will you see that the Lady Catrin is introduced to the queen tomorrow? She can keep her place in the staff dormitories for now. Who shall we place next?”
This last was directed to me. “Bronwyn and Eefa, sire. They are grandmother and granddaughter. Could they find work together?”
He nodded and Zinnia walked towards us, reaching out to take Catrin’s arm.
“Is this alright with you?” I whispered in Catrin’s ear. “I was hoping they would offer you something without labor.”
“Yes! Yes, thank you, Edie,” she said in a relieved hush.
When they had gone, Fletch cleared his throat and spoke. “They be the older lady and the youngest girl, Lady Edie?”
“Yes,” I said.
