Weaver: A Silver Crown

Chapter 7

I sat between Fliteen and Talo who had soon joined the interrogation I was receiving from Koell. She wanted to know every explicit detail of how I escaped, how long it took, how I had gotten here, and the list went on. I had purposely avoided sensitive subjects like who shot me and why I had decided to leave. Mira and – who I had discovered was Al, the man who had steadied me earlier – had left to go back to their home in the village, their work in toying with me already done. I had watched them, their arms casually slung over each other, their love for one another clear as they had left, spider webbing their ways out and dropping down. It had sent a strange pang through my chest that I had never felt before. Koell’s articulate voice bought me back into the room.

“Did you hear me, girl? It is impolite to disrespect one within their own home by failing to listen.” She clicked her tongue at me and bored into me with her black, glowing eyes from the fire. I flicked my vision from the fire to her, meeting her gaze. “Whose blood is that that I smell on your dagger?” She asked again. I looked away. “Anera.” She demanded. I didn’t utter a sound. Flit and Talo shifted beside me, gulping. “Anera…” She said more softly, almost sadly. “What you say in here stays in here.” She whispered. I heard her lean forwards closer to me.

“I do not wish to talk any longer.” I breathed. I had much blood staining my fingers and admitting to it was never a good idea.

“Well you must.” She commanded, leaning back in her chair and squeezing the arms, digging her nails in. I looked back her then, my face blank.

“I have killed many before.” I spoke firmly. “You must know that a Weaver will always lie and will never admit to anything.”

“I am not a Weaver, Anera. You are not a Weaver.” I simply looked at her and blinked. She smiled softly, the first warming gesture I’d seen. “I tell my grandbabies to find you when I feel your presence enter my land. I let you into my home–“

“Let me into your home?” I howled in outrage. “I had to climb that ghastly tree! Oh I just waltzed on in!” I exclaimed with a scoff, laughing sarcastically at her. She grinned at me.

“I can’t just let foolish strangers into my humble abode.” She stated, gesturing to the place around her. Flit and I both snorted. I shook my head, content to let it drop, and sighed. I had to admit I did like her way of thinking.

“It’s horrible in there.” I breathed, placing my elbows on my knees and looking into her wise face.

“I know.” She grinned, showing her teeth. It was terrifying in a thrilling sort of way. I felt Talo look at me, but I ignored him. I ignored them both.

“I was… supposed to marry upon my first bleed.” I frowned at the thought. “To Pateen Terash.” She grimaced at the name Terash but nodded encouragingly, her mouth a straight solemn line.

“How old are you?” Fliteen softly interrupted. I flinched as her cold fingers touched my right arm. She took them back but still continued to look me in the eye as I scrutinised her.

“18. I started my first bleed when I was 15, but I was unable to marry then.” I explained, turning back to Koell. She bobbed her head once in understanding, but I carried on anyway. “I was sent to the Pits when I was 12 and wasn’t victorious until a month ago, on my 18th birthday –“

“What is this Pits thing?” Talo interrupted, his voice gruff from not having spoken. Koell’s eyes flashed with anger and he backed away.

“Do not interrupt a lady when she speaks.” She ordered.

“The Pits are…” I grasped for a way to describe it. “They’re like really big, long competitions between our own kind.”

“The Pits were created for males originally to determine the most dominate male to mate with the High Widow. Over the years it changed. It became so brutal and violent that it was served as punishment for the weak. If you were too weak, you went to the Pits to toughen up or die. If you were strong, you would face every single person that also resided in there until eventually you beat them all. It is literally a pit in the mountain with cells and a giant spider web for battle. Most die,” Koell explained, turning her gaze back to me. “Some thrive.”

“In the summer before I turned 13, I discovered I was betrothed to Pateen Terash. He was a nasty worm, one who was rough with girls and always taking advantage of his family’s nobility blood line position. When I found out, I begged my father to change it to someone else, anyone else but him. He slapped me round the face and told me that if I ever wanted to achieve the position of High Widow, I needed to toughen up. So I tried to run away that night. I tried to desert my own kind.” I leaned back in the chair, placing my hand over the wound on my leg. I ground my teeth at the memories.

“And they didn’t let you go?” Talo asked, looking down at me with a frown.

“Gods no.” I huffed with an amused laugh. “No. No one deserts their own kind. Unless they’re banished for some reason.”

“I’m assuming your wasn’t banished.” Fliteen said in a small voice.

“No. I was captured and beaten by my father and then dragged to the Pits that night.”

“Did you never get to leave?” she asked, anger and disgust burning in her eyes.

“No… No it’s not like that. The Pits becomes your life. It’s like your job. You see your family, you’re allowed freedom within the forest and the city, but at the end of each day, you go back to your cell. Some days you were fighting or training or just being beaten for the hell of it. Others you were doing your normal study that a Weaver would do.” Fliteen looked away in thought and swallowed a lump in her throat. We all sat in silence for a moment.

“So whose blood is it on your dagger?” Koell finally asked. Every instinct in me screamed frantically to not tell her, to tell no one, but her open expression and sincere eyes led me to speaking.

“Pateen’s.” I affirmed. She smiled at me and relaxed into her chair.

“Good.” She chirped with a fiendish grin. I fought the urge to laugh so I smiled instead. “And is he dead?”

“Yes.”

“Also good.” She waved her hand in the air. “We will talk more tomorrow, Anera.” I let out a long breath and sunk into my seat, feeling drained. “You are welcome to stay in my village with Talo and Fliteen until your wound has fully healed. I’m sure they’ll accommodate you nicely.”

“I hadn’t planned to stay long. I simply wanted passage through to be on my way.” I countered, making sure to be able to be to get what I ultimately wanted.

“And do what? Travel alone across unknown Mixling land with a wounded leg doing who knows what? You will stay until you have fully recovered and you will like it.” I let the topic go, feeling too exhausted to argue any further. So I nodded. She let out a delighted ‘hmph’.

Talo and Fliteen both rose at the same time and bid their grandmother goodnight. Our grandmother, I chided. I rose and grabbed my weapons, feeling pissed off I hadn’t had the chance to ask more questions. But I was bone tired with a weary mind. I was desperate for sleep.

The two siblings led me back to the ledge and prepared to take off.

“Wait!” I cried, not feeling in the mood to climb back down. “Is there not another way?”

“Can you not cast web or fly?” Flit asked with a confused frown.

“I… don’t have magic.” I admitted. Talo and Flit raised their brows with genuine surprise. Liar, something within me cackled. I pushed it down. Talo walked over to me and offered his arm. I eyed him wearily before raising my arms to let him slide a strong arm around my waist.

“We normally use web to make our way down.” He explained, leading me to the edge. “So hold on tight.” I dug my fingers into him a second before he jumped off and plummeted down. My hair flapped about in the wind and my stomach rose to my throat. Talo yanked out a hand and shot a thick line of web that hit the canopy of the tree. We sprung back and flew back down, swinging around the tree. I squealed with delight at the butterflies that fluttered ferociously in my stomach and Talo chuckled, but it was caught in the wind.

I spotted Flit land gracefully beneath me and Talo to which we soon followed. The web became constricted and Talo gently placed me down first and then hopped down himself.

“So where is your house?” I asked in attempt to break the silence. We began to walk hastily towards the houses and went down the central path.

“By the Humming tree.” Talo answered, offering me his elbow to help with my limp. I didn’t take it.

“The Humming tree?” I asked in puzzlement. Fliteen spun round to face me and Talo who were trailing behind and begun to walk backwards with food in her mouth.

“The four big trees in the village,” She said with a mouthful of something I couldn't quite make out. My stomach grumbled none the less. “We were just in the Weaver tree. Then we have the Needle tree, the Humming tree and the Earth tree.” She swallowed her food and turned back round. I hurried and court up to her side.

“For every Mixling court?” I asked. “Do they have magic in them from each too?” She nodded and took another bite.

“Yeah, some of the people that moved here years ago felt more comfortable living around their own magic, so we charmed the trees. Well, I say we, grandmother did.” She explained, pointing a thumb back in the direction we'd come from.

“Koell can use every magic of each court?” I asked, stunned. That was incredibly powerful and something I'd never even heard of. She nodded.

“Yes. She said that a lot of Oracle's have that power. It's what makes them so powerful. But she also says that we all secretly have the power deep inside.” She looked at me with a smile. “But Oracle's get visions, so they certainly help.” I smiled back at her, even if her words bought weariness ringing through me. She was powerful, with the gift to see and feel things other Fae couldn't. And the talk of everyone being able to use the Mixling court magics? It was something I had never heard of, ever.

We turned down another curved street that was dotted with houses before stopping in front of one close to a large tree. Flit nudged my elbow and held out a piece of what looked like dried meat. I rose my eyebrows at her.

“Jerky?” I asked, greedily snatching it from her hands and putting the salty, chewy meat in my mouth.

“What? It's good right? Best I give it to you now before Talo snatches it off me once we're inside.” Talo huffed and walked along the little stone path that led to the front door. The house itself was quite small yet very pretty. The rock had been painted a beige, creamy colour with a dark brown wooden roof and stone chimney. The windows were paned and completely dark inside. I swallowed my jerky and followed Fliteen to the front door.

“Are your parents not here?” I sniffed and squinted at the glass window next to the door. I hadn't smelt any parental scent on either them when I'd first them and I didn't smell any now. I frowned. Fliteen didn't look at me as she stared at Talo's back.

“Our parents aren't alive.” She stated mutedly. There were no words to console her, to console them both, but I put a hand on her arm. She turned her face and looked at me with blank eyes.

“I am... very sorry,” I paused, hesitant in my words. “For your loss. I didn't realise.” I gave her a look I hoped was sincere. She nodded and shrugged her shoulders as Talo unlocked the door with a hefty push and stumbled in.

“Blasted door!” He moaned, clicking his fingers to turn on the Auralights that lit up and hovered as little amber orbs above. The house itself was cosy with cream walls and warm brown wood. There was a little stand by the door with a closet for cloaks and boots–

“My cloak! Damnit!” I exclaimed, turning back around and stepping out the door. I had left my damn cloak in the tree.

“What is it Anera?” Talo asked stepping to my side. I frowned at him and sighed.

“I left my cloak in the tree when Koell made me go in. I had to ditch when I was climbing.” Talo laughed softly and put his hands on his hips, peering out over to the tree.

“She did that trick on you, huh?” He slyly smiled, his eyes crinkling in a way that sent my chest tightening.

“Trick?” I echoed.

“Yeah, she does it to mess with people she thinks are 'tough'. Take it as a compliment.” He patted my shoulder and went to go back inside.

“Wait! What about my cloak? Shall I go get it?” I leered back at the tree, resisting the urge to storm over there and slit Koell's throat for making me climb that blasted tree.

“I'm sure she has it already, trust me.” He assured me with an amused smile.

“Oh pincers.” I huffed, crossing my arms with a pout. Talo rose his eyebrows at me.

“Pincers?” I waved my hand in the air at him.

“Weaver saying.”

“Ah, of course.” He went back inside and I soon followed, disliking the icy evening chill and the fact Koell had my cloak. I closed the door behind me and Talo pulled off his boots and cloak before stalking into the room to left. The stairs were in the centre in front of the door with two doors leading into separate rooms. Since I didn't have any boots or cloak still, I walked in after him, feeling out of place in the delicate living space with my large weapons. It had a fire place in the centre with pictures and ornaments neatly place. A painting of two figures – who I assumed were their parents – watched me as I glided past, their black eyes and black hair matching Flit and Talo's. Two soft materialed burgundy armchairs and a large burgundy sofa was placed around a table in front of the place and beyond with an open space room that to a dining area. Idly, I wondered through, Talo watching me, and stroked my hand along the dark, shining waxed wood of the fine table big enough to fit a whole family. It curved round nicely to another room that I noted with a kitchen area. That was simple with sides and shelves of foods, pots, pans, herbs and vials with a facet and a brewing stand. I smiled at the simple little worn wooden table and turned back around, the room feeling too family like and intimate.

When I got padded into the living room past the dining table, Talo had begun to build the fire and Flit lounge across an armchair, her legs hanging off of the side. She looked up at me and smiled, combing her hands through her hair and looking sleepy.

“I thought we'd make a fire and cook something, I'm starved.” She said with a yawn and rubbing at her eyes. I wanted to sit down too but felt too dirty in my wrinkled and filthy clothes. She eyed me trying to brush bits of dirt. “There is a bath upstairs that you are welcome to use. We have plumbing and I can provide you with some of my clothes.” I squirmed at her hospitality and winced when she gave me a levelled, commanding glare. I put hands up in truce.

“I don't like to impose.” I said truthfully. Talo snorted and leaned back from prodding the fire.

“You can't have done that any more than you already have.” He sat on the sofa and looked at me with a friendly smile. I winced at his words – or the pang in my chest, I couldn't tell. “Don't worry about it,” he waved a hand in the air at me and looked at the fire. “Me and Flit quite like the company. Gets quiet round here.” Flit stood up and stretched herself out.

“Shall I show you to your room and the bathing room?” Oh Gods yes!

~

Fliteen showed me around the upstairs space. It had the same layout as the downstairs – soft burgundy carpet, smooth wood and amber Auralight – except with two extra rooms: three rooms split between the living and dining area, one master bedroom above the kitchen and then one secret room leading up to the roof by a small, narrow set of wooden stairs in the corner of Talo's room. That one was mine. To her dismay, Fliteen had soon realised that she was reluctant to let me in either their mother and father's room or Mira's – who apparently would bite my head off at either option. She's tried and failed once, and miserably too, I thought with a little smirk. There was a shared en suite bathroom that led into the master bedroom. It was clean and lovely with a large tub, toilet, mirror and sink.

We traipsed through Talo's private space which was surprisingly clean and tidy. He had a large wooden canopied bed with green velvet blankets and cotton pillows. Next to it I saw a little cabinet with books and papers shoved in the shelf with a used candle on top. He had a large window accented by flowing cream curtains and a wooden closet next to it with boots sitting neatly around it's bottom. I nodded in appreciation at his tidiness. Then there were the little spiralled steps in the corner leading up through a hatch in his ceiling. Flit climbed up them first and beckoned me to follow. My leg throbbed painfully as I climbed through the top onto gentle carpet and looked up to see a lovely, large room beyond. Eyes widening, I gaped at the sight before me. I had expected a shitty attic room with a simple bed of hay and a blanket but... They had truly renovated this into a wonderful space. A string instrument sat on a stand next to the stairs underneath a window, I side stepped not to crash into it.

“This...” I breathed, eyeing the king sized wooden canopied bed, two night stands, a large closet with a full length mirror, a desk with a chair and armchair in front of a fire place. Flit grinned at me.

“My mother and father had planned to move into this room before they died. They spent most of their time renovating it and getting Mira into the master bedroom downstairs, but they never got the chance.” Flit shrugged as if she could shake off the pain that lie on her shoulders and was streaked across her face. I smiled sadly at her, she smiled back. “You might as well use it.” She said in a small voice. I stepped closer to her, something I avoided doing with anyone.

“May I ask how they died?” I said quietly, my face sincere. Sorrow and grief flashed through her eyes and I knew I'd asked the wrong question. She shook her head and looked away.

“It was a long time ago. I–“ She hesitated.

“You don't have to tell me, it's okay.” I assured her. “I just...” I frowned, not knowing what I was thinking or feeling. I rarely cared about other people. It was a shock to me to discover that I was genuinely curious and wouldn't mind getting to know Fliteen. “I was curious.” I shrugged, looking away. “I guess I just want to know you better.” She rose her eyebrows at me with a minute smile. Then she snorted and grinned.

“Who knew a Weaver could sound so soppy.” She joked and playfully punched my arm. I looked down at where she touched me and rose an eyebrow. If anyone had done that to me in the city, I would've cut of their hands and use them to pull out their own eyes. I laughed, at the thought or what she said, I didn't know, but I still laughed.

“Didn't you hear? I'm not a Weaver any more.” I stated, mimicking Koell's dramatic tone. Flit chuckled at my impression.

“You still act like one.” I winced, somehow feeling like that was more of an insult than a compliment.

“Well, I guess I'm not one. I guess I need to get used to it.” I simply stated.

“Will you not go back?” She asked.

“Gods no–“ I begun but stopped myself. “Well, I will one day. I have unfinished business there.”

“Oh, right.” I must've sounded ominous because Fliteen stayed silent for a moment. “Well, I'll go run the bath for you and get you some clean clothes. I'm pretty sure Talo is making a stew.” She made a move to walk back out but I grabbed her wrist. She turned and looked at me, her face a bit weary and fearful – a face I would like to get rid of.

“Th – thank you.” I said with a swallow and an awkward smile. If it wasn't a grin, I felt uncomfortable moving my mouth in such a way. She nodded and went back down the stairs, so I wondered about the too big of a room and waited for her call.

~

I walked out of the bathroom in a silky robe – that Flit had forced upon me – clean, light and with beautifully smelling wet hair. Fliteen had lovely taste in scents, some soap mixtures smelling of rose and strawberries and passion fruit. I had scrubbed myself to the bone, careful of my leg, relishing the warm water and splendid aroma's; two things I hadn't experienced since being a child. I almost sobbed as I sunk into the steaming hot and bubbly water, my filth instantly staining it. Then I had soaked myself, washed myself and rose from the water, shivering and naked like a new born babe. I had never yearned to be back in the water more.

I strolled into Talo's room, my leg already feeling a little bit better from the rest and spotted Talo sitting on his bed. I jolted to a stop and stepped back a little bit, my cheeks burning at him seeing me in just a robe and invading on his privacy. He looked up and grinned at my shocked face, waving me in.

“It's fine.” He chuckled. “Guess we better get used to each other if you're gonna be waltzing on in to my room regularly.” He said light heartedly. I grimaced at the word 'regularly' but let it slide. One night, Anera. Just one night. Talo's eyes crinkled and he laid back on his bed with a huff. Something about him seemed different since we'd arrived, like he was much more at ease. I almost felt like he trusted me, a little. Smiling hesitantly, I walked in further and went for the stairs.

“Thanks.” I breathed as I sauntered up. He called out to me as I reached the top.

“Nice robe by the way!” I snorted softly and walked over to the bed, eyeing the clothes Fliteen had supplied and laid out for me. Modest undergarments, a warm night dress and robe with slippers, a simple light green flowing gown, a black and grey cloak and black trousers with a matching tunic and grey shirt with leather boots. I 'hmph'd' in gratitude and appreciation at her thoroughness and organisation. Considering her bossy attitude, I was hardly surprised. Quickly I slipped on the white night dress with three quarter sleeves and the long downy-like night robe along with the slippers. I groaned as I planted my feet in the luxurious footwear, never having experienced such glorious comfort on my feet. I knew of slippers, had seen my mother wear them as a child, but had never been given any, not that I remembered. My memories before the age of 13 were blurred and hazy, like a dream – not that it was pleasant, but it was more pleasant than the Pits. I grind my teeth at the memories that often liked to plague my mind and torment my dreams.

Steeling myself, I walked over to the stairs and went back down. Talo was gone, but I soon understood why. The aroma of cooking vegetables and some kind of meat hit me and it took every part of my strength to stop from salivating and rushing down the stairs and ripping people's throats out for first grabs. Something I would've done once, had done even, but not any more. No more, Anera, I told myself as the memories seized me again. It became this way when I was tired.

I hurried down the stairs, careful not to slip in the slippers – an ironic thought – and walked into the main room. Both Talo and Flit were eating a steaming bowl of stew in their sleeping attire, slouched and content by the fire. The image of the two of them sent something stirring within me and I found myself eager to join them. I grabbed a bowl from the rectangle table and ladled in some stew that boiled merrily away in a sizeable pot hanging above the fire. Sniffing at it, I sat on the armchair opposite Flit and sunk into it's huge comfy pillows.

“What kind of stew is this?” I asked, sipping some of the broth off of my spoon.

“Boar and vegetable. Had some left from our last hunt.” He said between greedy mouthfuls. He gulped some down and looked at me. “Sorry if it's not high noble worthy.” He sneered with a pointed look at my bowl that I wasn't digging into. I scowled, wondering where his previous good mood had vanished to.

“You have already forgotten I lived the last 5 years in the Pits?” I hissed, my anger instantly rising to the surface to defend myself. His face went blank and he dug in again. “It's just too hot.” I stated and took another sip. It tasted wonderful, but would surely burn my tongue and ruin my buds if I scoffed it all at once. Talo didn't reply and simply carried on eating. Something within me chimed in arrogant satisfaction. I pulled out a spoonful and blew on it, before devouring it in my mouth.

“Did you not eat well in the Pits?” Flit asked holding her now empty bowl.

“No.” I replied, spooning in more and resisting the urge to moan at it's delicious goodness.

“No wonder you're all sharp angles and bones then.” I squirmed when she inspected me. Looking in the mirror was something I had avoided doing since I had finally beaten every male and challenge in the Pits. I had purposely avoided it in the bathroom and back in my room, but I had noticed. Toned muscle I had gained from training and fighting with some of the fiercest warriors in the city, but food was often scarce and I was yet to get back my regular bleed. Fliteen seemed to read this all in my eyes. “We can fatten you up.” She said quietly and going to ladle in more stew to both mine and her bowls. I greedily scoffed it down and ignored Talo's pointed looks.

~

 After eating dinner and talking in hushed voices, we all finally prodded up to bed to which I gladly fell into mine. Engulfed by elegantly crafted blankets and fluffy pillows, I soon drifted off into the most heavy and delightful sleep I'd had in years – with a hunting knife under my pillow, of course.