The family only employed a servant to answer the door when expecting
company, so the girls let themselves inside, discarded their muddy
boots, and hung up their hoods. Safe at home, their horrible secret
slowly changed into an exciting secret and they delighted in remaining
silent about it at supper and throughout the evening. As Ehlissa went
to bed that night, she even imagined whether she would ever have to
kill someone in her future life of adventure.
Ehlissa woke the next day with no immediate plan other than to inquire
at the guildhall if anyone knew of this Bastro. It seemed unlikely
that she would find him right away, but any lead would be helpful.
Perhaps, she hoped, Tenser would be there and help her track this man
down. This made her impatient and she spoke so to Johydee as her
sister helped braid her hair.
"I cannot believe you sometimes," Joyhdee said, pulling her sister's
hair on purpose. "All I have done for you and you have the gall to
complain that I'm not braiding fast enough."
"I'm sorry," Ehlissa said with earnest. "I know you've been a dear
sister through all this. But I don't think you have faired so poorly
if Welmer works out for you. He really did seem sweet on you."
"He was sweet enough..." Joydhee said, blu****ng.
"Oho! You do like him!" Ehlissa cried as she rose from her stool.
"Well, why not?" Joydhee shot back, her face now bright red. "He may
not be so handsome, but he is soft in speech and manner. He said the
sweetest things."
"Oh, what a bad sister I've been!" Ehlissa cried, clutching Joyhdee's
hand. "I have been thinking only of myself and not of your news.
Tell all! What things did Welmer say?"
"I...all right!" Joyhdee cried, and she began to betray Welmer's trust
with the speed that only a woman's wagging tongue could accomplish.
To all these things Ehlissa bent her ear, but though she did so at
first with glee, her mood gradually changed and darkened so that she
was barely listening to Joyhdee at all. Deep in thought, Ehlissa
stepped away from her sister.
"What is the matter?" Joyhdee asked. When no answer came, she
guessed, "Is it because Tenser has not said such things to you?"
Ehlissa laughed, but it was an angry, jealous laugh that hid nothing
of the truth in Joyhdee's guess. "You are still young, Joydhee,"
Ehlissa said. "Things have passed unsaid between Tenser and me far
deeper than any whispered, honeyed words of dear Welmer!"
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