Gertie's Choice Read Free Page A

outside waiting for me.”
    “I thought you came for a
position, but you intend to go back home now?” Julia asked her new
employee.
    “Ophelia walked here with
me, we did not know if we would be able to talk to anyone or if we
would be sent away. I will be happy to stay, I ask only that I am
allowed to tell my sister good-bye.”
    “Of course, tell William
that I said to take your sister home so she does not have to walk
alone. He will not be allowed to take one of the royal coaches of
course, but there is a wagon or two he could choose from. I would
not like to hear of your sister walking alone in the forest.” Julia
said.
    “There have been rumors,
some say that it might soon become unsafe for anyone to be walking
in the forest.” Gertrude said. Might as
well get right to it! She
thought.
    Julia seemed to have a
faraway look in her eye. “It is unfortunate, but that could be the
case. There has been a directive ordering the purification of the
land. To rid the land of those who would dare practice sorcery,
witchcraft or the likes.”
    “And they feel that is the
case here, in these forests?” Gertrude asked, fear causing her
throat to constrict.
    “ Mathew
thinks so. In fact, he procured the services of a huntsman. He
feels a dichotomy of
views is urgently needed on the immediate horizon.”
    “ A huntsman?”
    “Yes, a man who has been
trained to smell out and eliminate any form of the supernatural. I
believe he intends to have mass burnings.” Julia said.
    Gertrude felt as if she
were going to faint. “With your permission, Milady, may I say my
goodbyes to my sister Ophelia now?”
    “Yes, of course, Gertie.
When you come back to the room, I have several garments that need
to be washed.”
    Gertie walked down the
long staircase, willing herself not to run. At that moment she did
not know if she should just leave now and never come back. But she
realized that this woman already knew her name and the name of her
sister and that they live in the forest. She decided it would be
better to stay. Maybe she could learn more of the Huntsman’s
plans.
    When Gertie walked out of
the Palace gates she did not see her sister, nor William. She felt
a stab of fear for her sibling, but then she heard
laughter.
    “There you are, you were
gone a long time. Did you get to meet the King’s cousin?” Ophelia
said smiling, clearly laughing at her sister for believing that
William was not only the King’s cousin, but also her future
husband.
    “Yes, I did. Julia offered
me the job and she is heavy with child.”
    “And you are to do, what
exactly? I forget Gertrude, tell me again what you are so qualified
to do?”
    Gertie ignored her sister
and instead turned to William. “William, Julia said to take one of
the smaller wagons and make sure my sister gets home safely. I will
be staying here.”
    “With no clothes?” Ophelia
said.
    “It should be fine,
Ophelia. Tell momma I am sorry I did not get to say goodbye.
William, may I have a moment alone with Ophelia?”
    “Aye, I’ll go round up the
wagons. Be right back, Ophelia.” William said, smiling.
    When he was out of earshot
Gertie told her sister of her conversation with Julia and how it
was Julia’s husband who was one of the huntsmen, but that a much
greater threat was about to ascend on them.
    “I am worried about you,
Gertrude. Please be careful and no….” She paused to look around
again just to make sure. “No blue mist, you must promise me that or
I shall never sleep again so full my head will be with
worry!”
    “It looks like you have
made a friend in William, we could use him. Maybe he can help us by
bringing you here or me back near home when we need to talk. Don’t
let him take you to the house, lead him in a different direction
and walk the rest of the way yourself. They already know our names
and that we live in the forest. Julia seems a bit cold, but it
might just be her condition.” Gertie said.
    “My bet would be on that
it is because of