Free Crystal Moon by Elysa Hendricks Page B

“But too many years and too many failures can smother
    a person’s flame.”
    Hunger gnawed at Sianna, but the pain and feelings of
    desperation coming from the ill and injured would not let her
    walk away. What to do first?
    She clasped Althea’s hands between her own. “Perhaps
    together we can fan the embers to life.”
    “Perhaps,” Althea agreed with a grin.
    ***
    Two hours later, Sianna straightened from cleaning and
     
    organizing the castle infirmary. Fortunately, there was no critical
    need for her special skill. For now, Althea’s herbal remedies
    would suffice.
    The growing ache in her belly forced Sianna in search of
    food. Grease and bits of rotting food covered the kitchen work
    tables and cooking surfaces. Hounds slunk between the table
    legs looking for scraps, while unknown brown shapes scurried
    in the shadows. She gagged on the smell of rancid food, burnt
    meat and general decay, her appetite fading.
    A plump woman rushed up to Sianna and grabbed her hand.
    “My Lady. How can I ever thank you for saving my boy, Titus?
    Since DiSanti conscripted my man and two older sons, he’s all
    I have left. Our lives are yours.” The woman knelt at Sianna’s
    feet and pressed her forehead to Sianna’s hands.
    Gently, Sianna pulled the woman up. “Raising your boy to
    be a fine man is thanks enough.”
    “Do you wish mid-meal? Rul Cathor said not to disturb you
    for first meal. Surely you are hungry now. I’m called Betha. I
    can prepare something for you, if you like.”
    “Do you work in the kitchen?”
    “No, my lady.”
    “Who is in charge?”
    “I don’t believe anyone is. Each of us prepares our own
    meals. Come. I have cleared an area where you can sit and
    eat.”
    Betha led Sianna through the cluttered maze of a kitchen
    toward a quiet corner. At a small, clean table sat Titus. He
    smiled shyly and ducked his head to his meal. The spicy aroma
    of stew reached Sianna’s nose, making her stomach growl and
    mouth water.
    “Please sit, my lady. Would you like some bread? I made
    fresh this morning. Some stew? It’s meatless, but quite tasty
    anyway.”
    “Thank you, Betha. Both would be lovely.”
    Like crystallized honey, the food melted in Sianna’s mouth.
    For a moment she forgot the squalor of the kitchen and savored
    her meal. As she ate, people approached Betha for directions:
    how to cook a rack of meat, mix a loaf of bread, where to find
     
    the flour, sugar, salt. Replete, Sianna leaned back and looked
    around. Betha’s small area sat like an island of calm in a raging
    storm.
    Sianna considered the situation for a minute, then said,
    “Betha, I think you should take charge of the kitchen.”
    Surprise flickered across the woman’s face. “I don’t know.
    I’ve only been here a short time. Would people listen to me?”
    “They already come to you. You’re a marvelous cook.
    Someone needs to take control. Look at the waste and filth.
    It’s no wonder people are ill with stomach complaints. With
    your skills, you can easily prevent the problem.”
    A thoughtful expression on her face, Betha looked around.
    “Perhaps you’re right. But will Rul Cathor allow it?”
    “Don’t worry about the Rul, just make this kitchen yours.
    When he eats your cooking rather than burnt offerings, he’ll
    not complain.” At least Sianna hoped he wouldn’t. Where Kyne
    was concerned she wasn’t sure of anything.
     
    FIVE
    That afternoon Sianna pushed aside her growing fatigue to
    work with Betha and several other women clearing and cleaning
    the kitchen. Warda followed, at her side yet never underfoot—
    a silent shadow, guard, companion. After watching her for a
    short time, people started to gather around her to seek instruction
    and guidance. Soon their efforts spilled out into the great hall.
    Bit by bit, order banished chaos. Laughter and good spirits
    infected everyone as they worked.
    From a quiet corner of the hall Kyne conducted a meeting,
    but she felt his gaze following her