Page 20 of The Iron Oath
There was a reason for that.
“My father, your chieftain, is a reasonable male, and he is my father and will listen to me.” Magoza stood to her full height and motioned for them to continue.
Amuleta brushed past her. Magoza may have confidence in her father, but Amuleta didn’t.
“Banhas?” Amuleta called out softly.
She held the front door of the cottage and stood in the entrance. Gelisha’s singing drifted through the air from the backroom. Amuleta smiled at the simple fact her mother was singing. She probably hadn’t realized Amuleta had been gone so long.
“Amuleta? Are you home?” Gelisha replied. The door to her sewing room opened, and she rushed out with a wide grin. She made her way to Amuleta, still with her measuring tape draped over her shoulders. “Oh,danhas. Wait until you see the new dress. I am almost done with it. Come inside. Why are you standing in the doorway?”
She came over to Amuleta and brought her in for a tight hug.
“Um,Banhas. There is someone with me,” Amuleta murmured softly.
Gelisha drew away from her and motioned to the bags Amuleta was holding.
“You picked all of that today?” she exclaimed and clapped her hands together. Her dark hair was pulled back away from her face in a messy bun on top of her head. Her skin was slightly flushed from being secluded in her sewing room. It was quite warm inside, and on days like today when it was extremely warm, they usually spent time out in the back.
“Did you hear me,Banhas?” Amuleta placed her bags on the table by the door and motioned behind her.
Magoza stood outside the cottage waiting patiently.
“We have a guest.”
Gelisha’s eyes widened. She glanced around Amuleta and froze. Her gaze flicked back to Amuleta.
“What have you done,danhas?” She took Amuleta’s hands in hers. Gelisha’s smile faded, and a look of fear entered her eyes. “We are going to have to leave here,” she whispered fiercely. She tugged Amuleta to her and tried to push her behind her.
Amuleta stumbled for a moment from the surprising strength her mother had displayed. Gelisha stood tall in the doorway as she faced Magoza.
“It is okay.” Amuleta rested her hands on Gelisha’s shoulders and gave a squeeze.
Gelisha’s muscles were taut underneath her touch. She didn’t know what was going on. She had never seen her react this way before. Even in town she was fine amongst the orcs. She always ignored their stares just as she’d taught Amuleta.
“Come. Allow me to introduce you.”
Gelisha hesitated for a moment before being coaxed outside. Amuleta stood next to her and offered Magoza an apologetic smile. Magoza’s intense eyes didn’t miss anything. She arched an eyebrow at Amuleta who just shrugged.
“Banhas, this is Magoza?—”
“Cydassi. Yes, I know who she is,” Gelisha replied dryly. She held her head high. She glanced over at Amuleta. “She is the daughter of Tulak.”
“You know my father, ma’am?” Magoza replied.
“No, of course not. I’ve only heard about him,” Gelisha said. “But I know who you are, but I don’t know why you would be here with my daughter.”
“Banhas, we met in the woods today, and she helped me with the foraging. You see how much I was able to bring home with her help.” Amuleta tried to steer the conversation away from why Magoza was there. She wasn’t sure why her mother appeared to be angry at the fact that Magoza was there or who she was.
“I learned a lot today with your daughter, Ms.—” Magoza stopped.
Amuleta hadn’t had a chance to finish the introductions.
“My name is Gelisha,” her mother filled in for her.
They never revealed their last name. It was an ode to her late father. He had gone through so much to keep them safe and hidden away that there was no telling who would recognize his name.
“Ms. Gelisha,” Magoza continued. She nodded to the cottage and held up the heavier bags she had carried for Amuleta. “Would you like for me to bring these inside for you?”
