Golden Box Book Publishing GBBP Magazine, June, 2017 | Page 11

Elana smiled back at her, “Your mark will appear when the
time is right, and I will greet you a little differently if the time
comes, and when it comes. We will find out in due time. Your
future depends on many things yet been decided.”
Ema sighed in annoyance, “Whatever! Everybody tells me to
wait until the time is right!”
Ilona noted with surprise how quickly her mind adapted to
hearing and interpreting the old language. At first, she had to
concentrate, but after Elana’s few sentences she understood what
she said without paying close attention.
“Ilona!” Ema shouted, jumping toward Ilona like a panther,
but keeping an eye on Elana. She nodded approval, and a small
smile played in the corner of her lips. Ema hugged Ilona close,
laughing and sobbing in the same breath. She looked fantastic,
dressed in a cream-colored tunic. She wore leather trousers and a
delicately woven headdress. Her hair was braided, with leather
thongs flowing down to her shoulders, “You came so soon! I have
so much to tell you.”
“There will be time later, Ema. I assume they have a more
urgent reason for their visit. Please, be seated.” Elana motioned.
Ilona looked around, amazed. In the middle of the room, she
saw a group of light, foldable, stools with leather seats. They were
placed in a circle around a delicately carved table. The inside
walls were covered with brightly colored tapestries. On the floor
was a thick woven carpet. Oil lamps hung on hooks all about the
walls, and to the left, there were fur-covered beds. The other side
of the room contained pots and pans on shelves and delicately
carved wooden plates. Cooking utensils were suspended on bone
hooks. There was a small alcove pointing to the outside. A large
pot was steaming on a stone fireplace. Pillows and brightly
painted wooden trunks were strategically placed around the room.
Ilona walked in and sat down, finding the chairs to be extremely
comfortable.
Elana’s soothing voice got her attention. “Welcome to my
humble home. Your visit honors me.”
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