Page 65 of A Tale of Ice and Ash
Chapter Eleven:
The First Gift
Eirwen did not get up when the rest of the household did. She lay awake, staring at the blue rosebuds on the gossamer curtains, trying not to think about the night before, and failing.
Don’t think about the blood.
Her blade flashed before her eyes.
Don’t think about that being the first time you truly wounded another human.
His body sank to the floor.
Don’t wonder if you killed him.
Was he still moving when you ran?
Don’t think about the fact you left them there.
Thirty people. Thirty people had cared enough to come, had been willing to support her. How many of them were dead, now? Could she have saved any of them?
Marie, Niamh and Cole were there. Had they gotten out safely? Cole was a skilled fighter, she remembered that from their sparring days, but against that many guards…
His mother would never have let any harm come to him, but the other two were another matter.
She clasped her hands together and uttered a silent prayer to any higher power that might be listening.Let them be safe. Whatever it costs me.
As the dwarves dispersed to start the morning chores, she slowly slid from her covers, dressed, and headed downstairs. Only Garnet was still around. She sat herself down at the table and chomped through the bowl of porridge that had been left for her, each bite making her stomach churn.
Garnet tidied up around her. “Is there any point telling you that there was nothing you could have done?”
Eirwen shook her head. “Please, just give me something to do.”
Garnet muttered something, sighed, and summoned a pile of clothes that needed mending. It was the perfect activity; focused and useful.
Let me fix things instead of breaking them.
Lunch was a muted affair, and she was glad for the true silence again after it was over. Even Juniper and Ivy knew that something was amiss, but a sharp glance from Garnet hushed them.
Shortly after most of the family had dispersed again, there was clattering over the bridge. Voices, Oakley and Merry rushing out to greet someone. Eirwen rushed towards the door before it flung open, and Cole stumbled in, red-faced and panting hard.
“Cole!” She raced to steady him, grabbing his arms. “What are you–”
“There’s, there’s trouble–”
Eirwen froze.Marie, Niamh. “Is anyone in imminent danger?”
“No. I don’t think so.”
She exhaled. “Good,” she said, pulling him towards a seat by the fire.
“No, not by the fire, I’m too hot.”
He tugged at his cloak. Eirwen helped him remove it, plonking him down away from the hearth. He took off his outer layer too, and was halfway to removing his shirt before Eirwen stopped him.
He flashed her a weak smile. “Would it be too much for you?”
“You will soon realise it’s not warm. Keep it on.”
