DDDDD ZZZZZZ // D D AAAA RRR GGGG OOOO NN N Z I NN N EEEE || D D A A R R G O O N N N Z I N N N E || Volume 22 -=========================================================+|) D D AAAA RRR G GG O O N N N Z I N N N E || Number 4 DDDDD A A R R GGGG OOOO N NN ZZZZZZ I N NN EEEE || \\ \ ======================================================================== DargonZine Distributed: 12/21/09 Volume 22 Number 4 Circulation: 640 ======================================================================== 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 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 , Assistant Editor: John White . 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 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 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, "Couldn’t 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. ========================================================================