AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The girl pondered. “I don’t think nachzehrer like apple hand pies, either.”
Serilda shook her head. “Strictly meat pies for the undead, I think. What’s your name?”
“Leyna,” said the girl. “Leyna De Ven.”
“Tell me, Leyna De Ven. Did your friends by chance have a bet in place to determine whether or not you would be brave enough to come in and ask me all these questions?”
Her eyes lit with surprise. “How did you know?”
“I have some talent for mind-reading,” said Serilda. In fact, she was very good at knowing what was in the minds of bored, mischievous children, having spent so much time with them.
Leyna looked properly impressed.
“How much was the bet for?”
“Two coppers,” said Leyna.
“Then I will make you a deal. I will tell you the story of how I came to be in that castle this morning, in exchange for breakfast.”
Beaming, the girl slid into the chair opposite Serilda. “Done!” She cast a winning smile out at her friends, who were bug-eyed to see that Leyna was not only talking to Serilda, but had even sat with her. “They thought I wouldn’t do it,” she said. “Even the adults down at the market are afraid of you. It’s all anyone was talking about once you walked away. Said you had cursed eyes.” She studied Serilda’s face. “Theyarestrange.”
“All magical things are strange.”
Leyna’s eyes widened. “Is that how you read minds? Can you?…?see things?”
“Perhaps.”
“Leyna! What are you doing, bothering our guest?”
Leyna stiffened. “Sorry, Mama. I was just—”
“I invited her to join me,” said Serilda, with a sheepish smile. “I may not be a scholar’s assistant, but I am truly curious about this city. I’ve never been to Adalheid before and I thought she could tell me more about it. I’m sorry if I’m keeping her from her work.”
Lorraine tutted and set another plate of food in front of Serilda—pickled fish and boiled ham, dried plums, a tiny dish full of winter berries. “Not much work to be done today. She’s all right.” But she said this with a warning look at her daughter, and the meaning was clear. She was not to overstay her welcome at this table. “I’ve sent word off to Roland. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear.”
“Thank you. This town is lovely, I’m sad to not visit for longer. I hadn’t heard much about Adalheid, but it seems so … prosperous.”
“Oh,” said Leyna. “That’s because of the—”
“Fantastic leadership,” interrupted Lorraine. “If I do say so myself.”
Leyna rolled her eyes. “Ma’s the mayor.”
“For seven years now,” said Lorraine proudly. “Ever since Burnard over there decided to retire.” She nodded her head toward the man by the fireplace, who was lazily finishing his pint of ale.
“The mayor!” said Serilda. “You seem so young.”
“Oh, I am,” she said, with a bit of a preen. “But you won’t find anyone who loves this town more than I do.”
“Have you lived here long?”
“My whole life.”
“Then you must know everything there is to know about this place.”
“Of course I do,” said Lorraine. Face growing serious, she lifted a finger. “But I’ll tell you now, I’m no gossip.”
Leyna laughed, but tried to cover it up with a cough.
