The Stumpwork Robe (The Chronicles of Eirie 1) Read online

  Liam’s interest concentrated itself fully on the girl and Tara melted like butter in the summer sun. ‘Run away, you say.’

  ‘Aye. Off into the night. Her ma and brother heard her dog howling and broke into her room to see what was amiss and the girl was gone, a bag taken, food too, her father’s rowan crook gone. And no trail, for the ground was covered with drizzle. As if they didn’t have enough troubles at that farm, with Mr. Lamb up and dying and a crop failure and Aine knows what else. You know what farming’s like.’ Tara shook her head. ‘Anyway no one can find her. The Travellers have been told and they’re leaving on their way soon and will keep an eye open.’ She leaned toward Liam and he bent his head down to her. ‘But do you know what? If I wanted to get away from someone like the Bellinghams, I’d hide in the Weald. No one’d be able to find you there.’

  He touched her forehead with a faint kiss and she turned around looking for the source but there was nothing. Her memory of having talked to him was gone, as was her memory of his very existence. By the time her hand had come away from her forehead, Liam was in the stable saddling his mount. By the time she was in the tavern kitchen, he was galloping through the village outskirts to the road skirting the edge of the Weald. He knew Ana would make for the highway as far from the village as possible and with the Weald in between her and those who searched. He had no doubt she believed they would not consider her brave enough to tackle the eldrich forest at night and would look for her elsewhere, giving her time to put distance between she and the searchers. He also had no doubt the northern reaches of Eirie with mountains, deserts and exotic locales would appeal to someone who was fascinated by the Travellers.

  By dawn, the black mass of the woods was in his sights and he put his horse at a low hawthorn hedge, jumping into a lightly wooded valley that fell lazily down grassed slopes. Lacing through the green folds with watery tinkles, a small stream meandered toward the dark shadows of the trees. His horse picked its way carefully along the banks, finally pushing through wild fragrantissima to a coppice that glowed gold in the weak dawn light. Trees drooped under the weight of moisture from the drizzle and those that could shed their leaves in showers of gilt. The horse stepped delicately over autumn crocus, finally stopping dead, throwing up its head, eyes wide, a snort rattling down its nostrils. Liam threw himself out of the saddle and ran toward the far edge of the clearing where the stream had opened out to form a dappled pool - the kind that would please the eye of an ingénue or trap the unwary. The home of a Weald waterwight.

  A figure in dark clothes was kneeling, almost lying, by the side of the leaf-bedecked pond. A pale arm poked out of the water, hand wrapped like chain around a mortal wrist. The unfortunate anchored so maliciously was a whisker away from the watery surface. Soon the face would be under water and the wight would hold it there until the victim drowned. There would be no struggle. The malfeasant of Eirie could entice and slaughter their prey with the minimum of fuss.

  ‘Let go or I’ll destroy you!’ Liam shouted and the wight turned a snarling face toward him as his hand began to sweep, the waterlily pads curling, browning, the water beginning to steam and bubble. The waterwight opened her mouth in a silent howl, letting go of Ana and swimming to the far side of the pool to grimace with jagged teeth. Kicking up a spray of water, she disappeared into the dark green depths, Ana kneeling at the edge, shaken and faint and whispering ‘Pa? Pa?’

  ‘Come away. It’s a charm from a waterwight.’ Liam slipped a hand under her elbow.

  Ana lifted a wretched face to him, eyes filled with a wracking sadness. ‘But I saw him...’

  ‘You saw what the wight wanted you to see so it could entrap you. Ana, you are still in the Weald. It is the playground of the Others.’

  She sat on the ground, head hanging forward in her hands. From the muffled space came an enquiry. ‘But you are Other, aren’t you?’ She looked up then, her face pale and wan.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And you won’t hurt me?’

  Liam stilled, a momentous silence in which his fingers moved the pawn backwards and forwards across the board. And then, ‘I think not.’

  She allowed him to help her up and he hoisted her bag over his shoulder. He saw her crook on the ground but unable touch it, he gestured. ‘Ana, your staff. I can’t...’

  She bent and retrieved the carved staff, the shiver of bells casting a twin shiver over Liam. ‘I’m sorry,’ she muttered, whipping off the woolen cap, tendrils of hair flying around her face. She wrapped the head of the crook in its soft confines so the bells were silenced. ‘I had no idea its power was so strong, I'm a mortal after all. Could I have used it against the wight?’ She ran her fingers down the smooth wood as if touching her father’s hand.

  ‘You could if the wight hadn’t enchanted you. After that, you had no control over anything you did. Your crook, even though it was lying by your feet, was no protection because you couldn’t hold it. Now come, I’ll take you away from here.’

  Liam had been guiding her gently toward his horse but she pulled back from the masculine hands, as if his touch had become repellent and repugnant in an instant. ‘No!’

  His eyebrows rose in response.

  ‘It’s kind of you.’ she stood still, brushing the loose hair out of her face. ‘But I must meet my friends on the highway in an hour.’ She avoided his gaze as if he represented something distasteful.

  As he had retired the evening before, he had stared at his reflection in the mirror and wondered what she saw when she gazed upon him. Not handsome, there were prettier fellows. But the planes of his face were equal and strong and his nose was long and well shaped and when he smiled he could charm and he believed she would feel drawn to him as iron filings to a magnet. He grinned. ‘Of course. I realise you had to be here in the Weald for a purpose. Let me take you to the highway on my horse.’

  She bit her lip. He could imagine her tremulous thoughts: Yes, no, should I, could I?

  ‘Come now, Ana. I am no shape-shifter. I am Faeran but my offer is harmless.’ He held out the hand that yesterday had swung her off the log and noticed a faint blush on her cheeks as she reached forward with cautious fingers. ‘Right then, if we can just work out how to deal with your crook, we can mount my horse and go.’ He began tying her tote to the pommel of the saddle and then turned as he caught sight of her wrestling the crook in the corner of his eye. She had taken off her coat and slipped the crook through the armholes and then re-buttoned it at her neck with the top button. It hung down her back like an absurd mantle, the arms horizontal and stiff like a scarecrow. Liam laughed. ‘Well if nothing else you’re resourceful. But I can’t haul you up behind. Climb the fallen log over there and slide on behind me.’ He jumped on his horse and guided it to the side of the temporary mounting block. With only slight difficulty, Ana slipped over the dappled back to position herself astride, arms tentatively holding Liam’s waist, trying to keep the crook clear of his body. The journey up the valley proceeded gently, the horse happy to amble with its added cargo. For a little while there was no sound from either Liam or Ana until she shifted and he reached behind and slipped a hand over her arm. She flinched. ‘You’re alright?’ he said.

  ‘Yes, I’m fine.’ She gave a sigh. ‘I often rode like this with my Pa.’

  ‘But I’ll wager not with a crook sticking out of your shoulders.’

  ‘No, Pa had a special sling made and it hung down his horse’s shoulder so he could grab it in a hurry if needs be.’

  ‘Ah. A Faeran horse wouldn’t cope with it at all, let alone his rider.’

  ‘What does it feel like?’ Curiosity, the mortal weakness, began to assert itself.

  ‘The crook? Well, it’s rowan wood and that’s a guardian timber for mortals, so it’s almost like a bane for any Other. Add the silver bells and it feels like a flash of lightning. It burns and shocks; a complete anathema.’

  ‘Can you feel its proximity?’ Ana swayed as the horse paced evenly and her body touched Liam’s.
r />   He relished every minute of such contact as he answered. ‘Indeed. It’s apparent.’

  ‘Does it hurt?’

  ‘Not especially,’ he lied. ‘Now tell me, why are you here on your own?’

  Her initial silence smacked of cautious prevarication and he wondered if she was stronger than he had thought, perhaps not quite the easy game he hoped. Finally she replied. ‘To meet my friends. I had thought to shortcut through the Weald. I was almost there.’

  ‘Where do you plan to go?’ His questions nibbled away.

  ‘Wherever my friends wish to go. Their choices are mine. The Raj or Veniche. I don’t mind.’

  Liam listened to her quiet voice, enjoying the pressure of her body behind him. ‘What about your family?’

  Her body tensed, a withdrawing, a curling of the fingers at his waist, a straightening of the spine. ‘They won’t miss me,’ was all she said.

  He knew better than to prevail any further and felt her body subside. But as they reached the side of the highway, she called out in a voice filled with light. ‘There!’

  His fingers clenched on his reins, face tightening. He glanced down the grey ribbon of road and saw a vehicle pulled by a large horse and alongside, the shambolic shape of a camel. In his own tongue he cursed the approaching caravan as the nuisance he felt it was. Interference, conversation. His lip curled. He wanted her to react to his voice like that. Bain as! Bain as!

  ***

  Another book has been finished and you must shrink it and replace it. Ah, but it’s as well this robe is so commodious or I would never be able to conceal the whole story. Move to the depiction of the fruit, the two branches arching with the fruits of the hedgerow. Embroidering fruit is immeasurably colourful and tactile and such pleasant stitches are used; Venichese knots, satin stitch, trellis stitch and many more. As one applies the individually wrought elements to the silk of the robe, it is like attending a market and picking the best and in my current situation that becomes a small measure of comfort. You will see a terracotta butterfly of with aqua Venichese knots on the wings fluttering amongst the fruit. Very, very carefully, peel the wing back and there you will see another book. Read on!

  Chapter Nine

  ‘So, Ana!’ Adelina’s face cooled like a weather change. Meeting up, heeding the Liam's presence, transferring Ana and her luggage, crook included, to the van was all done in a matter of fact, slightly gritty way by Adelina who cast combative looks at Liam. He meanwhile, smooth as can be, kept up a pleasant patter with Kholi Khatoun, the latter fully aware he was in the presence of an Other and not unimpressed by the fact.

  ‘Don’t be angry,’ Ana smiled tentatively at the Traveller.

  ‘Angry!’ Adelina slapped her hand against her thigh. ‘Ana, you have no idea how worried we have all been. Aghast. When we left Orford, the whole town was about to begin a search for you. Everyone was mad with fear because... because...’ she looked sideways at that dark stranger who chattered away to Kholi. Some black notion filled her whole being and she turned quickly back to the younger woman. ‘Because it was the middle of the night and everyone thought you may be dead. I really must turn round and take you home.’

  ‘No!’ Ana grabbed Adelina’s arm. ‘No, I am never going back. Never. I just want a lift away from Trevallyn. If it’s not with you, then I’ll get it with someone else.’ She glanced at Liam, a glance Adelina could hardly miss and her need to chaperone the woman and keep her safe from harm’s way became greater than the need to overly chastise.

  ‘Ana, there are people at home who ache with loss for you. How can you do this?’

  Ana sat for a moment watching Ajax’s huge shaggy mane blowing in the cool morning breeze. His ears flicked back and forth at the voiced inflections from behind and his tail swayed from side to side in an equine version of a Raji dance of the seven veils. ‘I can do it because I ache more than they do.’ Ana spoke through gritted teeth. ‘I can do it because they abrogated any familial right to my respect and affection with their actions.’ She sighed and looked directly at Adelina, eyes glistening. ‘And I can do it because my father is dead and I have been assaulted. Adelina, I ask you as my friend; accept my decision to leave and be my highway kin.’ She touched Adelina’s hand. ‘Please, I can’t go back.’

  The Traveller put her own hand over Ana’s, keeping her sighs to herself. ‘For now then, but we’ll talk again later.' She jerked her shoulder in Liam’s direction, hands bunched into the horn sign. ‘What about him?’

  ‘What about him? He’s Liam. He saved my life. I suppose he’s a friend too.’

  ‘Ana,’ Adelina looked scornfully at her friend. ‘Liam is Faeran. Yes, I realise you know this. But do you understand what that means in our language? In your language when it comes to that.’ Sarcasm fell from her lips like droplets of water onto a tranquil pool, the purpose being to set up uneasy ripples in Ana. Adelina stared at Liam with dislike, certainly disdain. ‘It means danger, peril, ambush, harm, distress, deceive, terrify, frighten. All those words translate to ‘Faeran’ in the Travellers’ tongue. I am horrified you journeyed with him.’

  ‘Oh stop it. Look at him.’ Ana glanced toward Liam and Kholi who were laughing together at some shared joke, so deplorably normal that Adelina’s attempt at unhinging Ana’s view looked doomed. ‘He saved my life. I was by a pool and had been mesmered by a waterwight. I was a hair’s breadth,’ Ana measured with her fingers, ‘from being drowned. He saved me, just the way Kholi saved me from...' She stopped and her face darkened and Adelina knew immediately she was thinking of Bellingham's assault.

  Nevertheless, she had to make the girl realise this new danger. ‘And did he tell you that if he saves you three times, he can call in the debt. That you must live in Faeran for all eternity?’

  Ana rubbed her bruises. ‘Well, so what? It must surely be better than my life has been of late.’

  ‘Oh Ana, I am sorry to bully you so. You’ve been through the worst of times and it is unforgivable of me to harass you, I apologise. But it is just that Kholi and I are worried. To have an Other in such close quarters is extremely disturbing. Anyway, you must sit and rest, there will be time later to talk.’ As Ana took her place on the van stoop, none of Adelina’s reservations eased. Ana was behaving like a hurt animal - fleeing to survive and without rational thought, for surely to have run so far from her hearth and in the presence of an Other smacked of irrationality. Adelina shook the reins over Ajax’s broad back - the back broad enough to be that of the unseelie Cabyll Ushtey. And that is something else I must tell her. She did not relish the task of explaining Bellingham’s gruesome demise.

  As they continued on their slow journey, Ajax’s weighty hooves matching the ponderous stride of the camel’s, Liam’s fine stallion danced alongside the sapphire and emerald coloured van. ‘Adelina, your van is the only beautiful thing here on this grey morning, present company excluded of course. If only the heavens could match the colour, the day would improve immeasurably.’

  ‘Aye,’ called Kholi Khatoun from high up on the swaying back of Mogu. He was swathed in his grubby cloak, the travel caplet pulled down hard on his head. ‘I swear I shall freeze before I get to the Celestine Stairway.’

  Liam laughed. ‘My friend, you are so much a creature of the North, aren’t you?’ He turned back to Adelina. ‘Madame, you must make him a warming posset when you stop. Unfortunately I’ll not be able to share it with him for I must leave you now.’’

  ‘Really.’ Adelina’s allowed her voice to fill with a caustic note. ‘Then let’s not keep you. Thank you for delivering our friend safely and adieu.’

  The teeth of any lesser being would have been set right on edge but Liam ignored the barb. ‘Adieu to you also.’ He turned his eyes to Ana, black pools drawing the pawn away from the side of the white shah’s board. ‘Safe journey. I’ll see you anon.’ He clicked his tongue and his horse sprang into a canter as he turned off the highway and headed through the valley of North Tamerton.

  Adelina was
aware of the rigid person beside her who followed the shape of horse and man until they were dots presently swallowed by the dark shadows of forested hills. She sighed and shook the reins again over Ajax’s back. ‘Kholi, shall we stop at Buckland? There’s a lovely tavern and they do an excellent roast.’

  ‘No!’ Ana piped up loudly before Kholi could reply. ‘No, please could we go further? I don’t want to be seen. Not yet. I must get away. Please.’

  ***

  I could see this day was going to be overly long so I resolved to teach Ana the rudiments of stumpwork as we journeyed, something to take her mind away from her tragedies and from thoughts of the unsettling Other she was patently attracted to. Kholi tied Mogu to the van and took to my bed to sleep and we swayed up the highway seeing nothing bar the exceptional beauty of the green valleys of Trevallyn. No man, nor wight, no beast nor bird bothered us. We were quite, quite peaceful. How I wish it had stayed that way forever.

  Ah well, if wishes were horses and such.

  Chapter Ten

  The Barrow Hills reminded Kholi of a woman’s breasts: soft mounds which in the light of the dusking afternoon displayed a subtle skin colour. He began to think of Adelina and resolved to invite her to his tent when they encamped. He was a man after all... with needs... and she was a nubile woman who had indicated she found him attractive. He smiled to himself as he gazed at the hills.

  But what about Ana? She is a gooseberry. But no, she could sleep in the van. A perfect solution. He mused on their absconding waif. She reminded him of how much he missed his sister, Lalita Khatoun. She was like Lalita in a myriad of ways; beautiful, impetuous, every mood flashing across her face for all to see and he could hardly miss the way she looked at Liam. By djinns but there is an attraction there. He smiled to himself again, comparing the powerful infatuation that rippled through his own mind. But back to Ana... there was still an underlying melancholia. Even now as she sat behind him on the camel to see what it was like, he could sense a part of her withdrawn and defensive.