Eramane (4 page)

Most everyone has gone home to prepare for dinner, except those who are not ready to end the festivities; they are gathered on the mountaintop, having a wonderful time, I am sure. I am also sure that Mira and Samiah are on the mountaintop. My mother and father are likely to be at home, packing for their trip to the surrounding villages to sell grains and other goods. This is a trip my parents commonly make, and recently I have not accompanied them. I have been staying with Samiah and Mira while they are gone. Sometimes it is just Mira and me when Samiah is out protecting our lands, but he will be home for a few weeks and will not be leaving for another mission until our parents return. I heard him tell Father this earlier today.

I make my way to the crest of the large hill that spills down to our stone home, nestled against the forest. The great-house is large enough for several families, but only the three of us live here. My father inherited it from his father; it has been in the Fahnestock family for six generations. A smaller stone house sits across the meadow. Our caretakers live there. They are a family of seven: father and mother; two sons, ages fifteen and eleven; and three daughters, ages sixteen, nine, and seven.

Fields of farm land and rolling hills that sprout with wildflowers in the spring push out from around our house. I am walking down the hill and see that my father is loading luggage on the carriage. Nearing the horse carriage, I hear my father shout, “Alora, is that all of them?” He looks up and sees my grin. “It is as if she does not expect to ever return home,” he says as he hops down from the carriage. He walks over and hugs me. “I should go ahead and warn you,” he says stepping back, still holding my shoulders. “Your mother has asked Lebis over to …” He is interrupted.

“Randall!” Mother exclaims. She has a disapproving look on her face that reminds me of when she caught me play-acting a swordfight with a long, crooked stick and a tree.

“You have asked Lebis over to … what?” I ask.

“I asked Lebis to stop by this evening to check our carriage wheels before we leave in the morning,” she says.

“Why would father need to warn me about …” Before I finish my words it occurs to me; she has arranged for Lebis and me to meet! I am not appreciative of this arrangement. It has caught me off guard; and, worst of all, he spotted me staring at him earlier today.

“Mother,” I say, “I do not need you to arrange this for me. I spoke to him today already.” I try to be convincing by standing up straight and smiling, “We have a date tomorrow,” I say and turn toward the stables. “I will be in the stables—brushing Lady.”

The sun is setting, spreading a red sheet across the sky. Lady is well groomed by now; her coat is shiny and fewer hairs are gathering in the brush. Oriana is tossing grain to the chickens that walk about freely. She told me several days ago that she favors a young man employed within Lord Danius’s household. She is quiet this evening, which causes me to believe she has been turned away by her prince.

“Did you enjoy the festival today, Oriana?”

“Yes, m’lady.” Oriana is timid in her reply.

“Oriana, you do not need to address me as ‘my lady.’ We are friends, are we not? Please address me as Eramane, always.” I give her a smile to show my sincerity.

“Nealyn said I was but a servant, and that I should never expect to be anything more than a servant. He said that you should not be filling my head with fairy tales, and hopes of finding a prince.”

“He has no business speaking to you in that manner, Oriana. I am making a trip into town in a few days; I will have words with him.” Oriana does not seem to be uplifted by this. I walk around Lady and out of her stall. Oriana stands motionless, still grasping the empty grain pail. I wrap my arms around her and give her a squeeze. “You are not a servant, Oriana. You are my friend, and I love you. He said those things only because he is an ignorant boy. Real men do not treat ladies in such a manner.” I squeeze her again. “You will find a prince one day, Oriana, I promise.” I mean those words with all of my soul; if Oriana does not deserve true love, no one does.

We send the horses out to graze in the pasture for the night, so they do not need tending to, unless we get a storm. Then I will be up in the middle of the night chasing down frightened horses. I decide to leave them out anyway. Oriana and I walk back from the stables; she seems to have a renewed hope after we spoke more. I help Oriana finish the chores my mother asked of her, put the linens away, and arrange freshly picked flowers in a vase. Our mother is always picking flowers for the house. She says the flowers bring charm to the house and that such a large home needs a lot of charm.

Samiah and Mira are still out celebrating, yet I can sense that Mother was hoping for them to stop in for a visit. Not only is it Autumn Blossom, but Samiah and the Riders have been home for only a couple of days after being away for half of the year. Lord Danius sent Samiah and seventy other Riders to protect a village to the south. These undertakings were confidential and made sure to be discussed about privately. Samiah told me about this plot. He confessed to me his doubts of their safe return. Samiah explained to me that a clan named the Torbiuns was riding through the southern villages and killing anyone unfortunate enough to meet up with them. This clan had good reason to be feared, for it was rumored that they had a shadow caster. This was also when Samiah revealed to me that Nahmas, and his brothers, Terrin and Aurick were trace casters; when they traced, they could make their bodies almost invisible, and for this reason my brother named the three brothers the Ghosts. Nahmas said that the fire summoner who saved them when they were boys took them in as his own. He raised them, and he taught them the craft. It is unusual that each brother possesses the ability to cast, let alone the same casting ability, and this trait makes them exceptional.

The rumor of the Torbiuns possessing a shadow caster was false, and Samiah and the Riders reduced the clan to only a handful. The Riders protected the village and helped the townspeople build barriers in case of future invasion.

Samiah is courageous, yet our mother weeps each time he departs, for she is consumed with worry for her son. Samiah did not have to serve Lord Danius, but he chose to follow in our uncle’s footsteps. Uncle Karmick used to serve as the commander of Lord Danius’s forces, but three winters ago, Uncle Karmick was attacked in the night, while the Riders slept, by a force that no one could describe; it acted too swiftly for any of the men to see. None of Uncle Karmick’s Riders could help him, because the creature took him up into the endless, dark night. His sword fell to the ground, and no one saw him again. Many of his Riders believed it to be some kind of creature that was summoned by an insane lord to the west. Lord Cavok was evil and wanted to rule every land in existence. Later Samiah, and the Riders he now commands, dismantled most of Lord Cavok’s forces and drove him into faraway lands. He had no special powers of summoning frightening creatures. He was only a crazed man seeking power. I often think about what happened to my uncle and wonder if he really was taken away by some flying creature.

My parents have gone to bed early this evening; they will leave for their travels before the sun rises. I have gathered my mother’s wool blanket and have snuggled down into my father’s brown leather chair that sits close to the hearth. I am reading a book about a young man’s brave search for his lost love. The heat from the fire has made the chapter about the dragon more vivid, and I find that I have scooted myself to the edge of the chair farthest from the hearth while I read of dragon fire consuming a small village. I am almost to the end of the chapter when I hear a tap at the door. I stand up from the chair and listen for a moment as I wonder what to do; I know who is there knocking. Making my way to the front door, I hesitate before opening it.

“Good evening,” Lebis says. “My apologies for disturbing you so late this evening, but your mother asked that I stop by to inspect the carriage wheels.” He is still dirty from working all day, but that does not matter; the dirt does not conceal his charm. I clear my throat.

“They have gone to bed, but the carriage is just there.” I point to the loaded-down carriage in the front of our home. I am unexpectedly more nervous than usual. I can feel myself perspiring, and this only makes me more anxious.

“Yes, I see it there,” he says. “Would you mind holding a lantern for me while I take a look?” I hesitate. “It is just that it is dark, and I am afraid to be out here all alone,” he says with a wide smile. I laugh and step outside, closing the front door behind me. Lebis pulls a lantern from a satchel hanging from his horse.

“She is beautiful. What is her name?” I ask.

“Kelwyn.”

“When did you purchase her? I have not seen her at Whin … I mean Percival’s.”

“You do not have to call him Percival on my behalf; he does complain most of time. ‘Whiney’ is appropriate,” he says, another broad smile stretching across his face. “And what horse have you seen me with?”

His question embarrasses me. Is he admitting that he knows I look for him when I am in town? I change the subject. “What did you make today” I ask, holding the light near the center of the carriage wheel.

“I worked most of the day on a sword.”

“What kind of sword?” We move to the next wheel.

“A long one,” he says.

“Do you think I would not know the difference?” Lebis stands up from the carriage wheel.

“No, Eramane, I am sure you would know the difference. I only meant that the sword was insignificant. The man I made it for only wanted it as display in his lodge. He was from a neighboring village and was leaving town this evening, so I had to work fast. That is all.”

“I see. My brother has taught me all about swords, how to hold them, what sizes are the best in certain circumstances. Do you make his swords?”

“Yes,” he says.

“So you know my brother well?”

“Yes.” Our conversation stalls for a moment. “You look lovely; your dress is very pretty,” Lebis says, his eyes focusing on a wheel mechanism.

“Thank you. Your mother made it. My mother and I purchase all of our clothing from her. She sews the finest garments.”

“That is kind of you to say. I will share your compliments with her,” he says. “Well, they look in good condition to me.” Lebis stands up from the last wheel. Another silence suffocates me.

“I will tell my parents you stopped by and that the carriage is in fine condition,” I say, breaking the silence that seemed eternal. “Thank you for stopping by,” I say and turn toward the house.

“Eramane,” he says, “since we are no longer complete strangers, what would you say about going to the river with me tomorrow? We could have a picnic or walk along the river’s edge—or whatever you like.” His words come out plainly enough, but it looks like he is going to rub a hole in the palm of his hands. At least I am not the only one who is nervous.

“I will be at my brother’s home tomorrow. Mira and I have plans to …”

“Break them,” Lebis says.

“I cannot just break plans with Mira.”

“Samiah has only been home a few days. I am sure that he and Mira will benefit from more time alone.” I know that Lebis is right. I also note that he will not be taking no for an answer.

“Well, Lebis, maybe you should come tomorrow and ask my brother first; if he does not remove your head, I will go.”

Lebis wears a brazen look. “When should I arrive?” is all he says in rebuttal.

I pause for a moment, and then it occurs to me. “Was Samiah with my mother when she requested your services?”

“Yes, he and Mira accompanied her.” Lebis’s confidence swells. “Samiah did threaten to remove my head, so it is important that I do not ‘dishonor her in any way. She is my sister and …’” He repeats Samiah’s speech and almost pulls off a decent impression of my brother.

“Is everyone in on this?” I am angered that even my brother has taken part in this meddling. Samiah is supposed to be on my side, and now I find that he is in on this scheme. However, it is worthy to note Samiah’s approval. Honestly, I do not know why I keep opposing the idea. I like Lebis, and I remember how I felt earlier when I saw Lily with him. “My family is trying to get rid of me,” I say half agitated, half giggling. “Yes, I will picnic with you at the river tomorrow afternoon.”

“It is settled,” Lebis says in an unmistakable tone of satisfaction. He turns and jumps up on his horse. “Tomorrow, then.” He nods his head and rides off into the night.

I am disturbed from my dreams when Samiah comes home in the middle of the night. I know that he must have had a great night because he came to the wrong house, and he is singing and mumbling a made-up song about his darling Mira. “Lovely, lovely, that is she! Beautiful legs … all for me!” He knocks over a vase on the table and finds it amusing that it shatters as it strikes the wooden floor. I get out of my warm bed and make my way to the hall to help him. I try to be careful of the broken glass, but it is dark; my left foot finds a large piece anyway.

“Ouch!” I exclaim. “Samiah, you drunken ogre, my foot is bleeding now!” I yell as I hobble into the kitchen for a cloth.