with interest.
"Well..." Lauda leaned toward her conspiratorially. "According to the old beliefs, if you fast all day, when you go to sleep on St. Agnes Eve, you will dream of the man fated to be your husband." Murie and Emilie just stared at her blankly, and Lauda gave another embarrassed laugh and shrugged. " 'Tis a silly superstition, I know, and it probably does not work, but would it not be wonderful if it did?" She gave a little sigh. "I am in much the same position as you, Murie. My betrothed was taken by the plague, and Father wishes me to select a husband while we are at court. But..." She peered around the crowded hall. "There are so many, and I hardly know any. I have no idea whom to choose."
" 'Tis a difficult decision," Murie acknowledged, somewhat surprised to find she had anything in common with this girl who had tormented her throughout her youth.
"Aye, and it affects the whole of our lives," Lauda murmured. She added wryly, "But I suppose I have missed out on allowing St. Agnes to assist me with the matter. I did not remember, and so did not fast."
Murie smiled faintly, thinking with amusement that it would have been nice to at least try. Not that she would have based any decision solely on the result. However,a little help from the saints would always be nice.
"Actually, Lauda," Malculinus suddenly commented from beside his sister. 'You have not missed out at all. The saying is that if you fast all day or eat something rotten before bed, you will dream of the man you are meant to marry. You could still eat something rotten and test this belief."
"Really?" Lauda peered at him with apparent uncertainty. "Are you sure, Malculinus?"
"I believe he may be right," Emilie spoke up, drawing Murie's wide eyes. "Now that you remind me, I have heard the saying before, and I do recall some mention of rotten meat."
"Well, there!" Lauda said brightly, flashing a smile at Murie.
"You can still test the theory and see if it is true." Murie bit her lip uncertainly. Fasting all day was one thing, but the idea of eating rotten meat wasn't very appealing. Unfortunately, it was too late to choose the first option. Wrinkling her nose, she suggested, "Why do you not do it tonight, and if it works, I shall try it tomorrow."
"It only works on St. Agnes Eve," the woman reminded her, shaking her head. "Nay, I fear you would have to do it tonight."
"What of you?" Emilie asked, and when Lauda looked at her in alarm, she reminded her, "You keep saying Murie should, but you have to choose a husband, too."
"Oh, I do not think - " Lauda began quickly, but Malculinus interrupted.
"Of course she will try. Murie and Lauda can do it together." When his sister turned on him sharply, he shrugged and said,
"Well, you do have to choose a husband, and Murie does not wish to try this on her own. Mayhap dreams will supply the answer to your waking mind's concerns."
Lauda scowled, but then turned back to Murie, who commented, "As lovely as it would be to have some aid from the saints, I am not sure I want to eat rotten meat to - "
"No, of course not," Lauda said. "Forgive me for suggesting it. Your stomach is surely too delicate. I suppose I shall have to test it out on my own."
Murie stiffened at the suggestion that she was somehow weaker. "My stomach is no more delicate than anyone else's."
"Well, then, perhaps you are afraid," Lauda suggested mildly.
"I am not afraid." Murie scowled.
"Good. Then we shall do it together."
'You shall both do it!" Malculinus laughed. "How charming. I can hardly wait until morning to hear the results."
"Oh, but - ," Murie began in protest. She hadn't meant her words to be taken as agreement. She really had no desire to eat something rotten, even if it did mean she would get the answer to whom she should marry.
"Very well," Lauda interrupted, getting to her feet. "I shall go to the king's cook right now and see what he has for us. He must have some bad meat somewhere. Perhaps he will be kind enough to cook it and to add in some spices and herbs to make it more palatable."
"Nay, Lauda, I - ," Murie began, but the woman was already away. Murie watched her disappear out of the hall and then sank back into