Chapter 8 #2
“Good morning, Miss Maelis! Sit, sit! I’ll fix you a plate.”
I slid onto the bench at the long wooden table. The kitchen was like a well-rehearsed performance: one group kneading dough with enthusiasm, another chopping vegetables with knives that moved a little too fluidly. There was a rhythm to it, like everyone had done this together for a hundred years.
Still no women, though. Not one. And I was starting to feel like I’d stumbled into the all-male cast of a celestial baking show.
The realization prickled under my skin. Not fear exactly, but unease.
Every laugh that echoed across the room felt a little too loud, every glance that passed my way lingered a heartbeat too long.
I straightened my back, pretending not to notice, reminding myself that I’d survived far worse places than a kitchen full of men.
Still, the absence of another woman made the air feel heavier, as if the walls themselves were watching to see whether I belonged here at all.
Enbergin returned, practically glowing with pride, and placed a plate in front of me. Eggs, crispy bacon, and a bowl of something that resembled porridge.
“Eat up!” he said with a grin. “You’ll need your strength.”
“Do I look that hungry?” I asked teasingly, but he just gave me a wide, nearly toothless grin.
I tucked in, surprised at how hungry I was.
It had been difficult to keep food in during the last months because of the constant headache and dizziness that I had felt.
But since that fateful night when I had used the heka on myself, a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.
“May I ask you a question?” I said between bites.
“Of course ya can, lass,” the elf responded and propped his underarms on the table in front of me.
“I noticed that there are no females employed here. Or maybe I have not seen them yet.” Enbergin grabbed a towel and wiped down the table in front of me.
“That’s right, lass, the house rules state that no females are to work at the Lodge or the temple.
It has always been that way, as long as I can remember.
” Enbergin shrugged. “It’s rare that we get female visitors here as well; there have only been a handful of females who have been allowed to stay at the Lodge in the last few years. ”
Should I feel honored or irritated by such a dubious compliment? I was going to confront Auretheos about his “no women policy.” He might be a God, but even he should try and go with the times, for Fate’s sake.
A young servant entered the kitchen. He looked to be no more than 17 or 18 years of age. The hands at his sides were twitching and his gaze was jumping nervously around the room, as if he was expecting someone to jump him at any moment.
“What is it, Serfried?” Enbergin shouted towards the male in question.
Serfried winced and came forward a few steps.
“Master Caelan sent me to tell the wordsmith that he was called away on business. You are free to roam the Lodge or walk into the city, should you wish. If you need to buy clothes or supplies of any kind, Master Caelan said to have the bill sent to the Lodge.” Sweat had formed on his forehead as he was speaking.
His big brown eyes were fixed on me, waiting for me to acknowledge that I had heard him.
I smiled, trying to make him more comfortable.
“Thank you, Serfried, for giving me Caelan’s message. My name is Maelis, by the way.”
He nodded fervently and instantly turned around to leave.
A violent cough escaped me. From his waist down, Serfried’s legs were replaced by the hind legs of a deer of some kind, ending in hooves.
It was one thing to learn that this continent was filled with magical beings, but it was another thing to actually meet them.
I didn’t want to stare, I knew it was rude.
But the sight of a half man, half deer made it difficult not to freak out.
“Damn skittish these Cervidanes. Always look like they are ready to bolt at any minute.” Enbergin chuckled.
“Thanks for the breakfast.” I placed my bowl in the sink and blew a kiss towards the cook.
“Nah, it’s nothing, lass. Go and enjoy your day!”
I went up to my room and to my surprise someone had been in to make the bed and open the glass doors to let some Fresh air in. My dirty clothes were gone and on the bed there was a pair of brown cord trousers and a light blue tunic, embroidered with colorful flowers.
I washed up, got dressed and french braided my hair into two braids on both sides of my head.
Checking myself in the mirror I had to admit that I didn’t look half bad.
Gone were the stiff neck and the hunched over shoulders, and for a moment, I felt like I was looking at my old self again.
A strange sense of longing settled in my chest, an ache for the person I used to be, before…
No! I slammed my mental walls down. I wasn’t going to go down this road right now, not when I was finally starting to believe that something good might come of my heka at last. With one last glance in the mirror, I left my room and headed out the door of the Lodge. I had shopping to do.
* * *
There was only one road leading into Lumoria, the town atop the mountain, so it wasn’t hard for me to find my way.
Just to be sure, Enbergin had drawn a simple map of the surrounding area on a napkin for me.
The Lodge was surrounded by thick woods, a mixture of evergreen and deciduous trees.
Walking underneath the canopy of leaves, the air felt crisp this morning, a harbinger for the colder days soon to come.
Coming around a bend in the road, the forest was thinning out, with little houses now appearing right and left of the road.
Smoke was rising from the chimneys, the smell of freshly baked bread in the air and faeries milling about in their gardens.
It was like someone had transported me right into the fairy tale books my mother used to read to me.
I wouldn’t have been surprised if a witch had shown up to sell me an enchanted apple.
I could feel the beings’ eyes on me, some of them peeking out behind closed curtains, others openly staring or pointing in my direction.
I kept a friendly smile plastered on my face, gaining me a small nod or even a little wave from the locals.
The farther I walked, the more the trees retreated, until there were only open fields to both sides of the road.
In the distance, the taller buildings of the city came into view, the roofs shining red in the sunlight.
There were people working on the fields, happily chatting away while harvesting whatever was growing here.
I walked past and waved at a group of kids who were playing catch while their parents were loading big wooden crates onto a waiting carriage.
The kids gave me a small wave and returned to their games.
It was already noon when I finally made it to the city.
To my relief, there were plenty of women working in the shops, the taverns and the workshops I spotted along the high road.
It seemed like the rules of male-only staff was not a general rule in this area, but was reserved for the Lodge and the temple.
The town wasn’t as big as my hometown Rivermond, but there was a bustle of activity going on.
Like in the kitchen at the lodge, it seemed like everyone here had their place in the running of this town.
There were shop owners, a chimney sweep, a horse-drawn carriage full of laughing kids and a street musician.
The architecture here was different as well.
The houses in Richmond were narrow, the only way to build was upwards.
It wasn’t unusual for the buildings in my town to have three or even four floors.
Here, the buildings were wider and only had one additional floor above the ground floor.
The shops all had floor to ceiling windows in the front, displaying their goods to the passersby.
The doors of the shops were open, like a friendly invitation to come inside and discover handcrafted plates and cutlery, delicious smelling foods or toiletries wrapped up in tiny silken bags.
I resisted the urge to step into each and every one of these shops, deciding that before I did any other kinds of shopping, I first had to find a seamstress or dress shop.
There would be plenty of time later to look for a present for my mother at home.
“May I help you, my lady?” A young woman approached me, carrying a basket filled with groceries. Her arms were covered in scars, and her eyes were completely white. It was rude to stare, but she was so different from anyone I had ever met that I couldn’t help but drink in her appearance.
“That is so kind of you to ask, thank you. I am actually looking for a dress shop or a seamstress. I had to leave my home quite unexpectedly, so I had to leave my wardrobe behind.”
The woman smiled at me.
“I have heard of your arrival, wordsmith. Welcome to Aerethia. We are grateful to you for wanting to help our Lord. There is a seamstress down the road; she has dresses in store but will also be able to fashion anything you desire.”
Her words made me pause. How much of the prophecy did the locals know?
“Most people have heard of the prophecy, but very few thought it would ever come to pass. Life here was peaceful until a few years ago. My friends work at the temple—that’s how I heard of your arrival, my lady.”
I stared at her, realizing I might have voiced my question out loud. Or could this woman read my thoughts?
The woman chuckled. “Don’t worry, I am not a mind reader, although my eyes must seem unusual to you.” She winked. “The question was written all over your face. It must be a lot to take in, coming from the mortal realm.”
Well, that was a relief. I sighed and looked around the street.
“I used to travel the human continent when I was younger. I always loved exploring and experiencing new things. I haven’t been able to do that in a long time, and I forgot how happy it truly made me to try out new things.
” My tone had taken a wistful note and the faerie must have noticed it too.
“Why did you stop traveling?” she asked softly.
Unbidden pictures of a time I’d rather forget slipped into my mind, the blur of cities I never stayed in long enough to remember, nights spent drunk on magic and laughter, chasing the next thrill to keep from feeling empty.
Faces, music, light, all swirling together in a haze of recklessness.
I’d told myself I was free back then, but looking back, it was running in circles.
I quickly pushed the memories aside, forcing a smile.
“Life got in the way, I guess. My mother got sick and had no one to take care of her. So I moved back to my hometown and became her caregiver. I don’t regret it, my mother is a true blessing. But…”
The Faerie nodded. “But deep down you know that there is more for you out there. It’s normal to feel this way, it does not mean that you care any less about your family.”
I smiled. “You are right, and I am here now, so I am going to make the most of this experience.”
And hopefully we would be able to save the world, or something like that.