The girl gave Eloen a tight hug then pulled back giving her a bright smile that looked slightly odd on her teary face. “I know, why don’t we be alone together? That way we won’t feel as bad.”
Eloen pulled the girl into another tight hug then pulled back and gave the child a good looking over. She was young no more than nine years old, close to the same age as the young girl Thad had taken in. She knew what the softhearted fool would do in this situation. “You know I travel a lot so you wouldn’t be able to see your friends much.”
“That's ok, no matter where I go they will still be my friends.” The girl said happily.
“Then it's settled you will stay with me.” Eloen declared happily.
The girl grinned back for a few seconds then began hopping up and down. After a few seconds the girl calmed down and remember what they were doing beforehand. Pulling Eloen behind her laughing she began to tell Eloen everything about the town.
When they reached the shopping district the girls eyes widened as she ran from stand to stand looking at everything they had displayed. While all the buildings had the same drab look many of the shops had banners and stalls that made the place look a little less dreary. While she looked at the shops a thought hit her and she looked around for her small escort. It didn’t take long to find Brenda who was looking at a small jewelers stand. Eloen moved quietly up behind the girl to see what she was looking at. Brenda's eyes were glued to a pair of stud earrings that looked like roses.
“Do you like those?” Eloen whispered in the girl's ear.
“They’re really pretty.... but I bet they cost a bunch.” The girl said sadly.
Eloen turned to the man running the small stall who had been watching the two out of the corner of his eye. “How much for the earrings?
The man’s eyes eyed her for a moment then gave a toothy grin. “For such quality earring I would be a fool to ask for less than three silvers.”
“Three silvers, do you take me for a fool? I could buy earring with diamonds set in them for that price. I will give you eight coppers a no more.”
“Eight coppers, my dear lady these earrings are solid gold and at two silvers a great buy.” The man said sounding genuinely insulted.
Eloen picked up the earrings and tossed them in her hand then began looking them over carefully. “If these are solid gold I will take a knife to my own throat. They are far too light and you can see the file marks where they were smoothed down after the dipping. I will give you a silver just to get this farce over with.”
The merchant face turned red and it was easy to tell that he was getting angry. Looking around the merchant noticed that his other customers were being to take a closer look at the items laid out at his stall. “One silver, and then get yourself away from my stall.”
Eloen pulled a single silver from her purse and placed it in the merchant’s outstretched hand. Eloen picked up the earrings and knelt down next to Brenda pulling her hair away from her ears. She wasn’t surprised to find the child’s ears had never been pierced. “This might sting a little.” Eloen said seconds before she stabbed the earring though the girl’s small earlobe.” The girl gave a slight yip but never said a word.
Once the earrings were in place Eloen patted the girl on the shoulder. “Done.” Brenda reached up and felt the earrings now in her ears and smiled. “Now before you get too excited I need to ask you something. Do you have many sets of clothes? The pair you are wearing looks like they have seen better days.”
Brenda looked down and kicked the ground. “I have a few more dresses but most of my stuff was taken after papa died. I was only able to save a few things.”
Eloen knew what the girl meant. In the current state of the Abla kingdom a dead man’s belongings wouldn’t stay put long and there was little a small child could do to keep them from being taken. “Then why don’t we pick you up a few things.”
CHAPTER XV
It didn’t take long to get the girl a few sets of clothes though it was a lot more expensive than she had thought at first. She had been able to get Brenda two dresses three pair of britches and five blouses. Brenda was far more enthused about the britches. She had told Eloen that her father never let her wear anything but dresses before telling her britches were made for men not little girls.
Once their shopping was done Eloen had Brenda take her to where she had been staying. She wasn’t sure what she expected to find but where she was led was defiantly not it. Brenda led her to one of the buildings near the outskirts of town.
Like all the other buildings it looked just like the others around it but closer up it was easy to tell that it had not seen the same care as many of the others. It looked as if the fire had taken a large portion of it. Most likely with the current state of the country they didn’t have the funds to spend on repairing one building that was on the outskirts of town. Brenda led Eloen through a small hole in the wall. While the girl had little trouble fitting through Eloen could barely squeeze through the opening.
Inside the large building was bare. From the design Eloen was fairly certain it was one a warehouse of some kind. Brenda led her to the corner of the building that had the least damage. A large pile of hay had been stacked with a small worn blanket tossed on top. A small pile clothes were tossed in a heap. The first thing Brenda grabbed was not the clothes but a small dagger. The blade of the knife was of common stock more for whittling wood that for fighting but the hilt was well made with the carving of a lion etched into it.
Eloen watched as Brenda tucked the knife into a burlap sack along with her clothes and a few other knickknacks. Once everything was collect the girl gave her corner a long look then turned to look at Eloen. “I'm ready to go, miss.”
Eloen gave out a hardy laugh. In all their talking Eloen had never told Brenda her name. “Brenda you can call me Eloen.”
Brenda looked down as she rubbed the ground with the toe of her foot. “Can I call you mom? I always wanted to have a mother. I know I had one but I never knew her.”
Eloen couldn’t see the girls face but it wasn’t hard to picture the face the girl was making. Mom, was one word Eloen never figured she would hear herself called. She had thought about marrying Thad but children had never entered her mind. For some reason that simple word made her feel better as if nothing else mattered. “If that’s what you want then I don’t see the harm in it.... though I don’t know if I would make a very good mother.”
Brenda looked up from the ground with a large smile on her face though her eyes were slightly puffy. “You'll be the best mom ever, I just know it.” The little girl said as she ran and gave Eloen a tight hug. Eloen waited for the girl to let go though it seemed like she never would. A mother, what was she supposed to do with a kid? She knew she was being irresponsible bringing the kid with her, when she knew that if she followed the prince they would be headed for a war. The only thing she could do was try her best to protect Brenda. She thought for a moment to tell the girl it would be too dangerous that she would pick her up when everything was over but one sight of the small girls head as she hugged her washed away those thoughts. Right now she needed Brenda as much as the girl needed her.
“Let’s head back. I need to get to the inn and introduce you to my friends.” Eloen said patting the girl softly on the head.
Brenda pulled back and wiped her eyes on her sleeve. “What are they like?” Brenda asked her voice harsh from all the crying she had done over the day.
Eloen gave her a bright smile as they walked back toward the small hole they had crawled through to get into the building. “First there’s my childhood friend Ballard. He looks like a bear but he’s as gentle a man as you can find. Then there's Darryl he looks like a twig but he’s a skilled fighter and likes to make jokes all the time even when he shouldn’t. Lastly there is Prince William, I don’t know him very well but he seems kind though sometimes I don’t know if I can trust him so be careful around him....ok. Remember it’s the nice guys that you have to watch out for.”
<
br /> “You know the prince. That's amazing.” Brenda said excitedly.
Eloen laughed at the girl’s enthusiasm. “Well you will get to meet him soon enough. I also know a lot of other nobles but they are from Farlan.
Brenda stopped walking. “Farlan, isn’t that the mean country that takes all of our money?”
The question tore into Eloen like a jagged knife. Turning around she knelt down and placed her hand on the little girls shoulder. “I won’t say Farlan is innocent of any wrong doing, but you must understand that both Farlan and Abla made mistakes over the years. I hope to change that once I get a chance that’s why I am with the prince. Hopefully one day Farlan and Abla will be friends and not enemies.”
“I don’t really understand but my dad always says I will understand when I'm older I guess this is one of those times.” Brenda said giving Eloen a half smile.
“I don’t know littlebit sometimes I don’t even understand it. I just know I don’t want the fighting to continue.” Eloen replied laughing. Brenda didn’t reply she just smiled and started walking back toward the exit.
Outside the warehouse Eloen noticed that the sun was starting to reach the horizon. It had only been morning when she had left. Hoping her friends hadn’t worried overly at her disappearance, she hurried her steps until she noticed that Brenda was having to run to keep up with her. Remembering that she wasn’t sure where she was at Eloen slowed down and let Brenda take the lead.
By time they made it back to the inn the sun was nearly completely gone from the sky. Inside the inn was brimming with patrons who were drinking and having a good time. Eloen headed to the corner where the prince had sat earlier that morning. She was in luck as the prince and her two other companions sat at the same table drinking beer and looking to be having a merry time.
Darryl seeing the two girls walk up gave Eloen a hearty smile that showed he was already fairly well into his cups. “Glad of you to join us captain. Who’s that with you surely it’s not your shadow?”
At the mention of someone being with her the prince and Ballard turned about in their chairs to have a good look. “Eloen I know you have always been a little off but when did you start picking up strays?” Ballard said in a joking voice.
Brenda walked past Eloen and right up to where Ballard was sitting. She looked at him defiantly with her hands placed firmly on her hips. “You can't talk to my mother like that.”
Ballard bent down and gave the girl a big smile. “Oh, what are you going to do if I don’t stop shorty?”
Brenda’s lips pursed and her eyebrows furrowed as if she was thinking really hard then she shrugged her shoulders and smiled back at him. “Eloen I know you were always a little difficult but how the heck did you get yourself a daughter in the span of a day?” Ballard said never taking his eyes away from the small girl standing in front of him. In a flash the little girl swung her head forward. Ballard saw what was coming and jerked back as fast as he could but his face was too close and Brenda’s forehead caught him squarely on the nose.
As Brenda yelped and rubbed her forehead, Ballard began laughing as he held his now bleeding nose. “If I didn’t know you better captain I could swear she was really yours.” Darryl said laughing as he patted Ballard on the back. Then Darryl turned to Brenda and bent down. “For your bravery and an excellent show I think you deserve something. What would you like my little spitfire?”
“Can I have some tarts?” Brenda asked still rubbing her forehead.
Darryl did not waste a moment in calling over the waitress and ordering up a plate of tarts for his new friend. As Eloen watched Darryl and Brenda talk Eloen was sure they would get along well. Looking at Ballard she could tell he was worried but he loved children, so she was sure it had to do more with the circumstances than the child itself. When Ballard got up from his seat he motioned for Eloen to follow him. She wasn’t in the mood for a long argument but it was better to get things over with then to let them brew over a long period of time.
“What are you thinking Eloen? What are we going to do with a child?” Ballard said as soon as they were out of earshot of the others.
“I know. You don’t think I know the dangers, but I couldn’t just leave her alone.” Eloen said sternly but still kept her voice down so as not to be overheard. “She was living in the corner of a burnt out old building. I couldn’t just leave her in that situation.” Eloen said dejectedly.
“Arghhh….” Ballard groaned as he rubbed his head as he paced back and forth for a few moments. “I know you’ve had a hard time lately, but you can’t just pick up a kid to soothe your pain. Kids are a lot of work and you can’t neglect them. Eloen you know you’re like a sister to me but if you do that kid wrong I will bend you over my knee and tan your hide Duchess or not.” Ballard said with more worry tinged in his voice than anger.
Eloen’s face softened. “I promise I will do my best by her. She’s a good kid though she seems to have a bit of an attitude.” Eloen said slightly laughing.
Ballard joined in her laughter and rubbed his nose that had taken the brunt of her so called attitude. It had stopped bleeding but it was still bright red. “That she does. Honestly she reminds me a bit of you. Maybe that’s what scares me so much. The gods know we don’t need another little Eloen running around in this world. One is more than enough.”
Eloen punched Ballard hard in the arm and gave him a squinted look. “The world would be much better with more of me. I think a few hundred at least should be running around.”
Ballard’s face blanched. “Please don’t even joke about that. If there were that many of you I would have to move to a different country.”
“Ha ha.” Eloen said giving him a scathing look. “Let’s get back to the others before they start wondering what we’re talking about.
Back at the table Eloen found Brenda sitting in Darryl lap chowing down on a large plate of fruit filled tarts. Shaking her head Eloen called the waitress over and asked her to ready a bath in her room. Eloen sat quietly snacking on a loaf of bread that had been on the table as she watched Brenda with her companions. Ballard and Darryl had taken a liking to the little girl. Even the prince seemed to be taking an interest in the little girl but like most things it was hard to tell if he was doing it genuinely or for some other purpose.
After Brenda had her fill of tarts Eloen called out to her. “Brenda it’s time we head up our room and get ready for the night.”
Brenda frowned and looked up at Darryl. “Do we have to?”
“Yes we have to. You need a bath, and your hair needs a good brushing. It looks like you’ve tried to tie it in knots.” Eloen said nearly laughing.
With a dejected sigh Brenda jumped off of Darryl and followed Eloen up to her room. The inn staff was still carrying buckets of steaming water to the tub when they got there so Eloen started packing the girl’s clothes in her travel sack.
It didn’t take long for the tub to be filled and the two ladies to be left alone. Brenda at least didn’t seem to mind taking baths. In the matter of moments she was undressed and jumping in to the bath. Eloen though about getting onto her for splashing water everywhere but decided to let her have a small bit of fun. By time Eloen had scrubbed all the dirt off the girl’s skin she was a bright pink and complaining it was starting to sting. Her hair was even worse. I had so many knots and tangles Eloen was tempted to grab her knife and simply cut it all off. She threatened to do it a few times when Brenda started complain about it hurting. She would moan and whine for a bit but she never tried to get away from Eloen or the brush.
As soon as she was dried off Brenda jumped into the bed and wormed under the covers tossing them about in a storm of sheets. Eloen laughed and jumped in after her, tickling the child until she begged her to stop. The two girls talked for a bit before Brenda fell asleep. Eloen watched her sleep and wondered how many more kids like Brenda were out there sleeping wherever they could find a place to stay out of the weather. The thought made her heart sink but she knew she coul
dn’t save every child. All she could do was help those she found. With that thought in mind Eloen drifted off into her own restful sleep.
CHAPTER XVI
The next morning came early but Eloen was ready for it, Brenda on the other hand was as hard to wake as Ballard after a night of heavy drinking. After four tries Eloen was able to get Brenda to a semi awake state. After they were dressed the two headed down to the common room where they found the prince sitting alone in the corner booth.
“Where are the other two buffoons?” Eloen asked though she was sure she already knew the answer to the question.
The prince turned to see Eloen standing behind him. “I made sure to wake them before heading down knowing you would probably have your hands full with your new charge. Darryl was easy enough to wake but Ballard didn’t seem all that keen on getting up while the sun was still in the sky. Darryl assured me he would make sure the man was down before we were ready to travel.”
“Sounds like those two.” Eloen said laughing as she took a seat across from the prince. “You said our next stop would be a place called Copperstone? How long will it take for us to get there?”
“It will take a little over a fortnight to get there. But don’t worry there are plenty of inns along the way and I have commissioned a coach and driver so that we can travel with some degree of luxury.” The prince said giving her one of his swarthy smiles.
“A coach? That alone will make traveling extremely slow.” Eloen said harshly.
“Yes I know?” The prince said dismissively. “While you may be accustomed to spending days in the saddle, sadly I am not.” The prince then looked over at Brenda. “I doubt your young charge is either for that matter.”
Eloen wanted to argue but she knew he was right. The prince was the one in charge so there was little she could say to him, but Eloen planned to make Brenda ride at least for part of the trip. I couldn’t hurt for her to get used to horseback riding if she was going to be spending any amount of time in her company.
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