The Threshold Child

by Callie Kanno

  The grass was trimmed very short, making it crackle softly when they stepped on it. The gravel walkways were lined with whitewashed stones, and on the other side of the stones were rows of docile flowers. The shrubbery was pruned into geometric shapes that dotted the landscape in an orderly fashion. Citizens of the High City strolled through the garden at a leisurely pace, nodding to each other with great amounts of dignity.

  The two women entered the Square and were greeted by the tall, uniform white buildings. Jelana first led her young charge to a dress shop to purchase some clothing that would better suit the city. The small shop was marked by a simple wooden sign above the door. Jelana walked in without hesitation, and Adesina followed. Ravi sat down just outside the door, not inclined to enter the shop.

  It was a good-sized single room, with everything inside whitewashed. Adesina was certain that she would quickly grow tired of all the white. The shop held an elderly man tending to the counter and two younger men sewing busily in the back of the room. The young man with bright red hair looked to be in his mid twenties, and the young man with brown hair appeared to still be in his teens.

  The man at the counter greeted them warmly. “Mistress Jelana, welcome. Surely you have not worn out your dresses already?”

  Jelana shook her head. “No, no, Master Ardley. We are hosting this young woman and she is in need of a school uniform as well as a carpenter’s apprentice sash.”

  Master Ardley nodded and sized Adesina up. He reached under the counter and pulled out a length of thick white string with regularly spaced black marks. The brown-haired young man put aside his sewing and went to stand by the elderly man. As Adesina was measured, Master Ardley would state the numbers and the young man would write them down.

  It took only a few minutes, and then the man gestured impatiently to his apprentice. The young man hurried to sort through the shelves of pre-made clothing. He returned with two dresses and matching aprons identical to the ones Gainor and the others had worn. Master Ardley took them as his apprentice hurried off again. With dexterity that belied his aged hands, Master Ardley began hemming the sleeves and skirts of the dresses.

  The apprentice returned with several pairs of brown stockings and a dark blue sash with a white circle on the shoulder. When he had deposited these items on the counter, he silently went back to his sewing.

  Master Ardley finished his hemming in remarkable time. He folded each article of clothing neatly and wrapped it all in brown paper. When Jelana began pulling out her purse, he held up a weathered hand.

  “My wife has been admiring Mistress Eda’s new rocking chair.”

  Jelana smiled. “Of course. I will tell Hass to deliver one to your home.”

  She and Adesina gathered up the packages and bid Master Ardley a good day. Ravi shadowed them to their next stop, which was at the cobbler’s, and waited just outside his door as well.

  It was very much the same by way of conversation. The cobbler, probably only in his early thirties, measured Adesina’s feet and came back with a pair of very sensible brown lady’s boots. He accepted payment with a lifeless, but extremely polite, smile.

  After they had finished making their purchases, Jelana strolled through the Square, showing Adesina around. Most merchants had kiosks set up in the center of the Square, while most artisans ran the shops that made up the border. There were, of course, exceptions. Jelana pointed out a large shop with a lavish display in the window.

  “That is Master Lindell’s spice shop. He is Deasa’s father. He is the most prominent merchant in the High City. Although, he deals quite a bit with Outsiders,” she said in a slightly distasteful voice, as if to indicate that this last fact lessened his prestige.

  Adesina looked at the vivid window display and smiled quietly to herself. It seemed a bit bold to have such a display in a city such as this. Jelana averted her eyes as if it were indecent. She sighed and admitted, “The quality of Master Lindell’s spices is much higher than any other merchant’s in the city. And his prices are quite reasonable.”

  They walked a bit further and Jelana pointed out the shops that they passed. “This is my brother’s cooper shop. This is the wainwright’s shop. This is a floral shop.”

  They passed by an understated little shop without comment. Adesina could tell by the window display that it was an apothecary shop, but Jelana acted as if it weren’t there.

  She slowed her pace. “What shop is this?”

  Jelana reluctantly turned her eyes to the sign above the door. “That is Mistress Faryl’s apothecary shop.”

  Adesina took note of the emphasis with some confusion. She cast a quick glance at Ravi, but he offered no explanation. Jelana merely shook her head and walked on. “It was her uncle’s shop while he lived. Oh, if he could see it now. An apothecary shop run by a woman.”

  The young Shimat had to stifle a laugh. She could imagine the look of well-bred horror on Jelana’s face if she were ever to discover Adesina’s true identity. A woman warrior. Ravi shared her amusement, and gave her a warm smile.

  She fixed an uncertain expression on her face and looked at Jelana with mournful eyes. “Is it improper for me to apprentice a carpenter?”

  The older woman hesitated apologetically before answering. “Well, dear…no…because you are an Outsider, and were not taught as we are. Of course, if you were to marry quickly you would not need to work. That would be ideal, but no one will fault you for apprenticing in the meantime.”

  Jelana quickly moved on. They next came to a blacksmith’s shop and, as before, Ravi seated himself outside. The door was wide open, and the heat from within issued out. A sharp methodical ringing could be heard from the back of the shop. Jelana looked uncomfortable as she stepped through the door. She half turned and said to Adesina quietly, “Hass is usually the one to come here for our needs. However, that task falls on me today.”

  The front room of the shop was attended by a boy in his early teens. He had a mop of dirty blonde hair and large brown eyes. He was of medium height and wiry build, and he wore a dark blue sash with a brown circle on the shoulder. All of his clothing bore scorch marks, and his stance was hesitant. He looked up at them and stopped dead in his tracks, his eyes fixed on Adesina.

  There they stood for several uncertain moments before Jelana cleared her throat delicately. “Good afternoon, Horas.”

  Horas gave a slight jump and looked at Jelana blankly. “Good afternoon, Mistress Jelana.”

  Several more awkward moments followed as Horas turned his eyes back to Adesina. The young woman met his dazed expression coolly, but was a bit puzzled inside. Was this boy so unaccustomed to Outsiders?

  Jelana cleared her throat again. “Horas? We are here to pick up my husband’s order.”

  Horas started out of his bewilderment and hurried about the shop with strange twitchy movements. “Yes, Mistress Jelana.”

  In his haste he began knocking things over. The ringing in the back of the shop ceased and the connecting door was darkened by a large muscled figure. The man had a shock of dark hair, a thick beard, and earnest blue eyes. His facial features were blunt and strangely gentle—quite a contrast to his intimidating build. He seemed to take in the situation with a glance.

  “Good afternoon, Mistress Jelana,” he said, his eyes lingering on Adesina.

  Jelana smiled bravely. “Good afternoon, Master Quinlan.”

  Quinlan ambled into the room, tugging on the edge of his leather apron. “I do not believe I know your young friend.”

  Horas stopped his frantic attempts to fix the mayhem he had caused and listened intently for the older woman’s answer. “This is Adrie. She hails from the Northern Tribes. Our family is hosting her for the duration of her stay in the High City.”

  Quinlan nodded thoughtfully. “I spent some time up north. They are good people. Very hospitable.” He then switched to one of the northern dialects. “Jeex mihe?”

  He was asking if she was from a specific group of tribes. Adesina shook her head. Her
proclaimed tribe was from farther west, therefore, her response was in a different dialect. “Peng vur zhe.”

  Quinlan looked surprised at this disparaging reply. “Do you not think well of the Quehe?”

  Adesina raised an eyebrow and looked dismissive. Her assumed tribe did not like the Quehe at all. “They serve their purpose.”

  Quinlan nodded again and turned his eyes to his apprentice, who was still frozen in place. “Pick up your feet, Horas. Fetch Mistress Jelana’s order and then clean up this mess.”

  Horas flushed crimson and stumbled to do as he was told. He retrieved a fat leather folder and set it on the counter in front of Jelana. By the way it jingled, Adesina assumed it was full of nails. Quinlan gestured to the folder and then to the parcels in Adesina’s arms. “Will you need any assistance in carrying your packages home?”

  Jelana paused for a moment before shaking her head slowly. “No, thank you, Master Quinlan.”

  Both Horas and Quinlan looked a bit disappointed. As Jelana gathered up the folder, the blacksmith began tugging on the edge of his leather apron again. “This order should settle my account with your husband, Mistress Jelana. Please thank him again for the cabinet.”

  “Of course,” she smiled.

  Both man and boy ducked their heads politely as their customers turned to leave. Adesina followed Jelana and they passed back into the street. The sun was now setting quickly, and the older woman looked anxious. “Fia will probably already be home from school. I must hurry or supper will not be ready by the time Hass returns.”

  As they hurried through the Square and back towards the residential area, Jelana threw Adesina a sideways glance. “Master Quinlan is a good, honest worker. He is well respected throughout the High City…and he is unmarried.”

  A deep laugh rumbled in Ravi’s chest, and Adesina felt her face flush slightly. She could hardly believe her ears. “Mistress Jelana!”

  The woman patted her shoulder in an attempt to reassure her. “I know you are young, Adrie, but it never hurts to be mindful of future options. He seemed to be quite taken with you.”

  When Adesina didn’t reply, she went on. “Women of the High City are expected to marry young and start their families as soon as possible. Is that not how it is in the north?”

  The Shimat nodded reluctantly. She knew that if her stay in the High City ended up to be long term she would have to deal with this issue. However, she had not anticipated having to address it so soon.

  Jelana could see that Adesina was uncomfortable and tried to shrug indifferently. “I would not dream of rushing you into such an important decision. That being said, remember that marrying a citizen of the High City makes you one as well. You could belong here, Adrie. And after wandering for so long, that must be a welcome thought.”

  Jelana then changed the subject and began asking about Adesina’s domestic skills. She seemed relieved to find that Adesina knew how to cook, clean and sew.

  “I am glad to hear that, dear. You would not believe some of the young women one comes across in the outside. Not a single skill to their name.”

  Fia was waiting for them, playing quietly in the yard. She gave Adesina a shy smile before running to open the door for them. Jelana immediately began bustling about the main room. “Adrie, take your things up to your room and then come help me prepare supper.”

  She ducked her head meekly. “Yes, Mistress Jelana.”

  Adesina’s years of living under strict Shimat codes would not allow her to simply dump the packages on the bed. She put each item away carefully and then hurried downstairs. Jelana was scrubbing potatoes when she appeared. She indicated to the knife and cutting board next to her. “Adrie, would you slice these potatoes?”

  Adesina went about her task silently, as did Jelana. Fia stirred the mixing bowl solemnly, taking her grown-up assignment very seriously. As usual, Ravi seated himself out of the way, but where he could keep an eye on Adesina. The finishing touches were just being completed when Hass walked through the door. He greeted his wife with a peck on the cheek and patted Fia’s head.

  Supper was laid out with unfailing precision, with all the bowls placed in front of Hass. They all took their places and began their meal. He filled the first plate and handed it to his wife, next Adesina was served, then Fia, and finally himself. They ate in complete silence. It wasn’t until Jelana began clearing plates that Hass spoke.

  “How was your first day in the High City, Adrie?”

  Adesina looked mildly surprised at being addressed. “It went well. Mistress Jelana took me into the Square to buy some clothes for tomorrow.”

  Hass nodded amiably. “Well, you should probably get to bed early tonight. You have a big day ahead of you.”

  She hesitated before standing. “Mistress Jelana, do you need any assistance with the dishes?”

  Jelana smiled and shook her head. “Oh, no, Adrie. You go get some rest.”

  She was handed a small lamp to take to her room with her. Adesina walked quietly up the stairs and down the hall to her room. She opened the door to let Ravi in first, and then closed the door securely behind them. After setting down the lamp, she moved behind the painted screen to change into her nightclothes.

  “What do you think of the High City?” asked Ravi as he settled down for the night.

  She sighed. “It is very orderly.”

  He chuckled softly. “Yes, it is.”

  Adesina stepped out, wearing a cream-colored muslin shift. She folded her clothes neatly and placed them in the trunk. Her tightly braided hair was unpinned and shaken loose, falling into thick waves. Adesina briskly ran a brush through it, ignoring the way it glinted in the lamplight.

  Ravi watched this process with a thoughtful expression on his face. He did not speak until Adesina blew out the lamp and climbed into bed.

  “Are you troubled, Ma’eve?”

  Adesina sighed and pulled the quilt up under her chin. “No more than usual,” she muttered softly.

  Ravi sat up on his back legs and faced her, a strange shadow in the darkened room. His golden eyes glowed faintly in the dim moonlight, and his deep voice rumbled gently. “Speak more of these troubles.”

  For several moments, Adesina considered brushing off her words as nothing. But slowly, almost involuntarily, she answered. “At the end of each day I feel a vague sort of discontentment. I have felt it since I was young.”

  “Why do you think that is?”

  Adesina shrugged, and even though the room was dark, the motion was easily discerned by Ravi’s sharp eyes. “I do not know. I have never understood.”

  “Are you unhappy?”

  This question caught her off guard. “I do not believe so. I always associated it with some sort of self-dissatisfaction.”

  There was a meditative pause. “What did you do in your youth to dispel such feelings?”

  A grim smile spread across Adesina’s face. “I would resolve to work even harder the following day.”

  “And what of when you could work no harder?”

  She glared at the ceiling. “One can always work harder.”

  She heard the soft sounds of Ravi settling back down. “So, what will you do in this instance?”

  Once again Adesina felt uncertain as to how to respond. “I do not know.”

  Ravi dropped his head onto his paws. “Do not worry, Ma’eve. Tomorrow will dawn, and you will be shown your path.”

  Adesina didn’t feel very comforted, but said nothing. The sound of Ravi’s humming gently lulled her into a dreamless sleep.

  Chapter Nine: Education, Old and New

  Adesina rose long before the morning dawned. She reviewed the papers she had already memorized, careful to make sure that she was not forgetting any small details. Ravi watched impassively as Adesina created a strange sort of morning routine. She grouped together a series of exercises that would keep her physically up to Shimat standards, which were done silently and thoroughly. Adesina also practiced her weaponry, but she wasn’t sure how
helpful it would be without a partner to challenge her.

  When the morning sky began to lighten, Adesina hid away all traces of her other life and began preparing for the day. She washed her face and then confronted the arduous task of figuring out her new High City clothing.

  There was no clear way to get into the simple brown dress. Every seam was stitched up tight, and there was no sign of buttons or ties. Adesina stood in her underclothing, staring at the dress like a frustrating puzzle.

  A soft knock sounded at the door and Jelana appeared. “Adrie, it is time to awake…oh! You are an early riser. That is good.”

  Adesina’s irritation must have shown on her face, because Jelana gave her a sympathetic smile and walked over to the bed. Ravi flicked his tail out of the way just in time to save it from being trodden upon. Jelana picked up the dress and showed Adesina how to put it on. Adesina also allowed her to assist with the matching apron.

  “This apron will be worn as long as you are in school. On the days you apprentice with Hass, however, you need not wear it. On those days you will wear the apprentice sash.”

  Adesina nodded and shifted her feet experimentally. She felt a bit stiff wearing so many layers of clothing. Jelana touched Adesina’s hair with a wistful look in her eyes. “I do not wish to tell you how to arrange your hair, but in the High City it is only appropriate for young girls to leave their hair down. A simple knot is most common among women, but at your age a braid is still acceptable.”

  Jelana smiled again and turned to walk out of the room. “Hurry down to breakfast. You do not want to be late on your first day.”

  Adesina plaited her long silver hair into a basic braid and then twisted it into a knot at the nape of her neck, where she pinned it in place. She sat on the trunk and pulled on her new boots. “Ravi, what are you going to do while I am at school?”

  “I will follow you. Do you expect me to stay here all day?”

  Adesina pursed her lips in exasperation. “I am not accustomed to being followed by a giant invisible cat. How am I supposed to know the protocol?”