A Dishonorable Knight(102)

"You don't?" Elena paused in the narrow street.

"Do you jest?" he asked, imitating her tone.

"Is it a national trait that the Welsh are completely lost when it comes to directions?"

Cynan laughed and held his hands up in denial. "I could find my way across every mountain range in Wales and let you know exactly when and where the sun was going to set. It's just when you put a poor mountain boy in a town, he has no way to judge his surroundings. For example, look at this row of houses." Elena obliged. "They all look exactly alike. But each tree is different, each rock has it's own shape, each stream has its own path. No," he finished, shaking his head. "I can not be held accountable for finding my way in the city."

Elena laughed. "Luckily for us, I know where we are going. And, no, I don't think those houses all look exactly alike. That one there has blue trim while the one next to it has rough wood. The third one down only has one window on the street."

Cynan acceded with a gallant bow. "Very well, you are the true trailblazer, I am merely a stupid shepherd who belongs in the field with his flock."

In good conscience, Elena forced herself to admit, "No, no. To me, every tree looks just like the one before it, every rock is simply a rock and every stream is just wet. It's all just a matter of perspective, I suppose."

"You are too kind, my lady. In that case, lead on!"

Elena found the seamstress's shop much easier this time and she called out for Annie as soon as she entered the empty downstairs room. Once again, Oengus came tumbling down the stairs to ask them to please, "Come dupstairs."

The previously tidy room was considerably messier on this visit. Dirty pots were stacked haphazardly on the rough table in the kitchen and a pile of mending or laundry was heaped on a chair. Oengus's few wooden toys were strewn about the floor. Surprised, Elena glanced around for Annie and found her seated at her worktable, breaking a thread with her teeth on what looked to be the cream-colored chemise.

When Annie realized she had visitors, she stood abruptly, her face reddening as she smiled feebly. "Good morning, my lady. Please forgive my house," she pleaded. "I'm afraid I tend to let things go when I have a project."

Never fond of cleaning herself, Elena shrugged with a complete lack of concern. "It does not bother me." Pointing at the fabric in Annie's hands, she asked, "Is that mine?"

"Oh yes. I was just finishing the hem. I've finished the overgown as well."

"You had enough time then?" Elena shook her head and laughed. "Obviously you had enough time. What I meant to say was I hope you didn't have to rush unduly."

"No, my lady. It was just the right amount of time."

"Very good. I would like to try it on, then."

"Of course, my lady. Oengus," she called. When the young boy came running from the corner in which he'd been playing, she gestured to Cynan. "Take, er--"

Elena smiled. She had been here three times with as many men. Poor Annie must be wondering exactly what kind of woman she was! "Another brother," she said in order to rest the young woman's mind, though for the life of her, she didn't know what possessed her to bother.

Annie's countenance immediately cleared, but before she could instruct her son, the little boy, used to the routine by now, took Cynan's hand and led him out. "C'mon. We can't be here while lady changes."

Cynan paused at the doorway and took a leather pouch out of his shirt. Tossing it to Elena he said, "Gareth gave me the money for the dress."

Elena caught the heavy pouch and nodded. As soon as the door closed, she began struggling out of her cotehardie. When she had finally pulled it and her tattered chemise over her head, she threw them in a heap on the floor. When Annie rushed to pick up the discarded garments, Elena said, "You can burn those for all I care."

"Oh no, my lady, this is a beautiful gown."

Elena began pulling on the new chemise. "The gown is filthy and the chemise near threadbare."

"But my lady, 'tis still in good condition. I could get these spots out, for you'll need it on your journey, won't you?"

"If you can salvage it, you keep it. I am so heartily sick of the sight of it that I will not wear it ever again. We seem of a like size. I'm sure it will fit you. Now, where is my houppeland?"

"Here, my lady," Annie said, unhooking the wool dress from where it hung on a peg on the wall. Annie handed it to Elena for inspection.