Leena looked from Gunnar to Elke. Both wore thinly disguised, hopeful expressions. Having been raised in a rural community, Leena understood the mind numbing boredom brought on by winter. Once mending and fixing has been done, there is little to do except care for the animals. However deeply a couple cares for each other, eventually winter conversations become repetitive. She knew both were hoping she and Darius would stay a few days. She looked to Darius and sensed he was having similar thoughts.
"I think we’d like that, but I do want to go to town to pick up a few things. Don’t worry, I have a spell that will keep me warm long enough to get there and back. While I’m gone, maybe Darius could help you gather more firewood."
"I have to admit we could use the wood. This winter’s been colder than most and we're starting to run low," Gunnar said.
"Good, it’s settled then. I’ll just get my shawl." She ducked through the blanket curtain.
She could not tell them she wanted to check in town to see whether Arvin passed this way. She found herself hoping he fared better in the cold than they had. He was a resourceful lad, but this kind of weather took old people and unprotected children. She also wanted to find out whether the Great Wizard’s troops were looking for her on this road. The presence of the raven last night reminded her of the need for caution.
It was clear from Darius’ tale he felt the Great Wizard was wise and caring. However, he had not seen the Great Wizard for three years. A lot could have happened since then. She knew her village was deserted and Arvin told her it was the Great Wizard’s troops. She had also seen the Great Wizard’s troops on the North Road looking for her. Someone sent the first raven and now another. She could think of no one else who would be looking for her. Together, the facts made little sense. She felt certain the answers lay with the Great Wizard, if she could make it there safely.
So far, they had been lucky. They met no travelers. She feared her luck would not hold until she reached the Great Wizard’s castle.
"Would that spell serve for two?" Leena turned, startled from her reverie. Elke stood in the doorway. "There’s a few things I’d like to pick up myself."
Leena could tell it was more than an idle request and it was more likely she would be accepted in town if Elke was with her. She knew villages tended to be suspicious of strangers.
"Of course, I’d be glad for the company." She took the older woman’s arm as they left.
CHAPTER 45
After the smoke scented air of the cottage, the world outside smelled crisp and clean. Sunlight glinted and sparkled on snow covered ground. Their footsteps, crunching through a thin icy layer on top of soft snow, were loud in the silent wonderland. Leafless branches arched over the smooth, white track to town. Leena felt alive and buoyant.
"I reckon spell casting’s a handy trait." Elke stared at her ungloved hands, marveling at the fact they were not frozen.
"It has its uses," Leena admitted.
For a few minutes, the two walked silently arm in arm, thinking private thoughts.
"Gunnar and I have been married more than forty years. You should have seen him when he was a young man. He was so handsome ladies from all over came to festivals just to see him. Not that he’s not still handsome, mind you, but back then he made your insides melt.
"We’d known each other since we were babies. I supposed we always knew we’d be together. There’s never been a day I don’t wake up loving him.
"We had such plans. We were going to have a dozen children, all happy and bright. We’d prosper and grow together."
Elke lapsed into thoughtful silence. Leena waited, not wanting to intrude on the older woman’s reverie.
"We had a daughter once. Tisa we called her. The birthing was hard and the midwife said I’d likely not have another. Tisa was beautiful, but the poor wee thing was sickly from the beginning. She didn’t survive her first winter.
"Mostly, I don’t think about it much anymore. However, she left us on a day like today. I remember the sound of Gunnar chopping wood outside as I sewed her a new dress for the pyre. Gunnar swears it was the prettiest thing I ever made, but I know he’s just being kind. My hands shook and my eyes watered so I couldn’t see what I was doing.
"The Holy from town come out and said words as we watched the fire help my poor baby start her journey to the fields beyond."
Elke stopped, turned and looked into Leena’s eyes.
"This morning, holding you, I realized all the precious moments Tisa and I never shared and suddenly I wanted those moments so much." Her eyes glistened with reflected sunlight.
"My heart was so heavy I couldn’t stay and hear the men chopping. I had to get away. I just wanted to..."
Leena's arms went around the older woman, holding her as an overwhelming flood of pain washed over. She made no loud wails of anguish, only soft shudders of her massive shoulders as Leena rubbed her back.
In time, the older woman stepped back. Her white hair hid her face as she smoothed her apron and resettled her shawl. With a shake of her head, Elke looked into Leena’s eyes. In their depths was a flash of fear and embarrassment followed by certain knowledge Leena accepted and understood.
"We’ve not spoken of Tisa since that day." They were again walking arm in arm. "We put her in a special little treasure box in our hearts and went on with life.
"I just want to tell you, if she were here today, I’d want her to be like you."
"Thank you." Leena said it quietly, knowing the honor bestowed.
Both walked in silence, wrapped in private thoughts.
"So," Elke’s tone was again lighthearted, but Leena sensed a depth in tone that said a bond had formed. Now, it was time to move on, "what do we have to get in town?"
"Well, the first thing I want to do is to find some pretty cloth and make you a tieback curtain for the bedroom doorway so we don’t have to keep ducking through the blanket."
They reached the inn that marked the beginning of the town of Lovell. Gray tendrils of smoke rose from several chimneys giving it a welcoming, cozy look. Along the main street Leena saw dozens of stone shops and houses with thatch roofs covered in thick, sharp-edged pads of snow.
The women browsed through shops. Few people were out on a day like this. They discussed several patterns for the curtain before selecting one both liked. Leena bought several items to replenish provisions she and Darius used on the trip and together they bought staples to restock the house. Laden with packages, they turned for the shop door.
"If you don’t mind, I’d like a cup of hot tea before we begin our trip home. Us old folks get a bit tired from walking now and then."
Leena removed the warming spell as they entered the inn so they could enjoy the crisp air. The hum of conversation in the common room seemed loud after the silence of the winter landscape outside. All tables around the fire were occupied so they selected one near a window where they could see the village. They ignored the loud conversation of a group of businessmen at a table nearby.
As they sat, warming their hands around steaming mugs, Leena described the curtains she intended to make. As she talked, she watched the town through the frosted window. All was peaceful.
"I’ve never heard of such a thing. It sounds beautiful. Where did you learn to make something like that?"
"My Da is a tailor. He made curtains for all our doors and windows."
Movement outside caught her attention. Through the pane, she saw a group of horsemen unhurriedly approaching along the main road. Although they moved slowly, something about their manner brought back memories of the raven. As they neared, she saw they wore the uniforms of the Great Wizard’s troops. Her heart began to pound as they stopped before the town hall.
One man dismounted. As he approached the notice board, he pulled a hammer from his belt. Quietly through the glass, she heard the clacking of tacks driven into board as he posted a notice.
"Is something wrong?"
Leena wanted to assure the older women everything was fin
e, but she had the feeling everything was definitely not fine. Possibly the notice had nothing to do with her. She had to read it.
She pulled her eyes from the soldiers and looked at Elke with what she hoped was a cheerful expression.
"Where’s the privy?"
"Oh," Elke smiled as though this explained everything, "it’s out back, through that door."
As the inn door shut behind her, Leena invoked the Garlan branch’s protective spell. She rounded the front of the inn to see the merchant from the hard goods store stepping from his shop. He was not wearing a jacket and his arms were crossed in front of him clutching his shoulders against the cold. He shivered as he summoned one of the soldiers. As the soldier approached, a plume of smoke issued from the merchant's mouth and a low indecipherable rumble reached Leena’s ears. Careful to make no noise, she quickly walked to where she could hear their conversation.
"I don’t have to actually catch her to get the money, is that right? I get paid the same if I just tell you where she is?"
The merchant had the shrewd look of a bargainer.
"That’s right sir. However, if you know and don’t tell us, you could be found an accessory. I don’t think you want that, do you?"
The soldier looked exasperated by the merchant’s delay.
"I don’t want no trouble. I was just making sure of my rights."
"You’ll get your money if the information’s good. Now I suggest you tell me what you know immediately to save yourself some trouble."
"Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. Just making sure I get what’s due me.
"Less than an hour ago, an old farm wife from south of here, Elke, came into the store with a pretty, dark-haired girl in tow. The girl was a stranger. Couldn’t a been more than sixteen. It was strange on two accounts. First we don’t usually see farm folk in here over the winter unless they’ve run out of necessaries. But these ladies was looking at cloth and talking about curtains. They come all the way to town for that, on a day like this. I tell you, it was strange."
As he talked, the merchant stamped his feet and rubbed his arms. Leena sensed his distress as the cold brought redness to his cheeks.
"Just a minute. I got to get a jacket."
"Sir!" the soldier called after him. "Sir, I suggest for your own sake, you tell me what you know, now. If she gets away..."
"Okay, okay," the merchant reappeared shoving his arms through the sleeves of a sheepskin-lined, leather jacket, "all that money won’t do me no good if I freeze to death before I get it.
"Now, as I was saying, the second thing was strange is these two ladies was wearing only light shawls like they were out for a summer evening stroll, and both looked just as warm as toast. They were so wrapped up in each other they didn’t pay no attention to me. They were like mother and daughter that hadn’t seen each other for a decade. I’ve known Elke since before she was married and the only child she ever had died at birth. I don’t remember if it was boy or girl, but I know this lass wasn’t her. I guess that’s a third strange thing, now that I think about it."
"Sir," the soldier was clearly exasperated with the merchant’s delay, "if you have any information that would be of use, I strongly recommend you tell me now. Otherwise, I might have to arrest you for obstructing the Great Wizard’s justice."
"Okay, okay. You don’t have to get all huffy. I was just getting ready to tell you. When they left here, they was heading for the inn. It was obvious Elke was tired and wanted to relax a bit with a cup of hot tea before the walk home. I’m sure they’re still in th..."
As soon as the merchant mentioned the inn, the soldier turned and called his men. Together, they walked rapidly toward the building.
"Don’t you forget where the information came from," The merchant shouted at the retreating backs of the soldiers. He waited a moment, but there was no response. Removing his hands from under his armpits, he started rubbing his ears as he entered the store and shut the door.
CHAPTER 46
Leena was alone in the street. Soldiers were entering the inn. What should she do? What would Elke think when they confronted her? For that matter, why were they looking for her?
At the board where the soldier had been hammering, a corner of the new flyer waved in the gentle breeze, catching her attention. What was the notice?
Even from here she could see the words REWARD 500 GOLD PIECES in bold letters across the top of the sheet. Surely this could have nothing to do with her. She could not be worth so much to anyone. The most terrifying murderers and cutthroats had never commanded such a high price. Hesitantly, she approached the sign.
Now she saw the smaller print below the large letters.
FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO THE CAPTURE OF A HEDGE WITCH THAT GOES BY THE NAME LEENA. SHE IS APPROXIMATELY 16-17 YEARS OLD, HAS BLACK HAIR, DARK EYES, AND IS TALLER THAN AVERAGE.
THIS WOMAN IS WANTED FOR QUESTIONING IN CONNECTION WITH THE DESTRUCTION OF THE VILLAGE OF QUILLAN AND THE TOWN OF STOCKSBURY. SHE IS BELIEVED TO BE MAKING HER WAY TO THE GREAT WIZARD’S CASTLE IN ELDERON AND MAY BE TRAVELING EITHER THE NORTH ROAD OR THE WIZARD'S HIGHWAY.
PERSONS WITH INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT THEIR MAGISTRATE OR THE NEAREST GUARD POST IMMEDIATELY.
Leena’s mind was thrown into confusion. Her knees suddenly felt liquid. She needed time to think.
She felt like a fool. After hearing Darius’ tale, she wanted to believe the Great Wizard was not responsible for the capture of her family, that somehow this was all a mistake. However, it was clear the Great Wizard knew what happened. Was he publicly blaming her to hide his guilt? Had Darius been sent to lead her to a hangman’s noose? If so, why?
The Garlan branch. That had to be it. Somehow the Great Wizard must feel it posed a threat to his rule. But what could she do about it and where could she turn for help? Her family and friends were gone. She was alone.
No, she had one friend she felt she could trust and that friend was being arrested by the Great Wizard’s soldiers. Somehow she had to save Elke. But what could she do?
Leena stood, rooted with indecision, staring at the notice. In an instant, it changed the world she knew. She was an outlaw. She wanted to tear down the notice and rip it to pieces but there were probably hundreds of these notices scattered over Allivan.
Maybe, if she let herself be captured, she would be taken to the Great Wizard and this mess could be cleared up. And maybe she, and everyone she talked to along the way, would be rounded up and disappear like her family so no one would know about the Garlan branch.
She could not take the risk. There had to be another way.
Voices behind startled her from her reverie.
She turned to see soldiers leaving the inn. Elke was ushered from the building and immediately surrounded by the troops. Leena heard the crisp clink of chains. The older woman’s hands were manacled. She was led by a chain, like a cur on a leash. The soldier that talked to the merchant held the other end of the chain.
Merchants and travelers flowed from the inn talking loudly. Leena strained to hear what they were saying, but the confusion of sounds was indecipherable. At the commotion, doors along the street opened as merchants and townspeople flooded the street. Leena stepped between the town hall and the shop next to it to avoid the crowd.
The soldiers reached the center of the street, less than fifteen feet from Leena. Elke’s face held no hint of fear. Her head was held high in anger and defiance. However, Leena saw her lower jaw trembling with cold. Quickly, she drew her hedge witch wand and cast a warming spell. A flash of surprise crossed Elke’s face before it settled back to stern resolution. Her lips barely moved in a "Thank You."
Where could she turn for help? Leena looked around. A flash of motion in the shop where they bought the material caught her eye. The merchant stared at the crowd with a smile of satisfaction. Leena sensed it was more than greed. He had the smirk of a man who finally has a chance to pay an old debt. She filed the knowledge. It was no use at the moment.
"Can anyone
tell me where this woman lives?" Asked the soldier holding the chain attached to Elke’s wrist manacles. His voice was raised to be heard above the crowd.
Several people answered at once, many pointing at the main road to the south. The soldier held both hands high to silence the mob around the small group of soldiers. The chain swayed back and forth with the motion.
"Quiet, please," he shouted. "Quiet."
Slowly noise subsided. The soldier looked at the crowd as though making a mental note of each person.
"Now you, Sir," he pointed to a man in a thick cloth jacket, "can you tell me where this woman lives?"
The man pointed along the road.
"It’s about three miles out on the left side of the road. It’s the one with the split log fence. You can’t miss it. If you want, I’ll come along to show you."
"That won’t be necessary," the soldier again raised his voice to ensure the entire mob heard him. "I’d appreciate it if you all stayed here in town. We are looking for a potentially dangerous criminal and we don’t know how many accomplices she has. If any of you tag along, I’m going to assume you could be part of her gang."
He let the words trail in the frigid air. The hush over the crowd deepened. A few men at the back of the crowd mumbled about having things to do and wandered away. Soon, the crowd disappeared.
When the last person vanished into a building, the soldier tugged the chain.
"You," he pointed to one of the soldiers, "bring the horses."
"Come on," he said to Elke, "it’s time to see whether the witch has returned to your home. Hopefully, we can catch her before she escapes."
Although slowed by the need to remain quiet, Leena followed the man leading the horses. She remained close enough to hear what was said.
"I’ll tell you one last time, Madam, your refusal to tell us what you know will be seen as abetting a criminal. If the rumors are true, this young girl could be the nastiest character that Allivan has had since Mad Halsey. I’m sure you don’t want any part of that. So if you’ll just tell me where she is, it could spare you and her a great deal of trouble."
Head high, Elke plodded silently behind the soldier.
Leena’s heart went out to the older woman. What must she think of me? Why would she protect a stranger she met only a few days ago? Deep inside, she knew the answer. Elke’s look on the road to town said it. She trusted Leena. No matter what she heard, she would reserve forming an opinion until she talked to Leena, looked into her eyes and knew the truth. Leena felt her heart melt anew for the faith the older woman demonstrated.