PART 15

She talked about her family and late husband. Her children were grown and she had sent her son away to save him from the Queen’s war. He promised to return in five years time; so far it had been three. Freida anticipated his return.
“I have preserved a room in our small house for him. He will be quite the man when he comes back, possibly with a family too! Wouldn’t it be wonderful for me to have grandchildren to play with? Do you like children? I think they are delightful little dolls! I would sew clothes for them, and teach them to fish. I am quite a good fisher. Crabs, Dresden. Have you ever eaten crabs from the Eastern coastline? They are marvelous! I will have to get some for Vlad to cook up for us sometime. He is quite the chef. Do you think he fancies me?”
Her babble was hard to follow, as she made statements and asked questions at the same time, leaving him no room to reply. Dresden had to pick carefully from everything she said, for a reasonable response. His delay gave the impression of stupidity and someone of slow comprehension. Freida had a motherly attitude towards Dresden, almost pitying him. He let her make up whatever stories she wanted to about him and just smiled simply, adding to the simpleton persona.
“Yes, ma’am. I love children. I have gotten to spend a fair bit of time with some. They see everything with newness. That is a blessing.”
Once he had gotten just a few words out, Frieda was talking again. “And you will join us for some crab then? I really will get us some. With some fresh butter and herbs, they will melt in your mouth. Do you think Vlad will like it that I fish? I learned from my late husband, he wanted me to know how to take care of myself if anything ever happened to him. Turns out he was right! He was a wonderful man. Vlad is a good man too. It’s so fortunate that we met today.”
Again, Dresden took his time in answering.
“Vlad absolutely fancies you my lady. You have nothing to worry about there. I have had the crab from the Eastern coastline and I agree with you that there is no comparison whatsoever. I have fished there myself with a crab box I made out of willows that grow near the lakes even further East. I ventured these lands a long time ago, much has changed. This is my first time in the kingdom of Sveldin. I like its people. I have met some fine ones, the present company included my lady.”
Freida giggled childishly, lighting up her cheeks. She was built like a Viking woman and spoke openly of how her family moved across the continent in more dangerous times before coming to Sveldin to stay. She had been the second generation born there and some greying in her curly copper hair showing the signs of her age. Dresden thought that she would be the perfect companion for Vlad, similar in shape, kindness and many other likenesses.
Dresden sat back in the chair and took in a breath. He thought of Jukie. She was watching over the inn for Vlad but had avoided him since their night together. Perhaps he’d frightened the woman. Although she was stumbling drunk, she was still frisky enough to engage him in a playful exchange. He had enjoyed her company, but she was truly a barmaid and the commonness of that left Dresden wanting more. He craved the intellectual exchange of the noble women in the North. They were not easy to bed, and that chase had been thrilling for him. He outwitted them almost every time, which had been fulfilling. As a soldier of the Royal court, women flocked to him, making it easy to pick and choose between them. The road South had left him wanting someone to keep his bed warm at night, even though he would not keep the same woman for any length of time. He had tried that before too, more than once. The attachment was one sided in many cases since Dresden would not age in the same way as his companion. They would age and he would remain young. This was confusing for them, and he only once revealed his true nature, which led to the woman trying to kill him in his sleep. A lesson well learned that he never repeated. Playing at humanness had its advantages and human women could be fun. He had hoped to see Jukie again, but wasn’t sure how she felt about their night together. She hadn’t spoken to him in three whole days. He would try again tonight perhaps.
Vlad appeared from the kitchen with plates along each arm. He looked quite exotic, like a connoisseur from another land. He waddled over to their table, talking the whole way, steam rising from the freshly plated food.
“Vlad! You’ve outdone yourself. This is all for us?” Freida placed a hand over her heart. Dresden could see a tear forming in the corner of her eye.
Vlad chuckled, set down every plate in front of each of them, with a setting for himself as well, then he placed a hand on Freida’s shoulder and looked down into her brown, green eyes.
“For you my lady, I would do anything.” He said most charmingly, meaning every word.
She openly blushed. What Vlad had in charm and genuine kindness, made up for that which he lacked in looks. When he sat back down to join them, Dresden complimented him on the meal. The quality of the food almost rivaled what they had just eaten at the castle and he pondered how Vlad had come to possess such expensive ingredients. He respectfully didn’t ask his friend how he had octopus lying around, and herbs so fresh they could have been picked moments before cooking them. The potatoes were a staple in the region and fresh greens were typical this time of year, but the cheese Vlad put in the salad came from sheep herders. He knew of several in the area. Apparently Vlad had friends in important places. He ate the fine meal merrily while the three talked and jested with one another. LIfe felt normal. The calmness of the Western province and its people filled Dresden with peace. Although his thoughts had tortured him for a moment, being in the castle and remembering how just eight moons ago he had lived the life of a soldier in the Royal court, this felt natural and wholesome. There was nothing forced about his interactions and he didn’t have to hide anything when no one expected anything of him.
The Queen on the other hand, was interesting to him. Her behavior was strange for a Queen and he had only ever observed one other monarchy in his lifetime, a neighboring kingdom to Olvergon. Very different, he mused. This young Queen was not tamed and domesticated by political and court affairs. He could see that she held herself with great poise and grace, but Dresden could always see past the phony things humans tried to use to cover their true selves. He could see the heart of a person, and if he wanted to, their past. That was his gift, and he had used it many times as a soldier to aid him in his duties to his rulers. He had never delved into Vlad’s past. It was respectful not to. He would not want to pry into places where a friend would not welcome him. He also didn’t use it on Jukie either. He wanted her to tell him about herself rather than just knowing certain things. Although Dresden could take advantage of people, he chose not to out of honor. It was a system of honor he had to create for himself as a human being, but it served him and it was his business.
He considered that he might use it one day to see into the Queen’s past. He had questions that he was certain she would not answer on her own. He hoped one day for that chance; today set the stage for that meeting to take place. She had seen him, and she was curious about him, and that was very good indeed.