Jarryd: Chapter 4

Over the next few days, Jarryd’s home and barn were repaired and several of his fields planted. Both the house and barn still needed work. There were some holes here and there, gaps to be filled in. But those were all details Jarryd could work on himself. Only a little over half the fields were planted, some of the less-productive ones allowed to lie fallow. Since there was only one person instead of three relying on the crops, he didn’t need as many anyway.

In the evenings, Jarryd went into town and helped at the inn, often staying until it closed. After several nights of this, Kath apologized.

“I’m sorry. I can’t imagine this is any fun for you. There’s just so much to do all the time. Some courtship.”

Jarryd took her hand. That was starting to get easier. “Don’t apologize. I’m just happy to be here with you.”

“You’re saying that to be nice.”

“No. I’m not. You don’t know how many times I wished I could just come home. I went through a lot of awful times.” A memory of his first day in the gladiator pits came to mind. He’d felt so lost, so bereft. “When I felt hopeless, I thought of home. I thought of you. My home. You’re what kept me going. I truly am just happy to be here.”

Kath’s eyes were shining by then. “You say the sweetest things, you know that?”

“I do?”

“I always knew you weren’t like the other boys. I could just tell. That’s what I always liked about you.”

“I wish I would have known that. I spent all my time wishing I could be like everyone else. Well, not like Swick and his buddies, but the other boys. I hated feeling different.”

“It’s starting to look like you’re not going to be like everyone else. No matter how hard you try,” she teased.

“We’ll see about that. You have no idea how ordinary I can be. I’m going to prove it too.”

Then customers were calling for service, and there were crates to be carried up from the cellar and no more time for talking.

When the last customer left at the end of the night, Kath asked Jarryd to stay for a bit.

“Can we do something just the two of us?” Kath asked. “Someplace that isn’t here?”

“I don’t know. What could be more fun that this?” Jarryd waved the cleaning rag he was wielding.

Kath gave him a look.

“Sorry. How about tomorrow? I can quit early, and we can spend the whole afternoon together.”

“That sounds great. How about I come out to the farm? I’ll bring some food.”

“I’ll come into town and walk with you.”

“So gentlemanly of you.”

“I can’t let my lady walk around unescorted, can I? I must be there to defend her honor at all times. As a proper Knight would.”

“Yes, but who will defend my honor against you?” she asked with a wicked smile.

Jarryd’s face got hot instantly. “Um…I didn’t mean it—”

“You are so easy to tease, you know?”

Jarryd thought of Hamisi. “I have some idea. Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. I think it’s adorable.”

“I don’t have much experience courting. I’m not sure what to do.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll tell you. So far, you’re doing fine.”

 

The next morning, while working in the fields, Jarryd bent the metal blade on his hoe. Looking at it, he decided he needed to go to the blacksmith and get a new one. This one was worn thin and badly rusted. It would just keep bending.

He decided to go to the blacksmith shop before he met Kath. He also needed to get some more nails while he was there.

He went to the well, drew some water, and cleaned up. While doing so, he realized it had been some time since he’d washed his hair. He heated some water in the kettle. The little bar of soap he had didn’t work great, but his hair felt a lot cleaner afterward. It was well past his shoulders now, more blond than brown, and very straight. He could certainly use a trim. He wondered if he could ask Kath for help.

Clean, he went in and looked through his clothes, trying to find something a little nicer to wear on his outing with Kath.

Unfortunately, the clothes his neighbors had donated, while serviceable, were plain and worn. The clothes he’d shown up in were a wreck, stained and torn.

His eyes fell on the clothes the Nagyar had given him. The pants were bright blue, with a gold stripe down the leg. The shirt was puffy, with ruffles at the cuffs. The leather vest had a slash of blue across the chest. Knee-high, soft boots of tanned leather.

He’d make quite a splash walking through town wearing that. The image brought a grin to his face.

He set the clothes aside. Maybe he’d work up the nerve to wear it to a dance or something. At a later date. A much later date.

 

Jarryd paused for a moment outside the blacksmith shop, surprised at how anxious he felt. Ever since the mob burned Barney, he’d always been a little afraid of Barrin, the blacksmith. Afraid that Barrin would grab him like he’d grabbed Barney, holding him for the Rector. Even when his father asked him to pick up something from the smith, Jarryd always found a way to not go alone.

This is silly, he told himself. You’re not a little kid anymore.

He pushed the door open and strode inside.

Barrin was banging on some horseshoes. He set the hammer down and turned toward Jarryd as he approached.

“Something I can do for ya?” Barrin asked. He tried to sound casual, but didn’t quite manage it. Jarryd noticed that Barrin didn’t look him in the eye.

“I need a new blade for my hoe.”

“Sure. I got some. Over here.”

He followed the burly man across the shop to shelves against one wall. The shelves were laden with various household and farming implements. Barrin pulled a hoe blade out of the pile.

“I also need some nails.”

Barrin clumped over to a wooden crate. “How many?”

“Twenty.”

Jarryd carried his purchases up to the counter. Barrin had a scrap of wood he used to do sums on. He took up a piece of charcoal, scratching his head and mumbling to himself as he tried to figure out the bill.

Watching him, Jarryd had another one of those moments where his world tipped upside down. Something changed, and he saw Barrin as he actually was, not the way he remembered him as a child.

Barrin had always seemed huge and powerful to Jarryd. But now he realized he was taller than the man. And Barrin was showing his years. He was hunched over. Much of his hair had fallen out. What was left was mostly gray. Though his arms and shoulders were still thick with muscle, he’d put on a lot of weight. The hand holding the charcoal shook.

In that moment, Jarryd’s fear and hatred of the man just vanished. He saw him as he truly was. An unhappy man headed fast into old age, burdened with his life choices.

Barrin said, “That comes to six and a half copper.” He still didn’t meet Jarryd’ eye. “You’ll want that on your tab, I reckon. Four copper still on there from your folks.”

Coin was scarce in Creekside. For farmers, most goods and services were tallied and paid up when the harvest came in.

“Add it to mine. I’ll take care of it.”

Jarryd gathered up his purchases, but he didn’t turn to leave.

“How have you been, Barrin?” he asked. “How is Eve?” Eve was his wife, a tiny, mousy woman who rarely spoke in public.

Barrin glanced up at him, clearly surprised. “I’ve been better. My hip’s bad so walking ain’t so easy. Eve had a bad cough, but it’s clearing up. Thanks for asking.”

“And your son? Is he still in Trom?”

Barrin nodded. “He took over the smithy there, once the old man died. He and his wife had another girl last winter.”

“That’s good to hear. Tell Eve I send my best.”

“I will. Thanks.” Barrin looked up, held his eye for a moment before looking away. “I’m sorry what happened to your parents. I know you didn’t have naught to do with it.”

That surprised Jarryd. He thanked Barrin and left.

Outside, he shook his head, wondering what just happened. Did Barrin just apologize to him? He remembered something his father, Teeran, said one time when Jarryd was nine or ten. They’d just gone to old man Leary’s farm and brought him some stew and fresh bread because Leary was laid up with a broken leg.

“Isn’t he the man who said he was going to put you in front of the magistrate?” Leary claimed Teeran’s pigs got out and damaged one of his fields. Even though there were no tracks, no evidence at all. When Teeran refused to compensate him, he’d threatened to involve the magistrate who traveled from town to town.

Ever since then, Leary refused to respond to his parents’ greetings when they passed him on the road.

“He is.”

“But…I don’t understand. Why did you bring him food?”

“Because he’s my neighbor, and he needs help.”

“But he doesn’t like you.”

“No. He’s made that somewhat clear.” Teeran stopped the wagon and turned to Jarryd. “Being a good neighbor is important to me. Helping others is important to me. This is the kind of person I choose to be. I choose to be this way. No one else gets to choose for me. Do you understand?”

“I don’t think so.”

“I decided long ago that this is the kind of man I want to be. Now, who would I be if I let that change every time someone is mean to me? What does it say about me if I let someone else change who I am?”

“I think I understand. You want to be friendly even if the other person is unfriendly?”

“Exactly. Why should I let one cranky old man decide how I’m going to be? I want to be cheerful and helpful. I’m not letting him take that away from me.”

Jarryd had always struggled with this idea. Why should he be nice to the ones who bullied him? But now, for the first time, he thought he really understood.

He felt a wave of sadness, missing his father. A new appreciation for the kind of man he was. And a determination to live up to the standards the man had set for him.

Jarryd was crossing the street heading for the Red Eel when he saw Chestar and Alferd coming his way. Alferd’s father was Nathan, who owned the local mill. Alferd had a thick neck and a bad overbite.

They both slowed up when they saw him. They looked a little skittish. Clearly, they’d heard he was back, and they’d no doubt heard rumors about what he’d been up to. He noticed that they both seemed a lot smaller than he remembered.

Jarryd wanted to ignore them and just go inside. But his recent revelation was too recent, so he made himself stop and smile.

“How are you, Chestar, Alferd? How’s the family? I hope everyone’s doing well.”

They looked too surprised to respond at first. Then Chestar mumbled, “We’re good. Ma broke her toe, but it hasn’t slowed her down much.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. I hope it heals fast.”

“Me too. She’s been like a bear with a sore tooth.”

Jarryd looked at Alferd. “I saw your father at the inn, but I didn’t get to talk to him.” He didn’t mention the unfriendly welcome he’d gotten from Nathen. “Everything good at the mill?”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s all good.” Alferd was blinking a lot. He looked confused. He looked like he wanted to run.

“Well, see you around.” Jarryd opened the door to step inside. He turned back when Chestar spoke.

“Did you really fight a dragon?”

Jarryd paused. He was already sick of this rumor. But maybe he was going to have to lean into it a little.

“Let’s just say this. I wouldn’t recommend it. They’re mighty dangerous creatures.”

He enjoyed the looks on their faces as the door closed.

 

Jarryd and Kath left the inn a short while later, carrying a big basket of food. They took their time walking out to the farm, stopping to watch two birds building a nest. They saw two beavers working on a dam in the small stream that passed through Jarryd’s property. A heron stood in the beaver pond, watching for fish.

“I missed all this so much,” Jarryd said. “I didn’t even realize how much I loved this place until I was gone.”

“When you live your whole life here, it’s easy to stop seeing the beauty.” Kath turned her face up to the sun. “I love spring, when everything comes back to life. The first leaves. The birds returning.”

They sat outside to eat. Jarryd hauled the table out of the house, and they set up under the oak tree. Kath spread a tablecloth and then produced an astonishing array of foods. Sausages. Pickles. Hard-boiled eggs. Half a roast chicken. A fresh loaf of bread. Three kinds of cheese. Raisins. A small pie. The last thing she got out was a bottle of red wine.

“What’s this?” Jarryd asked.

“It’s from a winery near Rensfire. My father got a good deal on two cases of it. I think you’ll like it.”

Jarryd looked it all over. “I just realized how hungry I am. I ate the last of what Dana brought over yesterday, and I’ve been sort of getting along on scraps.”

“I’m not surprised. Out here all alone. How long before you turn into some kind of wild animal, running around on all four and such?”

“Communicating with grunts and gestures.”

“Undoubtedly.”

They sat. Jarryd grunted and pointed at the chicken.

Kath looked at him sidelong. “You did not just grunt at me.”

“Um…maybe?”

“Because if you did, you’re getting none of this chicken.”

“Good thing I didn’t, then. Would you mind passing me that tasty-looking chicken, please?”

She passed it over. “Mother always says men are little more than savages wearing pants.”

“She’s a wise woman. How is she doing today?”

A shadow crossed over her face. “A little better. Maybe. It’s hard to tell.”

Jarryd thought of Hamisi. Surely, she could help Kath’s mother. “Hamisi would be able to heal her, I think.”

Kath looked up. “Do you really think so?”

“She was already an excellent healer when last I saw her, and I imagine she’s come a long way since then. She’s not one to sit around. She gets to work.”

“Could you find her?”

Jarryd closed his eyes and concentrated. He could feel her out there somewhere. Kathor and Ficken too. “Yes.”

“That would mean so much.”

“The problem is I have to travel through the Borderlands to get her, and it’s going to be a long trip. There are still lots of monstrous creatures living in that place.”

“But you said Gredgin sealed off the Abyss.”

“She did. No more chaos power is coming through from the Queen. For now, anyway. But the creatures in the Borderlands are still plenty dangerous. And there are still a lot of them. When I traveled here from the Nagyar celebration, I didn’t see any until I was almost here. But I could sense them out there, waiting and watching.”

“But they didn’t attack you?”

“No. I’ve given it some thought. I think they stayed away from me because I was still carrying so much residual power inside me from everything that happened in Mocte’el.”

“They sensed the gold dragon within you,” Kath said.

“You’re probably right.”

“So all you need to do is turn into a dragon again.”

Jarryd smiled ruefully. “Yeah, all I need to do. No problem.”

“I don’t want you to try. Mother wouldn’t either, I’m sure. It sounds much too dangerous. I don’t want you to risk it.”

“Then, I won’t. For now. But I’m going to give the problem so more thought. It would be really handy to be able to use that place. And if your mother gets worse, we’re going to talk about this again.”

They returned to their food. The sun was warm. There were only a few clouds in the sky. A few bees buzzed around. They sat very close to each other, holding hands and sipping the wine.

Jarryd finished the wine in his cup. “I don’t usually like wine, but this is good. Is there some blackberry in there?”

“And some cherries. I knew you’d like it.”

They didn’t talk for some time. Jarryd was content. He was home. The crops were in the ground. Kath had her head on his shoulder. What more could he ask for?

Kath raised her head. “I have to stand up, or I’m going to fall asleep right here.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad.”

“I only have so much time with you, and I don’t want to waste it sleeping. Let’s go inside. I want to see how the house looks.”

“All right.” Jarryd stood up and had to grab into her arm. “Whoa. I feel a little dizzy from the wine.”

“That was my plan all along.”

“What?”

“To get you drunk so you’d have to lean on me. Look, it’s working.”

Jarryd flushed and straightened. Kath laughed.

Jarryd opened the door and ushered her in. “The house is looking great.”

Kath stood there, looking around. He had the feeling she didn’t think it looked as great as he did.

“It’s…livable,” she said at last.

“That doesn’t sound good.”

“It badly needs paint.” Which was true. Those logs that hadn’t been replaced were blackened from the fire. The new ones were raw.

“You should keep the doors and windows open to air it out. It smells like smoke.”

That was also true. And not just a little bit, either. It was chokingly strong.

“I’m going to bring you some curtains. Can you at least take down the burned ones?”

“Yeah, yeah, definitely.” Jarryd hadn’t even noticed that yet.

She turned to him. “Other than that, I’d say it looks great.” It even sounded like she meant it.

Jarryd opened the door to his parents’ room. “My parents’ room is still in rough shape. The roof will keep out the weather. But it needs a new window.” He’d hauled out all the burned bits, and the walls and roof had been patched, but there were still piles of ash and some furniture remnants.

“And this door? Does this go to your bedroom?”

“Yeah. It hardly burned at all.”

Kath entered without waiting for an invitation. Right away her eyes fell on his Nagyar clothes, lying on his bed.

“Where did you get these? They’re lovely.” She picked up the shirt and eyed it approvingly. “Whoever made this is good. Really good. This is some amazing stitching.”

“The Nagyar made them for me. We all got clothes, even Ficken. They gave them to us when we went to their camp for the celebration.”

Kath checked all the pieces out one at a time, marveling at the cut and the fine quality. When she was done, she folded them neatly, then looked at Jarryd.

“You know, those look like the sort of clothes a man might wear when courting.” She looked him up and down. “Just saying.”

Jarryd winced. “I don’t look so good, do I?”

“I didn’t say that. I think you look great. However, your clothes? Not so great.”

“I thought about wearing them. I really did. But I didn’t want everyone staring at me. Can you imagine what they’d say?”

“So? Who cares what they say?”

“Not me, obviously.”

“Though you just said…”

He rubbed his cheek. “You know I don’t like drawing attention.”

“I know.” She put her hand on his cheek. “And I think you look handsome no matter what you wear. But I’ll tell you this. I will see you in those clothes. I promise you that.”

“For you, I will wear them. Only, can it be a little while yet? Let me have a little time to get back into things?”

She thought about this and shook her head. “No.” That wicked grin she had popped up. “Right now.”

“What?”

“I want to see them right now.”

“Put them on right now?”

“That’s what I said.”

“You’re serious.”

“I am. Come on. There’s no one around to see but me. I still plan to see you wear them in public, but I’ll take this for now.”

“Okay. I guess.” He waited. She didn’t move.

“Maybe you should leave the room while I change?”

“Oh, yes. Silly of me.” Still with that wicked grin. “I’ll be just on the other side of the door if you need help.”

“I’m quite certain I can dress myself, thank you.”

Except that it turned out Jarryd did need some help. The belt, or whatever it was that went around his waist—it was a broad swath of fabric that the Nagyar men often wore—didn’t seem to make any sense. He remembered that it was supposed to be twisted and then knotted somehow, but he couldn’t get it right.

Finally, he admitted defeat and opened the door.

“Help.”

Her face lit up. “You look great!”

“You think so?”

“I know so.” She walked around him, looking him over. “It fits you perfectly, too.”

“They have a tailor. He’s amazing. But I can’t figure out this dumb belt or sash or whatever it is.”

“Yeah, you got it all wrong. Let me fix it.”

She wrapped the cloth around him, talking to herself under her breath. “This should go there. That will fit here.” She reached around him, pulling the cloth back around his waist. She crossed the ends and pulled it into a knot.

And then, somehow, it just happened. Afterwards, Jarryd couldn’t quite remember quite how it happened, only disjointed details.

She cinched the knot closed and looked up at him. She was standing so close. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to take her into his arms and kiss her.

When they pulled apart—Jarryd couldn’t have said how much later it was—Kath looked up at him. “Did you plan all that just to kiss me? Hmm?”

Jarryd flushed. “No, no, I swear. It was your idea—”

She laughed and planted another kiss on him to shut him up. “I’m only teasing, you silly goose.”

“Yeah, I knew that. I was only joking.”

“Right.” She clearly didn’t believe him. “You know, I think it’s pretty normal to kiss the woman you’re courting.”

“Of course. I just…I didn’t want you to think that I was trying to take advantage of you or anything.”

“My valiant, handsome Knight. I can’t imagine you doing such a thing.”

There came the sounds of hoofbeats from the yard. Jarryd hurried to the window and looked out. He groaned.

“Oh, crek. It’s one of the brothers, Jordey.”

“So?”

“So I can’t let him see me dressed like this. He’ll tell everyone before the day is over.”

“Oh no! That would be awful!” Kath clapped her hand over her mouth in mock horror, completely given away by the laughter in her eyes.

“Of course, you think this is hilarious. Go ahead and laugh. Or, I don’t know, you could be helpful.”

“I could go out and delay him while you get changed.”

“It’s too late. He’s already coming to the door.” Jarryd threw the window open and stuck his head out, trying to keep as much of his body hidden as he could.

“Hi, Jordey!”

Jordey jumped, surprised. He spun. “What?”

“I said hi. Sorry if I startled you.”

Hesitantly, Jordey approached the window. Jarryd hadn’t expected him to do that. “No, wait.”

“Are you okay?” Jordey asked. He was a tall, lanky young man a little older than Jarryd.

“I’m fine. There’s no need to come to the window,” Jarryd said desperately. He grabbed the burned remains of the curtain and pulled it before him.

“What’s going on? You’re acting a bit strange, if you don’t mind me saying.” The young man was at the window now. He saw Kath.

“Well, hello, Miss Kath. I didn’t know you were here too.” He yanked his hat off and squished it in his hands. He’d always been nervous around here. “Nice day, isn’t it?”

Then his gaze settled on Jarryd, and he took in his clothing. He frowned in puzzlement.

“Whatcha wearing there, Jarryd?”

Jarryd dropped the curtain and looked down at himself as if surprised to discover the clothes he had on. “It’s…um…they’re um…clothes?” he finished weakly.

Kath came to the rescue. “It’s what he’s wearing for the Solstice Festival. What do you think? Pretty impressive, right?”

“They’re sure fancy duds,” he agreed, looking Jarryd over. “I got nothing like that. Heck, I never seen nothing like that. You must have stolen them from a king. Did you? Is that what you did? While you were fighting dragons?”

“Um…”

Kath gave Jordey a sly look. “He can’t really say, you know? It was a big thing and people want to keep it quiet.” She put her finger to her lips.

“I see.” Jordey spoke in a whisper, glancing around as he did so. “I won’t say anything then.”

“Yeah, yeah, best you don’t,” Jarryd said.

“You can count on me.” He looked past the two of them, then. He saw into Jarryd’s room, saw Jarryd’s regular clothes lying scattered on the bed. Realization dawned on him, and he took a step back, turning instantly bright red.

“I…I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I didn’t see anything, I swear!”

He said the last over his shoulder. He was practically running for his horse. “I have to leave now!”

Moments later, he was galloping away.

Kath dissolved in laughter. She laughed till she cried, holding her sides. “That…was the funniest thing ever,” she gasped. “Did you see his face?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t think it was so funny.”

She wiped her eyes and regarded him. “So what if he tells people about your clothes?”

“That’s not what I’m concerned about. He thought that you…he thought that we were…” He gestured toward his room. “You know.”

Her wicked grin came back. “No. I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?”

Jarryd drew himself up. “I’m only concerned with your reputation.”

Kath shrugged.

Jarryd was in disbelief. “You’re not?”

She crossed her arms. “What should I be worried about?”

“That people will think we were…”

“People?”

“Yes. People.”

“Let me tell you something. Something you might have forgotten while you were gone. This is Creekside. People are always talking about something. If there isn’t something to talk about, they’ll make something up.”

She moved closer to him, looking up at him.

“There are only three people in this town whose opinion I truly care about. You. My father. And my mother.” She rolled her eyes. “Maybe my little brother. But that’s it. And I know my parents won’t believe any lies about their daughter. So, I’m going to ask you something.” She put her hand on his cheek.

“Do you think less of me now?”

“No! Absolutely not! I think you’re more wonderful every day.”

She smiled. “That was the right answer.” Then she kissed him again, and for a while, he forgot everything else.

She pulled away first. “That said, we should probably stop this for a bit. I’m only human, after all.”

“You’re right. Definitely.”

“Go change.” The wicked grin came back. “Unless you think you need some help untying that sash?”

“No. I got it.” Jarryd headed for his bedroom, looking back at the door. “I understand now why Swick is so scared of you. Probably all of them are, aren’t they?”

Kath laughed. “Mostly. I don’t take it easy on them, you know.”

“I think I might be a little scared too.”

He could hear her laughing through the closed door.