Castle Keepers Vignettes - Volume 01 Page 2

felt her body relax and ease into a sleepy position on the porch.

  Minor pricks caused by sharp rocks and sticks from travelling through the forest left a sting other hauflins did not suffer. Though she went shoeless frequently, she was incapable of growing the tough, thick souls as others, but she dismissed it for what it was: a shortcoming.

  The breeze increased, yet the wind chime suspended from the support beam remained still, silent. Beathas glanced at it. The stones and bamboo had been carved meticulously and arranged prudently by her hand. The chimes had not sounded since the morning, when her apprentices from nearby communities and Maskil had arrived for lessons. They would not sound again until morning unless unexpected visitors arrived during the night.

  Her apprentices knew nothing about the chimes’ secrets. Yet there was one Beathas suspected understood its workings, but the exceptional child had been taken and was lost to all who cherished her company.

  Beathas’ small, hauflin fingers and thumb grasped the stone in her necklace. Why Isla had given the jewellery to her was a mystery, but Beathas believed it connected her with the prophecy.

  She immediately closed her mind to the idea. Entertaining the thought placed her and the one she loved in grave danger.

  Images of his face, reserved and questioning, graced her mind, and she smiled.

  Riagan

  Dwarf, works in the military records office at Aruam Castle, first appeared in chapter 11 in Shadows in the Stone.

  Steeling her nerves, Riagan looked at the human standing before her. His orders were clear, yet she questioned how she—a records keeper—would reach the upper floors of the Aruam Castle without being discovered.

  “It’s for the good of the castle,” said Dugald. “And the people of Maskil.” His sly smile did nothing to reassure her. “I’m certain you’ll find a way.”

  Riagan watched him leave the guardhouse. His casual delivery of the difficult task left her questioning his knowledge about the castle and the laws binding everyone within it. No matter, an order was given, and she had to obey.

  She glanced around the empty room; the guards had left for the day, leaving her alone to her thoughts. Her hand instinctively went to her neck, and she caressed it. The small lump on the right side had healed well, but her fingertips found it easily; a cruel reminder of her predicament.

  The evening light pouring in the window shined on a leather bag lying on the floor beneath a bench. She picked it up. It was Sanderson’s. The captain of the guard never left things behind. Inside she found a notebook, a pencil, a pocket knife and a set of keys.

  Riagan clasped the bag to her chest. Sanderson travelled in all areas of the castle, including the upper floors. He might be there now, looking for his pouch. The contents might prove important to his duty; she should get them to him.

  A pang of relief mixed with fear erupted in her gut. Her instincts told her to run, to escape the castle, but instead she’d carry out her orders. For Misty. To ensure her sister’s safety, she needed to find Sanderson. The lost bag gave her the perfect excuse to be in a restricted area.

  Lord Layne Nevell

  Human, healer, first appeared in chapter 14 in Shadows in the Stone

  The pungent smell of drying burdock pervaded the small room. Although Lord Layne Nevell’s patients criticized the odour, clusters of the drying herb hung in every room of the Infirmary. The plant remained for the patient’s mental stability as much as for Layne’s state of mind. It was the only element he had found to keep his thoughts clear and focussed. After a few days in the Infirmary his patients sensed a change in their judgement and ceased complaining.

  “My lord, may I have a glass of water?” The young, human guard, wounded by a recent attack by one of Lindrum’s henchmen, rested in a cot. A bandage covered his head.

  “Of course.” Layne retrieved the water and set it on the bedside table. “How is the pain?”

  “Better.” He took a drink. “I’m the lucky one.”

  Layne nodded. Two other guards were not so lucky. “If you need anything further, ring the bell.” He left the room and walked towards his desk at the end of the hallway. He glanced in at his patients as he passed. Most were near sleep or sleeping. When he reached his desk, he found his apprentice making notes in the daily ledger.

  “Rhiannon, I believed you’d gone home,” he said.

  “It’s next on my list.” The dwarf smiled up at him. “Only a few more items to record.”

  Layne admired the woman’s spirit, but he knew there was more to her dedication than could be perceived by those who saw her working at the Infirmary. To others, she designed dresses during the day and assisted with the ailing in the evenings as a kind gesture. Layne and Rhiannon’s mum knew otherwise. He foresaw a great future for her, which meant good fortune for Aruam Castle. For everyone’s safety, this could never be revealed.

  Liam Jenkins

  Hauflin, age 14, first appeared in chapter 10 of Shadows in the Stone

  Note: Hauflin’s call their parents meeme (mother) and das (father).

  The hard chair Liam Jenkins sat upon caused more discomfort than he felt when he entered his aunt and uncle’s dwelling. Although he had lived here for almost a year, they had remained strangers. His meeme’s sister Juanola of Mallaidh possessed the same eye colour as his meeme Finola, but his aunt’s radiated cold and bitter emotions. Was it because she could not have children—a fact he learnt when he accidentally walked into a heated discussion between her and her mate Struan.

  “Skipping lessons leads to a life of misdeeds,” spat Juanola. She paced in front of him, carrying a wooden spoon. “I’ll have none of that in my home.”

  Liam watched, indifferent to the weapon of choice against his disobedient behaviour. Since arriving at Wandsworth, his life resembled nothing like that in Maskil. Everything familiar had vanished, leaving him with strangers where the rules he knew didn’t apply.

  His uncle Struan walked into the room. He looked unimpressed at the scene before him. “What’s he done now?”

  “Missed the entire day of lessons,” said Juanola.

  Struan frowned. “Where did you go?”

  “The reading room,” lied Liam. He had gone to the forest instead, the only place that reminded him of home and all he loved.

  “Kid, you don’t have many options,” said Struan. “You need a trade to support you.”

  “I can take care of myself,” said Liam. “I’ve got friends.”

  “Friends?” Struan glanced at his wife. “I heard today your friends, the ones you brag about, have left Maskil. The girl—Isabell, Ina—was taken, and her foolish das thinks he can find her.”

  “Isla?” Liam gripped the rim of the chair as his breath quickened. A lump formed in his throat, making him incapable of speaking, but his mind raced with the horror of Struan’s words.

  Junior Corporal Sawney Cronin

  Dwarf, junior corporal at Aruam Castle, first appeared in chapter 10 of Shadows in the Stone

  A crow cawed nearby, and Sawney looked up. A woman, dressed in multiple layers of colourful clothing, approached the front gate. Her long, dark copper-coloured hair contained loose strands, braids, strips of leather and twigs. Her brown dress ended at her knees where pants covered her legs until they disappeared into tall boots.

  She stopped near Sawney and peered up, her vibrant green eyes searching his face.

  “Can I help you?” he said, attempting to maintain his composer with her standing near.

  “Leaving.” She grinned. “Thought you needed to know.”

  “You’re passing through the gates?”

  “Again.”

  Sawney reached for the ledger. “Name please.”

  She giggled. “Cute as always.”

  Confused, he said, “Your name is Cute?”

  She winked. “Two moons I go, I was Interesting.”

  “Your name?”

  “Told you to call me what you wished.”

  He scratched his head. “What is your
real name?”

  She placed a hand on his forearm. Rings and bracelets decorated it. She leant forward and whispered, “Willow, my charming castle guard.”

  “Do I know you?” Sawney searched her face for familiar features. She appeared human but not completely. He drew a deep breath, and the fragrance of dried herbs filled his senses. He shook his head, and his surroundings grew brighter as if clouds moved away from the sun. “Willow.”

  She beamed and squeezed his arm. She removed a twig of dried leaves from her hair and stuck it in the button hole of his vest. “This will hold your wisdom for a fortnight.”

  He sniffed the twig, and his thoughts fell into order. “Where do you journey today?”

  “Into the distance of your forgotten memories.” Her smile faded. “Then I shall return, so we can meet as strangers again.” She adjusted her rucksack and stepped way. “Until our next encounter, my loyal Sawney. Remain safe.”

  Gavin Darrow

  Dwarf, owner of Forest Bakery and Herb Shop first appeared in chapter 11 of Shadows in the Stone

  The waggon swayed gently as it passed over the ruts in the road. Gavin Darrow peered ahead, scanning the waysides as he entered Goshen. The small village rested far from Linden Lake where many moons ago bandits attacked from the trees and beat him near death. That day he had lost a sweet little girl to thieves.

  He shivered, remembering the terror in her eyes as she watched them strike him with clubs. If he could relive that day, he would force the horses to run and trample anyone who came near. He’d have drawn his dagger and fought them with every