The Cameo Under the Rushes

"May I help you, my lady?" asked the man.

"Yes. I need a place to stay. I am headed south."

The man stared at her. After a few seconds, he nodded, and pointed to a chair and an empty table. "Please sit there and rest. You must have had a long journey. Your clothes are dusty."

Astra gratefully accepted his offer, and sat down at the table. The hermit continued, "My name is Rufus - so-called because at one time I had red hair." His lips parted in a half-smile, as if he was mocking his now- white hair. "I was once a squire who owned a fair estate. I have cut myself off from the world. I do not approve of the changes that have taken place in Allaria, and to preserve my sanity, I have taken refuge here. So if I seem unfashionable or unfriendly, please do not take offense."

"I understand, Rufus. Better than you would know. I myself am happy to be away from Camelyn, and Reaibn, who certainly has turned the place into chaos."

"Please do not speak of it," Rufus requested, in a tired voice, with a hint of annoyance. "My hut is at your disposal, but you will have to pitch in and help. I do not have many guests. Your horse will have to graze - I know where there is some good pasture. I have no good stable, although there is a large porch in back that will protect him from the weather. I have cut some new rushes, and was going to lay them on the floor. Could you help remove the old ones?"

Astra agreed. She went with Rufus to her horse, and removed the baton, a pair of gloves, and a loaf of bread from her supplies. The gloves would be good protection against the bedbugs and other vermin that infest old rushes. While Rufus attended to her horse, she placed the bread on the table and slipped on the gloves, keeping the baton under her arm. She felt that she could trust Rufus, but one could never be too careful. She then gathered up the old rushes from the floor, and piled them at the edge of the woods.

There was an old broom in the corner. Astra, being thorough, and grateful for the shelter, decided to sweep the floor clean before laying down the new rushes. While she was sweeping, she noticed a cameo lying on the floor. The setting appeared to be silver. Pictured on the cameo were a young couple and two hunting dogs, in what was apparently a meadow. The man wore the confident and dignified expression of a country gentleman. He had auburn hair. Could this young man be the same Rufus who was tending her horse? The lady was much like any lady that Astra had seen in a number of courts. Blonde and smiling, and leaning on her husband, Astra did not much care for her. The lady seemed shallow, but perhaps Astra was projecting her own experience of court society with its petty intrigues and pointless small talk into a simple miniature portrait. "Even a stilted existence like that will be better than the chaos of Camelyn," thought Astra.

Astra politely placed the portrait on the table, next to the bread, and laid the new rushes on the floor. The hermit had a large cauldron of cooking meat. The aroma of the newly cut rushes and the savory smell of the cooking meat worked to calm her frayed nerves. She was happy to have found such a hospitable, though simple, spot. And the hermit was quite trusting - he did not even ask her for her name.

Astra heard some noise in the back as the hermit was boarding her horse in the makeshift stable. After the hermit had secured the horse, and entered the cottage, he greeted Astra. His eyes then caught site of the cameo. He froze, then picked it up.

1. He gasped, and then asked Astra, quickly, "Where did you find this?"
2. He nodded silently, and then sighed, and placed the minature out of his sight.
3. He smiled. He looked at Astra, and said, "My lady, I see that you have found something that I have been looking for."

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