The tall blonde threw his hair back in laughter. “Simon had these made for us the first week of our awa—arrival. He took the vestments that we wore and had different versions of it made by crafters yonder.” He pointed at where the apparel merchants were situated.
“I am told that the weaving of the animal skins took seven days for each of the pants, so as we waited for our clothing, we became accustomed to the garments which Miller Armstrong had purchased for us.”
“They wear woven leather pants where you come from, do they?” Lily and Aylwyn stopped by The Song of Sixpence Blackbyrd Pye Booth. The savory turnovers were stuffed with various meats, and each were the size of a sandwich. Aylwyn picked out eight of the meat pies for himself, after Lily asked for the decidedly non-Medieval themed feta and kale pie. She watched as Aylwyn expertly used the card he had been given to pay for anything he purchased at the Faire.
With alotof flirtation with the corseted wench behind the counter.
Lily stepped away discreetly as Aylwyn and the wench discussed meeting up at Ye Olde Taverne, and wandered off into the seating area to locate a place for them to sit. It was beginning to fill up, but mostly with families who took over the larger picnic-type tables. She smiled at the sight of the children dressed in kid-sized medieval costumes, especially the toddlers. Some of them availed themselves of the special covers that transformed their strollers into the prows of pirate ships, or to look like horses that the child was riding.
She thought of suggesting to TraceyAnn that they might take the kids out on excursions around the Fairegrounds once they had more staffing. Except…that would be a while, and she wouldn’t be around to do it. The voice of reason gave her a sudden chill, a cloud crossing over her bright sunshine. Oh Sweet Lord, Lily was now thinking of ways to improve the Staff Childcare Center, picturing what her and Col’s baby would look like, and—
Just then, she spotted what she was looking for. A small wooden table in the shade that was unoccupied, and she moved quickly to claim it.
She realized that with Aylwyn, she could get more details about Col’s past, at least the bits that Aylwyn might share. Even with her limited experience dating, she was aware that you usually started with the same reference points in your past, maybe rites of passage, maybe pop culture touchstones. Like that disastrous third grade class photo, when your cowlick decided to make its appearance. Or trying to learn the steps to the Zombie dance from Thriller. Or knowing where you were when you got the news that Bowie had passed. Or having an opinion on which Star Trek captain was the best. It was one thing to date — or whatever you wanted to call this thing with Col — someone from another culture, but another time entirely?
There weren’t anyCosmopolitanarticles covering that.
But first she had to let Aylwyn know about Barric and Merek’s show-and-tell last night.
He set down two heavy trays, loaded down with beverages and nine stuffed pies onto the table, as if they were as light as empty plastic bins, and positioned the bench so he could sit comfortably.
“Here,” Aylwyn placed a covered cup of some type of reddish liquid in front of Lily. “This is elderberry juice, which is reminiscent of a drink I remember, but I am happy to find here at the Faire in this form.”
“I’m sure that Miller could order some for you,” Lily took a sip through a straw. It was the perfect blend of tart and sweet. “This is delicious!”
“Aye, but tastier when served by a wench bearing the name Amber.” Aylwyn’s white teeth bit into a meat pie.
Lily smiled. “I met Barric and Merek as wolves last night.”
The meat pie stuck in Aylwyn’s throat and he started coughing and spluttering, to the sound of Lily’s laughter. “I am so sorry, Aylwyn.” She pushed his drink towards him, and he took a big swallow.
“Wherefore — I mean, how did this happen?” Aylwyn drank some more, looking at Lily. She recounted the events of the evening before — at least as much as she was willing to share with him — and he resumed eating with great gusto.
“That is a relief, Katie Cooper. Many thanks for giving me knowledge of what has transpired.” Aylwyn was already on his third meat pie, and he remembered to use a napkin to wipe his mouth. “It is a relief to not have to hold back from you any more.”
She felt a twinge of guilt, and envy at the freedom he felt. Wouldn’t it be nice if she could feel the same, except she was still encumbered by the many secrets she was keeping, from him, from Simon, from the others, and most of all, from Col. And here she was, trying to pump him for more information about Col.
Hypocrite.
With the floodgates opened, Aylwyn talked easily. “You had asked about the clothing. Simon had taken this small fair and turned it into what it is today, in readiness for our awakening, so that we might be of ease. But he did not know from which time we had lived, and so he took the best of what was available to him and set it here.”
Lily nodded. “That sounds like him.”
“And so there were crafters ready, to make whatever was needed, such as our clothing, and weaponry.” Aylwyn now had only three meat pies left, and he took another gulp of his cold drink. “But as we trained with Miller, we learned much of our weaponry had fallen into disuse, and so the metalsmyths forged for us the smaller blades which we oft carry. But in truth, your arrival has done much to ease our way these past days.”
Lily finished the last of her cheese pie, and drank more of the elderberry juice. It was gratifying to hear that she had indeed made an impact on the job that she was hired for. While she had been falling into — Love? Lust? All of the Above and then some? Something that had her insides all knotted up and her head spinning. When what she should have been doing was make plans to get outta town. Literally. And as with her thoughts these days, once it felt onto a track labeled “Col” her mind was like a bowling ball that had gone into the gutter.
Hurtling on its way so fast and noisily that she almost missed what Aylwyn was saying.
“—given to another one of us.”
Lily’s head jerked up. It was about her. The words Aylwyn used were in modern English. In grammatical order. But still they didn’t make sense.
“Say what?” She cleared her throat, but Aylwyn knew the expression, no doubt from one of his TV shows.
“My bad. I forgot not to talk with my mouth full.” There were only crumbs, and barely that, in front of him. Aylwyn took a huge swig of his drink, and pointedly wiped his mouth with a napkin. All the while Lily waited, forgetting to breathe.
“I was just saying how we had all given up hope that ourDestineswere to be found in this world. And then you came along. We all envy Col, should you be hisDestine.”
