Riana had told Ash to offer those two things first. It was the isolation, the inability to call quickly for help that drove everyone in this village half-crazy. Especially during the winters.
Eden was inclined to agree just on those two conditions alone—she could see it in his face—but of course he had other opinions to factor in. His eyes darted to several faces before asking, “Ye said ye wanted to trade for food. How much food?”
“As much as you’re willing to trade,” Ash countered immediately. “We have no strict requirements. In return, we offer a variety of trade goods: glass, textiles, medicines, and wizarding services of course if you choose to barter.”
This really was an excellent deal, better than the village had ever been offered. Ash had deliberately couched it in the best possible light.
“Ye offer more than a fair trade agreement,” Eden finally stated. “But as ombudsman, I must discuss this with everyone first. It might take a while.”
“We brought our own equipment so we can set up a camp,” Ash assured him. “We didn’t expect an immediate answer. Show us a clear space where we can stay for a while and we’ll let you talk this out without interrupting. Of course, if you have questions or need clarification on things, you’re welcome to come speak with me.”
“There be a space behind the town hall.”
Ash looked to Riana for an opinion. “It be a fine spot,” she stated, “with a well nearby. It has enough space for us all.”
“Then we’ll be there.” Ash stood, gave a courteous half-bow toward his host, and gestured for Riana to lead on.
She did so, aware that everyone in the village was looking at them. It made her skin crawl unpleasantly. Staying in the village like this was unavoidable, they needed to be nearby until they had a verdict, but she’d rather stay in a bandit’s camp than here.
Ash reached for her hand, tangling fingers together, as he whispered against her temple, “It’ll be fine. Just stay close to me.”
There was many a shocked whisper because of his actions but it made Riana smile. Sometimes, like now, old habits tried to ambush her and make her into that unwelcome misfit that used to be from Cloud’s Rest. But whenever it happened, Ash would reach out to her as he did now and remind her that she was now from Estole and was a councilwoman, no less. She had nothing to fear from these people. They no longer had the power to overshadow her.
This was one habit she needed to break.
They retrieved their stowed gear first, then trooped back into the village and the spot that they’d been assigned. Everyone pitched their own tents without needing much in the way of help. Riana was of a mind to take advantage of being near the village and buying something hot for dinner instead of cooking over a fire. In the village, there were really only two places to get food: baker and butcher. If she put in an order to both now, they’d have time to cook it, and by the time the camp was completely set up they could just fetch it back and eat it at their leisure.
To Kirsty, she said, “We can order some food made up for us here.”
Kirsty straightened back up from where she had been arguing with the tent pole. “Oh? That sounds like a fine plan. Do you need me to go along?”
“No’ yet,” Riana denied, waving her back to what she was doing. “We need to order it first. If Ash comes looking for me, tell him I will be back in a moment.”
“Sure thing.”
Riana took in a breath, searching for courage, because the last time she’d walked alone in this village it hadn’t exactly gone well. But it was time to face these people again, as the new version of her, and it wasn’t the time to show weakness. Besides, both buildings were barely a stone’s throw away from the camp, it could hardly be described as dangerous.
Chin up, shoulders back, she marched for the bakery first. The tables were still out, but most of the chairs were already back in, and it was Eden’s youngest daughter that was behind the counter. She looked up with wary, dark eyes as Riana walked in. “What?”
The tone was just short of being rude. Riana bit back the urge to snap back and kept her tone level with effort. “I need to order some food for dinner, enough to feed everyone with me. What do ye have baking?”
This late in the evening, there wouldn’t be much, just whatever people had pre-ordered that morning for dinner. Still, Eden normally baked some things extra at night so he could sell them to early morning customers. Riana knew this and dared the girl with her eyes to say that nothing was available.
Mouth tightening in a mutinous line, the girl nevertheless rattled off, “Spinach rolls, wheat loafs, and three cheese bread.”
“I will take the spinach rolls and three cheese bread. Enough to feed six.”
“Spinach rolls be still baking,” she was carefully not looking at her customer, “so come back in ten minutes.”
“I will.” Riana turned on her heel and walked out again before blowing out a breath. Alright, that had gone better than expected. Now for the butcher.
Mrs. Crobin had turned her husband’s career into a side business for herself nearly two decades ago, or so her father had once said. She made up soups and meat pies for people on request and always had some chicken or turkey legs baked up for anyone that just wanted something on the go. Riana figured that if she got some of those legs, a soup, and a few pies, she’d have enough diversity and food to satisfy everyone. Whether or not Mrs. Crobin would be in there and not at the Hall, discussing things with everyone, was the only question.
As she walked through the village, she found that it was mostly the men that were missing. Half of the women were still going about their business. Did they not care? No, likely that wasn’t it. They just had their own things to do and were content with whatever their husbands decided, most likely. Riana shook her head in amazement. Didn’t they value their own opinions?
Stepping into the butcher shop, she was a little surprised to see Mrs. Crobin standing behind the counter. Here was a woman that she half-expected to see in that meeting. Well, maybe the thought of losing business worried her more than any future possibility.
Mrs. Crobin took one look at her and an expression like a thunderstorm swept over her face. “What ye be doing in my shop, girl?”
“Ordering food.” The Crobins had always been the harshest to her, verbally at least, so it took nerve to just stand there. “How many legs, meat pies, and soup do ye have ready to go?”
The butcher’s wife opened her mouth, face red in anger, ready to let her tongue fly furious and hot. Then she paused and looked over Riana’s shoulder as if fearing that someone would step inside and flatten her with magic if she dared to utter a curt word. With great difficulty, she swallowed what she was going to say. Voice hoarse with strain, she managed, “I have two meat pies, four chicken legs, four turkey. No soup.”
“I will take what ye have, then.”
She stammered out a price, which Riana paid without argument, as just being able to stand here and order food without getting a tongue lashing was worth the extra money. Face tight, Mrs. Crobin tied up all the food in clean napkins before thrusting them in Riana’s arms. Without another word to the woman, she turned and left, only breathing freely once she was in the open air again. That had gone easier than expected.
She went all of four steps when she nearly bumped into Gerrard, who had a small keg of something tucked under his arm.
“Ah, Riana. Is that hot food I smell?”
“It be that.” She looked at the keg and ventured, “Cider?”
Patting it on the side, Gerrard beamed. “Freshly pressed. That doesn’t look like enough food to feed all of us.”
“I ordered more, it just needs to be fetched. Can ye take this back?”
“Certainly.” Gerrard leaned in close enough to whisper, “Is it safe for you to walk around like this? No one’s bothering you?”
“Barely cordial,” Riana admitted, flashing him a smile. “But Ashlynn scared them all into line, it looks like. I be fine. Bakery be right th
ere, so I be right behind ye.”
“In that case, I’ll take it.” Gerrard took the bundle with his free hand and turned to the camp without a glance backwards. It was like he was silently telling her that he trusted her judgment and wouldn’t coddle her.
Well, this was the man that had basically raised Ashlynn. He knew how to teach confidence. With his silent trust, she felt a little bolstered and headed for the bakery with more poise than before.
She was halfway across when her luck abruptly ran out. Crobin burst out of the Hall, red in the face, movements jerky and wild. His eyes landed on her and he let out a roar, “RIANA RAVENSCROFT!”
Whirling, Riana had her bow in hand before she realized who was calling. Then she deliberately made herself stop. She would not, could not, shoot this man until he did something to warrant it. Anger alone didn’t justify it, no matter how bad he was scaring her. “What, Crobin.”
Hands shaking, he stomped her direction. “Do no’ take that tone with me, girl! This be all yer doing. Ye come in here after ye seduce that wizard and now we have to bow down to yer will and do as ye ask all for—” his voice pitched higher to mimic Eden “—‘the benefit of the village as a whole.’ Well, I will no’ stand for it, ye hear me?! I do no’ care what ye think or say—”
Between one heartbeat and the next, Ash was in between them, as unmoving as a mountain. He grabbed Crobin’s wrist in a vice-like grip, making the man gasp in pain, then twisted enough to throw the butcher off-balance before throwing him back. Crobin stumbled three steps, caught his balance, and cradled his wrist against his chest.
Anyone within line of sight of them froze and turned to watch the spectacle.
In the abrupt silence, Ash’s voice sounded unnaturally loud. “Kings seek her counsel. Her words and thoughts have shaped an entire government. She is now a Councilwoman of Estole. You, sir, would be wise to curb your tongue and respect her.”
Crobin was mad enough to recklessly spit out, “Or what?”
Ash braced his feet shoulder-width apart, arms crossed over his chest, and looked down on the man like a bug that had somehow wandered in. “Are you forgetting just how skilled she is with that bow? Push her far enough and she’ll retaliate. And when she’s done with you, if there’s anything left, I’ll take care of you.”
“Smitten,” Crobin breathed, becoming outraged all over again. “Ye be completely smitten with her. We be negotiating with a love-struck fool!”
Ash cocked an eyebrow at him.
Riana’s head snapped around when not a word of denial passed her partner’s lips. Was he truly admitting to it, right in this moment, or was he just refusing to rise to Crobin’s bait? His emotions were such a chaotic whirl that she couldn’t tell.
Eden burst out of the Hall, spied the three of them, and sprinted for Crobin. He caught the man around the neck and pushed him into a bow. “Sir, he apologizes—”
“I do no such thing!” Crobin hissed at him, struggling to rise.
“Shut up, ye idjut,” Eden hissed back. “Sir. We be inclined to accept yer proposal on the whole, there just be some details to work out atween us tonight. Can we give ye a formal answer in the morning?”
“Of course,” Ash assured him. Pointing at Crobin, he suggested (ordered?), “Take that back with you. Before I have to do something permanent to him.”
“Aye, of course.” Keeping his grip on Crobin’s neck, Eden dragged him back into the hall and ignored the man’s squawking as he did so.
Ash turned to her, still with that mild expression on his face that didn’t match his emotions at all. “Didn’t I tell you to stick close?”
Frustrated, she flung a finger to indicate the bakery. “I be in sight of the camp and all I wanted be some rolls for dinner.”
“Riana.” The way he said her name was like an endearment and he lost that rigid smile that sent shivers up her spine. “I said that to you for their sakes, not yours. If they do something to you, I really will lose my temper, and then Ashlynn will lose hers, and before you know it half of this village will be rubble. Do us all a favor? Stick close.”
She wanted to laugh, a little hysterically, because he was being perfectly serious. Oh dear. The damage she could unleash…. It was hard to rein in the impulse to sic Ash on her former villagers, but she managed and instead took his hand so he couldn’t go off on the impulse. “Then, come with me for dinner rolls?”
His grip tightened on her hand. “Of course.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Edvard met them at the castle steps, looking hopeful, Gwen standing at his side. The little girl was bouncing on her toes, antsy and impatient. The moment they came into sight, she darted down the stairs and climbed Ash like a tree. Ash, used to this, gave her an accommodating hand up so that she settled comfortably on his hip.
“Where’s my welcome home kiss?” Ash asked her, mock-pouting.
Gwen gave him a peck on the cheek and beamed at him. “Souvenirs?”
“Not much in the way of that, where we went,” Ash apologized.
From behind, his twin cleared her throat in a meaningful way before stepping around. From her satchel, hanging at her side, she withdrew a glass jar that had a ribbon tied around the top. “Honeysuckle jam, a specialty of Cloud’s Rest.”
With the food rations that they’d been experiencing recently, any sort of treat was a rare event. Gwen’s eyes lit up and she lunged for the jar, which nearly dislodged her from Ash’s arms. He had to struggle to keep her upright. “Is it sweet?” Gwen asked eagerly.
“Light and sweet and just perfect on biscuits,” Ashlynn assured her.
Ash gave his sister an incredulous look. “How did you find this?”
“I’m an expert at shopping. Surely you know that by now.”
Edvard gave up on them coming to him and met them halfway, taking in the jar with keen interest. “That looks tasty.”
Riana had eaten it often enough growing up, although it was usually she and her da making it. “It be that. It be a regular trade good they sell to Senn.” Usually by this time of the year, the jars were all sold off, though. It was a surprise to her that any had been left. Where had Ashlynn found it?
“If you’re carting back souvenirs, then the trip was successful?” Edvard’s expression was a mirror for Gwen’s hopeful, happy smile.
“It was,” Ashlynn confirmed. “We’ll give you the particulars after we have a chance to clean up, but the gist of it is this: they agree to open trade, they’ll share information with us immediately if any other bandits or problems start to develop in their area, and they’re willing to barter wizardry help for food. I have a list of food that they have readily available to ship.”
“We also took the time to carve out a rough highway between here and there on the way back,” Gerrard added casually, making it sound as if he had made up a pot of tea. “We’ll need to finish that before winter.”
Edvard’s brows shot up. “You already carved out a path for the highway? All the way here?”
“We did have four wizards working on it,” Kirsty reminded him.
“True,” Edvard acknowledged. “Bandits?”
“No more,” Kirsty assured him with relish. “Nor will likely to be again for a good while, I think.”
“Excellent,” the king purred. “I was heartily sick of hearing damage reports done to my people.”
“We were just as tired of being attacked,” Kirsty drawled, which made him grin. “Sire, I’m bushed. Do you need me to do anything today?”
“Work on greenhouses in the settlement,” Edvard responded promptly. “But take a little time to rest and eat something. I don’t want to risk anyone else collapsing.”
With a short bow, she dismissed herself and headed for home. Riana knew that she had an apartment somewhere in the city although she didn’t know precisely where. Hopefully for Kirsty, it was nearby. Walking that whole distance there and back, fighting bandits in between, and then working on a highway for four days on the way home had ta
ken a toll on the woman. Kirsty was from a more pampered life. She simply wasn’t used to this kind of heavy work day in and day out. The fact that she kept up with them without complaint was amazing.
Knowing well how their brother operated, Ash asked dryly, “And do we have the time to rest and eat something before going back to work?”
“Not entirely,” Edvard denied, palms spread in an apologetic manner. “But it’s not physical work. I wasn’t sure if you’d be back today otherwise I might have scheduled this for tomorrow. We have another council meeting after lunch to discuss Iysh. I’ll need you all attend, of course.”
“That doesn’t leave us much time.” Ashlynn headed for her suite, the rest of them keeping pace. “Edvard, I don’t see a bodyguard nearby. Why is that?”
He gave her an innocent look. “Because I’m on castle grounds?”
Ashlynn didn’t buy that for one second. “Edvard. I told you to find a bodyguard while I was gone. I gave you several candidates.”
“I tried them out. They didn’t work.”
Growling, she muttered something darkly under her breath. “Fine. I’ll go looking again. But stop being so picky.”
“I have to live with this man in my shadow day in and day out, I reserve the right to be picky!”
“We reserve the right to keep you alive, too. Maybe you should make breathing a priority?”
Edvard had no good response to that, so harrumphed and looked away.
Ash charitably changed topics and pumped Edvard for more information. “This the second or third council meeting?”
“Second. First attempt got cancelled because of a minor emergency. We didn’t make any progress in the first meeting, though. We just don’t have enough information to go by. But we need to start making guesses and contingency plans; otherwise, we’ll be caught with our pa—” Edvard cut himself off, glanced down at the innocent eyes of his six-year old sister and rephrased, “—caught in a bad situation. Ash, I’ll have you report the progress on Cloud’s Rest before we get into discussing Iysh. We can use some good news.”
Arrows of Promise (Kingmakers Book 2) Page 25