6.1

Winter had come to Valasect, and it would be Jewel’s first celebration as lady of the village through the darkest night of the year.

“Really? Your family was so involved in the matter? You attended and participated every year?”

Jewel was finding that for all the admirable qualities of character her husband had, he was bereft in experiences that she was coming to learn were what marked her family as so called provincial lords and ladies.

As far as she was concerned those that sneered as if the term made them dirty were the ones deeply deficient in vital skill and experience.

Which was why Paul was having these failings corrected now that they had settled home.

He was put to work immediately in helping Jewel organize the manor’s staff. Not quite taking up a role as a wife in the household, Jewel after all insisted upon her due time spent with the women of Valasect in spinning, sewing and weaving.

But he was taking on responsibilities a bit closer to Jorge’s duties that had not involved Jewel’s baths.

When there was time he saw to the disposition of the staff, hired or called up the service of villagers to stay in the quarters of Jewel’s house to aid Dariusz and Eryka. Paul even put some work in assisting Muriel with organizing the arming and training for Jewel’s slowly growing number of footmen.

He also was often trading off with Smithson in seeing to ‘Gem’ so that her Squire could fulfill his official title of master knight of the horse.

But while his help in all of this was appreciated, the real labor of her husband was in the sending of birds and arranging their exchange with seemingly every corner of the realm.

Rochford had a small dove house setup in one of its remaining towers.

Valasect and Jewel’s manor were making do with a small wood shed for their birds, But she was sure that if her Husband’s collection of doves continued to grow at this pace she would have to commision an entire tower half again as tall as her Father’s to house them all!

The delay it would bring to prospecting for a natural mountain spring or other water source to run into her bathing chamber was upsetting but he insisted proper correspondence with all the upcoming personages of Viznove and the realm were vital if Jewel’s eventual inheritance was not going to spark a war among the lords requiring intervention from the High King.

So acting as (and someday acquiring) the dovemaster of Valasect was for at least a few years going to be Paul’s primary labor.

When Jewel saw the expense for a breeding pair of good heritage messenger birds she appreciated a bit more why the recommended punishment for children that harmed them during the harrow was so severe.

Their dowry had been impressive but a distressing amount of it was constantly draining away to further develop the manor as not just a home but as Paul said it “an administrative hub fit for the heir of Viznove”.

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But those many labors were not the ones imminently ahead for Jewel or her man this season.

Today they had an audience with Adorján and Jewel was going to have settled once and for all what role was required of the lady and lord of Valasect to see through the greatest depths of winter.

Her husband however was less enthused by it.

“We have snow hunts either or both of us could be attending, Invitations made for feasts in our own hall to foster goodwill. A half dozen other moves and acts made over winter to better secure our position among the lords. Attending a ceremony over winter for peasants is a waste of ti-”

Jewel had practiced the tone she cut him off with. It had a hint of bethica, much of her own Mother and just a dash of the Countess’ sharpness.

“Husband, It is the responsibility and obligation of any lord or lady of Rochford to join with their charges in defense of their lives and land. Whether that be by beast, invasion or divinity. We will be doing whatever is called for to aid in the fight against the bite of winter’s cold here in Valasect.”

And that was the end of it.

He had a pained look for her as they waited for the headman’s arrival.

But Jewel was only doing what he himself had identified. It was Jewel’s role to be the strength of Valasect, someday it would be her role to be the strength of Viznove.

A lady she might be, but she was a Martial one. Something those awful girls had tried to make a lodestone on her neck. However Jewel would shape those words made in spite and turn them around on all that cursed at her with them. Just as she would bend the near spat term of provincial into something honorable.

If she had her say in it Jewel would raise herself and her care of her people up to and shame every lord that merely pretended at defense for those under their protection.

She would be better than Bathory.

And just in time Adorján was announced by one of the boys that was reasonable enough with his letters. Unlike Rochford it would be a long time until Jewel had an overabundance of criers.

And then her headman was before them.

Jewel lounging on the still fresh and raw stones of her feasting hall.

Curled amiably around the mostly normal wood of her Husband’s chair.

It was a pretty thing and Paul swore at its comfort but the wood was so soft Jewel had to be careful not to touch it roughly.

Finally the necessary formalities were done and Jewel and Paul could get to the business of the solstice.

“Adorján, Have you found what role I and my husband should take this winter for the longest night? I’d like to make sure the arrangements are settled well ahead of time.”

Her Headman, old and somewhat crooked by age he might be, met Jewel’s eyes as she had long insisted he should.

“I must pardon you Lady Jewel and Lord Paul. But All things said plain and honestly?”

Jewel nodded again, she had stressed he should always speak plainly to her when in private. And had reiterated such that her husband was to be taken as a confidant of hers as well.

“It would be best for neither of you to be involved at all.”

Jewel stared at her head man.

Surely she had heard him wrong?

“Excuse me?!”

Jewel’s voice was shriller than she meant it to be.