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Humans & Fair Fairy Folk
Chapter 4: Welcome to Brushby

Chapter 4: Welcome to Brushby

Luna and Eliza entered Brushby from the southeastern direction. Dogs barked at them from green yards in front of small whitewashed houses as they passed, but otherwise the village appeared to have turned in for the night. No people roamed the streets, yet music and loud talking could be heard from up ahead. As they turned a corner, a decently sized crowd was gathered in front of a large inn with white half-timbered walls ahead of them. The doors were open, warm light and music spilling out from inside. Eliza sped up her limp, longing for any comfort, food, and warmth the place had to offer, but Luna stopped in her tracks.

“What is it?” Eliza asked as she turned to her.

“I don’t think that place is for me tonight.” Luna said through tight lips.

Eliza looked ahead, and saw what Luna was referring to. Most of the men in the crowd were wearing tabards with sun sigils on their chest and swords or spears at their sides. Warriors of the church no doubt. Eliza looked back at Luna, confused for a short moment, until she remembered Luna's queer appearance and unusual demeanor. She would surely have little peace from the warriors of light if they stayed there. Eliza felt torn. She didn’t want to leave Luna, her guide and protector, but she also didn’t want to sleep outside again.

“Is there nowhere else to stay?” she inquired in a hopeful voice.

“There is a tavern, but I don’t know if it has any rooms. It’s mostly a place where locals go to drink after a hard day’s work.” Luna answered.

“We shall try it!” Eliza said optimistically. “It likely has food and a hearth at the very least.”

And so they turned away from the inn, and headed for the small tavern. As they walked Luna began to mumble.

“But it’s odd... I’ve never seen so many of them this close to the border…”. It didn’t seem like those words were especially meant for Eliza, but she took it as a chance to ask questions either way.

“I thought the church was very present and active in Roudmark?”

“Oh, it definitely is, but rarely this far out in the sticks.”

“Could they not just be going to Tyrwald through the forest? The same way we came?”

“They could, but Tyrwald has already been almost fully converted to the faith, and it doesn’t seem to have any issues with volunteers or new conscripts, so I don’t see why such a large party would need to go there… Maybe they have business in this area…?”

While Luna was speculating about the warriors business in the village, they had arrived at the small tavern. It was only slightly larger than the surrounding homes, but its doors were open, and sounds of laughter met them on their way inside.

As they entered, smells of spilled beer, smoke, freshly baked bread and warm porridge washed over them. Eliza’s mouth began to water. She had never wanted something so plebeian as porridge this badly in her life. The tavern wasn’t packed, but it was also far from empty, with about seven to ten men sitting on backless benches at the tavern’s only longtable. At the end of the table a lively fire burned in a decently sized hearth, with a cauldron likely filled with porridge bubbling over it.

The talking didn’t stop as they entered, but the men definitely shot them strange glances, and a few comments were exchanged in low voices concealed by the louder chatter. A red haired and bearded man, only a little taller than Eliza, came up to them with a befuddled expression on his face.

“Whatchamma do fer ye?” he asked in a heavy Roudmarkian accent, before noticing Eliza’s expensive silk dress and brocade vest hidden under a thick layer of dirt from several nights sleeping on the ground. He quickly bowed and added a hurried “milady”.

“My companion and I are searching for a place to stay for the night, my good tavernkeep.” Eliza said in her most authoritative tone.

“I’d be sure the inn’d have rooms fer ye? This do be a tavern, no place fer a milady.” The tavernkeep shook his head.

“The inn was full, I’m afraid, so I came here to look into whether you might have room for me. The road has been difficult, as you can see.” She showed the tavernkeep her sprained ankle.

“Aye, but I’d be sure they’d make room fer a milady, if ye asked them.” The tavernkeep looked like he was in a bind.

“And have the warriors of light thrown onto the street? I think not!” Eliza exclaimed, doing her best to sound offended. “In Tyrwald that is a hundred years of bad luck for you and your descendants!” she lied.

“I see…” The tavernkeep was wringing his hands. “It do be the case, though, that me tavern simply has no rooms… At least none fit fer a milady.”

“But you do have an unfit room? I shall take it.”

The tavernkeep hung his head, defeated.

“Is ye wish, milady.” He motioned for them to follow.

Though the house didn’t look like it had an upper story, the tavernkeep led them up a steep staircase that Luna had to help Eliza climb. At the top they found a small attic room with a slanted ceiling low enough to force Luna to bend even at its highest point. The room only had a single bed with rough sheets covering a hay mattress, and a worn patched blanket folded on top. It wasn’t what Eliza had dreamed of, but right now she was more than happy with anything she could get.

“I shall need extra bedding for my companion.” She said to the tavernkeep.

He bowed.

“Certainly milady. And will ye… be paying fer this stay?” he looked frightened he might have just committed a sin.

“Of course, good man. Luna, if you would.” She motioned for Luna to pay the man.

She clicked her tongue, but took out the purse Eliza had given her, looked into it doubtfully, then handed the man a silver piece. Eliza knew the only other type of coin in there was gold. The tavernkeep looked perplexed down at the wealth he had just received, and bowed deeply.

“Thank ye, milady, this do be much too much.” but he quickly pocketed the coin. “I’ll soon get ye yer bedding. Just ye relax meanwhile.”

“Would it be possible to dine as we wait for our room to be ready? I’m quite famished.”

“Yes ‘course, milady. Certainly.” He bowed and scraped, this time helping Eliza down the stairs himself. They were seated a little away from the other guests at the end of the longtable closest to the small bar, which seemed to just be a plank on top of a few crates.

“We do merely have porridge, milady. Will this suit?”

“That would be just wonderful.” Eliza said, her mouth watering for any properly cooked food. Not that Luna couldn’t cook, but her ingredients, time and tools had been limited.

The tavernkeep walked to the cauldron, filled two bowls, and then returned to give them each a healthy portion of millet porridge with generous amounts of chopped bacon on top. The only seasoning was salt, but to Eliza it tasted like heaven. Luna also seemed to gulp it down eagerly. The tavernkeep had left in a hurry to get more bedding, but a chubby woman with round cheeks and a clearly pregnant belly came up to them as they had halfway finished their food. She did the best curtsy she could in her condition before she spoke.

“Evening milady and milady’s companion. Me husband said ye’d arrived and do be staying in the bard’s room. I do hope ye enjoy yer time here with us. Might ye like some ale to wash down yer food?”

“We would, thank you.” Eliza said and Luna nodded along. Then she inquired: “The bard’s room? Is it for a musician?”

“Sort of, we do have a bard who travels from here to Catherford. He does often stop by for a night or two.”

“Oh, might that be why your husband was reluctant to let us stay there?”

The woman smiled, showing off her charmingly dimpled cheeks.

“Partly I think. He’s been very protective of me since the pregnancy, so he might’ve been nervous about ye strange folk walking in. No offense to ye.”

“None taken, and congratulations. It must be an exciting time.” Eliza said.

“Ah, thank ye, it do be our first. Many years of trying without luck, and finally we’ve been blessed.” The woman was practically radiating happiness. “I’ll go get that beer fer ye then.” she said, and walked to the bar. Luna got up and followed her. Eliza was wondering why, until she saw Luna receive the beer at the bar and carry it to the table herself.

“You really are very kind after all, behind your tough veneer.” Eliza said to Luna as she returned.

“What makes you say so?” Luna said, looking relaxed for the first time since they met, taking a sip of the large wooden mug.

“You carried that beer for the pregnant wife so she didn’t have to lift anything heavy. That’s kind.”

Luna gave a sarcastic smirk.

“Maybe I just wanted my beer faster, since she moves slowly and clumsily with her big belly…” Luna seemed thoughtful for a bit, then looked at Eliza with a piercing stare from her steely gray eyes as she leaned in and whispered so only Eliza could hear: “And maybe I just helped you for the money and to keep trouble away from my family... As well as for the jewelry I found in your bag when I rifled through your stuff as you slept. Maybe I’m just selfish and my so-called 'kindness' is just a side effect.”

Eliza looked at her in disbelief.

“You rifled through my stuff?” she hissed in reply.

Luna just shrugged and chuckled as she took another sip. Eliza shook her head.

“No, you’re kind.” she insisted, then added: “I think so at least.”

Luna laughed her deep hearty laugh at that comment, making Eliza’s heart skip a beat. She cleared her throat and stood.

“I’ll just… go talk to the tavernkeep.”

Luna nodded as she continued to sip on her beer and leaned back. Eliza limped to the bar where the tavernkeep had just arrived from upstairs.

“How are the preparations going?” she asked.

“Very good, milady. Yer bedding’s been prepared well.”

“Excellent… Would it be possible to call for a wisewoman tomorrow? Or a herbalist? Someone to take a look at my leg?”

“A wisewoman… Ah, ye mean a seidwife? Aye, that can be done. She’s been lying low on account of the church folk, but she do be coming to have a look at me wife on the morrow. I’ll tell’er to have a look at ye as well.”

“You have my thanks.”

He nodded and Eliza turned to walk back to Luna. There she saw that the men who had been sitting at the long table a distance from them were staring at Luna. Some in disgust, some in confusion, and some simply looked intrigued. No matter what, Luna had stopped being amused. Eliza went over to her.

“Do you want to head back to the room?” she asked.

Luna quickly got up.

“Yeah, that’s probably best.”

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In their room a rough bedding made of hay and coarsely woven linen sheets had been arranged on the floor next to the bed, and a chair had been brought up near the shuttered and paneless window hole in the gable. A lit wax candle and a small clay vase containing a single blue cornflower, had been placed on the seat. Eliza automatically went for the bed, sat down and sighed in contentment. She felt exhausted both emotionally and physically. Luna unbuckled her belt and placed the sheathed sword leaned up against the wall beside her bedding. Then she removed the candle as well as the vase and placed the chair so it blocked the door.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Do you expect someone to come up and rob us during the night?” Eliza asked.

“I don’t expect it, but it’s better to be careful. Luckily I didn’t have to pull out the silver in front of the bunch downstairs, but the tavernkeep might have loose lips…”

“I guess you’re right. Better safe and all that.” Eliza removed her brocade vest and silken gown, dressing down to her smock, then she climbed between the sheets.

“Are you going to sleep tonight? I noticed that besides the first night you haven’t really been doing it much” she asked.

“I might.” Luna stated, inspecting the chair.

“I don’t understand how you can keep awake. The forest was terrifying, but I still fell asleep eventually.”

“Yeah, it’s a gift.” Luna sat down on the bedding and stretched. “But I’ll probably catch a few hours tonight.” Then she yawned. Eliza soon yawned as well.

“Yawns are really infectious… Well, I think I’ll go to sleep now. Nighty night Luna. Thank you for getting me this far… I really..." she yawned again "Appreciate it...” Eliza had barely uttered the words, before a deep, dreamless slumber took her.

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The night passed without incident, and Eliza ended up sleeping until noon. The first thing she did after eating breakfast was ask the tavernkeep’s wife, who she had found out was named Estar, to wash her clothes. Estar agreed, and lent her some of her own clothes, though they were a little too big. Luckily, Roudmarkian fashion was already supposed to look a little loose and was pretty shapeless, except for the tool belts all the women wore around their waists, so it was still comfortable enough to wear. Eliza then returned to her room with the tavernkeep’s help, where Luna appeared to have decided on making their room a hazard, by covering its floor with whittle shavings and splinters, as she worked on what could look like a horse, if you employed some imagination. Or maybe it was a cow?

“You look bored.” Eliza said when it was just the two of them, and sat down on the bed.

“Yeah, but I don’t really want to go out, and I have to pass the time somehow.” Luna replied.

“I suppose so. Do you really think the church soldiers will harass you if you’re just walking around minding your own business?”

“I don’t know.” Luna said. “Sometimes they do, and sometimes they have more important deviants to chase around.”

Eliza thought back on her only direct encounter with the Church of the Sun, back when she was still just a child. Right after her brother had been born, she had gone with their father and mother to the local church to have the priest read him his blessings. The priest had seemed pleasant, and he gave Eliza a sweet when her brother had received his birth gift. Other than that, the only things she had heard of the church was when they burned someone in one of the nearby towns and villages, usually for practicing fey magic, witchcraft, or having fey blood. She also once saw the warriors of the sun march past their home, their polished armor and weapons gleaming in the sunlight they worshiped so zealously. She supposed she too was considered a believer. She had, after all, been blessed at birth much like her brother, though she could not remember it, and now she was headed towards a life in eternal servitude to the sun. Just as Eliza had begun feeling depressed at that thought, there was a knock at their door, and the tavernkeep’s voice sounded from behind it:

“Milady, the seidwife be here to see ye like ye asked.”

Eliza straightened and called back:

“You may enter.”

The tavernkeep opened the door, and with him came a short gray haired woman in her forties with a skinny build and brown eyes. She eyed Luna through narrowed slits while walking in, but when she saw Eliza, her disposition became kinder.

“Well, milady, master Hendan here says yer foot be hurting?” she said.

“My ankle, but yes. I think it’s likely just a sprain, but it’s best to have someone look at it.” Eliza replied with a polite smile.

“Fer certain milady.” The seidwife looked at Luna and the tavernkeep. Or master Hendan, as they now knew him by.

“Give milady and I some privacy.” she said and gestured towards the door. Luna looked at Eliza who nodded, before following master Hendan out.

“Now, let me have a look at ye.” The seidwife motioned at the hem of Eliza’s borrowed dress, as if to ask permission to lift the skirt. Eliza gave a polite nod, and so the seidwife began her examination. She removed the makeshift bandages and the splint, which uncovered a swollen and discolored ankle.

“When did this happen?” The seidwife asked.

“A few days ago, I believe.” Eliza replied.

“Any pain, milady?”

“Not as long as I keep still.”

“And have ye? Been keeping still?” The seidwife raised a brow.

“Not exactly. The sprain happened in the forest, and I had to walk quite a distance.”

“I see… Milady, if ye don’t mind me asking… Where do be yer guard? Yer escort?”

Eliza frowned.

“Luna is my escort.”

The seidwife nodded and smiled warmly.

“‘Course milady, ‘course. But if ye don’t mind me saying, out of concern for miladyship, she do be only one. And we hear stories here, we do. Stories of strange robbers and bandits in the forest… And ye companion looks… Odd… If ye don’t mind me saying. So I can’t help wondering…”

“I do mind.” Eliza felt a mix of anger and fear that this woman’s prying might bring trouble their way. “You are far overstepping what is proper, my good wisewoman! You should finish the task I have given you, not question my choice of companion.”

The woman didn’t miss a beat in replying as she lowered her head in feigned humility.

“As ye say, milady, as ye say…” Then she lifted Elizas foot gently and looked at it from both sides. “Ye foot do just be sprained like ye thought, though ye have strained it much in walking here. Ye need a full week of bedrest, and to bathe ye foot in cold water once a day. After that, ye need to wear bandages fer support and take things slow.”

“Why bathe it in cold water?” Eliza asked.

“It do make the swelling lessen.” the seidwife answered, and put down Eliza’s foot. “If ye begin to feel pain while keeping yer leg still, call on me again.” The seidwife then got up and bowed. “Would that be all milady?”

Eliza nodded.

“Luna will compensate you for your time on the way out.”

The seidwife bowed again and left. A little time passed before Luna came in.

“You keep giving my money away like it’s yours.” she said.

Eliza dug down in her bag and found a ruby earring that she threw at Luna.

“That should more than cover it, since it’s 'oh so important'.” she snapped.

Luna caught the earring and pocketed it.

“You seem irritable. Did something happen?”

Eliza clicked her tongue.

“That witch is much too nosy for my liking…I hope she doesn’t make undue assumptions and say something to the wrong person.”

Luna laughed.

“She would be stupid to do so, being a seidwife and all. They aren’t exactly held in high esteem amongst members of the church, or the believers of the public for that matter. People around here need her, but if she becomes a liability, they’ll just report her.”

“I suppose…” Eliza didn’t feel convinced. “She said I needed a week of bedrest, so I suppose we will have to stay here for a while.”

Luna groaned.

“Great, a week of staying in this room. Can’t wait.”

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And so, the pair more or less isolated themselves in their room for a few days, before slowly beginning to go mad. At first they spoke with each other about small things, but because neither of them were particularly willing to speak about themselves, and they had no real common interests as far as they knew, the conversations quickly died. Luna then tried to teach Eliza how to whittle, but she showed little talent, and after having cut herself for the fourth time, she gave up in fear of contracting a blood infection. Furthermore, Eliza’s sleep had begun to suffer. She had difficulties falling asleep at night, and when she slept, nightmares of Keron and the Bugge returned to plague her. To distract herself from the exhaustion and the boredom, Eliza gave in and took out her flute. She had originally planned on concealing it. and not advertise to the people in the tavern that she had such an expensive instrument in her possession since Luna was so wary, but she had to make time pass somehow. It was a beautifully ornate transverse flute in polished silver, and it was her most treasured possession in more ways than one. Eliza hoped that the people downstairs wouldn’t be able to hear the difference between a normal wooden flute and the clear pitch of pure silver when she played. Luna whistled at the sight of it.

“I had seen the box among your things, but I never opened it since you always keep it close to you while you sleep. Is it important?”

Eliza carefully ran her fingers over the cool metal, her blue eyes looking back at her from the flute’s mirror-like surface. For a fleeting moment it brought back memories of a warm embrace and gentle lullabies.

“It’s an heirloom.” Eliza answered absentmindedly, as she tested the tune, adjusted the slide, then tested again. Once the pitch satisfied her, she played the song she always began with when she practiced. It was a simple song, the first she ever really learned in fact. It was good for warming up the fingers. She played a few more songs, both more prim and proper classical pieces, as well as the ones she had learned from the traveling bard, before someone knocked on their door and disturbed them. Eliza quickly put her flute back in its case.

“Yes? You may enter.”

It was Estar who came in, carrying a small stack of Eliza’s now washed and dried clothes.

“Good afternoon milady and milady’s companion.” she said, bowing her head. Eliza heard Luna scoff just loud enough for only Eliza to hear. She hadn’t really been too pleased with being relegated to just Eliza’s companion.

“Good afternoon to you as well, thank you so much for bringing my clothes.” Eliza gestured for her to place the folded clothes at the end of her bed. Estar seemed out of breath from the walk up the stairs as she did.

“Please sit and catch your breath.” Eliza said, motioning at the chair near the door. “It can’t be easy carrying your prospective child around everywhere you go.”

Estar sat, sighing in relief.

“No, the little thing certainly don’t be making it easy on me.” She rubbed her large, swollen belly with a look of exhaustion and love in her eyes. “I do only be in me fourth month. Helia knows how much bigger I will get before the little rascal comes out. The wisewoman does think it might be twins, and it must be either that or a giant.” Estar joked with a smile on her lips.

Luna looked dumbfounded.

“In your fourth month?! You should be barely showing at this point!” she exclaimed.

“The wisewoman did say so as well, but she also said that all pregnancies differ, and she’d never delivered twins before, so might just be that.” Estar shrugged.

Luna looked unconvinced, furrowing her brow, but she didn’t pursue the subject further, and returned to her whittling. Estar looked over at Eliza.

“Pardon me asking milady, but we did hear music coming from up here. Might it have been ye who played the flute so prettily?” she glanced at the flutecase on Eliza’s bed.

“Ah, yes. It’s merely a pastime, but I appreciate the compliment” Eliza replied, and moved the case back into her bag.

“Apologies if I be overstepping, but me husband wanted me to ask if ye might be willing to play in the common room this evening? Would be good fer business here.”

Eliza shook her head.

“I can't, I'm afraid. I would be frightened of something happening to my flute. It’s quite fragile.”

“No worries milady, ye can borrow mine. It do be a simple flute, but it should do the trick fer this simple crowd.”

“You play the flute?” Eliza asked excitedly

“Only a little. It do be a bard’s discarded and used flute, but it works well enough. Me husband bought it fer me when I became pregnant, so I don’t be very good yet.”

“But I can’t walk.” Eliza protested. She felt trapped and regretted not refusing outright, clearly stating that she didn’t want to, instead of making these tepid excuses. The issue would have been settled then.

“Don’t ye worry. Hendan and yer companion will get ye down, and we’ll have chair fer ye to sit on the entire time.” Estar stood up. “Hendan will be up with yer lunch soon, but I’ll see ye tonight. Ye take care now.” Then she curtsied and left before Eliza could think of a better excuse.

“I guess I’m tonight’s entertainment…” she sighed. Luna just laughed at her.

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That night master Hendan and Luna helped Eliza downstairs, and sat her in a chair near the fireplace at the end wall. Estar had lent her the flute they had talked about. It was a basic straight, keyless flute made from elderwood. Simple to craft, simple to play. Eliza had chosen to continue to wear the borrowed clothes, since she might attract less attention this way and blend in a little more. She was sure the village was already full of rumors about their strange arrival, but it was probably better not to fan the flames.

Eliza fingered the flute nervously. She had never played in front of anyone before, and though she had practiced a little earlier, this particular flute was still an unfamiliar instrument to her. For now no one was paying attention to her, so she took the time to calm down. She would begin with the little piece she always played first whenever she practiced. Even if no one knew the song, it would help her get into the music and make her more comfortable with the situation. She just needed to begin… On the count of three, she thought, and tapped her good foot in the rhythm she aimed to hold. One… Two… Three…

It didn’t seem like anyone knew the song, so people just kept talking over the music. Not that it bothered her at the moment. Besides, she was just there to add a little festivity to the mood, so people stayed for longer and drank more. But as predicted the song helped lessen the stage fright she was feeling. Next, she played one of the songs she had learned on the way here. People seemed to know this one somewhat vaguely, as they bopped their heads to it and a few sang along to the chorus. The next song everyone clearly knew, and they sang the entire song loudly, as the mood soared. Even Luna seemed to know that one, since her fingers drummed on the table. It was a song about a farmer who fell in love with a river nymph, and so one day he fell in the river and disappeared. Whether he lived happily ever after with the fairy in the river or drowned, was left up to the imagination. The now significantly more enthusiastic crowd ended up requesting that song several times during the few hours Eliza played. As people got more drunk they would hammer their fists into the tables in the rhythm of the song and roar the chorus so loudly that Eliza doubted they could hear her flute at all. Nonetheless, the music seemed to have done its job as a mood enhancer, and Eliza was becoming exhausted, so she decided to end it for the night. She wrapped the flute in a piece of cloth and humped over to Luna, who pushed a bowl of porridge that had been saved from dinner across the table to her. It was cold, but Eliza didn’t really mind too much. She was feeling sweaty from playing beside the fire for hours anyway, so cold food was actually to be preferred.

“You know some surprising songs.” Luna remarked. Eliza just nodded and shrugged as she stuffed her face. As soon as she had spooned in the last bite, she began to yawn. After Luna and Hendan had dragged her up the stairs and off to bed that night, Eliza slept long and well.