Free Eramane by Frankie Ash Page B

bends down next to Samiah’s face.
    “I am sorry, my love. I only meant to wake you,” she says, calming her laughter. “The sun shines and the day is warm. Let us go to the market.” She rises and cinches the linen wrapping her. “I saw the most beautiful scarf yesterday. Maybe the merchant has not left town yet.” Mira turns to walk out of the room. “But first I would like a bath. Would you like to join me? I had Brenna draw fresh, hot water.” Her linens fall to the floor, and she slowly strides out of the room. This has Samiah’s attention, and he springs from the bed, chasing her into the washroom.
    They soak in the steaming water, kissing and nuzzling each other. There is a knock at the door. “Yes!” Samiah shouts.
    “I beg your pardon, sir, but there is a man here for you.”
    “What man?” Samiah asks.
    “He said his name is Inandaug.” Samiah rises from the hot bath water, steam coming off his skin.
    “Hold on. I am coming,” he announces. “I will be right back. Do not remove yourself from this tub.” He kisses his wife and drapes a robe around himself. As Samiah makes his way to the front door, he passes Eramane’s room and notices that she is not there; more concerning is that her room looks exactly as it did yesterday, a green dress laid out across her bed, a dress she did not choose to wear yesterday. Samiah turns and walks back to the washroom. He pokes his head in the door. “Did you see Eramane this morning?” he asks.
    “She was not in her room this morning. I assumed she went out to the stables.”
    “What about that dress lying on her bed? Was it not the one she left there yesterday?” Mira ponders Samiah’s question and realizes what he is concluding.
    “Yes, it is the same. Does this mean that she never returned yesterday evening?”
    “I am not sure. Did you not notice her arrive back home before you went to bed yesterday evening?” he asks.
    “I was feeling ill, Samiah; it was still daylight when I lay down for bed. What about you? Did you check on her last night when you returned from town?”
    “When I came in, I saw the blade and strap that she took with her lying on the cutting block. I assumed she made it home safe.”
    “I took it from the cupboard, sir,” a feeble voice admits. Samiah looks behind him and sees Brenna.
    “You took what from the cupboard?” he asks.
    “Yesterday evening while I was preparing supper, I saw the blade and strap in the dish cupboard and thought it a strange place for blades and leathers, so I placed them on the cutting block. I am sorry, sir,” she says without looking at him. Samiah looks back to his wife as the situation becomes clearer to him.
    “Would you mind checking the stables for me while I speak with Inandaug?”
    “Of course.” Mira stands and grabs her robe. Samiah rushes back to the Rider at his door, leaving wet footprints on the floors as he goes. He reaches the door and pulls it open with a jerk. Inandaug slouches, his right hand resting on the top of his sheathed sword. Everything about the way he stands, shoulders hunched forward, head low, eyes hooded by a heavy brow, has Samiah convinced this visit regards Eramane.
    “High Commander,” Inandaug greets Samiah.
    “Inandaug, what is the matter?” Samiah asks, knowing something is terribly wrong by the tight look on his Rider’s face. None of his men would bother him while he was home unless it was of dire importance. Before Inandaug can reply, Samiah interrupts, “Is it Eramane?” Inandaug’s expression answers his question. “What is it?” Samiah asks as he grabs Inandaug by his arm and pulls him inside the house.
    Inandaug follows Samiah to the back of the house, where he dresses. Hastily, Inandaug tells Samiah what he knows. “This morning I took my sons to the meadow near the waterfalls. We were bow hunting and we decided to ride the horses along the river to spear fish.” Samiah is already putting his undergear on, and Inandaug takes a breath