Chapter 19 #2
I thought it odd that a boy so young was allowed to wander when their town was closest to what was the front lines in a war. It was a small regional war, but still.
Nil grumbled some more but turned and headed for the town. Once he was out of earshot, his mother turned back to me, her face no longer warm as she looked me up and down. “This better not be some sort of trap.”
I was so blown back by her direct accusation it took me a moment to react. “Oh no, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you—”
She didn’t let me finish. “I’m not stupid. I know there’s a war going on and you came right from behind enemy lines. Now, tell me what you want, or get out of here.”
I sighed. This wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought.
I hated deceiving people, even though it was something I had trained my whole life to be able to do.
“I’m not here to harm you,” I promised again, even if it was futile.
“I was actually imprisoned by Count Adis, but some of the soldiers helped me escape. Now, I know they are at war, but I can promise I am just trying to figure out a way to escape Ralheim so I don’t end up back in his clutches.
Because if he finds out I escaped he will kill me and the men who helped me.
” It wasn’t a full lie, as it was always the partial ones that were easiest to spin.
Though she tried to keep the stern look on her face, her features softened slightly. “That doesn’t sound like something soldiers at war would do.”
I briefly debated mentioning Leif’s name, in hope he, or his coven, was well-known here on the outskirts Malheim, but decided against it.
“I know. But believe me when I tell you that some of them are just as tired of the war as you are. Now, I understand your concerns, so I’ll just carry on into town.
Sorry to have disturbed you.” I turned away from her and commenced walking toward town.
Though my breathing had quieted, I didn’t have to fake my slight limp as I walked away—as the boots were still too small and still pinching painfully on a few raw spots on the side of my foot.
“No, wait, let me at least get you some water.”
I fought to keep the grin off my face as I spun back around. “No no, it’s okay. The town is so close, I’ll be fine!”
She was already walking toward her small house. “No, I insist. I should have offered from the beginning, but I’m just so used to spies coming over here, I had to be sure.”
“If you’re certain.” I was already following after her, desperate for some water. But at least I had already learned something—I wasn’t the only spy Otho had sent this way. Perhaps I was the only female one, something which could give me an advantage.
She ducked through the door, motioning for me to follow her.
I did the same, quick to notice how the home had no floors other than the dirt the land provided.
My skirt caught on the wooden beam which crossed the floor at the bottom of the doorway.
It took a moment to tug my skirts free—I still wasn’t used to wearing dresses.
Inside the hut, there were no walls beyond the exterior one either, the house having the bare minimum of a kitchen on one side, and two beds on the other.
There was a wooden table in the middle with four chairs, all of which looked as if they had been broken and put back together using whatever supplies could be scavenged at least once. This family was very poor.
“Here.” She filled a clay mug from the pump and pushed it into my hands. “You look thirsty.”
I didn’t reply, simply draining the cup. When it was empty, she took it back and refilled it a second time. This time I drank slower. “Thank you,” I said between sips.
“I would never forgive myself if I sent you off and you passed out before reaching town.”
“It’s okay,” I replied. “I wouldn’t have trusted me either; I’m not offended.”
“But still.” She sighed. “This war has turned me into someone I don’t recognize anymore.”
“It does that to us all,” I fibbed, painting a small smile on my lips.
Though I was thankful for this woman’s generosity, I also knew she wasn’t the target I was supposed to grow close with.
She was just a poor farmer on the edge of town.
It was unlikely she would have any information about the war.
“I’m Mela,” she said after a period of silence, though she didn’t offer her arm in the traditional greeting.
“I’m Runa,” I replied, my voice almost breaking as I realized this was the first time, ever, that I had introduced myself to a stranger with my real name. Tears gathered in the corners of my eyes, but I forced them back. This was not the moment to get sentimental.
The air in the room, though it was less hostile than when I first entered, still wasn’t one of comfort.
Therefore, I drained the clay mug for the second time before holding the glass out in her direction.
“Thanks for your kindness. I’ll head into town now and see if anyone there can help me find my way home.
“There’s no need for that,” spoke a deep voice behind me. But before I could spin around and get a good look at his face, there was cloth covering my eyes, nose, and mouth. I panicked, but before I could truly gauge what was going on, I was hit on the side of the head, and everything went black.