Heart of the Winterland

by Kristen Kooistra

  “I’m sorry. Both of my parents are long gone. I do not even have memories of them. Voice says I was only two winters when they died.”

  A companionable silence filled the room. Cali’s eyes grew heavy and she lay back on the welcoming mattress. As she was drifting off, she heard Rose speak in a voice so low, Cali wasn’t sure if she imagined it. “Thank you. For listening and for helping Kaya.”

  ❄❄❄

  “You, girl!” Mizta’s harsh voice called out.

  Cali set down the empty mugs, steeling herself for Mizta’s next words. The tavern was more crowded than usual and the noise spilled into the kitchen. Cook sent Cali a sympathetic look before turning back to her pot full of questionable mush.

  “I dunna pay you to lollygag around. Ay, my tender heart will be the downfall of me. Get yourself outta my kitchen and serve the customers, before I serve you to them.”

  Gathering the mugs back into her hands, Cali bobbed her head and mumbled an apology. She bumped the kitchen door open with her hip and pushed her way into the chaos. Her mouth dropped at the scene before her and the mugs almost followed suit. The men were gathered around the large table in the center of the room, hooting and hollering. Upon the top stood Rose. No, not stood, paraded.

  Cali deposited the mugs on the bar next to the eager barman. Though his hands never faltered in wiping down the counter, his eyes were riveted on the cavorting Rose. Obviously no one was going to want service any time soon. Hands on her hips, Rose strutted up and down the table, pausing occasionally to lean over and give one of the men an eyeful. Men leered as they greedily drank in the sight of Rose’s long legs and bountiful curves.

  Mortification rushed through Cali and her face burned. Why would Rose degrade herself in that way? Those men act like she’s the main course.

  Before Cali could decide what to do, the front door flew open. Standing in the entrance was a hulking figure, eyes glinting as he took in the table and the morsel on top. A shiver ran through Cali. Those eyes, they looked so . . . cold.

  Rose, her cheeks flushed from her exuberant antics, jumped to the floor and strolled over to the man. “Well, hey there, handsome. Just what can this little Rose do for a big, strong man like yourself?” She ran her hand up one of his chiseled arms, circling him once appraising him with her eyes.

  The man hooked her waist, as she completed her circle. “I’ll take the strongest drink you have and your—”He ran his gaze down her figure“—considerable company.”

  Rose giggled foolishly as she led the man to a corner table, hips sashaying. Cali rolled her eyes. This was unbelievable. Grabbing a full tankard, Cali stomped over to the table. She slammed the drink down in front of the man and glared icicles at him.

  He didn’t even look up at her, his eyes firmly fixed on Rose. “Now, sweetheart, how about you tell T’Nahke all about yourself?”

  Chapter 17

  Three days later

  Cali peeked through the opening in the kitchen door. In the corner, Rose curled up next to the man, T’Nahke. She’d hoped that Rose’s foolishness of three nights past could be credited to drunkenness. Heaven knew she’d seen enough hopeless drunks to attribute most odd behavior to that foul-smelling drink. Every night since, though, T’Nahke had returned and Rose’s flirtations hadn’t flagged.

  “Spyin’, are we?”

  Cali jumped, slamming the door and forgetting to remove her fingers. She suppressed a yelp, grasped her throbbing fingertips, and spun to glare at Cook.

  “Did you have to sneak up on me like that?”

  “This is my kitchen and I wasn’t sneakin’. You were puttin’ that pert little nose of yers where it don’t belong.” Cook waved a wooden spoon in Cali’s face. “I catch you watchin’ Rose again and yer fingers won’t be the only part of you smartin’.”

  Cali glowered as she withdrew from her post near the door and settled on a chair close to Cook. “Why is she acting so strange? I’ve seen her flirt with the customers, but never like this.”

  Cook’s face pinched and she bustled over to where she’d been preparing bread. Cali waited as Cook’s floured hands kneaded the dough, knowing she was always more likely to talk if she wasn’t pressed.

  Cook slapped the dough against the counter and abandoned it to give Cali a searching look. “Rose . . . She’s havin’ an ‘ard time. A dear friend of ‘ers just died.”

  Cali felt the blood drain from her face. “Who?”

  “Caran. Good kid, not one to poke ‘is nose in other people’s business.” She sent a pointed look at Cali. “’is grandfather’s been missin’ for some time. We suspect ‘e was lost to the sea, but Caran wouldn’t believe it. Four nights ago ‘e went out on the ocean, searchin’ for any sign of his grandfather.”

  Cali’s mind wandered. Caran hadn’t come back, he’d been taken by the sea, just like his grandfather.

  Cook slapped her palm against the countertop. “Chile, you pester me to tell you what’s wrong with Rose, and now yer not payin’ attention.”

  “I’m sorry, Cook.” She forced herself to voice the question, even though she knew the answer. “When did Rose find out?”

  “Shortly before that big lug of ‘ers showed up. Now you understand?”

  Cali could only nod. All this time and she didn’t tell me. Just when we were finally starting to get along. She must’ve found out the day after we talked.

  Without another word, Cali stole out of the kitchen. The dining room was empty, save for Rose and T’Nahke. The Everlasting Flame was closed and Rose had nothing better to do than flirt with that brute. Cali quickly vacated the room. Voices followed her up the stairs, then a burst of laughter.

  Cali stomped down the hallway and burst into her room. Emotions overwhelmed her and she paced, staring at the floor. This flirtation with T’Nahke was nothing more than Rose’s way of coping with her grief. Still, it bothered her. Rose was better than this. Throwing herself at the tavern-goers was not the way to deal with pain. Besides, Mizta is starting to get annoyed by it.

  When Cali at last came to a halt, it was in front of a pair of white stockings. She looked up to see Rose standing in the doorway, shoes in hand.

  “You’re going to wear out the floorboards.” She pushed brusquely past Cali.

  Something in Cali snapped. “Why do you do that?”

  Rose sat on the bed and began to pull off her stockings. “Do what?”

  “Treat me like I’m a nuisance. I thought I was getting to know you, but now I’m not so sure. You’re never the same person.”

  Rose stopped removing her stockings, her fingers pinching the toe of one. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “One minute you’re angry at me, then the next you’re worrying over Kaya. You’re the girl who one day is warning me to avoid the men’s advances, and the next is throwing herself at those same men. You can be kind and sensitive. But then you change.”

  The words hung in the air, lacing it with tension. Rose yanked the stockings the rest of the way off and threw them on her bed.

  Her eyes were full of sorrow as she wrapped the coverlet around her. “People aren’t one-sided, Cali. They’re like diamonds, lots of different facets. Just because you’re looking at a different side, doesn’t mean it’s not the same jewel.”

  She rolled to face the wall and whispered, “I’m always me, and I’ve never changed. I have a lot going on and this is how I choose to deal with it. Maybe it’s not the best way, but it’s the way I have chosen.”

  Cali shifted uneasily on her bed. She didn’t want the conversation to end this way. She moistened her lips. “I think you’re more like a rose. Lots of petals, but they’re all part of the same flower.”

  Rose rolled towards Cali, a look of puzzlement on her face. “Are you making a joke?”

  Cali’s lips twitched as she nodded.

  Face creasing into a smile, Rose sat up and laughed. “I can’t stay mad at you.”

  “Good, because I didn’t want you to be angry with me. Let�
��s talk, unless you’re tired.”

  “I’d rather not sleep. My dreams lately have been—” She tilted her head towards the ceiling as tears threatened to escape.

  “It’s alright. I know. Cook told me. I’m sorry, Rose. I can’t imagine losing a friend.”

  Rose smiled, before wiping her eyes. “If it’s all the same, I’m not ready to talk about it yet.”

  “I understand. What do you want to talk about?” Cali smirked, and added in a sugary tone, “Maybe you want to talk about T’Nahke?”

  The humor drained from Rose’s face. Suddenly serious, she unwound herself from her covers and strode to the door. She flung it open and peered down the hall, before shutting and latching it. Face pasty white, she sat next to Cali.

  “Cali, something’s not right about T’Nahke. He frightens me. The predator look, I’m used to that, but T’Nahke is cunning. You can see it in the way he watches everything. Even when we’re together, he’s observing everything that’s going on.”

  “Why are you spending time with him then?”

  “At first it was because I needed a distraction. Then I found out he’s looking for someone. Someone that looks like me.” Rose stared at Cali, as if expecting her to reply.

  Cali shifted, waiting.

  “Cali, think about it. How many other women, or men for that matter, have you seen with red hair?”

  “What does that have to do with anything?” Cali’s forehead crinkled in puzzlement.

  “With the exception of my grandmother, I’ve never seen another person in Rokuhai with hair the color of mine. Until two weeks ago.”

  Something clicked in Cali’s mind. Angel. Until she met Angel. Thoughts raced through her head as all the pieces started to fall into place. The captain had two men with her. Voice saw them from a distance. He’s looking for someone with red hair. He’s looking for Angel.

  Cali’s expression must’ve shown her understanding. Rose nodded in answer to the unspoken thoughts. “Yes, Angel. She appears and a short time later, a man shows up searching for a girl with flaming hair. It can’t be coincidence. He thought it might be me at first. But he said I don’t match the description of who he’s looking for.”

  Now it was Cali’s turn to stand and check the hallway. It was still vacant. Somehow that did nothing to allay her fears.

  “I have to warn her. She needs to leave town before they find her.” Cali pulled on her recently washed white tunic and pants.

  “So it is her.”

  “Yes,” Cali said shortly, snatching up a black cloak that Velra had made for her.

  “What has she done?”

  “Nothing. She was a prisoner of Duke Bludgaard’s. She escaped and has been on the run ever since. I’ll be back after I tell her.”

  Rose slipped on her own cloak and pulled on a pair of rough boots. “Why are you coming back?”

  Cali stopped fumbling at her clasp to stare at Rose. “I have to. Kaya’s still not fully healed.”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of Kaya. Right now, your friend needs you.” Rose unlatched the door, holding it open expectantly.

  “But what about my debt? You’re the one who said I had to stay.”

  Rose snorted. “Most people would’ve up and left regardless of what I said they had to do. You’ve repaid your debt as far as I’m concerned. I’ll make sure that Kaya and her mother are taken care of.” She hesitated. “For what it’s worth, you’ve earned my respect.”

  Not waiting for Cali’s response, Rose left the room. Cali hurried to keep up and together they exited the back of the tavern, slipping into the night.

  It seemed like hours, but they finally made it to Kaya’s house. The next half-hour was a rush of apologies and explanations. There was no question they needed to leave immediately. Kaya packed a meager bag of food for them and at last they all stood by the door, ready to run, again.

  Kaya hugged Angel tight. “I’m going to miss you. It was great having someone to help me with Mother.” She turned to Cali. “And thank you, for helping me out. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t taken my place.”

  Velra stepped from the back room and weakly hobbled over to the group to add her farewells. Cali, Angel, and Rose stepped outside, but Velra stopped Voice. “Your stories brightened up our day. I’m sure whatever your future holds, it’s something wonderful.”

  In the darkness of night, Cali thought for a second she saw Voice’s glow shimmer a faint blue.

  “Thank you for your hospitality,” Voice said. “I hope there’s a miracle out there for you.” She floated out to join Cali.

  The group waved goodbye and moved down the quiet street. Cali’s last glimpse behind her showed Kaya and Velra supporting each other as they stood framed in the doorway, their silhouettes dark against the lantern light.

  Rose led them through back alleys, careful to avoid any open taverns and brothels. The pounding of the surf hit Cali’s ears as they rounded the corner of the last building. Before them was the port of Rokuhai, moored ships creaking as they rocked in the waves. Rose didn’t hesitate and they slunk past multiple vessels until they reached a mid-size ship.

  “The gangway is up. We’ll have to climb the ropes,” Rose whispered.

  Before Cali could respond, Rose and Angel scurried up the ropes that held the ship in place. Voice floated next to Cali, waiting. Cali licked her lips and grasped the rope. Awkwardly she pulled herself along, arms shaking and stomach heaving. The water tossed below her, slapping against the side of the ship. The rope rocked over the water. Unable to stay on top of the rope, she slipped and swung underneath. Dangling above the water like a bat, Cali clung to the rope in a panic and willed herself not to look down.

  What if I fall? I can’t swim. What a tale that would be. A princess narrowly escapes capture at the hands of a brutish lout, only to fall into the ocean and drown.

  Maybe upside down would be easier. She needed to keep going. Inch by painful inch, she shimmied her way up the rope. The smell of dead fish from nearby vessels did nothing to convince her poor stomach to relax. Voice hovered alongside her, saying nothing. Probably doesn’t want to distract me.

  At last she pulled herself over the side of the deck and collapsed on the wooden planks. A man’s leather boots stood inches from her nose. Slowly she raised her eyes from the boots to the man’s face. The moonlight shone on his wrinkled cheeks and a twinkle in his eye spoke his bemusement.

  “This th’ other body ye want me tae carry?” he said with a thick accent.

  “Yes, and Voice,” Rose said.

  “Och aye, th’ sparklin’ orb thing.” The man guffawed. “When dae Ah get tae meet that?”

  Voice had followed Cali and was now hovering above the side of the ship. “‘That’ is a her. And I am she.”

  The man blinked twice, looking very much like the snow owls that nested near the castle. He took off his black, three-cornered hat, slapped it against his knee, and roared, “Well, Ah be fair gobsmacked. Ye were nae havin’ a go at me. That is a flyin’ orb if Ah e’er seen one.” He bowed low to Voice, before returning hat to head. “Ah do beg yer pardon, Miss Voice. Dinnae let auld Rebol bother ye none.”

  Rose faced Cali. “This is Captain John Rebol, a friend of mine who has agreed to take you with him when he sails tomorrow. You’ll have to hide until you’re safely away, but you can trust him.”

  Now that the time had come to say goodbye, Cali was at a loss. Rose is the first person I’ve spent more than a day with who I’ve had to say goodbye to. Without warning, tears leaked from her eyes.

  Rose’s face softened and she drew Cali into a hug. “Now don’t go doing that. You weren’t planning on staying forever anyway.” She grabbed Cali’s shoulders and held her away. “I hate long goodbyes, so I’ll be going now.”

  With a parting wave to the group onboard, Rose swung over the side and slid down the rope. Cali rushed to the side to see her safely hit the dock and disappear into the darkness.

  Ca
ptain Rebol stood, arms crossed, watching Cali intensely. “Ye must be somethin’ special tae get wee Rose all worked up loch that.”

  Drawn from her tears, Cali laughed. “I’m nothing special to Rose.”

  Captain Rebol snorted. “Ye dinnae ken a lot about folk then. Troost me, that one is gonnae miss ye. Now, lassies, if ye folla me, Ah will show ye tae yer quarters.”

  Cali was the last to go below deck. If I ever go back to Trabor, I hope it’s people like Rose that’ll come with me.

  “Hurry up, Cali! Please don’t make me carry you,” Angel’s voice echoed up the stairwell.

  Cali grinned, glad to be back with her friends. “Well, it’s about time you started doing some work around here,” she shouted as she descended.

  Chapter 18

  Kota pushed Malnu harder. Hooves pounded against the road, kicking up dust behind them. The first rays of sunlight streaked across the sky and cast an orange haze across the land. Up ahead, the roofs of Rokuhai slowly came into view.

  It had been a long journey: the impending separation that hovered over her on the way to Bludgaard’s castle, the stilted parting, and the grueling pace back to Rokuhai. However, the constant moving kept her mind off Dikala’s absence.

  She bent low over Malnu’s neck, blending into his movements until they became one. Dikala was a part of her past now, like Sjadia and her mother. No good would come from dwelling on what could not be helped.

  I have no one to blame but myself. After all this time I should know better than to get attached.

  She sat up and pulled the reins, slowing Malnu to a walk. Below them lay Rokuhai. Early risers were going about their morning business. Smoke rose from the chimneys, and in the quietness, the pounding of the surf filled the air.

  Content; that’s what the town seemed to her at that moment. The air, the people, even the ocean seemed at peace. There’s peace for everyone but me. If T’Nahke hasn’t located that girl, he won’t be happy either.

  She entered town at a trot, ignoring the pedestrians who dove out of her way. The curses and shaking fists meant nothing to her. If it’s the only inconvenience in their day, they should consider themselves fortunate.