*
Up in the castle, things had quieted down considerably. Winifred had managed to barely stay awake and she jostled Toddy. “Toddy wake up. Wake up, child!”
“Oh, but Mother can’t I sleep a while longer?” Toddy rolled over and turned her back to Winifred.
“Toddy, wake up now! This is no time to sleep! We must make our escape from here.” Winifred’s voice took on a tone of anxiousness that brought Toddy out of her deep slumber.
“I am sorry, Winifred. I had been dreaming that I was a little child once again and the bed kept calling to me to enjoy its warmth a while longer.” Toddy moved and threw off the banner. “My, it is getting cold in here. Yes, I do believe it is time for us to leave.”
Winifred led the way, the crawl out from under the platform made difficult because of their dresses. Finally they were able to stand up. “Everything looks clear. I see only one guard and he appears to be dozing. Be quiet.” The two ladies walked silently to the door leading down to the kitchen. Slowly, ever so slowly, Winifred opened the heavy door. When it was open wide enough for them to pass, they slowly closed the door behind them.
Down the stairs they crept as quietly as mice. When they got to the bottom of the steps, Winifred heard voices. They stopped. The voices grew louder. Both ladies looked at each other with apprehension gripping their hearts. Winifred put her finger to her lips to tell Toddy to be quiet.
The voices became louder still. Both ladies backed up as close to the wall as they could. The guards passed by the end of the stairway without looking up. Quickly Winifred yanked Toddy’s arm and they flew around the corner, out of sight from the guards. To their horror, in front of them stood a guard with his back turned towards them. Winifred listened for a moment. The guard was sleeping, but they had to go right past him to get outside, and the corridor was long and well lit. They must attempt it.
With Winifred leading the way, the two eased by the guard. Further down the corridor they heard the clanking noise of pots and pans and talking. As they approached the doorway to the kitchen, Winifred and Toddy hesitated and Winifred took a peek in the door. The kitchen staff was busy preparing the morning breakfast and others were cleaning up from the ball.
“Ah-choo!!!” Without warning, Toddy sneezed. It was a loud sneeze, one that surely would set a record on length and volume. The sound of it echoed down the long passageway and made the guard stir.
“Halt! Who goes there?” He shouted. He ran towards the ladies, with his sword drawn. Winifred and Toddy had no other choice but to dive into the chaos of the kitchen.
The guard entered and started looking for them. He rushed over to Harriet who was busy stirring pots on the stove. “You, woman, have you seen two trolls in ball gowns enter the kitchen?”
Harriet turned swiftly and held up the large wooden spoon that she was using to stir the pots. “What in bloomin’ hell does it look like we’re doing in here?! Does it look like we’re having a bloody ball in here?!”
The guard backed away from Harriet, not wishing to anger her further. “I saw two trolls come in here, so they must be here. You must have seen them!”
This time Harriet turned beet red and launched the spoon at the guard. “Does it look like I have eyes in the back of me head, you dimwitted excuse for a guard?! Search the kitchen if you must, but stay out of the way of me and my workers. We have a job to do. If you don’t leave, I will tie an apron on your scrawny frame and make you peel the turnips that I need!” Harriet turned around to the stove and picked up another large spoon, hiding the large grin that was spreading across her face. The young guard hesitated for a moment and then hurriedly glanced around the kitchen. He walked out and back to his post.
Harriet turned back around and told one of the ladies to check to see where the guard was. After she said that the coast was all clear, Harriet pushed a small table aside that was concealing a trap door in the floor. She bent over and gave the door a good yank, the light from the kitchen momentarily blinding the occupants within its dark depths. “It is all right to come up now. The coast is clear.”
Toddy came up the ladder first, followed by Winifred. “Thank you, Lady Harriet, for helping us. We are indebted to you.”
“You should have seen the guard’s face when I told him I was going to put him to work if he bothered us again.” Harriet chuckled and then her face turned serious. “We have to get you out of those gowns and into something more appropriate. Lorelei, come here a moment, please.”
A young lady came over to Harriet. “What do you want, Lady Harriet?”
“Go to the workers’ closet and bring me back two sets of clothing and some winter wraps. If anyone asks what you need the clothes for, tell them that two of the staff had an accident and soiled their clothes with food. Go, and please hurry.” Harriet turned to Winifred and Toddy. “We must make you look like you have been here right along. I do not believe the guard will say anything for fear of a severe reprimand. However, we can not be too cautious.”
“Lady Harriet, have you heard anything from outside the castle? Do you know if Octavius and his family have been captured?” Winifred’s brow was furrowed with deep concern.
“No, I have not heard much, only passing conversations from the guards. I know that all of the exits are well guarded as I stuck my head out the corridor’s outer door and met with two swords pointing at me. I dare say that it would be impossible for the two of you to leave. The best we can do is make you blend in as kitchen help.” Harriet looked up to see Lorelei coming towards them with an armful of clothes. “Oh thank you, my dear. You did not run into any trouble, did you?”
“A little, but it was nothing that a low bodice and a wink could not take care of…”
All four of the ladies laughed heartily. It seemed to ease some of the tension. Winifred and Toddy entered a small room that Harriet showed them and changed into the work garments that were given them. They stuffed their ball gowns into a bin and emerged into the kitchen, ready for duty.
Harriet approached them with a smile. “I understand from King Octavius that you are an excellent baker as well as a cook, so if you do not mind you can help over in the baking area. Toddy, I understand that you are a monger by trade. I shall put you in charge of filleting all of the fish and cooking it. That is Rita over there; she has fallen behind and can use your help.”
Winifred looked at Toddy and smiled. “It looks like we hopped out of the frying pan into the kitchen. I believe that is a step in the right direction.”
Toddy and Gertrude hugged each other and went to their assigned area, each thankful to be somewhat safe for the moment.