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While Aiken jaunts about town, I am stuck inside this inn. After breaking our fast, he left me in the care of the innkeeper, who kindly gave me a tour of the grounds, and I was able to find the maid who laundered my gown so quickly and thank her. If he thought it odd I remain inside while my companion ventured out, surely he recognized tis not so odd as keeping company with an Elderman.

Aiken explained during the meal that many tavern inns, like this one, pass few judgments over their inhabitants. Like churches, inns tend to be where deals are made. Where gossip spreads. Where people gather, talk and plan.

An air of secrecy permeates this place, a fact which the innkeeper, Nathan, seemed to find amusing when I made mention of it. And now, with nothing to do but to sit and stare out to the street below, I find myself in a similar position to these past few years.

Not that I wanted to attract my husband’s attentions any more than necessary. But I’d not been trained to live idly. When it became apparent my mother would have no more children, my father reluctantly accepted that I was to become the first queen of Edingham.

Yet here I sit, captive in all but name only in a remote town further into Meria than I’ve ever been, save for one visit to the Merian court when I was but a girl. Unable to remain still for much longer, I do precisely what Aiken advised against.

Taking the key he gave me and slipping it into my gown, I make my way down to the hall. Tis midafternoon, and fairly empty still. I spot the innkeeper, who watches me from the corner of the room where he sits with another man about the same age.

Master Nathan waves me over.

I make my way to the innkeeper. Aiken was fairly clear in his instructions that I should speak to no one. And yet, I am not his prisoner. Not any longer.

“Sit with us,” he says.

I do so, reluctantly. The barrel is not as comfortable as a cushioned chair, but it will do.

“Lady Julie, may I introduce you to Sir James Stroker?”

Lady Julie.

Aiken must have told Master Nathan to conceal my identity. “I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Sir James.”

“The pleasure is mine, my lady,” he says, the man’s speech more proper than I’d expect from his appearance. “I will admit to some surprise at meeting a noblewoman such as yourself in Crow’s End.”

Before I can respond, the innkeeper does so for me.

“Sir James was regaling me with news from the border.”

Realizing the innkeeper knows more of my circumstances than I’d have imagined, I watch Sir James with interest as Nathan calls a serving maid to us.

“A mug for the lady,” he says, turning his attention then to Sir James, as do I.

“I’d not sully the lady’s ears with such gossip,” he says as the maid returns with a mug. Filling it with the ale from the tankard on the table in front of us, he dismisses Sir James.

“Lady Julie is an adventurous sort. She’d not take offense, would you, my lady?”

“Nay,” I assure him. “Do continue.”

Though skeptical, the aging Sir James does so.

“I’ve come from the border, where some say the queen’s own brother-in-law has been arrested in Craighcebor.”

Pretending to be shocked, I become intensely interested in sipping ale. My mug, a shield.

“Others claim there was a skirmish there, but none seem to know what truly occurred. Something, to be sure.”

“To be sure,” the innkeeper agrees. “Word will reach us soon enough.”

“I suppose it will.” Sir James looks at me, and for the first time since arriving, I begin to understand Aiken’s caution. In Edingham, I am Queen Cettina’s sister. Those who know me would never question my devotion to my sister, even as they may question my morals. But we are not in Edingham. Here, I am an outlaw.

A woman married to the monster who attempted an attack on the very people I now walk among.

Realizing I’d have done better to remain in my room, I stay mostly quiet as the two men talk of raids and alliances.

And ale.