by M. Gregg Roe
Women? “That’s … that’s very admirable, Aliva.”
“Thank you. By the way, if we get into any more fights during this trip, please stay back and let us handle things. You’re just too inexperienced at the moment, and I don’t want to have to haul your body back to Rohoville to be raised.”
“I don’t want that either. I’ll take your advice and stay back.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Audrey had been hoping that they would stop in Merryton for a hot meal—preferably inside where it was warm—but when noon came, there wasn’t even a stop for lunch. More hard biscuits were simply handed out, and they all ate and drank as they walked. They skirted the edge of the village and began to follow the shoreline of Fog Lake to the northwest. It was completely overcast, and they were being buffeted by gusts of freezing cold wind. But there was an actual dirt road now, and that made the going easier.
After everyone had finished eating, Saxloc swapped places with Aliva. Audrey found the expression on his face worrying. They walked along in silence for several minutes before he finally began to speak.
“Audrey, I’ve been giving this a great deal of thought. Yesterday, you asked me to forgive you, but I simply can’t do that. At least not until I can understand the reasons for what you did. I’m going to ask you some questions, and I want honest answers.”
Audrey suddenly felt nervous. “Uh … okay.”
He smiled at her. “You’re cute when you’re all flustered, Audrey.” The smile vanished. “Whose idea was the engagement?” he demanded.
“My father’s. I was surprised too. But seducing you was my idea. My father just took advantage of it.”
Saxloc nodded, but his expression didn’t change. “How did you convince my mother to let you stay at our house?”
“I didn’t even try to convince her. I had given up. I knew she hated my parents. You all did. I think she just felt sorry for me. I didn’t ask her if I could stay. She asked me to stay, and offered to educate me.”
He paused before saying, “Yes, I can picture that. My mother does like to help the poor and unfortunate. Although she usually does that outside the house. How did you convince my father? I know he felt the same way I did at first.”
Audrey thought hard about what to say as he began to look impatient. “He did,” she admitted. “He wanted me out. I was actually afraid of him. He caught me in his trophy room and I thought he was going to hit me.”
“My father hurt you?” he asked with a shocked look.
Audrey shook her head. “No. I was just afraid he would. I really didn’t know him at all then. I know now that he would never have hurt me.”
“You still haven’t answered my question.”
Audrey showed a trace of a smile. “Almera caught Draymund threatening me and just laid into him. Then she threatened him.”
“And that was when you realized that my mother was the one who was really in charge,” he said, smiling.
“I hadn’t thought if that way, but yes.”
Saxloc was lost in thought again, and the two of them walked on in silence for several minutes. “Audrey,” he said suddenly, “I was certain that you were after our money. A few days after you arrived, I saw you walking around with my father, and you were wearing that fancy gold dress. That clinched it. I knew that you had made my parents buy it for you.”
He looked at her expectantly, causing her to frown slightly. “I can see how that must have looked to you, but I didn’t ask for that dress. Your mother basically forced it on me.”
Saxloc nodded thoughtfully. “I see. That would explain why it was months before I saw you wear it again. I had been expecting you to start wearing expensive clothing all of the time, but day after day you kept dressing like a peasant.”
“That’s because I am a peasant,” she explained.
“No, Audrey. You were a peasant. Now you live with a wealthy family. Most people would have taken advantage of the situation that you found yourself in. They would have started dressing better and buying jewelry and other things. They would have bragged about it, reveled in it.”
“That’s not how I am,” she told him. “I only want money that I have earned. Your parents spent a lot of money on a tutor for me, and on my training, and I am going to pay them back.”
“Did they ask you to pay them back?” he asked.
“No, but I’m still going to. I don’t like being in debt. I don’t like staying in the mansion for free. I help your mother some, but not nearly enough to pay for that.”
Saxloc was utterly dumbfounded. “It’s like I don’t even know you,” he mused. Suddenly his face lit up with a silly grin. “That’s it. You’re an imposter! When did you replace the real Audrey and what happened to her?”
Audrey pretended to be sad. “You weren’t supposed to find out. She’s at the bottom of the pond.” She drew her dagger and said, “Now I have to kill all of you.” Saxloc burst out laughing as she smiled and sheathed her dagger.
“I really do feel like I’ve met a different Audrey,” he said. “And it started when we went out to dinner. You seemed different. You looked different.” Saxloc sighed deeply. “I wish you had brought that dress you made.”
“Fine,” said Audrey, pretending to be annoyed. “When we get back, I’ll put it on so you can stare at my cleavage. But you will have to pay. I’m a poor peasant and I need money.”
“And to think,” he said. “We could have been having conversations like this for months. I didn’t know you were so silly, Audrey.”
“I am most silly,” she stated, trying to imitate Cinda. “I strive to be silly.”
He laughed and shook his head. “I really do feel like I’ve just met you.”
“In a way you have,” she admitted. “I really was trying to hide my Shorinken training from you. When I hurt my shoulder badly that time, it was from over-training. Well, and also from stupidity. I had stopped asking your father to heal me.”
Saxloc was looking at her oddly. “I just noticed that you’re wearing your dagger on the right. Have you been taught to fight with a knife?”
“Yes, I have.” She realized that had been a mistake on her part. Amateurs wore their dagger opposite, as though it were a sword.
“I’ll bet Gabriel and Hankin spotted it immediately. Audrey, are you receiving advanced Shorinken training? Combat training?”
“Yes.” She would have thought it was obvious by now.
He shook his head. “And I can see that you have no idea of what that means. Audrey, it has been years since Grasapa agreed to teach anyone that. Other than her instructors, I think Wilawin was the last one.”
Audrey knew that Grasapa had been reluctant to teach her. “I didn’t know that. I just asked. I’m very stubborn.”
“That wouldn’t have mattered. You might have convinced her to start sooner, but she would never have agreed if she hadn’t already identified you as a candidate.”
She felt both flattered and humbled. “I see. I’ll thank her when we get back.”
“Good. I’m going back up front now.”
“Okay.”
Audrey felt incredibly happy by how their conversation had gone. Saxloc was finally beginning to understand her. He seemed like a different person too—a much nicer person that she really liked. There was still hope.
♦ ♦ ♦
As they neared Farmerton, Audrey began to drift backward as she walked, because she needed to speak with Siljan. Hankin saw what she was doing and moved forward to take her place in the middle next to Aliva. She arrived next to Siljan who immediately asked, “Are you excited to be returning home?”
“No. I think the word you’re looking for is anxious, or maybe sad.”
“Then why did you want to come here? Was that just part of your nefarious plan?” she asked with a silly grin.
“Yes. And so was being knocked down and bitten by a wolf. And nearly dying of exhaustion from all of the trudging through mud we did yesterday. Now I’m taking you all to Far
merton to meet your doom, although I usually refer to them as my parents.” Siljan burst out laughing, and Audrey noticed Aliva and Hankin looking back at them with puzzled expressions.
“That was a good one!” laughed Siljan. “You’re going to fit right in. We really like to joke around. It helps keep us calm when we’re approaching our doom.”
Siljan’s expression turned serious as she said, “Audrey, for Grasapa to accept you as one of her personal students is enough to convince me. She’s a pretty shrewd judge of character, and Xlee was too. I’ve never known any of their students who turned out to be bad people.”
Audrey was touched. “Thank you, Siljan. Uh … I need to ask you something before we get to Farmerton. Would you be willing to see to any injuries that the villagers have and heal them? I’m planning to ask Saxloc too.”
“What?” she exclaimed in mock indignation. “You want me to work?” Siljan pretended to be thinking hard. “Drat! I just remembered that I’m actually training to be a Priestess of Kyran. All right, I’ll do it. But only if you let me sleep in tomorrow morning.”
“You’ll have to check with the others about the sleeping in part, but I’m grateful, and I’m sure the villagers will be too.”
Siljan turned serious again. “Aliva can cast Recovery too, but I’m the only one who can use it to cure diseases. I’ll take care of those and have Saxloc and Aliva tend to the injuries.”
“Okay. Thank you, Siljan. I’ll tell the mayor when we arrive and ask him to speak with you.”
“That’s fine. It really is work, you know. But it’s also exactly the kind of thing that I’m supposed to be doing as part of my training. It’ll give me something to tell Alessandra when I get back to my temple.”
♦ ♦ ♦
They arrived at Farmerton around dusk as it was beginning to lightly snow. Audrey led them straight to the open area south of the meeting hall. A few of the villagers soon appeared, including Johan, who she assumed was still the mayor. She walked out in front of her companions and went straight to him.
“Hello, Johan,” she said, smiling. “I’m back.”
“Audrey! I didn’t even recognize you! How have you been?”
“I’m doing well. We would like to stay the night here. We’re on our way to Alessandra’s temple. I’m going to stay with my parents. Can the others stay in the meeting hall?”
“Of course, Audrey. We haven’t forgot what they did for you, or that they killed the crocodiles. I’ll arrange for dinner and make sure that there are enough blankets and firewood.”
“Thank you. Siljan and two of the others have volunteered to try to help anyone who is ill or injured. Can you talk with her and then spread the word?”
Johan nodded. “Of course. I’ll see to it.”
Her parents ran up to her. “Audrey!” said her mother. “How have you been? You look so different!”
“I am different, Mother. Hello, Father. How are the pigs?”
“Never mind that,” he said. “When are you going to marry Saxloc?”
Audrey scowled at her father, causing him to step back looking afraid. “We will talk about that later,” she insisted. “I’ll be eating dinner at the house and spending the night. Why don’t you two go back home for now? I’ll be there later.”
“Okay, Audrey,” said Marilee. “I’ll go start fixing dinner. Come on, Anton. Can’t you see that Audrey’s busy?”
The two of them walked off, and she saw that Johan was now speaking with Siljan and Gabriel. Violet walked up to her and said, “Audrey! You’re back! You look so much thinner!”
Audrey looked at her old friend and saw that she had changed too. “Yes, but you seem to have put on weight. When are you due?”
“In about four months,” she replied happily. “The name will be either Quentin or Janny, you know, depending.”
Audrey was delighted. “That’s wonderful, Violet. I’m very happy for you. For both of you.”
“Yes, we’re both really happy about it. I’m actually pretty good at sewing now. I’m already making some baby clothes.”
“Good for you, Violet. I’d like to come over and talk with you about some things. Do you have time now?”
“Of course. I’ve really missed you.”
Audrey gave her friend a gentle hug. “I’ve missed you too. I’ll be over shortly.”
Violet nodded and walked away. Audrey saw the others going into the meeting hall, so she followed them in and dropped off her backpack. Saxloc walked up to her with a puzzled look and asked, “Are you really planning to leave with us tomorrow morning? Don’t you want to stay here and visit with your parents? We’ll be coming back by here after we escort Siljan to her temple.”
Audrey stared at him. “You’ve met my parents. Would you want to stay here with them?”
That made him smile. “No. I see what you mean.”
Audrey sighed. “I’m going to have dinner with them and spend the night at their house. I’m going to tell them that our engagement is off. You’ll probably hear the screaming from here. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good luck, Audrey. I was hoping for another good night kiss,” he said slyly.
Audrey waved a hand. “I’m busy. Ask Siljan.”
“Are you crazy? She’d hit me.”
Audrey pretended to be reluctant. “Okay. You did ask nicely.”
She gave Saxloc a quick kiss on the cheek and then left.
♦ ♦ ♦
It was beginning to snow harder as Audrey arrived at Violet’s house. She hung up her cloak in the small entryway and removed her snow-covered boots. Violet sat in an upholstered chair near the fireplace and watched her.
“I suggested that Orian go check on his parents and have dinner there,” Violet said. “I figured that you would want to have a private talk.”
“Yes,” replied Audrey as she walked up.
Violet pointed and asked, “What happened to your leg?”
Audrey glanced down at her right pants leg. The lower part was stained and torn. “I was bitten by a wolf,” she said with an embarrassed look.
“You do seem to have a problem with things biting you on the leg,” Violet pointed out. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. Saxloc healed me. But there’s something else leg-related that you need to see.” She pulled up her left pants leg.
Violet gasped. “You’re completely healed! How? Was it more magic?”
Audrey sat down in the chair opposite her friend. “Yes. An ancient magic item that they have in the Witch’s City did this. But there’s more. Violet, they have clerics there that can use magic to bring people back to life.”
“Are you serious?” she asked with a stunned look.
“Yes. This isn’t a joke. I know a young woman who was killed in a brawl. Now she’s perfectly fine. Saxloc’s father has been killed twice, but he’s still around.”
Violet sat quietly, her face blank as she thought. Finally, she asked, “Are you going to tell everyone?”
“I’m not sure I should. What do you think will happen if I do?”
Violet pursed her lips. “Some probably wouldn’t believe you. Some wouldn’t want to leave. But some might decide to just up and travel to the Witch’s City. I’m definitely thinking about it now.”
“And that’s the problem. The trip there isn’t necessarily safe, even if you went with a Novox caravan. I survived the wolf attack because Saxloc and his friends are powerful. I have been learning to fight, but I’m not very good.”
“I had noticed that you’re now carrying a dagger.”
“Yes.” She pulled up her left sleeve. “I’ve got throwing knives too. I’m not the same Audrey anymore. I know how to read and write. I’ve learned a lot of things.”
Audrey paused to collect her thoughts. “I was very fortunate. Saxloc’s mother Almera took a liking to me and has been a big help. Otherwise, I would probably have ended up right back here. I might have survived in the Witch’s City on my own, but I doubt it.”
“So you’re telling me we shouldn’t consider moving there?” Violet asked.
“No. I’m advising you to think it through. It wouldn’t have to be the Witch’s City either. Rohoville is closer and also has clerics. But wherever you go, you will need to earn a living. You can’t count on some rich family to take you in.”
“If you’re rich now, then you could help us, couldn’t you?”
“I’m not rich,” said Audrey as she shook her head. “Saxloc’s parents are rich, but I’m no longer engaged to him.”
Violet frowned deeply. “This is a lot to think about. I’m not even sure if I want to tell Orian about it. But if we go, I want to go before the baby is due. I want to be somewhere where they can use healing magic if there’s a problem with the birth.”
Audrey got up and then took her friend’s hand. “I know, Violet. That’s why we’re having this talk. Maybe you can at least go to Rohoville long enough to have the baby there. I’ll help you if I can. I do earn some money, but I’ve also got debts.”
Audrey pulled a small sack from her belt pouch and counted out ten silver pieces. She held them out and said, “Here. This is for you and Orian and the baby. It’s a gift. If you decide to move or travel, you can send me a letter with one of the caravans.”
Violet was both smiling and crying as she accepted the coins. “Thank you, Audrey. You’re a good friend. I’ll let you know what we decide.”
Audrey gave her a gentle hug. “Good. I have to go deal with my parents now. They still think I’m engaged to Saxloc. Won’t they be surprised?”
Violet laughed. “I wish I could be there when you tell them. Good luck, Audrey. And thank you for everything.”
♦ ♦ ♦
Audrey’s visit with her parents was horrible. Her father begged her to reconsider, her mother was sad, and she got the impression that the two of them weren’t getting along. She told them flatly that her life was no longer in Farmerton. She didn’t know who she would marry, or if she would marry at all. Her father kept arguing with her, and she finally just tossed some coins on the floor to distract him. She left as he scrambled to pick them up.
