Page 25 of Cry of the Firebird

Anya grinned. "Ah, those princely manners are coming through. I'm hardly a lady, Yvan."

"True, but Iama gentleman. Eat something. I've found a seamstress in town. We need to get some supplies, including clothes to blend in and gear to camp. It's at least a two-day walk between here and Trajan's place."

Anya pulled a face. "Yay, more camping."

"You'll get used to it," Yvan said.

Anya doubted it. The alternative was waiting around for Vasilli to catch them, so camping it was.

Outside, the pre-dawn morning was chilly and damp. Yvan led the way to the goods store on the other side of the village. The seamstress was waiting for them with more cups of steaming coffee.

"It isn't often we get strangers visiting," she said, narrowing her black eyes. Her round, creased face looked grim, wrapped in a gray scarf.

"We're just passing through. Thank you for opening so early for us," Yvan said with a charming smile Anya had never seen before.

"Call me Unä," the woman said bluntly. She looked Anya over and grunted. "You need another woman's guiding hand, child. You come with Unä. She will look after you." She linked Anya's arm over hers and led her through the store. Yvan made to follow, but Unä held up a hand.

"You stay. Women's business," she snapped.

"Fine. I'll get my own gear, but we don't have time to dawdle and gossip," Yvan said, shooting Anya a meaningful look.

"Yah, we know, hero," Unä muttered. Unä seemed to have a matriarchal authority about her that Anya didn't dare disobey.

"Now, where are you going, and what will you need?" Unä questioned with her hands on her generous hips.

Anya had new clothes within twenty minutes, a haircut, and a new knife that Unä swore would hit any target she threw at. She had watched her hair burn in the fire, and her clothes were dumped into a bin. Seeing her old life burn like the rest of it had felt like a strange relief.

Anya now wore a soft maroon cotton shirt with delicate black embroidery around its collar and bell sleeves. A dark brown vest went over the top and was buttoned tightly, but it wasn't uncomfortable. She also wore dark brown pants and boots made from reindeer leather and fur. The only thing she kept was Eikki's coat, which she wouldn't ever part with. When Anya was dressed and her hair braided, Unä showed her to a mirror.

I barely recognize myself, she realized numbly.

Unä studied her thoughtfully. There was something familiar about the woman, but Anya couldn't put her finger on it. She reminded her of the grandmothers in the village who used to cross themselves whenever Anya walked past because they thought she was cursed. Maybe they were right.

"Come, let's find the hero," said Unä, leading her away from the stranger in the mirror.

Anya wasn't the only one who had gone through a radical transformation. Dressed in clothes that fit and his hair combed and ordered, Yvan looked like he could be the imposing prince of legend. His eyes swept over her, a small smile appearing on his face.

"You look like you belong here," he said approvingly.

"So, hero, you have organized yourself without my help. That is good. I could not have been bothered."

"I'm no hero," Yvan said, handing her a small leather pouch.

"So you say, but you have the look of one," Unä said, tipping the bag up and smiling as pearls flooded her soft palm. "Thisseems to be a lot for what you have taken. Was there something else you wanted?"

"Your silence. People may come looking for us, and we were never here. Understand?" Yvan said.

Unä rolled her eyes. "Heroes! So dramatic. It will be done."

"We have to go. We've got a long day and night ahead of us," he said. Anya shoved her new knife down the side of her boot.

"Thank you for all of your help," she said to Unä as Yvan held the door for her. The old woman looked Yvan over with a warning glare.

"You watch this girl. There's more to her than you can imagine."

"I will," Yvan promised, and Anya couldn't help but smile. It was a good feeling to have a friend again.

"Where to now?" Anya asked as they cleared the village and entered the forest beyond it.

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