Grimacing, he moved on, coming closer to the city gate. There were more rats, some feasting on the remains of people, some scurrying along in the shadow of the wall. They were all large, although none were the size of the one that bit him.
His leg itched by the time he made it to the gates. They stood open, hanging drunkenly from the posts embedded into the walls. Walls that were crumbling, as he could now see.
Dunfield. This must be it, and from what he saw so far, it was worse, far worse, than Gan-Rowe had any reason to believe it would be.
Chapter 20
Everywhere he looked the signs of the battle were evident. The torn up ground outside of the compound, the low fences that had been overrun, and especially the evidence of fresh digging near the roots of so many trees. Places where those who fell were returned to the earth.
Yet those signs didn’t extend to the people. The soldiers, scouts, tradesmen, and even the servants of House Towering Oaks comported themselves with dignity and discipline. That wasn’t to say it was a cheerless place, because it wasn’t. Folk laughed and smiled as easily as any other House, and showed no sign of being beat down.
This wasn’t what Jocasta would want to hear. She was waiting for him to come back with news that House Towering Oaks was weak, teetering on the edge of despair, and pining for their absent leader. Instead, they were vibrant, strong, and well on their way to recovery.
Darius needed to meet this new, temporary Head of House. For all that Solomon was or wasn’t, the one currently in charge was obviously doing more than simply taking up space.
“Darius, wasn’t it?”
It took Darius a moment to recall the man who was speaking to him. Ah, yes. Orlando, the scout who came to Whispering Pines to meet with Jocasta. And told her about Solomon leaving and Celia still being alive.
Darius had done some digging since then. This Orlando was the mate of Shireen, the Head of House. Strange that she sent him out on a simple errand, but honestly, what did he know of such things? Let the high-and-mighty run the Houses; he was simply there to do as told.
He smirked at that, letting it turn into a smile as he greeted Orlando.
“Orlando, good to see you again.” He clasped the other man’s hand. “Lady Jocasta sent me here to meet with Lady Shireen and convey her well-wishes, in return for the visit from you.”
“Nice. I’m not sure if she’s available right now, but I’ll find out. In the meantime, something to drink?”
“That’d be great. It was a hot journey here from Whispering Pines.”
Orlando led him to the main tree of the compound. “How are things in Whispering Pines?” he asked. “I imagine the news of Celia caused a stir.”
“Oh, indeed. For Jocasta most of all. If truth be told, she doesn’t feel overly suited to be Head of House. She’s looking forward to Celia returning and assuming the burden herself.”
“I can relate to that,” Orlando chuckled. “Shireen is exactly the same way. She’s doing an incredible job, yet every day complains that Solomon is taking too long and that he should be the one here.”
Darius smiled. “They sound like two peas in a pod.”
“Maybe they can be the new Jediah and Florian. Friends and allies to the end.”
“Perhaps,” Darius replied.
♦ ♦ ♦
Half an hour later he was being escorted by Orlando through an outer office that contained a well-organized desk and a few chairs. Orlando knocked on the inner door and a tired voice called out, “Come in.” He motioned for Darius to enter, stuck his head in to say hello, and left with a cheery wave. Darius waved back and then entered the office.
So, this was Lady Shireen, the temporary Head of mighty Towering Oaks. Darius made sure to keep his face passive and his voice neutral as he studied the slightly disheveled woman before him. She wore a scout’s uniform, even as she sat behind a large desk that, in direct contrast to the one he’d passed, was a mess.
“Who are you?” Shireen asked after glancing up and then turning back to the chaos in front of her.
“My name is Darius, Lady Shireen, and I’ve been sent to you by Lady Jocasta, Head of House Whispering Pines.”
He’d agreed with Orlando about the similarities between the two women to make him feel at ease and develop a sense of comradeship. But that greeting made him think that there was more truth to it than he thought. Although, Jocasta’s terseness was a purposeful ruse to put others off their game, while with Shireen it felt different. It felt less guileful, not a ploy. In Shireen’s case, Darius thought it might be nothing more than simple frustration.
She looked up after he finished speaking and set her pen to the side, sure to be lost in the drift of papers already there.
“My apologies,” she said, standing and holding out her hand. “Of course. Orlando told me he’d be bringing you by. How is Lady Jocasta?”
“Much as you appear to be, my Lady. Working hard and feeling like she’s running in place.”
Shireen laughed briefly. “That’s about right, I’m afraid. Except I’m only temporary here. She’s the permanent Head, right?”
Darius shrugged and sat when Shireen indicated that he should. “Perhaps. Although the welcome news that Orlando brought with him on his visit makes her think that maybe she can see an escape also.”
He smiled as he said it and Shireen returned
