by Sever Bronny
“I’m sure Nana will know what to do.” Augum pawed at the bowl, snatched a dried apricot, and popped it in his mouth.
“Can I at least slap her?” Leera asked.
Bridget gave her a disbelieving look.
Leera turned to Augum. “Come on, just once.”
He chuckled. “Only if I can do the same.”
“Augum Stone—”
“Uh-oh, she used your full name,” Leera whispered.
“I was kidding.” He shrugged. “Sorry, Lee. No slaps. Kicks, though—”
Bridget straightened.
“All right all right!” He sighed. “No kicks either …”
Leera pouted her lips. “Never get to have any fun!” She brightened almost immediately. “By the way, Aug, we heard everything you said, but we didn’t see how you actually did it. Want to tell us what happened?”
“The memories are kind of vague, but I’ll try.” He relayed what he remembered.
“… so we can move the orb,” Bridget muttered when he finished, tapping her chin. “That could really come in useful.”
“Warlocks have such neat toys,” Jengo said. “Just make sure it doesn’t roll over your foot. Gangrene sets in real quick on toes.”
Leera narrowed her eyes at him.
“What? It’s true.”
“Want to try looking through it?” Bridget asked.
“No way, I don’t want it to possess my soul or anything.”
“Are you sure you want to become a warlock?” Leera asked. “I think you’d make a better chandler.”
“Do I hear talk of candle making?” Mr. Goss said, returning from Jengo’s room, Mr. Okeke just behind.
“My honor is being maimed, Mr. Goss—they question my sincerity in becoming a warlock.”
“As long as it is in good fun,” Mr. Okeke said. “Humor is a great healer.”
Leera shook her head. “The Legion must be so angry. Not only did they fail to get the scion, but we got Haylee and the orb back.”
“And her,” Augum said, thumbing at Erika. “Maybe she can be useful somehow.” He gave Bridget an imploring look.
“No, we are not making her our slave,” Bridget said. “She’s not a puppy you can train.”
Leera raised a finger. “Ah ha—a leash! Perfect, Bridge!”
Bridget gave her a look.
“No leash? Ugh, I can’t live anymore.” Leera pretended to choke herself.
“Dramatic,” Bridget said tonelessly.
“That’s not what I meant,” Augum said. “Maybe Mrs. Stone can interrogate her or something. You know …” He grinned while making prodding and clipping motions.
“Augum Stone, I do believe you are getting to be as foul as—”
“—there’s that full name again,” Leera said, wagging her finger at him. “ ‘Augum Stone, if you don’t start behaving’—”
Leland moaned loudly, hands over his ears.
Bridget put him on her lap. “All right all right, we’ll stop.” She tickled him and he squealed.
Mr. Okeke glanced out the window. “I do not believe it …” He turned to them and smiled.
Everyone immediately scrambled for the door. Laughter ensued when the group got jammed in the doorframe, only to explode out into a pile of bodies.
Patches of dark red sky poked through quickly moving fluff. It had stopped snowing, though the wind was still shiver-inducing. It was only dusk, but if it continued like this, it meant the Star Feast was on!
The girls celebrated, but Augum had mixed feelings. He was looking forward to the feast yet dreaded seeing Leera dancing with Jengo.
“I shall go to the village and see what the elders say,” Mr. Okeke said, retrieving his coat before striding off. Everyone else piled back inside where the girls danced with each other, singing A Farmer’s Daughter and the Heir. Erika struggled feebly in the background. Mr. Goss stood beside her just in case, beaming and poking his nose, still forgetting he lacked spectacles.
When the song finished, Mr. Goss’ face creased with worry. “I am not entirely sure it would be a good idea for you lot to attend.” When the trio gave him horrified looks, he added, “Just in case you are recognized.”
“Mr. Goss, you must let us attend,” Leera pleaded. “Our spirits would be crushed, and we desperately need a bit of cheer in these hostile times.”
Deftly done, Augum thought. Even Bridget looked impressed.
Mr. Goss rubbed his chin. “I suppose it is important to keep one’s spirits up, and I do not recall hearing an objection from Mrs. Stone … Oh, all right.”
The girls hugged him. “Thank you, Mr. Goss!”
“Surprised Haylee hasn’t woken up,” Augum said as the dancing and singing resumed.
“It’s an arcane slumber,” Bridget said, ponytail swinging. “She’d sleep through Slam right now.”
“And how long will the blind and mute enchantments last on Erika?”
“Don’t know, but I doubt Mrs. Stone would have left her with us if she remained a danger.”
“Nice to have the orb back,” Leera said, letting Bridget go with a twirl. “But now we don’t have a way to spy on the Legion.”
Bridget collapsed onto a bench at the table. “Wouldn’t have done much good seeing as they knew we were watching.”
Leland got up and prodded her, moaning.
“I’m too tired, little one,” Bridget replied, blowing a strand of hair from her eyes, “you best find a new dance partner.”
Leland groped along the table, fumbling with the big blue tome. He moaned again.
“You want to continue studying?”
Leland nodded.
“Jengo, want to join us?”
And so Bridget gave a lesson on Telekinesis, demonstrating again and again the motion and concentration required. Unfortunately for Jengo and Leland, neither was able to move the cup Bridget had placed as their target—Jengo because he feared dying in a horrible explosion and Leland because he was far too young. Nonetheless, she indulged both like a patient schoolteacher.
Meanwhile, Leera practiced her 1st and 2nd degree on her own while Augum rested in one of the pine armchairs. He had had enough training for one day, and besides, he was feeling conflicted. On the one hand, he had saved Haylee, but on the other, Leera was going to the Star Feast with Jengo. It hurt his feelings she was going with someone else.
At last, Mr. Okeke returned, beaming. “I declare the Star Feast to commence this very late evening!”
Everyone released a shout of joy, Augum only half-heartedly so.
“And now we must work,” Mr. Okeke continued, “for there is much food to cook and prepare. I am afraid we are going to need all hands.”
Bridget and Leera were more than willing to help with chopping and cooking, while Augum volunteered to peel and boil the potatoes. As he slaved away, chin on one knee, he noticed Leera had been shooting him tentative sidelong looks. He turned his body and ignored her. If she was wondering how he felt about her going with Jengo, she needn’t bother.
Bridget gave him a pointed look as she handed him a wooden spoon for the potatoes. “Don’t forget.”
His brows rose. “Well I wasn’t going to use my hands.”
Bridget rolled her eyes and returned to mixing sauce for the chicken they were going to roast over the fire. Leera looked up from her job of cracking eggs Jengo had brought from the market. Augum saw a fleeting glimpse of hurt feelings there, before turning back to the potato pot. He gave it an angry stir. Why was she acting all hurt? Because he wasn’t dancing joyfully the she chose Jengo over him?
A knock came at the door. Mr. Okeke wiped his hands on a cloth and walked over, beaming. “I wonder who this could be …” He opened the door only a crack, no doubt to prevent someone seeing a tied-up person in a chair.
“… Panjita thinks it rude Mr. Okeke does not allow her and her daughter entry on such an important evening.”
Jengo suddenly scrambled out of the kitchen area for the door.
&n
bsp; “Quick,” Mr. Goss said to the trio, bolting over to Erika, “help me take her into Mr. Okeke’s room—”
They dragged the kicking woman, chair and all, into the other room while Mr. Okeke stalled Ms. Singh and her daughter at the door. Jengo hovered over his father’s shoulder, wringing his hands. Then they did the same for Haylee, who was much easier to carry. They placed her in Jengo’s room with Mrs. Stone, on some cushions on the floor.
“Does Mr. Okeke want to murder Panjita with this cold?” Augum heard Ms. Singh say as the trio scurried back to the table. Mr. Okeke glanced back to make sure everything was all right before opening the door.
“Now, Mother, please don’t forget to be kind,” Priya said under her breath as her mother hobbled past, her cane “accidentally” landing on Mr. Okeke’s foot.
“Please, um, this way,” Jengo said, nervously gesturing to the living area. “I’ll fetch some tea.”
“Ah, tea,” Ms. Singh said, “no doubt laced with some obscure Sierran poison to finish shivering Panjita off.”
Ms. Singh stopped in her tracks when she spotted the trio gawking from the table. They immediately stood to greet her. She straightened an elaborately embroidered rose-colored silken shawl while glaring at Augum and Leera through thick spectacles.
“Panjita should not be surprised to find the young villains in the Okeke home. Though if a certain boy should look upon a certain daughter, Panjita’s cane suffices as a wonderful weapon.”
Augum’s cheeks tingled. “How do you do, Ms. Singh,” he said amiably, eyes anywhere but near Priya.
“Panjita does it well, whatever it is the youngling refers to.”
Priya wore a long golden silk cloth wrapped around her waist and over one shoulder. A turquoise necklace hung around her neck. The jeweled studs in her lips and nose sparkled in the candlelight. Both women wore golden earrings and a great many golden bracelets.
Priya smiled at the trio, bowed her head slightly, and hovered by her mother, who had taken a seat on the settee, back rigid, cane on her lap.
“What honor brings Ms. Singh to my home?” Mr. Okeke asked. “I must apologize I am not yet dressed for the evening’s celebration.”
“Panjita believes Solian traditions are nothing short of superstition,” Ms. Singh began, sighing. “However, her daughter, who is adamant on sending her mother to an early grave, demanded Panjita’s acceptance. And so here Panjita and her daughter sit, in terrible agony of the question to come.”
Mr. Okeke looked to the trio, no doubt as confused as Augum. What question?
“Father, I have invited Ms. Singh and her daughter here because I …” Jengo stole a furtive glance at Leera.
Here it comes, Augum thought miserably, he was going to ask Leera to the Star Feast. Though what that had to do with Panjita and Priya he hadn’t the faintest idea.
Jengo cleared his throat for the third time. “Because I wish to ask … I wish to ask Ms. Singh for her daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Augum’s stomach did a cartwheel. His face grew so hot he thought it would melt. Leera was staring at him and all he wanted to do was smack his forehead with his palm. He had been such a daft, clueless, stupid fool …
Ms. Singh, however, had an altogether different reaction. She immediately began choking as if having swallowed a large bug.
Mr. Okeke was not doing any better. “—I forbid it!” he kept saying, flattening his hand and slicing the air with it. “I absolutely forbid it. You are not old enough, Jengo, nor is the girl Sierran!”
Priya, who took hold of her mother and helped her overcome the sudden attack, kept her soft eyes on Jengo.
“No, not now, I mean, when I turn sixteen of course!” Jengo sputtered. “When I’m a man grown!”
“Jengo, son, have you completely lost your mind?” Mr. Okeke said, fingers pressed to his temples, eyes closed.
“This is absolutely unacceptable,” Ms. Singh said, standing. “Panjita forbids her daughter to marry this … this young gangly demon. He is unfit, unworthy, unsuitable!”
Mr. Okeke straightened. “My son is hardly unfit, and it is Priya who is unsuitable—”
“How dare—”
Mr. Goss stepped in just as Ms. Singh began swinging her cane. “Now, Ms. Singh, please be reasonable—” but immediately took a whack to the stomach, buckling with a wheezing groan.
“Mother, stop! Now look what you’ve done!” Priya dove to Mr. Goss’ side.
The trio only gaped while Leland moaned, one hand holding Bridget’s.
There was another knock on the door. Mr. Okeke, who was giving his son a furious look, strode to get it.
“Uh, hello, Mr. Okeke … is … is Bridget there?” asked a husky voice.
“She is, now please excuse me.” He gave Bridget a perplexed look before continuing to berate his son.
Leera elbowed Bridget. “Is that …?”
Bridget stiffened, smoothed her robe, and strode over to the door, leaving Augum to stand awkwardly beside Leera.
Meanwhile, a scuffling noise came from the other room.
“Panjita demands to know what that infernal racket is! Do the Okeke’s raise animals in their home like common peasants?”
“Now, Ms. Singh, you’re just hearing things,” Jengo said as politely as possible, while Priya waved at him not to say things like that.
“How dare the sun-blackened stilt walker insult Panjita!”
“Mother—”
“Jengo, I’m sorry about what happened between us,” Chaska said, stepping through the doorway. He wore a finely woven royal blue tunic fringed with gold, and white-knuckled a bouquet of pine branches neatly tied with red and gold ribbon.
Jengo gave him a bewildered look while dodging Ms. Singh’s cane.
“Oh, no, these are for Bridget.” Chaska’s hands trembled as he extended the bouquet to her.
“Thank you,” Bridget mumbled, giving a small curtsy, blushing cherry red. She took the branches. “Just, uh … ignore the, uh …”
Augum had never seen Bridget tongue tied and couldn’t resist exchanging a look with Leera.
“I’ll just put these away,” Bridget said quickly, setting the branches into a jar while the kerfuffle behind continued unabated.
“No one’s given her flowers before,” Leera whispered to Augum. “Or whatever you call … that.”
“Branches?” he asked.
They snorted a laugh together. When Chaska looked over, they pretended to be busy with the commotion. Soon as Chaska returned his attention to Bridget, Augum thought to take his chance.
He leaned into Leera’s ear. “Will you go to the Star Feast with me?” desperately hoping she would say yes.
She gaped at him a moment, reared back, and clocked him in the shoulder. “What took you so long!”
“What! I thought you were going with Jengo! After all, what about that secret conversation you had with him at the table?”
“That? He told me he was going to ask Priya to the Star Feast—”
“Oh … so … are you going to come with me or—?”
“You can be such a … Ugh, of course it means I’ll go with you, I’m just so mad at you right now!” but her eyes sparkled and there was an upward twist to the corner of her lips. In that moment, Augum was the happiest he had ever been. For the first time ever, he actually asked a girl to go to the Star Feast with him—and she said yes! Well, kind of—she did punch him—hard—in the shoulder, but he knew what she meant, and besides, that’s just who she was.
He was so full of joy it didn’t even bother him to see Ms. Singh barrel into Mr. Okeke’s room on sheer stubbornness, dragging everyone along with her, shouting, “Panjita demands to know why there is a woman tied up in a chair! What kind of demon house is this!”
The Star Feast
It took a grumpy Mrs. Stone, having been unable to sleep through the chaos, to explain why a woman sat tied to a chair in Mr. Okeke’s room. She tersely told Chaska, Priya and Ms. Singh that the woman in question wa
s part of the Legion, and if loosed, would bring destruction to the entire village and everyone in it.
Muted introductions only came later, and although Ms. Singh initially expressed skepticism this was the Anna Atticus Stone, she fell quiet after seeing her cane float to the ceiling for trying to give Mr. Goss a final whack (for good measure of course).
When Mr. Okeke began yelling at his son anew, he found himself muted much like Erika, albeit for a short time, only so that Mrs. Stone could get a word in edgewise.
Mrs. Stone eventually succeeded in herding everyone to sit at the table, Chaska included. She stood at its head, glaring at everyone in turn, staff in hand. “I daresay some in this room have taken leave of their senses. I hope we can continue this discussion in a civil manner befitting our ages.”
“Panjita thinks this most unusual, and to be treated like a child is—”
“Ms. Singh,” Mrs. Stone began, flexing her jaw, “let us speak on the subject at hand. Now as I understand it, neither you nor Mr. Okeke approve of the marriage of this girl to this boy. Is that not true?”
“I forbid it—” Mr. Okeke said.
“It is simply out of the question—” Ms. Singh said at the same time.
“And am I correct in understanding that Jengo and Priya are both under the age of sixteen?”
Jengo and Priya both cast their eyes down as Mr. Okeke and Ms. Singh crowed in agreement, gesticulating to accent the point.
“Now, Jengo, what would stop you from marrying Priya when you do turn of age?”
Jengo looked up suddenly then stared into Priya’s worried eyes. “Nothing, nothing in all of Solia. We’ll run away together if we have to, we’ve already talked about it—”
Mrs. Stone raised a hand to silence Mr. Okeke and Ms. Singh’s protestations. “And Priya, what would stop you—”
“—nothing in all of Sithesia!” Priya said, face flushed.
There was a marked silence as Mr. Okeke and Ms. Singh briefly exchanged a look. Mrs. Stone watched them a moment before continuing. “Is it worth losing your son and daughter to prevent their obvious love for each other, a love that, as it seems to me, shall continue regardless of your disapproval?”
Mr. Okeke cleared his throat and looked upon his son, sitting quietly, a great hope in his eyes. “Although I am not comfortable with the arrangement … perhaps, in time, I will learn to …” The man swallowed. “… to appreciate your choice, Son.”
