Ella caught some sidelong glances from the soldiers. She knew she must look a sight, dressed as if for a summer garden party, forlorn, staring at a pool of blood as if at her worst enemy.
Ella had been the perfect mark, the easy target. Was it that she was so na?ve, or was he the one at fault? That deceiver! The evil fraud. Killian had stolen the most important relic of her house, and because of him Ella’s brother could die.
Ella pictured Killian: bloody, naked, with no clothing and no possessions. Good. She hoped he was found dead on the roadside. Her only wish was that she could be the one to find him. She enjoyed the image of him — hunted, fleeing, with only some strange power against the weight of Altura.
Ella shivered as the wind picked up. She needed to get inside or she would freeze. Even in daylight it was too cold to be outdoors without a heavy coat. This winter was already proving to be a cold one.
Winter. Ella looked up.
She pictured Killian again: without shoes, without clothing, with no friends in a strange land.
Behind the small wood, the parkland continued into the distance. The soldiers were concentrating their efforts here, searching for another place to pick up the trail until the real trackers arrived. Nearby, but in the opposite direction, was a sky temple.
Ella began to walk with determined strides. Attached to the temple was a shelter, a place for the poor and needy to get away from winters’ chill. She could see linen hung out to dry, blowing in the breeze.
~
"SOMETHING happen, there at the palace?" the old woman said, peering at Ella through rheumy eyes.
"Yes, something was stolen. I’m looking for the thief. I need to know. Are you missing anything?"
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Missing? Well, no. There’s not much here worth taking."
Ella’s heart sank. It had been worth a try. "Are you sure?"
"Sure? Well, I wouldn’t know where every little thing is now would I?"
"Would you please be able to check for me? Would you be able to… to check your, well… your washing?"
"My washing? Well, now. What is this about then?"
"Please, could you please check for me?"
The woman sighed. She picked herself up, joints creaking, and trudged with tiny steps to the wooden door leading to her garden.
Bed linen and clothing were hung out to catch the breeze and whatever of the winter sun they could.
The woman looked around briefly before turning to Ella, shaking her head. "It’s all here, young miss."
"Please, you’ve hardly looked," Ella pleaded.
Muttering to herself, the woman checked each line in turn. Suddenly she stopped. "My Bron’s clothes!"
Ella looked up, "What did you say?"
"My grandson, Bron. He’s studying to be a priest, here at the temple. Many people coming these days, you know, with the war and all. People get scared — they need the comfort of the Evermen."
Ella wanted to throttle the woman. "About the clothing, is there something missing?"
"Yes!" she almost shrieked. "That scratched thief has stolen Bron’s clothes!"
"Show me."
The woman grabbed Ella by the hand and took her to an empty space on one of the lines. "See, here!"
Ella looked down.
There was a splash of red on the ground.
"Tell me, the clothes, what did they look like?" Ella grabbed hold of the woman with both arms, and then forced herself to relax when the woman squawked like a chicken.
"Why, like I said. He’s studying at the temple. White with a double black stripe. You know. The uniform of an acolyte."
Ella felt a wave of satisfaction come over her, invigorating her. She had an edge now, Killian would stand out terribly in the garb of a priest She had a chance.
"Thank you!" she said to the woman as she ran back out onto the street.
~
ELLA threw random bits of clothing into a bag. She followed it with some gilden. What else would she need? She packed bread, cheese, and a few packets of dried beans. A small pot. The heatplate was too big and it hardly worked anyway. Some candles. An igniter. She’d made that herself; it worked, at least.
Then she remembered — the essence. The High Enchantress had given her essence back to her!
Ella added two scrills: one for fine work, the other suitable for most purposes. And of course, her green silk dress. She was an enchantress, after all.
She felt much better. Anything she didn’t have she could either make herself, or she could trade enchanted items for what she needed.
It shouldn’t take long anyway, Ella assured herself. She, an enchantress, against a wounded foreigner?
Ella added a few more items and then stopped. The satchel was looking heavy enough.
"Your Lexicon has been stolen," a soft voice said. Ella jumped into the air.
A small creature was standing on the porch, looking in. It was one of the Dunfolk, Ella realised.
"Who are you? What are you doing here?"
The figure stepped forward into the light. It was a woman. She looked quite young, but perhaps it was her size.
"My name is Layla. I healed you when you were sick. I am glad to see you are well."