Crossing the castle’s inner bailey, Sir Nevan made his way into the Keep in search of dinner. As there had not been a hue or a cry for the guards, he assumed that the Wise Woman’s grandson had been sent safely home after being introduced to his cousin. Thankfully it ended peacefully; the thought of punishing the boy for Miles stupidity didn’t sit well with him.
Passing through the Great Hall, he expected his cousin to be moping about in one of the parlors. Unable to find him, the young Knight became annoyed to hear from one of the servants that his cousin had asked to dine in the Solar. It seems, Miles had found a new companion; however, the woman had no business being in the family’s private area.
With half a mind to make an issue of it, the young man came to a halt as soon as he entered the room. Who was the beautiful woman who sat across from his cousin? He would have expected to have been notified if a noble woman’s party was stopping for the night at the Keep. So, where did this she come from?
“Why, cousin, now this is a surprise,” Sir Miles stood, followed by the young woman. “I thought that you had business with the Constable this evening.”
Nevan could tell that Miles was not pleased with being interrupted. “I finished early. Why don’t you introduce me to your dining companion.”
His cousin looked confused for a moment, then nodded. “My apologies, I assumed the two of you had met before. Mistress Aislin, may I introduce Sir Nevan.”
Aislin almost lost it when Lord Kelvin’s son entered the room. So far, the evening had been rather stressful. Positive that he looked like a boy in a dress, no matter what his grandmother said, the young man waited to be arrested as soon the wagon entered the Keep. His appearance instead caused quite a commotion. The servant who initially met him in the courtyard panicked, quickly sending another servant to find Sir Miles.
The young Knight crossed the courtyard, obviously annoyed, but his attitude changed immediately. Instead of being brought directly to Sir Miles's bedchamber as expected, the two ended up in a small sitting area near above the Great Hall.
From how quickly the servant ran about setting up the small table, the change of dining venue must have been a complete surprise as well. Aislin understood that he was being treated differently, perhaps it was his mother’s clothes, other than that he didn’t know exactly why.
“Sir, Nevan.” Coming down into a curtsey, Aislin felt Lord Kelvin’s son approach taking him by the hand. The young man almost jumped when he felt warm lips pressed upon it.
Helping him rise, the young Knight smiled, “It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Mistress Aislin.”
Sir Nevan couldn’t help but shiver as she looked up at him. Her piercing blue eyes were mesmerizing. Walking around the table, the young Knight motioned to one of the servants for a place setting.
A little confused at the introduction to someone he thought he knew, it became apparent to Nevan that the beautiful creature standing in front of him, no matter what the villagers had professed, was female.
“I believe I will join you.” Nevan grinned as he took a seat at the table. “So, what were the two of you discussing before I came into the room?”
“Tapestries, my lord,” Aislin answered, of all things to have a conversation about. Traveling with his grandmother, he had only been in a few other castles, but he admired those tapestries he had seen. Surprisingly enough, Aislin knew his limited knowledge was still far superior to that of Sir Miles.
“I was not aware that this was an area of expertise for you, cousin,” Sir Nevan raised an eyebrow while hiding a smirk.
Sir Miles made a face. To him, it seemed that Nevan had planned this interruption beforehand, the bastard. Well, he couldn’t blame him. He, too, found the young woman enchanting. “We were discussing the tapestries found in Baron Ruarc’s Great Hall.”
Nevan scratched his chin. “I see. I assume that means you have been to Lisheen Castle, Mistress Aislin.”
“Yes, I was a guest along with my grandmother.” When he was younger, Aislin grandmother held a high office with the Wise Women. During that time, the two of them had visited several Court healers, including Macha’s grandmother.
Sir Nevan found that intriguing as most villagers never traveled further than the next village. As the second course, creamy pea soup, was set on the table, the three began to discuss difficulties of travel.
“You seem to know the Kingdom rather well,” Sir Miles sat back, motioning one of the servants to remove his trencher.
“I have traveled through most the southern half of the Kingdom,” Aislin admitted. “The rest though is from what I have read.”
Thanking the servant, who took his unfinished soup away, Asilin tried to remain calm. Between being nervous, and the richness of the food, he decided that smaller portions would be prudent.
Neither Knight missed that the young man dined like a proper lady, unlike the two men who finished the soup and a loaf of bread each. Aislin, however, didn’t want to walk into his grandmother’s house sick to his stomach.
“So she can read,” Sir Nevan whispered to his cousin.
To both young men, the raven-haired beauty remained a mystery. Besides her clothes, which rivaled anything the noble ladies of the household wore, her demeanor, the way she held herself, said that she was a gentlewoman. But if so, why was she living in the village.
“By your coloring, Mistress Aislin, your family must come from another part of the Kingdom,” Sir Nevel asked.
Pulling off small pieces of a stuffed meat pie, she nodded. “My mother’s family, who I have been told I take after is from Ardglass.”
Sir Miles nodded, “On the Goul River?”
Aislin smiled, Sir Miles being from Arklow, had heard of his mother’s hometown. “Yes, her father was a merchant.”
Sir Nevan appeared startled; the wealthy merchant houses of Ardglass were famous, “Which family?”
“Dunne,” Aislin replied.
While one of the servants filled the young woman’s cup with raspberry wine, Nevan leaned over to his cousin. “Dunne, the name sounds familiar. Do you know what they trade?”
“Textiles,” Miles nodded, impressed. The family was rumored to be quite wealthy.
Nevan tried to hide his surprise. From listening to his father’s complaints about the cost of women's clothes, he knew her outfit must be worth at least the same price as a good warhorse.
He soon began to wonder what political infighting within the merchant guilds kept her isolated in a village. Both Knights’ also realized they had been improperly addressing her as well. Thankfully, she had been gracious enough not to be offended by it.
Looking at the young gentlewoman in front of them in a new light, literate, well-traveled, and coming from an influential family, both men sat back and contemplated the situation.
Sir Miles, a landless Knight, understood that marriage to Lady Aislin could be advantageous. As a third son, the chances of him marrying well was uncertain. The young woman, however, would be a perfect match.
With a merchant family background, she would be able to manage a household better than any Bailiff. As for wealth, although she lived with her grandmother, she still had sufficient income to garb herself in clothes befitting one of her social statuses. Thoughts of a large dowry danced in his head.
To Sir Nevan, an advantageous marriage in the near future was not assured. One of the reasons why both his parents were away was at a wedding, but to also find him and his sister a suitable match. The most likely outcome for both siblings would be a marriage into one of the nearby Lords’ household.
However, Nevan knew at least for him, that the closest families’ female children were either married or too young. The more he thought about it, the more promising it sounded, what would be the chance that a suitable candidate living in the nearby village?
Obviously, her social standing might be an issue; however, as a wealthy merchant’s granddaughter, that might not pose too much of a problem. What would appease his father, as a local, Aislin would have a great deal of influence with the villages that surrounded the Keep? Nevan looked forward to introducing the young woman to his mother. Now, the question remained about her father.
“Your father?” Sir Miles had asked before Nevan finished that thought.
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Aislin smiled sadly; unfortunately, he didn’t have a lot of memories of his father, “I was told he was a soldier. He died when I was very young. According to my grandmother, your uncle, Sir Nevan, the Duke placed him under the field command of the local levies during the southern rebellion. He was killed in a battle east of the River Mar. I don’t know the details. My mother always refused to talk about it.”
As the two Knights looked at one another, Sir Nevan mouthed the word. “Captain.”
That also changed the situation a great deal for the two knights. The father to have a field command, he must have been at least the second son of some noble.
Thankfully, the two Knights didn’t press Aislin for any more questions about his family. Why they were asking confused him, if the two of them were trying to determine his true gender, questions about his parent’s didn’t seem necessary.
Thankfully, whatever answers he gave pleased both Knights. However, if he didn’t know any better, during the rest of the meal, the two men seemed to be vying for his attention.
Sir Nevan learned after conversing with the lovely lady that she, too, was quite learned. Thankfully, it was something his mother insisted upon for all of her children. While discussing the books, the two of them had read, he confirmed that she must have a good enough relationship with several merchants that she often traded books with them.
Sir Miles, on the other hand, although he knew his letters, such things didn’t seem to interest him. What he enjoyed was riding, hunting, falconry, and other manly pursuits. Aislin feigned interest, which pushed the Knight forward to boast of his exploits in detail.
What both men found interesting was Mistress Aislin’s medicinal knowledge. Neither was surprised that she was not her grandmother’s apprentice. Someone of her social standing didn’t need to do such work. However, having a wife knowledgeable about plants and herbs would make sure that any children would be healthy.
With the meal complete, Aislin heard the watch give the hour. With a smile, he said, “It’s getting late. I should be getting back home before my grandmother becomes worried.”
To his surprise, both men agreed and happily escorted him through the Keep. Somehow, with his mother being a merchant’s daughter, his status had been changed in their eyes to that of a gentlewoman. Thankfully, that had offered some protection from any unwanted advances, for now.
--0--
Rowena silently walked across the stone courtyard, entering the inner bailey as her mother and father spoke with her betrothed. Dinner at the Castle had always been a girlish fantasy, although, in her dreams, she sat at the head table next to Sir Nevan and his parents. Still, eating in a small dining room across from the Keep itself and being served by the Castle’s servants had been thrilling.
“I’m pleased that you enjoyed our dinner, Rowena. I looked forward to sharing more of them with you in our future together,” Master Oran smiled at the young girl.
The young girl looked down and blushed. “I do, as well.”
Looking up, she noticed her parents and Master Oran were now looking across the courtyard as a small group of people exited the Keep. Immediately Rowena recognized Sir Nevan, who every young girl in the village secretly wanted to marry.
Standing next to him was the new Knight Sir Miles, but the third person must be an actual lady of the court. A small pang of jealousy gripped her chest, as Sir Nevan helped the woman put on a beautiful cape. Rowena looked down, ashamed how dowdy she must look compared to the noble lady conversing with the two Knights.
“Master Oran, what a surprise to see you and pray tell, who are these good people,” Sir Nevan motioned for them to step forward.
The Seneschal quickly motioned his guests to follow him, and upon drawing close, all bowed or curtsied to the young Knight. “Sir Nevan, may I present my betrothed Rowena and her parents, Master Colcothar and his wife, Mistress Seara.”
“Ah, yes, I remember you’re the village’s Headman,” The young lord smiled.
“Yes, my lord.” Master Colcothar didn’t raise his head.
“My lord, may I apologize for not being present when your guest arrived.”
Later in the evening, he would be horrified to discover that the Keep had initially sent an ordinary wagon for the gentlewoman.
Sir Nevan waved him off, “No apologies necessary, Master Oran. Although next time, when Lady Aislin comes for a visit, perhaps proper protocols should be followed, yes?”
“As you say, my lord,” Master Oran bowed apologetically.
“Aislin,” Rowena spoke up, receiving a stern look from both Sir Nevan and Master Oran.
Looking surprised, her friend turned his head, then gave her a warm smile, “Rowena, good evening.”
About to say something about how he was dressed, Rowena stopped seeing the panic in his eyes.
Sir Miles looked at the group, “You know this girl, my lady?”
“Yes, she and I grew up together,” Nodding ignoring the shocked looks on her friend's parents.
Miles clapped his hands together, “Splendid, bring her tomorrow when you come to the castle for lunch. Afterward, we can go hawking together. I know my sisters always seem to need several attendants when they go out. I will have Nevan assign a few more if your friend is not enough.”
“Hawking, Miles?” Sir Nevan gave his cousin a look.
The young Knight laughed, “I asked her first.”
Rowena, already in awe how familiarly her childhood friend talked to the two nobles, she nervously turned towards her parents. Knowing that they never liked Aislin, she was surprised her mother hadn't already said something critical. What she found instead of outraged was shock, and both looked to be a little scared.
Master Oran and his guests stepped away when a carriage obviously for Aislin approached.
“So, we will see you tomorrow, Aislin.” Sir Miles reached over and kissed the raven-haired beauty’s hand. “Please say yes.”
“Of course, Sir Miles,” He could help but laugh at the young knight's request, trying to ignore the kiss on the hand.
“Excellent, and as I have said before, please just call me Miles,” Satisfied, he gave a triumphed look towards his cousin.
Sir Nevan then took the lead and escorted Aislin to the carriage, “I did enjoy our dinner together; hopefully, I will find time to join the two of you tomorrow.”
As four mounted men-at-arms approached as an escort, Aislin looked at his friend standing in the darkness. Remembering the uncomfortable wagon ride to the castle, he asked. “Sir Nevan, do you think it would be an imposition if my friend and her family traveled with me back to the village.”
The Knight looked surprised as the thought never occurred to him. Realizing that the young woman might want her friend's assistance later in the evening, the Knight turned his head to speak to the four who stood off to the side.
“Master Oran, I don’t see this as a problem, do you?” Sir Nevan asked.
The seneschal quickly responded, “No, of course not, my lord, thank you very much, Lady Aislin.”
While the others were quickly ushered into the carriage, a servant came running up with a leather-bound book and passed it to Sir Nevan. “Here you go, Aislin, the third volume of the book written by Stephen the Scribe.”
“Sir, Nevan, I couldn’t,” Aislin began.
“Of course, you can, and when you finish, we will be able to have a nice conversation on the birds of the Lupine Mountains,” The knight smiled, almost getting lost again in the woman’s eyes.
Sir Miles might think he had the lead the young man thought, but while Lady Aislin looked over the book on birds tonight, she will be thinking only of him.
--0--
Passing through the gatehouse on the way back to the village, Aislin closed his eyes. He had mistakenly believed that with the meal finished, this nonsense would have come to a close. Now, there was going to be lunch tomorrow as well.
It’s not that he had a bad time with the two Knights — quite the opposite, really. There had been very few times in his life where people found his company enjoyable. However, he was under no illusion why the two Knights wanted to spend time with him.
Although he didn’t understand it, believing that he still looked like a boy in a dress, the thought made him either want to laugh or cry. Aislin expected the worst thing to happen to him in his future was being given a spear and thrown into battle.
Reaching for her friend’s hand, Rowena whispered, “Aislin.”
“How was your dinner with Master Oran? I didn’t know that you and your family were going to the Keep tonight.” He desperately needed to get Rowena talking instead of the three of them asking questions about why he was wearing his mother’s clothes.
Aislin didn’t mind being in the carriage with his friend, but why did he agree to take her parents’ home was beyond him.
Rowena frowned, not understanding what exactly was going on. She noticed even Aislin’s movements and manner of speaking seemed entirely different from the boy she thought she knew. It was as if she was talking to an altogether different person.
“Yes, my parents and I dined with Master Oran inside one of the small dining rooms.” She explained.
“Err...Milady Aislin, I assumed you had supper in the Great Hall?” Master Colcothar asked.
“No, the Solar,” Aislin turned to the village headman and answered.
“I see, thank you, my lady,” He gave a nervous smile then looked at his wife, who only shook her head.
“So tell me more about the night, what did you eat.” Aislin, seeing they had no more questions, prompted his friend again.
Upon entering the village, the group stopped right in front of the headman’s cottage.
“Aislin,” Rowena still had so many questions.
“Come, girl, you can speak to her tomorrow. Lady Aislin, I will make sure that my daughter is properly attired for your lunch tomorrow. I will also have her come by in the morning and help you dress.”
Grabbing her by the hand, the two exited the carriage. Their exit, though, caused some frowns from Aislin’s escorts.
Rowena’s father sighed at his wife's lack of manners and then thanked him kindly, leaving the poor boy quite confused at the sudden change of attitudes.
Upon saying farewell to his escorts, and drivers, Aislin entered the cottage. With the door closed, he collapsed to the ground like a puppet that had its strings cut. Macha, however, caught him, holding him close.
“I have you. It’s OK.” Slowly she guided the young man back to her room.
“Macha?” Aislin tried to pull away, not sure why he was being led into her bedroom.
“Can you take your dress off by yourself?” She gave her friend a look.
“Well, actually no,” The young man laughed, “Where is my grandmother?”
Starting with the outer dress, she explained, “Went right to bed. She drank quite a bit this evening with Mistress Clar. The two of them were worried about you.”
“I was worried about myself too, and you,” Aislin asked while helping as much as he could.
“I knew you would come home,” Macha whispered, then reached over and kissed him on his lips. “Now turn around.”
“I have to go back tomorrow,” Aislin grumbled.
The young woman laughed, “Of course you do, and you made sure to make a good impression on both Knights.”
“Macha,” Aislin whined.
She then her hand on his mouth and said softly, “Tomorrow, you’re exhausted.”
Nodding, Ailsin turned to head back to the front of the cottage but was steered instead towards his old bed, “Macha, I can’t share a bed with you.”
“Girls share beds all the time,” She giggled.
Aislin looked at his friend, and then grumbled, “I’m not a girl.”
Macha smiled mischievously, then said, “Its okay, Aislin, come.”
Not having enough energy to argue, he was carefully placed under the covers. The young apprentice soon followed, covering both of them with another blanket. Reaching over, she drew him close.
“I thought I was going to be killed, Macha,” He leaned close, feeling her warmth.
“I know, but you’re safe now.” She said while gently stroking his head. “Go to sleep. We will talk about it in the morning.”
Aislin realized that declining either of the Knights’ invitation was no longer an option. The threat of exposing his true gender was too great, and the consequences of that discovery, he didn’t want to think about it.
However, if Aislin continued down this path, it didn’t pose any less of a threat. With a seemingly dismal future ahead of him, the young man slowly drifted off to sleep.