Escaping the Great Castle. Void Story. Part 2.

A woman smiled at me from farther down the table. "We have the biggest and strongest castle in the world."

I saw another ghost out there in the hall below the ballroom. They are getting pretty common thanks to those murderous Fagorns!" A man growled from a table by the fire.

"I've heard that Queen Ruth is having an affair with one of the Knights." Another, older man added.

"Ha, we all know King Barl did not sire Prince Cory, the kid does not look the least bit like him or Ruth!" This came from a man in a long red cloak.

"Lords above, you people never stop gossiping!" The barkeep went over to pour ale in the fire table man's cup.

I agreed to my self, and got up to leave the inn.

I now faced a hall going left and right, and a heavy, but open oaken door ahead of me. Although useless to me in my almost moneyless circumstances, I could see an apothecary, herb and armor shops.

There was an indoor latrine to the left of that. I could also smell it. Yuck. I hoped there were more sanitary facilities somewhere.

Walking outside, and past the unpleasant odors, I found a large, pleasant indoor lounge. I was rather surprised at the mix of modern and primitive in this castle.

It had quite a few people scattered about in the very modern style easy chairs and sofas. I found a seat on a sofa near the large fireplace. It had been quite cool outside.

I passed three men talking wool sales on my way to it.

A lady pieced quilt squares in one of the chairs. She smiled welcome as I sat.

Another was knitting what looked like a large man's cloak. I was surprised at the bright red of her yarn.

A couple sat murmuring on a near by settee. They were either lovers or newlyweds from the billing and cooing going on there. I'd have preferred more privacy myself.

The quilter said that the king's cook was a huge man. One of the wool merchants suddenly snapped. "Those Fagorn spies are everywhere. You can't even tell them from honest Starfell folk anymore!"

The other two tried to hush him. "The vizier's spies are too, no use exciting them, they'll just up our taxes more!" From the man on the right.

Suddenly, a tall muscular woman staggered into the lounge. ""Wheres that slut, Phyra!"

A leaner, but hard bitten looking woman near the door answered sharply. "Right here, as anyone can see who isn't so drunken as yourself!"

The drunk threw her ale in the other one's face. "You leave Torans alone, all know that he is mine!"

"Ha, he says otherwise." The sober one replied. "Meet me in the Bare Court, if you can sober up enough to find it. You should not even be here in the upper courts in your condition."

The left in opposite directions.

"Staged?" I wondered aloud.

"Probably, and all over a worthless cards man." The old man in the red cloak had come into the lounge. "Those two have fought over him for months.

"All over a gambler? He must make good money at it." I laughed.

"Nah, he loses most of the time." He grinned back.

"How silly." I shook my head, amused by human nature.

"You! Woman, are you the new seer that the Wind Priest brought?"

I turned to face an old man in a shimmering orange cloak, and yellow feather edged russet colored close fitting cowl. He even had laced boots to match the russet of the cowl. His jowly face reminded me of a bulldog I had once known called Captain Puddles. He got that name by being very hard to house break.

"I am Spralel, the King's Vizier!" he announced grandly.

"Oh yes, the worn out old lecher after the young Princess Sheima. I've heard all about you." I drawled my dislike. "I am Sharle Dubois, yes."

"The king will see you now." I turned my back on him. "If King Barl wishes to see me, let him send a more honorable messenger. If you are fool enough to try force, I will sic Ankloi on you, old braggart."

I had spotted Ariel and a young warrior of the Solaniss family heading our way.

The vizier sputtered something about guards, then nticed the two Ankloi, and left rather hurriedly.

To be continued.

Sharon Pribble