My eyes dance around the old table as I assess each of their faces. One old man in particular glares at me through his hairy features. Has he figured me out? Does he know I am only Fifteen?! Nah, I’d never been this way before. I wasn’t known here. But as an outsider, I was severely unwelcome.
I shake my fist; Once, twice, three times and release my hand-carved die onto the tablecloth. Another high-roll! I punch the air and gleam brightly at each of the men infront of me, scooping my latest win into my satchel.
“One more win, then I’ll move on”, I think to myself.
Each of the four other men make their bids into the pot, all of them squint and huff at me as they do. I equal their bids. In turn we roll our die. My turn is up. The stakes are now high, the highest pot we’ve had all night. I sigh heavily. My palms sweaty, I shake my fist; Once, Twice, Thrice. I close my eyes as I hear my wooden die clatter onto the table. I take a peak. The highest roll! I grin scooping the coins into my satchel.
Suddenly the man across from me snarls and leaps up from his seat.
“YOU FILTHY LITTLE CHEAT!!”
My eyes widen, I glance down and the dagger in his hand winks at me. I daren’t even defend my honesty. I stand, frozen. Switly my mind calls into action “Run you idiot, RUN!” She screams at me.
My jaw drops and in a split second I’m heading for the door, my satchel snags onto my stool and I tug hard, snapping the leather of my bag and pulling the stool over as I go. The great brute chasing my dances with the fallen bar-stool. As the heat of adrenaline courses my veins, I can’t help but giggle hysterically.
Holding my hat to head I barge through the large oak door of the Taverna. The icy cold winters night is break-taking. I sprint and hide into the darkness, away from lanterns glowering from houses. From my little hiding spot I see the old man, cursing me and kicking the fence of the inn.
I give a little victory giggle to myself. I wasn’t a cheat, I know that for sure. But there was no way that old man would believe me. I heard for this town, most criminals lost a finger or two if found guilty. I wasn’t taking that risk.
Limbs in-tact I started to walk through the town. I was only stopping here for few hours to rest before heading further north. That was where the mythical dragon jewel was said to be. I grinned as I dreamt of how famous I would be if I ever found it. I could look after my family and they’d never have to labour again. My sister fondly called me her ‘Little dreamer’. I was hoping dreams came true.
I walked for a few miles north, coming to the end of the city. I hadn’t realised how cold it was. My body was shivering voluntarily and I could feel myself getting sleepy.
Onto my knees. My cheek in the snow. Why is it so cold?
I open an eye. Light floods into my head. I groan and roll over. I’m covered… in a blanket? I arch a brow as I sit up.. in a bed, but it isn’t my own. These are not my clothes. I am in a cloth gown. Where are my clothes? I glance and inspect the room. Books on a shelf, a toy chest in the corner, many clothes and coats. Two other beds. I glance to the door and nearly fall off the bed. There, is stood a girl of about Six years old. Staring at me. She is grinning from ear to ear, with dark beady eyes and bright blonde hair. Suddenly her mouth opens wide and she turns away from the door.
“MAAAMAAAAAH! THE GIRL IS AWAKE NOW!” with that, she disappears down the stairs.
I want to run. Suddenly I hear footsteps hurrying up the stairs, big, adult footsteps, followed by little children ones. A face appears at the top of the stairs. A middle aged woman, her hair a dirtier blonde than the little girls. Her eyes are the same. She gives me a menacing look.
“What’s your name?” She says blandly.
“M-Monette” I reply.
She thinks it over for a split second.
“Well, Monette. You can stay with us for a few days. I will send a letter to your parents to collect you from here. You are far to young to be out on your own”
“I don’t live with my parents. They’re dead” I frown.
She arches a brow at me.
“I live with my Sisters”
“Your Sisters, then” With that she retreats down the stairs, leaving me with the little girl
“I’m Mei-Yan!” She squeaks. “People call me MiMi though” She grins.
I smile at her enthusiasm. She tells me how shes lives with her Mother, her brother and sister. Her father is away at war, she tells me proudly. She takes my hand and leads me downstairs. I stand awkwardly as she runs to the table and hands me a long dress. Her mother had sewn it for me. She gives me a tour, small and excited to have such a strange visitor, I assume.
***
It is late in the evening. My day has been fairly productive. I have gathered, washed, peeled and cut vegetables. I have learnt how to stitch a seam and even managed to repair my broken satchel strap. I have washed vast amounts of clothes to the point that my fingers have bled. I am exhausted. To think my Eldest sister does all this for me on a daily basis. I must help her more.
All of us girls sit down quietly by a lantern. The eldest daughter, Li-Yan, hasn’t spoken to me much. She is 20 and a scholar. Her nose is deep into a book when the door creaks open. I turn and blink. He is taller than his sisters and his mother. The clothes he wears are filthy but eyes are radiant as he beams at his family. His hair is covered in soot, mud and who knows what else. He mother hugs him and he pulls a large sack of wood and coal into the corner of the room. He grins and nods at me, I can’t help but blush. With that he makes his leave for the wash room.
When he returns, I can’t help but notice his hair is a beautiful copper-blonde.
“Hi there, How are you feeling now?” He is softly spoken.
“Uhm, fine, thank you..?” I frown, confused. We’ve met before?
He grins and chuckles “I was the one who found you in the snow, I brought you here.” he answers my unspoken question.
I smile, embarrassed. His Mother soon interupts to tell me that although my sister will not be coming to collect me, a carriage has been arranged to take me home tomorrow. I am sad. I tell the family of my hopes to find the dragon jewel that lies north. The young boy, beams, interested. His mother snickers and tells me not to believe such ridiculous lies.
I lay in bed, disheartened. I came all this way for what purpose. My sister was right. I am a little dreamer. I drift off into uneasy sleep.
***
The carriage horse is losing his patience. I leave the Woman money for her hospitality. I say good bye to her daughters. I look for Copper-Blonde, but he is nowhere to be seen. I sigh, still dream-shattered. I step onto the carriage. That is the last time I visit the town… but very frequently I dream of the Copper-Blonde boy.
I step into my local tavern. I have grown used to the smell of ale, old men and cheap perfume.
At 20 years old, I know all the table games like the back of my hand. Tonight, its cards. Ji-Min calls me over to his table. I smile as I’m greeted by familiar faces. But there is one face I do not recognise. Noticing my stare, Ji-Min claps the young man on the back and grins at me.
“This young dog is Elmendorf! He’s new to the likes of gamblin’ Monette so go easy on ‘im” With that Ji roars with laughter.
Elmendorf eyes dance as he watches me.
“No promises, I’m afraid” I smirk.
+++
The ale flows slower, the coins decrease on the table and the candles grow low. I’m getting tired.
“I’m going to take my leave gentlemen. I’ll see you next week.” I smile softly.
Ji nudges Elmendorf and mutters “She always leaves when she wins three in a row” He teases. Just like that time when you were a young lass, hey Ettie? and that poor young lad had ter save yer from the cold!” With that he begins to ramble on about the night I was chased with a dagger.
I roll my eyes as I head out the door. The night is as cold as the night Copper-Blonde found me. I never did say Thank you. I sigh, remembering his face. I’d have loved to have spent more time with him.
Suddenly a hand grabs my arm, I turn to face the grasper. It’s Elmendorf.
“So it is you!” He grins broadly. I frown confused. “The girl, looking for the Dragon Jewel! I’m the boy who found you in the snow!”
I glance over him. His bright eyes. His radiant copper-blonde hair. I lunge to hug him. Immediately I thank him for saving my life.
“I had been hoping to spot you in this town.. I-I came to give you something…” With that he pulls out a small red stone. I know immediately it was the Jewel I had longed to find myself. He tells me of his travels to the cove. He remembered all this time about where I’d said to find it. He walks with me back to the inn where I live, and we talk long into the night.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I learnt that night that the Jewel wasn’t the greatest treasure to be found. I had found and the boy with Copper-Blonde hair. The boy who became my husband.