The Kraken's Prisoners: the Brownies of Velmoran, Book 2 by Holly Merry

Author:Holly Merry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Holly Merry
Published: 2022-10-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 27

Bright thoughts of Christmas lifted Aira’s listless spirits, reminding her of the power of good. She fretted about Boroden who shut himself in his chamber once his wound had been tended to, but she might do nothing but wait and hope.

Harfan brought out his harp and sang to a gentle melody as the brownies went about their work. Aira fondly recalled her time helping humans with chores as a girl as she assisted the brownie clan to sweep hearths, shoo cobwebs from corners and scrub tables. She spread the tables with embroidered cloths, whilst other brownies bustled around her hanging greenery and pine cone decorations and bringing out the best crockery.

Kerwen made slipper-shaped pasties to enclose edible presents. Aira helped her fill them, the wholesome aroma of fresh baking making her mouth water. She felt whole again busying herself in her tasks. Brownies were meant to lead homely lives like this, not endure a nomadic existence of fear and fighting. If only they were safe in Velmoran again… She prayed that this was what every Christmas would be like once they defeated the kraken.

Hëkitarka pranced about jolliest of all, clearly revelling in the comfort of home and loved ones. It gladdened Aira to see his spirits so easily restored. It took her mind off her concern about Boroden.

Settling in an armchair with a pile of linen to mend, Aira watched Hëkitarka and several of the younger brownies decorating the Christmas tree. Hëkitarka had forgotten the silver star and shinnied up the tree to crown it, shaking strings of gems, leaf chains, candles and cones of sweets as he went. She left her sewing and bent down to gather up some tumbled decorations.

Hëkitarka waved at her. ‘What do you think to the tree?’

‘We need Boroden. He’s the best Christmas tree decorator.’ Aira wished he would come and that things would be as they had been in those years when they lived with the dryads and Boroden had been the life and soul of the festivities.

Putting together a tray of food, she went up to see if Boroden wanted any company. She found him stood by the window looking out onto the mirror-like surface of the courtyard formed by the melted ice giants that had now frozen over.

Boroden gave her a tired smile. ‘We could go skating together if you want. I’ve never been. It looks fun.’

‘Neither have I. I bet I’ll be sliding and stumbling about like a dizzy duck.’ Though touched by his thinking of her, she knew his words could have no conviction. His cracked rib made his movements too slow and awkward for skating.

He turned from the window, the moonlight glittering off the edge of his cloak where the lining of silver woven threads was revealed.

Aira pointed to the cloak. ‘That’s bonny — is it new?’

‘A gift from Carnelian. The silver on my last cloak got tarnished during our travels.’

‘It looks so fine, but why have the cloth-of-silver in the inside where it can’t be seen.’

‘It must be so to do its purpose.

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