Dream of Me/Believe in Me

her face fell into light and she was smiling.
    “My dear, at last. Dare I hope you have a few spare moments?”
    “As many as you need. I am sorry to have taken so long. Every time I turn around, there seems to be something to do.”
    “Isn't that the way of it?” Daria rose and came to where Krysta was standing near the door.
    “You are so good to help your maid prepare for her wedding,” Daria went on. “And to give her such cloth as you have done. Very few would be so generous.”
    The words were kind enough, yet Krysta somehow received the impression that Daria did not approve of what she had done. Perhaps she had been more giving than was usual, but Hawk had expressed pleasure at her actions.
    “I hope you will be here for Edvard and Aelfgyth's wedding,” Krysta said courteously.
    They had just stepped outside the chapel. Daria stopped and looked at her closely. “Have you said anything to Hawk of my plans?”
    In truth, it had not occurred to Krysta to do so simply because she had been so busy. But upon reflection, she realized she would not have said anything to him even had she not given her word to Daria. He was likely to be relieved if not delighted by his half-sister's impending departure, and Krysta was loath to raise his hopes until it was certain they would not be dashed. But that was an unkind thought and she put it from her mind.
    “No, I haven't. Have you thought more about what you intend to do?”
    “Oh, yes,” Daria said as they began walking. “Indeed, I have thought of nothing else.”
    “And your mind is … unchanged?”
    “Unalterably. I have waited for this far too long to consider any other course.”
    She was smiling again or perhaps still. Her expression seemed fixed.
    “Where would you like to begin?” Krysta asked, hoping this would not take too long. Even knowing that Daria would be leaving Hawkforte did not make her company easy to bear. Still, Krysta was resolved to keep such sentiment to herself.
    “First I must find Father Elbert and tell him I will be with you.”
    Krysta wondered if Daria always felt it necessary to tell her priest of her whereabouts but said nothing. Perhaps they merely had plans. Father Elbert was found coming up the road from the town. He appeared deep in thought and started when he saw them.
    “Father,” Daria said very clearly, “I shall be showing Lady Krysta around the manor. I do hope that it will not inconvenience you?”
    The priest's gaze darted to Krysta and just as quickly darted away. He frowned. “No … I suppose not.” He met Daria's eyes, swallowed, and went on more firmly. “Of course not, my lady, no inconvenience at all.”
    “Good.” Daria looked at him for a moment, resumed her fixed smile, and turned to Krysta. “I suggest we start with the storerooms.”
    Already well acquainted with them and not eager to spend the last few hours of daylight roaming the dark chambers below ground, Krysta nonetheless agreed. She followed Daria around to a back entrance behind the great hall and from there down a flight of stairs. The foundations of Hawkforte's stronghold were sunk deep into the ground and walled in stone. At the bottom of the steps, Daria took tinder and flint from the small alcove where they were kept, and lit a torch kept in an iron bracket. Itslight was welcome but could not dispel the chill air, so very different from the pleasant warmth above.
    “I do have a fairly good idea of what is down here,” Krysta said, hoping to avoid an extended stay.
    Daria smiled. In the long shadows cast by the torch, her face looked as though it were cracking. “I'm sure you do, but there are one or two things I doubt you've found yet.”
    She led the way briskly down a passage. Krysta had no choice but to follow.

Chapter TWENTY-ONE

    T HE STONE FLOOR SLOPED DOWN STEEPLY . The air grew ever more chill and dank. Something skittered away around a corner. Krysta shivered and wished she had thought to bring a cloak. She had been down here only once before, with Edvard, and they had not lingered. She and Daria were already beyond the area where barrels of mead and ale were stored, yet Daria did not slow her pace. Krysta was bewildered, wondering what could possibly be kept so far removed from everything else and in such damp surroundings. Most anything would rot, and that which would not would still be very inconvenient to reach.
    “Are we going much farther?” she asked as Daria showed no sign of stopping.
    The older woman