The Second Life of Magnolia Mae (12 page)

The people of Avengar nodded and smiled while the men who came with Alistair and Jaceson had shocked expressions on their faces. Jaceson, Alistair, and Nonna all smiled with approval.

Music and dancing went far into the night. Magnolia watched, not feeling up to dancing much herself. Delighted that Jaceson had asked Railynn to dance, she was content to sit back and listen to Nonna tell stories of the history of their people to the children who had gathered around them.

“Our Daciana was always a brave one. She was given her first bow and quiver at the age of four. At seven she joined her mother to gather berries. We were in the Highlands of Scotland that summer by invitation of a friend of King Rupert’s. Daciana and her mother were out gathering when Vivian realized that they were being stalked. A wildcat jumped out at them, teeth bared. Vivian backed away, pushing young Daciana behind her as the wildcat leaped into the air at them. As Vivian screamed, so did the cat. An arrow to its heart caused it to fall to the ground dead. Daciana stood proudly with her bow in hand.”

“I don’t remember that,” she whispered softly, her eyes locked on Nonna’s.

“Who taught her how to use the bow?” a young, wide-eyed girl asked.

“Her father. He felt it was important for Daciana to be able to protect not only herself but her people. He trained her to be as capable as any man in a battle.”

“Girls can’t fight,” piped up a boy whose face was smeared with dirt. His clothes were just as filthy.

“When you find a woman who can hold her own in a fight, well, that is a woman you should either marry or run away from.” Alistair sat down next to the little group and winked in Magnolia’s direction.

“Will you be marrying her then?” the girl asked with a large smile on her face.

”Did you not see the ring I gifted her with?”

The children nodded.

“That is more than just a pretty trinket. The hands represent friendship, the crown represents loyalty, and the heart represents love. The wolf on the heart, well, I added that just for Daciana. She told me once that wolves mate for life. I think she has the heart of a wolf, don’t you?” His blue eyes twinkled as he spoke with the children gathered around.

“Will you live here?” the boy asked, sitting straighter.

“You want me to live in Avengar?”

They all nodded.

“I think that’s acceptable. I don’t think any of you will allow me to leave with Daciana.”

“You cannot have our princess.” The boy stood with his hands on his hips, feet aligned with his little shoulders. His head was held high, and several other young boys stood beside him.

“Gwain,” the girl groaned at him. “Sit down before you get in trouble.”

Magnolia stood and walked the few steps to young Gwain. She kneeled so she was at eye-level with him. “You would protect me?”

“With my life, Princess.” Gwain’s young face appeared so fierce at that moment that she had to bite back her smile.

“I have not met with such loyalty in a long time. Young Gwain, how would you like to be captain of the junior guards?”

The little boy’s dark eyes grew big and his mouth nearly dropped open before he caught himself. “I would like it very much, m’lady.”

“Very well. Tomorrow you will meet with Jaceson. He will inform you of your duties and training.” She watched as young Gwain bowed deeply then ran off to tell his friends. The other children excitedly followed after him.

“Do you realize what you just did?” Alistair asked, lifting his cup to his lips.

“I made Gwain a very happy young boy. He will grow to be a confident young man.” Her eyes followed young Gwain, watching as he excitedly told people of his new position.

“You made more work for my brother.”

Her glance flew to Alistair to see his smile broaden.

“Do you find that amusing?” She quirked an eyebrow up.

“Immensely.” She enjoyed the smug look on Alistair’s face and decided she should talk to Jaceson before morning.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

T
HE FOLLOWING DAY
M
AGNOLIA
was tired but dragged herself from her bed in order to see how things would go for young Gwain. After dressing and fixing her hair, she pulled on a heavy green wool cloak. She’d spent nearly a month in bed, and she was not in a hurry to get ill again. She had done that when she was a child.

The air had the smell of oncoming snow. Men hurried about tending to last-minute items before the first snowfall of the season. She could see that all the homes had been repaired. A few men were carrying firewood into an abandoned house, and, from the looks of it, the others were full, along with the usual stacks of firewood that every family had outside their own homes. She knew from listening to villagers talk that an old building, once used to house animals, had been filled with firewood for the castle. The cellars and storerooms had been filled with food.

Soon, she was in an open area not far from the stables where a group of men were gathered. It was not hard to pick out Jaceson from the group. He was training men. He and Alistair were determined to ensure the safety of Avengar. Finally, she found what she’d come searching for: young Gwain, fresh-faced and clothed in crisp clean garments, stood close to Alistair with his eyes trained on him. A steely look of determination was on the young boy’s face. Occasionally, he would nod as if to show that he understood what he was being told. Magnolia watched as the boy picked up his bow and notched the arrow. He was steady, his eyes never leaving the target before him. She could see him breathe out as he released the arrow. How she wanted to cheer when he hit the target, but she stopped herself when she saw the disappointment in his eyes.

“I missed.” His voice carried over to her.

“No, lad, you hit the target. Given time and a lot of practice, you will hit the center nearly every time.” Alistair stooped down so that he was at eye level with Gwain. “The important thing is that you listened to instructions, you never questioned me, and you tried your best. For never having held a bow before, I believe you have great potential.”

Gwain beamed up at him, then went back to practicing.

Magnolia watched them a while before she departed to walk through the village. She stopped to talk to some of the women and asked how they were doing. She wondered if there was anything that they needed. They were all content. Nobody had a single complaint, making Magnolia very happy. Many of the women expressed gratitude toward Jaceson for ensuring that the houses were sealed tight for the winter. Thankful that he had done as he’d told her he would, she went in search of him to tell him so.

Sitting by the fire in the great hall, Magnolia was trying her hand at sewing. Christmas was approaching, and she wanted to give her friends something. Here, whatever she gave would have to be made. She could not simply walk to a store down the road, throw money down on the counter, and walk out with a gift. She knew that things would be different here.

She’d talked to Nonna and Railynn about Christmases past. The holiday had not yet been commercialized; Christmas trees weren’t even popular. Railynn giggled about mistletoe, spoke about large feasts where people would be invited, and how at the castle in Marcello there would be dancing. Nonna spoke about church, listening to the story of the birth of Jesus Christ, and singing carols.

This Christmas would be a wonderful one for her people. It was the first Christmas that they had a real home, a place of their own. She was going to start new traditions with them, beginning this year. She started planning with Nonna and some of the other women earlier that morning. They were all working on making dolls for the little girls and handkerchiefs for the young ladies and women. Magnolia had spoken to Alistair about having someone make wooden short swords for the little boys, while the women made warm gloves for the older boys and men. She wanted to ensure that this would be a happy time for them.

Supplies from Marcello had arrived while she’d been ill with fever. A list of everything that King Pelonis had sent was brought to her shortly after the fever broke. It was a delight to see that he’d sent chocolate and tea. Railynn told her that the king was trying to secure her alliance even further by offering her such fineries. He was showing her what she would be able to have if she married Alistair. Magnolia decided that she was going to be putting some of that chocolate to good use for Christmas.

Sighing, she ripped out the seams yet again. Sewing was much easier with a machine. This had to be perfect. It was for Nonna. If anyone deserved to have something grand made, it was her. Magnolia practiced on an old bit of scrap. Once she got used to it and figured everything out, she would set to work on the silk. Determined to shove her frustration aside, she tore out seams yet again before trying all over. She had to get the purse perfect the first time once she started on the silk, and she could not even get it with old scraps.

It seemed like hours passed, but finally she was working on the gloves. Knitting was something that she knew how to do. Before the fire, with knitting needles in hand, she felt at home. Many nights had been passed like this before, and it seemed like many nights would continue to pass in this manner in the future.

“What has you in such deep thought?” Alistair plopped ungracefully into a chair close to her.

“Thinking about Christmas, about what we can do for the people here.”

“It seems to me that you are doing a lot as it is. Why? What are you thinking of adding to your ever growing list of things to do?”

Her gaze wandered over to the man who sat next to her. He was certainly handsome. He cared deeply for Daciana and was kind and giving and very loyal. Would she ever love him? Could he love her the way he loved Daciana? “Hmm, I was just thinking that we could make a special treat.”

“What sort of special treat?” His eyebrow quirked up toward the ceiling.

“Not sure yet, but even if I knew, you would have to wait just like everyone else.” She frowned, looking back down to the material that was still on her lap. She had set it there before she’d started to knit. “I am not sure what to do for Nonna. I keep trying to get this right, and I do not want to ruin the silk you gave me.”

“You will figure it out. If not, then we will figure it out together. You will be able to give it to her as planned.” He smiled, showing a tiny dimple. “Did I thank you for young Gwain?”

Hiding a smirk, she gave her full attention to the knitting. “Thank me? Whatever for?”

“For sneaking around to get Jaceson to send him to me.” A blush crept up her neck to her cheeks. “Mostly, for believing in him. He is a very capable young lad. I expect great things from him someday. “

“I expect great things from him now.” Her green eyes finally looked at him.

“What do you expect of him now?”

“You will see soon enough.”

“What is going on over here?” Jaceson lumbered over to the two of them. He took up the glove that Magnolia had just finished. “The swords that you asked for should be done soon. Do you need help with anything else?”

“Railynn says we need mistletoe to decorate. Other than that, I’ve found all that we need. It’s just having the time to make everything.”

“I can get some mistletoe with the help of a few of the lads. We’ll wait until a few days before Christmas to gather it though.”

She watched as Jaceson picked up the remnants that she had been trying to sew. His hands moved with a surety that she certainly did not feel. “Will there be dancing?”

“That’s a good idea.”

“It looks like it will snow soon. Then the mountains will be near impassable until spring. Are you ready to be in one place for such a long time without being able to pick up and leave?” Jaceson was still sewing together the purse that Magnolia had been trying so hard to make for Nonna.

A soft, happy sigh escaped her, “Yes, a real home is something these people needed. That is why this Christmas needs to be special. It’s a new beginning, a new way of life. This winter will be hard. Nonna said that winters have always been spent in slightly warmer climates. Everyone was able to move on to the next place without worrying about too much snow. Living here is new. Exciting, but scary at the same time.” She glanced over at Alistair and smiled. “Thank you for all the help you have so freely given.”

Alistair locked his blue eyes on her. “I would do anything to help you.” Then his serious expression vanished. “Though, I am thinking that Jaceson just solved your problem about Nonna’s gift. Ask him to help.”

Jaceson held the newly sewn-together purse. He smiled at the two of them before tossing it onto her lap.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

A
LISTAIR AND
J
ACESON WERE
standing in the barren library. “This room needs to be cleaned.”

“The shipment should be here any day with the last of our supplies from Marcello. We will have it ready by Christmas,” Jaceson said confidently.

Upon learning that reading was something that Daciana loved, Alistair had decided that he needed to fill the library with books for her. Someday they would be married, he hoped in the spring, if not sooner. He wanted to show her that he would do what he could to offer her the comforts that she was never able to have living on the road.