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Sheorl woke up to the riot of people calling out instructions and wares within the inn and outside in the street. It was still too early for the time-gong, but most of the patrons of the inn were already making their way to the pier. Sheorl groped his way in the dark, lit a candle and splashed cold water from a wash basin onto his face to chase away any sleep that still lingered. He repacked his overnight bag as he planned to return directly to the manor after picking up his so-called daughter. It would be cruel to bring Dunwood back here since he was supposed to keep his face veiled. Betain made very good ale, and the best place to drink them was in Clover’s Inn. Sheorl made his way down towards the lobby and saw a queue in front of the counter as guests waited their turn to pay the innkeeper what they owed him. The innkeeper called out to him, “You will not have breakfast first?” “No, I wish to be at the pier when the boat comes in. It has been many years since I last saw Juna,” he answered from the end of the line. Juna - that was the new Kalimy name that Cassia had picked for herself. It was a good name, and everyone liked it. Soon it was Sheorl’s turn to pay the innkeeper and to return his room key. Hotpan in his usual boisterous manner said, “I hope you find your daughter in good health. Send the child my regards, and bring her here to visit us when you have the time.” Sheorl could hear gasps behind him. His ears began to burn. By the time he walked out the door, he was feeling quite flustered indeed. Giol stood outside holding the reins of a horse hitched to a new wagon. The giant smile and gave him a coin, which made the boy jumped up and down like a child. The giant drove towards the pier, where a large crowd had already gathered. He climbed down and signaled for a boy to come and take care of his vehicle. A raggedy bunch rushed forward, but Sheorl picked the youngest of them. Dunwood had designed a lever on the side of the driver’s seat which could be pulled up to lock the two front wheels in place. Sheorl check to make sure that he had pulled it up because the boy looked too small to handle a moving wagon. As he picked his way through the crowd, the boat's crew threw down thick mooring ropes from the side. The multitude pressed forward but the harbour-men blocked their path. Then a wide gangplank, with steps built into it was let down to the pier. Sheorl looked up and in the dim light saw a person all covered in black carrying two large luggage pushing herself roughly through the crowd in the boat. He knew without asking that it was Dunwood, for no veiled dainty woman would move like that or even carry that much baggage without assistance. The robed thing used sharp elbows to plough down the gangplank. Then on reaching the pier, she lowered the luggage and twisted the crooked head cover back into place. Sheorl picked up the two luggage. “Juna, how many times have I told you to be patient. You could have hurt yourself.” Dunwood had enough wit in him to know that he should keep his mouth shut. He did what he thought any young girl from Kalimy would do, put her head down submissively. “Follow me, child, and watch your steps. The ground is still wet with the rain last night,” Sheorl said as he led the way. The luggage was empty except for a fresh change of clothes. The crowd before them parted like a wave and made way for Sheorl to pass through, although everyone and his brother gave Dunwood a curious look. Sheorl put the luggage in the back of the wagon and paid the boy some money. As Dunwood mused over how to climb onto the seat without exposing his hairy legs, Sheorl lifted him from behind. The wagon maker gave a yelp that made some heads turn. But there was so much noise about them nobody suspected that the shout came from him. Sheorl was all smiles, looking very much like a proud father. Dunwood spoke his first words for the day after they crossed the wooden bridge, “I hope this is worth the embarrassment.” “Do not regret this my friend. Believe me it is worth it. Wait until you meet Cassia. She is a most charming child, not at all like the one you acted out a while back.” The giant gave a loud laugh since he felt very witty that morning. The veil hid the grimace that Dunwood meant to show Sheorl, “Humph, best you drive faster. This thing is warm as it is already. Have some mercy so I can get out of it before the sun becomes hot.” Sheorl loosened his grip on the reins and let the horse trot at a faster pace. Dunwood was glad for the breeze. Then he put his feet up on the stand in front of him to allow some air into the garment. Sheorl shouted, “What are you doing?” “It’s very hot in this thing.” “Are you mad, somebody might see you.” “There is no one about. Anyway nobody would see my face.” “That is not the point. Somebody will see you and note what a tomboy my daughter is. Cassia, forgive me, Juna is not like that at all. You cannot compromise her safety like this.” “Oh alright.” Dunwood regretfully put down his feet. “Not much else I can do now is there.” Sheorl gave a tired sigh. “Yes, there is nothing much we can do about anything. Your help is appreciated Dunwood. Do not ever think that we are taking advantage of this situation to play a prank on you. That was never the intent. She is only a child. It makes me shudder to think of what Hastire would do if Merlana had not found her a week ago.” That was the longest speech Sheorl had ever made in his life. It mortified Dunwood. “Do not sound so sad my friend.” Dunwood said, his voice somewhat muffled by the veil. “There are many things we cannot do, but there are still some that we can do to improve the bad situation even a little.” They have now passed the cliff-path and were making their way on the yellow dirt road leading to the manor. Sheorl made up his mind to ask Dunwood for advice. “Bremargh put some documents away in a chest. He asked me to keep an eye on them for Bulgarth. There is also a map there for Baron Kwanbie.” “Does anyone else know about this?” “No one does, not even Bulgarth.” “Why was he not told?” “He may want to open the chest and see what is inside. There are things which I do not feel he is ready to see yet.” By those words, Dunwood knew that Sheorl had been shown the papers. He searched his memory and asked, “Baron Kwanbie; was he not the king’s right hand man, the Office Elector of Netherweld?” “Yes, he was.” “A very good man. He had been missing for more than two years. Do you think it has anything to do with those papers?” Sheorl was quiet. Part of him wanted to show Bulgarth what was in the chest, the other part was afraid that something bad would happen to him too. Maybe soon, he would need to show and explain. It was very difficult for him to stop being protective of Bulgarth, after all, he knew the man since he was three years old. His heart was heavy when his young employer agreed to let Hymae look at the slave registration papers in the House of Law. Just like his father, Sheorl thought to himself, nevertheless he decided that the young man was not ready. Even Bremargh was not ready for the atrocities he unearthed. Baron Kwanbie, a man who had the king’s ear had befriended Bremargh in his quest. Yet in that quest, they had both unearthed something that not even the office elector had dared to put down in writing. Sheorl shook his head sadly at the memory. Dunwood knew that there was nothing he could say to comfort all the what-ifs that were manifested on Sheorl's face. The best he could do was to be a friend. So the wagon maker sat up straight on his seat, put his thighs together properly with gloved hands placed demurely on them. The gesture shook Sheorl out of his thoughts and he gave a loud thankful laugh. Dunwood was indeed a true friend, and Sheorl sensed rather than saw the smile behind the ugly black veil. It was still breakfast time when they reached Dew Valley. None of the workers had gone out to the fields yet so there were many curious eyes when Sheorl drove up to the back with a disguised Dunwood next to him. Frad was the first one out the door, followed by Hymae. Frad called out, “How was your stay with Hotpan last night?” Sheorl jumped down from the wagon, “As usual too much food and rest.” Then he walked to the passenger side. Dunwood was prepared this time and stretched out his arms to the giant for his lift down. The act was so well done that the two men thought Dunwood had sent a real woman in his place. They each picked up a luggage from the back of the wagon. Then Hymae noticed the giant’s pack, and picked that one up too. The stable boy came out to take the horse and new wagon to the stable. Merlana and Sarah quietly waited in the kitchen as instructed. Sheorl walked in and Merlana jumped from her seat to give him a hug, as she was not used to being parted from him, although she would try once in a while to give him the slip. Sheorl said, “Good morning child. This is Juna, my daughter.” He pointed a finger to Dunwood. “Oh, hello. How do you do?” both girls turned to looked at Bulgarth. “I’ve agreed to let Sheorl have his daughter stay with us. She is not here to work but to accompany her father. Frad, have you found a cottage close by for them?” Right on cue Merlana interjected, “There is no need for that. Anyway there will be no one with her when Sheorl is with me. She can stay in my room. The bed is big enough for five people.” The cook beamed with pride at her Merlana but she was not pleased to see “Juna” in her veil. How would she eat with the family? Nana, being a no-nonsense woman, spoke her mind to Sheorl. He had arrived in Dew Valley a skinny underfed scraggly teenager, and she was the one who had fed him till he was that big. “If she is to live in this manor, then she will have to make do without the veil. I cannot imagine how she will eat at the family table, and I will not tolerate her eating alone.” Sheorl smiled, nobody ever said no to any of Nana’s instructions. He gave his usual grunt, “You are right Nana, she will have to learn not to wear that thing.” Then turning to the veiled person he said, “I’m going to take you upstairs to change, then we’ll come down and breakfast.” It was Sarah’s turn to speak now, “That is alright Sheorl. We’ll take her upstairs. You can stay down here.” The servants were so engrossed in listening to the conversation none of them noticed Frad and Hymae carrying up luggage into Sheorl’s room. This was supposed to be a junior servant’s work but they did not want anyone to notice that the luggage was empty. Juna, who was waiting in Sheorl’s room, gave a start when they opened the door. Frad gave her a reassuring smile, then put a finger to his lips. Frad was pleased to see that the Kalimy gown from Merlana fitted her. The robe was deep blue with black trim around the collar and wide sleeves. A wide black belt with bright embroidery covered her whole abdomen. Her long black hair was tied back in a simple pony-tail. Hymae opened one of luggage and took out Dunwood’s clothes. He gave a satisfied grunt when he saw that his friend had brought a cap with a wide floppy brim, a fashion favored by hunters. The sight of a visiting hunter in Dew Valley was very common. A little later they heard little footsteps, the handle lifted and Sarah’s head peeked in. She smiled when she saw them. She opened the door wider and let Dunwood and Merlana in. Sarah closed the door and leaned against the handle as she turned her eyes to the people in the room. Dunwood took off his heavy veil and took a deep breathe. “Thank providence I was not made to wear this thing any longer. I was about to faint in a most girly fashion.” The teenagers giggled and that was when the wagon maker beheld Juna. The first thing that crossed his mind was that she had the most unusual features. Her large eyes had thin eyelids and the lashes were short. Her cheekbones and nose were subdued unlike Merlana’s and Sarah’s sharp prominent ones. It took some time for Dunwood to realize that though she was different, she was beautiful. Then Merlana said, “We must return to the kitchen now. Nana may come up here to see if we are getting any resistance from Juna.” Juna looked apprehensive, “She does not like my being here?” she asked in her littlest voice. Merlana chided her, “Don’t be silly. She didn’t want you to wear those heavy veils. Come, before she thinks that you are not wanting to get rid of them. There is no handling her when she gets mad.” With Merlana holding onto Juna's hand, the three teenagers rushed out of the room. Dunwood had not moved from his spot even after the noisy chattering outside faded away. The wagon maker slowly took off the tent like robe. He only had his undergarments beneath it. Then he put on his own clothes, his demeanor quiet and thoughtful. “Sheorl was right. My discomfort since getting on that boat and coming here in that tent was worthwhile.” His two friends smiled. Frad patted him on the shoulder and said, “We will need to wait here for some time. You can slip out after the third gong. By then, most of the servants will be out of the manor or going about their chores.” Dunwood noticed the line of painted puppets on the window seat. He went over and picked up one while making sure not to stand directly in front of the window. Frad again spoke, “She painted those. Very well done don’t you think?” Dunwood nodded. As his eyes took in the details of her handiwork, he studied the other puppets one after the other, all the while holding onto the first one he had picked up. Back down in the kitchen, those who had never seen her gasped when Juna walked in. The same thoughts that went through the wagon maker’s mind went through theirs. Nana, the cook, was the first person to come to her senses. “Well child, you must be hungry after your journey. Come sit down, we saved some breakfast for you.” Merlana dragged Juna to the table and sat her between herself and Sarah. Nana smiled, well then, maybe a younger sister was exactly what the two girls needed. It was time that they started to look out for someone else rather than have others looked out for them. The cook put down a wooden plate with toasted bread and eggs in front of Juna. Then she poured milk from a clay jug into three wooden mugs for her three girls. Bulgarth and Sheorl were also pleased to see the activity in the kitchen. The two teenagers’ protectiveness and Nana’s acceptance of Juna into the household ensured that there will be little toleration for gossip and speculation about her. While the last bite of toast was still being chewed, Merlana got up and pulled Juna to her feet and said, “Come, my cousin Holt will be picking berries today. He promised to take me with him.” Juna asked, “Would he not mind me being there?” Merlana said, “What a silly thing to think, of course he won’t mind. Why would he?” She turned to look questioningly at Bulgarth. Her brother sensed that he was the one she elected to answer that question, “It is the customs in cities that only the ones invited will go. It is not common for an uninvited person to tag along.” “But how could Holt have invited her, if he didn’t know about her?” Sheorl could see that his employer was struggling to find a good answer in his young head, so the giant answered in place, “Different places have different customs. There is no sense in arguing over their practicality.” Merlana shrugged and pulled Juna out the kitchen door with her. Sarah took a last gulp of her milk before running out after them. Juna was elated to be out in the sunlight. The ground felt soft under her feet and the grass smelled fresh from the dew. Everything suddenly became new and beautiful again for her. Though she was slow and her steps were unsure, Merlana did not grow impatient. Holt was surprised and glad to see the newcomer. His three young children joined them as his wife waved from the kitchen. The berry field was filled with shrieks of laughter and running feet that morning. A hushed mood presided over Hallskein Castle. The servants went about their work noiselessly and talk in the guards’ mess hall was subdued. Even the pigeons in the rafters were silent. Hamina held the powder in her hand, the one that her son had collected from Frieda, the medicine woman. She was displeased over Hastire’s obsession with the missing girl. She had done so much in the pass to gain power in that hall and the last thing she wanted was a strumpet who had the potential to take all that away. The other three women in the pass were easy enough to handle, for Hastire had only used them to satisfy his lust. The moment Hamina suspected them of carrying his brood, she slipped poison into their food. The intent was to make them miscarry, but then poisons do have their side effects. This new girl, however, was different. He would not forget her and his obsession was causing disruption in the castle. It was intolerable. She studied the powder again. Frieda promised her that this would not kill him, but would make him dull-witted. The medicine woman advised giving him the stuff daily and to slowly increase the dosage. After some years, when he becomes utterly dependent on the drug, he will go mad if it is taken away from him. Hamina smiled to herself. She would put this powder into his snuff box, he took the stuff often to calm himself. Then when he became a slave to it, she and Hamlin would go away for a long trip. Hopefully he would have killed himself by the time they return.
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