Regynn Winters

Inspection

Her stitches, while tiny, were not her best work. It wasn’t easy sewing when your hands trembled with apprehension. The door opened and she jerked her head up, jabbing the needle into her fingertip. Regynn stifled a cry then sighed heavily when the secretary called the name of the last person remaining, aside from herself.

The priestess had thought it would be a good idea to bring some mending with her, something to keep her mind off the impending interview but she’d spent almost as much time ripping out seams as she had stitching them. She sat with her finger in her mouth, sucking the blood away from the puncture wound when she heard someone clearing his throat behind her and she looked up into the bored expression of the secretary. She dropped her hand to her lap, flushing guiltily and murmuring her apologies but the man waved away her words and motioned for her to follow him into the baron’s office.

The nobleman sat at his desk, eyes intent on a sheaf of papers. He made a vague gesture toward one of the chairs across from him, never looking up or otherwise indicating that he knew she was in the room. Regynn sat perched on the edge of the chair and clutching the handles of her sewing basket so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her nerves strung so tight that she gave a little yelp when he finally spoke.

The baron leveled steel grey eyes on her, his mouth a thin line of disapproval, “I am in need of an inspector. We are still short handed with the drawdown in place and there are no free hands to send. You did your job well enough when you were sent to the Outlands so I have selected you for the task.” he slid a piece of paper across the desk and she picked it up gingerly, as if afraid it would bite.

He looked her over, his gaze seeming to linger on the threadbare hem of her dress and her worn shoes, “I assume you will be ready at dawn, you can’t have much to pack. The ship leaves with the tide.”

Regynn opened her mouth to speak but the baron had already gone back to his stack of papers so she gathered her things and rose, dropping into a formal curtsey to the top of his head. She took a step backward and then stopped, “Excuse me but what exactly is it you wish me to do” she paused to look at the piece of paper in her hand, “in Panderia?” she finished.

He looked up from his reading, his expression sour, his tone flat, “As I said, we are in need of an inspector.” he spoke slowly, as if speaking to a child, “You will inspect and report back to me your findings.”

Clutching her basket until the  woven reeds creaked, Regynn replied, “With all due respect, I am not an inspector, I am a priest. I have responsibilities.”

“Your responsibility is to go to Panderia and inspect. You are to check on our relations with the locals and report your findings.” the baron growled.

“I see. How long will this take?” she asked.

He had already dismissed her, his gaze turned to the documents on his desk when she spoke. Slowly he looked up at her with narrowed eyes and his voice became as cold and flat as the frozen water of the canals, “As long as it takes.”

For a brief second he could see a flash of fear in her eyes before she straightened her shoulders and raised her chin, “Yes sir. Thank you sir.” she said as she dropped into another formal curtsey.

As the door closed behind her the nobleman leaned back in his chair, his face unguarded for a brief moment. His brow, creased with the worries of responsibility, smoothed slightly as he allowed himself a smile.