Page 4 of These Violent Delights

Welcome Home

The door to the masterbedroom was solid wood with fancy iron hinges and fitted with a glowing crystal door knob.When she looked closely, she could see glowing stars swishing in a clear blue sea.

It felt warm and opened with no drama.Lamps came to life in the room beyond, revealing a good-sized chamber painted pale green with white and gold furnishings.There was a large canopy bed adorned with gold and white flowers.A small table with a comfortable chair sat next to the enameled stove.

An ivory writing desk stood next to a massive bookshelf, and she promised herself she would investigate it thoroughly later.

Thick rugs warmed the floor, and a glass door swung out to a balcony.

Best of all was the luxurious bathroom she spied through an open doorway.

“Nice,” Zelda breathed.She couldn't have imagined a more perfect room.

She stepped inside.Everything was spotless, without the dust she would have expected from a sealed room.

She washed up and took care of the worst of her injuries, promising herself a soak in the big tub later.She was exhausted but hungry, too.

Delicious smells drew her downstairs.The table was covered with steaming dishes of fried eggs, roast vegetables, and sliced meat.There was even sourdough flatbread to go with it.

After nothing but travel rations for what seemed like forever, this was a feast!

Two iron kettles sat on the table, one with strong goblin coffee and the other with herbal tea.There was even a bottle of wine, probably unearthed from a hidden cellar.

“My lady,” the steward said formally.“The castle welcomes you.I haven't seen a feast like this since before my wife died.Please, be seated.”He drew out a chair at the head of the table.

“Better the castle not make a habit of it,” Uncle Tank grumbled.Her uncle might be old, but there was nothing wrong with his brain.“The castle feeds on your energy; it's how it powers its magic.You want to save that for things that matter, like castle defenses.”

The steward cleared his throat.“Besides, now that the lady is back in residence, people will come seeking jobs.We don't want them to think that they will be fed, too.This isn't the place for handouts, and the castle can only cook what there is in the larder.Or on the mountainside, I suppose.”He looked at the tea, slid a glance at the pickled mushrooms.“We’ll need more supplies in the morning.Half of this was foraged from the mountainside, I'm sure.I haven't seen eggs in a long time, and you will want cheese and wine.”

“I’ll show you the books when you're ready.I've done the best I can, but we haven't had much income for a long time, just enough to retain the guards.The town has sent a token amount of goods, since the soldiers help keep the bandits away and the wildlife down.”

“You’ll also need to tour the grounds and take inventory...although those things are best done in daylight, when you've rested.”

Zelda's lips flattened.There was a lot to do.She would have to work hard to keep the castle from draining her too much, or she would have difficulty getting it all done.

“We'll need to look at the castle defenses, too,” Uncle Tank said darkly.“Workers aren't the only ones who will show up.”

“Bandits?”Zelda asked.

“There are plenty of opportunists.Best to prepare.”

***

THE BEAST QUEEN LOOKEDout from her rocky fortress.The birds had brought word.The lady of the castle had returned.

Her claws left marks on the stone windowsill as she growled.The chit presumed to move in on her territory.It would be a costly mistake.

She prowled away from the window.She had plans to make.

***

THE GOBLIN CHIEFTAINstood next to a boulder, out of the wind.He listened intently to his advisors.The lady of the castle had returned.Opportunity knocked.

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