Elwanda

Chapter 8 - Disguises

For the rest of the day, Elwanda tried to stay calm, but her nerves could have literally poked right out of her skin.

She started easily, dropped things and often forgot that she went by Alora and not Elwanda. Raedrim was the first to notice her unease and when the old man asked about it out of concern, Elwanda had helplessly hugged him, missing her own father, Gryf.

Given his kind nature, Raedrim cluelessly returned the hug, reassuring that whatever the problem was it could be resolved.

"All you need to do is have a little chat, Alora." He comforted, rubbing her back. "Talking to somebody you trust always fixes things."

Afterwards, she ran errands for Calley, who came back from the noble house six hours later.

Whilst serving dinner, she picked up on the story of the so-called fugitive as Calley told it to tenants of the inn. It seemed a regular thing for the cook to bring back gossips from the house of law because veryone sat in the dining room, ogling at her in anticipation, except for Elwanda.

She stood in the hall just by the doorway to eavesdrop.

"Word is – this fugitive is a big threat." Calley was saying, scrubbing the bottom of the pot to dish out a last helping to the young son of a tenant. "Rauloring does not mention whether it is a he or a she, but they are certain this nomad has sought shelter here in Valbell."

"Well, that would be a tough one, you know." Someone contributed. "Just yesterday, nearly forty five men and women came into Valbell out of Rauloring. The fugitive could have been amongst them."

"Did they state how long ago this wanted person escaped the kingdom?" Raedrim asked.

His question made Elwanda's heart pound in her chest. She pressed herself against the wall and shut her eyes, waiting for Calley's answer.

"Not really, Raedrim." Was the reply.

Elwanda heaved a sigh.

"The only thing I know is that Valbell is now under lockdown and constant surveillance. No one enters and no one leaves, until the Steward has arrived and completed his business."

"Whomever this nomad is," A middle aged man, Tully, pitched in. "However dangerous they may be or already are, how come it has been so peaceful with them among us? One with a bad reputation is bound to show their true character one way or another. Pretence does not last long."

"Some people are skilled enough to pretend for a lifetime, Tully." Raevern reasoned.

"Some people, yes, not you." A young lady fired, and the room erupted in laughter.

"Oh, come on now, Lilian—" Raevern began in defense.

"He pretended his father was the owner of stately manors in Kildor, and one here in Valbell for months while we lived two doors away from each other the whole time." Lilian exposed and more laughter erupted.

Elwanda walked away from the room, through the halls and finally, outside.

Even though there were no bushes nearby, she could hear crickets chirping. The moon reminded her of a deadly creature's eye and its shine highlighted every object so that their shadow was defined sharply on the cobblestones.

She ignored the piercing cold and took a set out on a stroll, drying out her eyes whenever tears slid down them.

With how far she had come, she thought her fear of the past would have melted off, but she was very frightened still of all she ran away from. No matter what she did, the Steward would come in the morning and fish her out, possibly disgrace her before the people of Valbell given his gentlemanliness.