28 Speculation

Elloreah, looked down at her hands, fighting the urge to get caught up in Sarah's speculation. Sarah did not know Aleric. Elloreah had come to realize he was not the hero she'd once imagined him to be. The war had changed him, and she had wondered at his motivations. She'd become fearful and reluctant in his presence since his return. "I would love dearly to believe that."

She sat, twisting her ring, lost in thought. She rubbed at her right arm, feeling the corded knot of scar tissue that never seemed to truly fade. He'd found a way to save her arm, and now, it was possible that he'd rescued her from an uncertain fate at the hands of her own kind.

"It is possible," Elloreah said after a long moment. "It would be more comforting to know that he was protecting me."

Sarah put a finger to her chin, considering for another long moment. "There might be a way to find out."

"You know how John told you that Mingan's sister is a Seer? It happens that there are more than one sort of Seer." Sarah paused, tapping her chin. "Lokni is a Seer of things that are. Maybe he can see how things are in your world, find out what Aleric's intentions truly were."

Elloreah shook her head wearily, not daring to hope. "I would love to have some connection to my home. Even if return is impossible..."

Sarah shrugged. "I'll ask Mingan. Hopefully he can work out some kind of bargain with Lokni..." she trailed off, and Elloreah smiled, envisioning the cogs turning in the energetic blonde's head.

"Mingan has already done so much," Elloreah murmured. "Why would he bother to do more? And this Lokni, surely he would expect payment of some sort?"

Sarah chuckled. "Don't you worry about Mingan. He's all bark." She reached out and patted Elloreah's shoulder, giving her a knowing grin. "Just leave this to me. He'll help."

Elloreah nodded.

Maggie stirred, and sat up slowly. "What is it?" she asked, catching Elloreah's somewhat conflicted expression.

Elloreah gave Maggie a smile, stroking the woman's thick tumble of dark locks, sending her calming reassurances. "Nothing to be concerned about," Elloreah told her. "I am homesick."

"We will talk later," Sarah said. "Until then, try and think of Zephyr as your home, will you?"

Maggie smiled at this. "Please Elloreah," she said. "You've been such a help to me. I hope you will feel comfortable here, if not now, in time."

Elloreah gave the woman a reassuring smile. "I will," she promised. "I only wish I could have come under better circumstances."

* * *

The three women walked back to the house before the evening meal, a quiet settling between them. Elloreah was unsure what she could discuss in front of Maggie, yet her mind was a whir with questions. She wasn't entirely sure what was and wasn't common knowledge. It was a comfort, to know that many of the cultural norms of the people here seemed to be shared among those of her own.

They worked in the kitchen, preparing the food with a companionable air. They were subdued, quiet, in a way that Elloreah realized was likely not the norm for the bubbly Sarah, who hummed and laughed to herself from time to time. Maggie worked alongside the blonde, clearly comfortable with the routine.

While they worked with ease, Elloreah found herself fumbling to just keep out of the way. She'd helped in the kitchen from time to time as needed as a child, but those days were long past. It had been years since she'd helped knead dough or peeled vegetables. She was no stranger to work, but kitchen duties were not her forte.

Maggie took her clumsiness in stride, taking the time to give Elloreah simple, small tasks. Elloreah found herself blinking back tears on more than one occasion. As much as she missed her home, moments like this, the simple comfort of performing a task together for the whole of the community, were rare. She'd been isolated, held apart so much of her life.

"You okay?" Maggie asked as Elloreah sniffed again, wiping at her eyes with the back of a hand. "We're long since done with the onions..."

Elloreah gave a little laugh. "I am alright."

"Are you sure?" Maggie continued.

Elloreah only shook her head, smiling. "It is quite alright." Elloreah protested. "All you really need to know is that I am a long way from home. I am realizing just how difficult it is to adjust."

"Where are you from?" Maggie asked. "I can't quite place your accent."

"Ahh..." Elloreah paused, looking to Sarah for help.

"Northern Europe," Sarah chimed in. "She's a relative of John's."

Maggie smiled pleasantly and nodded. Elloreah glanced at Sarah, hoping for clarification at some point. She would need to learn where exactly this 'Northern Europe' was and why she felt rather strongly that it wasn't quite a satisfactory answer.

"Sheltered," Sarah continued. "Poor thing ran away due to some scandal back home. Made it halfway here before her money ran out . Mingan found her on her way up to the ranch. Luck, really."

Elloreah nodded working to store this away. She would have to keep the story straight, and wondered how much she'd given away to Maggie already. She doubted that the woman had been concerned with much outside her own, very painful situation, but as she continued to come out of her state of shock, questions would likely come up.

"Luck," Elloreah murmured. "It was also luck that brought me to you."

Maggie smiled. "It was lucky that you were on your way when I needed help most. That Mingan knew those trails so well..."

Elloreah nodded again, happy to let Maggie fill in what she needed to. Had it been luck, though, that Mingan had been there?

Sarah spoke up then, breaking into Elloreah's thoughts. "Maggie, do you think you can take the preparations for a bit? I'm going to go check in with John." She gave Elloreah a pointed look.

"Sure thing," Maggie chimed in.