by A E M
“Be quick.” Vincent said as he put on his other shoe.
“Right, like I was going to spend an hour putting on make up before I sweat.” She snipped before she shut the door.
“And so it begins.” David laughed quietly. “Sure I can’t tag along today? I’d pay to see how this all works out.”
“Absolutely not.” Vincent stood and ran his hands through his hair and beard. It would have been wiser to do so in front of a mirror, so he hoped for the best.
“Well, enjoy today. If at any point today you want to apologize to me for being a jerk whenever you were in trouble countless times growing up, I’ll be waiting.” David snorted.
“Don’t hold your breath.” Vincent threw a pillow at David’s head. David laughed and covered his head with the pillow.
“Okay, ready.” Charlotte said as she left the bathroom.
Vincent opened the door. “Remember to breathe—”
“Or I’ll die, obviously.” She said as she sashayed through the door.
“Would you like some coffee with that sarcasm?” He quipped and shut the door.
Alcott leaned against the counter, speaking with Carroll. He straightened when he saw them. “You two are up early.”
“I’m training with the Aegard this morning.” Charlotte explained. “Could you direct us to the kitchens?”
“Head through that door, down the hall, down the stairs, take the hallway on the left, and then hang another left at the first intersection. You’ll smell it.”
“Thanks, Alcott.”
Alcott leaned forward on the counter closer to Vincent. “Got a handle on her yet? I can come if you want.” He offered.
“I don’t have a handle, thank you very much.” Charlotte said firmly while she glared at Alcott. “And even if I did, shouldn’t you ask me if I have a handle on myself?”
“Oh, there’s that, too.” Alcott said and drummed his fingers on the counter. Vincent and Alcott looked at each other and shook their heads as Charlotte walked past both of them with a shake of her hair.
“I’ve lived here most of my life and I still sometimes forget how to talk to a girl.” Alcott said to Vincent once she had gone through the door.
“It’s not you.” Vincent said. “She’s doing penance today and she’s trying to break me down.”
Alcott chuckled. “Haven’t we all been there?”
“Well, this is my first time on this side of it.” Vincent admitted. “It looks different on this side, but don’t you tell David I said that. He’s gloating enough as it is.”
Barnabas walked up behind them and slapped Vincent on the back good-naturedly. “My money is on her, but for her sake I hope you prove me wrong.”
“Thanks.” Vincent grumbled.
“If you need something for her to do right after the tour, I think I can arrange it.” Barnabas offered.
“Yes, what is it?” Vincent straightened up.
“We have stables that could use some scrubbing.”
“Perfect.”
“We also have need for help with the toddlers.” Alcott added.
“You are genius, both of you.” Vincent said. “Thank you.”
“Not really genius.” Barnabas admitted. “We’ve both spent lots of time doing both during our apprenticeships.”
“Want to change your bet, old man?” Alcott joked with his father.
“Nope.” He snorted. “But I’m going to enjoy the show either way it goes.”
“My money is on you, Vincent.” Alcott said.
“Wish me strength.” Vincent said as he started after Charlotte.
“Someday she’s going to be a wild pearl.” Barnabas called after him. “You remember that when it’s hard in the beginning.”
Vincent paused with his hand on the doorknob. He bowed to them. “Thank you, my friends.”
He found Charlotte in the kitchen, chatting with Robina and Lilybet at a small table. The kitchen was actually split into two parts. There was an industrial sized kitchen farther down the hall, which was bright and loud and busy already. It was connected with a huge dining room full of long tables. The kitchen he stood in was more like a small, accessible café with many small tables and chairs. The light was a little dimmer, and soft music played in the background.
“Can I get you anything?” Kaitlind asked him with a bow as he looked around the cabinets.
He bowed to her. “Thank you, but I imagine I can find the eggs and a pan and coffee.”
“Sure thing.” She walked with him towards the fridge, a small plate with a couple of pieces of toast and a sliced apple sitting balanced on her hand.
“I am honored and humbled that you have allowed me to sit in this morning. I apologize again for her behavior yesterday. I’ve only had her a couple of days.” He pulled out a couple of eggs and some butter.
“I’m impressed with your knowledge of our customs.” She said. She handed him a skillet. “You honor us. I thank you. Has she had this kind of training before?”
“She’s had training before, and she’s fit.” He said as he cooked. “Her fighting training is decent from what I’ve heard, but I haven’t seen anything first hand. I don’t think she’s had any training as part of a group, and she’s the independent type.”
“I see.” Kaitlind leaned against the cabinet. “It’s unfortunate that I can’t work a miracle in a couple of hours. Perhaps if you two chose to stay with us awhile, I could help more.”
“I have no doubt that I will be pleased with the progress she will make this morning.” He added and moved to the coffee machine.
“I’ve heard rumors that she fights well despite her lack of proper training.”
“I don’t think she had a choice but to learn quickly.” Vincent said as he slid the eggs out of the skillet and onto his plate.
“Yes. I wish she were a dwarf or willing to try.”
Vincent bowed. “We appreciate your offer, but I believe her path lies another way.”
“We agree, but it’s unfortunate.” She smiled and placed her plate down at an empty table. “Join me?”
“I’d be honored.” He smiled and sat down. “You know, even if we don’t stay, it’s always good to have friends to call upon.”
“True.” Kaitlind said. They ate and discussed the den Vincent had lived at until Kaitlind stood up. “If you don’t mind, I must prepare for a few moments.”
He stood. “Of course. Thank you for your time this morning.”
“You are most welcome.”
Vincent sat back down and watched the room. This den felt familiar, yet unnerving. The entire mountain of women and children intimidated him. He was used to David. They traveled a lot, but there hadn’t been many females around. Guys were so much easier. He caught Charlotte’s gaze, but she quickly looked away. Well, she pretended to look away. Again she watched him from the corner of her eye. He smiled and nodded at her. She quickly turned her eyes completely away from him. Why did she do that? Why did she try, badly, to cover up her true intentions? He knew she was trying to figure him out. He was certainly trying to figure her out. But when he gazed, he kept his eyes fixed. She looked at everything at a hidden distance. He thought back to the conversation they had had in the forest and staircase the night before. She had finally been open and honest. In those moments she had looked at him boldly, raw and unfiltered. He was glad that she had opened up to them. One thing still bothered him, though. She kept referring to details, and by now he knew she meant something specific, but he couldn’t figure out what it was yet.
He stood and walked to her, placing his hand on her shoulder. She flinched slightly. He hoped she would work past the touch thing. He’d much rather be able to lay his hand on her shoulder and know that she knew to follow. Sometimes words should be unnecessary. “Come on.” He said. She followed him quietly.
“You don’t have to be cross.” He said to her. “This is one of those things you and I will have to go through together.”
She raised her eyebrows
at him and kept her lips sealed.
He stopped outside of the gymnasium. “Wasn’t it you who said, ‘Can’t we all be adults?’ just last night?”
“If you play with fire, then some day you will get burned.” She said and walked past him.
Women. He shook his head and found a close-to-comfortable spot to relax and watch. He pulled out his Quire as Kaitlind started the group with laps around the room. He skimmed the books they had copied from Isaac’s library. There had always been whispers of magani crosses. Sometimes the result was a rare magani that didn’t reproduce. Sometime the result was a whole race of magani such as the half-giants. Fairies, followed by the elves, were the strictest magani about relationships. Whatever breed crosses existed were kept hushed and hidden. Or were perhaps destroyed.
It had been a little different before immigration to the Americas. In the old world it was common for magani to find a mate with a dane. Sometimes the dane never knew they were actually married to a dwarf or elf. He browsed Isaac’s collection of books from the Old world. There was a rumor that Isaac had a secret library at the castle in one of his tunnels. David, who had spoken with Wilder about it and received a copy of the blueprints for the hidden tunnels, would head back to the castle to search for it. Vincent hoped that somewhere in the secret library would be answers or at least clues to how he could help Charlotte.
Kaitlind stopped everybody except Charlotte and Lilybet after fifteen minutes. “You two have double the routine this morning!” She yelled at them. She moved the rest of the group to weightlifting exercises.
Vincent looked at Kaitlind. His muscles were screaming from inactivity.
“You may join us, Vincent.” Kaitlind called across the room. “Why don’t you warm up with Charlotte and Lilybet and then join the majority?” She eyed the girls. “One wrong word and it’s triple the time, understand me?”
They nodded and continued to run. Vincent kept his face straight and joined them. There was absolutely no eye contact. The three simply ran for fifteen minutes, and then Charlotte and Lilybet went to the weights and he joined the rest of the group with hand-to-hand combat training.
Thirty minutes later the majority of the Aegard was done. Kaitlind and Vincent went to watch Charlotte and Lilybet, who were starting their round of hand-to-hand combat.
“She does well.” Kaitlind said quietly to Vincent. “You two are welcome to train with us anytime you’d like, you know.” She handed him a rose rock. “It’s a portal that will lead you to just outside the back entrance you’ve been using. “I’m serious. You’ve got a lot on your plate. Let me help you with the physical training part.”
“Thank you.” He said genuinely. “I am honored by your generosity.”
“I am the one who is honored.” She bowed.
He placed the rock in his pack and they spoke of training and the Aegard. When the girls finished with stretching, Kaitlind called them both over.
“I am proud of your diligence and hard work. Good work ladies. Charlotte, we were honored to have you join us. I hope you enjoy your tour of our home today.”
“Thank you.” Charlotte said. “I was honored to work out with the Aegard. I won’t ever forget it.”
“I’m counting on that.” Vincent said. “Kaitlind has given us a portal we may use to train with them any morning we’d like.”
Charlotte’s eyes grew wide for a moment. “What a good idea.” She said coolly and left the room.
“My thanks, ladies.” Vincent said with a bow before following Charlotte.
He caught up to her in the hallway. She was standing at an intersection, looking both ways. “This way.” He said quietly as he turned into the hallway they needed. She followed behind his left shoulder.
16
The Master Weaver Falters
Vincent took one last look around the cabin. David was waiting for him outside.
He was still confident that David meant this apprentice to be his, and he was curious about the girl.
It had been years since he had seen her last, but she probably wouldn’t know him.
He and David had worn glamours at the castle, but eventually they would reveal the truth.
It was true that it would be difficult at first to manage her fairy side,
But how lucky was it for both of them that she was an adult?
It should make the apprenticeship much easier and faster.
Charlotte locked the door to her room and buried herself under the hot water in the shower until it ran out. She washed her two remaining fairy outfits and hung them to dry on the towel rack. She ran her fingers over the wet fabric and thought about the fairies not expecting her to live. Well, she would show them. She glared at the suits, then turned with a huff and buried her arms in her pack. She pulled out one of her favorite pairs of jeans and a soft purple t-shirt. The regular clothes felt familiar and comforting on her skin. She took a deep breath and fastened the pack around her waist and leg. If she started to burn, then at least she had spare clothes with her. She sat cross-legged on the bed and slowly worked on makeup and worked a brush through the tangles in her hair. She tapped the brush against the bed and frowned. She missed having somebody around to do her hair. She had done it herself while she was away from the castle, of course, but she had quickly fallen back into old habits this summer. She peeked out her door. Carroll hummed a tune while she worked. Charlotte took a deep breath and stepped out into the hall.
“Carroll, would it be asking too much to have you braid my hair?”
Carroll glanced up. Her features were frozen at first, but they quickly softened. She waved her over. “Come sit.”
“Are you sure?”
“Sit, Hoyden!”
Charlotte sat on the stool that Carroll pushed in front of the counter while Carroll sat up on the counter. She relaxed as Carroll ran the brush over her hair over and over as she hummed. Her strong fingers began to pull and twist.
“Do you have an update on Oliver?”
“Your faun is alive and doing well this morning.” Carroll said. “He did lose both of his legs. Fortunately, we have a connection in the dane world, and we will have him fit for prosthetics.”
“A connection?”
“Yes, there are many half and quarter dwarves here. Those who can pass for danes leave us for a time to attend dane universities. Some come back. Some don’t. Those who stay in the dane world often visit and help when they can.”
“I see.” Charlotte let her legs kick back and forth absently.
Carroll hummed while she worked, and then handed Charlotte a mirror when she was finished.
“Oh, Carroll! It’s gorgeous.” She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair had been braided and piled into a bun with purple gems placed throughout her hair.
“You honor me.” Carroll bowed her head.
Charlotte jumped down from the stool and bowed. “I’m sorry about the other day.” She said. “I didn’t mean to cause such a fuss.”
Carroll smiled. “Your tour is this morning, correct?”
“Yes.”
“You should dress up to match your hair. Do you have something a little dressier?”
“Yes, but why should I dress up for a tour?” She looked over at Vincent’s door. He hadn’t mentioned dressing up.
“Trust me.” Carroll said.
“Thank you.” Charlotte said. She instinctively reached out to Carroll, and then pulled back. Oh, what had those foolish man-boys done? She was letting her defenses down. If she didn’t watch it, then she would end up burning somebody again on accident. She hurried to Vincent’s door and knocked a little too firmly.
“Everything okay?” Vincent mumbled as he opened the door. He was barefoot and in sleep pants; his hair was wet and tangled. He rubbed a hand across his eyes and then across his face, straitening his beard. He looked down at her clothes and frowned.
“I don’t feel like trusting the fairies at the moment. I want to see if the clothes really do help.” She spat out
.
He narrowed his eyes. “That’s something you should have asked permission about.”
She shook her head at him. “Well, I’m sorry. I wasn’t aware that I needed to have your permission to pick out my pants in the morning.”
His eyes widened and he opened his mouth.
She ignored him. “Carroll mentioned that we might want to dress formally for the tour this morning. You hadn’t said anything—”
“I would have had you not run off yesterday.” He snapped. “We lost a half day of training because of your stunt.”
“My stunt?” She huffed. “I still don’t understand—”
“Oh, it’s clear that you still don’t understand.” He said coolly.
She backed away. “Never mind. I’ll wait until you are ready for me.”
Charlotte hurried to her room and curled up in the chair. Just what was his problem anyway? She took back every moment she had wanted to have magic and be like her father. It would have been much easier to have her memory wiped and live peacefully as a dane, for there would have been none of this apprenticeship nonsense. She curled her toes around the edge of the chair and squeezed the armrests. Memories of her mother slammed into her. Her mother would know what to say right now. Her father would be able to give her good, practical advice, but her mother would know what to say to soothe her heart. She felt the tears drop like rain across her toes and she wrapped her arms around her legs. The heat crawled across her skin.
Charlotte jumped up and ran to the door. She threw it open to find Vincent standing there, an arm on each side of the doorframe and his gloves clasped in one hand. He shut the door, and then pulled the chair across the room until it was right by the edge of the bed. He sat on the bed and put his gloves back on.
He tapped the chair. “Sit.”
She did. The heat wrapped around her skin, squeezing and creeping.
“Go back to your father’s library.”
“Please, I can’t go there right now.”
Vincent inched the chair right up to the edge of the bed. She looked at him sitting cross-legged on the bed, his hands on the chair. His eyes were red with lack of sleep.