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T hey had approached the castle from the back way yesterday. She could see the village from the main gate, and it was an easy walk. She chose to ride, of course, since it was easier to outrun predators that way. They also brought the steward, two soldiers, and a sheep cart with them.

Thanks to the ravenous briar wolves, they were low on battle rams; yet another thing she would be adding to her shopping list.

It was market day, and colorful stalls and carts lined the main street, making it easy to stock up on essentials.

Because of her careful study of the ledgers, she had an excellent idea of local prices. She made arrangements for everything they couldn't immediately transport to be delivered.

The steward hired a housekeeper and maid, and Zelda found a street vendor selling delicious grilled meat and hired him on the spot to come and cook twice a week.

She chose another man to come in two days a week and a woman to fill in for the other three.

She planned to let them compete and then choose the best of the lot.

The grasslands economy was heavily dependent on herds, and wealth was measured in how many cattle you had. As a result, there were many things for sale made of wool, including clothes, rugs, blankets, and bags, all of exceptional craftsmanship.

The crochet applique was three-dimensional and looked like real flowers. She examined the bag closely and could not figure out how it was done. “This is beautiful. Do you ever export these?”

“It's been tried. Too dangerous, what with bandits and wild beasts,” the merchant woman grouched. “Are you going to buy that?”

Zelda ignored her rudeness. “How long does it take to make one of these? And did you dye the yarn yourself? The color is extraordinary.”

The woman thawed a little. “It's lichen-dyed. I also use moss, mushrooms, and roots. The red one is from beetles.”

Zelda did buy the bag and arranged to get samples of the dye and the colored yarn. She was building a catalog of possible items for export. They would need reliable trade routes for the castle to truly flourish.

There was some sturdy metalwork, but nothing truly exceptional. Carved bone jewelry, pottery, leather goods. If she wanted any luxuries, she was going to have to import them. That would require safe trade routes... She sighed. These things took time.

“You again!” a shrill voice said accusingly. Lady Divine was back, and this time she had friends. Unfortunately, the young ladies looked as vapid and silly as the lady herself.

Judging by their over-decorated clothes, Lady Divine was at the peak of local fashion. What a pity.

Zelda pondered her. She must thank her uncle for taking her away to raise her.

Clearly, it had been the right choice. “Did you want something, or were you attempting to play top of the heap again?” She glanced at the castle.

“The castle is that way. Tell it to unearth the wine cellar.

I'm going to need to store these casks somewhere.” She waved a hand at the sheep cart.

“I'll even give you a cask if you can manage it.”

Lady Divine's eyes narrowed. “Do you think you can just move in here and lord it over everyone? I've been here from the beginning. I'm the lord's daughter! Everyone knows that I belong in the castle.”

Zelda thought she actually was Lord Zxa's illegitimate daughter, and she wasn't going by the birthmark that may or may not have been drawn on.

Zelda had asked the steward about it. He had reluctantly admitted that Lady Divine's personal maid had revealed under torture the intimate details of her lady’s cycle and the dates of her cheating. The maid had sworn that the child belonged to Lord Zxa.

Of course, her father was married to Zelda's mother at the time. Since it would be awkward to kill his pregnant mistress, he cast her aside instead.

Lady Divine's mother floated around for a bit and then settled in the village after Lord Zxa died. A beauty, she managed to snare a rich guy. They got married, and she gave him two sons.

The fact remained, however, that Lady Divine had no power over the castle. That alone would be enough for the villagers to spurn her. Combined with her mother's infidelity, it would make her a non-starter for Lady of the castle. Which made her behavior...

“Dog in the manger!” Zelda snapped her fingers, putting a finger on Lady Divine's bizarre crusade. “Can't eat the hay, but doesn't want anyone else to have it.”

Lady Divine turned purple. She looked like a ripe grape about to explode.

Her flock of young songbirds twittered, unsure what to do.

“Zelda. Mount up.” Uncle Tank’s voice cut through the petty conversation like a brick through glass. He was looking into the distance, his eyes following a line of riders.

Zelda saw the size of the party and promptly mounted up, riding for the castle. This was not the time to posture. She wanted to negotiate with any strangers from the strength of the castle grounds.

The newcomers didn't seem to hurry, but they arrived at the gates right after they shut. There were three of them, all clearly warriors. The leader was huge, and so was his battle ram. The goblin’s black hair was pulled back from his face in a crest and fell to his shoulders.

His sword poked over his shoulder, and he was clad in furs and leather.

His green face was stern, his cheeks and jaw broad.

He looked up at her on the castle wall and seemed right at home. What was he so relaxed about?

“State your business,” Uncle Tank said.

“I wish to speak to the lady,” the newcomer said.

“Speak,” she replied. They might as well skip the pleasantries and get right to it.

“My name is Ozzy Redbone, chief of the Bone Clan. I've come with an offer of marriage,” he said, smiling pleasantly at her.

She blinked. That was unexpected. “Why?”

“You're quite a pretty lady,” he said smoothly.

She snorted. “You didn't know I existed yesterday! Let's be frank here. It will save a lot of time.”

Uncle Tank grunted in approval. He had coached her well.

The chieftain looked at her shrewdly. “Very well.

The Beast Queen is a problem. She can create creatures out of nothing and sends them out to devastate our lands.

My tribe needs a fortified position. You have a castle, but you don't have enough soldiers to defend it.

You're powerful, but magic is not enough. I propose an alliance.”

She needed to ask the steward about this Beast Queen. She sounded like a possible problem, but Zelda needed more information before making any decisions.

Meanwhile, she would play for time. “And this is the only fortified castle that will do?”

“These lands are our home. We know them well and we want to defend them.”

“Fair enough.” She thought about it. “But if it's an alliance you want, I have a younger sister.

She's pretty enough. Why not marry her?” She wouldn't hesitate to toss her little sister to the wolves, if the girl were agreeable.

She might be, if she thought the chieftain was a step up.

If things went sour, Zelda wouldn't hesitate to break the agreement and let the obnoxious Lady Divine figure out how to deal with her hulking husband.

The men conferred quietly. “You're talking about the Lady Divine? Your father's daughter?” Ozzy clarified.

“The same.”

“Yeah, that's not going to work,” one of the other goblins said. He was tall and lean with a big scar across his nose. “She's not a power here.”

Oh, well. She tried. Zelda conferred quietly with the steward and Uncle Tank. “What do you think? I won't be marrying him, of course.”

The steward hesitated. “The Beast Queen is a problem, and the Bone Clan has been at war with her for some time. The only reason we haven't had more trouble with her is that she has been busy with them, but they've taken heavy losses.”

She glanced over the wall. “Maybe, but I can't just let him in here. He looks like the type who will want to run things. I don't feel like letting him take over.”

“Where's the rest of your clan?” Uncle Tank called down.

Hm. Good question.

Ozzy's demeanor shifted slightly as he regarded Tank. “And who would you be?”

Tank didn't answer, so Zelda called down, “Just answer the question.”

Ozzy frowned, but glanced over his shoulder. “Beyond those hills.”

“How many people are in your clan?”

“Seven hundred. That includes men, women, and children. We also have our herds and livestock.”

“They intend to stay,” Uncle Tank said calmly. “But they're herdsmen. They will need to move the herds around to keep them fed, and they'll need heavy guards if they've been attacked by wild animals. Most likely they plan to retreat to the castle in case of a threat.”

“Is he known for keeping his word? What kind of goblin is he?” she asked the steward.

“He has a good reputation,” the steward said slowly. “A feared warrior. He lost his wife to childbed fever. The child was stillborn.”

She winced. “So he's a seasoned leader and a warrior with a good reputation. Good to know. I think we should take a little more time to talk about this. Meanwhile, I think I should ‘allow’ him to stay in the hills,” she said dryly. “It's not as if we could push him out.”

“True,” Uncle Tank said. “At least his presence should deter any of the briar wolves.”

She nodded. “I think that would be best.” She looked over the wall. “I'm going to take the night to think about it. I'm not going to marry you, but I'll consider your offer of alliance. We will meet here at noon tomorrow, and I will give you my decision.”

“Tomorrow then.” He inclined his head and rode away.

She watched him go thoughtfully. “It's a pity he wouldn't take Lady Divine.”

“Don't be in such a hurry to give someone like her any power. It might seem like a good way to get rid of her, but don't underestimate her. She's an evil little imp and would gladly gut you to take your place.”

“I hear you. I'll watch my back.”