Chapter 35 #2
Nan swallowed. It had been years since Languidere had asked of this.
When Nan was first brought to Languidere’s service before her true vicious nature began to blossom, Nan had thought she had a friend in Languidere.
She had divulged about her gift, premonitions that came in dreams, and Languidere’s curiosity had allowed Nan to share.
But those days were short-lived, for Languidere eventually grew angry with Nan, as she did all her playthings.
“Which dream?” Nan said, though she knew, for it was one Languidere used to ask of frequently.
“The one of the lovely blonde princess who goes down the rabbit hole and becomes queen. Tell me that dream was a premonition of me. Tell me it is my future.”
Nan swallowed. The dream had come to her so often of late, but the young girl was certainly not a princess and certainly was not Languidere. “I believe it was of you, yes.”
“Sweet Nan, you had better not be lying.” The words of the whispered threat tickled Nan’s ear. She fought the urge to shiver. “Please summon my cousin, Smith,” the princess said. “Tell him to bring the items required to cast jewelry.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Nan said.
“Now my sweet Nan, please take Hungry Tiger and see if you can’t stop her from making more of a mess.” The Princess kissed her and walked gingerly over mirrored shards as she slipped from the bloody garment. “I’m going to have a soak. Please have the others tidy my room.”
Without another word or glance, Princess Languidere slipped behind the lace-paneled folding screen that stood as a partition between the violent scene and the soaking tub.
“As you wish, Princess,” Nan said and knelt beside the tiger. She touched the fur of her head as she licked. “I am so sorry. I am so very sorry,” she said.
Eventually, the celebration waned, and all the Munchkins went back to bed.
Back inside Nimmie’s cottage, Alice struggled to sleep.
Her mind was racing with worries over the threat of monsters from below the ground, her unanswered questions about what Blinkem was withholding, and the unsettling fact that she had witnessed him transforming into a rabbit.
Their group was to meet before the town awoke to discuss their plan to journey north.
Alice hoped to get to Blinkem first, privately.
As soon as the morning light broke over the tops of the trees, Alice dressed quickly, adding a knit scarf and leather and wool warmers for her legs under her skirt.
The warmers were slightly too short, as they were meant for a mule, but she was grateful that the Munchkins took such good care of their livestock.
Nimmie had cut new eyeholes for the leather ties, allowing Alice to tighten them around her knee and ankles.
Alice ducked under the rounded doorway of the cottage and made her way to the center of the dirt road.
Across the way, she saw Blinkem pulling a tunic over his pale, muscular torso.
She looked away abruptly, pretending to observe something up the road at the tavern, as Blinkem’s eyes caught hers.
She felt a flutter of nerves and reminded herself that she was anxious about what he had to say.
As she pretended to look up the road, Nimmie came marching from a small path behind the tavern.
Alice wondered if the little woman had even slept.
“How are the chaps?” Nimmie shouted, causing Alice to tense in fear of waking the entire town. It was still mostly dark, though most of the sky was now the same pink as that above the treetops surrounding town’s valley.
“A perfect fit. You tailored them remarkably. I don’t know when you sleep,” Alice replied, trying to stay quiet, hoping it would cue Nimmie to lower her voice.
“We are a people of efficiency!” Nimmie’s grin grew, and as she came closer, her voice became even louder. Alice was grateful to see her but worried about how to get away from her now to speak with Blinkem.
“So much for my morning thinking time!” Tinkerton’s voice belted from down the opposite side of the road. His hair was tousled, and his tunic was unbuttoned, exposing his hairy chest. Alice was surprised by just how casual he was. There was no stiffness to him, not like the men she was used to.
“Another early riser? I like tha’ in a person, especially a man,” Nimmie said.
Her tone and bold flirtation stirred embarrassment in Alice.
However, Nimmie was not embarrassed in the least as she stood with her hip jutted out, one hand on her belt, almost as a man would, smirking at Tinkerton, who chuckled at her boldness.
She was unapologetically everything a woman was not supposed to be, and Alice admired that.
Something about Nimmie made Alice feel more free, or gave her permission to be so.
Blinkem came round the fence post of the stable, pulling suspenders over his tunic. His hair was wet and slicked. He was freshly shaven and, as he came closer, he smelled of mint and soap.
“Did you bathe?” Alice blurted. “When did you find the time?”
“He’s been up since the wee hours, and me father rose t’ take the big horse south wit’ a few t’ fill water reserves from another well. So, I offered him me father’s bath,” Nimmie said. It was strange, though. It seemed like she was lying for him, and time felt upside down.
But Tinkerton was also smirking. “He smells good, doesn’t he?” His eyes were smiling at Alice. Her cheeks reddened.
“Now that we’re all up! Should we set out?” Nimmie said, saving Alice from the moment of embarrassment.