Kingdom of Ice by Paula M Hunter

Author:Paula M Hunter [Hunter, Paula M]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kingston Publishing Company
Published: 2020-03-29T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Gerda entered the Great Hall and timidly looked over at the top table. Queen Eleanor’s seat was empty. Feeling a little relieved she placed the plate on the table and retreated to the kitchen as fast as she could. The nervous pageboy had found his courage and came back to serve at the tables, so Gerda would no longer be needed. However, Mrs Stackpole had plenty of work for her when she returned. As she rushed around the kitchen, she collided with Sybil, who seemed to appear from nowhere. She pushed Gerda out of the way. “Watch where you are going idiot!” she spat.

“There is an idiot here, but it is not me,” retorted Gerda.

Sybil grinned. “We will see.”

Gerda said nothing further as Mrs Stackpole watched them like a hawk. She eagerly awaited the next day, when she would inform the cantankerous head cook, of her intention of leaving. By the time the banquet ended in the early hours of the morning, Gerda felt so exhausted she could not wait to lay down to sleep. When she closed her eyes, she thought of her mother and grandmother. It had been some time since she had sent a message to them, and she would do so as soon as she left the castle.

The trumpet-call sounded all too soon and yet again, the servants had much work to do as today there would be a tournament. Gerda felt apprehensive about informing Mrs Stackpole of her wish to leave earlier than planned, and she waited until morning preparations were over to approach her. Mrs Stackpole busied herself organising pots and pans on a shelf. She glanced over her shoulder and did not see Gerda watching her as she hid something inside one of the pots. When she turned around and saw Gerda, she became agitated. “Why are you sneaking up on people? What do you want?”

Gerda took a deep breath. “I wish to leave. If possible, I would like the wages owed to me, as I want to leave today.”

“You cannot leave today, we are too busy.” Her eyes flashed with anger.

Gerda stood firm. “You knew I would be here for less than a month.”

“If you leave now you leave without your wages. You will have to work until the end of the week.”

Gerda knew Mrs Stackpole was being unreasonable. “Can I leave tomorrow?”

She shook her head. Her mind would not change. “The end of the week or you go without your wages.”

“The end of the week then.” Gerda returned to shelling a mountain of peas, not relishing spending another four days in Alianad Castle. Mrs Stackpole knew of Gerda’s baking skills but rarely allowed her to make bread. The tasks she gave her to perform of late were those least favoured by the kitchen staff. Her heart sank at the sight of the vegetable mountain on the table; the task would take considerable time.

At midday, she looked up from her work as Mr Tombs marched into the kitchen with a guard on either side.

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