Page 71 of House of the Raven
Esmeralda rolls her eyes. “Let’s get you back inside while we unpack.”
For thirty minutes, there is a flurry of activity as everyone unpacks the wagons. They do it all in an efficient, eager way, as if they cannot wait to be under the roofs of their tiny homes.
I help Esmeralda bring her things inside. There’s barely any room for everything in one corner, but in the end, each bundle finds a place.
Leonor lumbers toward a small hearth, tending a fire and preparing something that smells sweet. When we sit down at a rough-hewn table, she limps our way, carrying two steaming metal cups.
“Orange blossom tea,” she says as I bring my nose close to the rim.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, child.”
There is a knock at the door, and Gaspar puts his head in.
“Everyone is all right in here?” he asks.
A shy smile stretches Leonor’s mouth. “Hello, Gaspar. Would you like some tea?”
Gaspar slides in and closes the door behind him. “I’d love that.” He has removed the band he wears around his forehead, and a full head of black hair falls around his face.
“I’ll get it, ma.” Esmeralda prepares another cup.
Gaspar sits to my right. His knee knocks against mine. “Sorry,” he says, but his green eyes are set on Leonor. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine,” she responds. The one-word answer feels like an evasion. “How was the journey? Tell me all about it.”
“Ma,” Esmeralda’s tone carries reproach. “How didyoufare while we were gone? How’s the pain?”
Leonor sighs tiredly. “Things are always the same here. Nothing has changed. I want to hear about what you saw, what you did. You know I miss being on the road.”
Esmeralda and Gaspar exchange a glance, unpleased by her answer. I don’t know how bad her pain is, but it’s apparent that the fact it remains the same is bad news. Nevertheless, they relent and proceed to tell her everything.
They have tales for every town they visit and do an excellent job recounting them all. They’re funny and witty and complete each other’s sentences, making me wonder if they rehearsed what to say in order to draw out the laughter that now fills the small space.
I join in their merriment, once again feeling a pang of longing for the close bond they share, not to mention the deep affection. I can see it in the way Esmeralda’s green eyes sparkle when her mother smiles, in Leonor’s laughter at Gaspar’s witty quips, and in the way he subtly clutches his hand into a loose fist each time her fingers graze his, as if he’s attempting to preserve her touch in some way.
They also tell her how I ended up with the troop. She’s most interested in this story, and it makes me wonder if she’s worried someone will come after me and will cause them trouble.
I set my cup down, understanding that I’m very close to wearing out my welcome. “I’m very grateful to Gaspar and Esmeralda,” I say. “I hope that one day I can repay you for your help.” This is something I intend to do as soon as I can. “I should be on my way now.” I jump to my feet.
Esmeralda follows. “What? No, you should stay. I’ll make dinner. A feast. It’s a tradition on our first day back, isn’t it, ma?”
“Indeed,” she replies.
I shake my head. “I appreciate it. I really do, but I don’t want to take advantage of your hospitality. It’s more than enough that you have helped me get to Castellina.”
“Where are you going to go at this hour?” Esmeralda asks. “It’s late. It wouldn’t be wise or safe. Stay the night at least.”
I press my lips together, unsure.
“Ma? Gaspar?” Esmeralda enlists them in her efforts.
“I agree with her,” Gaspar puts in. “Itislate. You need a good meal between your ribs and good rest, so you can face the realm with new energy tomorrow.”
“I second that,” Leonor says.
A good meal sounds very tempting. We’ve eaten little more than stale bread on the road for the past several days. I will need the energy tomorrow, for sure.
