26. Isla
Isla
They’d arrived at their destination the following morning, procured enough horses to carry them all inland, and skirted the port city, hoping to avoid meeting any nobles who would feel obliged to offer them hospitality.
Ilona and three other sailors rode as outriders, watching for threats from bandits hidden in the woods. Any outlaws thinking they had an easy mark in the lady wearing a maroon riding habit topped by a gray silken bodice would be in for a deadly surprise.
Lily and Celie rode side by side, exclaiming to one another over the differences in the land compared to their own. They’d crossed vast, open fields full of various crops and were now entering a forest thick with canopied trees and many species of ferns and climbing vines in the undergrowth.
Isla rode in silence, barely paying attention to her two friends.
She’d also tuned out Robert, Nico, and Pris, who were arguing about an obscure kingdom she knew nothing about.
Her mind was focused entirely on the fact that a short while earlier, Jonto had pulled his horse even with hers.
She’d expected him to make polite conversation, but his silence unnerved her.
Was he brooding? Embarrassed about his behavior on the island?
When Isla couldn’t stand it any longer, she broke the silence with something that, given the circumstances, sounded totally inane even to her ears.
“These horses seem well enough trained. They’re attuned to subtle cues of the leg. ”
“Not as well-trained as yours, Lady Brighton.”
She’d hoped he’d respond with an opening salvo of his own, but he seemed content to ride quietly by her side.
Deciding she might as well grasp the nettle and come right out and ask if something was on his mind, she straightened in her saddle and tried again, “Is there a reason you’re so quiet?
It’s quite out of character and, I have to admit, has me somewhat concerned. ”
Jonto shifted and ran his fingers through his horse’s mane.
His answer was slow in coming as he seemed reluctant to broach the subject uppermost on his mind.
“I was thinking whether I should warn you about the woman we’re going to meet.
She’s well-spoken and kind, but you don’t want to cross her.
Most everyone fears the hexes she places on people she doesn’t like, which turns out to be nearly everyone she meets. ”
Now, here was a subject Isla had hoped to discuss, but she hadn’t wanted to seem too forward or anxious. She shifted in her saddle and, with hesitation evident in her tone, finally asked, “Do you think she’ll come with us?”
Jonto sighed, crossed one arm over his chest, and tucked his fist beneath his armpit.
“I really don’t know. She’s had a difficult life.
Because of her strange ways, people accuse her of being a witch, and her hexes don’t disabuse anyone of the notion.
If you were to ask her, she’d admit to being one.
Others say she doesn’t belong in polite society.
They allow their children to throw rocks through her windows or at her if they see her walking through the forest. The last time we visited, both Nico and I could tell the abuse had gotten worse and was wearing on her.
I suppose even a recluse gets stressed if continuously bullied and targeted.
It’s one reason I’m hoping we might have a chance at luring her to Windsong Hall. ”
“That’s horrible, but I can’t guarantee those things won’t happen to her in Fachan’s Bay.
While we try to appear worldly, ours is a very insular community that doesn’t welcome outsiders unless they’re handsome and wealthy and are potentially a good match for their daughters.
” Isla allowed a touch of amusement to color her words.
“Handsome, hmm?”
Isla ignored him and continued, “We haven’t spoken about her accommodations. Do you intend for her to live with me in Windsong Hall?”
“Goddess, no. She’s very much a loner. I discovered a derelict shack in the upper part of my woods. I thought we could turn it into a comfortable little cabin.”
“You mean the old gamekeeper’s cottage? No one’s lived there for twenty or thirty years.” She thought about the timeline and shrugged, “Maybe more. Who knows what’s taken up residence inside.” Isla shivered at the thought.
“Well, if I know Norae, she’ll befriend any rats or raccoons that call the place their home, plant a beautiful grove of trees around back, and have a garden that’s the envy of every gardener in the city.
I sent my two grooms to clean and repair the place while we’re gone.
I told them which pieces of old Count Deverell’s items they could use to furnish the place.
They’re to have it habitable by the time we return. ”
At the front, Nico nudged his horse onto a path to the left.
The forest grew darker as the trees’ canopies very nearly obscured all light from the abundant undergrowth.
It wasn’t long, however, before bright sunshine replaced the darkness, and they were treated to a beautiful pastoral scene right out of a child’s fairytale.
The forest surrounded a small glade resplendent with green grass and wildflowers of every shape and color.
A tiny, one-room log cabin sat in the center, with woodsmoke streaming from the chimney.
The smoke infused their surroundings with the aromatic scent of cedar, filling the air with the welcoming warmth of home.
The inviting atmosphere wrapped around Isla like a comforting blanket, promising refuge and camaraderie after a long day.
As they approached, the door opened, and a middle-aged, muscular black woman stepped onto the porch holding a crossbow aimed at Nico’s chest. There was a wild look about her that both frightened and thrilled Isla.
Her tan leather breeches were worn but well-patched, as was the intricately embroidered tunic.
Isla squinted, trying to identify the designs.
What looked to be constellations covered the tunic from top to bottom, but she’d have to get much closer to see any real details.
Nico pulled his horse up short and held out his hands to show he wasn’t armed. “Whoa, Norae. It’s me, Nico, and Jonto’s here, too.” He hiked his thumb over his shoulder to where Jonto sat astride his horse. “We’ve come to talk to you.”
Jonto trotted forward and pulled his hat off his head. “Norae, is that any way to greet an old friend?”
Norae turned from pointing the arrow at Nico and aimed it at Robert instead. Her eyes narrowed, and her finger slipped onto the trigger. “And who are they? I’ve had enough nobility to last me a lifetime.”
While they’d all been warned about the woman’s animosity toward the aristocracy, the previous evening, Jonto had mentioned that even though the nobility had made the woman’s life a misery, she didn’t hate them all.
Not really. Norae believed most of the world’s troubles, and certainly most of hers, centered around the prejudice, greed, and avarice of the noble classes.
The woman’s absolute stillness combined with her menacing stare was frightening, Isla would give her that.
Not liking the fact that Robert, and by extension, Pris, was in the crossbows sites, Isla rode forward and whispered, “Jonto.” Her heart was in her throat.
She wasn’t sure of the best way to calm the situation, but she was certain that what Jonto did next couldn’t have been the best course of action, considering that finger hovering over the trigger.
He laughed.
Isla turned to stare at him and said with more force, “Jonto.”
He moved his horse forward and held out his hands. “I’m a nobleman, too, you hard-headed wench. Put that thing down and invite us in for tea.”
The woman’s sharp gaze moved to Jonto, and soon, a sad but affectionate smile spread across the flawless, sculpted face—a smile that showed strong white teeth behind her beautifully shaped lips.
Isla had never seen skin the color of rich dark chocolate.
She couldn’t take her eyes off the woman whose beauty was different than any she’d experienced before.
Even though those eyes that had been so intense moments before had turned melancholy, Isla sensed a powerful aura surrounding this woman.
When Celie looked over her shoulder and caught Isla’s eye, it was evident in her raised brows and stunned expression that she’d had the same reaction to the woman’s striking features.
Norae’s full-bodied voice held the timbre of authority when she said, “The sparrows tell me you’re hiding someone in the forest, Jonto.”
“That’s only Ilona and three others shadowing us as outriders.” He turned his head and shouted, “Ilona, ride out so Norae can see your pretty face.”
After a few moments, Ilona rode her piebald gelding into the open and raised her arm high. “It’s me, you beautiful black-eyed witch!”
Norae cocked her head and squinted, “Since when does that woman wear a dress when she’s riding as guard?
Jonto shrugged, “Neither of us thought it would be a good idea for her to ride through the city in her work attire while we have our friends riding with us. Besides, the skirt comes off with a flick of the wrist. She’s wearing her leather breeches beneath.
Anyone who attacks her is in for a deadly surprise. ”
With a grunt of agreement, Norae lowered the crossbow and motioned for them to approach.
“I don’t have any tea. I don’t have much of anything for that matter.
” She pursed her lips and shook her head in disgust. “The lordling who owns this land declared I can’t hunt anymore, and if I can’t hunt, I don’t have much to trade for tea or other things I can’t grow for myself.
The last time I went into town, someone came and destroyed my gardens, probably on the lordling’s orders.
But you’re welcome to come out to my fire pit and visit.
There aren’t fancy chairs for your noble friends, but you’re all welcome to sit on my logs. ”