"I couldn't help overhearing your little talk. Why does your friend dislike me so? I've never made any claim to the Castle. In fact, as far as I can see, I'm practically the only one here who actually cares about what happens to the folk within those hard stone walls."
The question from the woman startled Holly. She had not heard her approach as she stood frowning after Bird who had flown off in an icy huff. She turned to regard the slight figure before her. So serious a manner! Her red hair flamed as it caught the sun, adding to the feeling of seething anger that lay just below the surface of her eyes. Why did the Big Folk seem to carry such large burdens of anger and dis-ease? It made her uncomfortable at times, when it spilled over on to her, and she avoided it as she could.
‘An interesting question, Mistress Andreth.’ she began, a smile playing about her lips. ‘Perhaps she ate a worm gone bad today and has indigestion.’ She broke into a full out laugh. ‘I’m sorry! You might as well ask why the wind blows one way or the other when it comes to Bird.’ She looked the woman up and down, taking her measure. ‘And what business would it be of ours to care about the fate of those people in the Castle. Or yours, for that matter. What good will it do you?’
__________________
Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.
|