Page 5 of The Gargoyle's Glade
“I’m trying to find some things for your cabin,” she chided. “Maybe a housewarming gift. But you’re not making it very easy.”
I shook my head and waved away the two different patterns of stoneware plates a merchant offered to me. “It’s not mine though, and I don’t need a gift. If anything, I feel like Coltor needs one. Did you see his face?”
“What about his face?” she prodded.
“He was about to break some teeth he had his jaw clenched so hard.”
“Strong jawline, yes.”
“Stop.” I laughed at my friend’s obvious attempt at playful matchmaking. “He was frowning so much he basically only had one eyebrow.”
“That can be fixed with some grooming though.”
“For the love… Yes, I noticed that he’shandsome. Is that what you’re trying to get at? But I don’t think he likes anyone much, let alone me. I’m a fresh nuisance he has to deal with. He doesn’t seem at all pleased to be getting another neighbor.”
Hailon sighed, hands on her hips and a gentle smile on her mouth. “I think he might surprise you. At least, I hope he will. And that land isn’t actually his, though we do all kind of act that way. He’s just been out there the longest.” She sighed and turned away from the stalls. “Blue or green?”
“What?”
“Blue. Or. Green?”
“Green?”
“White or yellow?”
“What exactly are we talking about?” I laughed, amused by her high spirits if nothing else. I’d nearly never seen her this excitable back in Ravenglen.
“Paint. White or yellow?”
“Yellow, I suppose. But it has to be the right shade.”
“Exactly right. Come on, I have an idea.”
It was quite some time later that we finally made it back to Ophelia’s hut carrying a rolled-up canvas swatched with several different colors of yellow and their complementary greens, along with a bag of odds and ends she’d refused to leave the market without. Hailon flinched at the edge of Ophelia’s property, but I was not bothered by the warding like she was. That was a mystery everyone who’d noticed had been trying to figure out since I’d arrived.
The door opened as we approached, the stout old woman smiling wide as she greeted us.
“Your timing is good girls, I’ve just pulled the bread out of the oven. Come in, come in.”
We followed her into her cozy little home, and I excused myself to pack up the last of my meager belongings from the small guest bedroom before joining them in the living room.
Ophelia doled out delicate little teacups, the contents of which were mostly whiskey with the barest splash of tea. The bread was sliced and steaming on a tray alongside little pots of honey and butter.
“I truly have enjoyed our time together, Merry,” Ophelia said, seeing my bags. “I hope you’re not leaving on my account.” She tipped the cup to her lips and finished it in a single go.
“Not at all,” I insisted. “I appreciate your hospitality very much. A cabin near Hailon was recently finished and Coltor offered it to me.” That was an embellishment, for sure, but close enough. “I couldn’t refuse a temptation like that. I’ve never lived on my own.”
“How wonderful to be young and eager for new experiences.” Ophelia chuckled. The moment was interrupted by a sudden and insistent tapping. “Expecting someone?” she asked us earnestly.
“No, not at all,” Hailon answered. “Besides, I’m pretty sure that was coming from the window, not the door.”
With a grunt, the ancient gargoyle got to her feet and crossed to a stained-glass window behind a table covered in an assortment of small items. She’d rearranged the things atop it several times since I’d arrived, adding different crystals, a book, salt. I hadn’t managed to puzzle out the meaning of it, but I didn’t need to—sorceress work was well beyond my understanding. Before coming to Revalia, I’d been a simple store clerk and cleaner after all.
Ophelia swung the colorful pane open and stepped back. A small owl with big yellow eyes flapped into view, settling on thesill. “Hello there. Aren’t you charming! Have we met?” Ophelia addressed the creature.
I froze in place as those golden eyes locked onto mine. Hailon spoke to me, and I stiffened. I could see her lips moving, but could not hear her voice. My heart pounded painfully in my chest and my breath was stifled to sharp pants. Ophelia turned as well, all eyes suddenly and heavily resting on me.
Friend? The voice was quiet, barely more than a muffled whisper in my mind. My whole body flinched. I went hot, then cold as it happened again.Friend,help? Bond?
