Story: Fellyans (part ten)

Fellyans

(part ten)

“I’m glad you have money to pay them,” the elf said. And causing a plume and parchment to materialize, he wrote. “How many things altogether?”

“There is only one spell, however many things.”

“Madam. Under the terms of the Queen’s law, the collection cannot be broken up. If you attempt to sell, alter, destroy, or convert ownership of an enchanted item, one that shares its enchantment with another article or several, or is collaterally enchanted due to the enchantment of its immediate environs…”

“Here’s Coral, by the way,” Jorinda said. “Or I’d never interrupt.”

Alma’s head bobbed into view, as she pushed Coral across the threshold. Langham’s wife presented this time in brilliant orange, a floral gown from an upstairs chest. “Doesn’t that make a sight?” Alma tapped Coral on the cheek. “For someone’s eyes. I just love that frock to pieces!”

“I wish it were mine to give you.”

“It is, then,” Jorinda said. “Alma, you seem like a wonderful pitcher-in. Will you come do the lunch with me?”

Bede leant to imply rising, as one touches a hat to imply lifting it. He chimed. Coral chimed twice; startled, then used to it. The elf, austerely, produced a chair of his own.

“And you are the day guard? Mr. Dwale, I am not speaking to you.”

“Arrangements… [chime] …ahem, sorry…are far from set, I was only going to…”

“You give your name as?”

“Coral Langham.”

“I have a dwelling over the hill, called Lumpstone Farm.”

“On your records? Yes, the wife listed as Wilf Langham’s, given name Coral, and the person seated before you, bearing the same name, are one.”

The elf, at this fine language, heaved a sigh of contentment. “And your duties include patrolling the grounds, but also maintaining the jail?”

Coral drew breath. “Yes.”

“How many cells?”

“So far, only a storage room.”

“But well locked.”

“Locked, and windowless.”

“Meals?”

“Breakfast and supper.”

The elf spread closed lips. “If he were a king in any true sense, he’d have a knight or two guarding him. Your archers would be advised, in that case, to pick ’em off. Zim zim zim. Three clean shots. Never engage.”

“I haven’t got ar…Vincent, do you mean? He has only come into our custody today.”

10

Fellyans

Fellyans (part eleven)

(2021, Stephanie Foster)