"Liesel, where are you going?" Kurt called out nervously from behind her.
"Isn't it magnificent?" She ignored his question, her eyes still closed. With a smile on her face, she stopped and began to twirl. She hadn't felt this giddy, this free since she was a child. "There's so much space! So much room to move! I can actually breathe out here!" She stopped twirling and looked back at Kurt and Johan. Instead of smiling, though, they were staring at her as if she had gone mad. Johan simply shook his head and began walking again, but Kurt drew closer to her and said in a low voice,
"You shouldn't get too far away."
"I was hardly running away," Liesel pouted, but Kurt glanced around furtively.
"It's not that. I just don't know how close we have to stay to keep your protection."
"My protection?"
"We can only travel outside of the forest with you. That's why Keegan couldn't follow us. We don’t know exactly how far away you can go. He might have turned while he tried to reach us."
"And how do you know this?" Kurt let go of her arm and began to walk towards where Johan was waiting for them.
"There have been several Pure Bloods that needed healing, those who were accidentally injured before the wedding. No healers in the forest would touch them." He snorted. "The fools thought the magic might stain them. Anyhow the pack leaders learned that they could accompany the women out of the forest if they stayed close."
"Have they ever tried to leave after the wedding?" Liesel couldn't stop the bit of hope that surged within her.
"The Pure Bloods died," Kurt said, looking straight ahead. Liesel felt her heart drop. So Wanda had been right. This was their only chance.
They walked until they came to a town, where Kurt produced a bag of coins that looked suspiciously like the one Liesel had saved up while working at the bakery. It didn't take long for Liesel to figure out his plan as he headed toward the closest building to the road, which happened to be a church.
"We don't have the time to walk the whole way," Kurt answered her unspoken question.
"So we're buying a horse?"
"Two, actually." At that, Liesel giggled. "What's so funny?" Kurt turned to her quizzically.
"I don't know what you think you are going to find at the church, but it surely won't be horses," she continued to giggle. Kurt frowned.
"Well, where do we find them?" Liesel did her best to smother her smile, reminding herself that if she had grown up in the forest, she would be confused, as well.
"Usually the tavern has some that have been left by customers who couldn't pay," she suggested.
It wasn't difficult to locate the tavern. Kurt went in to talk with the owner, while Liesel waited outside with Johan. She would be happy to never set foot in a tavern again after her experience with the peddler in Tag. It wasn't long though until Kurt returned and waved them towards the back of the ramshackle building. Liesel wasn't sure he knew the wiles that most tavern keeps were prone to, but she followed anyway, curious to see how he would bargain.
The stable around the back of the tavern was acrid, and glancing in at the horses' feet, Liesel could see why. The hay hadn't been changed for days, and there were nearly too many flies to breath without inhaling one. Liesel coughed as a man in a stained apron met them there.
"These 'uns been left by their masters."
"Left?" Kurt raised an eyebrow.
"Well, some's left,” the man shrugged. “Others been killed. Some stays as...payment. Anyhow I keeps 'em until some 'un else wants 'em." He led a skinny gray one for them to see. "Ye said ye needs to travel?" Kurt was already reaching for the reins when Liesel shook her head.
"This is ridiculous," she said, stopping Kurt mid-reach. "That poor creature will be lame in a day. Look at how unsteady its left back leg is." The men all stared at her for a long moment before she sighed and walked entered the stinking filth herself. Holding her breath, she stepped over the piles of muck, searching. By the time she'd nearly reached the end of the row of stalls, Liesel had almost given up on finding any decent beasts fit for the distance they needed to travel. To her relief though, in the last stall, she discovered a pair of black horses that were quite handsome. Despite the mess, they were relatively clean, which made Liesel think they couldn't have been held at the tavern for very long. Their thick necks were arched proudly, and their legs were strong and sturdy. As she led them out, the tavern keep cried,
"Them's ma' best two! Can't ye do with the little gray over there?" Liesel gave him a hard look.
"Do you want us to buy horses here or not? We can just as easily go to the next town." Kurt started to say something about time, but Liesel threw him a nasty glare. He caught it and was quiet. It was an awkward silence as Liesel and the tavern keep stared one another down, but Liesel was determined not to give in. Soon, Kurt and Liesel were riding proudly out of town, Johan keeping pace with the horses on all fours. Liesel thought it strange how the horses didn't spook in such proximity to the wolf, but then, she thought, there were many things about the pack's magic that didn't make sense. The wizard had botched up his spell worse than any wizards in her grandparents' stories.
"Where did you learn to buy horses like that?" Kurt chuckled. "I certainly wouldn't want to cross you in a trade."
"I have always wanted to travel," Liesel stared hard at her mountain as she spoke. "My grandfather took me aside when I was eight, and said if I was going to roam the world, I had better know how to buy a horse without getting conned." A small smile escaped her lips. "The way you almost did back there." Kurt scoffed.
"It's not like I've ever had to buy a horse. The ones we own are descendants of those owned by the wizard and his followers." He thought for a moment before adding, "If nothing else, at least this journey means you got to try your hand at it."
"Yes," Liesel said quietly. "I suppose it does." She knew Kurt meant well, but his words were more easily translated, If we fail, at least you at least had the chance to pretend this was a journey.
They were silent for a long time, breaking the long stretches between towns with short bursts of galloping, which seemed to greatly appeal to Johan. They met few strangers on the road, but Liesel knew that would soon change as the harvest was gathered and transported to markets all over the valley. She grew excited for it until she realized that they would be returning before harvest season was at its peak. It was a pity. Harvest had always been her favorite time of the year.
They rode on until deep into the night. Johan turned back into his human self for supper, which they had purchased at a market in some little town along the way. As he handed out the strips of dried meat, bread, and cheese, Kurt's eyes continued to dart nervously about into the night beyond the fire they'd built. Finally, Liesel could stand it no longer.
"Kurt, is something wrong?"
"I don't like this," he shook his head. "We're too exposed."
"We're right next to the road." But Kurt just shook his head again.
"At least in the forest you can shelter to avoid trouble. Out here, it's like we're just waiting for some sort of trouble to find us." He nodded at her cloak. "That thing certainly doesn't help."
"Well, I like it better out here," Liesel huffed. "You can see if something is coming at you, rather than being ambushed from above or behind or whatever direction the forest goes. Where are you going?" Kurt stood up and stalked away, ignoring Liesel's calls. She nearly got up and followed him, but a second look at his face revealed the blank look once again.
"Don't take it personal," the old man said, his first words since that morning. He took a worn pipe from his coat and lit it. "It's nothing you've done."
"You wouldn't know it," Liesel grumbled. Then she sighed. "He's different now. I mean, I suppose I knew he would be. But still..." The old man shook his head.
"The lad changed after you left. To start with, he got in royal trouble with Garrit and Lothur for sending you out of the pack's territory. They almost gave the pack leader seat to Keegan." Liesel nearly ch
oked on the bite she'd just taken. While she didn't dislike the young man, the thought of being married to him instead of Kurt was sickening.
"He convinced them to let you be for a few years. Told them you could still be called back anytime, despite the boundary."
"Lora said he...lost hope after sending me away?"
"He existed to see you."
"What happened when I left?" Liesel asked softly. It was the question she had been asking herself for four years.
"Garrit told the boy that if you married before they called you back, he would have to find and mark a new wife for himself." Liesel was silent for a moment as it all sank in, all of the what-ifs running through her mind like a pack of wild horses. What if she had married Fridric or Benat? The magic could have been broken that easily, she realized. It would have taken so little work, far less than what they were attempting now.
And yet, some other girl would have been Kurt's. Being the good man he was, he would have treated her kindly and with affection. They would have had a family, and though Liesel knew it would have taken time, his new wife would have come to love him, and he, her. Despite her current horror at the life ahead of her, that almost future suddenly made Liesel feel ill.
"What happened after that?" she whispered.
"The boy shut down. He's talked more since you've been back than he has since you left." This surprised Liesel. Kurt had seemed somewhat reserved. The old man looked as if he was ready to go to sleep, so Liesel tried to squeeze in one last question.
"Why does he keep doing that?"
"Doing what?"
"When he got up...and he wouldn't speak to me?" Understanding lit the old man's gray eyes.
"It happens to all of us. The more you give to the wolf, the more the wolf rules. Kurt's given a lot of himself not to change around you."
"So...it might get worse?"
"It will," the old man nodded. "Happens to all of us eventually." And before Liesel could ask any more questions, the man had shimmered into a wolf, tucked cozily into his tail for the night.
***
Liesel didn't remember when Johan and Kurt switched, but when she woke up, Kurt was the one laying on the other side of the fire, although he was in human form. He was awake, lying on his back, staring into the early morning sky. Liesel wondered if he was still in whatever state of mind Johan had told her about the night before. She didn't have to wonder for long, however, because just then, he stood up and began to gather their packs.
"Think we'll reach them today?" He asked. Liesel took a deep breath, feeling both relief and excitement. This was the day she'd waited for for so long.
"I know we will."
Just she predicted, they were approaching the foot of the mountain by early afternoon. The house looked just like Liesel remembered it. They could see it from the road long before they arrived. The long wooden building stretched out to show its many windows that ran along the front, something uncommon to most people, even those who lived in Weit.
"My grandfather's wine is sold as far as the capitol," Liesel told them proudly. Even without her words, they were clearly impressed. Kurt, who had continued glancing around nervously all morning, had finally stopped searching for trouble, and was staring with huge eyes at the rows of neatly laid vines that seemed to go on for miles. Johan, a wolf again for the travel, had even stopped to stare. Liesel felt her heart vacillate between swelling with joy and shaking with trepidation as they neared.
For so long, she had pictured everything returning to the way it had been. She and Kurt would marry and go on adventures of their own. Then they would return here and spend their lives happily in the shadow of the mountain with her grandparents. Shaking her head, she tried to brace herself for the reality she knew lay ahead...or rather didn't lay ahead. Seven years was a long time. Would they even recognize her? And how would they react when told that she was simply there to search and not to stay? Would she have to break them a second time? Her stomach suddenly felt jittery, and she felt her moment of imagined joy fast approaching sorrow and heartache.
"Liesel." She turned to see Kurt looking at her with concern. "Are you alright?" She plastered a smile on her face and nodded.
"Just a little nervous, I guess. It's been a long time. Perhaps you should take your human form again, Johan," she looked down at the wolf. "It might be a bit of a fright for them if they see me traveling with a wolf."
"They'll be happy to see you," Kurt offered kindly. Liesel could tell he was nervous himself though, and for the first time, she wondered what they would think of Kurt and Johan when they realized what their errand truly was. She could only hope the amount of magic they had seen throughout their travels had prepared them for what her little group had in store.
She didn't have to wait long to find out. Her grandmother was hanging laundry in front of the house. A strong gust of wind blew the garment out of her hand and when she turned to chase it, she caught sight of the three. Without a moment's pause, she shouted at the house for Liesel’s grandfather before running towards them as fast as she could, her speed impressive for her age. Liesel hardly had time to get off her horse by the time Ilsa was there.
"Liesel!" she drew her in tightly, and Liesel nearly cried as she breathed in the familiar scent of sage. She had imagined being held in those arms countless times, and yet, their comfort was far greater than in any of her dreams. "My baby is home! My baby is home!" Ilsa continued to cry as she stroked the girl's hair. Liesel looked over her grandmother's shoulder, expecting to see her grandfather join them any minute. To her surprise, however, he was standing about twelve paces back, staring furiously at her companions.
Liesel pulled out of the embrace slowly as she watched her grandfather glower at her companions, her grandmother following suit. Finally, he began to walk towards them.
"Ilsa, get Liesel back in the house." His voice was low and rough. Liesel had never heard him sound so menacing.
"Grandfather, they're with me," Liesel said quickly. But her grandfather didn't listen. Liesel looked desperately at Kurt and Johan, but to her dismay, Johan was glaring, too.
"I don't believe it," Johan muttered. "You survived." Kurt looked sharply at his companion.
"You know him?"
"I should," Johan growled. "He's the one that got away." Kurt's eyes grew huge. He whipped his head around to Liesel.
"Your grandmother's name is Ilsa?" He sounded incredulous.
"Yes. Why does that matter?" she asked nervously. She wanted to run between them to stop whatever clash was brewing, but she realized by this time that Ilsa was holding her back tightly. Kurt turned back to her grandfather, who was still standing before Johan as if ready to fight.
"Because it means your grandfather is one of us."
16. BAD BLOOD
Before Liesel could respond, both Kurt and Johan had shimmered into wolves, and her grandfather threw his long walking staff up into a defensive position.
"No!" she shrieked. It would be more than she could stand if one of them hurt another. She tried again to run to them, but her grandmother held her with surprising strength.
"Your grandfather knows what he's doing," she whispered fiercely. "You will only get hurt!" Liesel watched in horror as Kurt made the first lunge. Bernd expertly feinted to one side, then the other, which was impressive considering his age. Kurt fell for his trick, and in the blink of an eye, her grandfather had the young wolf pinned to the ground with the staff. Johan began to move in with a growl, but her grandfather warned him,
"I won't hurt him, but he's staying here until he comes to his right mind." To Liesel's surprise, Johan let out a slight snarl and then lay down in submission. Her grandfather firmly held Kurt beneath the staff for what felt like hours until the wolf stopped thrashing and lay still. Finally Kurt shimmered back into his human form once again. He lay still, glaring up at her grandfather from beneath the staff. From the way his jaw was clenched though, Liesel guessed it was taking much of his effort even to do just that.
"We came here for help!" Liesel yelled. Now that the danger was mostly over, she found herself furious that everyone else knew something she did not.
"Everyone inside," her grandfather ordered. "We'll discuss this at the table." The joyful reunion Liesel had envisioned was suddenly over. Ilsa let Liesel out of the tight hold she kept on her, but kept a desperate grip on her hand as they walked, staring anxiously at her granddaughter the whole time. Falling a few steps behind, Bernd called over one of the hired hands.
"Tell the others you're all free for the rest of the day," he said in a low voice. "I have visitors." As everyone filed into the house, Liesel paused for a moment to watch her grandfather as he slowly made his way behind them. Despite his expert use of the staff, Bernd walked like a man who had been bested by the world. He no longer held his head up, but stared at the ground as he went, moving as though it was not only his body that ached, but his soul as well. The hair that had been peppered gray and black when she'd left was now all gray. Lines that had covered his face and neck when Warin took them had seemed to branch and grow, leaving three times the lines in their wake. Liesel's grandfather, a specimen of unusual youth when she'd gone, had aged far more than seven years.
In spite of the awful start to the visit, Liesel found herself nearly smiling as they settled around her grandmother's large wooden table. She had spent more happy moments in that room than she could count. Just as she recalled, the large stone fireplace was still topped with a thick cedar shelf covered in trinkets from her grandparents' travels. The wide window on the east wall looked out over the entire vineyard and beyond, filling the room with light, contrasting with the dark wood of the walls. She marveled at how one could see so much without the forest to block her view. There was so much room to breathe.
Girl in the Red Hood Page 17
