Chapter 4

4

E lvira was dejected and aggrieved by Rory's rejection. She had come here expecting to find kindness from an old friend, and instead had been met with the callous attitude of a stranger. She thought that Rory was too young to be so bitter. Although he had the body of a man, his facial features still possessed some of that dusting of innocence that was so rare in such a dark world. She had given him so many reasons to help her, but none of them had been enough. He wanted to sit in that big forge by himself, enjoying the warmth and the comfort, while condemning her and her family to hardship. Her feet were aching, and her throat was dry and scratchy. Tereza and Ollie were whining about hunger. Elvira bit her tongue, lest she snap at them. It was not their fault that their home had burned, or that Rory had turned them away.

"We can find shelter in the tavern. At least he gave us that piece of advice," Mirella said, trying to look at things in a positive light.

"I even showed him the dagger and it was nae enough," Elvira said bitterly.

"Some men cannae see the truth even when it is plain in front of their face. All we could dae was ask, and ask we did," Mirella said.

Elvira was still despondent, not only at that, but also at the news of Ian. She had thought it a slim chance that he would still be unmarried after all this time. It seemed that her mother's words had not been as prescient as some of the villagers would have liked to believe. It was harder to cope with the news that his entire family had died. If she hadn't been so angry with Rory, then she would have asked him for more information. The shock had startled her. It was difficult to comprehend how a man could lose everything. She hoped that this was not a fate she was going to have to endure.

They staggered their way to the tavern and opened the door. She guided Mirella and her siblings to a table, before moving to the bar. She pulled out a handful of coins, which was all she had managed to gather from her palm readings at the tavern the previous night. Behind the bar stood a stout woman with tawny hair, pulled back in a tight bun.

"How can I help ye, lass?" she looked up and did a double take when she saw Elvira's uncommon features. It wasn't the first time Elvira had been looked at in this way, and it would not be the last.

"I would like a room for myself and my family, a meal tae," Elvira said. She opened her palm and showed the coins. The woman did a quick count and looked back at the table.

"I'm afraid ye are a wee bit short," she said reluctantly.

Elvira's heart sank. Her knees felt as though they were at the point of buckling, and there was a gnawing sensation in her stomach. The hunger throbbed, but she would have to endure it for a while longer. "Then perhaps just a meal for the others," she whispered.

The woman slipped the coin into her apron. "Let me see what I can dae. Ye gae sit down. I'll bring over yer food soon," she said. Elvira's legs were leaden. Now that she was at the end of her journey, it was as though all of her strength had been sapped. She collapsed into the chair, leaning her head back. Ollie and Tereza were busying themselves with a game they played with their hands. Mirella leaned towards Elvira, speaking in a low voice.

"At least we hae arrived," Mirella patted her thigh. "But we must be cautious here."

"Why?" Elvira asked. Over the years, she had learned to trust Mirella's wisdom. There was much she knew that Elvira did not. Mirella had lived a nomadic life under the shadow of clan feuds, and she had developed an instinct for the political turmoil of a region.

"Although this clan is an enemy, we may be seen as members of the McKovac clan," Mirella whispered.

"If they saw how we were treated, they would nae hae such a foolish notion," Elvira said bitterly.

"Aye, but even sae, people are nae inclined tae trust outsiders. We must be careful regarding how much we reveal about ourselves."

"I just want tae be safe," Elvira said, glancing at Tereza and Ollie. "I dinnae know why we hae tae be sae persecuted. We are people tae."

"Aye, but we are different. It is part of our blessing, and our curse," Mirella said.

"That's nae gaeing tae help us get coin. We need it tae live, and we dinnae hae enough left for a meal taemorrow."

Mirella chuckled. She was as resilient as ever, although Elvira wondered how she could act as though there was nothing to worry about when their resources were dwindling and there was no safe place for them to remain. They were alone, stranded from the rest of their people, forced to leave their home. It was hard to remain positive when faced with such dire circumstances.

"I would nae worry about that, Elvira. As a people, we are used tae enduring even when the circumstances are against us. We hae always managed tae fend for ourselves, even after all we hae been through. We are survivors, and we are determined. Ye get that from yer parents," Mirella said.

Elvira frowned, unsure that this was a rousing endorsement. Still, she was too tired to argue with Mirella. Thankfully, they were interrupted by their meal. Four plates were brought to their table. It was hardly a feast, but the meager meal was welcomed by ravenous appetites. Elvira was grateful that a plate had been scrounged up for her, but even so she gave some of her food to Tereza and Ollie, keeping only a morsel back for herself. She noticed that the woman who served their food lingered around their table, eventually working up the courage to speak to them.

"Excuse me, I dinnae mean tae interrupt but, are ye… well… it's just that I heard that yer people hae certain skills… skills tae help people see the future."

Elvira pursed her lips. She was about to disabuse the woman of this notion, before Mirella began speaking. "Oh, aye, we dae. It is a gift passed down from generation tae generation. Elvira's ma was one of the best. What's is ye name, dear?"

"Isla," she said, offering them a broad smile.

"Elvira hae inherited her mother's talents. She would be delighted tae give ye a reading, although it does take a wee bit out of her, and we hae endured a long journey. I suppose the prospect would be made a wee bit easier if we were assured of a hearty breakfast," Mirella said. Elvira glared at her, but the words had already been spoken.

"Oh, of course! I would be happy tae oblige, it's just that there is sae much fear and uncertainty in these parts. I hoped that ye might bring my mind tae rest."

"That she will dae, just find a quiet place and Elvira will see tae ye," Mirella said, giving Elvira an encouraging glance. Elvira composed herself, swallowing the last mouthful of food. She followed Isla to an adjoining room at the rear of the bar. Isla wiped her hands on her apron.

"Dae I need tae dae anything?" Isla asked.

"Nae at all, just relax and give me yer hand," Elvira said. She took Isla's hand and studied it intently, then she told Isla to close her eyes and breathe deeply. This afforded her the opportunity to look at Isla. Isla's hands were calloused, indicating that she worked hard at the inn. On her left hand was a wedding ring, suggesting that she was married. Given her age, it was likely that she had at least one child as well. Elvira gently manipulated the fingers, more to give Isla the impression that she was doing something impressive.

"I can see that ye are a hard-working woman. This line here shows that ye hae always been the same," Elvira began.

"Oh aye, even when I was young, I was helping Ma out. She said that I should marry a rich man sae that I would nae hae tae work a day in my life, but that dinnae sit right with me."

"Yes, I can see here that ye married for love."

Isla smiled warmly. "Aye, as soon as I saw him my heart was gone, and the same was true for him as well. People always said that love was complicated, but loving him hae been the easiest thing in the world. I just wish other things were as simple."

"Things like the outside world," Elvira said.

"Aye… I keep hearing things, whispers and rumors ye know, passing word about other clans."

"Clans like the McKovac clan."

Isla flinched in surprise, not knowing that Elvira had come from the area. "Yes, and I'm worried that eventually they are gaeing tae darken our doorstep. We're good honest folk, ye know, we dinnae want any trouble."

"Of course, but why in particular are ye sae afraid? Oh… yes, I see this line of conflict… is there some history between this clan and the McKovac clan?" Elvira said. Isla peered at her hand, trying to see the same thing that Elvira saw, but of course, she did not.

"Lots of history, gaes as far back as time itself," Isla sighed. "I thought peace could last forever, but I suppose we are nae sae fortunate. Dae ye see anything tae put my mind at rest?"

"Well, there is some tension here, but as long as good men stand up for what's right, then there should be nae trouble."

"That's just the problem. I'm worried, well, I should say that Torrin, that's my-"

"Husband," Elvira guessed, which served to impress Isla. It was easy to impress people who were looking to feel that way. She arched her eyebrows and leaned back in her chair.

"Aye, well, he says the laird is nae prone tae fighting. It's his advisor, ye see. Wars cost money, and money is nae something they want tae spend. If McKovac decides tae attack us, then the Laird might come tae a truce and sacrifice his land, land that gives home tae good people. It's just that there's sae much uncertainty and I want tae know that everything is gaeing tae be well," Isla leaned forward, placing her hand across her forehead. She rubbed her temples, while Elvira studied her. Most people wanted to be given this type of news. Elvira wished it for herself as well. Sometimes she wondered if she should be pragmatic and tell people to prepare for the worst, but she liked to give people hope.

"As long as there are men like Torrin in the village, then people will be safe. Ye should be proud of the man ye married," Elvira said.

Isla sighed with relief and nodded, smiling warmly.

"Aye, that is good advice. Even talking about this hae helped," Isla said. "Now, I hae better get back tae the bar. And ye should get some rest. Thank ye again. I'll make sure that ye get a filling breakfast taemorrow," Isla said, smiling warmly.

Elvira returned to her family. Mirella smiled. "Ye are just like yer mother," Mirella said. Elvira took it as the compliment that it was intended as, but inside she was haunted by the memory of her mother and all she had endured. Elvira did not want to suffer the same fate and was determined to forge a different path for herself and her family. All she wanted was to keep them from danger, but it seemed as though it followed them, no matter how far they went.

The hour grew late. The family had been squashed into a large room. Mirella was sleeping with Tereza, while Elvira shared a bed with Ollie. He seemed to grow as he slept, becoming gangly, taking up far more room than was warranted by his size. He fidgeted terribly, and Elvira felt a hand pressing against her mouth and a foot into the small of her back. Eventually, it became too much to cope with. This, coupled with her incessant fears of the future, gave her a restless night. It didn't help that Mirella snored as well, so there was utterly no hope for Elvira.

In between these snores, she did get a hint of an argument between Torrin and Isla from below. Elvira crept out of her room and listened at the top of the stairs.

"I am gaeing and that's that. There is nae more urgent business than this. The clan could depend on it!" Torrin cried out, and then slammed the door beside him. Isla cursed under her breath and disappeared to the back room.

Elvira glanced back at the room, tempted to leave. Even as she was justifying this course of action to herself, she was already slinking down the stairs and darting out of the tavern, following in Torrin's footsteps. If she were to take care of her family, then she needed to know what kind of place this was. She needed to understand the undercurrent that flowed through the clan, and the only way to do that was to listen in on forbidden conversations. The more she learned, the more she might be able to steer her family to safety. She moved through the shadows, nimble feet drawing no attention. She only paused when she realized Torrin's destination.

It was the forge that had once belonged to Ian McKendrick, the forge that now belonged to Rory. What could a hard-hearted man like him have to do with Torrin? Elvira was convinced that it could not be anything good.