Chapter 36 - Lady Hilda's Quarters

Lady Hilda’s quarters were unlike the earthen dugouts, instead she was afforded a place on the upturned longship Miseter. Quarters were assigned based on nobility and ranking. Violetta had given some insight into the lower reaches of the caste system, but as Lady Hilda was in the upper ranks it seemed to be akin to being like a Chieftainess in a certain way. The well-dressed and meticulously groomed persons all bowed and greeted Lady Hilda and asked if they could be of service. The entire ship itself seemed to be her personal slaves, but Lady Hilda kindly refused them with a smile. As the three of them entered the large gallery of the ship, a sweeping room filled with cabinets, scroll cases and a collection of wardrobes. The most important of which was a massive four pillared bed which was layered and stacked with blanket after blanket, plush pillows and it was large enough to sleep probably ten or more people at once. Maybe five Lady Hildas. There was no need to have such a thing, but she wanted to feel what a bed was like.

"Make yourselves at home." Lady Hilda smiled and showed off the room, "The walls are plenty thick enough so we can talk at ease."

She closed the door behind them and locked it as they entered, the heavy wooden door suddenly latching with the noise of that prison lock from her dream. The sound of the bolt engaging meant that they were locked in together. Her heart started to pound harder, and she did not like the look spreading across Lady Hilda’s face as she turned towards them.

"Lady Raeyn." She grinned, "As the oldest of us all… tell me your secrets."

"What are you… Oh." Violetta connected it, "She’s been reincarnated, but that doesn’t mean she has the secret of eternal life. Wait? What were you digging around for in her mind?"

"A little of this and that." Lady Hilda loomed overhead, "Sorry to intrude, but I was in your mind. How did you sleep, Lady Raeyn?"

It was then that she realized it, she had a peaceful night’s rest. It had been so long that she could not even remember when it had first become an unending torture. She hugged Lady Hilda’s knees, "Thank you. Thank you! Thank you!"

"Ah… you are not even mad?" Lady Hilda bent down to accept the hug in a crouch, "You really are a special one. I may have overstepped my boundaries, but you are a Gobbo, so I needed to make sure you were not a danger to us. Not like others from your warren."

"Others?" She seemed confused, "How do you know about them?"

"Why they killed our ambassadors, everyone knows about your warren. In fact, a small force was sent to deal with it. Sorry to say, but chances are you and one other Gobbo are probably the only survivors by now. A little sneakthief wandered into my tent and well… I am sure you know the name. “Leaf.”"

She pulled back in confusion, "She is here? What did you do to her?"

"I gave her to the guard. She was after medicine, but she did not know the first thing about it. She may be executed in short order. Which is why I decided to plan a little insurance regarding you, as you may otherwise share the same fate."

Violetta approached cautiously, "Why did you not tell me when I first brought her to the tent?"

"How was I supposed to know?" Lady Hilda brushed it off, "Now, as I was saying. We need a little insurance if Lady Raeyn is going to be able to move about. It is possible to conceal her history for a time by stating she was snatched and taken from the last expediton."

"That will not hold up." Violetta agreed.

"Saying she came along with us will not either." Lady Hilda stated the obvious, "If we tell the truth it will be safest in the long run, but it is not without risk now."

"Tell them the truth." She agreed, "I do not know what Chief Mudohoon has done, but I know I saved that child’s life. Its mother is also alive. The warren may be saved-"

"Child? Mother?" Violetta gasped, "Oh! She’s alive!? She gave birth already!? It is far too soon!"

"Lady Geraen as a hostage… They’ll be slaughtered for this I fear." Lady Hilda nodded and continued the discussion unflinchingly, "Lady Raeyn needs to be clear of this. How would you describe how you came to follow Violetta?"

She had to think for a moment, "I was curious, and she tamed me. From one priestess to another, I fought to save her from Wilde. I did not want to see her die. He killed everyone else, but we lived."

"Interesting. Is this close enough?" Lady Hilda looked at Violetta.

"More or less," Violetta patted her head, "This Gobbo did save my life and lead me out. Even decided to help me search for Magnesia. She did not run when I gave her the chance or abandon me in the dark. I trust her with my life."

"Then, ladies." Lady Hilda nodded, "May I ask why Wilde did not kill either of you first?"

"Raeyn called out, but he still stabbed me in the left cheek. He did not have time to finish me, but I was not conscious for it."

"After he kicked you in the head, I attacked. He was overpowering me, but he burned Huron and wanted to burn me alive to avenge Stirge. As he lit the bat guano on my legs, I seized his legs and let the flames take us both. I struggled to stop him from reaching Violetta, and somehow Belos had protected me."

"You really did save me… but it was cruelty that led to his death. If he had not tried to burn you, he never would have been caught up in it. You survived only because of Belos." Violetta said.

"And you survived because of Lady Raeyn." Lady Hilda nodded, "Let’s just give one… perhaps devious turn to this. Since only the two of you are alive."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Lady Raeyn, you saved Violetta and prevented her from being violated. Wilde may have overpowered the others, but you stopped him and saved her from-"

"No." Violetta shook her head, "I am not going to say such a thing. Whether he would do that or not, Raeyn saved me and-"

"He knocked you out instead of finishing you off." Lady Hilda explained, "Of all the people to want dead, you should have been first. If you had managed to utter the binding spell it would have been over. Use it to your advantage, because defilement will leave you powerless with Maelyn."

"Shut up." Violetta growled through her clenched teeth, "I do not want to think about it!"

"Just allude to it." Lady Hilda smirked, "Now, I am waiting on our dear, miserable little tailor who should be arriving soon with Lady Raeyn’s outfit. Why don’t you make yourselves comfortable on the bed and talk it over while I change into my robes."

Violetta quickly obeyed, but she thought it was more like Lady Hilda was like a Gobbo, not ashamed to be exposed. The two women were very different, but each had their own charm and their own ways of striking fear into her. Lady Hilda did not need to make excuses and did not let herself get pushed around. Violetta whose strong front was much softer than she was in truth was made to protect her from appearing weak. Both were strong women in their own right, but neither seemed like particularly good examples to follow. Neither of them seemed to be concerned about Leaf, and she was just an afterthought. However, Leaf was her friend… right? Why would Leaf be after medicine? Questions raced through her head until Violetta engaged her in some small talk, while Lady Hilda dressed. It did not take long for a knock at the door to announce the arrival of the tailor.