Winnie

Winnie sat at the large rectangular table and played with her seeds. These would prove fun when she took them out for playtime. Most of her senior kin were with her. Auraya sat at the head of the table staring into space. She was probably making plans and getting annoyed by the upcoming Crowning ceremony. The castle tailor was stalking her, trying to convince her to wear a dress. Winnie had never seen Auraya in a dress, a skirt or any item of clothing usually reserved for females. They were impractical and restrictive. How are you supposed to kick someone in the chest when you wear a dress that doesn’t allow you to raise your knees? How are you supposed to remove someone’s head when you don’t have full range of movement in your arms? How are you supposed to run when a bodice restricts your breathing? Winnie liked to dress up when she went out on missions that required subterfuge, but that was always her. Auraya wasn’t much of an actress. Not that Winnie would be invited to join a troupe, but Auraya’s face was usually set to scowl or distaste when she interacted with those she considered scum. Auraya thought her expression was neutral, but all Winnie read at those times was murder.

The captain of the castle guard, Patten, was with them. He was talking animatedly to Trevor about training and weapons and scheduling. Patten wanted to know how they were able to fight as they do, at such a young age. Well, Winnie could tell him. A slave driver for a training master, multiple training sessions per day, and a strong desire to crush their opponents. Reggie had been relentless in his training. Trevor had taken to it like a moth to a flame. He had thrived and made it his personal mission to push everyone to be the same. Not everyone had taken to the fighting, but it was a requirement that everyone kept fighting fit and was able to defend themselves and their kin. Apprentices got time away from it, but once they returned, it restarted. Winnie’s team were mostly non-combative. They grew their herbs, fruits, and vegetables, and made their cures. They healed the sick and fed their kin. Growing calmed her in a way nothing else could. Sending her mind into the earth and marvelling at how insignificant humans were. It was her passion. Alongside righteous murder, of course.

Gina had her head in a tome as usual. This new mercenary group they took on was a leech of funds. Gina’s job was to find the money to get it back to turning a profit. Winnie didn’t envy her; she was allergic to arithmetic. Gina took care of all their kin’s finances. She worked alongside Sal to ensure that they always had enough to keep a roof over their head, food in their stomachs and logs in their hearths. She was invaluable. Reggie had gladly handed over that side of his duties when he realised how in tune Gina was with numbers. Rafe had handed her a thick stack of documents when he had arrived, curtesy of Sal. The Dennison fiasco was proving to be quite a profitable endeavour.

Seelie was sat beside her, equally entrenched in her work. She was leafing through her own stack of documents, making random notations on a separate sheet. Seelie had noticed Winnie attempting to spy at the contents and had explained that it was old legislation. They were reading through all legal documents in the library to date, and would begin compiling a list of those that were obsolete or discriminatory, to abolish or rewrite. It seemed like some fool would just write a law on a whim. For instance, some royal seventy-five cycles back decided it was illegal for those of common blood to own more than one hundred pounds of potatoes. Another stated it was reasonable to murder one’s first wife if they had not birthed a son within five cycles of marriage. There was even a law that stated that one could not make sweet passionate love to one’s livestock if the moon wasn’t full. Why would the phase of the moon make a difference? What specifically constitutes as ‘sweet’ and ‘passionate’? It seemed like law makers through the ages were just selfish degenerates. Winnie shook her head. Seelie seemed to enjoy the challenge, if her passionate chatter was anything to go by.

Rafe stood behind Gina making observations and pointing out this and that. He knew the city, its occupants, and businesses the best, it made sense that he would be able to contribute to Gina’s efforts. He may be quiet, but he saw all and was extremely loyal. Winnie smiled at the memory of miniature Auraya and Rafe taking the beating that had been meant for her. She had never experienced anyone being as protective of her as those two strangers – at the time – had been. She had been a broken and angry little girl, and Rafe’s silent presence had helped her to feel safe for the first time. Auraya’s constant chatter had made her feel joy. She felt a surge of gratitude to the pair, and of course to Reggie. Without him, none of them would be here today.

The final member of their party materialised in the meeting room. Tristan had grown again. They all had, but it was more noticeable in him. He was away for stretches, and he just kept pushing further skyward. His gleaming yellow hair was in dire need of a chop, and his shoulders had broadened. It made Winnie wonder what they would all look like in five cycles, in ten. He flashed her his customary grin as he walked to the seat beside her.

“Miss me?” Tristan asked with a wink.

“Like a rash,” she countered just as flirtatiously. His laugh was hearty, crinkling his eyes.

Auraya cleared her throat as all those required had arrived. She indicated for Patten to take a seat on her right, Rafe took the seat on her left, Trevor took his seat in between Patten and Winnie, opposite Gina who sat next to Seelie.

“Just so you all know,” Auraya told the group. “Patten gave his oath yesterday. I want to include him in our operations going forward.”

The announcement was for Tristan’s benefit, but it was still a shock for them all. Auraya was not one to welcome outsiders. She must trust the captain far more than any of them realised.

“Any objections?”

“Why do you trust him?” Winnie asked, someone had to ask.

“A feeling,” she replied with a shrug and a small smile. They all hummed in response. They mostly lived their lives based on instinct and intuition, Auraya rarely led them wrong, so they would trust her gut. Not to say that Winnie wouldn’t remain vigilant. He may have given his oath, but that did not stop him from actually betraying them. It may result in his death, but by that time, the damage could already be done. She nodded her acceptance.

“I wanted to talk about yesterday and get up to date with everyone,” she told the group.

After that, they went through what they knew. Someone, most likely a noble born city or castle guard, or army officer, was trying to assassinate Auraya. Two attacks could mean more than one instigator, but the likelihood wasn’t high. The possibility wasn’t disregarded though. The poisoning, the attack on the prisoners, and the state of the coins suggested someone with direct access to the castle. Patten had several trusted members of his guard he could get to covertly investigate his unit. Rafe asked for a list of those Pattern might suspect so they could send a shadow or two to investigate as well. That led into a discussion about shadow walkers and their capabilities. Patten was astounded, but also pragmatic. He suggested he let the two teams work together to hunt the culprit, but the idea was vetoed. They may have accepted Patten into their circle, but they were reluctant to bring in others. It was obvious that Patten wanted to protest, but he held his tongue.

Auraya then turned to Gina.

“Sal has provided documentation from the Dennison raids,” she began quietly but assuredly.

“Dennison raids…?” Patten queried.

Everyone looked a little sheepish to Winnie’s eye. She had been looking forward to this part. The big reveal was always fun.

Auraya took a breath before addressing the captain with a neutral expression.

“We dismantled the Lord Dennison’s rilium operation.”

“You murdered him?” Patten asked, his tone rising.

“We disposed of trash,” Auraya replied with the slightest of sneers.

“And all the others…”

“Complicit in his crimes.”

Winnie had started to silently giggle at that point. Patten had been getting ever paler as he enquired, his tone ever higher. It must be quite a shock to know that all these things were happening under his nose, and he didn’t even know the half of it. There had only been six open attacks on businesses whose owners had been colluding with Dennison. They had actually targeted twenty-seven different locations, not including the warehouse and the lord’s manor. Tristan subtly shoved his elbow in her ribs. She rolled her eyes.

“Bathus said he had been carved,” Patten breathed, staring at nothing.

Winnie actually did laugh at that. It escaped her lips in a rush, completely out of her control. Patten looked sharply at her.

“Murder is not funny,” Patten shouted indignantly.

“We’ll have to agree to disagree,” Winnie retorted. She stared him down, not feeling intimidated in the least by his glower.

“This isn’t the first time,” he mused as he watched her. Winnie knew that the slight quirk of her lips and minute rising of a brow gave her away. “Lord Davers.”

“Torture dungeon,” Auraya informed him, as neutral as ever. She was clearly waiting for his judgement.

“The butler?” Patten asked the room incredulously.

Winnie lost the battle with her lips as each of her kin – the traitors – turned to look at her. Patten turned to her and stared with his mouth open.

“I had some new vines to try,” she replied with a shrug.

“Lord Ruben?” Patten asked the room.

“The Wheatpole rapist,” Trevor supplied.

“Lord Herbage?”

“Baby eater,” Gina informed him.

“Lady Winters and her daughters?”

“That was her husband,” Winnie said as she chuckled. “He, on the other hand, was mine.”

“Captain Patten,” Auraya called authoritatively, drawing his attention. “We investigate wrongdoings, then put down the culprits. We have been doing it for many cycles now and have no intention of stopping. If you do not have the stomach to accompany us down this path, then I suggest you find your way out.”

She stared at him hard. They stayed like that for quite some time before the captain’s manner changed. He squared his shoulders, then looked into the distance again before looking back at her.

“I was informed only three were involved in the assault of Lord Dennison’s manor.” There was no inflection, but it was obviously a question.

“Rafe, Winnie and I were all that was needed.”

Surprise only showed on his face for mere moments before he nodded.

“I carved the farewell message into his chest, Captain,” Auraya informed him with a challenging look.

Winnie wished she could dive into that man’s mind at that time. His worldview must have exploded.

“Very well,” Patten told her. “I would like to hear more before I come to any conclusions. I am aware of my oath.” He tacked on as Auraya went to speak. She stared at him for a beat longer before she turned back to Gina.

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“The retrieval teams were able to collect the deeds from each of the businesses… that lost their owners,” Gina continued, flicking her eyes to Patten before continuing. “On top of that, Dennison’s estate, his businesses, and the numerous stashes have brought in a considerable amount. They will aid us with…” she sighed. “The Fire Girl Company.”

“How gauche,” Winnie mumbled. Gina and Auraya both glared at her.

“Louis?” Auraya directed at Rafe.

“He’s returned to Chipia on the same ship,” Rafe informed them flatly. “He’ll destroy the rilium farms this time, then move on as discussed.”

“The regent?” Auraya directed at Seelie.

“He wants to limit your power after the coronation,” she replied. “I looked already. Only the reigning monarch can rescind their power, portions of it, all of it. It is clearly written. The only way to take the thrown from you is to disprove your talent or your blood. However, the crystal was quite effective closing off that avenue. He does not seem to realise that I have eyes in all corners of the library. He sends his queries as formal requests, rather than looking himself.” She shook her head disapprovingly.

Auraya flicked her eyes to Rafe, lest he have something to add. He shook his head.

“The former queen?” Auraya asked, eyes still on Rafe.

“She still fears, but nothing of worth.”

“McGavin?”

“Ongoing.”

“Send Jerry some help,” Auraya informed him. “The kidnappings?”

“Sal also believes it’s the east gate guard,” Rafe replied. “He had a witness end up dead. The Dennison team have been reassigned to investigate.”

Patten sighed but was ignored.

“Updates?” Auraya directed at Tristan.

He passed down a sheet of paper.

“What we have found,” he told her. “Fourteen young ones brought in so far. Marie is still taking the talentless, she’ll need more convincing.”

Auraya gave the paper a cursory look, then nodded.

“Updates?” Auraya directed at Winnie.

“Half the rooms are ready,” Winnie told her, allowing her eyes to become unfocused. “I’m meeting Delilah and Teresa at noon. Lisa and Viola are spreading the word. We’ve had three patients on the premises, easy fixes. Our yield has increased thrice so far. I’m going to meet an apothecary in Wheatpole, Sal suggested, in three days to begin stocking their shop. Gina has my report. Oh, and I picked up a stray. She seemed… off.”

“How so?”

“Story seemed true, but the delivery seemed rehearsed,” Winnie shrugged, looking back at Auraya. “I gave her to Carla.”

Auraya hummed, looked at Trevor, who nodded, then turned to Rafe. “Rothers?”

“Luna is still in place. His wife is keeping him on a tight leash.”

“Lord Rothers?” Patten enquires.

“He is a terrible gambler,” Rafe informed the man. “He has had debts. When his debts disappear, so too do one of his staff.”

“What do you suspect?”

“Unknown.”

Patten waited for more, but got nothing. Rafe didn’t waste time on empty words.

“Updates?” Auraya asked of Trevor.

“I’ll see the mercs tomorrow.”

“The church?” Auraya said, turning to Rafe.

“The foundations and structure are embedded with iron. The shadow realm is impenetrable.”

“Any ideas for infiltration?”

“It will be done.”

“Anything else?” Auraya asked the room. When her eyes settled on Patten, she spoke to him directly. “I know you probably have a lot of questions, but we can save those for after everyone leaves.”

He nodded, mollified. He was clearly anxious to be in the know. Winnie could understand. Being ignorant could be dangerous. And irritating.

“Alright,” Auraya told. “Thanks all. Stay safe.”

With that, she went back through to her office followed by Patten. Seelie began collecting her papers. Trevor pestered Gina. Rafe disappeared.

Winnie turned to Tristan.

“Fancy dropping me off at the clinic, kind sir?” She asked, eyebrows wiggling.

He stood and offered her the crook of his elbow.

“But of course, mi’lady. Stay safe all.”

After mumbled replies, Tristan took them to the courtyard of their former home. A few of their kin pottered about, seeing to their chores. Winnie thanked Tristan, bade him farewell and headed to the ruckus in the corner.

Two women stood in the corner of the courtyard hurling insults at one another. One was roughly fifty cycles with greying brown hair, a flowing dark purple gown, and hawk-like features. The other woman was somewhere close to twenty-cycles, golden brown skin, long black hair, and exotic clothes.

“You wouldn’t know your chamomile from your mayweed, you neophyte,” screamed the older woman.

“We can’t all live past a thousand cycles, you old witch,” shouted the younger woman.

Winnie generally enjoyed watching the suffering of others, but their theatrics were going to cause her grief, so she quickly neared the two women and interrupted their argument.

“Ladies,” Winnie soothed. “There’s no need for all this.”

“Winnifred,” Delilah shrieked. “What is she doing here?”

Dear Gods, my ears.

“Yes,” Teresa yelled. “What is she doing here?”

Winnie rolled her eyes, letting out a put upon sigh.

“I asked you both here to discuss a proposal I have for both of you.”

“I cannot…”

“I will not…”

Winnie cut them both off by talking over them.

“Please,” she implored. “Just give me a chance.”

The women did not look happy about it, but they relented and followed Winnie into her office. Winnie asked one of her kin to bring them tea, and got the ladies situated. Once they were comfortable, Winnie handed them both a sheet of paper.

“Now,” Winnie began. “I brought you both here because I would like to discuss a collaboration between the three of us.” She held her hand out to stall the retorts. “You know full well that I trained with you both. I never hid that from either of you. After all,” she said turning to Teresa, “with age comes wisdom, and,” she said turning to Delilah, “there is not only one way of getting the job done.”

They both deflated slightly at her words.

“I respect you both,” Winnie continued after a time. “Delilah, you have so much knowledge, and have developed a great amount of trust in the community. And Teresa, your knowledge and practices are eclectic and inspirational, enabling us to improve our healing to a great degree. I would like to combine what you both have to offer, so we can be the forerunners in cures and healing.”

Winnie rubbed her curled hand against her lips, looking out the window and sighing.

“Those damn squirrels get funding from the crown to practice and study,” sounds and looks of surprise escaped the ladies at Winnie’s comment. “They’re ahead of us in every area. But,” she said with determination, looking at them both in turn. “We have an opportunity to pool our knowledge and move forward. I presume you heard about O?”

They both nodded, Delilah gravely, and Teresa excitedly.

“We have talent. And we use it to cure. We have healers and growers. We can use the events of the past turn to our advantage. But I need your help.”

Winnie let her words ruminate. She knew both women well. Delilah was astute, knowledgeable, and pragmatic. She had made a name for herself in Whitegate over the past thirty cycles. Her cures were legendary, even though they were the same as most. What stood out was the variation. She had such extensive knowledge of herbs and plants, that she could make several different cures for the same ailment, and depending on the person, they could use the one that was most effective for them. Her mother, and grandmother had sold cures before her, and she had added to the family legacy. Her presence would increase their customer base and cure types.

Teresa, on the other hand, had come from a land to the north. Argo. Her parents had fled the war torn kingdom with her and her siblings. They had made their money by selling herbs and cures. Thus, their knowledge spanned multiple kingdoms. She was a quick study, and quite the innovator. She spent most of her time experimenting and increasing her knowledge base. She used mostly herbs and spices from across the seas, combined them with the local flora to make ingenious and effective cures. Unfortunately, being of foreign descent meant that trust was hard won and infrequent. It was a shame that more did not see her worth.

Combined, the two women could do great things. They just needed to see past their differences and focus on the bigger picture. Both ladies had been hassled by the guild. From discrediting them, to paying off their customers to stop buying from them. They had even gone so far as to pick all the wild herbs in the forests beyond Jude, so neither woman could use them. It was petty and irritating, and would have crippled them both if Winnie hadn’t been able to supply them. That had been when the squirrels had turned their attention to Reggie’s Orphans. They had come to an arrangement – only healing and selling outside the walls – but that had not stopped the guild from trying to hinder their efforts any way they could. The gardens at the palace had given Winnie the space she needed to solve the yield problem. Now, she wanted to consolidate the knowledge and unite their efforts.

They spent the next mark or so discussing Winnie’s proposal. They were still reluctant to work together, but it was growing more evident by the day that they would not be able to keep their businesses afloat unless they worked together. It would probably take more convincing, but Winnie was hopeful. Neither woman was a fool, and they would not let their pride see them ruined.

A buzz at the edge of her senses drew Winnie’s attention away. She wrapped up the meeting, inviting the women to return, then hastily made her way to the front entrance.

When she arrived, she saw two women looking somewhat bedraggled. One was holding a seemingly lifeless child in her arms. Both women looked distraught and on the verge of panic. The younger of the two women had a steady stream of tears flowing down her face. The older of the two was explaining the situation with calm urgency.

“He’s too damn proud,” she told them. “He’d rather see his own daughter to the grave than ask for help.”

“Mum,” the younger woman cried.

“It’s true, Meredith,” the older woman exclaimed. “Remember when you got bit? He just…”

“Gladys,” Winnie called.

“Oh Winnifred, darling,” the older woman replied, looking relieved.

“Can you explain what’s happened for me.”

“My granddaughter, the poor thing. She won’t wake. She’s hot to touch, and she’s got a Gods awful rash. The damn thing’s spreading everywhere. I’ve done everything I could, but I fear for the child. Winnifred,” she implored shakily. “Please. All I’ve got is cloth, but please… please save me granddaughter.”

“Let’s get her to a room, shall we?” Winnie said as she directed the two women to the door at the back of the entranceway.

Winnie led the pair to a room on the ground floor. There was a bed in the centre with crisp white sheets. A window on the far wall looking into the courtyard. Thin curtains framing it. A small fireplace sat on the wall to the right. A table with a variety of healing implements sat on the back wall next to a small chest of drawers.

They laid the little girl on the bed, and two of Winnie’s kin attended to her, conducting the initial assessment, and cleaning and changing her. Winnie stayed with the pair, comforting them when needed, assuring them when their faith seemed to falter.

Eventually, her kin told her that they needed a healer. The girl’s condition was dire and beyond their capability. The comment elicited a moan of despair from the mother and a sniffle from the grandmother.

“Have faith, ladies,” Winnie told them, grasping their shoulders. “All is not lost yet.”

With that, Winnie stepped out and directed her magic to her pendant.

“O.”

“Winnie.”

“Got a bad one.”

In lieu of response, Auraya appeared at her side with an only slightly perturbed Patten next to her.

“I thought you should see more of the other side of our work,” Auraya told him.

“A little warning would be nice,” he grumbled quietly.

“Where’s the fun in that?” Auraya retorted. The smile slipped off her face as she turned to the door, looking at Winnie. A nod confirmed she had the right place and she entered.

The older woman looked a little shocked at the newcomers. The younger woman seemed to be too engrossed in her grief to notice who had joined them. Winnie reclaimed her place between the two women and watched as Auraya lay her hands on the little girl. Winnie sensed as Auraya’s magic gathered and entered the girl. To Winnie’s perception, it seemed like thin threads were weaving their way through the girl’s body. They would then branch off further threads and probe seemingly at will. Respect and pride flooded Winnie as she watched Auraya weave such complex magic. The threads spread through the girl, then pulses of magic escaped from their ends, each with slightly different effects. It was difficult to understand without the requisite knowledge of the body and of course, that particular talent, but whatever was happening, it appeared to be working. The girl had been sweating and shaking, but both symptoms seemed to fade away and halt. Her panting and whimpers of distress eased. Her excessively rosy cheeks faded to a light pink. The deep red splotches that covered her body soon shrank and disappeared. Her fluttering eyelashes eventually stilled, then opened.

“Mama,” the little girl croaked.

“Lily,” the mother cried, running over to her, and cradling her head. “Oh, my baby.”

After Auraya had extricated herself from the little girl, she walked over to Winnie.

“Gladys,” Auraya said with a small smile.

“My child,” Gladys replied, laying a hand on her shoulder. “You have grown. I can’t thank you enough. I don’t know what would have become of us if we’d lost her. Her father was no use. Too much pride, the fool.”

“What happened?”

“The damn guild wanted more than the house was worth to help her. Took all their savings to get her seen. They had nothing left. And I’m hardly any help. I put all I had into some fancy cloth, for some posh fool a half turn ago.” Gladys glanced over at her granddaughter for a time, then sighed, looking back. “I went to visit last quarter. Poor child could barely hold her head up. Every day was worse. She said she could feel her bones. I think, she was aching. The rashes came after. We took her to the guild when the fever hit. Damn selfish squirrels. Letting a little girl suffer. When they refused to help, I told them of you all. But Sid wouldn’t hear of it. Wouldn’t stoop so low, he says. As if his daughter’s life was worth so little. When she wouldn’t wake this morning, I told Merry, enough is enough. So, we took her and left.” Gladys sighed again. “He’s going to be angry, the fool. Angry we defied him. Not happy we saved her. I probably won’t see her for a while. I best get a squidge in before they go back.”

This time, she wrapped her arms around Auraya, then squeezed Winnie’s shoulder with a relieved smile.

“I can’t thank you enough, girls. All I have is cloth. I…”

“Come back tomorrow, Gladys,” Winnie told her. “Be with your girls for now.”

A few more thanks and unwanted deference were thrown their way by all three generations of female before Auraya, Winnie and Patten left the room.

“That was awful kind of you,” Patten commented as they walked away from the room.

“It wasn’t kindness,” Auraya retorted. “It was the right thing to do.”

Judging by Patten’s face, Winnie could tell he sensed the lie too. Auraya had never been able to take a compliment or gratitude well. Her discomfort was always evident.

“Thanks, O,” Winnie cooed, eliciting a frown from her kin.

“Anytime,” came the mumbled and cut off reply as Auraya took the pair back to the castle.

Winnie sighed and went back to her office. Her kin could handle the rest, she needed to focus on the growth of their clinic. The people shouldn’t be left at the mercy of those damn greedy squirrels. Enough was indeed enough.