She had planned to spend the following day furthering these explorations, but upon rising the next morning she found the Motley in a bustle of high excitement. She made her way down to the dining parlour at the back of the house, and found not only Maggin but Drig and a few other guests assembled around a veritable feast.
‘Bess!’ greeted Drig. ‘You are in fine time.’
‘Have a seat, lass, and eat yer fill,’ invited Maggin. ‘And ye’d best hear the news at once.’
Bess obeyed this invitation, though she had neither time nor need to reach for any food. The moment she sat down in the chair her hostess indicated, the plate before her filled itself, with naught but an odd shimmer in the air to indicate that anything unusual was happening. Generous portions of eggs, ham, fresh bread, brightly-col
