Read Online The Crystal Heart by Sophie Masson - Free Book Online Page B

perfect!’ cried Izolda. Her face was alight with such anticipation that it was clear her need for news had been greater than she’d admitted. ‘When do we go?’
    I shook my head. ‘Only I will go. That’s the only way it can work.’
    â€˜But I want to go with you,’ she said, crestfallen.
    â€˜Izolda, you will stand out too much amongst my people. Red hair is very uncommon in my country. They may not know who you are, but you will be noticed. And that could be enough to alert someone.’
    â€˜I suppose that’s all true.’
    â€˜But I won’t go if you are nervous about being left here alone,’ I said. ‘If you –’
    â€˜I will be quite all right,’ said Izolda, proudly jutting out her chin. ‘I can take care of myself. I’ve had a good teacher, remember?’
    â€˜Oh, yes. That’s right,’ I said, laughing.
    â€˜You will be careful, though. Won’t you, Kasper?’
    â€˜Of course. I’ll be very careful, you can be sure of that. I won’t just go about asking questions.’
    â€˜How will you gather the news?’
    â€˜There are market stalls at every port, where forest traders come and go. It will be natural to chat and exchange news then.’ I picked up the bit of wood I’d been whittling. ‘I’ll get busy tomorrow and make a whole lot of toys to trade for more supplies. That way, it will be doubly useful.’
    â€˜Let me help, too. I will make something. Perhaps they might buy a picture?’
    I shook my head. ‘They are beautiful sketches, but they might be looking out for that sort of thing. They know that’s what you spent much time doing in the Tower, and will know your style of drawing. Whereas the wooden trinkets – they won’t know about them.’
    â€˜You think of everything.’ She reached over and touched my hand. ‘I am so glad you are on my side.’
    â€˜Always,’ I said, my body flooding with warmth at her touch. Trying to keep my voice steady, I went on. ‘I’ll leave the day after tomorrow. I will start before dawn so I can be there by the late afternoon, trade our wares and gather news, then set off again the following day. It will mean I will be away for one night as well as two days.’
    â€˜I will manage perfectly well,’ Izolda replied firmly. ‘And I will wait for you and pray to the Lady for your safe return.’

Izolda
    I woke to a house empty of his presence, and it was not a good feeling.
    We had stayed up quite late the night before, putting the finishing touches to the collection of figures Kasper was taking to the port. In the end, I’d contributed by adding colourful detail with the use of charcoal, the juice of herbs, leaves and old plum stones. We’d not left the house and, neglecting our other chores, we made a family of woodcutters, three squirrels, a bear, an old witch with a bright scarf, two birds, and a clown in patchwork costume. It had been a day full of laughter despite the hard work, and in the end, we’d been well pleased with ourselves.
    Yes, it had been a good day. Thinking of it now, as I went about our usual morning duties with only Fela to keep me company, I wished I had said more of what was in my heart. But I could not, for how would we part as we must one day do? We were safe here for now, away from the world. Yes, it was a beautiful place and the pattern ofour days was a pleasant one. But how long could we really stay like that, suspended in the present, with no path to the future? Only for as long as they didn’t find us. And only before the longing for home, the yearning to see the faces of our families, didn’t become too great.
    Kasper might think now that he could live with it. I knew I couldn’t. I couldn’t be an exile for ever, even if we were never found. I thought of how my father could spirit us away and protect us. But I also knew he would