Making a Tinderbox (The Tinderbox Tales Book 1)

by Emma Sterner-Radley

  Nessa searched her face. “And who are you and who do you want to be with? If you don’t mind me asking?”

  Elise paused mid-stride. She couldn’t remember anyone ever extending her the courtesy of asking that.

  “Who am I? A woman. One who likes to be free, to be able to speak her mind and have fun. One who wants to stand on her own two feet. A sexual woman who enjoys bedplay for fun, not for relationships or for love. Who do I want to be with?” She smirked. “Well, I do not see myself ever settling down. But I want to bed women. That much is sure. Men are all right, but I do not find them attractive. I know that is rare, but that is me. And I am done apologising and explaining.”

  Nessa laughed. “Duly noted.”

  “What about you?”

  Elise watched Nessa as she looked at the cloudless sky above them. She could hear birdsong and the noise of their feet on the sandy gravel path as time ticked on.

  “Let’s see. Well, I’m a woman, too. But after that, you and I differ. I am equally attracted to all people. Gender, or lack thereof, doesn’t matter to me. Although, as I say, my shyness around most people has left me with limited romantic experience. I’ve had three serious relationships, though. The longest with a man called Henrico. I thought I would live my whole life with him, but it wasn’t to be. Anyway, unlike you, I prefer monogamous relationships and true, deep-felt love. No fucki… I mean, bedplay for the fun of it.”

  Ah. Of course. She wants a steady, trustworthy partner for life, Elise thought. Someone who is kind but sober. Dependable, virtuous, and sweet – like her. Well, that rules me out. Shame.

  Elise got close enough to give Nessa’s shoulder a friendly bump. “Well, I am glad you are not shy around me at least.”

  Nessa scoffed. “You don’t give me a chance to be shy! You blew into my life like a whirlwind. Just decided that we were going to travel together and be friends. All I could do was nod and tag along.”

  Elise felt coldness gathering in the pit of her stomach. “Ah. I see. Are you saying that I forced you to be my friend? Have I overstepped and pushed you into this?”

  Nessa stopped, looking at Elise with wide eyes. “No! Not at all. I had time to decide if I wanted to let myself be swept up in your whirlwind. And I chose to jump in headfirst. It’s strange, I never do that. But your open and simple way of being, it gave me momentum. I feel braver and calmer around you.”

  The coldness in Elise's stomach slowly dissipated. “I see. Good. Tell me if I ever assume too much or push you in any way. I tend to just act without thinking, and I would hate to lose my new best friend because of it.”

  Nessa tilted her head. “Best friend?”

  Elise swallowed. “Yes. I know I do not know you very well, but right now you are the only person who knows where I am. You have a great deal of control over my future.” She hesitated for a moment. “You listened to me talk about my light eyes and made me feel a bit better about them. You lent me your bed and your clothes. Oh, and you are going to share that sugar pumpkin oil. Sounds like a best friend to me,” Elise concluded.

  Nessa chuckled. “All right then. Best friends, it is. And you can have some oil, but not too much! It has to last me a while.”

  Elise interlocked her arm with Nessa’s. “Of course. Now, tell me all about the ladies of Nightport and how I can get them all into my bed.”

  Something flashed in Nessa’s eyes. Something serious. Before Elise had time to figure out what it was, it had passed. Now there was only a reproaching look. “All of them? That sounds crowded. And like you’ll need some sort of cream after the first hour.”

  “Not at the same time, silly. One, maybe two, women at a time. That way I can keep the variety as I sample all that Nightport has to offer.”

  Nessa smiled, biting her lip a little. “Sounds like I could get sucked into your vortex of lovers by mistake.”

  “No, no, no. You do not like frivolous bedplay and you are my friend, you are thereby safe. You shall remain untouched by these hands, Nessa Clay. I swear it,” she declaimed dramatically.

  She had expected Nessa to laugh, but instead she hummed and walked on, eyes trained fixedly at the road ahead.

  Is she judging me for wanting those women? Did she not see that it was a joke? Was she even listening to me or is she focusing on getting to the city? Perhaps I am chatting too much, like I always do.

  Elise tried to shake the discomfort and confusion and focus on the nice day. Something that would have been easier if the boots hadn’t started hurting like a hundred biting field mice. Elise gritted her teeth and kept up with Nessa’s pace.

  Chapter 10

  Encounters on the Road

  Based on Layden’s descriptions of the road to Nightport, Nessa gathered that they were getting close now. That was a relief, considering her own failed attempt at flirting with Elise a while ago. The joke about getting sucked up in the vortex of lovers had been meant as a flirtation. A possible invitation to… well, she wasn’t sure what. Either way, it had been the last time she would try that. The mood had been strained ever since.

  She shook her head. No, not the mood. It’s YOU who have been strained and uncomfortable. She must pity you. Stupid! All she wants is a lover for the night and you don’t do that sort of thing. Besides, she is miles out of your league. No wonder she shot you down. If that was what she did? Maybe I flirted wrong, I was never very good at this stuff. Ah, gods curse it.

  They needed something to distract them. And she needed more to eat. She wished they hadn’t eaten all their provisions, but the walking and constant talking and made them both hungry. Especially Elisandrine, who had forgone her ladylike way of eating to wolf down her portions with impressive vigour. Nessa supposed that was what happened when you weren’t used to moving and then found yourself walking a full day.

  She saw her travelling companion wince. “Nessa? I know I said I do not complain on long journeys and that was a reason for you to travel with me. Nevertheless, my feet truly hurt.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Nessa said. “You are neither used to this long of a walk nor my boots. We should stop a while to let you take them off and rub your feet a little. I could do with some water, anyway.”

  Elise immediately hobbled over to a large rock by a tree. She leaned against it while unlacing her boots. “Thank you. My feet feel as bad as when I danced in high heels for three nights in a row.”

  Nessa scrunched up her nose. “That sounds horrible. Why would you do that?”

  Elisandrine rolled her eyes. “Engagement season. That is what the Nobles call it when their children reach twenty years and their parents feel they are ready to be auctioned off for marrying. Atrocious. Anyway, I escaped the weddings but still had to go to the parties, smile and pretend that we were not all part of glorified meat market.”

  “My, you really have no love for Noble life, do you?’

  “I have a love for luxurious beds, huge shelves with books, and fine meals. But that is about as far as it goes,” Elise admitted.

  She was rubbing her right foot while trying to balance on her left. Even with leaning against the rock, it looked precarious.

  “Why don’t you sit down before you fall down? I don’t mind if you get grass stains on my clothes,” Nessa said.

  Elisandrine slumped to the ground and gave her a grateful, tired smile. “Yet another joy of being out of Noble circles: no one has a panic attack if there are stains.”

  Nessa sat next to her and opened the water canteen to take a long drink. She swallowed and said, “I think we are getting close. The road has broadened, and we have seen a few more people passing. Soon, we should see the walls and towers of Nightport.”

  “Nightport has walls?” Elisandrine asked.

  Nessa handed her the canteen. “Yes. Don’t the cities of the midlands have walls?”

  “Neither Highmere nor Silverton, where I was born, has walls. Silverton is surrounded by a lake. Highmere, well, I suppose it does not need them. There are a great deal of gua
rds patrolling the city limits. Besides, the knowledge of what would happen to anyone who committed crimes in the capitol is far more efficient than walls.”

  Elisandrine returned the canteen, and Nessa packed it back into the satchel.

  “So you were born in… Silverton? Where is that?”

  Elise tilted her head. “I am surprised you do not know. You seem so well-schooled?”

  Nessa scuffed her toe on the ground. “I hated the teacher who taught us about the continents so I rarely went to those classes. I preferred to read books in the broom closet.”

  Elise smiled. “I see. It is a northern city located almost at the border of the highlands. Unlike Highmere, it consists of more tradesmen, markets, and factories than courtrooms, palaces, and parks. Much like Nightport, I guess.”

  “There are certainly no palaces in Nightport. I remember visiting as a child. It seemed so downtrodden then, relying on harbour commerce and crime, I guess.” Nessa closed her eyes to enjoy the warm, buttery sunshine for a moment as she spoke. “Layden and others who have been there lately say that steam power and the factories have changed the city. There is more work now. Which of course means fewer people turning to crime, the city being able to afford repairs and lights. Oh, and more houses being built. That in combination with the steady flow of ships coming in with cargo to trade means Nightport is growing like a barn-weed.”

  “That is good for us.”

  “It certainly is,” Nessa agreed. “How are those feet of yours?”

  Elisandrine looked embarrassed. “Horribly sore. I have spotted what I believe to be blisters in several places, and my heels are bleeding where the boots have chafed.”

  “I’m sorry. We could have travelled by cart but my parents need our ox on the farm and we can’t afford a horse, so horseback was out of the question.”

  Elise rubbed her toes. “Please do not apologise. Not your fault at all. I should have made the chinless prince give me a horse. He would have if I had pointed out that it meant getting rid of me faster.”

  Nessa chuckled. “Well, we can at least clean the blood off your heels and bandage them up.”

  Nessa double-checked that she had the set of bandages her father always made her pack, even if she had only been out for a short hike with Layden. She located her spare pair of socks, took one out, and poured water on it.

  As she used it to wipe away the blood from her companion’s heels, she heard two sounds. One was Elisandrine whimpering with pain. That stung her heart, but it was the other that truly troubled her. They had spoken of horses – and she could hear at least two such creatures coming towards them now. It didn’t sound like people leisurely travelling to Nightport. It sounded like someone hurrying towards them.

  Nessa didn't waste any time. She picked up Elisandrine’s boots and socks and threw them into the wooded area behind the rock.

  “Riders! Come on. Quick, behind the rock," Nessa whispered.

  Elisandrine looked like she was about to argue, but at the look on Nessa's face, she clearly decided against it. She followed Nessa behind the rock.

  Nessa’s heartbeat grew faster as the hoof beats slowed.

  “We are almost at the city now. Anything?” a gruff voice called out.

  “Nothing I can see. Still naught at all,” someone else replied.

  There was some snuffling as the horses champed their bits.

  Nessa could feel Elisandrine’s shallow breath against her neck as she crouched over her, huddling close to make them small as possible. Elise was sitting in fetal position on the ground, holding on to Nessa for dear life. Time seemed to pass treacle slow. Just as Nessa’s legs felt like they would give out from under her, the riders decided it was time to move on.

  Finally, she heard the sound of hooves tapering off. Nessa straightened her stiff knees and gazed down the road after the travellers. They were definitely Royal guards. The Royal crest was emblazoned on the back of the men’s uniforms, and their horses were fitted out in blue, grey, and white regalia.

  Nessa couldn't be sure that they had come for them, of course. But why else would they ride from the direction of Ground Hollow towards Nightport in such haste? They had to have come for Elisandrine. Suddenly Nessa felt as if there were eyes staring at them from behind every tree and bush. She swallowed hard.

  “Were those Royal guards?" Elise asked. Her breaths came in pants, and her right hand clutched Nessa’s upper arm painfully tight.

  “Yes. We can't be sure they’ve come for you. As you pointed out, they shouldn’t be chasing you, but I’m not taking any risks."

  Elise let go of her arm and gave a shy smile. “Right. So, that was some quick thinking. Thank you. Now we have to figure out where my shoes and socks went.”

  “Well, yes. Still, that's better than being dragged back to the castle, right?”

  Nessa knew that she had needlessly snapped at Elisandrine, but she couldn’t help it. She hadn’t been this frightened in a long time. Not even last night, when the prince caught them in Elisandrine’s chamber.

  Gods. Had that only been last night?

  Elisandrine’s brows knitted. “Of course. Please do not think me ungrateful. It is merely that my feet are getting cold."

  She gave an apologetic smile, which hit Nessa like a slap to the face. “I understand, I really do. I'm sorry about being so sharp. I’m not… used to being hunted."

  “No, of course. I am sorry to have put you in this situation. All you have done is try to help me, and I repay you by making you feel like prey. Would you like us to go our separate ways?"

  “Absolutely not. Like I said, I apologise for my uncharacteristically harsh tone. I… need a while to calm down. Everything will be fine when we get to Nightport. The city is big enough for us to get lost in the crowds very quickly.” She reached out to rub Elisandrine’s arm reassuringly.

  Elise sat up straighter at the touch. “I am sure you are right. Once again, I hasten to add that if they do hunt me, they will not do so for long. That would be a waste of their resources and their time. I can easily be replaced, remember?”

  “Maybe the Royals and your mother find you expendable. Just don’t judge the rest of the world by their stupid behaviour. Now, let's go look for those boots.”

  Elisandrine beamed at her and Nessa made an effort to smile back. As she walked into the forest, Elise suddenly pointed a finger at her. “And my socks!"

  Nessa laughed. “Yes, I will find the socks, too. While I do that, you should hide the satchel with your family crest on it. Too recognisable. You can place your things in my satchel. It’s bigger than yours anyway.”

  “Good idea,” Elisandrine agreed as she began emptying out the few things she had brought. Nessa glanced over to make sure that she was putting them into the larger satchel, then she focused on her hunt. It didn’t take long to locate the mass of socks and boots next to a tree. As she was gathering them up in her arms, Elisandrine appeared next to her.

  “I suppose this will do as a hiding place,” Elise said, hiding the satchel under some rocks and leaves behind the tree.

  “Yes. Job well done. Now, let’s get your feet bandaged, and then we can keep travelling. We should see the walls of Nightport soon.”

  Elisandrine patted the hiding place and stood up to stretch. “I look forward to it. There are only so many leafless trees and endless gravel roads I can see before I ache for the smells and noise of civilisation.”

  “Spoiled city girl,” Nessa said and rolled her eyes to drive the point home. She was rewarded with a slap on the arm, followed by a flirty smirk to ease any ill feelings out of the slap.

  * * *

  A while later, Elise’s feet were bandaged, they had both drunk some water, and had a quick rest. Now they were walking again. Or in Elisandrine’s case, hobbling.

  They must be close to the city now. There was noise in the distance, and Nessa swore she could make out smoke from chimneys when she squinted. There appeared to be more roads and paths converging onto t
heirs. With that, came more people.

  Two women and a small child came hurrying down from a path on a hill. Nessa guessed they had made running down the slope a competition to entertain the little boy they had with them. Their son, she assumed. One of the women, a tall blonde, was clearly winning. She came down first, and because she was busy looking down at the child behind her, she ran straight into Elisandrine.

  Nessa saw her companion wince when she had to alter her footing and come down hard on her painful feet. She also saw Elisandrine’s pretty features twist into a mask of rage. It was like the difference between light and dark.

  “Ah! What in the name of all the gods do you think you are doing, you imbecile?” Elisandrine bellowed.

  The blonde stared at Elisandrine for a while. “I reckon I ran a little too fast and crashed into you. I was just about to apologise, but I shan’t if you shout at me. There was no need for all that.”

  Elisandrine snarled. “Really? I think there is a world of need to shout at you. Reckless, thoughtless, and clumsy – that is what you are! I hope you do not represent the sort of people I will encounter in Nightport!”

  The other woman looked like she had been slapped. “Me, my wife, and my son are currently on our way to move there. So no, I represent people who are travelling in peace, having fun, and happened to make a mistake.”

  Elisandrine took a few limping steps closer to the woman, pushing into her personal space. “You represent people who need to watch where they are going and have some common sense. Not to mention some grace. Instead of bumbling about like a drunk marrow-oxen!”

  Suddenly the boy gave a sniffle and ran over to hug his mother’s leg.

  The blonde patted his head gently and then looked at Elisandrine with eyes blazing. “Now see what you’ve gone and done. I would appreciate it if you don’t shout abuse at me while my son is listening.”

  They all became very quiet. Only the boy’s sniffle could be heard. Nessa saw Elisandrine take a deep but shaky breath. Then she covered her eyes with her right hand. When she removed her hand, that odd transformation happened again. Elisandrine’s face went from a look of searing rage back to those sweet features which seemed to hold nothing but joy and openness.