The end draws near. . .
Chapter Thirty Six
Esmora grew somewhat used to living with Cavan. They soon established a routine. Cavan would wake early, eat breakfast and go out to chop wood o buy whatever they needed. Meanwhile Esmora would awake when she wished and clean until it was time for her to make them lunch. He would come in to eat and then leave for work. Esmora would spend her afternoons doing what she wished. This often included a visit to the inn or to Aislinn's house. When evening arrived, the two of them would prepare and eat dinner together: usually a silent affair.
On one such afternoon, after lunch had been eaten, Cavan asked if she would like to come wit him as he always did. To both's surprise, she agreed. Following him out of the house, she wondered that he simply headed straight for the market.
"Do you not need your knives to sell first?" she asked.
"No, my work is at the market," he replied.
Esmora continued in confusion as he entered the market and simply seemed to wander. He greeted people and once in a while stopped to exchange pleasantries.
"Hey, Cavan," a voice rang out.
Cavan'smlong strides brought him to a bald man selling jewelry.
"Do you have anything else to do yet?" he asked.
"No I don't, I would be glad to help out," Cavan replied and the jeweler handed him a box of jewelry. Cavan opened it as he walked away and Esmora followed him. Once again they wandered and Cavan would sell the jewelry to whomever wanted it. Esmora watched him sell and noticed that his strong face never changed expression throughout the whole time and again she noticed that is emotions only registered in his eyes.
"Move peddler, where's Cavan?" Esmora heard someone ask.
"Right here," Cavan called and let out a barely audible sigh. He then turned to Esmora and said, "Take these and either return to the jewelers or continue selling them. Give him the money and collect whatever he owes me, don't worry, he's an honest man. Then do as you please until I return. If you wish you could come to the council house and wait for me there." Cavan then stepped forward as the man who had called him stepped through the crowd.
"The elders wish to consult with you," the man said and turned to leave.
Cavan gave her a smile before melting into the crowd.
Esmora turned and walked toward the jewelers. She gave the box and money to the man who split the money in half. Putting the money into the recesses of her cloak, she wondered where the council met. She was about to search it out when she heard a voice behind her.
"Where's Cavan? And what are you doing here?"
Esmora recognized Muriel's voice and inwardly cringed. Was she here to make more trouble?
"The elders wished to consult with him so I returned the jewels he was selling and collected his pay. I was headed to the council building," she said and turned to leave.
"He let you finish what he was working on?" she asked, trying to mock, but Esmora caught a hint of incredulity in her voice. "And the building is the other way."
Esmora turned, and said shortly, "Thank you."
As she walked away, Esmora felt her arm grasped and she allowed herself to be swung around facing Muriel.
"You may be married to him but I will win his favor," she hissed.
Esmora stopped, puzzled. Finally it dawned on her. Cavan had said that she had most of the elders wrapped around her finger. But the elders obviously trusted Cavan quite a bit. As of yet, Muriel had not succeeded in bringing Cavan under her 'power'.
"I need him. He is all that is in my way to have this village under my thumb,"
"I doubt he will ever love you," Esmora replied simply said and then walked off again. She could sense Muriel following her, so she quickly scanned and found the building. When they arrived Cavan was still inside. Esmora sat on a short wall surrounding the building. Muriel sat beside her, to Esmora's dismay. They sat there, side by side, neither one breaking the silence. After several minutes, the elders exited followed by Cavan. They approached the two ladies and each of the elders greeted Muriel.
"I am going to hunt down the animal," Cavan said, looking straight at Esmora.
She nodded, "I will come."
"We leave early tomorrow morning," Cavan told her.
"You're going to let her help you? I thought you hunted alone?" Muriel said, almost enraged.
"Under normal circumstances, but I have asked and the elders have agreed that Esmora should come with me," Cavan explained evenly.
"Why her and not me? I have been training for years and I'm as good as any lady, probably better than her," she almost sneered
"I will be needing Esmora and Esmora alone," Cavan said.
"Why? She's probably horrible at tracking. Come, Cavan, I would do much better," Muriel half whined. Esmora anger to flare up.
"You think you are better than me? You will soon learn," she turned to leave as she spoke but Muriel's mocking voice called.
"Then I challenge you to a duel of sorts. Right now, in the square," she let go of Cavan who looked rather relieved and approached Esmora.
Before she answered, she glanced at Cavan and all anger seemed melted away.
"I cannot. I must keep my strength. If you are adamant, I will fight you after," Esmora said evenly and then turned to leave. She could sense Cavan's approving smile and he strode beside her away into the crowd.