sometimes i think it get's confusing too...

Chapter 32: Big Business

As soon as I thought it was late enough I bounded up the stairs to Conrad's room and banged the door open. He was sprawled out on his bed, still dressed and snoring loudly. The night before had been a blast and he was still recovering from it.

"Hey, Con! Time to get up!"

He didn't even stir.

Delicious food had been abundant on the tables of Madam Jellineck's inn the evening before, and still came as the men of Florian had eaten with gusto. Conrad and I ate heartily, but it took us a while to finish since we were too busy laughing and talking. Conrad, who had been a total innocent babe to the ways of wine, had drunken more than was needed. I made him stop when he started to hiccup and he passed out after laughing so hard.

I grabbed a bucket of water and with one whoosh sprayed it all over him.

He woke up with a start and started cursing. When he saw me, he moaned, "Ah, Lance, it's too early. Why do you have to ride so early in the morning?"

"Because if I don't I won't have time to get to my studies and my professors will be irritated."

"Curse those teachers!" he growled, still not aware that he was in Kadok, not his own bed. "You can saddle the beast yourself, just go away."

"I brought Carrie with me."

At that he got up in a flurry and began to scratch at his hair. I watched him as he straightened his breeches and buttoned his shirt. Then he asked, "Is she out there? How did you..."

His sentence trailed off as he looked about him. He took in the strange surroundings and finally saw me scowling.

"You drunken blaggard!" I chortled in disgust. "Didn't you realize wine is a poison that turns you to a fool? I'm disappointed in you, Conrad. We are in Kadok, far from the royal stables, and very far from Carrie. Come on, breakfast is ready."

He followed sheepishly and I heard him muttering to himself. "I guess I did get carried away with that stuff. But I had never had it before."

"I know, but I did warn you. So did Florian, even Madam Jellineck and Rose disagreed with you drinking so much. A little bit of mild wine is fine, but not a gallon. You set a bad example for Matthew, you know."

Conrad nodded glumly.

Matthew would have liked to sit with the men, but his mom kept him busy with passing out drinks and plates. Even I wasn't allowed to eat until the mistress of the tavern had taken a good look at my gash. It was still bleeding when she tended it, but she plastered it with herbs and tied up my head. She then went quickly to tend to Minerva, who slept through the whole thing.

"I won't ever drink it again, honest. I feel dreadful, and oh! That sun hurts so bad!"

"Hurry and grab a muffin if you're hungry; I've got to go see Florian."

He nodded absently and went into the serving area while I continued to where the gallows and Florian were.

The prisoners were being held in the barber's shop and were guarded by ten men. The unfortunate lot of young men and Ana was a sorry yet joyful sight to us all. When she had been released from her gag, the refined princess started a stream of swear words she had learned from who knows where. The guards tied that mouth up quick but she continued to mumble out nonsense.

Florian, Hans, Enid and Rose were already there, discussing the events of yesterday, the procedures of today, and the hopes of tomorrow. Rose looked at me sharply and started the inquiries for the day.

"Did you get Conrad up yet? Have you seen Minerva? Is she better? Where is Stanley? He better not have left already."

"Stanley?" I faintly remembered that Rose had kept the man company throughout the lively evening. It had surprised me, but I didn't pay much attention to it, thinking she had just found another ear forced to listen to her chatter. "I haven't seen him."

She frowned. "Well, then how are Conrad and Minerva?"

"Fine I guess. Conrad has gotten his brains back, but I haven't seen Minerva today either."

Now she really glared.

"You haven't gone to see her! Oh, how can you be so cruel? When will you get it into your thick skull that you two were meant for each other? You are her hero and you haven't gone in to..."

"Rose," I said sternl y. "Save your talking for when you're asleep." I then simply ignored her and turned to Florian. "Have you decided what to do with the captured men?"

"Yes. Sir Henry will be banished, despite the fact he deserves a thief's hanging. Sir Mark and many of the leading young men will be executed and the rest will be put to work under my care."

"It sounds quite fair," I said, nodding in approval. "But what will you do with Eric and the wench?"

"I think you should decide that, Rashling. The two strangers are not part of my affair. They are your troubles and you can do what you want with them."

I remembered my desire to kill Eric mercilessly and wondered if I should actually carry it out. He certainly deserved it, the way he had treated Minerva. He was also in league with the demons and a man like that is dangerous anywhere. But I didn't want him to be tortured, even if that was what he had done to Minerva. I didn't know what I wanted. Finally I made a decision. I took Florian aside and asked, "Could you spare me Hans and five men?"

"Why?"

"I am the lord of a castle and I wish the prisoners to be taken there. After I am done with business I'll see to them later. I need time to think."

Really I wanted to hand the question over to Minerva. She deserved the right to decide what happened to the man who caused her so much pain and anguish. I would just carry it out how she wished.

Florian agreed.

"I must tell you, though, Florian that I must leaving now, so I won't be able to witness the trial. I'm sorry. Hans can leave whenever he wishes and I will give the directions and a letter to give to the man in charge."

"Then, Sir Rashling, we suppose we bid each other adieu."

"One more thing." I took a deep breath, wondering if I was doing the right thing. "I would like to make you and Enid Lord and Lady of the castle of Kadok."

The indifferent man raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That makes you more that just a lord, doesn't it?"

Did he suspect?

I don't think I would have been surprised if he did.

"Yes, but not much. It is in my power. I own a lot of land, and this is just a small community. It is a trifling thing, but still I would like to do it. Will you accept that responsibility?"

"If that is what you wish, Rashling, then I will."

He treated me like royalty.

"And will you make Hans Captain of the Guard once he returns?"

"Gladly."

I sighed in relief. Florian's eyes and face said nothing of his thoughts but I was sure he was wondering who exactly I was. We shook hands and I left. Rose wedged in a few more words to Enid and Hans then came hopping after me with the never ending question on her lips, "What now?"

"I am going to deliver Minerva and Hazel's message to Gaul," I said simply. "I also need to write a letter."

"My, my but aren't you busy?"

"Yes, and much too busy for chattering amphibians."

"Lance, you are sooo irritating! Sometimes I can see why Ana hated you. Where are you going now?"

I was reluctant to tell her. "I am going to see if Minerva is fit to travel."

I regretted my choice immediately.

"Oh, finally you go see her, dork. Hurry, up and don't make her sicker with your arrogance!"

I was tempted to retort back but I just smiled at her and said, "Careful, Rose, your future kisser might be listening to this rampage."

To my surprise she shut up quick and stared. I didn't see anybody in the tavern worth looking at; just Stanley, Conrad, and Matthew, eating and talking; one too old, one already in love, and one too young. I left her gawking and went up to the rooms.

Madam Jellineck met me at the top of the stairs with strange look on her face. She relaxed when she saw me and said, "The girl is still asleep, but is doing better. She was able to eat a little this morning and has gotten some color back."

"Still asleep! But why? She's been sleeping ever since 24 hours ago and has hardly stirred. I need her to be taken to the stables. We're leaving soon."

"No," said Madam firmly. "She may not and should not travel. She is too weak."

"We'll take care of her," I persisted but I already heard the determined tone in her voice. I tried something else. "We have to take her to her parents. She hasn't seen them in over three years and they think she is dead."

"She practically is," huffed the woman. "I've seen this before, Rashling, I know why she is weak and asleep. I know she is cursed because I've seen the brand."

Why do so many random people know so much?

I never realized my people were so smart.

"She is in the sleeping phase, the last phase of her life. She will sleep for one month, and then she will stop breathing and be gone."

I opened my mouth in astonishment. She had one month to live and she had to live it out sleeping. I couldn't have felt guiltier.

"Every Friday, however," continued the wise lady, "She will awaken for a while, usually only for a few minutes, before falling back into oblivion. It is a sad sight. The girl I saw this on did not live. Her beloved never showed any affection for her. That is often the case I hear. Sad, but true."

"A few minutes a week?" I said. "That is it? How does she eat?"

Eating is essential!

Especially for Perc...er...Minerva.

Remember that eating contest? She was good when it came to chopping down on dinner.

"She can eat while asleep, but first you must put the smell of ginger under her nose. The demons always make their curses very long and complicated. Also if you feed her onion soup every day the time will increase. I'm sorry you have to deal with this, but that is how it is."

"What's today?"

"Thursday."

"Holy Smokes!"

I bounded for the door and went quickly to Minerva's still, pale side.

"What are you doing?" cried Madam.

"I have got to get her to Gaul and her family, right now. Go tell Conrad and Rose to go get ready. We're leaving."

"You can't take her. She isn't fit to travel."

"Madam Jellineck," I said turning towards her with the girl in my arms. "She is about to die here and she has to see her family as much as she can. I promise I'll take good care of her. Pack up some onion soup, will ya? And ginger!"

She reluctantly obeyed.