Chapter 11.
The fairy dust and wine loosened their tongues as they ate brunch. Tomas talked about hustling on the streets of Roma and even brought a deck of cards and dice, showing them a few tricks and games which they all enjoyed.
Tori was curious about the fae lands—so was everyone—but Mara merely said the fae lands were like an enchanted forest, but that the fae there were oblivious to the world and that it was not the home she wanted; her life was with her husband.
Erkin talked about being enslaved but how his owners had treated him well and how he taught himself to read and write as well as to play the lute and lyre; later he became a tutor to all their children and also sold his tutoring services to other rich Romans.
Obran was still a bit shy to talk about the war but answered their questions about his time in the legions and how they finally broke the siege of Roma, saving the kingdom.
Soon Erkin started to play and they took turns singing songs, everyone except Obran who didn’t think he could sing well; Tori and Mara both sang beautifully and Obran drank more wine when he heard Tori sing a song about a Carthagio queen who was abandoned by her true love. If Tori was getting married he might never see her again so he figured why not numb the pain a bit. Finally, when Obran saw on his clock that it was getting late he reminded Tori that she should head back before it got dark.
“That clock is so pretty. I saw one just like it at court,” Tori said.
“Erkin and Tomas made it,” Obran said.
“You guys don’t fail to impress,” she said.
Tori asked to meet them for lunch at Zico’s stand that week and they all agreed. She hugged and kissed Mara goodbye as fairy dust fell freely from her wings.
“Do you want us to go back with you?” Mara said.
“It’s okay. I have a horse hitched nearby and I will meet my minders by the road,” Tori said.
“We should help straighten up sweetie,” Zico said. “And Tori, thank you for the tip.”
“It was more than worth it and take care Tomas and you too Erkin. I hope I can see you both at the university too,” Tori said.
“It would be our pleasure,” Erkin said.
“Yeah it would be fun to study together,” Tomas added.
Obran and Tori climbed out the gremlin burrow; Obran said he’d escort her to her horse but when he got outside he was surprised about how late it was—already dusk.
“Do your minders stay right outside the forest?” Obran said.
“Yeah, your Roman kinsmen are very superstitious and afraid to come into the forest,” Tori said.
“I fought with the Romans but I don’t know if I think of them as my kinsmen,” Obran said.
Tori mounted her horse.
“I wanted to talk to you before I left but it’s getting late. I should head back.”
“Do you want me to ride back with you?” Obran said.
“No, you’d just have to walk back in the dark,” Tori said. “Better you keep partying with the rest of them.”
“Just til the main road then. I’ll feel better once I see you there,” Obran said. “And I can see perfectly in the dark, don’t worry.”
“Okay, but are you comfortable riding a horse?”
“It’s not my favorite thing to do but I can handle it,” Obran said.
Tori reached her arm out and Obran pulled himself onto the horse, sitting in front of her as they began down the path. Thankfully, the horse was well trained and followed her commands completely—horses were sometimes nervous around gremlins.
“Have you ever ridden a horse by yourself?” Tori said.
“No,” Obran said as he stroked the mare’s neck. “But I rode like this with scouts during the war, mostly at night. They used us then for our sight and hearing.”
Obran looked around the forests as they rode, keeping track of ambush spots; it was a habit he’d not given up since the war, not even in his new home.
“Obran, why I haven’t seen any other gremlins besides you and Erkin. I expected to see more here,” Tori said.
“Not as many gremlins came here as they expected and many who did didn’t stay long. Many also moved back north or went to Roma or other cities in the Kingdom. The ones who stayed come out mainly at night and I still trade produce and other goods with a few of them. But many gremlins had problems adjusting after the war and just live isolated lives now.”
“Sometimes I think I’d like to live alone, in a forest, or really anywhere far from Roma,” Tori said.
Obran felt her arms by his sides as she held the reins of the horse in front of him.
“Is it about the prince?” Obran said.
“Not just him; I miss my home and my family and feel alone here, and now being asked to marry. I’m waiting on word from my father but I feel he’ll want me to marry even if I ‘m not in love with Gaius. Back home I would have never had to make that choice.”
Obran could hear her crying softly.
“Did you come here to Roma alone, Tori?”
“No, I had one attendant, a good friend; but she is very pretty and married a rich Roman only a few weeks after we arrived,” Tori said. “I didn’t try to stop her.”
“You will always have us as friends.”
“Thanks. You are all very kind but I doubt that I will be able to meet you if I’m engaged. I probably won’t be allowed to go anywhere alone, not even to the university, or even the market. I can't stand the idea of going everywhere in a litter. I hope that doesn't happen soon or ever. That’s what I wanted to tell you. I’m sorry you had to hear it from Mara.”
“I understand,” Obran said.
“If it was up to me or if we were back in Carthagio I’d ask you to be in my kingsguard,” Tori said.
“Me? A praetorian? That would be a sight,” Obran said.
“Here, take the reins. I can at least teach you the basics,” Tori said.
Tori placed the reins in his hands and he felt their pull and give as she explained how to handle the horse.
“You are getting it fast,” Tori said.
“I think she is just following your orders,” Obran said.
“She...not he, it’s a mare, and I think she likes you,” Tori said.
They continued on the trail but Obran got off the horse before reaching the main road so no one would see them together.
“So I’ll see you this week?” Obran said.
“Yes, now go back to your friends; they’ll miss you,” Tori said.
“I think they’ll miss you more,” Obran said.
“And I you,” Tori said.
Tori galloped off down the road without looking back.
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