“True as it may be, I don’t have to like it,” she grumbles as she pushes the bowl of porridge closer to me. “Now finish the rest of yer food. The Father knows ye need to eat if yer body is to heal.”
A pang of guilt washes over me for keeping my plans to buy my freedom a secret from her. It’s safer for her if she doesn’t know.
“I’m sure it will be all right,” I sign instead, praying that I’m right. Ignoring the nauseating feeling in my stomach, I stuff down the rest of the porridge, not wanting to argue with her. “I need to go.” Lifting my veil, I finish my milk with a determined gulp and push back my chair.
Her forehead creases with worry. “Don’t ye forget to be back before—”
“Trust me, I’m aware when he wakes,” I sign, then lift my left arm. “Hard not to.” I tap the brace underneath the long sleeve of my dress.
Still, I can feel her worried gaze burning into my back as I leave.
chapter two
I GREET MAEVE WITH A stroke on her soft muzzle, and she greets me back with a gentle nudge.
“Saddle her for me,” I sign to the stable boy, avoiding eye contact as I do. Only when he scurries away do I dare look back up. I pinch my brows at the gentle snowflakes that continue drifting from the sky. I wrap my cloak tighter around myself. The winter is lingering this year, and the daytime still has a bite to it.
“At least no one questions you when they don’t want to interact with you,” I whisper to Maeve as I wait for him to come back.
Maeve neighs and nudges her warm muzzle against my hand.
Lifting my veil, I give her a kiss on her nose. “You are a beauty, aren’t you?” I whisper. “Way too beautiful to live in this dreary city.”
No matter how much the minister preaches about the light of the Father, Bronich will forever be a city of darkness. Even at this time of day, most of Bronich remains gloomy and desolate. The surrounding mountains wrap the city in shadows, their imposing presence an impenetrable barrier between Bronich and the outside world.
I squint up at the darker spot high on the hillside: the entrance to the mountain pass. Although the minister claims the Father protects us and that we’re safe here from the evil of the lands beyond, I’m worried that it will one day show up on our doorstep. They say the monsters beyond the pass can smell human blood from miles away, their wolf senses as sharp as their fangs. Some are said to be shape-shifters, able to take human form to deceive their prey.I will never understand those foolish enough to ignore the minister’s warnings and tempt fate by crossing, when it’s well-known that those who do are never seen again.
I pull my gaze away from the pass. Anyone stupid enough to try that route is deserving of whatever demons are thrown upon them.
At the sound of footsteps, I lower my gaze again and step to the side so the boy can do his job. Once mounted, I grab hold of the reins with one hand while holding my cloak in place from the wind with the other. Giving Maeve a gentle squeeze with my legs, I nudge her forward.
“Let’s get into town, shall we?” I say to Maeve once the boy is out of earshot.
It doesn’t take long before the dark structures of the city proper come into view, blurred in a dense shroud of fog. I raise my hood, seeking refuge from the snow that has now turned into a familiar drizzle, and shoo the crows as they make a grab for my satchel. Their loud screeching rings in my ears—the scarcity caused by a prolonged winter seems to affect the ebony scavengers as much as the humans.
I take in the city through lowered lashes as I guide Maeve through the twisting alleys of Bronich. The timber-framed buildings that make up most of Bronich all bear clear signs of decay, which makes them tilt precariously toward one another. Breathing through my mouth, I do my best to avoid the odor of smoke and sewage. It’s a far cry from the refreshing scent of pine that envelops Master Coperie’s land.
“Easy, girl,” I whisper, patting Maeve on her neck as a horse cart rattles down the cobblestone street, causing rats to scurry in everydirection. I flinch as one is trampled, leaving a bloody mess in the middle of the street.
Still, amidst the filth and chaos, the people of Bronich go about their daily lives. Maids in plain dresses and errand boys in their distinct gray trousers and flat caps hurry past, hoping to make an iron penny or two.
I throw a couple at one of the many beggars lining the streets as I pass by. I’ll need every penny for myself if I’m to buy my freedom, but there are those who need them more. The number of homeless has more than doubled over the winter, and so has the number of thieves and pickpockets, by the looks of it.
The beggar grabs the coins with a quick hand and stores them away, but he doesn’t acknowledge me in any other way. I may as well not exist. I shake my head. If he weren’t in such need of coin, I doubt he would have touched them.
Arriving at the square, I pull Maeve to a halt. Despite the dreary weather and scarce conditions, the town’s market buzzes with life. The eleventh day of the week is always busy, and the eager cacophony from the vendors creates a contrasting atmosphere to the otherwise bleak state of the city. I tie Maeve to a hitching post. Then, keeping my gaze down, I weave my way through the market square, the smell of smoke and sewage giving way to the aroma of freshly baked bread mixed with the earthy scent of sweat and mule manure.
Only when I reach the fountain at the heart of the square do I cast a cautious glance around. There are few of us out. Given that most commoners feel uncomfortable in our presence, properties prefer to serve inside most of the time—warming their master’s bed, most likely. I stare at the fountain, ignoring the wide berth people give me as they walk by. Instead, I study the water, focusing on its mesmerizing display.
When a hand touches my shoulder, it’s all I can do to stifle a scream.
“Relax, it’s just me,” Emma signs, her eyes narrowing as she studies my startled expression. “You look awful.”
“Why, thank you,” I sign back, arching one eyebrow. “It was a late night...”
Her eyes widen at the implication. “You did it! Did you find out anything?” Her hands move fast. Going all the way to the northern hillside was riskier than my usual eavesdropping, and Em knew it. Sharing the household of a master who likes to keep her close at night, Em lives and breathes for my exploration.
I cast a quick glance around. The familiar bustle of vendors vying for the attention of customers makes me wonder for a moment if I dreamed the entire episode.
