Season of Hytalia

by Jennifer Arntson

  What are you…? Just kiss her!

  She reached up and tugged the end of his beard, closing the distance between his lips and hers.

  I’d never seen him blush until that moment.

  His horse nuzzled him from behind—a move no doubt inspired by Paw’s impatience. My brother swung himself into the saddle with little effort, his whole world held captive by the girl standing in front of him.

  * * *

  My house became the newly assigned destination for our team. It seemed like the perfect spot to take refuge for the night. The property was somewhat fortified, and we knew we’d be welcomed and allowed a few creature comforts, like potable water and a fire to help dry our clothes. We’d be able to safely corral the horses in Rebel’s pasture and, if need be, set up tents in an inconspicuous area. I tried to assure them that my mother would make room for us in our little house, but the idea seemed to make Lark a bit uncomfortable since they weren’t expecting our arrival. For some families, I’m sure that unexpected guests would be seen as a burden, but they didn’t know mine. As accepting as my parents were, I knew it would not be an issue.

  We reached the crooked tree that marked our road as the last bit of light gave up its fight against the storm clouds.

  “We’re going to have to set up camp,” Lark feared while studying the sky.

  “My house is not far, I swear.”

  Knowing he wouldn’t grant me much more leniency, I kicked Rebel’s sides to pick up the pace. As if he wanted to get home as much as I did, he trotted along the road, kicking up mud in his excitement.

  “There it is.” I slowed him up, signaling to the other riders that we’d arrived. The wooden bridge lay in the distance, and the Nobu fence, now repaired, stood in its rightful place. Sheets of rain obscured the house, making the yard appear vacant. My parents most likely were waiting out the storm next to the fire with a warm bowl of soup and a heavy blanket. Being home felt wonderful even if I couldn’t figure out a way over the gulch.

  The cascading rain drowned out my attempt to call for my father, so I picked up a rock and threw it at the house. As I wasn’t especially athletic, it didn’t even make it a third of the way across the lot.

  “Here, let me,” Trisk teased, pulling out a sling.

  I handed her a stone. With no trouble at all, she aimed for the house, landing it dead center of the front door. Quite impressive. When the door didn’t open right away, she picked another.

  “Do you want to try?” She offered me her weapon.

  “Nah.” I wrinkled my nose. “I might launch the sling by accident.”

  She concurred, sending a second rock with the accuracy of the first.

  I gathered more ammunition as the front door opened and my father peeked out. By the hesitation of his movements, I’m certain he questioned our presence.

  “Father!” I shouted, pushing the hood of my cloak behind me.

  He ducked down, squinting through the rain. “Una?”

  I jumped up and down, waving. “Father!”

  He turned back to the house, apparently telling my mother I came home. He ran out into the field, my mother at his heels. Tug by tug, she dragged the gate enough for my father to lay the plank across the gulch.

  “You’re here!” she celebrated through her tears, dashing across as soon as it touched the road. She wrapped her arms around me tightly a moment before my father joined in.

  “We were so worried,” he confessed.

  Their embrace felt warm and filling. Marsh wasn’t overly affectionate, so this was the first real hug I’d had since we’d left for the camp. I didn’t care we were getting soaked; the rain running down my hair and inside my cloak would dry. If I could freeze this moment, I would. The only thing that would make it better would be if Marsh and Calish were here, too.

  We pulled apart but not too far; my mother still held my hand in hers.

  “These are my friends,” I introduced. “We were hoping we might stay the night here.”

  “Of course.” Father ushered them over the bridge.

  I gave Rebel a pat on the hindquarters, and he crossed over the gulch and into the yard. The others followed him. Running ahead, I fumbled with the gate latch to direct them into the pasture. When it gave way, it took with it a pinch of my flesh. Sucking on the wound, I swung the access open for my companions.

  “I’ll undress your horse. You go inside and take care of that cut,” Lark said as he passed me.

  Not about to argue, I headed for the house. My mother and father had already removed the plank and resecured the property. I met up with my mother near the porch, and she put her arm around me as we walked the final hurried steps together to get out of the rain. As much as I wanted to see my father, he did exactly as I expected him to do. He joined the others, making sure that they were well supported in finding what they needed to prepare for the night. He’d return when they did but not a moment before.

  Father was not a rude man, nor was he a foolish one. His mistrust of strangers had been earned by many men claiming friendship in the past. Permission to roam the property unsupervised would not be easily granted. Not even my word would satisfy his requirements. Until he felt comfortable with our guests, my father would play the perfect host, seeing to their every need with raised suspicion. One night would not be long enough to earn his trust, especially since the five strangers came well-armed.

  “We’ve been so worried, Una,” Mother said as we entered the house. “We expected Marsh a couple of cycles ago.”

  “I know, Mother. I’m so sorry.”

  “Where is he? Is he hurt?” She saw my hand. “Oh, sweetheart.” She healed it quickly.

  “He’s with another friend of ours. It’s a long story, so I’ll wait until Father comes in, but he’ll be stopping by tomorrow or the next day, I’m sure.”

  “Look at you.” Mother sighed. “You’re soaked through and through. Go change into something dry. I’m going to hang the line since I’m sure your friends are no drier than you are.”

  I did as she said, finding something to put on up in the loft. Unable to fasten any of the pants I found, I chose a long dress without a waistline instead. Further into my pregnancy, I’d probably be living in these types of garments. It didn’t matter if my clothes dried out or not tonight; I’d be wearing them in the morning anyway. Dresses weren’t sensible attire for riding horses into a den of murderous snakes.

  After she ran the line across the house, Mother gathered the necessary ingredients to make stew.

  “We brought food to eat.” I poured a cup of tea then refilled the kettle to heat water for the others.

  “Then you can save it for tomorrow.” She smiled. “So who are those people? Are they all from the camp?”

  I sat at the table. “They’re all part of the security team. We need some Nobu-wood, so I’m taking them to the place I found.”

  “Have you seen Calish?” Mother controlled her voice, but in doing so, she admitted she had no news to share.

  I shook my head. “No, but Marsh is going down to the river right now and is going to ask about him.”

  She turned back to her work. “Your father says things are tense in the valley. Whenever he goes down there to ask about him, which he does frequently, the Authority stops him and makes him go back uphill.”

  “Why?”

  “They think he’s going down there to claim,” she said, chopping up dried herbs stronger than necessary.

  “What would he take?”

  “People’s homes are flooded; they’re taking what they can carry and are leaving. It’s only temporary, of course; still, for now, many houses are abandoned.”

  “Oh.” I pushed my tea away.

  “So tell me more about the camp.”

  I told her about our arrival and the process to be accepted into the community. She was shocked that he would be so freely open about being a Seer. My mother stopped her preparations and sat down with me when I mentioned Nik thought that someday I might be par
t of the Council. “Does that mean you plan on staying there?” she asked softly.

  “I don’t know,” I confessed. I knew my indecisiveness saddened her. “There are so many people there, Mother. They don’t care about birthrights, or status, and I’m learning so much.”

  My mother said nothing; she just nodded and continued to listen. I described the camp, how people were assigned to tasks, and that Marsh was part of the security team, too. Her jaw dropped when I told her how he had taken to archery, despite his own objections.

  “It sounds like you’re doing quite well.” She forced a smile. “I should be grateful to these people for keeping you safe and away from Blue.”

  “Oh, right. That. Wait until you hear this.” I groaned. When I told her he followed us, she failed to control her tongue. I’d never seen my mother truly angry before. “Mother, sit, it’s not that bad, actually.”

  “What is that supposed to mean? He’s the reason we sent you there!” she screeched.

  Before I had a chance to explain, my father came in with Lark and the others. Trying not to make a scene, she returned to her task of preparing a meal but did so loudly with exaggerated force.

  “The women already hung the line,” Father said. “Go ahead and hang your wet clothes up. It’ll make it feel more cramped, but it’s only an illusion.”

  Lark narrowed in on my mother’s angry preparations at the kitchen counter. “Sir, we don’t want to intrude; we will set up camp under the trees and leave you to be with your family.”

  “You’re friends of my daughter, and you are guests in my home. You will sit by the fire and warm yourselves until I decide I am satisfied with your character,” Father informed him, somewhat distracted by my mother’s exaggerated activity.

  Lark glanced at me and back at her. “Understood.” He took off his raincoat and hung it over the drying line. The others followed his lead as my father offered tea as a distraction from his wife.

  Father used every mug in the house and apologized for not being prepared to receive them. “We were not accustomed to having visitors.” When everyone was served, he put another log on the fire.

  “Thank you for your hospitality.” Trisk approached my mother. “May I help you?”

  Trying to appear more pleasant, my mother accepted her offer and assigned her the task of making biscuits. Because she had never baked a day in her life, I helped her so she wouldn’t ruin the coveted ingredients.

  My father had many questions about the camp and our mission. Given the familiarity he already had, it was obvious they talked quite a bit outside as they were caring for the horses. Once my mother put the stew over the fire, she sat in her rocking chair, and Trisk joined the rest of the team on the floor.

  “So you’re the leader?” Father asked Lark.

  “I’m the Security Lead. The camp community is led by a Council of five.”

  “He is one of the Council Members,” I added.

  “Who are the other four?” Father asked.

  “Oyal the Healer, Paw the Communicator, Donik the Seer, and Hawk, an active Crossover.”

  “Hawk?” Father scowled at me. “As in my brother?”

  I swallowed hard. Things were not unfolding the way I hoped.

  Lark didn’t catch my father’s disapproval. “His leadership has been extremely beneficial. He is only with us part-time, however; he’s still the Junior Lord of the Authority.”

  “Huh,” Father replied, chewing on his tongue in an effort to control it. With a deep, controlled breath, he asked, “I don’t mean any disrespect, or to question your Council, but are you sure that’s wise?”

  Lark smirked as if he’d been asked this before. I gritted my teeth, knowing his candid response was premature. He only knew of Hawk’s account of shooting Marsh and his involvement in his parents’ slaying. That was all my uncle confessed to that awful day at Council. Causing my father and his wife to lose their birthright, well, that offense would be specific to them and would be the subject for a different time. Without knowing the whole story but assuming he did, Lark had no idea the impression he made. In the passing of a single breath, he and the entire movement instantly lost credibility with my father.

  “I know it may seem strange, but Hawk’s appointment is not a mistake. Our Seer is quite gifted and interviews everyone who comes into the community to ensure that it is protected from ill will.”

  My father’s face took on an odd look. “And what if someone doesn’t pass the interview?”

  “Then they are safely escorted off-site to the nearest road.” Lark shrugged.

  “Just like that?” Father doubted.

  “Just like that,” he repeated.

  My mother cleared her throat, ready to ask questions of her own. “Then why hasn’t Blue returned home?”

  My father squinted, trying to understand her question. “What’s he got to do with this?”

  “He followed Una and Marsh there and hasn’t been seen since. His grandparents were here yesterday asking about him. Was he ‘safely escorted off-site’?” She pinched her lips together and raised her eyebrows, demanding he admit to his lie.

  Lark shifted uncomfortably. “Perhaps I’ll let your daughter answer that.”

  The conversation spiraled into catastrophe. While I expected some questioning, I never intended to tell my father about Blue.

  Some Seer I am.

  “He’s at the camp,” I said. “And he’s decided to stay.”

  My father shot up. “He tried to kill you! He’s the only reason you ran off to that damn thing in the first place!”

  Trisk attempted to help. “We were all in attendance, sir. Una approved him herself, and she—”

  My father’s voice got louder. “I have no idea what that means!”

  “You approved him?” Mother gasped as my friend prattled on about the assessment.

  My heart beat a little faster as the air in the room thickened. “It’s complicated. Nik trained me to do the assessments, or approvals, for newcomers who want to be a part of the community. Most of it is based on a person’s intention, their motivation, not necessarily the outcome of their actions.”

  “Let me see if I understand,” Father commanded everyone’s silence. He sat in his seat slowly, elbows resting on his knees to allow him to lean forward. His fingertips pressed tightly together, except for his thumb that beat against the nub of his mirrored hand. “Blue held a blade to your throat to kidnap you, but he had good intentions doing it?”

  “Well—”

  “—so, therefore,” his voice bellowed, “he isn’t responsible, whatsoever, for what he did to you? He’s exonerated of throwing you in prison?”

  “Actions are judged, sir,” Lark interjected.

  “You, shut up.” Father pointed at him and stiffened his jaw. “I want my daughter to explain this to me. Not you.”

  I did my best to tell him about my gift, the goal of the camp, and the importance of owning your past to develop your future. While I didn’t particularly enjoy what Blue did, I now had a better understanding of why he did what he did. “Yes, I wish he did things differently. The outcomes of his choices were done at my expense, but in the end, I have become stronger because of them.”

  I knew so much more about the world and myself than if I never met Blue. If he hadn’t come into my life, I’d be auctioned off at the Sellers Stage during Atchem. I would have never found love. Instead, I became a part of something much bigger, so much more important. I believed in this, and for the first time in my life, I believed in myself.

  My father glared at the strangers he so foolishly invited into his home. He rose from his chair, towering over them. “The rain outside is lightening up. You may set up camp here for the evening, but I expect you to be gone at the first sign of morning.”

  Lark agreed politely, and the team silently gathered their clothing off the line. I stood to help, but Father grabbed my arm. “Sit down. You’re not going anywhere.”

  “I have to go with them,” I
insisted. “They don’t know where they’re going.”

  His teeth clenched together, and fire burned hot behind his eyes. “Draw them a map.”

  Chapter 22

  I lay down in my bed, convinced that I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep. How did everything go so terribly wrong? Life at the camp was as close to perfect as it could be. Maybe that’s why it was so hard to explain without it seeming like we were all under some elaborate spell. Of course, my parents didn’t trust it. Anyone in their right mind would be cautious; I was at first.

  In all honesty, it wasn’t the camp or its rules that threw my parents into disdain, it was Blue. Every time something went wrong, that damned farmer was somehow involved, and this added to his list of offenses. He wasn’t even here, and he caused trouble. If only my parents experienced the camp for themselves, I’m sure they’d form a different opinion. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t get that chance. To make matters worse, they forbade me to go back.

  Of all the things that my father and I quarreled over, this had to be the most important. I knew he didn’t understand what it meant to me; I was surprised myself. As a Scavenger, I was never allowed the hope of being anything other than a wife, surrogate, or slave. Being a wife wasn’t bad, depending who you were married to, but since I didn’t have a choice in the matter, it wasn’t something I looked forward to either. At the camp, I had potential. There, I could learn about my gift, something I couldn’t do anywhere else. It held the opportunity to be helpful and respected. I had a purpose that very few people could fill, for a reason that impacted so many. I was needed.

  At some point I fell asleep, the day’s events taking its toll. I didn’t dream. Not even a whimsical one found me in the night. When I woke, I felt well rested even though dawn had yet to arrive. Mother’s rhythmic, deep breaths were harmonized by Father’s shallow snore in the dark. With the rain steady on the roof, I quietly changed my clothes and crept down the ladder, careful not to wake him. I backed out of the house, listening to his uninterrupted sound. The door closed so softly only a faint click confirmed the latch had set. Letting out a sigh of relief, I considered if my actions were the right ones.