So Far From I Expected

3

Turning from the Bishop's house, a biting wind makes me shiver and my teeth chatter. I hurry to the end of the lane and close the gate behind me. Something catches in my hair and makes my heart skip a beat when i see it's a white feather.

Where did you come from?

A shiver travels down my spine as I recall that horrible day’s events in double time for the second time in one morning. Eager to get home now I rush towards the town and back to the village.

The woods between the town and the outskirts of the village provide some shelter from the cold and I slow down. A horse whinnies somewhere in the distance and I feel for the creature out in the cold. The air is burning my lungs and my nose hurts. Wrapping my shawl up around my face and neck I'm grateful that it's only cold and not snowing.

My heart quickened, I heard a horse whinny and trot up beside me. I was alone and it was getting dark. Picking up my pace with my head down, I wished I hadn’t wanted some time for myself just gotten on the cart. I prayed to God to keep me safe and promised not to be so foolish again.

For about a mile the horse trotted along behind me and I began to feel comforted by the presence of another person on the road, even if I didn’t know who it was or their intent. The road had been empty and if the rider was going to attack me, surely he would have done it already.

We neared the village when I noticed the sound of the horses hooves had stopped. I slowed down but dared not turn round.

‘Caireann’ called a man’s voice, somewhat familiar, but in a strange accent and rather quietly. I faltered, not knowing what to do.

‘Please Caireann, please stop. It is you, isn’t it?’ I turned around and my breath caught in my throat. My hand shot up to my mouth and I stumbled backwards and landed on my bottom.

My breathing quickened, I scrambled to my feet and took small steps backwards. He dismounted his horse and I could see his face clearly. His swarthy skin, his black eyes, his dark hair, his beautiful anguish ridden face; it was him, the man with the hat.

Why are you here?

I sobbed and felt the tears in my eyes tumble out of my eyes as I saw Frankie in his arms.

‘Please Caireann, I won’t hurt you. I’ve thought about you every single day since your brother’s accident. I want to explain.’ He looked to his feet and wrung his hands together.

I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself.

‘Who are you?’ The words came out of my mouth before I could catch them, but I looked at him with conviction, if I ever wanted to know what had truly happened the day Frankie died, I had to be strong.

He looked at me, his face relaxed a little and he took off his hat. ‘Theodore Desala. My name is Theodore Desala.’

His voice was nervous and he stuttered every now and then.

‘I’m a business man now. Before, before when I was here I was just a stupid kid, I was here with my father and his business associates good for nothing son.' He looked at me nervously, checking if I was listening and if it was alright to continue. 'Our fathers were meeting with Lord Tumlus. We took their horses and a bottle of cognac and went for a ride.’ 

I continued listening to him, but turned away and began walking slowly towards the village. It was cold and Mama would wonder where I was. He continued his story and followed behind me with his horse.

I listened carefully; he told me how they had drank cognac by the river, talking about their future, women, their conquests as young men and their future ventures. He spoke about how he didn’t like the pointy faced man; whose name I gathered was Alec Williams.

The man told me that his 'friend' was money driven, self centred and was willing to do anything to get what he wanted. He had been in trouble in the Junaath and his father had taken him to Tynaia to get him away from it at the time.

‘Caireann, please just listen.' I stopped and turned to look at the strangers face. 'His horse had a stone in her shoe, we got lost on our way back to the town and Alec wanted to race. When we dismounted here we were looking for someone who could help with the stone in her shoe.’

He paused and his voice changed. It was quieter and softer, like he was smiling.

‘And then I saw you. Your hair was across your face and there was coal dust on your cheek. Your eyes were bright and you looked so, so innocent. I’ve never seen anyone like you before Caireann, the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.’

His voice changed again, he spoke through his teeth and he sounded angry.

‘Alec noticed you too, except I don’t think his thoughts were quite so well meant.’

I stopped and turned around to look at him. It was getting darker and I could only see the side of his face I pulled my shawl tighter around me and shook my head.

‘Excuse me Mr Desala, but when are you going to get to the point? When are you going to tell me why this ‘Alec’ fella ran off when his horse killed my brother?’

He turned his face and I saw his eyes, although they were in shadow I could tell they looked sad.

‘Caireann, he fled because he was scared. He had gotten himself in trouble in Junaath and was about to do it again. His father is a great man but has a temper like nothing I’ve ever known, if he ever found out Alec had gotten a child killed because he was trying to seduce a young girl after stealing his horse and liquor, I don’t know what might have happened. I should have tried to help, I was a coward. I’m sorry.’

Tears welled up in his eyes. My mouth fell open; this man was truly upset by what had happened. My whole body shook with the cold; I turned on my heel and began to briskly walk back to the village.

‘Thank you Mr Desala, you’ve explained. I need to get home.’

I felt warmth come over me, he had placed his over coat across my shoulders; his fingers brushed my neck as he pulled my hair out from underneath.

My breath caught in my throat and my senses immediately heightened. I froze on the spot and could feel his breath on my cheek.

‘Please Caireann; take me to your family. Let me talk to your father and mother.’

I shook my head and continued to walk, then jog and finally I ran, tears spilled out of my eyes and I ran past the water pump in the yard and burst into the cottage.

I fell straight into Papa’s arms and sobs wracked through my body as he tried to work out what had happened. The twins stared from their playing by the fire and Mama ran to look out the door.

‘Caireann wait! Please don’t close the door!’ Mama stood her ground not allowing Theodore to enter; Papa lifted me to my feet and shouted.

‘What’s going on? Who is this chap Caireann? Who are you? What have you done to my daughter?’

The twins moved closer together, and Mama moved out of the way to lift Thomas who had started crying.  Papa never shouted.

Mr Desala lifted his hands in the air as if in surrender and introduced himself in a shaky voice. He called Papa ‘Sir’ and apologised for his intrusion.

Papa said nothing, made no move or gesture to continue or stop. Mr Desala looked at Papa trying to read what he should do next, his eyes flicked towards me asking for help.

I looked away but nodded for him to continue. I thought that seeing as he was there, he could answer Mama and Papa’s questions. They had so many questions and deserved to know what had happened to Frankie. This was their chance for answers.