Ashencroft

Chapter 4

"I'm so hungry. I don't think I can move," Tyr moaned, head lolling back against the hard wooden bench. "I don't think I can move, and my foot itches... you can see my dilemma, can't you?" He cast his gaze sideways, looking imploringly at the woman that until a few short weeks ago had been his dance partner and best friend. Well, she was still his best friend, but they didn't dance much anymore.

Faye rolled her eyes. "I suppose," she said, slumping back against the wall. Somehow, she was faring far better under rations, no doubt due to her slimmer frame. But the energy to dance was of little use when her partner could not.

"Well, you could help me... oh, you're no good at all." With a weary sigh Tyr bent, touching his toes with both hands before scratching at his ankle with a forefinger. Slowly he straightened his legs, stretching them out until the joints began to protest and he had to stop. "This is no good."

"I know. I'm going to have to go looking for food again soon."

"There's nothing left to look for. You might as well stay in."

"I'm bored."

"Well, what would you like me to do? Conjure up some entertainment for you? Out of thin air?"

"No, no..." Faye sighed, crossing her long legs. "Sorry, Tyr. I know you feel awful."

"And I know you're bored. It's a shame we can't do anything to fix that. Unless..."

Faye's eyes narrowed. "Unless...?"

With great effort Tyr pushed himself up, extending his hand to Faye across the room. "We can dance. But only a slow one. Otherwise I'm liable to fall over."

Faye smiled a little. "One last dance?" she asked softly.

"Hopefully not. But if it is, let's make it a good one."

Faye stood, taking Tyr's hand, and began to hum a quiet melody.

He tapped a foot in time with the song for a few seconds before pulling her closer, slipping a hand around her waist and beginning to move around the room in a slow circuit.

The pair didn't even notice their audience until their dance ended, Tyr leaning heavily back against the wall to catch his breath as the figure stepped into the square where they danced.

"You're lucky," he called to the woman, offering a grin as he leaned against the brick. "A few months ago that would've cost you to watch."

The older woman smiled serenely, nodding. "You're both fine dancers."

"Thank you. Not much call for it now, though. Shame... though it's just as well, I suppose, as I'm not in much shape for it."

"That's a pity. I should have liked to have seen a jig."

"Faye could show you well enough," Tyr said, motioning to the slender woman. "You'd just have to use your imagination for two."

The woman shook her head sadly. "It wouldn't be the same," she said. "But thank you." She turned on her heel, then, and disappeared around the corner, a slim package falling from her bag as she went.

"Wait..." Pushing off the wall, Tyr stumbled forward, stooping to pick up the package off the ground. "You dropped something!" he called, but the woman was already gone.

"What's in it?"

"I don't think we should open it..."

"Oh, come on, she's gone - how would we even find her?"

"It's not ours to take. She'll probably come back once she realizes she's dropped it."

Faye rolled her eyes. "Fiiine. So how about we wait a few hours, and then look in it."

"I'll agree to that," Tyr said, and tucked the packet into his belt.

"All right, now?"

Tyr sighed, pulling the package out of his belt and tossing it on the table between them. "It still doesn't feel right."

"Then I'll open it." Faye said, unlacing the tie on the package.

"Careful, careful..." In spite of himself Tyr leaned forward, raising his eyebrows. "What is it?"

Faye stared at the dense, brown block in front of her, picking at the corner until a crumb came away. Her eyes widened as she picked up the rough, green-flecked morself, licking it, then placing it in her mouth and chewing tentatively. Her smile grew. "Gods, Tyr. It's food."

"Food? But... how? There's nowhere in the city that's selling food like that."

"She must be an outsider." Faye's eyes widened. "Tyr, maybe she was the outsider!"

"She could've been..." The man frowned, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "I thought I heard it was a man, though. From those who said they'd encountered him."

"Well, she was very tall."

"Yes, but she was still a woman."

"Maybe everyone else was mistaken."

"Either way... I don't think we ought to be eating her food. She'll need it just as much as anybody else."

"What if she left it on purpose? He - She - has been buying services and goods from every artist in town, hasn't she?"

"Supposedly..."

"And we had just danced for her, had we not?"

Tyr gave Faye a doubtful look, but the rumbling in his stomach would not be denied. "I guess she would've come back for it if she truly missed it," he reasoned.

"Exactly," Faye said with a nod, feeling herself salivating already at the thought of nourishing food at last.

"I suppose it's ours, then."

"Oh, thank the gods," came the reply, as Faye sat back a little, her face a picture of relief. "I really thought for a while there you were going to let good food pass us by."

"Just because we need it doesn't mean others don't," Tyr said, raising his eyebrows. "But it's ours now. Go ahead, you should eat some."

"You first."

"I insist," Tyr said, always a gentleman.

"Nu uh. I'm not eating some and then having you refuse and stash it away for me."

"I won't do that."

"Promise me."

With a weary sigh Tyr bent his head and spread his hands before him. "I promise. Happy?"

Still eyeing him suspiciously, Faye broke off another tiny piece of the oatbread and nibbled on it tentatively.

"More than that."

"I don't want to be ill."

"Faye, please."

"I'm serious - I mean my digestion," Faye said, finishing the crumb she was on and breaking off another tiny piece.

Tyr watched as Faye chewed and swallowed another piece of the bread before breaking off a piece for himself, mouth watering as he finally tasted it. Though he had eaten some fine meals before, he could assuredly say that nothing had ever tasted quite as good as those few crumbs did at that moment.

Faye continued to take small, careful mouthfuls of the bread, though her eyes never left Tyr as he ate. They'd barely had any before she stopped eating and sat back.

Predictably, Tyr stopped as well, carefully wiping the crumbs from off the tabletop and depositing them back onto the paper.

"Eat as much as you want, love. I'll have more later when that's settled, I expect. It's just very dense, that's all."

"I'm full as well. It's very filling."

"All right. But you mustn't wait for me if you get hungry again."

Shaking his head, Tyr leaned forward and wrapped up the bread again. "We're lucky. I wonder if that really was the Stranger..."

"And if so, why she was watching us..."

"She'd heard our reputation?"

"I suppose. I wonder why she's visiting the artisans anyway."

"I have no idea. But I know several who would be grateful for a gift like the one she gave us."

Faye nodded. "Perhaps she understands that we're the ones holding this place together," she said, remembering their past weeks of nightly dancing and gatherings, before Tyr has gotten too weak for them.

With a graceful shrug of his shoulders Tyr leaned in to press the bread into Faye's hands, smiling slightly. "Indeed. I think I might need to lay down for a bit... let all this digest."

Faye stood, taking a moment to tuck the package into the back of a drawer before holding a hand out to Tyr. "Let's do that, then."

The 'front lines' of Ashencroft's defenses were little but incredibly high, thick stone walls, built into the mountainous landscape of the town and fortified with brick and mortar where necessary. Though simple, they effectively stopped all interlopers from entering without the permission of the city guard.

The city guard themselves had suffered from the seige - not only from the lack of food but from the lack of work. With the blockades on all the major routes into the area, the city walls themselves rarely saw any activity.

It was not surprising, then, the hubbub that arose when the small caravan of wagons hove in sight along the main road to Ashencroft's gates. They were in sight only half an hour before they arrived at the huge main doors, but by that time half the guard on duty were waiting for them.

The lead driver gave a wave and tugged on the reins, bringing the wagon to a halt in front of the half-open gates. He was a familiar face to several of the guards, an outsider that nonetheless knew his way around the city flawlessly, as he had made so many trips to it over the years. "G'afternoon!" he called from his seat, flashing a grin at the assembled men and women.

Captain Grey stepped forward, pulling off her helmet to reveal her stern, handsome features, a young, female replica of her father on the Council. "Greetings, Halber. Care to explain?"

"Explain? I'm here with the supplies your Council ordered," the man replied jovially.

"But... how did you get past the blockade?"

"Just walked on through, darlin'. I don't know how you did it, but those soldiers didn't even bat an eye as we came through."

Grey blinked. "We..." she caught herself in time, realising that admitting to no control over the situation was perhaps not the best idea at present. "Very well. We're going to have to check your wagons this time, Halber. You understand."

"Go right ahead. Far as I know, it's all desirables." The man grinned and slipped off the seat, heading back to unlash the back of the wagons for inspection.

It took over an hour to check every part of the wagons' supplies, the poor bemused guards hardly able to believe that Halber had made it through the blockade with nothing more than six wagons filled with food, both dried and fresh, and in good order. Eventually, though, Captain Grey had to admit that everything seemed to be in order. "We'll have to escort you round the stores. I know you'd make more off the back of the wagons in the square, but we can't allow it - there'd be rioting."

"Fair enough," Halber said good-naturedly, leaning against the side of the wagon. "Something's better than nothing, after all. Can't imagine how you folks have been holding up through all this."

"The citizens of Ashencroft are made of stern stuff."

"Apparently so. Am I good to go then, Captain?"

"Let me get an escort together," Grey said with a nod.

Not surprisingly, there was a clamor as the captain tried to call the guards to order - each person was filled with questions about the mysterious appearance of the caravan.

Grey was hardly any less excited herself, but it was with her usual stern tone that she called them to attention. When she'd lined up a suitable escort and sent word back to the barracks for a new shift to be sent to the wall, she addressed them.

"It is of the utmost importance that we deal with this calmly," the captain warned, pacing in spite of her determination not to show her own nervousness. "Once words gets out - and it will - the streets will be mobbed, and our job becomes that much harder. It's in our interest to get around as many places and offload as quickly as possible. Constable Wynn, do you have the inventory Halber provided?"

"Yes, Captain," Wynn said with a smart nod, holding up the parchment in one gloved hand. The guards crained their necks to see. "Lookit all that food!" someone shouted.

"Silence!"

Grey looked daggers at the man that had spoken, and took the list, scanning it. "Right. Wynn, take Garvey and run the quickest route you can round the larger food stores. Instruct them to prepare a list of their own of what they need, and tell them to make sure that they have space, staff and payment ready. No haggling, and no prevarication - you will tell them that they will be ready fast, or not at all. Are we clear?"

As soon as the agreement came the guards scattered, hurrying to take care of their tasks so that they could return home to their families to share the news. Quietly Wynn sidled up to Grey, glancing sideways at the line of wagons. "How'd the Council do this, Captain? And why didn't you tell us?"

Grey eyed the shorter woman thoughtfully, sorely tempted to reprimand her for questioning her in public. Her tentative excitement got the better of her, however, and she relented. "I didn't tell you, Siva, because I didn't know," she said quietly, glancing around for eavesdroppers. "I have no idea how that wagon got through the blockade."

"You don't? But Captain..." Luckily forebearance got the better of Wynn and she stopped, pressing her lips together.

"If the Council engineered this, they didn't inform us," Grey clarified, wetting her lower lip in a subtle but uncharacteristic display of nerves that Wynn did not miss. "Not a word, Siva."

"Yes, Captain. Of course." The dark-haired woman gave a nod, reaching out to place a steadying hand briefly on Grey's elbow. "At least it's a good surprise. We could use a few more of those around here."

Grey's gaze flickered briefly to the touch to her elbow, and back to Wynn's, the warning clear in her eyes even after the younger officer removed her hand. "Indeed."

Dia was closing up shop for the evening after another quiet day; of course no one had come to purchase anything, though she had had several visits from neighbors come to further spread rumors about the mysterious stranger's travels about town. They seemed to grow wilder and more outrageous by the day, though Dia was doubtful, as it seemed no one could come to a conclusion about the age, colouring, or even gender of the stranger in question.

"Could I spend another night in your front room if I brought a present and some good news?"

Dia had never seen Orr look anything other than calm and inscrutable, but today, leant against the wall near the door of the shop as Dia fastened the shutters over the windows, the tall, dark-featured woman was smiling.

"Oh!" the young woman said, raising her eyebrows in surprise. "How did you... wait, good news? What sort of good news?"

"There's been a shipment. Someone made it through the blockade."

"How?"

Orr shrugged, a flicker of her usual non-disclosure returning. "Who knows. But they brought six wagons packed floor to ceiling with fresh and dried food. It won't last long, but a few of us won't starve just yet."

"That's wonderful!" Dia exclaimed, her face lighting up. "Oh, I can't even imagine... how amazing. When did this happen?"

"Literally just now - just in the last hour," Orr said. "The wagons are making their way around town, stocking the stores. They have a city guard escort but it's only a matter of time before word spreads and the streets are mobbed."

Dia nodded, drying her hands off on a towel before setting it on the counter. "I hope everyone stays safe... this is such a blessing."

"I took the liberty of saving you having to brave the crowds," Orr said, gesturing with a tip of her chin to the bulging sack slung over her shoulder. "Although obviously if I've missed anything I'm sure Stil would stilll serve you."

"Oh!" Dia gasped, hands flying to cover her mouth. "Orr, no, you didn't need to do that... you know you're welcome here regardless..."

The taller woman looked nothing short of amused at Dia's reaction, stepping a little closer to rest a calming hand on her shoulder. "Dia, it was my pleasure. I was at the stores anyway, having been fortunate enough to recieve a tip-off, and I didn't want to see either you or your sister be trampled while trying to get good food for Artur."

Dia didn't hesitate very long at all before putting her arms around Orr's waist and hugging her tightly. "Oh, thank you so very much."

For the first time since Dia had met her, Orr seemed momentarily wrongfooted, freezing a little at the sudden physical contact. A second later, though, her body relaxed again, and her free arm wrapped around Dia in return, hand smoothing across her back. "As I said. Think nothing of it. Your hospitality more than repaid me."

"Don't be silly," Dia said, pulling back and grinning up at the woman. "I think saving my life and now this has put you over the top. You must take my bed tonight, I won't hear any arguments."

"I told you before, I'm not putting you out of your bed. I'll sleep in the street first."

"Orr, please... it's no trouble. And it'll be far more comfortable than the street, I assure you."

"Not for you. Your sister dislikes me quite enough already, and really, the pallet on the floor was fine..."

"I said no arguments," Dia said, holding up a finger and waggling it at Orr's nose. "So stop. And put down your bag... can I make you some tea?"

"Tea would be most welcome. And you'll be pleased to know that you recently acquired several flavours of it."

"...and that brings us to today which, well, you have been here for the most exciting part of it, so I don't think I need to tell you that." Dia laughed and sat back in her chair, clasping a half-empty mug of tea (not her first) in her hands. "I can't believe I just told you the story of my life. And that you're not asleep by now."

Orr chuckled, shaking her head. "Far from it. Although I'm sure you could talk me to sleep if you wanted to - your voice is very calming."

"You mean I'm boring," Dia said flatly, breaking into a grin a second later. "That's all right. I don't see how I could be interesting, having lived in the same place my entire life."

"That's simply not true. You've overcome difficulties just the same as anyone else. Your apprenticeship, the death of your parents, caring for Artur, and then came the seige of course..." Orr shook her head. "Dia, you must stop being so negative about yourself."

"Oh, I'm not being negative. Just realistic. I don't loathe myself or anything of the sort. I just mean... to someone like you I must seem very mundane."

"Someone like me?"

Dia blushed, smoothing her thumbs over her mug. "You just seem so... worldly. Well-travelled."

"It has its costs. I have no family, no loved-ones, and no home."

"I suppose there are good points and bad points to everybody's life."

"Quite so," Dia agreed in her characteristically unembellished way.

"Still, you have a home for tonight at least. More tea?"

"I think I'd be back and forth from the privy all night."

"...so that's a no?"

Orr smiled again, shaking her head. "Thanks. I've had enough."

"Well... I suppose I don't have an excuse for keeping you up, then. I tried my best."

The other woman raised her eyebrows almost imperceptibly, sitting back and crossing her long legs. "Is that what you're doing? Keeping me out of bed?"

Dia grinned, taking a drink to forestall her answer. "Well, you're not in bed, so I suppose I am."

"Why? I've said little to entertain you; I cannot be particularly good company. Or is any company something?"

"You are very good company," Dia said, shaking her head. "At least, you're an excellent listener. And..."

Orr, true to form, said nothing, tipping her to one side as she waited for Dia to continue, squirming under her steady gaze.

"And I suppose it's been some time since I've had another woman to talk to," the curly-haired young woman said at last.

"Other than your sister, you mean."

"Well, yes."

Orr nodded. "I suppose that's understandable."

"Mm, yes. It's not been exactly a social time for the city lately. And before that..."

Orr raised her eyebrows a little. "I'm not going to either interrupt you or change the subject when you pause like that, you know."

"Oh. Well, it was worth a try," Dia said with a tight smile. "I just meant that even before the siege, I didn't always receive that many visitors."

"Why is that?"

"There was a bit of a... scandal, when I was younger. I'm afraid people in this town have very long memories."

"I see."

"Mm..."

Orr just finished her tea and placed her mug down, observing Dia frankly, and in complete silence.

"Well," the girl said after another few moments of silence. "I'll just go tidy up my room, then, and then it'll be all yours."

"I already told you that I can't throw your out of your room, Dia. Don't turn this into a battle of wills."

"I won't be able to sleep if I know you're lying on the floor in the front room. It wouldn't be right."

"In fairness, you made me a pallet."

"It's still the floor."

"Well, I will not sleep in your bed with the knowledge that I've thrown you out of it. So it would seem we are at an impasse."

"But if I insist..."

"...Then you'll drive me to find somewhere else to sleep."

Dia sighed, draining the last of her tea. "Very well. I'll get the pallet ready, then."

"All right."

"You're very stubborn, you know," Dia said, shooting a look at Orr as she got up from the table. "I suppose that must serve you well, but it's very frustrating."

"I'm sorry that I frustrate you," Orr said, following Dia out of the kitchen, picking her cloak off the back of a chair as she went.

"Well, you do all these kind things for me, but won't let me repay you... I wish I could. I don't like feeling like I'm taking advantage of someone."

"You gave me somewhere to sleep the other night. You're doing the same tonight."

"I'd rather it was in my bed." Dia's voice was muffled as she leaned into the closet to pull out the blankets and pillows that would comprise Orr's pallet.

"Here, let me help," was all Orr said, reaching for some of the pillows.

"Oh, well..." Dia passed the other woman the pillows, her own arms full of blankets. "Thank you."

Orr piled the pillows on a chair on entering the front room, apparently knowing better than to take away further from Dia's feeling of hospitality by making her own bed, and lay her cloak over another, pulling her already loosened tunic off over her head. Her shirt today was not black but a dark green-grey, contrasing pleasantly with the slight reddy tints to her dark brown hair.

Dia busied herself setting up the pallet on the floor, though she couldn't help glancing at the other woman occasionally as she continued to strip her clothes off slowly and fold them to put aside. Tearing her gaze away, she coughed and folded a blanket, smoothing it over the pile of pillows she had arranged.

Later, Dia felt sure she must have imagined the glance in her direction on Orr's part before, all too easy to see in her peripheral vision, the taller woman pulled off her final item of clothing - the dark coloured shirt, calmly folding it and placing it on top of the rest of her clothes.

"I'll just leave you to sleep, then," Dia announced unnecessarily then, tugging the blanket up and then standing and turning for the door. "As I said last time, you're welcome to anything you like... help yourself."

"Thank you. Sleep well."

"Yes, you as well."

"I'll be fine."

"Well, if you need anything... my room is right up the stairs. It's the, uh, first door on the left." Dia bent to blow one of the candles out, hoping to cover the pinkness in her cheeks.

Orr nodded, and again, though Dia thought she saw a slight raise of the other woman's eyebrows, it could, perhaps, have been the flickering light.

"Goodnight, then."

"Good night."