Chapter 57 - You Look Like You (1/2)

The rain stopped the following morning and we slipped out of the palace using the tree Al had shown me after lunch once it warmed up a bit.

My mind was clearer than it was last night. I would focus on my mission—comfortable winter clothes—and nothing else.

Since we were jumping a wall, I changed into my least restrictive dress with a 'half corset' very similar to one of my bras back home before we snuck out.

Unfortunately my sportswear of sorts wasn't going to help me with my fear of heights.

”Uh, Al? I think I'm stuck up here,” I whimpered as I looked down at him.

It was about a seven foot drop and I was not prepared.

He held his arms out. ”You're not stuck. Jump.”

”I would rather stay here,” I said feebly.

”Sit on the wall and push yourself off. It's not as high as if you're standing.”

I squeezed my eyes shut and did as I was told. I hit something solid with a thud and a shooting pain went up my knee.

Al set me down and rubbed his own knee for a minute.

”Sorry!” I squeaked.

”It's fine, I'm the one that told you to jump. Let's go.”

He held out his arm, expecting me to link mine through it like I did with Mariela.

At my quizzical look he shrugged and said, ”This way I won't lose you in a crowd.”

Sure, Al. No matter. It wouldn't be good to get lost out here since I didn't have my own way back into the palace. I followed his lead on the path to town.

Our cloaks hadn't dried completely from the night before so I was wearing a shawl over my braided hair and Al was wearing a cap and servant's clothes so we wouldn't be recognized.

”What is it you want to buy exactly?” he asked as we passed various high-end boutiques.

”Soft, comfortable winter clothes.”

I could tell he had questions but he wisely let me lead him into my clothing shop of choice. I looked around. Homespun shirt samples hung on the walls. That was promising.

A sweet-looking old woman sat behind the counter. She was wearing a sweater! They existed in this world!

”What can I do for you dears?” she asked kindly.

”May I feel your sweater?” I blurted.

My aunt gave me a horribly itchy sweater before and that was the last thing I wanted.

She seemed a bit surprised but let me. I heaved a sigh of relief when I found that it was soft.

The old woman smiled. ”Do you like it? My granddaughter's husband is a traveling merchant. He found some very nice wool yarn in Rowenhilde a while back.”

”It's wonderful,” I said fervently. ”Do you sell them?”

”I do. They take a while to make though so I've been working on some all year. I'm not sure I have any that are small enough for you. The ones I have would better fit your companion here.”

Al held up his hand with the ornately carved wedding band on it.

”Husband. I'm her husband.”

I shot him a dirty look for interrupting which he ignored. ”I don't mind! Can I see them?”

”Certainly.”

She pulled out five sweaters in various colors: beige, dark brown, royal blue, black, and red.

They looked big and comfy, just like the oversized ones I used to buy on purpose so I could hide my hands in the sleeves when I got cold and wear over my leggings.

My eyes shone with delight. ”I'll take all of them.”