Chapter Nine
~
Night had blackened the cabin two hours earlier. We would have normally been asleep, but Delia and I remained awake to keep Ike company. He clearly worried about Lucas trudgin’ through the forest in the dark. Ike repeated once too often, considerin’ Delia’s glare, that, “Humans are such delicate creatures.”
We kept the fire goin’ strong so Lucas could use it to locate us. But I expected Ike knew better. Trees tend to spread the smell of fire so well even the snout of an ogre would be hard-pressed to take advantage of it for direction in these steep hills. Nothin’ but the eyes of a troll managed well at night in the forest, considerin’ two-legged creatures. That early mornin’ a week or so ago, it had been amazin’ I found Delia’s cabin. Maybe my staff directed me somehow. Not outside belief.
Lyin’ on a fur in front of the fire, Delia divided her time examinin’ the detail of her new skirt and peerin’ through the glass of Jacob’s favorite marble. Ike and I sat at the table quietly, grippin’ mugs that hadn’t held tea for an hour. We spoke about the weather, the weevils that are attackin’ the black oak, the number of traders that flow from the north these days, and the local fishin’. Not that I had much to say about that last topic. Seemed, neither did Ike.
I raised each new topic to be sociable, though I sensed the younger ogre needed little entertainin’. He’s a loner at heart, it’s clear—to me. He could glare into the dark without blinkin’, his mind a dozen miles away. So the conversation had lapsed by the time we finally heard Lucas’ hail, warnin’ those inside a soul approached uninvited.
“Finally we can go to sleep without bein’ disturbed,” Ike mumbled.
I smiled at the dry humor the ogre used to hide his relief. Delia moved away from the fire, into the dark corner by the bunk before I opened the front door. The blond-haired human stomped his boots raisin’ an awful racket—maybe it’s a human thin’ to warn bears to stay away. I watched the man scrape the bottoms of his boots against the edge of the porch.
They should try leavin’ their feet bare as the gods intended. Ike’s right. They are fragile creatures.
“Was afraid I might never find this place,” the newcomer called louder than necessary. “I’ve been hikin’ about in circles, capturin’ the distance fairly well, but the direction unraveled once the sun went down.”
I welcomed him and motioned him in.
“Ahhh. Nice and warm in here. Good to get near a fire.”
“Ya’re gonna be fun campin’ with,” Ike mumbled.
“After the conversation Iza shared with me, I would think you’d be warier about the words ya use.” Lucas chuckled, hammerin’ his friend on the shoulder as he passed on his way to the hearth. “Taiz’lin worked hard to get Iza to promise not to bring ya back, before she pointed out the obvious.”
“And what was that?” Ike grumbled.
“That ya’d enjoy the quiet time in the forest, and the opportunity to do some explorin’.”
I heard more than I saw Ike’s smile. I sensed an inside story. Lucas leaned toward the fire for a few moments, hands out, chasin’ away the chill. Yep. They’re pretty wimpy.
“I thought ya had a human woman stayin’ with ya, Morgan. Was that a sad story just to get the whole Hamlet to empty their pockets?”
“He’s no liar,” Delia snapped, steppin’ out of the shadows.
Lucas jerked before turnin’ toward her. He wore a generous smile, which faded when the fire’s glow lit Delia’s face. The man froze, his mouth open a tad.
“You haven’t been under this roof one minute,” Delia said, “and you’ve insulted two good souls. If that’s your natural way, you will never be welcome under my roof.”
My staff, leanin’ against the wall near the door, hummed, respondin’ to the energy of the two humans. I felt Delia’s—it wasn’t really anger. More like the challenge jays use to bluff for territory. I found the emotion emanatin’ from Lucas the more troublin’ one. Delia must indeed be an attractive human. She locked the man in place.
I recognized my jolt of jealousy for what it is. Inappropriate in too many ways to count. She’s a different race. There could never be anythin’ between us but friendship. She’s a witch and would eventually read my emotion, which could interfere with that friendship.
Was wrong to dislike Lucas merely because he’s beguiled by her beauty. But fantasies of her fondness for me filled my mind since I watched over her durin’ her fever.
“I meant no insult, ma’am.” Lucas’ words were interrupted by pauses, as though his mind were stuck in mud. “Just jests between friends.”
“Apology accepted,” Delia said softly. “Have you eaten?”
I felt a sinkin’ sensation in my chest. The man’s looks entertained her as much as hers moved him.
“I’ve gnawed on jerked venison all day,” Lucas said. “But I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea.”
Delia wiped out two mugs and measured leaves from the tin. She poured hot water and carried the cups to the table. There were only two chairs, so Ike stood, wandered over and uncurled his fur, settled onto the threshes we had set out earlier.
I struggled with bein’ excluded, a castoff, as Lucas and Delia sat across from each other. I shifted my weight a couple times, wonderin’ how to be part of the party of two, before realizin’ the futility of it. I collected my night fur and joined Ike.
Sleep wouldn’t come easily, considerin’ the way my mind spun. Though the two at the table rarely spoke, each soft sentence pricked at my mind. She parried most of the questions Lucas presented her with, just as she had mine. I had learned more unintentionally through her open thoughts than she yet shared. But Lucas held her attention, her eye. It isn’t fair.
I found her first.
I befriended her first.
What if Lucas is killed in the followin’ days, chasin’ goblins? Would she hold me responsible, for allowin’ Lucas and Ike to traipse off alone? If I went with them, would that impress her?
Foolish thoughts.
I turned and pulled the edge of my fur off my shoulder. Delia requires a warmer cabin than I’m used to. So much change. I’d sleep on the floor until she had her own cabin, or followed Lucas to live in the Hamlet. Perhaps that’s best. I’d get my cot back. Privacy. Simple life. A cabin that didn’t feel like a summer midday.
For the best. But it wouldn’t hurt to travel with Lucas and Ike in the mornin’. Three facin’ a tribe of goblins is better than two. Helpin’ to make the region safer’s a noble callin’. It made no difference how Delia would view it.
I listened to Lucas tellin’ her about his brother and sister-in-law, and the tiny niece stricken by the disease that paralyzed her. I grimaced. There went the chance for me to suggest the two of us team together and try to aid the little human girl. I’d be the uncarin’ one for not first raisin’ the idea.
I wrestled onto my side.
Makes more sense to stay here and protect Delia, if goblins are about.
But she’s lived on her own since she was a child. Would find the suggestion that she needed protectin’ an insult.
I turned onto my other side.
I’ll go. The two are good company. Even if the human is a tad too talkative. She may enjoy the quiet.
~
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