The Prince of Secrets (Stariel Book 2) by AJ Lancaster

Author:AJ Lancaster [Lancaster, AJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
ISBN: 9780473467647
Publisher: Camberion Press
Published: 2019-01-20T18:30:00+00:00

19

Embroidered Peacocks

Wyn assembled his troops early the next morning. It was a less inspiring sight than it should have been, given Stariel’s understaffed nature. Hopefully, that was another thing that would change with Hetta’s lordship. Though changing it with any speed would depend on securing the bank loan. Which he’d obviously done a marvellous job at so far.

Still, at least the existing staff were worth their weight in gold. They were typical Northern folk, inclined to speak their minds, allergic to formality, dedicated workers, and loyal to the bone. He looked down the long table in the servants’ hall, meeting everyone’s eyes in turn. Some, like Clarissa, he’d known since he’d arrived. Others, like Lottie the housemaid, were more recent additions to the household.

“I want to thank everyone for the hard work you’ve put into keeping the household running smoothly, particularly this last week. I know it’s a difficult task with so many of the family home and not as many staff as I’d like,” he said frankly. “But I’m proud of how you’ve risen to the challenge. Now, some of you will already have heard this news from Lord Valstar, but I want to repeat it now, for clarity. You are a largely sensible lot, and I trust you will treat this information with that same attitude.” He laid out the broad details of his and Hetta’s encounter with the lug-imps yesterday. From the staff’s reaction, they had already had a chance to absorb the news.

Ms Whitlow, the most senior housemaid, pursed her lips and then said, “I’ve heard Lord Valstar said there would be talismans available for the family. What about us?”

There was a general murmur of agreement.

“You will get them also, if you want them,” Wyn promised. Curse the Maelstrom. Lady Philomena’s anti-fae talismans wouldn’t do much more than inconvenience greater fae, and he thought it unlikely that the staff would be targeted anyway, but he couldn’t begrudge them even a small bit of added protection. But this was going to make his job more difficult. His spells would begin to fray the longer they were exposed to anti-fae talismans unless he poured more power into them. “But I do not think you will be at risk. My understanding is that the Valstars’ connection to the estate may make them the more attractive targets.”

“You were attacked,” Ms Whitlow pointed out.

“As was the bank manager,” Wyn agreed. “A one-off occurrence, I hope. In any case, it was fortunate that Lord Valstar was there. She is a powerful mage in her own right and saved us both. In any case, you should all be safe so long as you remain within the boundaries of Stariel.”

“But what do the fairies want?” Lottie piped up. One of the gardeners scowled at her. As one of the youngest staff members, she should not have spoken out. “Why have they appeared now?”

Wyn considered her for a long moment before addressing the wider table. “A reasonable question. As to why the fae have reappeared now…” He shrugged.

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