"Pieces of Ella: Part Two" by Steven Lee Mull

One constable stood at the town gate. He was really all that was needed this time of year. Goblins had migrated far to the south by now and most orcs were encamped north east of the Bear Tooth mountains. The single guard was there mostly to check incoming food and livestock, protecting the local supplies from contaminations. No hostile creatures would show up in broad daylight anyway, with the singular exception of Ella.

She lowered the hood of her cloak to be identified. This was a courtesy as no one else her size here wore such a garment. ‘Critter’ as Ella had named it, was dark green and covered her from head to toe if she wished it. Also, her cloak had long billowing sleeves when she needed them. They disappeared when they were not needed. Ella had never decided if critter was magical, haunted or both. She was sure it was intelligent and had a wickedly funny personality.

The uniformed man tipped his hat to the little dark elf. Town law enforcers were the least of her troubles. Sheriff Connor was a good friend of her adopted family. He had given his men strict orders not to harass Ella or her too few friends. Nebelkinad, the fellow she now faced was new to Looking Glass town. Like most people who settled in this part of the province, he was at lest part elven. That he had an elven name probably meant that he was raised with humans, Ella assumed. To his credit he didn’t stare at her as she approached.

“Do you want to search me?” Ella grinned at Nebelkinad mischievously.

The half-elf constable made a show of looking her up and down. “Hmm, well, I suppose you could be smuggling stolen horses. Maybe even a sheep or two under that cloak.”

Ella was sorely glad this fellow had an elven attitude and humor toward her presence. Most fae elves were supportive of any dark elf making an effort to follow the path of light, particularly one so young. She couldn’t help but giggle as she spun round with critter held open to the breeze. “No cows either. There maybe a flea circus or two though.” She wiggled as if suffering from some undefined itch.

Nebelkinad grinned back at the dark elf girl and shook his head slowly. “Just have them check in at town hall. They’ll need a permit before they can put on a show.” He waved her on before walking over to a cart filled with fodder coming up the road.

Skipping along cobble stone pavement broken here and there with clumps of grass, Ella enjoyed the sun warming her skin through her enchanted vestments. She wondered briefly what this felt like to a being who didn’t have to fear direct sunlight. Perhaps, she mused, there was a spell hidden among dusty archives somewhere that would allow her to do that. With the way her day was going so far, Ella felt as if almost anything were possible. She kicked her heals higher as she wove her way through small herds of people going to market.

Smoke rose from the chimney of her family’s home. Smells of fresh bread and smoked meat drifted on a light breeze. Ella’s bouncing gate became more animated when she imagined that there could be honey on the dinner table too. Nothing topped off Marian’s wonderful cooking like fresh baked bread dripping with honey and butter. She skipped aside, narrowly avoiding a boy who reached out his leg to trip her. Ella chose to pretend she didn’t notice when critter flipped up her long hem, stinging the boy’s cheek with a smart slap. Ella's pretending was made very difficult as she heard him drop the bucket of water he was carrying and began crying. She managed though.

As expected, Marian already had hot food stacked on plates when Ella entered the kitchen. No one else had come in yet so Ella swiped a large biscuit from the table. She had just gotten the golden brown piece of heaven to her mouth when her matron came sweeping in. “Cut a couple of those in half, put some other food between them and come along.”

“Huh?” Ella was taken aback.

“Murie Helms went into labor late this morning. We need to find a few things at the market and hurry over there. Rhaida is there alone. The baby is being difficult so they need our help.” Marian scooped up a basket of food then headed for the door. “Hurry love. You have much to learn.”

Ella looked forlornly down at her map case where her latest prize was stored. There would be no exploring today. She grabbed what she could,

“The boy they sent didn’t say exactly. All I know is there is some difficulty. Let go and let’s find what we came for. We will find out soon enough.” Marian dodged between clumps of shoppers tossing copper coins at merchants without bothering to haggle. She came away with four bags of herbs. Ella offered to carry some of these but her matron ignored her, instead, taking hold of the girl’s arm and dragging her along.

At their last stop in the apothecary shop, Ella was watching medicines being measured with care and placed on vials when she felt little hands tugging at her tunic and fingering her flute cases. “Song, play song” Ella spun round to see Kimchi, a human girl of about two, begging for the dark elf to share her talent.

Ella bent over and hugged the little girl. “Later Kimchi. A baby is coming and I have to go help bring it in.”

“Baby? Where’s da baby?” Kimchi’s eyes were wide with wondrous anticipation.

“It isn’t here yet, silly.” Ella chuckled.

Kimchi pointed at the ceiling. “Stork?”

Adjusting to this ridiculous story humans told their younger offspring, Ella fibbed. “That’s right. I have to go catch the baby when the stork drops it down the chimney.”

Kimchi was suddenly snatched back by her mother. The woman, Marta, glared at the dark elf girl before carting her child away from danger. Ella could hear her muttering something about keeping dangerous creatures penned instead of running loose causing trouble. Ella pretended to ignore this insult. It was time to move on anyway.

The helms home was a square two story house on the other side of the village. Murie was found in a second story bedroom leaning forward on a pile of quilts set upon her bed. Jerohm, her husband, was holding her hands in an effort to comfort her. His mother was mostly fretting. Rhaida was telling her to refrain from pushing as the baby was yet going through transition. Ella could tell back labor had started early from her standing position and the sheen of sweat on her skin. Jerohm encouraged her to breath in short pants. Murie began sobbing instead.

Ella was given herbs to soak in hot water then wrap in strips of cloth. This was done with each one being handed to Marian who laid them on Murie. These poultices would several things for her depending on the herbs used. Rhaida was running her hands over Murie’s nude body in an attempt to communicate with the baby. “He isn’t listening yet. He is confused. We must all become calm so he can pay attention.”

With most of the adults distracted, Ella began to pull a wooden flute out of its case. Jerohm’s mother stopped the dark elf girl with a hand clamped tightly around her wrist. “Don’t do that. They need quiet. Why don’t you run outside and play.” With that, Ella retreated from the room in a huff. Didn’t the old crone know what she could do with her music? Maybe she didn’t care or was simply afraid. Ella didn’t stop until she was at the base of a pole used to hold banners during celebrations or battles.

This was no accident. Ella had a plan. No matter that some people didn’t want her help. She would find a way to be useful whether they wanted her there or not. Quick as a squirl she shinnied up to the level of a bedroom window. Ella was pleased to see that she had guessed her position correctly. She could look directly in on the birthing. Again she placed her wooden flute to her lips bringing forth a light peaceful melody full of life and subtle power.

Within the bedroom a subtle change took place in the flow of Rhaida’s magic. It was guided into the unborn boy, carried there by notes melding with healing power and the deeper weave of natural magic, binding them together. The boy turned head down. His birth continued.

Only two people knew what was going on. Rhaida felt Ella’s music giving her own talents more focus. She did not mind. This was not the first time she and the girl had combined power to reach a common goal. Marian was not as pleased to feel her daughter interfering. She knew from experience that Ella’s talent was not always received well by some people. Marian went to the window as soon as the little boy’s cry sounded. Spotting Ella latched onto the pole, Marian made a signal for her girl to stop.

Ella complied immediately. The music had done it’s work. Waving to her matron, Ella slid back down, landing lightly. Listening to the boy letting lose a healthy bellow she spoke to him with arcane words. “Know your mother’s smell. Be comforted by her breast. Know your father’s voice. Look to him when he speaks. And when I play for you, know me again. Follow me and be mine.” That done, Ella sauntered home for a cat nap, secure in the knowledge that the seed just planted would take root and grow.