Kitchen

Geoffrey was working with other servants in the kitchen. He was preparing dinner for court's people in the Great Hall. Everything must be perfect. Food, wine, fresh water, fruit, etc.Very soon he will serve the dinner to King and Queen themselves and thier guests in the Great Hall...

I sneak away from the large party in the guest hall and enter the kitchens of the palace to find a young servant man working. I watch him for a moment and when he notices, I smile.
“What is your name, good sir?” I smile.

Geoffrey was woking in the kitchen for the Spring Party. He was pouring some wine when he suddenly saw a young lady entering. Surprised, he turned immediately towards her and bowed quickly

My name is Geoffrey, my lady. Geoffrey Lonshord. What...can I do for you?

He asked shyly, still looking down

"Tell me about yourself, dear boy," I smile, "are you poor, sir, please be truthful."

Geoffrey raised his eyes and looked curiously at her

Ehm...poor? Well...I am not noble, neither rich, my lady. I live of my work here at Palace. Thank God...I can earn enough money to send some to my family in the country...

He answered, a bit confused

“I understand you are a faithful servant to quite a few courtiers,” I step closer, “I was wondering if there is perhaps a way you would wish to make some extra money, that you could send to your dear loved ones.”
I read the young man’s worried look and raise a hand of comfort to stop his thoughts.
“It is nothing sinful or carnal, dear,” I laugh, “I simply wonder if you should like to be my helper, my eyes and ears about the palace in places I cannot be.” I begin to pace about the kitchen, “I would pay you, and in return, you would give me any and all information you know about any courtiers I ask of…any secrets, any romances, any…intrigues.”
"I would make it in your best interest, good sir."

Geoffrey remained speechless for a while. Anyone asked him a similar thing before. He gulped hardly and tried to smile

What...what should I do, exactly...my lady?

He asked hesitantly, turning his eyes elsewhere in the room

"You may think upon it, if you wish, however, I fear my offer shall not remain for long," I nod. "It would not be as though you were listening more...being the right place at the right time," I smile.
I continue pacing about the room, "If you happened to hear something you would think would catch my interest, you would report to me, and in return you would have some extra coinage for your person."
“For example, I understand you shall be working the party in the Great Hall…I should hope that if you were to hear anything amongst the courtiers, any inappropriate flirtations, or God forbid, intrigues…you would inform me,” I smile.

Geoffrey looked surprised at her. Then he nodded slowly

Of course, my lady. I'll keep you updated about everything...

He answered, hoping that he could please her after her request

"Very good," I smile. I pull out my coin purse and place a few coins on the kitchen's table. "Something for your trouble for now," I smile, again. "And please, whenever you are done, or have found out what you have, please come to my chambers, yet you must be quick and conspicuous."
I turn on my heel and head for the door, yet stop and turn around again. "Thank you for your time, good sir...have a good night," I turn and leave.

Geoffrey looked at the coins on the table and took them in his hand. He bowed quickly after she left and remained silent for a while. Then he took a deep breath and put coins in his pocket. He tried to smile to another servant and kept on pouring wine again

I have finally arrived in court after many days of travelling. I brush my fingers through my tuggy brown hair that falls to just a little below my slim waist. My dress is stained from the journey after mud being splattered onto the hem and there are green smears too from the tall billowing grass I have had to wade through to get here.

I head to the kitchens in search of food and company for the evening as I am stranger to this court and this country. I try the door with my slender hand and it opens with a creak. I flinch a little at the noise and push the heavy door open.

The heat is the first thing I notice-the huge burning fire with a carcass being slowly cooked above it. I see people toing and froing-going quickly and quietly about their business.

"Hello,"I whisper quietly and bow my head shyly.

Geoffrey was putting some food in some plates and pouring some wine. It was King's lunch. He told to other servants to bring it in King's chambers quickly. Once he turned towards door, he saw a young lady standing there, never seen before. Surprised, he bowed at her

Good day, my lady...can I help you?

He asked kindly

I bow my head and smile kindly, my hair spills in front of my face and veils my delicate features. I take a step forward and sigh as the warmth of the fire touches my cold and fair skin,"I have had a long journey and I seek some food for I have no family or friend to help here...perhaps you could assist me?"

I ask him in my thick Scottish accent with my head turned down a little-my clothes are rags compared to the finery here.

Geoffrey looked at her. She wore very poor clothes and she looked hungry. He nodded fastly and invited her to come in

Oh...of course, my lady. Please, have a sit. I'll give you something to eat...

He prepared fastly some bread and a soup. He poured her some water and put the plate on the table

Please...feel free to ask, my lady. Where...where are you from?

He asked curiously, looking at her

I smile softly at him and tuck a tendril of hair behind my ear. At his gesture to take a seat I do so but with a little trepidation, I glance to the other people in the kitchen who look curiously at me and I keep my head down.

I then say with a little grin,"You needn't call me 'my lady'-my name is Isabella,"I then take a sip of the water and begin to eat the bread as he lays it out on the table.

"I'm from Scotland...sir."

Geoffrey gestured to other servants to let them alone, noticing that she felt a bit uncomfortable. As they left, he sat next to her with a smile

And you have no need to call me sir, Isabella. I'm just a servant at court. My name is Geoffrey...Geoffrey Lonshord. But tell me...what brings you here from Scotland? Have you...siblings at english court?

He asked, looking at her pretty face

I grin and sip on the warm soup-it tastes delicious and has been my first good meal for a day or so. I am pleased I have met someone kind and I have not fallen into any danger as I could have easily done in this country that is so close to my own and yet seems so foreign.

I glance up at him as he speaks and smile with warmth and pure kindness,"Well then...Geoffrey,"I say with a grin,"I am glad to have met you for I do not know what I would have done if I had not."

I then frown a little and bow my head,"No, no, my sister is still in Scotland and I have no other siblings. I...was...well I came for refuge."

Geoffrey noticed she was eating with much taste. He poured her some other water and gave her an apple

For refuge? From what? Oh...if I may ask, of course. And don't worry...preparing meals is my job. I'm glad to help you, Isabella...

He said smiling, wondering what's happened to her

I sigh and rest my head on my hand,"I was taken by a noble -though his actions were not noble- he took me as I was making my way home from the fields. His intention was to keep me as a slave and when my father was told he came to liberate me with his kinsmen. I was freed but my safety could not be ensured while I was in Scotland so I have came here until...until I may have my freedom at home."

I finish off the meal and take a final sip of the water.

Geoffrey listened her carefully. He nodded slowly after her sentence

Oh...I understand. Your life has been in danger. But you're safe here at Whithall Palace. And tell me...are you here for being a lady in waiting to Queen?

He asked, glancing smiling at her emply plate

I nod solemnly as I stare at him with innocent eyes. After his words though I choke back laughter,"The Queen? No-I am just a peasant. I am not well enough born to serve her and I doubt she would take me...after all she led a war against my people and sent an army to attack us. Our King was killed and she sent his bloodied coat to yours as a prize for the bloodshed,"I then remember I talk to an English man-with more authority than I. He could report my words which would be treason in these lands-I bow my head. I forget this is not my kinsman and will not appreciate my patriotic words-the English like weak and meagre women...which I am not,"Forgive me...my tongue runs away with me."

Geoffrey listened her with interest. Even if so young, she must have already suffered so much, because of war and hunger. He shook fastly his head

Oh no...you have no need to apologize, Isabella. You have all reasons to complain about. But...you're here, now. And I could help you to find an occupation at court...to earn some money. What can you do, Isabella? I mean...can you read, wrtiting...or maybe doing something in the kitchen, like cooking?

He asked kindly. He really wanted to useful to that unlucky girl. And he noticed she was really pretty

I look down shyly as he see he looks at me with curiosity,"Much good I would be-I cannot read and can only write my name. I can cook and sew but my talents do stretch further. I was brought up to help my mother and father and no more-a marriage to a family with fealty to ours was my future...I was not destined for greatness."