Moondance of Stonewylde by Kit Berry

Author:Kit Berry
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Gollancz
Published: 2011-06-01T21:00:00+00:00

12

The talk amongst the Villagers was all of Buzz and his expected punishment. There was much speculation about which Magus would favour; whipping or banishment. Most agreed that whipping was more likely, for Buzz hadn’t actually forced Rosie and he was after all Magus’ eldest son. Yul had his doubts and wasn’t convinced that Magus would do anything at all, despite his reputation for justice. In which case, Yul decided, he’d have to take matters into his own hands. Amongst the young Hallfolk the sympathy naturally lay with Buzz, particularly after the beating he’d received at the hands of a Villager. Buzz had locked himself in his room, taking his meals in there and seeing only Fennel.

‘I think it should be both,’ said Marigold firmly as she dished up the servants’ lunch early one afternoon. ‘A good whipping and then banish him. What that young man done was terrible.’

‘You’re right, my dear,’ said Cherry, sitting at the head of the table. ‘Why should he get off lightly?’

The sun streamed into the cavernous kitchen, gilding the heads of the troupe of servants as they ate. The enormous scrubbed table was packed as everyone enjoyed a hearty shepherd’s pie, their morning’s work done. With Lammas over the atmosphere was more relaxed; nobody had time to chat during the festival periods when the Hall was crowded with visitors. Copper pots and pans gleamed on the walls above the enormous cast-iron range. Pots of lavender lined the windowsills to keep the flies at bay during the hot weather, and the huge door was open onto the sunny courtyard outside, where some servants had taken their lunch. Most however preferred to squeeze in at the table and join in the gossip.

‘They say ‘tis not the first time Buzz has had a go at a Village girl,’ said Meg, one of the chamber-maids.

‘Wouldn’t surprise me,’ said Cherry. ‘He’s got no manners at all, that one. Reminds me of his grandfather.’

‘Aye, Magus’ father was the same. Any girl that took his fancy.’

‘We’re lucky that Magus isn’t like that,’ said Rowan warmly. ‘He’d never force anyone.’

‘Wouldn’t have to, would he, Rowan?’ said another laundry maid with a sly grin. ‘Not with girls falling over themselves to bed him. Girls just happen to bump into him every time he turns around.’

‘Now, now!’ said Marigold. ‘None o’ that sort of talk at my table, thank you.’

‘And what about the beating Yul gave him!’ said Harold, his eyes shining with admiration. ‘Have you seen the state of Buzz? Yul did him over good and proper!’

‘Aye, Yul put him in his place, right enough,’ agreed Cherry.

‘They say if Magus hadn’t turned up when he did, Yul would’ve killed him,’ said Harold. ‘They say our Yul were like a mad bull and he’d lost his reason altogether.’

‘Well, ‘twas about time our Yul got his own back on them that’ve bullied him all his life. When they were younger, that Buzz used to …’

‘That’s enough of your idle gossip!’

All eyes turned to the door where Martin stood glaring at the sea of faces around the table.

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