The Stumpwork Robe (The Chronicles of Eirie 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

wonder, for she must be profoundly traumatised. Have you any liquor?’
    ‘Brandy?’ Adelina turned away to the compact galley that served her as a kitchen space. Hardly a galley, more a bench with a tiny set of travelling shelves holding kitchen utensils. Underneath, in two cupboards, were her food supplies, along with bottles of brandy, ale and wine, elderflower cordial and a sweet muscat she had picked up from a travelling merchantman from the Pymm Archipelago. She poured a small measure of the brandy and dropped in some elixir of valerian. Ana’s hand trembled as she reached for the drink so Adelina cupped the quivering fingers in her own. ‘Drink, muirnin .’
    She coughed as the liquid slid to her belly but the warmth appeared to offer comfort enough for her to push back her head and stare at the Traveller, still saying nothing. ‘Listen muirnin ,’ Adelina said. ‘Lie down for a while. That’s it. Close your eyes and rest. Then when you feel stronger, Kholi Khatoun here will take you to your home. Would you like that?’ Adelina eased the young woman back on the pile of creamy pillows on the bed and pulled a woolen shawl over her. Ana made no sound but two more tears slid out of the corner of her eyes as she closed them.
    ‘Come Kholi,’ Adelina pulled at his arm, ‘let’s sit outside and leave her. Would you like an ale or some wine?’
    ‘Wine. Thank you.’ He backed out of the van, concerned eyes never leaving the prone form on the bed.
     
    The two sat quietly and Adelina handed the Raji a goblet. ‘So tell me, what happened?’
    He detailed the awful events. ‘He would have raped her, Adelina, I’m sure. He had lost complete control. I should have sliced the mongrel into kebabs and fried him over his own rendered fat.’
    ‘Kholi Khatoun!’ Adelina grabbed the merchant’s hand. ‘Quietly, don’t scare her. It’s as well I have known you for so long or I would think you a cruel barbarian.’ She sipped on her wine and spoke in a lowered voice. ‘Mind you, your choice of punishment seems apt. But there’s more, isn’t there?’
    ‘Indeed. The monster, after I had relieved him of the weight of his breeches, taunted her, informing her she was his betrothed. I tell you, I think it was that more than the rough handling which did for her.’
    ‘Betrothed! But that requires her parents’ approval and that of the cretin’s family.’
    ‘You’re kind. Cretin does him honour. But you see, you’re right. The mother has betrothed the poor thing to him. By afrits and djinns, one would wonder why?’ They sat in an uncomfortable silence, musing on Ana’s fate.
    ‘You know, Adelina,’ Kholi put down the goblet. ‘There is something her mother was not telling. I think there is trouble of a sort at home. The mother was icy and seemed unable to relate to Ana and the young woman was obviously in a dire way and needed her. What would prompt a mother to act so? And why would she betroth her daughter to such a brutal man? I spoke my opinion to her and my thoughts were unwelcome.’
    Adelina leaned back against the doorjamb casting an eye in Ana’s direction. She hadn’t moved and her eyes were closed. Thrusting a hand through her hair, the embroiderer, clicked her tongue against her teeth. ‘Well, I suspect it’s too late. Betrothals signed under Trevallyn law are binding. The poor creature is trapped. By Aine, how sad. But you know, there’s a thing. When she came to my stall this morning she was already sad. I can sense these things. So yes, you are right. Something has happened in the home and affected she and her family.’
    The two travelling merchants sat savouring their wine and musing on Ana’s fate. It was almost upon Adelina’s lips to mention the Other, that enigmatic stranger, but she decided against it. There was enough angst without introducing another problem. Instead she chose to pass the time of day with Kholi Khatoun. He was, after all, a very old friend. ‘Kholi, how are