In a separate room on the second floor, Ingrid stood with her arms crossed and stared down at her luggage. Across from her stood two handmaids who exchanged a concerned look.

  Ingrid exhaled deeply from her nose and placed her hands on her hips. Below her, a full sized trunk sat open on the floor; inside of it were a few measly piles of clothing and her favorite pillow. Underneath, however, was hidden two hunting knives, a stiletto dagger, her sheathed longsword, a set of leather armor, a sheathed shortsword, a wood cutter’s ax, and a hand crossbow with a bag of bolts.

  “Erm…” one of the handmaids began in a hushed voice, “Perhaps we could search the closets for something more…appropriate?”

  Ingrid frowned at her feet.

  “Perhaps that is best.”

  But as the handmaid made her way to the door, another servant appeared suddenly and spoke to Ingrid.

  “Dame Helvenin,” he began, “Mistress Gertrude requests your presence.”

  Ingrid followed the man out of the room and down the hall. Ingrid knew this path quite well, as it happened, because this was the way to Sir Perry’s study. As they arrived, the man stepped aside and gestured Ingrid forward. She knocked twice on the door, then opened it. Once inside, she was met with the faces of Gertrude, Mary and Sir Perry.

  “Ah,” Perry said with a boyish grin, “There you are.”

  Ingrid eyed the attendees suspiciously, then crossed the threshold of the door and closed it behind her.

  “Is there something the matter?” she asked.

  Perry shook his head.

  “No, no. Nothing the matter,” he said as he waved her over. “But there is something I wanted to discuss with you all.”

  Ingrid moved herself in line with the other women; each of them stared blankly at Perry, who sat with his arms folded at his desk, sporting a dumb smile.

  The three women waited.

  Perry smiled back at them.

  Then Ingrid raised her eyebrow.

  “Right!” Perry said, as if he had only just remembered what it was he had called them in to discuss. He then cleared his throat before continuing. “As you know, this banquet is very important. Perhaps the singular most important event to occur inside the borders of this nation since the initial war summit over five years ago.”

  The ladies looked at each other a moment, but said nothing as Perry continued.

  “And while the decorum on these grounds is much more to my liking, it is nonetheless uncustomary to say the least when compared to the formalities expected of nobility.”

  “I see,” Gertrude said suddenly.

  Ingrid and Mary looked at her expectantly, but Gertrude ignored them. She simply closed her eyes and nodded her head, as if suddenly understanding some secret code. Then, Mary and Ingrid stared at one other, each of them realizing that they were the only ones who were unaware.

  “What?” Mary asked with a worried voice. “What is it?”

  Perry flexed his fingers a few times as he chose his next words carefully.

  “There are…expectations set forth for ladies of the court,” he began. “Mannerisms, which you would no doubt have learned from Gertrude. But, beyond this, there are other expectations regarding appearance.” Perry flicked his eyes nervously between the two of them. Ingrid bit her tongue and stared at the wall just above Perry’s head. Mary blinked at him.

  There was a pained silence in the room for near a minute, before Gertrude sighed heavily and addressed them both.

  “Your appearances are un-lady like,” she said with a ruthless glance. “Dirty leather and plain clothing will not be tolerated in the banquet hall beside distinguished members of the gentry.”

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  “Sir Perry,” Ingrid started in a defensive tone, “We do not own any formal wear or courtly dresses!”

  “She’s right!” Mary yelped, as she looked between Gertrude and Perry.

  “That is precisely what I wished to talk about,” Perry answered. “I have arranged for Gertrude to accompany us on the journey north. Once in the city, you will be able to purchase dresses which are befitting for your size and—”

  Perry felt his stomach drop as the two women looked at him with an unholy glare. Perry coughed a few times into his hands before looking to Gertrude for help.

  “Fear not, Lord Mannigold,” she said with a stern voice, “I will see to it that these two are unrecognizable from their usual drab and frumpish selves.”

  Perry winced at the comment.

  Ingrid and Mary felt as if they had been pierced by daggers— cold, icy and ruthless daggers.

  “But,” Mary argued, “We can’t afford those things!”

  “R-right!” Ingrid added, “There is simply no way that we could—”

  “Nonsense,” Perry said as he straightened his back, “I will buy them for you.”

  Ingrid’s mouth hung open for a second— long enough for Perry to notice— though she quickly snapped it shut and looked to the floor. He gave her a wry smile, knowing he had struck a nerve.

  “You…you will?” Mary asked as her heart began to sore. “We might need shoes as well, then!”

  Perry tapped his chin.

  “A good point,” he said. “Then we shall buy shoes as well. A few pairs should do. That way, you have options. And coats for the wind chill.”

  “Hair ornaments are essential,” Gertrude added, “Along with jewelry. Simple silver should suffice.”

  “Of course,” Perry said as he puffed out his chest, trying desperately to appear as if he had any idea what she was talking about. “Ornaments…for the hair.”

  Gertrude then scanned the two of them mercilessly and addressed Perry once again.

  “I would also recommend some perfume, My Lord. Something lightly floral, but not overpowering.”

  Perry looked at Ingrid as Gertrude spoke; a glance which she noticed and met with a look of her own. The two then immediately averted their eyes from each other.

  “That sounds reasonable,” Perry said softly.

  “And,” Gertrude added, “Considering the length of our stay is uncertain, we should likely require at least three different outfits, in case there are other events to attend.”

  “Maybe four!” Mary blurted out. “Just in case…for lady-reasons.”

  “Well,” Perry sighed as he rolled his eyes to ceiling, “If you say so…”

  Gertrude gave Mary a menacing stare.

  “That should suffice for now, Lord Mannigold,” Gertrude said with a slight bow.

  “Great!” Perry said eagerly as he clapped his hands together. “When we arrive at Gate City, we shall head to the market district and—”

  “Sir Perry!” Ingrid cut in with a desperate tone, “I do not think we can accept these gifts!”

  Mary let a small cry of pain escape her lips.

  “Oh?” Gertrude said with a wry smile. “Pray tell, Dame Helvenin, why is that so?”

  Ingrid swallowed hard as she thought.

  “Well…”

  Perry waited patiently for an answer.

  Beside her, Mary was nearly on the verge of tears; and Gertrude simply stared with her brow raised and her arms folded.

  “Because…” Ingrid continued, “It-it would be a scandal!”

  “A scandal?” Perry asked, confused. “What do you mean?”

  Ingrid put her hands behind her back and avoided eye contact.

  “Yes,” she continued, as she picked her brain for more excuses. “Imagine what the other nobleman would think if they saw Lord Perry Mannigold, out in the market, buying gifts for an unknown woman…”

  It was only then that she realized what she had said.

  Her face grew hot with embarrassment and she turned to Perry to apologize for the insinuation; but he too seemed to be as equally embarrassed as she was.

  “I-I…Uh…”

  Perry stuttered foolishly for a few moments while trying to find his words. Meanwhile, Gertrude and Mary peeled away from the two of them and watched with sly eyes.

  “They can think what they wish,” he said finally, “You deserve to wear something that showcases your beauty—” He paused as he spoke, watching Ingrid’s face grow even more red. “Both of you!” he blurted out. “Both of you deserve such finer things.”

  “Such abounding generosity,” Gertrude said with a slick tone as she tilted her head toward Perry. “Ours is truly a magnanimous Lord.”

  “One of a kind,” Mary agreed with a dramatic bow.

  Then, both Gertrude and Mary stood tall and eyed Ingrid, waiting for her response. She could feel their eyes upon her like preying wolves, urging her to walk headfirst into their trap. Ingrid swallowed hard and took a small step forward. She bowed her head quickly, then lunged for the door. Ingrid disappeared around the corner, leaving the room in silence.

  Perry let out a slow breath as he slumped back down into his chair. As he did so, Gertrude observed him quietly, fighting back the urge to smile. Then, they heard footsteps approach from the hallway as Ingrid doubled back and poked her head once more into the room.

  “Thank you, Sir Perry.”

  He smiled back at her.

  “You are most welcome.”