Chapter 16 Hell
Less than one day with these girls had taught me that we had been spectacularly unprepared.
Between the food, the clothing, the endless baths, and Margaret's insistence that every girl deserved a second helping, our cupboards were emptying faster than we could refill them.
That was precisely why I found myself preparing the cart for the journey to town before the sun had even reached its peak.
“Are you quite sure you would not like us to go?”
Ezra asked as he loaded crates and baskets to carry the provisions.
“I can never return to Verith. After taking the girls, Stanhope would surely have my head. I confess... I would very much like to see more of what is now my home.”
Liv stopped him before I could even answer.
“We should allow her to go, Ez.” She placed her hand on his chest and gave me a knowing smile.
I had no idea what that smile meant. Nothing was going on.
Nothing at all. At least, that was what I kept telling myself as the infuriating smirk the bladesmith had worn the last time we met drifted uninvited into my thoughts.
He attempted to protest; she would have none of it.
“Hell knows the town well. And I have much to tell you about my studies of the ancient texts.”
His shoulders sank in quiet surrender. Poor man.
He had not yet learned that arguing with Liv was little more than an exercise in wasting one's breath.
I urged the horse forward, unable to suppress a laugh as Ezra followed Liv into the house like a lovesick puppy.
The town was so alive. Bright chatter and laughter mingled with the upbeat music flowing down the main street.
Two girls danced upon a platform in the center of the square, and I had to stop.
I smiled and clapped along as they moved their feet at a furious pace.
It reminded me of the night I first met Liv and Ezra.
Somehow, the woman who worked in that alehouse felt like a stranger now.
I waited for the hollow ache within me, the longing for home.
But it was not there. At some point, without my permission, Torezia and Forsgeth had stopped feeling like a place I was hiding...
and become the place I wanted to return to.
I smiled to myself as I realized I no longer missed the life I'd left behind.
I took my time gathering the provisions we needed, enjoying the town and its people.
This time, I made a point of avoiding the bladesmith's stall entirely.
Heat crept into my cheeks as the memory of our last encounter forced its way to the front of my mind.
Gods... the embarrassment of it. He likely thought me a fool now.
I stopped by Elsbeth’s forge before leaving. To say hello. She never seemed to stop working, yet somehow she always had time for a story while the forge roared behind her. If there was news worth hearing, Elsbeth already knew it. For a woman who worked so hard, she had a lot of time for gossip.
“Ah, you’re back. Here to purchase something this time, or just come for more gossip?” Elsbeth laughed as she polished a ring she had just finished crafting.
“Elsbeth, you have come to know me so well in our short acquaintance.” I chuckled and offered her a warm smile.
“Well, if it's news you want, just tell me which side of the wall you would like it from.”
She lowered her voice. “Though I can't promise much of it is good anymore.”
My pulse quickened at the mention of Verith, though I forced my expression to remain neutral.
We were still trying to keep a low profile, and the last thing I needed was to appear overly interested in news from across the wall.
“Start with whichever rumor you find most entertaining.” I leaned in close, trying my hardest to look impartial to the news of Verith.
Elsbeth studied me for a moment before setting the ring aside.
“Well, your blacksmith has been asking after you.”
A knowing smile spread across her face. “Apparently you've left quite the impression. Though, truth be told, you've left most of us curious. One day you simply appeared out of nowhere, and now you're buying enough supplies to feed half the valley.”
She chuckled as she eyed my cart where it was parked.
“He is not my blacksmith.” I rolled my eyes.
“Uh huh. Funny that is the part that worries you most…”
Her grin lingered for another heartbeat before disappearing entirely.
She lowered her voice until I had to lean closer to hear.
“Now, you didn't hear this from me...” She glanced over both shoulders despite the forge being empty.
“Three merchants came through this morning, and every one of them swore they'd seen balance enforcers riding the border. Says they're looking for girls who escaped the marking.”
I feigned confusion, “Marking?”
“Gods above, where have you been?” She threw her hands into the air before studying me more carefully.
“Truly... you haven't heard?” Her eyes widened.
“Well then…You know how traditional they are over there. Well, according to the merchants, they've started branding every magic-bearing woman with a witch's mark. Imagine that. The men are called Diviners, but the women? Witches.”
She shook her head in disbelief. “They’ve taken to hunting the ones who refuse to wear the mark. As though the magic knows the difference.”
She waved her hand and the flames in her forge roared to life once more, then she gave me a wink and went back to busying herself with her work.
I kept my expression carefully neutral, though my mind had already begun counting the girls sleeping beneath our roof...
and the ones we had yet to save. My stomach tightened.
If word had already reached Forsgeth, then Verith's daughters had even less time than we thought.
I hesitated before walking away; something burned in the back of my mind. I glanced over my shoulder.
“Do you not believe in the old gods, the ancient texts and the balance?” Her brow creased, and her hands fell firmly on her hips.
“We have not lived by that swill for some time. The Coalition did away with all of it after the Great Reckoning, when the wall was built. Verith chose their side, Torezia chose ours. That's why they don't let their people travel here freely, save for merchants and emissaries.
Wouldn’t want to break the illusion that things are meant to be that way. But I am sure you knew that, hon.”
Something in her expression softened. Whether it was understanding or simply knowing, I could not tell.
Then we said our goodbyes and I made for my cart.
“Trying to find a different smithy?” Gods, I should have known. Of course. I had lingered too long. “You know that Elsi only crafts jewelry, right? Blades are my specialty.”
“I have no need of your blades,” I scoffed, “And I do not have time for you today, blacksmith.” I urged the horse forward. The cart moved. Unfortunately, so did he. He kept pace with the cart.
“You wound me.” He placed his hand over his heart. I thought, perhaps, if I ignored him, he would stop. But still he did not.
“That is an awful lot of blankets. Planning for a harsh winter, or secretly opening an inn?” He chuckled. I did not respond.
“You must have a rather large family for all of that food, or an army.” I looked to the sky and silently prayed the gods would produce a tree for him to run into.
He let out a low whistle. “Those are some interesting toys. Do you have children?” Ugh, I tossed a blanket over the crate and urged the horse to go faster. He picked up his pace and jogged alongside the cart, the town disappearing into the distance.
“C’mon, Blades. I did not mean to offend you the last time; I only want to apologize, and perhaps earn another conversation that doesn't end with you fleeing!”
I pulled the reins, forcing the horse to a halt. “Blades?”
He pulled his hand from his pocket and rubbed the back of his neck. “Well, I have not had the pleasure of learning your name. I thought it was fitting.” His annoyingly perfect lips gave way to an even more annoyingly perfect smile.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “My name is Hell.” I immediately regretted sharing my name. What in the seven hells was I thinking?
“Hell?” He paused as though he were testing how the name felt on his lips. “Gods, now that is fitting.” He laughed. I considered throwing something heavier than an apple.
I plucked an apple from one of the baskets. “I have no need of your blades, and no need of friends.” I clicked the horse forward, urging its speed faster. Then I chucked the apple at him. “No, stop following me, Blacksmith!”
He caught it mid-air. Of course, he did. Then smiled back at me like an idiot as he rubbed it against his shirt and took a bite. But this time, thankfully, he did not follow.