YOU CAN NEVER GO HOME

 
A knock at the door offered a reprieve as the servants brought in some tea and bread. Gabrielle gratefully helped herself to both, and the room was quiet for a few moments, each person lost in thought.
“She was trying to escape.” the King got up to retrieve his quill.
“She was sent here as a spy!” Gareth thundered, then bent down and saved the King his trouble. Gareth looked back at Gabrielle. “That’s right, she’s here for one reason- to gather information and take it back to that…that-” he spat angrily onto the floor “that bastard brother of hers.”
Gabrielle stood up in an effort to ease the tension, both in her body and the room. She walked slowly around to the back of the chair, running her hands over it.
“Ok….can someone tell me just who she is. And her- bastard brother, too.” she looked at Gareth expectantly.
“Now people, I say that swearing belongs out in the stables, not in the castle.”
“Sorry.” Gabrielle and Gareth said in unison, and the King leaned back, twirling the quill.
Gareth cleared his throat. “Nobody should be tricked by the pretty face on that witch, because that’s what she is, trying to cast this sympathy spell and pull us all in like fools.”
“Gareth, just tell me, who is she?” Gabrielle was now growing impatient.
“The sister of the most powerful, ambitious warlord in the area.”
“Oh.” Gabrielle suddenly felt the urge to sit back down. She seated herself uneasily. “Go on.”
“Perhaps you’ve heard of the Captaris clan?” he asked. Gabrielle shook her head.
“That’s how it is, with travelers. You either bring the news or have no idea what it is.” the King sighed.
“The father, Captaris, was a warlord of the more common type, the type we can deal with. Several years ago he was killed. His oldest son, it seems, is far more ambitious. Bast-” Gareth looked sideways at the King and grimaced.
“So the son is a warlord, not the daughter.” Gabrielle took her chance to interject.
“Before you think her so innocent, let me tell you this. It’s been said that she recruits the men, trains the troops. It’s rumored she even lays out the battle plans. I’ve heard she scouts ahead for their next target. A pretty face can get you many places.”
“So you’ve heard a lot of rumors. Has she been seen in any battles? Any towns?”
Gareth threw up his hands. “Are you trying to defend her? Captaris- it’s bad blood, Gabrielle, trust me. They all want the same thing. It’s how they’re raised, it’s in their blood.”
“Gabrielle, we thought maybe you could help.” the King shifted, and scratched at his head with the quill.
“No, you think she can help. You know how I want to deal with this.” Gareth fumed.
“I think…” the King started slowly, rolling his eyes at Gareth, “that no matter what she is, she could be a great resource- if she would talk.”
“Spies don’t talk, they observe.” Gareth garnered glares from both parties as he interrupted.
“Ahem….as I was saying, if she would talk. Of course, she would need someone to talk to….” he looked pointedly at Gabrielle, who sat up as she realized what he was saying.
“You want me to spy on her?” she got up from the chair.
“Not spy, just be… friendly. If she likes you, maybe she’ll say something. Something we can all use to…resolve this situation.”
“I am a friendly person. Of course I’ll be friendly to her. She’s been nice to me.”
“So you’ll do it then, you’ll stay on a few days?” the King sounded hopeful.
Gabrielle surprised herself with her response. “Yes.”
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