They reached the citadel and entered the main gate, but had turned at once to the right, moving around the side of the old bailey past what looked to be a parade ground to what was obviously the stabling area. A huge carriage house and stables large enough for perhaps fifty or more horses were snug against the outer wall.
Grooms ran out to take the horses while the coachmen opened the door. A page sought them out, asking, “Are you Squire Talwin?”
“Yes.” Tal glanced around, realizing that Kaspar and Natalia were already up the stairs and into the citadel.
The boy smiled and said, “I am Rudolph, Squire. I am to guide you to your quarters.”
To Amafi, Tal said, “See to the luggage,” and turned to follow the boy.
Rudolph was a lad of about eleven or twelve years of age, from what Tal could judge, handsome in his palace togs of red leggings and a black tunic. The crest of Olasko, a charging boar of silver on a field of black, was sewn above his heart.
The boy moved quickly, and Tal had to hurry to keep up. “You’ll like your quarters, Squire,” said the lad. Moving purposefully on, he barely gave Tal time to take note of his surroundings.
They entered a side entrance to the citadel, one that Tal assumed the Duke preferred, which meant it was probably close to his personal quarters. Tal took note of landmarks, which door they entered, the corridors they used, what stairs they climbed, and while he had a rough sense of where he was by the time they reached his quarters, he was certain he had a good chance of getting lost for a while if he ventured out on his own.
The suite was comprised of a full four rooms. A sitting room with large windows greeted Tal as he entered. It was decorated with tapestries to minimize the cold from the stone walls, a fine carpet, and several tables and chairs. He could entertain up to six people here in comfort, he judged. A big fireplace rested between two other doors.
To the right, Rudolph showed him a large bathing room, with a drain in the center of a tiled floor. A brass tub sat nearby and there was a pair of seats, as well as a particularly well fashioned mirror. “A barber will call upon you every morning, sir, if you wish.”
“I prefer to let my manservant shave me,” said Tal.
“I’ll mention that to the housecarl, sir.”
He then showed Tal the bedroom, which had a low but huge bed, with multiple comforters, many cushions and pillows, and a smaller fireplace, which Tal judged must share the chimney with the one in the sitting room. A door to the right led to a small room, which also had a door onto the sitting room. It was a servant’s room, and would be given over to Amafi.
On the left was one more door, which led to another, smaller bedroom, which Tal assumed meant that once a family with children had occupied these apartments. He said to Rudolph, “Thank you. I think I shall be fine now. Make sure my servant arrives with my luggage.”
“Yes, Squire.” The lad moved to the door to the hall and asked, “Is there anything you require before supper, sir?”
Tal judged supper to be several hours away. “I wouldn’t mind a bit of a tour of the citadel.”
“I can arrange that, Squire. I’ve been detailed to be your page until you’re at home. I’ll run to the housecarl and tell him about the shaving, sir—I mean about you preferring to have your manservant shave you—then I’ll be straight back.”
“Not too straight,” said Tal. “Say an hour after my luggage arrives. I need to bathe and change out of these travel clothes.”
“Very well, sir. I’ll have hot water sent up straightaway.”
“Good,” said Tal, taking a liking to the affable boy.
“The Duke will expect you at supper, Squire, so we must be back in time for you to change again.”
Tal raised an eyebrow in question, but said nothing.
Reading the gesture, the boy said, “His Grace always has a gala when he returns home, so something festive is in order.”
“Very good. Come back when I’ve finished cleaning myself up.”
The boy stepped into the hall. “Here comes your man with the luggage now, sir,” he said. “I’ll be back in an hour.”
Amafi showed the porters where to put the two large bags, then dismissed them. Then he glanced around the rooms. “Very nice, Magnificence.”
Tal said, “Get used to it. It’s home for a while.”
But inside he knew it would never be home, and he knew that he had to blend in and become one of Kaspar’s creatures, or his long-term plans for the Duke’s destruction would never succeed. But he couldn’t help but feel that he had walked straight into a trap, like a wild bull charging into a net with a band of hunters just out of sight.
Tal followed Rudolph as the boy scampered up yet another flight of stairs. Tal was working diligently at memorizing every hallway, flight of stairs, and significant room in the citadel. He was drawing a map in his mind.
They reached a landing where stairs headed down in two directions, to the right and left, and Tal said, “That way leads back to my quarters.” He was pointing to the right.
“Yes, Squire. Very good,” said the boy with a grin.
“Where does that lead?” He pointed to the left.