Page 99 of Faeling
She didn’t seem surprised to see any of it.
Calling over her shoulder for their aunt, Tylda, she said nothing to Vallek until joined by the older orcess.
“Ulrich’s finally come home,” said Uma.
Vallek bent to kneel on their threshold. He swept his hand through the dirt on their stoop, and despite the distressed noises the orcesses made, he smeared the grime across his forehead.
An ancient act of shame, of contrition.
“Please,” he said. “Forgive me.”
Ravenna hadn’t quite realized what all designing and constructing this special new gown would entail. Hilde arrived early, as promised, and they spent the better part of the morning debating fabrics and fits.
Over breakfast, a more traditional orcish silhouette was rejected. Even in a few of Asta’s old garments from when she was an adolescent, the thick, stiff pieces overwhelmed Ravenna’s lither frame. It was a relief to shrug off the heavy leathers and brocade.
Instead, they focused on the duality of light fabric and precise construction.
By lunchtime, they had sketches and a plan.
Ravenna spent most of the afternoon standing on the low table, pulled out from the den into the central hall to give Hilde room to maneuver. It took hours, but eventually, with just pins and fabric, the shape of a gown began to appear from the chaos.
Even when she held pins between her teeth, Hilde was all friendly chatter, telling Ravenna about her shop, the recent city gossip, and Eydis’s plans. “At least I have you for a few days,” she sighed. “Eydis is having a little too much fun laying all her plotsand traps.”
That was certainly what it sounded like when Bryn checked in later, recounting all the commotion going on below. The citadel was a hive of activity, everyone executing their part to ensure everything went perfectly. It was surreal to hear that so many were doing so much; up in the king’s quarters, she and Hilde didn’t hear anything as they pinned and planned.
As dinnertime approached, Ravenna’s enthusiasm began to flag. Hilde, however, remained energetic, excited by the prospect of creating an entire wardrobe for Ravenna. Based around their ideas of duality and combination, Hilde envisioned dozens of gowns with the structure and stiff lines favored by orcish fashions mixed with the flowing fabrics and draping lengths more common in human and fae garments. She spoke of different colors for different seasons, the symbolism of possible beadwork and embroidery, as she turned Ravenna about, wielding her pins.
While Ravenna appreciated her enthusiasm, the thought of conveying so much with just her clothes had those knots in her guts tightening.
And she was growing tired and hungry. And honestly a bit dizzy from all the turning.
Still, she tried to be gentle when she reminded Hilde, “I’m not a doll, Hilde.”
The orcess blushed. “No, you’re not. You’re a muse. The one I’ve been waiting for.”
With a flourish, Hilde spread the layered skirts around her, the silky fabric kissing Ravenna’s legs like cool water. Hilde stepped back to angle a long mirror so Ravenna could see herself.
Her lips parted in surprise. She knew this was what they’dbeen designing all day, but to see it…
Burgundy silk cascaded down her body like wine pouring from a bottle. The bodice sat snugly to her torso, pinned into a diamond pattern with ribbons marking where more rigid boning would be encased in gold to act as stays and structure. Billowing sleeves artfully draped from the outer curve of her shoulders, gathered with glittering ruby buttons at her wrists. The skirts flowed from her hips in gleaming waves, the first layer of burgundy ending around her knees, with a second beneath of a slightly darker red, then another, and another, with the final layer frothing past her feet a blood-red crimson.
Hilde leaned to the side to grin at Ravenna in the mirror. “Good, yes?”
“Very good,” she breathed. “Hilde, this is…” Ravenna blinked hard, refusing the prickling in her eyes. “This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Hilde tutted. “It’s not even finished. But I’m always ready for praise.”
Reaching out a shy hand, she laid it on Hilde’s shoulder. “Thank you.”
The orcess winked. “Say nothing of it. You are kin now.” Turning to make a few minor adjustments, Hilde told her, “I know it’s a lot of fuss, but it’s necessary. Not to be dour, but you have one chance to win the hearts of Balmirra. Let’s stack the odds in your favor.”
Ravenna laughed, wiping away tears that definitely weren’t there. “At least if they don’t approve of me, they can’t say anything against my gown.”
“Precisely. We’ll make them all mad with envy.”
She held still as Hilde finished up marking where the intended embellishments—beads, crystals, gold thread—wouldgo.
“If you come back tomorrow, I’d like to help with the embroidering. I’m handy with a needle.”
