“Who is she?” he asked.
“A friend.” Tynan tensed up.
“A friend? Is that so?” Hanoch frowned.
“Will you help us or not?” Tynan seemed to be losing his patience.
“I don’t think you will find anyone here who would accept traitors in their house.” Hanoch’s face assumed a hard expression.
“Is that how you do it now?” Tynan scowled.
“I changed things a bit. I want people to be more involved. Like in the old days.” Hanoch walked around the table and leaned on the corner with his arms crossed on his chest.
“I see. Can we at least talk to some people in the valley?” Tynan added.
“I doubt anyone will want to take you. It was a big mistake coming all the way here.”
“I will take them,” another voice joined in.
All of us turned to see an older woman in a long dress with creamy ruffles on her bodice and sleeves. Her long, white hair was braided and decorated with silk flowers.
“Grace. I forgot that you were still here.” Hanoch sighed and rubbed his eyes.
“You said you wanted things to be done the old way. Did you not? As long as there is someone who invites the newcomers into their home, they can stay. That is the rule,” the older woman calmly stated.
“It’s not a good idea, grandma.” Hanoch stood up.
“I will be the judge of that.” The woman moved closer. Her head was raised high as she slowly approached our group.
“There is no room in the palace,” Hanoch tried to protest.
“I still have my cottage. We will manage,” she responded.
I could see the pursed lips and the scowl on Hanoch’s face when he waved his hand dismissing us. He walked back to his seat, shaking his head and muttering something to himself.
Everyone bowed, except for Tynan who gave his brother a long look before moving away.
The older woman paused by the door and gave us a short appraising look before disappearing behind it. I followed the others, not fully grasping what was going on.
“What’s happening?” I managed to whisper to Frid when we walked down the stairs back toward the valley.
“Grace vouched for us and invited us to her home. That means that we can stay,” Frid responded in a low voice.
“Is she Tynan’s grandma?” I asked.
“Yes.” Frid looked back at the fields.
I could see the unmistakably somber and sorrowful expression on her face, as if she was almost physically uncomfortable returning to the place she came from.
I had so many more questions, but I pulled back, giving her space to process whatever was on her mind. I kept checking on Tynan but I did not need to look at him to feel the restless agitation seeping from every move he made. Sol was more gloomy than usual, and even Victor grew uncharacteristically quiet.
What was it about this place that made them feel that way?
I knew that the others were out of spirits, but I could not help enjoying the views of the valley. The combination of small stone houses that looked like a part of the landscape, misty air and the stillness of the mountains. The sounds, the colors, gave me a sense of peace I did not know I had been missing.
We walked further into the valley and at last, somewherebetween the fields and the rocky wall in the distance I saw a small cottage.The house stood with its side turned to the valley, bringing the whole front of it toward the bright rays of sunlight. The yard looked overgrown but in a beautifully, effortless way with its wild poppies, daisies, and mountain phloxes that swayed in the light breeze like gemstones. The house, the view of the mountains, made me feel as if I was in a land of fairies. My eyes landed on the old, weather beaten fence, the crooked roof, and I knew that I had never seen anything more perfect than this place.
“You can stay in the cottage. I am not using it anymore since Hanoch insisted that I move to the palace. He probably regrets his decision now.” Grace stopped by the fence and placed her hand on the dark wood. She scrutinized everyone and when her eyes found mine, I felt like hiding behind Tynan’s broad back.
