Chapter 3518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeX5oILOAy5
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"You've found it," I told the man.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSIfCjKZ4Fv
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He had an air of authority despite his obvious fatigue. "Then please call her girl. I have important business to discuss and don't have all day to do it in."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe5cakFdAOP
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I wiped my hands on my apron and sighed. "Sir, I don't know what your important business could possibly be since I know you not but go ahead and get it done."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL3KlxyLyKR
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"It is private. For the Widow's ears alone."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA2CQ7qlLCQ
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I gave him the look Mizz Marta would give to those who were being silly on purpose and said, "I don't see my ears getting away any time soon for their own privacy so as I said, speak."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkX4qhW9rnm
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The man looked at me and then looked at me more closely ... too closely. "You?! You are the Widow Linder?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ULPuIaqx3
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"I'm the only one called such around here. There are two others by that title so perhaps your business is with them; but to reach them you'll need to go to Linderhall."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2FsGbHKReL
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He shook his head. "I've just come from there."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlucuKaKjCp
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"Widows Ceena and Tonya were not there?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTzeyUaeYRk
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Rather than answer directly he asked, "Word has not been brought here?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVhljnIjz8C
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"What word? And honestly why would any word from them come to me anyway? Perhaps you are mistaken and you are looking for the Mayor's home."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGeukjkSP2l
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"No." He stopped and scowled but I got the impression it wasn't directed at me. Slowly and carefully, like one who is wary of jokes, he asked, "Are you truly the Widow Linder? The third wife of the old Guardian?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgfgejFQlu
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"Yes."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLSVIRYVTv
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"Well ... Marta said I was missing some of the facts but I had no idea ..." Suddenly he remembered his hat and took it off and asked, "May I come in?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0n6nf59kP
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"I would prefer if we took our business in the dooryard if you please."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW8V7Ya20L2
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He nodded in acceptance and then moved aside so I could step out. I pointed to a set of stone benches and there we sat. He seemed unable to find his tongue so I asked, "You know Mizz Marta? Is she well?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtGgD4atL4c
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"Recovering. Most of the household is."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvDAJGJulg
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"Recovering?" I asked in alarm. "And the rest of the household as well? What has happened?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKL9C6Eg3Ha
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"Someone claiming to be a messenger from the Great Council weaseled their way passed the guards. We too late found that the documents he carried for identification were fake. He came from one of the borderlands but we did not find out at whose direction before his death. He carried some kind of plague, intentional or not is unknown."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqxpaUPr5o
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"An anarchist?" I asked, referring to those that fought against the loose confederation of regions that worked together to deal with lands across the waters. My husband had had trouble with them and cursed about them on a regular basis.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhMkdEWy7F
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"Possibly."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD4ulNjUuXE
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I stopped to try and order my thoughts. "Does Mizz Marta need my help? I will do anything that I can."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm5V3VgHeva
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"It is ... more than that. Though I did not believe her at first when she said that you would come. Yet you accept so quickly."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB2gLvN2tKN
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I shrugged. "I owe her my life. Anything I have to give is hers to have."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RrmPQci0s
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He crossed his arms and sighed. "Are you certain you know none of this? A rider was sent out more than two weeks ago. He came back saying he delivered his news."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCRUWEMYdNq
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I shrugged again. "I do not go about in town much. Though, it is strange that my cousin did not tell me. Nat would have heard anything that is common knowledge as he is a Brother at the church."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCwwZXDZwY
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The man shook his head. "The messenger was sent to the Mayor with instructions to get word to you."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2ApCYhdJjH
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Carefully I blanked my face and tried to look pleasant the way that the comportment teacher had taught me to behave when I had to be in public at Linderhall. "I am sure it is merely an oversight or perhaps the rider did not ..."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFj6BMy0VR2
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He shook his head. "It is not your concern to bear. I'll find out the truth of it, for now I have need of speech with you."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnuonLr6oAB
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"Then speak," I told him hoping he would get to the point whatever it might be.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrsVezElmZm
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"You are the widow of my father's cousin."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgLwhxwfAw
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"If you say so. The genealogies of the Linders were not considered ... they were not considered part of what was necessary for me to know."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpyLkvi1lh
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Understanding more than I was comfortable with he nodded. "Aye. The old Guardian was called The Linder as most before him were. My father descends through the same line and same name though it was never in his mind that he'd inherit the seat on the Council that his cousin filled. It was with some surprise that we all heard the news and our move from our holdings by necessity was fast and unfortunately disorderly. We were informed only vaguely what we would be stepping into; however, it was expected that Father would have the care of three widows when he took over the job." I saw his distaste but whether it was for caring for three widows, the fact that there were three widows to care for, or for the "job" itself I'm not certain.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1y70pFcVsT
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"Well obviously he did not. I am sorry if it has caused the new Guardian any problems."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY338vyPvwx
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"Humph. The two were enough with their constant quoting of Old Law to make it seem like Father should marry them and put them back where they belonged in status."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXEMAeORqb2
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I kept my face as pleasant as I could.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxuBrSc2j5B
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"Hmmm. It does not seem a surprise to you. Did you not want to be part of such as scheme?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABUk0c3fUM
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"Ceena and Tonya would have ... preferred ... to keep their own counsel on such matters. Perhaps you should speak to them about it."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡECQrjpmHyk
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"Can't. Unless you wish me to dig them up out of the church yard and I doubt they'd tell me much even then."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgXXmE24fSi
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I felt the blood drain from my face and settle some place down in my slippers. "You did not say ... did the ... the plague ..."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgK9Ei6vtx
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"Aye," he said. "And I apologize for baring the news to you in such a way. I needed to know if you were playing tricks."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjEqD1oHFZ7
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"About what? And why would I do ... ?" I shook my head and stood up completely shocked.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGk5tUQm5V
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"Aye. As I said, you have my apologies." He stood as soon as I did and swore softly beneath his breath speaking of great frustration and no respect for my presence.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSQMCaX9voF
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I said, "I do not know why you are here but if it was this news to deliver then you've done so. You've done your duty so you may leave."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODaave98LJ
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"Damn, I've handled this like a chucklehead." He paced a bit before asking me to sit down. I did so only reluctantly and he quickly sat as well as if he was worried that I would run off if he did not.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPspwBdFeUd
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Before he could put voice to his frustration I asked, "How bad was the plague? Were many in the household taken off by the angels?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGUKbCYbXm
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"Fewer than should have been thanks to Marta but the damage it did do was more than sufficient. My Father and his Consort, Dwen Lafayette; Widows Ceena and Tonya; the Sheriff; and a few other key understaff."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWd7pCo7y1f
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"The belowstairs?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSrBidlA1ZE
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"No deaths but many illnesses as they trusted themselves to Marta's potions faster than the above stairs did. It has left the Hall in disarray."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHKwgcpTAU
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"And right at harvest time."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡac651GdYI3
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"Aye, you see it. Marta said you would."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zrJLU6myw
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"You mentioned your father's passing. So you are the new Guardian?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2Mmw3zk74
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"No, thank all that's holy. My brother is and better suited to the nightmare of it than I would ever be. He thrives on all of the intrigue and politics. And his wife is much the same." He shuddered.518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL0GbQv5wyE
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"I'm afraid I still do not know what it is you seek from me." He stood up again and I suddenly realized he reminded me of a military man. "Have you brought your troops with you?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtDj6NEdR1
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"What? Has something been said?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2kyRO3q4w
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I shrugged. "I have no idea. You simply remind me of the Mayor's Captain when you stood like that. I'm afraid it is my turn to apologize now for speaking out of line."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOgc7MUHaUE
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The man relaxed. "No need. I was a Captain in my father's guard before he became Guardian. My job changed somewhat when he inherited. My brother has a mind to keep me close so as to have an ally ... at least until the line of succession is secured and made peace with." He set his shoulders and then forced himself to sit once again. I wondered if he was beginning to feel like a child's toy with the constant popping up and down. "Widow Linder ... er ... Leeda. May I call you that?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZOwTemoph
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"Given your status you can call me what you choose."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P0vXTFGos
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He sighed. "This isn't going at all like I had planned. I had expected to find a woman not a ..."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vgG1mlNfQ
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I shook my head, the man surely wasn't happy and not the least bit a smooth talker. Trying to hide the irony I told him, "Dispense with the flattery Sir and simply state your business."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjijKOtgmBq
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He started to rub his eyes and then his mouth fell open when I slapped his hands and told him, "Stop that. You've probably been touching all manner of filth on the road between Linderhall and here. Do you wish to rub it into your eyes and cause an infection?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDZrAvOU0Vu
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Then he barked a tired laugh. "You sound just like April." At my inquiring look he said, "My older sister. And I suppose it will be simpler to treat you as such. The Hall is in need of more ... something ... organizing ... ordering about ... than any of us can give it. Marta gives what guidance she can but my sister in law is ... is ... To put it bluntly she is fit for the board room and bedroom but not for the running of an establishment like the Hall. My sisters do what they can but Wendolyn can be a bit touchy about status and what she sees as implied criticism ... not to mention she is six months gone with her first child and the worry of it and the danger left behind by the plague is driving my brother mad when he needs all his focus."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7PtRFAyQ4
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"I still do not see ..."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaHq8zQmum
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"It is the damned issue of status again. It is Wendolyn's bread and butter and she is oversensitive right now. But as a widow of the old Guardian ..."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBg0no5XLL
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My face must have been a sight because he stopped in surprise and then laughed. "You look like you've bitten into an unripe persimmon."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3sdinmJ8zd
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Trying to school my features I said, "I beg your pardon."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡypxP8uOYiP
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"Don't. This is the first laugh I've had in ... in a long time. And it at least lets me know that if you come back to the Hall it will not be for love of what you left behind or desire to have it back."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4GW7wL7w5
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I shook my head. "No. It would not be because of that. Still ... there's Marta ..."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeY0vjAYTJG
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"And if she was herself and full of strength I have no doubt that woman could manage Wendolyn quite well, but she isn't and in fact is who sent me for you."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG6rdnR8bP7
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"Mizz Marta is asking for me? For true?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT0EZTVDRy0
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"Aye."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8kryJZaPcU
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"Then why didn't you say so. Of course I'll go to her."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlN75XhC5xF
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"Slow down. This will not be for a few days or even a few weeks. It will likely be the work of the whole harvest and then the winter. Perhaps even the Spring as well."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXoqKVbJF35
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I shrugged. "It's not like I have anything else to do. When do you want to leave?"518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzopVj2GkVn
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"I would like to ride out now but I must pay a visit to the Mayor of Harper." From the look on his face I knew it wasn't just to tell Rom's father Bless You and Yours. "Two days ..."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP3fYfvYPLt
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"Make it four if you please. I would like to see my cousin Nat on his way and it will give me time to shut up the cabin against the seasons while I am gone."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc7YU3dQ2Fa
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"So be it. I will stop by again to discuss travel arrangements."518Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV4B1mQoddM
Penana
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