Part VIII

The kitchen was bustling with people, not only the cooks but also the helpers and servers. Everyone was running in a well organized manner. Well nearly everyone. Joel was handed a big bowl with potatoes and chased away to bring it as fast as possible to the table. He just followed the girl in front of him and dropped the bowl on the first table than headed back to the kitchen. He was in a rush so he didn't look around this time while bringing two baskets with bred slices he made it slower to have a glimpse of who was in the great hall. There were all the guards and some other people Joel didn't know but they seemed some officials as they weren't wearing plain clothes. Here were about eighty people there. After all the food was carried the vine followed and Joel was told to pour each guard one glass only. He was responsible for the left side of the table and was doing as told when he felt someones hand groping his ass. Joel slammed that hand.

"New one and so feisty, I like that." A guard smiled showing incomplete toothing.

"Behave, if you want your vine." Joel warned him and moved away quickly.

He was eyeing every female in the great hall but none of the girls looked like Francine. He will have to ask around. After the dinner was over all the dishes had to be carried back. It was late evening when they finally went back to their bed chamber.

It was bad. All these women changing into night gowns and there was Joel with fake tits and a boner. He just ran out to the toilet. He needed to find Francine and he needed to do it fast. Early in the morning Joel woke up. He manged to get dressed before a loud command made by the head maid woke everyone else. Today they were supposed to clean the rooms in the keep. Joel was hopeful to find out something about Francine. He saw a familiar face.

"Hi Mia, I'm looking for a friend of mine, her name is Francine. Do you know someone with that name?"

Mia was thinking for a bit before she answered.

"Sorry Joy but no. You should ask Hilda. She's the head maid."

That was not a bad idea so after handing out breakfast Joy along with four other girls went to the keep. The head mid was leading the way. Just as they entered Hilda ordered them around.

"Syl and Gina, you go to the guest rooms." She pointed to the left "Mia and Joy upstairs the masters bedroom, study and the library. When you finish we will clean the hall here together. The master is coming in three days but you never know. He might be earlier. Go to work."

They went up using the spiral staircase carrying buckets with water, floor cloth and brooms.

"We need to change the bed first" Mia commanded

Joel never had to clean up or change sheds but thanks to errand he has taken upon him he could learn it firsthand. The work was tiring and boring but there was no way about it. When master's bedroom was done Joel and Miriam went to the library. This place was really something. Joel has never seen so many books in one place. For a moment he was stunned but than started sweeping the floor. There wasn't much to do, it was just dusty. There was a nice oriel window and Joel looked out only to see the whole inner ward. It was quite busy there, he could see some guards practicing, servants and …Joel looked closer. There was a young woman with blond hair sticking out from under her head wrap. He wasn't sure how good the painter was but it might be Francine.

"I will change the water, it's dirty." Joel announced and before Mia could say something he grabbed the bucket and went downstairs. Joel was rushing past fighting guards straight to the seemingly familiar person.

"Hi are you Francine?" Joel asked as he came near her.

She looked at him with wide eyes.

"Yes, what do you want?" Her tone wasn't very pleasant.

"Your father, William Herford sends me." Joel leaned closer. "I will help you to escape from here back to your home." He smiled brightly.

There was a great shock in her eyes.

"But I don' want to go back." She backed off a little as if Joel would kidnap her any moment. Joel was equally shocked.

"What?!"