Total pages in book: 179
Estimated words: 169943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 850(@200wpm)___ 680(@250wpm)___ 566(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 169943 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 850(@200wpm)___ 680(@250wpm)___ 566(@300wpm)
Still, a younger son’s daughter isn’t that important in the scheme of things, hence why they allowed her to join the church. It’s why I didn’t recognize her. “Has she recognized me?”
“I don’t think so. But you’re going to have to be doubly careful around her, and we need to make sure that she remains ignorant.”
“Tell her that I’m named after Aspeth Honori if she inquires. Tell her I’m from the area and my father met Lord Honori once and named me after his daughter to curry favor. Tell her anything.” I shrug. “It’s not as if she can do much now. She needs me on the team. We’ve five now, and five’s the sacred number.”
“You’re not worried?” Gwenna looks shocked.
“I’m too tired to be worried. Do you think we’re going to have to carry rocks tomorrow, too?”
“We should dye your hair. Or cut it. How do you feel about being blond?” She paces, thinking hard. “The spectacles are obviously out of the question. And it’s a good thing you’re wearing the same uniforms we are. She’d suspect something for sure if she saw your tailored clothes…. Are you even listening? Aspeth?”
I force my eyes open. “I’m listening! I swear. Mereden. Younger son’s daughter. Me with new hair. Rocks tomorrow.”
Gwenna throws her hands up in the air. “I can’t believe you’re so casual about this. Why do I even bother talking to you?”
I grab the nearest pillow and tuck it under my head, too fatigued to get up. There’s probably dinner somewhere downstairs but I don’t want to move from this spot. “Because you have to complain to someone and no one else will listen.”
“I should have stayed home,” she mutters.
“But I’m so glad you didn’t,” I say sweetly. “Can we hug?”
“Oh, piss off.” She huffs in irritation, and I chuckle. I’m so glad Gwenna’s here to keep me company. This adventure wouldn’t be the same without her.
A knock at the door startles us both. We exchange a look, and then Gwenna heads to the door, shooting me a cautious glance. She leans against the door, calling out, “Who’s there?”
“It’s me, Lark,” answers the voice on the other side.
Gwenna shrugs and looks at me. I pull a robe over my chemise, and she opens the door.
Immediately, Lark tumbles inside, followed by Mereden and Kipp. Both Lark and Mereden are in their nightgowns and Kipp is wearing his house, as usual. My spirits sink at the sight of them. All I want to do is sleep, and I’m worried something new and dreadful just occurred.
“What’s going on?” I ask, scooping up my cat so she doesn’t run out the door. “Is something wrong?”
“Nothing’s wrong,” Lark reassures us, and grabs one of the throw pillows on a nearby chair and takes a seat on the rug. Mereden joins her, primly adjusting her skirts. Kipp moves across from them, shrugging the large shell of his house off his back and then sitting atop it. Lark grins at us. “We’ve decided to have team-bonding time. Get to know one another.”
“Oh, that sounds lovely,” I say.
“Forget it,” Gwenna says at the same time. Then she realizes what I’ve just said, sighs, and closes the door.
Lark pats the rug on the floor. “Come sit with us.”
I immediately do so, settling Squeaker in my lap and stroking her ears. Squeaker loves a good pet, and settles in, ignoring the tufts of hair flying as I scratch at her thick ruff. “This makes me so happy,” I confess to them. “Other than Gwenna, I’ve never had friends before.”
“Weirdo,” Lark says.
I chuckle, because it probably is a bit strange. But as someone who grew up alone, surrounded by no one but tutors or chaperones, I love the thought of becoming close friends with everyone in the room.
Lark leans on the pillow and eyes me. “So tell us about you, Aspeth.”
“Oh. Um.” I scratch at Squeaker’s ears. “There’s not much to tell. I’m just another person who wished to join the guild.”
“Mm-hmm,” says Lark, and clearly she doesn’t believe me. She exchanges a look with Mereden, who raises her brows and gives us a prim expression. Kipp just licks his eye.
Gwenna nudges me, leaning forward. “She’s being modest. For as long as I’ve known Aspeth, she’s had her nose in a book about the guild. She’s told everyone who would listen about Old Prell and the guild history and what kinds of adventures guild members get up to. She’s studied it ever since she was old enough to read. She’s here because it’s her dream. Because she wants to make something of herself.”
Her vehement response changes the way everyone looks at me. Mereden’s lips quirk in a tiny smile. Lark just “Humphs” but relaxes. Kipp gives a quick nod as if full of understanding.
“Why, thank you, Gwenna,” I say softly. “But yes. It has always been a dream of mine. I grew up reading stories of Guild Master Magpie and her exploits. I want to be just like her.”