“A good idea,” said Caedmon, eager to change the direction of the conversation. “I was speaking to Bishop Rendel this past Sunday and you wouldn’t believe what he told me…” As Caedmon began talking about a potential visit in the future from high-ranking officials of the church, he cast subtle, concerned glances in Alistar’s direction.
Alistar’s ears had perked up at what he had just heard, and he was now lost in thought. The unexplored areas of Crystellum that Antoine had referred to were undoubtedly the lower tunnels where he had often played as a child, the forbidden sections where cave lizards and other dangerous creatures dwelled in the darkness along with other countless mysteries. Only he and Kaila had ever gone down there, at least in recent decades, since theirs were the only sets of footprints that he had ever seen in those desolate pathways.
Was it really possible that the tunnels beneath Crystellum were connected with the Iron Dungeon? If this were true, then couldn’t Alistar sneak into the mines from the lower levels after finding his way through the labyrinth? The only problem was that the dungeon in question had already claimed countless lives, meaning that it would likely prove even more dangerous than attempting to infiltrate the mines from their front entrance. Such thoughts reminded him of something that put a bitter taste in his mouth, the fact that Team Tempest had yet to return from the expedition that they had set out on earlier in the week.
Considering the strength of that group, Alistar was sure that they would be fine. Even so, he couldn’t help but worry about Vanessa, who had left the strongest impression on him out of the five. Thinking about the quiet young woman, he decided to inspect the energy imprint that she had left on the copper lucet that was currently stored away in his room along with his mother’s locket. Her energy wouldn’t dissipate so long as she remained alive, so examining the coin would be the quickest way to address his worries.
Alistar spoke mostly with Lessa and Mr. Albeck over the course of the meal, Anice keeping to herself throughout the majority of the succulent feast. Lessa and her family went home a short while after dinner, at which point all of Alistar’s uncles left to go discuss matters of state in Caedmon’s office. Antoine had made it a point to exclude Alder from these talks, so the man remained in the dining hall to sip wine with Mr. Albeck, who was equally disgruntled by yet another dinner with guests whom he truly detested.
Unlike in recent days, both of Daniel’s boys didn’t follow after Anice when she left the dining hall, but retreated to their respective rooms without bidding anyone else a good night. With nothing else to do, Alistar decided to head to the kitchens to offer his help in dealing with the night’s dishes. Of the six women that usually prepared their meals, only one had remained at the manor house, and she was currently working with one of the gardeners that had switched positions for the duration of their guests’ stay.
Speaking of Ramsey, where is he?
Alistar could sense that Elly was alone in the kitchens, which made him quicken his pace. There were countless dishes to clean tonight, along with plenty of leftover food that needed to be stored away, which would take the middle-aged woman many hours to do by herself.
Alistar crossed paths with Ramsey in one of the hallways adjacent to his destination, having sensed the man not moving from where he stood. Why is he here?
“Ramsey,” said Alistar upon seeing the thin man leaning against the wall with a sweat-stricken expression. “Why aren’t you in the kitchens? Elly will have so much more to do on her own.” Something was wrong with the gardener, his face pale and his breathing ragged. “Is everything alright? You don’t have a fever, do you?”
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“I’m not feeling well,” he said, ducking his head and pushing past with flustered steps. “I—I’m sorry. There’s nothing I can do about it.” With that, he hurried down the hall and disappeared into another area of the manor.
He’d appeared apprehensive, guilty even. Why? Finding this odd, Alistar thought about Ramsey’s strange behavior for the rest of the walk, though he eventually paused with his hand on the doorknob of one of the kitchen’s doors as he heard a man’s voice from the other side.
Uncle Daniel? He had only sensed Elly’s aura, meaning that his uncle was currently masking his in the same manner that Alistar usually did when wandering about the town. Didn’t he go off with Uncle Caedmon and Uncle Antoine? What’s he doing here?
Elly’s voice sounded stressed as she spoke quietly on the other side of the door, which muffled much of their conversation. This was quickly followed by the sound of a rough smack and a cry of pain, along with a low, threatening statement from Daniel. Hearing this, Alistar steeled his heart and walked into the room.
Two sets of eyes fixed themselves upon him the moment he stepped inside, one frightened and hopeful while the other was annoyed and ill-mannered. Elly was backed up against one of the counters, leaning as far back as she could from Daniel, where he stood within very close proximity to her. She was cornered at the junction of two counters, the buttons of her black blouse appearing to have been forcibly undone with much of her breasts visible beneath. The portly duke had a hand around her waist and was leaning in close as if attempting to whisper something into the head cook’s ear, the redness of Elly’s right cheek showing that she had just been struck.
Daniel glared at Alistar, openly threatening, his thick eyebrows slanted in distaste. “Leave here.”
Alistar fiddled with one of his limiters, thinking quickly. Putting on the most innocently curious expression that he could muster, he feigned ignorance and stared into Daniel’s eyes like a lost kitten that was looking for love.
“Your Excellency,” he said, bowing while fumbling with his hands in a mock-nervous manner. “I…I wanted to ask you something.” Gulping in a show of feigned bashfulness, he said, “Uncle Caedmon said I was conceived in the capital fourteen years ago. He said that…” he trailed off for effect, his heart hammering from anxiety. “Are you my father?”
All emotion drained from the duke’s face for a fleeting moment before he put on an extremely uncomfortable frown. Glancing at Elly, something seemed to click in his mind and he took a step back.
“You really know how to kill the mood.” Clicking his tongue in frustration, he pushed past Alistar and left the room without saying another word.
As soon as he left, Elly caught herself against the counter and attempted to tuck a long strand of brown hair behind her left ear with a shivering hand, though belatedly acknowledged her immodest appearance and fastened up her blouse with fumbling fingers. Alistar walked over and placed a hand on her back, helping to steady her as she caught her breath.
After a few moments, Elly gave him a long, tight hug. “Thank you, Young Master. If you hadn’t come…”
He shook his head and pulled out his coin purse, handing her two silver half-lucets. “Go to the eastern gate and have Rayson take you into town to stay with the other girls. He’ll know where to bring you.”
“I wish I could,” she said, conflicted. “But I can’t afford to miss out on a week’s pay. Master Caedmon offered twice the usual amount for those that chose to stay this week, and I was really counting on that to settle some debts.” Lip quivering, she muttered, “I wouldn’t have been so pushy with the count if I’d known this would happen. I should have believed the others.”
“That’s why I’m giving you these. One is for Rayson for the trouble, and one is to make up for your wages. I’ll talk to Uncle Caedmon about it later, and I’ll help out in the kitchens during mealtimes in your place.” He proffered the coins to emphasize urgency, since he was worried that his uncle would seek the woman out later on and continue to harass her. “Hurry, before my uncles can give you any more trouble.”
Elly accepted the coins with grateful hands, though not in the absence of an odd look in her eyes. It was as if she were staring at a rare specimen of a newly discovered species, though the gaze concluded with a clear stamp of approval. She had never looked at him like this before.
“Thank you, Young Master. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
“How many times do I have to tell you guys? Please, call me Alistar.”
“Thank you, Alistar.” Pausing on her way out of the room, Elly offered a parting statement with sincerity. “If I had a son like you, I would be very, very proud.”