Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

We were on the road again after we ate the turkey. A full belly of warm food left me tired, and I wanted nothing more than to take a nap. But the snow started again shortly after we were back in the saddle, and the cold sting of the flakes helped to keep me awake.

Sparrow had said we were less than a half-day's travel from Giselda's. I wondered what she'd think when we appeared on her doorstep. One weary traveler, or two or three? Maybe. But nearly thirty? That might be quite another matter. I didn't hold much hope that she could help us, mostly because I didn't want to be disappointed.

As the snow steadily drifted down, we continued on, but there was no sign that we were being followed. By early evening I could see a faint glow ahead. I pointed it out to Fenling and Quen, and Sparrow confirmed that it was Giselda's house.

"We can't ride in en masse," I said. "I suggest Sparrow go ahead and talk to her, first."

"I don't want him going unprotected," Fenling said. "Sparrow, would you mind if Asajia and I go with you?"

He shook his head. "Not at all. I think she'll be fine with it. But remember, she's a powerful witch woman. Don't piss her off."

Quen waited with the others as we pulled forward, riding into the clearing in which the cottage sat. It looked like it belonged in the woodland—reminding me of an overgrown mushroom with a rounded thatched roof and a tall, narrow build.

We dismounted and followed Sparrow to the door. He knocked, waited, then knocked again. After a moment, the door opened and a woman peeked out.

By the way Sparrow had described her, I expected to see an elderly woman with wrinkled features, hunched over, carrying a wand. Instead, a tall, voluptuous woman stood in front of us, her gown sweeping the floor with an apron tied over the top. Her hair was braided and coiled atop her head, and she gave us the once over, her eyes lighting up when she saw Sparrow.

"Well, my bird has found his way home. With friends, no less." She stood back, opening the door wider. "Come in, be at peace, and cause no harm."

As we walked through the door, my arm hairs stood on end, and it felt like a million little zings prickled my skin. The energy was so thick here that it was impossible to ignore. I caught my breath as it skittered around my back and up and down my spine. I glanced at Fenling, who was twitching a little, as though she was trying to shrug something off of her shoulders.

"Giselda, I want you to meet Asajia, and this is Mistress Fenling, of the Lorani." Sparrow's voice was shaking just a little.

"Ah, my little bird brought home a number of important guests." Giselda nodded toward the door. "How many do you have out there?"

"We're nearly thirty," Fenling said. "The Lorani ride in silence this day, and we seek some form of shelter. I know your house isn't big enough, but I noticed you have a small stable in back. If we clean it for you, can we bunk there for the night?"

Giselda said nothing, but went over to a small table and sat down, cupping her hands around a crystal ball. She closed her eyes, then murmured a chant and—once more—fell silent. A moment passed, then another. Finally, she leaned back and let out a long breath.

"You may use the stables. But the two of you are to stay inside with us. Sparrow, show the riders to the stables. They can clean them on the morrow morning. I'll make dinner for everyone. You said you have a company of nearly thirty?"

Fenling nodded.

"Sparrow, go to the larder and fetch me a leg of lamb. Also, bring in a sack of potatoes. I'll stew us up a dinner." She stood, crossing to her fireplace. A large cauldron sat near the hearth, and she hoisted it, carrying it over to a counter.

"What can we do to help?" I asked.

"I need water from the well—it's outside and to the left. Bring me two buckets, if you will. And then both of you can help me wash and dice the potatoes." She handed wooden buckets to Fenling and me, and we headed out the door.

Fenling filled Quen in on what they were to do, and the riders began to lead the horses to the stable. At least it would be protected from the snow, and there was a chimney on the stable, so it had a fireplace.

Fenling and I carried the water in, pouring it into the cauldron. We lifted the cauldron over the flame and Giselda added chunks of lamb from the leg. As the water began to heat, we sat down and began to wipe the potatoes with a damp cloth, then quarter them. The coziness of the house began to permeate my body, driving the chill out. Giselda said little, but she brought us hot mugs of tea. She sent Sparrow out to the Lorani with another cauldron, a smaller one, so they could heat water for tea over the fireplace in the stables.

It wasn't long before the soup was bubbling. Giselda added several handfuls of herbs and some salt to the cauldron. She sat down at the table with us. Sparrow and Tonya sat on a bench near the large hearth.

"So, my Sparrow brought you home with him. I take it things are not well in the castle?"

I glanced at Fenling, deciding she should be the one to field the question.

"Things are difficult. The prince…"

"The prince has always been trouble, since he first took the throne," Giselda said. "And things will get worse before they get better."

I glanced at the crystal ball. "Can you see the future?"

Prognosticators were nothing new to me. Every town had their soothsayer. Some were more accurate than others, but Giselda—she was the real thing. She radiated power, and I wondered if the prince had ever met her. If so, I would be surprised to see that he let her live. Oracles were quite often problematic for governments, especially ones who ruled unjustly.

"Sometimes, child. Why do you ask?" She aimed her gaze at me and I felt exposed, like she could see me from the inside out.

"We left a friend in the city—he's been arrested. We're trying to help him. Will we be successful?" I didn't want to give away too much, but the chance of finding out something that might help us move forward seemed too much of a gift to resist.

Fenling gave me a cautionary look, but I ignored it. The timing and energy felt right.

Giselda pulled her crystal ball to her, cupping her hands around the globe. She dropped her head, as if listening. The silence in the house hung heavy, settling around us like a shroud. Another moment, and she stiffened, her eyes flying open. But there were no irises—merely black orbs shining out of the sockets. The look was spooky as hell, but I found that I wasn't afraid of her. I had no sense that she was going to attack.

"Your friend," she whispered, her voice low. "He belongs in the city, correct?"

"He's part of it, yes."

"His heart is torn between the city and the wilds. He's never happy for long, always longing for the other side. He's worried now—he's…he worries about you, about you both." She hesitated, then said, "He's not in the city—not at this moment. He's looking for you. There are scouts on his heels and he's doing his best to lose them."

I jerked my head, staring at Fenling. She gave me a startled look in return.

"You mean that he's escaped?"

"He's been freed, yes, but he runs from his pursuers. He bears a blood price on his head, so danger will follow him."

Then Karehl knew he was gone and the word had gotten out. "Will he find us?"

"That I cannot say. There's mist in the way, a shroud of uncertainty." She froze, then whispered. "There are dangers from all sides, not just the castle. You—" she pointed at me, "are in the most danger. You're walking a thin ledge with rocks below. One wrong move and you fall. I advise that you go deep into the forest. There's safety inside the danger, but you must go alone. Anyone who journeys with you faces their own mortality."

"You can't go into the heart of Bramble Fel alone," Fenling said. "I won't let you. It's far too dangerous."

I glanced at Giselda, who shook her head.

"If you go," the witch said, "you both will fail. You are needed with the rest of your company, Fenling."

The thought of plunging deep into the forest on my own terrified me. I thought I found my place in life, and now I was facing losing it as quickly as it had arrived. But the look on Giselda's face was clear. "The spirits have spoken. There may be someone who can go with you…"

"I can go with her," Sparrow said.

Giselda hesitated, then consulted the ball again. "It will be a dangerous and long road, but I do not see you as crossing Fate's purpose if you attend her."

"Then I'm going." He looked anything but resolute, and I could feel the fear oozing off of him, but I also saw a hunger in his eyes. He wanted to prove himself, he was ready to step into being a man, fully and truly, and to him, that meant protecting others.

I turned to Fenling. "I won't put you in danger. I trust her, as impetuous as that sounds. The magic in this cottage is so thick it might as well be gravy."

"Damned Fate. But I, too, feel destiny calling." Fenling turned to Giselda. "Will we meet again?"

"Your paths are deeply entwined. You, Fenling, must wait here until the sun breaks the sky in three days, then go after your friend. By then, he'll be in a position to travel with you and your company. After that, you can look for Asajia. You are instruments of the gods. Many lives hinge on the three of you, and your friends—not just those of your company." She paused, then turned to me. "Get some sleep. The next fortnight will be difficult and frightening. You'll need all your reserves. Eat hearty, and I will make you trail-bread to take with you. It will sustain you even when all other food has vanished."

Fenling leaned close as Giselda went to stir the soup. "What do you think's going on?"

"I don't know, but from the beginning I knew I had to get out of my village. But she's right, this is bigger than me. The moment I entered Eleago, I sensed a pent up energy, waiting to explode. Your people are restless. I think Karehl has made costly mistakes, and he won't be able to avoid accountability. I think your nation is nearing a tipping point, where they won't be willing to accept his behavior much longer."

Giselda ladled out lamb soup, then summoned Quen in. He and another of the company carried the cauldron out to the stables, where they finished off the rest. As I ate, I searched my thoughts, trying to figure out if I was making the right move by listening to the witch. Although every ounce of me wanted to rebel, I couldn't. In my heart of hearts, something told me to obey. I might not understand it, but I decided to follow her advice.

I ate, then Sparrow and I packed so we could leave at dawn.

"Are you sure about this?" I asked him. "I can go alone. I don't want you hurt."

"I want to go. It's time I took my place as a adult, it's time for me to give back. Giselda helped me more than I can ever say. She's never steered me wrong. Heart up, Asajia. We'll make it through this."

That he could be so calm while so young stilled my fears. If he could trust in the witch's prophecy, so could I. She had done right by him.

Giselda made up a pallet on the floor near the fireplace for Tonyah, Fenling, and me, and the moment my head hit the pillow, I fell into a deep sleep, so tired that I slept through till Sparrow shook me by the shoulder come dawn.