Back From Chaos by Yvonne Hertzberger Page B

first sign of danger she would get Nellis out.
    “ I swore to him I would look after her, else I think he might never have left.”
    Finally, Nellis had bid Mikost a tearful farewell. Nellis made him swear, in his turn, that he would take care of his arm. He reassured her that he would find shelter and promised to come back the next midday to check on them. When she looked back as they entered the castle, Brensa saw Mikost still watching them.
    Once inside the castle, more soldiers directed Brensa and Nellis to a line of citizens waiting to speak with yet another soldier, seated at a small table at the far end of the great hall. She watched the line snake forward. After they spoke with this guard, he would send some people further into the castle. Soldiers escorted others out again, and she heard them direct these people elsewhere.
    Brensa hoped that she and Nellis would not be sent away. They squeezed each other’s hands as they approached the table. When they advanced close enough to overhear, she learned that those allowed to stay needed some skill that could be used in the castle. And they had to have held positions there before the invasion.
    Still others had left under guarded escort. This often led to shouting and angry outbursts. But the guards remained firm. Only once had someone completely refused to obey them. This man pulled a knife from his boot and attacked a soldier. The response was swift. The guard ran him through and ordered two of Catania’s own citizens to carry his body out to the pyre that still burned in the square.
    “ We were so frightened, my lady.”
    When it came their turn to explain themselves to the official it concluded very quickly. They had no positions at the moment for ladies in waiting.
    “ My heart sank, then. I felt certain you must be dead.”
    They gave Brensa work in the laundry, and in helping restore the rooms, to make them habitable. Nellis was told to rest for two days, then light work would be found for her. They assigned the women two cots in a narrow room down the hall from where the late lord’s family had slept. The other four cots were already occupied.
    “ You remember Narga and Meera from the kitchen, my lady? They are here. Narga told us we would have fresh bread come morning, as the kitchen would be running again.”
    By the time they had settled in, darkness had fallen. All the women were called to a large meeting room where they were given cheese, bread, dried apple slices, and ale.
    Back in their room, Brensa had lain on Nellis’ cot with her until she fell asleep before climbing into her own. There had been little conversation among the women. Fatigue claimed them as soon as their heads hit their pillows.
    Brensa brought herself back to the present. “How shall I dress your hair, my lady?” The question came after Brensa helped Marja get her gown back on, and she had seated herself in one of the chairs. “The knots are all combed out now.”
    “ Just a simple braid, Brensa. It is soon time for bed. Thank you. I feel so much better, and your news is most encouraging ...” Marja looked suddenly apprehensive. “I expect Lord Gaelen may come back tonight. You may share my bed until then.”

~ 16 ~
     
    NEW ORDER
     
    “ Come in and be seated, my friend.” Gaelen could not help noting that Argost looked grey with exhaustion and that he had lost weight. No doubt he, himself, had done so as well. They had had little time to sleep and less for eating. Yet, Argost held himself as erect as ever, and his eyes remained clear and alert. Thank Earth he had not been killed. No one else could be trusted to govern Catania with his wisdom and heart. Gaelen would be lost without him.
    “ Tell me how Catania fares.” Gaelen pushed a mug of ale and a platter of meat and bread toward Argost. “What is the mood among the people? How are they responding to my amnesty?”
    “ I think you will be pleased, my lord.” Argost’s face creased into a weary smile, and he sank