Heart of the Winterland

by Kristen Kooistra

  Cook laughed. “A drink that’ll keep ‘er busy all night. Then she’ll be back ‘ere late tomorrow morning complainin’ of the ‘eadache those shipments give ‘er.”

  Spotting Cali, Rose’s smile froze. “Well, I can see you’ve become quite accomplished at dishes. Follow me.”

  Cali stood, clenching her teeth to keep from groaning. What new torture does she have for me now?

  Rose led the way up to their quarters and pointed at Cali’s lumpy bed. On it lay a crimson dress with a crisp white apron and cap. Cali’s eyes widened. The uniform the barmaids wore; surely Rose didn’t expect her to do that job.

  “Well, stop gawking and change. You’re taking Kaya’s place and she wasn’t a dish washer. We have a boy for that. Mizta only allowed you to do his job for a few days because I offered to work extra shifts until you got adjusted. But I can’t do the work of two people and Mizta is getting impatient. She’ll slash Kaya’s wages if you don’t start tending to customers.” Rose didn’t wait for a reply and swept from the room.

  Cali was left staring at the garish fabric. Slowly she reached out and fingered the material. She’d never worn anything like this. Trabor was far too cold for so little clothing. It’s beautiful, different from the white garments Voice always had for me. Cali shed her dirty, grey clothes and tossed them into the corner.

  A few minutes later, she was back downstairs, standing outside the door to the main room. Her hands shook as she clutched the sides of the soft red skirt. The top of the dress was cut low and the bottom didn’t even come down to her fingertips. Cali shivered. There was so much air brushing against her skin. Even her bedclothes and undergarments at home covered more than this.

  It is much warmer here. It makes sense that they don’t wear as much clothing as I’m used to.

  She poked her head into the dining room, searching for Rose. Spotting her behind the bar, Cali took a deep breath and strode through the door. Rose looked up and ran her gaze over her. She whispered something to one of the girls standing next to her before moving towards Cali.

  “Red suits you.”

  It was the nicest thing Rose had said to her. Cali gave a shy smile and smoothed her ruffled skirt. Rose returned the smile and leaned forward to lift Cali’s cap, freeing her long black hair.

  “This is supposed to perch on top. Mizta likes the girls to show off their hair.”

  Cali quirked an eyebrow. “I thought you said Mizta was gone?”

  “She is, but I’m in charge, and I get to decide if I break the rules. The rest of you have to follow orders. Now before you start, I want you to know you don’t have to put up with any nonsense.”

  “What nonsense?”

  “You know . . . manly nonsense.” Rose gave Cali a knowing look.

  Cali squirmed. She wasn’t sure if she wanted to admit that she had no idea what Rose meant, or if she should just nod. Before she could decide, Rose gave a sigh of frustration.

  “Look, I don’t want to be responsible if anything happens to you. Just serve the men, smile, and then leave. Don’t be rude, but don’t encourage them to talk to you. Don’t linger over a table. And if any of them touches you, or talks to you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, let me know.” Rose strode away, leaving Cali to fend for herself.

  Cali felt her cheeks flush as it slowly dawned on her what Rose was saying. She must think I’m the most ignorant fool she’s ever met. I thought men only did those things in books. How will I ever know if the stuff I read in the castle library is real or not?

  “Hey, girl! Bring us another round.” A bearded man with missing teeth raised a mug of ale. He winked and teetered unsteadily on his bench. His friends laughed and gazed wolfishly at her.

  I will get through this. I have to. I can’t let Kaya and her mother down.

  Cali forced a smile as she grabbed a flagon of beer from the bar. This won’t be hard, she told herself. Rose and Kaya do this every day.

  ❄❄❄

  The first few hours were rough, but Cali gradually found a rhythm to the work. She’d had her share of spilled liquids and close calls with some of the rowdier men. Rose moved with a practiced ease and smoothly avoided the grabbing hands of the men. Cali tried her best to mimic Rose’s movements and found herself marginally successful.

  It was getting on in the evening and the men who remained were well into their cups. Cali was repulsed and intrigued by their behavior. She’d never seen drunken men before. They were loud and obnoxious, but their antics were on the humorous side. Her guard dropped as she studied them.

  While she was pouring another round for the center table, it happened. An arm snaked around her waist, tugging her into the lap of a blond seaman. “Look what I have here, boys. A pretty new fire wench.” The table erupted with laughter and catcalls.

  The sailor leaned towards Cali. His breath stank of beer. “It wouldn’t be nice of us not to welcome you properly.” He hiccupped and sent another blast of foul air into Cali’s face.

  Cali summoned up her most princess-like tone. “Sir, I would appreciate it if you would release me.”

  “Aww, she’s a sweet one, ain't she? Actin' all high 'n' mighty.” He tugged on a lock of Cali’s hair. “Why would I let a nice girl like you go?”

  Cali tried to pry his rough hand from her waist. She looked around, but Rose was nowhere to be seen and the bartender stared impassively at the scene as he wiped a glass.

  “C'm 'ere, darlin'. Give Jeck a kiss.” The man pulled her closer, wet lips puckered.

  Cali abandoned any attempt to settle this with dignity. She pushed feebly at Jeck’s broad chest. “Let me go at once! I command you!”

  The men roared with laughter. “Aye, yer got a feisty one, Jeck!”

  “You command, do you?” Jeck seized Cali’s arm, dragging her close. “No one commands me,” he growled.

  Cali squeezed her eyes shut to block out the sight of him, expecting to feel his continued assault on her person. After a few seconds, she realized nothing was happening and silence had fallen over the room. She slowly opened one eye and then the other.

  Jeck was still sitting there, his grip now weak on her arm. Against his throat was a long knife, pressed so tightly to his skin that a line of blood had appeared. Cali looked up and saw the furious face of Angel.

  “Let her go, or I’m going to need to clean this knife,” Angel said, steely. Her eyes glinted murderously.

  Jeck released his hold on Cali’s arm and she sprang from his lap. Angel didn’t relax her stance. “Get up, slowly.” Jeck rose from his chair and Angel slid her knife from his neck so that the point now rested against the small of his back. “Walk to the door.” Fists balled, Jeck stiffly shuffled to the door.

  Angel moved the dagger from his back. “Get out, and do not come back.” Jeck took a few wavering steps towards the door. Then whirling around, he took a clumsy, drunken swing at Angel.

  As if she’d expected it, Angel ducked beneath the wildly flailing arm. She rose up, flipped the knife in her hand, and stepped forward to club him under the chin with the hilt. Stunned, he staggered back against the door. “You can’t do this,” he whined.

  Angel glared at him. “You have one chance to leave or next time it’ll be the blade that goes into your worthless neck.”

  Jeck’s red eyes were full of hatred, but he opened the door and exited in a storm of curses.

  The room was deathly quiet, and then someone coughed, breaking the stillness. Rose burst through the door that led from the kitchen. Her gaze swept the room and froze when it landed on Angel.

  “What’s going on here? Put that knife away before you hurt someone.” She stormed over to Cali, snatched her arm, and hissed, “What did you do?”

  “I didn’t do anything! A man grabbed me and wouldn’t let me go.” Cali nodded in the direction of Angel, who still held her dagger. “Then my friend came in and stopped him. She kicked him out.”

  Cali hadn’t taken her eyes off Angel since Jeck left. She was in a state o
f shock over the rapid turn of events. She looked really angry. I think she would’ve killed that man.

  The thunderous look left Rose’s face. She turned to Angel, “My apologies. I shouldn’t have left Cali alone. Please, both of you follow me.”

  Rose hurried them into the kitchen. The door closed behind, quickly followed by the men resuming their conversation, though they were considerably more subdued.

  All business, Rose ordered, “Cook, please see those drunken fools out and lock up. I’ll close up in here.”

  With a nod, Cook removed her apron and left the kitchen.

  Briskly, Rose pushed Cali onto a stool and examined her. “Are you hurt? I told you to watch yourself. Fool child.”

  Cali shook Rose off impatiently. “I’m fine, Rose, really.” She glanced at Angel, embarrassed to once again be rescued by her. “Thank you. I fear saving me is getting to be a regular occurrence for you.”

  Angel shoved her dagger into its sheath, tucked her hands under her armpits, and nodded awkwardly. “Anyone would’ve done the same.”

  “Where’s Voice?”

  Slapping her head, Angel moaned. “I knew I forgot something. She’s outside. I’ll go get her.”

  Angel seemed relieved to have an excuse to exit the kitchen. Rose studied the door and murmured. “You didn’t tell me you had a sister.”

  Cali looked up, shocked. “I don’t. Angel’s not my sister.”

  Rose waved her hand airily, “Not a blood sister, I mean like Kaya is my sister. Sisters by choice, not by relation.”

  “You think Angel is that kind of sister?” Cali whispered, and her heart clenched.

  “I wasn’t there, but anyone who’d chase a man out of here at knife point qualifies in my book. Besides, her face had protective sister written all over it.”

  “Oh.” Cali didn’t know what else to say, but inside her soul was singing. She wanted to bottle this moment forever and save it for a snowy day.

  Rose pursed her lips. “I suppose your friends have come to take you away.”

  Cali fidgeted. Part of her wanted to leave the drudgery of this place behind, and between her and Angel, mostly Angel, Rose couldn’t stop them. She opted for a change in subject. “I should probably tell you about Voice. She’s not human. She’s . . . Well, she’s my guardian and she looks like a hovering orb of light.”

  Rose blinked once at Cali, before bursting into peals of laughter. “You do have a sense of humor after all,” she gasped between breaths.

  The back door opened and Angel and Voice entered the warm kitchen.

  Rose looked past Angel’s shoulder. Instantly she sobered and her jaw dropped. “You weren’t playing. She is a ball of light.”

  Cali grinned at Rose’s consternation and ran to Voice, arms outstretched. She faltered and her smile slipped. I can’t hug her. Her arms fell uselessly to her sides as she tried to cover her awkward reaction. “Voice! I’m so glad you found me. I–I missed you.”

  “And I you, Princess. I think you better stay near me for awhile. You seem to get into trouble when I leave you.” Voice paused and her white glow seemed to turn a shade darker for an instant. “We should be going, Princess. We have lingered here too long. Captain Kota could still be on our trail.”

  Angel and Voice moved towards the door. Cali stood, took two steps to follow them, and then hesitated. She glanced at Rose, who was standing quietly against the wall.

  Voice stopped. “Princess?”

  “I can’t.” Cali forced the barely audible words out of her dry throat.

  Angel said sharply, “What do you mean you can’t? We’ve been searching for you for two days. Now you can’t leave?”

  Cali bunched her skirt in her hands and steeled herself. “I’m sorry. It’s not that I don’t appreciate you finding me. But I can’t leave, not yet. I hurt someone and I need to make it right.” She looked pleadingly at Voice, “Please understand, this is something I have to do.”

  The seconds dragged by as they stared at each other. Angel was the first to recover. “Whatever you did, I’m sure it was an accident. You can’t fix every mistake.”

  “It was an accident, but that does not absolve me from the responsibility of my actions. I may not be able to amend every mistake, but this one I can.”

  “This is overcompensating, Cali. You can’t work in this—”Angel waved her hand at the kitchen and curled her lip “—place. It’s not safe!”

  “What exactly are you implying?” Rose moved to stand in front of Angel.

  Angel placed her hands on her hips and leaned forward slightly. “Oh, maybe the fact that when I arrived, I found some lecherous, wretched excuse for a man assaulting her.”

  “It won’t happen again. I will protect her.” Rose’s eyes flashed and she didn’t back down from her irate double.

  “Since you haven’t done a good job so far, why should I trust you?”

  “Enough!” Voice shouted. “Please, this is not helping. Princess, you have neither the knowledge nor the skills to work here. I am sure Miss Rose can find someone better suited for the work. We cannot leave you here.”

  Tears welled in Cali’s eyes. This was not going how she wanted. “But this is my decision. As much as I respect you, I’m not a child anymore. I need to start making my own choices.”

  “Princess,” Rose said in disgust. “Considering the state of your hands I shouldn’t be surprised. They’re right. I have no use for a dainty princess unable to cope with real labor.”

  Cali pivoted and glared at Rose. “Yes, I am a princess. And yes, I’m unused to this kind of work, but if you haven’t found fault with my work before you knew who I was then it must not be that bad. I can learn and I will not quit.”

  Angel opened her mouth, but Voice interrupted. “Then you should stay. Angel and I will find something to occupy our time while you do this.”

  Angel’s mouth snapped shut with a click and she glared at Voice, then Cali. She threw her hands in the air. “Fine, I can see when I’m outnumbered.” She spun huffily and smacked the back door open. Voice followed her out into the night.

  Rose ran a hand through her hair. “It’s really fine if you leave.”

  “And what about Kaya?”

  “I’ll find a way.” The dark circles around Rose’s eyes told another story.

  “If you’ll have me, I want to stay and help.”

  Rose gave a brief nod. “I can help your friends with lodging.”

  Cali shot her a grateful smile and they exited the kitchen.

  The alley was dark. This part of Rokuhai wasn’t worth lampposts. Angel leaned against the wall and Voice cut off whatever she was saying when Cali and Rose stepped out of the building.

  Angel pushed off the wall and approached Cali. “I still don’t like this, but you’re right, it is your choice.”

  Cali hugged Angel before she lost her nerve. “Thank you, Angel. For understanding, and for saving me.”

  “I don’t understand,” Angel grumbled. “But I did save your royal behind again. So you’re welcome for that.”

  Cali released her and turned to Voice. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. Thank you for letting me do this.”

  “I think we’re moving beyond the point where I ‘let’ you do anything,” Voice said warmly. “I am proud of you, Princess.”

  Rose stepped closer. “I have a place you can stay while you’re here. It’s not much, but I think I can get you in free of charge.”

  “That would be much appreciated,” Voice said graciously. Angel simply grunted and refused to meet Rose’s gaze.

  Unfazed, Rose jerked her thumb back towards the door. “You should get inside, Cali. Bolt the door behind you and get some sleep.”

  “What about you?”

  “I have a key to the side door. I’ll be fine.”

  Cali hugged Angel again and smiled at Voice. “Be careful and don’t worry about me.” She gave a small wave before heading back into the warmth of the Everlasting Flame.

 
; ❄❄❄

  For a long minute after they heard the bolt slide home, Angel and Voice stared at the door.

  At last, Rose cleared her throat. “We’d better get moving.” She started down the alley, dodging crates and random debris.

  Angel hesitated and looked at Voice. “Why did you let her stay?”

  “Because I needed to. She is not a child anymore.” Voice felt a strange release, saying the words out loud. “She will one day be queen and owning up to one’s actions is an important part of ruling. I could not in good conscience dissuade her from doing what she believes is right.”

  Angel shook her head. “At least there’s enough honor and decency between the two of you that it frees me to be selfish.” She grinned. “It just wouldn’t do to have all three of us be stuffy.” Not waiting for Voice’s rebuttal, she strode down the street after a swiftly vanishing Rose.

  Voice followed, chuckling softly. I guess this means all is forgiven. Hopefully we do not drive each other mad before Cali is through.

  Chapter 14

  A gust of wind brushed past Kota, carrying with it the smell of the sea. So close. We should reach Rokuhai by nightfall. The journey had made her crosser than usual. Circling the forest had taken longer than she’d anticipated. She was sure the girl would go through Rokuhai after leaving the Tónghuà Forest. But how long would she stay?

  Impatient to have this over with, Kota urged her tired mount into a trot and gave him a reassuring pat. Sorry, boy, the sooner we get there the sooner we both get a rest.

  “Captain,” T’Nahke called.

  Kota turned her head to glower at the mountainous man. Instead, her eyes locked on a galloping rider swiftly gaining on them. She reined Malnu to a halt.

  “I’m sorry, Captain. I wasn’t looking behind us. I should’ve spotted him sooner,” T’Nahke said.

  Kota shot him an icy glare. Yes, you should have. She didn’t waste any more thoughts on his blunder. Whoever the rider was, he was no threat to her.