What a contradiction he was—the severed portion of his ear and his many scars were a gruesome reminder of his bloody deeds and dark past, of how ruthless and remorseless he could be. Yet she remembered sharing strawberries with him in the gardens of the lost abbey and seeing him smile. And he had saved her life twice. Still, it made her shudder to imagine him roaming through Comoros unchecked. Though it would seem he was not a danger to her, he was a danger. The knowledge that he would not abandon her willingly weighed on her. And she knew he would kill any man who tried to uproot him.
She straightened the blankets on her bed and quickly splashed water on her face to help wipe away the remnants of sleep. Then she hurriedly dressed in a simple gown and unbolted the door.
The Aldermaston’s manor was thrumming with activity. People scurried around everywhere, carrying crates and boxes, and the halls were filled with a veritable crowd of newcomers she did not recognize. Most wore simple clothing, not of any particular style—the men were in ribbed shirts the color of fleece, covered by leather vests with simple decorations along the fringes, and the women wore unadorned dresses and girdles of various colors, their hair partly concealed beneath simple scarves.
Maia was ravenous, so she left through the rear of the manor and headed to the kitchen where she and Suzenne had shared so many meals. It was no surprise to find Collett there, but in addition to the two kitchen helpers—Davi and Aloia—there were at least a dozen other young girls punching dough and stirring soups. There was bread baking in the oven fires, and meat was sizzling on spits near the ovens, at least ten hens with flakes of spices sticking to their glistening skins.
“Well, my lady,” Collett said with her usual sternness, “you find us much changed. Both of the kitchens work night and day now, and the menfolk are constructing two more kitchens over by the fish pond.”
“Poor Thewliss,” Davi said with a grin. “He cannot abide the crowds!”
Maia smiled and greeted the girls and quickly committed the new girls’ names to memory while Aloia fetched her something to eat. The kitchens were usually a place of quiet solitude, but she realized things had been changed permanently. With so many refugees from Assinica, the grounds of Muirwood Abbey would never be the same.
“You were born for such a challenge, Collett,” Maia said. “I do not know anyone else who could handle it.”
Collett gave her a small smile, but she was too proud of her humility to allow more of a reaction. “We all do what we can, thank the Medium. I am certain you have cooks aplenty in Comoros now. Many are thinking about following the Aldermaston to Augustin Abbey, but I am not such a fool. Muirwood is my home and ever it shall be.” Seeing the startled look on Maia’s face, she continued. “The High Seer announced some changes this morning while you were abed. Seems that we have a new master to serve.” Judging from her tone, she was a little unsettled by the idea, but she bore it stoically.
Maia sat on a stool and ate the salty soup Aloia brought her, relishing every bite. She dipped an end hunk of bread into the leftover broth and ate it more slowly.
“You have met the new Aldermaston then?” Maia asked.
Collett sniffed and nodded. “He is quite tall compared to our former master,” she said. “I must get used to his tastes and preferences. He is a good man, but we will always honor and respect Richard and Joanna Syon here.” She looked over Maia’s shoulder, her expression changing.
With the noise and clatter of the kitchen, Maia had not heard the doors open. She turned to see that the Aldermaston and his wife had entered, bringing with them another man who also wore the gray cassock of the order.
“Aldermaston Wyrich,” Maia said, bowing her head to him and rising. She set the soup bowl down on her seat.
He was tall and strongly built, and she was immediately struck by his sense of presence. He was a handsome, grandfatherly man, with cropped gray hair with a spike of white at the front. His natural, effusive smile and good-natured aura indicated he was at complete harmony with the Medium. When he saw her, he came forward and knelt in front of her, then reached out and took her hands.
His voice was heavily accented, reminding her slightly of the dialect of Hautland. But he spoke articulately in her language, and she realized that he had been Gifted with Xenoglossia. “Your Majesty, it is an honor and a privilege to finally meet you. We are ever your most devoted servants and friends.” He smiled at her—a smile that somehow touched his every feature. “You are the one who opened the Apse Veils again. You saved us from death at the hands of our brothers.”
Maia felt her cheeks flush to be on the receiving end of such attention and heartfelt gratitude. “Please,” Maia said, interrupting him. She helped him stand. “I am your fellow servant, Aldermaston. Do not kneel before me. It is my understanding that in Assinica, there are no rulers?”
“That is correct,” he said, each word richly accented. He smiled warmly. “But we understand the traditions here are different, and we will adapt to them. We have enjoyed a long season of peace, but that season has ended. It is the way of the world. It is we who are your humble servants, my queen.”