The Merry Llewd

Cinny lost her footing twice before reaching the first house, only managing to right herself with a great effort of core muscles and swinging arms. Once, she had to use the head of one of the three guards that rounded out their precession. He’d staggered and nearly dropped the large covered basket he’d been tasked with carrying. This is going to be a long night if I don’t get used to this, she thought.A small crowd had gathered in the street near the first house.

Some of the husbands and wives from further along the route wanted to see how the proceedings were supposed to go. They gave Cladonia a wide berth. The gaunt doe’s intensity seemed to create a palpable exclusion zone around them.

Cladonia lead their procession up to the break in the garden wall, and then went forward to knock on the door while Cinny did her best to keep her balance. Because of the importance of setting the tone for the evening, the mare that appeared in the doorway was coached, and comfortingly familiar.

“Yes? What is it?” Chatter Lee was a gruff apparition as she flung open the door.

Clady stood her ground, holding her staff up. She shook it as she spoke, the sound of brass bells ringing in the night.

“Gwyntdwyr has blessed your house with her presence. Will you provide hospitality and tribute.”

“Why should I?”

“With your generosity, she will contain Gwyntgogle and bring order to our skies. Will you offer your husband as tribute?”

“You can’t have him, she said flatly. I’ve used him up.”

This brought a titter of laughter from the crowd. Chatter Lee’s appetites were legendary, and the idea of an exhausted and “used up” husband was a believable image. “All we have is this cider. “ She presented a steaming mug.

“Then let me offer hospitality in kind, for you both.” Cladonia pulled a flask out of her bag.

Chatter Lee moved out onto the walk, and her husband followed. He was a burly stallion, with thick forearms from his work as a blacksmith.

“Join us in toasting the night. The wind is light and the air is clear.” She took the cup from Chatter Lee and added some liquid from the flask. Then she brought it to her lips and drank before passing it back to the mare.

Chatter Lee brought it to her lips and took a swig, Her eyes went wide and she coughed. Then she released an appreciative murr. Her husband followed. After seeing his wife’s reaction, he took more care as he sipped the liquid, then drew a whistling breath. “That’s a thing,” he muttered. The doe took the cup and passed it to Cinny. “Just a sip,” she muttered under her breath, ”you’ll be having enough sips tonight.”

Before even reaching her lips, the warm vapors coming off the liquid burned at her eyes. The fire hit her tongue with a sudden ferocity, and the warmth ran to her cheeks. The spices were both familiar and unfamiliar together, containing hints of spiced cookies, and dark, ancient fens. It was both frigid and warming at the same time. After she swallowed the small sip, the warmth ran from her burning throat and chest and out to her frogs and fingertips. . She breathathed out a long “Waw.”

Chatter Lee nudged her husband’s side. Blushing and stammering, he said the words. “You’re offer of the bounties of the wind are great, and I offer myself as a tribute.”

There was a small gust of wind that ran up the street. It caught Cinny’s dress, making it billow like a sail. A murmur went through the small crowd. Some would later say that they saw the spirals on Cinny’s dress glow a blue-green for a moment.

“Your tribute is gratefully accepted. As a thanks, take this. It will bring luck and bounty upon your household. “She turned to one of the guards and reached into his basket to pull out a small citrus fruit, studded with cloves. “Place this on your door and accept the bounty that it invites upon your household.”

“That I will,” Chatter Lee said, with a wink at Cinny.

As they stepped back into the street, Clady turned toward the castle. A flash of green light shot between her massive antlers, and up into the sky.

In the Count’s study, Fern turned from the window and gave him a winning smile with no hint of the shyness he’d associated with her. “Show time, stud!”