Chapter 34 Bound Away

Rose hid behind the hata as her parents closed the door. Elena brushed off Ivan’s cloak while she spoke. “I really think you should make her go Ivan. It is disrespectful of her not to be there.”

“If she is in her room at least I know where she is and this way she won’t have to listen to Hilda and Nina gloat. Mother will come over soon after checking on her garden.”

Ivan hooked his arm around his wife and she sighed contentedly under his wing.

“Thank goodness you found her red hooded cape. I was certain it was lost for good. Where is it?”

“I folded it and put it on the edge of her bed this morning.” Ivan’s nose crinkled, “Perhaps you should wash it once more for it still smells strongly of animal.” Their voices grew distant as they made their way down to Hilda and Nina’s. Rose continued on only after grabbing two cakes that were cooling on the sill and placing them in her basket. Her cape fluttered as she took a quick path to Sadko’s barn. Her mother’s washing it would have to wait. She was taking it with her on her travels.

Rose was surprised to see a very sad expression on the boy’s face when she entered. His dove’s head was tucked under her wing. He continued to pet it. He coed, and spoke in the language Rose had been taught by her mother.

“Perk up Little Love, we’ll be getting some of our own back today. You did well with your revenge. You deserve a rest.”

Rose wanted to ask what he was talking about then thought better of it. Perhaps she could learn more about him if he thought she did not understand.

“I like your accent when you talk like that.” She said shyly.

Hansel was not startled, he had felt her approach and wondered if she perceived him as weak for showing such affections. He would not have dared to show such tenderness if his sister were still around this morning. Gretel had decided to take her chances digging underground.

“What is the matter with her?” this time Rose made no attempts to touch the bird having learned he would not tolerate it in the past.

“She is ill from getting poison on her beak. She did not swallow it though. As long as she rests she will be fine.” His face was placid. Rose could see his eyes were unsure.

Hansel picked up the upside down nest Rose had brought earlier and placed the dove in it. He rested it in a more stable corner than it had been in before. The dove barely rustled and then stopped stirring.

“So I see you found your valuable hood.” He rubbed the feathers off of his hands.

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“Did you make a place for me in Sadko’s cart?” Rose changed the subject before they began to fight. In her opinion, his name was not fully cleared because she still did not know who he was. He could have hidden her clothes thinking it would be a fun game later.

“Yes,” Hansel yawned, the sun was really getting to him this morning. Still he climbed up the side of the wheel to direct her where to go. “You can fit in between Hilda’s trunk and Sadko’s dulcimer case.”

Rose climbed onto the back and swung her basket over.

“You cannot be serious about taking that?” Hansel pointed to her basket.

“It holds everything I need and nothing I don’t, of course I am going to take it.” Rose shrugged.

“Well you didn’t tell me that last night. I made no room for it.” Hansel gestured to where she was to squeeze and Rose did so.

“Look it's fine just put that blanket over me.” Rose balanced the basket on her stomach. It had seemed to grow smaller than when he had first seen it. He was unaware that she had begun to learn how to charm things already. If he could get her to lift a few spells later on that would put things in their favor for certain.

“Won’t you come too?” Rose asked a little nervously.

“Eventually you will be discovered if they are far enough down the road they won’t turn around.” Hansel’s tone held a warning. “If they were to find a stranger who knows what those fat sows might do.”

“Sadko is no cow he would offer to take care of you.” Rose resented his remark only on behalf of one.

“I have to stay and take care of my bird and yours.” He suddenly held up her golden gosling which always made her happy; to the rest of the world it was just ugly and grey. She cupped it in her hands and snuggled with it.

Hansel’s face jerked to the entry as he pushed her all the way down with his hand. “They are coming duck!” The blanket went over her and where he went she could only guess for she soon heard the voices of her Mother and Sadko.

“Rose wanted to see you off Sadko. She was not feeling well.” Elena said gently.

“I am sure your Mother will take good care of her Ivan.” Sadko said coolly while Ivan only grunted. After coming back from the woods it wasn’t clear Sadko’s recollection yet he did remember a sort of falling out.

“Grandmother would have come too. She was tired after the accident.” Rose could just picture her Mother wringing her hands with that tone.

“An accident she blamed Rose for, I hear.” Sadko adjusted the reins on the horses as he spoke.

“It was Rose’s fault I saw it.” Ivan witnessed and this testimony stung Rose.

“Why do you let that woman run your lives my friends? She twists the both of you any way she chooses.” Sadko sighed looking up at the barn ceiling.

“You are just irritable because you have started drinking.” Elena scolded.

“Because Hilda and Nina want him to take the path from the house they own into the woods instead of going by the river.” Ivan clapped Sadko on the back.

“Perhaps you are right. My head still stings from that accident. Villagers all seem to treat me differently as if they are ashamed or afraid of me. That is why I have taken up drinking.” Sadko admitted.

“Well you are going on a three day trip with Hilda and Nina. You have a right to drink. I hear their voices get less shrill with each drop.” Ivan laughed his big deep laugh.

“I better be careful or I’ll wind up kissing one of them and they both have hairy lips.” Sadko scratched the hair under his hat. They all laughed, Elena joined her husband and gave Sadko a farewell hug.

“Oh Elena, I am sorry. Tell Rose goodbye for me won’t you friends?” Sadko creaked into the driver’s seat.

“Certainly brother,” Ivan directed Sadko as he backed out the horses.

“And remember…” Elena added as a final parting.

“Yes I know, remember our little river.” Sadko smiled and away he went. Or more correctly away they went, even the gosling, which had not been part of Rose’s plan at all.