Free Amongst Silk and Spice by Camille Oster

she was walking as well. He'd long taken his chainmail off, and the camel was carrying his sword as well, as there was no one in sight, and the convoy ahead of them were too far away to serve an immediate threat.
    The girl was introspect today, quiet, walking steadily without complaint. Her shoes were not going to last though. He should have thought of it, but it hadn't occurred to him. The next town or oasis they reached, he would have to find her something that would last the journey ahead of them.
    Looking over at her, she saw the silk shoes emerge from under her red gown as she walked. She wore a veil now, obscuring her face, but he could still see the outline of her features, her eyes on the horizon, lost in thought.
    Following the river, they reached caves, an endless number of caves carved into a sandy hill—another site for the idolatrous pilgrims. The sun was setting and Hugo could see the convoy stopping ahead, near what looked like some merchant stores. There was also the massive building he remembered from his first crossing, eight stories high, built into the hill behind it. It really was the largest building he'd ever come across, seemingly reaching into heaven. Not even castles were so high—churches maybe, but not with stories piled on each other. The roofs were of the green curved tiles the Cathayans used, and the structures painted white and red. There was a nice symmetry to the Cathayan buildings, but without the strength of stone. The Cathayans depended on their walls to keep them safe, while the structures inside were not built for defense.
    As the day cooled, Hugo considered pulling his mail on, feeling more wary with people around. The people were undisturbed by another set of travelers as this place catered predominantly to their general ilk, whether merchants traveling through or pilgrims here for worship.
    "We need to buy you some shoes," he said.
    "Yes," she concurred, without an argument for once. Normally, she seemed to disagree with everything he said on principle, and it made him wonder what was on her mind.
    Leading their camels into what functioned as the main street, they saw wares displayed along the edges of the street, selling everything from vegetables and meat from the surrounding region, to spice and tools. They reached a tent selling clothes and shoes, displayed on a rough wooden table and Hugo stopped his camel, taking Eloise's reins as she went to survey the goods, lifting her veil off her head and letting the light material flow down around her shoulders.
    Bypassing the beautiful pairs, she went for the sturdy leather and Hugo was relieved she had some sense. She dropped a pair to the ground and lifted her skirt, revealing the length of her ankle and calf, which was pale and shapely. Unwisely, Hugo felt himself react to the sight. It had been too long since he'd been with a woman, but it couldn't be this one. He'd noted her pleasant form, but he'd found her too annoying to truly notice her curves, or perhaps he'd forbidden himself from looking.
    She chose a pair of light brown, leather shoes with thick soles, which would keep the stones and the heat from assaulting her feet. The thin-soled silk shoes she wore would have done both. Placing her fine, silk shoes in the camel's saddle bag, she walked on in the new ones, while he paid the merchant.
    "Thank you," she said, when he caught up with her. He didn't say anything in reply, but it might be the first time she'd actually thanked him. "And for letting me send a note before we left. It means much to me knowing I can alleviate some of my friend's worries."
    Friend —not how he would refer to the man she'd been living with, which made him wonder how she saw the relationship. "Why would he not marry you?"
    Eloise frowned and didn't say anything for a while. "Several reasons, I suppose. He feels I should marry someone young. He will return to his home one day, and I suspect he believes my regard for him would not survive it."
    "Is he