"The ale is on me tonight, Islinda!" A hunter announced, lifting his tankard in the air so the others joined him and there was a raucous celebration.
Islinda had no choice but to give out a smile that did not touch her eyes, lifting her pint glass, cheering with the people and there was more drinking.
One would think that after such a stressful day that Islinda would be left alone to deal with her emotions, but the reversal was the case. She was displayed around the village instead like some trophy. Islinda might as well have become a celebrity because everyone wanted to touch or confirm that she was alive.
From what she learned from all the stories being fed to her all day, Madam Alice and her daughters came under severe backlash for sending her away. Over the years, the village had endured the woman's brash and obnoxious attitude until the incident. Yeah, the village didn't react till she was dead, or so they assumed.
