stood looking at the hesitant brawlers. ‘You idiots. I said I’d go with both of you.’
‘But you said it to me, first,’ said Tad. ‘That means you’ll dance with me first.’
‘No it doesn’t,’ said Zane, ready to resume the fisticuffs.
‘Stop this before it starts again!’ shouted the older woman. ‘Now get out and clean yourselves up!’ Grumbling, the two boys complied.
‘Marie, why are they always fighting?’ asked Ellie.
‘They’re just bored.’ Then she looked at the younger girl. ‘When are you going to tell them?’
‘Tell them?’ said Ellie, feigning ignorance.
Marie laughed. ‘You’d better tell them soon, girl. It’s a poorly kept secret and they might hear about it at the festival.’
The girl’s brow creased and her eyebrows raised as she made an expression of exasperation. ‘We used to be like family, you know?’
‘All things change.’ The older woman looked around the town. ‘When my family first came here, Stardock Town was still a small place. Now it’s twice the size. The Academy was only half finished, now look at it.’
Ellie nodded as they both stared at the distant island across the lake. ‘I see it every day, Marie. Just like you do.’
The massive building dominated the island in the middle of the Great Star Lake, rising like a dark mountain. The village that rested at the academy’s edge now engulfed the entire northeastern end of the island. Only those who served in the Academy of Magicians lived there. Stardock Town had grown around the ferry station to the island – at first just a simple trading stop, but now a bustling centre for commerce in the region.
‘Well, if Grame Hodover’s anything like his pa, he’ll start yakkin’ as soon as he has some ale in him.’
‘And Tad and Zane will be throwing punches before anyone can talk sense into them,’ finished Ellie.
‘So, best sooner than later,’ said Marie as she motioned for Ellie to follow her back into the house. They entered a large, single-roomed building, with just enough room for a hearth, a table, and bedding for three. Once inside she said, ‘The boys are your best friends, though they don’t realize it right now. Each thinks himself in love with you, but that’s born from competition rather than for any serious reason I can see.’
Ellie nodded. ‘I do love them, but like brothers. Besides, even if I wished to marry one of them, father –’
‘I know. Your father is the wealthiest shipper in Stardock Town and Grame’s pa is the only miller, so it’s a natural match.’
‘I do love Grame,’ said Ellie. ‘At least enough to live with him.’
‘Love is not the simple romance that the tales make it out to be,’ cautioned Marie. ‘Tad’s father was a good enough man, but we had our moments. Zane’s pa treated his mother well enough, though he had a sore temper when he drank. Marriage is mostly about taking the good and the bad together, Ellie. Zane’s ma loved her family no matter what trouble they brought and, as she was my best friend, it was natural to take Zane in when they died.’ She put out her hand and gently gripped Ellie’s arm. ‘As I would have taken you in, had your pa not survived.’
Zane’s parents and Ellie’s mother had died during the last troll raid in the region. The bloody attack had cost the lives of dozens of townspeople before the magicians across the water had reacted and driven the monsters away.
‘I know, Marie,’ said the girl. ‘You’ve been like a ma to me for most of my life. I mean, I do remember my ma, at least bits about her, like her voice and the way she’d hum melodies while she cooked and I played on the floor. I remember her holding me.’ Ellie’s eyes became distant for a moment, then she looked back at Marie. ‘But in truth, you’re the only ma I’ve really had.’ She laughed. ‘My pa has certainly never said anything about how to deal with boys, ’cept to stay away from them!’
Marie smiled and hugged the girl. ‘And you’ve been the daughter I didn’t have.’
The two boys returned and Tad’s mother inspected them. ‘You’ll dry out before the fun starts,’ she said. ‘Now, I want you to promise there’ll be no more fighting today.’
‘All right, Ma,’ said Tad.
‘Yes’um,’ added Zane.
‘Why don’t the three of you make your way to the square now. I’m sure all the other boys and girls are doing the same.’
‘What about you, Ma?’ asked Zane, his face betraying his eagerness to be off.
‘I’m waiting for Caleb. He should be here soon.’
Zane and Ellie said they’d see Marie later and left, but Tad lingered. He seemed to choke on his words, but finally said, ‘Ma, are you going to wed Caleb?’
Marie laughed. ‘What brought that up?’
‘Well, he’s been here three times in the last two months, is all, and you see him a lot.’
‘His father built Stardock, if you remember what I told you.’ She shook her head. ‘Are you worried I might or that I won’t?’
The boy shrugged, his lanky frame suddenly appearing more man-like to his mother. He said, ‘I don’t know. Caleb’s a good man, I suppose. But it’s just—’
‘He’s not your pa,’ she finished.
‘That’s not what I meant,’ said Tad. ‘It’s just … well, he’s gone so much.’
With a wry smile, Marie said, ‘There’s more than one woman who’d count her husband being away a blessing, boy.’ She put her hands on his shoulders and turned him around. ‘Now, catch up with the others. I’ll be along soon.’
Tad ran off after the others, and Marie turned her attention to her small home. Everything was neat and dusted; she might be poor, but she had pride in an orderly house. Keeping it tidy was difficult with two boys underfoot, but they usually obeyed her without question.
Marie then inspected the soup simmering over the hearth and judged it to be ready. Everyone in the town was expected to contribute to the harvest festival, and while her soup was simple fare, it was delicious and welcomed, even by those who contributed far more.
Glancing at the door, she half-expected to see a tall man silhouetted against the light, and for a brief, bitter moment she realized she wasn’t sure who it was she wished for more to be the one to see – her late husband, or Caleb. Pushing aside such irrelevant thoughts, she reminded herself that aching for what you couldn’t have was pointless. She was a farmer’s wife, and knew the nature of life: it rarely gave you choices, and to survive you looked forward, not back.
A short while later, Marie heard someone approach and turned to find Caleb at the door. Wearing half a smile, he said, ‘Expecting someone?’
She crossed her arms and gave him an appraising look. Only a few years younger than Marie, a clean-shaven
