The Well of Shades by Juliet Marillier Read Free Book Online Page B

talking.
    “I’ve brought a few supplies.” That was Faolan. “I hope you don’t mind. I’m heading across country as soon as I leave here, and I haven’t had breakfast. Some fresh bread, a little cheese, and there’s a handful of dried plums here; the child might like those. I’m happy to share.”
    “Eile!”It was
his
voice, shouting as if she were a servant; he who had just taken her with casual indifference. To him, she barely existed save as a receptacle for his lust. “Get out here and serve our guest! We need clean platters, and the fire’s smoking.”
    She did as she was told. There would be another time, another opportunity. Nothing was more certain than that. As long as Faolan did not ask forhis knife back. Tomorrow, the next day, she would do it. Even servants got wages. She would take hers in blood.
    Faolan divided the bread. He cut the cheese, not with his own knife, but with a blunt one Eile passed him. Under his penetrating look she was aware of her chilblained hands, her gnawed nails, her unwashed hair and ill-mended gown. Saraid had come in to stand by Eile’s skirts, big eyeson the food. Faolan could not know that this was a feast such as none of them had seen in many turnings of the moon.
    “Can I give her some?” Eile asked Faolan direct.
    He said nothing, simply cut a slice of cheese, placed it on a portion of bread, and offered it to the child. Saraid had been taught to sit up; to eat slowly. Eile had tried her best. Now, overwhelmed by such bounty, the child snatchedbread and cheese from Faolan’s hand andbolted for the inner chamber, clutching the food to her chest.
    “I’m sorry,” Eile said. “She’s hungry.”
    “Your aunt tells me you’ve broken the news,” Faolan said. He watched as she served Dalach, putting a generous portion on his platter, as she then served the guest himself. The bread smelled like all the best things of summertime put together. Her mouthwas watering. Eile cut cheese for Anda, then a sliver for herself. The crust was red as crab apples, the cheese itself as golden as the sun. She divided the last of the small loaf between her aunt and herself, glancing sidelong at Dalach. If Faolan hadn’t been there, she knew Dalach would have denied her so generous a portion. Now he simply tightened his lips. Eile took one blissful mouthful ofbread; one salty, wonderful bite of cheese. Then, when nobody was looking, she slipped the remainder into the pocket of her apron. Saraid was little. She didn’t eat much. There were two good meals in this.
    “Not eating?” Faolan asked her.
    “I’m not very hungry. But thank you for bringing it.”
    “Forget the pleasantries,” Dalach said, wiping his mouth. “What about Deord? What provision did he makefor his daughter here? You know we’ve been supporting her out of the goodness of our hearts these seven or eight years? We can’t keep the girl forever. Duty only carries a man so far. Times are hard. You’ll know. Or maybe you won’t.” He looked Faolan up and down. “What’s your trade?”
    “Dalach—” hissed Anda, but it was a halfhearted effort; she lived in fear of her husband’s sharp tongue and punishinghand, and seldom remonstrated with him.
    “I have several,” Faolan said, frowning. “I see your circumstances here and they concern me. Is work hard to find?”
    “You making some kind of comment? What, you think I can’t provide for my family?” Dalach glowered,clenching his big fists. There was good reason why folk did not come up to the hut very often.
    “I don’t know you,” Faolan said levelly. “Idid know Deord. Whatever may have happened at this end, I know he would want Eile to be given the chance of a good life, one in which she’s well provided for and able to make something of herself.”
    “If he wanted that, why didn’t he stay and look after her and her mother himself?” Anda’s voice was shaking. “There was need for him here.”
    “You must understand,” Faolan said,