The Kingdom

47

Keira woke up early that morning, bathed, and got dressed downstairs to let James rest a bit more. He had been so distressed lately with being a new leader of a village, planning to rescue their baby son and revenge against his father. Even if Alfred committed such a sin, she knew it was not easy for him to conclude he had to war his own father to end all the danger Keira and Edward could face. He was a family man above all, defending his and against anyone. Thus, seeing he was sleeping so profoundly, she grabbed a dress that she took it downstairs not to wake him. After bathing, she left some more water in the fire for she knew he'd want to bathe too when he'd be up. After getting dressed, Keira noticed the fire to cook needed wood so, she put on her apron and went outside to the contiguous store place where they kept some wood. When she opened the door, she found the main square deserted, just the guards were up watching over the village defense. It was cold with a bit of frost that whitened the green and the ground. Her breath came out in thick puffy clouds and a thick fog floated low in the air. She regretted she didn't bring her cloak and rubbed her arms. The guest house was still closed too with no signs of someone being up yet. Cahill and Cathleen were probably sleeping too. She opened the small door and started grabbing some wood when a voice behind her made her startle.

"Good morning, Keira." Keira jumped and looked back to find Aelle smiling at her. He bowed. "Do you need help?"

"Good morning, Aelle. You scared me." She laughed low. "If you don't mind..." She put some wood in his arms and started gathering more. "I need some wood to the fire inside the house."

"And it's a very cold day today." He looked around at the white scenery. "It rained so much yesterday... it's a bit of a surprise that we have snow today."

"It must have stopped during the night." She gasped as she turned around to him with her arms full of wood. "Let's go?" Aelle nodded. "Do you think Harald is coming here today?"

"I am sure." Aelle confirmed. "You look different..." He curled an eyebrow and Keira smiled.

"It's my hair... it's loose."

"Ah... that's it." He nodded.

"I'll fix it after putting something to cook for breakfast."

Then, they entered the house where it was considerably warmer. Aelle shivered at the difference of temperature, and waited for Keira to guide him to the place where she wanted the wood. It was a basket right beside the fire. He put it there and then dusted his hands.

"Anything else?" He asked her.

"No..." Keira shook her head. "Do you want to wash your hands?"

"I'll wash it at the tavern." He winked.

"Aye... thank you."

When he closed the door, Keira turned her attention to the food. First, she approached the small tin, poured some water in it, and washed her hands with one of the soaps she made. Then, she peeled some potatoes, cleaned some green leaves, and peeled some carrots, washed it all and put it inside the broth where they cooked the meat from the previous night. After a few seconds, it started to boil. Letting it cook, she grabbed a loaf and cut some slices that she warmed near the fire and went to the barrel to fill the pitcher with some ale. Finally, she cut some pieces of cheese and dry meat and she took it to the table. She then added two bowls and she went upstairs. James was sleeping on his stomach. His blonde hair scattered over the pillow. Keira sat at the edge of the bed, watched him for a few seconds and then, with the tip of her fingers, she strayed his hair from his face. His lips slightly parted and his breathing sound and heavy.

"James..." She called with a whisper, caressing his cheek with her fingers. "Sweetheart..." He moved, frowned and his eyes started blinking. "Wake up, my love."