As morning dawned upon Esarhaddon's villa, the merchant's guests readied themselves for the day and began the tedious process of packing up all of their belongings. Many suffered from pounding heads and queasy stomachs, an unfortunate consequence of imbibing too much wine the night before. A complimentary breakfast was served in the great hall of the manor, but a good number of guests decided to set out early, relying upon the provisions they had brought with them to sate their hunger, or stopping at inns along the way. Laborers began tearing down vacated pavilions and cleaning up the debris of the celebration from the fields adjacent to the manor house. Before the morning passed into afternoon, there would be little evidence left to attest that a celebration had taken place there the day before.

Abaru and Cóldir stood together in the great hall as their fathers engaged in a lengthy farewell ritual, expressing great regret in parting ways, wishing blessings upon each other's houses, and sharing last-minute revelations which necessitated the repetition of the first two stages of the ritual. The two boys had their own forms of saying goodbye which were far less grandiose, and they reflected upon the high points of the celebration with smiles and laughter. Cóldir relived the excitement of his first hunt, and Abaru waxed poetic about a pretty girl with whom he had danced at the feast. The day would have been a perfect one had it not been for the unpleasant encounter with horrid Hyrano and his equally horrid friends. Abaru and Cóldir did not know if the governor's son and his companions had been serious when they had threatened to have them sent to the mines, but the boys now despised the band of louts even more than they had previously.

"It looks like our fathers are on the verge of finishing their business." Abaru cast a glance towards the two men, who were embracing and clapping each other on the back. Cóldir's mother stood nearby, waiting patiently for her husband to leave the hall. "I hope we will be able to visit again soon."

"I would wager that our fathers will see each other before we do," Cóldir remarked with a sigh. "With all of these caravan raids happening in Northern Harad, I suspect that the Governor of the Southern Province will call another meeting and request that all of the members of the Southern Merchants' Council be present."

"I must confess that my father has spoken little of the raids," Abaru admitted, lowering his voice. "He suffered for many long days from a strange and debilitating illness, and his return to health is a recent development."

"I am glad that your father is feeling better now." Cóldir cast an inconspicuous glance towards Esarhaddon, who had turned his attention to another guest. Now ready to depart for home, Cóldir's parents waved him over. "My family approaches, so I must take my leave."

The two boys embraced, and Abaru felt a melancholy gloom spread through the hollow of his chest as he watched his friend walk away. His mind returned to his childhood, remembering the sad-eyed eight-year-old boy who showed up at the villa one day. Cóldir had been sent there by his father, who hoped that the two boys would become childhood friends and ultimately go on to forge powerful mercantile alliances as grown men. Cóldir had stayed at the villa for three years, returning to his father's estate when he turned eleven. Abaru remembered those days fondly, recalling the many times that he and Cóldir had played together from dawn to dusk, all those blissful hours spent in childish pursuits of adventure and amusement.

Now Abaru spent his days listening to an old man discuss business and poetry. While he enjoyed his apprenticeship with Shakh Sandana, he missed the carefree days of his childhood when he was free to spend his time as he wished after concluding his studies for the day. He supposed that was part of growing up. He did not have to like it, however.

"I want Hild and Fleda to be my maids!" Kabtu angrily crossed his arms over his chest and gave Chamberlain Nobo a hard stare. The eunuch was very tall, so the little boy had to crane his neck at an uncomfortable angle, but he refused to back down. Any concession to one's opponent was a milder form of surrender.

One eyebrow cocked quizzically, Nobo looked down at Kabtu. "Why those two?"

"They are far livelier and more entertaining than Mistress Unna," Kabtu stated matter-of-factly. "If I must have a maid, I would rather have one who will play with me and make me laugh. Since Mistress Unna is sick today, could Hild and Fleda take care of me instead?"

Nobo tried not to chuckle. "As I told you before, that is a matter which would have to be approved by Headmistress Juna. She determines the tasks assigned to each student, and whether they work in the school or in the manor."

"But you could ask her for me, could you not?" Switching strategies from anger to entreaty, Kabtu tried to make his eyes look as large and innocent as possible.

"I will approach Mistress Juna with your request, but I cannot give you any assurances that she will agree to your proposal," Nobo told him, conceding at last to the demands of his young charge.

"Oh, thank you, Nobo!" Kabtu exclaimed, clapping his hands together. "I really hope she does!"

"So Kabtu wants Hild and Fleda to serve as his maids in Unna's stead?"

An amused expression upon her face, Mistress Juna smiled at Nobo, who was seated on the divan across the table from her. When the chamberlain of the manor had paid her a visit, she had feared that something was amiss; she had not been expecting such a harmless request. The headmistress sat with her back to the window, the morning sun streaming around her to illuminate the small office and cast light upon the various notes and letters scattered over the surface of her writing table.

"Yes, he was quite adamant," Nobo chuckled. "He was very offended when I told him that I could not grant him his request, but rather it would have to be approved by you."

"The care of Shakh Esarhaddon's children is seldom put in the hands of novices," Juna stated, her brow furrowing. "I have not witnessed for myself the twins' skill in caring for children, although I do remember them saying they had a little brother."

Deciding to check the student records, the headmistress rose to her feet and walked over to a wall composed of cedar drawers from floor to ceiling. Coming to the drawers which had been assigned to Elfhild and Elffled, she retrieved the parchments within and returned to her desk. She leafed through the notes she had compiled after her initial interview with each sister, as well as the records of their academic progress since they had been brought to the School of Industry.

"Just as I thought," Juna remarked, lifting her head to look at Nobo. "Hild and Fleda were common peasants in their homeland and claim to possess basic knowledge in a variety of skills, including minding children. They helped look after their little brother, who was five years younger, as well as their cousin, a girl of seven."

Nobo leaned against the back of the divan and clasped his hands over his broad chest. "Do you think that Hild and Fleda would be worthy keepers of the Master's son?"

A pensive expression passed over Juna's face as she reflected upon the question. "Esarhaddon has spoken highly of both Hild and Fleda, so I see no harm in allowing them to watch over Kabtu," she said at last. "However, it would only be for today, since classes resume tomorrow. One of the other servants will have to mind Kabtu until Unna is well enough to resume her duties." She pushed the twins' files to the side; she would return them to their proper place once the chamberlain had left. She was glad that school had been postponed until the morrow so that the students could have a holiday. They certainly deserved it after working all day and night to ensure that the master's celebration went smoothly. For that matter, she deserved a holiday as well.

"Very well, I trust your judgement on this matter," Nobo replied with a nod of his head. "I will inform Hild and Fleda of their new assignment posthaste."

"Tell me another story!" Kabtu exclaimed, his big brown eyes pleading.

"Another... story?" Elfhild let out a little laugh of dismay, her left eye beginning to twitch.

When Chamberlain Nobo had come into the dining hall during breakfast that morning, he had told her and Elffled that they had been chosen for a high honor: watching over Esarhaddon's seven-year-old son. They had both been very surprised by these tidings, for they had not realized that they had made such an impression upon the little boy. Kabtu had wanted to go to the garden which lay between the manor and the school, and then he wanted to hear a story. Elfhild had told him the tale of Felaróf, Father of the Mearas and steed of Eorl the Young, and when Kabtu had demanded more, she had given him an account of Helm Hammerhand and the war with the Dunlendings during the Long Winter. She had hoped that this would satisfy him, but it seemed that the boy's appetite for stories was insatiable.

Now she had just finished telling him the tale of Fram the Dragonslayer, who slew the fearsome dragon Scatha in the days when the ancestors of the Rohirrim dwelt in the North, and her voice was becoming quite tired.

"Perhaps we could do something else," Elffled suggested, sensing her sister's distress.

Elfhild gave her twin a look of gratitude. "Is there anything in particular that interests you, young master?"

Kabtu scrunched his face in thought, and then his eyes lit up in an excited smile. "I know! We could have a picnic!"

"That sounds like a wonderful idea," Elffled exclaimed, suddenly feeling the nagging clutch of hunger tighten around her stomach. "However, we would need to pack provisions to take with us. You cannot have a picnic without food."

"We can go to the kitchen and ask the serving maids and scullions to prepare a meal for us," Kabtu suggested. "There will be lots of food left over from the feast."

"Will the head cook not mind?" A vision of the red-faced cook came charging through Elfhild's mind like an enraged bull, and she saw him screaming and waving his wooden spoon wildly through the air as he terrorized the kitchen.

"Baukaur is always kind to me and gives me sweets," Kabtu replied cheerfully. "It is Zereshka, the chief of the scullery, who is the mean one."

Elfhild and Elffled were skeptical of Kabtu's claims, but nevertheless they followed him to the kitchen. They remembered how harsh Master Baukaur had been towards the students who were acting as serving and scullery maids. Whenever someone made a mistake, no matter how small, he acted as though they were responsible for the gravest of calamities ever to be committed in a kitchen. Then his spoon would go flying through the air, smacking against the wall and splattering sauce over the stucco like the spray of blood from a wound.

Expecting Master Baukaur to fall into a rage at the mere sight of them, Elfhild and Elffled were quite surprised by the reception which Kabtu received. True to the little boy's word, Baukaur greeted him fondly, as though he were a beloved grandchild. As for the twins, the cook paid little attention to them, considering them part of the young master's entourage and therefore of little significance. Baukaur listened with charmed amusement to Kabtu's request for provisions, and then ordered the kitchen staff to begin preparing a picnic meal fit for a prince. After witnessing the cook's violent outbursts the previous night, the two sisters were astonished by the man's sudden change of temperament.

Suspicious of anything which seemed too good to be true, Elffled wondered if Baukaur was only being friendly to Kabtu because he wanted to impress the boy's father. She did sense sincerity in the cook's actions, though, so perhaps he was more hospitable towards children than he was with adults. As she waited for the food to be prepared and packed away in a basket for carrying, she glanced around at the other workers in the kitchen. They were hard at work preparing the midday meal, which mostly consisted of excess food left over from the feast. Her gaze fell upon a tall, slender woman who was cutting up carrots on a chopping board. As the knife sliced again and again through the flesh of the carrot, the woman stared unwaveringly at Kabtu, as though it was his flesh she wished to slice. A shiver rolled down Elffled's spine at the intense hatred she saw in the woman's eyes. Was this Zereshka, whom Kabtu had mentioned earlier?

At that moment, Elffled's attention was drawn to the door, where Abaru had just sauntered into the kitchen. Squealing with joy, Kabtu rushed forward to meet him, hugging him about the middle.

"Kabtu!" Abaru laughed, holding the exuberant boy at arm's length. "I see that you have beaten me to the kitchen yet again. I suppose I should be grateful that there is an abundance of food, or else you might eat it all and leave nothing for me." His gaze went to the twins. "I also see that you brought company with you as well."

"We are going to have a picnic," Kabtu exclaimed, hopping up and down with joy. "Will you come with us?"

"Perhaps." Crossing his arms over his chest, Abaru leaned against the nearest wall as he indulgently listened to his brother. "Where are you going to have your picnic?"

"My favorite spot – down by the stream."

"The stream, eh?" Abaru contemplated the matter for a moment. "It has been a while since I visited the water. All right then, I will go with you. And your servants." He grinned over at Elfhild and Elffled.

The sisters exchanged glances. It seemed that both of Esarhaddon's sons would be their responsibility that afternoon. They hoped they would be able to keep the boys entertained and out of trouble. While they found Abaru to be pleasant company, and Kabtu always put a smile upon their faces, the brothers still outranked them, and the twins were always aware of the vast gulf which lay between them and the sons of their master.

"Your meal, Master Kabtu," the cook announced, striding forward with a large basket in his hands. "I hope you find everything to your liking."

Kabtu peaked under the cloth which had been laid over the contents of the basket, and then his eyes went wide. "Oh, thank you, Master Cook!" He looked up with happy gratitude. "You packed all my favorites!"

"Anything for the little lord." Baukaur playfully ruffled the little boy's hair, and then turned to berate one of the scullery maids for missing a spot on a pan she had just scoured.

"What an odd man," Elfhild whispered to her sister as they followed Kabtu and Abaru out of the noisy kitchen, the sound of the cook's bellowing ringing in their ears. "I am glad that we seldom work in the manor kitchen."

"Indeed," Elffled agreed, glad to be free of the chaos which lay behind them.

The air smelled incredibly fresh and the sky seemed to go on forever and ever as the twins followed Kabtu and Abaru on their escapades around the villa. Both Elfhild and Elffled were grateful to have another day of freedom from the confines of the school. Although they found most of their classes both challenging and enjoyable, there were times when the school felt uncomfortably like a prison. As they breathed in the fresh ethers of autumn, they felt renewed by the freedom of the open countryside. Kabtu's cheerful chattering lifted their spirits, and Abaru made for an amicable walking companion. Since they had been given a day of rest from both academics and more arduous forms of labor, the twins could enjoy themselves and take pleasure in this little adventure.

The path upon which the small party walked led westward, passing between green and golden fields. Here and there the road was flanked by trees and small bushes, and patches of autumn wildflowers bloomed along the way. In the distance, they saw a line of trees which ran from north to south. "That is the stream up ahead," Kabtu told them excitedly as he rushed forward, breaking into a sprint. Beyond the tree-lined stream lay fields and scrubland, with the dark shadows of the Thraqum Wood looming upon the distant horizon.

A lull fell over the group in Kabtu's absence, with the quietude being broken at last by Abaru.

"Do you see that hill over yonder?" Abaru pointed at a wooded knoll to the north of where they stood. "That is where the villa cemetery is located. Our mothers and sisters rest there in the family tomb."

"It looks like a peaceful place for a barrow," Elfhild remarked, thinking of the hill where her grandmother was buried back in Rohan.

"There is a lovely grove atop the hill, where white roses grow," Abaru told her. "Perhaps we can visit the cemetery before we return to the manor."

"We would like that, Master," Elffled smiled, honored that Abaru would desire to show them a place so close to his heart.

The spot which Kabtu had chosen for the picnic was along the edge of the bank, where the shallow water of the stream below flowed over a series of flat bedrock ledges on its way to the River Tornîn. A pair of plane trees growing on the other side of the stream leaned out over the water, their shadows blending with those of nearby alders to create a peaceful, shady place to sit and have a meal. Elfhild and Elffled unrolled the lightweight blanket which they had brought with them – an addition that Abaru had insisted upon, since Kabtu had neglected to make any provisions for comfort. Once they had positioned the blanket upon the grass, they began unpacking the basket. Master Baukaur had indeed been generous in the meal he had prepared, filling the basket with containers of barley pilaf, roasted eggplant, glazed leaks, flatbread, honey cakes, and apples. He had included a jug of plain water to drink, as well as another jug containing barley water which had been sweetened with honey and infused with fruit.

"Master, I overheard some concerning tidings during the feast." That was certainly an understatement, Elffled mused to herself, but allowed no trace of sardonic wit to show upon her face or in her inflection. "Brigands are attacking caravans passing through the wastes of Harad, and the tribesmen who dwell there are exhausting themselves trying to defeat them... Do you know anything about this?"

Abaru sighed. "My friend Cóldir spoke of this earlier. He is the son of the leader of the Southern Merchants' Council of Nurn, so he knows more about this situation than I do. I fear that my father is somewhat behind when it comes to tidings from afar. His illness kept him in bed for many days."

"I am glad that Shakh Esarhaddon's health has improved," Elffled offered conciliatorily.

"From what I understand, the Governor of the Southern Province will be calling a council to discuss how the brigands might be defeated," Abaru continued after taking a sip from his cup of barley water. "Perhaps the Merchants' Council will send mercenaries to aid the tribes of Northern Harad in their fight."

"I hope that Father does not join them." Kabtu looked up from the ball of pilaf which he had been squishing together in his hands. "He just came back from his journey! He cannot go off on another one so soon!"

"If the House of Huzziya sends anyone to Northern Harad, it should be me," Abaru stated boastfully. "Father still seems a bit sickly, and I am old enough to go off on adventures of my own."

"No!" Kabtu cried out in alarm. "You are not going to go to Harad! You are going to stay here with me!"

As Elfhild and Elffled watched the brothers talk and banter amongst themselves, they felt a sense of warmth and belonging, a peace which they had not felt in a very long time. It felt a lot like being home in happier days, when the world was a far simpler and less terrifying place. They were reminded of those pleasant times when their little cousin Hunig came over to visit, and they took her and their younger brother Eadfrid on walks through the rolling plains of the Eastfold. Moments like these felt like a strange mixture of the familiar, comforting past, and a present which was uncertain but yet not wholly unpleasant. If only life could stay this way, but they knew all too well that happiness was often fleeting, and that contentment could be a cruel illusion.

When everyone had eaten their fill, Elfhild began packing the now mostly empty food containers back into the basket. Elffled gave the blanket a shake to rid it of grass and crumbs, and then neatly folded the cloth into a bundle. Kabtu walked along the streambank, picking up small pebbles and tossing them into the water below. Abaru leaned up against a nearby tree, looking off into the distance at the wooded knoll where the villa cemetery lay hidden from view.

"I do not want to go back to the manor," Kabtu announced after he had thrown the last of his pebbles. "It is boring there." A look of inspiration flashed over the little boy's face. "I know! We could wade in the stream!"

"I would rather not," Abaru huffed.

Ignoring his older brother, Kabtu kicked off his shoes and rolled up the legs of his trousers. "Hild! Fleda! Come with me!" he cried as he carefully picked his way down the bank.

Leaving his tree, Abaru walked over to the edge of the steep slope. "Kabtu, be careful down there. You do not want to cut your feet on a sharp stone."

"The stones here are fine," Kabtu called back, standing on one of the rock ledges which crossed over the streambed like the remnants of a tiled floor. "See?" The water flowed around his ankles, gurgling as it splashed over the short ledge and continued on its way southward.

"You do not have to follow him if you do not want to," Abaru told the twins in a low voice. "I have no desire to get wet."

"Thank you, Master, but it has been a long time since I waded in a stream, and I would not mind dipping my toes in the water." Elfhild sensed that Abaru wanted her to know that it was acceptable to refuse any of his little brother's commands, and she gave him a smile of appreciation.

"I will stay up here on the bank where it is dry," Elffled remarked, having little desire to be splashed by either Kabtu or her sister.

Tugging off her shoes, Elfhild pulled her skirt between her legs and tucked the loose fabric into her belt so that she could wade freely. She followed the path that Kabtu had taken down the bank, wincing as her feet came in contact with some jagged pebbles sticking out of the mud. Stepping out onto one of the rock ledges, she sighed as the cool water lapped around her feet, washing away the sting.

While the water was low this time of year, there were still shallow pools to be found along the stream's meandering course. Kabtu was squatting at the edge of one of these pools, watching a small silvery fish with the vigilant curiosity of a cat on the prowl. Suddenly his arms shot out, his hands plunging into the water. He rose to his feet and slowly opened his cupped palms to reveal a wriggling, squirming minnow.

"Good catch!" Laughing, Elfhild clapped her hands as she peered down at the tiny fish.

"I want to catch another one!" Kabtu knelt back down and released the minnow into the water. By now, the fish were thoroughly terrified of the looming giant which menaced their pool, and many had hidden themselves beneath rocks or burrowed under the muddy sediment of the streambed.

"This would be so much easier with a net," he grunted in frustration as the water became muddier and the few remaining fish darted just out of reach.

"A net would definitely be helpful," Elfhild nodded sympathetically.

After a few more moments of futile hunting, Kabtu finally admitted defeat and stood up with a sigh. "Maybe we could come back tomorrow and bring a net," he suggested. "Then we could capture a bunch of fish!"

"A fishing excursion could be a possibility for tomorrow." Abaru walked along the edge of the bank, watching Kabtu and Elfhild play in the stream. "I will be staying at the villa for a few more days, so I would have time to teach Kabtu a few things about the art of fishing."

Elfhild looked between the brothers. "If we are to accompany you, we would have to wait until after classes are over for the day."

"We would also need to receive permission from Mistress Juna to leave school grounds," Elffled added, an apologetic tone to her voice.

"I will talk with Mistress Juna on your behalf. I am sure that she will give her approval." There was a certain smugness in Abaru's demeanor, a quiet acknowledgement of the influence he wielded as eldest son of the lord of the manor.

"Hurray!" Kabtu cheered. "We are going fishing tomorrow!" Jumping up and down, he kicked water high into the air, splashing Elfhild in the process.

"Kabtu! Pay attention to what you are doing!" Abaru started to scold his little brother, but then he had a better idea. "Splash him back!" he cried, urging Elfhild to commit acts of mischief against Kabtu. "He is a mannerless heathen and deserves what he gets!"

"If you say so, Master!" Giggling at the antics of the two brothers, Elfhild bent down and hurled a handful of water at Kabtu. The little boy squealed with delight, and then kicked up another spray of water which drenched Elfhild's skirt.

Abaru and Elffled were too busy observing the water battle transpiring in the stream below to notice the approach of a rider behind them. The loud whinny of a horse took them by surprise, and they whirled around to see a tall, elderly man mounted on a dappled gray horse. The man's eyes crinkled with amusement, as well as sheepish apology for disrupting their games.

"My lord, forgive our disrespect," Abaru bowed low from the waist. "We did not see you behind us."

"There is no disrespect to forgive." The old man's smile was a gracious one. "Your attention was upon your brother, not on the fields behind you. You did not expect me, and my sudden appearance gave you a fright."

"This is Shakh Sandana, the merchant to whom I am apprenticed," Abaru explained as Elfhild and Kabtu emerged from the stream to greet the newcomer. The introduction was for the benefit of the twins, since Kabtu was quite familiar with his father's friend and brother's mentor.

"Shakh Sandana!" Kabtu exclaimed, waving to the elderly vintner. "What are you doing here, so far away from the manor house?"

"I desired to take a ride around your father's estate before I returned to my own," Sandana explained. "He did not accompany me, for he is tending to other matters. He told me that I might encounter you two."

After they had performed the required salutations for their rank and station, Elfhild and Elffled moved to stand respectfully behind Kabtu. They had not expected to meet anyone on this little excursion, and the sudden and unexpected appearance of Shakh Sandana caught them off guard. Elfhild's skirt, now soaked from the water battle, hung heavy around her ankles, and she felt embarrassed to have been seen playing with Kabtu as though she were a child herself. Drawing upon all of the training they had received so far, the twins tried to hide their awkwardness behind a facade of polite deference. After all, servants were not meant to show emotions in more formal settings.

"I am acquainted with one of you from the feast—," Sandana's gaze went to Elffled, "—but I was unaware that there were two of you." He chuckled as he looked at Elfhild. "However, I do not know your names. Would you be so kind as to introduce yourselves?"

"I am Hild, and this is my sister Fleda." Elfhild gestured towards herself and then her twin.

Elffled graciously inclined her head. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Master."

"You are from Rohan, are you not?" Sandana inquired, and when the twins nodded in affirmation, his wrinkled face lit up with an almost boyish excitement. "Splendid country! Mounted barbarians racing about and all that... No, I have never been there, but I have seen pictures of the place in books, or at least illustrations of how artists think it might appear. I have many books, a great library. Do you like books?"

Elfhild and Elffled shared a surreptitious glance. They were not certain what to think of the elderly vintner. He seemed to be wise in the ways of books, but perhaps not in the ways of the world – at least not when it concerned Rohan – and more than a bit eccentric. They also took issue with his description of their people as barbarians, although there was a certain innocence to his demeanor which suggested that he meant no harm with his ignorant remark.

"I like books very much, Master; I just cannot read them yet," Elfhild replied, incorporating both honesty and wit into her answer.

"We have only been studying our letters for two months, Master," Elffled clarified. "We know a few words, but there are many more we do not know."

"A pity that should be remedied," Shakh Sandana told them. "If you are diligent in your studies, perhaps mastery of reading and writing will come to you swiftly."

"That is my earnest hope." Elfhild smiled wistfully as she thought about the book she wanted to write one day: a chronicle of her life and travels, the people whom she met, and the places which she visited.

"I wish you both success in all your academic endeavors." Shakh Sandana nodded to the twins, and then turned to Abaru. "The hour grows later than I would like, and I must be returning to my villa. I wish you and Kabtu well, and look forward to seeing you upon your return. Good day to you all." Inclining his head, he pressed his hand to his heart in farewell. Then he turned his horse and slowly trotted away.

"We should be going back as well." Abaru cast a glance towards the faint outline of the manor house upon the southeastern horizon.

Walking over to stand in front of his older brother, Kabtu placed his hands upon his hips, his arms akimbo. "Do you promise to ask Mistress Juna if Hild and Fleda can go fishing with us tomorrow?"

"I promise." Abaru ruffled his little brother's hair, listening with great satisfaction to his protests.

"I have enjoyed this venture beyond the walls of the school and the manor." Elfhild looked with wonder upon the green and golden countryside which lay all around her, listening to the sound of birds calling to each other, the trilling of autumn insects, and the tinkling of the stream. The afternoon sun peered down upon her through a break in the trees above, warming her head and her heart and chasing away the lingering chill of the cool waters. She took hold of her damp skirt and spread it out before her, hoping that it would dry faster with the sunlight beating down upon it.

"We have Kabtu to thank for such a pleasant day." Elffled gave the boy a big smile of appreciation. "The picnic was his idea, after all."

Giggling, Kabtu jumped around and did a little dance of joy. "If Mistress Juna allows you to be my maids again, tomorrow will be an even better day!"

"I wish to visit the cemetery before we return," Abaru stated, looking around at the others. "It is only a short walk from here, and the hill offers a good view of the surrounding country."

"Oh! Can we pick flowers along the way to place upon our mothers' coffins?" Kabtu suggested, his eyes hopeful.

"Of course." Abaru's smile was filled with warmth and tenderness, and his gaze lingered upon Kabtu for a moment before he turned to the twins. "I would like to show you more of the villa tomorrow. Is there any place in particular which you might like to visit?"

Elfhild pondered the boy's question for a moment. "The farmyard, Master. It has been so long since I have been around animals."

"Then that is one of the first places we will stop," Abaru assured her as he started walking in the direction of the cemetery knoll. "I will introduce you to my friends, Nedim and Mûmak. Their families help tend the crops and take care of the livestock, and they have been my trusty companions since we were wee lads."

As she listened to Abaru talk about his friends, Elfhild felt the same sense of belonging which she had experienced earlier. This boy was sharing a part of his life with her as though she were a close friend or relation. Still, though, they were not equals, and this knowledge was ever in the back of her mind. While he might regard her as one of his companions while they were away from the manor, she knew that his demeanor towards her would become more formal when they returned. She wondered if it was wise to encourage a friendship with Esarhaddon's two sons, even though she did not really have a say in the matter if the boys sought out her company. Returning their gestures of friendship seemed harmless enough, and how could she ever deny Kabtu? She would have to determine when the situation called for a servant, friend, or mentor, and play those roles accordingly.

Elffled was also contemplating her growing bond with Abaru and Kabtu as they climbed the dusty path to the top of the wooded hill. Ever since she and her sister had been brought to the villa, the two boys – especially the lively, mischievous Kabtu – had treated them with kindness and courtesy. Perhaps a friendship with the boys might be worth pursuing, especially since they were the sons of her master. While she would be attending the School of Industry for at least three years, her future was not secure in the least. Elffled imagined herself becoming like an older sister to Abaru and Kabtu, growing closer to them as time went by. Perhaps the heartfelt entreaties of the boys could help influence Esarhaddon when it came time for him to determine the ultimate fate of Elfhild and her. Perhaps it was terrible to think in such a methodical way, but when one was desperate and determined to survive, everything became part of the strategy to achieve that goal. Even if it meant calculating the influence children might have upon their father.