Page 17 of The Starling and the Hatter

I’d spent enough time around mystics and magicians to know that if a thing seemed too good to be true, it probably was.

I wouldn’t reject their offer, not yet, but I would keep trying to solve my own conundrum.

To that end, I stayed away from the Hatcher Hats and Costumes tent on Saturday, determined to focus on supporting myself and being sure that whatever decision I made was truly mine.

Ludly found me, and once I’d finished a song, he approached and launched into his ideas.

“I really think we should do it. Having real fire added to your songs, and having a whole storyline added to our act, people will love it,” he effused.

“But the night crowd…”

“I know. They’re bold. That’s why we keep together as a troupe. So long as my girls stay close to the boys in our troupe, no one ever gives them trouble. We could try it tonight at least.”

“And then what?” I asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Where are you going next?”

“Faehurst.”

“Not Stormbrook?”

He shook his head. “From here, all the rats have to make a choice. Head east through the valley, which hits Stormbrook and Lorta. Or go north, around the great mountain to Faehurst and Winhaven. The festivals at Stormbrook and Lorta take place during the same two weeks as those in Faehurst and Winhaven. Most of the performers switch off, spending one year on one side of the mountains and the next year on the other. It keeps things interesting.”

“I think I’m going to Stormbrook,” I said, and the words surprised me a little. But as I examined why that answer had pushed past my lips, I realized that it was the idea of being with the Hatchers that appealed to me—being a part of them, having Maddox and Marshall watching out for me. If I was going to travel, I wanted to go with them, and I knew they were going to Stormbrook. Of course, that was assuming a great deal. I had no reason to believe they would want me to travel with them, much less have the room or the resources. I could try to pay them, of course, but that was problematic as well. But I just couldn’t imagine not going with Maddox if that was an option. I felt a firm and steady pull toward him, and I had a feeling it wouldn’t go away any time soon.

“You’ve already chosen a side, have you?” Ludly asked.

“I suppose.”

“Fine, but I still think we should try it tonight, then we’ll know whether we should continue to pursue the idea for the spring festivals.”

I breathed deep and made a quick decision. “Yes, let’s do that.”

He clapped his hands together. “Can you come work with us now?”

Maddox

I hadn’t seen her today, and it wasn’t as though I’d stayed in the tent. I’d found several excuses to wander around the festival as nervous energy prompted me to find Elise and check on her. But she’d eluded me all day. Was that on purpose? Laws, I hoped not. If she was this determined to avoid me, there was no way she would accept my family’s offer.

After I’d eaten my evening meal, I left my father by the fire in front of our tent and went searching again. I almost hoped I didn’t find her, since the sun had set and the best thing for her would be to already be settled on whatever spot of ground she’d claimed as a bed. But I had a sinking feeling that the desperation she’d spoken of earlier would drive her to seek more earnings by performing for the night crowd again.

I found her in the same meadow where I’d found her that first evening, but this time she wasn’t singing on her own. She stood a little off to the side, singing a song as Ludly and the Starfire troupe danced, twirling and throwing their fire sticks. They seemed to be coordinating their dance with the story in her song, their movements becoming faster and more chaotic when the tension of the story swelled.

I stood transfixed. I had come with the intent to…I don’t know…rescue her? But the impact of the combined efforts of her song and the shock and awe of the fire dancers was mesmerizing. I was relieved that it was Ludly she was working with. He was a good man. Unfortunately, they’d also enlisted the help of Jacobi. As a fire-breather, he prowled about, playing the part of the dragon. Jacobi had always made me nervous with his bent view of decency.

When the song came to its conclusion, Elise and all the fire dancers held their right hands toward the sky, letting the applause wash over them before they each swept into a bow or curtsey. The two female fire dancers swept the perimeter of the crowd to accept coins, though some listeners chose to come directly to Elise and drop their coins into the little nest at her feet. Her smile was vibrant.

I folded my arms, determined to stay until the crowd thinned so that I could speak with both Elise and Ludly. If they planned to continue their joint effort—which I could see would be profitable—I wanted to be certain that Ludly was going to take care of her.

My heart sank at the thought, because it was a viable one. She could earn her living this way. Maybe Ludly would make her part of his troupe. Maybe she could be friends with the other women and they would treat her like one of their own. As I watched the way the whole troupe surrounded and congratulated her, I had to admit that she did not need me.

I’d been convinced that she did, that my family would be the only ones who could help her, but as I continued to watch them, it was obvious now that she had other avenues. She had a choice, and all I could do was just let her choose. So I walked away, telling myself that whatever she chose, I’d try to be happy for her.

Elise

It was Sunday, the last day of the festival, and I was scrambling to figure out what came next. I supposed I could go back and agree to travel with Ludly to Faehurst, but that option left me ill at ease. On the other hand, I didn’t want to stay here in Dressle, even if it was with Dorothy and Kat. I needed to travel, but Marshall had never suggested that I could travel with them. Would they think that inappropriate, me traveling with them when I wasn’t family? I found the idea appealing, but would they?