Killian couldn't believe his eyes. He noted to himself to hold back just a little on the rum from now on.
"Hannah?" he breathed in disbelief.
"Yes! Killian, it's me!" she made her away around the table that separated them to stand before him. He put his hands on her arms, just beneath her shoulders. He had to touch her.
"You mean…you're real? You're a real person? You exist? You're real, love? You're real!" he began to smile her at her giggling and enthusiastic nodding to answer his rapid fire questions.
"Of course I'm real!" she suddenly became serious and pretended to pout just a little bit, "I tried to tell you."
Killian felt like he was punched in the gut. Hannah noticed immediately her attempt to tease held a barb for him, so she instead gave him her best dazzling smile.
"No matter. You're here. In Ashcroft! Why? I mean what…brings you here?"
Killian couldn't help but return her smile with his own. "My brother, Liam. I'm to meet him here, love, in Ashcroft and then I'll sail off with him as my captain in the Royal Navy. Off to a life of adventure!" he was genuinely excited by the prospect.
"Oh Killian! I'm so happy for you! When, ah, when… did you say your brother is to be here?" Hannah was anxious to know how long her reunion with her oldest and dearest friend was going to last.
"Well, his message indicated I should be in Ashcroft in the spring. He captains The Jewel of the Realm. Have you seen it? I mean, do you know if it's been here?"
"Oh," Hannah breathed, "The Jewel of the Realm! Your brother is the captain? Hmmm! The whole village is talking about it! A royal vessel – right here in Ashcroft! Everyone is very excited!" she paused to measure his reaction.
He raised his eyebrows, waiting. Finally he asked "When, love?"
"Oh!" Hannah shook her head at forgetting to mention that. "Two weeks! We expect them in two weeks."
Relief washed over Killian's face. He hadn't missed meeting with Liam.
Hannah's smile vanished as she looked him over.
"Killian, you look… I'm sorry to say it…terrible! I mean, exhausted." His hair was in need of a cut, and fell over his bloodshot eyes. Several days of facial stubble were well on their way to maturity. His clothes were worn and dusty from the road and the body beneath his cloak hinted at being much thinner than his usual lean appearance. "You must be hungry. Come, and rest at my table and I'll fix you a snack." She gestured back to the table they were standing in front of.
Killian sighed as he sank down on to the stool Hannah gestured to. He still couldn't believe his eyes. It dawned on him that although this was the first time he ever beheld Hannah while awake it felt more dream-like than any other time they had been together.
Better lay off the rum, mate. He shook his head at himself as Hannah was pressing a chunk of bread and an equally large chunk of cheese into his hands.
"Thank you, love." They smiled at each other again before he bit into the bread and chewed it thoughtfully while he observed Hannah bustle around her table. Four sturdy beams, at equal distance from the rough-hewn table supported a roof made of planks joined together and nailed quite crudely to cross planks. This was covered with a thick straw thatching. Killian thought the roof looked like it had been put together by a child. He wondered briefly if Hannah made it herself. Her table offered various vegetables, some type of salted meats, jugs of milk and eggs. She had various small animal hides and pelts hanging on display on the two beams at the front. Killian looked around the bustling market and noted her table was the only one set in the middle of the roofed structure. The other tables that actually had a roof over them were set were flush to the front of the roofs, allowing the merchant all of the shade or rain protection, and forcing the buyer to stand in the elements. Just like Hannah, Killian thought, thinking of the comfort of others.
"Killian, would you care for a…" she paused to wink at him, and held up a metal cup by it handle, "…spot of teeeaaa?" They both chuckled at the memory.
"What kind is it, love?"
"Chamomile, of course." She pushed the cup to him, this time, filled with the warm, steaming liquid. The thought of a warm drink was hard to resist, and Killian slowly sipped.
"Hmmm. It's not bad. It's not rum, but it's not bad."
Hannah frowned slightly at that, and decided to change the subject.
"So, where will you be staying? I mean until your brother's ship gets here?" She turned to help a middle aged woman purchase some eggs, and didn't see Killian blush.
"Oh! I..ahh.. I was ahh….that is to say..." he sputtered, "Ummm…I haven't ahhh… I haven't exactly secured such… accommodations as of yet." To tell the truth, Killian intended to use what he liked to call his dashing good looks to charm his way into some maiden's company free of charge whilst he awaited news of Liam's arrival. He gave Hannah the same smile he planned to use to secure such a place. "After all, love… I've only just arrived."
Hannah's heart sped up a little and she blushed as he turned all of his charm on her. He took advantage of her stunned silence and moved to stand directly in front her, as close as possible without actually touching her. He lowered his head and Hannah thought for a wild second he was going to kiss her, but instead he moved his head to the side, and brought his mouth right next to her ear.
"Do you know of a place for me, love?" he whispered. Hannah's breath hitched and she thought she was going to hyperventilate.
"Hannah? Is everything all right?" Both of their heads snapped to attention at the front of the table, and Hannah stepped back, away from Killian, and took a step towards the short, thin aging man who had addressed her.
"Mortimer! Hello! I'm so glad you've come by. I'd like you to meet my friend, Killian." She turned and gestured to Killian to step forward for an introduction. Kilian turned, and gave a slight bow. "Killian, this is Mortimer. He's the apothecary for Ashcroft."
"I'm very pleased to meet you." Mortimer returned Killian's short bow, eyeing them both.
"Killian is here to meet his brother's ship. His brother is the captain of The Jewel of the Realm, and Killian is going to join the Royal Navy." She was speaking quickly so she wouldn't lose nerve in asking Mortimer to take a pretty big leap of faith on her behalf. "He just came in today, just now. Mortimer," she approached the table and leaned in, lowering her voice, "he doesn't have anywhere to stay…"
Mortimer just stared, trying to understand what Hannah was trying to imply.
"I just thought that maybe…you…could…?"
Mortimer's eyes widened with understanding. "Oh, Hannah I couldn't." He whispered to her. "I don't know this man." He eyed Killian again warily. "Hannah how do you know him…?I've known you you're entire life, and I've never seen this person before. How do you know he's not some…someone of nefarious intent? What if he does you harm?" Over the years, Mortimer had begun to look at Hannah like a daughter. Having never settled down to have his own family, he built one for himself with his closest friends and neighbors.
"I know him, Mortimer. I trust him." She answered softly.
"I am not comfortable inviting a stranger into my home, Hannah. Please don't ask it of me."
Hannah's next plea died on her lips. Instead she nodded in agreement. "You're right, Mortimer. I had no right to ask that of you. I'm sorry. Please don't be mad?" she turned back to the pouch hanging from a large nail in the post at the rear of the booth, opposite of where Killian had re-seated himself. She fished out a fistful of leafy green plants. She held it out to the older man. "Is this what you were looking for?"
"It is!" Mortimer smiled and clapped his hands before taking the plants from Hannah for closer inspection. "Capital job, Hannah! How you manage to find every herb and plant I ask for, I'll never know! You astound me again!" He eyed her and smiled, "I'll stump you next time, mark my words!" he teased. He sighed and nodded at Hannah before leaning in again to whisper to her.
"Hannah, you'll be careful here, won't you?" his concern was genuine.
"Of course." She nodded, smiling.
Mortimer shot one more look at Killian before moving on with his own business.
Killian was all too happy to remain seated at the back of Hannah's booth and watch her move about and conduct her business for the rest of the day, until the market closed. Not ready to part with her just yet, he asked where she was going to go next.
"I have to get home. I've got the animals to care for, and supper to prepare for my papa." She was loading the unsold items into a rickety little cart to bring back with her. She sighed. "Duty calls."
"May I escort you home? Is it far?"
"I'd like that. Papa's farm is a little over a mile from here."
As they meandered through the village streets and alleyways she would occasionally stop, pick an item from her cart and leave it on a window still here, or a door way there. At one alley way she stopped and loaded all of her animal furs and hides into an empty crate.
As they walked, she asked him about where he had been. At first he flushed and looked away from her. Sensing he was uncomfortable, she elaborated.
"What kind of places have you seen? What sights have you beheld? What people have you met?" Killian was relieved she wasn't going to press him into describing the debauchery he had indulged in over the past year and a half. After giving it some thought, he was able to regale her with descriptions of some of the breath-taking vistas he had beheld. Mountains so high, they disappeared in the clouds. Sunsets so beautiful words could never bring it justice.
All too soon for Killian, Hannah slowed and then stopped.
"Killian, this is where you should go back. Papa's farm is the next one after this bend in the road. If my papa sees us together…I just don't know how he would react." She looked at him, hoping he would understand.
"Aye, love. You go on, lass. Will I see you tomorrow?"
"Will I see you tonight?" she asked him instead.
Killian looked at her for a moment, drinking her in with his eyes before he answered.
"I really don't know love." He sighed and raised her hand to his lips before he turned and walked away. He felt like he needed a little time to himself to do some thinking. He marched back down the road they had just travelled and did not look back until he reached the village. He warred with himself the entire way and arrived at the village still undecided: Find the tavern and hopefully a free room that belongs to a pretty lass willing to entertain him? Or spend the night in the clover field with Hannah? Hannah who is, in fact, very real. Not only in his dreams anymore.
Somehow, Killian wasn't surprised to look up and find he had stopped, of course, outside of the tavern.
The King had sent some distant cousin of his to Ashcroft to reign when Hannah was about ten years old in order to appease some family member, and avoid some squabble that could turn to war. The King gave his cousin Virgil the title of Viscount, and had him live in the governor's house at the edge of the village. The large abode set back behind a lush lawn just off the same road leading back to Hannah's farm. Since he lived in the governor's house, Virgil happily also assumed the benefits of being a governor, and set about right away establishing his authority. The Viscount was a spoiled, selfish brute of a man who thought of nothing else but his own wants and desires. He accepted this land and title at the behest of his father who was, in essence, banishing Virgil from their own country. His very favorite pass time was to cheat at gambling, and mount up debts owed to him so he could force villagers to do his bidding or pay the price – one way or another.
Four times each day Virgil would watch from his window as Hannah walked to and from market. At first, he enjoyed watching the young girl struggle to push her cart; the weight of it clearly exceeding her own. But as the years passed he watched her grow in beauty and grace. Her gentle curves did not escape his notice and he soon found himself leaving other engagements to be at his window when she passed. He began to plan her future for himself. He was quite surprised at how displeased he was to see another man pushing her cart for her. Never once has Hannah ever had a companion on her trek to and from the village. Who was this skinny little…whelp with his Hannah? Hopefully just some do-gooder stranger passing through; Virgil resolved he would have to put his plan in action soon – before some other man stole Hannah's heart.
Later that night, or perhaps, very early the next morning Killian stretched out his long frame folding his hands under his head looking at the stars above. He had somehow found his way down to the docks, which he followed to the end. At the end of the docks a beach spread out before him a few feet below. There was a small expanse of sand dunes before the terrain changed to a steep, rocky bluff lined with scrub brush. To the east was an expanse of smooth, silvery sand leading down to the gentle waves of the sea. It was on the dunes Killian decided he would rest his head for the night. He pictured the pretty brunette lass from the tavern and the way she pouted when Killian finally extricated himself from her embrace. He had gone in to the tavern, resolved he would live no differently than he had in the past eighteen months. It didn't take him long to join a game of dice, and sometime in the course of the evening, he found the girl sitting on his lap, cheering him on and flirting shamelessly. Killian was a little surprised however that he had no desire at all to spend the night with the girl. That was when he took his leave and made his way to the beach. He was exhausted, and was looking forward to getting a couple of hours of sleep.
"Pssst!" Killian sat straight up and peered into the darkness.
"Psst! Hey! Over here!" a voice whispered. Killian thought the sound came from the scrub brush in front of the bluff a few yards away.
"Who's there? Show yourself." Cautiously, Killian put his hand on the hilt of his knife, ready to defend himself.
A cloaked figure seemed to materialize from the bushes.
"Sleepin' out in th' open is a good way t' get robbed. Come wi' me, I've got a safe place for you t' pass th' night." As best as Killian could tell, he was being addressed by a young lad, younger than himself to be sure but one who spoke with a kind of authority. Killian stood as the boy came closer, his hand now closed around the hilt of his dagger.
"Don' worry. You've nuthin' t' fear from me. I come t' offer a place t' sleep, as I said."
"Why?" Killian was suspicious. He knew from experience some of the best tricksters and thieves where teenaged boys.
The boy shrugged, "Any friend o' Hannah's, is a friend o' mine."
Killian relaxed a little at this.
"Now then, will ya' be comin' along…uh, what did ya' say yer name was?"
"I didn't… It's Killian."
"Glad to meet ya', Killian. I'm Harris. Follow me." The boy turned and began walking back the way he had come. He never turned to see if Killian was following. When he reached the shrubs he did not stop, but pushed right through them. If nothing else, Killian was curious to where this would lead, and so he followed.
He was astonished to find himself in a cave, the entrance concealed completely by the scrub brush outside. The cave was lit with one torch, and Killian could see there were beds lined up along one side of the cave, and children of varying ages and sizes slept in each. At the front of the cave was a crate, and Killian thought it was full of Hannah's animal hides she unloaded earlier that day.
Harris stopped at the first and only empty bed in the line gesturing at it.
"This is you." He yawned and looked into the cave. He started to move away, but Killian grabbed his arm, and jerked him back.
"Wait a minute, mate. How d' you know I won't rob you?" He growled.
Harris didn't flinch. "Two reasons." He whispered, "One: we ain't got anythin' to steal. And I mean nuthin'. Two: I ain't never seen Hannah as happy as she was th' moment she saw you today. Like you was a long lost friend, and any friend o' hers, is a friend o' mine. And…if Hannah trusts you, I do, too. Now, get some sleep…mate."
Killian was too tired to argue more. "What about you?" There were no available beds for Harris.
"Well, seein' as how I'm already way past my turn to watch, I'll jus' stand watch th' rest o' th' night."
Killian could not fight the exhaustion any longer, and in moments was asleep. His sleep was disturbed by some rustling and whispering a short time later. Killian strained to listen.
"Harris! Oh, I'm so sorry! I've overslept. Why didn't you wake me?" another boy whispered to the sentry, still standing at the entrance to the cave. Killian could hear the second boy approaching.
"Don' worry about it, Matthew. He was so late in comin' I didn't see a point in wakin' ya'."
"This is him, then?" They were silent for a moment, then: "Wonder what's so special…?"
"Doesn't matter. This be the man that was in Hannah's booth today… yesterday. Went straight to th' tavern after escortin' her home." This Harris said with a hint of disgust in his voice that made Killian grind his teeth, but then Harris continued. "That's wha' took so long. He only jus' made camp not a half hour ago. Right ou'side, too, in the dunes – can ya' believe it?" They both chuckled quietly.
"Do ya' think we can trust 'im?"
"Hannah does. That's good enough for me."
"Why don't you get some sleep? Take my bed, and I'll post watch till mornin'."
Harris yawned again. "Thanks, Matthew. I will." Killian heard the boy walk past him and several of the beds down the row before it became silent in the cave again.
Killian started to wonder about these children. Were these Hannah's orphans? Killian had not seen Hannah speak to anyone who was not a customer that day and yet Harris seemed to know exactly what had happened that day, seemed to know Hannah's comings and goings, and took Killian on faith that since Hannah welcomed him, Harris would as well. But what did Hannah know of these children? Could she trust them? Could he? Well if not, he thought to himself, at least we have one thing in common – nothing at all worth stealing. After that, Killian slept.
The next morning, Killian was startled awake to small fingers pushing and poking the skin on his face. His hand reached up to grab who or whatever was touching him. As his fist closed around a handful of cloth his eyes snapped open to see a very frightened little girl who couldn't be older than ten years old. Upon seeing the little slip of a girl, he immediately released his grip on her, and tried to give her his "dashing" smile – that usually put the lasses at ease.
"Good morning, love. I'm sorry if I frightened you. I didn't mean to."
She peeked at him from behind her black hair that fell across her face and smiled shyly back at him.
"My name is Killian. What's yours, lass?"
"Kristina."
"Kristina. That's a lovely name. How old are you, Kristina?"
"Nine."
"Kristina! Don't pester our guest." A gruff voice barked from the entrance of the cave. They both looked to see Harris frowning down at her. "Have you finished your morning duties?" he asked her, to which she shook her head no. "Well, off wi' ya' then."
She gave Killian one last look and shy smile with a "'Bye, Killian" before she scurried out of the cave.
'Did ya' sleep well?"
"Aye. I did, thank you. Harris, is it?" the young man nodded, "D' you know where a dashing rapscallion such as myself may go to…freshen up, shall we say?" he tugged a little on his overgrown hair, and caressed his chin indicating he would like a haircut and shave.
"Hannah does tha' for us. But she gave us our cuts las' week, I'm afraid. Don' know where else ya' can go…"
Killian nodded thoughtfully. Some villages had a place where a man could go to purchase a bath, shave and haircut. He wondered if Ashcroft had such a place. Maybe not, he thought, if Harris doesn't know of one… Then Harris asked if he would like some breakfast, and Killian nodded again. Very soon, the smell of bacon and eggs filled the cave, and Killian realized he hadn't eaten a good, hot meal in several weeks. All of the children gathered together and sat on the ground in a circle to enjoy their meal. The smaller children giggled under Harris's scowling at the way Killian wolfed down the food put in front of him. It wasn't much, and he realized shamefully these children were sharing what they had with him, and as such, he was taking food meant for them. He noted to himself to secure his own meals going forward, and perhaps he should consider reimbursing these generous little ones.
When everyone had finished eating, the children all went about the business of cleaning up the dishes from breakfast, and then set about tidying up the cave and making their beds before leaving the cave to see what the day would bring.
"Market opens in about fifteen minutes. Hannah should already be there. You're welcome back here t'night if ya' wish, but don' take s' long in getting' here, eh?" Harris said before exiting the cave himself, leaving Killian alone.
Hannah was tickled to see Killian sauntering over to her table shortly before the market was declared open.
"Good morning, love." He purred, making her blush.
Oh, don't be stupid, Hannah. He's just saying good morning! She chided herself for feeling so giddy at seeing him again. In the clover field overnight she prepared herself for the possibility he would not come back today.
"Good morning, Killian." She didn't ask where he slept last night, too afraid of his answer. "How will you spend today?" she asked, quickly changing her train of thought before it brought her somewhere she did not want to be.
He answered her with his dazzling smile that made her heart speed up, then: "I was hoping to spend my day in your company again, love. If that's all right with you?" He fixed his bright blue eyes on hers, and she forgot to breathe for a moment. He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to confirm or deny his request.
"Of… of course... Please, sit down." She gestured to the same stool he perched on the day before. "Have you had breakfast?" Killian nodded as she turned to wait on her first customer.
The morning passed by quickly as Hannah conducted her business as usual, Killian sitting at the back of her booth quietly observing. He could tell the people of her village genuinely liked her, but he began to grow a little uncomfortable at the suspicious stares he was receiving. He could tell from the looks on their faces they were surprised to see a stranger sitting in her booth for the second day in a row. When the crowd began to disburse signaling lunch time, Killian remembered to ask Hannah if she could help him neaten up his appearance. She agreed and said she would return early to do just that. Killian chose to acquaint himself with the market while she was away. He had a feeling if he were to stay at her table, some of the more brazen villagers may approach and question him, and he was not prepared to answer to any of them. He stayed close however, did his best to bled in, and not draw attention to himself.
She returned after about an hour and instructed Killian to sit back on the same stool, only this time she had it stationed well behind her market booth. She set up a crate next to the stool, and put a straight-edge razor and small hand mirror on it. She quickly set about cutting his hair – just the way he liked it without ever asking him. To tell the truth, she cut his hair in the way she remembered it - short and neat around his head, with a little length left at the top. His hair no longer fell over his eyes, instead it came to rest about a quarter inch above his eyebrows. He tilted his head back when she indicated she was ready to shave him. As she approached with the razor in hand, Killian couldn't stop picturing little Hannah at eight years old, smashing rocks together in an attempt to spark a flame. He wondered if she would employ the same lack of finesse with a razor.
"Uhh, lass? Have you done this before?" he was starting to doubt the wisdom in asking her to do this for him.
"Oh yes. I shave Papa at least once a week. Of course he's passed out, but I don't see how this could be any different." She placed a finger under his chin, and pushed up so his head tilted back and leaned in close. Killian took a deep breath, and found his senses overwhelmed by her scent. She smelled like…wildflowers…and sunshine. He closed his eyes and continued to breathe in her scent, burning it into his memory. He realized she had yet to touch his face and opened his eyes. She was very close to him, staring intently at his face. He started to pull away to ask her if she was feeling ill.
"Don't move." She instructed, and he obliged. In the corner of his eye, he could see the razor moving rapidly back and forth, but still, she did not touch his face. Killian began to wonder if she had gone mad, but she continued on, ghosting the razor back and forth until she had waved it over all the hair growing out of his face. Finally, she stepped back and regarded her work.
"Ahhh, Killian there you are!" She handed him the small mirror to see for himself. He was wondering how he was going to bring up his non-shave but saw immediately that she had, indeed shaved his face. Not a clean shave, mind you. She left stubble that made it look as though he had not shaved for a day or two, but it was a considerable improvement.
"How on earth…?" he stroked his cheeks and chin, still wondering how she did it without ever touching him.
She chuckled. "As I said, I shave Papa once a week. I have to do it while he's asleep. He's too ornery otherwise. The only time I did it while he was awake was the first time I ever had to shave him. I was so nervous. I nicked him, of course." She sighed.
"What happened?"
"Remember the broken finger?"
Killian clenched his teeth. Part of what made it easy for Killian to believe he made up Hannah in his dreams was that they had such similar circumstances. But she was real, and so was the suffering she had endured. Killian wanted to take her in his arms, take her away from this village, and take her away from her toil and suffering. Instead he whispered, "I'm sorry, love."
She gave him a half-smile and shrugged a little before continuing. "Anyway, I figured if the blade doesn't touch him, it won't cut him, so I waited until he was asleep. Then I shaved him as I just did for you. Of course, that first time I think it took me at least three hours!" she laughed at the memory now. "Are you happy with my work?"
"Aye, love."
Killian spent the rest of the day at the back of her booth, just as he had the day before. And as he had the day before, he escorted her home. And same as the day before, he found himself outside the tavern upon his return, and sleeping in the cave many hours later.
The next morning he was up early, however. He rose before any of the other children and startled who he assumed was 'Matthew' from yesterday.
"Morning, lad. Tell Harris I won't be joining you lot for breakfast, and thank you again for the accommodations." Killian wanted to hurry to meet Hannah when she came into the village.
She was delighted to see him waiting for her when she came around the bend in the road. He gently took her cart and pushed it for her as they walked to market. He sat with her at her table in the market, chatting and laughing with her. He pitched in and helped her whenever she needed it. He escorted her home at lunch and waited for her just off the road in the tree line. At the conclusion of the day, she pressed a couple of coins into his hand.
"What's this, love?"
"Your wages."
He scoffed at her and tried to give the coins back. "No." she asserted. "You worked for me all day, and I'll give you a fair wage for it." Then she winked. "Come back tomorrow, and it will be more of the same."
Two weeks passed quite quickly in this way. On Sunday's the market remained closed for a day of rest and on the first Sunday since Killian's arrival, Hannah showed him around the market and village. She formally introduced him to all of her friends, and even Mortimer seemed to warm up to him. On the second Sunday, Hannah met Killian at the bend in the road like every morning. As he turned to head back towards the village, she stopped him.
"I want to show you something. Come with me." She stepped off the road, and into the tree line, heading north. He followed her through the woods wondering where she was taking him. After about a quarter of a mile, he could see there was a clearing ahead. She seemed to hesitate for just a moment before stepping out of the tree line. Killian was concerned for a moment when she gasped in surprise.
"Killian look! I've never seen it like this! Isn't it lovely?" He stepped to her side and gazed out into what was once their clover field, now completely over run with wild flowers, all in full bloom. Rainbows of color painted the ground of the very real meadow where they had grown up together in their dreams. Caught up in the excitement and wonder, he gathered her in his arms, and together they waltzed through their field, laughing and smiling.
