“My orchard is famous for its Corlian apples,” Mr. Marsh boasted. “You won’t find a sweeter or crisper variety in this region. You can take my word for it.”
“And don’t dare challenge him on that point either,” Leo said with a wink, looking Megan’s way. “Father is the self-proclaimed apple king around here.”
“That’s something you should be proud of,” she said. “Having a king for a relative is quite an honor.”
“Oh, we’re all proud of Joe,” Mrs. Marsh added. “He sells apples up and down the line to a string of bake shops and restaurants. Many of our customers have been with us since the orchard first started producing.”
Mr. Marsh retrieved his pipe on the fireplace mantel, lit it, and rejoined the others at the table, blowing a string of bluish-gray smoke rings that drifted lazily toward the ceiling. Megan chuckled in delight and blushed when noticing Leo gazing at her. He had just turned twenty, tall with black hair and an amiable smile, and much more presentable without a coating of mud splashed across his face. He hoped one day to save enough money to buy a few acres of land and start his own orchard, cultivating an entirely new variety of apple.
“Father taught me so much about the business–planting, grafting, selling and what not–that I feel I could outgrow half the orchards in this area!” He gushed with enthusiasm as he chattered on about his future ambitions. “I have great plans.” Megan was deeply impressed and told him so.
“Just so long as you don’t put me out of business,” his father joked. “I’m not ready to retire yet.”
“You’ll never retire, Joe. You wouldn’t know how,” Belle quipped. “You’ve got apple cider in your veins!”
Shortly afterward, while Megan helped Mrs. Marsh clear the table and wash the dinner plates, Nicholas walked to the barn with Mr. Marsh, Leo and Henry to finish loading a wagon with apple crates for tomorrow’s run. The sun had dipped below the horizon, producing a frosty nip in the air. The crescent Bear Moon, larger and higher in the west tonight, aimed its pointed tips at the gibbous Fox Moon farther across the sky and lounging above the eastern horizon. The men worked under the duo’s silvery glow, lighting only one oil lamp to finish their work in the barn.
The crates filled the larger of two wagons Mr. Marsh owned, stacked four layers high and secured with successive bands of rope. A large canvas tarp was spread over the back of the wagon and likewise secured. While Henry and his father attended to this last detail, Leo found a chance to take Nicholas aside and question him about a matter he had been agonizing over all through dinner.
“After you travel to Boros with Megan, what were you planning to do? Find a job there?”
“Doubtful,” Nicholas said. “I’ll probably head back home to Kanesbury. There are some matters I need to attend to that I didn’t want to mention at dinner.”
“I see. So then you and Megan aren’t courting or engaged or anything along those lines, are you?” he asked hopefully.
“Oh, nothing like that,” Nicholas said. “Megan and I just met by chance on the road.” He eyed Leo with a suspicious grin. “Why? Has she already snared you with her charms?”
“I am taken by her.” Leo scuffed the sole of his boot over the ground. “I couldn’t stop gazing at her at dinner. I think she took notice of me, too. At least I hope she did. She smiled a couple of times. Did you happen to see? Were those smiles directed at me?”
Nicholas bit his lower lip to keep from smirking, but assured Leo that Megan may have been taken with his demeanor. “Except for that bit in the mud puddle. I don’t suspect that that’s the best way to attract a woman.”
“No, I suppose not,” he admitted with a laugh.
“She is a pretty thing,” Nicholas added, “but very secretive about her background. Something’s bothering Megan, but I don’t know what. I suspect she’s in trouble.”
“Trouble? What do you mean?”
Nicholas shrugged. “Megan wouldn’t give me any hints, and when I tried to press her for specifics… Well, I suggest you don’t try right away either, Leo.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Mr. Marsh interrupted their discussion after he and Henry finished securing the tarp. As all was now ready for the morning journey, the barn doors were closed for the night and the quartet marched back into the house. Mrs. Marsh provided everyone with a mug of hot spiced cider in front of a roaring blaze. They sat and talked late into the evening as the crescent Bear Moon slid quietly below the western horizon, leaving the Fox Moon as the lone guardian in the night sky.
CHAPTER 12
A Conversation Among Friends
Leo hitched a team of two horses to the apple wagon and rolled it out of the barn at sunrise. The morning light brushed the stringy branches of the willow with a golden hue as wisps of white fog crept along the ground like slinking cats. A stream behind the barn gurgled icy and swift, washing over tufts of lanky grass leaning over the bank’s edge.
He estimated that his deliveries would take two days, with an additional half day for the return trip. Today he would travel to the villages of Spring Hill, Mason and Plum Orchard, make his required stops, and then spend the night in Plum Orchard as darkness settled in. Tomorrow Leo planned deliveries to White Birch, Laurel Corners and finally Boros, after which he’d backtrack to White Birch and call it a night. His third day on the road would be a swift return home, making only a couple of brief stops to pick up some supplies that his father needed on the farm. All in all, Leo enjoyed the apple run, as he called it, which he made a few times during the growing season. As this was the last run of the year though, he was glad to have Megan and Nicholas along for company. The autumn daylight grew less and less each swiftly passing day, and traveling the roads alone now was usually a bleak affair.
They ate a large breakfast at Mrs. Marsh’s insistence before loading the wagon with food supplies and other traveling provisions. Leo crammed these as best he could in what little space remained alongside the sweet smelling apple crates.
“Now, Megan, if you’re ever in our parts again, don’t think twice about dropping by. You’ll always have a place at our table,” Mrs. Marsh said.
“I appreciate that very much.”
“You too, Nicholas. I expect to see you on your way back to Kanesbury, whenever that will be.”
“I’ll be knocking on your door one day soon,” he promised.
Henry and Mr. Marsh also said their goodbyes, and soon Leo, Megan and Nicholas rode off the property as the morning sun inched above the trees in back of the house. As they disappeared up the road, Henry scrambled to the barn to begin his daily chores. Mr. Marsh, puffing on a pipe, wrapped an arm around his wife and walked with her back to the house, both expecting to see their son again in about two and a half days, though it was not to be. Neither parent could have imagined the fate that awaited him or his newfound companions.
The first leg of the journey proved uneventful. Nicholas, Megan and Leo chatted amiably during the few miles to Spring Hill, stopping along the way when passing a stream or pond to allow the horses to drink. As Orchard Road had several peaks and valleys, and the wagon was heavily loaded with apple crates, they made slow time starting out. But the landscape, soaked with sun and autumn colors, provided for an enjoyable ride. A bitter breeze plagued them part of the morning, so Megan sat between Nicholas and Leo, bundled in her cloak, its hood draped snugly over her head until she warmed up.
Spring Hill boasted twice the number of residents as Minago, and they were out among the streets in full force when Leo entered the village. Shops were doing a brisk business, and in the center of town, farmers hawked the last of the produce from their harvest in the open markets. Winter loomed on the calendar’s horizon and people were stocking their larders in anticipation of the blustery white days to follow.
Leo brought the wagon to a stop by the side door of one bake shop to deliver the first of his orders in the village. He removed a sheet of folded parchment from inside his jacket, scanning over a
list of names and numbers.
“Something smells good,” Nicholas said, breathing in the air around the shop. He jumped off the wagon and offered Megan a hand to help her down. A small sign fastened to a wooden door read EDNA’S BAKE SHOP–ALL DELIVERIES THROUGH HERE, PLEASE. “Perhaps we ought to try a little of Edna’s cooking,” he suggested, imagining the array of breads and pastries inside.
“We haven’t been on the road that long,” Megan said.
“But everything smells so delicious!”
Leo chuckled as he scanned his list, then refolded it and placed it back in his pocket. “I learned early on that, as tempting as it might be, I can’t afford to eat at each place I make a delivery. I’ve neither the time nor money to do so.”
Nicholas frowned. “That’s not the answer I wanted to hear.”
“Seven crates for Edna,” he said as he untied the tarp over the wagon. Nicholas assisted him. “However, many of the owners on my route always insist that I help myself to a sample of their baked goods before I leave. Once I got a whole rhubarb pie.”
Nicholas perked up. “And Edna?”
Leo nodded with a grin. “She’s awfully generous. Glazed cinnamon and walnut rolls are her specialty.” He grabbed a crate of apples, hoisted it on a shoulder and headed inside the bake shop.
Nicholas took another one and winked at Megan. “I’m glad we took Mr. Marsh’s offer for a ride,” he said, following Leo inside.
“You and your stomach,” she replied with a smirk.
They departed thirty minutes later, each savoring a slice of Edna’s black currant bread with butter. The first batch of glazed cinnamon and walnut rolls had already sold out. Leo placed the money for the order inside a small leather pouch securely tied to his belt, then directed the horses to a restaurant several blocks away, the second of four deliveries in Spring Hill. After that, it would be back on to Orchard Road to the tiny village of Mason where he had only two deliveries.
The village of Plum Orchard would be their final stop for the day, at which point the supply of apples would be half gone. The horses usually acted more good-naturedly at that point as each shipment lessened their burden crate by crate.
“Tell me more about this apple orchard you’re so eager to start,” Megan asked Leo on their way to Mason before noontime. She gently patted the back of his hand as he guided the horses. “I think it’s fascinating.”
“I could go on for hours more–”
“Please don’t!” Nicholas jested.
“–but I’m getting bored talking only about myself,” Leo said. “What about you, Megan? What have you been doing with your life? You haven’t said much about that.”
Nicholas turned his head slightly, challenging Megan with a how-are-you-going-to-avoid-his-questions-too? kind of stare. He surmised that Megan was as infatuated with Leo as he was with her, noting the way she hung onto his every word. He was curious to watch how she would avoid Leo’s inquiries into her personal affairs despite her fondness toward him.
“There’s really not much to tell,” she said.
“This relative of yours in Boros–what’s her name again?”
“Castella Birchwood. My great aunt Castella. She would be, let’s see... My grandmother’s sister–on my mother’s side.” Megan casually observed the countryside rolling past. “It’s been so many years since I’ve seen her, Leo. I wonder if Aunt Castella will recognize me.”
“You’ve got too pretty a face to forget.”
She bowed her head coyly, glancing at Leo as he dutifully guided the team of horses along the bumpy dirt road. Nicholas shook his head and sighed.
“Now, Leo, don’t try to work those boyish charms on me,” she playfully warned.
“At least not while I’m present,” Nicholas said under his breath, at which point Megan lightly jabbed him with her elbow.
“I’ll behave myself,” Leo promised. “Still, I’m curious why you’re visiting Aunt Castella if you haven’t seen her in such a long time. Does she know you’re on your way?”
“She does,” Megan said uncomfortably. “Leo, I wonder if–”
“How did you contact her? And why are you traveling alone?” Leo kept his eyes focused on the road as he fired his questions at Megan, though he could sense the scowl forming on her face. “My parents were too polite to ask you, but I tend to be a bit more direct. I mean, it is odd that you’re being so tight-lipped about who you are and where you’re from, especially after my family provided you with meals, a place to sleep and a ride to Boros. I’m just wondering, is all.”
Megan folded her arms as she sat back in her seat, fuming. “Excuse me, Leo Marsh, but I didn’t know I was required to answer every question posed to me just because you were wondering. I had always assumed good deeds were performed out of genuine kindness, not in an effort to extract information from the recipient of such.”
“I’m not interrogating you, Megan.” Leo glanced at her apologetically.
“Sure sounds like it to me. Did Nicholas put you up to this?”
“Don’t drag me into your argument, Megan! I’ve had my turn with you and learned a valuable lesson. Mind my own business!”
“How amusing.”
“It’s true,” he said. “Leo, keep the conversation strictly about the weather or your apple crop and you’ll be okay. Otherwise, speak at your own peril.”
Megan turned to Nicholas, her lips pressed angrily in a thin line. “As if you’ve been so candid? I don’t recall you being any different than me, Nicholas. Just as secretive! Just as evasive! What exactly are all those troubles at home? And who’s that Dooley Kramer character you mentioned to me yesterday just as Leo’s father showed up? Don’t think I forgot about that, but notice that I didn’t harass you to talk about him either.” She tugged on Leo’s jacket sleeve. “If you’re so curious about people, why don’t you question Nicholas about the details of his life? That seems only fair, Leo. He’s got as much to hide as you apparently think I do.”
“At least he told me what village he lives in, Megan. Other than your name and hair color, I really know nothing about you–and I would like to know more.”
Megan folded her arms again. “Maybe that’s all you’ll ever get to know about me!”
Nicholas chuckled. “Her hair is a lovely shade of brown.”
Megan seethed for a moment before gathering up the folds of her cloak. She suddenly stood up as the wagon rolled along. “Stop this rickety thing at once! I’m not going to subject myself to this humiliation a moment longer.”
“Sit down, Megan, before you fall over!” Leo warned.
“No, I will not!” She shook Leo’s shoulder, causing the wagon to veer off its straight line. “Let me off at once!”
Nicholas tried to pull Megan back into her seat, but she clung onto Leo and distracted him from driving so that he had no choice but to rein in the horses to a stop. He directed the team to the side of the road and then tossed the reins down with a flash of anger, glaring at Megan.
“Don’t you dare give me that offended look, Leo, because I can top it without even trying!” Megan stood and waved him aside. “Now please get out of my way.”
“Fine!”
Leo jumped off the wagon and Megan followed, refusing a helping hand. Nicholas muttered in disgust and joined the others on the road.
“Megan...” Nicholas gently placed a hand on her shoulder, which she rebuffed with a sharp twist of her body.
“I don’t want to hear any excuses from you either, Nicholas. You and Leo have both acted boorishly. You’ve turned out to be nothing but a couple of ill-mannered bumpkins, I’m sorry to say.” She stormed up the road. “Now if you please, leave me alone!”
Nicholas and Leo looked at each other and shrugged. “Think we stepped over the line?” Leo asked.
“Leaped over is apparently more like it.” Nicholas indicated for Leo to start the wagon moving again while he ran to catch up with Megan. Confronting the fiery indignation of this woman for the moment m
ade his problems back home seem almost inviting. He raced up to her.
“I told you to leave me alone,” she said without looking back as she heard him approach.
“We’re not going to. Leo and I owe you an apology.”
“Fine. Apology accepted.” Megan marched along the left side of the road, brushing against waist-high stems of grass long gone to seed. Several large oak trees dotted the landscape. “Now turn around and run along home to Kanesbury.” She heard the rattle of Leo’s apple wagon as he slowly neared. “And he can drive right past me because I no longer need a ride to Boros.”
“Megan, you’re throwing this whole situation out of proportion. We realize you’re upset and we’re sorry, but can’t we talk this through?” Nicholas pleaded.
“Please, Megan,” Leo said gently from the wagon as he pulled up alongside them and halted. “Let’s stop for lunch and discuss this. There’s a road that turns off to the right up ahead. That’ll take us into Mason where we can have a bite to eat. You can tell us why you’re so upset.”
Megan turned to face them and raised her arms, ready to scream. “Don’t you two understand? There is no need to discuss anything. My life is not open to discussion, but for some reason you two cannot get that obvious point through your thick skulls! Therefore, I chose to continue to Boros on my own. Thank you and good day.”
She hurried up the road, her cloak weaving from side to side. Nicholas and Leo watched her for a moment, tongue-tied, uncertain how to salvage the crumbling situation.
“What do we do now?” Leo asked. “We can’t let her leave like this. I don’t want her to leave. You’ve got to do something!”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. You’ve known her longer than I have. Say something! Anything to get her back.”
Nicholas shrugged, his thoughts reeling as Megan grew smaller in the distance while Leo’s beseeching gaze bore down upon him. What could he do to make her stay? What could he say that would remedy an already overly confused situation? He and Leo had each put a foot in their mouths enough times to set Megan off, so why risk any further damage? Nicholas then realized that if the situation was so grim, one more idiotic comment wouldn’t make any difference. But what could he say that wouldn’t sound phony, stupid or self-serving to draw her back? What words of friendship would turn her around? What did she want or need to hear?
Nicholas Raven and the Wizards' Web (The Complete Epic Fantasy) Page 18
