“I have no idea,” Heath said with a shrug. “You should talk to Atira. She is working in the smithy of Dunstan, an old friend. She wants to make swords someday.” Heath smiled with obvious pride, but then gave Amyu a frown. “Where is the sword? Or what’s left of it.”
“I don’t know,” Amyu said. “I had the hilt—”
“Mother will know,” Heath said. “Come.”
They retraced their steps, extinguishing the lanterns as they went. Amyu was grateful to leave the cold and narrow tunnels.
Heath led them to the kitchens, which were wonderfully warm, noisy, and crowded with preparations for the nooning. Anna was in her usual glory, ruling the overheated hearths.
“Wandering the crypts,” she scolded Heath after he explained, her chins wobbling. “For what fool reason did you do that? Sit. You will need warming up from that cold stone.”
Amyu found herself seated on a long bench, Joden beside her, with a mug of hot kavage and bread and butter on a wooden platter.
“Eat,” Anna commanded.
“We just have a question,” Heath protested.
“Which I will answer as you eat,” Anna said firmly.
Joden didn’t hesitate. He took a slice of bread, slathered it with butter, and took a bite.
“Good,” Anna patted him on the head.
Amyu choked back a laugh, but Joden just looked smug. Heath rolled his eyes at both of them, but settled on the bench and grabbed his share of bread.
“Mother, do you know where the Crystal Sword ended up?” Heath asked.
“Of course,” Anna said, and went to her spice cabinet, her keys jangling. She pulled out a basket, and set it before him.
“You put the Crystal Sword of the House of Xy in a bread basket?” Heath asked as she set it before him.
“Safe, wasn’t it?” Anna asks. “All the shards are there, I saw to that.”
A clatter arose from the staff, and then the sound of shattering crockery. Anna frowned. “What’s that then?” she moved off, intent on the source of the racket.
Amyu looked in the basket. The hilt was there, but so were the shards of blue, some little more than slivers.
“Keep it,” Heath pushed the basket closer to Amyu. “Not much use now.”
Marcus came in with a tray, glaring as always. “You there,” he pointed his chin at Heath. “Hisself wants you.”
Heath crammed the last of the bread into his mouth, and took his mug with him.
“You,” Marcus’s glare focused on Amyu. “You will take baby duty tonight. Rest up. Keirson is cranky and refusing to sleep. You’ll probably be up all night.”
“Yes, Marcus,” Amyu said.
“Joden,” Marcus continued. “You are to rest as well. Master Eln is coming to see the babes this evening, and will be checking on you. Hisself will likely wish to talk as well.” He filled his tray with more kavage and left as abruptly as he had come.
The kitchen was in chaos around them, but the staff ignored them. Joden leaned over, pressing his arm to hers. “N-n-ap,” he nodded in the direction of his room, raising his eyebrows, his eyes hopeful.
Amyu nodded, suddenly dry mouthed. “Yes,” she whispered, suddenly fiercely glad. She’d have him for a time, but she knew full well he was not hers. The Plains would call him back. But she would steal this moments with him, take whatever days she could get and enjoy the sweetness.
The rest, she’d leave to the elements.
To Joden, itseemed the next few days passed like birds on the wing.
Keir was considering his options, and he called on Joden to sit in on the discussions. “I need your ears to hear truths,” Keir told him privately.
