Page 25 of The Darkland

The more Mara watched, the more she realized Kirk was responsible for Micheline’s dose of happiness; he had promised to aid Mara in her defense of Micheline. Although he had not been able to help her yesterday in the face of Edmund’s ignorance, he was helping her now by making amends for her rough introduction to Anchorsholme Castle. Bringing hope and beauty to a girl who had known little of both.

“Take care of Micheline, ladies,” Mara said, tossing the red satin over her head and thinking warm thoughts of a man she was once sworn to hate. “I have a knight to thank.”

*

The double baileysof Anchorsholme were dusty, smelly pools of men and animals. The sky was amazingly clear this day, the weak sun bright on the fields below. Dressed in the beautiful red surcoat that accentuated her feminine curves, Mara picked her way among the crowd in search of Kirk. The servants inside the keep had been unable to tell her where he had gone on this fine morning; therefore, she determined to find him herself.

She was almost run over near the stables by a dancing charger. Frightened, but characteristically hostile, she shook her fist at the soldier and dashed off toward the kitchen yard. It never occurred to her to ask one of the many men-at-arms what they knew of Kirk’s location, but whether it was because she was too prideful or intimidated by their grizzled appearance was unknown.

The sun was drying the rain from the earth, creating dust and clouds of insects as she made her way to the kitchens. The smell of urine was sharp in her nostrils but she paid little heed to the stench, her focus on finding Kirk. Once inside the small enclosure that housed the buttery, the butcher’s block, and other kitchen necessities, she saw quite clearly that Kirk wasn’t in the area and, frustrated, turned to leave. Returning the way she had come, she was almost out of the yard when she noticed movement from the corner of her eye.

It was movement in the cool shadows and Mara could hear a good deal of whispering. Peering closer, she noticed several pairs of eyes stared backat her. Putting her hand up to shield the sun, four dirty children abruptly came into focus.

Mara frowned. “What are you doing in there? Hiding?”

One of the children, a boy a year or so younger than herself, emerged from the dampness. He was a bit taller than she was and they gazed at each other curiously beneath the bright blue sky.

“What areyoudoing?” the boy countered. “Have you lost something?”

Mara shook her head. “I am looking for someone. I do not suppose you know where I could find Kirk?”

The boy’s freckled nose twitched. “Kirk the Giant?”

Mara scowled. “You will not call him that!”

The boy shrugged, scratching his dirty blond head. “’Tis the truth. He’s a giant.”

Mara still did not like the term, even if the lad was correct. She eyed the boy, glancing to his three companions still in the shadows. “What’s your name?”

“Robert,” the boy said, gesturing to the gaggle of children behind him. “Those are my kin; Fiona, Gilly, and George.”

“Do you work in the kitchens?”

Robert nodded; for a peasant youth, he seemed rather well-spoken. “Our mam assists the cook.” He looked Mara up and down. “You do not sound like another Irish lady.”

Mara’s brow furrowed with puzzlement. “I am not. My sister is going to marry Lord Edmund.”

Robert’s eyes widened. He turned to look at his sisters and brother, brave enough to emerge from the cool recesses now that their brother had engaged the lady in conversation. Four pairs of astonished eyes gazed back at Mara.

“Why do you look like that?” she demanded.

The children looked to each other again, dirty youths with similar coloring and features. Finally, Robert looked at Mara.

“Is your sister forced to do this?”

“Our father betrothed her,” she said, unsure how to answer the question. “Now, you will tell me why you look so distressed.”

Robert gazed at her a moment, his intelligent eyes studying her striking features. “What’s your name, lady?”

“Mara.”

“Are you hungry, Lady Mara?”

“I ate not an hour ago but… aye, I suppose I could eat.”

Robert motioned her with him. “Then come along,” he said as his siblings collected around Mara in an eager group. “Mam will feed us.”

Surrounded by grinning children, Mara had no choice but to accept.