Page 3 of These Violent Delights

Zelda opened her mouth to say it was fine, she could wash a cup, and then realized the man probably had no idea where to find any soap.She sank into a kitchen chair, momentarily defeated.She was tired.She needed a minute to come to terms with the situation.She would rally soon.

A cup rose out of the table.It was full of cold, clear water.Zelda stared at it, dazed.The castle had provided water.She didn't bother wondering about it.It tasted great and it refilled itself as soon as she was done.

The steward turned with a dirty cup in his hand and realized what had happened.“The castle...served you?”He stared, slack-jawed, as a wooden bowl of mushrooms appeared on the table.A bowl of eggs followed, and then a series of other bowls in rapid succession: herbs, vegetables still covered in dirt, grain of some kind.

The kitchen stove flared to life.The sink filled with hot, soapy water, and a wet rag whizzed over the dishes and counter.

There was a clatter as pans arranged themselves, cutting boards came out, and knives started chopping.The kitchen was running itself.

A soldier burst in, breathless.“The castle is flinging rocks at the briar wolves!”

A leg of battle ram appeared on the table, already skinned.

The soldier continued, shouting from the open door, “There's meat from the battle rams hanging in the yard!Animal skins are tacked around the castle walls, being scraped by rocks!There are baskets of wool!”

A grinding creak startled them.Stones moved, forming a passage under a stone stairway that hadn't existed before.

Uncle Tank strode in and assessed the situation.“I see it's started.”He didn't seem surprised.

Zelda's head whirled.She grabbed the table, dizzy.Her uncle gripped her arm to steady her.“It's the castle.It's waking up.Your magic is powering it.”

This was the first time she'd ever had access to magic like this.Without the castle, she was just an ordinary goblin.

Unfortunately, it felt like someone was vigorously whisking her brains.If this kept up, she wouldn't be surprised if they foamed out her ears.

The activity finally stopped.The dizziness slowly subsided and she could lift her head to view the castle's new arrangement.

The room under the new stairs was a comfortable bedroom, clearly for her uncle.It already had his belongings in there, previously packed in his saddle bags.

The room on top of the stairs had a glowing door knob.

She looked at it warily, in no hurry to investigate.

“Well?Go and look at it.It's clearly the lady of the castle's room.You don't need me for that, and I'm not in the mood for stairs,” her uncle said.

She stared at him in disbelief.“The last fancy door knob I touched tried to kill me!”

“You're still alive to complain about it, so it didn't try too hard,” Uncle Tank said, completely unsympathetic.“That, and it's cooking food for you.It expects you to be alive to eat it.”

Okay, that was logical, but she didn't rush up there immediately.A little caution never hurt, but this needed to be done.Also, her instincts told her that yes, this was her room.

She took a deep breath and marched up the stairs.This was her legacy, and this was her castle.It was time to take charge.

---