Later that evening, Darken Rahl and General Egremont had finished supper and were sitting by the fire. They had eaten in silence, neither knowing what to say.
Eventually General Egremont spoke. "Captain Falcone has rather unusual methods."
"Do you believe any of it Egremont?"
"Not a word, my Lord."
They had viewed the records and interviewed various soldiers. On paper everything was in order. Every incident was well documented, although the more curious and bizarre accidents that happened at the castle seemed to happen to people who had committed some misdemeanour. The horse thief, who was accidentally locked in one of the stables and then trampled to death by a horse. The guard who fell asleep on duty and curiously slept walked off the battlements & drowned in the moat below. Darken Rahl couldn't decide whether the stories were made up to scare the new recruits or had actually happened and were bound up in investigations and reports to legitimise them.
"How do you propose to punish Falcone?" asked Egremont.
"Punish him? For what? Training the best men in my army, soldiers that don't fall asleep or drink on duty, that are taught to respect D'Haran women and don't steal my property."
"Then what are you going to do?"
"I don't know, I need to think about this. Tell the men we are returning to the Peoples Palace first thing in the morning."
"Yes my Lord." General Egremont started to leave.
"Egremont, there's a woman here, she….she has…" he paused; he didn't know what to say. He wanted to say, 'she has the most beautiful green eyes and I can't stop thinking about her'. He wanted to find her, but unless he got Egremont to line up all the servants so that he could inspect them…. That would be ridiculous; it would feel like he was examining a horse.
"My Lord?" Egremont was still waiting.
"Never mind, I'll see you in the morning, goodnight Egremont."
"Goodnight my Lord."
He examined the dagger she had given him that morning, what did she want? She didn't want to kill him; she had gotten his attention but then disappeared for the rest of the day. It looked like he would just have to wait until she brought him his breakfast to find out.
The next morning Darken Rahl was still in bed when he heard a gentle knock at the door. He laid there pretending to be asleep as someone entered the room and placed a tray at his bedside. He sat up and grabbed their arm, it was a man servant.
"Where is she?"
"Where is who my Lord?"
"The woman who brought me my breakfast yesterday."
"Most of the women are doing the washing today, She is probably in one of the inner courtyards this morning my Lord." The servant had a pained expression on his face and Darken Rahl realised he was still holding the man's arm. He let go and the man hurriedly tended the fire and left the room.
He felt bitterly disappointed that she hadn't visited him that morning and then chided himself for being so weak and pathetic, he was Lord Rahl and could have any woman he wanted, this one meant nothing to him. He shook all memories of her from his mind, dressed, ate breakfast and prepared to leave.
In the main courtyard General Egremont and Captain Falcone were waiting for him, the men were all prepare and ready to leave.
"It has been an interesting visit Captain Falcone, definitely something to think about."
He mounted his horse and was about to speak further when he saw a woman carrying a basket of washing across the court yard. It was her. "Stop that woman!" He leapt off his horse and walked towards her. The woman had frozen to the spot and held her head down in reverence.
As he approached her he softened his voice and said "Don't be afraid, no one here will hurt you. What is your name my dear?"
The woman trembled he voice barely above a whisper. "Mary, my Lord."
He placed a hand under her chin, gently lifted her head and looked into a pair of frightened brown eyes. It wasn't her.
A woman's voice called from an upstairs window. "Mary! Cook has been looking for you everywhere, she needs you in the kitchen now!"
Mary was shaking as she spoke "I have to go my Lord."
Darken Rahl waved her away and she scurried out of sight. He felt an idiot for letting himself chase after her like a lovesick puppy. A sudden thought came to him, that voice, as he looked up a woman moved away from the window. He starred at the window, he could have her found, but how long would that take? Well he wasn't going to play her stupid games any longer. He saw General Egremont, Captain Falcone and his men watching him.
Well? What are you all standing around for? We're leaving!
As he mounted his horse again, Captain Falcone spoke.
"It was a pity your stay was so short my Lord, I hope you will visit us again."
"I doubt it Captain Falcone." Darken Rahl turned his horse and rode from Martello Castle, never to return…………