Kay galloped across the misty meadow, the freshness of the morning sun warming her face. The small stone chapel grew steadily closer. Soon she could make out Leland and Eli standing before it, waiting for her with welcoming smiles. Eli took her reins as she pulled in, holding her horse while she dismounted, leading her steed off to the small lean-to which served as their stables.

Leland pushed open the small wooden door to the chapel. “So, Kay, you survived the first night,” he offered dryly. She looked around the familiar building as she stepped into the cozy room. There were a pair of short wooden pews on either side of the doorway. A simple wooden altar at the front was topped by a carven statue of Mary. A hanging curtain covered a doorway to the right which she knew led to a small living area, undoubtedly where Leland and Eli were spending their nights.

Leland moved to a small trunk behind the altar, opening it and pulling forth a leather jerkin. Kay put her arms up while Leland slipped the jerkin over her head, snugged it into place. Next he brought out a belt and scabbard, strapping that around her waist. She drew the sword out of its sheath, giving it a sweeping spin, her smile growing.

She looked up to Leland with a twinkle in her eye. “Well, shall we?” The two made their way out to the small clearing tucked in behind the chapel.

Kay enjoyed her hour of training immensely, moving through blocks, strikes, and guard positions with Leland. He was a man of infinite patience, of great talent, and she counted herself lucky to have his dedicated time for these weeks.

It seemed all too soon when she was stripping off her gear, climbing onto her horse, riding across the growing golden day back to her home. She threw the reins to Stephen with a smile as she pulled into the stables, knowing the stout, red-headed lad would take good care of her steed as always. His younger sister, Molly, played by the stable walls, her ringlets framing her face as she nuzzled a pair of small, grey kittens.

Home.

Kay ran up the spiral stairs with light feet, coming into the solar with a renewed heart.

A laugh erupted from her lips as she gazed around. Em had somehow rigged up a long rod across the back part of the room, and floor-to-ceiling curtains hung across the full length. The black fabric was pulled shut, covering the entire back wall with their darkness.

Kay grinned in merry amusement. “Are you in there?” she called out to the velvet.

A low, ominous voice oozed from behind the thick fabric. “Oooooooo – I am the blackness, I am the night,” intoned Em sonorously before the giggles overcame her. A hand pulled aside one of the panels of fabric, and Kay saw that her blonde sister was lounging back on a thickly cushioned chair, her feet resting comfortably on a plush footstool. A table at Em’s side held a tankard as well as a silver platter of cheese and grapes.

“Oh, my,” smiled Kay, shaking her head. “You are all set for this experience.”

Em tossed her head at the plush couch and leather chair set up on the forward side of the curtain, a low wooden table positioned between the two. A large pitcher of mead sat on the table, as well as a pair of mugs and a wicker basket of bread.

“I am looking out for you too,” Em assured, her eyes sparkling.

Kay plunked herself down on the couch, putting up her feet along its length. She reached over and poured herself out a healthy portion of mead, then leant back on the couch arm, stretching in relaxation.

Kay found herself blissfully content with the idea of the coming fun. “So, do we have any idea what order the husbands-to-be decided on?”

“Not at all,” responded Em with a shrug of her shoulders. She slid the curtains shut between them again, vanishing from view. “Only time will tell!”

Kay looked over at the tall, red candle resting on a table by the windows, dark lines marking down in half hour increments. It was nearly at the nine a.m. level now. She leant back, closing her eyes, peace washing over her. The moments eased past in quiet restfulness.

A knock came on the door and she blinked herself back to the present. She glanced over at the curtain, ensuring it was solidly in place. The wall of fabric was seamless.

“Come in,” she called out with curiosity. Who had snagged the primary position?

The door was pressed open, and Galeron stepped into the room, his black curls framing a smiling face. He wore a red cloak over a black tunic with silver piping. He strode over to the chair to the left of the table, setting himself down with careful grace, staring at the curtains with open curiosity.

Kay composed herself into a pose of quiet respectability. “My lady,” she announced, “I would like you to meet your first suitor – Galeron.”

“Welcome, Galeron,” came Em’s voice through the curtain, even and friendly. “I am Keren-happuch. It is nice to finally meet you.”

“Indeed, I am glad we have this chance to talk,” agreed Galeron cordially, leaning back in his chair. “I find the curtain a benefit, in fact, because it means we must pay more attention to each other’s words, rather than be distracted by other less important items.”

“Interesting,” commented Em in an amused tone. “So, how did you manage to get the opening position in the schedule?”

Galeron’s smile widened. “Already you desire for me to give away all of my secrets?” He nodded. “Your wish is my command. I simply told them I wanted to go riding each morning and that by meeting with you first it meant I could be gone for several hours after that.”

Kay chuckled. “I am sure they jumped at the chance of getting you out of the keep for as long as possible.”

Galeron nodded at her. “Indeed they did.”

She glanced over at him, amusement dancing on her lips. “So, are you actually planning on going on those rides?”

He spread his arms out in a helpless shrug. “How could I do anything but, having made such a claim?” He grinned. “I do enjoy riding, so it is no great hardship. It will give me a chance to get to know the lands.”

He pulled out his wax tablet and put it on the table by his side, making a few notes in it.

The curtain rippled for a moment, then lay still again. “I have heard about that journal of yours,” commented Em, intrigued. “So you record everything on that?”

Galeron glanced down at the wood-framed rectangle. “I find it extraordinarily helpful,” he agreed. “There is a lot to learn here, between the keep and its inhabitants. The notes help me to keep everything organized. I transcribe them each night onto parchment, and wipe the wax clean in order to begin the next day fresh.”

Kay smiled. “So, you are a man who likes to be in control,” she mused. “A man who appreciates order?”

Galeron winked at her. “I grew up the third child in a household of eight kids,” he explained. “Our family was run like a military group. Everything was ordered, in line, precise. I learned the value of negotiating to get what I wanted, and in keeping track of everything around me.”

“What is it you want out of life?” asked Kay in curiosity.

Galeron counted each item off on a finger as he spoke. “A home of my own, a life of my own, a family, my own little corner of the world.”

Kay arched an eyebrow. “Eight children of your own?”

Galeron grinned. “I think two or three would suit me fine,” he amended. “I do think it important for a child to have a sibling, someone to talk with, to share their secrets with.” He glanced at Kay with a nod. “Do you have a sibling?”

Kay’s smile grew. “An older sister,” she agreed.

“I imagine she always tries to tell you what to do,” encouraged Galeron.

Kay grinned. “Oh, yes,” she enthused. “She always feels she is right, too.” She took in a long drink of her mead.

Em’s voice was rich with amusement. “I have a sister too,” she chimed in. “My sister is older as well, but she is a mentor I look up to and admire greatly.”

Kay nearly choked on her drink, the laughter bubbled out of her so richly. Her sister was certainly going to take advantage of the situation!

Galeron smiled at the curtains. “Your elder sister must be a woman of great merit,” he praised. He leaned down to take a codex from the bag at his side, flipping through its parchment pages with a sure hand. “Ah, here we go. That would be Mary Magdalene, the blonde beauty? The one already pregnant with child?”

Em’s voice echoed with pleasure. “Oh, you have heard of Mary Magdalene, then?”

“One of the soldiers mentioned her while we were getting ready to embark on our trip,” explained Galeron. “With his high praise of the woman, I see why you admire her so.”

“Someday I hope to reach the lofty standards she has set for me,” intoned Em solemnly, and Kay took in several deep breaths, willing herself not to burst into laughter.

Galeron nodded in appreciation. “It is good to have a challenging goal in life,” he agreed.

Kay’s hold on her outraged mirth almost failed her. She took another long pull of her mead before trusting herself to speak. “My lady, I am sure that, with a lot of hard work and frequent prayer, you might some day aspire to be as gracious, kind, and honorable as your inspiring sister,” she murmured with gentle tenderness. She was rewarded by a snorting gasp from behind the curtains, quickly muffled.

There was a long pause, and when Em spoke again her voice held the tinkling of laughter in it. “Please, Galeron, do tell us of your childhood, and of your life until now,” she encouraged.

Kay settled back with her mead, occasionally glancing at the candle as Galeron went through his tales of sibling rivalry and childhood hijinks. His stories were laid out to show him in a good light, but she did not fault him for that. He was courting, after all, and it was expected he would present himself in his best form. She reluctantly stood when the candle reached the half hour mark, and he bowed first to her, then to the curtain.

“I have enjoyed my time with you both,” he offered with a smile, “and now I need to be off on my ride. I wish you both good day.” He turned, and in a moment he had strode from the room.

The moment they were alone Kay turned toward the curtain. “I will get you for that,” she chuckled. “Blonde beauty indeed.”

There was a solid knock at the door, and Kay sat back onto the couch, still laughing. “Come in!”

Jack strode in with a quick step, his white outfit gleaming in the morning sun, not a wrinkle to be seen. He glanced around the room briefly before moving forward to take a seat at the lone chair. He braced his feet before him, staring at the curtain. “Good morning,” he greeted, his voice sharp.

Kay nodded to him in welcome. “My lady, this is Jack.”

“Good morning there, Jack,” came Em’s voice through the curtain. “It is nice to finally meet you in person.”

He nodded with a quick motion. “What do you want to know?”

Em’s laughter echoed lightly through the room. “Right to the point,” she mused. “I like that in a man. Efficiency. Well, tell me about yourself.”

“I am an only child, but my father was a gambler – he lost our entire estate,” stated Jack without emotion, his eyes not wavering. “I was trained from childhood in fighting, strategy, and management. Also, because my father was often … incapacitated, I ran the day-to-day operations of our home from a young age.”

“I am sorry to hear that,” commiserated Em, her voice more subdued.

Jack’s eyes flashed in anger. “I do not want your pity,” he ground out. He took in a long breath, running a hand through his blond hair for a moment. “I had a home, I had a good quality education. Through my own efforts I have stayed solvent. I am looking to find a more stable situation where my skills will be put to good use.”

Kay leant forward. “Tell us about your projects,” she suggested.

He nodded, and began. Kay was impressed as he went through the list. He had begun small, with bodyguard assignments, work he could handle with little experience. He had diligently built his way up to larger tasks, bringing on men to help with convoy guarding, developing a network of trusted soldiers.

The half hour drew to an end, and Jack stood stiffly, nodding to Kay, then to the curtain. He began to turn.

Em’s voice was soft. “Jack?”

He turned back, his eyes tense.

“Thank you,” she offered. “Thank you for talking.”

He nodded, his gaze softening slightly. “You are welcome,” he answered, and then he was striding toward the door, moving through it.

Kay stared at the door. “Interesting,” she commented. “I would not have guessed.”

“There is always a reason why someone is the way he is,” mused Em.

A timid knock came at the door, and Kay’s eyes brightened with amusement. She knew before the door was opened who would be behind that feeble effort. Alistair was wearing a brown tunic which matched his brown hair perfectly. There was not a spot to be found on his tunic, and his shoes had been shined within an inch of their lives. Alistair moved slowly across the room, his eyes focused on the black curtain with hesitation. He lowered himself into the chair without changing his look.

Em gave a slight chuckle. “Alistair, I imagine.”

A high pitched squeak emerged. “Yes!” he agreed, then winced and cleared his throat. “Yes,” he repeated in a lower tone, “I am Alistair. It is good to meet you, Keren-happuch.”

“So, tell us about your childhood,” asked Em gently.

Alistair nodded a few times, looking down at his hands. “I was a fourth son, so as soon as I reached my sixth birthday I was sent to the Saint Paul monastery to begin training.” His voice became wistful. “After the noise and chaos of home, it was like a dream come true. The quiet room, the schedule, the training, the reading, the prayer. It was everything I could have wanted.”

Kay looked over with interest. “Why did you choose to leave?”

He looked up at her in surprise. “Choose?” he replied in a shocked tone. Realizing what he had said, he flushed crimson, then returned his gaze to the curtain. “I mean, certainly, when the head abbot came to me, accompanied by my father, I understood and appreciated all this entailed. It is a great opportunity.” He glanced around at the room. “In a way this keep is perfect for me. Its isolation, its quiet, its routine. I would be very happy here.”

Kay nodded encouragingly. “Tell us about your monastery.”

Alistair tentatively began his tales, and as he talked he loosened up, gained tone in his voice. The time scrolled by, and Kay was surprised when she looked up to see the half hour had gone by.

“Thank you for your time,” she offered, standing.

He nodded, smiling, bowing to her and then to the curtain. “Until tomorrow,” he agreed, a soft smile coming to his face. He turned and headed out of the room.

“Again, very interesting,” commented Kay, looking after him. “I guess there is more to our guests than I would have thought.”

“You always were the impetuous one,” teased Em from behind her black fabric shield. “This might be a good learning experience for you, to be forced to take your time.”

“You just watch yourself,” retorted Kay, taking a long drink of her mead. “Remember that you are speaking for me, back in that cloaked lair of yours.”

A loud, enthusiastic set of knocks sounded on the door, and Kay glanced around, her smile fading. “If we are learning more about the men this morning, let us see what we learn about Uther. So far I am not overly impressed with the man.” She took another long drink of her mead. “Come in!”

The door was flung open, and Uther strode in, tossing his red hair back as he looked around him with enthusiastic interest. His eyes latched on Kay and he strode over with a wide grin. “Ah, Kay, there you are, lass. It is a pleasure to see you again.” He took her hand in his, lowering his head to kiss it with a flamboyant bow. He winked at her, then turned toward the black curtain.

“And you, Keren-happuch, how are you this fine morning?” he asked, stepping forward in interest.

Kay half rose. “Ahem,” she cautioned. “You cannot touch that curtain, remember. It is one of the rules.”

“Just a small glance?” prodded Uther, his grin growing more wide.

Em’s voice was stern. “Patience, my man,” she counseled from behind her fabric wall. “Have a seat.”

He sighed in acceptance, plunking himself back down onto the chair. He poured out the mead into the as yet untouched mug and downed half of it in one long swallow. “Well then, Keren-happuch, how shall we begin?”

Kay sat back against the sofa. “Why not tell us about your background?”

“Of course!” agreed Uther, his eyes twinkling in delight. “I grew up the only son in a household with three doting sisters, all older than me. I was spoiled rotten, surrounded by beautiful women all of my life, and see no reason for that to change any time soon.”

His eyes moved wolfishly to look over Kay. “It seems by coming here that I will do quite nicely for myself. The food is commendable. The serving staff, very accommodating. Why only last night I was telling Anna -”

His voice babbled on in a stream of story, and Kay barely had to add in a nod here or there to keep Uther going. She found herself, as a game, counting the number of times he mentioned the beauty of a woman’s eyes. When she passed thirty, she switched to lips. He seemed to have met and fallen in love with every female within a hundred miles.

Kay gave a sigh of relief when the candle reached down to the eleven mark, and she stood. “I am afraid your time is up, Uther.”

“Ah, already? What a shame,” he sighed. He stood and drained the rest of his mug, setting the tankard down on the table with a solid ring. He gave a long flourishing bow toward the curtain, then moved over in front of Kay. He bent toward her, and she offered her hand automatically. He took it in his, lowering his lips, holding them against her skin. She bit her lip, fighting the instinct to draw her hand clear. He waited there a second longer than appropriate, then stood, winking at her before turning and striding to the door with a satisfied chuckle. He flung it wide, leaving it open as he strode down the stairs.

Kay looked after him with disgust, shaking her head at his self-absorption. A flush brightened her cheek as a movement caught her eye, as she realized Reese was standing in the shadows, his tawny hair framing his twinkling eyes.

She waved him in, and he closed the door quietly behind him, coming over into the room.

Em moaned from behind the curtain. “Good God, Kay, I take back any complaints that you exaggerated Uther’s faults. How did you survive a dinner with that lout? You are sure you were not tempted to dump his soup on his lap?”

Kay winked at Reese, reaching behind her to fetch a fresh tankard from the shelf against the wall, then leaning forward to pour it full before handing it over to him. “I am a paragon of patience and understanding,” she offered with a tone of great humility, refilling her own mug as well.

A loud snort sounded from behind the curtain. “I bet you were on that castle wall in under fifteen minutes to get away from him,” she challenged.

Reese gave a low chuckle. “I believe she was,” he agreed, toasting his mug toward Kay. She returned the toast, then took in a long drink.

There was a coughing splutter from the black curtain, and in a moment Em’s voice snapped in a combination of mirth and pique. “Kay, you could have told me Reese had come in.”

“If you did not think to cut eyeholes in that curtain of yours, I can hardly be blamed,” countered Kay, her grin growing wider. “Besides, I am sure we are not telling Reese anything he did not see for himself.”

“Still, it is not right for us to share confidences with one of the men about the others,” reminded Em in a reasonable tone.

“I think we can trust Reese,” smiled Kay. “And besides, he is our last visitor for the day, which means we can take as long as we like with him. Although I am curious,” she added, turning to gaze at Reese, “just why did you take the final spot?”

“Maybe it was for that very reason,” he commented with a smile. “It also means there will always be at least one man coming out before me, so I can judge his expression and get a sense of the mood of the day.”

“Always, at least until the final day,” smiled Kay.

“Yes, until then,” agreed Reese, nodding.

Em’s voice eased out from behind her wall of fabric. “So, Reese,” she encouraged, “tell us about your life.”

Reese rolled his shoulders gently beneath his leather tunic, settling back into the chair. “I am the second of two sons, so my elder brother inherited our entire family estate,” he explained without a hint of ire. “As with most second sons, I was sent off to be a soldier. I took readily to the life, and have spent most of my adult years around the Mediterranean on one campaign or another.”

Kay leant forward on the couch. “How did you find the landscapes?” she asked, intrigued.

“Hot,” mused Reese, “and desolate. One could go days without finding a drinkable source of water, with nothing but poisonous snakes to keep a person company.” He glanced out the window at the sweep of mountains and hills beyond. “It is why I was surprised to hear this area called barren. It is green, welcoming, I would even say beautiful.”

Em’s voice was warm. “Tell us about your times abroad.”

Reese nodded, and began his stories. Kay found them fascinating, enriching. He told of disparate peoples in distant lands, how their cultures clashed and complemented. He explored how their style of dress, their speech patterns, their food and drink changed with the landscapes. She became immersed in exotic music and unimaginable creatures. The time spun by in a drifting dream.

A knock sounded at the door, and Kay looked up, startled. The guard poked his head around the door, his eyes bright with amusement.

“It is after noon, Kay,” he commented wryly. “Should I have the others start lunch without you?”

“Oh!” cried Kay in consternation, drawing herself to a standing position. “Thank you, we will be down right away.”

Reese rolled to his feet. “I am sorry to have taken so much of your time,” he apologized, his face shadowed in contrition.

Kay shook her head, smiling. “It was fascinating, really. Maybe we could hear more tomorrow?”

“Of course,” he agreed, bowing. He turned toward the curtain. “Until tomorrow, then,” he added.

“Good day, Reese,” Em agreed, a smile in her voice.

Kay came around to Reese’s side, and together they descended the steps toward the main hall.

 

* * *

 

Anne was already serving the roast beef out to the men as they entered the hall, and Kay’s stomach rumbled at the lush aroma. She wended her way through the chairs and people to reach the head table at the far side of the room.

Jack looked up as they approached, his eyes surly. “And where have you been,” he grumbled. “Your allotted time ended a half hour ago.”

Kay drew up short, flaring at the notion that Jack had any right to judge her on her actions.

Galeron’s voice smoothed gently into the tense silence. “Why, my dear Jack, Kay is not a slave. She is free to do as she wishes once her duties to her lady are complete.” He turned to her with a welcoming smile. “Come take a seat, you must be famished.”

She blushed at the implication that she and Reese had been alone together somewhere, but she held her tongue. Better to let the moment pass. She dropped her eyes, taking her seat next to Reese.

Anne was by her side in a moment with their drinks. Her pink cheeks were even more flushed than usual, and Kay watched her carefully as she moved down the line of men. When the blonde walked past Uther, his hand snaked up to give her a fond pat on the rump. Anne seemed half pleased, half embarrassed by the contact.

Kay shook her head, focusing on the meal before her, soaking up the gravy with a piece of bread. It was bad enough that he was flirting with Jessica last night, but was he going to steal the heart of every maid during his quest to wed? Was he going to leave a trail of broken hearts behind him?

Galeron’s voice poked into her thoughts. “Well, Uther, how did you enjoy your first full morning at the keep?”

Uther beamed, and he downed a long draught of his ale. “Ah, very well, very well,” he enthused, glancing back at where Anne watched from the doorway. “The keep’s inhabitants are quite welcoming and friendly. I could get very used to this. Very used.”

Alistair’s quiet voice seemed almost a wheezy whisper in comparison. “I spent time in the small chapel here on the keep grounds,” he murmured. “It was expertly built, and was quiet during my morning. I gave thanks again for our peaceful journey.”

He glanced down the line of men. “A practice we have in the monastery is to spend an occasional lunch in silence. It helps to settle nerves. Could I ask that we do that today? I find I am not feeling very well …”

With various shrugs and smiles, the other men concurred, and Kay found herself quite pleased with Alistair’s odd request. She found her own stomach growing tense with Uther’s behavior. Jessica and Anne were both sweet girls, and both had childhood sweethearts who lived in the area. What were they risking with their flirtatious behavior with Uther? Surely they knew that either Uther would stay, and become her husband, or he would leave, never to be seen again. She hoped that they were enjoying a harmless flirtation but not risking anything more than that.

She was just mopping up the last of her bread when a pair of young tow-headed boys came racing down the length of the hall. She put out her arms in delight, and the pair leapt into her embrace, yelling wildly in pleasure.

“Auntie Kay! Auntie Kay!” they screamed with a lungpower which seemed far beyond their five years.

Jack’s brows furrowed. “You have a sister here?” he snapped in confusion.

Kay flushed with heat. She buried her face in the young lads to cover herself. It was bad enough to play a ‘game’, but she still felt qualms about outright lying. She dodged the direct question. “These two darling boys are the sons of Jevan, one of our most trusted guards,” she explained. “This is Joey, and this one is Paul. Twins, as you might guess.”

Joey tugged at her hand. “The leaves are ready!” he cried out in delight.

“If you would excuse me, gentlemen,” she apologized, then turned to follow the boys out into the main courtyard area.

They were of course exactly right. A gigantic pile of leaves – far taller than her head – had been gathered by the front gate, up against the curtain wall. It was swept just beneath the walk which ran along the edge of the wall, some ten feet above.

Kay could barely keep up with the boys as they scampered up the narrow stone steps, their eyes shining with delight. Jevan was waiting at the top for them, and chuckled as Kay reached him.

“They have been waiting for this all year, you know,” he offered by way of apology.

She smiled, looking down at the leaves. “As did I, when I was their age,” she pointed out. “Believe me, I am just as happy