Stories 4 You: Campfire Stories 10 at #OurAuthorGang

A short story by Guest Author Sara Sartagne

You can’t tell a book by its cover

Dan threw another log on the fire, and a plume of smoke rose from the flames. With a sigh, he sank onto the ground, picked up his coffee and raised an eyebrow at Carla and Joe, sprawled on a rug. Carla smiled lazily through the haze of the fire and then gazed at the darkening heavens.

“The stars out here are amazing,” she said. “Isn’t that the Orion constellation?”

Joe grinned at his wife of ten years. “How did I end up with such a brainy missus?”

“You fell in love with my arse, didn’t you? I don’t recall you looking at my brain when we met,” Carla teased him.

Dan chuckled, his eyes fixed on the leaping flames. “A pretty face isn’t everything. There’s a legend told round these parts about a man who won his heart’s desire by seeing past a woman’s looks.”

“Oh? Isn’t attraction based on what we look like?” Joe said, sceptical.

“Not for those who are wise,” replied Dan.

“What’s the story?” Carla asked, sitting up and leaning forward eagerly. Dan’s grey eyes narrowed against the glare of the firelight, and he began to speak.

“Long ago, a traveller was riding this land when he was set upon by robbers. As the blows hit his body, he feared he would die. But then, with screams of terror, the robbers fled as a shadowy figure armed with a staff began to rain blows on them, and a huge dog sank its jaws into their unprotected arms and legs. The traveller, whose name was Gareth, lifted his head to see a tall woman in a cloak. When she looked at him, he gasped. She was the ugliest woman he had ever seen, with a huge jaw, misshapen nose and sunken eyes, her skin puckered and marked.”

“I think there’s a moral coming here,” Joe murmured, and Carla jabbed her elbow into his ribs. Dan, unperturbed, continued.

“Gareth saw her eyes swivel away, and with an effort, he called out to her. She said nothing, but began to tend his wounds, gently and carefully. Afterwards, she washed her hands in a nearby spring and brought him water.

“Ashamed of his reaction to her appearance, Gareth offered his eternal thanks. She laughed, a harsh sound, and he winced.

‘Tell me your name,’ he said. She told him her name was Charis. ‘You saved my life. How can I repay you?’ There was a long silence before the woman fixed him with her eyes. They were clear, deep blue, and their loveliness, in the ravages of her face, surprised him.

‘You truly want to repay me?’ He nodded, trying to ignore the ugliness of her countenance. ‘Then I have one desire,’ she said. ‘Will you grant it in recompense for your life?’

‘Anything!’ he declared, feeling he owed her his life.

‘Marry me,’ she said, and his jaw dropped in dismay. Charis watched him carefully and just as he was about to refuse, he saw the intense pain in her amazing eyes. He recalled how brave she was, her courage and determination and her care for him, a stranger.

Before he realised, he had agreed.

A flash of joy crossed her features and then she nodded shortly. ‘You must rest a while and then we will seek a parson to marry us.’

Gareth went through the ceremony in a daze, barely believing that this woman, who was so ugly it defied description, was now his wife. He had sent a message home that he was married, but in his heart, he dreaded the reception Charis would receive. He knew his mother had wanted a happy marriage for him – but not to a woman who looked like Charis. He was troubled.

Charis said little on the ride and Gareth wondered what she was thinking. His heart sinking, he saw the flags and the townspeople lining the streets, cheering. As they drew near, the cheers died away and soon there was just the sound of their horses’ hooves ringing on the streets in the silence.”

Dan paused and took a swig of his coffee.

“Oh, do go on! What happened?” cried Carla. “I don’t know who I feel most for – poor Charis, or Gareth!”

Dan continued. “That night, Gareth’s family threw a feast as a celebration, but it was a tense, unhappy occasion. Charis gorged herself on food and cackled loudly. Gareth’s head began to ache. The food was tasteless and the lights of the hall too bright.

Finally, Charis stood and held out her hand. ‘Come and claim me as your wife, husband,’ she said loudly to Gareth and the whole room went silent. Without a word, Gareth took her hand and led her to his room. Neither spoke as they undressed.

‘Kiss me,’ Charis wheezed and Gareth, steeling himself, saw the terror in her eyes that he would reject her. She had saved him, risked her life to save his. He closed his eyes and kissed her. Then he swung away, not knowing what to do.

‘Gareth!’ said a soft sweet voice. ‘Gareth, look at me.’

He spun around and there stood the loveliest woman he had ever seen. His eyes darted around the room.

‘Where is my wife? Where is Charis? Who are you?’

Her laughter was like the tinkling of bells. ‘You ask about Charis before asking about me. I am Charis. I was bewitched by a sorcerer because I would not marry him. His curse ensured if I would not marry him, no-one else would.’

Gareth took her hands, and he thought fleetingly, that they had always been soft, he had just not noticed. ‘Have I broken the spell?’

She looked sad. ‘Alas no. I can only remain in my true form for half the day. The other half I will be the disfigured creature you met at first.’ She gazed at him. ‘So choose wisely. Can you bear to look on me in the light of day, when your family and friends gaze on me and despair for you? Or will I be a hag that disturbs your rest and who you cannot bear to touch?’

He was silent for a long time, and he could feel her tense as she waited. ‘But this is not my choice. You bear the curse, not I. What do you want?’

Her breath hitched in her throat, and she put her face in her hands, weeping. Gareth, alarmed, pulled her into his arms, feeling her slender body shake. When she quietened, she smiled tremulously at him.

‘By offering me the choice, you have released the spell! I am returned to my true form.’

Gareth kissed her again but said seriously to her. ‘You have so many beautiful things in your character, I could have loved you in time anyway. Your courage and bravery, your truthfulness and determination.’ She kissed him again.

The next morning, Gareth told the story to his family and the whole town celebrated with them. But while Gareth rejoiced in his lovely new wife, he never forgot her actions towards him, which shone as brightly as diamonds – and lasted longer in his mind than her beauty.”

Dan stopped and there was a pause, before Carla applauded. Thoughtfully, Joe took Carla’s hand.

“You know, I’d seen you first when you were nice to Jane in your class,” he said. “She was being bullied. You marched up to her and invited her to sit with you. Jane’s face lit up. I’ve never forgotten it. Then I looked at your arse.”

She smiled and then kissed him. “Good to know you think something else about me is beautiful. Because my arse won’t always be this perky.”

Dan chuckled and suggested they turn in.

Sara Sartagne

https://sarasartagne.com

Sara Sartagne writes women’s fiction featuring brave women, often weaving love stories through the narrative. Her English Garden Romance series reflects her passion for gardening. The novellas are downloadable from her website. The Duality books combine contemporary and historical plots into award-winning standalone dual timelines. She lives in East Yorkshire, moving from London to a HUGE garden in 2019.