The Hunt of the Grimalkin (Erresuma Book 1) by Dani Swanson (read aloud books txt) 📕

“We had a terrible storm one night a few months ago. The lightning was firing so often that the sky was bright more often than it was dark. The booming thunder shook the house, too. When it was finally over in the morning, we went outside to find all the crops destroyed, and the animals had escaped. When you’re done eating your breakfast I’ll show you,” he told her with a tear in his eye.

“That’s horrible!” the girl exclaimed. “I can’t even imagine what that has done to you.” Flynn nodded in response; he didn’t seem to know what to say to her.

They walked out to the yard to look at what was left of the fence. It was broken in more than one spot. The stone posts were still intact, however, the wooden beams running between were splintered in some places. She looked closer at the beams to see scratch marks in the wood. She saw the same marks on the side of the barn. “That’s why I told you to keep the door locked,” Flynn said to her. “I don’t know what came through with the storm, but it was not happy about our fence.”

As they stood there examining the fence a small woman came riding down the road on the back of a little golden horse. “There’s my bride,” Flynn said the twinkle in his eye returning. Eleonore had long blonde hair wrapped up on top of her head. She was a plump woman with a scarlet shawl draped about her shoulders. You definitely could not miss her coming down the road. She had a bundle of wool attached to her bag and other goods such as fruits and vegetables in a basket on the back of the horse.

“My sweet Eleonore, I’ve missed you,” greeted the little man.

The little lady smiled sweetly back at her husband. “Hello love,” she replied. Her voice was sweet and airy like a bird’s song on a breeze. “We have company,” Eleonore stated as her husband helped her down off the horse. “Oh, it’s you dearie! How are you? I haven’t seen you in so long!”  The little woman only came up to the girl’s waist. She ran up to girl and hugged her tightly.

With tears in her eyes she hugged Eleonore back. “Do you remember me?” the girl said with a crack in her voice.

Eleonore stepped back to look up to the girl’s face. “Why of course I do!” Eleonore chimed back.

“She doesn’t remember who she is, Eleonore. She was hoping you could shed some light for her,” Flynn explained.

Eleonore’s face twisted to one of concern, “Are you two having a bit of fun by me?” Eleonore questioned. “Your name is Thea, you silly girl! Of course I know who you are!” Eleonore stared into Thea’s eyes.

Thea sniffled and started to cry. Her shoulders heaved as she sobbed. Eleonore pulled her down to sit on the edge of a nearby bench and wrapped her arms around the crying girl. “Do you really not remember anything?” Eleonore asked. Thea shook her head.

Eleonore and Thea sat inside as Thea recapped all of her memory and what she had found. “Well I know you live in a cabin off by yourself, but I’m not sure where that is dear,” Eleonore said in regards to her home. “You always said you liked it off on your own so you could grow your herbs. You started to come to the market about six months ago, and then about two months ago you stopped coming. That sweet little cat there seemed lost without you. He continued to come to the market and sit at your empty stall, meowing at everyone that walked by.”

Thea was puzzled. She had no memories of any of this. She didn’t remember Eleonore, or the market. “Do you know my family? Or who they are?” Thea asked.

“No dear, I’m sorry. You never talked about your family. You always changed the subject when someone asked you about them. Just you and your cat and your healing herbs.”

Thea learned that she healed many people in the surrounding areas with her herbs that she sold in the market. She also learned that she had helped Eleonore with her booth and her wares. Eleonore weaved blankets and other items to sell in the market. She showed Thea her spinning wheel which she had in the corner where she spun her own fibers to weave; she also cleaned houses in town.

Thea continued to tell her story as she was walking towards Eleonore and Flynn’s house. “I saved a fairy and then was welcomed by their group in the woods. I’m not sure how many days…”

“You were with the fairies?!” Eleonore interrupted her story, “And they allowed you to live?”

Thea had a confused look on her face. “Why yes. I helped them protect their land from the elves.”

Eleonore appeared very concerned by that new information. “The fairies don’t live down this road,” Eleonore said as she pointed out the window to the road Thea had come down. “That is the elves’ land. You helped the fairies keep the land that they stole from the elves.”

Thea was shocked. The thought never occurred that she wasn’t helping the creatures that were doing good. “But I thought I was helping.” She said in a weak voice.

“Not everything is how you perceive it, dearie. There are always two sides to a story; remember that,” Eleonore instructed Thea.

“How did your herbs help the fairies?” Eleonore asked as she slowly sipped her tea.

“I didn’t give them any herbs,” Thea responded. “I’m not actually sure how I helped them.” Thea rubbed her head as she tried to remember.

“What did you do then?” Eleonore inquired.

“Well I scooped them up in my hand like this,” Thea made a scooping motion, “and then….I nursed them to health.” She