Chapter 179

On her way to find Cassius, Kit thought about what Danyen had revealed to her. It made little sense that Pierce would be going to meet the queen considering the route he had taken. But what else could he be up to?

Cassius was in the Representatives’ lounge, but he wasn’t telling a story. He was standing by the window, staring out at the courtyard, thoughtful. Kit almost hated to interrupt him, but she needed to get a move on. She waved at some of the other Representatives as she approached but made it clear she was there for one purpose only.

He turned at her approach, and his expression changed from reflective to affectionate. “Back so soon, beautiful?” he asked, stooping to kiss her cheek. She wished it had been her lips but knew that was for the sake of the others. “How was your conversation with Danyen? Did he have the answers you seek?”

“Some of them,” she replied with a sigh. She tugged on his arm, and he understood that meant she wanted to go. He offered his elbow and led her out of the room.

Her guards fell in behind them as they made their way down the hallway toward the kitchen area of the castle. Kit couldn’t discuss what Danyen had told her in front of her guard, but she did want to confide in Cassius. She’d have to find a way to get him alone, which shouldn’t be too difficult. For now, she needed to concentrate on the drivers.

The head of the kitchen was a woman named Rosy. She had to be close to a hundred, Kit thought. Kit’s great-grandmother had hired her when she was queen, over fifty years ago. Still, she was spry and sharp as a tack. She was also kind, despite having to answer to a different sort of queen these days. When Kit walked in, her face lit up.

“Ah, Princess Katrinetta,” she said, bowing her head. “You are lovely today as always. To what do we owe the pleasure?”

The kitchen was loud. Several cooks were working on preparing the noon day meal, and other servants were cleaning or running back and forth, fetching items for nobles who needed them in their rooms. Everything seemed to echo in the large space, and a group of about six unloading a carriage over by the propped back exit was a good reminder of why Kit had come. She was relieved to see at least one of the drivers was still there.

“Good day, Rosy. I am here because I’m working on a project for the Royal Council. I would like to speak to some of the carriage drivers, if it isn’t too much trouble.”

“The delivery men?” Rosy clarified.

“Yes, the ones who bring in products from the provinces for the castle.”

Rosy’s forehead puckered. “Only the ones with foodstuffs deliver to the kitchen. Others deliver to the back entrance of the castle near the chambermaids’ quarters.” She was thoughtful for a moment, her face still pruned. “And others come in late at night and leave in the dark. I’m not certain....” She stopped talking, and Kit could see apprehension written all over her face.

“Not certain of what?” Kit tried to keep her voice as kind and nonchalant as possible, but it was difficult. Clearly, there was something the woman wanted to tell her but didn’t know if she should.

“I’ll just be... over here....” Cassius walked toward one of the fireplaces where the cooks were busy with what smelled like some sort of stew, which Kit imagined was for the servants’ dinner.

Rosy looked a little relieved to see Cassius walk away but wasn’t exactly forthcoming with the information even when it was just Kit before her. Eventually, she leaned in, and in a whisper said, “I’m not sure what it is, Princess. But it is secretive. There is an entry point near mid-castle. They pull in there, stay just long enough to unload or load, never both, and then pull away again. I only know because there are many times, late of a night, when I am up. Sometimes I wander outside and walk about the castle, thinking of better times.” She leaned away again, and Kit had a feeling she would learn no more about the matter from Rosy.

“Thank you. I assure you, I hold this information in confidence. Would I be able to speak to the drivers now?”

“I believe Ras is the only one still here, but he’s a talker. He’ll be happy to answer your questions.” She gestured toward the open door, and Kit thanked her again, signaling for Cassius to rejoin her.

He didn’t ask what Rosy had told her, only offered his arm and led Kit to the busy entryway. Most of the servants were too busy to notice who was blocking their way. Others bowed their heads, and Kit waved them off. It was difficult for Cassius to find an opening in the line of servants filing by to jump through the doorway, but he managed, Kit following behind.

“Pardon,” she said to one of two men unloading the truck. “Where can I find Ras?”

Without looking at her, he jerked his head in the direction of a man sitting beneath a tree, drinking from a canteen and eating an apple. He was thin as a rail, his clothes dirty and torn, and he looked as if he hadn’t slept in ages.

Kit crossed the rutted road and made her way over. The delivery carts pulled through a special gate in back of the castle. This was in addition to the gate in the castle wall on the main road. Kit had never spent any time at all back here. In fact, she thought the only time she’d ever even ventured this far to the back of the castle was one time when her father was showing her a second chapel nearer to his room. He went there to worship the goddesses each week, once her mother disallowed him to use her own chapel at the front of the castle, the one Kit’s Proem Ceremony had been held in. Kit sometimes visited the larger chapel to worship, though not often enough, she told herself. This part of the castle seemed foreign to her, and she decided she should become reacquainted with it.

Cassius walked with her across the road but then wandered away again, always within earshot, and always watching out of the corner of his eye. She imagined a person would have to be quite daft to try to harm her when he was anywhere near striking distance.