After he finished his sweeping, Nerris reported to Medon, who set the castle barber on him. Nerris's shaggy brown hair was shorn to something more presentable, and he was given a fancy doublet and hose ensemble to wear. The doublet had the mermaid sigil embroidered on the chest, and was bright green with a gold-trimmed collar.

      Lord Feigh's party began at sunset, and Nerris was on platter duty. He maneuvered through the richly dressed guests balancing a silver tray on his palm, which contained finger foods for all in attendance. He got his first look at Lord Gaviel when he was announced shortly after the party started. Nerris had seen a few lords in passing back in his home country of Faerna, and he thought of them all as old and rotund. However, Gaviel Feigh was a young man, perhaps ten years ahead of Nerris, maybe even a bit older. He had wavy, blond hair and an easygoing smile. Nerris noticed the way others flocked to his presence, not glad-handing, but drawn in by his subtle charisma.

      Many guests were announced afterward, but Nerris was kept too busy to get a look at them all. When he ran out of food, he had to run back to the kitchens to refill his platter, and the distance between the great hall and the kitchens was not small.

      However, even Nerris paused in his work to look at the tall man in the crimson doublet. He was most certainly not a noble. He was large and imposing, with thick, corded muscles that showed even beneath his long sleeves and wore his red hair long and shaggy, his beard bushy. The herald announced him as Rhodias, an instructor from Gauntlet. Nerris longed to speak with him, but remembered their cover. He was a mere servant until he had the coin necessary to approach Gauntlet.

      The fourth time he ran out of food, Nerris set the platter on a nearby table so he could stretch his wrist. Off to the side, a group of musicians added to the party chatter with various stringed instruments. Nerris watched their graceful playing as he massaged his hand. When a break in the music occurred, he felt someone's hand touch his arm.

      "Pardon me."

      He turned to face a girl about his own age, though she stood an inch or two higher than him. She had shoulder-length blonde hair, curled and tied into fancy plaits. She wore a light blue dress to match her eyes.

      "Oh, I'm sorry," she said, spying the sigil on his doublet. "I thought you might be from House Easton. Green is one of their house colors."

       "Uh--" Nerris found he could not look into this girl's eyes without feeling his cheeks turn red. "Medon says the green makes us easier to spot for the guests. In case they need anything. Um--"

       The girl held out one hand. "I am Aledine Feigh."

       Instead of taking her hand, Nerris's eyes widened and he bowed deeply. Though he had never seen her before, he had heard her name. This was the lord's youngest sister! "Milady, my pardons! I did not know you."

       Aledine giggled. "No need to apologize when it was I who disturbed you. Are you one of the new servants?"

       "Yes, milady," Nerris said. "I'm Nerris Palada."

       "Well, Nerris, servant or not, you're the handsomest boy here."

       Nerris was aware his face must be completely flushed at this point. Though there were not many young people at this party, no girl had ever said anything like that to him before. He cleared his throat. "You are too kind, milady." He struggled to come up with a compliment, but he was the help, and didn't want to seem too forward.

       "Palada," Aledine mused. She rubbed at her chin with one hand, encased in a long silk glove that matched her dress. "Ah yes, the Paladas are a noble house in Faerna, right? Their seat is Brookbel, within the Great Oak Forest. Their sigil is a golden eagle's head on a purple field."

       "Yes," Nerris said, surprised, "but I am no relation. There are many common families with that name who reside within their borders. How did you know that?"

        "A young lady is taught many things," Aledine said. "Heraldry is but one. I can also play the harp and know over thirty different dances." As if on cue, the musicians resumed their playing. Aledine smiled, holding out a hand again. "Would you care to dance, Nerris?"

       "Milady, I shouldn't, I'm just a--"

       "My name is Aledine," she said. "Please call me that, it's not difficult. Al-e-dine."

       Nerris smiled. "It wouldn't be proper for me to be so familiar with you, Aledine... milady."

       Aledine crossed her arms. "You're a tough one, Nerris Palada. What if I ordered you to dance, as your lady? Would you?"

       "I would have to consult Medon. I'm not sure of the rules of propriety in such instances--"

       "Oh, bother propriety." Aledine grabbed him by the arm and hiked up the front of her dress with her other hand, marching them toward the dancing area.

       Nerris was scared out of his mind, but didn't pull away for fear of the scene it might cause. When she found a space to her liking, she placed on of his hands on her waist and put her free arm around his shoulders, all while keeping her other hand locked with his. Nerris fell into the rhythm of the dance, a spinning three-step which carried them in a revolution around the dance floor.

      "You dance well," Aledine said after a few minutes of silent dancing. "Are you sure you're not really a noble?"

      "Positive," Nerris said. "My mother taught this dance to our village once, at a wedding."

      "So what brings you all the way here from the Great Oak Forest?"

      "My friends and I came here to attend Gauntlet," Nerris said. Then he remembered their cover story. "Unfortunately, we're a bit low on coin so we've been hiring ourselves out as help. We worked for Lord Branden's household before we came here."

       "Did you?" The song ended, and Aledine took a step back from him. She gave him a curtsy, and Nerris bowed in return, following the example of all the dancers around them. Aledine grabbed his arm again, as if afraid he might run away now that the dance was over. "Come with me."

      She led him to the foot of the dais where the lord's high seat rested. Two noblewomen were having an animated conversation as they approached, and the older of the two glanced their way. She was dressed in similar fashion to Aledine, but her gown was brown and two diamonds hung from her ears.

      "Aledine, goodsister," she said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "I see you finally decided to join us."

      "These parties are not really my thing," Aledine said. "Nerris, this is my brother's wife, Lady Gracelyn. Grace, this is Nerris, one of our new servants and excellent dancer."

      Nerris bowed deeply. "Milady."

      Aledine sighed. "I've been trying to break him of that habit."

       "You should not mingle with the servants like this." Lady Gracelyn clucked at Aledine with disapproval. "You will have to forgive her forwardness, Nerris. Our Aledine is a very unique young lady."

       "Of course," Nerris said. "She honors me with her attention."

       "Nerris recently left service at Bran's Bay," Aledine said. "He worked for your father."

        Nerris's eyes went wide, but Lady Gracelyn's face lit up. "Ah! I do not remember you, Nerris, but I have been living here since my wedding and have not yet had the opportunity to visit my old home. Tell me, how fares my father?"

        Nerris could feel himself blushing again. Of all the noble families for the Brandens to marry into. He was going to kill Jhareth! "He is... well, milady. I must confess I have not had much interaction with him lately." Or ever, for that matter.

        Gracelyn's brow furrowed. "Odd. He was stricken with a bad gout shortly after my wedding and has been abed for the last year."

        "I mean, he is well considering," Nerris said. "Of course, all know of Lord Branden's unfortunate condition. He struggles at times, but holds up admirably. We often forget about his delicate health, such is his vigor."

         Lord Feigh's wife smiled. "That's my father for you, always trying to do everything himself. I expect he would still be inspecting the guard and sitting in on common queries even if his servants have to carry his bed around the keep." She nodded. "Thank you for indulging our Aledine, Nerris. I am sure you have much to do."

        Nerris knew a dismissal when he heard one, and bowed once more. He left with some haste, not daring to look over his shoulder to see if Aledine was watching him go. He knew his face had continued to blush throughout the whole ordeal, and he could feel the red creeping around the back of his neck now. He went back to the table where he left his tray and chuckled to himself. He was making a big deal out of the momentary fancy of a spoiled noblewoman. He shouldn't feel so embarrassed.

         The tapestry adorning the wall behind the table suddenly shifted, startling Nerris. A low hissing came from within, and he stepped around to have a better look. He could see part of someone's face peering out, with only a mouth and hooked nose visible.

        "Jhareth?" he said. "Is that you?"

        "Well, it's not the King of Faerna," came his friend's reply.

        "What are you doing back there?"

        "I sneaked in. Me and Dist need your help."

        "I thought you were supposed to be this master thief," Nerris said.

        "We can't get down into the cellars," Jhareth said. "There are two guards in the main passage. I need you to snag two bottles of wine and meet me in the bailey."

       Nerris had a hard time keeping the laughter in at the sight of Jhareth's rat-like face peeking out from behind the large wall hanging. And much like the rat, he scurried back inside as two guests came over to the table to admire the ice sculpture. Nerris recalled how much Dist resembled a chipmunk when he smiled, due to his prominent front teeth and chubby cheeks. He wondered what kind of rodent that made him.

4. Cellar Heist

        "Put this on." Jhareth thrust a dark gray cloak into Nerris's hands. "If you go out in the moonlight wearing that tunic, you'll glow like a firefly."

        They stood in the bailey, up against the main keep where the longest shadows were cast. Jhareth had already donned his cloak, and he took the wine bottles from Nerris so he could throw his over his shoulders. They kept low, heading around the keep to the north end and entered through a side door. The passage to the cellar was dark, lit only by a few torches. They found Dist, also cloaked, crouched down beside two of them.

        "Did you get the wine?" he asked.

        "Of course," Jhareth said. "Are the guards still there?"

        "Haven't budge an inch."

        "All right, just follow my lead."

        Jhareth led them around the corner, where two men-at-arms stood in front of an opening arched in stone. They each wore a conical half helm and ring mail, with longswords strapped to their belts. Their eyes narrowed suspiciously as the three approached.

        "What business have you?" the younger of the two asked.

        "We came from the party," Jhareth said. "Lord Feigh himself asked us to come down here and give you this token of appreciation for standing here in the dark on such a clear and festive night." He handed one of the wine bottles to the older guard, whose eyes brightened a bit at the sight.

        "This looks like good vintage," he said. "His lordship is too kind."

        The younger guard still looked dubious. "Looks a little too good for the likes of us. You say you came from the party?"

        The older guard worked out the cork and took a swig. The young guard looked at him a bit longingly and finally reached for the bottle when his comrade was finished. Jhareth motioned to Nerris and Dist, and walked through the arch.

        "Just where are you going, lad?" the older guard asked.

        "I have another bottle of wine to deliver to the guards on the south parapet," Jhareth said. "You don't mind if we cut through here, do you? We'll have to walk all the way around the castle, otherwise."

        "Right, right." The sentry waved him off. "Give Lord Feigh our thanks."

        Nerris remembered the map they had memorized at Delwen's shop and realized Jhareth was correct. He and Dist had not been able to keep all the intricate corridors of the castle in their heads, but Jhareth had soaked it all in with minimal effort.

       They turned another corner and took an adjacent passage to an oak door. The iron rung which acted as a handle was padlocked to another iron ring hanging from the wall. Jhareth worked out the cork on the second wine bottle and took a long swig.

        "Isn't that for the other guards?" Nerris asked.

        "There are no other guards," Jhareth said. "I checked."

        "Then why did you want two bottles?"

       "I was thirsty."

        Nerris took the wine from him. "Save some for me. I was the one who had to work that stuffed shirt affair for the past three hours." He took a drink himself. The wine was indeed rich and flavorful, fruity in taste. He handed the bottle off to Dist.

       "You didn't look like you were working very hard when I got there," Jhareth said. "It must be nice getting to dance with beautiful women."

       "Huh?" Dist asked.

       "Our lord's sister took a fancy to Nerris," Jhareth said.

       "She didn't." Nerris was glad it was dark so his friends could not see him blushing again. "I think she's just a bit lonely, is all. She's a noble, so she probably doesn't have that many real friends."

       Dist hung back to stand watch at the corridor's entrance with the wine while Jhareth drew out a lockpick from his belt. He went to work on the padlock. It was only a minute before he heard the locking bolt pop open. Jhareth carefully removed the lock and chain from the door and set them on the stone floor.

       Nerris grabbed one of the torches and they entered the storeroom. "You sure this is the right place?" he asked.

       "I whittled away at several servants, and they all said the same thing," Jhareth said. "This is where the old Lord Feigh kept the frivolous purchases he never got around to displaying in the castle."

       The room was filled with tables and crates and baubles, and tarps were draped over many of the objects. It was obvious no one had been here in a while. A thin layer of dust covered everything in the room. The space was not overly large, and made less so by the clutter. After some digging, they found what they were looking for.

       Jhareth lifted the tarp from a stone idol about the size of a small wheel of cheese. It was carved very lifelike. Almost human in shape, the figure crouched on flat feet. It had a bald head and clawed hands, along with many sharp teeth and pointed ears. Bat-like wings hung folded at its back. The eyes were hollow, but Nerris could not stare into them for long. It gave him a very odd, nervous feeling.

       "Exactly like Delwen described." Jhareth lifted the idol with one hand. "It's lighter than I expected."

       They edged out of the storeroom as quietly as possible. Nerris put the torch back while Jhareth relocked the door. When they rejoined Dist, the wine bottle was nearly half empty. "Lush," Jhareth accused him, snatching the bottle. Nerris rolled his eyes. It was Jhareth who had recently discovered ale and insisted on stopping at every roadside tavern they could find whenever he had spare coin.

       "What now?" Dist asked.

       "We hide this thing in my satchel." Jhareth held up the idol. "Tomorrow we leave the castle on some errand and collect our pay. We wait a few days, then regretfully inform Medon that we're leaving his service. That room hadn't been cleaned in a long time. It should be months before anyone figures out something is missing."

       They wound their way through the cellars, which ended in a stone arch similar to the one on the other side of the castle, opening into a wide hallway.

       "See?" Jhareth gestured to the empty arch. "No one on duty."

       It wasn't until they turned the corner that they nearly stumbled over the guards. There were three of them, crouched on the carpet playing dice. Nerris, Dist and Jhareth froze in their tracks as the sentries looked up. They hastily put away the dice as the nearest man stood.

       "I thought you checked for guards," Nerris muttered to Jhareth.

       "So did I."

5. The Hidden Door

        "You three," the guard said. "What is your business here?" He eyed the idol. "And where did you find that?"

        Jhareth pulled his hood over his face, trying to hide himself as best he could, and Nerris and Dist did the same. "Just an errand for Medon. The lord wants this displayed in the south garden to frighten away the crows."

        The other guards were standing now, hands on their sword hilts. "They inform us when someone is being sent to retrieve from the stores." He spotted the half-empty bottle of wine. "You've been stealing from the wine cellars too, I see."

       "I tell you, Medon sent us," Jhareth said.

        The guard smirked. "Is that right? Well, let's go see him, then." He turned to his comrades. "I'll take care of these boys. Wait here for my return."

        Jhareth took a swig of wine and spit it full in the guard's face as he turned back to face them. The man cried out in surprise, and Jhareth shifted the bottle so he was holding it by the neck. He swung the wide end toward the guard's face, and the blow connected with a dull thunk. The sentry grunted in pain and fell to the floor in a heap. The other guards drew their blades and advanced on them.

       Jhareth took off in the opposite direction, and Nerris and Dist had no choice but to follow. The guards shouted behind them, their voices echoing throughout the hall. Nerris hoped Jhareth had been as vigilant as he seemed in memorizing the castle layout, because those shouts would rouse more guards before long.

       "Split up," Jhareth told them. "We'll meet at the south parapet."

       Nerris grunted and took off down an adjacent corridor. He remembered this part of the castle now, and knew this path led out toward the bailey. After taking a few more hallways, he emerged into the moonlight. Shouts rang out from several places in the castle, and Nerris hoped they were savvy enough not to be cornered.

       He took off across the bailey, keeping to the shadows. When he neared the south parapet, he looked up to see if any sentries were passing by. Because he wasn't watching where he was going, he collided with someone and both of them went down in a heap. Nerris reached inside his tunic and drew the knife he carried, but it wasn't a guard. The moaning voice beneath him was female, though she certainly swore like a guard. Nerris caught a glimpse of bright blonde hair beneath the hood.

       "Aledine?" he asked.

       "Nerris," she said, and he wondered if he had the same surprised tone in his voice.

        Nerris got to his feet and dusted himself off, and helped then noblewoman up. "What are you doing out here, milady?"

        "I might ask you the same," she said. "I thought you were still working the party."

        Nerris looked her up and down. She wore a traveler's cloak and a common tunic underneath, with wool leggings. "Are you going somewhere?" he asked.

        Several shouts interrupted them. Nerris spun around to find a guard advancing on him his blade drawn. "There you are, you dirty thieves. Where's your other friend?"

       Before Nerris could answer, Aledine threw herself into him and wrapped Nerris's arm, the one holding the knife, around her clavicle. "Don't come any closer," she warned. "He has a knife to my throat!"

       The guard blinked. "Lady Aledine?"

       "What are you doing?" Nerris muttered.

       "Getting you out of her alive," she whispered.

       "Unhand her, brigand!" the guard shouted.

       "Go get help," Aledine said so convincingly that Nerris was nearly convinced she really was his hostage. "This man is ruthless. I've seen him kill three others all by himself."

       The guard hesitated for a moment and then ran, shouting for help. Nerris released Aledine. "Thanks a heap," he said. "As if things weren't bad enough. Now I can murder and kidnapping to my list of charges."

       "I don't know what's going on," Aledine said, "but you're such a nice boy I can't bear to see you hang. Come with me. I know where the postern gate is. We can... look out!"

       Nerris heard the charging cry at the last moment and ducked out of the way as a sword passed over his head. Aledine shrank back against the wall as the guard came at Nerris again, blade in hand. Nerris ducked another cut and lashed out, punching the guard in the face. Both of them cried out, the guard holding his nose and Nerris cradling his hand.

       "Come on!" Aledine grabbed his wrist and dragged him back the way he had come.

       "I think he broke my hand," Nerris said as he ran.

       Aledine giggled. "You're going to have to learn how to hit better than that if you want to make it in Gauntlet, Nerris Palada."

© Copyright 2026 Nicholas Andrews. All rights reserved.