“My curse?” He confused her by barking with laughter. It was such an odd and jovial noise it startled Evelda into opening her eyes to look at him. “The curse that enveloped the people of Douma was the doing of their Chieftain. It was part of the deal, and would automatically take effect if the bargain struck was broken.” His shoulders bounced a few times with the last few amused chuckles before he stilled once more. “Your town would be cursed still, had the bargain not been honoured once more. After all, to enchant a town with prosperity, riches, bountiful crop and an unnaturally thriving community has to come with a cost, Evelda.” He chuckled again like she was a silly child. “To enchant a town to become a paradise, year after year, requires constant maintenance by my familiars. Otherwise…it’s like a slingshot.” He sat at the small table by her fire, making himself quite at home. The cloak opened up over his left, revealing half his buff grey torso, black leather trousers, and steal-capped boots. He even gestured with his left gauntlet. “If you pull the slingshot cord back, it extends and extends and extends. But if you were to let go? It wouldn’t just snap back, but extend in the other direction.” When she didn’t seem to follow he sighed. “The opposite comes into effect. Bountiful harvests become famine. Glorious summer days become a constant winter. A healthy community becomes stricken with sickness. Joy becomes misery. Do you understand?”
“I think so.” She held her elbows and nodded. “The deal was broken, so your familiars stopped maintaining the enchantments.”
“Something I warned the last Bryne Chieftain I dealt with when he asked me to enchant his town. I told him what would happen if he ever broke the deal. There wasn’t even a need for my magic then.” He looked out of the doorway, reminiscing. “But the Bryne line has always been greedy. Despite having a successful settlement and trade here, he wanted more power and wealth. I was bored and in need of company. We struck a deal, and the only thing I asked for as a bride.” He rose to his full height, his robes wrapping around his form like another skin once more. “I warned Bryne when he refused to give me his daughter that it would break our deal. And what that would mean. He denied me anyway…so really? This ‘curse’ was all Bryne’s doing. Not ‘my’ curse at all.”
So instead of Turuk intentionally cursing the entire town for generations for the actions of one man, one man cursed the entire town for generations rather than keep up a deal he made. I’m not sure that’s any better.
“Forgive my misunderstanding.” Her voice was quiet and she tried to sound apologetic.
“You truly had nowhere else to go?” She nodded. “You must speak for the amulet to work.”
“Oh, sorry. I had nowhere else to stay Master.” Her messy ginger locks came into view, so she shoved her mane behind her ears.
“And you didn’t mention this yesterday…because?”
“I was afraid of telling you…and I was ashamed to admit how alone I am.” Strike two for the amulet.
“Your friend wouldn’t have taken you in?”
“They couldn’t have, Master.” Evelda lifted her hazel eyes to look up at him. “It wouldn’t have been their decision. They are both unmarried and in their parents' homes.”
“Both? You have another friend?” Oh lord not again.
“Yes Master.” She exhaled deeply and turned to look at the doorway. “What would you like to do today?” She tried to distract him. “The women are most likely at work already. Like yesterday.”
“Will your other friend be there?” Evelda chewed her lips and felt her heart sink again. It was too late. Turuk had his next bone and wouldn’t let go.
“…yes Master.”
“Then take me there, and tell me all about her.”
“So she was betrothed to that man.” Turuk nodded towards a group of men. They were banging and clanging swords and shields together to the right of the women’s work area. Perhaps they had decided to train so closer to their women today after hearing their worries last night? To make them feel safer?
How absurd. An army wouldn’t keep the women of Douma ‘safe’ from the demon lord. After seeing the familiars Turuk commanded last night, Evelda knew that to be true. They currently walked along the edge of the field to the left of the work area. As if to feign a casual walk and small talk, rather than the interrogation and close scrutiny that was actually being carried out.
“Yes, that is Anor.” Evelda walked closest to the fence and they kept their pace slow. So Turuk could take his time observing his prey. “He is our chief blacksmith. He’s been after Valdis for quite some time.” Anor, or ‘the pig’ as Valdis called him, was almost as round as he was tall. He had fine brown leathers on with golden chains and the finest weapons of the group. His long hair and beard were light brown, and his eyes were almost the same shade. He wasn’t brave enough to openly glare at Turuk, but he had no problem transferring his rage towards the man he was battling. Every now and then Evelda caught Anor looking over at them, clearly worried about all the attention Turuk ‘might’ be giving his future bride.
If only he knew how right he was.
“I trust their wedding was suspended?”
“Yes Master.”
“And is Valdis upset by this?”
“No.” The word leapt from her mouth. Pesky talisman!
“No?” He paused, and so she came to a stop as well. Turuk looked over the top of Evelda’s head to look intently at Valdis this time. She was wearing her red dress again but with a yellow apron skirt on this time. Her hands worked deftly over a large bowl of fine stones and painted beads. In this morning’s wagon they found more food, but also materials to craft fine goods to be sold in the next town over. Chief Bryne had announced that they needed to prepare to venture through Skygget forest now they had permission to do so by Turuk, and make trade. Many of the women were weaving with high-quality linen and cotton, and some were making jewellery of various designs. “Does she not wish to wed the rotund one?”
“No she does not.” Evelda would have felt guilty about revealing this about her friend, if it wasn’t for the fact that Valdis had declared this herself on many occasions. Publically. Oh, and in front of Anor. Unfortunately, she had no say in the matter.
“Is she kind like Talita Bryne?”
“No.” Evelda cleared her throat and turned to look at her master. “She is only kind to those she is very close to. Namely Talita and myself. To others she is cold and she is a woman who does not suffer fools.”
“I see.” Turuk chuckled. “So you would in comparison say that Talita is indiscriminately good-natured, whereas Valdis is not as quick to trust?”
“It’s more that she is reluctant to trust. She is a prideful woman who was raised by her father and brothers. Her mother took her own life when she was but five years of age. Apparently, she grew a heart of ice overnight. If you’re looking for a gentle soul to mother your babies, Valdis is not the one to choose.” Evelda then chuckled. “If she does marry Anor, I wouldn’t be surprised to find him dead from poison or sword.”
“Truly? Why?” They walked ahead and looked forward to give Valdis a false reprieve from their gaze.
“Valdis is no victim. She also won’t be broken in and domesticated. Like a wild horse that one. I admire her strength, and value her friendship as it’s so rarely given.”
“A fiery soul.” He didn’t seem deterred in the slightest. In fact, he pulled out his quill and scroll and added her name to the list. Damn. “Two very different women so far.”
“Yes Master.”
“Who is that woman? Talking to Valdis?” Turuk pointed, so openly, that Evelda gasped and turned her head to follow his eyeline. When her hazel orbs landed on the girl her eyes widened.
“That…is Anor’s little sister Freydis. She-she’s barely turned 16.”
“She is of marrying age then.” Turuk didn’t phrase that as a question. “What do you know of her?”
“Not much.” Thankfully that was the truth. Evelda turned to look with utter sorrow at the poor girl. Freydis was a pretty little thing. On the scrawny side, but that was due to malnourishment and not yet possessing the body of a fully grown woman. Her hair was long and brown, like the wood they built their houses from, and pulled back into two thick braids. One hung over each shoulder and easily surpassed her modest bosom. Her eyes were like big brown pebbles, shimmering with excitement as she whispered and giggled with Valdis. She had pale skin and gentle features. A little button nose and thin peachy lips. Lovely bubbly Freydis had attached herself to Valdis from the moment her father and Anor had struck the deal of marriage. Like Valdis, the younger woman had been starved of a female influence and behaved like they were sisters already.
“Tell me what you do know.”
Evelda pressed her hands to her middle and nodded. There was no avoiding his questions. She knew that now.
“She is the youngest sibling of Anor. If Valdis were to marry him that would make Freydis her sister-in-law.”
“What is her personality like? Her temperament?” Turuk still stood and stared, making Evelda aware of how Anor stared back at them. He must have seen the way Turuk pointed at his baby sister as well.
“She…is sweet. Naïve for sure. Energetic and quick to smile, laugh and trust. She is also easily frightened.”
“I see.” Turuk finally turned away from the work area and walked ahead once more. Evelda visibly relaxed and stepped after him. “So she would need to be handled gently?”
“Yes.”
“Easily manipulated if done so correctly?”
“I…would imagine so.”
“Probably easier to domesticate than Valdis.” Before Evelda could respond she saw him scribbling her name on the scroll. “A definite virgin and potential bride.”
“Master?” Evelda spoke up, waiting for him to turn and look down at her with fiery eyes. “If I may ask…how many women are you looking to take with you?” He turned his entire body to look down at her with a sharp jerk, making her wonder if she may not ask.
He stared at her for a moment before answering.
“At least 3. One to be my bride, and the other two as…companions to her. They could also prove to be backup brides if the one I select for myself is difficult.”
“I see.” Evelda desperately pushed her luck. “And the three names you have now? Are you-”
“I have barely begun to look at the women of Douma.” His voice was quiet and venomous as he glowered down at her. “The length of my list has nothing to do with order nor preference. I will select at least three from my list, regardless how long it becomes. The choice is mine, and you will not question me on this matter again. Am I understood?” He towered over her and she shook in his all-consuming presence. How could his tone and close proximity be enough to rattle her to the core so completely?
“Y-yes Master.”
“Good.” He snapped. “I am done with you for the day…however.” Turuk folded his arms and looked at the field of women working away and seemed to growl in his throat in thought. “I don’t trust their behaviour.”
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