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“I am glad that you have brought your maid servant with you. Will she be able to help with the household duties?”
"Indeed, she shall," said Wynflaed, for it was always important to get a second set of eyes in the household, and one often saw more things from below than above, where people were more likely to hide. "Of course, if the additional burden of men becomes too much, I can look into hiring another hand. And," she added, "in the worst of emergencies, all may--and often must--work."
Her mind returned to Kara, who was now working through the large stacks of dishes. It would be well to ease this one's mind, if only to make the rest of the kitchen more harmonious, and thus better working. Strange, how the politics of the country mirrored those of Edoras so clearly!
Ginna was the one who had just left for the Hall, which left Frodides and Modtryth. She had committed each name to its face quickly--a skill Wynflaed had always prided herself on--and that latter name sounded uncouth on her tongue. The inkling that she had had at the welcoming feast grew. She would have to speak with Saeryn about that woman--but not until their privacy was assured.
In the meantime, though, she wished to know more about Saeryn herself, but the lady was modest and circumspect--admirable qualities, but not conducive to Wynflaed's better knowledge. She finished her porridge, took the bowl up to Kara, and murmured some perfunctory words of encouragement to the whole staff.
"Whither next?" she asked Saeryn. "And why not start by telling me somewhat of your parents, or how you came to be at Scarburg?"
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