I wanted to tell her that it wouldn’t, that this was more than just irritation from breathing in smoke, but the kindness of her gesture wasn’t lost on either of us. Penny loaded his mug up with the offered honey, then set the tea aside to cool.
“Speaking of your travels,” Elise asked, “what are you doing so far from home with no supplies?” She scooted her chair closer to Margot’s when the other woman settled beside her.
“Ah. Wehadsupplies up until yesterday. Had a horse and cart, too.” I watched to make sure Penny was eating before turning my attention to the women across from us. “I left Pen at the mission and was on my way here to get some provisions at the market when I was stopped by a man in the road. Big fellow, taller than me.”
Penny glanced sidelong at me with a forkful of eggs halfway to his mouth. It felt wrong to lie to our hosts, to play on theirkindness, and I knew he didn’t like it either. But if it kept the militia off our trail, I’d tell them whatever I had to.
I paused to take a bite of my porridge before continuing. “He grabbed our horse by the bridle and demanded I hand over the reins and get out of the cart. When I refused, he dragged me off the bench and hit me in the back of the head.”
I rubbed the base of my skull with what I hoped was a believable grimace. “I don’t know how long I laid there before I came to and realized he’d taken everything: the horse, the cart, all of our clothes and supplies…”
Elise and Margot’s expressions of sympathy were too much to take, and I dropped my eyes to the food before me. We didn’t deserve pity, and I was ready to be out that door and on the road before they had time to find the inconsistencies in my sob story.
“The tracks headed back toward the mission, so I followed them,” I continued. “I got there as the fire was catching. I didn’t see Penny, so I went in to help him get the Symbiarch out.”
I rolled my shoulders, more to ease the tension there than as a gesture of defeat. “So, that’s where we are. We have the clothes on our backs, thanks to you, and nothing more. I’m just glad no one was badly hurt.”
After a moment of silence, Margot reached across to rest her hand over mine. “I’m sorry.”
I forced a smile and shook my head. “Things can be replaced. We’ll manage.” I flicked another glance at Penny, who was making slow progress through his porridge to have an excuse not to speak, before I added, “I was pretty attached to the horse, though.”
“Well, I’m afraid we don’t have a horse to spare, but we can at least make sure the two of you don’t freeze on the road.”
Elise gestured to a pair of cloaks hanging from the hook beside the door. They were a little worse for wear, patched and re-patched in several places, but at least they were something.
“My brother brought them over last night. They’re not pretty, but they’ll get the job done.” She grinned. “And you’re welcome to stay another day or two to rest and replenish your supplies. I know the floor isn’t exactly comfortable, but it’s better than sleeping on the road in the cold.”
I shook my head. “We appreciate the offer, truly, but we need to be on our way this morning. We’re needed back home, and people will worry if we’re gone much longer than expected.”
Margot patted my hand again, then withdrew to start on her own porridge. “If you’re sure,” she said. “We’ll make sure you have what you need to get there.”
The remainder of breakfast was quiet. Elise finished first and left the table to bustle about the kitchen while Margot kept us company. To my relief, Penny finished his tea and every crumb of his food. I was almost uncomfortably full by the time I finished mine, too.
When we finally pushed back from the table, Margot rose to gather the dishes. I tried to help, but she shook her head and snatched them up before I could.
“You’re our guests, and guests don’t do chores.”
“Cleaning up is hardly a chore,” I protested.
Elise laughed as she retreated toward the bedroom and called back over her shoulder, “Don’t argue with her. You won’t win.”
“I’m undefeated,” Margot said. “So, save your breath.”
I chuckled and held up my hands. “I’ll concede. Thank you for breakfast and for your hospitality. We appreciate it more than you know.”
“It was the least we could do.” She set the dishes in the sink and pumped some water into the basin.
“The very least,” Elise confirmed as she scurried back into the kitchen with a canvas sack in her hand. “As is sending you off with some provisions.”
I shook my head. “We were going to pick some up in town?—”
“What did we say about arguing?” Margot asked. She helped Elise pack a few smaller bags alongside a waterskin and a box of matches, all on top of our clothes from the day before.
“Jerky, dried fruit, and some roasted walnuts,” Elise said. She leaned over the counter to smile at us. “And I snuck some candied peaches in there, too. No one makes them better than Margot.”
I returned to the living room to reclaim Penny’s satchel and dig my coin pouch out of it. “At least let me pay for the supplies.”
Elise waved a hand when I crossed back to Penny’s side. “No need. We have enough to share.”
