Jarryd: Chapter 13
Several weeks passed, and nothing happened. People calmed down. Plans for defending the town were laid aside. Men still went out to take their turn on top of Kern’s Hill, but rarely did all four make it. Those that did tended to sit around the fire sipping brandy and telling stories more than watching the road.
Jarryd didn’t blame them for slacking off. He knew what it was like being on edge day after day, never knowing when the next danger would rear its head. It was exhausting, more than most people could put up with.
He went out alone at night sometimes. With the help of kriyana, he could cover a lot of ground fast. Going alone made it easier to tell if there was someone out there. If he was still, he could sense the kriyana of others at a pretty good distance. But it was much harder if he was with other people since their kriyana tended to muddy the water, so to speak.
The other thing that distracted the residents of Creekside was the upcoming summer solstice dance. Other than the Harvest Festival, it was the biggest event of the year. People planned for it for weeks.
Kath had bought some fabric from Tinker Theo on his last visit and was busy working on a new dress. She wouldn’t let Jarryd see it or tell him anything about it except that it would “match his attire from the Nagyar.” Which made Jarryd nervous. He still felt uncomfortable about wearing those clothes in public. So far, other than Kath, only Jordey had seen them, and he still got red-faced whenever Kath spoke to him.
The night of the dance rolled around. Jarryd dug out his fancy Nagyar clothes. He pulled on the bright blue pants with the gold stripe down the leg. Looking at them, he decided they weren’t so bad. By themselves, most people wouldn’t even notice.
He groaned when he pulled the shirt on, though. Why did it have so many ruffles? No man in a hundred leagues of Creekside wore ruffles, and this had them at the cuffs and down the front. He was going to take a lot of ribbing tonight, for sure.
The leather vest helped cover the shirt somewhat. He wished it didn’t have a slash of blue across the chest. Why did the Nagyar wear such bright colors?
He did like the boots. They were knee-high, made of soft, tanned leather. He didn’t know how long they’d hold up to daily use, but they were sure comfortable.
Once again, the long, sash-like belt completely confounded him. No matter how many times he wrapped it around his waist, it always ended up looking weird and bulgy. Frustrated, he tossed the thing on the bed. He looked down and saw Scruffy watching him intently.
“What if I just sort of forget to wear this part?” he asked the little dog. He shook his head. “You’re right. Kath would never let me hear the end of it. I guess I’ll take it with me and see if she can tie it for me.”
He started for the front door, then went back to his room. From a peg on the wall, he took down his cloak. He knew it made him a coward, but he really didn’t want to hear any comments while he was walking through town to meet Kath. It would be bad enough at the dance. He might as well put it off as long as he could.
It was nearing sunset when he reached the inn. The sign on the door said it was closed for the night, but it wasn’t locked. He went in. Lenno was sitting at the bar, drinking an ale. He was dressed up in his best clothes, a long, dark blue coat with broad cuffs and a touch of embroidery at the lapels. Black trousers that looked freshly washed and ironed. A white shirt with a row of brass buttons.
“Hi, Jarryd. Kath will be out in a moment. She’s just finishing her hair.”
“Is Jenine going to come?”
Lenno frowned. “She got awful pale after she was up for a little while. She had to lie back down. But she keeps saying she’s going anyway.” He shrugged. “I guess we’ll see.”
His gaze took in Jarryd’s clothes. “Kind of warm for a cloak, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. When I left home it looked like it might rain.”
Lenno looked to the window and the clear sky outside. He raised an eyebrow but said nothing further. Shortly thereafter he left to check on his wife.
Kath entered the room. Jarryd jumped up from the stool he’d been sitting on and stared at her.
“You look…amazing.”
She beamed at him. “That is exactly the right answer.”
She twirled for him. Her hair was swept up and pinned into an elaborate bun on top of her head, only a few curls hanging down each side of her face. A bright, yellow flower topped it all off. The dress was a bright blue that matched Jarryd’s pants. Wrapped around her neck was a scarf that was nearly the same shade of red as the belt sash Jarryd was unable to tie on.
“I don’t know what to say. I feel like a goat herd next to you.”
She quirked her mouth. “Wearing that old cloak you are. Were you really that afraid of people seeing you?”
“No one wears ruffles. It’s not done.”
“You mean no one here. Obviously, people wear them other places.”
“We’re not in another place. We’re in Creekside.” Jarryd took her hand. “Do we really need to go to the dance? We could sneak away to the farm and have our own evening.”
She laughed. “You’re something else. Would you really deny your betrothed the opportunity to look pretty? This after I work every night in this place looking like an old hag the whole time?”
“You don’t look like an old hag! I mean, you do get a little sweaty and red-faced some—” He had to dodge a smack then. “Hey! No hitting.”
“Take the cloak off.” He did. “Still having trouble with the sash?”
He handed it over. “It’s a stupid thing. It makes no sense, and I hate it.”
“It’s dashing, and if you don’t stop behaving like a six-year-old I’m not going to dance with you tonight.”
Jarryd submitted as she tied it around him. She stepped back to admire her work. Lenno came in then. He saw Jarryd’s clothes and started to whistle. A stern look from Kath cut the whistle short.
“You must have bought them somewhere far away,” he said. There was a twitch at the corner of his mouth that said he was fighting a smile. He knew better than to let it out.
“Far, far away,” Jarryd said with resignation. This was going to be a long night.
“Not worried about rain then?” Again, the twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Jarryd looked at Kath. “Kath convinced me it would be all right.”
“You two do make a smashing couple. You look like you should be going to a party at a palace, not a cow pasture by the creek.”
“I’d rather go to one dance in a cow pasture in Creekside, than a hundred dances at a hundred palaces,” Jarryd said earnestly, thinking of the nobles’ party the night he rescued Hamisi from being executed.
Lenno turned to Kath. “I know your mother would like to see you two before you leave. I’ll go see if she’s up to coming out here.”
He returned with Jenine holding onto his arm. She looked about the same as the last time Jarryd had seen her, which wasn’t well. He wondered briefly if he could do anything to help her heal, since he had no way of reaching Hamisi.
Jenine stopped before them. She didn’t say anything, only gazed at them. The silence dragged on, long enough that Jarryd began to feel uncomfortable. Then he saw the tears in her eyes.
“You two look so lovely. It brings me great joy to see you like this.” She came forward and hugged each of them in turn. Stepping back, she looked at Jarryd.
“You have friends among the Nagyar, I see.”
That surprised him. “How did you know?”
“Your clothes were made by them. They are the finest tailors in the world. No king could wear something better.”
That struck Jarryd. He looked down at himself, seeing his clothing in a new light.
“The Nagyar used to come by the town I grew up in every year when I was a girl,” she continued, her eyes lighting up with the memory. She’d come from a large town near Rensfire. “I was always fascinated by them. I spent as much time around them as I could. I loved their bright colors, the way they always seemed so happy and free. I loved their music. But most of all, I loved the plays. They took me to such faraway places. I remember all of them vividly. It was like I actually went there.”
“I know what you’re talking about. I was lucky enough to see one. They really sweep you away.”
“What do you mean?” Kath asked. “You didn’t actually go anywhere with them, did you?”
“It’s hard to explain,” Jenine replied. “At first, it’s just a play with exotic costumes. But it draws you in somehow. You become one of the characters. You see through their eyes. You live their story with them. It’s like a dream, and yet so much more vivid than a dream. More than anything I would like to attend another.”
“That sounds lovely. I wish they came through Creekside,” Kath said.
“They were not well treated the last time they came,” Lenno said.
Kath looked at Jarryd. “Maybe we can do something to change that.”
“Maybe we can.”
“You two go on now.” Jenine made a shooing gesture. “You shouldn’t spend your time listening to a sick old woman.”
“Stop calling yourself that,” Kath complained. “I don’t like it. You’re not old.”
“I sure feel old.”
They left the inn. Jarryd took Kath’s hand. “I’m worried about her. She doesn’t look any better.”
“I’m worried too. Father has been talking about taking her to Rensfire to find a better healer, but she refuses to go.”
“I’ve been thinking…”
Kath looked at him.
“I don’t know if it would do any good. I’m not a healer like Kath. But if she’s agreeable, I could try to heal her.”
Kath stopped. “You could?”
Jarryd put up his hands. “Maybe. I really don’t know what I’m doing. But it might just work, and I don’t see how it would hurt to try.”
“That would be…” Her voice caught, and Jarryd could see how concerned she was for her mother. “I would be forever grateful to you.”
The dance was held in a meadow by the creek that was shaded by huge sycamore trees. Whole pigs and a side of beef roasted on spits over deep beds of coals. Buried in the coals were cast-iron ovens filled with onions, potatoes, and other vegetables. Pots of beans simmered on top. On one long table were kegs of ale and casks of wine.
A temporary stage had been erected on one side of the meadow. Three musicians were warming up. The meadow was ringed by posts. From each hung a lantern. Streamers of colored cloth waved from tree limbs.
There were already several dozen people there, with more streaming in. Some were from nearby towns.
“Here’s goes nothing,” Jarryd said.
“You’re being so dramatic.”
Mickel and Jordey had spotted them and were approaching.
“And so it begins,” Jarryd said.
Each brother had an ale in hand. From the flush to their cheeks, it looked like it wasn’t their first. “Evening, Miss Kath,” they said, nearly in unison. She greeted them in return.
Then they turned to Jarryd. Mickel looked confused. Jordey did too, but suddenly realized where he’d seen those clothes before. He turned bright red and looked at the ground.
Mickel was looking Jarryd up and down. “Those are…” He scratched his head, not sure what to say. “Real bright colors.”
“Yeah. I noticed too.”
“Must’ve got those on your travels,” Mickel said.
“I did.”
“I suppose there’s all kinds of different ways outsiders do things.” He looked at his brother, who was still staring fixedly at the ground. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Nothing.” He raised his eyes, taking a peek, and saw that Kath was staring right at him with a huge grin on her face. His blush deepened. Clutching his mug to his chest he blurted, “I’m out,” and hurried off.
Mickel stared after his brother. Kath was laughing openly. Mickel turned back to them. “I never know what’s going on.” He walked away.
Kath wiped her eyes. “That was fun.”
“You were waiting for that, weren’t you?”
“It did occur to me.”
They said hello to Dana and Hervin. Hervin got a funny look on his face after taking in Jarryd’s clothes. He opened his mouth to speak—then shut it when his wife elbowed him.
“You two look lovely tonight,” she told them. Her husband was whispering loudly to her as they walked away.
Jarryd looked around and groaned. “It’s Chestar and Alferd.”
His two old bullies were coming straight for them. Chestar crowed as soon as they got close. “What do we have here? Who’s this dandy?” The heavy-set young man was giddy with excitement.
“Looks like one of widow Ferah’s prize roosters got out!”
They split up to circle around Jarryd, hurling insults the whole way.
Kath waited until there was a break to say, “Are we done here? Did you get all the idiocy out of your tiny little brains?”
“I’m barely getting started,” Alferd said. He was a short, scrawny man like his father with an almost comically large Adam’s apple that bobbed when he spoke. “I got insults for days.”
Kath held up a hand. “I think you’re done. Go away now and let the adults have some peace.”
“But I—”
“You’re done.” She leaned toward him a little. “You wouldn’t want me to cut you off, would you?”
Alferd gulped. He and Chestar were frequent customers of the Red Eel. “You wouldn’t.”
“I would.”
Alferd scoffed, but he stepped back. He scowled at Jarryd. “You woman has to fight your battles for you?”
Jarryd just laughed. “She sure shut you down, didn’t she?”
He and Kath walked away. He put his arm around her.
“You know, that’s probably the worst it will get, and it wasn’t that bad. You were right.”
“I know.” She leaned into him. “Just wait until my friends see you.”
Standing under one of the sycamore trees was a small group of young women. One of them was Nance, Kath’s best friend. Kath led them over there.
The women were talking amongst themselves and didn’t see the couple approach until they were right on top of them.
“Lovely evening, isn’t it?” Kath said nonchalantly.
No one replied at first. All four of them were staring at Jarryd open-mouthed.
Nance was the first to break the spell.
“Wow.”
The others nodded.
One of the others spoke. “I’ve never seen anyone dressed like that.”
“They were made for him by the Nagyar, as a token of their appreciation,” Kath said. “Jarryd, can you twirl around for the girls?”
Jarryd shook his head. “I’m not twirling around.”
Kath pouted. “Maybe later.”
“Maybe not.”
She turned back to her friends. “I told you. Didn’t I tell you?”
“Yeah,” Nance said. She was still staring at Jarryd. It was starting to make him feel uncomfortable.
Kath led him away a short while later, leaving the women whispering behind them.
“I feel like a show pony,” Jarryd said.
“You can’t tell me you didn’t enjoy that at least a little.”
“I didn’t enjoy that at least a little.”
She poked him in the ribs. “I need to get some ale into you.”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
After they’d gotten drinks, Kath said, “Is that the Rector? I think it is. What’s he doing?”
Jarryd looked. Freckus was standing motionless back in the trees staring. Not just staring. Staring at him.
“That man gives me the shivers,” Kath said. “He always has.”
“His days of terrorizing this town are over. He’s nothing now. He just won’t accept it.”
“Don’t be so quick to dismiss him. I have a bad feeling he isn’t done causing trouble.”
“Let him try. I’ll be ready for him.” Jarryd waved at the man. Freckus backed into the trees and disappeared from sight.
And so it went. Everyone who saw Jarryd did a double take the first time. There was some laughter, and Jarryd endured a fair bit of good-natured teasing, but all in all people were mostly just impressed. Jarryd got the feeling that they weren’t that surprised either. He heard one man say to his daughter, a twelve-year-old girl who was staring openly at Jarryd, “He’s been all over the world, you know.” The man sounded oddly proud.
Since he sold clothes himself, Clarince wanted to take a closer look at the stitching. He shook his head and whistled. “That’s some real craftmanship right there. I don’t think any nobleman is wearing anything finer tonight.”
As he walked away, he said to his wife, “After all, he fought a dragon. Why shouldn’t he have some fancy clothes? We have our own nobility. Creekside is fancy now.”
He must have shared his thoughts with others because before the night was half over, most people were convinced that not only had Jarryd fought a dragon, but he was now nobility as well.
“You have to hear the latest,” Kath said, laughing. She’d gone back for more refreshments while Jarryd talked to a couple of the older farmers. “I heard Otto tell Charl that you rescued a princess from the dragon. Her father had those clothes made for you in gratitude. He wanted you to marry his daughter, but you said no because you had a fair maiden waiting for you here.”
Jarryd nodded. “That sounds about right. Did I never tell you that story?” He scratched his beard. “It was very tempting.”
“I’m glad to see you’re starting to embrace this. I told you it wouldn’t be that bad.”
“I should always listen to you, is what you’re saying.”
“You’re learning.”
When the music started, Kath didn’t even ask. She just grabbed Jarryd’s hand and dragged him toward the stage. Jarryd resisted. A little. He’d never danced before and was sure he’d make a fool of himself. “Maybe we should have another ale first.”
“Nope. I’ve waited way too long for this. You’re not getting out of here without dancing.”
They made it to the dance floor. Jarryd groaned when he saw there were only two other couples there. The thought of having everyone stare at him didn’t make him feel good.
“Can’t we wait until it fills up a little?”
“Nope.”
“We should at least talk about this.”
“Nope.” She pulled him up almost to the stage. “Here, take my hands. Now, put your feet like this. Listen to the rhythm. It will tell you what to do.”
“Those directions don’t help at all.”
“Follow me. Ready, go.”
She began moving her feet. Jarryd stared at them and tried to imitate her. At first, he kept stepping on her toes, but gradually he got better. The song ended and another began. He made it through that one as well.
“You’re getting it,” Kath said. “You only stepped on my foot twice during that song.”
“It’s not as hard as I thought it would be. But I can’t say I enjoyed it.”
“You will. Give it time.”
They danced a few more times. Jarryd tried to peek at the other dancers to see how they were doing, but every time he did, he lost the rhythm. What he saw was reassuring, though. The other men his age didn’t look any more comfortable than he felt. A couple had pained expressions on their faces.
The song ended. “I need a break. Let’s go get something.”
“You go. I’m going to go dance with my friends.” Several of them had moved out onto the floor and were dancing together.
“You don’t mind?” Jarryd asked.
She gave him a quick kiss. “Not at all. But don’t think you’re done dancing. Because you’re not.”
Jarryd fled the dance floor. Swick caught him as he was buying a cider.
“You’re a brave man, Jarryd.”
Jarryd looked at him questioningly.
“Dancing terrifies me. I’d rather face a bear.”
“It’s not so bad.”
“Not for you. You’re like a natural or something. When I try, it’s like I have too many feet and all of them are left.”
Jarryd shook his head in disbelief. “How much have you had to drink?”
“Only a few.” He was weaving slightly, but Jarryd had seen him much drunker many times.
“There’s something wrong with your eyes. I stomped on her toes so many times.”
“Naw, that’s not true. You did great.”
“Sure. Whatever.”
“Can I buy you an ale?”
Jarryd held up his mug. “I just bought a cider.”
“You drink too much of that stuff.”
“I could say the same thing to you.”
Swick looked into his mug, his expression wistful. “Here I was thinking I don’t get enough.”
Alferd and Chestar came walking up. “Great dancing,” Alferd said. He waved his arms around, nearly spilling his ale. “I can’t wait to see what you do next.” Chestar laughed.
“Do you want something?” Jarryd asked.
Alferd held up his hands. He was visibly swaying. “Just trying to make friendly talk. Don’t get all cranky.”
“Just go away,” Swick said. “We don’t want to talk to you.”
“What made you so high and mighty?” Alferd asked Swick. “Too good to talk to your old friends.” He spat on the ground.
Swick had his fists bunched. “You’re not my friends. I don’t think you ever were.”
Alferd finished his ale and belched. “Jarryd comes back and now you can’t get enough of him. You got your head so far up his butt you can see the roof of his mouth. Blasted lickspittle.”
Swick got in his face. “What did you call me?”
“Oh, can you not hear with your head stuck up his butt like that? I’ll say it again. Lickspittle. Toady.”
Swick reared back to swing, but Jarryd was faster. He caught Swick’s arm. “Not here. If you want to fight, fine. But not at the dance.”
“Get to hell, Knight boy,” Alferd snarled. He swung at Jarryd.
Jarryd grabbed his fist in the air, letting go of Swick when he did so. Alferd fought against him, grimacing with the effort, but it did no good.
It was Chestar’s turn. “Let go of my friend.” He dropped his ale and rushed Jarryd, arms spread wide.
Jarryd simply pulled Alferd in front of him. The two got tangled up and went to the ground.
“Get off me!” Alferd yelled.
“I’m trying to!” Chestar yelled back.
They made it back to their feet, their nice clothes a little dusty and torn.
“Had enough?” Jarryd asked them.
Alferd shook his head to clear it. “I’m only getting started.” He charged Jarryd, who simply pushed him down. It wasn’t difficult. Alferd was big, but it was mostly fat.
Chestar leaned over him and helped him up. Chestar had a cut on his chin. “Let it go. He isn’t worth it.”
“This isn’t over,” Alferd said.
“It’s over,” Swick said. “You just don’t realize it yet.”
Muttering threats under their breath, the two men left.
“I was hoping you’d slug them a couple times,” Swick said. “You need to teach them a lesson.”
“Would they learn?”
Swick thought about this. “Probably not.”
“Then why do it?”
Swick shrugged. “Because it’d be fun?”
“Not for me. You should understand something, Swick.” Jarryd stepped close and lowered his voice. “I’ve seen a lot of violence and killing. It’s not fun. It’s not exciting. It’s ugly and bloody and awful. I’ve had enough. All I want is to live in peace.”
Swick rolled his eyes. “You’re an odd one, Jarryd. I’ve always said that.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment. I’m going back over to the dance floor.”
Jarryd walked away without waiting for an answer. Swick hurried after him. When they got there, Swick grabbed Jarryd’s arm.
“Hey, that guy is asking Kath to dance.”
The last song had just ended, and the next hadn’t started yet. Jarryd looked and saw a man he didn’t recognize talking to Kath, clearly asking her to dance.
Swick nudged him. “What are you going to do?”
“Nothing.”
“But he’s…he’s stepping in on her. You can’t allow that.”
“Kath can take care of herself. If she needs me, I’ll be there.”
“Now she’s dancing with him!”
“It’s only a dance.”
“But he’s dancing with your woman. She’s your betrothed.”
“We’re betrothed, it’s true. But I don’t own Kath. She makes her own decisions.”
“I don’t understand you at all.”
“That’s okay.”
“Maybe I should slug him for you.”
“Don’t.”
“Can’t believe you’re just going to stand here and do nothing.”
“That’s not true. I intend to do something.”
“What?”
“Just wait.”
When the song ended, Jarryd walked up to Kath and her strange partner. “Can I have this next dance?”
“Of course. This is my betrothed,” she told the man. “The man I was telling you about.”
The man nodded to him and left.
“I thought that might get you back out here,” Kath told him as the next song started.
“You did that on purpose?”
“Sort of. Mostly, I just really like dancing. Is that a problem?”
“Swick wanted me to make it one. But no, it’s not a problem.”
She raised an eyebrow. “No jealousy at all?”
“Maybe a little. But I’m not trying to tell you what you can and can’t do. I trust you. That’s all that matters.”
“I love you. You know that?”
“I love you too.”
“I was hoping you’d be a little bit jealous,” she teased.
“If it makes you feel better, yes, I’m horribly jealous. I’ll fight the next man who looks at you.”
She laughed and leaned into him. “I’m lucky to have you.”
“Not as lucky as I am to have you.”
“Gross,” Swick said, suddenly right behind them. “You two are gross.” He made a gagging sound.
Jarryd looked at Kath. “Can I punch him again? Just once?”
Swick put his arm around Jarryd’s neck. “You won’t punch me. We’re mates, remember?”
Jarryd pushed him away. “You smell like a brewery. How many ales did you have?”
“Not many.” Swick held up his hands, counting off on his fingers. Then he shrugged. “I don’t remember.”
Kath pulled Jarryd away. They stood at the edge of the meadow with their arms around each other, watching as the festivities wound down. The band packed up their instruments. The food and drink were all loaded up and carted away.
There were only a handful of people left when a man neither recognized approached them.
“Are you Jarryd?” he asked.
Jarryd and Kath exchanged looks, wondering what this was about. “I am.”
“I just got into town a little while ago. I have a message for you from Tinker Theo. He said it was important.” He held out an envelope.
“Thank you.”
He waved off the thanks. “It’s little enough after all Theo has done for me. Enjoy the rest of your evening.” He walked away.
“Open it. I want to see what it says.”
They walked over to one of the lanterns that was still lit. Jarryd opened the envelope and took out a small piece of paper. They both leaned close to read it.
“‘Jarryd. I had one of my feelings today. Something dangerous is heading your way. I don’t know any more than that, but I wanted to warn you.’”
“Something dangerous?” Kath said. “That’s frustratingly vague. Maybe he’s talking about more of the Emperor’s soldiers.”
“Could be. But I don’t think so. It might have something to do with that dream I keep having about the little girl.” He still wasn’t convinced it was a vision. Though, if he was being honest with himself, he was mostly hoping it was a dream because he didn’t want to have any more visions. He wanted to be done with all that stuff.
“How many times have you had that vision now?”
“Three.”
“You had more since the first time? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I’m not convinced it’s a vision. I’ve been hoping it’s a dream. It’s not like I don’t have my share of bad dreams.” Several nights a week, in fact. Usually some variation on the Dragon Queen trying to capture him or one of his encounters with the Emperor.
“What should we do?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Keep our eyes and ears open for anything strange.”
“If something happens, I’ll hear about it at the inn. Every rumor makes its way there sooner or later.”
“I think I’ll start going to Simon’s shop in the mornings. A lot of the old farmers gather there before starting work. If anything weird is going on, they’ll know about it. They’re the worst gossips in town.” Simon owned a tiny shop right on the town square. He served kal, a bitter drink made from ground-up nuts that grew wild in the area. He harvested them, roasted them and brewed the drink.
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