Page 98 of The Threadbare Queen

His lips quirked up but he didn’t answer, turning his head a little as if he could hear someone coming. Then he hopped down and stepped aside to let Madame Croter back in.

“I’ll dress you, and then Sirna wants you back in your tent.” She spoke loudly, as if for other ears, then closed the door.

As soon as it clicked shut, she sent Ava a big smile and began hauling out boxes from under her bed.

She handed Ava wide-legged pants that seemed to have been made in another era, a big shirt that she told Ava she had once found in a camp site, had washed and kept aside, just in case, and a heavy wool jacket.

Of everything, Ava was most reluctant to accept the jacket. It was well made, if old, and would be warm and valuable.

“My guess is, you’re hesitating over that jacket because you’re worried I need it, and you’re planning to run tonight.” Madame Croter’s voice was whisper quiet.

Ava hesitated before she nodded.

“That’s why I’ve saved it until now, girl,” the old woman gave a low chuckle. “Found it in an inn in northern Kassia years ago. Kept it, like the shirt, just in case. I wanted to give it to you so many times before today, but I was afraid that evil man and his harpy of a partner would take it from you. You take it with my blessing.”

She gave Ava warm socks and tucked another pair into the pocket of the jacket.

There was nothing Ava could do about her boots. They were wet from her plunge into the stream, but she had no other pair and was lucky Sirna had forced Evelyn to give her these as it was. She would have to pretend to sleep in the tent for a little while, so she would set the boots by the fire to dry a little in the meanwhile.

“One last thing.” Madame Croter opened a drawer, and pulled out some simple knitted caps. She had seen the Skäddar warrior, Kikir, wearing one, and had wanted to try to knit one herself, but had never had the time.

Too busy bringing Kassia to its knees.

She smiled as she rubbed the soft wool between her fingers.

This is what she could use to sew her invisibility into. Something easy to take on and off.

“If you are ever in Fernwell,” she said, and slid the cap into her pocket, “please come to the palace, give your name, and say Avasu sent you.”

Madame Croter studied her. “I don’t think I’ll get back to Fernwell. This trip has taught me that it’s time to settle down. I’ll find a place to set up shop in Taunen and rest my weary bones. Reckhart promised we’d be safer together in company on this old track, away from armies and unrest, when we left Bartolo, and then he let that evil in. I’ll not expose myself to this again.”

“Then may you find rest and comfort in Taunen.” Ava leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

“Is she ready?” Sirna banged on the door and then opened it.

Madame Croter stood. “Careful with my door.” She gave a sniff and then turned back to look at Ava. “You ready?”

Ava had made herself limp, and looked over at Sirna with an unfocused gaze and said nothing.

With a grunt of disgust, he reached in and pulled her out, supporting her weight as he dragged her to the tent.

“Wander off again and I’ll hunt you down and make you wish you were dead.” He hissed the words in her ear as he shoved her inside.

The pallet was gone, and he frowned. “Where did you put it?”

She shook her head and then collapsed onto the hard ground and he paused, obviously working out Evelyn must have taken it back while he’d been out searching.

He shook his head, she wasn’t sure if it was in disgust or in admiration for Evelyn’s single-minded focus on her own comfort.

The blanket, which had been loaned by Madame Croter, was still inside.

“You’ll be dry and warm enough.” Sirna tossed the blanket over her and went quiet.

Ava could feel his eyes on her and simply closed hers, shutting him out.

“I mean it,” he said in a low voice, obviously unwilling to leave without emphasizing his point. “Make it difficult for me to get my money, and you’ll be sorry you were born.”

Chapter 24

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