"I understand that. But the knights won't know that," Brie said quietly.

Lek shoved a hand through his hair. The knights had to see, surely Xavier would understand. Lek turned and ran for the dungeon.

Helen stood in shock at the whole scene. A murdered man on the table, the boy talking to Brighid, mention of Aislyn in the dungeon... All these things spun through Helen's mind as she tried to think of something to do. This is probably none of my business anyways, she thought, but the idea of the sweet young woman she knew as Aislyn murdering someone was too much for her. Trembling, she turned to Brighid, hoping that she could help her figure out what to do next.

Brie let out a sad sigh. At least Shawn was back, hopefully he could help extricate Aislyn from the trouble she was in. It seemed obvious to Brighid that her friend had broken from reality, at least for a while. Then she blinked. "Yes, Helen? Do you or Elizabeth need something?"

"No, she replied hesitantly. "I was just awoken by a horrible racket and came to find out what was going on." She then remembered that Elizabeth was still in her room. "Well, if everything is taken care of, then I guess I'd better be heading back," she said quickly, turning to leave the room.

"All right," Brie said. "You know where to find us if you need anything."

People were beginning to complain about the lack of clean spoons in the hall. Ila shifted uncomfortably. She was afraid of getting cornered by Tirto again if she went back down to the kitchen. But if someone else went down there would probably be questions about why silverware was all over the floor.

In reply to Brighid Spenser (msg # 256):

"Thank you!" Helen replied. She went down the stairs and back to her room.

"Where are the spoons?! Am I supposed to eat this with my fingers?" An angry voice demanded.

Brie glared at the man. It seemed like everyone was trying to cause trouble in the hall. "Ila, we need more spoons," she said quietly, handing a handful to one of the girls serving the tables.

"Oh." Ila paled. She did not want to go down there alone, Tirto could corner her again and she did not think she could fight him off a second time. But if she refused something as simple as fetching spoons she could get herself kicked out of the kitchen entirely. Ila hesitated.

Brie glanced at her. "Is something wrong in the kitchen?"

Silverware strewn on the floor, a tray that probably is cracked. Oh, and a guy who wants to have his way with me and to charge other guys to have their way with me might be waiting for me to go back down there so he can try again. Ila thought but did not say it aloud. She looked down.

Brie sighed. "Maria? Can you go to the kitchen and retrieve more spoons?" she asked one of the other girls.

"No." Ila realized that Maria was bound to notice the mess, and mention it. "I'll- I'll get them." She stammered.

"All right," Brie said. "Never mind, Maria."

Ila shook as she headed for the kitchen. She looked as if she was going to her own death.

Ila returned, still shaking and panting slightly from running all the way from the kitchen. She offered Brighid the wet spoons.

"Thank you Ila," Brie said, taking the spoons to lay  beside the knives.

"They're wet!" Cort complained. "Are these even clean?"

"Of course they are. Freshly washed," Brie stated.

"I'll bet she only dunked them in water." Cort picked up his spoon between two fingers and deliberately dropped it on the floor. "Get me a clean spoon."

Brie wiped a spoon off on her apron and took it over. She set it on the table in front of him. "I don't know why every one has decided to be arses today but feel free to eat your evening meal in Portside."

"First you people are too uppity for a couple maggots in your meat, next you try feeding us like we're pigs at a trough." Cort picked up the spoon and threw it at Brighid.

"Maggots in meat is not healthy, it has nothing to do with maggots. If you want to be ornery, go to Portside. Now."