N. Walters - Threads of Destiny

Mara was busy at the head table but raised her gaze and glanced toward the doorway. “Come in, child. You must be hungry.”

Kathryn went forward, purpose in every step she took. “I could manage a bite.” In truth, she was famished for the first time in recent memory.

Laughing, Mara shooed her into a chair. “I’ll get you something.”

“You don’t have to wait on me.” She felt uncomfortable letting the older woman do for her when she was quite capable of getting her own breakfast.

“Of course I don’t have to.” Mara patted her shoulder. “But you’ve been through a few stressful days. Let someone else take care of you for a change.” Mara disappeared down a short hallway before she could protest. Relaxing in her chair, she looked around the room. A huge fireplace dominated the center of one wall.

It was so big that several people could stand upright inside. The walls were all made of thick stone but the room was fairly well lit from windows near the top of the ten-foot walls. Most of the windows were made of plain glass but there were several with colored glass. The sunlight shot through the stained glass windows, creating cheerful patterns on the walls.

Above the fireplace several large swords were crossed and mounted, the jewels in their handles glinting. The wall opposite the fireplace was filled with a variety of very large tapestries, some of them at least four feet tall and even wider. The scenes on them varied from battles to daily life. All in all, it had a homey feel for a room so large.

Mara bustled back into the great hall carrying a tray with a steaming hot bowl of something that resembled oatmeal, some brown bread, thick slices of white cheese, a small bowl of berries and an apple. “I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I brought a bit of everything.”

“You certainly did.” Kathryn inhaled as the food was placed in front of her. The mouthwatering smells of fresh bread and honey made her stomach growl. Wasting no time, she dug into the bowl of hot cereal. It tasted nutty and was flavored with honey and, if she wasn’t mistaken, cinnamon. “Delicious,” she told Mara between mouthfuls.

“Good.” Mara settled in the seat beside Kathryn.

“Where is everyone?” She barely stifled a groan of pleasure as she added a handful of the tart red berries to the bowl and helped herself to another mouthful. She couldn’t remember when food had ever tasted so good.

“Jarek is out at the stables and Christina is still upstairs with the children.” Kathryn rested her spoon in the empty bowl and exhaled. She was pleasantly full but she still had room for a piece of the fresh brown bread. Maybe with a slice of the cheese. Helping herself, she bit into it and the flavor exploded in her mouth. She chewed and swallowed and then had another bite.

“Everyone else packed up and went home,” Mara continued. “After what happened yesterday, no one wanted to tempt the ire of the sorceress.” She paused, tapping her fingers on the arm of the chair. “Or you.” That surprised Kathryn. In spite of what had occurred, she hadn’t thought that the warriors would step back from the challenge. She guessed that she’d underestimated the power of the tapestry. Of course, she still couldn’t quite believe that she’d seen what she’d seen either. It had been an incredibly powerful moment.

She studied the woman sitting patiently beside her. She wore an ankle-length dress made of a sturdy fabric that had been dyed a flattering green. The bodice was embroidered with threads of different colors, their pattern a profusion of flowers. A belt that matched cinched the waist. Mara’s long gray-black hair was coiled on top of her head and her blue eyes twinkled with a combination of warmth and humor. But there was both wisdom and compassion in those eyes. Kathryn looked away, suddenly uncomfortable beneath Mara’s knowing gaze.

“I know this has been difficult for you,” Mara began.

“Yes, it has been.” Merely thinking about everything that had happened in the past few days was enough to make her breakfast churn in her belly. She took a deep breath and turned her thoughts away from it. She wanted to concentrate on the here and now, not on the past or the future.

“But the tapestry has brought you here for a reason. You are one of the few women who could thrive here. One who could make a difference.”

“What do you mean?” Kathryn was curious to get the other woman’s perspective.

“She means that with your skills and training you could benefit people from all around and not just those in this castle.” Christina had come up beside them while they’d been talking. She was dressed similarly to Mara, in a dress dyed a deep, earthy-brown, her long blonde hair captured in a thick braid that hung to her behind. “And that’s not to mention the fact that you’re a descendant of the sorceress who crafted the magical tapestry and you have the knowledge to bring it forth.”

“Yeah, well, that was pure luck.” She felt the need to tell these women the truth.

“When I did what I did yesterday, I had no idea if it would work. I mean, the chant is only words, right? There really isn’t any such thing as magic.” Except yesterday there was. The more she thought about it, the more confused Kathryn was by everything.

“Sometimes you simply have to accept the fact that you can’t explain everything.” Christina leaned against the table, crossing her arms over her chest. “Some things are just meant to be.”

“I’m a woman of science, not magic. I believe in what I can test and see.” And the fact that she couldn’t figure it all out was frustrating her.

“Then how do you explain Marc traveling to your side to save your life and the tapestry bringing you all here?” Christina’s voice was sharp, her irritation clear.

“I don’t know.” Exasperation rang in her answer.

“Don’t fret.” Mara patted her arm. “Know that you are here for a reason. It is up to you to find it and decide if it is worth staying. In the meantime, why don’t I show you my herb garden?” Pushing back from the table, she stood.

Kathryn took a deep, calming breath and allowed her attention to be diverted. “I’d love to see your garden. I have some questions about several of the plants that were in the salve you gave me to put on Tienan’s wound.”

“I thought you might.” Mara started for the door. “Christina?”

“I’m coming.” Christina pushed away from the table and followed them but she stopped when she came alongside Kathryn. “Please don’t break his heart. Marc’s already been through so much.”

Jealousy, anger and pain all shot through Kathryn at the possessive tone in Christina’s voice. Marc had slept with this woman. Granted, Christina was Jarek’s wife and she and Marc hadn’t slept together in a while but still it made Kathryn’s gut burn.

Marc was hers.

She shook her head to try to get that thought out of her brain. She had to go home.

There was no place for her here. A sharp pain bit into her stomach and she rubbed it absently.

“I’m sorry.” Christina’s voice was softer, her tone apologetic instead of accusatory.

“I didn’t mean to make your stomach act up.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s been like this for a while now.” For some reason, she didn’t want Christina feeling bad. In spite of it all, she liked the other woman, who was kind by nature.

Mara spoke up. “Come along. We can stop in the kitchen. I can make you a tea that will help settle your stomach.

Trotting behind, she followed Mara down to the kitchen where she quickly steeped some herbs in hot water, creating a tea. Wooden mug in hand, Kathryn sipped the tasty brew as Mara and Christina took her on a tour of the castle and its grounds, introducing her to everyone who crossed their path.