Nuworld: Claiming Tara (4 page)

Reena was thrilled Tara had made herself at home. She
took her time with her tea, enjoying its warm rich taste and
Tara’s company nearby. But she was exhausted from the
night and finally rose and moved into the kitchen to dump
the tea leaves.

She
watched Tara’s
sapphire
eyes that
took
in
everything around her without comment. Reena wondered
if she’d looked that wise when she was Tara’s age. She
seriously doubted it.

“We’l
l do the dishes tomorrow. I’ll call Togin and let him
know he can fetch his family come morning.”
In spite of being exhausted, Reena had a hard time
falling
asleep.
Patha had
always made
good on his
promises. He had said Tara would come to her. So much
time had passed that she’d started to have doubts. She
should have known better than to ever have doubted
Patha.
In the quiet hours of the night, Reena fought the urge to
get up and make sure Tara slept comfortably. Tara wasn’t a
child though. And Reena didn’t want to wake the children.
As a Runner, Tara would have spent countless nights
sleeping in different locations. It sounded like a terrible life,
always on the move. Not to mention, Runners were feared
by everyone and tolerated more than accepted, anywhere
they went. But Tara seemed happy. That was all that
mattered. Reena had told herself that enough times over
the winters to make it a mantra.
Her heart ached. Reena knew it wasn’t from the bit of
wild boar soup that she’d had earlier. Her life had been
happy too. She had to admit. There were choices. Everyone
had to make them. Reena had made the right one. In spite
of the pain, she saw now it was true. The young woman
sitting in her living room was beautiful, intelligent, and a
warrior. She controlled her life and answered to no one.
Tara was as powerful an heir to lead all the clans someday.
It was more of a life than Reena would ever have been able
to offer.

Tara had
heard stories of
Gothman communication
devices and was curious to see one. She knew their use
was limited—only one person could be heard at a time.
Tara thought they must not be very reliable since she also
knew the person speaking couldn’t always be heard that
well. She wanted Reena to call Togin now, just so she could
watch it operate. It was obvious the old woman was worn
out, though. Unfortunately, Tara had to wait until morning
to learn more about these people.

As she struggled to remember what the devices were
called, her eyes grew heavy. Maybe finally she would fall
asleep.

Morning came sooner than Tara would have wished. The
homemade
blanket,
which
she
had pulled
over
her
sometime during the night, had kept her very warm. Tara
inhaled the many smells from the cottage the blanket had
absorbed, and experienced a strange sensation of peace fill
her. The irony of it all brought a smile to her face and she
stood and folded the blanket. She was in enemy land, being
hunted. If discovered she’d be killed without question.
Peace was the last thing she should be experiencing.

Tara entered the bathroom to shower and found a plain
peach-colored dress hanging on a hook. The streaming hot
water felt good after her long journey and late night. The
soap Tara used didn’t smell like Reena, and she wondered
if the lady had put it in the bath just for her. She would
have savoured the hot water longer, but knew the day
would be full of adventures. It was time to experience them.

The dress fit surprisingly well. The thin material was
light on Tara’s skin. After a lifetime of wearing thick leather
Runner clothing, she felt almost naked. She adjusted a
matching
belt,
which accented
her
narrow waist
and
displayed her figure nicely. A pair of plain tan cloth shoes
finished the picture. Looking in the mirror, Tara stared at
her Gothman appearance.

“Tara
-girl? Do ya know what you’re getting yourself
into?” she whispered, imitating how Patha would talk to
her. Tara stared at her reflection and nodded. “I’ll be
careful, Patha,” she told her reflection.

Tara adjusted
a garter
holster
up
her
thigh.
After
tightening it so it wouldn’t slip, she slid her laser into the
holster. As long no one groped her, her weapon wouldn’t be
noticed. There was no way she was entering the heart of
the enemy territory unarmed.

“All you have to do is keep those Gothman men from
touching you and you might live through the day,” she told
her reflection. Twisting to see herself at all angles, she
finally forced herself from the mirror. It would be smart to
spend as much time as possible with the other Gothman in
the house instead of alone in the bathroom. She needed to
get used to being dressed like this around other people. If
she let herself be distracted by how exposed she felt while
in town, it would cost her life.

Tara entered the living room just in time to say goodbye
to Joli and the children.
Togin stopped in mid-conversation with Reena to stare
at Tara when she entered the room. He didn’t look like a
warrior asked to go to any measure to find out if there was
a Runner in Reena’s home. He looked like a sex-slaved pig
who’d just forgotten his pregnant wife stood next to him.
Tara scowled at him before looking away in disgust. She
looked at Reena in time for the older woman to frown at
her.
“This would be my niece, Tara.” Reena walked over and
wrapped her cool fingers around her niece’s arm and gave
it a hard squeeze. “She was a great help last night in saving
your unborn child.”
“Mighty finelooking lass you are.” Togin put his burly
hand around his claim’s arm and pulled her out the door.
“You’re welcome,” Tara muttered sarcastically after
Togin and his family walked off the open room. “And
apparently now I have to learn to smile at pigs like him as
well as pull off being submissive?”
“There’s nothing wrong with Togin.” Reena waved Tara’s
concern with a chuckle.
“He just undressed me with his eyes with his pregnant
claim right next to him.”
“That’s just a man for you. But Togin is good to his
claim. I’ve never seen a bruise on her or the children. Joli
has a nice home and nice clothes.” Reena scowled and put
her hands on her small hips. It was the first time she’d
looked this upset. “Togin would never leave Joli or his
children. He is there, every day, taking care of them.”
“I wasn’t suggesting,” Tara began, confused by Reena’s
sudden outburst.
“No, no, of course you weren’t.” Reena sighed and looked
defeated. “I need to get my bath.”
Tara stared after her until Reena closed herself in her
bedroom.
Turning into
the
living
room,
she
began
straightening the room as two things dawned on her. Reena
was Gothman. This was her home and these her people.
Tara would be smart not to insult their ways. But also,
Reena had struck out on a more personal level. Was it a
broken heart? Had some man not stuck around to give her
a nice home and children? Had it been so bad that no other
man would claim her?
Tara washed the dishes and made the beds. As she
straightened the rooms, it dawned on her that she really
liked the mundane tasks. She also wanted to cheer Reena
up. She was Tara’s only Gothman connection. Tara hadn’t
meant to strike a nerve.
Reena was surprised
when she
came
out
of
the
bathroom and saw the condition of her house. “Goodness
me, child. You’re mighty full of hidden talents for a Runner.
And just look at you in that dress? You’re more stunning
than any lass I’ve seen in this town. It will be his Lord
himself taking a notice in you.”
“His Lord?” Tara frowned as she studied the pattern of
the quilt folded over the couch.
The stories around the fires about the Lord of Gothman
were not good. He was a monster, cruel to the bone with no
heart or soul. He didn’t fight with honor but instead trained
his men to kill and destroy. He had no desire to learn from
others, and as a result, kept his people in the dark about
the rest of Nuworld. And women! Don’t even get her started
on the stories she’d heard of how he treated women. Tara
kept her thoughts to herself and waited to hear what Reena
would say.
“Oh yes, my dear. The Bryton house has ruled Gothman
since the winters of my grandmama. They’ve always been
quite powerful, and each generation has added land to our
nation. Lord Jovis Bryton ruled for over forty winters. He
passed on last spring and his son, Darius, is now lord.”
Tara followed Reena to the small bedroom Joli had
occupied and listened as she continued. It was smart to
learn all she could before going into town.
“Lord Jovis’ eldest son, Juro, was to rule next, but
shortly after his papa’s death Juro drowned in the river to
the east. Darius was next in line, and so now he rules.”
Reena pulled the sheet from the bed, and paused, lowering
her voice to a whisper as she met Tara’s gaze. “It was
murder, were the rumors, although just rumors, mind you.
Not one would stand up to Darius and challenge him, I
know that much. He’s a ruthless warrior they say, although
he keeps Gothman peaceful and happy. The stories from
the old warriors say he still has much to learn, however.”
Tara didn’t try to hide her smile. If last night’s attempt
to capture her was any indication of the man’s abilities,
then he definitely had a lot to learn.
“This is quiet talk, child hear me, not to be muttered
outside this home, even as gossip. Lord Darius will not
hear a word spoken about his dead brother. He’s powerful,
and many stand behind him.”
Reena hurried out of the room without another word.
Tara followed with her arms full of the used sheets and
blankets, dropping
them in the
basket
that
Reena
indicated.
“Oh to think, an old lady’s memory should always be
checked.” She chuckled to herself. “I put the apple pie for
the Lord’s family in the oven while you were showering. I’ll
be struck down if it’s cooked a moment beyond perfection.”
Reena pulled the pie out of the oven. It filled the room
with a wonderfully enticing smell. Tara felt a twinge of
hunger when she breathed in the scent of the sweet apples.
“Some fat added to those bones will make you look more
Gothman.” Reena pulled a plate of sweet rolls from the
overlarge breadbox on the counter.
Tara and
Reena enjoyed
honey rolls for
breakfast,
washed down with fresh cool milk. Then Reena washed the
sheets used
the
night
before.
Tara marvelled
at the
antiquated machine that vibrated to an off-rhythm beat as
it spun the sheets around and around. Most things in
Reena’s household consisted of basic domestic items; the
type of things Tara had heard were used in Gothman. But
then there were mysteries like the coffee, and no man when
all females were given claims. The main thing Tara had
learned was that Gothman women relied on their men to
provide for them, yet Reena was somehow providing for
herself.
Tara made herself useful and went out to chop firewood
while
Reena worked
on
laundry.
Extra fuel would
be
needed to help keep the house warm as the nights grew
cooler. She stacked the logs in a pile alongside the house,
then sat on the front open room to nurse some scrapes.
“It’ll take some time to get accustomed to this light material
you have me wearing,” Tara admitted as Reena applied a
salve to one of her scratches.
“It’ll be easier for you if you accept the women’s chores
and leave the men’s chores to the men. But I have a feeling
you will do what you want.” Reena smiled. “You might as
well make me aware of the other talents you possess before
we go to town. Do you sew? Have you done any quilting?
The Gothman do not take well to strangers, but they
welcome family with open arms. Announcing you as my
niece will help you in town.”
“Well, I’ve—”
“You can obviously keep a house and you’re good with
the children, but the women socialize over their chores.
We’ll go to town and stop at the market to pick up a few
necessaries. The women folk’ll be there doing the same
after they’ve taken their sons to school. It’s a social time for
us, and the gossip’s usually good and plenty. You do like
gossip, don’t you?”
“I’m not much—” Tara gave up trying to talk when it
appeared pointless. Reena didn’t seem interested in her
answers.
“On Saturday mornings we meet for a quilting session. If
you can partake, I’ll announce your presence for this
Saturday. It will send quite the talk through the town.”
Reena was more intent on Tara being the way Reena
wanted her to be. “I enjoy good gossip, I do. And you, my
dear, will put a mark on Gothman that won’t soon be
forgotten. I can feel it in my bones.” Reena paused and
looked at Tara. “So, what is it we shall say you can do?”
“Well,” Tara began, then waited for the interruption.
When none came, she continued. “If you’re talking about
the blanket thrown over the back of your couch, I’ve never
seen one like it before. I’m a quick learner, though.”
“Hmm, it won’t do for you to be a novice quilter. Not at
your advanced age. The gossip’ll fly on that one faster than
the news of your being here. You’ll offer to watch the young
ones while the rest of us quilt. I dare say that’ll work. I’ll try
to teach you on the side, ah, that will do, yes it will.”
Tara wrapped the pie in a cloth and placed it in a
wooden basket.
Reena scurried
from room to
room
preparing for their trip to town. The old woman chatted the
entire time, obviously excited about introducing Tara to the
women of the town. Slowly the couch filled with items to
take into town—the pie for his Lord, stacks of quilting
patterns, some clothes left behind by a previous pregnant
lady that Reena had washed and needed to return. And last
of all, a sweater made from a rough yarn Tara didn’t
recognize, which Reena packed for Tara in case she got
cold. Tara found herself leaning against the counter in an
effort to stay out of the way.
Her laser had slipped while chopping wood. Tara hoped
she wouldn’t be doing anything that strenuous in town.
But she needed to be prepared. Besides, hiking her dress
up to get her laser, now that she thought about it, would
bring her even more trouble around Gothman men. She
took advantage of Reena being busy and slipped it into her
dress pocket.
They placed
the
basket
containing
the
pie
in the
backseat of Reena’s groundmobile—an old rusty two door
with black interior. Tara had never been in one before, and
grinned like a child when, unable to resist, she reached
inside and turned the steering wheel one way then the
other.
“Stop that,” Reena scolded her when she came out of the
house.
“Sorry.” But Tara continued grinning.
When
the
groundmobile
hesitated
to
start,
Tara
volunteered to check under the hood and hurried to get her
black
gloves
from her
Runner
clothing inside
before
checking the motor.
Reena yelled from the driver’s seat. “The cable to the
battery is more than likely loose.”
Tara stared at the motor in disbelief. If only Patha could
see this! Once, he had shown her sketches of an ancient
motor. But to think Gothman had recreated them and used
them daily. Maybe this race had a bit more intelligence
than she gave them credit for having. Although if they did,
they wouldn’t be using such relics.
“Okay, try it now.” Tara grinned
again
when the
groundmobile lit to life, sputtering and shaking enough to
send birds flying from the trees.
The gravel road leading away from Reena’s house was
uneven and tree branches overhead made it feel as if they
drove through a tunnel. Tara noticed when they reached a
stone paved road that one would have to know specifically
where the road to Reena’s house was, or they would never
find it.
The morning air was crisp, and Tara appreciated the
knitted sweater Reena had given her before they left. She
enjoyed the sweet smell of the pines and the variety of birds
singing their morning songs. The road caught her attention
as well.
Flattened
rocks, more
than likely from the
surrounding hills, varied in color, making it as unique as
the people who had created it.
It didn’t take long to reach Bryton. Reena told Tara that
once it was known as Smithton, in honor of the Smith lords
who had ruled for winters. Now Bryon’s ruled Gothman. As
long as Reena had lived the town had been called Bryton.
Merchants’ stores soon appeared on either side of the
street. The
town
itself
was surrounded by rocky hills
providing natural protection. Most of the buildings were
made of the same white stone as the hills around it.
Tara noticed a large residence on a hillside. Built at the
opposite end of town from where she was riding, it was
high enough to be visible above Bryton. Even from a
distance, Tara could tell that it was very large. The thought
of a stationary house, one that never moved and remained
in the same place for the lifetime of a person, would be
hard to believe if she weren’t staring at it. She’d go crazy
staying in the same place all of her life.
“Lord Darius lives there with his mama and youngest
brother, who is still a child. The lord has another brother,
Mikel, who is Lord Darius’ advisor. Mikel and his claim live
in Bryton with their children,” Reena explained.
Reena
stopped
her
groundmobile
alongside
other
groundmobiles at the edge of the street. Mamas and their
daughters were everywhere. The women stood in small
groups, chatting, while small children ran up and down a
hard stone path in front of the stores.
Tara slowly opened the door and stood, taking in her
surroundings. Reena seemed oblivious to the reaction Tara
caused.
But
Tara tensed
when women
and children
whispered and stared at her with obvious curiosity. Reena
held her head high, as if proud, and gestured for Tara to
follow.
“We’ll go into the grocery store first. It’s run by the
Olgoods, an old family. Once we introduce you to them, I
daresay the whole community will get word of your being
here. They’ll all know who Reena’s niece is before the day is
out.” Reena walked with purpose toward double doors
propped open with polished tree stumps.
A plump older woman standing behind the counter
looked up and smiled when the two women entered. “Ah,
Reena, it’s nice to see you.”
A short man with gray whiskers and a potbelly remained
sitting on his stool next to where the woman stood. “And
who might this young lass be?” He looked Tara over as if
she were a side of beef he might purchase.