Chapter 8 #3
“Yes, they gather the dust to create new coins, which leaves the original coins weighing less. But my coins are as good as new, so there’s nothing to worry about.” Ruth reached into his purse and fished out a few more coins to show Maxi. The edges were crisp and polished.
Once the peddler was satisfied with the payment, he slipped the coins into his pocket and placed eight derham coins on the scale. After checking their weight just like the youth had, Ruth accepted them.
“Tightfisted as always,” Hebaron scoffed.
Ruth remained unfazed. “I call it being meticulous.”
He proceeded to the stall opposite the herb vendor and immediately began haggling over a large, fist-sized stone.
The man selling it appeared to be a mercenary.
He claimed to have nearly died trying to acquire the stone and would part with it for no less than fifteen liram.
Ruth snorted at the price and insisted it was worth no more than ten.
In the end, Ruth left with five magic stones, purchased at the lower price.
While he was busy, Maxi perused the other stalls. Browsing the tables, she saw beaded daggers, wooden animal figurines, embroidered belts, copper brooches, and colorful fabrics that had been braided into tassels.
Maxi pointed at one of the tassels. “W-What is this?”
But Ruth, haggling with another merchant several steps away, did not hear her. Embarrassed, Maxi turned to leave when Hebaron answered.
“They’re charms that you can attach to sword belts,” he said brusquely.
Maxi looked up in surprise. Hebaron leaned over her shoulder to examine the tassel she had pointed to.
“Many adventurers believe they grant the protection of the nymphs. You tie them here, like this.” Hebaron pointed to the colorful braided tassel hanging from his own leather sword belt.
Maxi’s eyes shifted uncertainly from the tassel to the knight’s face. “I-I’ve never seen one b-before. R-Riftan doesn’t w-wear one.”
“He’s too proud to place any faith in superstition. It’s all hogwash to him.” There was a hint of fondness in his blunt voice, and Maxi relaxed.
She gave the knight a small smile. “Th-That sounds like him.”
“But who knows? If your ladyship were to give him one, he might wear it.” Hebaron scratched the back of his head. “Why don’t you pick one out?”
Maxi blinked, baffled and elated by his newly friendly behavior. “Aren’t they e-expensive?”
“These little trinkets?”
Maxi blushed, afraid she appeared foolish. When she chose a short tassel woven into a red, green, and orange braid, Hebaron handed the merchant a coin without asking the price.
“Keep the change,” he said.
The merchant looked surprised by the knight’s generosity. How much had Hebaron overpaid?
“I-I will c-compensate you w-when we r-return to the castle,” Maxi said as she carefully tucked the tassel away.
“That won’t be necessary. I’m no miser, unlike a certain sorcerer we know.” With a shrug, Hebaron began walking toward Ruth.
Maxi wanted to thank him properly for his kind gesture, but when they reached Ruth’s side, Hebaron had reverted to ignoring her. He grumbled at Ruth for dawdling, and the sorcerer stuffed his purchases into a sack.
“Yes, yes. We can go,” Ruth said with a dismissive wave of his hand.
They led their horses out of the market, where it was less crowded, and mounted them. As they rode back to Calypse Castle, Maxi was able to gallop through the winding, hilly paths with ease, but they slowed to a canter when they reached the moat.
“Who will be participating in the raid this time?” Ruth asked Hebaron.
The knight stroked his chin, thoughtfully. “Gabel and I, along with some of the squires. It’s about time they got some real experience.”
“Then we’ll finally be able to enjoy some peace and quiet at the castle.”
Hebaron laughed. “I’ll ask the commander to bring you along.”
“I’m sure he would refuse. It’s best that I remain here in case of a crisis.”
Hebaron let out a long sigh. “Aye, you’re right. Enjoy the peace while it lasts, then. Before you know it, we’ll be back to liven things up again.”
With that, the knight spurred his horse forward and galloped ahead, leaving Maxi and Ruth behind. Ruth simply shrugged and continued at a slower pace alongside Maxi.
She found herself feeling envious of the camaraderie in their banter.
Riftan, too, was most at ease when he was in the company of the other knights.
Though they quarreled at times, it always seemed to be in good humor.
She found their bonds captivating; they were so unlike her relationship with her father and sister.
Ruth turned to her as they entered the castle.
“If you’ll excuse me, my lady,” he said, “I’ll be off to get some much-needed rest. I’ve been living like a cave bat while working to complete those accursed magical devices.
Thank you again for your assistance. I wouldn’t have been able to finish them so quickly otherwise. ”
“I-I am happy t-to be of help.”
Ruth grinned. “Then I’ll be sure to provide you with another opportunity soon.”
Maxi tried to frown, but she found herself smiling instead. She longed to be accepted into the company of Ruth and the knights. What would it feel like to truly belong?
—
The next day, Riftan rose before dawn. The shifting of the sheets as he got out of bed woke Maxi, and she rubbed her eyes drowsily as she propped herself up on one arm. Seeing her rise, Riftan chuckled and kissed her cheek.
“Go back to bed,” he said. “No need for you to wake up too.”
“I-I’ve s-slept enough.”
“I thought I kept you up quite late last night,” Riftan teased her, his hand drifting to her exposed breast.
Maxi blushed and quickly pulled the blanket over herself.
Riftan laughed again and stroked her tousled hair. “Don’t be stubborn. Go back to sleep.”
“I-I want t-to get up.” Maxi wriggled free of him and rose with the blanket wrapped around her.
Riftan shrugged and began to dress, preparing for his departure on the goblin raid.
Maxi shuffled to the hearth and fed the fire absentmindedly while, out of the corner of her eye, she watched Riftan shave and wash his face in the basin. Using a pair of bellows, she urged the dwindling flames into a bright roar, lighting the room with an orange glow.
After briefly warming herself, she washed her face and body with a wet towel, then selected undergarments and a chemise from her wardrobe and pulled them on.
Riftan did not like having servants around while he dressed, so Maxi had grown accustomed to dressing herself.
Over her chemise, she donned a thick woolen dress and then pulled on stockings that reached her thighs.
Once dressed, she sat down in front of the mirror to comb her hair.
Riftan walked up behind her, dressed in a navy-blue tunic and thick leather trousers. “Give me the comb.”
Maxi shook her head. “I-I can c-comb my own h-hair.”
“Just humor me. I won’t see you for the next few days.”
Maxi acquiesced, though she did not understand his fascination with her unruly hair. The comb looked small in his calloused hand and, despite his size and strength, he took great care not to pull or tug as he brushed. After gently untangling her hair, he deftly braided it into a four-strand plait.
“I’m becoming rather skilled at this, don’t you think?” Riftan said, admiring his handiwork.
Maxi turned and impulsively planted a kiss on his chin. Riftan froze, and she wondered why. He had no qualms about showering her with kisses whenever he pleased, but he became so bewildered if she took the initiative.
“Th-That k-kiss was to say th-thank you,” she said, trying to hide her blushing.
Riftan sighed bitterly. “I am loath to leave. Don’t make it more difficult for me.”
“Th-That wasn’t m-my intention.”
He abruptly pulled her into an embrace, and she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“Stop doing that,” Riftan groaned, burying his face into her neck.
“W-What do you m-mean?”
“I won’t have time to wash myself if we make love again.” Riftan’s gaze slid longingly to the bed.
Maxi’s cheeks burned and she pushed Riftan away. When he reluctantly released her, she retreated to the other side of the room and wrapped her shawl tightly around herself like a shield.
Riftan sighed and made his way to the armor stand. “We’ll pick up where we left off when I return.”
Maxi watched from a safe distance as he put on his breastplate, a set of spaulders engraved with dragons, greaves, and cuisses. After securing the fauld and tassets, he encased his gloved hands in silver gauntlets.
He was dashing, and Maxi could not help but admire him. When he strapped on his leather belt, she suddenly remembered the colorful tassel she had bought at the market and quickly rummaged through drawers searching for it.
“R-Riftan…”
He turned to her while fastening his sword to his belt. After a moment of hesitation, Maxi held out the tassel.
“I b-bought this at the m-market yesterday,” she said. “On our w-way back to the castle. Sir Hebaron told me that a-attaching this to a sword b-belt protects the w-wearer. A blessing f-from the n-nymphs.”
Riftan stared blankly at the tassel in her outstretched hand.
“S-Sir Hebaron w-w-was the one who p-paid for it, b-but I p-picked it out. I-If it’s a-all right w-w-with you…” Her voice faltered when he made no move to take the tassel.
Maybe Sir Hebaron was right and Riftan really did consider such trinkets useless. She slowly lowered her hand, hoping to mask her disappointment with words.
“Y-You don’t have to take it i-if y-y-y—if it doesn’t p-please y-you.”
As she turned to put the tassel back in its drawer, Riftan grabbed her arm.
“Give it here,” he said, snatching the tassel from her hand and fumbling with the strings as he tied it to his belt. The brightly colored ornament clashed absurdly with the blue of his tunic, and the sight of it made Maxi lament her unrefined taste.
“Thank you.” Riftan kissed her forehead. “I will treasure it.”