mother's death. It was painful to recall, but she felt it necessary to convey the full truth. With the kindest and gentlest of intentions, she sent her focused thoughts to her grandmother.
When she opened her eyes, she saw Millie kneeling on the floor, her jaw hanging slack. The Lady Mangst had her back to Catrin, but her shoulders shook and her voice trembled with anguish when she finally spoke. 'Leave me now, I beg of you.'
Catrin was startled by the request, but the trembling of her grandmother's shoulders gave further evidence of the impact of her demonstration. Millie slowly drew herself up and motioned for them to follow her. Catrin and Benjin did so without question, for the lady's distress was plain to see, and they left her to grieve.
'My dear Elsa, why did you leave me?' they heard her wail as the doors closed behind them. Catrin felt no joy at bringing her grandmother pain, and she walked in subdued silence. Millie wobbled as she walked, and it was obvious that the day's revelations had been hard on her as well.
'I want to thank you for the kindness you showed our lady, despite your disagreements, and I apologize for my actions. I have wronged you, and I hope you'll forgive me,' she said when she stopped before a set of doors.
'We all make mistakes. And since I have already forgiven you, I must ask you to forgive me for my insolence and rudeness. Had we met under better circumstances, I'm certain we could have been friends.'
'It's kind of you to say, Lady Catrin,' Millie replied, and Catrin felt she was sincere, though the title still seemed ill fitting.
'Please accept our hospitality. You'll find the apartments within well appointed, and I'll attend to your needs personally.'
'Your kindness is appreciated. You have my thanks,' Catrin said, and Millie bowed deeply before her.
'I'll send for food and bath water.'
Catrin nodded her thanks. Her efforts and emotions had taxed her, and she was grateful for the respite. Benjin joined her as she entered the apartments, and he whistled as he looked about.
'Millie has honored you by bringing us here,' he said. 'If I am not mistaken, these quarters are reserved for their most respected guests.'
Catrin was not surprised by his words, for the apartments were lavishly appointed. Deep carpets cushioned her feet, and beautiful works of art adorned the walls, depicting scenes of nature as only the most talented artists could render them. Elaborately carved chairs bore soft cushions, and a fire burned in the fireplace. Two doors led to private sleeping chambers that were not much smaller than the common room. Within she found a delightfully soft feather mattress shrouded by a canopy of sheer material.
Though the bed was inviting, Catrin could not bear the thought of soiling the linens; she needed a bath desperately. A parade of liveried servants arrived with steaming basins of water and washtubs that required four men apiece to carry. The men placed the tubs within the private rooms, and they filled them with water and rose petals before departing with respectful bows. Others followed with soft towels, robes, and a bounty of exotic foods. Catrin thanked them for their efforts, which seemed to confuse them more than anything, but she was truly grateful for the gifts.
Heat soaked into her bones as she slid into the scented water, and she allowed herself to remain in the tub until the water had gone nearly cold. She dried her wrinkled skin with the plush towels and donned a robe that bore her family sigil.
Sitting by the fire, she sampled the array of delicacies. Deep red wine cleansed her palate as she ate both sweet and salty, and soon her hunger was sated. Benjin joined her, looking completely out of place in his robe, which made her giggle, but he ignored her jibes as he attacked the food with vigor. With surprising speed, they finished every morsel, and they settled into the cushions with their bellies full. The fire lulled Catrin into a deep trance, and she soon forgot about the bed as the chair cradled her like a pair of loving arms.
When Millie returned, Catrin stirred from her stupor, and she was unsure if she had been sleeping or simply in a daze.
'The lady wishes to speak with you now. Will you follow me?' Millie asked.
'I should dress first,' Catrin said.
'You're fine as you are. The lady's private apartments are but a short walk from here.'
She followed Millie into the hall with Benjin in her shadow. True to her word, Millie led them only a short distance before they arrived at another grand entranceway, flanked by a pair of guards who nodded to Millie and immediately allowed them to enter. The apartments within were not much more grand than those provided to Catrin and Benjin, which only served to confirm the honor that had been granted to them.
'Come, my dear. Please sit beside me, and we'll let the fire warm our bones,' the Lady Mangst said. 'As I grow older, the cold does pain me so.' Catrin moved to the seat beside hers. 'Come, Benjin, do not be shy. I promise not to bite-this time.'
Benjin sat on the edge of a nearby chair, and Catrin was struck by the changes in her grandmother. She was no longer hostile, and Catrin sensed deep-seated pain, both physical and emotional.
'By the gods,' the Lady Mangst said, 'I don't know why you wear your hair so short, but you look exactly as your mother did at your age, more one of the boys than one of the girls. You have her look about you, but mostly, it's in your eyes.' After wiping away a tear, she turned to Benjin. 'Please, tell me how my daughter died.'
'I'm very sorry. Elsa was murdered.'
'In what manner?'
'As far as we've been able to figure, it was a large dose of mother's root concealed in sweet buns from the local bakery, which was run by Baker Hollis. I know of no reason he'd commit such an atrocity, but I mean to find out.'
'The Kyte family put him up to it, of that I can assure you. Catrin's aunt was killed in the same horrible manner. They are a despicable lot,' the Lady Mangst said.
'How did you know about my aunt's death?' Catrin asked, confused.
'How would I not? I was by her side during the entire ordeal.'
'Wait. I don't understand,' Catrin said. 'My aunt died on the same day as my mother, on the Godfist. How could you have been there?'
'I'm very sorry, dear, but it seems you've lost two aunts to the Kytes. I assume you speak of your father's sister?'
'His brother's wife. I had another aunt?'
'Your mother's sister, Maritza. She was killed some fifteen years ago. It seems they've taken both my daughters from me, but not before each bore me a granddaughter. You and your cousin, Lissa, are my only living descendents.'
'I'm very sorry, Lady,' Catrin said, sincere. The pain of her mother's death had faded with time, but it was fresh for her grandmother, like an open wound, and now knowing she had lost another aunt made her heart ache.
'Please, call me Grandma, if you would. That's what Lissa has always called me, and it would please me greatly if you would do the same.'
'Thank you, Grandma.'
'It must've been difficult for you, growing up without your mother.'
'My father and Benjin always cared for me, and I wanted for nothing. Though, I miss her dearly.'
Her grandmother raised an eyebrow and seemed to reappraise Benjin. 'It would seem I owe you a debt of gratitude, Benjin Hawk. You and Wendel have raised my granddaughter as a fine and strong young woman.'
'Wendel deserves more credit than I, but I did what I could, and I'd do it all again if given the chance,' he said, and the lady nodded, tears in her eyes.
'The darkness of these days has soured my disposition, and I was angry with Elsa-so many years she had been gone without a word. Now, of course, I understand the reason, though it makes it no easier to bear. I thank you for coming and for not leaving. You would've been entitled given our treatment of you.'
'Let's put that all behind us. I forgive you for any hostility you expressed, and I forgive myself for reacting poorly. I hope you'll do the same,' Catrin said as she took her grandmother's hand in hers.
'Yes, dear, of course,' she responded, patting Catrin's hands lightly. 'Now tell me. How do you plan to destroy the Statues of Terhilian?'
'Statues?' Catrin said, swaying in her chair.
