by MJ Schutte
Brighton looked at her and managed a small smile.
‘I’ll help you,’ he said softly.
Thomas waited on the rock where Carmen and Brighton first met. He was staring at the ground, deep in thought. When he looked up Carmen was standing in front of him.
‘Hello Thomas,’ she greeted.
‘I wish you wouldn’t do that,’ he complained.
He got up and gave Carmen a tight hug.
‘Hello Carmen,’ he greeted back.
‘If you used your sense you would have known I was coming,’ she observed.
‘The pot calling the kettle black now?’ Thomas asked.
Carmen chuckled. ‘Yes, I suppose so.’
Thomas said, ‘You’re the one that convinced me that this talent is a curse. Are you suggesting we go back to the old ways?’
‘No,’ she sighed. ‘It is a curse but perhaps we could use it to help young Brighton. That would make it all worth it, wouldn’t it?’
‘I think so. How is he?’ Thomas asked.
‘Sad. But he will get through this,’ Carmen said.
‘I know he will. That young boy is a fighter,’ Thomas agreed.
Carmen pointed at the longbow that was standing against a tree.
‘Where did you get that?’ she asked.
Thomas gave her a look that said, “You don’t want to know”.
‘You didn’t kill anyone for it?’ she asked carefully.
‘Of course not,’ Thomas said indignantly. ‘But the poor fellow will probably have a headache until next summer.’
‘I see. The old “walking stick against the head” trick,’ Carmen smiled.
‘We agreed, Carmen. You won’t ask me about the things I bring you and I won’t ask how you got those people to move out of their house in a day,’ Thomas said.
‘As long as no one gets harmed,’ Carmen added.
‘Yes,’ Thomas agreed.
‘Where did you get those goats?’ Carmen asked casually.
‘Carmen!’
She smiled an apology.
‘I don’t know how to use a bow,’ she said changing the subject.
‘Just give it to Brighton, he will work it out,’ Thomas replied.
Carmen pulled two lemons from the front pocket of her dress. She tossed one to Thomas and sat down on the rock. Thomas sat down next to her. They ate in silence for a while.
With the last slice of lemon in his mouth, Thomas started talking, ‘How is……’
‘Thomas! Don’t speak with food in your mouth,’ Carmen scolded.
‘Sorry,’ he mumbled.
He swallowed and tried again.
‘How is the vegetable garden doing?’
‘It’s only been a few days since Brighton started working in it, but he is working from sunrise to sunset everyday. He has already made it four times bigger than what it was.’
‘And the goats?’ Thomas asked.
‘They graze nearby where Brighton can watch them,’ Carmen answered.
‘I mean don’t they try to eat the vegetables?’ Thomas asked.
‘They tried but Brighton built a fence around the garden yesterday,’ Carmen answered.
‘In one day?’ Thomas gasped.
‘Yes. That boy is exceptionally strong.’
‘I know,’ Thomas said touching his right shoulder.
Carmen noticed and asked, ‘How is the shoulder?’
‘Healed,’ was all Thomas said.
‘How is it possible that Brighton punched through a walking stick, broke your shoulder and his hand did not have a scratch on it?’ Carmen asked.
‘That’s a mystery,’ Thomas said.
‘No bones broken in his hand?’ Carmen asked.
‘He was using his hand like nothing happened. I’m assuming there was no damage whatsoever,’ Thomas answered.
‘Amazing!’ Carmen exclaimed, ‘And how did your shoulder heal so quickly. You’re an old man, you know,’ she teased.
‘Not as old as you,’ he teased back.
‘Oh please. At our age two years is nothing,’ she defended.
‘Another mystery is why your talent disappeared for a day,’ Carmen added.
‘Yes, something else I can’t answer,’ Thomas sighed.
Carmen got up.
She retrieved the bow and quiver, and leaned over to give Thomas a hug.
‘Goodbye Thomas.’
‘Goodbye Carmen. We’ll meet here again in seven days.’
Brighton was working in the vegetable garden when he sensed Carmen approaching.
Without looking up he said, ‘I hope you brought me some juice.’
‘Good morning Brighton,’ she said.
‘I’m sorry. Good morning Carmen,’ he replied.
‘Would you like some juice?’ Carmen offered.
‘Yes, that would be nice, thank you,’ Brighton replied with a smile.
Carmen insisted that everybody should have good manners. Brighton was sure she took it upon herself to teach the entire Avarya the “proper way” as she called it. He took the offered cup and drained it in one gulp. He held out the cup hoping for a refill but Carmen ignored him.
‘Please may I have some more?’ he finally asked.
‘Of course,’ she replied cheerfully and filled the cup again.
This time he sipped slower.
Looking out towards the grazing goats he remarked, ‘The spotted one is pregnant.’
Carmen looked at the goat.
‘How do you know?’ she asked.
‘I just know,’ Brighton replied.
‘How far is she?’ Carmen enquired.
‘Only about three or four days,’ he replied.
‘You’re teasing me!’ Carmen accused.
Brighton shrugged his shoulders. Carmen looked at his face and saw that he was serious.
‘It’s not possible to know a goat is four days pregnant!’ Carmen said in disbelief.
‘She’s pregnant,’ he repeated.
Changing the subject Carmen said, ‘I brought you a present.’
She held out the longbow and quiver to him. Brighton took the bow and inspected it.
‘It’s beautiful,’ he remarked.
Next, he took the quiver and pulled an arrow from it.
‘Well made,’ he observed.
‘Where did you get it?’ he asked, still inspecting the arrows.
‘Um….it was Matthew’s,’ she replied.
‘Your late husband?’ Brighton asked.
Carmen nodded.
‘What did he do with it?’ Brighton asked curiously.
‘You hunt with a bow. What else could you do with it?’ Carmen replied. ‘You can have it if you promise to hunt for us.’
‘Why?’ Brighton asked, ‘We already have more than enough vegetables and the goats provide all the meat we need,’ Brighton objected.
‘I don’t like goat meat,’ Carmen said.
Brighton thought that was silly. Everybody likes goat meat. He decided not to argue.
‘Have you ever shot with a bow before?’ Carmen asked.
‘No,’ Brighton replied.
‘Then you will need to practice first before you go hunting,’ Carmen instructed.
‘Ok, as soon as I finish here, I’ll go to the river and practice. It’s probably best I don’t shoot anywhere near you or the goats,’ he said.
‘Yes, that’s a good idea,’ Carmen agreed.
Brighton put the bow down and continued working in the garden.
‘Why are you making the garden bigger if we already have enough food,’ Carmen asked.
‘It keeps me busy,’ he replied.
And keeps the painful memories out of your mind Carmen thought.
Brighton finished his work in the garden fairly late in the afternoon. He saw Carmen sitting in front of the house on the grass. Although she averted her eyes as soon as he looked up he knew she was watching him. He didn’t mind, she was simply worried about him.
The house was a simple
square wooden building.
Perhaps I should build Carmen a porch to sit on, Brighton thought.
‘Carmen, I’m going to the river, do you want to join me?’ he shouted.
Carmen didn’t move or look up. Brighton picked up the bow and quiver and walked closer.
‘Did you hear me?’ he asked.
‘Yes,’ she replied.
‘So why didn’t you answer?’ he frowned.
‘It’s rude to shout at someone, especially an old lady. Walk up to the person and speak in a civilized manner,’ she admonished him.
‘Sorry,’ he muttered.
‘Was there something you wanted to ask me?’ Carmen said.
‘I’m going to the river. Do you want to join me?’ he repeated.
‘That would be nice. Help me up, please,’ she said holding out a hand to him.
Brighton took her hand and easily pulled her to her feet.
Carmen slipped her hand inside his arm and they walked down to the river. When they reached the river, Carmen sat down on a smooth rock.
Brighton nocked an arrow and asked Carmen, ‘What should I shoot at?’
She looked around and spotted a big tree about fifty paces away.
‘Do you see the white mark on that tree?’ she said pointing. ‘Aim for that’
Brighton pulled the string back until it touched his cheek, took aim, and let the arrow go.
It slammed straight into the mark Carmen pointed out.
‘Marvellous,’ she cheered, clapping her hands.
‘It’s too close. I’m going to aim for that one,’ he said pointing at a tree more than ninety paces away.
He retrieved the arrow, nocked it again and took aim. The arrow flew straight towards the tree and hit it square in the middle.
‘Are you sure you’ve never shot a bow before?’ Carmen asked.
‘Never,’ Brighton replied.
‘Then you must be a natural,’ she remarked.
Brighton got another arrow from the quiver and took aim again.
Just before he let the arrow fly, he saw a rabbit running behind the tree. Without thinking, he aimed for the rabbit and released the arrow.
It found the mark.
Carmen’s mouth was hanging open.
‘Brighton, that’s incredible! How did you do that?’ she asked in amazement.
‘I aimed, I shot. Do you like rabbit stew?’
‘Yes, I do,’ she stammered.
Carmen had seen some expert archers in her life and she was sure not one of them could make that shot. A running target almost a hundred paces away, it was not possible and yet she just saw it happen.
Brighton retrieved the rabbit.
‘Let’s go home,’ he suggested.
‘Aren’t you going to shoot more?’ Carmen asked.
‘No, I’m more interested in that rabbit stew you’re going to cook for us,’ Brighton said with a smile.
It was the first genuine smile she saw from Brighton since they met. Carmen smiled back at him and got up.
‘Ok young man, since you shot the rabbit I’ll cook it. Next time I shoot and you cook,’ she joked with him.
The next seven days went by quickly. Brighton never questioned Carmen when she disappeared for a while.
She was grateful for that. She didn’t want to lie to him and Thomas made it very clear he didn’t want Brighton to know he was close.
Carmen disagreed. She believed Thomas should visit Brighton but the old man stubbornly refused. Carmen felt that Brighton should have something familiar in his life and that’s why she recreated his living conditions from Four Mountains.
With this, Thomas agreed.
Tending a vegetable garden and looking after goats was all Brighton ever knew. They agreed that this would keep the young man’s mind occupied and away from painful memories. Time would eventually dull the pain.
Carmen arrived at the meeting place early. She sat down on the rock to wait for Thomas. When he arrived, he looked ragged.
Carmen jumped up and rushed over. His shirt was torn in front and he had scratches all over his body. It looked like he was running through some thick undergrowth.
‘What happened to you?’ she asked concernedly.
Thomas didn’t answer immediately. He took the water skin from Carmen and almost drained it.
‘Thank you,’ he said handing it back.
Carmen made him sit down on the rock. She tore a small piece of cloth from her dress. Using the cloth and the last of the water, she cleaned up the scratches. She was relieved to see they were all just skin-deep.
‘So?’ she prodded while she continued cleaning the blood.
‘Just a little argument. Nothing to worry about,’ he answered.
‘Somehow I doubt that,’ Carmen replied.
‘Take off your shirt, I want to clean the wounds on your arms,’ she said.
‘It’s just scratches, leave it,’ Thomas replied.
‘Don’t argue Thomas!’ Carmen said sternly.
Slowly Thomas removed his shirt. Carmen immediately saw why he was so reluctant. There was a black mark high up on his left arm.
‘They found you,’ Carmen whispered, her voice trembling.
‘Only one,’ Thomas replied.
‘Stronger or weaker?’ Carmen asked, tears welling up in her eyes.
‘Stronger,’ Thomas said.
‘How did you get away?’ she asked.
Thomas waved his walking stick in front of her.
‘I see,’ Carmen said, eyeing the thick piece of oak.
She wet the cloth again and started cleaning the blood off his arms.
‘Tell me,’ she demanded.
‘Not much to tell,’ Thomas tried.
‘Tell me,’ Carmen said slowly.
Thomas knew it was futile to argue with Carmen when she was in this mood.
‘I was on my way here when she found me,’ he started.
‘She?’ Carmen asked.
‘Yes, a woman. I ran into the woods to get away. That’s were I got all these little scratches. She caught up with me and grabbed my arm. Luckily they all think they are invincible and she decided not to kill me quickly but rather to make me suffer.’
Carmen understood. ‘Nothing a stiff knock to the head can’t fix,’ she said in a deep voice mimicking Thomas.
Thomas laughed.
Carmen almost shouted, ‘It’s no laughing matter! You’ve always been fast enough with that cane but now one actually touched you. You were lucky.’
‘I guess so,’ Thomas shrugged.
‘Will they ever stop hunting you?’ Carmen asked.
‘Seth never forgets. He has all the time in the world. No, he will not stop. But I’ve got a plan,’ Thomas said with a wink.
‘Really?’ Carmen asked hopefully.
‘Yes. I’ll simply die of old age before his minions can kill me,’ Thomas joked.
‘Thomas! That’s not funny,’ Carmen complained but he saw a slight smile on her lips.
‘Enough of that. Tell me about the boy,’ Thomas said as he pulled his shirt back on.
‘He’s doing well. Working hard, keeping busy. It sometimes looks like he still thinks about her but he tries to hide it,’ Carmen said.
‘That’s to be expected. It hasn’t been very long,’ Thomas said thoughtfully.
‘You were right, he is very special,’ Carmen said.
‘I know this but tell me why you say so?’ Thomas asked.
‘Well, it is as you said. I can’t sense him but he seems to always be aware of everyone around him.’
‘I thought you noticed something I didn’t,’ Thomas said disappointedly.
‘I did,’ Carmen replied. ‘I gave him the bow.’
Thomas sat up.
‘How did he do?’
‘You won’t believe me,’ Carmen said.
‘Try me. I will believe almost anything when it comes to Brighton,’ Thomas assured her.
‘We were at the river. Brighton took aim at a tree
about fifty paces away. He hit his target on the first try.’
‘Not spectacular,’ Thomas grumbled.
‘On his second try he hit a tree ninety paces away,’ Carmen continued.
‘Better, but still not amazing,’ Thomas muttered to himself.
Ignoring him Carmen continued, ‘And on his third attempt he hit a running rabbit at almost a hundred paces.’
‘Now you’re just teasing me,’ Thomas accused.
‘I couldn’t believe it myself at first. I thought it must be blind luck but he hit a smaller rabbit yesterday at almost a hundred and thirty paces.’
She paused.
‘And the rabbit was running,’ she finally added.
Thomas was speechless.
‘Incredible, isn’t it,’ Carmen said.
‘How is that possible?’ Thomas gasped.
‘I don’t know either, I’m just telling you what I saw,’ Carmen said.
‘It’s like he can control the flight of the arrow,’ she finished.
‘Energy,’ Thomas muttered to himself.
‘Pardon?’ Carmen said.
‘Nothing. It’s a wild thought that just popped into my head. I need to think it through,’ Thomas replied.
‘I have to go,’ Carmen said. ‘Brighton does not ask where I go but I don’t want to stay away too long. He might get curious.’
She gave Thomas a tight hug.
‘I love you, old man,’ she whispered.
‘And I love you, old woman,’ Thomas whispered back.
The days seemed to fly past. Brighton kept working hard. The vegetable garden flourished and the goats just kept having babies. The little spotted goat was pregnant just as Brighton had said. It gave birth to twins a hundred and forty five days after Brighton had told Carmen that it was pregnant.
Carmen asked Brighton about it a few times. He always shrugged his shoulders and said, ‘I just know.’
His estimate of when the goats would give birth was always spot on.
Brighton and Carmen started trading milk, cheese, goats and vegetables for other goods.
At first Brighton did not understand the concept of trading goods for other goods.
‘If you want something, you make it,’ he told Carmen.
‘And if you can’t make it?’ she countered.
‘Then you don’t really need it,’ he said confidently.
