The Well in the Mires

Missing Queen Part 2

Daniel walked into the old servant's quarters and coughed a little from the tickle of the dirty air. The men inside groaned as they made adjustments to their new sleeping arrangements.

"I hope all is well!" He said with a friendly smile.

"Daniel, you!" The man rushed him, pointing an angry finger at him.

Daniel put up his hands to show he was not a threat. His smile twitched a bit. "I hope you're hungry."

"Brought you breakfast! Couldn't let our guests go hungry, now could we?" Esher said, rolling in a wooden cart with bowls and a large pot of porridge.

The man put his finger down with a huff. Looking down at the food, he said, "I see."

"Hope you don't mind. Daniel and I had to make it ourselves. The maids are all very busy with the Lord and Lady. We're not the best cooks, but we did our best." There was a glint in Esher's eye.

Not taking his eyes off the man, Daniel scooped a ladle full into one of the bowls. "Percival." He said in a flat tone as he presented it to him. The man was silent, taking the bowl with a frown. "Anyone else?" He asked, waving another bowl full around.

A man who looked like his eyes had swollen to twice their size from allergies stepped forward with a sniff. This started the chain of men to gather their meals. They looked disappointedly at their jiggly, lumpy porridge. One picked up a spoonful and let it dribble back down.

"It's cold." Another said, taking a bite.

"Yes, well, it took us a bit to get all this here from the kitchen. This wobbly cart made it take even longer." Esher shrugged apologetically. "Can't be helped." He held up another ladle full. "Want any more?" Percival grimaced. "No? Ok." He turned to Daniel with a smile. "Well, looks like we ought to get this back to the kitchen!"

"That sounds like an excellent idea!" Daniel agreed. "Well then, Percical. We'll take our leave."

The man waited until they were out of earshot. "Good riddance." He looked down at his bowl with a scowl and forced himself to take a bite. His face contorted with disgust. It was the worst porridge he'd ever eaten.

The men passed by Elen in the training grounds and stopped to watch.

"Elen's training for swordplay?" Daniel leaned on a fence post, impressed.

"Indeed. Udich wanted to ensure the lady's safety. Seems she's pretty good for a beginner."

"Well, it's no surprise considering she used to spar with the boys all the time."

"How do you know that?" Esher glanced at him curiously.

"Elen and I come from the same village. She's always been good. A natural. But seeing her train with an actual sword is impressive."

Landon walked into the training grounds to have a conversation with the weapons master. Elen noticed and fumbled shyly, falling back. The weapons master made a sound in the back of his throat loudly to announce his distaste in her failing.

"Oh, I see." Daniel said knowingly.

"Indeed." Esher said with a sigh. "I hope those two can put that aside when the moment counts."

Back in Udich's room, Fenna sat beside him, stroking his hand. "You should sleep." She said.

"But I'm already up for the day."

"You should definitely rest. You had a very rude awakening."

"But I don't want you to go."

"I'll stay!" She blurted a bit more forcefully than she meant to.

He raised an eyebrow. "Will you now?" He said playfully.

Her face flushed, and she smacked his arm with a spare pillow. "You stop playing!"

He gasped. "You hit a prince?" He pretended to be offended.

"I did, and I'll do it again, too." She held the pillow fiercely, ready to swing again.

He chuckled, holding his hands up. "I submit!"

She giggled, dropping the pillow. "Yes. I'll stay. Now move over." She stood, leaning on the edge.

His smile quickly turned to surprise, but he didn't argue and quickly did as he was told. He watched patiently as she climbed onto the bed and placed a pillow between them.

"What's this?" He asked, confused, flicking the corner.

"You're still a man. I need protection." She joked.

He snorted and rolled his eyes, laying down. They both lied on their backs for a few moments until Fenna sighed and rolled to spoon the pillow.

"Just for a couple of hours." She said tiredly.

He nodded, his face burned. He had to admit, he was a little jealous of the pillow. He peeked over at her to make sure her eyes were closed. Holding his breath, he scooted a bit closer to the pillow until he could feel her warmth through it slightly. He smiled with gleeful content. This was enough. He felt giddy butterflies when she let out a slow sigh as she relaxed.