Chapter 21

True to her word, Freja came back the next day. Aislin still couldn’t figure out why she had decided to engage with them, but she knew they had no other choice but to follow along. This time, she took them on a tour of the fortress. It was an old castle, built over generations, and it seemed like each ruler had had their own idea and wanted to leave their mark on it. Some parts, Aislin recognised, had taken their style from the more southern Kingdoms, while others seemed to be uniquely Northern. Even more unusual, some parts had been blocked off when a new unit was built, and on more than one occasion, the hallway ended in a wall, forcing them to turn back.

She was all dizzy when they finally arrived back in the main hall.

“I… will ask the servants to bring lunch.”, Freja said.

She left without another word, and a servant came up to them, gesturing for them to follow. Aislin glanced at Sami as they followed him. She still hadn’t said anything, and Aislin wished she could ask her why, but with Eru always by their side, she hadn’t dared to. The servant halted before a room, opened the door, and gestured for them to enter.

Aislin stepped inside, holding Eru’s hand. It must be Freja’s private chamber, because there was a bed and a desk and in the corner a table with chairs. It reminded her of her own room, where she used to live, and it was a far cry from the simple room they stayed in now. She didn’t have time to contemplate it any further, though, because at that moment, Freja stepped in.

“They… will bring it soon”

She gestured awkwardly to the table, and Aislin took a seat with Eru on her lap. Freja sat down opposite, and Sami took a place to the side. Silence fell over the table. Aislin wondered if she should say something, but she still didn’t know if she was expected to act as a servant or a member of her nation.

“So… Is Agnes treating you well in the kitchen?”, Freja asked.

Aislin glanced at her. The kitchen mistress hadn’t treated them unfairly, but even if she had, she would have given the same answer.

“Yes, thank you”

Freja nodded.

“I’m glad”

Once again, silence fell over the room. There were a lot of things she could have asked Freja, pleasantries she could share, but she didn’t know if it would be out of place, so she stayed silent. She was saved by the door opening, and servants came in with trays of food. From the looks of it, it wasn’t the same simple food as they shared in the kitchen, but something more fitting for the royal family.

They placed it on the table, bowed and left.

“I’m… sorry”, Freja said. “I asked them to be quick, so it isn’t as fancy as you would have expected”

“Worry not”, Sami said.

Aislin looked at her, surprised. It was the first words she had uttered in the company of Freja, and Freja seemed to notice it as well, because she smiled.

“Please...”

She gestured at the food. Aislin helped serve Eru, then took a plate and began to eat in silence. Maybe Freja had been encouraged by Sami’s words, because she turned to her and asked,

“As a royal guard, you must have been used to more fancy events”

Sami nodded.

“King Nāmvar was ever generous with his feasts.”

Freja nodded, seemingly trying to come up with something else to say.

“I’m sure they are lavish. I have never tasted Zarvān food myself”

“It is different, but in equal measure to the Northern Kingdom.”

Freja fell silent for a moment before changing the subject.

“If you wish, I can show you the stables tomorrow”

She glanced at them hesitantly, and Aislin bowed her head, wondering where this would all lead.