Elwanda

Chapter 2 - The Decree

"Don't let me tell you a second time to lose the stitches from those draperies, Hacari." Runa called out, checking the flowers in her vase. "Esta promised to redo them before Thursday and the longer they stay stitched, the more she forgets."

It was a Tuesday morning, and as usual, the Osthalls were busying about with their daily work.

Elwanda stood by the window as she did every morning, feeding grains to Ifa and watching the pot simmer. Her father, Gryf, sat in the living room with his arms spread out and Rilith by his side. He spoke to her in soft whispers and caressed her protruding stomach. Gryf did not look his age. He was past sixty, but was still a very fertile man; grim yet handsome. Rilith was his newest and favorite wife. Her dark hair was short and lush, her eyes were almond shaped and brown as tea. Her features altogether showed she was young – about six years older than Anneth. Gryf spent every single penny he made on her, and it made Anren angrier than the sight of Elwanda standing still.

"Gryf!" Anren called, walking into the room. She threw a glance at Rilith and Runa then turned to look at her husband. "The tax collector came twice yesterday. He'll be returning again today. We're four months due."

"Ask Asari." Gryf grumbled. "She can talk to Velus to—"

"Velus is not my husband, Gryf." Anren snapped. "Have some shame, will you? We're feeding off that little boy who could very much be your own son. He works and earns a living honestly, Gryf. It would save us the embarrassment if you could do the same."

"He's trying, Anren." Rilith pleaded calmly. "It's not his fault that it rains so much."

Anren's face heated up immediately. "Never you assume that I am in need of your opinions or thoughts. You live in this house and that is it. I have absolutely no desire to hear you talk."

"Be polite, Anren." Gryf chided.

"Be a man!" Anren scowled and stormed out.

A moment of silence fell. Runa rose from her stool. She was pleasantly tall, but none of her daughters inherited her height. Her hair was brown in some places and dark in others. She only spoke out when necessary and called Elwanda "sweetie" just like Aurae did.

"What do we tell the tax collector when he comes again, Gryf?" She asked in a soft yet worried tone. "We cannot keep living like this, and you know it."

"What would you have me do, Runa?" He asked, taking his arm away from Rilith's back. "I've done all I can. The crops die, the floods sweep away everything. There is no sunshine strong enough to dry them up before another one comes in. I have no control over rainfall, Runa."

"I understand that very well, Gryf." Runa nodded. "What I am saying is, can we not find some other means of survival? Rilith is expecting a baby soon. The poor thing should not feed off a starving mother."

Rilith's eyes softened when it met Runa's.

Gryf leaned forward and rumpled the skin on his forehead. "Whenever anyone gets any brilliant ideas, I'll be all ears. As for now, tell the tax collector he can pawn one of the antiques in my stack. That should hold him for another month."

With that, he rose and disappeared down the hallway. Elwanda walked to the pot and checked it. Its contents were fewer than yesterday's, and they would be even fewer the day after. It broke her heart that her family drew nearer and nearer to starvation. When she lifted her head, she found that Rilith was the only one left. The woman rarely ever looked at or spoke to her, only responding to greetings.

"What's for breakfast, Elmira?" She asked out of nowhere.

"Carrot soup. And, my name is Elwanda."

Rilith appeared embarrassed. "I'm sorry. There are just far too many women in one place. I have trouble keeping up with names. Whose daughter are you again?"