The Standard Bearer pointed at the castle and said to her Companion, “There. This is the home of the lord and lady I serve.”
Stones littered the ground in front of the castle, and as they watched, the roof of a parapet crumbled and sprinkled to the ground. The Companion said nothing, but followed the Standard Bearer into the courtyard. They picked their way around the rocks and ducked under the stuck portcullus. No one greeted them. The Standard Bearer led the Companion past a rotting smoke house and into a hall. Above, the tapestries, shredded and moldy, glittered as they crumbled around them in the wind that entered from the collapsed roof. One large door hung askew and behind the door sat a king and queen.
The King, gaunt and shadowed, would not meet the eyes of the Companion. The bloated Queen spoke. “You’ve returned. Where have you been?”
The Standard Bearer knelt, and the Companion followed her cue. “My lady, I have found you a new home, one in verdant lands. I have built a new stronghold, and I have placed in it our standard.”
The queen smoothed her tangled hair. “I see. Did I ask you for this?”
“My lady, when you see it, you will be glad of it. There are people there who are my friends, and I know that they will be glad to serve you.”
The King said, “Who is this that you have brought with you?”
“My most loyal companion,” said the Standard Bearer. The Companion said nothing.
“We did not give you permission to bring others in.”
“Just so,” said the Queen. “Now, send him away. There is much we require of you.”
The Companion stood and bowed. “Respectfully,” said the Companion, “I must stay and help my friend.”
“No,” said the Queen. “You must leave.”
“My lord and lady,” said the Standard Bearer, “would you not consider coming with me to your new home?”
“If you continue with this talk,” said the King, “we will discipline you.”
“What about the standard?” said the Standard Bearer.
“It can’t be helped. You have lost us the standard, by leaving when no one asked you to. Now, the King would like his supper, and then there are many, many repairs.”
The Standard Bearer bowed. “I am sorry to disappoint my lady. I am many things here, but I am foremost a standard bearer. I must leave to guard the standard.”
The Queen stood. “If you leave here, you will not be welcome to return.”
As they left the hall, the Companion said, “Will you return?”
“I still serve them. Of course I will return. But I will bring gifts. And then they will see.”
