Weaver's Curse

Chapter 10- Who's Deled?

Isaan's life had improved greatly since meeting Kaedwyn. His curse was still in place, but on the blank days, she was always there to fill in the gaps. He didn't feel quite like he was losing his mind anymore.

She told him of Telare as they journeyed. Of their language, and the vast community of witches. According to her, there were plenty that specialized in curse breaking.

Maybe I'll be free of mine, soon, he thought.

They had crossed the Zircon border a day ago, and he'd been observing the different fashions.

By the look of their clothing, the Zirconians were less wealthy than the peoples of Reganne. They favored homespun clothing in more muted colors, with longer sleeves and hems to match Zircon's cooler weather. They looked less shifty than the average Reganne citizen, however.

When he pointed this out to Kaedwyn, she answered with: "That's because it's illegal to enslave witches here. More or less."

It was legal to do that in Reganne?

Today, he remembered that he was a witch. As were his sisters, though he still couldn't quite remember their names.

"More or less?" Allie asked, eyes wide.

"It probably happens to plenty of peasant witches." Kaedwyn said. "If they don't have ties to any of the noble families, not enough of a fuss would be made that an outsider would ever know. But it's technically illegal."

"Perhaps Reganne should take some notes." Allie muttered.

"Take that Sedine Malachite girl for instance," Kaedwyn said. "I'm sure you've all seen her posters by now. Someone snatched her, a daughter of a noble house, and her family's kicked up a huge fuss. But if any plain old Sally were grabbed, I doubt anyone would ever know."

"You don't believe the conspiracy theories?" Allie asked.

"Nah. There wouldn't be much point in killing her off." Kaedwyn said. "She's a girl. I doubt her father would pick her over her cousins."

Who on earth is this person?

Isaan hadn't paid attention to any of the missing or wanted posters.

"Good point." Allie said, looking thoughtful.

"Picked her for what?" Isaan asked.

"To inherit." Kaedwyn said. "She's a duke's daughter."

For some reason, a knowing smile crept onto Allie's face.

"But if she was kidnapped, shouldn't the abductors have tried to extort money from her family?" Toby butted in. "I think she probably ran away."

"Maybe." Kaedwyn said. "She could have been kidnapped after she ran away, and they're unaware of her identity. That might be why she hasn't come back."

"Hm. Didn't consider that." Toby said, nodding to Kaedwyn. "Anyway, Hexing sent me to tell you three that we have the afternoon off."

"Oh, sweet!" Allie said. "Let's go take a look around the town."

"Okay." Toby said.

"Are you two coming?" Allie asked.

"Sure." Isaan said.

And so he found himself walking the streets of the Zirconian village of Kestrel with Kaedwyn, Allie, and Toby.

"We should try some Zirconian food," Toby said. "I hear it's good."

"It's not much different from Reganne food." Kaedwyn said. "A few different spices on the meat, I guess."

"Joy kill." Toby said.