laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

Marian carried the delivery to the home of her current teacher and knew the lady had made various tonics and elixirs for many in town before. Most of their projects and assignments supported her side business which had endeared many sick and those in labor to Lady Trista for years. Brian’s comments about her the day before were wrong, she determined. If someone wished to be closer to Elminoir she should be allowed to. As she approached the door, she hesitated for a moment. Entering the home of two revered instructors seemed as daunting as walking into the duke’s palace back home. She raised her hand as the door opened revealing Lady Vicana whose long brown hair shone brightly in the midday sun.

“I was wondering if you were just going to leave it on the doorstep,” she smiled. “Come in.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Marian grinned uncomfortably as she stepped inside the beautifully decorated home. Flowers adorned not only the corners of the room but also tables, over the hearth and near the banister. To her right, Trista concocted her next brew for a mother-to-be and needed this delivery which Marian set on the table beside two clay bowls.

“Thank you,” blue eyes smiled as she poured water into the bowl and began mixing. “Would you like to help me?”

Marian thought for a moment, she was already uncomfortable as it was. But, she couldn’t turn down such an invitation and insult her instructor either. “Yes, ma’am. What can I do?”

“Pour the Fek into this bowl and begin crushing them.”

“Okay,” she began the procedure as Vicana walked over to the edge of the table and quietly watched.

“Is Sceva going to remain in his room all day,” the older druidess asked her long time friend.

“I don’t know,” Trista shrugged. “When I’m done with this I’ll go check on him. Has he said anything to you?”

Vicana shook her head. “No. Perhaps with today being his birthday and turning sixteen, he’s feeling out of sorts for some reason.”

“You not remember when you turned that age,” Trista smiled mischievously at her friend.

“It wasn’t that long ago, if that’s what you’re insinuating,” she turned her attention to Marian who kept busily to her task, not wishing to be noticed. “How old are you, Marian?”

“Twelve, madam.”

She nodded. “How’s things been going? You like it here?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ve learned a lot.”

“What do you wish to do once you graduate,” Trista inquired.

Hazel eyes turned to her. “I’d like to be a knight.”

They both eyed her for a moment. “Ladies normally aren’t allowed to serve in that capacity, that’s for men. We tend to gardens, the forest and take care of nature while they engage problems dealing with other issues. You don’t wish to be a teacher or something like that? There are a lot of women who need our help when they’re sick or pregnant.”

“My sponsor, Lady Guenna carries a sword. Why would a druid need one of those?”

“This world is still pretty dangerous,” Vicana revealed. “We all have to be familiar with some type of weapon. You’ll be learning to use the staff or sword soon enough. Not very lady-like but, sometimes it’s necessary.”