Eira
The next four weeks settled into a rhythmic, silent routine.
While the village slept, Soren worked through the cellar, hauling the heavy grain sacks and splitting cedar logs so Milla could keep the bakery running without the Wardens ever seeing his face.
Eira spent most of the day at the apothecary shop, helping Mrs. Gable with remedies and medicines, while keeping Soren's identity in the dark.
Near the end of the day, she would come over to the bakery to check up on things, occasionally packing orders.
Each evening when Eira descended the cellar stairs, she found the space transformed.
The once-cluttered corners were swept clean of cobwebs, and the woodpile was stacked carefully in the corner.
One rainy Tuesday, Eira arrived at the bakery later than usual. Her hands ached from grinding dried valerian root for Mrs. Gable, and her cloak was damp from the mist.
Eira descended the cellar stairs, her boots clicking softly on the stone.
She found Soren seated on a low stool near the furnace, painstakingly mending a tear in one of Noa's delivery bags. Pip was curled into a tight, snoring ball at his feet, his orange fur dusted with a light coating of flour.
In the corner, near the warmth of the furnace, Soren had made a small, soft bed out of burlap and spare wool for Pip.
However, Soren himself looked different. He had finally gotten rid of his dirt-stained dock clothes. Now, he wore a thick, oversized sweater that Milla had knit herself.
He was currently hunched over a small wooden crate, focused on a scrap of paper. From behind, Eira could see his hand moving slowly as he practiced writing out words from her father's journal.
Eira stood on the middle step for a few minutes, watching him. She didn't know what to say, or if in fact, she should say something. She felt like an intruder in a quiet moment.
Without a word, she turned and slipped back upstairs into the kitchen. She went straight to the pantry and took one of Milla's glazed pumpkin cakes. It was the one Milla had set aside for Eira.
She quickly walked back to the cellar door and placed the cake quietly on the top step where Soren would be sure to find it.
As Eira straightened up to head back to the main floor, she jumped. Milla was standing right there
Milla glanced down at the cake on the stairs, then back up at Eira. Her blank expression melted into a soft, knowing smile. She simply put a finger to her lips, grabbed Eira hand and scurried back upstairs.
In the kitchen, Milla gently pulled Eira over to one side of the table a sat down. She took out a beautiful cinnamon-sugar doughnut from a box nearby and chewed thoughtfully. "It's really good to see that."
"See what," Eira asked, she voice tight.
"You," Milla replied softy. "Your personality. You've been so sharp and… and brittle since the accident. I know you've tried to mask it behind your smiling and everything. But you just weren't like your self in a long time."
Milla smiled. "It's nice to see you sharing your favourite cake.
Eira looked at her shoes, feeling a sudden wave of awkwardness. "I'm sorry, Milla. For just dumping him here. I didn't really give you a choice."
Milla laughed softly, reaching out to squeeze Eira's arm. "A warning would have been nice, sure. But I'd be happy to help you with anything, Eira. You're my best friend. Besides, he's the best worker I've ever had. My back hasn't felt this good in years."
They sat together at the small wooden table, sharing a small pot of herbal tea. They talked for a long time about life before the mess. Milla told stories about when she first moved to Oakhaven as a teenager feeling nervous and how Eira's father had been the first person to buy a loaf of bread from her, though it was burnt to a crisp.
They laughed about old memories and talked about what they hoped for the coming spring. As the sun dipped below the horizon, Eira felt the tension of the last few weeks finally begin to ease.
She stood up and pulled Milla into a tight hug, burying her face in her friend's shoulder.
"Thanks, Milla." Eira whispered.
"Anytime," Milla replied, squeezing her back.