Page 28 of Bull Moon Rising
“Alsoapparently, Mereden offered to tithe a share of her guild income if they would write her a letter of recommendation and let her come for training. The church is looking to acquire more artifacts, and so they reached an agreement with Magpie. But Mereden fears her father is going to be quite upset when he finds out she’s here and not at the convent. And do you know who her father is?”
I’m too tired to think straight. Fighting back a yawn, I shrug. “Is he rich?”
“He’s Lord Vatuo Morsell of Morsell Hold’s youngest son. She’s the lord holder’s granddaughter.”
I blanch. She’s right, that’s not good. I’ve met Lord Morsell at several parties. He’s got a long, wiry beard and ropes of braided hair that arebeaded with the finest shells. I remember that much. I also remember that his sons were quite a bit older than me and thus not considered good marriage candidates, so we didn’t visit them often. But holders travel in tight circles, and we all know one another.
Still, a younger son’s daughter isn’t that important in the scheme of things, hence why they allowed her to join the church. It’s why I didn’t recognize her. “Has she recognized me?”
“I don’t think so. But you’re going to have to be doubly careful around her, and we need to make sure that she remains ignorant.”
“Tell her that I’m named after Aspeth Honori if she inquires. Tell her I’m from the area and my father met Lord Honori once and named me after his daughter to curry favor. Tell her anything.” I shrug. “It’s not as if she can do much now. She needs me on the team. We’ve five now, and five’s the sacred number.”
“You’re not worried?” Gwenna looks shocked.
“I’m too tired to be worried. Do you think we’re going to have to carry rocks tomorrow, too?”
“We should dye your hair. Or cut it. How do you feel about being blond?” She paces, thinking hard. “The spectacles are obviously out of the question. And it’s a good thing you’re wearing the same uniforms we are. She’d suspect something for sure if she saw your tailored clothes…. Are you even listening? Aspeth?”
I force my eyes open. “I’m listening! I swear. Mereden. Younger son’s daughter. Me with new hair. Rocks tomorrow.”
Gwenna throws her hands up in the air. “I can’t believe you’re so casual about this. Why do I even bother talking to you?”
I grab the nearest pillow and tuck it under my head, too fatigued to get up. There’s probably dinner somewhere downstairs but I don’t want to move from this spot. “Because you have to complain to someone and no one else will listen.”
“I should have stayed home,” she mutters.
“But I’m so glad you didn’t,” I say sweetly. “Can we hug?”
“Oh, piss off.” She huffs in irritation, and I chuckle. I’m so glad Gwenna’s here to keep me company. This adventure wouldn’t be the same without her.
A knock at the door startles us both. We exchange a look, and thenGwenna heads to the door, shooting me a cautious glance. She leans against the door, calling out, “Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Lark,” answers the voice on the other side.
Gwenna shrugs and looks at me. I pull a robe over my chemise, and she opens the door.
Immediately, Lark tumbles inside, followed by Mereden and Kipp. Both Lark and Mereden are in their nightgowns and Kipp is wearing his house, as usual. My spirits sink at the sight of them. All I want to do is sleep, and I’m worried something new and dreadful just occurred.
“What’s going on?” I ask, scooping up my cat so she doesn’t run out the door. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Lark reassures us, and grabs one of the throw pillows on a nearby chair and takes a seat on the rug. Mereden joins her, primly adjusting her skirts. Kipp moves across from them, shrugging the large shell of his house off his back and then sitting atop it. Lark grins at us. “We’ve decided to have team-bonding time. Get to know one another.”
“Oh, that sounds lovely,” I say.
“Forget it,” Gwenna says at the same time. Then she realizes what I’ve just said, sighs, and closes the door.
Lark pats the rug on the floor. “Come sit with us.”
I immediately do so, settling Squeaker in my lap and stroking her ears. Squeaker loves a good pet, and settles in, ignoring the tufts of hair flying as I scratch at her thick ruff. “This makes me so happy,” I confess to them. “Other than Gwenna, I’ve never had friends before.”
“Weirdo,” Lark says.
I chuckle, because it probably is a bit strange. But as someone who grew up alone, surrounded by no one but tutors or chaperones, I love the thought of becoming close friends with everyone in the room.
Lark leans on the pillow and eyes me. “So tell us aboutyou, Aspeth.”
“Oh. Um.” I scratch at Squeaker’s ears. “There’s not much to tell. I’m just another person who wished to join the guild.”