When they walked inside, all heads turned their way and observed them. Madie noticed the young man that spoke to her earlier seated in a corner with an older, but still very attractive, woman. The woman whispered something to his ear and quickly rushed towards them, grabbed Berno and smiled widely. As expected, Berno hardly paid any attention to her and held his protégée closely around shoulders while rushing towards a massive wooden staircase in the corner. Their room was quite large, with a fireplace, two small beds and a window facing tall pine trees.
“This is the best room we have with comfortable beds reserved for the most important guests. Do you also wish to have a dinner downstairs? We have our famous rabbit stew with the best local wine. And I am sure that after young miss will fell better, she can enjoy company of fine young men and women tonight.” She said and gave them another wide smile.
“No, she will stay in the room. Now go to prepare the medicine, you can see that my niece is not feeling well.” Berno snapped back.
The smile on innkeeper’s face froze a bit and Madie could swear that she winked at her before leaving the room. Just few moments later she returned carrying a tray with two large jugs and five cups.
“Here you go, honey, this will help you.” She said, giving Madie a cup with hot drink with strange smell.
“Wait.”Berno stepped towards them quickly. “Let me see it first.”
“You don’t trust me, handsome? It is just water from our well and some herbs, nothing to worry about.” She replied.
“Anyone could have add a poison to it.”
“Oh, my dearest, why would anyone want to harm this beautiful flower? But If you don’t trust me, you can come with me and I will make a new one while you will be watching. Just leave this beauty to rest for a moment.” She waves to Madie.
Berno looked at her and slowly nodded, walking out of the room. It was the first time Madie was alone on the journey and she wished to go downstairs, but her heart was racing inside her chest and her palms were sweaty. The world she wished to see was few steps away, yet she was scared to do even one step outside the room. No, she thought, I will wait until the evening and then, when Berno and soldiers will fall asleep, she will sneak out.
Meanwhile, she lied in a bed and tried to look miserable, but was disturbed by a knock on the door. She was sure it was one of her guardians so she jumped out of the bed and swiftly opened the door, trying to mimic a tortured face. But she almost screamed when she saw the man who had talked to her earlier that day. “Please, don’t be afraid, little one. I’ve just seen than grumpy pal of yours walking away and those two other guys already drinking Ema’s amazing wine. So I thought I pay you a visit to learn some of that fine acting tricks.” he winked.
Madie carefully observed him and couldn’t decide If he was a potential friend or foe.
“Thank you. I’ve learned that from my father to avoid my mother’s lectures on how to behave as a pri...proper young woman.” She finished, hoping that Berno will return soon.
“Really? Your father seems to be a very serious man.” He raised his eyebrows.
“How do you know my fath... Oh, you think Berno is my father? No, he’s my...uncle.” She finished.
“Oh, little one, you can tell me the truth.”
She froze in an instant and panicked. How did the stranger know who she is? Will he try to rob them? Or abduct her? Did he do something to her companions?
“Calm down, I was joking. Such beautiful maiden cannot be married to an old grumpy man like him. That would be a crime against the nature.” He laughed.
“Oh, you thought that he is my husband?” she smiled with relief.
“Well, he certainly acts like an old jealous husband.” He narrowed his eyes.
“He is a good man, just a little overprotective.” She shrugged apologetically.
“Anyway, I think that you shall spend more time with people of our age, don’t you agree? There is a small celebration tonight If you want to join us.”
For a moment, she was tempted to say yes, but noticed a loud voice of the innkeeper coming closer.
“Well, hope to see you in the evening, little one. I trust you will feel better.“ he smiled and walked away.
Madie quickly closed the door and jumped back to the bed, trying to hide the excitement.
“And so the legend tells that Abnoda is waiting for another person to wake her up and in return, she will fulfil you any wish. But no one knows how to find her. They say that there is a road to her sanct...”
“Please, I am really not interested in local made up children tales.”
“You shall pay respect to the stories of our ancestors, honey. They are our heritage, just like this house or your sword.”
“I bought this sword last winter.”
“And you are already writing its story!”
The door opened and Madie saw Berno’s grim face followed by the cheerful innkeeper. She could see he was regretting the idea to stay there already. He handled a crude wooden cup with medicine to Madie and turned around to push the innkeeper out. But she wasn’t going to let go easily.
“I can see you are tired, sweetheart. Let me stay with your lovely young lady and you can go downstairs and have some fun.”
“I don’t have fun, but duties to fulfil.” He grunted and literarily pushed her out of the room and smashed the door. When he turned his angry gaze towards Madie, she didn’t wait and immediately drank the bitter medicine and handled him the empty cup. Well, her plan wasn’t going the way she expected. But the day hadn’t finished yet.
It was early in the evening when someone knocked quietly. Madie woke up immediately and looked at the chair Berno was supposed to sit on. To her relief, he was still there but seemed to be asleep. The knocking became louder and she started to panic. When the door finally opened, she was relieved to see the friendly innkeeper carefully entering the room, smiling at her.
“Don’t worry, honey, it’s just me. Ah, I see your adorably grumpy uncle is asleep – the mixture of my strong wine and herbs always do the trick. The poor man needed to rest. And you need to be with people of your age having some fun.”
“I’m not sure If that’s a good idea. Maybe I shall stay in the room to look after my uncle.” Madie replied, fighting with herself.
“Come on honey, he will be fine. You need to live while you are young and take every opportunity life brings your way. At least try it and come down for a short time, I’ll keep an eye on you.” Emma winked.
“But what about my two other companions?”
“Those two? They are drunk in a corner for a while now.” Eva laughed. “So you’re coming?”
Madie got up from the bed and looked at sleeping Berno.
“I guess I can go downstairs for a short time...”she whispered quietly.
Eva only smiled and grabbed her hand, closing the door quietly on their way out. Madie’s heart was beating quicker than usually and she was re-thinking this adventure.
“Don’t be nervous, all girls and boys downstairs are very nice and they will welcome you warmly.” Emma whispered to her and opened the door to the spacious entry hall.
A cheerful music and smell of food took her by surprise. Obviously, the massive wooden door served its purpose and kept the noise from disturbing the overnight guests. Madie knew it was the same hall, yet it felt completely different. Joyful faces of young people chatted loudly, trying to out loud three musicians with red sweaty faces playing their instruments with enthusiasm she had never seen on the court back home. The melody was fast and made her want to join the circle of few dancers in the centre of the room, but she didn’t recognize the steps.
“Go on honey, don’t be afraid. It is a small harvest celebration we have, to honour spirits of earth and forest granting us enough food and ask for a merciful winter.” Emma smiled.
“Spirits? But I thought there is only one almighty God.” She answered loudly.
“Well, just because there is one God, it doesn’t mean there can’t be hundreds of spirits still affecting our lives. And now quit philosophy and have some wine!” she laughed and stuck a cup in her hand.
“Ah, little one, I’m glad you could make it after all!” a familiar voice shouted to her left ear. The young man with messy hair stood next to her, holding a cup with one hand and a young girl around waist with the other.
“Oh, hello...”
“It’s Adam. So where is your grumpy uncle? He seemed to guard you like an angry jealous dragon.” He shouted loudly and girl standing next to him giggled.
“Well, then maybe you should know than dragons always guard the most amazing treasures.” Madie replied, surprised by her own courage.
“Oh look at that. The little one has some claws! Maybe she can be interesting after all!” he laughed, dropped his drink, pushed the giggling girl away and grabbed confused Madie with both hands, pulling her right to the centre of the room. She was so shocked by this behaviour she could only open her mouth and gasp. But Adam was faster and waved at musicians.
“All right guys, lets show our guest how we honour the spirits!” he smiled widely and finally looked at shocked Madie’s face.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing?!”she shouted at him angrily.
“Isn’t it cute when little one gets angry.” he winked and pull her body closer.
Before she could do or say anything to object, musicians started to play a fast melody.
Adam cheerfully laughed when he looked at Madie’s tightened lips and narrow eyes.
“Come on, you need to have some fun from time to time. And now just follow my lead and try not to step on my feet too many times!” he smiled and tightened the grip on her waist.
“Hey, what do you think you’re doing?! No one is allowed to treat me like this!” she shouted angrily.
“Oh, I am sorry you highness.” he laughed and spin her around.
“Your apology is not accepted” she relied automatically, with chin slightly raised. Adam observed her face with greater interest, then laughed loudly and raised her in the air. She involuntary screamed and panicked for a moment, but when her feet were back on the ground, to her surprise she was laughing, as well.
“You see, little one, it can be fun! And now look at my feet and try to follow the steps!” Adam smiled. Madie tried her best to follow the quick rhythm that resembled peasants songs she remembered as a child.
“I think I remember this song! It’s about a girl spending her last day on freedom with her beloved before getting married to another man. But I never remembered the end.” She said.
“In the end, the girl runs away with her love and live a poor, but happy life. How come you’ve never heard it till the end? “ he asked surprised, lifting her in the air again.
“My mother never let me. I was forbidden to attend any celebration since I was seven.” She finished, breathing heavily.
“That’s why you’re so clumsy in dancing!” he laughed.
She frowned at him, but kept dancing. This was the first time in past three years she had fun and didn’t think about her father and fate of their princedom. Her forehead and palms were wet and her breath short, but she couldn’t shake away the smile on her face and wanted that moment to last longer.
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