"When we get back home I’ll buy you all the shoes in Tahn." Danil grinned, expecting her to be pleased.
Instead, Polly scowled. "I hope you mean Muir. You can't even buy nice boots in Tahn."
Danil hastily backtracked. "Yes, Muir. That was exactly what I meant." How the hell am I supposed to know where to buy women's boots? he sent to Julianne.
He caught the grin his fellow mystic tried to hide. It's just one of those things.
Chapter Fourteen
"You know I'm right," Tansy said, hands planted firmly on her hips.
"You're right that it will help," Bastian replied. "But I don't know if that will help enough to make it worth the effort. We're in the middle of a war, Tansy! We've got refugees flooding in from all across Irth and resources are tight. The people who live here have already taken on so much more work than they should have ever had to, and now you're asking them to host a celebration? I just don't think it's the right time for it.”
"It's exactly the right time for it."
Bastian jumped and turned to the newcomer. "Annie! I didn't expect to see you down this way today."
Annie shook her head at him. "I go wherever I’m needed most."
Bastian wondered if he was right to feel a pang of guilt for assuming she would be anywhere else. Despite their successful defeat of the remnant the previous day, the newcomers to the tiny village were clearly still struggling with their situation. Bette's idea to have them fight the remnant had certainly helped to lift their spirits, but there was still work to be done…and Annie was there to do it.
The old woman had been baking up a storm, bringing sweet and savory gifts to the Hall where the refugees slept and taking it to sites where Bastian had put building crews to work erecting new accommodation for the growing number of Tahn residents.
"So...you're in favor of it?” Bastian asked dubiously. "You really think we have the resources to host a celebration in the middle of all this?"
Annie gave a firm nod. "You did it for us once before," she reminded him. "And I know my people. Everyone in this city was better off for it. After you lot swept in here and took over, it was good to see that you were confident enough of your eventual success to hold a party."
Bastian shuffled uncomfortably. "We didn't take over, did we?"
"Not in a bad way," Annie reassured him. "You saw we were struggling and filled in some gaps. You managed to do it without stepping on any toes, and you made sure that as soon as the immediate danger was over one of our own could step up to the plate."
"If Annie’s given her blessing, does that mean I have yours too?" Tansy asked, fluttering her eyelashes at Bastian.
He groaned. "Fine. And I'm guessing you wouldn't be asking me if you hadn't already cleared it with Francis?"
"Of course I did,” Tansy scolded. "He said he thought it was a wonderful idea, but that I'd have one hell of a time convincing you of that."
Bastian sighed in defeat. "You could have said that to start with! He’s in charge around here, not me. Why are you asking my permission?"
"I’m not,” Tansy replied. "I’m asking if you'll perform for it.”
Bastian yelped. "Me? Perform?"
Tansy nodded confidently. "It was Francis' idea, actually. We want you to do that story-weaving thing again, but instead of the tale you told about Bethany Anne, Francis suggested you should make it about Julianne. Well, and Marcus and the others, too. Tell the refugees we have a group of heroes traipsing around the countryside rescuing people. It’ll give them hope that those they've left behind and those they have lost might still be rescued and brought home."
Bastian hissed out a breath through his teeth, then nodded. He was certainly capable of weaving story images, though everyone else seemed to think more of his ability than he did. Still, if Tansy and Francis thought it would help he would do it.
"I’m glad that’s settled," Annie said. "Now, we need to plan food and seating, and we should give the whole thing a festive air. Those people are miserable enough. They need some brightness in their lives."
"Yes!” Tansy exclaimed. "I've got a big pile of beautiful cloth from Tessa. It's meant to be used for dresses for the women and girls, but we can use it just for that evening to provide some color."
Bastian slid his chair back with a squawk and stood. "You ladies seem to have this well in hand,” he said. "I need to go see Angelica. She’s been pestering me for a meeting and I can’t put it off any longer. Let me know what I need to do to help and I’ll make it happen."
He paused on his way out the door to plant a firm kiss on Tansy's lips. "You call Julianne a hero," he mumbled in her ear. "You're just as much of a hero as she is. Everyone here can see that, and no one more than me."
Tansy blushed and gave him a half-hearted slap on the shoulder. "Oh, go on, you. Flattery will get you everywhere. Go…do your work, and make sure you're back here by early afternoon!"
"We'll make sure we have a nice long list of things for you to do when you get back," Annie said with a grin.
Once Bastian had left, Tansy and Annie fell to planning the upcoming celebration.
"We'll put Tessa in charge of organizing the decorations," Annie said. "She's got a lot to do already, but she’s good at delegating—and if we left her out of this she would skin us alive."
"With all that baking you've been doing, Annie, do you think you could handle a bit more?" Tansy asked. “That cheesecake you brought down the other day was just incredible."
Annie scowled. "That was for the refugees."
Tansy giggled. “I was on the serving line. I didn't eat any, but you can be damn sure I licked my fingers when I was done. I've never tasted anything so amazing. It was lucky there was none left by then or I’d have stolen it and eaten it all."
Annie's scowl softened. "I suppose that's all right then. And yes, I’ve got enough left that I can whip up another. I can bring that and a tray of those little caramel tarts and a few dozen plain rolls to go with whatever meat we can find." Annie jerked her head down in a nod, a gesture Tansy had come to realize meant Annie had added something to her personal to-do list. The woman had a mind like a steel trap; there was no chance of Annie promising to do something and not following through.
"Beautiful," Tansy said. "I'll go find some of the men. I'm sure Bette can spare someone to go out on a hunt. We'll need a nice fat beast to feed us all, and we’ll want to start roasting it first thing tomorrow morning if it's to be tender and juicy by nightfall.” Tansy stood to go and asked, "What else do I need to do?"
"Well, if you don't come up with something for that boy of yours to do he’ll be feeling awfully left out." Annie gave Tansy a knowing look.
"Oh, I'll have plenty for him to help with." Tansy giggled. "Don't you worry about that."
Tansy skipped out, excited that her plans were coming to fruition. She jogged through the main street of Tahn, waving at the small groups of people she passed on her way to the watchtower. By the time she’d scaled the ladder, she had a wide grin plastered on her face.
"Ye look like ye just rolled out of bed with yer man," Bette pointed out with a sly smile when she saw Tansy.
"That was hours ago. This is better than that anyway," Tansy told her.
"If there's anythin’ better ‘n that, yer lad’s not doing ‘is job right." Bette sniggered. "Anyway, what's got ye so happy?”
"We’re having a party. A festival! A celebration of all that is good in the world, with food and dancing and lots and lots of alcohol." Tansy angled a finger toward Bette. "I need you to provide me with the food. Well, not you exactly… Do you have anyone free to go catch a fat beast?"
Bette sighed. "Sounds ta me like they don't have a choice. Luckily fer yer festival, Francis already asked me ta send out a huntin’ party today. Sharne is leadin’ it, but yer welcome ta go with ‘em if ye want."
Tansy shook her head, frowning. "I'll be far too busy to go, but otherwise I would. I haven't been out for ages!"
"Feelin’ a bit closed in, are ye
?" Bette asked sympathetically.
Tansy nodded. "I know that I’m needed here, and I'm definitely being kept busy. But I’m looking forward to when this is all over."
Tansy's eyes drifted from Bette to the watchtower. From here she could see all the way to the forest. "I can't wait until life returns to normal. Dinner at home, days spent roaming the countryside."
Bette scoffed. "Even before the shite hit the fan, I woulda never picked ye as a roamin’-the-countryside kinda lass."
"I'm not," Tansy said with a weary sigh. "But as soon as you say I can't do a thing, it's all I want. I only went out on hunts once a week or so, but Bitch's oath, I still miss it."
Bette turned her gaze toward the horizon. "I know the feelin’. I spend most o’ me time inside the city anyway, but I do miss the odd adventure. Even when the remnant come I'm usually stuck up here givin’ directions instead o’ down there with an axe in me hand, takin’ off heads an’ spillin’ blood all over the ground." She sighed again.
"And that is exactly why we need to have this celebration," Tansy declared. "As a reminder that even though we can't have everything we want, we’re alive and well. We have plenty of food and the ability to fight back against our enemies. I think it's good to be reminded of that every now and then."
"Ye’ve got that right,” Bette said. "Ye’d best be off, lass. Sharne wanted ta move out by mid-morning, so if ye want ta make sure they don't come back till they catch somethin’ worthy o’ yer feast, ye’ll need ta let them know before they leave."
"I'll do that," Tansy said, heading toward the ladder. "We're planning to have some entertainment too,” she called over her shoulder. "If any of your boys and girls would like to put on a show, let me know."
"I'll do that!" Bette called after her.
Chapter Fifteen
Bastian whirled Tansy around the dance floor, feeling the heat of the early-summer evening prickle his skin. Tansy's cheeks were flushed and her forehead was beaded with sweat.
The song came to an end and old Jessop put his fiddle down, gasping for breath. Despite his age he had played like a man possessed, stomping his feet and twirling in time to the music that drifted from his ancient instrument.
"I need a drink," Tansy wheezed when they came to a halt.
"Me too," Bastian admitted. He took her hand after wiping the sweat from his own against his pants and led her to the table where Tamara waited expectantly with a bowl of punch, ladle hovering.
"Two?" Tamara asked, dipping the spoon into the deep bowl and pouring the fruity concoction into the brass cup. She repeated the action, then handed the drinks over and grinned. "Looks like you're having fun tonight."
"Isn't it amazing?” Tansy sighed and her eyes sparkled with excitement as she surveyed the room.
“It is, thanks to you.” Tamara gave the younger girl a reassuring smile, then sighed whimsically. “I imagine there will be an even bigger celebration once the school opens.” She cocked a questioning eyebrow at Bastian.
Irritated, he took a gulp of punch and almost choked on it. After he’d coughed and spluttered for a moment he grimaced. “The school will open. Tamara, I know you’re frustrated with the delay, but—”
“Yes, yes, I know.” Tamara passed him a cloth napkin and nodded at the spot where he’d dribbled on his shirt. “It’s just that there’s no point in my heading back to Arcadia now. I’m eager to find my place, and as helpful as Annie has been, it seems I won’t have one until then.”
“I’m sorry, Tamara, but there’s just nothing I can do about that right now. I have other priorities.” Bastian heard someone say his name and looked around distractedly. “Oh, that’s Mary. Uhh…” He looked around for a safe place to leave his cup.
Tansy plucked it from his hands and kissed his cheek. “Go.”
He hurried off. After wondering briefly what she was going to do with two drinks, Tansy bolted one and set the other inside it. Pleased—and just a little fuzzy in the head from the quick dose of alcohol—she smiled at Tamara.
“Your passion is teaching?" she asked.
Tamara nodded. “I didn’t last long at the Academy. My ideas were too…progressive for the Chancellor. Amelia did offer me a place when she stepped up but filled it after I declined. I should have said yes, but I let my pride get in the way.”
Tansy shrugged. “So?”
Tamara snorted. “So? Girl, when was the last time you turned down the one position that would allow you to serve your given purpose in the world? I know it’s my own stupid fault, but—”
“No,” Tansy interrupted. “I mean, so you don’t have a fancy building to teach in. Do you really need one?” She waved a hand at the dancing crowd. “How many of those refugee kids do you think can read? You want to teach? Teach! Teach what’s needed wherever you can. Don’t wait for the school. Just do it!”
Tamara blinked slowly, her mouth ajar, and a moment later she sucked in a gasp of air as if she’d forgotten to breathe.
“You’re welcome,” Tansy said smartly. She grinned at the grey-haired teacher and dipped a low curtsy. As she whirled away to find her lover, she almost didn’t hear the hurried ‘thank you’ that rang behind her. Almost…
She found Bastian still talking to Mary. The tavern owner quickly excused herself when she saw Tansy coming, firmly instructing Bastian to stop finding excuses to work at a party.
Jessop handed the fiddle to Lewis, who was striking up a tune. The dance floor filled again; Tahn residents mingling with refugees, all smiling and laughing as they danced. Tansy pulled Bastian away, though. Her head was properly swimming now, and she needed to put something in her stomach to settle it.
“Let’s find something to eat.”
She dragged him past Tamara, who gave an excited wave, and over to the long table that had been covered with platters of meat and vegetables earlier. Cooked over a low fire since early morning, the tantalizing aroma of the fat stag had ensured it was devoured quickly. Now all that remained was the carcass and a few pieces of cold meat.
Dora caught Tansy’s disappointed glance at the table. "Not still hungry, are you?" she asked with a laugh. "I hope you are. Annie just came in to say she's about to clear that away to put out dessert."
Tansy's eyes shot open and she nudged Bastian. "You know what that means, don't you?"
Clenching his stomach to quell the flutter of nerves, Bastian nodded. Tansy had only reminded him about forty-seven times that he was to take the stage between dinner and dessert to craft his story about the hero Julianne and her intrepid band of adventurers.
"You look terrified." Tansy giggled. "Why? You've done this before!"
He nodded. "I have, but that was more a spur-of-the-moment thing. I didn't realize how much people would like it, and now there's all this pressure to do it again…but better." He ran his fingers through his hair anxiously. "I know, it doesn't make any sense at all."
"You're right," Tansy agreed. "Not one bit of sense. But the sooner you get it over and done with, the sooner you can stop worrying about it and take me out on the floor for another dance."
That made Bastian smile, and he tugged on his robes and stood tall. "How do I look?"
Tansy clicked her tongue and shook her head. "You mean you're not changing first? Bastian, you really need to get some new clothes. You wear those same robes everywhere."
Wincing, Bastian replied, "I thought you loved me no matter what I look like?"
Tansy rolled her eyes dramatically. "I love you, but half the people here don't even know you. This is a party, Bastian! You're supposed to be going up there to present a spectacle, and you can't do that in this ratty old white robe."
A sly grin spread over Bastian’s face. "I might be wearing a ratty old white robe, but who says anyone will know?"
Before Tansy's eyes, Bastian's robes—which were really more grey than white—began to sparkle. The discoloration of age disappeared, replaced by the purest glowing white she had ever seen.
Tansy glanced at his
face, unsurprised to see his eyes glowing the same color as his new robes. "Cheater," she said with a grin.
She leaned in for a kiss, and as she pulled back a line of deep-blue trim embroidered with gold flowers wound its way down the edges of his robe. Her eyes followed it and when she got to his feet, his creased grey boots turned black and shiny as if they were brand-new.
Tansy stepped back and ran her eyes over his attire, then grinned. "Now that's what I call well-dressed!"
Bastian returned the smile. "I'm glad you like it, but now I have to go do my thing."
As the only mystic left in town, Bastian felt it was his duty to put on a show Tahn would never forget. Though Danil's absence compounded his anxiety about the presentation he was about to give, he thought he would be able to pull it off. That was, if he could make it past the eyes staring at him intently as he climbed onto the small stage.
Seeing Bastian approach, Lewis quickly wrapped up his tune and bowed deeply.
"Ladies and gentlemen, may I present Bastian, mystic extraordinaire!" Lewis thrust his arms wide, signaling the crowd to applaud.
Bastion resisted the urge to tug at his collar and channeled just a little of his magic into controlling his emotions. Illusion firmly in place and nerves settled into a confident calm, Bastian stepped forward.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Bastian called, tweaking his spell so that every face in the room turned his way, caught by the man in white who seemed to glow in the amber light of the flickering lanterns that filled the room. "Tonight I bring you a gift. The gift of knowledge. The gift of a story as true as it is unbelievable."
Bastian muttered a word and waved his hands for effect. The hand gestures were unrelated to his magic, but Zoe had once told him people liked it. He stepped back as an image formed in front of him.
It was a woman with brown hair and glowing white eyes. She wore a robe as bright and pristine as the illusion made his own and held a long white staff. The image showed Julianne as he remembered her—tall, proud, and commanding, yet kind.
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