Page 3

THREE

Amuleta removed the saddle from Lulu’s back.

She grinned at the squeal the shukan made at being free.

She gave a good rub along Lulu’s back.

“I thank you for accompanying me today, my friend,” Amuleta said.

She stepped back as Lulu ambled away.

The shukan would go and join the herd that she was a member of.

Once she had made it to the edge of the clearing behind the cottage, she turned and glanced over her shoulder.

Amuleta smiled and waved at the shaggy beast.

But Amuleta already knew what Lulu was waiting for.

The protective animal wanted to ensure she made it safely into the house.

Amuleta went over to the shed and opened the door.

She stored Lulu’s saddle there along with her tools and other things she used.

She shut the door and grabbed her bags from the ground.

Lulu was still in the same place, watching her.

“See you tomorrow,” Amuleta murmured.

She ambled to the front of the cottage to find her mother sitting in her rocking chair.

Gelisha’s brown skin was smooth and flawless.

Her dark hair, peppered with some gray, was pulled back into twin braids.

Her big, almond-shaped brown eyes studied the road off in the distance.

“ Orra, Banhas.”

Hello, Mother.

Gelisha turned her attention to Amuleta and smiled.

“Orra, danhas,” Gelisha replied.

Amuleta walked up the few steps of the porch and dropped her bags near the door.

She went to her familiar place near Gelisha’s feet and took a seat on the pillow next to her chair.

As a child, Amuleta would sit at her feet while she sewed.

Gelisha’s hand came to rest on her shoulder.

She leaned her head against her knee as she ran her hand down Amuleta’s thick ponytail.

“It’s a beautiful day today. It will be a clear ride for your father to return home.”

Amuleta stiffened.

She closed her eyes briefly and fought back tears.

She lifted her head and met Gelisha’s slightly off gaze.

Her parents had been fated mates.

The stars had aligned perfectly on the day they had met.

They’d completed each other, and ever since her father’s death, Gelisha hadn’t been the same since.

Her mind sometimes drifted back to the days when he would come riding up the path to their cottage.

Amuleta glanced behind her and saw nothing but the forest and the empty path that led to their home.

If only he would appear, then maybe her mother could be whole again.

“I’m sure wherever he is, he would return to us if he could, Banhas ,” Amuleta whispered.

Gelisha smiled and caressed her face.

“He’ll be here soon, danhas . Why don’t you go start dinner. I skinned and prepared the pekare you brought home. That was a good-sized one. I’m sure it will feed us for a long time.” She gave her a loving pat on her shoulder.

“Yes, Momma,” Amuleta murmured.

She stood and kissed her soft cheek, then took her bags and went inside.

There had been many a day where Gelisha would sit and wait for Xagok to come home.

He’d always return on the day he would promise.

Every time.

Accept for that one day.

Amuleta hurried and put her things away before arriving in the kitchen.

Preparing dinner would help distract her from the sorrow of her parents’ story.

She only wished she would find her mate.

She longed to have what her parents had.

Their home had been one filled with love and peace.

While her father went off to fulfill his duties, her mother took care of their home and spent time home schooling Amuleta.

Gelisha taught Amuleta everything she knew from sewing, to cooking, to reading and writing three different languages.

Amuleta was fluent in Universal, Orcish, and Peyali, the ancient Fae language that was taught to Gelisha by her grandmother.

Amuleta lost herself in the preparation of their supper.

Gelisha had been busy while Amuleta had been to the market.

There was freshly chopped wood placed inside the open pit in the corner of the kitchen.

Amuleta only had to light it to get it going.

She placed the rack above the fire where she’d sit the iron skillet.

It didn’t take long for the wood to simmer down.

While it burned to a manageable heat, she made herself busy prepping their veggies that she’d roast along with the meat.

Gelisha had prepped the pekare in perfect slices that wouldn’t take long to cook.

She had prepared more than they would need.

Amuleta would cook it all still, and they would be able to have some for tomorrow.

Amuleta had rubbed the pieces down with some dry herbs that would enhance the flavor.

Her mouth watered at the thought of the finished meal.

She took the iron skillet and set it on top of the rack so it could heat up.

She moved on autopilot as she got their meal together.

She listened for Gelisha who had yet to come in the house yet.

Moving back to the skillet, she began pan frying the meat.

The scent permeated the air.

The pekare she had caught in her trap had been small and plump.

They ran wild and were plentiful.

She quickly finished searing the meat then tossed in her freshly picked vegetables.

She and Gelisha tended their garden that was located in the back on their property.

The sound of the front door opened signaling Gelisha was entering.

“Supper will be done in a few minutes,” Amuleta called out.

She wiped her hands on a towel and turned as her mother entered the kitchen.

She paused and met her stare.

There were tears brimming on the edge of her eyelids.

Amuleta’s heart all but leaped in her throat.

She knew the look and had seen it often.

“I did it again, didn’t I?” Gelisha sniffed.

Amuleta nodded, not needing clarification.

Gelisha’s gaze was as clear as an Udenia sky at this moment.

She slowly came into the kitchen and took Amuleta’s hands.

“Not a day goes by where I don’t miss him.”

“I miss him, too,” Amuleta whispered.

Gelisha brought her in close for a tight hug.

Amuleta squeezed her eyes shut and basked in the feeling of her embrace.

Her mother’s thin frame shuddered.

She pulled back and cupped Amuleta’s face.

“Your father would be so proud of you.” She pressed a kiss to Amuleta’s cheek.

“Now. What can I help you with?”

“Um, you can snag the plates and set the table,” Amuleta suggested.

She turned back to the skillet and stirred the vegetables.

She drizzled a sweet and sour sauce she had prepared the previous day over the veggies.

They were perfectly cooked, and the sauce would enhance their taste.

She began scooping them out of the skillet and into a serving bowl.

“How was the market?” Gelisha placed two plates on the counter near Amuleta.

“I sold out of everything.” Amuleta grinned.

She made their plates while sharing with her the success of today.

She had earned more than she had thought she would.

Gelisha’s eyes widened when she revealed how much she had brought home.

“Oh my. We need to celebrate.” Gelisha spun on her heel and disappeared through the door that led down into their cellar underneath the house.

Amuleta shook her head and knew Gelisha was going to grab a bottle of wine they had stored for celebratory occasions.

She took their plates and moved over to the little dining table.

She set their plates down and went over to collect two glasses for them.

It didn’t take long for Gelisha to return with a small dark bottle.

“This should go well with the pekare.” She set the bottle down on the table and took her seat.

She reached over and poured them both a hefty amount of wine in their glasses.

“Good choice, Banhas ,” Amuleta said.

She sat opposite her.

It was always a pleasure to share a meal with her.

They began eating in a comfortable silence.

The food was cooked to perfection, and Amuleta must have been hungrier than she thought.

She missed the days where her father joined them.

She didn’t want to become sad again thinking of him, so she turned her thoughts to how they could spend the extra coin she had earned.

“Why don’t we go into the village and pick out that fabric you were wanting,” she suggested.

It would do Gelisha some good to get out of the house.

It wasn’t often she went into town.

Her mother perked up at the mention of new fabric.

Excitement lined her face.

She gave a nod. “That would be wonderful. I can make us both new dresses.” She stabbed a slice of pekare with her fork.

She took a bite and closed her eyes.

“ Danhas , you did good with this meal.”

“I had a wonderful teacher.” Amuleta smiled.

She had spent many days beside Gelisha learning all that she could.

Amuleta always enjoyed cooking the foods that she grew and found wild out in the forest.

“That you did.” There was a twinkle in Gelisha’s eyes.

They continued their meal while chatting.

Gelisha shared what all she had done today.

She had been busy out in their garden and the walk she had gone on.

Amuleta worried about her and her walks when she was not around.

What if she forgot how to get back home?

Gelisha always brushed her off when she suggested she waited for her.

“I want to take you somewhere. I found wild urdilla flowers growing not too far away.”

“And you didn’t bring any home?” Amuleta gasped.

Urdilla flowers were her favorite.

They were lush with large wide petals that came in an array of colors.

They only grew in remote areas, and if they were close enough, Amuleta had to go and find them.

“I figured we can try to transplant them. We have an area at the edge of the yard where I believe they could survive and grow. Then you can have your own.” Gelisha sipped her wine.

Her eyes held that twinkle again.

She knew her daughter too well.

Amuleta would definitely try to grow her own if she could.

“How about we go to town in the morning, come home, then we can go for a walk and you can show me where they are.”

Gelisha hesitated at first, and Amuleta knew why.

They both always drew stares when they were in town.

Her mother more than she, but Amuleta was sure it was the thought of new fabric that had Gelisha giving a nod.

Tomorrow would be a wonderful day for them.

It had been a long time since they’d both gone into town together, and she looked forward to it.

Amuleta reached for her wine and took a hefty sip.

“Are you sure Lulu won’t go anywhere?” Gelisha stood next to Lulu.

Her faithful shukan must have sensed that she was needed.

When Amuleta had stepped outside their cottage, the shukan was lying out in the yard.

Amuleta wasn’t sure when Lulu had returned, but the shukan had been ready for the trek into town.

They had left early as the twin suns were rising.

Gelisha insisted that it was going to be an abnormally warm day.

Today Amuleta wore a pale-pink sleeveless dress with a belt around her waist. Her hair she had braided around her head in a crown-like design.

“Lulu will graze and go mind her business. She’ll come back when I call.” Amuleta grinned.

They had made it to town in good time.

They could take their time and walk through the village before stopping at the fabric shop.

Amuleta had plans to surprise her mother and take her out for a meal.

It had definitely been a long while since either of them had eaten at a restaurant.

Amuleta gave Lulu a pat on her hind legs.

She snorted and ambled off toward the trees.

She’d be fine. Amuleta turned to Gelisha and motioned for them to begin their journey.

“Come. We can enjoy the day.”

The moment she uttered the words she began to feel eyes on her.

She inhaled sharply and tried to keep her smile on her lips.

They strode together while heading toward the center of town were many shops and taverns were located.

“Not much has changed,” Gelisha said softly.

Amuleta would have given anything to know what she was thinking of.

She wasn’t sure if she was speaking of the town itself or how people were openly staring.

Udenia was a diverse area, but orcs made up the majority of the town.

There just weren’t many humans there.

Matter of fact, Amuleta tried to think of the last time she’d seen one other than her mother.

If she had, they were probably passing through.

“Don’t let their stares bother you,” Gelisha murmured.

She entwined her arm with Amuleta’s and pulled her close.

Today was a day her mother’s mind was clear.

She’d had much experience dealing with the townsfolk.

When Amuleta was a child, they would go to town, and she never understood why they rendered stares the way they did.

Amuleta, a youngling, didn’t understand.

Gelisha would hold her close and tell her to hold her head up high.

Amuleta inhaled deeply and leaned into her.

She could feel the strength radiating from her.

This woman had been through things that Amuleta could never imagine.

They went about their business and ignored those who were just downright ignorant.

Amuleta had grown used to it.

As she ventured to the market each week over the solars, she ignored the stares and whispers.

All she truly cared about was earning enough money to ensure she and her mother were well taken care of.

“Oh, look at that,” Gelisha exclaimed.

They had arrived at the fabric store, and the window display held beautiful dresses and hats.

Her mother’s smile widened, and she tugged Amuleta with her toward the door.

A giggle escaped Amuleta at Gelisha’s excitement.

This made their trip all the more worth it.

They went inside, and Gelisha immediately disappeared into the rows of cloth and fabric.

Amuleta had a hard time keeping up with the woman.

When it came to fabrics, this was Gelisha’s haven.

She could be heard muttering to herself in the many different languages she spoke.

It drew a chuckle from Amuleta because Gelisha never realized when she switched languages.

It was a gift, for Amuleta had learned them from her as a child.

She arrived at Gelisha’s side, and promptly, several bundles of cloth landed in her arms.

“Umf.” Amuleta chuckled as Gelisha scurried to another row.

She followed behind her and was thankful she would be able to purchase these things for her.

“Amuleta. Come see this one. I think it would look quite lovely on you. I can make a beautiful tunic and skirt combination,” Gelisha called out.

Amuleta moved along the aisles until she found her.

She hadn’t realized Gelisha had made it so far from her.

"Do we really need all of this?" Amuleta asked.

Not that it mattered.

She would buy her the world if she could.

After everything she had been through, her mother deserved it.

“Just hold on to them for now. I will make the final decision in a minute." Gelisha waved her over to her side.

She held up a soft brown material for Amuleta to inspect. It was a beautiful lightweight material. Amuleta used her free hand to feel it. The softness made her gasp.

“I like this,” she murmured. She took the material from her and added it to their growing pile.

“I figured you would. It goes with your brown eye perfectly." Gelisha smiled.

Amuleta glanced down at it again. Her mother was right. It matched her one brown eye. Amuleta had a rare genetic abnormality where she’d been born with one amber-colored eye that hinted at her orc heredity while her brown eye paid homage to her human genes.

Not much longer, and Gelisha had finished her browsing and made her decision on fabrics. Amuleta paid for them and ushered her from the store once the clerk was finished wrapping their bundles up so they wouldn’t get damaged.

“Now where are we off to?" Gelisha asked as they began heading along the sidewalk.

Amuleta turned to her with a proud grin.

“We are going to lunch. My treat."