Chapter 11: Second Breakfast

Katalin woke tucked between the sleeping forms of Adrianne and Nadine. She gingerly extracted herself from the warm tangle of blankets and padded across creaking boards in a billowing woolen nightdress much to large for her. It must belong to the woman who rescued them last night. Helga? Her name was Helga.

Finding herself in a loft she peered over the edge into the central room below where a bustling Helga tended a hearty breakfast. The aromas stirred rumblings in Katalin's empty stomach.

Helga greeted her warmly as Katalin descended the ladder. "There's my girl, up and ready to face the day!" Helga studied the figure swimming in oversized linen. "If you stay longer we will find you something that fits better."

Katalin shook her head, "That's alright. My friends will bring my things."

Reaching the bottom of the ladder she continued, "I can't thank you enough," Katalin replied earnestly. "You saved my life...and Rollo's last night."

Helga waved her thanks aside. "I should be grateful to you, the way you came to little Sally's aid! And saving that oaf Dover too. You did splendid."

Noticing Katalin eyeing the sizzling ham and eggs, Helga guided the girl to sit at the heavy oak table. "Now tuck in, and don't be shy, we have plenty."

When a heaping plate was set before her, Katalin felt a wave of emotions rise in her throat - and a single tear escaped down one cheek.

Helga noticed and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, brow furrowing in concern. "What is it dear, are you quite alright?"

Katalin smiled through the surprising wash of feeling. "Yes, I'm sorry...it's just, you remind me of my mama, that's all."

Helga enveloped her in a brief fierce hug. "There now, nothing to apologize over." She dabbed at Katalin's eyes with her apron corner before urging the girl to continue eating.

Settling across the table, Helga asked gently, "I don't know if you recall much from last night...I'm Helga, widow of Arktos Osvoldson. My daughters are Adrianne and Nadine."

Katalin nodded, swallowing a bite of ham before replying. "I remember. I'm Katalin...widow of Gregory Johanson." She hesitated, looking into Helga's kind eyes. "You should know, there are some in the junction looking for me right now."

Helga looked at Katalin, surprise dawning across her round features. "Oh! You must be the Katalin from Butterridge to the north then - the one who had that dreadful clash with young Lord Laszlo?"

Now it was Katalin who blinked in shock. "You...you've heard about that?"

Helga gave a small laugh. "We may be stuck here in the woods, but Dover comes back from town nearly every day full of the latest gossip."

Katalin asks, "Dover? He is the cart driver, right? Is he alright?"

Before Helga could reply, a sudden clamor and clattering interrupted as both of Helga's daughters came barreling down the ladder from the loft, clamoring eagerly at this mysterious guest.

Adrianne's eyes were round with awe. "Are you a warrior??" she gasped.

While Nadine immediately demanded to know, "Was Lord Laszlo's brain really running out of his ears??"

Helga cast the over-eager pair a stern frown. "Now girls! Is that any way to welcome someone? Calm yourselves."

Looking abashed, the girls mumbled apologies in chorus. "We're sorry mama."

Helga nodded then shooed both exuberant girls away to get dressed and handle their morning work. As they scattered, Katalin began voicing concern over what tales might spread. "Please, I would prefer if--"

She was interrupted by the front door suddenly swinging wide as a young boy of perhaps eight came rushing hurriedly inside, brown hair windblown and cheeks ruddy from exertion.

"They're coming!" he crowed. "Three men from town have Sally! I was helping wait at the bridge when Stefan spotted them. Papa sent me running here while they wait by the road."

Helga studied the elated boy fondly. "Yes, Forwin dear, you've done well playing herald. Now off you go and tell all the others."

As he raced out just as swiftly as entering, Helga noted Katalin appearing deeply concerned by this news.

"What is it dear?" she asked.

Katalin bit her lip. "I'm only expecting two friends. But the boy said they saw three?" She met Helga's patient gaze. "It may be those looking for me..."

"Ah, But Forwin said whoever comes along has our Sally too," Helga reminded gently. As she spoke, Helga moved briskly to a worn cabinet and retrieved a small, tied bundle of clothes. She placed them on the table beside the uneasy girl. "Men out hunting for you surely wouldn't be fetching a stray child back to us?"

"I... suppose you are right," Katalin conceded. Yet her shoulders remained tensed as she brushed crumbs from her borrowed nightdress, eyeing the lump of cleaned clothing Helga produced.

"Here are your things, what's left of them," the woman declared. "We got them nice and clean, and Thora mended your torn stockings up decently too." Helga fixed the girl with a sympathetic look. "What madness drove you to dash about in just a linen tunic and your hose?"

Katalin gave a wan smile. "Hopefully my friends managed to retrieve my boots from where I shed them. Before diving into the river after Rollo and your driver..."

At this, Helga arched her eyebrows in surprise. "You intentionally leapt into that furious churn yourself?" A grin spread as she inferred slyly "...that young Rollo does cut a rather strapping figure, I'd say."

Confusion creased Katalin's face at the implication.

Patting her arm comfortingly, Helga waved away awkwardness over the girl's incomprehension. "No matter, get dressed now dear, and the necessaries are outside just around the rear if needed. Hot water is there by the basin to freshen up."

Katalin returned the pat by squeezing Helga's hand in gratitude. Dropping her oversized nightclothes to the floor, she swiftly drew on the clean stockings and her own tunic. Finding her belts with her meager belongings, she secured the tunic comfortably around her waist once more.

Helga brought her the sandals she wore to the sauna, "Here, wear these until your friends get here."

She set down at the table opposite Katalin, "It is a bit chill outside, but it is a beautiful day. The ground is a mess of mud though."

She looked thoughtfully at Katalin, pinning up stray locks of her blonde hair as she voiced the query she'd clearly been pondering. "Now...were you and yours just passing east of the river nearby, or...?"

Katalin replied while lacing up the leather footwear, "No we were crossing over. We are heading south ultimately but it's better if people don't know that."

Helga squeezed her arm reassuringly at that shared confidence. "Well mum's the word from me and mine about such things, no worries there!" She shot a pointed stare at her daughters industriously tidying up across the room. They hastily nodded, echoing "Yes mama!" before scurrying back to work.

"Now, would you like me to walk you out to the road to meet this party of yours?" Helga offered kindly. "Got my Arktos' old cloak here you could use for warmth."

Katalin considered briefly but demurred, "If it's no trouble, I would just as soon wait here until they arrive."

Trying to recall blurred impressions from the prior night, she asked "What happened after you found us at your door? I confess my mind is...fuzzy on the edges after we got here. Mostly I recall warmth and comfort enveloping me."

Helga nodded in knowing sympathy. "That's the blessing of a proper sauna you are remembering! It soothes battered bodies and weary souls alike. You'll scarce find a settlement east of here without one - after a long week of work, the heat soothes away aches and exhaustion."

Recollection slowly filtered back for Katalin, along with a sigh of remembered bliss. "It was wonderful...a glorious relief beyond words." Worry creased her brow next as events replayed in her mind. "But please, where are Rollo and the ox driver we brought? Are they recovering?"

"Dover, we left to bake his aches away through the night in the sauna," Helga explained. "Didn't dare try moving the brute, but someone checked on him through the night. Your handsome scout Rollo bedded down at our neighbor's cottage. All's well."

From where they sat, Katalin noticed a small statue of Embera standing vigil atop the stone mantle overlooking Helga's hearth.

She gave a nod and wry smile toward the watching goddess. "Rollo will be happy to know we are under Embera's watch - he venerates the Lady himself."

At this mild proclamation, Helga arched her eyebrows in surprise. "Is that so? Well now, I knew you were good folk at first glance. But anyone who respects the hearth mother is marked special in my book for sure."

She gave Katalin's hand an affirming pat. "As if carrying Dover's hulking frame all that way from the river wasn't sign enough you two are a rare breed!"

They were interrupted by the front door suddenly swinging wide again as a small figure came rushing hurriedly inside - young Sally returned safe at last. Spotting Helga, she made straight for the sturdy woman, face lighting up with unrestrained joy. Helga had just enough time to drop to her knees, arms open, before the girl slammed into her jubilant embrace.

"There's my brave darling!" Helga laughed, stroking the girl's hair as she clung tight, tears of relief making trails on her flushed cheeks.

Behind Sally came three men, Garren and Wulfgar looking weary but smiling too at the tender welcome. With them stood a lean, healthy-looking youth with shaggy black hair framing open honest features.

After the three entered, a broad, bearded man peeked his head in through the still-open door. "Well Helga, this lot's in your hands a spell!" He scanned the faces of those he had escorted and took a moment to meet Katalin's eyes and nod to her. "We are gathering over to Dover's in a bit to plan what to do next. We have to recover the cart and get repairs started on the bridge." And then he smiled at Sally, "And we have to see what treats you've brought for us don't we?"

With that he gave a swift nod and pulled the door fast against the chill.

As Katalin stood from the table and approached, Garren gestured to the third man. "This is Nils - I've known him since he was toddling about getting underfoot!" Garren shared a grin with the bashfully smiling man. "His father is Veridus' agent at the junction. We needed an extra set of hands and a strong back to carry your and Rollo's gear."

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As he said this Garren inclined his head meaningfully at the pile of retrieved packs and gear they were still offloading by the entrance.

With belongings shed and stowed, Garren turned back to Katalin, placing worn but steady hands on her shoulders. "Girl, what madness possessed you to go diving into raging waters like that? My heart near stopped seeing you plunge over the shattered edge!" He shook his head, relief and bafflement warring for purchase.

Katalin could only offer a mild shrug in return. "I just...I saw one of them there and I had to try."

Garren shared an exhausted but knowing look with Helga, saying only: "Youth." To which Helga nodded sagely in kind: "True. Reckless beyond all reason. And thank all the gods that they are."

Shaking his head Garren carefully drew Katalin's hammer from his pack and simply held it out to her.

She took the weapon and slid it back through the leather loops at her belt with relief, comforted by its familiar heft and balance restored. "My thanks, Garren. I am truly grateful," Katalin replied sincerely.

Helga then ushered them all further inside. "Please, make yourselves at ease - I am Helga, widow of Arktos Osvoldson. We've bread and space enough for all."

As Wulfgar moved to take a seat, Garren and Nils embraced and exchanged a few words before the young man exited the hut to return to town. Garren then sat across from Katalin and Wulfgar. Katalin handled introductions to mother and both daughters who were trying very hard to look busy and not like they were watching and listening to these fascinating strangers.

Helga prepared plates of food for her daughters and served them at a small side table with admonitions to keep quiet. She then asked if the men were hungry but when they declined food, she insisted on pressing mugs of steaming, aromatic tea into grateful hands. Young Sally however, having claimed a seat next to Wulfgar and placing her sack protectively between them, happily dug into a generous bowl of porridge and milk.

Noticing the girl's attachment to grizzled Wulfgar, Helga gave an approving nod. "Our lass doesn't fancy many nor trust easy. But once given, a truer friend than our Sally you'll scarce meet in this world or those beyond, I'd wager."

Sally offered the gruff scout a toothy grin that elicited a bewildered head shake and chuckle when he attempted introductions. "Ah, well met then Sally!" Another wide smile was her only reply.

Garren watched the curious exchange, clearly charmed. "She hasn't made a sound since joining us at the bridge last night. Nor let that bag out of her grasp - but never dropped behind neither. All energy, this one!"

"No, not a peep out of her since that black morning her poor mother left us when she was barely walking," Helga clarified with sorrow dimming her eyes briefly. "But a better child you'll never meet."

Unable to restrain himself any longer Garren gestured at the sack. "I admit, I'm desperate to learn what's stashed away so dearly in here?"

At that Helga gave a fond smile. "Why her trading treasures of course! Our Sally walks behind her father's cart picking up any charcoal that falls out and saves them in her sack. After a few trips, when she has enough, she trades those collected bits in town for something nice we'd otherwise do without...usually a sweetbread treat to share, or fruit on days when any is available."

"When we have the village meeting over in Dover's cabin, you can watch her give out her hard-earned treats," Helga concluded. "Quite the sight, seeing so many smiles from such small gifts."

At mention of her father's name, Sally briefly looked up, youthful features creased with worry.

Helga looked at the faces around her then hesitantly said to Sally, "Your papa is going to be alright dear. Might limp a spell but he's whole and breathing well as ever thanks to this brave company." Sally considered, then gave a hesitant nod before turning her attention back to finishing her meal.

Garren and Wulfgar exchanged puzzled, concerned looks.

Katalin caught the look between Garren and Wulfgar but said nothing as she was occupied with sorting through retrieved travel bags. Locating her own pack she gratefully pulled on a blessedly dry woolen sweater and sturdy over-tunic followed by worn leather boots, luxuriating in the comfort of familiar well-fitted attire.

As Helga kindly began ushering the girls toward the door to give the travelers some privacy, she gently prodded, "Come along girls, let's give our guests a chance to warm themselves in peace. And Donna will be waiting for you to help her with the animals."

Seeing Sally's hesitation to leave her treats, Helga added, "You as well dear. Bring your bag and we'll go check in on your father."

As the girls exited Helga turned to Katalin and her friends and told them, "I will find Rollo and send him over. You should have twenty minutes or so before someone comes to get you for the meeting. That's if you want to come. If not that's fine too. Either way, you are welcome to rest here another night. We cannot thank you enough for bringing Sally back to us."

With their exit, Katalin earnestly turned her attention to Garren and Wulfgar.

"Your help has meant everything to me," she began frankly. "I would have never made it this far alone. But this is more than you bargained for when we left. Trackers sent to find us, soldiers chasing us, and now bridges collapsing under us."

She sighed heavily but held firm believing this their last prudent option.

"You need to go back. Meet up with Veridus while you can. From here I know where to go. You showed me on the map. I just follow the river to Crown's Landing. I can even wait here a few days while you two slip away."

A heavy silence enfolded the room. Garren's jaw clenched with restraint though words visibly roiled beneath.

Gruff Wulfgar prompted impatiently, "Tell the girl. She's owed it."

Katalin looked between them confused. "Tell me...what?"

Garren passed a broad hand over his head before answering hoarsely.

"Your brother Cassius... He saved my life...He saved everything."

Garren took a deep, bracing breath before beginning. "My wife Lilya and me - we never could have children of our own. We married just a dozen years ago. She is a bit younger than me." At that a wistful grin ghosted Garren's worn features. "At first we paid it little mind. But as time crypt by, Lilya grew worried. We tried everything...saw every healer and herbalist we could find. But they all said the same...she couldn't be with child." He trailed off, jaw clenched.

Katalin reached out a comforting hand atop his, nodding encouragement. Garren managed a tight smile of gratitude.

"I am often in Stonehaven for work. Sometimes Lilya would come along, she enjoyed visiting the city. About four years ago she accompanied me again. But this time we sought to speak with any experts in the duke's royal city..." His throat constricted.

"We met with the most renowned healers in Stonehaven. A few even came from the trade cities around the Pride Sea. But once more, naught they could offer us...until there was one who offered hope."

"We had resigned to the inevitable when an old man approached us. He introduced himself as the alchemist Mordain Umbrasil - well known for providing his exclusive services to the highest nobles and richest merchants."

Garren paused to sip contemplatively at his tea. "I double checked all he claimed. It was true - nobles and top merchants alike swore by Mordain's capability to cure the most exotic ailments through his concoctions. Though he made no outright guarantees, my wife insisted we try."

Here Garren had to pause again. Katalin gave his hand a comforting pat, nodding for him to continue at his own pace.

"We told the alchemist our story. He said his potions might succeed where all else failed. But his methods required...ingredients of a personal nature that had to be collected first."

"Go on," Katalin urged gently.

"Aye, we followed his instructions precisely - gave over gold and grim vials both as he commanded," Garren acknowledged wearily.

"Usually when business keeps me in Stonehaven, I take lodging at the Crown Inn. But when my lady Lilya was along, our noble lord Alaric would open his estate's doors for us in gracious hospitality."

He shuddered slightly despite the warm room. "Just under a fortnight later, Mordain appeared unannounced at our chambers. He pounded upon the stout oak door with his carved staff until I admitted him inside, in his hands he clutched tight a lustrous box..."

Here Garren stopped until Wulfgar put a steady hand upon the man's shoulder in solidarity.

Garren gave a nod of thanks towards his friend. "I moved aside to let Mordain enter but when he stepped inside, he saw your brother was visiting us as well. Cassius and I often worked together on shipments going to or from Celestria and had long since become friends. He was with us that night by pure chance."

After a ragged inhale he continued. "Seeing Cassius there, Mordain flew into a shocking rage - ordering him to depart that instant and for us to bar all witness so his magic potions could properly manifest! When I turned to relay this command however, your bold brother moved quicker..."

After a long pause Katalin gently prompted, "Yes?"

"Cassius moved quickly to Mordain and snatched the box from him. Mordain tried to take it back, but Cassius hit him. Backhanded him and sent him to the carpet."

Garren looked up to meet Katalin's eyes, "I thought Cassius had gone mad and tried to put myself between them, but Lilya stopped me. I think she already knew...something..."

Katalin gently prompted again, "Knew what exactly?"

But Garren continued without indication of hearing Katalin's question. "Cassius opened the ornate box and we looked inside. It was padded to hold two clear glass vials. One swirled rose pink with tiny shimmering bubbles. The other gleamed bright amber that put me in mind of distilled sunlight. Both were sealed by ornate crystal stoppers."

Lost in the recollection, Garren seemed unaware of his rapt audience. "Before I could grasp the meaning of it all, Mordain half rose shouting bitter curses at your brother. In answer Cassius slammed that lustrous mouth shut with his fist and stepped over the elderly man to deliver another harsh blow. Blood burst across his face as he dropped limp once more..."

Garren pressed on. "Cassius told me to rouse the palace guards and fetch the duke's man Lysander immediately. I knew Sir Lysander Ravenshaw well; he is your brother's primary tutor. I was still dazed by all that had happened and wasn't sure what to do, but Lilya told me to go, so I went. I sent back the first guards I found while racing off for the chamberlain."

Taking another ragged breath Garren continued, "After some time I returned guiding Sir Lysander to our chambers which were already bustling with guards...and found Mordain sitting bound upon the floor at my stalwart friend's feet."

Garren shook his head, "Cassius swiftly showed his tutor the ornate box and strange potions still gleaming inside. After but a moment's shocked study, Lysander plucked out the rose-colored vial and strode toward the hearth."

Garren visibly tensed, "Mordain started screaming for him to stop but Lysander mercilessly flung the potion into the hearth fire where it burst in a violent flare. For a brief moment the room hung heavy with the scent of lavenders while Mordain sobbed and wailed over the loss."

After taking another sip of tea Garren continued, "At Sir Lysander's sharp order, guards forced a gag between those shouting lips to silence further outcries..."

"Recovering some from the shocks dealt, my sweet Lilya turned to Cassius and his mentor and asked what the potion really had been. Lysander gravely explained it was an illicit love potion, - the volume prepared would have taken Mordain years to craft. Lilya protested that we had met with the alchemist just a few weeks earlier, but the chamberlain shook his head."

"Matters not. Once prepared, a skilled alchemist can keep their potions at full strength indefinitely until they add the final catalyzing agents. Which he would have needed from you, dear lady."

"He held up the remaining golden vial, glancing my way. This is Tears of the Sun - a poison that brings sudden death mirroring natural causes."

"Lilya questioned him, that he would easily be caught - she would tell everyone he poisoned Garren!"

But Cassius spoke up, "After Mordain's elixir, you'd do anything he commanded. Even conceal your own husband's murder."

Lilya had paled, comprehension dawning. "I... I would?"

Lysander nodded. "A few minutes after ingesting, you become his puppet in all things."

Katalin looked between Wulfgar and Garren and asked, "But how can a love potion be real? Can a mere draught truly overwrite the heart?"

At this Garren solemnly shook his head. "Not as such, no. I was told these vile alchemies act only by slaughtering free will itself. Leaving the drinker a docile, compliant slave - a hollowed shell of who they once were." He suppressed a shudder at the thought.

Katalin sat back, struggling to grasp how such evil could lurk in the duke's court. "But why...why would he do such a monstrous thing?"

Garren released a bone-weary sigh, bitterness leeching through. "In the end he confessed readily enough. Years earlier on Lilya's first visit to Stonehaven he glimpsed her. He became instantly convinced she was his decades-lost wife reborn to him once more...and became obsessed completely with possessing her again." A snarl crossed Garren's face as he finished, "He even had the gall to demand we give her to him."

They sat in silence for a moment as dark revelations settled about the room. Then Katalin asked softly, "But pray...how did my brother see through this scheme so swiftly?"

After Garren did not respond, apparently lost in the memory, Wulfgar took up the tale. "As part of his diplomatic preparations, young Cassius underwent extensive tutelage identifying ways assassinations might be attempted - including caution around unlikely bequests and visitors. So, when Mordain started raving that solitude was mandatory, your brother was immediately suspicious. He knew of no potion that cared if it was being watched."

The scout shook his grizzled head marveling. "That, and when he looked in the box he recognized the Tears of the Sun poison, and he knew enough. So, Cassius took matters into his own hands as you heard..."

At that gruff Wulfgar fixed Katalin with solemn eyes and concluded, "Mordain begged to the end - even kneeling bound, his tongue still spun fictions declaring innocence of any attempted murder. So, our sharp Duke pronounced there was but one clear path to truth."

The veteran's voice dipped low and savage, "He had Mordain's lying lips pried open by force. Then our own lord Alaric, bless his name, upended the entire vial of shimmering liquid down his gullet. Justice most poetic."

At his pause, Katalin leaned forward and asked, "...and? What happened?"

Wulfgar smacked fist to palm, relishing proper harsh fates meted. "He fell over dead. Instantly. Too easy an end if you ask me - traitorous mongrels merit drawing and quartering at least! But I will give Lord Alaric his due, it was good to see our ruler give justice by his own hand. The message sent across the city was clear enough - the high and mighty shall answer for crimes as readily as any commoner."

At these blunt words, even Garren raised his head up and nodded in agreement. "Aye. Fine indeed." He then turned toward Katalin with solemn promise etched on weathered features. "Whatever comes, I pledge to personally see you safely beyond Stonehaven's borders."

He pushed up from the table and crossed over toward the door, mind clearly already running over preparations needed.

Yet just as Garren grasped the handle to step outside, the door burst rudely inward, knocking the sturdy fellow back a step.

Framed in the entrance stood beaming Rollo, practically bouncing on his heels. "Garren! Wulfgar! Wait until you hear what happened to me!"

Katalin and Wulfgar shared grins and together mumbled, "Idiot."