Scavenger Girl: Season of Toridia

by Jennifer Arntson

  Masters?

  Developing a plan for distribution took more time. After a thorough discussion, we concluded staying inside the fence line would provide us with protection from looters while allowing a systematic serving process. Every other option required us to leave the property, which Jeorge refused to be a part of.

  “If we stay here, in the neighborhood, someone will notify Lord Reinick,” Sterle said. “How long do you think he’ll permit it?”

  “Hopefully long enough for Calish to see this is the right thing to do.”

  “Then we stay,” Jeorge confirmed. “If we pass bowls through the gate, the guards will keep us safe.”

  “Not to mention your personal safety, my Lady.” A sweet and genuine smile illuminated Sterle’s face.

  “I hope, by offering the people aid, we might soften some of the resentment between the officers and the people they are commissioned to serve.”

  Qarla straightened her posture. “We have our plan, then.”

  We figured it would take at least a day to collect the supplies and an additional day to begin. Bleeding thistle was not an easy task, but one we might accomplish easily together. The servants offered to notify people they knew about the distribution the day before. We weren’t sure how many we could feed in a day, so they thought it wise to invite only those they knew at first. By our best calculation, we’d have about a hundred people, if each of their friends and family told three people.

  “The only thing worse than doing nothing is making promises we can’t keep,” I thought out loud.

  Qarla shrugged. “So, we start small and work to increase our output daily.”

  “Word will travel fast,” Jeorge added.

  I agreed. Hopefully, Calish would assign staff to my project, although I didn’t mention that to them.

  The front door opened, interrupting our discussion. By the time Calish came into the dining area, the three servants had busied themselves in the kitchen as if we hadn’t been talking at all. If he had been paying attention to anything but his own thoughts, he might have found it strange seeing me sitting alone at an otherwise empty table. But there I sat, hands folded atop a crisp tablecloth with not so much as a wrinkle to tend to.

  Sterle rushed in with two glasses and a pitcher of water. “Good day, my Lord.” She bowed.

  He took the water from her to pour it himself. “Please, find Jeorge and Qarla. I need to speak with you.”

  She accepted his instruction and left the way she came.

  He drank then refilled his glass and offered me the other. I took it but did so in silence. Other than setting the drink in front of me, he’d done nothing to acknowledge we were in the same room.

  The servants arrived and greeted him customarily, knowing they hadn’t interrupted any conversation between us.

  Calish pulled a chair from the table and sat. “I’ve been thinking about something. Actually, Una thought we should have done this long ago, but I wasn’t so sure you’d accept.” He sipped from his glass. “I’d like you to consider moving into this house with us.”

  “There’s not enough room, sir.” Qarla shook her head.

  “Yes, there is.” Calish unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and obviously felt better doing it. “It would be more cramped than we’re accustomed to, but it’s doable. We have enough suites. Each of your families could have one.”

  “What would your neighbors think?” Jeorge asked.

  “Well, I thought about that.” Calish pulled one leg up and untied his boot. “After what happened this morning, I could make a case for your safety. I’d claim with Una’s pregnancy, she requires the help you provide and needs your assistance all hours of the day and night.” He tugged off his shoe. “We would present it as an informal agreement between us based on your families’ ability to stay.” He unlaced his other boot. “Of course, if you’re not interested, I’ll understand.”

  “I don’t think you want to, sir,” Jeorge said.

  “This house is ten times the size of my old home and far more accommodating. After what happened earlier, we have a reasonable excuse to make it happen.”

  “How long do we have to consider your offer?” Sterle asked.

  “They’ll need to be here in the morning,” Calish answered. “Otherwise, I’m afraid it won’t look like a legitimate reason.” Taking off his other boot, he paused. “You have taken such good care of me, please let me repay the favor.”

  “I have a large family,” Qarla admitted.

  “How many?”

  “Three children although two are grown and are married.”

  “So, a total of six including you?” he asked.

  “No, my oldest has a toddler.” She bit her lip.

  “That’s not a problem,” Calish said.

  Jeorge lifted his fingers. “My wife and I have two sons.”

  “Fine. Sterle?”

  “I don’t have anyone, sir.”

  “What about friends? Do you have someone who’s helping you out there?” Calish asked.

  “My two classmates from the academy.” She bit her lower lip.

  “Then bring them, too,” Calish said. “Family isn’t always blood.” He stood and undid his cufflinks. “My offer is only good until morning. They need to be here when you arrive, or I cannot guarantee this will work.” He stretched his neck. “As you can imagine, today has been exhausting, so if you’ll excuse me, I’m going upstairs.”

  “Good night, sir,” they each said as Calish walked out of the room.

  “I should go with him,” I admitted. “Take the food you prepared home to your people. Please let them know we truly want them to come.”

  “Yes, my Lady.” Sterle bowed.

  “Someday, I hope you’ll call me Una; I’m not fond of the term ‘Lady.’”

  I took my time getting upstairs, hoping Calish was already in bed. Part of me wanted to finish our fight from earlier, and another part of me wanted to confess the plans I had made with the staff. Of all the ideas I’d had, this one would make him cringe the most.

  Forgiveness is sometimes easier to ask for than permission.

  I knew I was right. Even before my alter dragged me through the mirror, I knew. Calish would deny me, no matter my reasons for proceeding. My intention was not to defy him or his position. Eventually, he would see that. He would see the folly of his irrational arguments. Following my heart would save us both from entertaining them.

  After a long day’s effort, the constant rays of the Toridian sun permeated the thick walls of the house, and with every step upstairs, the air rose in temperature. The house fought well to keep out the heat. However, when it finally gave in to the relentless rays of the sun, it was reluctant to cool down quickly. At some point during the day, the servants opened the windows of the upper floors, closing only the thick shutters to keep out sunbeams and would-be thieves. While it helped the heat escape, it took all night to return the house to a comfortable temperature.

  As I stepped into the master suite, I heard Calish in the shower. Not wanting to interrupt him, I pulled the thin curtains over the open windows to provide privacy before I undressed and got into bed. The water pipes turned off, letting a few drops fall from the high fixture to splat onto the tile. Not long after, he emerged from the washroom with nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist. I didn’t act at all interested by his physique, not that he had intended to flaunt it. He turned out the lowly lit lantern, but instead of crawling into bed, he slipped out onto the veranda, gently closing the doors behind him. Since night provided the only relief from the heat of Toridia, the open air would be quite nice, especially after a tepid shower.

  I waited for him to come back, but he didn’t. He stayed outside, alone, longer than my anger for him lasted. As much as I expected, and was prepared for a confrontation, Calish’s absence made it clear he didn’t want one. Not tonight.

  My concern for him grew. If I considered his perspective, my issue with him paled in comparison to the things he dealt
with in his world. He placed every burden upon himself since the day he accepted Reinick’s offer. Everything he did, he did to protect and provide for me. I didn’t need to concern myself with anything truly important; Calish took care of everything and everyone. Women weren’t allowed to hold positions of any importance, so he couldn’t enlist my help. Even if he wanted to, it wouldn’t be permitted.

  Does the argument we had matter?

  What Calish needed was a friend, more appropriately a companion, to support him. He didn’t need another opponent. A good person would put their anger aside and let go the desire for retaliation.

  He needs me.

  I slipped out of bed and opened the door just enough to poke my head outside. He leaned forward on the railing, eyes fixed on the heavens above.

  “What is it, Una?” He sounded exhausted.

  Opening the door a bit farther, I stepped out with my bare feet onto the tiled porch. “I wanted to check on you.” I slipped my arms around his waist from behind.

  He took my hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. I felt his body relax as if he’d prepared for a fight but was thankful I didn’t appear to want to argue.

  “I was getting worried.” I laid my head against the back of his shoulder.

  “I didn’t mean to keep you waiting.” His thumb caressed the back of my hand. “I just wanted to clear my head. You should get some sleep.”

  I released him just enough to slip under his arm and face him, my arms still around his waist. “I’m sorry I was so difficult this morning, Calish.”

  He chuckled. “Don’t give it a second thought, Una.” He pulled me close and kissed the top of my head. “I wish you hadn’t witnessed any of that. None of it should have happened. I didn’t mean to speak to you the way I did,” he said with his lips still pressed into my hair.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” I offered, but he didn’t respond right away.

  He shook his head slowly. “I ordered five executions this morning.”

  I pulled back slightly, resting my hands on his chest. “They were not going to survive, even if you had Healers, they wouldn’t have made it. What you did was merciful.”

  “Tell their families. Or the families of the additional twenty-two ‘unintended targets.’” He looked toward the sky as if searching for something within the stars. “I don’t belong here,” he confessed.

  “Oh, Calish.” I put my head on his chest and closed my eyes, trying to find the words to tell him he was wrong.

  His thumb caressed my shoulder as he stared straight ahead. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

  “You were just frustrated. Why wouldn’t you be?”

  “I’m not cut out for this.”

  “You’re the best chance these people have,” I argued.

  “Really?” He put distance between us to look me in the eyes. “What if I told you I actually think Reinick did the right thing by firing into the crowd? How crazy is that? They threatened the Authority and innocent families. If they breached the gates, they would have killed us all. And you. If it’s your life or theirs, guess which I’ll choose?”

  “Calish.” I sighed.

  “What? Are you going to tell me my feelings are justified? Those people deserved to die? I ordered them to be killed, Una. That was me.”

  “If you hadn’t, they would have set the valley on fire.”

  “Will it bring comfort to their wives? Their children?” He tightened his chin. “I just can’t seem to get ahead of this. I don’t know what to do next.”

  “If I tell you what to do, will you listen to me?”

  He rolled his eyes.

  “I bet it’s not what you expect.” I pulled out of his embrace.

  “What’s your idea?” he said reluctantly.

  I took his hand, kissed his palm, and led it across my cheek, down my neck, and to the fullness of my chest. “You’ve had enough of being a Junior Lord today. I want you to leave Lord Calish out here to watch the river, look at the stars, and solve the world’s problems and let my husband come to bed so I can work on his.”

  His thumb traced the tender ring around my nipple. “Do you forgive me?”

  “For things you haven’t done yet,” I promised.

  Making no argument to my invitation, Calish followed me inside.

  Chapter 4

  We woke earlier than normal to wait at the gate for our servants. Calish wanted to make sure none of the guards misunderstood the intentions of their families in case they took us up on our offer. As we waited on the porch, I realized why he insisted on us being here. The security around the perimeter had doubled since the day before, and additional lanterns had been placed in key places.

  Calish sat on the step, his knee bobbing up and down on a nervous toe. Alert, he scanned the road beyond the gate for any familiar forms, each time being fooled by his eyes. I stayed quiet next to him, secretly praying they would come. Calish’s invitation, although one I hoped he would make, was never explored, at least not with me. The neighbors would talk, and no doubt, rumors would spread. I wondered if he had a plan for that too, or did he expect the servants to decline his offer? If Calish had any believers in this camp, perhaps he’d start a trend and notice other officers opening their homes to their house staff.

  We’d been waiting for quite some time, without a trace of our servants or their families. If my math was correct, we would have about fourteen people coming, including the staff. A group that large would be noticeable, especially if they had their belongings with them.

  “Shouldn’t they be here by now?” I asked.

  “I would think so.” He sighed. People were starting to wake up, and every passing moment brought us closer to having to explain ourselves to the neighbors. I could only imagine the topic of conversation at the next ladies gathering once they learned what we were doing. The thought actually made me chuckle.

  “Calish!” Noran greeted from his doorstep and walked out toward us. “Good morning.” He smiled and adjusted the fit of his pants under his protruding stomach.

  Calish tipped his hat.

  “Well, that happened fast.” He pointed to my middle. “No one mentioned you were expecting.”

  “It didn’t come up in conversation.”

  “Is it yours, son?” He crossed his arms across his chest.

  Calish stood and came toe to toe with the priest. “Of course, it is. How dare you suggest otherwise.”

  Noran laughed and patted Calish hard on the back. “My apologies, I didn’t mean to offend you or your lovely bride.” He leaned into Calish as if to keep me from hearing his next comment. “I’ve seen thousands of consummations, my boy. You both were a little too comfortable at yours. I guess now I know why.” He winked and stepped back.

  “What do you want, Your Holiness?” Calish changed the subject.

  “A favor,” he replied. “At the meeting this morning, I want to discuss rebuilding the Temple.” He squinted into the light on the horizon. “The people need a place to worship, to realign themselves with what is right. Atchem is not far, we need to prepare for the Festival. If we don’t, we may never see the sun again,” he warned.

  “What the people need is food,” I said, only to get a stern look from Calish.

  “Una, you are right.” Noran nodded. “They do hunger”—he pounded his fist against his heart and closed his eyes—“in their soul.”

  Repulsed by his dramatic presentation of confusion and self-righteous rhetoric, I decided not to comment for Calish’s sake.

  “Why come to me with this?” Calish asked.

  His passion gone, he said, “Because for some reason, these people like you more than your grandfather. If you solicit their help, they’ll be more likely to oblige. If Reinick speaks favorably of it, I’m not sure things will go as smoothly.”

  “Some say the gods have abandoned us.” He shrugged. “Why use resources to indulge a god that has already left?”

  “Not a god, my boy, the gods. All of them.”
/>   “Where are they?” Calish tested him.

  “They speak to me.” He tensed up. “While they are not pleased with the Authority, they have accepted my attempts to gratify them and keep further destruction from our lands. My intention is to do what I have been commanded and ordained to do! And that is to intercede on behalf of these suffering people!”

  “And a Temple will do that?”

  “It’s a start.” Noran sighed. “Besides, it would be beneficial for you and me to invest in our relationship, don’t you think?”

  Calish didn’t like threats. His silence made that apparent.

  “I’m pretty sure Reinick’s actions yesterday didn’t give him any political advantages.”

  “Yes, but I ordered their execution.”

  The Priest’s eyebrows spiked. “You’re assuming responsibility for their deaths?”

  “Yes, sir. I am.”

  He laughed as he turned to walk back to his house, waving off Calish’s adamancy. “And you wonder why the people love you,” he shouted. “Reinick could learn a thing or two from you!”

  Calish adjusted his hat, paying no more attention to the High Priest than necessary. “That’s Qarla!” he announced.

  “Where is everyone else?” I asked, trying to keep up with his long strides toward the gate.

  Calish signaled to the guard to open it. “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. You wait here.” As soon as he cleared the opening, he ran to her.

  I stayed and let him go alone. They were too far away for me to capture any of the conversation, but I sensed by Qarla’s body language she wouldn’t be bringing any family with her today. Calish’s shoulders dropped, and his head hung as he touched her arm. She nodded, passing him to enter the neighborhood. He whistled for one of his men as Qarla continued to the gate. When the guard met Calish, he accepted his orders. Together, they hurried down the road and out of sight.

  “Where are they going?” I asked Qarla as she approached.

  “To get Sterle and Jeorge,” she replied sheepishly, her head lowered and gaze focused in the other direction.

  “Where is your family?” I turned to walk with her.