“Mother, I simply refuse to eat cabbage.” Ophelia crossed her arms and made herself a comfortable seat on the kitchen counter.

Cassandra poked her playfully with a wooden spoon. “Well girlie, you don’t have to eat anything at all. Starvation is always an option.”

Gillian smiled distantly and said, “Ophelia, please make yourself useful and grab some garlic from the pantry.”

“No, because garlic tastes funny. I would prefer herbs like rosemary or basil please.”

“How about little girl herb, hm? All we need to do is boil you alive.” Cassandra said seriously as she stirred a pot.

“You can’t boil me. I’m important.” Ophelia said matter-of-factly.

“That just makes it taste better. Now, listen to your mother or I might get a craving. Go!”

Ophelia smiled and walked to the pantry, but not before looking quickly over her shoulder at Cassandra.

Gillian gave a low chuckle and whispered to Cassandra, “Any more of that talk and she’ll avoid you like the plague.”

“Aye, the weans are gullible these days.” Cassandra’s smile wavered slightly. “Gill, I’m-“

“No. Not here.” Gillian said.

Before Cassandra could reply Ophelia ran back into the kitchen and handed her mother some Garlic. “Mother, if you're going to make a big dinner tonight could you please put some of my favourite stuff in?”

“Like what?”

“Sweet potatoes, fish with sage and garlic, um.” She smoothed her hair out of her face and began to rummage through the ingredients scattered through the kitchen. “We could use some vinegar to make the deserts better.”

Cassandra nodded and helped Ophelia sift through the foodstuffs, giving and accepting advice.

Suddenly hot bile rose in Gillian’s throat. Her jaw clenched and she turned her back to them, busying herself with preparing the gravy. Her mind trod through places unkind and unpleasant as she pinched pepper and sprinkled flour. She did not understand why she could not allow herself to be happy. Whenever she gazed on her children at their most childlike, most precious, what should have been pride and joy turned to sickening ice in her chest. Her grandmother had explained that she was simply easily cloyed, but Gillian knew that someone was wrong with her. She was ashamed of her disgust, she could not help it.

Her rumination was broken as she saw a small creature climb into the garden by the stone fence. She peered through the window inf front of her, gravy forgotten. She did not think it was an animal, but it was definitely not a grown man. She grabbed a rolling pin and explained to Cassandra that she was going out to reprimand a street urchin who had snuck into the garden.

She strutted out into the garden and hitched up her dress to avoid it getting dragged through the dirt.

“I saw you sneak in. Come, reveal yourself and I might give you some bread.” Gillian stared into the small hedge that lined the wall, but she couldn’t see any movement. Had the child ran inside while she wasn’t looking?

A rustling sound came from behind her, and a small, thin boy with his hands behind his back and dirt smeared all over him sidled into her vision. “Hello, lady Gillian.”

“Dast? What are you doing here?” Gillian said.

“I followed you from the house. It took me a while to find this place, but I did.”

Gillian stared at Dast and then checked if anyone was looking. She leaned down and whispered harshly. “Dast, you’re not supposed to be here. There is a reason you were not invited to come with us.”

Dast brushed the mop of unkempt hair from his eyes and crossed his arms defiantly. “It was my thinking that if someone takes a kid out of an orphanage that the kid belongs to that person. That means that you're not allowed to abandon that child.”

“Dast, you…” Gillian did not have a proper response to give. She tucked the rolling pin under her arm and chewed the inside of her cheek in thought. “I suppose you can stay,” she said without looking at him. “Except that you must stay out of the sight of anyone that isn’t me, Cassandra, or Ophelia. At least for now.”

“Who’s Cassandra?”

“She’s inside. Follow me.”

They walked into the kitchen, Dast hiding nervously behind Gillian’s skirt. Cassandra nudged Ophelia to warn her of the new guest.

Gillian put her rolling pin down and pushed Dast out from behind her, leaving her hand on his shoulder. “This is Dast, you might recognise him, Ophelia?”

“The annoying one?” Ophelia said.

“Ophelia!” Gillian gasped. “Don’t be rude. He’s traveled all the way from our old home just so he could stay with us.”

Cassandra bent down and looked Dast in the face. “Did you walk distance Dast?”

“I hopped on some wagons along the road, but I mostly walked.”

“How did you find your way here?”

“Well, I got to the city by hitching a ride with a beet farmer going to sell his stuff at the market. I found my way here by travelling to where the houses looked nice but where the guards didn’t kick me for no reason. I went to a tavern and asked around and I was pointed to this place.”

“A tavern? What are you, ten years old? Who let you in?” Gillian exclaimed.

“Nobody let me in, I just went in.” Dast looked around defensively. “I asked where the Landoran family were and they said you were here and so I am here. End of story.”

Casandra patted his head kindly. “It’s ok. You're welcome here Dast, and welcome to eat as well by the look of you. We’ll just have to speak to Master Duncan and Master Hal when they-”

“No.” Gillian interjected. “Hal… didn’t get off on the right foot with Dast here and… um.” She crossed her arms awkwardly.

“Oh. I see.” Cassandra looked Dast up and down sadly. “Hal’s not such a nice man, is he boy?”

“Hey, that’s my dad you’re talking about,” Ophelia said.

Cassandra gave her a stern look. “Ophelia, it’s your job to take care of Dast now. You better play nice, or it won’t be a pleasant experience.”

Dast scoffed. “I’m bigger than her, why is she looking after me?”

Ophelia seethed with the insult. “Well, dirty Dast. Do you know about the monster that lives on the third floor?”

Dast looked sceptical. “Monster? I’m not an idiot. You’re lying.”

Ophelia laughed. “Well, when it comes for you tonight I can at least say I warned you before it slices you into pieces.”

Dast took a step closer and said with feigned casualness, “And how would it do that?”

“It has claws this big.” Ophelia walked out of the room with Dast behind her, paying close attention to her every word.

“Bloody rabble-rousers.” Cassandra turned and took Gillian’s hand tenderly in her own. “I can feel that something’s wrong with you Gill. You can tell me.”

“I’m fine.” Gillian thought for a few moments and shook her head dismissively. “Please, the gravy will burn.”

“Sure,” Cassandra said.

They cooked in silence until their husbands arrived and it was time to set the table. Gillian went out into the main room to call for the children and was handed both Hal's and Duncan’s coat. They were both chatting enthusiastically about their agenda for the Council of Inquires.

“So, we have Corbin building connections in Boran and Jacques in Northern Skogur,” Hal said.

“Right.” Duncan fell back into his favourite armchair and watched Hal do the same.

“I just don’t understand what use they have if they aren’t here.”

“Think of it this way; both Jacques and Corbin are highly unstable individuals who are also highly loyal to us. If they are located externally, it separates them from the more delicate internal operations that we are cultivating and also puts them to use without them losing loyalty. I think the logistics of this operation are frankly genius.” Duncan stretched out into his chair and gave a contented sigh.

“What I’m hearing is that we have two loyal men who are located in places they have no use so that you won’t have to deal with them.”

“If you choose to have the wrong opinion I cannot stop you. Now, let's relax instead of talking about work.”

How could I have ever liked this idiot? May the Mother guide me amongst these fools.

“Sure thing.” Hal smiled and stood up. “I’ll go fetch us some coffee.”

“Bring my Efir as well, please. I have a terrible headache.”

“Mother willing may it persist,” Hal said, walking away.

“You too.” Duncan was asleep after the second word.

Hal wandered to Carwyn’s room and knocked on his door. After a few moments, Carwyn opened the door a crack and stuck his face into the hallway.

“What? I’m busy.”

“That’s good to hear.” Hal opened the door the rest of the way and walked in. The room was untidy and smelt of a sweaty man. Clothes were tossed arbitrarily, and a fine layer of dust covered everything that wasn’t within an arm’s reach of Carwyn’s bed.

Carwyn mumbled angrily and hurriedly tossed away any items that may have incriminated him in the crime of being a stupid boy. “You can’t just come in here. I’m entitled to privacy.”

Hal smiled at his son. “You’re entitled to nothing except for the release of death. Remember that.”

Carwyn put on a shirt and crossed his arms impatiently. “You want something?”

“Just to discuss your dalliance with princess Myra,” Hal said calmly.

“Excuse me? You-“ Carwyn looked mortified.

“I overheard you two talking the other day. In the alcove near the central garden.”

At hearing Hal's confession, Carwyn eased a little. “How much did you hear?”

Ha! The fool reveals so very much with his face. Now I know their relationship has probably progressed to the point of intimacy. And so soon! Surely the girl must be leading things in that case.

“I heard that she has secrets that she wishes to share with you. And of course, I interpreted that you have an intimate relationship as well.”

“Oh. Ok.” Carwyn paled slightly and swallowed. “What’s next?”

“Well… If it was any girl except for the bloody princess I would punish you.” Hal grinned and punched Carwyn playfully on the shoulder. “But that isn’t the case, is it. How did you manage to bag her, eh?”

Carwyn laughed nervously, obviously relieved. “It was more a situation of being bagged, to be honest.”

“So, she came onto you? When?”

“Pretty early, I guess.” He rubbed his arm demurely. “When you lined us up to meet the royal family she gave me a look and a day or two after that she stumbled into me on my way to class.”

“Hmm.” Hal nodded and gave a small smile. “So, she’s taken a liking to you. I’m very proud.”

“Yes.” Carwyn stared at his feet awkwardly. “Mother’s probably finished with setting up- “

“What secrets has she told you, son?”

“I cannot say. I promised her that I wouldn’t say.”

“We are a family, and family must protect each other in order to survive, Carwyn.”

“It’s a matter of honour father.”

“Honour? And what is honour to you boy? Diddling some lass in secret? Wasting your parent’s money by skipping lessons? You have a child’s honour. Honour to you is being weak in the face of lawful authority, and in doing so harming your family.”

“How is a promise-“

“So, if you promise a murderer that you will poison a child, it is honourable to fulfill that promise? Well? Answer me!” Hal had moved from a calming voice to a fierce whisper.

“No, but-“ Carwyn’s embarrassment was replaced with indignant concern.

“If you do not share with me, this family will be cursed to the political sidelines. You will be delegated to leading a small group of men who will be wiped out in the first few months of the war, and I will probably be taken prisoner and tortured. The secret that you keep could be this family’s key to higher ground. Where we will be safe.”

“I don’t know.” Carwyn sat on his bed and put his head in his hands.

Breaking through his childish sense of right and wrong is bound to be a painful experience for him, but it must be done. The princess’s secret could grant me some true power in this place.

Hal sat next to his son and put a gentle hand on his shoulder. “You know the right thing do.” He chuckled lightly, and whispered, “I have always thought of honour as the choosing the thing that leaves the good side better off when the dust has settled.”

“The king is poisoning the queen,” Carwyn said, still clutching his head. “Myra said that she saw him slip some powder into the queen’s drink one morning. She brought some of the powder to an apothecary and he said that it was poison. That’s all she said. I’m going to dinner.” Carwyn got up and left without looking at his father.

Hal simply sat on the bed and stared blankly. His mind was a whirlwind.

This changes everything. This is ground for… for a seismic shift in power! Queen Ailith is part of the Yatarvan royal family. If they learn that she is being deliberately killed they will demand an immediate change of power in the leadership of the Coalition, or they will take up arms. If used correctly this could alter everything. That secret is a damn fist-sized diamond where I expected a nugget of gold.

Hal stood up and walked down stairs to the dinner table in a daze. Everyone was waiting for him, talking jovially amongst themselves.

Duncan noticed him first. “Finally! This pig has been begging me to eat it and it would be rude of me to delay. Hurry up and sit down.”

Hal sat at the head of the table, slightly dazed, and began filling his plate.

The table was full of food, more than enough for eight people. There were bowls of sliced fruit, honeyed carrots, mashed swede, and buttered potatoes. The main dish was a suckling pig surrounded by red cabbage, apples, and pomegranate.

Hal couldn’t help but smile and give praise to Cassandra and Gillian. He couldn’t help but be merry and laugh at silly jokes. He had just found an abandoned desert cave filled with piles of treasure, a newly built mansion on sale for a bronze coin. The key to prosperity had fallen from the sky and landed in his lap.

“I apologise my gem, but I forget the occasion for which you have cooked this wonderous meal.”

Gillian smiled and took another sip of her wine before saying, “This meal is to celebrate Serilin’s acceptance into the University of Cliff Harbor.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Serilin. I-“

“No. Don’t apologise.” Serilin began to grind her teeth and her fists clenched around her cutlery. “I’m not important. Just a silly girl whose life is less important than yours and Carwyn’s. That’s all.”

Hal’s jovial mood was quickly replaced with guilt and embarrassment. “Oh, darling. I didn’t think-“

“Exactly! You didn’t think anything at all. Your eldest daughter has just had the biggest moment of her life, and you haven’t even thought about her for days.”

Hal put down his cutlery and crossed his arms defensively. “Well, firstly I have thought of you. And secondly, I have been quite busy with my-“

“Oh! You’ve been busy? Well, I’ve been fucking busy too. Busy getting into the most prestigious university in the entire Coalition.” Serilin stood up, her face red with fury. “I’m more intelligent than everyone at this table. And what do I get? Nothing. I’m relegated to the side, why? Because I am a woman? Because I’m young? Why?”

“Because you’re a bitch.” Carwyn murmured behind his cup.

Serilin’s head snapped to him like a dog’s to a squirrel. “What did you just say?” She said quietly.

The table was silent for a fleeting moment. Gillian gave a reprimanding look to Carwyn, Cassandra drunk from her cup of wine with sadness in her eyes, Duncan attempted to hide a smirk with his hand, Hal looked cautiously towards Serilin, and Ophelia wiped silent tears from her eyes.

“You heard me.” Carwyn stared directly at Serilin. He sounded drunk, but Serilin did not care.

Her jaw fluttered with strain, her eyes and nostrils widened, and her lips became thin. Without uttering a word. She pulled back her arm and hurled her knife at Carwyn’s head.

The knife hit Carwyn square on his forehead.

Hal and Gillian both leaped up at the same time, each running to a child. Gillian ran to Carwyn and fretted over a small gash where the blunt end of the knife had hit him. Hal ran to Serilin and held her hands firmly to prevent her from throwing anything else. Serilin stared at Hal for several moments before gaining her composure.

“Father, you can let go of me now.” Serilin was calm, a lady giving orders to her gardener.

“That was shameful Serilin.” Hal ignored her and led her out of the room by her wrists. “What possessed you to do such a thing?”

“I’m afraid something terrible has happened.” Serilin rubbed her wrists when Hal finally released her. “I have ceased to care, just as you have never cared.”

“That’s bloody ridiculous.” Hal tugged on his beard angrily. “If I’ve never cared about you I would have sold you off to the nearest noble as soon as you were of age. I would never have bought you all those books. I would never have played with you when you were young. I would have let you do anything you wanted. Don’t tell me whether or not I care, girl. In that regard, you know less than you think.”

Serilin nodded begrudgingly. “Maybe I should not have been so hyperbolic. I am quite irritated, so…”

“Thank you.” Hal crossed his arms and gave Serilin a frank look. “I apologise for not knowing about your university. It was my mistake for being too self-centred recently.”

Serilin looked away from her father and nodded again. She slipped gracefully past him, her soft brown dress flowing behind her.

She’s a tough nut, but I suppose that is the price of having such a talented child. Even now, I’m more proud of her than I can express even to myself.

The rest of the dinner was a quiet affair. Carwyn’s glares toward Serilin slowly disappeared, and Ophelia forgot her tears in favour of devouring a candied apple.

Later, when everyone was in bed, Gillian wrapped her arms around Hal and whispered in his ear. “I have something to tell you.”

“What is it my gem?” Hal stared sleepily at the ceiling.

“Dast is here. In the house.”

“Ah!” Hal turned his body to Gillian and stared at her indignantly. “What? Why? I-” Hal rubbed his eyes tiredly. “I’m confused.”

Gillian smiled and curled his beard hair with her finger. “He showed up this morning and says that we have a responsibility to look after him since we adopted him. I agree with him.”

“Why can’t the little bastard just bugger off, for the love of the Mother! He is a wily little rat who will do nothing but trip me and throw dirt at me and kick me in the shins, I guarantee it.”

“He is also a defenceless child who has no home but ours. He is nice enough to everyone else. And he may be a good friend to Ophelia.”

“I will not have that muddy twat tainting my daughter's mind with his influence. By next year she will be swearing like a street urchin and gulping down gin behind our backs.”

Gillian chuckled. “Hal, they are children, let them be children. Besides, he is not as bad as you say.”

“Where is he now, Gillian?”

“Probably with Ophelia. I told her that she was to take care of him.”

Hal sat up on the side of the bed and started dressing.

“Oh, Hal. Stop being silly.” Gillian shuffled over to Hal and put her hand on his shoulder. “He’s just a little boy who doesn’t have many options. Have some sympathy.”

“He saw gold and he didn’t want to let it go, even when he was told to. He is greedy, and ultimately ungrateful judging by his behaviour towards me.”

“You can always rationalise things Hal, but that doesn’t make it the right thing to do.”

Hal paused and thought over his wife’s wisdom.

Perhaps kicking him out is not such a wise idea. He obviously holds support with most of the family, and the general optics of kicking out an orphan would not help me in the long run. Especially if I am to curry favour with the nobles soon. And, if I am to be realistic, the boy will most likely just crawl back after a week. Or…? No. That is beyond even me. The pragmatic approach then

"Alright, my gem, I will just talk to him. Go to sleep. I’ll be back soon.” Hal brushed her face gently with his hand and went to Ophelia’s room. He placed his ear gently on the door. Nothing.

He went inside and saw Ophelia feigning sleep on her bed. A lantern sat next to a game of dice on the floor and her breathing was shallow and irregular.

The floorboards in the hall were creaking quite loudly, in hindsight.

Hal looked around the room. A wardrobe in the corner held Ophelia’s clothing and several chests of toys. Her bed was large and filled with pillows and folds of blanket. Toys were scattered over the scratched wooden floor and smears of grime covered the walls up to Hal’s waist.

Hal walked over to the wardrobe and looked in. A child’s sniffle from under the bed stopped his search amongst the darkness and sweet-smelling clothes. He stepped with a casual grace to the bed and poked Ophelia on the arm. “I know you’re awake girly. Introduce me to your hiding friend.”

“I’m sleeping. Go away.” Ophelia whispered.

“The hard way then.” Hal stooped down and reached under the bed. His hand found a clammy and awfully thin arm. He gripped it firmly and dragged out an emaciated boy wearing a dirty shirt and torn pants.

Hal could not help but grimace with disgust and pity at the sight of him. His little rat face was accentuated by his malnourishment. The skin of his face and neck was taught and sickly, and his arms were stick thin. He grovelled on the ground, whimpering and begging with quiet whispers.

Ophelia jumped up in her bed and shouted, “Father, please! He just wants a place to live. Please don’t hurt him.”

Dast looked up to Hal’s frowning face and begged, “I won’t be rude to you anymore Master Hal. I promise on my life and on the Mother. I swear.”

Hal pulled Dast up and wiped some of the dirt from him. “As long as you behave in accordance to the rules of this house, I will let you live here.” Hal leaned down to look at him closely. “Have you eaten boy? You look half-starved.”

“Lady Cassandra gave me some bread and let me into the leftovers from your dinner. I’m fine, thank you, sir.” Dast smiled, clearly relieved. “Will you let me eat with Ophelia next time? She said I could one day.”

“Go to sleep. Both of you.” Hal pushed the standing Ophelia so she fell back into her bed. “Dast, you can sleep on the floor until we get you some straw. These sheets are a bugger for the ladies to clean.”

Hal walked out of the room but paused to think in the doorway.

I could see the insolence in his eyes, as fresh as ever. Perhaps I’ll put him to work somewhere off the property. I don’t know, but something has to be done. When I’m not so busy.