Dream of Me/Believe in Me

aroma of dry rushes on the dirt floor, and slowly looked around.
    At the center of the hall was a large hearth framed in stones and set beneath a smoke hole surrounded by soot-stained rafters. To either side of the hearth, running down both the long sides of the hall, were curtained alcoves for sleeping. It being day, the curtains hung open, revealing sparsely furnished sleeping quarters.
    “You two may lay your pallets in here,” Daria told the women, pointing to an empty alcove. “As for you—” Sheregarded Thorgold. “The men's hall is on the other side of the bailey. You may sleep there. I expect each of you to keep your quarters tidy at all times, appear for meals promptly, and do whatever tasks are assigned to you. Do you understand?”
    Black-garbed Raven opened her mouth to reply but Thorgold forestalled her. “Perfectly, lady. We will give you no trouble.”
    “See to it that you don't. Your mistress has already created quite enough of a bad impression by not arriving here in a timely fashion. Frankly, if my brother were inclined to listen to my counsel, he would not embark on so ill-conceived a venture as this marriage is sure to be. He will rue the day.”
    Having rendered her judgment on the matter, Daria departed. Not a moment too soon. Thorgold had to put a restraining hand on Raven.
    “Easy, she is of no account. Forget her.”
    “Fine for you to say,” Raven muttered. Her thin neck arched, her head bobbing angrily. She took a breath, swelling her chest, then let it out and shook herself with a soft rustle. “I would suggest pecking out her liver but it is likely filled with bile and unappetizing.”
    Krysta laughed. She put an arm around each of her friends and gave them a reassuring squeeze. It had not been easy for them to come here. She knew their willingness to do so was testament to the love and devotion each had given her from the very moment of her birth. She returned it in full measure.
    Much as she wanted to think only of her startling impressions of Lord Hawk, she knew duty came first. With a glance around the alcove, she wrinkled her nose. “I suggest we see what we can do to make ourselves comfortable.”
    Thorgold nodded, gave her a smile, and vanished outthe door. Shortly he returned with the first load of their belongings. As he shuttled back and forth, Krysta and Raven hastened to clean and straighten the humble chamber. Or at least Krysta tried. When it came to preparing a pleasant, safe place to nest, Raven had no equal. She bustled about, seemingly everywhere at once, and in no time the alcove was transformed.
    Every trace of dust was swept away, simple wooden beds set up, and stools and a small table put in place. Bringing in the last load, Thorgold glanced about and nodded. “Best leave it at this. Much more and questions will be asked.”
    About to unpack a lush weaving of a forest glen in which small animals and various other creatures gamboled about, Krysta nodded regretfully. From what she had seen so far, Hawkforte's servants were housed snugly enough but allowed no luxuries.
    “We'll leave the rest for later,” she said, reluctantly setting the weaving aside.
    With the chamber made suitable, she had her first chance to think about what she had so far accomplished. She was actually inside Hawkforte, had even seen its master, and no one seemed any the wiser. The little bubble inside her grew a notch. What had seemed a somewhat risky scheme requiring great caution was working out even better than she could have hoped.
    Observing her smile, Raven and Thorgold exchanged looks. It fell to the old woman to speak. “It isn't too late.”
    “Whatever do you mean?”
    “You could say you were too eager to wait for an escort but feared discovery on the roads if you traveled as yourself.” Her thin shoulders rose and fell. “Who knows, he might even believe you.”
    “Only if you tell him now,” Thorgold said. “Wait much longer and the man will know himself played for afool. They don't like that.” He smiled as though at amusing memories. “No, indeed, they don't.”
    Krysta jumped up from the bed where she had been sitting and stared at her friends in amazement. “I have absolutely no intention of telling him. That would put everything wrong. However will I learn what I must if I fail to persevere now?”
    “What is there to learn?” Raven countered. “All men are alike … prideful, stubborn, ignorant …”
    “Presumptuous, unseeing, clumsy …”