again, he quickly spotted Gudrid amongst the cooks and kitchen maids, bustling about by the grill, and approached her without a moment’s delay.
‘Are you still hungry, my dear?’ asked the woman, without even taking her eyes off the sizzling meat. Einar had always wondered how Gudrid managed to tell when someone was approaching her.
‘No, I’m full, but thank you for the offer.’ Toinen quickly glanced around and gently tugged at the woman’s sleeve to get her to lean towards him slightly. ‘I’m taking Tahon for a walk around Stairon, and whilst I’m at it, I’ll check that nothing’s happened at the harbour,’ he whispered in her ear. ‘Could you pass that on to my father or my brothers when one of them gets up?’
‘But of course.’ Only now did the elderly maid look up from her work and glance at the boy. She eyed him from head to toe and adjusted his shirt collar once more. ‘I know you mean well, but do look after yourself,’ she added quietly, before turning back to the pots. ‘Right, off you go,’ she said, raising her voice slightly.
