Smoke On The Water | 18+

Chapter 6

Word Count: 1,791

"Today, you will learn to weave fabric." The lady- Ela- tells me. Her tone has been one of apprehension since she first came to visit me this morning and it hasn't wavered even once. I nod my head at her. 

"Mangas seems to want you here, for some reason. So, you will learn to be useful." She says seriously, her brows furrowing sternly. I nod my head once again.

"Do you speak, girl?" She asks me, her tone hardening. My eyes move up to meet hers, and we both take a moment to gaze at one another.

"I don't wish to make you dislike me any further, is all." I tell her simply. She seems surprised by this, but she doesn't move an inch.

"Are you surprised we speak your language?" She asks me, a condescending smirk appearing on her face.

"Yes." I tell her honestly. I look back down at the pile of wool she's placed in my lap, and begin combing through it absentmindedly.

"Don't play with it, girl. Watch. And listen." She tells me. She takes it from me, and a few hours later, I'm almost a professional thread maker.

Boy, if Harry could see me now.

A sad smile appears on my face, and Ela notices instantly.

"What?" She asks me as I near the end of the pile of wool. I sigh heavily, but ultimately decide to share a bit.

"It's a man." I tell her earnestly. She chuckles.

"Isn't it, normally?" She asks. I finish the pile, and she shows me how to weave it on a small loom. A few hours after that- when the sun begins to sink- we've made a blanket together. 

It's not anything fancy with designs like the ones at the manor, but it will definitely be warm.

"What is it about this man that has you sighing like this?" She asks me. I hadn't even noticed I'd been sighing regularly.

"He was killed... I miss him." I say quietly, folding the blanket once we cut the final threads.

"Did you do it?" She asks me curiously. For the first time since she's been here, I notice her voice doesn't sound completely distrustful. Which is strange, considering the question she just asked me. I shake my head at her.

"No. But I killed the man that did it." I tell her, looking up into her curious eyes. She nods in understanding.

"The people of the tribe believe you to be a murderer. They believe this is why Mangas wants you here." She tells me, sharing her own bit of truth. I ponder this information for a while.

"And what do you think?" I ask her quietly. She smiles softly- genuinely- for the first time.

"I think you would be good for the tribe. Murderer or no murderer." She tells me, equally as quiet. Now it's my turn to be surprised. My eyebrows raise in question.

"Why?" I ask. Her hand comes up to grip my shoulder gently.

"Your heart." She states matter of factly.

I can only stare at her- completely speechless. What else can this woman sense about me?

"I can see your brain working hard, so let me explain... I am the spiritual leader of the tribe. I can sense many things. And with you, I sense many, many things. Some of which, I would not like to say." She tells me ominously. I nod my head. I can understand her not wanting to explain what she sees in me.

"I know you have had a hard life- you wear it as armor. But I can also sense your heart. There is a bit of ill will, but mainly hope. Mainly care. Mainly love. Mainly strength." She says, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze.