Whispers of Blood & Magic

Chapter Eighteen

The current course of food was taken away and yummy fruits and sweets were brought out by the remaining maids. The women giggled in delight and as I was looking around at everyone seated, I saw something that utterly surprised me.

Fausto was looking at the woman across from him and was actually... smiling. A soft curve of his mouth had formed and although his pupils were white, they were glistening with what seemed like joyful tears.

I had seen this look a few times before when he would buy me little sweets, but the chorus of giggles from across the table from all four of them seemed to bring out the happiness that he kept so hidden away. I didn't know if he would ever tell me of his haunted past, but it was still heartwarming to see his gloom lift for a moment.

Although that was an odd sight to see, Baron Brackenworth mirrored the same look towards the women. He wore the same soft smile that Fausto did, and had a similar gleam in his eyes. How interesting. Neither of the men were paying any attention to each other, so they both missed the look that the other held.

The magic was broken when Adelina went to grab the last pastry off of a dish and Flyn swooped in and grabbed it first, using his quickness of movement to startle her a bit. She gave a small eep, jerking her hand back, then scowled at the tabaxi as he munched happily on the dessert. If looks could kill, he would be dead and buried by now.

But then a small shift happened in their wordless conversation. A small twitch of the corner of her mouth, a slight raise of his eyebrow, and a quick glance at Baron Brackenworth, who was watching his newest ward indulge herself in dried fruits from all over the world. Oh great, Flyn was going to get us in heaps of trouble if anything ever came from that secret exchange.

"Baron Brackenworth," I leaned over as I spoke to him, "I see that these women bring joy and merriment to your castle. It must be so... enthralling to have them here with you, as your guests."

Several looks crossed his face in a mere moment. He leaned in towards me so that we were only a foot or so away from each other, then replied, "I invite them here to live, with no conditions from myself. They are maidens while they live here and are free to leave at any time, marrying whom they wish. I only use my power to play matchmaker, if they choose."

"I thought your job was to set them up with wealthy husbands?" I asked while the rest of the table had small conversations about the food or amusing stories from their pasts.

"It can be. These women are from wealthy families, but they are not first-borns nor are they male, so their worth is less in their families' eyes. I don't think any of them would even notice if these women ran off with a cobbler or thatcher. But I do want to ensure that they live happily, wherever they are."

"That is very generous of you, especially being unwed yourself." I didn't mean the last part to be so accusatory, but it slipped out that way. I didn't offer any apologies for it though.

Baron Brackenworth gave a surprised look, then said, "No, I am not wed, nor do I wish to be. Perhaps what I am doing is selfish," he looked at me then and continued, "I do this for them because when I was much younger, I fell in love with a beautiful woman. Her life was stolen from her, and my heart died with her. I enjoy seeing these women here, happy, hoping that I can catch the joyous sounds of laughter or see the mirth that my love once graced me with within these women while they are here."

"I don't think that is so selfish," I said quietly. The look of his bittersweet sadness broke my heart and I didn't know what else to say to him about it, so I changed the subject. "Your castle is unique and magnificent.

"Thank you. It has belonged to me and my lineage for quite some time. The town and its people have served me well and are rewarded for their efforts. They live extravagant lives as well." His face slacked a little but I couldn't tell what that shift in him meant.

"They seem to be doing well here, despite the harshness of the continent surrounding this town. When we traveled through Ruthersfry, it was evident that the majority of people were struggling to survive. Food was scarce and the land was... dying." As I said this, I wondered if the Baron ever ventured off of his isle and made his way through the portion of the continent below his sanctuary here.

"What a shame," he said while lowering his gaze, then added, "perhaps a druid such as yourself could assess their situation and give them council. There must be other cities near the coastline that are a successful model to follow."

"Of course there are. But the land just south of here...." I hesitated here, wondering how much to speak to him about my ability and what magic I could feel here. But if I wanted answers, now would be the time to ask them. "It seems like the land itself is being robbed of life. Being a druid, I can feel that absence there, but I feel an overabundance here. Something is different here and I would like to know more, and then maybe I can help those people in Ruthersfry and other places that have poor soil." There. Maybe if I spun my curiosity to helping others and working the soil as a druid, he would be more open to giving me any information available to him. I dared not tear my conversation or gaze away from him to the others in fear that it would look as if we were planning nefarious things against him.

"Ah, yes." he nodded his head here, giving a curious look to me. "I suggest you speak to Arthur."

"I did," I said quickly, interrupting his further speaking. "He gave us a short tour and explained his usage of his discarded meat pieces to help enrich the soil. But this is more. I want to know more." I spoke very sharply, hoping that I wasn't pushing my limits with this nobleman. But if we were going to get answers, he would be the greatest asset to us.

He looked at me for a long time, inspecting me. He leaned back in his chair, and his attention finally broke from me as he looked at the other guests. I didn't break my focus on him though, but I felt Flyn's foot gently nudge mine. What the tabaxi was trying to tell me, I wasn't sure, but I didn't turn to look at him. I could hear conversation swimming around me, both from my companions and from the women sitting across from them.

Baron Brackenworth stood then, and the rest of our dinner party stood to join him. He bowed gracefully, then an enchanting smile spread across his face as his guests looked to him as he spoke, "I am so grateful for our guests tonight, especially in their efforts to bring our newest ward, Brienne. I believe it is time to retire for the night for all of us, especially those that traveled." At this, he bowed slightly again, acknowledging Flyn as an equal, and Flyn bowed slightly as well and was the only one who did so from our group.

The ladies curtsied deeply, keeping their gaze lowered as was custom, as the baron walked out of the dining room. Then, the maids and butler came in and started clearing the table. The ladies said a gentle goodnight as we stood and said our goodnights as well. We were left there for only a moment before the butler came back and motioned for us to follow him to our guest wing. We followed silently behind him down the long hallway, giving each other careful glances.