Chapter 2
Kira woke up to the sound of her father calling for her. She climbed out of bed, grabbed her stick and hurried to her father's room.
Seer was lying in bed with his eyes closed and his hands clasped together over his chest. When he heard Kira stick scraping across his floor he slid an eye open.
"Kira my dear, I have a horrible headache, it's keeping me from my morning chores, will you please go to Herbalist and see if she'll give me the remedy?"
"Of course father, I'll go just as soon as I get dressed."
Seer being too weak to talk simply nodded his consent. Kira left her fathers' room and hurried to the kitchen, there with a little difficulty (she was used to having Seer help her with this) she pumped water out of the faucet and into her washing dish, she then, after much debate, found she couldn't carry the dish to her room, because of her leg and stick, so instead she went to her room took her wash cloth and soap and then walked back to the kitchen, and washed her face, somewhat awkwardly for she couldn't see her face, on the counter of her kitchen. After she had rinsed the soap off of her face and dabbed it dry with a towel she dumped the water out side on her plants. Once she got back in her room she went straight to her closet and looked over her clothes. She didn't have many, of coerce she had her blue dress, but it was torn and dirty and she wore it only when she was working in the garden. Jean had given her a pink chiffon dress of empire design with puffy sleeves, and a yellow one of cotton that clinched her waist. Herbalist had given her a brown and yellow plaid long skirt and a beige shirtwaist and black dress that was only to be worn in the summer because it had scandalously short sleeves and only went a little past her knees. Other then that there was just one pastel lilac button up dress Kira had bought and a brown blouse with a matching skirt that had yellow flowers patterned on it that she had sewed herself. Kira grabbed the plaid skirt and shirtwaist; and threw a brown cape over it. She knew it wasn't the most fashionable outfit in the world, but she didn't much care for fashion anyway, and besides she wasn't going out to impress anyone, she was only going out to fetch some medicine. She tied her hair back with a ribbon and brushed her teeth, bid her father good bye and opened the door to walk out into the nice crisp air, except that something was blocking her way, and that something was Leader.
"Oh!" she cried stumbling back a little. "Leader, what a surprise"
"I'm sorry" Leader said looking a little baffled himself "I didn't mean to startle you"
"Don't worry about it" Kira reassured him. "I would invite you inside but, my father's not feeling his best-
"Is he ill?" Leader sounded worried.
"No, just a headache, I'm on my way to Herbalist to get a remedy."
"Oh" Leader didn't look appeased by this explanation, his brows were knit together and his lips were pressed in a hard line. "How are you feeling?" he asked her suddenly.
"I feel quite well thank you for asking, and yourself?"
"The same" he told her, and then he relaxed and smiled "Do you mind if I escort you to Herbalists?"
"No of course not" Kira couldn't help but blush a little, but she took his offered arm and together the two strolled out into the street. Kira wished that she had known Leader was coming, then she would have put on her matching beige bolero instead of her cape, and maybe she would have put on her round rimmed hat with the faux flower and put her hair in a low bun instead of tied sloppily back. As it was she felt very un put together and unworthy of being escorted anywhere by anyone, much less Leader.
Leader didn't seem to mind one bit, however, he seemed quite content to be by her. "Are you sure you feel alright?" he asked her.
"Yes" Kira assured him "I feel just dandy"
He chuckled at that. They were silent then. Kira couldn't help but admire her friend's soft blue eyes that contrasted with his dark hair and golden tinged skin, tanned from being in the sun all summer.
"How's Adele?" Kira found herself asking, longing for some kind of conversation. Leader frowned, and she knew she should have stayed quiet. "I see" she said softly.
"Herbalist can't find a remedy and if she doesn't find one soon" he shook his head. Kira shivered, she had known to much death in her own life, her mother had died when she was young and one of her dearest friends Jo had died early in her life, much to the despair to Kira, Thomas and all the people of the village for she was to be there next Singer, who was to define there future by the gift of song. And recently the death of her Matty, a death she had grieved for a whole month before she could even smile with out much effort or carry on much of a conversation without bursting into tears. So now every time the word death was mentioned or alluded to, she had to fight the tears that threatened to seep out of her eyes for thouse lost.
"I've upset you" Leader acknowledged. "I'm terribly sorry"
"No" Kira shook her head "You didn't, I'm just cold and I've got something in my eye" she let go of his arm long enough to wipe away a tear and pull her cloak closer to her. Leader smiled mischievously
"You're a horrible liar" he told her but still shrugged out of his blue and gold navy coat and put it over her shoulders. Kira smiled her thanks and with a little bit more of his help she undid her cloak and put on his coat. It was much too big for her, and in fact it nearly swallowed her up, but it was warm and it smelled strongly of Leader, which was a mixture of books, and soap. So she didn't mind it.
They reached Herbalist's house a bit latter. Olivia was outside sitting on the porch steps; Gabe was out in the yard playing with a dog, a gloriously beautiful dog, about half grown. It was cream and white and had glossy sheen to its coat. It bounded about the boy who held a stick in his hand.
"I never knew they had a dog" said Kira.
"Sweetheart, she's Gabe's dog."
Kira nodded still watching the pair. Gabe had thrown the stick and Sweetheart was in the act of retrieving it.
"Hello Kira!" Olivia had spotted them and had stood and half walked half ran to the gate. Gabe hearing his sister's greeting also went to greet her.
"Hello" Kira returned with a smile.
"Why are you wearing Leader's coat?" Gabe asked as his sister opened the gate to let them in.
"Hush Gabe" Olivia told the boy, but he continued to stare at Kira with unabashed curiosity.
"Because I was cold, and Leader was kind enough to let me wear it" Kira told him.
"Oh" Gabe shrugged "That's awfully nice of him."
"Yes it is" agreed Olivia, then she turned to Kira "How is your father?"
"Actually that's why I'm here."
"He's not sick is he?" Olivia looked alarmed.
"No, no not at all, it's just a headache; he needs a remedy that's all"
"Thank goodness" Olivia said with a sigh of relief. "Well then come on in the house, I can give you the remedy, I know that one well enough" she led the gang into her large kitchen and began to dig through her cabinets for the cure. Kira looked around at the large counters decorated with randomly put potted plants and cabinets that surrounded the entire kitchen. Gabe strolled into the kitchen behind them, his dog at his side.
"Miss Kira" he told her tugging on her skirt. Kira turned and looked at him.
"I've been thinking Miss Kira, and I think Leader gave you the coat because he likes you."
"Of course he likes me Gabe, Leader is my friend" Kira explained, trying to keep her cheeks from flushing.
"No I mean, like you like you……romantically."
"Oh" Kira knew there was no stopping her blushing now. "Well Gabe I-
"Gabe" Olivia turned and gave her brother a look "Don't you have some chores to finish?"
Gabe's shoulders sagged a little "Yeah"
"Then go get them done."
"Yes Olivia" Gabe huffed and then quietly he slunk out of the room, the dog at his heels.
Kira turned to Leader, with the intention of having a good chuckle over his brother's foolishness, but she found the expression on Leader's face was anything but amused. He was staring at her with some intense earnest. Like he was trying to convey something to her.
"Here it is" Olivia pulled out a bottle from a cabinet and turned back to them. Almost immediately Leader looked away from her to Olivia, breaking there little trance. Kira also looked away at the girl. Who was staring at them with a mix of amusement and confusion.
"Was I interrupting anything?" she asked after a moment.
"No, you weren't" Kira lied "Thanks so much for the medicine Olivia"
"No problem" Olivia still looked unsure, she handed Kira the bottle "Put this in some tea, and he should be fine in an hour or two"
"Thank you, again" Kira said. Olivia was going to say something but just then Herbalist came in. She looked weary and defeated.
"Hello Kira, Leader" she greeted with a weak smile.
"Herbalist" Leader and Kira greeted in unison. "Are you alright?" Leader asked.
"Well enough" she answered. "Neither of you are sick are you?" she eyed the bottle in Kira hands.
"No, my father has a headache, I was getting the remedy" Kira explained.
"You're wearing Leader's coat" Herbalist observed. "Will you be wearing his ring soon then?"
Kira felt her cheeks go hot. I've never blushed so much in my life, then I have these two days. She thought.
"Herbalist" Leader scolded the woman. "Just because she has accepted my old coat, doesn't mean she'd accept anything of that nature."
"Ahh but would you offer anything of that nature to her?" Herbalist asked.
"I simply must be leaving" Kira interrupted "Good day" She turned and hobbled out of the house. She hadn't gotten very far into the street when she heard someone call her name. She turned and found Leader jogging toward her.
"Oh I forgot about the jacket" Kira apologized "I'm sorry" she began to shrug out of it.
"No keep the jacket, you need it more then I do." Leader said. "Kira I can't even begin to describe my embarrassment over what Gabe and Herbalist said in there"
"It's alright" Kira said with a forced chuckle "I mean we spend so much time together it's easy to see where people are getting these ideas"
"Yes I guess" Leader agreed. "Kira can I ask you a question?"
"Of course"
"If I did offer you a ring, and an offer of marriage to go with it, would you take it?"
Kira felt her heart start pounding in her chest, and she struggled to breathe. "Well I….err….that is."
"Answer me truthfully" he said firmly.
"Yes" Kira diverted her eyes down to her feet. "Yes I would"
"Hmm" Leader said after a moment. "Come on, I'll take you home"
"Thanks" Kira once again took his arm and let him escort her up to her door. She then smiled at him.
"Thank you Leader, it's always nice to have your company."
"And it's always a delight when you allow me to be your company." Leader replied.
Kira once again had to look away. She was saved however from having to speak for at that moment Jean was sprinting towards them. "Leader, Leader please go get Herbalist." She called panting.
"Why? What is it Jean?" Leader asked concernedly.
"It's Gatherer's widow, she's ill" Jean reported "and I'm afraid Ramon's mother is starting to fall ill herself."
Leader cursed. Kira and Jean both looked at him in surprise. "Forgive me" Leader said his cheeks coloring a little. He looked back at Kira "You better tend to your father, but I do hope I won't be making myself a nuisance if I come to see you later?"
"No not in the least" Kira said with a slight smile. "You're welcome here anytime you want"
Leader's blue eyes sparkled and he gave Kira's hand an affectionate squeeze.
When he left Jean gave Kira a smirk "You know" she said "I think Leader's awfully fond of you Kira"
Kira rolled her eyes at her friend "Please Jean, don't be silly" she went inside her house, deciding against telling Jean about Leader's proposal question.
She did however tell her father after he was up and about. "It was most peculiar" she said "I mean who asks a question like that?"
"Someone who wants propose to you" Seer told her "But is afraid you're not as fond of him, as he is of you."
Kira didn't know how to respond to this. So she looked out the window and watched the flowers and other plants that she had planted dance in the breeze. She liked the calming affect it had on her to watch the tranquility of the scene. Autumn was coming to an end soon, and then there would be snow and bitter cold winds, many Villages, Leader had told her, spent a majority of the time in there houses reading and or writing, a few who had instruments played them for the entertainment of others.
Leader also told her that many Villagers threw dances and parties in the Winter, because it was to cold to gather outside. Kira looked forward to these celebrations, she had read about dances in Thomas' books and she had always longed to see one for herself, but in her old Village most of the people didn't even know what dancing was, and gathering together at any time other then Weddings and at the Song was discouraged. So she was glad for winter's coming so she could experience one. She couldn't dance of coerce, her leg prevented that, but it would be fun to watch.
"Are you alright Kira?" Seer asked her, jerking out of her thoughts.
"Yes father" she reassured him.
The two sat in silence before Seer asked her "Are you fond of him Kira?"
"Fond of whom?"
"Of Leader"
"Oh" Kira knew what her father meant by the question but she decided to play dumb "He is my dearest companion"
"Kira" Seer used his firm voice, the always made Kira feel a bit like a little girl who had disobeyed the rules. "I mean are your feelings toward Leader more then friendly?"
Kira didn't want to answer the question because she wasn't quite sure herself "I don't know" she told him.
"You said you'd marry him if he offered"
"Yes" Kira nodded "but….I have no clue what my exact feelings are for him. I mean I know I love him, but love him as what I'm not sure. As a brother, a companion, a savior, or love him as a man" she blushed slightly at her last comment. Seer feeling her embarrassment smiled.
"Well my dear I understand what you mean, but I can quite say that Leader, without a doubt, loves you as a woman, and all this encouraging your doing by letting him escort you around and taking his jackets, and letting him over here all the time, not that I have a problem with that I do enjoy the man's company, is not going to help him change his feelings, so you better get your feelings straight soon and then your going to have to let him know what they are, so he can decide whether or not he wants to continue his visits."
"Oh but I do enjoy his visits" Kira said "I wouldn't want him to stop them just because I'm not romantically inclined toward him."
"And no one says he has to, if he wants to he can still come by and visit, and I'm sure he will, but you do understand why Leader comes over here at all right?"
"To converse with me and you?"
"Kira you are being very clueless about this whole thing" Seer chuckled "Dear Leader comes over here with the intention of courting you. Really even I can see that and I can't see"
"Father" Kira snorted "No need to be like that. Of course I have no edict in romance; I've never expected it to happen to me"
"I know" Seer replied. The two stated quiet for a while after that, then Kira felt inclined to ask.
"Has Leader ever acted this way toward anyone before?"
"No" Seer shook his head.
"What about to Bridget?"
"Bridget, Librarian's daughter?"
"Yes"
Seer suddenly frowned "No" he said at last "No he never acted like this to her"
Kira turned and once again looked out the window.
"They were best friends" Seer said suddenly.
"What?"
"Bridget and Leader they were best friends growing up." Seer wrung his hands together "When Leader was still Jonas"
"Are they friends now?"
"No" Seer's voice was bitter now "No Leader ruined that"
"How" Kira asked in alarm.
"Well…he and Bridget they-
He was cut off by someone knocking on there door. Kira rose and answered it. It was Gabe and Sweetheart. Frolic sensing another dog's presence lifted his head and wagged his tail.
"Gabe! What a pleasant surprise" Kira said happily. "Father Gabe's come to see us"
Gabe smiled pleasantly and took off his newsboy cap "Hello Miss Kira, we were just wondering how Seer is doing?"
"We?"
"Sweetheart and I" Gabe explained. Sweetheart barked at the mention of her name and turned her bright blue eyes at Kira. Kira smiled.
"Well he's doing fine, that remedy did the trick" she pulled the door open and stepped aside "Come on in"
Gabe looked around the room cautiously but he walked inside and settled himself on the couch. Kira closed the door and sat beside the boy, Sweetheart trotted over to Frolic and greeted him with a gentle woof and a lick on the nose, which Frolic returned, then Sweetheart settled down beside the puppy.
"Sweetheart likes making friends" Gabe told Kira.
"Then she's a lot like her owner huh?" Kira joked. Gabe smiled shyly. "I've never seen a dog with blue eyes before" she told him.
"That's because her mother Nana had blue eyes" Gabe explained "She was the only one in the litter to get them though"
"Well they are most becoming on her"
Gabe looked at his dog proudly, then he looked back at Kira "There's actually another reason I cam to see you Miss." He looked solemn for a moment, which to Kira made him look even more angelic "and you to sir" he said to Seer.
"And that is?" Seer asked.
"Well the first is for the Miss, I shouldn't really be telling you this, but mom's getting real worried, that Leader might not do it after all."
"Do what after all?" Kira asked leaning in closer to the boy.
"Propose to you." Gabe said "He was going to do it soon, but he's so worried your going to say no, that he wonders if he should do it at all"
Kira stared wide eyed at the boy "Your sure of this?"
Gabe nodded solemnly.
"Oh" she looked up at her father who had his eyes closed but was smiling. "and the other?" she asked Gabe.
"The other is for both of you"
Seer's eyes opened.
"Leader's called a meeting for tomorrow, Gatherer's widow and Ramon's Father Inventor have Scarlet Fever and Herbalist worries that Gatherer's daughter and Trademaster and Librarian have it as well"
"Good God!" Seer's exclaimed "It's an epidemic!"
Gabe looked frightened of his outburst but collected himself and continued "That's what Leader fears, and so far they haven't found the cure. Mother's doing all she studying she can, but with eight people sick, including her daughter, it's hard."
"I can imagine" Kira said worriedly.
The rest of the visit with Gabe was short and filled with sad silences, eventually however Gabe stood, thanked them for having him, and they thanked him for coming. He then called for his dog, who stirred licked Frolic's ear good bye and trotted to her master. As he was putting back on his newsboy cap and heading out into the chilly air he said "Kira would you marry Leader? He's good guy you know, the best big brother in the whole world"
"I know he is Gabe" she said.
"Well then you would marry him?"
"I'm not sure Gabe" she answered. Gabe took this as a no and frowned
"He really likes you, you know" and the without waiting for response he hurried out the door.
