Voluntown, CT’s Young Writers Group

(This is the 3rd entry of the story. My turn again.) 

((If you have not yet read the first 2 parts, I advise you go down and read the post named “Kanaye” for thats the begining of the story.)) 

 

While Emrea tied the sash in the back of the dress Tayla told her, “I can put my own shoes on. Can you tell Ivan to saddle Sky and bring her around?”

Emrea patted the finished bow, turned Tayla around and smiled at her. “You know Im going to tell him to put on a side-saddle. You don’t need the Duchess finding out you’ve been ridding astride. You know her, she’d fire Ivan out of spite.

Tayla waved her hand at her. “Its ok. I’ll be down in a few.”

Emrea nodded, handed her a pair of shoes and left the room. Tayla hated laces, they slowed her down and this pair had two buckles on the side of each ankle.

*Easy as pie* she thought, clipping the last buckle in place. Walking calmly down the stairs, she fastened on her cloak. No matter how much of a hurry she was in, it wouldn’t do to provoke her grandmother into a lecture by running down them.

As a footman opened the front door at Tayla’s approach, the Duchess touched her arm.

“Where are you going, young lady?”

Tayla smiled and brushed the thin, bejeweled hand off her arm.

“I told you yesterday. Shalie, Lyonna and Dessika are meeting me at Wessil’s Books. They are buying me a book for my birthday.”

The Duchess got a sour look on her face. Tayla knew the Duchess wanted to prevent her from going but, because she had indeed told her of the outing, the Duchess couldn’t stop her.

“Be home at a reasonable hour,” she finally spit out and glided away.

~ ~ ~

Even ridding side-saddle Tayla made it to the Turning Owl on time. The small store was a café and bookshop rolled into one. The café was pleasant but, because most of the books about the Occult, not many people came in.

A few years ago, after almost losing Sky to thieves, Tayla had put a spell on her. After dismounting, Tayla activated the spell and tied her reins to the hitching post.

*I bet we’re the only ones there.* Tayla thought , looking at the shop and sure enough, when she walked in, the shop was practically empty. Three girls about Tayla’s age sat around a table in the back, talking.

One of the girls, a redhead dressed in a light green gown, saw her first and jumped up from the table.

“Tayla! You made it. I wasn’t sure that Grandmother of yours would let you.”  She said Grandmother with obvious loathing.

Tayla smiled and hugged her. Walking to the table with the other girl, Tayla replied. “She had to let me come, Dessika. I told her yesterday we were going to Wessil’s because you ladies were missing my birthday.”

Reaching the table, Tayla smiled at the two other girls sitting there. “Why do you always choose the table in the back? It makes us look suspicious.”

One of the other girls stood up and hugged Tayla, her curly, light brown hair bouncing. “You chose this table. We simply keep tradition. “

Tayla laughed. The first time she met Lyonna and her neighbor, the dark-brown haired girl still seated, Tayla had been sitting at that very table reading a book on how to freeze pixies.

Still smiling, Tayla looked at the third girl. “Shalie, I know you’re shy but you can at least say ‘Hello’.”

Shalie looked up at Tayla and smiled. *I don’t like talking to people when they aren’t expecting it. You know that.*

Tayla leaned down and hugged her. “If I’m coming to visit you, I’m expecting it. How many times have I told you that?*

Shalie laughed and it sounded as if three or four tiny bells were going off in Tayla’s head.

“Well now, let’s get down to business,” said Tayla, sitting in the seat next to Shalie. Dessika and Lyonna each took their abandoned chairs.

“Did your Grandmother do as Shalie predicted?” Dessika asked.

Tayla nodded and tried to describe the hideousness of the dress but couldn’t. After a few failed attempts to describe it without getting angry, Shalie touched Tayla’s hand.

*Show me.*

Startled, it took Tayla a few seconds to understand what she meant. Looking at Shalie, Tayla remembered the dress. She pictured it in her head, every horrible detail of it.

Shalie nodded and let go of Tayla’s hand. She reached for Dessika and Lyonna’s hands. After projecting the image to tem she sagged slightly in her chair.

“You ok?” Tayla asked, laying her hand on Shalie’s shoulder.

*Fine, fine* Shalie said into the girls’ heads. She waved her hand at Tayla. *Projecting is a bit different than talking.*

 

(For those of you who might not understand, Shalie is deaf. She can “hear” people with her magic. She is speaking telepathicly to to the girls.)

(This is it for my part. I’ll put the next part up soon. )

( Please comment your thoughts.)

 If you are a between the ages of 10 and 17, live in or around Voluntown CT and like to write, feel free to join us at The Voluntown Public Library for The Young Adult Writers Group. See the offical library website for details on the next one or call us (860)376-0485.

There is also an Adult Writers Group if you are interested in that one.

Thank you

Kanaye