Day 11

Captain Greg’s tirade was basically a repeat of his last rant When he paused to rhetorically ask me what I had to say for myself, I told that he wasn’t my father - though he’s certainly starting to sound like him - so he had no right to tell me what to do; that he’s scaring my squabbit; that Queen Sophia left me in charge, not him; and that I didn’t blame his girlfriend for dumping him. A woman would have to be desperate to want to marry him.

Before he could reply, a soldier appeared to tell him he was needed in the barracks. He told me we would continue this discussion in the morning and left. I went home and thought some more about our mysterious cloaked stranger and made some new notes and charts.

The next morning, while I wait for the Captain to show up to continue our ‘discussion’, I review my notes with Lucky. I have a new theory about all the curses and had divided the events into three groups based on what I believed was the motivation behind the attacks.

The cloaked man had cursed the exterior of the Castle, the Entrance Hall, and the pond. The Castle is the natural place for the citizens to gather during a crisis because they would be seeking reassurance and guidance from their sovereign. It’s also the place where the defeat of Dreadmyre was celebrated. Cursing it would demoralize the citizens.

I grouped the attacks of the Forester with the curse on the Orchards. The Orchards are a major source of food for the kingdom’s residents. Although I had removed the curse from the Orchards, the Forester has been cowed by his experiences and consequently food production may suffer. A food shortage would bring unrest to the kingdom.

That leaves only the attack on Prince Edric, a prince from another kingdom. If we still have a problem with Dreadmyre, we might require aid and assistance from neighboring kingdoms. Maybe the prince was attacked to discourage other realms from helping us. And all of these events could be a ruse to bring Queen Sophia back.

A shadow falls across my desk. The Captain has arrived and he’s hasn’t brought me any flowers today, not that I was expecting any. He holds out his hand and asks to see my latest batch of notes and charts.

Since he’s given no indication that he wishes to continue the discussion from last night, I conclude that I’m free to go about my business. Since my visits to the Rose Garden are now public knowledge, I might as well deliver all those eggshells Chumblepot asked for.

Chumblepot thanks me for all the materials I’ve brought him. He’s been wanting to experiment with some new techniques and now he’ll be able to. And most of the things I’ve brought will be used to repair the Castle’s glasswork now that he has a bigger shop. But he’s going to need more glass shards and if he gets behind in completing regular orders, he might need me to finish those while he works on the large piece for the Castle.

When I arrive at Fahleed’s, I’m surprised to see Captain Greg and Fahleed deep in conversation over a bolt of blue silk fabric. The Captain is clearly embarrassed to see me and quickly departs. Fahleed calls after him not to worry, he’ll take care of all the details. From this exchange I conclude that Miss Sunstone will soon receive a let’s kiss and make up present. Wonder why he chose blue? It’s really not her color at all.

Fahleed is settling nicely but he still needs some assistance. A few bolgins to purchase additional fabrics would come in handy. I look longingly at the blue silk. I’m so tired of wearing black. I don’t know why I’m clinging to the tradition of showing respect for my father by wearing mourning. Ours was never a loving relationship even before I was banished.

Fahleed is anxious to have my endorsement and patronage. He obviously doesn’t know about my circumstances. I suppose I could buy something from him using the kingdom’s funds just as I did with Quinn and Blessilda. I could use a cape made from a sturdy material, something that wouldn’t be easily torn if it caught on tree branches. In a dark color. Fahleed seems disappointed with my choice. That makes two of us.

Lucky and I return home for a quick bite to eat before returning to Town Hall. Captain Greg is there waiting to continue our discussion. He grudgingly admits he believes I’m right in regards to why the cloaked stranger chose his targets. But I need to take my analysis further.

I look at him blankly. The Captain patiently asks me who or what I think the next target will be. Oh! I hadn’t really given any thought as to what he would do next. Maybe nothing? It’s been a while since he last struck.

I continue to think and run through the names of the citizens I’ve come in contact. The Mayor? I think he’s useless but the Goblins do look to him for guidance. Captain Greg nods in agreement and wants to know who else?

How about him? If anything happened to him, that would leave the army leaderless until Queen Sophia appointed a new Captain of the Guard. And if there were rival candidates...Once again the Captain nods and asks who else.

Me. I’m the Steward. Queen Sophia left me in charge. I doubt the place would go to pieces if I weren’t here but the cloaked stranger doesn’t know that. Captain Greg asks me if I finally understand why he gets annoyed when I wander off and he doesn’t know where I am.

I look at him suspiciously. So nothing I’ve said is new to him? He worked all this out for himself some time ago and didn’t bother telling me? He nods and says he didn’t want to worry me.

Is there anything else he isn’t telling me? He shakes his head no. Well, then he needs to take his analysis further. The next target isn’t a person, it’s a place. Town Hall to be exact. And if luck is on his side, he’ll score a hat trick and get all three of us together.

Day 13

Last night I spent some time sorting through my wardrobe. The dark, drab colors I had been wearing were depressing. It was time to set aside the black and start wearing colors again. Or should I say color? Most of my clothing is some shade of blue.

The dress I chose for today is a deep shade of azure, the color of the water in the Castle’s pond during the kingdom’s glory days. Lucky looks at me skeptically. Yes, I know it’s a bit fancy for work, but today is a special day. I decide I might as well wear some perfume too.

Eyebrows are raised when I arrive at Town Hall. I again repeat that today is a special day. It’s the first day since I returned to the kingdom that nothing is cursed. To celebrate, I might even take a few hours off to go somewhere and sketch, maybe have a picnic lunch.

Captain Party-Pooper immediately wants to know where I was planning to picnic. Forgotten Glen? He grunts his approval. Good. Glad that’s settled. In the meantime, I think I’ll pay a visit to Fahleed and drop some hints about the Castle’s tapestry.

There was no need for me to hint. Fahleed, like everybody else, had heard from Triffledore that the curse had been dispelled. He had gone up to the Castle and seen the torn tapestry. Fahleed is anxious to repair it but needs to fetch a special cloth from one of his suppliers. Could I look after the shop in his absence?

I enjoy taking care of the shop, examining all the fabrics, helping clients decide on which embroidery pattern to add to their dress or cloak. If only my father had left me a little money instead of a pile of debts, I could have opened a dress shop. When Fahleed returns, he pleasantly surprised by the number of orders people have placed.

I run into Triffledore outside Fahleed’s shop. He tells me he was on his way to open the Yura shrine at the Forgotten Glen. But he lost some runes and his magical, musical candles. Could I help him find them? He thinks he might have dropped them at the Fairy Dragon Nest.I’m not pleased to hear that he was planning on visiting the Forgotten Glen. I had hoped to have that place all to myself. But I look for the runes anyway and bring them back to Triffledore, who reminds me he has lost some of the candles as well.
He suggests that we each search separately and gives me a list of places to check out: Dawnshadow Lake, the Ancient Pond, and the Fairy Dragon Nest. Why didn’t he mention it before I went there to find the runes? Lucky squeaks his agreement.

While I search for the candles, I continue to grumble to Lucky. I really don’t know what my father did all day long when he was steward - well, except for robbing people blind - but I bet he didn’t spend most of his time babysitting little boys and their squabbits or searching for items misplaced by the local residents.

I find a candle in each location. Triffledore is pleased and tells me I’ve got a great eye. He then hands me the rest of the candles and says that I should have the honor of opening the shrine. I don’t know how much of an honor it is, but I do know that now I can have that picnic I planned. I just have to go back home and get my drawing tools and already packed picnic basket.

I find a candle in each location. Triffledore is pleased and tells me I’ve got a great eye. He then hands me the rest of the candles and says that I should have the honor of opening the shrine. I don’t know how much of an honor it is, but I do know that now I can have that picnic I planned. I just have to go back home and get my drawing tools and already packed picnic basket.

At the Forgotten Glen, I spread out a blanket near the Royal Carriage and leave Lucky to guard the picnic basket while I use the candles to open the shrine. When I return, Captain Greg is there. He’s already opened the basket and is sniffing at the containers of food.

He asks if he can join us and, before I can answer, feeds Lucky a carrot and hands me some ham sandwiches he has brought with him. I can’t remember the last time I ate meat and gladly offer him in exchange some of the lobster salad I had made.

The Captain tastes the salad and then takes a large portion, announcing that it’s very good and asking if I made it? Yes, I tell him, I had to make my own lunch. It’s the servants’ day off. He looks embarrassed and starts to apologize.

I assure him there’s no need for an apology. We both know circumstances have changed - for both of us - in the five years that I’ve been away. Pointless trying to pretend otherwise.

And some changes have been for the better. I grab my sketch pad and pencils and quickly draw a picture of him feeding Lucky. When finished, I ask if he agrees my drawing skills have improved. He nods.

On the walk back to Landsong Village, neither of us has much to say. I decide to go home rather than to Town Hall and the Captain asks if he might escort me. When we get to my door, he blurts out that he wasn’t dumped, he had dumped her, turns beet red and leaves.

Day 15

Captain Greg is already at the office when I arrive. He looks tired. When I ask him whether he’s found out anything more about our mysterious cloaked man, he shakes his head no. He does say that Linea will be around shortly with the payroll. She’s a day late, just hope my pay isn’t a bolgin short.

While I wait for Linea to arrive, I write letter to two more of the people my father has bilked asking them to come see me at the end of the day. I also look over the requests for assistance that have been piling up.

Linea flies in and gives me a letter along with my pay. The letter is from Queen Sophia. She’s worried that Linea is missing her. Queen Sophia thinks giving a few of her personal items to Linea might cheer her up. Linea agrees that a reminder of the Queen might ease her heart. I hand Linea my letters to deliver and promise to look for something. Maybe a portrait or a plushie?

Captain Greg looks up and frowns at Linea. Perhaps his pay is a bolgin short? When Linea leaves, he tells me that I have enough to do without looking for things for Linea. I just laugh. A good portion of my time is spent looking for things that others could find for themselves if they made the effort.

The things I need to cheer up Linea can be found at the Ancient Pond and in the Forgotten Glen, places that I need to visit for other people. I assure the Captain that I can search for more than one thing at a time.

At the mention of the Forgotten Glen, his eyes light up. Perhaps I was planning another picnic lunch and he could meet me there? He really should check the shrine one more time to make sure it’s safe. Alas, I’m all out of lobster salad. And I’m not sure what time I will be going to the Forgotten Glen. I need to meet with Triffledore this morning to help him set up a business plan.

I thought that would get a raised eyebrow. I’m assuming that what Triffledore really means is he wants to start a business in the Faire of Light and he needs me to supply some money and building materials. There’s still a vacant building down there that might suit his needs.

Before heading down to the Faire of Light, I need to stop off at the General Store and drop off some moonflowers that Blessilda needs. Blessilda thanks me and remarks on how close the Captain and I appear to be growing. I inform her the nature of our jobs means that we have to spend time together. I add that looks can be deceiving and I imagine that she and the Mayor are much closer than the Captain and I will ever be. For once, Blessilda is a loss for words.

As I suspected Triffledore wants me, or rather the kingdom, to help finance his new business venture. He wants to open a shop selling artifacts that he has gathered during his years of adventuring and thinks the vacant building will do nicely. I approve his business plan and start to head back to Landsong Village to hire workers to repair that vacant building.

Triffledore hurries after me. He forgot to tell me that he may have spotted Queen Sophia’s ring and suggests that I look for it around Dawnshadow Lake and Mystic Copse. Hmm, maybe Queen Sophia’s ring would cheer up Linea.

I’m starting to get muddled trying to remember who wants me to get what from where. I tell Lucky we really need to go someplace quiet, where nobody will bother us, and I can spend some time co-ordinating all these requests for help. Maybe another picnic lunch at Forgotten Glen isn’t such a bad idea. Lucky gives me a knowing look.

I really don’t expect to meet up with the Captain nor do I particularly want to, but I pack some extra food just in case. This morning, while I dithered over whether I should resume wearing somber colored clothing in the hopes that it might silence wagging tongues, I had decided that it didn’t matter what people were saying.

The merchants of the kingdom will be asking for my help rather than do things for themselves no matter what they think about how I conduct my private life. And none of the women had sought my friendship before Captain Greg broke into my house, so why should I care if they shun me now?

As for the men, with no dowry I was never on anybody’s list of possible brides. Even Captain Greg doesn’t speak of love and only offers to do the honorable thing if necessary. Well, it’s not necessary.

As it happens, Lucky and I have Forgotten Glen to ourselves. I find the poster glue Chumblepot needs and a portrait of Queen Sophia for Linea. As we eat lunch, I make a list of places I need to visit and items I need to find and tell Lucky that things aren’t as out of control as I thought.

After lunch, we return to Landsong Village and I drop off the glue and glass shards Chumblepot had requested. Chumblepot reminded me that I had offered to watch the shop for him while he worked on the Castle’s glasswork. Is now a good time for me?

I agree and spend an hour or so putting the finishing touches on some pieces and then package them for delivery. Chumblepot returns from the Castle just in time. I had almost forgotten I made an appointment with some of my father’s creditors.

Once again neither of the men can read or write but this time Captain Greg is not around to help. But I can see another soldier outside, perhaps he will be able to assure the men in regards to what they are signing.

The soldier agrees to help and I pay the men the money owed to them in exchange for their signature acknowledging the debt has been paid. They leave but the soldier doesn’t. He mentions that my father owed him money.

Things get nasty when I ask him his name. For some reason, he expected me to know who he is even though I had been away for five years. He rants and raves about how in the past I thought I was better than everybody else. Lucky is upset and runs out the door.

I tell the soldier he’ll be the next person I pay but right now I have to go find my squabbit. He wants to talk terms now and finally points to his name in my ledger book. I gasp when I see the amount owed. It will take me several weeks to pay him.

Not good enough. He wants all the money at once, but if that’s not possible, I can pay him the way I’m paying Captain Greg. What time should he come by tonight? And how about a kiss as a down payment?

Lucky runs back in closely followed by the Captain who grabs his subordinate by the back of his tunic and throws him outside. The men exchange punches and finally the soldier leaves, blood streaming out of his nose. As he departs, he reminds me that he wants payment in full next week.

I bend down to pick up Lucky and tell him he’s a brave little squabbit. If he hadn’t gone for help...The Captain offers to walk me home. I tell him to stay away from me and my house. He’s caused me enough trouble.

Day 17

 Another night without much sleep. This time I searched through my father’s clothing, ripping all the seams open in the hope that he had hidden some coins or jewels in them. When I was finished, all I had was a pile of fabric.

I imagine I will find a use for all this material. I wonder what a certain Captain would look like without his usual chain mail, drab trousers and heavy boots? Lucky lets out a squeak and smirks. Get your mind out of the gutter, little squabbit, that’s not what I meant. You’re as bad as the rest of the citizens.

Once again the house had been under surveillance during the night. I don’t have time to think about who it could be or why this person is spying on me. I need to get up to the Castle to check out the tapestry.

There’s already a small group of people admiring it. It’s a good start to fixing up the Castle’s interior and once Triffledore finishes repairing the chandelier, it will be possible to repair the stairs. But Triffledore won’t be able to fix the chandelier or build a Moonfell staff if I don’t find the materials he needs. Better get back to Town Hall and see if I have everything.

I, or rather the kingdom, has plenty of bolgins now. Well, plenty compare to what was in the coffers when I took on this job. There’s enough to upgrade the Wingferry.

And there’s more than enough to pay that nasty soldier what I owe. For the first time I have some understanding of the temptations my father faced. It would be so easy to just borrow some bolgins and pay them back over the next couple of weeks.

No. What if another person shows up and demands immediate payment? No, I have to find another solution. There’s still time. I’ll think of something.

Strange that Captain Greg hasn’t arrived yet. He must be trying to avoid spending time with me. Well, I did tell him to stay away from me. I don’t need to consult with him about anything work-related right now but I’ll leave a note saying I’ve gone to see Triffledore so he’ll know where I am.

When I arrive at Triffledore’s with the items he requested, he’s still busy unpacking artifacts and arranging his display shelves. I offer to help and it’s soon obvious that he will need some more shelves.

I get the impression that Triffledore believes the request for his assistance has come directly from Queen Sophia. Perhaps he’s right, maybe the Queen did tell Linea to ask for his help specifically. I’m just grateful that he’s willing to help.

He still needs more materials for the staff - coruscating fairy dust and a crystal orb. While I’m searching for those things, Triffledore can work on the Castle’s chandelier. I need to spend some time finding some more glass shards for Chumblepot as well. The Castle glasswork is huge and Chumblepot will need a lot of materials to fix it.

And I need some time to think. I had leapt to the conclusion that everybody believed what that nasty soldier had said: that I was paying back the money my father owed Captain Greg by sleeping with him. But that just doesn’t make sense. The Captain doesn’t need to pay for female companionship. On the contrary, women have been throwing themselves at him.

In addition, less than a week ago Quinn had said that everybody was happy that I was the Captain’s girlfriend. People may be curious to know if the relationship has become a more intimate one, but nobody seems shocked and scandalized by the possibility that it has. People have been more friendly towards me the past few days, not less. So where did soldier boy get the idea that I had taken up prostitution as a second job?

Lucky yawns. Sorry if I’m boring you. Right, back to work. Let’s bring what we’ve found to Triffledore so he can finish that Moonfell Staff.

Triffledore is almost finished. He just needs to strengthen the staff so that it holds the magic. I’m not sure where the magic comes from, but if I need to know, I’m sure Linea will tell me. All I care about is that the darn thing works.

When we get to the Rose Garden, Linea tells me to throw the staff into the waterfalls. I do as she asks and the waterfall disappears, revealing the Rosepetal Cellar. At first glance, there doesn’t appear to be anything useful in there. After some poking around, Linea finds a tile that could fit the Castle door, and I find a fragment of the Faire vibrancy relic.

When I return to Faire of Light, Triffledore is just about to put ornaments on the chandelier. He urges me to go shopping while he works. I haven’t got a clue what any of these artifacts are for, but I select a few and just hope the combination of items I chose doesn’t cast some sort of evil spell.

Triffledore looks at the items I chose and tells me I’m quite a shopper. He adds that the chandelier is finished and that he will install it first thing tomorrow morning. Sounds good. I promise to check it out tomorrow when I drop off the door tile.

Before going home, Lucky and I stop at Town Hall to drop off various items. I look at the desks trying to find a sign that Captain Greg has been there. On my desk is a new bunch of flowers. This time he’s chosen forget-me-nots.
 

Day 19

For the second time in less than a week, Captain Greg has woken me to tell me we have a problem and we need to talk. He reminds me that it’s my turn to cook. And he doesn’t want weak tea and soft boiled egg like Blessilda has been feeding him, he wants a proper breakfast. While I make omelettes and coffee, he looks over the notes I had made last night, nodding in agreement and frowning.

I had come to the conclusion that his ex-girlfriend had encouraged that soldier to seek immediate payment of the money owed him, had even suggested how I could repay him if I didn’t have the cash available. It obviously was an attempt to blacken my name in the hopes that the Captain would return to her.

I was also convinced that the offer to buy my house had to be connected to her somehow. The timing is just too much of a coincidence, and the low amount the buyer has proposed as the selling price tells me the prospective buyer is aware that I need to come up with some cash in a hurry.

Captain Greg supplies the information I need to connect all the dots. Even before I returned, little Miss Sunstone had coveted my house and had hoped to marry him and live there. The man offering to buy the house is her father!

I inform that Captain that I’ll tear the place down brick by brick before I’d let that scheming bitch have it. He replies that if it comes to that, he’ll help me raze the place. However, before I go running for the sledgehammer, I might want to consider other options. Such as?

Captain Greg looks at me thoughtfully. He points out that unlike the last time we breakfasted together, he has spent the night in my bed and despite his illness, people aren’t likely to believe that I wasn’t in it with him. I smile weakly and tell him not to worry. If necessary, I’m prepared to do the honorable thing so that his reputation isn’t damaged.

The Captain doesn’t laugh at my feeble joke. Instead he jumps up, kisses me, and says he accepts my proposal! He has to research one or two legal niceties, but he should have the marriage contract ready to be signed by noon. I can meet him at Town Hall, but until then, it might be best if I stayed away from the office. Oh, and I should start calling him Greg. Before I can ask any questions, he’s gone.

He must be suffering from brain fever, Lucky. I cannot marry, not without a dowry. He must know that. Well, maybe it’s best to let him discover that for himself when he’s checking on those legal niceties. We’ll humor him and stay away from Town Hall until the appointed hour.

I decide to see if Quinn has any place he wants to go. I’ll be too busy watching out for him and keeping the squabbits from getting into mischief to worry about what mischief ‘Greg’ is up to.

Yesterday afternoon, Quinn’s grandfather had taken him back to Apricus Plaza. Quinn had decided he wanted to create airship designs like Troglid and had brought his sketchpad with him. But he lost it at the plaza and needs somebody to take him there and help him find it.

We find the sketchpad quickly and I manage to convince Quinn to remain at Apricus Plaza to look for blueprints. If we find enough, we can go visit Troglid later and maybe design some airships. The squabbits agree to behave after I threaten to feed them to the tiger trapped in the brambles.

It’s almost noon. Time to return to Landsong Village. I promise Quinn I’ll meet him at Troglid’s later. The Captain, or should I say Greg, hasn’t returned yet. There’s some new papers on my desk. Fahleed would like to expand his shop, something about needing an extra stall for his fabrics.

I approve the request and look at the next one. It it also from Fahleed. He wants to buy some new exotic fabrics, presumably to put in that new stall I just approved, but needs some cash to help pay for them. These merchants are clever. But the kingdom’s cash flow is flowing in the right direction, so they and I must be doing something right.

Greg arrives, marriage contract in one hand and a bunch of tender touches flowers in the other. To look at him, you’d never know he had been ill the day before. Just what did Blessilda give him? On second thought, do I really want to know?

He urges me to read the document before we go to sign it in the presence of the Mayor and two witnesses. It seems I do have a dowry after all, the house! But what about my debts? Greg points to the appropriate paragraph. He agrees to assume all responsibility for any debts I may have outstanding.

I don’t understand how this solves anything. What difference does it make which one of us is forced to sell the house to pay those debts? Ah, but he will not be forced to sell the house. He has other assets, money he has saved and the money he just received from the sale of his house, the one he inherited from his parents.

I’m stunned. He sold his house? So that I could keep mine? Our house, he gently corrects me. Once I sign the contract it will be our house. And I have to sign otherwise he’ll be homeless and have to sleep in the garden again and if he gets sick it will all be my fault.

The Mayor sticks his head in the door and asks if we are ready. I nod my head yes, but Greg says not quite. He still needs to give me something, something he had wanted to give me five years ago, but never got the chance. My father had sent me away only hours before he could ask me to elope.

Out of his pocket he takes a ring set with tiny blue skycrystals and slips it on my finger. At the Yura festival he’ll give me a better one set with larger stones, he promises. There just wasn’t enough time to have a new ring made for today. I don’t want a new ring. I want this one.

Now we’re ready. Chumblepot and Blessilda watch as we sign the document and then add their signatures. In the eyes of the law we are married. It’s up to us whether we want to wait until the religious ceremony at the next Yura festival before enjoying all the benefits of marriage and not just the legal ones. I blush.

That decision will have to wait. When we return to the office, Greg’s ex-girlfriend is there along with the neanderthal to whom I owe money. They just stopped by to remind me that the payment is due in two days.

I take great pleasure in telling them that they will have to speak to my husband regarding any financial matters. Greg takes great pleasure in telling them they can have the money now. Neither of them look very happy with this turn of events.

Quinn bursts in wanting to know why I haven’t gone to Troglid’s yet. I explain I’ve been busy getting married to Captain Greg. Quinn isn’t impressed. He’s more interested in designing airships. I sigh, grab a pile of blue prints, and tell Greg I’ll see him at dinner.

News of the wedding has spread to the Faire of Light. Troglid congratulates me and says Greg’s a lucky man. I blush and explain that we’ve dropped by because Quinn would like to try designing aircraft. The shop is very busy and Troglid wonders whether I could help out for a while so that he can work on the stability tests he conducting in regards to the Castle’s pillars.

I think I can manage that and help Quinn at the same time. Quinn soon discovers that interpreting the blueprints isn’t as easy as he thought. After struggling with two blueprints, he remembers he has to go feed the animals. I stay and complete and additional three.

Troglid gives me the results of the test. More obsidian and bolgite is needed to ensure the pillars are study and will never topple again. I promise to make the resources available and Troglid tells me the pillars should be done by tomorrow morning.

Good. My husband and I will check them out then. But now, I’m going home to fix him some dinner.