Page 21 of The Starling and the Hatter

“The sun hasn’t even risen, Elise,” Marshall said as he stood, rubbing at his eyes.

“I know,” I said, digging my thumb into the palm of my other hand. “I know, I was just hoping…” My voice trailed off as he came closer, and I took a step back when he reached out a hand.

But he didn’t grab my arm the way my brothers would have. He just looped a fatherly arm around my shoulders and nudged me back toward my bedroll. “That’s a nice idea, but there’s no need for us to be up so early. Go back to sleep. We’ll get going in a couple hours.”

I wordlessly did as he directed, shocked by his calm voice and even calmer demeanor. I lay down stiffly, watching as he climbed into his own bedroll.

Looking over at Maddox, I saw him blinking sleepily at me. “He’s right,” he murmured. “Might as well get a little more rest.” Then he rolled over and settled down again.

I rolled over as well, my heart slowing as I realized that this might be the way it was from now on, and wondering if I’d ever get used to it.

Maddox

After two days of travel, we arrived in Stormbrook and set up our tent amongst all the others. Each evening, we invited Elise to sit with us at the fire with some of the others, but the first several evenings, she declined. It felt like she was hiding from everyone, but I couldn’t figure out why.

During the days, she would wander the festival, seeming confident in the daylight with her costume. She always returned for meals, and was so skilled at cooking over an open fire that I was happy to eat whatever she made.

It was the last day of the Stormbrook festival and Elise had yet to return, though the lunch hour was waning. So I started to pull some supplies out, not wanting her to think that Dad and I were incapable of feeding ourselves. I was slicing some bread when she returned, hurrying around the back of the tent.

“Afternoon,” I said.

“Oh,” she said, stopping in her tracks. “I’m sorry. I lost track of time.”

“Nothing to worry about,” I said, but I wasn’t sure she heard me. She immediately took the knife from my hands and took over the task.

“I know we had an agreement, and I don’t want you or your father to think that I’m not going to hold up my end.” Her smile was too bright when she looked at me.

“It’s really not—”

“I’ll be sure to keep better track of time from now on.”

I kept silent, watching her nervous movements. Nothing I said seemed to make a difference, so instead I just sat back and whistled, not knowing how else to put her at ease.

Maybe it had been a mistake to invite her along with us. Maybe traveling with two strange men was too nerve-wracking. I hated that she seemed to feel so indebted to us, like we were keeping track of everything she ate and every chore she accomplished. Perhaps she would have been better off staying with Dorothy and Kat. Perhaps.

After she’d handed me my portion, she plated a second helping and stood. “I’ll take this to your father.”

“I’m sure he’ll appreciate it as much as I do,” I said with a big grin, which thankfully earned a small smile from her in return.

Later that evening, I invited her to wander with me, hoping I could help her to push past whatever fear kept her from interacting with the others.

“Oh,” she said, looking surprised. “Where?”

I gave a shrug. “We could go watch the night performers. The Starfire troupe isn’t here, but I think I saw at least one juggler who likes to use fire on occasion.”

“Juggle with fire?”

My brow furrowed, wondering why this was a surprise to her. She’d grown up at these festivals. “You haven’t seen a fire juggler before?”

She shook her head and looked away. “I always stuck close to the wagon after sunset.”

Interesting. I understood caution when it came to a young girl, but it seemed odd that her parents hadn’t given her a chance to see some of the most fascinating acts. “Would you like to see?” I asked.

She nodded with enthusiasm.

As we wandered, it was clear that most of the crowds were around the brewers’ tents. But we were easily able to find the juggler. He was using small torches, flipping them up in the air and then catching them by the handle. I’d seen it many times, but it was always fascinating. Twice the people closest to us got a little rowdy, and in response, Elise would edge closer to me. Not close enough to touch, but close enough that I could feel her anxiety. I wasn’t sure if it was people in general she was wary of, or if it was the way the men pushed and roughed around.

We continued wandering and ended up finding Jacobi. He was breathing fire for a group of younger women who seemed more interested in his shirtless torso than the fire-breathing. It was a common tactic of his and one he used successfully. Elise and I watched for a few minutes, but as he was taking his bows, I asked, “Shall we head back?” and she nodded.