1~11~10
Author's Note: Finally, an update. Thank Baroness Orc my lovely and talented beta for the kick in the backside she gave me this weekend. ;) Also a huge thank you to 3DGandBubblez, Healing., Ori Lee, Rose Knightengale, Mangos, and Savethemadscientist for both reviewing and hanging in there. I appreciate it! Now, sit back, relax, and have a grand 'ol time.
The journey to Sacre Cor was uneventful. Trestan carved a toy top for Peabo from the end of one of Dymphna's horns. Peabo was constantly coated in mud from the melting roads. The morning and evening Angelus prayers were said, as always. Isabelle loved to watch Trestan's face as he prayed. He was beautiful, an otherworldly light shining from behind his half-closed lashes. Once, Isabelle earned a stern glance from Friar Justin when he noticed her distraction. After that, Isabelle tried harder to keep her mind on her prayers.
Isabelle did try hard to pray, but it was very difficult to pray to someone who, it feels, despises you and wants to punish you. She often was a hairs-breath away from throwing up her hands and screaming "Why, Lord? Why have you destroyed my only chance at happiness? Take my curse away! Why must I bear this affliction—and Trestan too? Please, at the very least spare him!" Unfortunately, Isabelle discovered, the Lord is not likely to be won over through sheer audacity.
Isabelle was surprised that she had not been struck down for just thinking something so blasphemous. But, after all, wasn't He the breaker of bonds and liberator of captives? If so, then why wasn't her curse removed? She had tried to follow the rules—not being short with Peabo when he dragged his feet and got mud all over her dress, praying the Pater Noster until she repeated it in her sleep, and bargaining with heaven—take the curse away and she would say three rosaries a day, donate extravagant sums to the church, and to become the kindest, gentlest soul that had ever drawn breath. Heaven obviously did not think that this was enough.
~*~
After five days of walking, the travelers arrived in Sacre Cor. Isabelle had never seen so many people in all her life—the streets of the town were bustling with people buying, selling, and simply passing through. Isabelle pressed close to Trestan.
"The city of Lerei is ten times bigger, cara," Trestan said, easing a protective arm around her. Isabelle smiled up at him.
"Really? All of these people in one place…" Isabelle said, awed by the life and vibrancy of the city streets. The clothing was colorful, carts of food were in abundance, making Peabo's stomach rumble. Music was everywhere: street performers on flutes, lutes, drums, even a hand bells from the deserts in the West, played in rhythms that bent the ear in odd but pleasant ways.
"It's so alive," Isabelle said, stepping in time with the music, eyes shining. But as much as she enjoyed it, she was still Trestan's second shadow.
They walked through the street markets into a respectable, but not rich, neighborhood and found an inn. Friar Justin went inside, leaving the three young people to watch over Dymphna.
"Trestan," Isabelle asked tentatively, "what does the sign say?"
"This inn is called 'The Painted Cow.'" Peabo said, pointing to the sign that showed a man holding a brush and palette painting red and yellow spots on a cream-colored cow.
"Thank you, Peabo," Isabelle said, trying to keep the annoyance out of her voice. The result was rather flat.
Just then, Friar Justin exited the inn, a portly man at his side. "Trestan, Isabelle, Peabo," he gestured warmly to each one in turn, "I would like you to make the acquaintance of Bernard Helle, the brother of one of my Brothers-in-Christ. He and his wife run the inn here."
"Please, come inside," Bernard boomed, "I've heard that you've all come a long way."
Isabelle was just about to step into the inn when she realized that Trestan wasn't behind her. Instead, he was still holding on to Dymphna. "You are coming, are you not?" She asked him.
"Actually, the Friar and I were about to go to sell Dymphna," Trestan sighed.
"Oh," Isabelle said knowingly. There was no way that the cow would fit on the boat they were taking to Lerei. And they needed the money to pay their fare for the journey. They had talked about this the night before. Still Isabelle was not prepared for Peabo's barrage of tears.
The boy pushed past Isabelle and wrapped his arms around the Saintly cow's neck, bawling from the strength of his heartbreak. "I'll never forget you, Dymphna. I love you."
Isabelle patted Peabo's back. "Everything will be all right, dear. Come on inside," she coaxed. "It will be easier this way."
As snuffling Peabo shuffled by, Trestan put something into the boy's hand.
"The top made from Dymphna's horn!" Peabo beamed through his tears, wrapping Trestan in a bear hug. "Thank you, Trestan."
"Well, what was I going to do with it? Now a little piece of her shall be with you," Trestan said, fondly ruffling the boy's hair. "Say a quick goodbye and go inside where it's warm."
"Goodbye, Dymphna," Peabo whispered in his bovine friend's ear, "I'll never forget you."
Friar Justin pulled Isabelle aside for a moment. "Daughter," he said gravely, "I have a request to make of you."
"Yes, Father," Isabelle answered, befuddled, "what is it?"
"On no condition are either you or Peabo to leave the inn while Trestan and I are gone," Friar Justin ordered gently.
"Do not worry," Isabelle nearly scoffed at the absurdity of the command, "We shall not leave."
"Give me your word," Friar Justin urged, "that no matter what you see outside you and Peabo will stay inside the inn."
"You have my word, Father," Isabelle said. "But why is this necessary? I am not one to wander and I am certain that Peabo would have the prudence not to leave while both you and Trestan are absent."
"I will explain later, Isabelle," Friar Justin said sternly. "But you can trust my friends here," he smiled. "Go on and get warm. You too, Peabo."
With another quick hug, Peabo untangled his arms from around the cow's neck. Clutching his top, Peabo stopped beside Isabelle. Her arm around the boy's slim shoulders, Isabelle and Peabo went inside the inn.