by M. C. Elam
Mostly though, he and Mama lived outside the village deep in Curling Wood Forest and only went to Baline for what Mama called special times. Paddy didn’t know what made them special, just that everyone cheered when they arrived and seemed sad when they went away.
Now, waiting for Mama on the stoop of the cottage, he wondered if his ears got bigger from all the stretching they had suffered. He grew bored with the blocks and turned his attention to Mama and Maudie.
"Plain and simple truth, Lady Evan, the wee one’s got the ways."
They whispered, but when he tried, he could hear most of what they said.
At first he didn’t understand their words, but when Maudie told how she saw him pile up his colored blocks just by twitching his fingers until they moved, that was when he knew they were talking about him. He didn't know what it meant to have the ways or whether or not it might be a bad thing.
His head felt kind of twitchy with all of the thoughts muddling around inside. He grew sleepy waiting on the stoop for Mama, and his thumb found its way into his mouth where he wasn't supposed to put it. The white wolf they called Runt came around the corner of the cottage. He patted his leg, and she settled beside him. One small arm sought her warmth, and he rested his head against her side, watching Mama straighten a blanket across Sally’s back.
Evan smoothed wrinkles from the saddle blanket and set the saddle in place.
“Sorry you be doing such work for the likes of me, Lady Evan. Got no feel for how tight to cinch that saddle.”
“Hush, Maudie. It’s little enough you let me do.” She finished saddling the horse and stood away. “You know, if you don’t want to ride, I can send you straight to the inn.”
“Don’t know what scares me most. Riding atop a horse clear off the ground, or losing my way in one of those weaving doors.”
Evan laughed and turned toward Paddy. “Hear that Paddywack. Our Maudie’s afraid of Mama’s portals.”
“Humph,” Maudie grumped at the two of them. “I be riding Miss Sally do you think she can carry me.”
“She’ll do fine, Maudie.”
Still the fleshy woman hesitated. “Horace and Billy done a fine job adding extra rooms.” She eyed the cottage and the additions. Once a single room Evan’s mother and father shared before she was born, Horace had worked his magic. The original structure was now the common room with a large hearth and side oven. A small table with chairs and two cozy rockers furnished the space. Goose down pillows that Annabelle had covered with bright swatches of fabric completed the homey warmth. Maudie knew Lady Evan had been keen on calling it home. So Horace, ever mindful of her wants, figured a way to build off that pretty little room making three more. Each one had its own hearth. Reminded Maudie of the way the rooms come off a hall in the whore’s barracks. It dawned on her in that moment that the structure came from Horace’s hand, but Billy had fashioned the design. One of the rooms belonged to her, one to Paddy and the third a little larger, Horace designated as Lady Evan’s. That room had a window.
“You’re killing time, Maudie. Sally’s ready to go.”
“One of these days when Paddy gets him a few more seasons, old Maudie be finding the road.”
“No such thing, Maudie. As long as you want a home with me, you’ll have one.”
Of late, though, Maudie wasn’t so sure. How that silver-haired fella ever talked Lady Evan round to change her mind ‘bout seeing King Hawk, Maudie didn’t know. She had invited him in quick enough. Pleased as could be he’d come for a visit. The two of them walking off into the trees chatting each other up like they be old cronies. His name be Griffin but Lady Evan called him brother. Far as Maudie knew, Lady Evan be an onliest child.
Next day, soon as he be gone, Lady Evan took Paddy on her lap despite he be interested more in playing with Runt than sitting. Closed her eyes tight as could be and went to mind speaking to Melendarius. She caught a word or two, but they be so fast at it that all Maudie picked clean of that jumble was something about a messenger and King Hawk. Next Maudie knew, Lady Evan be tidying the cottage fit for the likes of royalty and saying as how she had to get into Baline for a few days.
“Maudie? Maudie are you listening to me?” Evan patted her shoulder.
“Awk, sorry I be, milady. Went to day dreams I guess.”
“Step on the block and swing a leg over. I’ll hold Sally’s head so she doesn’t move.”
Maudie heaved her body into the saddle.
“You be good here when he comes?”
“No fears, Maudie. Now best be on your way so you make Baline before night comes pitch black.”
Talk of nightfall ended the exchange. Evan watched her disappear through the trees. She felt Paddy’s small hand in her own and gave him a squeeze. He had abandoned his seat on the stoop and tugged at her hand.
“Mama dat is?”
She followed his gaze across the clearing. At first she noticed nothing and supposed Paddy meant something different. Then as she started to look away she saw the stag. A smile curved the corners of her mouth and a warm glow crept over her. “The most wondrous of forest creatures, Paddy, a white stag. This one carries the spirit of your grandfather.”
The stag disappeared among the trees. Paddy crinkled his nose and looked up at his mother. “Gone, Mama.”
“Aye, my wee love but not far.” She lifted him into her arms. “Time for a bit of supper.”
***
Hawk reined the horse at the edge of the clearing and slid from the saddle. For the past hour, a hint of wood smoke hung in the air. He hoped it came from the cottage but knew better than to count on hope. The smoke might come from a woodsmen's camp, but when he caught sight of Tommy tethered in a sturdy open stable, all of the anxiety that Evangeline might have changed her mind about their meeting eased. She was here.
Still he hesitated. What could he say? How might she respond? If she showed him the road... Stop, he thought, just stop. While he watched, the door opened, and she stepped onto the stoop. Even at this distance, her beauty astounded him. Gone was the slender body of the girl he bid farewell that night so long ago. In her place stood a woman dressed in a simple linen chemise and homespun skirt. No tight corset cinched her waist. He could see the plump swell of her breasts, the curve of her hips. Her hair caught fire in the light coming from inside the cottage. He longed to touch those silken tresses, wind his fingers in them, press his lips to hers.
“I know you are there, Hawk.”
“Evangeline?” He started across the clearing.
“Tether your horse with Tommy. I’ll wait inside for you.”
Her speech, the tone of her voice, told him nothing of her mood. He had made so many stupid mistakes when it came to her. If it took the rest of his life he’d make up for them. He led the horse to the lean to, checked the water and added a little sweet hay to the feeding rack. What kept him from her, now, he wondered. The sheer weight of his anxiety returned. He shook his head, resolute. He would not allow his own fear to stop him. Determined, he left the horses and strode toward the cottage. Should he knock or lift the latch and walk inside? A boy might knock, but a king, never. He paused on the stoop considering. Before, he could make up his mind, she opened the door and stepped aside.
“I thought you might be hungry.” A careful smile ghosted her lips. “I prepared some cheese, a bit of ham and a fresh loaf. Will you join me?”
“Long ago we shared a meal much like this.”
She nodded and led him across the room.
They settled before the fire and she poured wine from a tall carafe. “This wine comes from the vineyards in Baline. Not all of the vines withered when the Owlmen burned the village. Their roots clung to life beneath the soil.”
He sipped, found it delightful and gazed around the cozy room. The rocking chairs pulled near the hearth with their bright pillows, a rag rug with colors two numerous to mention and a carefully stacked peat fire that would burn all night, the cottage was a home, her home. Did he have a place here? Sh
e cut the bread into thick slices and arranged them on a pewter plate with the ham and cheese. She makes busy work to cover the silence between us, he thought.
He reached into his tunic and took out the letter Christopher Tyndall penned asking if she might try to restore Queen Ellyanna’s vision.
“I brought a missive from Christopher Tyndall.”
She sat across from him and reached for it. “Christopher Tyndall? What does he want with me?”
“It’s about Queen Ellyanna. She’s nearly blind.” He took another swallow of wine while she broke the seal and read the message.
“He wants me to try and restore her vision.”
“Aye.”
She looked at him across the table. “Is that why you came? To bring the letter from Christopher?” She picked up the knife and cut into the wheel of cheese.
“Father Wryth said you destroyed our marriage document.” It was out of his mouth just like that before he could stop his tongue.
The knife fell from her fingers and clattered against the hearth. She sighed audibly “Father Wryth errs, Hawk. Everyone thought that, but I hid it away.”
He set the wine down, careful not to spill it. “Where?”
“Near where we spent the night together.”
Her hands trembled when she picked up the knife. He took it from her and put it on the table. “You mean our wedding night?”
“So it’s the document. That’s why you came. Do you wish to retrieve it?” She wondered if he had charmed Griffin into thinking the reason he wanted to see her was to make up for the past.
“No such thing.” I am an utter idiot and have managed to raise even more doubt in her mind. I see it in her eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were betrothed, Hawk?” She swallowed hard, struggling for control.
“I was afraid you might send me away.”
“And I would have. You brought me lies that night and left me to sort everything out.”
“I know. It was cowardly, but I didn’t understand what it meant.”
She paced in front of the hearth, her skirt billowing around her. “Have you even the glimmer of an idea how it was for me, riding into Falmora to seek audience with your father only to discover I was barred from even entering.” She stopped, put both hands palm down on the little table and glared at him.
“Evan, I...”
“And when I forced an audience,” she paused breathing hard. “Oh what’s the use.” She sank into one of the rockers.
“Evan,” he knelt in front of her. “Look at me, please.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to look at you. I thought maybe, just maybe, you came because you wanted me. Now I see it was to ask for the wedding document. Well you shan’t have it.”
“Evan, by the gods, you are still the most exasperating woman.” He tried to claim her hand but she jerked it from his grasp. “I didn’t ask about it because I want you to return it. I asked because I want to restore it.”
She eyed him, still wary. “I meant to burn it but Father Wryth explained something to me that gave me cause to keep it.”
“Whatever Wryth told you doesn’t matter.” he whispered his voice a sweet caress. “Do you love me?”
Tears spilled from her eyes, a sob catching in her throat.
“Mama, dat man is?”
Evan turned and saw Paddy standing across the room. “Oh, baby, what are you doing out of bed?”
Paddy chewed at his bottom lip, not certain what to do. “Bad man, Mama?”
“Shh, no Paddy. Not a bad man.” She extended her arms to him. “Come crawl onto Mama’s lap.” She gathered the little boy close.
“Evan, he called you Mama.” Hawk looked from one to the other. So, she had a child. No one had told him.
“Shh, Hawk. He’ll fall back asleep in a few minutes.”
“But...”
“Let me put him in his bed.”
He moved so that she could stand.
“Is he...” Hawk began and catching the fiery look in her eye stopped.
She disappeared into another room with the boy in her arms.
He poured another glass of wine and sat in the rocker opposite the one she had shared with the boy. Why was this child a secret? Surely Melendarius knew. Marcus, too. That must have been what he meant when he said there was a lot he didn’t know. Wryth had certainly made himself scarce, preferring to hide in the cathedral sanctuary. Hawk took a drink of the wine and let it swirl around in his mouth. He rested his head on the back of the chair and rocked through old memories.
He didn’t realize she had returned until she took the wine glass from his hand. He jumped and caught her wrist.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I didn’t mean to startle you. I was afraid the wine would spill.”
“Evan is that little boy...”
She placed her fingers on his lips to stop his speech. “Take great care what you ask, Hawk.” She moved her hand and sat in the chair beside his. “You said that whatever Father Wryth told me didn’t matter. About that you are wrong, and it is the reason I didn’t burn the document as I swore I would.” She told him all that had transpired in the weeks after he left her. How she sought his father and discovered she no longer had access to the castle. How she managed an audience by sending word through Marcus. How the result of their meeting plunged her into despair.
“And then,” she said, “Wryth found me. He urged me to turn over our marriage document. And then he told me there was a little known law I should consider before agreeing. It was because of that law, I kept it.”
Hawk began tentatively. “Evan I care not for any law that keeps us apart.” She started to speak but he stopped her. “Maybe I should state what I think is true.”
“Yes,” she nodded. “That might be the best way.”
He prayed she wouldn’t feel as though he was interrogating her. “He is your son.”
“Yes, Paddy is my little boy. He was born in Lawrenzia.”
“When, Evan. Will you share his birthing day?”
“Is that important to you Hawk? Ask me straight out and stop dancing around the question.” She had weathered the harsh reality of loneliness, but all that remained of her heart would shatter if he doubted her loyalty.
“I don’t have to ask, Evan. I already know. Paddy’s not just your son. He is ours, ours together.”
After what seemed like an eternity she spoke. “I never stopped.”
He eyed her, confused. She twisted a handkerchief between her fingers. When had it become soaked with her tears?
“Stopped what, Evan?”
“You asked if I love you.”
He had, he remembered, just before Paddy awoke.
She rose and began clearing away the remnants of their forgotten meal, but before she could finish, he took her hand. “I’ve so many things to tell you, Evan, but all of them collide with each other when I think to bring them to my tongue. I began all wrong tonight and fear I will say something that will make you wish you had never seen me.” He took a shaky breath. Instead of speaking he led her toward the hallway.
“Where are you going, Hawk?”
He glanced into the first room and found it empty. Inside the second Paddy slept, one fist tucked under his chin. At the foot of the bed a white wolf raised her head.
“Chinera?”
Evan shook her head. “No, Chinera sleeps with the Mother. She died a short time ago. This is Runt, one of her pups. Paddy belongs to her and she to him.”
“Like his mother, he loves the creatures of the forest.”
Evan relaxed and he felt the tension leave her body through the hand he still held.
“And stubborn, like his father.”
He smiled for the first time since he had walked into the cottage. “Evan, I know all the ills I caused. No one regrets more than I the trouble I set in motion the night we married. But I swear to you that never, for a single moment, did I consider dissolving our marriage.” He pulled her into his arms. “I
will love you and my little boy all the days of my life.”
“Well then, Majesty, perhaps you might don the role of Papa on the morrow, and see to your son while I am away.”
He looked at her, puzzled. “Away?”
“Through a portal to help Ellyanna.”
“I’ve a better idea.”
“Oh?”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “What if Papa and Paddy go too?”
She stroked his cheek gazing into his dark eyes. “I’d welcome the pleasure of their company.”
“But not tonight.”
“No, not tonight.” Instinctively her lips sought his.
Thank you for taking the time to read Ascalla’s Daughter. If you enjoyed it, please consider telling your friends or posting a short review. Word of mouth is an author’s best friend and much appreciated.
Thank you,
M. C. Elam