Chapter 37 - Benefactor

The knock at the door turned out to be three servants who came into the room to set up a small folding table and three chairs for breakfast. Each of the three maids moved quickly and with purpose, setting three place settings with beautiful porcelain dishes and fine cutlery. As soon as the plates were set down, she saw that Lady Hilda had not joked about breakfast. Each place setting had a large melon cut in half and nestled between two large chunks of a roast. A pitcher of fresh milk was set in the middle, and three wispy thin teacups arranged around it.

“How does it look, Violetta?” Lady Hilda asked her, “Perhaps you’d like two whole melons?”

She looked to Raeyn, the curious Gobbo having no understanding of the insult on display here, but it was a solid meal, and she had not had anything in over a day. Raeyn did not even sit and plucked the melon off and began to eat it with her hands. Lady Hilda loomed overhead and was quick to instruct her to use the cutlery, and more so, how to use the cutlery.

The meal passed without incident, but the servants were mindful of their place as Lady Hilda, Lady Raeyn, dubious as it was, and herself enjoyed the meal. Having a hearty and tender slab of meat in the morning made her stomach content and her mood as well. It was wonderful to enjoy a meal such as this. Raeyn seemed to be crying over the meal, she kept insisting that this was the best meal she had ever had. She nearly finished the whole of the pitcher of hot milk in half a dozen filled cups. Thin trails of white dripped down her chin as she greedily drank cup after cup. Lady Hilda’s servants offered a small napkin and cleaned Raeyn’s face.

No sooner had breakfast finished did a new batch of servants bring fresh clothing for Raeyn and herself. The tailor must have worked all night to make a brown tunic and leather protectors, even a small travelling pack. Lady Hilda did not ask her about what Raeyn had worn, but then the fact she could view memories, she had obviously communicated this to the tailor after they left. Had she been up the whole night? The woman did seem a little tired, but her eyes did not have dark circles, and she seemed to be in good spirits.

If Raeyn had been tearing up over the meal, she actually broke down with joy as Lady Hilda presented her the new clothes. Fresh socks, fresh undergarments, sturdy boots, even knee protectors and a sturdy and feminine brown tunic that was actually suitable for daily wear. She clingged to Lady Hilda’s legs and kept saying how thankful she was. It was a relief that she did not have to tell Raeyn how to dress herself, Lady Hilda carefully saw to all the instructions. Raeyn in her ignorance had no problems dressing herself before the servants even as she tried to slip her bottoms on over her head. Lady Hilda had provided a small shift that went on top of the tunic which had also confused the poor Gobbo.

Fresh clothes were provided for herself as well, and surprisingly, Lady Hilda had gotten even her sizing correct. To even go as far as to provide a bra was more insulting, as the triangular shaped cups had soft leather underneath and pressed almost perfectly into her skin. Yes, the material added nearly two fingers. It was not fair. She gave Lady Hilda a glare, but the only response she got was a simple, “Does it fit properly?”

“It is perfect.” She admitted, “How did you get this right?”

“My eyes alone would suffice, but your record to make sure.” She said casually.

That was dirty, even for someone like her, “You went through my file?”

“I needed to order complimentary allies for your mission. I took the liberty of putting in those requests too.” Lady Hilda gave a sly little laugh, “I am now your benefactor.”

She wanted a cut of any success, that was clear, but the moves were falling into place. It was not a particularly good time to make any objections and that was part of the plan. She was formidable in her own way, but that was the skill of nobles. It would have been so much easier to use a little force to make it clear, but this complicated game of shadows and obligations were something that worked on those with estates, not common sellswords. Lady Hilda had to know that.

“Thank you, but my contract is-”

“Now owned by one, Lady Hilda.” She brushed her red locks back, “After our meal, I will introduce you to the four competent members of the Hilda Company. Lady Raeyn, you do not have a contract, but you are going with Violetta. Correct?”

“Yes,” Raeyn answered ignorantly with a smile, “I’m… indebted to both of you.”

“Indebted.” Lady Hilda let out a small laugh, “Quite right. How perceptive.”

After dressing and preparing themselves, the servants took their turns cleaning up and exiting. Lady Hilda seemed to treat Raeyn like a dutiful child, praising her for almost every little thing. Just what did she see in her mind? While the Gobbo was naive and foolish, she had some ability and could see in the dark. Neither of them was worth buying her contract or outfitting another party. The loss of Cade and Huron and the hireling slaves Wilde and Stirge would likely have had their own severe costs.

Then it hit her, as they were walking to the Quartermaster. Lady Hilda could view memories. She had seen exactly what happened through Raeyn’s eyes. Any competent agent of Astra could then see Lady Hilda’s memory of Raeyn’s memory for an unimpeachable account of what had happened. Legal proceedings in frontier lands and expeditions were often a luxury, but aside from crimes of nobles, it was sufficient to have a magistrate handle matters by a simple declaration of viewed memories. If anything, Raeyn’s attempt to warn Violetta coupled with the actual betrayal of Wilde would be trivial to convey.

“One question,” She said to Lady Hilda as they walked, “Was Lady Raeyn correct to warn me?”

“Yes. Of purest intent, she told you the truth.” Lady Hilda responded, “And in that dark room, when she charged him with intent to kill only to save you. You could consider it love. Like that between siblings. Lady Raeyn has a heroic heart. And before you ask, yes, I went further and found that she saved the life of Lady Geraen’s child.”

“You mean…” She did not believe it, “Are you sending us back to the warren?”

“Quite a leap of logic for someone who only has a level 125 in intelligence.” Lady Hilda snickered, “But yes. If you hurry, then perhaps there is time to save them and Lady Raeyn’s warren from the torch. I trust there are no objections to your new mission?”

She looked to Raeyn, and nodded as she confirmed, “None at all. I owe her my life.”

“Good. Bring them both back if you can. If the worst has happened, you may pursue your original mission. Just return within a week. That is all I can secure for Lady Raeyn’s friend.”

As they approached the Quartermaster’s ship, the store of all arms for the settlement, the sun was rising into the sky and the warmth on her skin was a refreshing and gentle light. It was going to be a beautiful day after all.