Sword of Mist

by Tara Brown

  “Afternoon, Lenny,” Andy called from the saddle company. “How’s the fit of the new mount?” he asked about her horse.

  “Great.” Lenny waved. “Asher has warmed to it. I haven’t been out to ride him in the last week, but it’s settling in nicely.”

  “Excellent.” He sounded pleased, which he ought to have been.

  Her horse wasn't easy to find saddles for. He had grown larger than anyone in town had expected. Asher’s parents weren’t beasts, but somehow, he’d ended up nearly seventeen hands tall and stronger than Lenny’s family ox. But the truth of the matter was, he was a giant baby. Didn’t like heavy saddles. Scared of everything and temperamental. He preferred to ride with no saddle at all, which for short runs Lenny didn't mind, but longer ones were hard on her.

  Asher was just lucky he was so beautiful with his fluffy black coat and white hooves. “Guess we’ll saddle those dogs next, eh?” Andy waved Lenny off.

  “Okay.” The joke wasn’t a new one.

  As she passed Salty’s Booksellers, Mr. Newbrook called out from the window he was washing, “Those dogs are gonna need a cart to pull soon, Lenny.”

  “Yes, sir.” She smiled, trying not to sound impatient with it, despite hearing the same comments every day.

  Ollie and Scar smiled wide, Ollie of course wider as they roamed through downtown with the sun on their faces and the fresh ocean air cooling them off.

  Lenny held her breath and nearly lost her dogs to the smell of Mr. Alemon’s Fishmongers. Ollie gave multiple looks, desperate to go over and steal a fish.

  “Come on,” she warned with a tone.

  He whimpered once but kept pace right to the destination, the haberdashery, Knights. Wen was behind the counter, smiling at Mrs. Cromwell, an elderly widow who came in every week on the same day at the same time to pick up her same order.

  “Thanks, Wen.” She took her parcel and walked out.

  “The rest will be delivered as soon as my ma gets back,” Wen called to her but Lenny doubted she heard him. She was deaf as a post and twice as blind. “Why, hello.” He lost the charm of his salesman’s voice. He grabbed two biscuits from the tin he kept, causing both dogs to plant their hind quarters to the wooden floor.

  Ollie huffed his breath, excited for food and pats and love. Scar gave Lenny an unsure stare, making certain she agreed with the cookie. Lenny nodded at her.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure?” Wen asked.

  “I came to check on you,” Lenny said quietly. “Make certain you’re all right.”

  “Why wouldn't I be?” Wen questioned her.

  “How many hours until Amaya’s engagement is announced and the whole town knows and it becomes official?”

  “Seven and a half.” He lost his confused stare. “What am I going to do, Lenny?”

  “Have you contemplated finding someone else?” She leaned against the counter.

  “I’d love to.” His confession stung her. It was too honest and laced with desperation.

  “Have you tried asking Esmeralda to one of your famous picnics?” The local barmaid was as known for seducing men as Wen was for packing a spectacular lunch. He knew all the best spots for it too.

  He lifted an eyebrow. “You want me to get my broken heart broken a second time?”

  Before Lenny could answer, someone came into the shop, making the little bell ring.

  “I’ll be down on the docks.” Lenny motioned her head at the door as Wen smiled widely, hiding his heartbreak while he greeted the customers.

  “Good afternoon, what can I help you with?”

  Scar was hot on Lenny’s heels as she slipped from the shop, but Ollie remained, likely hopeful more treats would come his way.

  When she got closer to the gray water, Lenny’s eyes drifted to the sea, instantly her mind flickered back to the blue light. Had it not moved in that manner, she wouldn’t have given it a second thought. But the movement was strange. More than strange.

  She strolled along the water frontage on Seaswept Lane to the boardwalk atop the docks and watched the ships sailing in and out.

  “Morning, Miss Ilenia.” Mr. McConnell, who owned the linen shop, nodded her way, tipping his hat. He always addressed her by her given name and not the nickname she preferred. He was one of few people to say Ilenia. Normally, if it was spoken, it was shouted in anger by her mother.

  “Morning, sir.” She smiled back, enjoying what a distinguished and refined gentleman he was. He had moved to Blockley from Waterly City, bringing his sense of fashion with him. His teal waistcoat, something not often seen in these parts, was elaborately embroidered and pressed perfectly, as always.

  “Not working on the new ship then?” he asked and pointed at the large vessel.

  “Uncle Alek hasn't called for me yet. They mustn’t be done with the repairs,” Lenny said as she sat on one of the benches built by the magistrate’s men for anyone wishing to sit and admire the splendor of the sea.

  “You know, Ilenia, in Waterly City it’s not uncommon for a young female to work the docks, but a lady is rarely seen down there,” he offered politely, though Lenny was certain he’d meant it as an opinion of her line of work. “Have a splendid day, my dear.” He tipped his hat again and strolled casually down the boardwalk.

  “You too, sir.” She smiled and sat back more comfortably now that he was gone. He wasn't alone in the opinion that a lady ought not work the docks. In fact, Uncle Alek and Wen might have been the only two people in the world who encouraged it.

  Scar rested her head on Lenny’s lap and sat her bottom on the boardwalk, swishing her tail back and forth over the planks. As Lenny’s hand began to stroke the wolfhound’s head, Scar closed her eyes and relaxed for a moment, despite the bustle of people around them, although the warm breeze seemed to dull the noise.

  Waiting for Wen and Ollie to return was a pleasant way to spend the early afternoon, or rather avoid being dressed like the lady she was so determined not to be.

  Chapter 4

  The boat that Uncle Alek had been busy repairing in the shipyard wasn’t finished in time for Lenny to miss the engagement party. Or to even be fashionably late.

  Once she realized her plan had failed, she left Wen on the docks and walked home with the hounds as the sun began to set, as there would be trouble if she were late without an excuse.

  When she arrived home, she snuck in the back door. She found her father reading his ship’s logs to prepare for his next venture out to sea, suggesting his inventory would be similar to that of his last voyage. Which meant Edwin planned to be gone for a month again. Lenny dreaded that.

  “Home so soon?” he teased quietly without lifting his bespectacled gaze from the papers.

  “Has her mood improved in my absence?” Lenny whispered, letting the dogs in behind her. They immediately took to their large goose down beds, which Amaya had sewn for them, no doubt desperate to be out of the way in case Elsie lurked about.

  “As your sisters have allowed your mother and aunt to not only take care of all decorations at the hall, but also their dress for the evening, I have noticed a lighter tone to her voice as it has wafted down the stairs. And surprisingly, Mildred has laughed a time or two.” That caused him to smile as he wrote. “Not that I’m counting. Just as I suspect you weren’t counting on that new ship being repaired to possibly delay you.” He stopped writing and lifted his face, beaming with delight. “Tell me, did you sit by the harbor all day long, hoping for Alek to send for you?”

  Lenny’s jaw dropped as she wondered how he knew everything.

  “Certainly not. I was enjoying the splendor of a warm summer day, watching the boats come and go.” Lenny’s face lit up with a smile as well, aware she was caught.

  “Lies. And unfortunately, your wicked scheme has not worked and now you must be made ready for the party,” he mocked her outright.

  “As must you,” she teased back, knowing his love of parties was akin to hers. “And you have to ready the carriage.”

>   He paused then broke into laughter, his face wrinkling a little making Lenny take notice of how much older he appeared. His dark-brown hair had become speckled with a gray that was almost white. Salt for a salty old man. His beard and mustache were the same. His eyes had wrinkles around them, which were much worse now that his skin glowed with the summer’s kiss. But he remained handsome and his crow’s feet brought his smile to life, whereas her mother’s porcelain face never cracked.

  “Guess we both best get to work then.” He waved his hand, dismissing her.

  “Fine, I’ll go up,” Lenny relented, sure his laughter would have already been heard upstairs.

  “Yes, off you go. Let me finish this so I can be off in a few days. The sea is calling.” His voice softened as though he spoke of a mistress. Lenny imagined in some ways he did.

  She grabbed an apple and ate it on the way up the stairs, noting the dogs didn't follow her. “Traitors,” she whispered as she peered over the railing before arriving at the top of the stairs.

  The dressing room was abuzz with giggling and soft voices. Her father had been correct about that. There was a remarkable lightness to the sounds leaving the room.

  Pausing, she took a last bite of the apple they’d surely steal from her as they forced her to take a bath the second they saw her. She was still chewing when the door opened and Hilde stepped out, shouting and jumping back when she saw Lenny, “Ohhh, Lenny. You scared the devil out of me!”

  “Better to do away with him than to let him linger,” she replied softly, dreading everything about the next moment.

  “There you are!” Her mother’s soft and relaxed tone was gone. The shrill was back, the very same one from the morning. “We were wondering where you got to.” She came around the corner and out of the room with her hands on her hips. “At least you aren’t too muddy.” She reached for Lenny’s arm and pulled her into the dressing room. “The tub was drawn for you an hour ago. It’s likely cool now!”

  “Lenny, you’re late,” Amaya snipped but Lenny ignored it. “For my engagement party.”

  She pulled free of her mother and went to the small claw-foot tub in the corner where the light from the windows would shine on it, giving the bather warmth in the winter. It also cut back on candle usage, which her thrifty father was an advocate of.

  She stepped behind the curtain, drawing it so she didn't have to see her aunt’s smug grin as she bathed. The woman was full of hate and her eyes always lingered where they shouldn’t.

  She removed her clothing quickly, listening to the chatter of the others.

  “I think the lace should be seen,” Amaya said as she adjusted the dress.

  “Lace covering the bosom is not to be seen at the neckline, not of an unmarried woman.” Her mother scoffed.

  “I agree with your mother, the lace is not to be seen.”

  Lenny dipped her naked body into the room-temperature water and quickly scrubbed herself. It took but a few minutes to do the extra work required for an evening out. Once she was rinsed, she stood from the water and grabbed the sheet to dry herself, wrapping it around her instead and awaiting the onslaught.

  It didn’t take long.

  The curtain was pulled back and her mother drew her forward. “I long for the day when you will finally grow up and willingly go to a dance. And perhaps dress yourself.”

  Lenny would have loved to dress herself, but the options she’d choose wouldn’t have been allowed.

  “Perhaps tonight you will meet someone you fancy enough to dance with,” Amaya teased but the tone was cruel and the stare icy. Lenny knew she had hurt her sister’s feelings by not caring about the engagement enough.

  “I have a gown already picked out for you.” Hilde smiled softly and politely from the doorway as she entered. “You’ll look lovely in it.”

  “She’s right. It’s a stunning gown.” Amaya sipped her tea like a lady with her pinky finger out. “Though I suppose you’ll think it ugly and spend the night wishing you’d been allowed to wear breeches.”

  Hilde laughed but their aunt and mother did not.

  Lenny closed herself off from the abuse, convinced she had earned it by slighting her sister’s happiness and by not being a girl of the correct sort.

  They came at Lenny as a horde, wounding as they dressed and readied her, which was always the worst.

  Their idea of brushing hair involved tugging at her scalp until they managed to twist it up, then stabbing as they pinned. Her face was rubbed with a lavender scented cream, and her eyes, lips, and cheeks were brushed with a variety of strange objects to add color and glow.

  She was dressed in a tight bodice with a built-in whalebone corset with laces in the back that Aunt Mildred pulled particularly hard on for such a small woman.

  Lenny refused to give a single grunt or complaint, yet she was certain two of her ribs were close to dislocating if such a thing were possible.

  The gown was buttoned over the laces and the finishing touches completed in a hurry.

  “What time is it?” Amaya asked impatiently as she spritzed Lenny with something smelling of lilacs, her eyes drawing to the setting sun as though she might be able to tell.

  “It’s after eight,” Lenny muttered, saying her first words since the lecturing and dressing had begun.

  “Time to go!” Their mother made the three girls stand in front of her and Mildred as they inspected. “I daresay, you will be the most beautiful women at the party. And you as well, Lenny.” Her mother sounded proud and offered a smile. It was hopeful and Lenny dreaded what her mother had to be hopeful about.

  When they got downstairs, even their father gave Lenny a second and third glance.

  “What have you done to the poor girl? She’s gorgeous,” her father teased. “I didn't recognize you for a moment.”

  “That’s because my face is wearing enough makeup to glaze dessert buns, and my body feels as if it has been stretched on the rack.”

  He chuckled, thinking Lenny was joking but she was perfectly serious.

  If she made it through the evening without falling over dead, it would be a miracle.

  Chapter 5

  Hilde and Amaya walked elegantly toward the hall that was situated next to Magistrate Tuille’s house, with their mother to the right of them. Their father was dealing with the carriage and horses, leaving them at Quays tied up. It was close enough that he could walk to fetch them when the evening was over.

  Lenny, while struggling to breathe, traipsed along behind her sisters and mother, desperate to tear off her dress and run into the woods in only her undergarments. Her skin felt heavy from the makeup, and to make matters worse, it itched. It was so thickly caked, she didn't dare touch a single spot on her face. Not that it compared to the tightness of the girdle or the discomfort of the frilly knickers.

  Her mother might as well have tied her to a post and dragged her through town naked for all she suffered.

  Groups of people were arriving together, smiling and waving at her family in the glow of the street lanterns. Though Lenny didn't receive a single wave, she did get some strange side-glances. She assumed it was because she appeared so miserable, but she couldn't fight it. She was miserable.

  And as usual, she was the polar opposite of her sisters who floated into the hall, allowing for fake kisses on the cheek and billowy curtseys as the well-wishers began to gather.

  Everyone loved the Ailling triplets. Even Aunt Mildred had to admit they were considered the town’s own small miracles, three baby girls born within minutes of one another. In a fishing community it was considered a good omen, and it was often mentioned that crops, seasons, and fishing had been decent since their birth.

  The town believed the water god, Isil, had smiled upon them by bringing them the three girls, hence marking the town for goodness. But fishing villages were like that. Superstitious as the day was long. Lenny enjoyed listening to her gran tell of the ancient legends and fables.

  As Lenny made her way to the hall, she glan
ced at the clock tower next to them, noting the orange moon that tried to hide behind it. It was odd to see an orange moon so early in the summer.

  Entering the hall, she felt a measure of pride for her mother when she saw the decorations shining in the glow of the stunning pillar candles her mother, aunt, and gran had been making for months. Each was wrapped at the bottom with boughs of greenery and flowers. The whole scene was breathtaking, even if Lenny couldn't breathe. White flowers lined the small tables against the walls, with lanterns on each of them, adding to the glow.

  Hilde gasped loudly at the stunning decorations. “Oh, Mother. It’s beautiful in here. It’s perfect.”

  “Indeed.” Amaya gushed alongside her, nearly singing her words, “Exactly what I always dreamed of.” She’d already glowed with pride and excitement at being the reason for the party and the center of attention. Now she would be positively unbearable.

  “Miss Amaya,” Josu said excitedly, making his way to his betrothed. He appeared to be as thrilled as she was. Amaya stood taller when he offered his arm. “You are beautiful this evening. I mean, you are always but tonight perhaps more so. If possible.” His cheeks flushed and Lenny grinned. Josu Kettelson was a sweet young man who had a kindness about him that Lenny enjoyed. He hid no guile or malice and would treat her sister with reverence. She cared not that he was the most eligible young man in town with a handsome fortune, but that his disposition was such her sister wouldn’t suffer in the arrangement.

  “Thank you, Josu. You look very handsome as well.” And he did.

  “Let me be the first to say, congratulations,” Helene Tuille, the magistrate’s wife, said as she rushed over. “You make a lovely couple.” She was the kind one, unlike her husband, the boasting snob. Before Helene’s husband decided to join her, Lenny made a quick turn to the right to enjoy the view of the celebration from behind a laurel-wrapped pillar before anyone noticed her.