Chapter Twelve

“Marlis, look. There he is.”

Pulled to a stop by the plump woman with a scarf over her hair, Marlis dutifully looked. She tried to step back, out of sight, so she could watch the chief without drawing attention, but her companion still had hold of her.

“Is he not handsome?” As her smile widened, the dimples indenting her rounded cheeks deepened.

“Yes, Norna, he is as handsome today as the day you first pointed him out to me.”

Walking with his men, the chief inclined his head slightly as he spoke. His dark brown hair was long enough to curl against the fur-lined collar of his jacket, but he wore his beard short. Marlis could see that he was slightly shorter than her and gave the impression of sturdiness.

She’d been in the city for almost a month now and had used her magic to insinuate herself into a group of women who served the chief’s hall as weavers. Norna was one of the younger ones, and the most impulsive. She was the one Marlis usually chose to walk the streets of the walled city with.

“Let us step back a little so we can watch him without drawing attention.”

Norna frowned. “But don’t you want him to notice?”

A small smile on her lips, Marlis shook her head. “Not yet.”

About to argue, her button brown eyes widened as realisation dawned. “Oh, you don’t want him to know until you present him with his cloak.”

Turning to her, Marlis simply nodded as she thought, that is a good enough reason.

She’d gotten over her anger when she’d learned, soon after arriving in the city, that Una had died. Feeling robbed, she raged that she could not fulfil her promise to Wilda. The irony that she herself had been the cause of Wilda’s death never seemed to bother her. In the days that followed, as her anger subsided, Marlis gradually resigned herself to the fact that she would have to work hard to turn these people away from their benevolent goddess to worship Gadreena instead.

Carrying the cloak she had woven for the chief, Hagen, Marlis followed Norna and grey-haired Guida to his hall. Like the weaver-women, she wore a plain taupe dress with a long brown apron pinned over it. Like them, her braided black hair was covered with a wheat-coloured scarf. But unlike them, she had her dark wood spindle secured to her dress, hidden under her apron.

As they made their way up the stone stairs, the cold air failed to quell the warm tingling in her chest. Marlis had to consciously stop herself smiling too widely. Guida, the oldest weaver-woman, their unofficial leader, had already cautioned her; it wasn’t their way to be openly proud of the items they made. But Marlis knew the cloak she’d made would be unlike anything the chief would have seen or felt for she had made it using magic. It tickled her that the weaver-women were oblivious to the fact that the modest newcomer knew little about weaving.

At the top of the stairs, the guards on either side of the large open wooden doors inclined their heads, their smiles widening. “The weaver-women, welcome.”

Grey-haired Guida curtsied, as did the giggling Norna.

“Ah. You have added to your number, I see, Ma Guida,” said one of the guards.

Her smile crinkling her lined face, Guida nodded. “This is Marlis. She brings a gift for our chief.”

“Then we had better allow you to enter.” With an exaggerated flourish, both men bowed.

She snorted. “As if you would deny us.”

Laughing good-naturedly, the women entered the hall.

Marlis’ gaze travelled around the interior as she stepped in. In varying shades of brown, it seemed taller and wider on the inside. Tall, carved pillars supported the ceiling on either side, leaving a wide walkway from the entrance to the chief’s seat at the other end. Long tables lined either side with men lounging on the benches, rangy dogs at their feet. The only women she noticed appeared to be servants.

The walk to the chief’s seat took much longer than Marlis would have liked. Keeping her head down, she still sensed the growing attention she was drawing.

Finally, they stopped. “My chief,” said Guida as she and Norna curtsied so low, their knees almost touched the ground.

“Ma Guida.”

Despite herself, Marlis felt a shiver steal up her spine. The chief’s voice was low but rich, making her think of the dark, fertile earth and sweet-smelling air of the wild.

“A new weaver has joined us, my chief. And she has a gift for you.”

“That is most generous.”

Turning slightly, Guida took Marlis by the arm, bringing her to the front. “This is Marlis.”

Slowly, she raised her gaze, wishing she could blush as easily as the flighty Norna. The folded cloak lay across her extended arms.

“Come, do not be afraid,” he said with a smile.

This close to him, Marlis realised he was more handsome than she’d thought. His long-lashed eyes, dark pools that hinted at hidden depths, seemed to pierce through her. Although he smiled, she could see the sadness that shadowed him.

Smiling in what she hoped was a modest way, she unfurled the cloak, holding it up for him to see. A storm grey, she’d edged it with a broad trim of red and gold, the pattern resembling entwined vines, similar to patterns common among elf-folk.

Warmth tingled through Marlis as those who could see it gasped and murmured favourably. But there was only one reaction she was interested in. Her eyes widened as Hagen slowly stood, his gaze fixed on the cloak. Descending the three steps from his seat to stand before her, he ran his fingers over the cloak.

“It is so, soft.” Wonder filled his voice. “And this pattern, I have never seen anything like it.” He raised his gaze. “I am most fortunate to be the owner of such a fine thing.”

“Please, my lord.” Marlis held it out to him.

Taking it, he swung it around his shoulders; it was wide enough to cover him completely, the extra material hanging over his shoulder and down his back. Nodding and smiling widely, Hagen slowly turned so his people could see his gift. A smattering of applause trickled towards him.

“As you have given me such a fine gift, I shall present you with a gift.”

“Oh no, my lord.” Marlis took a step back, shaking her head. “There is no need, I do not require anything. That I am fortunate enough to have found sanctuary here–”

“Sanctuary?” His brows pulled together.

Ducking her head, continuing to shake it, she gave a false laugh. “After being forced to travel so long alone, this is the first place I have found to be welcoming.”

He didn’t respond straightaway. “Where are you from?”

“A place between…” Her gaze flitted about as she fumbled for a believable reply. With all her planning, she’d not given this one thing any thought.

Hagen raised a brow, one corner of his mouth turning up slightly. “Between?”

“You are taller than many women of the north,” said a man who’d been standing by Hagen’s seat. Much older, his braided hair the colour of steel, he stepped forward, his hands behind his back.

Marlis glared at him before quickly schooling her expression. “That is because my father was not a northern man.”

“You are from the south then?”

Tempted to shut his mouth for him, she clenched her fists and averted her gaze. “The man who was my father was from the south, yes.” Speaking slowly at first, her tone became more self-assured as a scenario played out in her mind. “But he abandoned my mother. She stayed in different places, but never felt welcome. The only home I remember is a cottage between the south and the north.” Biting her lip to stop herself grinning, Marlis crossed her arms over her chest to try and contain the puffed-up feeling that filled her.

The man inclined his head slightly. “I have offended you with my questions. That was not my intention, I was merely curious.”

Smiling widely, Hagen patted the man’s shoulder. “And that is why Otho has remained my senior advisor.”

“I am a stranger here. Your curiosity is to be expected.” Marlis plastered a smile on her face.

“No,” said Hagen. “A stranger no more. This, then, is my gift to you. Let this be your home, Marlis, once of the place between. From now you will be Marlis of Tugenrock.”

Her eyes widened, and she quickly bowed low, to hide her triumphant smile. She remained silent in case her elation sounded in her voice, hoping Hagen would think she was overcome with gratitude.

She felt hands on her shoulders; it was Guida.

“My chief, the goddess bless you for your generosity,” said the old woman. “Thank you for now we can truly add Marlis to our number.” She tugged gently at Marlis, urging her up.

As they walked out, Marlis kept glancing back, peering at Hagen through lowered eyes. She wanted to spend more time in the hall, but there was no plausible reason for her to stay.

Stepping off the last stone step onto the street, Marlis exclaimed as Norna hugged her.

“You are one of us now, Marlis of Tugenrock,” she said with a loud laugh. “I knew you were special, when you started weaving, I knew it. I said so, didn’t I, Ma Guida?” Still holding onto Marlis’ arm as they started walking, Norna turned to the older woman, nodding as she raised her brows.

A small frown appeared on Guida’s brow and she tried to hush Norna.

But the rosy-cheeked woman didn’t seem to notice. “And our chief has seen it too. He thinks you’re special and I think he likes you,” she finished, grinning.

“Norna.” Guida’s frown deepened. “Hush.”

Norna’s loud comments were attracting attention.

“Enough talk for now,” said Guida. “Let us return home.”

Pushing her lower lip out, Norna huffed but didn’t say another word.

Marlis pulled the young woman closer to her and smiled. “Thank you, sweet Norna,” she whispered. “It gladdens my heart to know you think me special.”

Norna giggled and leaned even closer so Guida would not hear them. “I mean it, Marlis. I’m sure Chief Hagen thinks you special also.”

“He is a fine man. I am surprised he has not taken another wife.”

Her expression fell. “That is because he loved his wife so much. We all did. Lady Una was a precious gift to us all. It was not only my faith that was tested when she died.”

“Tell me. All I know is she died, but I do not know how it happened. When I have asked, Guida refuses to tell and says I must not ask.”

Norna stole a glance at the woman, walking ahead, and slowed slightly to lengthen the distance between them. She dropped her voice, and Marlis had to lean closer.

“It was when the sickness came and took so many. Lady Una’s healing powers were so great, she herself nursed as many as she could. She also fell sick but didn’t stop seeing to those who needed her. It heartened us to have her among us. Then little Lucia fell sick.” Shaking her head slightly, Norna tightened her grip on Marlis’ arm.

“Who is Lucia?”

“Their little daughter. Such a beautiful girl.”

Norna remained silent for so long, Marlis guessed what must have happened. Norna’s next words confirmed her suspicions.

“Lady Una could do nothing. They watched their baby die. I think that broke her heart. Soon after, Lady Una, she also left us.”

Marlis believed this must have happened recently for Norna’s grief still seemed raw. “When did she die?”

“In three moons, it will have been eight years.”

“Oh.” Coming to an abrupt stop, she managed to bite back her surprised words that the deaths had been so long ago.

Looking up at her, Norna nodded as if she’d heard Marlis’ thoughts. “Yes, eight years, but it feels more recent than that. And that is why our chief is still alone, there is no one who can heal his heart.”

“Yet, I hear talk of a young girl.”

Norna’s head bobbed slightly. “Agata. She is his ward. Her parents perished in the sickness. Our chief was great friends with her father, so he took her in.”

They walked in silence after that, but Marlis’ mind was racing with ideas. She struggled to curb her smile as she thought, I may not heal his heart in the way Norna thinks, but I saw the way he looked at me. His interest is piqued, I am sure of it. He has not had a woman for eight years. With the help of my dark mistress, I will be the woman for him, and I will make him do all he can to bring the elf lord to me.