Someone who would stay alive longer than me.

  The book she had been holding in her hand was smacked out of her hand by the maid who had been sent in to teach her.

  “No dilly-dallying.”

  “I’m not.” Lot said looking at the maid. “A lot of things in my life have changed very quickly.”

  Another maid, then rushed into the room, she looked at the maid who had been sent to teach with a terror in her eyes. “He’s done something about it.” Her voice was a very loud whisper.

  Lot looked up from her book as she had not been much interested in it in the first place. It was a bore to look at words and letters she couldn’t make heads or tails of. “What did who about what?”

  “My lady, shush.” The maids both turned towards her with quick alarm. One had her finger over her mouth in horror.

  “I’m no lady.” Lot challenged. “It wasn’t that long ago that I would be serving you. Now enough of this lady this and this lady that. I don’t even think it is me whom you speak of most of the time. Close the door and tell the guard I’m changing for . . . what time is it?”

  “The evening meal will be ready soon.”

  “Good then, open that wardrobe wide and close the door. Tell me everything about what is to be happening around this spire of a castle. I’m tired of being terrified that I’m going to be thrown off that tower every minute.”

  “Madam, even if it be true, you shouldn’t speak it.” The maids exchanged glances as they were quick to bolt the doors and open the wardrobe wide. The guards had only unsheathed their swords when the sound of the wardrobe lulled the swords back into their respective places.

  Lot breathed softly as she looked from one maid to the other. “It would be most helpful then if we start with names. Pray what is yours and where do you come from? Are you married or would you like to be?”

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  “Oh, how you say it! I’m Karyn and I come from a small place. No one has heard of it so don’t bother asking. I’d very much like to have one of the guards.”

  “Why do you always get to speak first? I’m Tesnim. Don’t ask me what it means, my grandmother decided it so everyone had to live with it. It’s a name that speaks others tell me. And I had someone I loved who died in the war.” Tesnim said softly.

  “I don’t know where my husband is.” Lot admitted as she walked towards the large stone wardrobe. It was hewn into the rock as if something had been here before the Duke. The mechanism of it didn’t feel like it belonged in the hands of humans.

  “Mam, you’re married?” Karyn said with her mouth open. “You’re not supposed to be married yet to the Duke.”

  “Yes.”

  “Do you like the Duke?” Tesnim said with a darker tone.

  “My son is healthy and the Duke needs a healthy boy as his line.” Lot didn’t know where to look as she spoke. “I came to this place to escape from the ogres who burned down my village. I don’t have anywhere else to go.”

  “But what if your husband comes back? What if he wants his son back? What if he loves you? Did you love him?”

  Lot shrugged as she dug through the pile of fine fabrics. There was a forlorn expression to her as she was dressed in things she had dreamed of since she was a child. Those were such foolish dreams to have. Finery came with such ties.

  “I don’t remember.” She admitted finally. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen him.”

  “That’s right.” Tesnim interjected. “There has been conscriptions on conscriptions. How many winters? Does he sent letters back to you?”

  “Our village is gone, there will be no one to receive them anymore. It was two winters. I was still with child when he left. All I have of him is his son.”

  Karyn looked sad as her hands took the dresses out from Lot’s hands. “You shouldn’t speak of it like that anymore, mam. You are no maid as familiar as it feels. You’re something else now. You didn’t ask for it, aye. But you are here now and here is safe. Safe is something worth fighting for. As your servants, it’s my job to tell you. You need to secure the affections of whatever man has decided to take care of your son. It would have been the same in the village if the blacksmith or grocer decided to have you. You must live for your son. You must live well even if your husband were to look upon you both and swing at you.”

  Lot flinched.