Page 9 of The Noldrin Witch

Elise was skilled at learning and moving through difficult situations with ease, but lying was far from her usual practice.

A slight tremor betrayed her as she neared the gate and the grumbling guards, who looked more tired of their thankless chore than concerned with the truth.

It was almost her turn for questioning when she felt a presence behind her, her instincts stirring as they did at the promise of bad weather. She turned and discovered to her surprise who had decided to keep her company.

“Morgaine,” she gasped.

Morgaine stared at Elise with a small smile. Elise was not one to judge anyone harshly for their chosen trade, but she preferred not to be mistaken for part of it. She gave a polite nod and turned to wait in silence.

Elise looked about and focused on the people from Falaine left waiting by the wall. It was a foretaste of what awaited her should her plans fail. The man who had brought bread as an offering now sat sobbing, taking small bites of it.

Before long, Elise found herself facing the two guards. The strong men softened at her presence, and she felt a small relief that lent her confidence in her speech.

“Name,” one of them asked.

“Elise de Varenne,” she said solemnly.

“Aghh,” Morgaine groaned from behind.

The man seemed unsettled and suddenly appeared suspicious.

“Where are you coming from?” the guard continued.

Elise swallowed hard as she prepared to deliver her story. Unfortunately, her hands betrayed her, and before she could utter a single word, they began to tremble like a rattle.

“Forgive this child,” Morgaine cut in. “She has a wicked stammer. It has troubled her since she was a youngster. She comes with me.”

Elise’s eyes widened at the unexpected intrusion. The woman she had taken for a lady of negotiable affections was now vouching for her, and seeing her options were slim, Elise leaned on gratitude rather than pride.

“And who are you?” the guard asked Morgaine.

“I’m your dream come true,” she replied with the ease of a seasoned professional.

The guards exchanged a look and chuckled. Elise admired her boldness regardless of her trade. She figured that Morgaine was never at lack of clientele.

Despite this most timely opportunity to join a profitable line of work, Elise was silently horrified to let the guards believe she had that sort of training. She calmed herself with the obvious notion that this was merely a means of entering the city. After that, she would thank Morgaine and do her best to forget any association with it.

“Where are you visiting us from?” the guard continued asking Morgaine, who by now stood at Elise’s side.

“From nowhere and everywhere, my love.”

This time the guards were less amused and asked without much politeness for Morgaine to step closer for inspection. As one of the men began to grope Morgaine’s leg with the tenderness of kneading bread, Elise stepped back, hoping to avoid the same attention.

“There are people who charge for this type of thing, you know?” Morgaine said lightly.

The guard laughed and stopped his inspection.

“I’m from here,” Morgaine said.

The man chuckled. “Why didn’t you just say so?”

“And miss a free service?” Morgaine smiled back.

“Where is the girl from?”

“She was born here, but her mother took her to Falaine. She’s to be under my ward after the passing of her family.”

“Falaine, ah.” The guard tensed a look at Elise.