Milady

Trink

Chapter two

Still filled with rage, Mathew stormed across the bailey, heading for the stables, anyone getting in his way, were shoved aside, he couldn't believe he had walked out of that room leaving his mistress like that. He threw open the stable door, taking a deep breath he looked for Drapper, the Stable Master. Drapper, a small, wiry old man came out of a stall and looked at Mathew, he had rarely seen Mathew this angry. The two of them had been friends for years. Drapper had watched his friend grow from a gangly child to a strong man, hiding his soft heart behind bluster and gruffness, he also knew that Mathew had a soft spot in his heart for Mary and wondered if the two had argued. Drapper waited for Mathew to calm down, he sat on a wooden box and calmly chewed a piece of straw, Mathew took another deep breath and looked at Drapper. "We've known each other a long time, and in all those years, I ain't never asked how yea knew things, how yea seemed to understand the animals and the weather. I've always suspicioned that yea knew the small ones in the forest, but thought it best not to be know. Well I'm askin now, if it be true!" Before Drapper could say a word, Mathew rushed on, "they say the small folk have magical ways, That they can even turn a body invisible. That they can cause people to wither and die for no reason. I want to find them and even if I be tradin me soul to the devil, I want Kurlew to die a foul slow death." Of all the things Mathew could have said this was the last thing Drapper expected, he looked at Mathew and continued to chew on the piece of straw, as if thinking things over. Mathew knew you couldn't hurry Drapper, he did things in his own good time. Finally, Drapper asked," what has the bastard spawn from hell done now?" he watched Mathew's face turn red with anger and knew he wasn't going to like what he was about to hear, but hear it he must before he could come to a decision. "He beat her again, this time worse then ever before, he strung her up from those tiny wrists of hers and left her hanging from the rafter, like some piece of meat." He then went on to tell about what had occurred the night before in the dining hall. Drapper had already heard but said nothing. He let Mathew get out the words and the rage. At last with another deep breath, Mathew was done, his rage had burnt out, leaving him feeling tired and helpless, a feeling no man cares to deal with. "You bounced her on your knee when she was naught but a babe, you taught her how to sit her first pony. Many's the time yea picked her up off the ground and tossed her back in the saddle. Yea watched her grow into a lovely woman. She ain't never hurt nobody in all her days, everyone knows how kind and good she is, she don't deserve what's happening to her." Drapper nodded, he spit out the piece of straw and said "I can only ask for their help, lad, they give it as they see fit." With that he stood up and clapped Mathew on the shoulder. He turned back to the stalls with a thoughtful look on his face. Well he had done the asking, there was no more he could do, for a moment his shoulders slumped forward, then he suddenly sat up and grinned, hadn't Mary said something about meeting her in the Kitchen? Drapper slipped out the side door of the stable and ambled down along the wall, he whistled a special tune as he walked. If he had been heard, they would let him know, in their own good time.

Supper was over and the dining hall empty except for the drunken soldiers who had fallen asleep on the floor, the dogs sniffed through the rushes looking for a bone or scrap of meat. Mary joined everyone in the kitchen, she picked up a piece of bread to munch on, then suddenly stopped and looked at Harriett, with a chuckle Harriet told her that it was safe to eat. The herbs that had been added to the nights meal would take about 12 hours to work and it had been added mostly to the wine and ale. Harriett then showed Mary where the safe ale and wine was being stored, as the girls in the kitchen wandered off to their beds for the night, Mary and Harriett talked of the days happenings. They both knew that they had done everything they could to help and tomorrow would be another long day. Mary kept glancing at the door, Harriett watched Mary and finally laughed. "Should I be headin off to me cottage, you look like your expecting company." Mary turned and grinned at Harriett, "I'll get that man yet, Harriett, don't you doubt it." Harriett laughed loudly, her ample bosom jiggling, she gave Mary a hug and still laughing told her. "Dearie, you've had that boy eating out of your hand for over a year now, but he is just like all males. contrary as hell. Maybe its time to give the boy a taste of good lovin, so he knows for sure what he is missin." With that parting comment, Harriett left the kitchen for the night.