A week ago, Briar had sent a letter to her old friend, Madora, a kind plump fae who happened to be Head Housekeeper in the Dranadak household. It had been months since Briar had seen Madora and they agreed to meet up for tea.

Now, it was Saturday morning and Briar was headed to the Dranadak Territory. She strolled along the main road that branched out from Golah Village to all the other territories. The sky was bleak, and icicles hung off bare trees in the woods. Snow covered the fields as far as the eye could see. The road was clear, thanks to an earth user who was employed by the Village Council. Various fae and faeries were out on the road, all rugged up in scarves and capes, with red cheeks and noses. They chatted and laughed, heading to the village for hot cocoa or to the tavern for a drink. Briar walked past Golah Lake where fae and faeries squealed in delight as they skated over the ice. She also passed a group of fae who were toasting marshmallows over an open fire.

Thankfully, the Dranadak Territory was only half an hour away on foot but, even then, the cold made it a challenge. Briar wore a fur lined cloak, a maroon woolen gown, and black boots that helped keep the chill away. The walk to Dranadak Territory was quiet, with Briar only passing a few fae along the icy road. Soon, she reached the small village that sprawled beneath the hill where Dranadak Manor perched like a dark castle. There weren't many fae or faeries out in the village. Snow coated the thatched cottages and the cobblestones were slick with ice. Most of the windows were dark because the faeries had decided to visit Golah Village. But some windows glowed with candlelight, fae content to stay in on a wintery day and read. A raven, perched on a gnarled tree branch, squawked at Briar as she climbed the icy driveway to Dranadak Manor. A pair of great iron gates loomed ahead. And out the front were two fae guards wearing charcoal shirts and black pants, with swords at their hips. Behind them was a smiling and waving Madora, who wore a thick green cloak and a tartan gown. A smile broke across Briar's face as she waved back, and the guards opened the gate with a screech.

"It's so good to see you!" Madora hugged Briar, wafting the scent of winter jasmine. Her short grey hair was just visible under her hood.

"It's good to see you too." Briar's chest warmed, happy to see her friend. Even though she had ulterior motives for the visit. She pulled out of the hug. "I'm amazed his lordship let you have visitors." Briar jerked her head towards the large stone manor hunched over the hill. The roof was made of charcoal tile and icicles hung off the balconies.

"His lordship has always been gracious." Madora's breath swirled around her in a mist.

"To you." Briar raised her brows.

Madora chuckled. "Of course, but that's because I've served him well over the years." She linked her arm with Briar's arm. "It's been an age since we last saw each other. What have you been up to?"

"Oh, this and that. Just the bakery. You?"

"Managing that lot." Madora jerked her head towards the manor. "We got a new maid the other day. Total nightmare. She spilled hot tea all over his lordship." She sucked in a breath. "I had to sack her on the spot."

Madora and Briar crunched through the snow, towards the servants' quarters, collection of small stone huts with thatched roofs that were near the woods. Madora unlocked her front door and they went inside. A crackling fire washed heat over them. Briar took her cloak off and hung it on a rack, grateful to feel the warmth returning to her limbs. The air smelled faintly of pastry and cheese. Underneath a small window was a bathtub. And in the corner of the room was a wooden dresser and a small bed covered by a patchwork quilt. A cozy soft lounge was in front of the fire, and a chipped wooden table and two chairs were in front of the kitchenette. Briar sat down in one of the chairs, whilst Madora put a kettle of tea on.

Soon, they were eating vegetable quiche and chatting about the past. They fondly recalled the day they were introduced to each other. Briar had accompanied Olive when she'd dropped off some dresses for Lady Dranadak. Madora, Olive, and Briar had gotten along so well that they'd invited Madora to dinner and they'd all become friends.

When Madora had found out about Olive's murder she was so grief stricken that she'd had to take time off work. A first, in her fifty years of service. She'd stayed with Briar and had helped her during the following months after Olive's death, which was a kind deed that Briar would never forget.

"I heard something funny the other day." Briar sipped her tea which was dark and sweetened with honey. "And I thought you'd know whether it was true or not because, well, you work here and all."

Madora placed her cup down, a curious glint in her eye. "What did you hear?" She was a notorious sucker for gossip.

"I overheard a group of fae in The Trickling Rock, talking about Lady Dranadak having an affair with Lord Auron."

Madora's mouth dropped open. "No! Really?"

"Oh, yes." Briar nodded. "I don't know who the fae were, specifically, but I knew that they were aristocrats because they wore fine clothes. Velvet suits. Jewelry. That sort of thing." She raised a brow. "Nothing like what everyone else wears."

"My Goddess." Madora leaned back and her chair squeaked. "Whenever Lord Auron has visited the manor, he's always been ... How shall I put it? He's always been friendly with her ladyship. Sometimes I've thought he was too friendly, if you know what I mean? I'd always thought it was a bit odd but that makes a whole lot of sense if there was something between them." She frowned. "You swear you don't know who the aristocrats were that said this? Could it just be idle gossip?"

Briar shook her head. "I don't know who they were but they seemed pretty serious. One of them also said that her marriage to Dranadak was arranged and that she didn't love him. Not sure how true that is. But if anyone asks, you didn't hear it from me."

"Oh, of course not. I wouldn't dream of saying anything." Madora crossed her arms and chewed her bottom lip. And it was as if Briar could see the wheels churning in Madora's head as she considered the bit of gossip that Briar had overheard.

Briar spooned some quiche into her mouth. She knew that Madora was close to Lord Dranadak and that she was one of his most loyal servants. Briar also knew, as did Morgana and Aelys, that when Madora would hear about Lady Dranadak's affair that she would immediately tell Lord Dranadak, and that it would lead to a war between the Dranadaks and Aurons.