The voice in her head was positively dancing, if a voice’s inflections could be said to dance.<br/>“Shopping! I love shopping,” Teresa squealed as Caroleen started to turn down the suggestion. She was looking at Ivan’s clothes, so dusty from travel and she planned to clean them for him while he slept.<br/><br/>“We can go shopping! I haven’t been to the hamlet shops in many many years and they are my favorite places to find unique treasures. Have Ivan give you coin.”<br/><br/>Caroleen shook her head and requested some small coin from Ivan and he in his weariness waved at his trousers which were in a crumpled heap on the floor.<br/><br/>“Take several.” The voice commanded.<br/><br/>Caroleen shook her head again, abstaining from sound so that the man could have some peace. She took  two small copper coins and tiptoed out the door, which she closed quietly.<br/><br/>“Is that all you took? He had coin. I know you saw what he had. We could have had some lovely meat pies and bought ribbons galore for our hair.” The voice wheedled.<br/><br/>Caroleen smiled graciously at the people in the inn as she descended the stairs. The inn keeper stopped her to inquire if all was well.<br/><br/>“Yes, sir, I can assure you that the accommodations are beyond my expectations at such a short notice. I plan to visit the square and purchase a small treat for our comfort on the journey It has been a while since I had the pleasure of visiting your hamlet.” Caroleen answered kindly. “Since it has been some time, would you point the proper direction for me to go. We travel so many places and after a while I get them mixed up.” She flashed a brilliant smile at him.<br/><br/>He bowed and bobbed before escorting her to the door, pointing up the road, just beyond the inn. She gave him one of the two coins as a way of thanks.<br/><br/>“You gave away half of our money!” the voice screeched.<br/><br/>Caroleen walked down the cobblestone street and when she was finally out of earshot, answered,<br/>“I will let you pick out one thing at the market. Do you understand? I’m in charge of this body for now and you will not bully me. I’m shocked at your selfishness and your arrogance. You don’t deserve to have a man like Ivan. You deserve to be dead and to stay dead. “<br/><br/>The voice fell silent as she hurried along the road. A group of boys, racing around each other and throwing imaginary punches at one another were yelling excitedly about the walking dead.<br/>“I heard the dead walks at night.”<br/>“I heard they bite you and you get to be undead too.”<br/>“I heard they was an army of the undead and that Beelzebub was their captain.”<br/>“If any old undead was around here, I would cut off they head.”<br/>“They could still get you, You gots to burn’em with fire.”<br/>“They is some men who command the undead. They is evil. That is what the Father said at kirk.”<br/><br/>Caroleen kept her head down as the boys passed by. Their words were no different than any child’s play of ghost stories and she tried not to allow it to affect her mood. Once she was alone once more, she held up her head and took a deep breath.<br/><br/>At the individual market stalls, she saw earrings and fresh bread. There was a booth with ribbons, just like Teresa had said. She saw pretty birds in cages and felt sorrow for them and for Teresa. While standing at a leather craft stall, she over heard some men talking about the undead and those who had the power to call them forth.<br/><br/>“The good Father is calling all Christians to be vigilant. There could be the undead walking among us and we wouldn’t be aware. Be vigilant, my children , for Satan goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. We have to pay attention to strangers and people who might be acting strangely. I say that we need to resurrect the stake in the town square as a reminder that we will not suffer a witch to live!”<br/><br/>Caroleen moved to a stall where herbs and simples were made. She sniffed some essential oils and noticed she had enough coin for a small bottle.<br/><br/>The voice in her head was tiny and faint but she heard,<br/>“The one that smells like lavender. I love the smell of lavender.”<br/><br/>Caroleen smiled at the old woman and slid the coin across the wooden plank. She thanked her and quietly left, putting the bottle in her pocket. She walked sedately out of the town, forcing herself to walk with dignity, like a woman of station and class. With her blonde head held high, Caroleen tried to still the beating of her heart. Nothing must happen to Ivan for he was the only one who had the power to lay her soul to rest. He didn’t deserve to be killed for loving Teresa. He was driven by love, not by evil. God is love and if love was the motivator, then no evil could be found there.<br/><br/>Back at the inn, Caroleen ordered a light repast prepared, some cheese, a spot of tea, some fresh yeast rolls. She waited for this and took the tray to their shared room. Setting the tray on the bureau, she was suddenly awash with trepidation.  All pretense of calmness fled her now, she locked the door behind her and slid a chair under the door knob.<br/><br/>Sinking down on the floor by the bed, Caroleen leaned back against the wooden bedframe, determined to stay awake to guard Ivan as he slept. She wasn’t sure what she could do to prevent harm coming to him, but she would not abandon this good man. Finally, as he had slept for some time, Caroleen realized that the gossip she had heard in the town was only a result of some inflammatory sermon and not specifically directed toward them.<br/><br/>She quietly rose and opened a window. Taking Ivan’s coat first, she began to beat the dust from the garment then his trousers. She noticed a small tear in his coat, now wishing she had purchased a small housewives kit for sewing instead of the frippery of scent. Caring for others and not herself was in Caroleen’s nature and even dead, it was part of who she was.<br/><br/>Who was she? She wondered as she lovingly smoothed out the garments and hung them over hangers in the wardrobe. She looked at herself in the cracked and yellowed mirror. Her face was smooth and beautiful, high cheekbones, long straight nose, rounded chin. She had rosy cheeks and bright blue eyes. Her mouth was a red cupid’s bow and when she smiled, white straight teeth sparkled back. Her hair was rich and thick as winter wheat. The breasts that swelled from her bodice were high and lush with soft white skin. Caroleen didn’t have to have a mirror to know the rest of her body was put together in a fashion to satisfy a man and bring honor to her husband. But who was she? Caroleen wasn’t sure yet, but, time would tell.<br/><br/>She sat down to guard Ivan and drifted off to sleep, sitting next to his bed, one arm flung over him protectively.