The Well of Shades by Juliet Marillier

Author:Juliet Marillier
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates
Published: 2005-12-31T22:00:00+00:00

“WHAT DID YOU make of that?” the queen of Fortriu asked her friend a little later, when Anfreda was suckling and Derelei had gone off with his nursemaid.

“That you are too trusting,” Ferada said. “You don’t know this girl. She could be anyone.”

“I trust Ana. She says Eile is her father’s daughter, and he, I understand, was courageous and noble to a superhuman degree. Didn’t he sacrifice himself for the three of them, Ana, Drustan, and Faolan? This girl seems genuine. I like her honesty. She’s mature beyond her years.”

“Use that argument and you might deduce our friend Breda must be gracious, wise, and honorable simply because she is Ana’s sister.”

“There’s Derelei. He was instantly on guard against Breda. This girl he allowed to approach, to admire the baby. He took her hand.”

“Tuala,” said Ferada, “your son may be a highly remarkable boy, but he is only two. His attention was probably caught by Eile’s daughter. I expect he never even thought about danger. The little girl is a delightful child.”

“She is, isn’t she?” Tuala regarded her friend owlishly.

“I didn’t say I wanted one,” retorted Ferada, raising a hand to smooth her already immaculate coiffure. She had taken to dressing more plainly now, in keeping with her new role as head of an innovative school for young noblewomen. But she had never swerved from her natural elegance of garb and deportment. “Tuala, in such a time of danger you must stick to your own rules. Eile’s a complete stranger.”

“You weren’t on hand when Ana and Faolan came home last autumn. He was quite damaged by what had happened on their journey, and I don’t just mean his mangled leg. He was… somehow lost. Bereft. Ana and Drustan care about him deeply. So does Bridei. Ana wants the girl to stay here until Faolan comes back, at least. She believes it’s somehow important. I don’t know Eile’s past history and nor does Ana. Apparently she’s as buttoned up as Faolan himself. Ana believes she’s had a difficult time. I want to trust Eile, Ferada. My instincts tell me I can.”

“I’ll grant her one point. She didn’t blink an eye when you spoke of your origins. The girl’s hard to surprise for one so young.”

“We don’t know how old she is.”

“I’d put her no older than seventeen; about Breda’s age. I can’t for the life of me see Breda raising a child. Hers certainly wouldn’t be smiling at babies and sharing its toys.”

Tuala grinned. “She did whack Derelei on the hand.”

“That was the part I liked best,” said Ferada. “A man must learn to ask permission before he touches.”

“Speaking of such matters,” Tuala said, “your brothers are growing up quickly. I don’t just mean their willingness to help entertain the little ones. Queen Rhian tells me Bedo is showing a great deal of interest in one of Breda’s handmaids, a girl named Cella. Very charming, Rhian said, and of good character. Their behavior is perfectly discreet, of course; little chats in the Great Hall, glances when they think nobody’s looking, a particular kind of smile.

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