Red Moon Rising(24)

“Travelling to Vanden with her then, are you?” Nicholas raised his eyebrow.

James flushed. “No sword training Nicky.”

Nicholas laughed. “It’s not your decision to make.”

“It’s not yours either.” James replied.

“Do the two of you realize how incredibly insulting you’re being to Bree?” Sophia had joined them in the barn.

She gave her brothers a look of disgust. “Bree is a grown woman. She does not need either of you making decisions on her behalf.”

Tristan grinned. “Your sister is right.”

“Dad, I – “

Tristan held up his hand. “Enough James. If Bree wants to learn sword fighting then Nicky will teach her.”

James swore violently, making Bree shrink back nervously, and stomped from the barn without looking at any of them.

Sophia rolled her eyes. “He’s so dramatic.” She held her hand out to Bree. “Come Bree, mama and I are going to town with Jeffrey and she wants you to come with us.”

“I’m going as well.” Tristan replied.

“Papa,” Sophia gave him a loving look that was tinged with exasperation, “it was five years ago and the attack came from the village to the south. The people in this town have always been welcoming.”

Tristan shrugged and gave the giant black horse one final pat. “I’m still going with you Sophia.”





Chapter 8




“No, I don’t need them.” Bree crossed her arms across her chest and shook her head.

Sophia frowned. “Bree, you can’t walk around barefoot. It’s just going to get colder, and none of our shoes will fit you.”

They were standing in a small store on the edge of town. The shelves in the store were stacked high with clothing for both men and women, and there was a small section at the back that carried shoes and boots.

While Sophia and Avery had started looking through the clothing, Tristan and Jeffrey had gone next door to the food supply store. Although they grew most of their own food, Marian had requested a certain type of spice and Avery needed more tea.

Bree was fascinated by the glass display case that ran the length of the counter. It was filled to the brim with necklaces and bracelets and rings that sparkled and shone under the weak light. She was almost as fascinated by the lights as she was the pretty jewels. She had never been in a building that had electricity, and she had stared for some time at the bulbs that glowed in the ceiling before directing her attention back to the display case.

“Do you like them girl?” The store owner had leaned over the counter and grinned at her. She had given him a polite smile and held her breath. He was smeared with grime, and the smell of ripe cheese was wafting off of him.

He was missing both of his front teeth, and he had touched the tip of his tongue to the gums as he grinned. “Perhaps you’d like to try one on Miss?”

She had shaken her head quickly. “No thank you. I’m only looking.”

“Are you sure?” He had wheedled. “These pretty pieces come from the old city they do.”

She had stared doubtfully at him. She knew of the old cities, but had never actually seen one. There was a rumour that the buildings of the ancients towered so high into the sky, you couldn’t see the top of them. She had often wondered what it would be like to walk among the ancient’s structures, but she would never do so. Too many people who visited the old cities or lived too close to them, died horrible deaths. They vomited for no reason and lost all of their hair. At least that’s what her brother had told her. To think there were people who would risk going to the old cities just for a few shiny objects baffled her.

“It’s true.” The man spoke as though she had expressed her doubt verbally. “These all come from the old cities. The men who brought them to me are long dead of course.”

He had lifted his head and brayed laughter. “Foolish buggers. As soon as the first sores appeared they were driven to the outskirts they were.”

Bree had shuddered. The outskirts were filled with faeries and leeches, and the gods only knew what other types of creatures. She had not objected when Sophia had appeared and pulled her away from the display case.

Now, she shook her head again as Sophia showed her the boots she had picked out.

“I do not have the money for them Sophia.” She said quietly. “And I have gone nearly my entire life without shoes. I will be fine without them.”

“Do you believe you can walk all the way to Vanden without shoes?” Sophia raised her eyebrow at her.

“What’s wrong?” Avery had joined them.

“I found the perfect pair of boots for Bree.” Sophia said. “But she is insisting she does not need them.”