Jarla, 12th Nachexen

“Mm… did he ever write to you about what they have buried here at the castle?” asked Hieronymus, his mind evidently not straying down the same avenues as Jarla’s. “You know, he was one of the party that retrieved it.”


16th Nachexen

Ludo

After class that day, Ludo noticed that Rhadegund was clearing up with a more contemplative look than usual. Something was clearly eating at her - at last, she had to say it.

“Is that story really true?” she asked, in a tone that sounded very ready to be told ‘no’. “That you and Brother Schreiber fought skeletons in the Mere?”

Jarla

“You have lived an interesting life, haven’t you, Jarla?” Irene’s tone left it tantalisingly unclear whether that was a compliment.

Her attention returned to her breakfast as she continued. “I find it hard to see the need. I mean, it’s not as if Muzio doesn’t have enough sword arms already.” The Iron Company guard standing mutely by the door bore witness to the truth of that. “Still… it might be diverting.”

Elsa

Skender drew in his breath between his teeth. “One day?” he said. “That is best part of thirty miles. Uphill.” He raised his bushy eyebrows at Elsa. “You are sure?”