“Oh, I see what you’re saying now. I’m not allowing for the fabric tension,” Michi said, and everyone in the room started scribbling like crazy.
Ahnon was fixing Karme’s waist as she let out a long sigh. “Quit moving,” Ahnon commanded.
“I don’t like this,” she whined.
“You’re supposed to be able to stay motionless for six hours,” Ahnon snapped at her as he readjusted her waist.
“Not being fitted for a dress,” Karme complained. “Ow!” she yelled. “That hurt!”
“Well, quit moving, and you won’t get stuck,” Ahnon said, moving to her back. “Michi, what in the abyss did you do to the bow?” Ahnon asked, looking at the sorry-looking bow on Karme’s back.
“I didn’t want it too small to make her look big,” Michi said, adjusting the base slip on Kenna.
“Michi, it makes her hips look three feet wide. Accentuate, not inflate,” Ahnon said, redoing the bow.
“Great! Now I have hips like a dragon,” Karme said.
Ahnon never stopped working. “Keep on, and I’ll bind you, Karme,” he warned.
“At least then I’d have an excuse when others make fun of me.”
“Let someone make fun of you, and I’ll let Michi eat their heart,” Ahnon said, re-tying the bow.
She looked down at him. “Really?” she asked, surprised but feeling a lot better.
“You really think we’d let someone make fun of you?” Michi asked as he stopped working on Kenna’s dress.
“I was trained to be a warrior, not a mannequin,” she said. “Can’t you use Akene? She’s trained like I am.”
“We have, but there are other reasons I need you here each time,” Ahnon said, pinning fabric to her dress.
“Oh yeah, like what?” Karme asked, annoyed.
“Akene, can you please come here?” Ahnon called then looked in the corner behind him. “I haven’t seen but two light spells,” he said.
“Ahnon, I’m a little tired,” Jedek said.
“I want you to do double and half, one light, two shields, and water before I’m done, or you take Karme’s place next time,” Ahnon threatened. Jedek jumped up, gathering his components.
“Double and half?” Kenna asked, trying not to move. She really wanted this dress.
“You are twice as strong and weigh half as much,” Michi told her, moving to her sleeves.
Akene stopped beside Ahnon. “Akene, would you be so kind as to let Karme know why she is placed here every time so I can teach Michi?” he asked. Akene walked in front of Karme and pointed at her chest. Karme’s face and neck turned beet red. “Thank you, Akene,” Ahnon said as she walked by.
“I’m taking Kenna’s place next time,” she whispered, smiling.
“Sounds good, and we’ll do dark green,” Ahnon said, and she smiled. “Jedek, if you try to rush double and half, you don’t even want to know what happens,” Ahnon said, not looking at his sire.
“Yes, Ahnon,” Jedek said in a low voice and started over, saying the words slowly.
Grabbing a chair and climbing on, Ahnon started working on Karme’s sleeves. “You asked,” Ahnon said.
“Kenna, tell Ahnon I’m never talking to him again,” Karme said with a scowl on her face.
“Ahnon—” Kenna started.
“Yes, I heard her, Kenna,” Ahnon said, smiling. Still working on Karme’s dress, he yelled, “You’re not focusing, Jedek. Keep your mind on the spell and not Kenna’s hair!”
“How did you know he was staring at her? You were looking at my sleeve,” Karme asked, amazed.
“Oh, you’re talking to me again,” Ahnon said, smiling. “Just knew. He gets into a rhythm. Practice so long then stare at Kenna.” Karme nodded, impressed, but had her suspicions.
Michi lifted Kenna’s arms so she was holding them out from her side. “Ahnon, I messed something up,” he said, perturbed. Ahnon told Karme to relax, walked over, and spotted the mistake.
“Don’t get frustrated. Relax and look,” Ahnon said. Closing his eyes, Michi took deep breaths then opened his eyes. “What do you see now?” Ahnon asked.
“The princess’ seam is too tight, throwing off the neckline,” Michi said, thankful he hadn’t ruined the panels.
Ahnon nodded and patted Michi’s back. “Jedek, you’re going too fast. It’s going to hurt,” Ahnon said without looking at him. A few seconds later, coughing and gagging erupted behind them. Ahnon slowly turned around and held onto Michi as he tried to run over to help Jedek, who was on his hands and knees, coughing and gagging up tons of water on the floor. Michi was a little worried because Jedek’s face was a shade of purple he had never seen before.
“I told you that was too fast. Don’t rush,” Ahnon said, raising his hand. “Hal lah dinig,” Ahnon said, and a stream of roping light shot from his hand, wrapping around Jedek. Suddenly, Jedek stopped coughing and slowly turned back to his normal color as the rope of light retracted back to Ahnon’s hand. Still on his hands and knees, Jedek panted, gulping in air, never realizing how good it felt to breath. “You fill the bowl with water, not your lungs,” Ahnon told him. “That one doesn’t count.” Jedek nodded, never thinking to back talk Ahnon.
Vilarius leaned over to Theobald with a furious look. “You let me choke till I passed out,” he whispered loudly and angrily.
“Sire, you are very smart, but you were a slow learner and needed to understand the risk,” Theobald said, not even looking at the king.
Eira looked at Vilarius, grinning. “That means you have a thick skull,” she helped.
“I know what he meant, Eira,” Vilarius snapped.
Trying not to laugh, she said, “Just thought I would help you understand.”
Totally pissed, Vilarius sat back in his chair as Tilbus leaned closer. “My sho-ka held me down and poured water down my throat then made me dry it out,” Tilbus said, motioning back with his head toward his sho-ka. “Count yourself lucky, my friend.” Suddenly, Vilarius wasn’t quite so mad watching Jedek stand up.
Walking back to Karme, Ahnon said, “Jedek, we are fixing to start sewing. I suggest you continue and not dwell on feeling bad or foolish. I really don’t want to have to make a dress for you.” He started adjusting and re-pinning panels.
“Yes, Ahnon,” Jedek said, shaking his head to get the water out of his ears, wondering how it got there. “And thank you. I suddenly have respect for your gray fish now.” He grabbed more components, and Ahnon couldn’t help but chuckle.
When Ahnon and Michi pulled the dresses off and sat down, the group left the chairs, moving closer. Though he started slow, Ahnon sped up and kept shouting at Michi to slow down. “Law nine, Michi!” Ahnon finally yelled.
Unconsciously, Michi and all the other bhari recited, “Speed only comes with two things: time and practice. Leave out either, and you have accomplished nothing.” Ahnon chuckled, realizing how many bhari were in the room.
Ahnon paused to show Michi several different ways to tie the same knots and three new ones. The royal seamstress eased closer. “I’m so sorry, Master Ahnon, but could you please do that one again?” he asked in a pleading tone. Nodding, Ahnon did it very slowly then looked up and jumped back in his chair, seeing all the people around him.
“Didn’t know all of you were up here,” Ahnon said. “There are two bolts of silk over there,” he pointed across the hall. “Everyone is to cut two yards, and I want ten of each knot I just showed you,” Ahnon said, and the group seemed to vanish they moved so fast from around him. “Very good, Jedek,” Ahnon said loudly without looking back. The rest of the room turned to see Jedek standing three feet off the ground in a shimmering globe.
Ahnon finally looked up at Jedek, smiling. “The object of an orb shield it to protect you, so don’t advertise it,” he said. “If you are several feet off the ground, your opponent will know what you just did and will take the appropriate steps. Make a fourth of the globe sit on the ground.”
Vilarius jumped out of his chair. “Ah, so
n, the first time you try it, don’t put yourself in it,” Vilarius offered. “Trust me,” he added, and Theobald started chuckling. “It’s not funny,” Vilarius mumbled.
“Yes it is,” Theobald answered, laughing. “I said it just like Ahnon did, and you left a fourth out of the ground. I never knew you could curl into such a tight ball.”
Michi looked up. “Be thankful. I put the entire globe under the ground with me in it. My teacher had to dig me out,” he said then went back to sewing.
Tilbus moved over, watching Ahnon’s hands fly. “Ahnon, I’ve never seen such work,” he said in awe. “You know, my wife is going to kill me. You never made her a dress, and she will blame it on me.”
“Michi is working on one for her,” Ahnon said, never pausing. “He saw her several months ago, and when he gets to Nepon, he can make adjustments.” He turned the dress and stood up. “Hold this,” he told Tilbus, handing him the dress. Tilbus took it, getting stuck with a dozen pins as Ahnon walked around, checking on the sewing.
An hour later, Jedek completed his list of spells and was physically drained. As Ahnon stood on the pedestal Karme was on, everyone stopped. “Attention, please. This concludes today’s lesson. The next lesson is in two days. Those that show up, I want you to bring supplies to make one long summer dress. Have your pattern drawn out. I don’t care if you use a manikin or model, but you can’t use mine. I also suggest you bring a piece of cloth to wrap around your face to breathe through. Jedek will be learning a new spell.”
The audience was shocked. In the past, Ahnon just let them watch. He rarely acknowledged them. Now, he was going to teach. Moving in unison, the group stood and bolted out of the castle.
Karme chuckled, watching the throng of people try to get out of the door at the same time. When they were gone, she looked at Ahnon. “Why are you letting people know what your sire is learning?” she asked.
“Letting any would-be assassins know he has the ability to slow them down. If they slow down, they fail and die,” he answered as Jedek collapsed to the floor. Kenna ran over to him, carrying a glass of water. Looking at the glass, Jedek didn’t have the heart to tell her he was tired of water for today, but he took a sip.
“But they know his spells,” Karme pointed out.
“No, they know some of them. Jedek can use three different shields and nine other spells,” he said. “Granted, he trips up on them, but that’s to be expected.” Jedek felt crushed; he thought he was doing great.
Vilarius walked over to Ahnon. “I have to admit, I never thought a sewing class could be so entertaining.”
“If you weren’t the king, I would’ve thrown something at you,” Ahnon confessed.
“Eira tried to pull my beard off twice,” Vilarius admitted, and Ahnon shook his head knowingly.
“She’s a wise queen,” Ahnon said.
Tilbus joined them. “Ahnon, first, I again say this is excellent work, but you are a bhari and one of if not the best. Why did you become a seamstress?” he asked. “Warrior, seamstress, I don’t get it.”
“Nephew, how do you think I killed the generals and sons of the Aztan king?” Ahnon asked.
Tilbus’ eyes almost bulged from his head. “You didn’t.”
“Well, yes I did. What? You think I just knocked on the door? ‘Hey, I’m here to kill someone. I won’t be long.’”
“Something’s wrong with that,” Tilbus said, shaking his head. “I thought you just snuck in during the night. I know bhari learn trades to move about the land, but seamstress?”
“Oh, I do sneak in at night most of the time. But how am I supposed to know the layout of the house? Fittings are done in the royal apartments. Strangely, that’s where they sleep. Taking breaks, I can unlock a window, look at the bed to see who sleeps on which side, walk the halls to see where guards are, and, more importantly, if there are weapons in the room.”
“That’s why I told the queen no more fittings in the apartment,” Akene mumbled.
“You became a seamstress to assassinate people?” Tilbus asked.
“No. Rule eight of the bhari—” Ahnon started but was cut off as the bhari around him recited, “To kill a wolf, become a wolf.”
“Thank you,” Ahnon said, looking around. “If you want stop an assassin, think like them. Seamstress is the fastest way in,” Ahnon said, walking over to a manikin that he had Karme’s gown on. “When finished, this gown could bring up to half a gold crown,” Ahnon said.
“More like a full crown,” Eira said.
“Now, you have to offer extreme quality to turn heads and be demanded. I’ve trained myself to offer that and something else: speed. I can make a full formal gown in three hours. Most times, it would take a week and several seamstresses. Most ladies are impatient when it comes to dresses, and if they know they can get a great dress in a few hours, guess what? I’m called for,” Ahnon said then looked at Eira. “Present company excluded of course,” he said, making her smile.
“Yeah, right,” Vilarius mumbled, earning a beard tug from Eira.
“So this is just a ploy?” Tilbus asked.
“No. My sire’s wife will need dresses and of course his mother. But more importantly, I can spot an imposter. I have not only studied sewing, your majesty.”
“You mean all those crafts you told me…!” Tilbus started shouting and stopped, flabbergasted.
“That’s right, your majesty. I’m a chef, blacksmith, farmer, gardener, painter, stable man, and hundreds of other things. I will be able to spot a fake.”
“What if the assassin, like most bhari, learns a craft like you did, becoming a master?” Karme asked, intrigued.
“They will be harder to spot, but they will do the tattle tale observations. It would be easier to catch them making a mistake in their trade, but hey, do what you can.” He walked over to Jedek. Offering him a hand, Ahnon pulled him up. “You did very well today,” Ahnon said, patting him on the back. “Since your mother and father are here, get their surprises,” Ahnon said, and Jedek ran to the corner.
“Surprises?” the queen asked.
Jedek came over carrying a large box and a large object wrapped in paper. “Yes, mother. I asked Ahnon if I could help him make you and father some presents. I wanted to give them to you on the Day of Divine Tribute, but I couldn’t wait,” Jedek said, handing her the large box and gave the other thing to his dad.
Eira opened the box. “Oh Jedek, its lovely,” she said, reaching in and pulling out a deep blue formal dress trimmed in white lace.
“I can’t lie; I only helped on the lace,” he said.
Ahnon cut his eyes at him. “You did more than that, sire.”
“That’s between us, Ahnon,” Jedek said, setting his jaw.
“Oh my,” Vilarius said, pulling off the paper, exposing a painting that was four feet tall and three feet wide. “This is great!” he yelled, grinning.
Putting her dress down, Eira walked over and gasped. The painting showed Vilarius, Eira, and Jedek and off to the side Theobald, Akene, and Ahnon. “Your son insisted on the extra figures, your majesties. I didn’t want to, but he threw a total temper tantrum. We are talking way past vexed,” Ahnon said, shaking his head at Jedek.
Vilarius lowered the painting. “Son, you know how proud I am of that temper tantrum. I just wish you would have gotten him to paint them with us up close.”
“I wanted that, Dad, but Ahnon told me if I didn’t stop, he was going to turn me into a puppy.”
Vilarius leaned toward Theobald. “Can you do that?” he asked.
“Ah, no sire,” Theobald said as Vilarius looked over at Ahnon.
“I can,” Ahnon assured him. Vilarius turned to Eira, who had a devious smile.
“Ahnon, we want another one please, and if you can’t, I’ll hire someone to do it. They could be an assassin,” she said, looking at her husband, and Vilarius’ face broke into a grin. “I like how you have us, but I want each sho-ka behind and I mean just to the side of each of their sires,” she told
said.
“Queen Eira, sho-ka are a wall, not the house,” Ahnon reminded her.
“Ahnon, I’ve known Akene every day of my life as Vilarius and Jedek know Theobald and you. To say you three aren’t part of this family is a crime against nature.”
Ahnon looked at Akene. “Will you talk to her?” he asked.
Akene looked at Eira then back to Ahnon. “No. She’s fixing to become vexed. I don’t want any part of it, and from the look in her eyes, it’s going to be a big one,” Akene said, making Ahnon’s stomach nervous.
Slumping his shoulders in defeat, Ahnon said, “Yes, your majesty. I’ll start on it at once.”
“Thank you, Ahnon, but if you don’t mind, I’ll make a sketch first so we only have to do it once. I really don’t want you to waste your time.”
“Yes, my queen,” Ahnon said, bowing at the royal command.
“I wish I would’ve become that wise that fast,” Vilarius said as Ahnon bowed.
“Me too sire,” Theobald agreed.
Eira clapped her hands. “Ladies, let’s get dressed for supper,” she said, walking over and kissing Ahnon on the cheek. “Thank you, Ahnon. I really don’t like getting vexed. My head hurts for days afterwards. You are part of this family; just ask Jedek. You know Vilarius’ and my response. I told you when you woke poor Phobie up every three hours for feedings,” she reminded him, picking up her box.
Karme walked over with Kenna. “When’s my new dress going to be ready?” she asked.
“Next class,” Ahnon said.
“Good. I can put it with the twenty-six others that Kenna has to dress me in.”
Ahnon grinned. “Don’t worry. Michi is getting better, so only a year or more of classes.”
“Whatever,” Karme said, waving her hand. “I really don’t think either of you will stop trying to put dresses on me.” She looked Ahnon in the eyes. “If Michi yells at me for choosing the wrong shoes one more time, I’m going to start throwing fire.”
“Alright!” Michi shouted, grinning. Karme just walked out with Kenna. “You can’t wear riding boots with a dress, Karme!” Michi shouted after her.
Vilarius walked over to Jedek as he gathered his components. “What else did you do to help make your mother’s dress?” he asked with a grin.
Dawn of Man (Thanos Book 1) Page 16
