“Oh! Thank goodness,” she said. “I thought I would never have a chance to speak with you. I feel like a prisoner in my own home. I would have been so happy to see young Alyssa and Aaron get on so well, but well, after yesterday...” Her eyes glistened. “Well, in different circumstances maybe.”
Hugh watched her. “Olivia, I am sorry about Stefan, it was such a tragic accident, He will be sorely missed.”
“Thank you.” She gripped her hands together, a sheen of tears in her eyes. “I still can’t believe it. Even now, after all these months, for the Lady to lose him and in such a manner.” She stopped, unable to go on. She looked frail and sad, and she had lost weight. Hugh’s mouth tightened in concern.
“Deepwater still needs you. Aaron still needs you.”
“I know, I know.” She faltered, her hand going to her forehead, wisps of blonde hair escaped her cap. “But I can’t believe it’s true. I don’t believe it’s true,” she said, her voice firm.
“What don’t you believe?” Hugh watched her in concern as she tensed.
“Hugh, you cannot believe that Stefan would break cover and walk in front of a line of fire. I can’t believe anyone else believes it either! Even Aaron.”
“Accidents do happen. The Lady cannot be everywhere all the time.”
“This was no accident. Stefan was killed by his own men! How could five of them be an accident?” She couldn’t go on.
“I thought it was an unlucky shot, wrong place wrong time, just a hunting accident.”
Olivia stilled. “That’s the story the council spread around; they said they didn’t want to cause bad feeling between the people and the guards. I’m telling you it’s all lies.”
“The report that went to the King said it was a hunting accident. I saw it.”
“What is happening, Hugh? Why is my boy caught up in this? He needs his father’s guidance, he needs the Lady, but yesterday, he lost it all.” Olivia hugged her arms around her thin body.
“I don’t know, but the councils speak with the King’s voice, so the King must have a plan he hasn’t widely shared yet. I crossed paths with a King’s Ranger on the way here. He was checking the circuit; he was going to report back to me on our return to the Greenswatch, so I may find out more then.” Hugh pursed his lips at her distress. “How long has Peverill been leading the council here?”
Olivia scowled in distaste. “He turned up about three months ago, and a month later his acolyte joined him, and now they think they rule Deepwater. Aaron is too weak to stand up to them. Peverill thinks he can step right into Stefan’s place and act as Lord. As if!” She snorted. “I don’t trust them at all. Stefan had this huge argument with them just before his death; he had banned them from Deepwater, said they spoke blasphemy. That has all been twisted now, and my words have no weight. Not even with Aaron.” She rocked in her chair. “I’ve failed both of them,” she wailed in despair.
“Olivia, you haven’t failed anyone. As I said, I’ll follow up with the ranger. You need to remain strong; your people still need whatever you can do to help them.”
“Hugh, promise me, don’t forget about me. They will lock me away. I know it, they are all trying to say I am mad. Promise me you’ll come and get me.”
“Olivia,” Hugh said soothingly, “Aaron would never treat you so.”
The door opened before she could reply. “Mother, this is where you are. The household has been looking for you all over.” He gestured to the warden who hovered behind him. Lady Olivia rose and held her hand out. “Safe journey home, Hugh,” she said before leaving with the warden. The door closed behind her.
“I hope Mother hasn’t been worrying you with her fancies. She’s still upset about my father. She won’t let it go,” Aaron said.
Hugh’s eyebrows rose. “Understandable, I’m sure,” he murmured. “She needs time; over time, the Lady will ease her sorrows.”
“She is stubborn, but she’ll come around. She will welcome Peverill’s advances once she gets to know him if she knows what’s good for her.”
Hugh kept silent, biting his lip to keep his words behind his teeth. He tilted his head invitingly.
Aaron pounced on the opportunity to talk. “You know I have great plans for the holding. Yes, the people will be thankful I’ve taken over. They will be prosperous again. Once we harvest the timber and repurpose the land, and with direct links to the council, my voice will have weight. They will support my plans. I won’t alienate them the way my father did; they will listen to me,” he said, thrusting his chest out.
“Where are you going to harvest?” Hugh asked with feigned interest.
“The Great Western Bank is prime timber, exactly what the King’s shipwrights need. I received notice of their requirements today.” He rubbed his hands in glee. “My holding will be one of the greatest in the Watch; even the King is watching, and a certain young lady would be happy to join with me as we grow.”
“The Great Western Bank?” Hugh was aghast. “Lad, that is your core stock; you lose that, and your holding will be worthless. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. That timber took centuries to grow; it’s part of the ecosystem around here. Your lands will lose the protection they provide from wind and rain. The water runoff alone will ruin your soil.”
“Rubbish!” Aaron laughed, greed gleaming in his eyes. “It’ll take months to clear that land, and then the peasants can help till it and rent it off me, double the return! I know what I’m doing. I look forward to introducing you and Lady Alyssa to my holding.” He turned away, hurrying to open the door. “The horses will be ready out
