“Well it’s not true.” Verna went back to tattooing while Rain played with blades of grass, twirling them in her fingers. When Verna finished the tattoo, she spread oil on it. “Take a couple of the wind chimes you’ve made. You can sell them. That will give you an excuse to be there and talk to people.”
Rain sat up. “You’d let me do that?”
“You made them with items from the forest. Of course you can sell them, especially since your father won’t let you keep them at home.” Verna frowned. “Towns are a dangerous place for a young woman though. I worry about you.”
“Every place is dangerous for me, Verna. I’m tired of having to mind my manners and be properly afraid of everything.” Rain ran fingers over the tattoo. The orange colors with a touch of purple were vibrant in the sunset colors of the sky. “It’s beautiful. I see you added more of the raindrops around it.”
“I couldn’t help myself.” Verna grinned bashfully. “They look so good and they’re perfect for you.” They walked back to the house. “Stay with me tonight. We’ll pick out the wind chimes and you can leave in the morning for Seyten.”
***
The next morning dawned sunny without the usual mist. Verna put a waterskin over Rain’s shoulder along with the pack containing the wind chimes for sale. “It’s a beautiful day to walk to Seyten. The only problem is that you’re going someplace where there will be more people.” Verna winked.
Rain laughed. “You don’t like people. It will be an adventure though. At least that’s how I’m thinking about it, else I might lose my nerve.” She held her stomach, which had begun tumbling at the thought of traveling so far away.
“I’m sure you’ll be fine. Enjoy the journey and don’t let anyone get you alone. Try to stay around people if someone talks to you.” Verna hugged her. “Go on now.”
Rain walked down the path, waving as the house disappeared from sight. Verna waved back the entire time. When they could no longer see each other, Rain began to skip. It helped to burn off the nervous energy she was feeling.
She took another path that skirted the village, not wanting to talk to anyone or have to explain where she was going. She stopped a number of times along the way to say hello to pretty butterflies or capture the aroma of a flower blooming in the morning warmth.
In the back of her mind, she worried about Jacob. She missed him and hoped he wouldn’t be mad if he discovered she was coming to see him. If the village of Zethbern was at the border of the provinces as Jacob had told her, they might even be back in Seyten already. Hopefully she would be a pleasant surprise, not an unwelcome one.
The path came out on the road north of Cothbern, just as Verna had told her it would. Rain looked both ways and saw that the road was empty. There was no law against her traveling, but she didn’t want to answer questions either. Verna said that bad things happened to young women alone on the road, but Rain didn’t know if that was true or just because the Druid didn’t like people.
The road was dry, but heavily rutted, so Rain made her way alongside it most of the time. Warmer air brought more insects that droned in the noon sun. Rain enjoyed the sounds surrounding her and the smells of the warming wood. There were a few farms along the way and she would wave pleasantly if someone were in sight, usually women or older children tending scattered fields. After passing the fifth farm, Rain realized how sad it was that there were so few men to do anything but fight for their lords and king.
She thought about Jacob again. It occurred to Rain that she might someday be in one of those fields, waiting for him to come home, or be faced with the prospect of him never coming home.
As if summoned by the thought, a cloud covered the sun. A breeze joined it a short while later, chilling her. She rubbed her arms and set a faster pace.
More clouds joined, darkening Rain’s mood even more. By the time she reached the first houses that made up the town of Seyten late that afternoon, drops of moisture had begun to fall from the sky.
“Better get home, lass,” an old woman told Rain from where she was rocking on her porch. “It’s going to be a downpour if I judge those clouds right.”
Rain judged them the same way and began jogging toward the main part of the city. There was always the possibility of spending the night at one of the inns, either the one at the edge of town or one of the others that was likely to be within the city walls. She still had those three coppers Ulga had given her, but was loathe to spend them.
Traffic was light, an occasional woman or older man about their business. Children played in the streets with little threat of violence. Gangs didn’t exist in Paruth because any man of a fighting age had to enlist in one military or another. Only the old and infirm didn’t go to battle.
The city wall was timeworn. She stopped to look at it and the clear area surrounding it for defense. It looked ominous, but empty. An old guard in Lord Greffen’s colors sat in a chair at the gate watching as group of children entered. He was missing his left arm, but still wore a sword at his side. Half of the city was outside of the wall, including the street where the markets were. Rain walked there before going inside to get information. She hoped the clouds would hold off before letting loose with more than a few drops.
Seven shops lined the street. Five had people outside, all of whom looked bored. Only one customer was in sight, a woman talking to an old man selling leather goods. He was resting his cheek on a hand, ready to fall asleep in spite of the woman’s droning voice.
The vendors looked Rain over before losing interest. She was clearly a peasant in a ragged dress, not a potential customer. That was fine by her. Verna had told her to try to sell the chimes to one of the stores for three to five coppers each, but to ask a silver piece first and let the vendor talk her down.
She decided to stay away from the grocery, which doubled as a feed store. The carpenter looked promising, but when Rain came to the steps, the woman out front gestured for her to move on her way.
Rain did so, not bothering to argue. It was clear the woman wouldn’t listen to her. She got the same treatment at the jeweler’s, the leatherworker’s and the rest. The last shop was the tailor, who also doubled as a dressmaker. There was no one outside and Rain didn’t think that a tailor would want her wind chimes, but it was worth a try.
Inside was a young woman sewing at a table. She was so involved in her work that she didn’t see Rain. Dresses and men’s clothing hung from racks while materials for more garments were stuffed onto ceiling-high shelving. There was little room to move.
Rain’s footsteps were silent as usual. She made no noise as she stared longingly at the pretty dresses. Looking down, she saw hers had another rip that would need mending. Tears threatened to fill her eyes, but she took a long breath and banished silly thoughts of wearing anything pretty in her life.
“Hello?” The woman at the table stood when she caught sight of Rain. “I didn’t see you there.” Her voice was surprisingly strong and commanding.
Rain opened her mouth to speak, but was suddenly afraid of the woman kicking her out. The seamstress was a little older and taller than Rain, with chestnut hair and light-blue eyes.
“I’ve never seen you around here before.” The woman looked Rain up and down. “That’s a miserable dress and it’s wet from the storm, I see.” A distant crack of thunder sounded and the patter of raindrops began to fall heavily on the roof. “I’m Fancy. My father thought it would be a perfect name for a seamstress, so that’s what I’m stuck with.”
“My name is Rain. My mother said the rain hid her tears, so that’s the name I’m stuck with.” She gave Fancy a bashful smile, surprised to find someone pleasant.
“I love it!” Fancy took Rain’s hand. “And it fits the weather outside. Where are you from?”
“I’m from Cothbern.”
“Oh! That’s not far at all.” Fancy began walking around Rain, pulling at the tatters and threadbare material. “What brings you to Seyten? Are you here to buy a dress? Because you certainly nee
d one.”
“I couldn’t afford any of these. They’re so fine and I don’t have any money.”
“Oh.” Fancy folded her arms and looked around the shop. “I can’t give anything away. Pa is serving with the king’s army and I have to make money to pay for supplies to keep the shop running. Business has been terrible.”
Rain smiled ruefully. “I understand. It’s no bother.” She decided not to mention the wind chimes.
Fancy looked her up and down again. “You came into my shop though. Surely, you have some business? Or did you just come in to get out of the weather? If so, you’re more than welcome to stay for a bit.”
“I . . .” Rain gulped. She didn’t know what to do.
“You have a pack over your shoulder. Perhaps you’ve come to sell thread?” A hopeful look crossed Fancy’s face.
Rain shook her head. “I was hoping to sell wind chimes that I made, but none of the other stores would let me in the door.”
“Wind chimes? How wonderful. May I see?” Fancy cleared a spot on the table for Rain to set the pack. “Father bought me a wind chime when I was young, but it broke and I’ve wanted a new one ever since.”
Rain set the pack on the table and carefully pulled out the chimes. After untangling them, she held them up so Fancy could see.
“They’re beautiful!” Fancy played with each one to hear the sounds. “I like the one with the feathers added. They make it prettier, plus I love the sound it makes. How much do you want for them?”
A knot rose in Rain’s throat. “One silver piece each.”
Fancy stood up straight and crossed her arms. “I may be young, but I’m not a fool. How much do you really want for them?”
Rain blushed deeply. “I was told to get three to five coppers for them.”
Fancy went back to looking at the one with the feathers. “Your mother told you to get that much?”
“No. My friend Verna. She taught me how to make them.”
“Do you have any money?” Fancy stood straight again and tapped her teeth in thought. Rain noticed one of them was a little crooked.
“I . . . I have three coppers.” Rain didn’t want to tell anyone about them, but she liked and trusted Fancy. The seamstress stared at her for a long while. Rain didn’t know what to say, so she just stood there holding the chimes.
“I made a dress that no one likes,” Fancy finally said. “People even mock me for it, including Lady Greffen and her daughters. I want to get rid of it, but the materials were expensive and father would kill me if I didn’t get anything for it.” Tears of frustration welled up in the young woman’s eyes. “You would look nice in it, but I just can’t give it away.”
Rain stood there holding the chimes, not knowing how to answer.
Fancy gave a decisive nod. “I’ll trade it for your three coppers and the wind chime with the feathers. If you’ll get in trouble for the deal and can’t do it, I’ll understand.”
“I’ll do it.” Rain didn’t even care what the dress looked like. She’d wanted one for so long and the thought of a dress made by a seamstress was overwhelming.
“You won’t get in trouble?” Fancy was surprised.
“No. I made these myself.” Rain shrugged.
“Won’t your parents be mad for not bringing home money?” Fancy frowned in suspicion.
“No. My mother died years ago and my father drinks all the time. There isn’t very much money in Cothbern. Old Widow Ulga gave me the three coppers to spend as I like.” Rain lifted the chimes a little higher. “I made these with items from the forest, so I can do as I like with them.”
Fancy frowned. “So you have no one to care for you?”
Rain shook her head.
“I don’t know whether to feel sorry for you, or jealous of your freedom.” Fancy rubbed her chin in thought.
Rain shrugged. She didn’t know either.
“Let me take that chime. I know exactly where to hang it.” She plucked the feathered chime out of Rain’s hand and moved to the front of the store. “You put the other one away and then we’ll put you in the dress.”
Rain put the chime back and then grabbed the three coppers from her pouch. When Fancy came back, Rain handed the coppers to her.
“I feel bad for taking these, but I have to.” Fancy clenched them in her fist, a rueful expression on her face.
“I don’t mind.” Rain really didn’t. She had been staring at the coppers nearly every day, but they did nothing for her. They were worn bits of metal a peasant girl shouldn’t have.
Fancy put the coppers in a pouch on her belt, and then she grabbed a candle and Rain’s hand, leading her into a back room. More clothes were on racks and cloth on shelves in the dark, musty room. “This is where we keep extra supplies.” Fancy set the candle on a small table in the middle of the room and grabbed a dress off the rack.
Rain gasped. Even in the candlelight, she could see the colors dyed into the white cloth. Blues, greens and yellows swirled throughout the simple material. “It’s so beautiful.”
Fancy smiled. “I think so too, but Lady Greffen didn’t like it for her daughter Relya. They said it was messy and much too colorful for a proper lady.” Fancy made a disgusted noise. “They told everyone in town and now I’m laughed at for it. The only reason anyone still comes to me for clothing is because there is no one else capable of making the quality that I can.”
“I’m sorry they were mean to you. The dress is the most beautiful I’ve ever seen.” Rain traced one of the swirls with her fingertips. “Do I really get to keep it?”
Fancy beamed at the compliment. “You are now my best friend ever. Yes, you really get to keep it. Now get out of those rags so I can put this on you.” Rain stripped, only to hear Fancy gasp. “You have a tattoo!” Fancy leaned down and ran fingers over the butterfly.
Rain took a step back as the fingers tickled her. “Verna did it for me. It’s a butterfly.”
“Well I can see that it’s a butterfly.” Fancy straightened. “I’d never be so brave as to get one. Do you have any others?”
Rain reached down and took off the oiled bandage covering the flower on her calf. “Verna did this one yesterday. It’s not healed yet and I need to keep the bandage on so no one sees it.”
“Wow! I’m so jealous. You said her name is Verna? Does she live in Cothbern too?” Fancy studied the flower thoughtfully.
“Outside of it. She doesn’t like people normally, but I think she’ll do a tattoo for you.”
“I could never be so brave.” Fancy nibbled on her fingernail. “How much does she charge?”
“I don’t know. We’re friends, and she insisted on doing these. I didn’t think to ask if she charged normally.” Rain had never considered whether Verna charged anything and suddenly felt guilty for not asking.
“Let’s put this dress on. I think it’s long enough to cover the flower on your calf.” Fancy slipped the dress over Rain’s head.
Rain inhaled slowly as the feel of the cloth slid down her body. It was divine, like being touched by a cloud. The dress settled around her feet, being the perfect length.
“I need to gather it around your waist and tighten a few of the seams. Come into the main room.” Fancy grabbed the candle and led the way to her table where she threaded a bone needle with white thread. “Hold still now. This won’t take long.”
Rain held her arms out, enjoying the feel of the cloth and the tugging of the material as Fancy sewed. The colors spread down sleeves that reached past her wrists.
“You’re crying!” Fancy stood and took Rain’s cheeks in her hands. “Did I poke you with the needle?”
“No,” Rain whispered. She could feel the tears rolling down her cheeks. “I’m just happy. It feels wonderful and the colors are so pretty.”
“Then I’m glad I made it.” Fancy smiled and used her thumbs to wipe away Rain’s tears.
A young boy, soaked from the downpour, rushed in the door. “They’re back!”
“Who’s bac
k, Devin?” Fancy asked. “And don’t touch any of those clothes with your wet, grubby hands.”
“Lord Greffen! And some of the soldiers are dead, I think. I saw them draped over the horses. They headed to the castle.”
“NO!” Rain screamed as she ran past Devin and out the door.
***
The dress was instantly soaked, but Rain didn’t care. She lifted it around her thighs and ran through the streets. The gate at the wall was untended. Rain passed others who were headed to see what had happened. It wasn’t hard to figure out which way to go because the castle rose above the town.
The cobbled streets inside the wall hurt Rain’s feet, but didn’t slow her down. She had to know Jacob’s fate. At the castle gate, she had to slow down because of all the people packing in. People cursed her as she pushed through the crowd in the yard. A few pushed back, but she ignored them. Finally, she was in front. A man behind her called her a name she didn’t understand, but Rain ignored that as well.
A grizzled soldier stepped on a covered, wooden platform. His red leather uniform was muddy and spotted. He had touches of grey in his black hair and beard. He held up his hands to quiet the crowd. “You all want to know what happened. I’ll keep it short so you don’t have to stay in this miserable weather. Lord Greffen met with Lord Bullot two days ago. Words were exchanged and Lord Bullot stabbed Lord Greffen with a dagger.”
Gasps of shock and horror rang out from the crowded courtyard.
The soldier held a hand up for silence. “While Lord Greffen will recover, it was a cowardly act. In an attempt to get Lord Greffen out, three of our men died.”
“Who?” yelled voices from the crowd.
The soldier listed the names, using their father’s profession as a last name. “The men killed were Herm Farmer, Albin Smith and Jacob Miner.”
Rain fell to her knees, dirtying her new dress. “No, Jacob. You promised,” she whispered.
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