The Second Life of Magnolia Mae

by Angela Schroeder

  She eyed the stew hungrily. Slowly, she lifted the first bite to her mouth, savoring the taste of it. A low growl came from her stomach, begging for the food.

  Jaceson pulled a chair up next to them. “Nonna fears that she will lose you like she did your parents.” His voice was quiet and low. “I heard her talking to you. She told you not to go, that it was not yet your time.”

  “Was I that sick? Did you think I would die?” She glanced from one brother to the other. “Maybe someone should at least tell her that I am awake then. So she can rest better.” In the short while that she had been here, she had grown to love Nonna. The old woman was lively and loving, the grandmother that she’d never had.

  Jaceson nodded in agreement then left the room, and she turned again to her stew. He was back before she was even finished eating. “Is she alright?”

  “She was very relieved and wanted to come, but I told her you wished for her to get some sleep.” When she set the bowl aside, she convinced the guys to tell her stories of their youth. Not wanting to go back to bed, she did her best to keep her eyes open while she listened to them talk of their childhood. Hearing them talk about how they would play morra on days when they were stuck inside or even to decide who had to do some foolish stunt first reminded her of how she and her brother would play it to decide who had to do the chores at night. She longed for nights like that again, to hear him holler “M&M!” one more time. Her heart felt like it was breaking as she thought of him.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  RECOVERY WAS SLOW BUT interesting. The days were filled with Alistair and Jaceson telling her more tales of their childhood, Nonna describing Daciana’s childhood to her in hopes that she would remember, and Railynn talking to her about boys. She was growing fond of Railynn. She’d never had a girlfriend with whom she could discuss these things. Back when she was Magnolia, she had been an outcast. It seemed to her, from what she could gather, that Daciana had been respected but not befriended. This young girl who had come with Alistair to help her people get settled was becoming someone she could talk to.

  “He is the greatest hunter I have ever seen,” the young girl gushed while brushing out Magnolia’s hair. They were sitting on the window seat in the late afternoon. The men were outside doing last minute winter preparations. Railynn glanced out the window and down to Jaceson and then back up to Magnolia.

  “You seem taken with him.” A soft smile crossed her lips. She could see why this young girl talked as often as she could of Jaceson. He was tall and lean with muscles that could hold a girl close to protect her. His golden brown eyes were like honey and when he smiled, he brightened the room. He was strong, loyal, and passionate. He had rescued her. Jaceson reminded her so very much of the brother that she had lost. When Magnolia looked at him, her heart ached, but a hint of something in his manners toward her helped ease that longing.

  “When I was a child, he saved my life.” Railynn’s voice grew soft, and she set down the brush.

  Magnolia turned to look at her newfound friend. There was a sadness in her eyes. With a soft smile, she encouraged her to continue on with the story, waiting to be told.

  “My family was poor. We did not have much. But the one thing we always had was each other. My father was a skilled bowyer, and Jaceson was his most loyal customer. I believe it was he who kept food on our table, sending people to my father. Early one morning, five years ago, our little house caught fire. Everyone was asleep, and Jaceson had been returning from a hunting trip. When he saw the flames he did not hesitate but ran in, searching for us. He pulled me out first. Shortly after, the house collapsed, trapping my family inside.” Tears glistened in her hazel eyes. “He took me with him to the castle and sought out treatment for me. When I was well enough to be of use, he found me a job in the castle as a lady’s maid.”

  Magnolia longed to pull Railynn into her arms, to offer her comfort. Instead she placed a hand over on her shoulder and gave a light squeeze. “I can see why you talk of him as you do.”

  “Now, turn your head so I can finish your hair.”

  Magnolia did as she was instructed. She allowed Railynn to put in a braid that made her hair appear to cascade down like a waterfall.

  “It does not matter what I think. He will someday find a true lady to be with him. I see the way he looks at you. If it were not for his brother, I think he would have already asked for your hand.”

  This news shocked Magnolia. She couldn’t think of Jaceson that way, and she didn’t believe that he thought of her in such a manner either. “He’s like my brother, nothing more.” She disappeared behind the dressing screen and reemerged wearing a deep blue gown that fit her slender figure like a glove. A simple golden braided cord was around her waist for ornament. “How do I look?” Magnolia was excited. This would be her first night eating in the dining hall since she’d arrived at the castle nearly a month before.

  “Like a princess.” Railynn giggled.

  The girls talked of the winter to come, how they longed to see what the palace would look like with snow all around. The closer they got to the dining hall the more the mouthwatering aromas surrounded them, causing a growl to emit from Magnolia’s stomach in expectation.

  The hall was filled with people who apparently had come to celebrate their princess’s health. When she walked into the room, she felt overwhelmed with the amount of people there. She didn’t recognize these people but knew that she should. Nonna was at her side shortly after she entered the large room. They walked together to the table at the head of the room. Sitting down, she looked around her to see that everyone she’d met from the village and those she had yet to meet were there. These were her people now. Children ran and laughed as they came in, excited to be inside the castle. Alistair and Jaceson joined her and Nonna at the table. Large tray after large tray was brought out to fill the tables. Plates never seemed to empty, and cups appeared to magically refill. It did not take long before she realized that those serving had yet to dine.

  “Sit and eat.” Magnolia stood and reached for an older woman. She was beautiful with brown hair that was just turning grey at the temples.

  “No, my princess. I cannot.”

  “Why? Is this how things were before we had a land of our own?”

  “No, Princess Daciana.”

  “Is there a reason to change who we are? Sit, eat, and rest. All of you.” She raised her voice to be heard over the chatter.

  A hush fell over the room, Alistair’s men looking at her with interest, the people of Avengar nodding as if in agreement.

  With her head held high, she spoke steady with a kindness that came from her heart. “Much has changed recently. We have a new home. A home that we do not have to leave, a place that is ours. Avengar can finally rest from its wandering and rebuild. Now that we have such a grand place to call home, yes, we do need people to do jobs that were not needed before, especially when we have such guests as Prince Alistair and Jaceson. However, that does not mean that those who do such jobs are not welcome to sit and eat with us, that you are not welcome to enjoy festivities with everyone. You may do work that may cause the rest of the world to see you as nothing but a servant. Not here. Here you are family, friends, and neighbors. We want to enjoy your company, to celebrate with you. Once the food is set out, then sit and enjoy what you worked so hard to prepare. We are thankful for your labor. If it were left to me, we would all be eating burnt bread this night.” She smiled at the faces staring at her.

  The people of Avengar nodded and smiled while the men who came with Alistair and Jaceson had shocked expressions on their faces. Jaceson, Alistair, and Nonna all smiled with approval.

  Music and dancing went far into the night. Magnolia watched, not feeling up to dancing much herself. Delighted that Jaceson had asked Railynn to dance, she was content to sit back and listen to Nonna tell stories of the history of their people to the children who had gathered around them.

  “Our Daciana was always a brave one. She was given her first
bow and quiver at the age of four. At seven she joined her mother to gather berries. We were in the Highlands of Scotland that summer by invitation of a friend of King Rupert’s. Daciana and her mother were out gathering when Vivian realized that they were being stalked. A wildcat jumped out at them, teeth bared. Vivian backed away, pushing young Daciana behind her as the wildcat leaped into the air at them. As Vivian screamed, so did the cat. An arrow to its heart caused it to fall to the ground dead. Daciana stood proudly with her bow in hand.”

  “I don’t remember that,” she whispered softly, her eyes locked on Nonna’s.

  “Who taught her how to use the bow?” a young, wide-eyed girl asked.

  “Her father. He felt it was important for Daciana to be able to protect not only herself but her people. He trained her to be as capable as any man in a battle.”

  “Girls can’t fight,” piped up a boy whose face was smeared with dirt. His clothes were just as filthy.

  “When you find a woman who can hold her own in a fight, well, that is a woman you should either marry or run away from.” Alistair sat down next to the little group and winked in Magnolia’s direction.

  “Will you be marrying her then?” the girl asked with a large smile on her face.

  ”Did you not see the ring I gifted her with?”

  The children nodded.

  “That is more than just a pretty trinket. The hands represent friendship, the crown represents loyalty, and the heart represents love. The wolf on the heart, well, I added that just for Daciana. She told me once that wolves mate for life. I think she has the heart of a wolf, don’t you?” His blue eyes twinkled as he spoke with the children gathered around.

  “Will you live here?” the boy asked, sitting straighter.

  “You want me to live in Avengar?”

  They all nodded.

  “I think that’s acceptable. I don’t think any of you will allow me to leave with Daciana.”

  “You cannot have our princess.” The boy stood with his hands on his hips, feet aligned with his little shoulders. His head was held high, and several other young boys stood beside him.

  “Gwain,” the girl groaned at him. “Sit down before you get in trouble.”

  Magnolia stood and walked the few steps to young Gwain. She kneeled so she was at eye-level with him. “You would protect me?”

  “With my life, Princess.” Gwain’s young face appeared so fierce at that moment that she had to bite back her smile.

  “I have not met with such loyalty in a long time. Young Gwain, how would you like to be captain of the junior guards?”

  The little boy’s dark eyes grew big and his mouth nearly dropped open before he caught himself. “I would like it very much, m’lady.”

  “Very well. Tomorrow you will meet with Jaceson. He will inform you of your duties and training.” She watched as young Gwain bowed deeply then ran off to tell his friends. The other children excitedly followed after him.

  “Do you realize what you just did?” Alistair asked, lifting his cup to his lips.

  “I made Gwain a very happy young boy. He will grow to be a confident young man.” Her eyes followed young Gwain, watching as he excitedly told people of his new position.

  “You made more work for my brother.”

  Her glance flew to Alistair to see his smile broaden.

  “Do you find that amusing?” She quirked an eyebrow up.

  “Immensely.” She enjoyed the smug look on Alistair’s face and decided she should talk to Jaceson before morning.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  THE FOLLOWING DAY MAGNOLIA was tired but dragged herself from her bed in order to see how things would go for young Gwain. After dressing and fixing her hair, she pulled on a heavy green wool cloak. She’d spent nearly a month in bed, and she was not in a hurry to get ill again. She had done that when she was a child.

  The air had the smell of oncoming snow. Men hurried about tending to last-minute items before the first snowfall of the season. She could see that all the homes had been repaired. A few men were carrying firewood into an abandoned house, and, from the looks of it, the others were full, along with the usual stacks of firewood that every family had outside their own homes. She knew from listening to villagers talk that an old building, once used to house animals, had been filled with firewood for the castle. The cellars and storerooms had been filled with food.

  Soon, she was in an open area not far from the stables where a group of men were gathered. It was not hard to pick out Jaceson from the group. He was training men. He and Alistair were determined to ensure the safety of Avengar. Finally, she found what she’d come searching for: young Gwain, fresh-faced and clothed in crisp clean garments, stood close to Alistair with his eyes trained on him. A steely look of determination was on the young boy’s face. Occasionally, he would nod as if to show that he understood what he was being told. Magnolia watched as the boy picked up his bow and notched the arrow. He was steady, his eyes never leaving the target before him. She could see him breathe out as he released the arrow. How she wanted to cheer when he hit the target, but she stopped herself when she saw the disappointment in his eyes.

  “I missed.” His voice carried over to her.

  “No, lad, you hit the target. Given time and a lot of practice, you will hit the center nearly every time.” Alistair stooped down so that he was at eye level with Gwain. “The important thing is that you listened to instructions, you never questioned me, and you tried your best. For never having held a bow before, I believe you have great potential.”

  Gwain beamed up at him, then went back to practicing.

  Magnolia watched them a while before she departed to walk through the village. She stopped to talk to some of the women and asked how they were doing. She wondered if there was anything that they needed. They were all content. Nobody had a single complaint, making Magnolia very happy. Many of the women expressed gratitude toward Jaceson for ensuring that the houses were sealed tight for the winter. Thankful that he had done as he’d told her he would, she went in search of him to tell him so.

  Sitting by the fire in the great hall, Magnolia was trying her hand at sewing. Christmas was approaching, and she wanted to give her friends something. Here, whatever she gave would have to be made. She could not simply walk to a store down the road, throw money down on the counter, and walk out with a gift. She knew that things would be different here.

  She’d talked to Nonna and Railynn about Christmases past. The holiday had not yet been commercialized; Christmas trees weren’t even popular. Railynn giggled about mistletoe, spoke about large feasts where people would be invited, and how at the castle in Marcello there would be dancing. Nonna spoke about church, listening to the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, and singing carols.

  This Christmas would be a wonderful one for her people. It was the first Christmas that they had a real home, a place of their own. She was going to start new traditions with them, beginning this year. She started planning with Nonna and some of the other women earlier that morning. They were all working on making dolls for the little girls and handkerchiefs for the young ladies and women. Magnolia had spoken to Alistair about having someone make wooden short swords for the little boys, while the women made warm gloves for the older boys and men. She wanted to ensure that this would be a happy time for them.

  Supplies from Marcello had arrived while she’d been ill with fever. A list of everything that King Pelonis had sent was brought to her shortly after the fever broke. It was a delight to see that he’d sent chocolate and tea. Railynn told her that the king was trying to secure her alliance even further by offering her such fineries. He was showing her what she would be able to have if she married Alistair. Magnolia decided that she was going to be putting some of that chocolate to good use for Christmas.

  Sighing, she ripped out the seams yet again. Sewing was much easier with a machine. This had to be perfect. It was for Nonna. If anyone deserved to have something grand made, it was her. Magnolia practiced o
n an old bit of scrap. Once she got used to it and figured everything out, she would set to work on the silk. Determined to shove her frustration aside, she tore out seams yet again before trying all over. She had to get the purse perfect the first time once she started on the silk, and she could not even get it with old scraps.

  It seemed like hours passed, but finally she was working on the gloves. Knitting was something that she knew how to do. Before the fire, with knitting needles in hand, she felt at home. Many nights had been passed like this before, and it seemed like many nights would continue to pass in this manner in the future.

  “What has you in such deep thought?” Alistair plopped ungracefully into a chair close to her.

  “Thinking about Christmas, about what we can do for the people here.”

  “It seems to me that you are doing a lot as it is. Why? What are you thinking of adding to your ever growing list of things to do?”

  Her gaze wandered over to the man who sat next to her. He was certainly handsome. He cared deeply for Daciana and was kind and giving and very loyal. Would she ever love him? Could he love her the way he loved Daciana? “Hmm, I was just thinking that we could make a special treat.”

  “What sort of special treat?” His eyebrow quirked up toward the ceiling.

  “Not sure yet, but even if I knew, you would have to wait just like everyone else.” She frowned, looking back down to the material that was still on her lap. She had set it there before she’d started to knit. “I am not sure what to do for Nonna. I keep trying to get this right, and I do not want to ruin the silk you gave me.”

  “You will figure it out. If not, then we will figure it out together. You will be able to give it to her as planned.” He smiled, showing a tiny dimple. “Did I thank you for young Gwain?”

  Hiding a smirk, she gave her full attention to the knitting. “Thank me? Whatever for?”

  “For sneaking around to get Jaceson to send him to me.” A blush crept up her neck to her cheeks. “Mostly, for believing in him. He is a very capable young lad. I expect great things from him someday. “