Most people, upon hearing that sinister voice and feeling the ghost of a knife at their back, would run or shriek or attempt to fight.
Evelyn did no such thing. She smiled widely, let out a gasp of happiness, turned and threw herself at the man who had been behind her.
He wrapped his arms around her in an embrace, and once he let her down, tucked her curls behind her ear in a brotherly fashion.
“Hello,” she said simply, the sight of that familiar scarred, scowling face calming and reassuring her. He, along with others of his ilk, was oftentimes more family to her than her own blood.
“It is true.” His voice was not accusatory, and held no pity. It was a statement of fact.
“Yes, I’m afraid. Fa – I mean, he said we would have to move, but I know not where. Most likely around the British or Brittany sea coast.”
“And that bothers you, doesn’t it – not knowing where you are to live,” he said as kindly as he could muster.
“You know me so well, Lukas,” Evelyn said.
“Let me escort you. What brings you in town?” As they strolled at a slower pace than she had been going before, Evelyn told him of the specific items Ed had asked her to purchase. He had given her proper coin, but with the tall, intimidating man cloaked in wolf fur by her side, she wouldn’t really need it. Being acquainted with some of the iron workers with the deadliest reputations had its benefits.
“It’s truly odd, though, the list he gave me. Why these items? There is… something strange. I mean, all those herbs – colander, aconite, parsley – and red ribbon, yards of it, food a bit too fancy for rations for a long trip… Just… There’s something wrong in this – in the entire situation, and not just the errands list! I can feel it, almost see it!”
“Princess,” Lukas began with the name all the iron workers called her, “there isn’t much you can do now. Your family has no more money, no more honour, and the intricate details for how that came to be do not really matter now.
“When you’ve left, and settled down, then maybe ask some questions. Yes, I admit, there is something strange about this entire thing, but remember this. There are some answers that you really do not want to know.”
“Wise words of wisdom, as always. Worry not, Lukas – I will be careful.” Her promise was as earnest as her voice.
“Knowing you, not too careful, eh?” They both chuckled, and finally reached the iron yard. From there they went to the market, which was situated around the iron yard. Evelyn began with the less odd items, and then moved on to the articles that were just plain curious and out of place.
As she had known, no one dared ask payment while Lukas crossed his arms and sneered at her side. The townsfolk knew of the stranger partnership between the dangerous young men who were always trouble and yet mysteriously talented blacksmiths, and the rich multi-business merchant’s cold daughter.
Thus no one mentioned the family’s ruin, and much trying Evelyn managed to hire a porter to bring most of her parcels to the mansion. She made sure to tip him, wondering if she would take his place one day soon.
Now, she was left with only a small box of cheap silver rings, and had fulfilled her promise to her brother.
With nothing else to keep her mind occupied, Evelyn soon started to fall back into melancholy. She was going to miss this place, even with everyone knowing and hating her as the cold ‘Winter, and she was going to miss all the pretty and fine things, and the security of money, even though good people make sure to abhor material goods. She never pretended to be good, even though she really wished she was.
Evelyn was also going to miss each of the elusive, scary men. Grown, dangerous men who had taken an interest in her and appreciated her candour and taught her about so many things, and how they worked, and were the only ones who didn’t tell her to be more like the other Villiers siblings. Who had been her friends and family for so long.
Sensing her troubled mood, Lukas nudged her and told her they were going to Deck 9. It was the gathering place of the gang, and seeing those smirking, familiar faces lifted up her spirits. They spent a while together, joking, laughing, and giving her all sorts of life advice – as they always did.
Soon, however, it was time for the final farewells. People came and went – it was a fact of life, and they all made sure to give her a goodbye that did not really feel like one. Farewell to Lukas, to Andre, to R and to all the others. She would never see them again.
Blinking back tears, Evelyn turned to leave – but Silver intercepted her. With the ghost of a smile, he gave her the silver-gold ring he always wore on his little finger, “For luck. I have a feeling you’ll need it, Princess.”
She thanked him, and all the others, and as she walked away Lukas called to her, “And go find a nice husband to take you in!”
“Like anyone will want me for a wife!”
Evelyn started for home, leaving her only friends behind with every step she took. She wanted to turn around - yet that would make this even harder than it was. Despite the tears prickling in her eyes that thankfully did not fall, and the pain of every step, she continued on her course.
The way back to the manse was awfully long, especially with her grief and melancholy, and she was only halfway there when she heard the thunder.
With a gasp, she whirled around. As Whiling was a small coast town, Evelyn knew how dangerous storms were like everyone else, and the destruction they wreaked. With the dense, swirling mass of black clouds and the rapid-fire flashes of lighting and the constant booming thunder, it was clear that this would be a destructive, dangerous storm. It started to pour and to wind, and Evelyn stood in the middle of the path, lost.
The immediate course of action to do was to find shelter, but she was still so far from home, and with news of the Villiers’ ruin already in the gossips and rumours, no one would open their doors to her.
Drenched, and panicking, not seeing any place to take shelter, Evelyn was immediately swept off her feet and carried by a stranger who’d come out of nowhere. She screamed and struggled, to no avail. Finally, she was put down and realized they were in an alcove between two large buildings. From here, the storm did not touch them, though the wind tore at her skirts.
Dusting her skirts and clearing her raw throat, Evelyn said, “You know that was HIGHLY improper – but I suppose thanks is in order, anyhow.” Probably best that her reputation had always been...lacking, and now that the family name was in tatters she could no longer bring shame through her actions.
The stranger, clad in a black coat, scowled and refused to say anything. They stood there in silence as the storm raged on, tearing slats from roofs, uprooting trees, ripping the leaves off of trees.
When it finally abated, Evelyn started back on her trek. She was tired, and cold, and she had just been handled by a complete stranger who was clearly not a local, but she held in her complaints. The stranger had helped her, perhaps even saved her life. Who he was, or why he had done that, Evelyn had no idea.
Moreover, it was clear that in the new life they were to lead, she would have to be strong. She would have to be strong, and cold, and not indulge in any whinging.
So she hobbled back home with a heavy heart, hating every step of the way.
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