Ember

by Tess Williams

  As I walked through, everyone acknowledged me with a nod or a wave . . . just like always. A few times in the past I’d watched the residents of the city start their morning ritual, I’d soon realized that it was always the same. Enough to drive a person crazy really, but I guess there was some comfort in the fact that things would never change.

  By the time I made it through town my cheeks were sore from smiling. My destination, the Fallstone Inn, stood just outside the city. A beacon to a wandering traveler, though there never were any.

  Forgoing the winding road that led towards the building, I cut across the dewy grass, heading straight for the stables. After my morning thus far, I had half a mind to hop on the horse and ride away to . . . anywhere really. Unfortunately when I got on my tippy-toes to peer into Sil’s stall there was no horse to be found.

  I sunk back down for a moment then shook my head and leaned up to look through the window again. No Sil.

  What the heck?

  It wasn't long before my surprise turned into irritation. It didn't help that I wouldn't allow my mind to consider the obvious.

  I walked quickly to the other side of the barn where I found Trendon, the innkeeper's son, throwing feed out into a pile of chickens. The young boy acknowledged me with a smile and I returned it with a slight wave.

  “Hello, Trendon.”

  When I got closer he responded. “Good morning, Evelyn. Fine day, isn't it?” I managed a smile and a nod before he continued. “You missed quite the party the other night. And I, myself, was only able to stay out till ten.” He chucked a handful of kernels as he shook his head. “Still too young to be awake for the real fun.”

  I smiled again and opened my mouth to speak until he continued on.

  Trendon was twelve, but had a mind and mouth well beyond his years. I was used to being outmatched in conversational confidence, and Trendon was no exception. I nodded and listened to him talk about his views on underage curfew until his curiosity afforded me an opportunity.

  “Hey, why are you out here this early anyways?”

  I gestured my thumb towards the barn. “Actually, I was coming to check on a horse I dropped off yesterday. I didn't see him in there though, do you know if your dad moved him?”

  He walked a couple of feet to feed another group of chickens.

  “Let me guess: small, chocolate brown, and silky as all get out.” I nodded enthusiastically. “It wasn't a hard guess considering that he's the first we've had here in week. Oh, except for Garret's horse. He just got back you know. My sister was swooning over him earlier . . . I can't say that I blame her though, he is rather—”

  “Trendon,” I interrupted, momentarily too distraught to be polite, “about the horse?”

  He waved a hand. “Oh, right, right. A guy came and got it earlier this morning. I know, 'cause I handed her off myself.”

  Already? The final shred of hope in me dropped, and as it did the emptiness I'd learned to live with for years returned. I leaned back against the log.

  “Evelyn? You okay?” came Trendon's voice. “My dad said that a guy was supposed to come pick it up, was that wrong?”

  I shook my head, loosening some of my hair from its twist. “No . . . that's what I told him.” I looked up at Trendon and smiled. “Thanks for the help, I'd better get going now.”

  “Okay then,” I started walking away as he continued. “Hope everything works out. See you around!”

  I lifted a hand in acknowledgment, but kept walking.

  *

  “Evelyn, we need a dozen more crumb cakes and two batches of cocoa buns.”

  “Got it.” I shouted back.

  After my encounter with Trendon I'd headed straight for the pastry shop, grabbed a cup of coffee, and started work. When I arrived Lina, the shop's owner, put me to work right away in the back. She was the first person that didn't make a mention of my three day disappearance, and I was glad for it.

  Lina was a straightforward woman. She cared little for anything besides pastries. She had started teaching me her business when I was just fourteen. For a year or two there I did little besides baking for Lina, and the experience had turned me into quite a master dessert chef.

  The kitchen I worked in was small, perfect for my size, in fact I could almost reach everything. It consisted of mostly wooden countertops, shelves of course, and a few fire-heated ovens in the wall. I loaded a tray into one of these and yelled to Lina.

  “Cakes are in.”

  She poked her head through the doorway. “Evelyn, dear, I have to be honest with you, you're going much to slow.”

  I lifted my hands and imitated an exasperated huff.

  “Don't worry, you're just out of practice.” She walked into the kitchen. “Why don't you go work in the front for a while.

  “Oh, yay, my favorite.”

  Despite my obvious lack of enthusiasm, she began to push me through the door.

  “Okay, okay, I'm going . . . sheesh.” I walked out into the packed cafe and took in the crowd of people. How are there even this many people living here?

  The shop wasn't small, but it wasn't big either, I liked to call it cafe-sized. In front of me was a counter that held a wide assortment of doughy goodness on leveled tiers. Beyond that, a mixture of booths and tables occupied with Tiver's finest filled the room.

  I watched them absently for a moment, catching different bits of conversation. It seemed they were all either talking about the new road, the social the other night, or Garret's return.

  I really dislike these people.

  I saw a hand go up in request and, with a heavy heart and light pot of coffee, I headed into the fray.

  *

  A couple hours later it was nearing two. I was very tired and very hungry. Lina must have noticed this because at that moment she patted me on the back and told me to take a break. I gladly accepted, grabbed a small cinnamon roll, along with another cup of coffee, and sat down at a booth in the corner.

  Things had quieted down substantially since this morning. Lucky for me. The last thing I want to have to do right now is socialize.

  The thought had barely passed my mind when I heard the door click open. I looked up expecting a regular and saw instead two girls. Gwen and her friend Selene. Though I was the farthest thing from it, they always treated me like a friend. Then again they did that with everyone . . . I guess that's just how they were. One thing for certain though, I had nothing in common with either girls. I continued to chew my food as they ordered, hoping that they wouldn't notice me.

  Next thing I knew they were sitting across from me in the booth.

  After the initial pleasantries Gwen spoke up. “So Evelyn, dear, how are you? Where have you been?”

  I was trying to remember the story I gave my mom when Selene interrupted.

  “Come on, Evelyn, tell us, it's a boy, isn't it? From another town!”

  A boy, what else? It's always boys with these girls.

  “Of course it's not a boy,” I stated incredulously. “The closest town is more than a three day journey, anyways.”

  “Yes,” agreed Selene, “if you're on foot, but you weren't. My brother told me you had a horse in the stables, and . . . a guy came to pick it up.”

  Curse you, Trendon.

  “I knew you would loosen up one of these days, Evelyn. You absolutely must tell us all about him.”

  They each took a sip of their drinks and waited expectantly for me to speak.

  For seventeen years these two had made no attempt to include me in their little circle. All I do is leave for three days and they want to be my best friends.

  “Guys, I'm not lying. I don't—”

  “Time to clear out ladies,” came Lina's voice. Saved by the boss. “I'm a growing woman too and now it's my lunch break.”

  Gwen turned around to Lina. “Could we please stay with Evelyn while she finishes her break? We promise not to make a mess.”

  Those sparkling blue eyes and glowing golden hair, even Lina wouldn't b
e able to resist it. I spoke first.

  “Actually I'm done for the day. My mom needs my help back at the house with some sewing.”

  Gwen turned to me and smiled. “Even better. I’m supposed to get some lace from your mother today.”

  I forced a smile. Oh joy.

  “I'm coming too,” added Selene. “You still have to tell us about your boyfriend.”

  Great, the imaginary person has been upgraded to boyfriend status in less than a minute. By tonight I'll be married.

  I decided to just let it lie and attempt to stay off the topic on the walk home . . . though, I doubted it was one of those rumors that would be forgotten overnight.

  As we made our way down the less crowded, afternoon street. I listened to Gwen and Selene discuss the latest gossip, nodding periodically.

  Every once in a while I would stop listening until I heard my name.

  Man, did I miss being called Eve. . . .

  We barely made it out of town when a voice yelled from our right.

  “Gwen, Selene, wait up.” It was Garret. Why not? I might as well run into everyone the first day back. In fact I think Garret might have been the last.

  He walked up to our small group which had now stopped moving, and gave Gwen and Selene a crisp smile before turning to me.

  “Evelyn. You're back. I heard you were gone.” I couldn't help but study him for a moment. His appearance had changed during his months away, though . . . I couldn't quite put my finger on it. His hair was still crow black and he still had the same five or so inches on me. It was something in his eyes . . . something I wasn't so sure I liked.

  “Only for a couple days,” I said in reply to his statement. “I got back yesterday.” I tried to keep it short and to the point, I didn't want to remind Gwen and Selene of their boyfriend theory.

  When I looked up at Garret, he was bearing his gaze down hard on me.

  Odd.

  I shifted my eyes to Gwen quite obviously, which she evidently took as an invitation to speak.

  “Garret was telling us all about his trip to Kirne yesterday. They have an entire shop there just for jewelry; can you believe it? Weren't you telling us that, Garret?”

  He nodded then put his hand up on the wall to my left and leaned in. I guess Gwen and Selene took this as a hint because they quickly drifted a few feet away and began their own conversation.

  My throat constricted as Garret resumed his talking.

  “I saw a lot of stuff in the other towns. Things you've probably never heard of.”

  I cringed back slightly.

  He leaned in more, body language screaming of self-adoration. “I could tell you about it sometime. You know, get to know each other a little better.”

  For a moment I wondered how I had been so strong back in the woods, but felt so weak now. “Actually, Garret, I . . .”

  He chuckled. “You don't have to explain. I know how much you want to. How about tonight? We could go walk in the woods, just the two of us.” He rubbed a finger across my arm and I just might have been ready to have at him, when I felt a body come up beside me, and a hand wrap around my back.

  “Hi, guys. How's it going?”

  I didn't have to look. I knew who it was.

  For a moment I felt completely secure, and relieved . . . about everything.

  Garret on the other hand did not look happy.

  “Ah . . . who are you?”

  For the first time I looked up next to me to see Ikovos. He acknowledged my glance with a slight squeeze around my back, but kept his gaze on Garret.

  “Ikovos.” he said, then he threw out his free hand.

  Garret just sneered at it.

  “Well, Ikovos, I don't know who you are or where you came from, but you're sort of interrupting something here.”

  Ikovos smiled at this. “Is that so? Well, why don't we ask the lady if she wants me to leave.”

  In that moment I couldn't have been more grateful that Ikovos was as assuming and straightforward as I was shy and indirect.

  They both looked over at me waiting for my answer. All they got was a forced cough somewhat disguising the quick, back and forth motion of my head.

  I held my gaze on the ground as Ikovos looked back to Garret.

  “Sorry. Looks like I'm staying.” He said it flatly.

  Garret looked like he might attack, but before he could a gasp from the street interrupted.

  By now most of the relief I had felt was turning into anxiety. Apparently Gwen and Selene hadn't noticed the new visitor until now. As they came up next to Garret I was hoping desperately that Ikovos would move his arm . . . somehow I got the feeling he wasn't going to do that anytime soon.

  Ikovos spoke first, acknowledging the girls in turn. “Hi there.”

  They both giggled then Gwen spoke. “Evelyn, is this the guy?”

  Please stop talking right now.

  “The guy you left town for.” she clarified.

  “The one you like.” added Selene.

  This isn't happening. What did I do wrong today to get put into this situation? Normally Garret ignores me as much as Gwen and Selene do, and why is Ikovos even here?

  I need a chance to prepare for this kind of stuff. . . .

  Unfortunately, right now I didn't have one, all eyes were, once again, on me.

  Gwen and Selene stood bright-eyed, awaiting an answer. Garret looked as if he couldn’t comprehend what was happening, or even conceive of the words that had just passed Selene's lips. And, worst of all, I had no idea what Ikovos was thinking, he just kept grinning as usual.

  “He is not the guy!” I exclaimed, then corrected. “There is no guy! I already told you guys this.” They just kept staring. “In fact I never even said I went to visit anyone. You thought of that yourselves.”

  Garret, at least, looked relieved, not that I was sure I wanted him to be, but when Gwen and Selene burst out laughing his face soured again.

  “You're such a kidder. This is him, isn't it,” stated Gwen.

  She was followed by Selene. “There's no reason to hide it, Evelyn. He's quite handsome.”

  Ikovos scratched the back of his head uncomfortably and I dropped my head into my hands.

  “Ah, Eve, err . . . Evelyn. Can I talk to you alone for a minute?” asked Ikovos through the side of his mouth.

  I wanted to scream yes just for the chance to get out of this situation, but kept my composure. “Of course. Umm, guys, why don't I meet you back at my house?”

  The girls looked a little disappointed, but then smiled mischievously.

  “Well, alright. Just don't be too long.”

  Yeah, sure. I'll probably sleep outside for avoidance. “No,” I said. “Of course not. . . . I'll see you guys later.”

  I started to spin around, before Garret interrupted.

  “Hey! What about me?” I looked back at him. “You never answered my question. He—” Garret tossed his head towards Ikovos “—can wait.”

  “Oh . . . right. . . .”

  I was about to brush him off, but then thought better of it. Ikovos was here today, but in a while he'd be gone and I'd be stuck in this town with these guys, Garret included. If I offended him I would never hear the end of it from my mother, or anyone for that matter.

  I put on a pleading face and looked up at him. “Is it okay if we talk more about it tomorrow? Meet at the cafe?”

  “Well, I—”

  “Thanks, Garret, you're the best!” With that I swung around and headed off. This time pulling Ikovos along with me.

  When we were safely behind a tall building closer to town, I turned around.

  “What are you doing here?!” I sounded a little more zealous than intended, but Ikovos didn't seem to notice.

  “I don't know . . . but those guys are crazy.”

  I rolled my eyes, though inwardly I was trying very hard to keep from laughing, and made a serious face. “You don't know why you're here?”

  He gave a lopsided grin. “No, I do. I just
wanted to make sure you knew that—”

  “They're crazy. Believe me, I know.” It got quiet for a moment. “It didn't help that you came without telling me. Do you know the kind of rumors you just started?”

  He studied me. “I didn't take you for a person that worried about rumors.”

  I sighed absently, then leaned back against the wall. “You're right. I'm not. . . . It's this place. It makes me crazy.”

  He leaned on the wall next to me. “Seems like it would make anyone crazy.”

  I smiled again. But it only made me feel worse.

  “Plus,” he chipped me on the shoulder, “I thought you handled the situation quite well.”

  I thought back on it with that view in mind.

  The next second we were both laughing out loud.

  He caught his breath and wrapped around in front of me. “I want you to know that I would have come to say goodbye no matter what had happened.”

  I smiled back at him for a moment, then adapted a confused expression. “What do you mean? Isn't that why you're here?”

  He grinned wide and shook his head.

  Now I was really confused.

  “I'm here because . . . well, because you can come back. I mean, Thoran said you can come back. Of course he didn't just say you could, he needed some convincing. But the point is you can . . . come back.”

  He said the whole thing so fast that I wasn't quite sure of what I was hearing till he'd finished.

  “You mean . . . I can come back? For good?” I don't know why I felt the need to repeat as a question what he had just told me quite a few times.

  “Yeah. . . . That is, if you want to, you don't have to. I just thought that—”

  I stopped him. “Of course I want to! I was just telling you how much I hate this place.”

  He looked incredibly relieved and grinned happily. Before I could say anything further though, he had his arms around me in a hug.

  I was never very good at the hugging thing, so I just sort of stood there uncomfortably. Fortunately for me, he let go quickly to grab onto my shoulders.