Tears of War

by A. D. Trosper

  Maleena stretched long and slow, relishing the warmth and the comfort of a real bed. Her eyes opened and she glanced around the room. The sky outside the window was the pale gray of early morning. Beside her, Mckale snored lightly. She tried to snuggle back down in the covers and go back to sleep, but her mind was already waking up despite her wishes.

  Easing out of the bed, she tiptoed to her pack by the wall and pulled out the dress and shift she’d been keeping to wear when they got here. The dress she had traveled in hung over the back of a chair in the corner. Even in the dim light Maleena clearly saw the travel stains on it. It would have to be washed before it could be worn again.

  Maleena reached for Nydara and found the dragon sound asleep. Tellnox informed her they had found a cave in the mountains across the river to rest in. She sent him warmth and love and turned back to dressing for the day.

  As quietly as she could, Maleena slipped the old shift off and laid it over the chair with the dirty dress. Her skin pebbled in the chill of the room as she pulled the clean shift and dress on, then rummaged into her pack for a pair of clean stockings.

  Maleena picked up her shoes and glanced at the bed. Mckale still slept. She would slip them on after she got downstairs so the sound of her footsteps wouldn’t wake him. She opened the door and stepped into the hall, pulling the door shut soundlessly behind her, then moved quietly down the stairs, not wanting to wake anyone else at that early hour.

  When Maleena reached the kitchen she slipped on her shoes and looked around. Someone else must already be awake. A hot tea kettle sat close to the hearth and the kitchen smelled of steeped rosehips and mint. Half a loaf of bread and a knife lay on a board on the table next to two empty cups and a few scattered crumbs. More loaves of bread were rising on a cupboard top not too far from the hearth.

  Maleena glanced at the tea kettle. Would it be wrong to get a cup? Insistent thirst nagged at her throat. She didn’t see any water, so the tea would have to do. Hopefully they wouldn’t find it rude. She lifted a cup from one of the hooks, filled it with the tea, and took a long drink, relishing its warmth. The sweet and refreshing mix soothed her thirst and left her feeling energized for the morning.

  Her stomach rumbled but she shook her head. Eating the bread would be rude; her stomach would have to wait. Besides, the tea had relieved her thirst and intensified another urge. She pulled on her cloak and stepped out the back door of the house.

  The pale glow of early morning provided more than enough light. Several buildings perched behind the house. The first one she looked in held rakes, hoes, and other gardening equipment. The second also stored things. Where was it? These were the two smallest buildings. Surely it wasn’t located in one of the other larger structures.

  One was clearly a barn and she doubted it would be there. Another was located closer to the house than the others. Maleena opened the door and peered in. A single candle burned in a mirrored sconce inside and in its flickering light she saw that this building was indeed what she searched for. The floor and halfway up the walls was paved in smooth stones. She barely gave them a glance. The heavy, smooth, carved plank in the back with a hole was what she needed. This building wasn’t so different than what she had used in Lowden, although considerably nicer.

  As Maleena left the building feeling much better, she started to turn back to the house. The glow of lantern light showing through the partially open barn door stopped her. Whoever left the empty cups and the bread must be out here. She glanced at the dark house and shrugged. She really didn’t want to sit in the empty kitchen by herself.

  Her breath came in clouds in the cold morning air. Maleena turned and walked across the expanse of open space to the barn door, the frost covered grass crunching underfoot. The voices of a man and woman floated on the chilly morning air. When she stepped inside the barn she saw Mckale’s father and grandmother each sitting next to a goat, their backs to her as they milked. Although they didn’t see her, the goats in the pen next to the stand did and a chorus of loud ‘maaaas’ went up. In a pen across the way, a gaggle of baby goats hollered back. The dog, laying between the milk stands, thumped her tail against the ground in welcome.

  They both turned at the noise. Barden smiled. “Good morning, Maleena. You look much better than you did last night.”

  Grandme appraised her. “You definitely have more color in your face.”

  Maleena smiled back at them, a little uncomfortable at being the center of their attention. “Thank you, I feel better this morning. I think I just needed a good night’s sleep in a real bed.”

  Grandme pursed her lips for a moment. “Perhaps.”

  What in the world did that mean? The older woman looked her up and down as if she knew something Maleena didn’t. Pushing the strange actions of Mckale’s grandmother away she asked, “Can I help?”

  Barden looked startled. “You wish to milk goats?”

  She nodded. “There are lots of goats in Galdrilene although I suppose you already know that. Each of the mage towers has a few of their own and even Dragon Riders are expected to help with tower chores. I am quite proficient at milking.”

  Grandme stood up and dusted her hands on the apron of her dress. “Well, if you truly want to, then yes you can milk and I will go in and drag Sonja out of bed so we can prepare the morning meal.” As the old woman passed on her way out of the barn she stopped and looked Maleena up and down again. “I think Mckale has found a good one in you.”

  She left without another word and Maleena moved to sit on the now empty stool beside the goat, hoping the dim light of the lantern would cover her blush. The goat turned her head and looked at Maleena with curiosity, its long ears framing its face. The goat had a convex nose, making her think briefly of Vaddoc’s nose. As she began squirting milk into the pail a slight giggle bubbled up at the image of Vaddoc with long goat ears.

  “What is so funny?” Barden asked as he pulled his goat off the stand and put her in a different pen than the one full of those who had greeted Maleena.

  Maleena shook her head and giggled again. “I have a friend, another Dragon Rider, whose nose rises like the goats do. My mind conjured an image of his face with these long ears on either side of it.”

  Barden chuckled. “He must be a Shaderian, they do have quite a beak don’t they?” He pulled a goat out of the noisy pen and placed her on the milk stand then paused for a moment before bursting out laughing again. “That would indeed be a funny sight.” Still chuckling he settled down to milking again.

  Maleena set her pail aside and unlocked the head gate. She placed the doe in the same pen as Barden had placed his and went to get another, patting the dog on the head on her way by. It took her a minute to separate one from the four still waiting. They all rushed the gate in their enthusiasm to be next. After a bit of wrangling, she managed to get one out. It eagerly ran to the stand and jumped on.

  “There is a scoop in the grain bin over there,” Barden said motioning toward the wall. “Pour one of those in her feed bucket.”

  Maleena did as he instructed and the goat happily buried her nose in it. She latched the head gate and settled back on the stool.

  She felt Nydara wake and reached out to the dragon. “Good morning, love.”

  “Good morning. Do Tellnox and I have time to hunt before you leave Mckale’s sire’s house?”

  “Yes, but please stay well away from any livestock.”

  Maleena felt a flash of indignation from Nydara. “We would never take someone’s livestock without permission. We leave to hunt now. Do not leave the house until we return, please.”

  “I promise.” Maleena smiled to herself, feeling a warm rush of love from the dragon.

  Leaning her head against the doe’s warm flank still covered in winter fuzz, she began to milk, relishing the peace in the barn. Animals didn’t have the complicated thoughts and emotions of humans and they never intruded on her. Animals had more mental respect than humans although Barden had a quiet mind that she didn’t
find intrusive at all. He reminded her of Mckale.

  The sound of the milk swishing into the pail soothed her and she lost herself in the rhythm of it. Before Maleena realized it, the milking was done. She helped Barden turn the does and the babies eager to be back with their mothers loose in their pasture and then began toting the full pails to the house, the dog following them happily. What did they do with all of this milk? Surely they couldn’t drink it all and if they got this much each day, not even making cheese would use it all up.

  She glanced at Barden out the corner of her eye as they walked toward the house. “What do you use all of the milk for?”

  “We sell a lot of it, either as milk or cheese. Not everyone has the time or inclination to keep their own animals. Milk animals are something you kind of have to have in you. Some don’t ever have it, some find it later.”

  “Do you get this much every day?”

  He shrugged slightly. “More or less. We pen the babies away from their dams at night so they can’t drink it all. They get to spend the day and early evening drinking their fill, so they aren’t deprived.”

  Maleena nodded. “That’s what we do in Galdrilene.”

  He smiled. “I know.”

  Barden tapped the back door of the house with his foot and within seconds, Sonja opened it. “Good morning, Maleena. And you too, Father.” She beamed a smile at both of them as she backed out of the way so they could enter.

  The smell of cooking food nearly overwhelmed Maleena as she stepped into the kitchen. Her stomach clenched. Thick slices of ham sizzled on a flat piece of metal hung above the fire in the hearth. Beside that, a pot of water boiled as Grandme lowered eggs into it. On the cupboard top, loaves of freshly baked bread cooled. Maleena’s mouth watered but she turned to follow Barden back out the door.

  He stopped her with a shake of his head. “Oh no, you have helped enough. You are our guest, not a hired hand. Besides, you have a busy day today. You should get ready for it.”

  “It won’t take long to bring the other pails in. I don’t mind helping,” she protested.

  “I’ll help him. You go sit down and relax,” Mckale said as he came down the stairs.

  Maleena turned and smiled at him. “Good morning, bondmate.”

  “Good morning, my love.” He brushed a kiss against her cheek as he stepped past her, following his father out the door.

  Sonja smiled as she flipped a sizzling slice of ham. “Breakfast will be ready soon.”

  Maleena hung her cloak on a peg by the door and glanced around. “Is there something I can do to help?”

  “You are our guest,” Grandme repeated Barden’s words.

  “I can’t just stand around here and do nothing. Please, give me something to do. Anything.”

  “You can set the table if you like.” Sonja waved toward the sideboard and the stack of dishes there.

  Maleena let out a relieved breath. “Thank you.” She picked up the stack of plates and carried them to the table, going back for the cups and utensils.

  Grandme smiled and nodded in approval. The old woman looked at Sonja. “Mckale has done well to be chosen by Maleena. First she is up at the crack of dawn insisting that she help with the milking and now she refuses to sit by and let us do all of the work even when we tell her she doesn’t have to help.”

  Sonja grinned back at her grandmother. “Yes, I think he was chosen by a good woman. At least he avoided getting chosen by that back alley cat, Rona.” She made a face and shuddered.

  Grandme scowled. “That woman is as useless as a cart without wheels.”

  Sonja giggled. “Well, she has certainly ‘been’ around the city like a race cart.”

  “Sonja! A lady doesn’t speak of such ugly behavior.” Grandme aimed a deep scowl at her granddaughter.

  Maleena paused in the act of setting a cup next to a plate. “You’re a lady?”

  Sonja nodded and shrugged slightly. “Father is a lower lord. Nothing fancy but it makes me a lady nonetheless.”

  Grandme huffed, disapproval still on her face. “You hardly speak like one half the time. Soon you will start sounding like a common tavern wench.”

  Sonja rolled her eyes. “Yes, Grandme. I will do better,”

  “No, you won’t.” The old woman shook her head. “Sometimes I wonder what that young man sees in you. How he can come around here moony-eyed and smitten when your mouth gets away from you, I will never understand. Back when I was a girl, we knew better.”

  Sonja heaved a dramatic sigh and rolled her eyes again. “Yes, Grandme.”

  Maleena smiled. She sensed the emotions in the room weren’t antagonistic. Mckale’s shield and her dragon bond kept the feelings at bay this morning, but it didn’t block them completely. Nothing could do that except the weave she and Taela had found.

  Grandme’s disapproval was real, but behind it was a deep adoring love for her granddaughter. Sonja’s irritation at her grandmother’s scolding was real, but underneath it a deep river of respect and love flowed.

  The door opened for a moment as Mckale and his father set pails of milk down. Barden glanced at his mother. “One more trip and we will be in.”

  She nodded absently and pulled the last of the eggs out of the water. As the two men left again Maleena asked, “Where’s Kaden?”

  “He is a Border Guard,” Sonja said as she set the platter of ham on a cupboard. “He has duties to attend to. Thankfully, he won’t be on patrol during the Spring Dance. I know he is looking forward to seeing his younger brother claimed.”

  “He needs to quit worrying about Mckale and start trying to find a woman willing to claim him.” Grandme set the bowl of eggs next to the platter. “He is older than Mckale and its time he stopped avoiding the dance.”

  Maleena looked around. “Is there anything else I can do?”

  Sonja walked to the table and settled in one of the chairs. “Take a seat.”

  Grandme also settled down at the table. Maleena looked at the food still resting on the cupboard top. “Shouldn’t we bring the food?”

  Mckale’s sister shook her head. “Last night I served the food because of the chaos caused by Kaden, but it isn’t my place. Here in Calladar, the women prepare and cook the food. The man serves it and cleans up afterward to offer his thanks to his woman for cooking his food and keeping his house.”

  Grandme nodded. “We do the laundry, have babies, keep the house clean, raise gardens, preserve food and any number of things that go with being the lady of the house. We make sure the house runs smoothly for the man and in return he takes care of the livestock, keeps the children out of the way while we preserve food, brings in the coin that keeps the wheels of the house turning, and protects us. We offer thanks for their part by cooking the meals and he offers his back by serving them. Even the Head of the Nine serves his wife meals and she goes into the kitchen to help cook his food.”

  Maleena was surprised at the complexity of their culture. In Lowden, the men worked and came home and the woman shifted from taking care of the house and children all day to taking care of all of that and him. She liked the way they showed mutual respect for each other with the Calladar tradition.

  The door opened, allowing cold air to sweep the room as the two men stepped into the kitchen with Mola on their heels. They shut the door and set the pails of milk in line with the others. After pulling off their light cloaks and hanging them from the pegs, they each lifted a bucket and poured it into a funnel at the top of a metal tube. Curious, Maleena leaned around the table to get a better look at the tube. It disappeared into the floor.

  “What are you doing?” Maleena asked as they each picked up another pail and poured the milk into the funnel.

  Barden smiled at her, setting his empty pail down and reaching for another full one. “There is a piece of fine mesh cloth in the funnel to filter out any hair or debris in the milk. Then the milk goes down the tube to a holding tank.”

  “Why down there?”

  Sonja picked up the e
xplanation. “Our well is under there. It’s a good place for it since it keeps birds and such from falling in it and it means we don’t have to trek through snow in the winter for household water. There is another well in the barn. It makes life easier.”

  Confused, Maleena looked away from where the men dumped another set of pails. “You’re dumping the milk into the well?”

  “Oh, no.” Sonja laughed. “I guess that didn’t quite explain it.”

  Mckale chuckled. “There is a holding tank for the milk set down into the water of the well. It stays very cold there. The pipe enters from the side near the top and there is a lid on it that can be removed so the milk can be dipped out. It stays in the holding tank until we ladle it into containers to be carried down to the market in the afternoon so it can be sold. Then in the evening the tank is washed and put back so it’s ready for the next morning’s milk.”

  When the last of the twelve pails had been dumped, Mckale picked up the bowl of eggs and the platter of ham while his father carried the bread board and a dish of butter. After they placed the food on the table, Mckale lifted a slice of ham onto each of the women’s plates, followed by a couple of eggs and his father placed buttered slices of bread on their plates.

  As they placed the items on each plate they murmured, “Thank you, my lady, for the meal.”

  In turn Grandme and Sonja quietly said, “Thank you for serving it.” Maleena thanked them as well out of habit. She didn’t realize it was part of the custom until it continued throughout the serving of every item.

  Once Maleena and the other two were served, the men piled food onto their plates and sat down. Maleena took a bit of ham and savored the taste. Her stomach grumbled anxiously. She felt absolutely famished. The eggs had been served three to a bowl and she watched as the others tapped the top of each egg to crack the shell. She followed their example, cracking and removing the top part of the shell. The white inside looked like any other boiled egg but when she got to the yolk she found it warm and runny. Her stomach rolled and lurched.