Chapter 17.1.2

"I also remember that he disappeared." Grandmaster Meiltung looked into my eyes. "What happened to you, child?"

Master Iving gently pushed my hands back into my lap and told for me the story of my journey with Wallen and how it had ended at Songless Castle.

The Grandmaster’s face hardened at the story; then he laughed sharply. "You’ll get your chance to make that scoundrel answer on the steps of the Bardhall. He and your old friend Sharp arrived today, each with a lady on his arm."

Elise, as Sharp’s lady? A bitter hand clenched my heart. I had not thought she would ever betray me so, but only a fool would think that could never happen.

Grandmaster Meiltung kept talking. "They tried to pass off Wallen as a Bard-in-training. A strange game, and I’m curious to see what comes of it. Especially as they arrived with Lord Guerney and a hundred of his men at their heels. The Christian has set up camp in the marketplace, and says he’ll stay there until we turn Sharp and Wallen over."

"By the Gods!" Master Iving touched his forehead. "And the mayor with all his guardsmen has done nothing?"

"Guerney has done no harm to the city, and has brought profit to the merchants. The mayor is on the side of the money." The Grandmaster spread his hands. "And so I’ve come to give you safe-conduct to the hall, lest the Christians decide they want more leverage, in the form of a hostage."

Master Iving swore again, with words I did not think he knew. Then he shrugged sharply. "We’ll clear up this matter in the morning. Let us get home to our hearth and guests."

Women did not, as a rule, sleep in the Bardhall. The married Bards kept their ladies in other houses. Yet in times of crises the Bardhall would not turn her away – and perhaps an angry father counted as a crises? I raised my hands. "What of the women? Are they spending the night in the Bardhall, or elsewhere?"

Peter called out my question in his clear, fine voice.

Grandmaster Meiltung looked at him as if noticing him for the first time. "Who are you?"