“Oh?” Her eyebrows rose again, while she set the fox down on the table between us.
“Yeah. It’s Goldie. Not just that too. It gets worse. I also have a lead on Gabbi that I haven’t even been able to touch.” I sighed, “I have no idea what I have gotten involved in this time.”
Ettie didn’t say anything for a moment. She just stared me over, then breathed out a noisy frustrated breath and shook her head. She didn’t have to say anything. I could tell she was disappointed. “Goldie? Of all people, Goldie?”
“She was forced on me!” I defended myself almost immediately, my voice rising through the air faster than the steam from the cup. The little fox, who had slowly inched closer to me on the table, had cringed back slightly in surprise and let out a small yip.
My tone lowered and I tried appearing less tense as I continued. “Look, I was distracted for barely a moment, Hue was there, and things were all over the place. I was just being handed Goldie without explanation and then I was hitting the dirt.”
“You and Hue, huh? You are just going to have to start from the beginning with this. The more I know the better I can help.” Ettie explained, leaning in closer as she picked up her tea-cup with both hands.
“The better we can help.” Han corrected her, as he slipped back into the room, scooping up the twine and cloth I had left on the floor before taking a seat across from me, on the couch with his sister. The couch made shrieking noises as he sat, but I wasn’t going to mention it.
“You aren’t going to like it.” I shrugged before scooping up the little crème fox from the table, before it tried jumping the ravine between the table and where I sat.
“Why do you say that?” They both said in practical unison. I knew twins could do some crazy spooky stuff, but that was always so unnerving, having them speaking at the same time like they were harmonizing.
“Because, I don’t like it.” I said, stroking Reynard as he twitched his ears back in approval. I thought about how this all had started with Charming’s favor and information and where it had gotten me now.
Then I proceeded to tell them.
Everything.
Eight
The Nose Knows
The shower let me clear my head; both of lingering annoyances on my mind, and of all the knots and dried blood that had tangled into my hair. It hurt like a vulture pecking out my liver, but afterward felt amazing to have my hair so sheen and soft.
Ettie and Han insisted that I cleaned up, ate, and relaxed at least for a couple of hours while they sorted out their own investigation into my mess. Plus, they said they couldn’t have someone smelling like pus and piss staying any longer in their home.
I couldn’t really argue that.
Besides, in all my traveling at least one thing I had learned was to never turn down free food, a hot shower, and some time to relax. But only when it was offered by people you trusted. Get caught in some unknown forest and the last thing that should be done is accepting free food from a stranger. That just invites all kinds of trouble.
It helped that they let me keep some stuff here like clothes, extra supplies and such, because there would have been no way I could have fit into either of their outfits.
Refreshed, I was sliding back into the Kitchen area, connected to the living room. The little crème and lemon fox was sitting on the counter while I whipped up some food for both of us.
My bangs and any of my red hair not behind my ears were pulled back into a high ponytail, while letting the rest tickle against my shoulders, and I wore a pair of baggy brick-red trousers, with large pockets, thinking of the fox for later.
I still felt immensely awkward without my cloak surrounding me. And even though I had a crimson poncho to wear later, it couldn’t replace my hooded mantle.
“You seem sad, Dori.” Kit stated as the little fox yawned and sprawled out on the kitchen counter with a bandaged paw out front.
“Yeah, What’s got you beat?” I heard Ettie ask, which caused me to glance over my shoulder while stirring a pot of creamy soup. Her entire tall frame was leaned against the doorway to the kitchen. My eyes fell back to the wood-powered stove as I pushed around the broth in silence for a trice.
“Nothing. I’m a ray of sunshine.” I mused with a bored notion before hearing Ettie shift into the frame more. “Where’s your brother?”
“Sniffing things out.” She said simply, you could almost hear the shrug in her voice. She continued with a drawl. “Nothing huh? Smells like Faerie Fudge to me.”
“No it’s broth I think, but I could understand the con-“ I began, but stopped as Ettie had passed the short distance from the doorway to grasp her heavy hands upon my shoulders and spin me around.
“-fusion.” I finished while looking up toward her face.
“You know what I mean, Dori. It’s the cap isn’t it?” She prostrated, still holding my shoulders. Her dark eyes glared with gentleness down at me. The soup was completely lost to my mind then.
I couldn’t say anything, she had hit the spot.
“Everyone always says you are just a total badass, and that nothing ever gets to you. But I see you, always hiding in that cloak. So that no one else can ever see you. You don’t just look low, Gnidori. You look exhausted, and worried, and scared. And I’ve only ever seen you scared once before now.” Ettie said a mouthful. I could feel her eyes never wavering from looking at my face. Yet I said nothing and didn’t look at her.
“I know how you used to be. I’ve seen you change over so many years. But you have always had that damned hood. It kept you safe, like no matter what you did you would be fine. Probably why you never bother to think of the consequences to what you do.” She added. Still I was silent and not holding her gaze.
“But your safety isn’t there anymore. And I can see you fully. You were never good at hiding things from me Riri, you just had your hood to hide your face. And that helped you keep your distance. But I don’t want to see that distance between us. It’s actually nice to see the real you, to see Gnidori for once, and not Red.”
One of her hands slid from my shoulder and caressed my nearby cheek with the back of her digits. My eyes closed, leaning into her fingers. It felt like I hadn’t seen her in years, when it had only been a few months. I sighed and finally opened my eyes and looked up at her, “I’ll let you know what’s wrong when I figure it out, alright?”
It was strange thinking of someone who rivaled half-breed giants in muscle, mass and height could be so gentle and sweet. Ettie was a good friend. Too bad I couldn’t say the same about myself.
She had a tender smile as she stared directly into my blue eyes. I loved that smile. Just a shimmer of laugh lines with her cupid bow lips, it was soothing to the soul, and actually made me feel safe for once.
She must have realized how I was looking at her, because she pulled her hand away from my cheek. She’s always trying her hardest not to make me think she was leading me on, since she said she wasn’t interested. That’s what always made it so hard to come see her, though.
I could see her lips part to say something. But her voice didn’t come out, instead it was Kit. “Reynard wants to know if you two are just going to kiss and get it over with?”
My eyes hardened to diamond instantly and narrowed to look around the ivory tower of a woman in my way, to the fox. Ettie pulled completely away from me. I could have sworn she was blushing profusely, but she had turned so fast and headed out the kitchen that I didn’t get the chance to really see.
“Hey, it’s not me. Reynard wanted to know. He said you should.” Kit added despite my unhindered glance and Ettie storming out. If it hadn’t been for the smell of smoke and the puff of fumes curling around my body from behind me, I probably would have said something.
Something to stop Ettie, but I didn’t. I just watched her walk away, like she probably did every time I left.
“Well, tell the fox he should keep his tiny snout shut. I don’t care what he thinks we should do. I don’t take orders
from a fox, ever.” I explained while lifting the pan up to pour slops of creamy soup into two bowls, before setting one in front of Reynard. He sniffed it a few times and coiled away from it.
“Picky, Picky.” I cried, grabbing my bowl and leading back into the living room.
Han was back in dog form, sitting in front of Ettie whom had sat back down on the couch looking disappointed yet focused as well. She nodded a few times, while Han-hound tossed his big brown head over his shoulders and lolled his jaw into a grin.
“Han found something.” Ettie explained, looking up to me with apologetic eyes
“What is it?” I asked, not even sitting down.
“Well, uh… he managed to pinpoint Goldie.” She started, almost like she was afraid of what I would do when I found out the rest.
“Yes?” I baited her on while tracing her movements intently and briefly glanced as Han disappeared into the back rooms again.
“She’s near a tower. Not a good one either.” She continued, still wearily.
“So you are saying I really do have to go rescue someone from a tower?” I asked; trying to pull out whatever it was she didn’t want to tell me, without demanding it.
“Yes. In a way. But the tower isn’t just a tower.”
“Is this a riddle? When is a tower not a tower?” I groaned, before rolling my eyes and setting down the bowl on the table. “Look, Ettie, just tell me. It’s more frustrating trying to guess.”
“She’s in the Sleeping Kingdom.” Ettie sighed, and added almost immediately. “The tower of Bluebeard has her, Riri.”
“Faerie Fudge! Faerie Flinging Fudge!” I cursed through gritted teeth. My eyes returned to look at Ettie’s fidgeting body. “How did she get that far away? It couldn’t have been more than a day.”
Ettie hesitated for a moment, as Han came back out, with just huge tan pants on. His stomach boiled over the trousers and jiggled as he slipped around me with hardly any grace at all. “Are you sure about the time?”
“Of course I’m…” I began, realizing finally at that moment that I wasn’t actually sure how long it had been. I only had assumed it was a day I was out. My eyes went wide. “What day is it?”
“Gnidori, it’s been close to a week since the double attack on the pixie path in Charming’s territory.” Han explained, as I looked at him with my lips dropped open.
“I didn’t want to tell you at least until you cleaned up and relaxed somewhat. Otherwise I knew you would be rushing to get moving.” Ettie seemed almost like she was apologizing, which really didn’t help any, since I had suddenly gone from thankful to being frustrated.
“You’re serious?” My mouth hung open like a fly-catcher while I looked between the twins.
This meant Charming’s tip on Gabbi was pretty much useless now. I was getting frustrated with his… ugh… favor, for nothing.
But that wasn’t the most important thing. What was truly reason for concern was how I could not remember an entire week transpiring.
“I lost somewhere close to a week of time. And you just decided to tell me now?” I finally voiced my annoyance as they both looked down and away from me like they were filled with guilt. And so they should be.
It was dead silence for maybe a couple of minutes before I heard a yawn from the kitchen by Reynard. My eyes then flitted back to see Han getting his big butt up and attempting to leave the room.
“You better be going to get all the gear and supplies ready.” I eyed Han pretty viciously before he sighed and grunted something that sounded affirmative and disappeared toward the wooden hallway he came from.
After that my eyes fell back to the dark-eyed woman across from me. She glanced away from me, just as Kit’s voice broke the tension.
“Reynard wants to know if this would be a bad time to ask for more of those Lemon Scotches.”
“No. Terrible time. And I don’t have any. Maybe I’ll get some for him later.” I said through my gritted teeth, not turning my eyes from looking at Ettie, whom still wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“He’s hungry though.” Kit continued.
I groaned and glanced up at the kitchen counter. “I said no. He should eat his soup.”
“Um Gnidori?” Ettie butted in before I shot a venomous stare back at her.
“Yeah? What now?” I said harshly, which caused her to pause, but she still continued like a trooper.
“We… uh… came across something odd while trying to track Gabbi. We weren’t looking for her, but you said she had Ashe, and well… we found Ashe in two different places. I found her at home in the Empty Kingdom. But Han found her out near the same tower as Goldie. We double checked to make sure, but same thing. I thought maybe…”
“Magic might be involved. Definitely. But maybe my two goals are in the same area.” I finished for Ettie instead. Her features were gentle and apologetic, which hurt my heart enough for me to sigh with frustration and add, “Thanks Ettie. I’m sorry, I’m just… I don’t know. An idiot. All of this…”
“No, you are right.” She interrupted and agreed with me. “But I’m guessing you want to leave as soon as possible?”
“More like now. I’ll have time to sleep on the boat ride to the Sleeping Kingdom.” I nodded, standing up and scraping my bowl from the table.
“Good because we are coming with you.” I heard Han say from behind me. I swirled around to see him fully dressed now with a dark tunic and adorned with various knick-knacks and items that I could only start guessing at their uses. He tossed my brand new long axe toward me, which I caught with my free hand easily.
“You’re serious?” I asked, half-smirking. I heard Ettie step forward from behind me, and lay a single hand on my shoulder again, while Han smiled at me.
“Of course we are, Riri. Besides not only are you going to need back up for this kind of thing. But you know how invaluable our tracking abilities are.” Ettie said, almost completely in my ear. I could hear the smile in her tone. And smell the pleasant tuft of lilies on her breath from her usual tea, or maybe it was just a perfume.
“Plus, you’ll have eye candy on the trip now too.” Han added. I rolled my eyes but laughed.
“Right, You?”
“Faeries be damned, no.” He cursed so seriously it was shocking. Then added, “My sister, obviously.”
I had to admit I was glad Ettie could not see my face in that moment. For it had flared with quite the heat. I turned toward the kitchen to retrieve the fox before Han could get too much of a good look either. But I could tell by his chuckle he had seen.
I took a moment of stashing away the dish into the sink so it wouldn’t run away with any spoons, and scooped up the fox with my free non-hatchet hand. All the while I heard low chatter, but didn’t pry.
I poked my head back into the living room just in time to see Ettie smacking Han across the cheek and passed right by him to disappear into the bedrooms with her face fuming red.
He spotted me and offered a grin as I asked, “What’s that about?”
“Oh, sibling rivalry.”
“What do you mean?”
“We each tracked Ashe to help you. My perfect nose to her locating spells. I took one sniff of that basket you always leave here that she made you and knew instantly where she was. She took the entire time you were in the shower to locate the girl and still thinks she might have been wrong. She was just pissed about it. That I’m a better tracker than she is.” He shrugged but was still grinning pretty wickedly.
“I still like her spells better than your slobbering tongue on my face.” I mused, stuffing the little fox into my pocket, while the burly twin let out a hearty laugh.
“Yeah, I bet you like her spells.” He slyly added, then scooped a couple of wrapped orbs from his pocket and tossed them to me. They were lemon scotches; clearly meant for the fox.
“Hey, the nose knows best. I was trying to assist you with that bath you desperately needed.” His laugh didn’t falter, as I dipped the candies into the same massive pocket I put th
e fox, hearing a yip of glee.
I smiled back up at Han and shrugged as well. “The nose may know best. But a witch knows the rest.”
“Oh my faerie lord! You managed an actual rhyme, Dori! Should we celebrate this momentous occasion?” I heard Kit say from the pocket.
“Don’t make me hurt you, Kit.” I mumbled and glared.
Both Kit and Han started chuckling together. I even heard the little fox muffle a yip a few times, as I narrowed my eyes down at him. He was looking darn cute with his ears back and a lemon scotch in his mouth, despite it being still wrapped.
I murmured to Reynard, “You traitor.”
Nine
The Pirate King
It was already daylight again by the time we had thrown everything together, including Ettie insisting to make me something actually edible. Regardless, it wasn’t too difficult getting from the hillside cottage, to the outskirts of Hue’s territory so we could find passage to the current sleeping kingdom.
The Sleeping Kingdom was one of those things that always changed every century or so, passing from one kingdom to the next. It was one powerful piece of magic that actually ran off the inner energy within a single person to make everyone around them fall asleep and put the person the magic was in, in a deathly sleep-like state. It hasn’t been destroyed since the first time it had been used hundreds of years ago, on the legendary known as Briar Rose. I knew her as Rosa though, Charming’s first wife before she kicked him out.
The current Kingdom to be under this spell contained what was known to pretty much everyone in the lands, as Bluebeard’s Tower. As to whether or not it was actually the castle that the legendary Bluebeard used, I couldn’t say.
Though the question could still be asked, as to why Gabbi, along with my previous charges, Ashe and Goldie, were all currently around or in Bluebeard’s Tower. What was I missing? Did it have something to do with my week of absent time?
The Real Folktale Blues (Beyond Ever After #1) Page 8