by Brett Vonsik
“Rogaan...” Pax’s tone carried a sardonic ring. “Remember me…and what we be doin’?” Rogaan blinked -- twice -- before realizing Pax stood before him with arms crossed. Rogaan suddenly felt warm, even hot in the face. Pax’s smile broadened. “Thinkin’ of me sister, again, ya be? Ya be seein’ her soon enough.”
“What?” Rogaan looked at Pax with a slung-open mouth as his entire body suddenly felt uncomfortably warm, and a shiver ran down his spine.
“Suhd be seein’ us off,” Pax smiled a toothy grin.
Panic seized Rogaan and his throat tightened, threatening to keep the breath from him. He was conflicted of his desire to see her beautiful eyes and smile, and in dreadful fear of talking to her in the company of others and likely making a fool of himself.
“Hurry before she shows!” he managed to cough out to Pax, in his desperation to avoid Suhd. He set off in a run–slipping and sliding on the damp paving stones as he went.
“What be wrong?” Pax asked innocently, after catching Rogaan and easily keeping pace with him at a run. “Ya like Suhd.”
Rogaan briefly considered lying to Pax, telling him he thought of him as a brother and Suhd a sister, and no more, but he could not bring himself to it. It would be such an obvious lie. Instead, with a gasping voice, he answered honestly. “Pax...I speak stupid when Suhd is about. I cannot do this...not with others…not today.”
“Then, fast we run,” Pax urged with a thoughtful smile. “She was to leave soon after me.”
With a surge of worry, Rogaan broke into a sprint, with Pax keeping pace at his side. Rogaan hoped Suhd had taken care of errands before heading for the meat house. He did not need or want this, not today. Not today. The distance to the place of the Talk was less than two hundred strides from his house, but for some reason it felt much farther to Rogaan now that he raced Suhd. Not a particularly fast runner, Rogaan cursed his tellen heritage in between gasps for air for his slow sprinting abilities.
They ran onto the road at the north side of town, Perimeter Road. It surrounded all of Brigum’s houses and markets, except for the upper and lower farming fields and Coiners Quarter, with their large houses and expensive ways, across the bridges on the east of town. Rogaan lost his feet when turning left toward the meat house, now some fifty strides away. Sliding and stumbling and almost falling, Rogaan righted himself before making a fool of himself in a tumble. Ahead, hunters gathered in front of a two-story, pitched-slate-roofed stone building that was his destination. Hunters, old and young, in various dress of browns, tans, and charcoal garb, mingled in small groups and with family and friends. Many were dressed in worn or tattered work clothes, while some wore their festival best, though all milled about with their sons or husbands before sending them off into the Wilds. On the far side of the crowd, several baraans towered over all others. They were dressed in the traditional red-brown eur armor of the Kiuri’Ner and arrogantly pushed their way through the people on their way to the meat house. Rogaan’s hopes rose…no Suhd. Just as Rogaan started to slow his pace with a sense of relief, Suhd caught his eyes. She stood near the entrance of the building with her waist-length black hair and yellow knee-length dress flowing gently in the gentle morning breeze. Rogaan’s heart started to race, both at the pleasing sight of her and at the terror welling up within him. Her almost matching wide-brimmed sun hat blocked enough of the rising sun to allow her to catch sight of Rogaan and Pax’s coming. He wanted to see her, even talk to her, touch her gentle hands -- but how was he going to do so without being seen as a fool by everyone around?
“What be wrong?” Pax asked sincerely, now standing ahead of Rogaan.
Rogaan realized with surprise that his feet were barely moving, less than a leisurely walk, and he was a bit short of breath -- not so much from running as he was able to run long distances without tiring…much, though not as fast as he wished. Rather, the tightness in his chest and the uncomfortable prickling welling up in his gut was from fear of the anticipated talk with Suhd in front of so many people, some of which did not think of him or his family kindly.
“Nothin’ ta worry,” Pax spoke playfully. “Suhd has eyes for ya. Stop thinkin’ words, and talk ta her.”
“You do not understand,” Rogaan managed to choke out. “She is so beautiful…and has wits…and is kind.” Rogaan’s eyes remained fixed on Suhd. He did not want to look anywhere else. She was all he wanted…all he needed. Her beauty held him firm, from the thin strap sandals on her slender feet and legs to her slender, yet curvy body that her yellow dress embraced, to her slender face and that perky nose and those deep blue eyes, and her long black hair. Rogaan was awestruck. She was perfect. “What could she wish to say to me? What do I say?”
“Ya not be sayin’ much.” Pax jerked his head to the crowd beyond Suhd. “Ol’ puffy chest be makin’ way through da crowd.”
Rogaan scanned the crowd and quickly found Kantus, with his three-member Band, arrogantly pushing their way through the crowd. The knots in Rogaan’s guts immediately started aching. The one person he wanted most to avoid was making his way toward Suhd. Rogaan did not fear that Kantus had true feelings for Suhd, but his attempts at courting her tormented him. Kantus seemed to enjoy giving him that torment, or at least Rogaan’s reaction to it.
“What wrong have I done to him?”
Pax shrugged and grunted. “Nothin’, but for him nothin’ is all be needed.”
“Well,” Rogaan reluctantly forced his words out with a long exhale. “Let us be done with this.” Jaw set, Rogaan quickened his pace to get to Suhd before Kantus did. Kantus too quickened his pace, and snuck up behind Suhd, placing his hands over her eyes with a whisper in her ear, before Rogaan or Pax could reach her. Rogaan held his breath as his gut-ache twisted while an unpleasant feeling welled up in him...anger…jealousy. He did not know which was more powerful, maybe both, but he pushed on to rescue Suhd from Kantus’ advances. At Rogaan’s approach, Suhd smiled simply before gracefully twirling out of Kantus’ grasp. Rogaan came to a halt less than four paces away.
“Ya know I not be one of those youngling lasses,” Suhd said playfully, but edged with a serious tone. “And that ya hold little interest to me, Kantus.” Suhd shot a quick glance at Rogaan, then at Pax.
“Maybe you are and don’t wish to admit it,” Kantus countered gruffly and sarcastically as he tossed Rogaan an arrogant and overconfident look.
“Kantus!” Pax spoke boldly and with more forcefulness than Rogaan expected. “Leave me sister alone. Ya be no wanted here.”
“I’m wanted everywhere, Pax,” Kantus boasted with arms outstretched. “Who can resist me? Not your sister.” Kantus’ eyes shot quickly from Pax to Rogaan then back to Pax. A deeper smile, no…a smirk…grew on his face.
Rogaan took in everything: from Suhd’s disapproving scowl directed at Kantus, to her light scent of wildflowers, likely from scented oil; to Pax standing tall with chest out, hoping to make his slender build more intimidating than it really was; to Kantus’ casual disregard of Pax, and Kantus’ three bandsmen spreading out to surround them. This was already not going well. Almost as tall as the average baraan, Kantus stood just short of even with Rogaan, but was leaner, though not by much, despite the bulk of the new brown hunter’s suit he wore. Pax stood taller than both, by half a hand, but his slim frame made him less impressive to the eye, especially with his tattered and heavily patched dark pants and well-worn gray tunic. Kantus’ three strong-arms wore less impressive attire than their “master.” Jantaa, dark-haired and the smallest of them, wore simple work clothes” shirt, breeches, and ankle-high sandals. Urhug was as round in face as he was in body, with oily brown hair that seemed to stick to his head. He wore a green tunic, likely because he tended to rip out the seams of any pants he put on, and low brown boots. Harrod, the biggest of them–as tall as Pax, and wider–with his light-brown hair and struggling beard, wore greenish hide-padded armor over his tunic and breeches. His dark hide boots came up almost to his knees and looked new. All of them
wore shoulder packs in various states of repair.
By themselves, Rogaan suspected that only Harrod could show himself well enough in a scuffle, maybe even challenge Kantus for the top spot. But together, they presented a problem for Pax and Rogaan. Past scuffles with Kantus and his Band told Rogaan that Pax was no match for “ol’ puffy chest” without help, though he admired his friend’s boldness in defending his sister’s honor. After his bandsmen flanked them, Kantus quickly closed on Pax while holding him with an intense, intimidating stare from his mean green eyes, just daring Pax to swing. Kantus’ round, close-bearded face with its wide nose looked dark and angry as he eyed Pax. Pax’s thin hairless face and sharp features, stood in contrast with Kantus’, wore a hint of fear.
“What do you think you’re doing here?” Kantus snidely demanded of Pax, while using every bit of his straining body and stitch of his hunter’s suit to appear large and intimidating. His suit looked somewhat like the protective Kiuri’Ner eur armor, with shoulder pads, a chest pad, layered hip and thigh guards, a wide black belt without the Kiuri’Ner rank sash, and calf-high strapped sandals, all of tanniyn hide. It matched the brown color of his combed shoulder-length hair, and appeared never worn before today. Likely another benefit of being the son of Brigum’s Council Leader, the Dubsa’Sauru’Saar. Favored with both coin and associations through his father, Kantus got much of anything he desired. Rogaan struggled with holding back his deep disgust at Kantus’ selfishness and use of his station, while envying his fortune. Pax stood in complete contrast to Kantus. He had on those tattered and patched clothes, a small bottom pack to hold his traveling items, and a wide-brimmed hat of dark gray that had seen better days long ago, hanging on his back and secured by a string about his neck. Kantus clearly was the more confident of the two, and for good reason...he had the backing of his Band against Rogaan and Pax.
Despite the numbers, Rogaan felt strangely calm, except for his growing urge to pound Kantus into the dirt. His promise to his father that he would not scuffle, again, after that messy incident with Kantus at the town’s Harvest Festival not a year ago, was all that held him back…mostly. It did not matter that Kantus started the brawl -- or more accurately, had one of his Band start it. That fight quickly got out of control and a mess made, with the whole town watching as the six of them were hauled off before the town’s Keeper of the Me for judgment and punishment. Kantus received only chores in the lower fields for a short season as punishment for his part. Kantus’ Band, Pax, and Rogaan all received the cane in addition to those same chores. Justice was not equally handed out, and that sat badly with Rogaan. Scars on his back long since had healed. Rogaan always was a fast healer, but Pax wore the marks still and his anger never lessened from it and at the injustice handed out. Rogaan’s father tried his best to explain to him why Kantus was treated differently, regardless of how unfair it appeared to him. No matter how his father explained it, Rogaan still felt the injustice, as Pax did. A bitter tasting drink to swallow every day.
So started the feud, with Rogaan and Pax mostly on the receiving end of things. Even their families became entangled in the feud, with the Dubsa’Sauru’Saar making town business dealings more difficult for his father. Rogaan never once heard his father complain of it. He just made Rogaan promise not to scuffle again with Kantus. Rogaan did not understand it all then, and still did not now…why the favoritism to certain citizens? But he did his best to honor his father’s wishes, despite Kantus pushing at him in every way thinkable since. So, things were as they had been for almost a year: Kantus acting as if he could do anything he wanted and get away with it, and Rogaan struggling against his urges. At least Pax seemed to feel unrestrained, but Rogaan feared that his friend would prove no match for Kantus, little alone the entire Band. As things unfolded before him, a growing fear welled up within that he would not have a choice in breaking his promise to his father to keep his friend from harm.
When it looked as if Pax was not going to succumb to Kantus’ intimidations, Kantus whispered something at Pax too softly for Rogaan to hear, all the while glancing at Suhd. Pax fumed as anger stiffened his posture.
“Kantus!” Rogaan fought his welling anger, and he feared he was losing. Insults at him or Pax could be tolerable, but spoiling Suhd’s honor was too much. Too much! “Did not your family teach you to behave properly? Or have you bought favors so long that you have forgotten manners?” Kantus’ Band stood impatient, waiting for their leader to give them the signal to attack. Rogaan smiled while deliberately staring each of them down in turn. Rogaan had held his tongue and his anger. He was…pleased with himself. “Courage, too, seems lost on you.”
Kantus’ face darkened with anger as his gloved fists balled tightly. Kantus glanced at his Band, then back at Rogaan. He appeared confident, for those not knowing him well, but Rogaan saw something in Kantus’ eyes he did not expect...uncertainty. Confidence grew and rippled through Rogaan. Two against four. Outnumbered. Nothing had changed. Rogaan did not care about the odds as he readied himself for their assault. It was time for this fight…for her honor.
“Younglins,” Suhd scolded as she wedged herself between Pax and Kantus then pushed them apart with an effort. She shot Rogaan a glance that could have chilled a wyrmm. “No fightin’. Not here. Not today.” She turned her determined blue gaze on her brother, holding his eyes for several moments before Pax backed down, reluctantly.
“Saved by little one,” Kantus taunted Pax over Suhd’s hat. It almost came to his chin. A flash of relief showed on Kantus’ face before regaining its usual smugness.
“And you...son of Dubsa’Sauru’Saar,” Suhd said slowly, pronouncing her words carefully. Being the youngest among everyone, her scolding was out of place yet accentuated as she craned her neck to stare up defiantly at Kantus. “What a good example you be for little ones?”
Kantus took pause at Suhd’s words then looked with thoughts to strike her as contempt contorted his face. A surge of prickles racked Rogaan’s body, giving him the shakes. He suddenly felt deeply unsettled, atop his bristling concern for Suhd and anger at Kantus. His vision blurred then sharpened so finely that he thought he could see the whiskers and sweat on Kantus’ face. Rogaan felt light-headed, his stomach near sicking-up, and the hairs on his nape bristled until they became painful. Everything around him stood out vibrantly while seeming to move slower than expected. Staring at Suhd and Kantus, Rogaan felt confused and disoriented and did not know why. He shook his head trying to clear the feeling of being distant and somehow separated from his surroundings. His head shaking helped a little. He tried again, but could not rid himself of the feeling that he was watching a dream. Slowly, unnaturally so, Kantus stepped closer to Suhd, his intent unknown. Rogaan resolved himself to protect Suhd no matter the consequences or his condition. Surely, Father will understand.
“Well,” Lady Eriskla’s flirtatious voice chimed, drawing everyone’s attention. She wore a fine dress of blue that clung to her slim figure as she approached. Lace trimmed her high neckline, elbows, and hem, complementing the pearl buttons gracing the front of her dress. The younglings of the Band stood staring at her with stunned, even dumb looks, not knowing how to respond. With a few graceful steps around several of the Band, she settled herself into the middle of them, next to Suhd. “What a lovely dress you are wearing, Suhd. And you Kantus, you look so dashing in that hunter’s outfit. Did your father have it made for you for this season’s hunts?” Lady Eriskla, daughter to House Isin, stood no taller than Suhd, yet her presence overwhelmed everyone and seamed somehow to compel all eyes to pay her attention. Her blue ankle-high, tanned hide sandals danced over the paving stones as she wove her way around the four of them lightly touching each on their chins or shoulders while gazing directly at their faces with unblinking green eyes outlined in black. A trail of flower scent followed her, filling their senses as she glided about. Lady Eriskla’s yellow mid-back hair swayed gracefully under a blue sunhat decorated with red and yellow flower petals. Jewels of blue, r
ed, and yellow sparkled from her necklace and several rings on each hand. Attractive lines betraying her age creased her brown face at the edges. She looked every bit a sister to Rogaan’s own mother, though a little older.
All things returned to normal for Rogaan. Everyone moved normally, his dizziness faded, and his stomach grumbled, but he no longer felt sick or slow of wit or confused. He certainly disliked how he had felt a few moments ago, and wished never to feel that way again.
Rogaan returned his attention to those before him, noticing Kantus stood taken aback, his mouth slung open. He seemed unprepared for someone interfering with his enjoyment of a good taunt. He gathered himself and composed his face in a mask of sternness before he spoke. “Ah...well...yes…Lady Eriskla.” Kantus fumbled his words, causing his cheeks to darken and his eyes to grow angrier. “He commissioned its making from a famed armor-maker in Farratum. It’s of the finest tanniyn and will wear well.”
