Excerpt from Seer- A little gossip to whet the appetite…

When the Seer awoke inside Castle Kareth, the area was a hum with the chatter of servants. She had been carried to the rooms reserved for menial laborers and scullery maids and placed on a rough pallet… by Duke Baben’s orders. Her fine silk dress was snagged and covered by straw, and her hair was tangled from restless slumber. No one had regarded her as important enough to warrant calling the wizard to attend her health. Three women sat sewing in the small area, heads bobbing, chairs rocking and tongues wagging. Mirandra sat up and coughed, listening to the gossip spilling out around her.

“I heard they ran off to Mapara. The princess was in love with him,” one woman who was pulling a needle through an embroidery hoop sat chattering.

She was answered by another of her companions, “I thought she was to marry that king and bring us better food. I’m all for that,” the second woman gave a broad smile revealing a pink hole devoid of teeth.

“Nah! If it’s for us, it’ll never happen,” a chortling laugh exploded from across the room. “Don’t get your hopes up. The heart is gone from Kareth. Aint no one here gonna care what happens to us…”

“Looks like Her Majesty’s awake,” the first girl nodded her head toward Mirandra as the Seer straightened her gown. The three servants stared at her. “So what happened to you, Sweetie? Where do you belong? Haven’t seen you here and your clothes are too nice to be in this part of the castle. The duke brought you here himself, he did.”

Mirandra smiled at the expectant faces. They were interested in any juicy tidbit she might throw, like lions after meat. “What happened? Who’s in love with the princess?” Mirandra laughed indicating that she had been eavesdropping.

“Why the duke is. The two of them ran away together. They were both gone this morning,” the toothless maid gifted the Seer with a wide grin. “And the royal bed looked like it had quite a roll.”

“Hattie! Hush!” The other girl responded surprised her friend would speak so freely in front of a stranger.

“It’s all right,” Mirandra rubbed her forehead. “I’m no one important,” she returned the smile. “I was just here to care for the princess’s cat.”

“I told you she was the Seer,” one of them barked and slid her chair backwards slightly. Apprehension filled the space between them.