Amana ran the soft cloth in her hand across the wooden dresser in front of her, wiping away the accumulated dust. Yuck. She waved her free in hand in front of her face, swiping away the tiny bits of dust that floated up around her. She bent over until her nose was just above the dresser and squinted at it crossly. "When was this chamber last cleaned, Polly?"

"Hmm?" Came the handmaiden's response.

Amana peeked over her shoulder and watched Polly as she meticulously made the chamber's bed. She arranged the pillows and folded the blankets as though she were creating some great work of art. She circled the bed, slightly adjusting things whenever she noticed something that dissatisfied her. She always pours her heart into everything she does, that much is true. "Polly, you've outdone yourself. I'm sure Sir Reinhart will sleep soundly in this bed you've prepared for him," Amana complimented.

"Are you being mean to me, Amana?" Polly asked, her feelings at risk of being hurt.

Amana spun around and stepped over to the red-haired girl. "Of course not. The bed looks perfect. In fact, I'm contemplating diving into it right now."

Polly let out a gasp. "Amana, you can't! I'll have to remake it all over again."

Amana smirked and brought her hand to Polly's cheek in an exaggerated expression of charm. "Relax, Polly, it was only a jest. Only the dashing knight himself will rest in this bed. Perhaps he will even dream of you."

"Amana," came a voice from the door. Both girls turned their heads to see a skinny, dark-haired handmaiden enter the chamber carrying a rolled rug. "You are rather odd."

"Morgan!" Polly's greeting was flustered as she squirmed away from Amana's hand.

Amana rolled her eyes. "Yes, I do enjoy having fun from time to time, perhaps it is an indulgence you should try."

Morgan placed the rug onto the ground in the center of the chamber and began unrolling it. "No thanks."

As Morgan finished laying the rug out, Polly gleefully moved over to it. "This is wonderful, Morgan. These patterns are beautiful. It's much better than the ragged old rug that was left in here."

Despite Amana's mixed feelings about Morgan, she could not deny the fine quality of the rug. The fabric was a dark red, with intricate patterns flowing across it that evoked the imagery of flowers. "Where did you find this, Morgan?"

"The weaver here in Baelcroft is a man of great skill. When I informed him that the Knight of Belrose was coming here, he was insistent that he weave the finest rug in all the realm for Sir Reinhart's chamber," Morgan explained nonchalantly.

"Well, he did a fine job," Amana admitted. Sir Reinhart, I hope you are the man everyone seems to think you are. If not, the disappointment in Baelcroft will be immeasurable. The fabled knight's arrival was seemingly imminent, and the past week had been a whirlwind of preparations. Mildred had all the servants working without stop, and Amana was nearing her limit.

After the girls had finished giving their appraisal of the rug, they returned to the task at hand. Amana continued to wipe away the dust that permeated the small chamber, Morgan straightened the tapestries that adorned the walls, and Polly spread silver candlesticks around the surfaces of the room. Polly hummed a tune as she moved around, a cheerful look across her face. Once there was nothing left to be cleaned or straightened, the handmaidens departed the chamber and closed the door behind them. Mildred would give the room a thorough examination of her own before Sir Reinhart's arrival, but Amana was unconcerned. Even if she finds something amiss or poorly done, I cannot be solely blamed since there were three of us there.

As Amana lightly moved through the hallway behind the other girls, she passed by Riah's chamber and paused as something through the open doorway caught her eye. The young girl was at the window at the far side of the room, leaning over it. For a brief moment Amana thought Riah was trying to climb out of the window, and she took a step toward the girl. She came to a halt as she saw that the girl held a small cloth doll in her hand, which she was dangling out of the open window. Riah rhythmically swayed the doll from side to side, her face contorted pensively. Is this some sort of game she's playing?

Amana watched on as Riah brought her hand to an abrupt stop, and she could imagine what fate was about to befall the doll. However, to her surprise, the girl's hand tightened around the doll, and she swiftly pulled it back through the window. Riah leaned back away from the window and brought the doll close to her in a tight embrace. The young girl seemed on the verge of tears as she hugged the small toy. Amana took a quiet breath, after realizing that she had forgotten to as she stood in the doorway. Growing up is never easy, no matter where you are. As she turned to leave, Amana nearly bumped into a woman who was rounding the corner into the chamber.

Amana's eyes went wide, and she stepped aside while attempting an apologetic bow. "Lady Elise, forgive me," she said in a meek tone to the baron's wife.

Elise was in her late thirties by Amana's estimation, but her fair looks had hardly faded with age. Her hair was elegantly looped into a tight bun, and she wore a bronze circlet atop her head. Her eyes were the color of amber, her cheekbones were pronounced and her jaw square. Elise raised a brow as she eyed Amana. "What are you doing here?"

"I-, I-, I saw Lady Riah at the window and-" Amana stuttered.

"Amana," Riah called out as she made her way across the room. "You haven't come to tell me a story in so long." Great, now I have a lot of explaining to do.

Elise put her hands on her hips and stared down at her daughter. "What stories?"

"About her home. They have dancing, and feasts and all sorts of wonderful things!" Riah explained with excitement.

Elise brought her glare back to Amana. "Perhaps you might clarify what it is my daughter speaks of?"

"Of course, my lady." Amana quickly composed herself. Just like I've practiced. It was the same tale that she told to the official on her first day in Baelcroft, but she had carefully honed it into a finer lie. She told of a childhood in Sargotha, and of the year spent as a servant to a princess of that realm. She spoke with sadness of a brother who had traveled west to Trilea in search of purpose, and how she had come to these lands in search of him. Her story ended with tragedy, as the brother she sought had met his end to a gang of bandits in Thornwood. I hope the gods of Trilea do not judge lying as too great of a sin, else my soul will be assuredly damned. "And so, the other morning when Lady Riah asked me to speak of my home, I was rather forthright. It brought me great joy to speak of the happier days of my life."

"I see." Elise pursed her lips as though agitated. "To think that a handmaiden here in our manor had served the self-proclaimed royalty of Sargotha. Once Trilea has been restored, their false bloodline will be..." Her voice trailed off as she looked back at Riah. "What have I told you about bothering the servants as they work?"

The girl gave a shrug. "There's no one else to talk to these days. It's boring."

"Your father will hear of this, and I doubt he will approve of your insolent behavior," Elise scolded.

"Wait, no, I'm sorry!" The young girl sputtered. "Please don't tell father."

Yes, that would be bad for both of us, child. "My lady, please, I ask you to be considerate with Lady Riah. She was only curious about me."

"That is her problem, she is too curious for her own good." Elise shook her head, but after a moment her demeanor softened. She took a step forward and gently placed her hand on Riah's head. "She takes after her mother, it would seem." The child was teary-eyed and quiet as she looked up at her mother. The lady of the manor brought her attention back to Amana, who stood nervously in the corner awaiting a punishment of her own. "Relax, girl, you aren't in danger of being thrown out. You've only done what was asked of you, after all."

Amana gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Lady Elise. I am sorry to have caused trouble. I will return to my duties now, unless you have something more for me."

"Well, actually, there is an errand I need done," Elise mentioned with the hint of a smile across her lips. "Something for both me and my daughter."

✸✸✸

In the entry hall of the servants' quarters, Amana slipped out of her shoes and gently set them aside. She examined the row of boots that lined the floor and picked a pair that seemed sturdy and of the right size for her feet. She pulled them on and laced them tightly. Next, she wrapped a grey cloak around her shoulders and fastened it. With the sealed envelope that Elise had given her in hand, she stepped back outside through the doorway. Amana had briefly searched for Polly, but it seemed she was busy elsewhere with some other tasks of her own. She entertained the notion of asking Morgan to accompany her but decided against it. The yard was bustling with activity as the servants made final preparations for the coming arrival of The Knight of Belrose and his accompanying escort.

As she neared the gates of the inner wall, Amana thought she might pay Liza a visit during her trip into the town. It had been a week since she had seen the kind woman on, and neither of them had much time to spare these days. A handful of guards milled around the gatehouse, and though Amana did not know most of their names, she recognized their faces. Though they could be a bit rambunctious at times, they were decent men for the most part, by her estimation. The gates themselves were kept open during the day, and only closed after the sun went down. One of the guardsmen offered a greeting to Amana as she passed, but it was another voice behind her that brought her to a stop.

"Amana, wait a moment!"

She turned to see the Lloyd, a concerned look on his face as he quickly approached her. He was dressed in fine clothes today, his orange doublet embroidered with patterns of silver silk. His hair was also combed and pushed back behind his ears, lending him a more sophisticated appearance. This look is definitely more fitting for him then the suit of armor. In the days following his unsuccessful proposal, Lloyd had kept his distance from Amana. She had hoped that time would heal his heartbreak and that the boy would move on but wondered now if she had been too optimistic in her assumption.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Uh, might I speak with you?” Lloyd’s voice was nervous, and he glanced at the guardsman standing beside them. “Are you heading into town?”

“I have an important errand that Lady Elise has asked me to take care of,” Amana said politely. “Is this something that we can discuss at a later time?”

Lloyd chewed on his lip. "Well, yes, but..."

"But?" Why is he acting so odd?

"Might I walk with you? I think you'll want to hear what I have to say. It's important," he said with a more serious expression.

"Very well." Amana turned and passed through the open gates as Lloyd fell in step beside her. Does he have some new scheme devised to win my affection? She snuck a wary look at him, which he noticed.

”Don’t make that face, I’m not going to proposition you again.” He held his hand up to express his sincerity. "I took what you said to heart. And you were right, Amana. You aren't the girl I thought you were."

Amana frowned. "Is that meant to be an insult or a compliment?"

Lloyd stifled a laugh. "Neither. I thought you were from here—Baelcroft, that is. Or perhaps a nearby village. I had no idea you were from Sargotha."

"Ah, yes. I try not to speak of my past, the memories are rather painful, you see." And rather made up.

"Of course, I understand." Lloyd glanced over his shoulder as they walked down the narrow street. "So, where are we headed?"

Lady Elise has asked to me to collect the new pairs of shoes that she has ordered for her and her daughter from the town cobbler. The young Lady Riah has almost outgrown her old shoes, and Lady Elise desires a new pair for the arrival of Sir Reinhart," Amana explained.

Lloyd nodded expectantly. "Yes, I suppose this will be quite the ordeal. Sir Reinhart is a hero here."

"So I've noticed," Amana said dryly. The pair turned a corner and found themselves on a lively street bustling with people. A small crowd gathered around a wagon of goods that were being peddled from a wooden stall by a merchant. The sound of a hammer colliding with metal could be heard from the coppersmith shop, and the smell of bread from a nearby bakery filled the air. A handful of fieldworkers carrying bags of barley and oats moved slowly as they passed. Amana had made occasional trips into the town over the past two weeks, and so the scene around her had nearly become a familiarity.

There’s a growing excitement here in Baelcroft. Things almost feel normal, as though the curse of these lands is kept at bay. As they pushed through the crowd, Lloyd remained oddly silent. He seemed on edge, which gave Amana a feeling of unease. A few minutes later and they arrived at the cobbler's shop and made their way inside. Shoes and sandals of all sizes were piled messily along the floor. Most were old and worn, and in desperate need of repair. At the far side of the shop at a large wooden workbench a man sat hunched over engrossed in his work. He was stitching together a small shoe, mending the leather pieces together nimbly.

Amana watched him work, impressed by his skill and the swiftness of his motion. The cobbler was nearly bald and what little hair that he had left was greying. He looked to be near sixty, but in good health. Lloyd cleared his throat loudly, and the man peered up with a distracted gaze. “If you’re needing a shoe mended by tomorrow, you’ll have to try elsewhere.” The cobbler gestured towards the shoes that littered the floor. “I’ve got a long list of ‘em needs work done and my apprentice is out of the shop right now.”

”You only have one?” Lloyd asked in disbelief.

”Aye, only one worth a damn that is. The rest are little lads without the faintest idea how to use any tool that don't belong in a field.” The cobbler let out a sigh and leaned back. His joints popped and creaked as he stretched out on his small stool.

”Actually,” Amana said as she stepped forward and presented the envelope in her hand, “I’m here to pick up two pairs of shoes that were ordered for Lady Elise and her daughter.”

The cobbler grunted and stood. He made his way over to Amana and took the sealed envelope. On it was the symbol of the Loyse family, a horned bird. The Duskstalker Falcon, a small bird of prey that is renowned for the curious horn that grows atop its head. Polly said they used to be common in Trilea, but they have all but disappeared of late. The cobbler broke the seal and opened the letter, a hint of a smile on his face as he read the message within. “Yes, I have the shoes the lady asked for. One moment,” he said as he headed over to a cabinet tucked away in a corner. "I think she'll be quite happy with these." He pulled open the cabinet and picked up a small ornate chest. He brought it over to Amana, but Lloyd stepped forward and took hold of it.

"Allow me," he said politely as he balanced the chest in his arms.

"Tell the lady I am grateful to have served her," the cobbler requested as Amana and Lloyd departed his shop. They made their way back toward the manor at the center of the town, navigating through the busy streets. I had hoped to visit Liza at the seamstress workhouse, but not with Lloyd at my side. Come to think of it, didn't he have something important to tell me? Why has he been so quiet?

"Lloyd, why did you come with me? I could have handled this on my own." Amana raised her brow inquisitively.

He gave a shrug. "There could be danger outside the inner wall. Baelcroft is overflowing with refugees these days, and it's likely that a few unsavory folks have slipped into the town."

"So, you came to keep me safe?" She asked.

"Why, does that notion offend you?" Lloyd retorted. "Can I not do a decent thing?"

Amana made a dour face. "You could, but I find it hard to imagine you protecting me from anyone without a sword."

Lloyd looked down at his hip in surprise. "Ah, yes, it would seem I have forgotten my blade," he admitted with a frown. Amana covered her mouth as she let out a soft giggle. Lloyd's face turned red, and he looked away to try and hide his embarrassment. After a moment he regained his composure and brought his view back to her. "Amana, I am sorry about the other day. I wish I had done things differently. In the eighteen years of my life, I have never felt such a fool as I do now."

"There is no need to apologize," Amana said gently. "It was a perfectly normal thing that you did."

"My uncle didn't just tell me where you were from, he also told me about what happened to your brother." Lloyd's tone was remorseful. "I pouted like a child after we spoke the other day, completely unaware of the loss you had suffered. I was concerned with only myself, never even giving a thought to what you may have gone through."

"Your uncle?" Amana questioned.

"Oh, you don't know?" Lloyd seemed surprised. "Lukas is my uncle, he is an official here in the town. He oversaw the details of your contract."

"Yes, I remember him. I had no idea he was your kin." He didn't seem to think too highly of me or my story if I recall. A skinny dog dashed excitedly through the streets near Amana, a bone in its mouth. She passed a beggar, an old one-armed man who had taken a seat on a dirty corner with a small wooden bowl to collect handouts. "How does he fare?" She feigned an interest in Lukas' well-being.

"He's miserable. The flood of people only grows each day." Lloyd shook his head distractedly. "He's been like a father to me, and I hate to see him this way. The stress weighs heavy on his mind. And, to make matters worse..." He gave Amana a long look. "There is something you need to know," he said in a foreboding tone.

"What is it?" She could feel a growing apprehension.

"Yesterday, my uncle was given a new task by Steward Randall. He is to thoroughly examine the records he has on the recent arrivals who have been given work in Baelcroft." Lloyd paused to adjust the chest in his arms, before continuing, "At face value, it was a harmless request. This information is often shared for the purpose of ledgers and taxes. But the timing is quite odd, don't you think?"

Amana furrowed her brow. "How so?"

"With the imminent arrival of The Knight of Belrose, surely there are more important matters to be attended to. Unless one were to infer that this is somehow relevant to that." Lloyd seemed to take some enjoyment in displaying his wit, but Amana was not amused.

"Lloyd, you're talking a lot, but saying very little," she observed annoyedly.

He nodded in agreement. "Sorry, it's a bad habit of mine. What I'm getting at is that the steward is looking for someone. Someone whose arrival on the eve of Sir Reinhart's own is no mere coincidence." He lowered his voice to whisper and added, "a spy, or even an assassin, if I had to guess. Sir Reinhart has no shortage of enemies, namely the Viscountess Roesia, and since it seems they are incapable of killing him on the battlefield, this may provide them an ample opportunity."

An assassin, here in Baelcroft? "That is rather frightful, if you are correct in your assumption. Do you believe that we may be in danger as well?"

"Possibly, but it is a different kind of danger that I fear may befall you, Amana. When the steward looks over the records my uncle gives him, he will surely find your name among them. You are a girl from Sargotha, a land that has only recently broken free of Trilea's domain, who arrived in Baelcroft a fortnight before Sir Reinhart. When Lord Randall learns of this, what conclusion do you think he will reach?" Lloyd stared at her intently, as though he could not bring himself to say the dark thoughts he had planted in her mind.

Amana gasped and shook her head in disbelief. "Surely you cannot mean to say... I am no assassin." She blurted out.

"Shush," he said quickly, as though he were afraid someone might overhear. "I know you aren't. But the steward, and Lord Hyward will need to be convinced. You'll be questioned once your history is uncovered. Probably more than once. It will be an interrogation."

No, that can't happen. If I am caught lying... "What if they don't believe me?" It was an all too familiar fear that she felt, and a shiver ran down her spine.

Lloyd seemed hesitant to answer and he did not speak for a moment. "It won't come to that. I'll speak on your behalf if I must. I believe you, and that's all that matters," he finally said with a hopeful smile. "Your brother, rest his soul, lived in Thornwood, yes? Surely the village ealdorman there can corroborate his residence, as well as his death."

No. No. No. That would be the worst possible outcome. The truth will damn me. Amana shuddered, suddenly feeling completely alone in the crowded town. I must leave at once. I will no longer be safe here. Her mind raced and she spent the rest of the walk back to the manor in silence. By the time they passed through the gates of the inner wall, she was so flustered that the purpose of her trip had slipped her mind. She could hear Lloyd talking, trying to reassure her, but his words were hollow.

"Amana, would you like me to deliver these shoes to Lady Elise? I don't mind to," he offered. "It's the least I can do after giving you such bad news." Amana simply nodded and gave no response. She clasped her shaky hands together to try and calm herself. Seeing her fear, Lloyd shifted the chest to one arm and reached out with the other. He gently placed his hand over her own. "Do not make yourself sick with worry. No harm will come to you, I swear it."

Amana looked into his eyes and could see clearly that he was still smitten by her. The feelings in his heart were not hidden away, and he blindly believed her words to be true. With a final look, he parted from her and made his way off toward the manor. I should gather what little I have and leave tonight. I have just enough coin to afford enough food to last a few days. I can return to Thornwood, and from there... She gritted her teeth in anger and disappointment. Is this the best I can hope for? To spend the rest of my life running? Suddenly she was tired, and her head ached with worry. The thought of fleeing into the night seemed an incredibly daunting task to her. And if I run then they will surely think I am guilty of something. Will the baron send his men after me? She let out a long sigh. Is true courage the absence of fear? Or is it simply all that remains when a person realizes that there are no other options? Amana closed her eyes and made up her mind. Not long after, when Lloyd exited the manor, she was waiting for him.

He seemed surprised to see her. "Amana, what is it?"

"I'd like to take you up on your offer," she replied.

"My offer?" As soon as the words left Lloyd's mouth a look of realization came over his face.

"Yes, I'll go with you to the tavern. This evening, if that is agreeable to you. There are some things we must discuss."