As Chalyela descends the hill from her moment with Bloodletter Gavin, she spots Sister Ermine. She calls out to her, wanting to seek her opinion on the situation of the villagers.
“Evening Sister. I would like a word.”
“Sure your majesty. How may I serve thee?”
“Are you aware of the situation developing in the square?”
“Aye your majesty. I am just leaving from there. I spent time praying with the villagers.”
“And what is your assessment of the situation your Grace? Do you believe they will give up and go home.”
“No M’Lady. Sister Hamfast is dead set on improving the village situation. I do believe that she shall perish if so pushed to do so.”
“What would you do if you were I your Grace?”
“M’Lady I would hear their demands and do what I could to help.”
“Thank you for your honesty Sister.”
“Anytime your majesty.”
Chalyela returns to her chamber with Ermine’s words in her mind. She must deal with this situation quickly.
Chalyela applies water from her wash bin onto her face. She shall take action tomorrow.
Chalyela walks over to her bed with Bloodletter Gavin in her mind. He indeed would make a great companion. He also has a brilliant mind, which she likes and best of all, he absolutely adores her.
She changes into her bed clothes and lies down for much needed rest.
It is not long before her thoughts fade into a dream. Chalyela stands facing two paths. One path is well lit up and is calm and peaceful. She can feel herself naturally drifting toward it. After all, it is safe. However, she pauses and considers the other path. It is dark and not well lit. She sees the shadowy figure of a man standing in the middle of this path. She cannot see him, but she is intrigued by the mystery.
Chalyela chooses the safe path and for a while, she is happy. But slowly the lights dim and the trees appear to close in on her. She is not happy here. She immediately realizes that she should have chosen the other path. She should have chosen mystery over security…
Chalyela wakes with a start. What could this dream mean? What does it have to do with? She asks herself.
Chalyela heads downstairs. As she reaches the bottom of the stairs, her stomach growls in protest. She neglected to have dinner last night.
Chalyela claps her hands, but Justinian the Servant does not answer. She claps again, but he is not around. “Where can he be? I am starving,” she says irritated.
Chalyela sighs and walks over to the larder.
Chalyela elects not to wait for her servant. She prepares her own meal. “I will have a word with him later,” she promises herself.
Just as Chalyela finishes her meal, Justinian enters the room out of breathe. He apologizes rigorously, but Chalyela has more pressing matters to attend to. She lets his indiscretion slide.
