Darkthorn’s Blog

Half an hour later Ishton and Blackmain immerged out of the stillroom to delicious smells of roasting meat. Julia had used her freedom in the fields to catch a rabbit or two it seemed. Blackmain wondered fleetingly where Julia had learnt to skin rabbits, it took skill and a great deal of patience. Not to mention a knife, which Ishton had warned him not to leave lying around. Julia was singing to herself, but stopped as she realized they were there.

“It’s been ready a good while now. Where were you?”

They merely grunted, and set about on the food with abandon. Julia smiled to see them. She felt like conversation would be appropriate right now, but they both appeared pale and drained. Instead, she turned back to the fire, reveling in its warmth.

Behind her, Ishton and Blackmain were exchanging meaningful glances. How were they going to keep track of her now? Ishton had been too absorbed in the trance to notice her wanderings, and his mind was still fragile. It must have been a powerful master who had set the protection charms on the old city. Pity. They were both too exhausted to even carry the charade of keeping her inside. Julia seemed to sense their thoughts.

“Don’t worry about me,” she said, “I was here all that time. No need for me to stray, the rabbits were down by the stream, and I managed to catch them.” Julia was full of pride. Not many could claim to have caught the fast animals with their own hands. All the days spend cleaning had not dampened her senses. It had occurred to her that she felt stronger than she ever had, cooped up in that castle. The thought disturbed her. What was she doing out here in the wilderness? Shouldn’t she be doing something for the kingdom? After the last king had died… No, she corrected herself, he had been murdered. It didn’t matter anyway. She was safe here. No obligations, except to try and keep them happy. She didn’t want to leave now.

Ishton looked exhaustedly at Blackmain, unable to formulate intelligible words. The food had helped him bolster his strength, but right now what he really needed was some time to rest and recover before he could think about what they had seen. Blackmain responded with an equally weak smile. What would Julia think if they curled up on the one bed? Normally Julia took it, but right now lying on the rough couch would do nothing for his energy levels exhausted as he was.

Julia could see the two men eyeing each other off, and decided that they would both be best off sleeping. But what about the bed? It wasn’t going to fit them both on it was it? She thought it would be diplomatic to leave them to it. But where to go? They obviously weren’t comfortable with her going outside, she could see their logic in that, but where else was there? Not much space in the house. The stillroom wasn’t a good option either, they had just come from there and wouldn’t appreciate her messing up whatever they had been doing. What had they been doing? Julia frowned. It wasn’t her place to ask. They could look after themselves.

“I’m going outside. Won’t be far. Just give you some peace. Don’t worry about me.”

It was too much effort to protest, Blackmain and Ishton headed for the bedroom together, earning an interested look from Julia. But it was their business after all. She doubted the two had never shared a bed, surely they had not taken turns on the couch. She headed for outside, she could think about it once she got to the woods.