***
Warning ***
Sensitive
situations
Violence;
Nudity;
Hard
R Rating
Please
do not read if you are easily disturbed.
(All
characters, places and events reside solely in my imagination.)
The
Song of Gaál
….......
Thirteen ….......
A
sense of presence woke Cassava from his light sleep. His hand moved
slowly to the knife at his hip. He peered from under
his lashes then opened his eyes fully. Eszerbet was just waking as
well, and he watched as she shoved off the quilt and sat atop her
bedding. Cassava rolled up and ran his hand through his hair,
patting the cowlicks down.
He reached for the waterskin and drank
deeply then poured water into his cupped hand and splashed his face.
Eszerbet giggled. Retrieving the food bag, he moved beside her and
handed her half of a raisin bread. Cassava watched as she took a
bite of the dry bread, crumbs escaping her hand. Eszerbet flashed
him a bread filled smile. His stomach turned and he stuffed his share
back into the pack, appetite lost. While Eszerbet ate, Cassava
packed their bedding.
As
the trees they walked beneath gradually thinned, Cassava caught first
sight of a structure in the distance and slowed his pace. He pulled
Eszerbet off the path, surveying the small clearing and building
ahead of them. It was a simple place with vines clinging to the dark
timber walls. He could see a wash basin near the wall and itched his
neck, thinking how wonderful a bath would feel after nearly two weeks
of washing up in streams. The place was quiet save for the song of
birds.
He
reached for Eszerbet's hand and they walked toward the front door
just as a large man rounded the corner. Cassava stopped suddenly,
nudged forward slightly when Eszerbet bumped against him. He raised
his eyes taking in the large man's stern and fit appearance, noting
that the man did not carry a visible weapon. Their eyes met as they
both assessed each other, dark brown to grey-blue. The man's steely
gaze ran from Cassava's face to foot to head and back to his face, a
slight frown between his eyebrows.
The
man moved forward and Cassava pulled Eszerbet closer to him. “Well
met,” the man said with a brisk nod, his hard face softening with a
smile. “Cassava, yes?” The man did not wait for response but
went directly to Eszerbet, squatting down on his heels to look at
her. “Here here little lamb,” the man said jovially to Eszerbet,
“has this boy kept you happy?” Eszerbet gripped Cassava's hand
tighter as she tried to push behind him, all the while staring at the
stranger greeting her.
The
door of the traveler's hut opened and a small, thin lady came to
them. “They are here then, and very good.” The lady placed a
hand on the man's arm as he stood. Her smile lit her face and her
kind eyes twinkled in the sun. She glanced at Cassava and then knelt
to Eszerbet, holding out her hand. “Come with me, sweeting, come
come.” Eszerbet took a step toward her and turned back to Cassava.
She hid behind his legs and peeked out at the lady and man. “No.“
Eszerbet stated succinctly.
Cassava watched the lady and felt
gradually more at ease, her kindness unchanged despite Eszerbet's
obstinacy. “Wella,” the man began as he shifted his weight and
rubbed his neck. “I will bring over some more wood for the fire,
make these two a nice warm meal, aye, Riata?” Riata smiled
brightly at the man and watched him walk toward the wood pile before
turning back to Cassava. “Come on inside;” she said as she
stood, “there are not many travelers this way anymore, so we are
the only ones here.” She led the two into the hut and fussed around
the fireplace heating water. “There is a basin in back if you want
to wash up,” Riata informed Cassava over her shoulder.
Cassava
looked around the room, noting only one door and two small side
windows. The floor was darkened hardwood, scuffed and scratched,
reflecting the number of people who made use of the place. A small
cot piled with faded bedding and a dark wood bench sat near the floor
to ceiling fireplace. A large tub for bathing was in the corner.
Against the far wall was a small table and two stools. Cassava did
not see a smaller basin for washing inside. He led Eszerbet to the
bench and asked her to stay put for a moment. She clung to his hand
when he turned to walk away. “Cassa, no.”
Riata turned, looking at the children. She laughed a small laugh and winked at Cassava. “Is “No” the only word she likes?” Cassava bit his upper lip quick and looked at Eszerbet, who was looking at him. “Cassa is mine Fairy King.” Eszerbet said, her little face tilted up to watch Cassava. Riata laughed. “Oh, is he now? Come come, little imp, want a bath?” “No!” Eszerbet screamed. “We will clean you up sparkling, come, lamb, come with Riata.” Riata coaxed. Eszerbet planted her feet firmly when Riata stepped toward her. “No! Not you!” Eszerbet yelled and swung her free arm at Riata as if to hit her away.
“I will bathe her”
Cassava told the lady, looking down at the little girl who was
breathing heavily in her anger, eyes blazing at Riata. “Ah, her
Fairy King,” Riata grinned at him. “Go ahead, go, it is just in
the corner. I will bring the water.” And Cassava led Eszerbet to
the bath, where after a time, she was clean and sleepy.
Cassava
lie curled on a small cot he shared with Eszerbet, the hot supper
making him drowsy. He listened halfheartedly to the man, Ubrin, and
the lady, Riata, talk in hushed tones across the room. An
intermittent pop and fizzle came from the fire. Little sucking sounds
came from Eszerbet as she dreamed, her thumb in her mouth. Cassava
stretched one leg slowly down, shifting the knife at his side so that
the leather belt stopped digging into his hip. The bedding was soft
and the faded coverlets gentle and light. His breathing became slow
and rhythmic as he drifted toward sleep. Riata's voice broke him
from his dozing state, bringing him instantly alert. He did not
notice that her voice was louder or in any way harsh; he could not
discern what woke him. He tilted his head slightly so that both ears
were open to the room. He listened.
“...should
never have sent that child alone with the baby,” he heard Riata
say. “He trained him, Ria, I trust his ability. The boy knows how
to protect himself, you saw his look, you...” “It makes no
difference, Ubrin,” Riata whispered with a hint of anger, cutting
off Ubrin's words. “..do not defend Kisertet on this, he should
have brought Eszerbet himself.”
Cassava
heard Ubrin shuffle and adjust in his seat, the wooden chair creaking
under the weight. A finger tapped gently on the table. A feminine
sigh carried over to the cot. “Ubrin, is this right? I know he is
your friend, but these are just children, used as pawns for his
agenda.” Cassava heard wood rubbing on wood. Ubrin's voice was
gentler and lower when next he spoke. “Ria, sweeting, he had to
send the boy. He received word Levente was on his way to the
estate...” Riata's quick intake of breath expressed her surprise
at this.
Cassava clenched his fist around the blanket and his teeth
on his tongue until he tasted bitter blood. Is that why he was sent
away with Eszerbet? Was Levente coming to ask about Eszerbet?
Levente believed he was dead. What would have happened if he was
still there with the girl when Levente came? Cassava would have
killed Levente, he was certain. What of Mirriam? Would Kisertet
have told Mirriam to hide away? Is she well? He clenched his eyes, a
worried frown deep upon his brow.
His
fingers moved to the puckering scar on his abdomen. His face grew hot
from the anger growing in his heart. His breaths became harsher, his
ears hearing this before he had the good sense to keep still and
listen. He left the thoughts of Levente to the side and willed his
heart to slow and his breaths to level. He listened to the couple
talk in their low tones. “....saved him, Ria, surely he will not
wish him dead now.” “But his look, Ubrin, so cold and stern, he
seems to have no emotion.” Riata murmured.
“Come,
come to me my cherished. Ah, there is my Ria.” And Cassava heard
the soft sound of cloth on cloth as the couple laid their bedding
out. He heard Ubrin whisper muffled words and then heard the sound
he himself made when he sucked a drop of blood from his fingertip.
He heard subtle feminine whispers and a low moan. His body stiffened
and he tried to find the dark place within himself that silenced all
the sounds around him. It was a place he had not needed for some
time. Another sound from Riata, although he did not think it was an
unhappy sound. He puzzled on this. He knew what Ubrin was doing.
He suffered through the torturous nights beneath Mistress' window,
ears held muffled with the blankets and pillows. Riata was neither
silent, as Malika was, nor crying, as Malika always did. His stomach turned
and he pressed his ear back to the cot, shutting out at least half of
the sound. After a time, he heard nothing but the fire crackling and
Eszerbet's soft baby sighs.
The
morning came swiftly. Cassava bathed and dressed. He ate the warmed
stew Riata set for him. Ubrin talked of the journey he and Riata
would make with Eszerbet. They would continue further south to their
own home and once Kisertet's word came, they would take Eszerbet to
Andronios to complete Kisertet's request. They assured Cassava that
she would be well and safe, although he did not express he held any
concern.
After
his meal, Cassava stood and accepted a pack filled with foods from
Riata. “You stay to the path, yes?” She bade him. He nodded.
“You are a strong, smart boy, Cassava, without the little mite, you
will be home again swiftly.” Cassava looked down at Eszerbet, who
clung to his arm. He unwrapped her fingers from his clothing and
turned, walking out of the hut. “Cassa! Cassa! No!” Eszerbet
screamed and ran to him, clinging to his legs and sobbing. “You
stay, Eszerbet. Stay with Lady Riata.” He told her as he gently
tried to pry her fingers from his leg. “No! No! No!” She
screamed. Riata came immediately to scoop the girl up. “Go on,
Cassava, stay safe.” She told him and nodded for him to continue.
Cassava walked from the traveler's hut, his hand clenched, trying to
shut out Eszerbet's cries.
