Page 7 of The Iron Oath
She sat opposite her. It was always a pleasure to share a meal with her. They began eating in a comfortable silence. The food was cooked to perfection, and Amuleta must have been hungrier than she thought.
She missed the days where her father joined them. She didn’t want to become sad again thinking of him, so she turned her thoughts to how they could spend the extra coin she had earned.
“Why don’t we go into the village and pick out that fabric you were wanting,” she suggested.
It would do Gelisha some good to get out of the house. It wasn’t often she went into town.
Her mother perked up at the mention of new fabric. Excitement lined her face. She gave a nod. “That would be wonderful. I can make us both new dresses.” She stabbed a slice of pekare with her fork. She took a bite and closed her eyes. “Danhas, you did good with this meal.”
“I had a wonderful teacher.” Amuleta smiled. She had spent many days beside Gelisha learning all that she could. Amuleta always enjoyed cooking the foods that she grew and found wild out in the forest.
“That you did.” There was a twinkle in Gelisha’s eyes.
They continued their meal while chatting. Gelisha shared what all she had done today. She had been busy out in their garden and the walk she had gone on. Amuleta worried about her and her walks when she was not around. What if she forgot how to get back home? Gelisha always brushed her off when she suggested she waited for her.
“I want to take you somewhere. I found wild urdilla flowers growing not too far away.”
“And you didn’t bring any home?” Amuleta gasped. Urdilla flowers were her favorite. They were lush with large wide petals that came in an array of colors. They only grew in remote areas, and if they were close enough, Amuleta had to go and find them.
“I figured we can try to transplant them. We have an area at the edge of the yard where I believe they could survive and grow. Then you can have your own.” Gelisha sipped her wine. Her eyes held that twinkle again. She knew her daughter too well.
Amuleta would definitely try to grow her own if she could.
“How about we go to town in the morning, come home, then we can go for a walk and you can show me where they are.”
Gelisha hesitated at first, and Amuleta knew why. They both always drew stares when they were in town. Her mother more than she, but Amuleta was sure it was the thought of new fabric that had Gelisha giving a nod. Tomorrow would be a wonderfulday for them. It had been a long time since they’d both gone into town together, and she looked forward to it. Amuleta reached for her wine and took a hefty sip.
“Are you sure Lulu won’t go anywhere?” Gelisha stood next to Lulu.
Her faithful shukan must have sensed that she was needed. When Amuleta had stepped outside their cottage, the shukan was lying out in the yard. Amuleta wasn’t sure when Lulu had returned, but the shukan had been ready for the trek into town.
They had left early as the twin suns were rising. Gelisha insisted that it was going to be an abnormally warm day. Today Amuleta wore a pale-pink sleeveless dress with a belt around her waist. Her hair she had braided around her head in a crown-like design.
“Lulu will graze and go mind her business. She’ll come back when I call.” Amuleta grinned.
They had made it to town in good time. They could take their time and walk through the village before stopping at the fabric shop. Amuleta had plans to surprise her mother and take her out for a meal. It had definitely been a long while since either of them had eaten at a restaurant. Amuleta gave Lulu a pat on her hind legs. She snorted and ambled off toward the trees. She’d be fine. Amuleta turned to Gelisha and motioned for them to begin their journey.
“Come. We can enjoy the day.”
The moment she uttered the words she began to feel eyes on her. She inhaled sharply and tried to keep her smile on her lips. They strode together while heading toward the center of town were many shops and taverns were located.
“Not much has changed,” Gelisha said softly.
Amuleta would have given anything to know what she was thinking of. She wasn’t sure if she was speaking of the town itself or how people were openly staring. Udenia was a diverse area, but orcs made up the majority of the town. There just weren’t many humans there. Matter of fact, Amuleta tried to think of the last time she’d seen one other than her mother. If she had, they were probably passing through.
“Don’t let their stares bother you,” Gelisha murmured.
She entwined her arm with Amuleta’s and pulled her close. Today was a day her mother’s mind was clear. She’d had much experience dealing with the townsfolk. When Amuleta was a child, they would go to town, and she never understood why they rendered stares the way they did. Amuleta, a youngling, didn’t understand. Gelisha would hold her close and tell her to hold her head up high.
Amuleta inhaled deeply and leaned into her. She could feel the strength radiating from her. This woman had been through things that Amuleta could never imagine.
They went about their business and ignored those who were just downright ignorant. Amuleta had grown used to it. As she ventured to the market each week over the solars, she ignored the stares and whispers. All she truly cared about was earning enough money to ensure she and her mother were well taken care of.
“Oh, look at that,” Gelisha exclaimed.
They had arrived at the fabric store, and the window display held beautiful dresses and hats. Her mother’s smile widened, and she tugged Amuleta with her toward the door. A giggle escaped Amuleta at Gelisha’s excitement. This made their trip all the more worth it.
They went inside, and Gelisha immediately disappeared into the rows of cloth and fabric. Amuleta had a hard time keepingup with the woman. When it came to fabrics, this was Gelisha’s haven. She could be heard muttering to herself in the many different languages she spoke. It drew a chuckle from Amuleta because Gelisha never realized when she switched languages. It was a gift, for Amuleta had learned them from her as a child.
