Page 5 of Veil of Winter

“Frau Saacha?”

“Yes?”

“We would like to speak to you.”

“Who are you?”

“I am Princess Elyce of Montciel, your former charge.”

The old woman sized her up, looking her over from head to toe. “I haven’t seen you since you were about two years old—when your father got rid of me for letting you run barefoot outside.”

Elyce hadn’t heard that story.

“You must want something important if you came all the way up here looking for me.” Frau Saacha laughed, a short, sharp sound.

“Indeed,” Jacob said. “May we come in so that we can speak more privately?”

She shrugged. “Suit yourselves.” She opened the door to her small abode, and they followed her inside.

A lamp was burning on a tiny table with only one chair next to it. The old woman placed two more stools at the table. Elyce sat, then the old woman. Jacob stood near the door.

“You have grown quite tall and fair. You look like your grandmother, Queen Trianna,” Frau Saacha said.

“Thank you.” Elyce’s grandmother had been considered a great beauty.

“She was a strong woman, loyal and true, brave and strong-willed. Can the same be said of her granddaughter?” She gave Elyce a piercing look.

Elyce wasn’t sure how to answer. She was trying to be brave and strong for her people’s sake. If what she was doing was considered improper, she believed that in being loyal to her people she was making the nobler choice.

How tired she was of that word—proper. Don’t show any emotion. Don’t cross your legs. Don’t let anyone see you upset. Don’t cry. Don’t laugh out loud. Don’t frown. Don’t smile too much. Don’t be so lenient with the servants. Don’t do this and don’t do that.

She should pay attention now, as Jacob was explaining their errand to Frau Saacha.

“Princess Elyce has a request to make of you. And it is very important that you not tell anyone about it. May we count on you for secrecy?”

“You are very demanding for someone asking for my help.” The old woman punctuated this observation with another of her short laughs. Elyce was surprised her mother and father had chosen this woman to be her nurse.

“Forgive us, Frau Saacha. We are very grateful to you for allowing us to speak with you.”

“Very well, child. What is it you want? I will help you if I can.”

“I am in need of a potion that will cause a person to sleep for several days and appear dead.”

Frau Saacha did not move for several moments. Was she offended? Her eyes narrowed as she stared back at Elyce.

“I am desperate for your help, Frau Saacha. No one will ever know that you gave it to me. I vow to you—”

“Who told you I have such a potion?”

“A woman named Ida, Jacob’s sister”—she indicated Jacob, who was standing beside her—“told me you could make such a potion.”

“But, child, why would you, the daughter of the king, be in need of such a potion?”

“I need it to save our people from King Claude of Valkenfeld.”

“If you intend to kill him—”

“No, nothing like that.”