CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR
Elsy
Elsy skipped down the steps dressed in her green gown, which she had picked out early that morning. She was exhausted from not sleeping much the night before, but despite that, her mood was merry given the sun was out. There was not a cloud in the sky and the light flooded through the fortress, illuminating the halls. The air smelled of grass, the wind tapping lightly at the windows. Nothing could ruin Elsy’s mood as she jumped the last step, landing on her feet on the main floor. The door to Scott’s room was already open and as she stepped toward it, and she heard Brann’s voice from within.
“But I cannot remain locked in here for the rest of my days,” Scott whined, already clothed in her tunic and tights. She was busy shoving on her boots, ignoring Brann with his dark look and his crossed arms. He towered over the girl as if he was trying to intimidate her back into bed.
Elsy stifled a giggle as she watched the pair, reminding her of two siblings bickering. Brann definitely appeared to be the overprotective brother type, while Scott seemed the more adventurous of the two. She imagined them squabbling more often than not and took it as a good sign that Scott was on the mend, given she had the energy to fight against a man at least four times her size.
Scott smiled brightly when her gaze landed on Elsy and she straightened from putting on her boots, her hands going to her hips. “Elsy, yer here! Please, tellhim--” she gestured toward Brann while rolling her eyes, “--that I am fit enough to leave this room. I cannot bare another day of lying around, doing naething.”
Brann’s scowl darkened. “It wasn’t that long ago Connell found ye without yer wits in the stables. I only ask that ye don’t take on too much, Scott. The chores can wait.”
Scott chuckled bitterly. “Oh, can they?” She narrowed her eyes at Brann, her gaze accusatory. “Ye don’t think I didn’t hear Elsy making such a fuss about the state of the kitchen?”
Brann’s face flushed bright red at that. “Well--”
“Well, what, Brann?” Scott said as she leaned toward the large man, whose face was growing redder by the minute.
Brann scowled, his mouth opening to say something Elsy assumed would be foul, but she stepped forward, quickly saying, “I believe getting some fresh air won’t do ye any harm, Scotty.”
Brann’s mouth snapped close, his scowl dissipating. He frowned at Elsy, worry in his eyes. “Are ye sure about that? It’s only been two days. Shouldn’t he have a bit more rest?”
Elsy shook her head. “Tis quite alright. I was hoping we could take a walk around the fortress, perhaps go look for some herbs to make a tea.”
Scott clapped her hands, jumping up and down with excitement. “Ah! What a wonderful idea.”
Brann shook his head. “I don’t know.”
“And why not?” Elsy asked, crossing her arms.
Brann bristled and she couldn’t hide her amusement at the fact the young man seemed intimidated by her.Probably due to yesterday,Elsy thought, choking to hold back her laughter. She had been so infuriated with Connell avoiding her that after Scott fell asleep, she had insisted Brann help her with cleaning the kitchen. The poor man had no choice and Elsy had barked her orders as if she was a commander in an army.
“Connell is away hunting in the wood,” Brann said uneasily. “Tis better if ye both remain in the castle.”
Scott frowned, her shoulders slumping.
Elsy jutted out her jaw, refusing to back down. “We won’t go far,” she said. “I promise we will remain around the fort.”
Brann grimaced, still looking unsure.
Scott rushed toward him, taking his hands. “Please, Brann? Please? We won’t go far. It will be exactly like she said. We will be back before dark, right Elsy?”
Elsy nodded. “Of course. Quite before then.”
“Please?” Scott asked, her eyes wide like a doe’s as she stared up at Brann.
Brann sighed, his eyes looking up to the ceiling before saying, “Alright, fine.”
Scott threw her arms around Brann, hugging him tight while Brann smiled down at her. “Thank ye so much, Brann.”
Brann chuckled. “But take it easy. We can’t have ye falling ill again.”
Elsy nodded. “It will be an easy day, I assure ye.”
After finding an old basket in the kitchen and packing some bread, cooked meat, and a waterskin, Elsy and Scott, hand in hand, left the fortress. Scott skipped while Elsy giggled, trying to keep up with Scott’s energy. She never had a little sister, but she supposed it felt much the same. Rather than heading toward the woods, they walked around the large fortress toward the vast meadow.
“What herbs will we find?” Scott asked, a large smile on her face.
