Page 7 of Quest of Fools

"Roasted chicken with potatoes and carrots, with vegetable soup to start, and fruit and cheese to finish.I did notice the children didn't eat as much at breakfast as they did last night.I assume they're not used to such large portions so often."

That was a kind way of saying that yes, his children were always one step away from starving, but Warf only said, "Not used to the richness, either."

"Oh, yes, I should have thought of that.I was sick once as a child and couldn't eat more than broth for weeks after, and plain, soft foods for months.I'm sure Cook has already determined that, but I'll speak with the kitchen after lunch all the same."

"You're kind."

"I'm family, or hope to be.We have to look after one another, right?"

Warf nodded."Just so."

"Come along, then, the dining room is this way.I think Cook is eager to see what you think of her cooking.Her husband was a dock worker for years before he came to work in the neighbor's stables, so I think she knows you by reputation at the very least and hopes to impress."

"That's ridiculous," Warf said, even as his mind spun trying to recall which of his fellow regulars at the docks had departed for a stable job in High City.Jobs like that were rare and highly coveted.

Marian laughed and winked at him."I think you forget you are a tournament champion, and that dazzles people.You are living the dream so many fought for.Of course people want to impress.Now come along, my dear, and let's have our first meal together as a family in our home."

Warf nodded again, but didn't speak, not certain he would have been able to get the words out.

Hopefully whatever had happened on his way home was a strange, one-off aberration, and not a sign that his new happiness was as fragile as it felt.

A Rainy Day

It was raining when Warf woke up the next morning, the sort of rain that was more than a drizzle but less than a shower, and made everyone who heard it want to crawl right back into bed.On the docks, rain made everything a hundred times more dangerous, but nobody ever cared if the workers got hurt.All they cared was that the product didn't get damaged.

He climbed out of bed and pulled on the clothes that were very much not the same clothes he'd left draped over a chair.These were new, or near enough, made of much finer fabrics than he'd ever seen, let alone worn.

Dressed, he went to the window and opened the curtains, stared out at the dark morning beyond.The lamps were still lit, so it was early yet.Strange to see the streets so empty, not more than a handful of people hastening along.In Low City, people would be all over: vendors to sell breakfast, Warf and many others headed for the docks, parents and older children hurrying to the markets to get food before it sold out, other workers who began their days in the dark.There were no criers, no bells or whistles, none of the fervor of a world that worked while High City still slept.

Downstairs was just as quiet, though he could ever so faintly hear clattering and chatting from the direction of the kitchen.

"Oh, good morning!"

Warf turned and smiled at Marian, who'd come out of his study.Warf was getting the distinct impression he spent a great deal of time there."Good morning.What has you up already?Surely your paintings and speeches don't require such an early start?"

Marian laughed."I've always been a morning person.I like the quiet.Breakfast is in a couple more hours, but I was about to call for more tea if you want to join me."

"I'd like that."Warf went when Marian beckoned, and took a seat on the sofa on the side of the room that faced the street, looking out once more at the dark and rain."Dreary day."

"Yes, I always hate this time of year as the rain sweeps in, swiftly followed by the cold."Marian pulled on a cord that was near the door, and a moment later one of the maids entered and bowed."Good morning, Kiara.Could you bring a small tea service for Warf and me?I appreciate it, thank you."

Kiara faded off, and Marian sat next to Warf on the couch, not quite close enough to touch, but close enough Warf could smell his perfume, which was indeed flowery, though there seemed to be peaches or something in it as well.He smelled sweet, like spring, and Warf really didn't know what to do with the familiar warmth that spread through him, something he hadn't really felt since Karla died.

"Any plans for today?"Marian asked.

Warf laughed and spread his hands."None.I no longer have to go to work each morning, and that took up the greater portion of my days.The rest was spent on running errands, tending the house, and caring for the children."He wasn't really capable of anything but hard labor.He couldn't read and write, didn't have the sort of education required for better paying jobs…

A small, delicate hand covered one of his large ones."I'm sure the children will demand enough of your attention for now as they get settled and no doubt frequently overwhelmed.Plus, we have to get you a proper wardrobe and accompanying jewelry and other accoutrements, introduce you 'round, get you on all my accounts around the city."Marian started ticking things off on his other hand."Of course, you need to select everything for your bedroom and drawing room, we need to get you a proper horse, and I'm going today to attend to the matter of the carriage."

"Select everything for my bedroom and drawing room?What does that mean?"

Marian stared at him blankly a moment."Well, obviously you must design your rooms to your tastes.Right now you're just in a guest room, since… Oh, my goodness, I cannot believe that I completely forgot to show you.Come, come, we'll do it now before I forget again.I'm sorry too the carriage problem isn't already attended; I was rather busier yesterday than I'd planned to be."His mouth twisted, and he looked briefly sad and angry, but in the next moment his sunny smile returned.

He stood, and Warf obediently did the same and followed him out of the study and back upstairs, down a hall opposite the one that held his room to a beautiful set of twin doors that mirrored each other.

Tapping on the rightmost door, Marian said, "This is my room, and this one is yours."He opened the left side door and vanished inside.

The room was at least twice the size of Warf's old house, and he suspected it was closer to three times.There were two doors all the way to the left, though what they led to Warf couldn't imagine.

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