Switched ~ a Fractured Fairytale

Chapter Nineteen ~ Picket Fences and Fencing Lessons

As we approached the border between Pembleton and Kalatani, the hills began to get larger and steeper, covered in dense pine forests. Because of the uneven ground, we had to stick to the one lone path that wound its way through the hills. It had been a couple of days since we had seen another human, and the woods were filled with plenty of wildlife. It was wonderful to be out in nature, I was enjoying the cool, crisp air that smelled of fresh flowers and pine needles.

At the crest of a hill, Killian paused and looked down the hillside. Beside a small stream, I could see a little village nestled at the edge of the woods.

'Elia,' he said slowly. 'Would it be alright...'

'What is it?'

'My mother lives down there,' he said softly.

I smiled, and he hurried on.

'We can stay with her tonight and set off early tomorrow,' he said. 'It won't delay us, I promise.'

'Of course,' I said. 'I'd love to meet her.'

Killian smiled at me and nudged his horse down towards the little village.

'How long have you been away?' I asked.

'About eight months,' Killian said. 'I've been running errands for Father.'

The village was clustered around a small square. I could see a butcher and a blacksmith, and I wondered which house belonged to Killian's mother, but he passed through the village without stopping until we came to a little stone cottage at the very edge of the woods. A white picket fence surrounded a small herb garden to one side, and I could see a few goats nibbling at the grass.

'And what time do you call this?' a voice called out as we approached.

'Ma!' Killian swung down off his horse and hugged the woman who had emerged from behind the cottage.

Killian's mother was tall, with curly black hair, a strong nose and the same blue-grey eyes as her son. She wore an old checked apron and there was a smudge of flour across her nose. I swung down off Luna as Killian released her and turned to me, smiling broadly.

'Ma, this is Elia,' Killian said, 'El, my mother Maren.'

'Hello, dear,' she said, pulling me into a tight hug. 'It's lovely to meet you, Killian never brings girls home!' she added, shooting Killian a wicked grin.

Killian groaned and rolled his eyes. 'Ma, she's the princess of Santiana,' he said. 

'Oh, royalty, is it?' Maren laughed. 'What are you doing out here?'

'We're on a rescue mission,' I explained.

'Well, you go catch us some fish, and I'll make your favourite,' Maren said, smacking Killian lightly on his head. 'Elia can help me with my baking.'

Killian ducked into a little shed, emerging with a rod over his shoulder and strolled off through the village down towards the river, Bear trotting at his heels. Maren lead me around the back of her cottage, where a large stone oven stood, smelling of wonderfully fresh bread. Two tables stood under the large eaves and an iron pot was suspended over a fire pit. Maren heaved a bowl onto the table and tossed me an apron.

'Tomorrow is market day, so I need to get this dough on the rise,' she said.

Maren showed me how to knead the dough and shape it into loaves before placing it on a large tray to rise. My cooking skills were poor at the best, and I told her so, but Maren just chuckled, kneading out her dough with strong, practised hands.