EverBright: The Darkness Pool

Interlude: Tainted Cargo

The side of the cart said “Malsen Orchards” in bright red letters outlined in a bright color that looked just like gold. Every time he walked past, Malsen couldn’t help but stop and stare. His 18-year-old daughter Greta noticed this because she was loading most of the apple crates as he was standing there. She had to admit, though, it did look nice.

This would be the first trip to Sea Cray market day with the new writing, and Malsen was sure that it would bring in more customers. Greta’s opinion seemed to be that the money could have been just as well spent to improve their placement in the markets. As it was not, they were on the outskirts and didn’t see half the traffic that roamed the market center. It’s not like they were hurting as it was though, they always sold the extra apples when they got back to EverBright, even if it was at a reduced price. Malsen did just want to make a splash at the market, however, he also enjoyed seeing his name in such large print.

This would be their first trip to the market since the Mayor mandated a military escort. The permit came at a cost, of course, because the government always had to find a way to get their fingers into your profits. He’d gotten 3 guards for the price of 2 though. Apparently, they were training a new kid. If Malsen hadn’t known better, he would have guessed the kid wasn’t nearly old enough, but it was that half breed kid who used to tag along with Narlix until the old man left. He knew the boy was a decent businessman, honest and fair with his customers. That was all Malsen needed to respect the kid.

One of the other two soldiers he’d never met, but the third was Breton. Malsen wasn’t sure about him when they first met him, but that was 3 years ago when Greta was only 15. Breton was already 17 at the time. Too old for her, Malsen believed then. He’s stuck around though. He’d been a perfect gentleman to Greta and helped out in the Orchard. Malsen had grown to love the boy like a son. He was proud of Breton when he joined the army to help with the problem in the woods. And he was overjoyed when Breton and Greta were betrothed last month.

They walked alongside the cart. Breton and the halfbreed on one side and the other one opposite them. They watched the woods all the way. It just wasn’t good enough.

______

The Vorlox, still contented by his last meal, was in the mood for some lazy mischief. Schlopp! A bead the size of a coon’s eye separated from him and rolled away in the direction of the road. As it traveled closer, it could feel even the slightest vibrations on the forest floor from the movement on the road, and it sped faster.

Not that the wagon was going quickly. Instead, it rolled forward in a cautious amble. It was no trouble for the little bead to bounce its way up onto the wagon and then into a crate of apples. That’s where the fun would begin.

Although the little bead was separate from the whole, the Vorlox could still sense everything that was going on, and he was enjoying himself. The bead, once inside the crate, began to bore into one apple after another, turning them black beyond rot. It made as much noise as it could doing it too. Someone noticed the commotion. The Vorlox rippled with sinister amusement.

______

Greta couldn’t understand what was going on. Had a squirrel or mouse gotten into one of the crates? She found herself standing in the back of the wagon and moving toward the crate with a mixture of curiosity and caution.

“Hey!” Her father turned and shouted. “What’re you doing back there girl?”

“There’s something rustling around in one of the crates.”

“Okay.” Malsen said, stopping the cart and hopping down to circle around to the back of the wagon.

The guards did what they’d been paid to do. They watched for threats on all sides as best they could. Of course, that meant that they did see what was happening inside the wagon. That changed when they heard Greta scream. Her father was still rounding to the back of the wagon when Greta got to the crate where the noise had been coming from.

Breton turned around to see what was happening, but Tiernan stopped him, “Aren’t we supposed to be watching for attacks?”

In response, Breton’s nostrils flared and his face became stone hatred. “I don’t need a new recruit telling me my duty.” With a muttered, “Sorry,” Tiernan turned back to watch, and this is why Breton didn’t see the love of his life speak her final words in her father’s arms.

“What is it girl? Do you see a mouse?” There was a slight chuckle in his voice. Then, he looked up and saw the fear in her eyes. He hopped into the wagon, and as he reached her he stared down into the crate. Half the apples were the black of fresh charcoal, and they saw a small smoky black sphere roll from the inside of one to burrow into the next. “Let’s get this crate away from the rest!” Malsen grabbed one side, Greta the other, and they pitched the crate out of the back of the wagon.

Just as they released the crate, though, that sphere bounded from the apple it was in and leapt into Greta’s still screaming mouth. Her scream was choked off as she immediately began clutching her stomach. Her father picked her up, and hauled her off the wagon, laying her on the road. Remembering the apples, he lifted her shirt to see if he could tell what damage was being done. The blackness had already spread over most of her stomach, and it was quickening away from her center mass into her limbs like choking vines.

Her final, desperate words came out like a plea. “Go, quickly. Please.”

Malsen leaned over, kissed his daughter’s forehead, and with tears in his eyes, gave the command to leave quickly. The wagon turned, headed back toward home. There was no way Malsen could hold the smile he would need to run a market stall right now.

“What good was paying for that permit? You just stood there!” The two older soldiers looked down, ashamed. Breton, though, just looked angry. He didn’t leave her side, though. He just stood there and watched her body blacken, daring not to touch her, angry tears welling in his eyes. When he finally turned to join the wagon, he looked at her one more time, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to say goodbye.”

_____

The Vorlox was pleased with his game. By the time anyone else passed, the evidence was gone. The body and the apples were all collected. Dinner and dessert. Even if the Vorlox wasn’t truly hungry, it wasn’t in his nature to be wasteful.

Ch. 6

Conscript

For the first year that Tiernan and Widdershins were in the “Royal Guard, EverBright Contingent,” they led people back and forth from EverBright to SeaCray. There had been no incidents since the Malsen girl was killed, but that event was enough to create its fair share of deserters.

Even with the Mayor’s conscription order, there weren’t enough soldiers to meet the demand of vendors and travelers through the woods. The death of Greta Malsen, rather than putting travelers off, invigorated people to want to travel the road. Well, her death combined with the conscription order anyway. There was an electric level of defiance in the city these days mingled with a fringe of morbid curiosity. People wanting to travel to and from Sea Cray were applying for permits at an alarming rate. To top it off, the mayor of Sea Cray was taking no actions whatsoever. He was content to let his citizens make their own choices.

This actually made things easier for EverBright’s transition to Royal Guard escorts. A few of the mercenaries had created deep enough ties to individuals in the community that they actually joined the guard. Others, though, simply headed to SeaCray to find work. SeaCray’s citizens traveled the road through the forest even more than they had because now there were more escorts available for hire. Therefore, while EverBright’s travel became stunted and slow by permit waiting lines, SeaCray was making a brisker trade than ever through the woods.

Amidst this, Tiernan and Widdershins learned their escorting and patrolling duties. Because they both had families to provide for, they were on duty four days a week and given three to hunt and help run the shop. Clockwise was the only fulltime hunter now, but his traps were providing enough during their on-duty days to keep it all going. Meister Ryland was helping as well. Paying rent, of course, but also helping in other ways. He started looking for new things to sell coming in on the ships at the docks. In addition, he helped with inventory storage and organization. Melody would tell him where she wanted things, and he would oblige. With Tiernan gone so much, Melody and Meister Ryland were spending most of their time with each other when the Meister wasn’t in meetings with Mayor Linkston.

As the only resident Meister in EverBright, Ryland was imbued with a level of respect and deference that no one outside the Mayor's inner circle could rival. He wasn't part of that inner circle though and his knowledge of their motives was limited. He heard snatches of conversation enough to know there were hidden motives to Mayor Linkston's conscription of the local young men.

The permit process alone had slowed the travel through the woods enough that new escorts were mostly extraneous. More and more, those recruits were being posted at all the entrances to the city and told to scrutinize travelers who were previously permitted unquestioning entry.

"You know, they posted him at the entrance nearest us. I'm sure that was a favor to you." Melody was listening to Ryland's concerns, pointing out the benefits. "I'd much rather have him here than escorting people on that road. Heaven forbid he end up like Clockwise."

"Too true. Ignoring the problem in the woods won't make it go away though. I just wonder why so many are being diverted to city gates that haven't needed them in the past hundred years while the demand for escorts continues to increase?" Ryland stopped himself for a moment, then decided to go on. "I have to believe it can only mean there is a greater threat to the city coming. And Linkston's preparing for something she isn't telling us about."

"You might be right, but I'd still rather have my boy nearby if something breaks out."

At this, Ryland stepped to her and put an arm around her gently. She leaned into his chest trying not to cry. He looked down at her and tried to reassure her. "I'm doing everything I can to protect him."

"I know." She stretched on her tiptoes to kiss him lightly then. "It's one of things I love best about you. And, yes, before you ask, I fully intend to tell him about us soon."

Ryland chuckled at that, released her and went to finish stacking the crates he used for overstock. "The sooner the better you know. I intend to marry you before I'm too old to appreciate the benefits."

She laughed at that and rolled her eyes. "Of course you do. I haven't seen a band of promise from you though." She raised her eyebrows knowingly.

"Well, then. I suppose if you're wearing one, he's bound to find out, isn't he?" Ryland pulled a short rope from the folds of his robe and tossed it lightly in the air. There was a small flash of light, and holding out his hand, he caught something that gleamed in the light.

Melody's eyes got wide then, and she stood rigid. "I...I..."

"Let me see your finger." She put out her hand as he walked to her and slipped the band on her marriage finger. "You did ask for this didn't you? I assume your answer is yes?"

Unlike a few minutes before, Melody didn't even try to hold back her tears. She just hugged him and pushed away the thoughts of explaining this to Tiernan as a problem for a later time.

Meanwhile, Tiernan and Widdershins were standing at the gate. Tiernan at attention and Widdershins leaning on the wall, bored. "At least when we were escorting people, we were doing something. Asking people why they're coming to town is dreadful."

Tiernan couldn't disagree, but he also had more respect for the officers over him. "It may be boring, but it's only part of the week, and we get to hunt the rest of the time."

"Those days feel far off at the beginning of a long shift of standing still."

"Yeah, but we're at the end of our shift, and the end of our week, so maybe you can save your complaining for next week?"

Widdershins was silent for the last hour of their duty, looking sullen at the rebuke, but Tiernan was just too tired to care about hurt feelings. When the hour was, they slogged back to the barracks, which was just one large four walled room with cots lining each side and a desk by the front door.

As usual, Tunny was at the desk looking perturbed. It was the way he had looked since the veterans got here months ago like he deserved better and everyone he saw was to blame for him not getting it. The preferred targets for his ire were the new recruits from EverBright.

While Major Druse had always treated them fairly, Tunny was anything but.

"Tiernan! Widdershins!" Tunny bellowed from behind his desk. "Don't slouch as you walk in here! You're a disgrace to the uniform!"

Neither of the boys had noticed themselves or each other slouching, but it was always best not to argue. "Yes, sir." they muttered in near unison while they tried to stand straighter, fearing that the time before they could lie on their cots was stretching.

"Are you mocking me?" Tunny's tone was indignant. "Do you know who I am? Who my father is?"

Before their conscription, neither boy had any clue who this man or his father were. However, this particular scene had played itself out for them countless times since they were brought into the fold. Tunny’s father has traded in a successful military career for a foreign ministry appointment that kept him out of the country most of the time and kept his wife and three sons in a large estate in the capital with private tutors and a house staff even larger than Lord Marol’s.

Tunny was his father's third son, and like the others, enlisted at 18. His brothers finished their first enlistments as a courtesy to their father, going on to promising young civilian lives afterward. Tunny, though, was a lifer, just like his father. This was his seventh year, and that experience added to his father's nobility meant that he was destined for the most leisurely jobs now and eventual advancement up the ranks earned wholly on name and not on meit.

When Tunny heard that Tiernan used to be a washer boy on an estate here in EverBright, he was suddenly the favorite target of needling. Apparently, Tiernen was just the sort of target he was used to having around. And now the tell-tale reddening of Tunny’s ears told the boys they were about to be unfairly punished. “Since you two are so insistent on refusing me the proper respect, you can add laundry to your list of duties for the next month. How’s that suit you, washer boy?”

“Whatever the army needs from me, sir.” Tiernan said.

“Yes, sir.” Widdershins was still surly, but he was smart enough to keep it mostly to himself.

“On with you then.” They had been dismissed. They walked to the barracks room and both collapsed on their cots, dead to the world.

It was dark when they were roused by a loud conversation of the next group of guards coming in off shift. It was enough to get them up and going. “You going home right away?” Widdershins asked.

“I’m going to see Cleal’s show tonight first. You wanna come?”

“Yeah. Let me round up Clockwise. He could use a night with friends.” Since losing his hand, Clockwise had started to become surly and insular. All his friends hoped he would pull out of it, but it hadn’t happened yet.

“But first, laundry! Ugh…”

That day’s pile looked to be two trips to the washer they’d hired.

“I get so sick of this. Why does he treat everyone like he’s better than them?” Widdershin’s rest hadn’t helped him get over their earlier treatment.

“I can tell you that. It’s because he is better than us. Just ask him. He’ll tell you.” Tiernan grinned, while Widdershins just scoffed. “It’s not like laundry is a big deal. We’re almost there, plus, Dena might be there.”

Widdershins brightened at that. “You’re right. She might be. I could see if she wants to go to dinner with us.”

“You could.” Tiernan agreed, knowing full well she would say, ‘no,’ just like every other time he’d ever asked, but he also knew that hope springs eternal in the heart of the smitten.

They’d met Dena on their first laundry duty. She’d come to the delivery window, face splashed with freckles, unruly red hair pulled back and under a kerchief, sounding brusk. “Yeah? What do you need?”

Widdershins had been in front, but instead of answering, he just stood there staring like prey enticed by a trap. Tiernan had pushed him aside. “We’re here to drop off the Army’s laundry.”

Without responding, she turned and left them there holding their bags of dirty clothes. “Here,” She said, coming back a few minutes later with a large, rectangular, tightly wrapped package. “Clean.” She put it on the window’s large sill, clearly designed for the task. “Here.” She motioned for the bags they were carrying, and tossed them down behind the window as they were passed over. As she turned to leave, Widdershins finally spoke.

“Wait!” He sounded desperate for her to stop. She turned, and he said, “You’re beautiful.” She laughed at him, turned and left.

Regardless of her reaction, it still took Tiernan several nudges to get Widdershins to turn around and head back. He didn’t speak all the way back to the barracks that day. After that, he wouldn’t shut up about her for months.

She was there as usual when they got there. Now, the routine played itself out as usual.

“Hey, Dena.” Tiernan called as they got to the window and put the sacks on the sill.

“Hello, boys.”

“So, Dena,” Widdershins began, “We’re going to dinner here in a bit if you are interested in joining us?” He tried not to sound too hopeful, but the lift in his voice made it awkward and obvious.

“I’m here until the end of the night. Dinner will be long over by the time I get done.” She was polite but firm.

“Okay. Maybe next time then?”

“Maybe. Here’s the clean.”

They left and repeated the process with the second load minus the dinner invitation. Widdershins never skipped a beat though. “I tell you, if our schedules ever line up right, she’s bound to say, ‘yes.’

Tiernan nodded. “I’m sure that’s it. Just keep trying.” He smiled at his lovestruck friend. “Go get your brother, I’m going to head over and get a table for us.”

Landor’s had continued to be popular over the years, and Cleal continued to be a big draw. Now, though, she spent more time managing other acts than being on stage herself. She still played weekly, but it was never more than two nights a week.

Tonight, of course, was the biggest night of every week, so she would be the primary entertainment. Tiernan, of course, hadn’t stopped playing, but it was never more than once a month, and he kept his performance yuke backstage.

“You’re late.” Cleal smirked as he walked in, but still she came over and kissed his cheek. “Show starts soon, and all the best tables are gone.”

He leaned into her and squeezed with one arm. “Laundry duty. Nothing I could do. I’ll take the table in the corner.” He glanced that way to see several tables full of enlisted men. He recognized most of them and knew few. The local conscripts and the troops from the capital didn't mingle much with one another.

It was clear that many of them had already been drinking for a while. The laughs were bawdy and loud. Seeing Cleal talking to Tiernan, there were shouted demands for the show to begin. None of it was belligerent yet.

"I better get up there. Will you be joining me tonight?" Cleal's question was coy, but it was the same question she asked every time he came to the show.

"We'll see." It was how he always answered, and it was true. He played or didn't as he felt the urge. This time though, he gave her a mischievous grin to go with the response, and she knew she had him.

"Okay then, I'll see you up there when you're ready." She turned and walked toward the backstage corridor, lighter on her feet than she had been when he arrived.

It was only a few minutes later that she was taking the stage and Widdershins was dragging a sullen Clockwise to the table.

"Sorry we're late," Widdershins huffed, pulling Clockwise by the arm to a chair. "Someone wasn't being very cooperative." He gestured and rolled his eyes.

Tiernan ignored his exasperation, hoping to improve Clockwise's mood. "No problem. She's just going on now. How was your hunt today, Clockwise?"

Clockwise had become monosyllabic since he lost his hand, just another aspect of his darkening demeanor. "Fine."

Tiernan wasn't one to give up easily though. "Were you able to drop off everything to the shop?"

"Yeah."

"Did my mother have much to say? I think she's coming tonight at some point."

"No."

"Oh? Was she busy? Was anyone else there?"

"Ryland."

Tiernan smiled. "I'm sure he'll be here too. They spend most of their time together these days. They think I'm oblivious, but I'm not. I'm just trying to stay out of their way, and I'm clearly busy enough between hunting, guard duty, and Tunny's whims."

"Speaking of whims," Widdershins gestured toward the door with a slight twitch of his head, and Tiernan turned to see Tunny walking in and joining some of the other soldiers at one of the tables. "I've heard he comes to watch her frequently."

"Heard from who?" Tiernan's shock was hard for him to disguise, but he kept his composure.

"Dena. You know she hears the men talk as they work laundry duty."

Tiernan sat back, pondering this development. "Somehow, I don't think she's interested."

Widdershins laughed. "You're that sure of yourself? Do you have intentions on her?"

"Of course, I do. You know that." Tiernan sat up straight again looking for some reassurance from his friend.

Widdershins didn't oblige. "I know it. Does she, though? Girl that pretty? She won't wait around for the likes of you for long."

Now, Tiernan was incredulous. "Likes of me? What's that supposed to mean?"

"All I'm saying is that a girl who looks like that can improve her station as much as she wants by marrying well. There would be no lack of wealthy suitors if it were clear she was looking. She doesn't lack now." As she said this, the tables all hushed as Cleal strummed the opening chord of her first song.

Her notes always sounded like an offering. They were confident but did not need to be insistent. Tiernan's playing could be raucous, filling the entire venue and making people take notice. Cleal, however, took a completely different approach. She never demanded. She invited. Rather than pushing out to the extremities of the room, she drew listeners in and made the room feel smaller. She had a way of making each listener feel like the songs were being sung specifically for them.

It wasn't cultivated either. It was natural. It was not so different from the way she talked to people as well. She was always warm and attentive, a gift some people are just born with and everyone she met benefitted.

Her first set was a series of five songs with no speaking between them. When she was done, the audience applauded enthusiastically, and she promised not to be gone for long. She had long discovered that patrons who were dining and drinking wanted ample time for conversation as well, so she never overwhelmed them with too many songs at once.

As she left the stage, Tiernan looked around and noticed that Tunny had left his table. Something about that seemed to bother Tiernan, so he got up as well, telling his companions, "I'm going to go backstage and talk to Cleal. If you see my other and the Meister, make sure you have them sit with us. Clockwise sat, picking at some fried potatoes on his plate, and Widdershins waved in acknowledgment while he finished off his mug of ale.

As Tiernan got to the corridor entry on the side of the stage, he could hear Tunny's voice. "...could give you more in the capital than you could ever have here. Fame, wealth, children with titles." Tiernan stopped and listened as if his life hung in the balance of her response.

"Tunny, you're very sweet," Cleal said. Tiernan laughed at that. That was not a descriptor he would ever use for Tunny. "I can't. I love someone else." Tiernan smiled.

It was clear this was not the first time they'd had this conversation from Tunny's response. "You say that, but so far, this man's a total mystery. No one's ever seen you with him. I'm beginning to think he doesn't exist as anything more than a convenient excuse for you to turn me down."

Tiernan could hear Cleal take in a deep breath through her nostrils, imbuing her response with patience. "I have no doubt that everyone will know his intentions soon. Some of us have waited a very long time for him to make them known."

Tiernan couldn't believe he was hearing Widdershin's words of warning come right out of Cleal's mouth.

Tunny was quick to seize the opening though. "How long will you wait? What if he never does?"

Cleal sounded sad and resigned. "I don't know. I know that I can't wait forever, but I have not woken up yet tired of waiting. If that day comes, then things might be different."

Tiernan walked in then nonchalantly, pretending to have heard nothing. "Oh, hey, I thought I would tune up my yuke if I could. I thought I might play some between your sets.

Tunny flushed red, and muttered something to Cleal, pushing Tiernan out of his way as he left. Cleal hid a smile behind her hand as Tiernan grinned widely.

"What was that all about," he asked?

"Oh, you know, just my adoring fans." Cleal refused to impugn Tunny's dignity by telling Tiernan what their conversation was about. Even though he could never muster the same level of respect in himself for Tunny, he admired it in her.

Tiernan chuckled. “Well, I’m going to tune and go out there for a few songs if that’s alright.”

”Sure,” she said. “I’ll go take your seat for a while then.”

With that, she left Tiernan to his preparations. His yuke kept good tune, so he made quick work of that and climbed the stage. As he looked out at the audience, he was glad to see that his mother and the Meister had made it. He also noticed curious looks from his fellow soldiers and realized that he’d never played with any of them in the crowd before. Other than Tunny’s sour look, he was pleased to see that while some of the soldiers looked surprised, none looked hostile. Well, he’d been planning this night for a while. He may not have decided before a few minutes ago that it would be particular night, but the plan had been set in his mind for months.

“Ladies and gentlemen, Tiernan began. “It’s a great pleasure to have a chance to entertain you tonight.” He paused at the sound of a loud whistle that he was sure was widdershins. “Yes, thank you. My reputation proceeds me with some of you. For others, this will be my first chance to show you some of my songs.”

With that, he launched into a lively tune that had the crowd clapping and bouncing their hands on their knees to the rhythm. He’d named the song, “Fair’s First Night,” and it was filled with images that all knew and cherished from those familiar annual town festivals. The refrain said, “Fullest moons of evenings bright/Fortune’s found on fair’s first night.” He’d seen more of live and known more of heartache than the boy who wrote those words, but he still believed in the hope they kindled. Even as he thought of Clockwise, Narlix, and the darkness in the wood, he was still sure he could be a bright spot for folks.

The final flourish tapered to the sound of applause, noticeably from the tables of soldiers. He smiled. He was warming to the audience and reveling in the spotlight. It gave him the same giddy feeling every time when things were sounding good and people were appreciative. He ran through three more numbers then decided the time had come.

“Some of you know that Cleal and I used to do this act together way back when. What about having her join me for a song or two?” There were cheers of encouragement, and Cleal walked to the stage grinning. This was a familiar move on Tiernan’s part, and she always enjoyed a duet. It wasn’t until she got on stage that she realized that perhaps this would be a bit different. “Ladies and gentlemen, Cleal!” Tiernan led the crowd in a round of applause and then launched into a speech that had been clearly rehearsed.

“When this woman was just a girl, and I as just a boy, we became friends. We’ve both fully grown since those days, and our friendship has grown as much. I would not hesitate to tell you that she is my best friend, closest, dearest friend. Hopefully, she agrees.” He grinned slyly.

“Of course.” She responded with a an honest but quizzical smile of her own.

“My dearest audience, it goes deeper than that though.”

Cleal cocked her head, exaggerating a listening posture for the audiences sake.

Tiernan continued. “You see, even before I understood what it meant, I began to realize that I was falling in love with this woman.”

Cleal’s fake posturing straightened as her eyes grew very wide. He had never spoken like this before. She was not surprised that he would make such a declaration in as showy a fashion as this, but she had not been prepared for it either.

He still had no intention of letting her speak yet. “What do you say we see how such a beautiful woman responds to a bold declaration of love? Cleal, we are all eager to hear what you have to say. But! First! I’ve always been better with verse than with mere words, so let me sing of my love to you.”

He sang:

In a field there grew a single flower

Its bright blue petals shone among the dull

Frozen as I could not escape its pull

And at the edge I stood so many hour'

And yet I feared even my gaze might spoil

Think to touch the flower I could not bear

Of me, I must assume it unaware

For it, I would abandon all life's toil

Although transfixed I vowed that I must move

How could I love the thing and not possess?

And so I sought a course that might behoove

Where both might grow and never need redress

Just when I thought we'd never both be free

I saw the flower staring back at me

When he was done, Cleal was speechless as the audience roared its applause. When the cheering ended, Tiernan turned to her. “Well, lady, what say you?”

Cleal stammered a bit, but exclaimed, “I love you too. I have for years now. I had began to despair of your reciprocation.”

Tiernan looked more somber now. “It was never my intention to cause you to despair. I hope to spend the rest of my days making my love of you known on every single one of them.” At this, he took her hands in his. “Will you be willing to spend your life with me so that I may show you how loved you are?”

Cleal answered with a nod and an embrace, tears streaming down her face. The audience erupted. From the back, they could hear the staff cheering. The soldiers were whooping and hollering. Melody was crying as Ryland sat with his arm around her. Even Clockwise had a grin on his face. Amidst all the celebration, no one paid much attention to a steaming Tunny leaving the place in an angry huff.

“Well, folks,” Tiernan concluded. “With that, we need to take a break for a while. We may be back up here later to play more or we may not. It depends on the whim of my bride-to-be.” He bowed with a flourish to another round of cheers and led Cleal off stage and back to the table of friends and family.

As they reached the table, Tiernan couldn’t help but notice a sheepish grin on Meister Ryland’s face and his mother staring down. For a panicked moment, Tiernan worried that his mother would disapprove of what he’d just done. But, no. She loved Cleal, and she had to see this coming for a while now. He was baffled at her current posture.

“Mother? Aren’t you going to congratulate us?” Tiernan asked behind a soft, unsure chuckle. “I thought you’d be pleased.”

”Oh, Tier…” Melody started to respond to her son, but she was clearly flustered.

Ryland broke in. “I think your mother is afraid that she might overshadow the memory of your night.” He then turned to Melody. “Go on, show the boy.”

Melody lifted her gaze, looked her son in the eye, and then lifted her hand. Behind him, Clockwise let out a laugh. “Widdy, the next round of drinks is on you. Ha!”

Tiernan turned to Clockwise quizzically, not sure what could have caused him to react that way amidst his current stoicism. “What?”

Widdershins responded, “We may have placed a bet about which of you would get engaged first.” He looked up at Ryland with annoyed resignation. “Looks like I lost.

He looked back at his mother. “That’s great, Ma. I just wish I’d known a bit earlier, I would have planned better.”

Cleal wasn’t affected in the slightest, however. “Melody! Meister! That’s wonderful! We had all suspected…but you just never know…but wow this is amazing!

Then, the two newly engaged women embraced, breaking any residual tension that may have been underlying their competing engagements may have caused.

“We’re going to have the ceremony next week. It will be small. In the Mayor’s quarters…” Melody suddenly stopped, clearly struggling to say the next part. She looked to Ryland, but as he began to speak, she held up her hand and shook her head. “The Mayor’s found some information about the monster in the woods. It’s promising, but it bears investigation. Ryland is the most qualified person in the city to lead the investigation, so we are leaving on a ship the day after the ceremony.”

“Okay…That’s a lot to take in. What about the store? We need to keep it open.”

Clockwise spoke again then. “I’ll do it.” They all turned. “Don’t look at me like that. My hunting hours and the store hours don’t really conflict, and I don’t do much when I’m not hunting anyway.”

”Are you sure?” Melody asked.

“Is this something you want to do?” Tiernan followed.

”It is. I have been thinking for a long time that I needed something to do with my time besides dwelling on the past.” He looked down at the place where his hand had been, and everyone was very quiet. “I know that I haven’t been easy to get along with since that day in the woods. I don’t like to talk about it, and I’m not going to now, but I would love to take over the store while you’re gone.”

Everyone at the table looked in silence.

Tiernan finally told him, “Okay. That sounds good. If it’s ever too much work, promise to let me know.”

Clockwise nodded. “Of course, I will. It’s not like you and Widdy won’t be around if I need help. So, how many days til the wedding?”

”Three days.” Melody said. “The ship we’re taking leaves in 5 days. I don’t know how long we’ll be gone.”

Ryland chimed in. “I expect it’ll be about two month if the winds stay fair. Then, maybe we’ll have an idea how to deal with entity.”

Tiernan looked at Ryland and Melody, taking deep breaths to try and still the slight tremor that threatened to overtake him. “That’s a long time.”

”By one way of thinking it is.” Ryland put his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “On the other hand, it’ll be over before you know. Especially if you’re helping to plan a wedding of your own. That’ll keep you plenty business.”

“That’s right. I’ll keep you busy. Come on, now. I noticed my father wasn’t invited to this little event you had planned. We’d better go tell him.” Cleal grabbed Tiernan’s arm and turned him toward the door, leading him out. The rest of the group got up from their chairs and followed. They were stopped just outside the door by Tunny looking angry and smug.

“It’s about time, you two. I’ve got orders for you.” Even in the midst of everything occupying their minds, Tiernan and Widdershins had the presence of mind to respond appropriately. They both immediately stood to attention and saluted.

”Yes, Sir.” They briefly exchanged glances of concern.

Tunny smiled. “Looks like we needed two new recruits for second run, and your names were at the top of the list.”

”Second Run!” “What??” Both of them blurted out at once.

“That’s right. It’ll be good for you. Get away from the gate and into some real action.” Tunny crossed his arms.

Melody was the first to ask. “What’s second run?”

“Ma’am,” Tunny nodded to her. “It was determined that the best way to escort people through the woods was in two shifts. The first run is from here to the center of the forest. Then, the second run meets them there and takes them to Sea Cray. Rinse and repeat. Two teams of six soldiers each rotating through escorting duty.”

Melody’s fear was obvious in her voice. “How many times a day will he do that?”

Widdershins responded. “It’s usually twice a day, but three times isn’t unheard of if your group is the first to go.” He turned his attention to Tunny. “When do we leave, Sir?” He couldn’t keep the snarl out of his voice.

“Don’t take that tone with me! Your attitude should be one of respect.” Tunny puffed out his chest. “You leave with the first team in the morning!”

”What?” Melody was weeping now, her face against Ryland.

”Don’t worry, Ma’am,” Tunny said. “I’ll be going with them, to keep them safe.”

Tiernan squeezed his eyes shut and pressed his lips together holding in a sigh of exasperation. Cleal let go of his arm and stepped in front of Tunny.

”Is this because of me? Because I rejected you?”

Tunny was incredulous. “The world doesn’t revolve around women like you. Don’t flatter yourself.”

”You’re a terrible liar,” Cleal stared him down.

Tunny turned. “See you in the morning, boys. Don’t stay out too late.” With that, he walked away in the direction of the barracks while the group just looked on.

All the joy of the evening was now intermingled with thoughts of separation, loneliness, and danger. Clockwise and Widdershins headed to their mother's house so they could tell her Widdershins would be leaving and Clockwise would be taking over the store.

“Say your goodbyes, dear,” Ryland looked at Melody expectantly. “These two have something important still to do tonight before Tiernan gets ready to leave.”

The tears she was crying kept Melody from responding immediately. Instead, she just stepped to her son and hugged him hard. Tiernan cried then too, the weight of everything that had happened hitting him hardest when he was in his mother’s arms because her embrace still felt like the safest place in the world to him. At 18, he assumed that he wouldn’t need her the same way eventually. If that were true though, it hadn’t happened yet.

Melody looked up then and beckoned Cleal to join them. “Welcome to the family dear. We love you very much.

Ryland put his hand on Melody’s shoulder then. “Let’s go, dear. We’ve got planning of our own to do. Tiernan, stay safe in the woods. Cleal, good luck with your father. We’ll learn what we can and be back as soon as we can.” He took Melody by the hand then and let her away.

Tiernan’s eyes were dry by that time. As he watched his mother and Ryland walk away, he asked the inevitable question. “So, are you going to tell your father or am I doing it?” Cleal laughed and led him away toward Lord Marol’s manor to face her father.

All in all, it went better than either of them expected considering how Fenly had treated Tiernan. “I know that in the minds of the young, you see your parents as woefully confused, but this isn’t exactly a surprise. I don’t love it, but it’s not my life. If Tiernan hadn’t shown himself capable of taking on adult responsibilities, I may feel differently, but I can’t deny that he’s done well for himself. This may turn out not to be a mistake at all, or at least not as big a mistake as I once thought it would be. Now, if that’s all, I have things to do before I retire for the evening. It was nice to see you dear. You should come around more often.”

As much as Fenly appeared to be understanding, it did not escape the attention of either Tiernan or Cleal that he never once addressed Tiernan in that brief meeting and, in fact, spoke of him like he wasn’t present at all.

The walk back to Cleal’s room was lighter even with Tiernan leaving the next morning, as both of them realized the pressure that talking to Cleal’s father had been putting on both of them. “That wasn’t too bad.” Tiernan said as they were out of earshot of the manor. “He never actually spoke to me though. Ha. I think he only looked at me once.”

Cleal smiled. “I noticed that. He was very…restrained. I was impressed. Anyway, I’m glad it’s done. To tell you the truth, I wouldn’t be surprised if he comes to me in a few days with plans in preparation for the wedding. Planning is such a huge part of his life, you know.”

”That sounds great to me. I won’t exactly be much help in that department for the next few months. Of course, we haven’t actually discussed when we’re having it either. Thoughts?”

”Well, it’s already late fall now. Spring will be just around the corner when you come back. I think that would be a lovely time. Something outdoors with new flowers blooming everywhere. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

Tiernan could see her eyes sparkle in the moonlight as she imagined it and knew that whatever she wanted was exactly what he wanted too. That look of expectation mingled with joy and excitement is precisely how he best liked to see her. “I know it took me a while to ask, but even though I thought I knew the answer, there was always a fear in the back of my mind that you would decide to turn me down.”

Cleal smirked. “I could have you know. I had some other great offers on the table.

“Tunny. Ugh. That guy drives me crazy, but I have to follow orders.” Tiernan thought again then of the next morning and leaving for such a long and potentially dangerous assignment. “I don’t want to leave you.”

”I don’t want you to go. Hopefully, Meister Ryland will find something on his trip that will help deal with the problem and we can get back to normal around here.”

As they got to her door, She wrapped her arms around him and put her lips on his for the first time since that kiss now so long ago. They kissed then is the most naturally awkward way, both navigating the action in earnest for the first time, trying to put their feelings for one another into a physical expression that told one another exactly how much they loved the other. The kissing wasn’t adequate to the task though, as no true love can ever be fully expressed in a single physical act. It was a reminder, though, that every interaction, every word, glance, and thought had been leading up to this point. They had loved each other longer than either of them probably fully realized, and the decision to wed was the most natural of progressions in their story.

“I love you. Be careful, and come back to me.” Cleal told him as she broke off the kiss. “I need you to be here with me because life is always better when you’re around.”

”I love you too. I will be as alert and cautious in my duty as I can. I can’t promise to be safe because that’s not in my control, but I can promise to be careful.”

He hugged her again and left her to head back to the barracks. When he got there, he crashed. He was already asleep by the time Widdershins got there and didn’t hear how excited the family was for Clockwise until the next morning.

He woke with a start at Tunny’s bellow. “Men! It’s time to wake up and prepare for our new detail! Don’t make me wait!” With that, Tiernan, Widdershins, and the others took the first steps toward their new duty in the woods.

”Well, on the bright side,” Widdershins said to Tiernan as they were finishing loading the wagon, “I’ve always wanted to spend more time in Sea Cray.”