Free The Faerie Path by Frewin Jones Page A

across.”
    Anita blinked at her. “Uh…yes…I’m sure it will.”
    “Sancha often speaks such nonsense,” Zara said, smiling at Anita. “She reads far too much. I gladly admit I do not understand half of what she says.”
    “That is because you are a flibbertigibbet with themind of a mayfly,” Sancha replied.
    “And you’re a little gray mole with inky fingers and melancholy humors,” Zara retorted affectionately.
    Anita grinned at them. Yes, these two were definitely sisters. No doubt about it.
    “I am taking Tania to the Seamstress’s Apartments,” Zara said. “You must come too, if you can bear to be parted from your books. Father has called for a grand ball, and we must all have new gowns.”
    “I will come with you,” Sancha said. “Although my present gown will serve my needs.”
    “Black?” Zara said scornfully. “I think not! Come, I shall pick a brighter color for you. Do you have a favorite color, Tania?” While Anita hesitated, thinking, Zara swept on: “No matter. Mistress Mirrlees will find something to delight you.” She danced toward the door. “Come, sisters! Time is wasting!”
     
    The seamstress’s workroom was a long low chamber filled with sunlight and noise and activity. The walls were lined with shelving that held bales and rolls of colored fabric. From open chests spilled foaming froths of lace, sinuous rivers of silk, and tumbling mounds of cotton dyed in a rainbow of colors. Most of the floor space was filled with long tables where cloth was being measured and cut by women dressed in simple blue gowns.
    “Behold! The lost lamb has returned!” Zara called out as the three of them came into the room.
    The bustle and the murmur of voices stoppedabruptly as all eyes turned toward them. Moments later, Anita found herself surrounded by an excited crowd of women bobbing and curtsying and staring at her in awe.
    She laughed, taken aback by the effect she seemed to have on these people. They were treating her like a movie star at a premiere.
    She became aware of three other women approaching her. The green-clad servants parted deferentially to let them pass, and Anita guessed they must be more of her sisters.
    “Cordelia,” Zara whispered in Anita’s ear as the first of them came up to her.
    Cordelia was wearing a dark russet dress with a collar of red fur. Her red-gold hair was cut raggedly at her shoulders and her wide, smiling face was full of freckles. She had the same piercing blue eyes as Zara, but there was a wariness in her gaze that made Anita think of wild animals.
    Cordelia gave Anita a sudden, fierce hug. “Welcome home,” she said.
    “Thanks.” The fur collar of Cordelia’s gown pressed against Anita’s cheek. It felt strangely warm. Almost before she had the time to register it, the fur moved and Anita found herself gazing into a pair of bright black beady eyes.
    Anita pulled her head back with a gasp.
    It was a red squirrel. It swarmed around Cordelia’s neck and gathered itself into a watchful russet ball on her shoulder.
    “Oh! Hello there,” Anita said, reaching out a tentative hand. “You startled me. Aren’t you pretty?” The squirrel let out a sharp, high-pitched chirping sound and vanished down Cordelia’s back. A split second later, Anita was aware of a red blur racing across the floor, up the shelves, and onto the sill of an open window.
    “Have no fear, little one!” Cordelia called to the quivering animal. “It is only our sister!” The squirrel gave another cry and vanished through the window.
    Cordelia turned her head back and smiled at Anita. “He will not listen to me,” she said with a soft laugh. “I will speak with him later and calm his fears.”
    Anita stared at her. “I didn’t mean to frighten it,” she said.
    “It is of no matter,” Cordelia said. “After dwelling in half-light for so long, the sun has made all the animals uneasy. It will pass.”
    A second woman approached, very tall and slim, wearing a brown