Chapter 19
Rowan
In the end it was my brother who decided to accompany me to Reverran.
We departed on horseback, a handful of guards discreetly flanking us.
I had not been atop a horse for quite some time, so was equally nervous and excited to be riding again.
When I was younger, I had ridden a lot. The fields that lay directly across the road from our home in Milford housed several horses, and luckily the owners were amenable to me riding them whenever I wanted.
For my father, being able to give his horse-mad daughter full-time access to one, but without the expense that usually came with it, was the perfect arrangement.
I was certain that in exchange he provided the owners with free medical treatment whenever it was required, for they always seemed to present at our house when a member of their family was ill.
“You ride well for someone who grew up in a world without horses. How can that be?” Aenan asked, a small smile on his face.
I wasn’t sure whether he was playing with me or not – I recalled telling him that we no longer used horses as our means of transport, instead using cars and buses and trains.
“We have horses, Aenan,” I clarified with a giggle.
“But we generally ride for pleasure, not because we need to get from here to there.” I told him all about my adopted horses and the riding I had done as a child.
“I haven’t done much riding in a skirt, though. ”
I had mentioned to Aenan my want – no, my need to find a seamstress in the village who could help outfit me with appropriate clothing.
I had been wearing the borrowed dresses Jesmina had secured for me, but they weren’t quite the right size, and I only had a few of them.
I was also hoping to have some pants and tunics made for moments such as these.
Aenan had advised me to charge everything back to the estate, and as I had no idea how the currency worked, I was happy to do so.
“What exactly are Solarflies?” I asked as we rode through the woods. I scanned our surroundings, hoping to catch a glimpse of one, as I recalled the housemaids mentioning they came from these very trees.
“Solarflies? Oh, they are what the villagers call Lightning Sprites.” He caught me surveying the trees and snorted. “You won’t find them during the day. They don’t come out until night.”
“So, they’re like glow bugs or something? Fireflies?”
He laughed out loud at that. “I wouldn’t let them hear you call them a bug. They will likely take offence.” He chuckled at the confusion on my face and continued to snigger all the way into town.
When we arrived, we left the horses at the public stables and wandered the streets until we came to the market square.
Tents in every colour of the rainbow covered the space.
Stalls brimming with goods lined the cobblestone paths, each one decorated with vibrant tapestries or coloured flags.
Trinkets and treasures gleamed under the waning sunlight, enticing me with their mystique.
There were luxurious silks and sparkling crystals at one, while another had baskets overflowing with herbs and potions and enchanted charms, or so the sign hanging above declared.
Travelling merchants, draped in richly patterned cloths, arms sleeved in tinkling bracelets, hawked their wares, their voices blending with the lively chatter of the crowd.
Villagers and strangers alike roamed the space, their laughter merging with the melodic tunes of minstrels from further up the street.
The smell of sizzling meats and savoury stews wafted from the food stalls, the delicacies cooking over open flames.
Fragrant spices and roasted nuts complemented the scent, and the aroma of freshly baked bread had my stomach groaning.
There were wooden barrels brimming with ale and mead, and vendors peddling fragrant teas.
I made to move in that direction, but was halted by Aenan’s hand under my arm. “Let’s visit with the seamstress first before she closes for the day,” he said. “The stalls will still be here when we return.”
Eyes wide, I let him lead me away. There was so much to see that I was trying to mentally keep a list of where I wanted to visit as he hurried me off.
On my prior visit to town, when Caelan and I passed through, I had not seen the square, and was charmed by its quaint cobbled streets and half-timbered buildings ornamented with colourful flower boxes.
We found the seamstress not far up a lane.
Upon entering, I was surprised to see one long counter and an array of materials quite like what I would have seen at home.
The natural fibres ranged in colour, some vibrant and bold while others were muted and neutral.
When I enquired as to how they were dyed, I was simply informed, “by magick”.
Behind the counter stood a fae female with light brown skin, her hair slicked back into a bun. She smiled at Aenan, her eyes crinkling with familiarity. “How may I be of service, milord?”
I wondered if everyone in town knew who he was.
Most, he answered me. I had not asked the question, either aloud or in my mind – not intentionally, anyway. Glaring at him, I sent a message to stay out of my head, along with a mental image of me sticking out my tongue, all the while vowing silently to continue practising my shielding.
Amused, Aenan addressed the shopkeeper. “My sister requires an entire wardrobe – dresses and pants and shirts and shoes. And a cloak or two if you can manage it.”
“Surely one cloak will be sufficient, Aenan,” I interjected.
“Two cloaks, if you please, Mrs Balfrey. And send the final cost up to Wyndaryn.” He turned to me and pressed some coins into my hand.
“I will take my leave of you now. I will return before it’s time to depart for home, so enjoy yourself.
My man, Orick, will be just outside and will escort you wherever you want. ”
“Oh. Okay.” I watched as he left the shop. I hadn’t expected to be left on my own, so just stood there, unsure what to do.
“Milady?” Mrs Balfrey had a length of cord and some small pins in hand. She held her arms out to the side, indicating I do the same.
“Oh, sorry,” I muttered, following her actions and standing as still as I could, arms out awkwardly.
She wrapped the cord about my waist, my hips, my chest, even going so far as reaching up under my skirt and measuring my thigh.
Each time, she placed a different-coloured pin through the cord.
When she had finished, she asked me to select the colours I liked from the samples on the shop floor, stepping behind the counter as I did so.
I browsed through the materials, choosing a lot of greys and dark greens. Colours that complemented my skin tone and hair. I particularly liked a navy blue I knew would enhance the colour of my eyes. I was entranced, though, by a lovely red velvet, and fingered the material.
Mrs Balfrey, seeing my indecision, approached. “Let’s try it on, shall we?”
She removed the bolt of material from its perch and flung it around my shoulders, turning me so I was looking in the mirror. My face fell. The colour clashed horribly with my hair, and I made to remove it, but Mrs Balfrey stopped my hand.
“One moment, milady,” she said, walking around me, a contemplative look on her face.
Then, as if a decision had been made, she nodded, and her eyes lit up with that ethereal glow I had seen once before with Aenan.
She tapped the fabric, and the colour changed right before my eyes, the offensive red now a deep burgundy.
“Oh, it’s lovely,” I exclaimed, the shade now the perfect accompaniment. “How did you do that?”
“It is my gift,” she stated, as if no other explanation were needed.
Her eyes returned to their normal chocolate shade.
She whisked the material from my shoulders and laid it with the other bolts I had chosen.
“I will have some items delivered on the morrow and the remainder within the week,” she said briskly.
The bell above the door chimed, announcing the arrival of two ladies. “Thank you,” I murmured, offering a polite nod before stepping out.
The sun was just starting to set when I left the shop, Orick, Aenan’s guard, now at my side. I made my way back to the square so I could browse the stalls before it became too dark. I wanted to purchase some of the tea I had seen.
“Step up! Step up! Test your aim at the axe-throwing range, where only skilled woodsmen can demonstrate their prowess.”
I shook my head at the dark-haired male and stepped subtly to the side to go around him.
“You’re not interested in trying the axe-throwing, mistress? How about your man there?” He indicated Orick. “He looks a brawny sort.”
I glanced at Orick, but he was just as uninterested as I was, and after looking the male up and down, he turned his attention back to the crowds.
“No, thank you. Maybe another time,” I said politely, hurrying by.
The way he watched me as I moved past him was unnerving. Shivers crawled up my spine.
“As you wish,” he murmured.
Moving on briskly, I came upon some wood carvers who appeared to be in competition, each sculpting intricate designs into a piece of oak. The creations taking shape were so elaborate that I could only guess magick was involved.
The next stand showcased basket weaving. I admired the baskets as I moved on, but changing my mind, I stepped back, asking to inspect one that caught my eye.
“Here, mistress,” the stall owner said, handing me the one I had chosen. It was just big enough to hold my intended tea purchases as well as a few other bits and pieces I was sure to buy.
“How much is it, please?” I enquired. The price she mentioned sounded fair to me, though I really had no idea. Orick’s subtle nod sold it to me, though, so I handed her two coins, pleased with my choice.