Page 7 of 1000 of You
“How do Iknow you are not lying to me?” His voice was rougher. The man was starting tobelieve she had beguiled him. She opened her mouth to respond, when he set hisbowl down. “How do I know you have not put some kind of potion or poison inthis food?”
“I ameating the same food,” she calmly pointed out.
“Perhapsyou are impervious to your ownconjurings.”
Settingaside her food, she went around the fire to kneel in front of him. Bowing herhead, she held out her arms, wrists together. “If at any time you believe Ihave placed a spell upon you, you may beat me as punishment.” She raised herface to stare into his, realizing for the first time that his eyes were a lightbrown, almost golden color. “I have never used my abilities to harm, and Inever will. Until this morning, when I was at the market, I have not usedsorcery for years. The entire time I was withKolis,I never used it, even though there were many times he tried to force me to. ButI knew that as soon as I did, he would start demanding me to do things for him,or do things to his enemies, and that was a fate I could not face. That is thebiggest reason why I think he traded me to you, because I had convinced himthat all the stories about theOrshiiwere simplythat. Stories. Fables. Tall tales meant to pass the time, or to fascinate smallchildren. Because he found me worthless, he found a way to exploit me bytrading me for his sword. And you…”
Shecouldn’t continue. Tears were rising in her eyes, and she turned her face awayto prevent him from seeing them.
There wasthe sound of the fire popping, and the soft whisper of his breathing. She wasso close to him, his breath wafted over her extended wrists. After a while, hegently pushed away her arm.
“If at anytime you intend on using your sorcery, let me know. I will decide if you shouldor should not use it.”
She gave asingle nod to let him know she accepted his terms.
“Gova.”
At thesound of his voice, she turned back to him, knowing he would see her tears.
“Since youhave been truthful to me, I will give you the same courtesy. I do not know ifyou will stay with me. I have not made that decision. I have been alone for solong, I have come to accept my solitude. I have learned to enjoy the silence. Ihave come to expect this life of peace that I have earned with my blood andsweat.”
“And I havecompletely disrupted that peace,” she murmured.
“Yes, youhave.” Getting to his feet, he left the hut without another word, leaving herto wonder how she would be able to survive if he eventually chose to be rid ofher.
At thethought of having to leave him, the tears flowed faster.
Chapter 6
Happy
He was inluck.Heshohad several old wolf pelts he hadn’t beenable to sell in several months. For the cost of two ducats, and a promise togive him three freesharpeningsin the future,Muamwas able to purchase the furs forGovato use to ward off the night’s chill. Of course, she would need to sew themtogether to make a blanket of them, but for now he had found an answer to oneof his problems.
He neededto double everything. Two bowls, two spoons, two beds and two sets of bedding.And that was just his immediate concern.
By the timehe returned to the hut with the bundle of furs,Govawas not there. The pot of cooked meat sat on the ground, next to the pit, whichshe’d banked. Dumping the pelts onto her bed, he went outside and glancedaround. Not spotting her, he silently chided himself. He wasn’t getting anywork done. When he should be inside his shed, he was standing here looking fora woman who had…
Muamstraightened.Iam becoming obsessed with her, and that is dangerous. I cannot allow her tofill my thoughts. If she stays, she stays. If she leaves, she leaves. Butwhatever she does, I will still be here. I will still need to make my swords,and daggers, and knives, and sell them so that I may have food to eat.
Setting his mind on the task athand, he returned to the shed, but his thoughts continued to stray. Continuedto focus instead on the dark-haired woman with eyes the color of springflowers.
He tried to keep his attention on the weapon he was shaping,but after a while he gave up. Images ofGovatryingto eat with her fingers kept popping up. She needed her own utensil.Then I will make her one. And when I amdone, hopefully I can return to what is more important.
Pieces of scrap metal lay in abox in one corner of the shed. He selected one that would suffice and took itover to the glowing furnace. It didn’t take him long to shape one end into abowl she could use to scoop her food. The other end… He stared at the plainhandle. Smiling, he retrieved his awl, and elaborately carved her name into itbefore adding a design. When he was satisfied with the results, he polished thespoon and placed it to the side.
A customerappeared in the doorway as he was turning to resume work on the dagger. Thewoman needed two knives sharpened. Although some people resorted to sharpeningtheir own blades, it took great care and expertise. Luckily for him, most ofthe village came to him when they needed the task done. He charged them verylittle per blade, and by doing so he had enough business in that offering tohelp sustain him between sales of his larger weapons.
“You seemhappier,” the woman remarked as he worked.Muamglanced up to see a warm smile onCossi’sface. Theold woman loved to gossip, as most did. However, this time there appeared to begenuine concern in her eyes. He replied with a grunt and turned back to hiswork. Yet, her words continued to haunt him.
“You seem happier.”
The realization was like a kickin the butt. Yes, hewashappier. Inspite of the worry, the aggravation, and small amount of resentment he thoughthe felt due to having his life completely up-ended, he was content havingGovawith him. In less than a day, she had become moreimportant to him than his business, and that admission worried him.
He finishedthe knives, andCossipaid him for his effort. Butbefore she left, she gave him another smile and nodded. “It is time you hadsome happiness come into your life,Muam. You arelong overdue.” She walked away without further comment.
Muamwalked outside to survey the road and what he couldsee of the village from the front of his shop.The wisdom of the ancients.The elderly woman had given him herhonest, albeit unsolicited advice, and every bit of it was true. Hewasa happier man. There was abrightness inside him he never realized was there. It was like a banked firehad come back to life, bringing with it warmth and light.
A firenamedGova.
