Winter Tithe

by Carol E. Leever

  Chapter 7: Solstice Gifts

  Tokara had no memory of falling asleep, but when she awoke, she was in her own bed and the sun was streaming through her stained-glass bedroom windows.

  Zennia, looking hale and full of bluster, stoked the fire. "The sun is up already, Tokara," the young maid called sweetly as Tokara rolled over. "Hurry or you'll miss it."

  Once again wrapped up in her bed sheets, Tokara scrambled to free herself of the blankets and furs. She shoved her feet into her house boots and sprang out of bed, her nightshirt billowing around her and her legs losing warmth against the cooler air of the room.

  "Argh," a groan popped out of Tokara's mouth, punctuating the dull pain that closed around her torso. She chose to ignore it. Silent, she marveled at the sight of the two older girls who were wholly conscious and no longer blue.

  "You took a beating," Neyla said as she pulled the new red solstice gown out of Tokara's wardrobe. "Aster said we should wrap you up before you dress for the feast."

  "I don't remember seeing Aster." Tokara was hazy on the details of their return to the castle, but she vaguely recalled a hot soak in a lavender oil bath. Gingerly, Tokara touched her ribs.

  "Don't worry," Zennia said. "You bruised the muscles around your ribcage very badly, but Aster said nothing is cracked or broken." She unspooled a length of angora wrapping. "Aster said you have to be sure to stay warm if you are going out."

  "Where am I going?" Tokara asked, intrigued, and shrugged out of her long nightshirt. A shiver ran over her skin.

  "The Chain, silly," Neyla sang out. "It's Solstice Eve. Your family is visiting the nearby villages!"

  With all the excitement, I haven't even thought about the solstice! Tokara's forgotten delight and anticipation of the feast sprang back to life in an instant.

  "Cook has whole pigs roasting down in the kitchen," Zennia added excitedly. "For the dinner, there will be goose, and duck, and turkey. And pies. So many pies!"

  "Lady Kadana said the Melian bards will arrive after nightfall." Neyla kept her hands steady while gently winding the warm, soft bandage around Tokara's thin torso. "Though you probably shouldn't dance tonight."

  Tokara plucked at the bandage's edge, ensuring that it was tight, but not too tight. "Thank you, Neyla." She slipped into her red woolen gown, waiting for Neyla to fasten the laces in the back. "And don't worry, nothing will tempt me to dance tonight." She grimaced at the dull pain throbbing under her wrapping. "But tell me, are you both really well?" She turned to study the girls more closely.

  Zennia and Neyla looked at each other. "She is as well as a duck swimming on a pond," Zennia said of her fellow handmaiden and giggled.

  "And she is as well as a starling in flight," Neyla countered. "Do not trouble yourself, Tokara, the both of us are fit as lutes and happy for the solstice."

  "As long as Bump—" Tokara paused. "I mean . . . the creature didn't hurt you."

  "In truth, I do not know what beastie, bogget or faykin it was bespelled us," Zennia said lightly. "One moment we were coming up the hall to tend the fires; the next moment we wakened in the healer's chamber. Cold to the touch, but healthy as the day is long."

  "I feel as rested as I've ever been," Neyla said and demonstrated her energy with a flurry of steps from a Caydelee dance.

  Tokara laughed. It feels good to laugh with my friends. "You will have to dance all the reels I cannot tonight," she said to Neyla while lacing her high boots and fastening the belt Zennia had handed her.

  "Your lady mother said you should eat your breakfast quickly." Zennia pointed to a round wooden tray resting on the sideboard. "And then join the family in the stableyard as soon as possible."

  Tokara's stomach rumbled out a rude growl. Thick slices of brown bread, a wedge of hard cheese and warm creamy milk sweetened with honey awaited her. She wolfed down every last crumb, not just because she felt ravenous but also because she was anxious to join her family for the solstice ride.

  After she'd finished her hurried meal and impatiently allowed Zennia to weave her hair into two long fishtail braids, she scurried to the stables in time to see Caia climb into the larger of two decorated sleighs. Tokara let out a sigh of relief upon seeing her little sister healthy and unhurt.

  Reeve's makeshift rope of silver bells on the sleigh had been replaced by strings of copper horse bells, the rumblers fastened not only to the Trotters' festive harnesses but also to the sleigh itself. Nice. I love the sound of the bells on the sleigh.

  Tokara's mother firmly held the Trotters' reins, while her father played coachman on the second sleigh, that one green and gold and bedecked with evergreen wreaths as well as clusters of tiny bells.

  "Hurry up, slowpoke," Rask called from their father's sleigh, looking hardy. "We want to get to Irmel before Baba and Reeve make it to Ginster. They left an hour ago!"

  "Calm yourself, Rask." Their father put a hand around his son's shoulder. "The solstice celebration won't start until we get there with the loot."

  "Happy solstice, Daddy," Tokara called to her father and blew a kiss his way. He pretended to catch it and placed it on his unshaven cheek. Daddy looks tired. She felt guilty once again. Daddy must have been worried sick, with all of us gone and him having to manage the fears and panic of the Chain by himself.

  "Ready to bring gifts and good tidings to our people, my little warrior monkey?" her father called to her.

  Tokara laughed heartily and glanced at the full sacks and large packages crammed into the back of both sleighs. "The solstice gifts?"

  Her mother nodded, glancing at the bounty. "And the stolen treasure."

  Tokara wondered how the coins and jewels had been sorted. Maybe there's more to the bag than Momma let on. Unless she got every servant in the castle to help.

  "Climb in, Tokara!" her mother called.

  Unlike the day before when Kadana had been every inch the warrior, she was now the picture of the wealthy landholder, dressed in rich brocades and green velvets. Though she couldn't see it, Tokara was certain her mother wore some sort of armor under her finery and had a weapon or two tucked away out of sight.

  Caia shifted and a copper dog head popped out beneath her white cloak. The unruly creature let out a yowling bray.

  "Howler!" Tokara exclaimed, delight and surprise whirling through her.

  "Tokara!" Her little sister waved a white-gloved hand. Outfitted in her new ivory solstice gown and lace-up doe skin boots, Caia bore a holly berry crown on her head and held Howler tight on her lap, his legs draping over on all sides. She'd wrapped her rabbit fur cloak around the large wiggling pup as best she could.

  "We found Howler swimming around in the baths," Caia explained excitedly as Tokara scooted next to her. "He wasn't missing at all." The little girl hugged her spontaneously, squashing the big puppy between them. "I thought you were killed . . . I was so scared." Caia's tongue tripped over the multiple s sounds. "You were brave."

  "You were brave," Tokara hugged her sister back fiercely despite the two large dog paws firmly pressing against her thigh. She shifted Howler's paws back to the bench seat. "You ran all the way back to the castle and got Momma and the boys. You saved me."

  With a whoop both sleighs started bumping along the thin layer of snow coating the courtyard. The sleighs crossed through the gatehouse and slid onto the wide road of thick hard-packed snow beyond the curtain walls. Shortly a troop of mounted warriors joined them from the castle.

  "Do we need guards, Momma?" Tokara asked, surprised.

  "Maybe," her mother replied honestly. "But these men-at-arms have joined our ride so they can spend the holiday with their families in the Chain. Many of them are still quite young, you know. Each group will peel off as we get to their village. While we stop at Brunn, some will continue on with your father to Irmel. Some will continue even farther."

  "Will the castle be safe with all the guards leaving?" Tokara frowned.

  "You are growing savvy," her mother said, approving. "Don't worry. Only the ones
with family living in the Chain are leaving. They won't be gone long. And the castle and its inhabitants are safe through this solstice night. I've made sure of that."

  While Tokara didn't know what steps her mother had taken to protect the castle during their absence, she believed her words without question.

  The bright morning sun gleamed through the icicle-draped trees and created swirls of dancing colors all around them. Everything before her eyes lay sheltered in thick untouched snow.

  "The entire world is covered in vanilla frosting," Caia whispered, her eyes large as she looked around the enthralling woods, which seemed to spread all the way to the horizon. "Vanilla frosting on buttermilk cake."

  Tokara noticed the puppy turning his head from side to side, his ears pricked forward. "Listen," Tokara murmured and tilted her chin toward Howler.

  Caia looked to her pup, and a grin spread over her face. "He's such a good boy."

  Both girls listened hard, trying to discern the sound alerting the young hound.

  Concentrating with all her might, Tokara could barely hear a low, reverberating rumble layered under the tinkling of the sleigh bells. "Owls." She bit down on her lower lip. "I think its snow owls."

  "I love that sound," Caia chimed in.

  The girls shared a look, Tokara thinking back to the utter silence of the woods surrounding Wood Frog Pond before the creature had emerged.

  Bumpus. I wonder how he is doing today? Tokara tried to drive the thought of his lonely blue eyes from her mind.

  "Look!" Caia pointed up to a tree branch. "A bunch of squirrels!"

  "Did I ever tell you about the squirrels in Melia?" their mother called back to them.

  Caia squealed with delight. "A story! A story!"

  The time to Brunn flew by as their mother regaled them with tales of the Melian squirrels, who were really faykin in disguise and who took particular delight in teasing the craftsmen of the city with their tricks.

  "I'm going to watch out for those squirrels if I ever go to Melia," Caia said with determination, her hand stroking Howler's long ears. "I want to see the Sundragons." There was awe in her voice. "Is it true that some of them wander around among the peoples?"

  "Yes. In their human forms," Kadana answered, glancing at her daughters. "Either way, they are majestic and wise, but remember they are always still dragons. When you meet a Melian Sundragon, be sure to be very respectful."

  She said when. Tokara tried not to let out an excited giggle. I can't wait.

  At a crossroads, they turned sharply while the green sleigh continued straight on toward Irmel, which was still several hours ride away. Rask whooped with great exhilaration when their father handed him the Trotters' reins. Rask's boisterous cheer prompted her mother to tsk softly, but she didn't say anything to prevent Rask from taking up the coachman's duties.

  Tokara's father waved a gloved hand as he and the green sleigh disappeared around a tall snow bank. Most of the troop followed him, but a handful of riders continued on the road to Brunn, men only dropping away after Kadana's prompted, "Go on with you. Go, see your families!"

  Centered in a secluded dale, the little village of Brunn looked like a collection of old-fashioned gingerbread houses sprinkled with powered sugar and edged with red and green spice-candy drops.

  As they neared the sturdy structures, Tokara noted that the one wooden guard tower, nearly as tall as the sanctuary in the center of the village, had been wrapped in wreaths from top to bottom.

  "Momma?" She raised her voice to form the question. "Why doesn't Brunn have a wall?"

  "A wall?" Caia spoke first. "Why would the peoples want a wall? They couldn't see the beautiful hills and the forest if they build a wall."

  "I think your sister is concerned that Brunn looks vulnerable," Kadana explained to the little girl. "Unprotected."

  "From the creature?" Caia asked.

  "And other things," Tokara said quickly, feeling the need to defend her suggestion. A wall would be smart.

  "Our castle walls didn't keep out . . . you know who," Kadana said softly.

  Tokara pressed her lips together, understanding her mother's point.

  "But you are quite right," Kadana continued. "As villages grow into cities, as they have more wealth, they feel a keen need to protect themselves better. So often, they will start constructing walls. Wooden ones at first. Later stone. It all depends."

  "Depends on what, Momma?"

  "It depends on the will of the villagers. Walls cost money." She tilted her head toward Caia. "I think the people of Brunn may soon be having conversations about walling their town."

  "Because of what happened?"

  "Because now they are aware that something could happen," Kadana answered Caia.

  Despite the seriousness of their conversation, Tokara's mood lifted as they passed into the abundantly ornamented town square. Most of the decorations had been constructed of painted wood and dyed fabrics. Suns and moons and forest creatures everywhere!

  Tokara spotted a particularly beautiful fox painted on wooden flats that covered the front of one of the houses. The orange of his fur was bright like fire, with brick reds giving the impression of movement to his body. What a talented painter! A small frame made of wood and fabric had been erected to protect the painting from the elements.

  "Look at the moose statue!" Caia called out. "It looks real."

  "Just really big," Tokara suggested as they passed the carved wooden likeness of a moose nearly four times the size of any moose Tokara had ever seen. "Look at those antlers!"

  Guess Bumpus didn't bother with wooden things, she noted. Wood doesn't last, I guess. And when you're looking to keep something for thousands of years . . . She let the thought trail off without chasing it.

  Merry calls of greeting and well wishes surrounded them as her mother pulled the sleigh up to a raised wooden platform where Elder Verhren waited for them. The stage had been set with small evergreen trees in colorful pots and swirling designs depicting the constellations gracing the winter sky.

  Hundreds of people had gathered, all in festive costumes of red, white or green. Scores of laughing children ran about brandishing streamers and vivid pinwheels.

  Joyful clamor and happy sounds filled the square as Kadana helped Caia climb up the few steps to the platform. Tokara lifted Howler up to her sister and hopped up on the platform easily despite her long gown and still dully throbbing ribs.

  It was just past noon by the position of the sun on the shortest day of the year, but a large bonfire had already been lit in the center of the square. The flames roared, symbolically declaring the return of longer, sun-filled days. From the top of the platform Tokara could clearly see groups of young girls chanting by the fire, asking for the good will of the elements to lend their protection throughout the season. The snow maidens, as they were called at the feast, wore long white solstice gowns and holly berry crowns like the one on Caia's head. It was a special privilege to be selected as a snow maiden for the solstice feast, and like Caia, the girls had spent months memorizing the Sul'eldrine chants.

  "Are you ready to recite the solstice chants when we get home?" Tokara asked her little sister, suddenly worried that with all the excitement Caia would not have had a chance to practice.

  "I know the chants backwards and forwards," Caia assured her. "Howler and I have been practicing since the summer."

  Tokara felt better, hearing the confidence in her sister's voice.

  "I am looking forward to saying the chants." Caia grinned.

  She might be a performer, like our brother Beren. Tokara wondered about Caia joining their elder brother in Melia one day. I never looked forward to saying the chants in front of everyone when I was her age.

  Kadana received several of the officials lined up on the platform. They each bowed low, first to Kadana, then to the girls.

  "Greetings, Lady Kadana Deldano," the Elder Verhren spoke respectfully. "The light of the solstice to you and your family." The Elder too bowed de
eply.

  "The light of the solstice," Kadana replied. "May the sun shine on days long and plentiful."

  The man seemed very old to Tokara. Over a grey woolen tunic and grey pants tucked into high black boots, Elder Verhren wore a long green cloak adorned with velvety oak leaves. His face was dark and lined with many deep pleats. He wore a snug grey cap, but Tokara was certain there was very little hair on his head. He leaned heavily on a staff.

  Kadana raised her hand, quieting the gathered crowd. "Along with the solstice gifts we give to the people of Brunn, my children and I have returned your stolen treasures," Kadana said loudly, reaching many ears.

  A great, surprised cheer ran through the collected people as her words were repeated again and again from row to row and person to person.

  Kadana touched Caia's shoulder, prompting her.

  The little girl stepped forward and held out her hand, the golden chain with a dark blue stone dangling from it. The Stone of Brunn, Tokara thought as Howler sniffed at the offered orb, causing the Elder himself to hesitate.

  "Please take it," Caia said. "My puppy is friendly."

  As the Elder reached for the chain of his office, the dog licked his extended hand with an audible slurp. To the man's credit, he did not flinch or complain, which his friends and neighbors celebrated with laughter and good-natured cheering.

  "My men will bring your bell back to the sanctuary." Tokara's mother gestured to two attendants. The young guardsmen scrambled to hurry the large solid silver bell from the back of the sleigh through the square without dropping their precious cargo or bumping into anyone. Their chore was made more difficult by the many overeager townspeople who pressed into them in an effort to touch the recovered bell as it passed by.

  Tiny snowflakes started to lightly dust the crowd. Tokara thought the flakes felt like soft, wet kisses on her cheeks, and the chill in the air seemed to lift for a moment.