Chapter Three

News of War

"We have a guest coming tonight," announced Kithella, "An old friend of mine."

"Who is she?" Asked Aarana, not really paying attention, but flipping absent-mindedly through a book. Almost ten years had past since she had been found by the road, and she looked very different.

"Lady Asaia of Trebond, of course, not many would call her a 'lady'." Kithella smiled.

"Why," asked Aarana, "Was she once a commoner?"

"No, she was born to a noble family, but… Well, you'll see."

The rest of the day was spent preparing for the visitor, the cooks prepared a feast and the maids made up a room and the manor was cleaned. Aarana and Kithella put on their finest dresses. They then waited outside to await the lady of Trebond's arrival.

"Will she ever come?" Asked an uncomfortable Aarana, she hated fancy dresses, and her shoes pinched her feet.

"Have patience," when you were friends with Asaia, you had to be patient, she was almost always late, thought Kithella, but it didn't bother her.

Just then some shouted, "Look Milady! A carriage!" And sure enough over there in the distance was a splendid carriage, with the sun setting behind it. In ten minutes it had reached the gate.

Up close the carriage was even more magnificent, with jewels and pictures covering it. Then the door opened to reveal a velvet cushioned inside and the wildest looking woman Aarana had ever seen. She wore a plain peasants dress and shoes, and her red hair was cut much to short for a lady. And her eyes were a bright purple.

"Hello Kithella, I see you've been doing fine without my help. Ah, and this must be that little Aarana you're always writing to me about." And without another word Lady Asaia of Trebond walked passed them and into the manor. Aarana just stared after her for a while and then she stared at Kithella. All she did was laugh and followed her friend. Aarana followed hesitantly. Well at least I know why she's not considered a lady, she thought as she stepped into the great hall.

* * * * *

It was late and they were sitting around the table, talking.

"Do run your own fief like Kithella here?" Asked Aarana, who had a curious nature.

"No. But my son will someday." Said Asaia bluntly.

"Who is your husband?"

"I don't have one," Aarana was just about to say how sorry she was for bringing the subject up when Asaia finished, "In fact, I've never had one."

Aarana was shocked, but instead of mentioning the fact that Asaia had illegitimate child, she asked, "Then who looks after Trebond?"

"Oh. My brother."

"But surely he has heirs of his own," said Aarana.

"Oh no, only girls, and his wife is getting too old to bare more children. It's because of the king's stupid law, only a man may inherit that fief," she said this last bit with malice.

That started a whole conversation on how it was unfair that women couldn't become warriors, Kithella couldn't see what was wrong with not going off and getting yourself killed.

"Not everyone dies!" said Asaia, the discussion had become a sort of argument, "Just because your father…" there she stopped and looked ashamed. Kithella had a dark look on her face, but it soon cleared. "I'm sorry," muttered Asaia, "I shouldn't have…"

"No, no it's alright."

There was silence for a moment until Asaia asked, "What about you Aarana? Do you take a fancy to the fighting arts? You could become a knight you know. If I were younger I'd do it in a second."

Aarana had never really thought about it. Although she was not as lady like as Kithella (despite all her training), Aarana doubted she could be as fierce as Asaia. Finally she said, "Well, I like to read… I believe girls should get a good education." Asaia gave a small 'humph' at this.

Desert was served, and after they were done the conversation was about something else.

"You must have heard the rumors by now," said Asaia, leaning back in her chair.

"What rumors?" asked Aarana, for not much reached Linshart Manor, in a deserted spot in Northern Hill country.

"The war of course." Said Asaia, as though it were nothing.

"War!" Aarana was shocked, "What war?"

Asaia sighed, "You really don't tell her anything, do you Kithella?" then to Aarana she said, "Some rebels in the North want part of Tortall to be given to Scanra,"

"That Scanra's always making trouble," said Aarana angrily.

"Well at least all that reading has given you some idea of the history of battles." This war hasn't started yet, but I myself, was at Trebond when soldiers came to stay the night. They said the king's general, Grayhan, sent them north to guard the border."

"Well, it could be for any reason," said Kithella stubbornly. She hated war and hoped this would be the last she would hear of it. Besides, she had no part in it; there was no man in the fief that could fight.

Eventually they headed off to bed. Kithella and Aarana did not sleep well; they both had troubling thoughts on their minds.

* * * * *

The next morning the watched the plain yet wild looking woman leave in her beautiful and proper carriage. The days fell back into their routine. But there was unease in the fief and Kithella and Aarana spoke less than usual. And as the days turned into weeks, the Sickness came to the manor.