Audrey still didn't remember seeing any of this, but she felt right at home. This was exactly what she had imagined, when she had tried to remember what this place looked like. The scop was good at describing things, yet Audrey was still surprised at how normal everything felt. It was made of stone, with wooden gates and wooden towers visible over the walls. Audrey noticed a flock of sheep in a nearby pen, they would need to be sheared soon, by the look of their fleece.
Audrey had received a new set of clothes before they arrived, on the order of the Lady. It represented her new status as a trusted theow, and included a leather collar that would replace her current metal one. It felt a lot more comfortable on her neck, yet it had several D-hooks for easy restraining, if necessary. Audrey was determined to avoid any more punishments. She had seen some of the other theows with similar collars, and they were all trusted members of the group. Audrey was honoured that the Lady trusted her so. The next level would be to gain her freedom, but that would take many years. It was at least possible now though, as the Lady would start keeping a tally of how many days she had been working and it would count towards her freedom. Audrey didn't know what she would do if that day finally arrived, but she didn't need to worry about that now. It was so many years ahead of her, for now it was enough to have less limitations and be in the Lady's favour.
The people in the castle had not anticipated their arrival, but as soon as the train arrived, they had all scrambled to be ready to welcome the Lady home. The person in charge of the castle when she was gone was her adopted nephew, a young man named Arthur. He was being groomed to take over once the Lady retired or died. The scop said he wasn't quite as vicious as the Lady, but he was unable to say no to Morcefres or the Lady when they got creative.
"An unexpected return, yet not unwelcome," Arthur said as he met them at the gate. "Welcome home, mother."
"Thank you, Arthur dear. We ran into some unexpected difficulties, but we have also gained many new theows for our cause. Now let us go inside and I can tell you all about it."
The courtyard of the castle looked almost like the inside of the burh; it was clear it was designed by the same people. There was a smithy, several workstations, various animal pens, and people busy walking all over the place. Audrey knew at once where the dining hall was, as well as the bedrooms and the bathrooms. The main difference from the burh, apart from the size, was that there were more stone buildings here, and that there was an altar of sorts for sacrifices to Woden and the other gods. It all smelled and sounded familiar, so she had to have been here before.
Audrey at once went over to the animal pens. There were a few oxen for use when they needed to plough the fields, and cows that a theow was milking. She didn't seem to have a lot of experience with it. Audrey wondered if it was her place to correct her. Luckily, Ædven came over before long.
"Wolfrith, you don't need to do that anymore. Audrey is back and does it a lot better than you." The theow seemed relieved, but also didn't seem to recognize Audrey. Had it been that long since she had been here?
"If you feel up to it, Audrey, can you take over for her? You do it a lot better than any of the others."
"Yes, Ædven," Audrey said and promptly sat down and finished the milking. And just like that, everything was back how it was supposed to be. Although she still felt like there was something important she had forgotten about, she quickly got back into the routine, with caring for the animals, and teaching many of the new theows the best way to shear a sheep.
It was also nice to get a proper bath for the first time since they had left. They had a large wooden tub here, and once a week they all took turns bathing in it. With water being constantly heated in the kitchen, which they all took turns supplying, it was a great luxury and something they all looked forward to. After only being able to clean themselves with cold water while on tour, this was a relaxing experience.
The first time there was a break in the routine was when some of the theows attempted to run away. They were successful at first. Well, they got out of the castle. Yet with complete wilderness for miles around them, there was no way they would survive, so they tried to steal the train. However, the train was locked in a way that made it impossible for them to start it as quickly as they needed to. Morcefres let them try for a long time, while he silently surrounded the train with his best and most loyal churls. The moment he let out a sound, most of them tried to run, but the only result was that they ran straight into the circle of churls that surrounded them. They were all tied up and gagged in a moment and brought back inside the castle.
In the castle, Morcefres didn't need to punish people in sight of the rest, unless he wanted to humiliate them. There was a dungeon here, with proper cells. The runaways were placed there as Morcefres, and the Lady took turns asking them how they managed to get out of the castle. In the end, one of the runaways were executed, and one churl, the one who had let them escape, was reduced to a theow again. It was the first time Audrey could remember that someone was executed, not just died from overworking or fatigue. It involved a lot more blood than she had imagined.
The pigs ate better than her that night. They got meat every execution night. She didn't want to think about the fact that just a few hours ago, this meat had been a fellow theow. It was pig food. Pigs could eat almost anything. She took the shoes of another part of the meat. Those shoes were better than hers, she hoped no one noticed.
Kaneez was also in a cell; the Lady hadn't decided what to do with her yet. It was obvious that she wanted to die, but despite the execution, they didn't like to kill people for no reason. Every theow was valuable, it wouldn't be a good idea to kill them too often.
Audrey sneaked down to see Kaneez one day. She didn't know what drove her to do it, but she felt like it was important. Morcefres was busy flogging a theow that hadn't performed well that day, he wouldn't come down here for a while. Hardly anyone came down here voluntarily.
Kaneez was almost asleep, but her head shot up when she heard someone coming. She was relieved and puzzled when she saw who it was. She was chained to the wall from her collar, and also had fetters on her feet, making the bars in the cell door unnecessary, but it was a constant reminder of her predicament.
"Why are you here? Have you decided to help me after all?"
"Help you? Why would I help you, after you nearly got me killed? Thanks to you, I suffered such a severe head-injury, I don't even remember who I am. I tried to show sympathy, and you rewarded it by knocking me over and stealing my seax. Why on earth would I help you?"
"You don't remember?"
"No. The Lady, and the scop had to remind me of who I am and what my role is. Most of it sounded familiar, so I know it's probably the truth."
"They probably didn't tell you everything."
"They told me enough."
"So, if you're not here to help me, why are you here? I doubt you got the Lady's permission."
"I don't know. Maybe I just wanted to see that you're still being punished for being an idiot. Maybe to ask why you did it. Why me? What have I done to you?"
"It wasn't personal. It was a momentary impulse, and clearly one I'm regretting. I didn't mean to push you that hard either. I was focused on getting to the executioner."
"Why? How did you see this ending, other than exactly like this?"
"I thought I would be killed. Maybe I'm still hoping for it. This isn't life, the way we're forced to be."
"Speak for yourself. I am doing what I love."
"And yet, if you fail in even the smallest thing, you will be whipped. That's illegal, most places."
"Not here though. And here is what matters."
Audrey heard footsteps. She had lingered for too long! Sending a silent prayer to Frigg, she tried to hide in a corner and sneak out. But of course Morcefres saw her. He grabbed her by her collar.
"Do you like it down here?" Audrey shook her head. She didn't trust her voice.
"I didn't think so. Consider this a warning. If I ever catch you sneaking around here again, you'll be staying for much longer than you had planned. Do you understand what I'm saying?"
Audrey nodded. He yanked her collar again, wanting a verbal response.
"Yes thegn, I understand. I won't go down here again."
Morcefres released her and pushed her towards the door. Audrey didn't need further encouragement. She was gone before he even turned around. It reminded her of what Kaneez had said. If she made one mistake, she would end up in the same place. She had to remember that.