With one last glance down the way I’ve come, I follow her inside.
The hut is just one long room with the fireplace against one of the walls. Two chairs are set in front of it, and a pot is hanging over the flames. The old lady wraps her hand in a piece of cloth and lifts the pot, then hobbles over to the table and pours the liquid into two cups.
“Sit,” she says, “sit. Warm yourself up.”
“Thank you.” I take a seat by the fire, wondering whether Lord Eorl has dismissed me or whether I should keep going. The thought of climbing the rest of the hill, of walking more, is weighing me down.
Where can I go? How far is far enough?
I open my locket and stare at Lord Eorl’s miniature portrait. I stare at the man I thought I’d marry and love, the man I grew up creating fantasies about.
Carefully, calmly, I tear it out of the locket and throw it into the flames. They leap and spark, consuming it in fits and starts. Its edges blacken and curl, and slowly his hateful face disappears.
“Here.” She gives me the cup, and an aroma of herbs rises. “Drink. You’ll feel better.”
Obeying, I take a few sips.
“Running from one of his lordship’s men?” She takes the seat next to me. “Made any untoward advances, did he?”
“Something like that,” I whisper.
“Some men are animals.” She shakes her head. “Where will you go?”
“I’m not sure.” I cradle the cup in my hands. “I’m looking for someone called Valen. Valerian. Have you seen him? Has he passed by here by any chance?”
It’s a long shot, and when she shakes her head, I’m not surprised. I’m sure he shifted into wolf form. He’d have no reason to stop anywhere to rest or get out of the cold.
Unlike me.
“I know a lady in the next town,” the old woman says. “If you tell her I sent you, she’ll help you. I’ve sent a few ladies her way over the years.”
Again, I shouldn’t be surprised. This is the hamlet closest to the manor. If any ladies ran away, this is the first place they’d find.
“Thank you,” I whisper. “I should get going.”
“Now? It will be dark soon. You should stay the night.”
But outside, I hear dogs baying. I rise unsteadily to my feet. “Oh, Gods…”
“They are hunting,” she says. “They like hunting, though it’s a bit late in the season. A bit late in the day for a hunt.”
“I’m the one they are after,” I say.
“With dogs?” She gives me a wide-eyed look. “You must be someone important.”
“Not really. They only want my property.” I give her the cup. “Thank you for your hospitality. If they ask, you haven’t seen me.”
“My lady!” she calls as I cross the hut and open the door.
“Yes?”
“Don’t let them catch you.”
“I won’t,” I whisper, hoping I’m right, and start running again.
I run up the slope, past a few more small huts and pens with pigs and fowl, then spot a trail going around the hillside and down. Following it, I descend back down to the meadows and fields.
My lungs laboring, I glance around the landscape. I can’t see any place to hide and, as the old woman had said, darkness is gathering. The days are short, and the night is catching up with me.
