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DargonZine Volume 22 Issue 04
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D D AAAA RRR G GG O O N N N Z I N N N E || Number 4
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DargonZine Distributed: 12/21/09
Volume 22 Number 4 Circulation: 640
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Contents
Editorial Jon Evans
A New Future Claudia Ryan Seber 30 1018
Changes Rena Deutsch Nober 12, 1018-Deber 1, 1019
========================================================================
DargonZine is the publication vehicle of The Dargon Project, Inc.,
a collaborative group of aspiring fantasy writers on the Internet.
We welcome new readers and writers interested in joining the project.
Please address all correspondence to <dargon@dargonzine.org> or visit
us on the World Wide Web at http://www.dargonzine.org/, or our FTP site
at ftp://ftp.dargonzine.org/. Issues and public discussions are posted
to the Usenet newsgroup rec.mag.dargon.
DargonZine 22-4, ISSN 1080-9910, (C) Copyright 21 December, 2009 by
The Dargon Project, Inc. Editor: Jon Evans <thegodling@verizon.net>,
Assistant Editor: John White <john.white@DREXEL.EDU>.
DargonZine is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs-
NonCommercial License. This license allows you to make and distribute
unaltered copies of DargonZine, complete with the original attributions
of authorship, so long as it is not used for commercial purposes.
Reproduction of issues or any portions thereof for profit is forbidden.
To view a detailed copy of this license, please visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd-nc/1.0 or send a letter to
Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford CA, 94305 USA.
========================================================================
Editorial
by Jon Evans
thegodling@verizon.net
There is a philosophical argument that everything we do in life is
based on personal satisfaction. No matter what it is, our actions are
rooted in personal desire. Work is an excellent example: most people do
not necessarily want to work, but they do want the benefits they get
from having a paycheck, health coverage, life insurance, etceteras. It
is a compelling argument. The Arts is one of the areas where it is
difficult to prove that correlary. Many people who work in "the Arts"
will tell you it is because they were drawn to it, or they are compelled
to do what they do. Authors must write! Painters must pain! Singers must
sing! And it's true: we must. The compelling desire does exist. But
don't think we don't get anything out of it other than the fact that we
have written, or painted, or sung. There are personal joys that go with
it beyond the incredible satisfaction of seeing your name in print or
hearing your voice on the radio.
One of the greatest benefits I've gotten out of DargonZine is the
long-term friendship of my fellow writers. Last night, just hours
before I started writing this Editorial,highlighted that fact clearly.
Because of my involvement in DargonZine, I literally have friends all
over the world. Late last week, I was given an assignment from my job
to fly to Boston, MA, to support a field office for two days. I quickly
sent an e-mail off to Ornoth Liscomb, the founder of DargonZine and
long-time Editor and author. I missed his presence at the last Summit,
as he has taken himself off the roles of our active writers, but I was
able to reconnect and spend several hours chatting, catching up, and
eating some really fine Indian food at a restaurant he turned me on to
in Arlington. In retrospect, that particular restaurant was just the
latest in gifts he has bestowed upon me. Over the years, we've
exchanged music, books, and a variety of non-Dargon interaction that
has fostered the relationship. All because a gangly-boned geek in Maine
decided to start a writing project, some 25 years ago.
I enjoy the friendships I've forged with all the authors here at
DargonZine. I hope our small family reaches out across the electronic
highway into your home, and the compelling thing we must to -- write! --
helps to create a friendship with you, the readers, as well.
This issue, we have two stories that tie strongly to family and
friendship. The first, A New Life, is yet another story from one of our
newest and more productive authors, Claudia Ryan. The second, Changes,
is from one of our long-time authors, Rena Deutch. Enjoy the issue!
-J
========================================================================
A New Future
by Claudia Ryan
<spedtchr1@yahoo.com>
Seber 30 1018
Barlid lay on his pallet in the little room he and Meekee had
found. He liked to look at the pottery he got from the mage Cefn
An'derin for showing him the underground Temple of the Kiss of Courage.
The pottery glowed in a beam of sunlight. He should have sold it after
Cefn gave it to him, but, it reminded him of his mother. She had some of
the same type of pottery. She had liked pretty things. That is why he
had asked for it as payment for guiding Cefn to the Temple of the Kiss
of Courage.
Since he had received the kiss of courage, he had no fear. It was
strange. He had seen many of the others with no fear do dangerous things
and pay the price with their lives. He stopped himself several times in
his early days of no fears before he could do something that could have
had tragic consequences. Having always been of a cautious nature, he had
little difficulty in stopping to think before acting. He knew he would
have to be vigilant for the rest of his life but felt that he could
handle it.
He wondered what he was going to do. He couldn't stay with the
shadow boys much longer. He was getting too old. shadow boys could only
get temporary work and mostly hard labor jobs. Because many would not
hire shadow boys, he spent too much time looking for work and too little
time earning a wage. He hated stealing so he rarely stole. When he did,
he only stole from people who looked as if they could replace what he
stole. He never stole from the merchants and never near them either.
That way, when he bought food from them and he tried to let them see
just a very hungry boy with very little money; some were sympathetic and
gave him larger servings or better food. He didn't avoid stealing just
because more energy was expended on keeping away from the law as in
working and seeking work. It was more because his family had stressed
honesty when they had been alive and together.
He had no time to learn. His reading and mathematics skills needed
to grow if they were to help him get anywhere in this life. His mother
and father had both stressed learning. Living in Magnus then Armand,
they had thought he could get a job like his father's and work for the
government. Even if there were government jobs here, he had no one to
sponsor him. He would have to find some other method to make his way in
the world. This was going to take some deep thinking.
He continued to stare at the pottery, he began to smile. Before he
lost his fear, he would have let fear keep him from approaching the mage
Cefn An'derin. He could not expect the mage Cefn An'derin to help him,
but perhaps he would take some time and counsel him as to what to do to
begin to change his life. It was worth a try. Cefn often went to the Inn
of the Panther. Barlid thought that if he waited along the route to the
inn, he might be able to talk with Cefn. He thought, "If not today, then
sometime soon," as he went to the door. He was patient. Barlid started
off to see if he could find Cefn.
Cefn turned on Nochtur Street going toward Main Street and the Inn
of the Panther, he noticed the shadow boy lounging at the corner. He
recognized him as the one who had shown him the way to the temple a
sennight ago. He recognized a difference in this boy and most other
shadow boys. Though his clothes were tattered and stained, the young man
was clean. When he had talked with him, he had been well spoken if a bit
arrogant. He turned toward the young man. "Well met."
Barlid stepped forward. "Well met, lord. I need to talk with you."
Cefn knew this was because the young man had all fear removed. His
interest was piqued by this fearless young man. "Walk with me. You may
join me at the inn. We can talk over a mug of ale." Barlid fell in with
Cefn.
"Here, you, no shadow boys are allowed in here." The bar keeper
addressed Barlid.
Cefn turned in his direction. "The young man is with me. Bring us
two ales."
Sitting opposite the mage, Barlid looked at where Cefn's face
should be. Cefn again remembered that this young man had had his fears
removed. This gave him the ability to look without flinching into the
shadow of the hood that protected and hid his uncanny eyes from the
stares of people. Cefn nodded. "You said you needed to talk." He held up
his hand. "Wait until the barmaid leaves. I don't like my business
overheard." He gave an order for food to the barmaid when she came to
the table to leave the ale.
They applied themselves to their food and drink. Once the barmaid
took their plates and topped off their ales, they leaned back. "Now, I
believe you said you needed to talk with me."
"Yes, I do. You know that the kiss of courage removed all my fears.
I think that I am the last remaining shadow boy who had that done who is
still alive. That is probably due to my age. Even though I do not fear
anything, I have always thought before I acted. From what I saw, the
others acted on impulse and it led to their deaths."
Cefn, nodded. "I see. You are able to think things through. You are
correct in your assumptions. The less mature individual does tend to be
impulsive; although maturity does not necessarily come with age. These
thoughts lead to your reason for talking with me?"
"Yes. I am getting a bit long in the tooth for a shadow boy. I need
to find a new way to make my living; hopefully, a better way that would
allow me a more comfortable way of life.
"Over the time I have lived in Dargon, I have observed that some
people are better problem solvers. You, sir are one of the best that I
have observed. I was hoping that you would help me figure out what to
do."
"I think I could. Let us walk. I find my mind works better for a
bit of exercise." Standing, Cefn turned toward the door.
Barlid, followed. Cefn observed him pausing and handing the barmaid
a coin and saying, "Thank you for your service. I wish it could be
more."
She smiled at him and walked over to the bar.
The bartender asked, "What was that all about? Do you want me to
rap him up the side of the head?"
"No! He just paid me a complement and tipped me to boot. That is
not a shadow boy."
No one could see Cefn's smile.
Once they were walking, Cefn started talking. "Out of sight, out of
mind, you need to get out of your present room and change they way you
dress and look. Within a sennight, people will get used to you being
absent and stop looking for you, even stop thinking about you. Then if
they see you, they will not recognize you."
"I can see that. With the disappearance of the little ones, people
aren't even talking about them anymore."
"If you have anything in your room that you need, go get it and
meet me where we met today. I need to run an errand so wait if I have
not returned by the time you arrive. I know of a place you can stay for
the time being and I have some clothes that should fit you that someone
left with me. A different haircut will help also."
Cefn walked toward Market Square. Once he was near the booth he
found a shadow boy to carry a message to Corambis. Soon the sage came
out of the booth and walked toward Cefn. "Come walk with me, Corambis, I
will buy you something to drink."
Laughing, Corambis spoke as he came up to Cefn, "I have customers
lined up outside my booth, and you want to take a walk."
"This will not take long and you can tell those in the line that
you had to consult with a colleague which will be the truth. I have need
of your knowledge. Do you want lemonade or wine to drink?"
"I would get lemonade for Thuna and drink one myself. If I started
drinking wine, I might not want to go back to my customers."
Cefn stopped and turned toward Corambis. "What do you know about a
shadow boy named Barlid?"
"Barlid ...? I have found him to be a reliable messenger. He
appears to be intelligent but at times is a bit arrogant."
"My assessment also though based on a limited view of the subject.
Can you tell me anything else of him?"
"Hmm. I am getting curious about your need for this information.
You will inform me of your interest at some time in the future, won't
you?" At a noise suspiciously like a chuckle from Cefn, Corambis
continued. "A few days a sennight Barlid has sat in my storeroom and
read or practiced mathematics. He a very good reader and is building his
mathematics skills."
"Now, that is interesting. Thank you, my friend." Cefn turned and
walked back the way he had come leaving Corambis holding three cups of l
lemonade. Shaking his head, Corambis walked back to his booth.
When Cefn got close to the meeting place, he saw Sergeant Cepero of
the town guard talking to Barlid. Barlid did not look afraid of course
but the sergeant appeared confused. Cefn thought that it was not often
that a shadow boy talked to a town guard without being held by both
arms. Walking up, he asked, "May I be of assistance sergeant?"
"Thank you for your offer, lord. This young man said he was waiting
for you. He also says that these lovely pieces of Corathin Pottery are
his. Since the first claim was correct could you tell me if the second
is also correct?"
Smiling a smile that no one could see, Cefn replied, "Yes,
sergeant, the pottery does belong to him. He earned it by completing a
task for a client."
"Well with all the strange things going on since the causeway fell,
I don't see why this should be any different. I will bid you both a good
day. I need to keep moving. The incidents needing the guards' attention
are increasing." He walked off toward the marketplace.
"Let us go." They started off eastward walking down the Street of
Travellers. They stopped at Market Street and turned toward Cefn's house
on a hill right at the corner of the crossing. The two passed behind the
house to a smaller building.
Entering the building Cefn left the door open for light. Barlid saw
eating and cooking utensils by a fireplace. A table and chairs sat close
to a window. A bed was built into a back corner of the room. "Wait here.
You can put your package on the table and open the curtains for light. I
will be right back." When he returned, he handed Barlid some clothes. "I
think these should fit you.
"There are two sets. You can wear one set while the other is
washed. I don't have any boots but yours look good enough. There is a
wash tub at the back of the house, bring it down here."
Barlid nodded and left the room. When he got back he placed the
washtub outside of the door. Cefn told him to start hauling water. He
would fill the tub and pots to heat water for a more comfortable bath.
As he went to get the first bucket of water, Cefn laughingly said
"You might prefer to bathe in the room rather than outside where the
neighbors would get a show." Cefn followed him toward the well which was
between the smaller building and the house.
Cefn went on toward the house. Before Barlid finished filling the
bucket Cefn came from the house carrying two large pots and a large bag
which hung from his shoulders.
"If we only fill the three pots half full, they will heat more
quickly. Once we have the water heating, you can run an errand."
Cefn was emptying the bag between the table and the bed as he
talked. A couple of small pots, candles and some folded cloths were put
on the table. He laid bedding on the bed.
The errand was to Market Square to get some meat pies and juice.
Cefn had noticed how quickly the young man had completely emptied his
bowl of stew and figured he could stand to eat again. They ended up
eating under the trees outside because of the heat in the room. "Well
are you ready to begin your transformation? I will cut your hair out
here to keep from having to sweep the hair out of the house."
Cefn left after cutting his hair. Barlid took his bath and donned
his new clothes. He felt like a new person. Cefn would allow him to stay
in the building for some work around the grounds of the larger house.
The building had been used as a house before. He put his pottery on the
mantle above the fireplace. All in all, he was better off than before.
He cleaned up his small house. He used a broom found in a corner to
sweep the water out the door. He put the tub and both buckets out beside
the house. With a new bucket of water, he washed the table with some of
the stronger soap Cefn had brought in one of the pots. He also wiped
down the mantle and all of the furniture in the room. Barlid put the
bedding onto the bed.
The work on the grounds would take very little of his time, so even
if he did not get a better job he still could get part time work as a
message carrier for Corambis and others. He could work on his skills in
mathematics at Corambis' place as before. The coins he got for those
jobs would meet his needs. If he was careful, he could build up a
savings which may be helpful. He needed to stay around his small home
for a sennight at least before he went looking for a job.
After the help Cefn had given him, all Barlid had to do was find
some type of work that would give him a future worth working for. Before
the kiss of courage, he worried about the future a lot. HIs greatest
fear had been that he would be old and still on the street. Now he did
not fear the future. He was confident he would find a position that
would develop into a vocation.
Cefn had given him a start; it was up to him to keep going to his
new future.
The sennight had passed so slowly. If he had not had the yard work
to keep him busy, he might have gone crazy. He had not seen Cefn since
the day he moved into the little house. He had decided to go to Corambis
to ask him about available jobs. After washing, he dressed in the better
of the two sets of clothes Cefn had given him. The short damp curls on
his head appeared more red than brown in the light. He doubted anyone
would recognize him even if they got close.
He walked down The Street of Travellers to Nochtur street where he
turned toward Coldwell Street. He turned right on Coldwell and proceeded
toward Market Square. He had tried to get here before Corambis would
have a long line. Ever since the causeway fell, people wanted to have
their fortunes cast. It was great for Corambis.
Corambis heard Thuna's voice. "Oh, well met, Corambis said for you
to go right in."
At the sound of the door closing, Corambis called out, "Come in
here." Corambis was bent over behind his table trying to shove a folded
piece of parchment under one of the table legs to stabilize it. He was
mumbling to himself.
"Take a seat." So saying, the sage turned and sat himself down
across from the young man. He thought he recognized the young man but
was still distracted by the wobbly table. Smiling, he spoke, "Well met.
It has been a while since we have met."
The young man smiled and responded, "Sir, I have just arrived in
Dargon. You must have me confused with someone else. My name is Karrel,
Karrel Latte. My mother died. My oldest brother had married and moved
away. My father brought my older brother and I to move to Dargon. Just
outside of Dargon they were killed. I have been staying with an
acquaintance. You were recommended as a strong and learned mage and
sage. I need to find a position where I might be able to move upward as
I prove myself. I hope you might guide me to such a place."
Grinning and nodding back at Karrel, Corambis coughed. He now
realized this was Barlid with a new persona. "Yes, I believe the
position you want will be found at the shipping, trading, and storage
company called Fifth I Merchants. If you will hand me a piece of that
parchment behind you and the quill and bottle of ink, I will write a
recommendation. Based on my long acquaintance with your family, I
believe I am qualified to do that."
Thuna came in and handed Karrel a mug and tried to give one to
Corambis. "Use your head Thuna! You see I am writing. Greet Karrel Latte
and take the mug to drink yourself. Bring mine when Karrel leaves."
Thuna smiled at Karrel and said, "Well met, Karrel. It is nice to
meet you." Corambis started mumbling so Thuna took the mug and went to
the front room.
"The drink is called hot chocolate. In Beinison they drink it
without milk or sweetening and it is nasty. The merchant who sells this
got the recipe from me. He found a large amount of the raw beans it is
made from after the Beinisonians were driven out. He has a good business
now. Do you like it?" Corambis smiled and mouthed the name Barlid.
Karrel nodded and took the parchment Corambis handed him. "I thank
you for this introduction."
"It is the least I can do." Pointing, the sage gave directions. "Go
to the corner and turn left. Just a little way down the block is a long,
narrow, storey-and-a-half brick building. The offices to Fifth I
Merchants are located there. The owner is Master Percantlin, and his
assistant is known as Heerans. I wish you well. Come back when you can
and let me know how you do."
It took almost no time for Karrel to be standing in front of Fifth
I Merchants. The office stood at the front end of a long and solid
warehouse. Warehouses stood next to this one, behind it and across the
street from it. It was a warehouse district because it was so close to
the Coldwell River and the docks.
Karrel walked up to the door and entered. There was no one seated
at the reception desk just inside the door. A substantial looking young
man was coming down the stairs and asked Karrel, "How may I help you?"
"Good morning. I have a message of introduction for either Master
Percantlin or his assistant Heerans."
"I will see that Master Percantlin gets it. You may have a seat. He
pointed to a bench to one side of the desk in the entrance hall.
"Thank you." Karrel sat to wait patiently as the other young man
disappeared into an office on the next level.
Inside the office, Percantlin thanked Heerans as he took the note.
"Have you read this?"
"Yes and I found it interesting. I cannot remember a single time
Corambis has written an introduction before."
Walking back to his desk and sitting, Percantlin nodded. "He has
sent us several people over time and he just told them to tell me he
sent them or told me ahead of time he was sending someone. I walk past
his booth every day." Pausing he nodded his head. "Yes, this is
interesting. I will see this person. Send him in."
Karrel entered the office to see Master Percantlin sitting behind a
desk. "Well met, Karrel Latte. Have a seat." Percantlin gestured toward
an upholstered chair in front of the desk.
"Well met. Thank you Master Percantlin. It is nice to meet you."
Karrel sat in the chair and looked Percantlin in the face."
"According to this note from Corambis, you are a responsible young
man who will work hard for my company and be an asset to us at Fifth I
Merchants."
"Corambis is known for speaking honestly. Everything he says of me
in the note is true. I will work hard for your company. It will benefit
the company and me. There is one problem." Pausing, Karrel nodded. "A
lie of omission is still a lie and I cannot base my new future on a
lie."
"If Corambis did not lie in his note, where is the lie?"
"It is my omission, sir. I need to let you know of my past. Before
the war, my mother died and my father decided to come to Dargon. The war
broke out as we traveled and my father and older brother died just as we
came into Dargon. After the fighting, some other orphans brought me into
the shadow boys."
"So, you were an orphan and a shadow boy. Is your seeking a job at
my business a sneaky way of getting into the warehouses in order to
steal from us?"
"No sir. I am looking for a position in order to build a new future
for myself. I stole rarely in the short time I was a shadow boy. Once I
stole from a man and felt guilty. I ended up taking what I stole to the
person I stole from and apologizing."
Smiling, Karrel continued. "It happened to be Corambis. He took me
back to his booth. He cut the apple I had stolen into slices and shared
them with me. He even gave me the knife when he found out I did not have
one. I carried messages for him and soon for other people he knew. I was
usually able to eat without stealing."
Pausing again, Karrel looked up right into Percantlin's eyes. "I
owe him a lot. He and his friends accepted me as an honest person even
though they knew I was a shadow boy. I have changed how I dress and how
I look so that the shadow boys will not recognize me and respectable
people might not be prejudiced against me.
"If you give me a position, I will work hard for you. I will be
honest and trustworthy. You will be proud to have me in your company."
Percantlin looked deep into the young man's eyes. "It took a lot to
tell me your story. You were right to do so. If I had discovered this
secret, I would have assumed the worst. Now that I know the truth, I
feel that you may work out in Fifth I Merchants. I want to start you out
as my office boy. Come back tomorrow and we will fit you with a
uniform." Standing Percantlin reached out to shake Karrel's hand.
========================================================================
Changes
By Rena Deutsch
<Luv2rite@dargonzine.org>
Nober 12, 1018-Deber 1, 1019
"I don't want to be a scribe!" Briam screamed at the two people
standing in front of him, his face red and wet with tears. He slammed
his fist on the table. "I want to be a Town Guard. Rebecca said I can be
a Town Guard."
"Briam," Sian said softly, reaching for his hand, but Briam pulled
it away. "I don't see how you can chase down anyone with just one leg.
Guards need to be able to run." She looked at Tom, who stood beside her
for support, but he remained silent. The night before she and Tom had
discussed getting a peg leg for Briam to give him at least some of his
mobility back. While Tom was all for it, she had argued that Briam's leg
needed some more healing time.
"Rebecca said so when she read my flinger last year. I want to be a
Town Guard!" Tears ran down Briam's face. "I want to be a Town Guard!"
he sobbed, stubbornly.
"Briam ..." Sian began, but didn't continue, instead she closed her
eyes for a moment and took a deep breath in. "Stevene, give me
strength," she thought, "and get me through this." Briam had his heart
set on being a guard and rejected anything she suggested. Sian was at a
loss.
"There may be a way, Briam," Tom began carefully, looking first at
Sian, then at the boy in front of him.
Shaking her head, Sian turned towards Tom, hoping to prevent what
she felt was too soon. For the past six sennights she had been trying to
get Briam to accept the loss of part of his left leg, an injury he
sustained during the causeway accident. Three months prior, a barge had
crashed into the bridge, collapsing the causeway in the process. Briam
had been on the bridge at that time and his left leg had been crushed by
one of the large stones as he fell. Sian considered it a miracle that he
survived at all. The healer attending to him had been unable to save his
leg. For more than a fortnight, Briam had been quite ill and his
subsequent recovery slow.
Sian pulled gently on Tom's tunic sleeve, but he seemed to ignore
her subtle attempt of stopping him. She didn't want to start an argument
in front of the distressed child, didn't want to raise Briam's hopes for
something she felt he wouldn't be able to achieve. She would have to
take it up with Tom afterwards.
"Briam, how badly do you want to be a Town Guard?" Tom looked at
Briam.
"Very. It's all I ever wanted to do." He dried his wet face with
his sleeve.
"You may not be able to run, but there are other duties a Town
Guard performs. I spoke with Sergeant Cepero and Captain Koren --"
"What other duties?" Briam interrupted, sniffing.
"Reports, duty assignments, prison records, to name a few. But ..."
Tom paused for a moment. "But you need to know how to read and write."
Briam looked at Tom. For the first time since Briam's accident,
Sian had hope that his dream would be possible. Why hadn't Tom mentioned
this possibility to her before? She had searched for an apprenticeship
for the youngster and finally spoken to Genarvus Kazakian, the scribe.
When Genarvus learned about Briam, he agreed to take him on, yet the
scribe had a request. He wanted a second child to teach reading and
writing to. He found it was easier to teach two children than one and it
would encourage competition to learn faster. Sian thought about this and
wondered who would qualify and meet the scribe's requirement. It didn't
take her long to make a decision.
"If I study with the scribe, I can still be a guard?" Briam asked
and looked from Sian to Tom. Sian held her breath for a moment, hoping
that Tom wouldn't disappoint the boy.
"You'll have to work hard, do what you're told, and when Genarvus
says you're ready, I will put in another word with Captain Koren," Tom
said. "It won't be easy, but I think if you put your mind to it, you can
do it."
Briam sat quietly for a long moment. Sian could see he was
seriously considering what Tom just said. "Stevene, help him make the
right decision," she thought.
"I have to study with the scribe then," Briam said resignedly as he
seemed to give in to the idea.
"You won't be going alone to learn the skills," Sian said slowly.
"Who else will be going? Oriel?" Briam looked hopeful.
"Oriel has her apprenticeship with the cook, remember? She loves it
and wouldn't dream of quitting."
"Aren? Finn?"
"Neither, Aren finally started his apprenticeship with Derill, the
furniture maker; you were still very sick when he left. Finn decided to
hire on a fishing boat as a cabin boy. The ship will be leaving day
after tomorrow."
Briam looked her in astonishment. "He didn't tell me."
"He tried to tell you, but you chose to ignore him and so he gave
up."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't tell me, tell Finn. You two need to make up."
Briam nodded. "So who will go with me?"
"Can't you think of anyone?" Sian said, amused her charge hadn't
guessed it. Briam's eyes went wide. A giggle escaped her. "Just because
she's younger doesn't mean she can't join you."
"Kerith!"
"Yes, it's me." Kerith grinned as she entered. "Took you long
enough to guess."
"Kerith, you were eavesdropping!" Sian scolded the girl.
"Couldn't help it. Briam was screaming and I wanted to know why."
"Kerith," Sian sighed. "Did you get the messages I gave you to Aren
and Oriel?"
"Uh huh," Kerith said proudly. "Both got permission to come. We're
going to have a good-bye meal for Finn tomorrow and day after tomorrow
we start with the scribe Kazakian. I'm so excited and Aren is proud of
me. Oh, I can't wait!" She skipped across the room and tossed her long
sandy hair.
"Please go and bring the dry linen in, Kerith," Sian said and
watched her dance out of the room.
"Think it over, Briam," Tom said. "Reading and writing are good
skills to have as a Town Guard."
"Tom, will I still get a sword?"
"I don't see why not. If you can pay for one that is. Swords are
expensive!"
"Then I'll go with Kerith and learn," Briam replied thoughtfully
and for the first time since his accident a slight smile stole across
his face.
"Will I have to stay at Kazakian's? I don't see how I can get back
and forth every day," Briam said after a moment of silence.
"We'll see about that," Sian answered before Tom could say a word.
"Let's just make sure that Finn's last days with us are pleasant." She
ruffled Briam's hair and left his room.
"Thank you, Stevene," she thought and wiped a tear from her face.
"May peace enter this house again."
"I don't know what I would have done without you," Sian admitted as
she and Tom were alone in the kitchen that evening. Briam, Finn, and
Kerith were asleep in their beds. "I really appreciate your being here
today. Briam's been so difficult to direct. His episodes and displays of
anger towards Finn and Oriel, partially blaming them for his accident,
were wearing me down. I don't know how much longer I could have been
patient with him. I'm certain these outbursts were part of the reason
Finn hired on as cabin boy." A single tear ran down her cheek. "I'll
miss him."
Tom pulled her into a tight embrace and she placed her head on his
chest. It felt good to have his strong arms surround her and give her
strength. A mene later she freed herself from his arms and almost
immediately regretted it. She wanted to kiss him, but held back.
"When we spoke with Briam I thought for a moment you'd mention the
peg leg again. Letting him know he can work for the Town Guard as a
scribe really helped raise his spirit." She looked at him and smiled.
"He needs a goal and hope," Tom said. "I don't think it's too soon
for a peg leg either. He needs to learn how to use it and he needs
motivation to work through the pain. I spoke with Joliana and Rebecca
and they agree that Briam needs to learn how to use a peg leg sooner
than later. He'll learn to walk and join in with the other children
again."
Sian sighed. "I hate it when you're right. How do I arrange for a
peg leg for Briam?"
"Don't worry about that, Sian. I've taken care of that already. I
can bring it in a day or two." He grinned. "I knew you'd give in."
Sian smiled at him and shook her head. She noticed his expression
change and he looked more serious than she had seen him before.
"Marry me, Sian," Tom said and took both her hands in his. Sian
paled. She hadn't expected this.
"What ... what about your mother?" Sian stammered and swallowed
hard. "She hates me."
"Mother hates every woman I've had feelings for. This time I won't
stand for it. I've loved you as long as I can remember. Marry me, Sian,
please."
Sian looked into his grey eyes. Slowly, she nodded and whispered,
"Yes." She raised her head and met his lips. She felt Tom pick her up
and carry her to her room. She heard him close the door and then felt
his hands loosen the knot on her belt.
"We'll tell them tomorrow," he said softly, kissing her neck.
"Tomorrow," she replied and responded to his kisses in her own way.
"You what?" Elise Madden looked at her son, unable to believe what
she had just heard.
"I asked Sian Allyn to marry me and she agreed," Tom repeated.
"Surely you jest. That woman has no parents of record and those
brats she surrounds herself with are nothing but trouble," Elise spat
out.
"No, mother, Sian has more than proven she is capable of raising
children. In fact, every one of them has an apprenticeship. Yes, Sian is
an orphan herself. How long are you going to hold that against her?"
"If you marry her, you won't be able to come home anymore."
"Mother, we'll be living next door to each other."
"We won't. I'll make sure of that."
"Mother, be reasonable. I love her. Don't you want to see me
happy?"
"Happy yes, but not with her."
"You've rejected every woman I introduced you to. Not one was good
enough for you. This time, I won't listen. I'll marry Sian." Tom looked
at his mother. "Please, don't make this difficult for either of us,
mother. I love you, too. And I'll always be there when you need me. I'll
just be across the yard."
"You will not marry her! That is final!" Elise dictated, barely
controlling herself. "Now, get out!"
"Yes, mother." Tom said quietly and left the room.
Elise was furious. How dare he make a proposal to that wench? Of
all the women in Dargon he had to pick one with questionable heritage.
She had known that her husband, Trevor, dallied with other woman on his
many travels and suspected that Sian, who was born out of wedlock and
pushed around because her mother died in childbirth, was his bastard
child. Her late husband had brought the then four-year-old Sian home one
night and asked Elise to care for the child as her daughter alongside
their six-year-old son Tom. She had taken one look at the sleeping child
and flat out refused.
"She needs a home, Elise," Trevor had said. "Someone who cares what
happens to her. Her mother --"
"I don't care what happens to her," she had interrupted him. "Take
her away."
"I promised to find her a home," he had replied. "I thought Tom
could use a little sister to protect and love."
"She won't have a home here," she'd said and turned her back. "I
won't raise your bastard child."
Her husband had tried to explain, but each time she'd cut him off,
refusing to listen. He'd taken the girl to their childless neighbors and
asked them to care for her. She hadn't forgiven Trevor for that either
and from that point on, refused to share his bed. She had to watch the
girl grow up and saw a resemblance to her late husband that no one else
saw or wanted to see and her hatred towards Sian had grown. She just
knew that Sian was her late husband's bastard daughter. Why else would
he bring that filthy brat to her house?
"I have to prevent that marriage," Elise muttered, "I have to find
a way to stop it without telling Tom. I have to get rid of Sian ..."
Tom left his mother's room feeling like a little boy who had done
something wrong. He had tried to bring her happy news and all she had
done was yell at him. He loved his mother, but he also loved Sian. He
didn't want to have to choose between the two. He'd seen the love in
Sian's eyes and treasured it. He had also seen the hatred in his
mother's eyes when he told her of the engagement and couldn't understand
why. He wished his father was still around, but he had died when Tom was
barely ten.
"I need to talk to Roman," he thought and left the house in search
of his friend and colleague.
He found Sergeant Cepero at the guard house, filing reports. For a
moment, Tom stood in front of the door, unsure whether to disturb his
friend or not. He raised his hand and knocked.
"Come in," the voice from inside called.
"Got a moment, Roman?" Tom asked as he entered.
"As soon as I've put these scrolls away, Tom. What brings you here
on your day off?"
"I need to talk to you."
"Sounds serious. Problems?"
"Straight," Tom acknowledged. "Maybe you have a suggestion or two."
"Is it about Sian?"
"How do you know about Sian?"
"I'm just stating the obvious. During the past sennights, every
conversation between us has been either about Sian, Briam, or one of the
other children living with her. And of course I saw the way you looked
at her during Briam's illness."
"Can't hide anything from you, can I?"
"Straight, you can't." Roman laughed. "I read you like an open
book. So, what troubles you, my friend?"
"Two women," Tom began and told his friend what had transpired
between him and Sian, and his mother's reaction.
"Ugh," Roman said. "Not an easy problem to solve. You can't just
leave your mother or easily go against her wishes, nor can you abandon
Sian and her children."
"Straight, I love Sian and want to be with her. I don't want to
wait until my mother passes just to placate her. Mother will probably
outlive me." Tom sighed.
"She's ornery enough for that," Roman grinned as he said it and a
brief smile stole across Tom's face in reply.
"Do you have any suggestions?"
"You could move."
"There isn't a place in all of Makdiar that's far enough away from
my mother. No matter where I go, she'll find me and take revenge. I need
to find a way to appease her without losing Sian."
"Do you really think this is possible?" Roman said
"I have to think about it," Tom said. "I think an ale or two might
help." He briefly shook Roman's hand, thanked him, and left. He had a
decision to make.
Three bells later, Tom returned to his home. He had been at the Inn
of the Panther mulling over what to say to his mother. Nothing he
thought of sounded right. It seemed his mother had made up her mind, but
this time he wouldn't stand for it. He loved Sian and wanted to spend
the rest of his life with her. Tom took a deep breath and entered his
house.
"Mother?" he called out, "Are you home?"
"Where have you been?" Elise's angry voice sounded from the
kitchen.
Tom walked towards his mother. "Talking with Roman," he answered
her.
Elise sniffed. "You smell like you've been drenched in ale. Did you
drink?"
"Had a tankard of ale at the Panther."
"Humph." She turned towards a kettle over the fireplace and stirred
its contents with a wooden spoon.
"Mother," Tom began, "I ..."
"If you're thinking I've changed my mind about Sian, you're
mistaken," Elise interrupted.
"Why?"
"I don't owe you an explanation. You're my son and you owe me
obedience!"
Tom opened his mouth, but his mother silenced him with her look.
"You will not marry her, and that is the end of it!"
Tom took a step towards her; his hands on his hips. "Mother, I will
marry her whether you like it or not."
Elise stepped forward, the wooden spoon in her hand.
"No mother, it's my turn to speak, and please let me finish. I love
her and I love you as well. You've interfered with every girl I brought
home. No one was ever good enough and Sian means everything to me. If
you don't like it, I'm sorry. I had hoped you'd be happy for me, and
that we could be happy together. If you don't want to live next door to
us, I'll take Sian and we'll find another place. I will marry Sian." Tom
looked at his mother. Her face had turned from red to pale and back to
red. She was furious with him, he'd seen that expression often enough.
Before he could react, Elise had hit him in the face with the wooden
spoon. Wordlessly, Tom turned and left the kitchen. He went to his room,
stuffed his few belongings in a bag, and took one last look at the room
he'd called his. He'd ask Roman if he could put him up for a couple of
days.
"Briam and Kerith get to learn reading and writing," Finn blurted
out when Aren and Oriel entered the kitchen.
"We know," Aren said and ruffled the younger boy's copper hair. "I
heard you're going to learn how to live on a fishing boat."
"More than that," Finn replied proudly. "They'll teach me how to
fish, mend the nets, and sail the ship."
"Straight," Oriel laughed, "And how to gut and salt fish. You'll
probably do more of that than anything else."
"Nah," Aren said with a smirk. "He'll probably spend most of his
time leaning over the railing, returning his food to the sea."
"No, I won't!" Finn gave Aren a stern look and grinned when the
older boy gently boxed his shoulder.
Sian stood over the kettle, stirring the stew she had cooking. It
was Finn's favorite dish and she had taken extra care today to prepare
it. For a moment she left the wooden spoon in the kettle and welcomed
Aren and Oriel. "Where are Briam and Kerith?"
"Upstairs," Finn replied. "Kerith brought in some flat stones this
morning and she and Briam have been drawing marks on it with charcoal."
Sian sighed; the room would be a mess, not to mention the children.
"Aren, will you make sure the two of them will wash up properly now and
come down to eat? Tom should be here any moment."
"Straight." Aren vanished from the kitchen.
Oriel stepped next to Sian. She took in a deep breath. "Smells
good. May I try?"
"Sure, get a spoon."
Oriel pulled a spoon out of her apron and held it up, grinning.
Sian placed a small amount of stew on the spoon and Oriel tasted it
carefully. "It tastes better than I remember!"
"Why thank you, Oriel. The stew's nearly done. Why don't you set
the table in the meantime?"
"Straight."
A knock on the door startled Sian. She looked up, saw Tom standing
in the doorway, and felt her face flush. Then she noticed the bruise on
his left cheek.
"May I come in?"
"Of course." Sian turned to Oriel, "Please add one more bowl to the
table." She saw Oriel's nod and turned her attention back to Tom. "What
happened?" She gently touched the bruise.
"I'll tell you later," he said quietly.
Sian nodded and went to check the stew. "It's ready," she announced
and lifted the kettle off its hook and placed it on the stone slate on
the table.
"Oriel, please get the others."
"Aren! Finn! Briam! Kerith! Come now!" Oriel yelled. Sian only
shook her head. Within moments all were at the table, even Briam, who
had resorted to hopping around on one leg rather than being carried.
Their meal was filled with joy. Aren told an anecdote from his
apprenticeship and the other children roared with laughter. Oriel, not
to be outdone, told them about one of the cooks using salt instead of
sugar for the pudding.
"You should have seen our faces as we tasted our dessert," Oriel
giggled, "it was awful. I only hope I never make that mistake."
Every now and then Sian and Tom swapped glances across the table
and smiled at each other. Surprisingly, none of the children mentioned
the bruise on Tom's face.
After everyone had eaten, Tom stood up. "I have two surprises for
you. I'll be back shortly."
Within a mene he returned holding a large parcel. "This is for
Briam," he announced and handed it over to the boy. Briam ripped the
wrapping off and his eyes went wide. The other children stared at what
their friend was holding up. Finn was the first to talk.
"A peg leg and a cane! Just like a pirate." He blurted out.
"I'm no pirate!" Briam replied with dignity. "How do I use this?"
"Let me show you," Tom said and stepped next to Briam. "See these
straps? They will hold the leg in place so you don't lose it when you
walk." He took the peg leg and fitted it onto Briam's stump, tying the
straps around his thigh, ending with a knot. He then took the cane from
Briam.
"You'll need to hold the cane with your right hand so you have
support when you lift your right leg. Let me show you." Tom demonstrated
how to use the cane for walking. When Briam nodded, he returned the
cane.
"Your turn to try. It will be uncomfortable for a while, your leg
hasn't been used in three months." He stepped behind Briam and helped
him stand up.
Sian watched in amazement as Briam took his first steps with his
new leg. He walked slowly to the door and then back to his chair. The
children were cheering and clapping. Briam's face was pale and sweat was
dripping from his forehead, but he was beaming with joy.
"It hurts to walk. It will get better, straight?" he asked Tom.
"It will get better. A little practice every day and you'll be
walking all the way to Genarvus' place and back in no time. Tomorrow,
we'll take the wagon. As you grow, you'll need to be fitted for a new
leg."
"How did you know what to get for me this time?" Briam inquired.
"Oh that was easy. I measured your good leg for length and the
stump for the holder when we changed your dressing," Tom said.
"You're sneaky," Briam replied and Tom grinned.
"You said you had two surprises," Kerith piped up.
"I did say that," Tom replied and looked at Sian. She nodded.
"Sian and I are getting married." For a moment no one spoke, then
the children erupted in laughter and screams of congratulations.
"When?" Finn inquired.
"Don't know yet," Sian replied, "But we'll make sure you're home.
For now, we'll keep it our secret. We'll tell everyone when we set a
date."
"And by tomorrow the whole duchy will know," she whispered in Tom's
ear. He laughed at her comment and placed a quick kiss on her forehead.
The rest of the afternoon and evening was spent with games and
discussion what food to prepare for the wedding, what Oriel and Kerith
would wear, and whether Sian would wear the traditional green gown she
had inherited from her adoptive mother for the ceremony.
The eighth bell of night had rung and Sian got up to wake the
children. Finn would have to be at the harbor before dawn if he was to
leave with the ship. His bag was long packed. Neither of the children
had slept much, but for once everyone got up without a complaint. Aren
readied the hand-wagon which would carry Briam and soon they were on
their way. Shortly after they'd left the house, Tom joined them
silently.
A quarter bell later, they reached the harbor. Finn hugged Sian,
Oriel, and Kerith good-bye, waved his hand towards Tom, Aren, and Briam,
and walked on board. The first bell of day rang when the sails were set
and the ship left the harbor with the outgoing tide.
Sian wiped a tear from her eyes. She felt Tom's hand on her
shoulder. Briefly, she rubbed her cheek against it.
"Aren, Oriel, it's time for you to return to your masters." Sian
said quietly. The children bade farewell and walked briskly off.
"And it's time for you two to meet Genarvus Kazakian and begin your
studies," Tom said and began pulling the hand-wagon.
"Are we going to live with the scribe?" Kerith asked.
"No, there isn't enough room. For now you'll be coming home every
night. I packed lunch for you. Tom will pick you up at ninth bell."
"I'm glad I get to come home at night," Kerith said and gave Sian a
brief hug. "Then the house won't feel so empty."
Sian was amazed by the girl's comment. She smiled at Kerith. "I'm
glad too you're coming home at night."
Kerith let out a big yawn. "Can I ride with Briam, Tom?"
"Straight, climb on in."
"Thank you." She nestled herself next to Briam, place her head on
his thigh, and was instantly asleep.
Sian looked from Kerith to Tom and both grinned. She placed her
hand next to Tom's on the handle and together they pulled. As they
reached the marketplace, they heard the now familiar sound of clicking
ceramic plates. Sian shuddered briefly and moved closer to Tom. A few
moments later, they saw a group of Doravin moving slowly toward them.
Sian admired the beautiful pattern on their robes, which were made
of round ceramic plates, linked together by metal loops. While each robe
seemed to be made the same way, the pattern on each was different. As
the wearer moved, the plates made a clicking sound, which led Sian to
assume there was a second robe of similar structure underneath. The
stony garment covered the Doravin from neck to just below the knees. A
metal mask covered each Doravin's face and a leather cap with the same
pattern as the garment completed the outfit. Only one of the people in
this group wore a stiffened cloth mask and Sian wondered why. To her
astonishment, the Doravin in front of her were barefoot. She hadn't
noticed that before.
Sian had mixed feelings about the newcomers. The constant clicking
of their robes gave everyone advanced warning one or more were
approaching, but at the same time she couldn't see their faces and that
frightened her. Why did they hide their faces? Were they sincere? Did
they have ulterior motives? She felt that if they didn't have anything
to hide, the Doravin should show their faces.
"I can't tell whether they're man or woman," Sian said when they
were out of earshot. "Every time I see one of them, I get goosebumps."
She shuddered. "I'm glad you're here with me. I wouldn't want to run
into them this early in the morning alone." She felt comforted by Tom's
presence.
"So far they've lived up to their promise to rebuild the causeway
and keep mostly to themselves."
"Don't they frighten you?"
"Yes and no. I'm happy I don't have to interact as much with them
as some of the other guards, but from what I'm told they're good
workers. What bothers me is that they're taking work away from the
people in Dargon." Tom said. "I would like to get a closer look at one
of their garments. I wonder if it protects them from attacks with a
knife or if it holds back an arrow."
"Are those the Doravin Kerith and Finn have been talking about?"
Briam asked from behind. Sian looked at her charge for a moment. She'd
forgotten Briam hadn't been outside the confinement of the house and
yard since his accident.
"Straight, Briam," Tom explained. "They came about a month after
the causeway broke. They're here to fix it. Work on the causeway's
progressed nicely. By spring we should be able to use it again. Probably
before that."
"Did they break the causeway?"
"No, Briam, it was a barge from Kenna. It collided with one of the
pylons in the water and then the causeway collapsed."
"What do they look like underneath all that armor?"
"I'm not sure if anyone has seen them without their attire. They're
a very private people."
"Where did they come from?" Briam wanted to know.
"I don't know for sure," Tom began, "They arrived by boat and now
live due north of Dargon. They have erected tents there."
"I want to go see that," Briam said.
"Me, too!" Kerith piped in, rubbing her eyes.
"You'll do no such thing!" Sian said. "I want you to stay as far
away from them as possible. We don't know what they're up to and they
don't show their faces. We'll leave them be. They like to keep to
themselves and we'll let them. You'll see enough of them at the market
-- that can't be helped --
but you will stay away from them! Promise me that!" Sian had
stopped walking, making Tom halt as well. She looked directly at Briam
and Kerith and noticed them shrink back from her.
"I promise," the children said softly in unison. Sian breathed a
sigh of relief. She turned and continued to pull the wagon with Tom. They had barely reached Kazakian's place when the alarm bells
sounded. For a moment they stared at each other.
"I've got to leave; they'll need me!" Tom said and darted off
towards the guard house.
"I wonder what's going on," Sian muttered more to herself than
anyone in particular.
"Sian?" Briam and Kerith said in unison.
"It'll be fine," she said and knocked on Genarvus' door. A man with
olive skin, dark hair, and a thick moustache opened the door. He smiled
when he saw Sian and the children.
"You must be Kerith and Briam," he said with a thick accent.
"Welcome. Please enter."
Briam finished tying his peg leg on and carefully climbed out of
the wagon. Sian could see it took him quite some effort to walk the few
steps to the door and into the house, but he didn't complain.
"Well done," she whispered in his ear when he was seated. Briam
beamed. Sian turned to Genarvus. "Where can I leave the wagon?"
"In the back. There is a small yard. The wagon will be safe there."
"Thank you, Genarvus." Sian replied. "I'll see you tonight."
"Good day, Sian," Genarvus said and closed the door behind her.
Sian pulled the wagon behind the house and made her way home. She
hadn't gone far, when she noticed black smoke rising. Her heart started
racing and she increased her pace. The closer she got to her home, the
thicker the smoke was. Sian broke into a run. She took the last turn to
her home and then stopped cold. Her house was on fire, so were the
houses on either side. Sian felt the color drain from her face. A moment
later darkness enveloped her.
Sian awoke in a dimly lit room. She turned her head and moaned. The
pain was almost unbearable.
"Lie still," a voice instructed her.
"What happened? Where am I?"
"You fainted and when you fell, you hit your head on a cornerstone.
You have a nasty gash on your temple. I had Lilike stitch it."
"Rebecca?"
"The same. You're in my house."
"Where are Briam and Kerith?"
"They're staying with Genarvus. When he heard what happened, he
said he'd keep them at his place until such time other arrangements can
be made."
"Tom?"
"He'll be here later. You gave him quite a fright."
"Why?"
"You've been unconscious for nearly two days. You had a bad fall.
We couldn't wake you. Tom will be pleased to hear you're finally awake.
Lilike's already on her way to tell him."
Sian relaxed into the pillow. If she held her head still, the
throbbing in her temple was tolerable. She closed her eyes. As she was
about to drift off to sleep, the picture of her house burning appeared
before her mind's eye. Suddenly, she felt nauseous. She leaned over her
mattress and vomited.
"Lie still," Rebecca instructed. "I'll get you cleaned up."
"Rebecca?" Sian said softly after she had a chance to rinse her
mouth.
"Do you need anything?"
"Did my house burn down?"
"Yes it did." Rebecca answered slowly. "Someone set it on fire.
Ronan and Mae's house burnt down as well, as did Tom's."
"No," Sian moaned. "Did anyone get hurt?"
"The fire brigade was able to extinguish the flames. Elise escaped
with burns. She's being treated at the Olean temple. Ronan and Mae
weren't that lucky. The fire surprised them in their sleep."
"Who would do such a thing?"
This time, Rebecca did not answer her.
"Rebecca?"
"There are rumors. I won't say right now and you need rest."
Sian sighed. Dutifully, she closed her eyes, but sleep wouldn't
come.
Half a bell later, Sian heard Tom entering, asking for her. She was
about to call out that she was awake when she heard Lilike's voice. She
sounded out of breath.
"Rebecca, they say that Elise set Sian's house on fire." There was
a long pause and then Lilike's voice reached her ears again. "Hello
Tom."
"Can I see Sian?" Tom asked and a moment later he sat by her side.
He looked tired; his grey eyes were swimming in unshed tears. He wiped
his face with his sleeve and then reached out for her. Despite her
throbbing headache, Sian sat up and embraced him. He held her close for
a moment and then gently laid her back down.
"Sian, I'm so sorry."
"What are you sorry for?"
"Mother," he began, "I should have realized ..."
"What?"
"I don't know. Jealousy maybe or misguided thinking. If she
believes something is true, then there is no way to change her mind. I
told her about our engagement and she said she would do anything to stop
us. She didn't quite say it that way. I didn't think she'd actually do
something so vile." His breathing was heavy. Sian realized how difficult
it must be for him and placed her hand on his.
"She loves you, Tom. I heard she is being treated at the Olean
temple."
"Not anymore," Tom replied bitterly. "She died about two bells ago.
Her injuries were too severe."
"Tom ..."
"I was with her when she died and ..." Tom swallowed hard. "Her
last words were that you're my half-sister."
Sian paled. "No, Tom. It's not true!"
"Mother said that my father was never true to her. He traveled
quite a bit, and mother said that she was sure he had other women. What
made her really angry with him was that he'd expected her to raise one
of his bastard children. She said that she'd looked into the child's
face and recognized my father's features in it. She refused and father
had turned the child over to their neighbors. She was talking about you,
Sian."
Sian wiped tears from Tom's face. "No, Tom, it's a lie. When your
father asked my adoptive parents to take me in and care for me, he also
told them that he'd taken pity on me. He found me just outside a
village, covered with open sores and bruises all over my body. When he
inquired about my parents, he was told that I belonged to no one, that
my mother was long dead. He paid a healer to treat my wounds and
promised me a family. I remember, because he was telling me about his
son and that I'd have someone to play with who would not beat me, but
protect me from bullies. I also remember how disappointed I was when I
found out I didn't get to stay with your family. Your father said that
you would still look out for me, but that Silas and Marit Allyn really
wanted a little girl and that I could call them mom and dad. So I stayed
with them. Your mother was mistaken." She closed her eyes for a moment.
"Are you sure?" Sian heard the doubt in his voice.
"Straight, I'm sure. I don't know how many times I asked my mom to
tell me the story how I came to live with them and she always told me
that your father wasn't mine." Sian saw that Tom's face was less grim.
"Tom, look into my face. Do I look like your father?"
Tom stared at her for a mene and then his face relaxed as he let
out a small sigh of relief.
"No, you don't look anything like him," he said finally. "You don't
have any resemblance at all."
"Do you think that's the reason your mother hated me so much?
Thinking that I was your half-sister and that seeing me reminded her of
her husband's infidelity?" Sian looked at Tom. She noticed he was
fighting back tears. Ignoring her throbbing head, she sat up and pulled
him in a tight embrace. "I'm sorry you lost your mother, Tom."
"I'm not, Sian," Tom said quietly. "After what she did to you and
the children, killing Ronan and Mae, three houses in ashes, ours
included. She thought you all were asleep upstairs when she set the
house on fire. She'd seen that Aren and Oriel had been there for dinner.
Mother showed no remorse when I told her that Ronan and Mae had died.
She was livid when she found out that you and the children were fine.
Half the town could have burnt down were it not for the fire brigade. I
cannot forgive her. Ever! Her body is being burnt as we speak without a
ceremony."
"Tom!"
"No, Sian. Not after what she did. If you hadn't left the house as
early as you did, you, Aren, Oriel, Finn, Briam, and Kerith would have
been burnt as well. I cannot forgive her for that. If I'd lost you ..."
He shed bitter tears. "I wish --"
"Don't say it, Tom. Don't!" Sian interrupted. She held him tight
and, after his tears eased, kissed him.
A fortnight later, Sian and Tom stood in front of the ruins of
their burnt houses. Kerith and Briam had joined them. Sian had been
pleased to see how much progress Briam had made walking on his peg leg.
He could now walk from Genarvus' place to the market and, after some
rest by the well, walk back.
"There's nothing salvageable left," Tom said quietly. "I've picked
through the ashes, but the fire burnt so hot, it melted the kettle and
knife blades. I don't know what she used to start the fire or where she
got it from."
"We'll rebuild, Tom. One house for all of us. The land is still
ours. Not all is lost."
"Straight," he replied and pulled her into a tight embrace.
"Can I get my own room?" Kerith piped up.
Briam ruffled Kerith's hair and commented, "Couldnít you have
waited another mene? Tom was about to kiss Sian."
Sian felt heat rise to her cheeks. She freed herself from Tom's
hug, looked at Briam and Kerith, and opened her arms. The children
rushed into her embrace.
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