Reunion
Chapter Nine: Destiny
Lem ate very little, though his mother in law's cooking was delicious as always. Distracted by his impending journey, he wasn't prepared for the turn in the after dinner conversation. A pleasant conversation of how the new university in Hyrule would be accepting female students, turned into a dissertation from the Mayor of his disapproval of Lunnaei's continued lessons with the village elders.
August Leyton was of the mind, Lem discovered, this sort of extended schooling a wasted effort, and in fact, girls should never be allowed to attend lessons beyond the age of ten. Why, even his own daughter Teresa had finished her lessons by the time she was eight. Lem knew Teresa attended lessons well beyond the age of eight. In fact, Elder Simpkin said Teresa had been one of the brightest of the lot of them. He understood better, why his late wife felt so strongly that her daughter would attend lessons for as long as the current laws allowed.
If old Auggie noticed his wife's deepening frown, he gave no sign, but Lem did wonder if the old man was aware she did not agree with her husband. Trinia Leyton at sixty-one was still one of the most beautiful women in Durstin. How she ended up marrying old Auggie boggled his mind but he supposed it was a good thing she did. After his own mother passed and then Teresa, Lunnaei would often spend time with her maternal grandmother just to get away from the grumpy old men she lived with.
Still the mayor prattled on about how his granddaughter was thirteen and the old man reasoned, Lem should be looking for a husband for his granddaughter. The mayor also informed Lem that he'd taken it upon himself to see if there were any likely candidates for his granddaughter. Lem continued to drink his tea and focused on the smell of it, the last thing he needed was to start an argument with the man, whose horse he intended to borrow the next day.
Only half listening to the Mayor as he prattled on, Lem choked on the tea he'd been sipping, when Auggie mentioned the name of the young man in question. Unfazed, the Mayor even suggested Lem take the time to get to know the boy better, and wasn't it about time he and his father took on a new apprentice? Lem coughed again in an attempt to clear the tea from his windpipe, it was only then the Mayor subsided in his counsel.
"Are you alright Master Lem?" the Mayor's wife asked. Lem noticed she was trying unsuccessfully to hold back a smile.
"I'm fine now, thank you," Lem replied after a final cough. He sat there for a moment trying to decide if he should tell the Mayor what he really thought of his suggestions. Instead, he stood up, bowed to the Mayor's wife, and said, "Thank you Madam for your hospitality and the wonderful meal. Mayor," Lem said turning to him, "I'll give your advice some thought. Good Evening."
Back out on the street, Lem walked toward his home but stopped and stared at the Crooked Hook Inn. He realized that while the mayor could be overbearing at times, he had a point. Lem needed to think more about the future, not just for himself, but Lunnaei's as well. Perhaps it would be a good idea to take on an apprentice. His father wasn't getting any younger and he'd hate to see the family business be taken over by just anyone.
Therefore, instead of heading home he went in the other direction. He stopped first in front of the Standish home. The house was large and impressive and the Mayor thought most highly of the oldest boy, Jerren. At fifteen, the boy was good looking and all the girls thought him quite a catch. Personally, Lem never liked the boy. At best, he was a pompous windbag and at worst, a bully. He was also Lunnaei's sworn enemy and the thought of taking Jerren on in any capacity was comical.
Lem already knew the boy would make a poor apprentice in any guild. Lunnaei once told him Jerren Standish intended to join the militia as soon as he was old enough, parent's permission, or no. Lem gave a snort and thought, That boy is in for a rude awakening. Jerren was a little too used to giving orders and expecting other to follow them and Lem almost wished he could be there for Jerren's first day of training. He continued down the street until he came to a much smaller home.
The neat clapboard structure was once the home of his good friend, Ruko Mutara. He too died from the sickness that swept through the village the previous summer. Ruko had two sons and if Lem's memory served him, the older boy, Rivki, just turned fourteen.
Not completely sure this was the best of ideas; Lem stood and stared at the shuttered windows in the moonlight. As he examined the small house, he decided, perhaps he should have done this sooner because the longer he looked the more he noticed the little things left undone. Lem knocked on the door and waited. After a moment, it swung open and Lem took in the pleasant smell of some homemade something, still simmering over the fire.
The woman who answered, looked at him in surprise and quickly ushered him into the house. Lyeis Mutara, to Lem amazement, never seemed to age.
"Why Master Lem, what brings you here?" Lyeis asked as she motioned for him sit.
"Just Lem, please," he said and waited through an uncomfortable moment as he remained standing until she sat down first at the small table. "I would like to speak to you about Rivki."
"Has he done something wrong?"
"Goddesses, no. It's nothing like that I assure you," Lem said quickly. "I'll be leaving town tomorrow on a short trip and will need someone to look after the shop, and do some minor detail work for me while I'm gone."
"But he doesn't know anything about potting..."
"He won't need to, I'm more interested in his drawing skills. He's done some small work for me and I don't have the light touch my father does when it comes to that sort of thing. I've been thinking I'll need someone around who can."
"Has something happened to your father Lem?"
Lem thought about that for a moment, and answered, "Not that I'm aware of. The reason I'm here Lyeis, is I've been thinking of taking on an apprentice..."
"Wait here a moment, please," Lyeis said suddenly and she left the table to disappear into one of the back rooms. Lem looked up when the door opened and the widow's younger son walked in.
The boy stopped when he saw Lem sitting at the table and said, "'Ayo, Master Lem. You come to get Anope early?"
"No Zatchi, I'm here to speak to your mother."
"Did Rivki do something?"
Lem wondered at Zatchi's reaction. That was twice he'd been asked that and Lem hoped Rivki's reputation was only that. Lem would have questioned the boy further but Lyeis returned from the back with her older son in tow. She guided Rivki to the table and sat him across from Lem. Her gaze shifted to Zatchi and she frowned as she ran her eyes up and down his dirty clothes. The boy in front of the door looked down also, and when his eyes returned to his mother's, he said quickly, "I'll be heading out back...now...to wash up..." and disappeared out the door.
"I'll let you two talk," Lyeis said and walked out of the room.
The teenager looked extremely nervous and Lem wondered about that reputation again. He smiled in hopes it would put the boy at ease and Lem asked Rivki questions about his family and if he'd some spare time to help him out at the shop. Rivki relaxed a bit and Lem explained what he needed him to do. He also told Rivki of his plans to acquire an apprentice when he returned from his trip. While he didn't flat out offer the boy the position, Lem did make it clear, if the tasks he required were done to his satisfaction, Rivki stood a much better chance at it.
Rivki looked unsure as he nodded to Lem and thanked him. Lem could see there was something else on his mind, but he would have to let that go for now. As he rose from the table, Lem told the boy to meet at his house first thing tomorrow to pick up the keys and some other things he would need. Rivki walked with him to the door and bowed a gesture Lem returned.
As the door shut behind him, Lyeis came around the corner of the yard; she hesitated for a moment and said, "I want to thank you, Master Lem, for this opportunity."
"No thanks are necessary, Lyeis. I've seen the work he's done for my father, his drawings are very precise, I must say he has quite a talent." Lyeis laughed a little nervously hearing her son praises, almost as if she was afraid to accept it from the potter.
She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders and said, "So much changed in the past year...people I once thought of as friends...are not so friendly anymore..."
She spoke timidly and whether she meant it as an admonition or not Lem felt the barb in her words as he realized he'd not been to this house since before his own wife's illness. So wrapped up in his own affairs he'd somehow forgotten, Lyeis too, was now widowed with two half grown son's and no steady income.
Lyeis drew his attention back as she continued, "Rivki feels it's his responsibility to look after me now that his father is gone and told me since he wasn't able to find a paying job here in the village, he was going to join the militia..."
"He's only fourteen years old..."
"The recruiters are not as concerned with his age."
"Lyeis, how long..."
"They've been prowling the town for weeks, looking for boys to sign up," she said in a bitter tone. "They say there's trouble on the border. In truth, when you came to the door...I thought it was the militia man come again to try to convince me to sign the waiver...That's why I wanted to thank you myself. Since Rivki told me of his plans, I've prayed to the Goddesses for some kind of direction, some little piece of hope..."
She didn't have to finish, Lem knew she would have signed. "Lyeis, I must apologize. I've been a poor neighbor as well as friend. I see now I've let myself wander in my grief for Teresa too long."
"Do you think Master Rinku will approve?"
"My father, Lyeis, will most likely ask why I waited so long."
Rinku, Master Potter of Durstin, studied the face of a woman he'd not laid eyes on since leaving Hyrule. So much so, he almost missed his granddaughters questioning stare. Lunnaei's expression changed to one of irritation and now that things quieted down, the Potter was not so sure telling Lunnaei all the details of his past the best of ideas. Every new revelation only seemed to push her further away. He decided then, that if she really wanted to know the truth of it, she'd ask. If she never did, it would be all right by him.
"So Lunnaei," Malon said with a smile. "You're Rinku's granddaughter." Lunnaei nodded. "No doubt, Grandpa's, been draggin' you all over creation."
The smile creeped back onto Lunnaei's face as she nodded again and the Potter, watched, amazed by his granddaughter's silence. Malon however wasn't put off in the least and asked with a wink, "How does a hot bath sound?"
"Absolutely grand," Lunnaei said finding her voice at last.
"I thought it might. Come on then girl, I'll take you over there myself." Malon turned back to the potter and said, "I'll have Stewart show you to your room, Master Rinku. We can talk 'bout the horse in the morning."
"That will be fine, but if it isn't any trouble, would you mind if I had a look at the stables tonight?"
"I don't mind a bit, I'm sure Stewart would enjoy the company." Malon stood up from the table and motioned Lunnaei to leave her plate and follow her. Lunnaei glanced back at him and the Potter shooed her off to take her bath. They disappeared through the same door Stewart took earlier and in short order the teenager reappeared.
"Grams says I should take you with me to see the horses." Stewart said as he cleared some of the dishes. He waved for the Potter to follow, so Rinku grabbed what the teenager wasn't able to collect and followed him in the kitchen. After they set the dishes in the sink to soak, Stewart headed out another door that led to the stables. As they walked past a bench, Stewart grabbed a lantern and lit it. When they reached the stables, he threw open the large door and went inside, placing the lantern on a hook nearby.
"You ride much?" Stewart asked as he grabbed a pail full of feed.
"In my younger days, yes. Not so much now."
"I thought as much," Stewart said and went back to dumping oats into the troughs.
Rinku walked past the stalls and looked over the animals inside. Most of the horses came to gate and the Potter gently scratched each one behind the ears. Lon Lon still raised the best animals. Most of the horses were either a fine chestnut or bay color, all were in prime condition and not a sway back in the lot. The horse that caught his eye though, was as close to being solid black as he'd ever seen. He glanced up at the horse's nameplate: Unarge
The Potter said the name to himself and chuckled as he thought, A horse named trouble. He stood at the gate for a few moments and tried to get the animal's attention. Unarge, however, was not inclined to come to the Potter so the Potter went to him. Rinku stepped lightly past the gate all the while he hummed to himself. The horse shook its head as it pawed the ground and snorted. The Potter continued to hum and move closer; until he was near enough that he could touch the horse's nose.
Instead of touching him, Rinku put his hand up near Unarge's muzzle and waited. The Potter smiled when the horse smelled his hand and its ears perked up. Still humming he took a step or two back and the horse followed. The potter backed around the gate and closed it. The horse brought his head over the rail and pushed his hand back.
"Wow," Stewart said. He was leaning against the stall next to Unarge's. "Usually that one would bite ya, just as soon as look at ya. What's your secret?"
The potter smiled shook his arm a little. "No secret, really," he said as a carrot came out of his sleeve into his hand. "Just a little horse sense." The horse named Trouble snatched the end off carrot and munched happily while the potter reached up with his other hand and scratched Unarge behind the ears.
"Can I ask you a question...Man to man?" Stewart asked.
The Potter nodded after a moment and offered more carrot to the horse.
"I've been thinkin' 'bout my destiny. I think I should join the Regulars and-"
"I'm sorry Stewart," the Potter said interrupting him, "but what are the Regulars?"
"Oh, sorry...they're what the mounted pikemen are called."
"Ah, cavalry then."
"Yeah, I just wanted to get the opinion of someone who's already been in the military."
The potter didn't say anything for a few moments. Stewart already had it set in his head that he'd done some time in the military. While not specifically untrue, the last thing he wanted to be responsible for, was this boy making a brash decision to join Hyrule's military. The horse meanwhile, used his rather large head to give the potter a shove when he ran out of carrot. Rinku continued to scratch and dug another out of his pocket to give to the horse.
"How old are you Stewart?" the Potter asked.
"I'll sixteen in a few weeks."
"Just about the right age then."
"Yep, and it's always been a dream of mine. I can handle just 'bout any horse and I got some skill with a lance and pike. I've been practicin' every chance I get."
Rinku decided most of the practice happened when neither his mother nor his grandmother were about. So the Potter asked, "I'm guessing you haven't talked to your Mother or Grandma about this yet?"
The teen shook his head.
"I see...are you unhappy here at the ranch?"
"No, not unhappy but-"
"But what?"
"I'm kinda bored here. Everyday it's the same thing. Feed the horses, milk the cows, chop the wood..."
The Potter felt a moment of intense irritation and snapped, "So to get out of a few chores you're willing to give over your life to Hyrule's Cavalry for a random chance at destiny?"
Stewart shrugged as he nodded and said, "Well...yeah, but it's my chance to fulfill it. I was meant to be a Regular."
"Then what do you want to know, it sounds as if you've made your decision."
Stewart shrugged again and said, "Don't know if I've decided but seems like it should be a right excitin' destiny."
Destiny...it was a word that plagued the Potter all through his youth and brought him nothing but pain. By law, Stewart would be old enough to enlist if that was what he chose. Still the Potter wondered if the boy was as sure as he claimed to be.
"Stewart, I can't tell you what to decide, you have a dream and dreams are the stuff of hope. The best I can offer is a bit of manly advice from my years of service..."
Stewart nodded as the Potter continued, "You say you want a chance at destiny, but destiny is never a matter of chance. It is a choice, and one you should never rush into."
"So you think it's a bad idea?"
"No, no, not bad and I'd never tell you to abandon your dream of being a Regular, Stewart. Nevertheless, I hope you at least take time to consider what you'll be getting yourself into."
"It wouldn't be so bad, regular pay, full stomach and a place to sleep at night-"
The Potter's irritation returned and he looked the boy in the eye and said, "Armies exist for only one reason, Stewart, and that is to fight wars."
Stewart's gaze went to the stable floor and he kicked some straw near his feet, but said nothing. The Potter, his face set in a frown, continued, "If my own experience gained me anything, it's the knowledge of just how painful it is to take the life of another living thing. But, to be what you've dreamed, to fulfill your destiny you'll have to be willing to kill, Stewart, and not just monsters, but men. Actual people. Never forget, everyone is someone's family and every death you cause will leave a scar on your soul."
Stewart remained silent as the Potter continued, "You need to ask yourself if you are truly willing to sacrifice that someone's life on the altar of your destiny. Because if you wait to raise that question in the heat of battle...you'll have your answer, but you'll also be dead."
Unarge butted the Potter for another carrot. Rinku took a deep breath as he dug the last one out and fed it to the horse. Neither said anything for a time and now that the Potter was out of carrots, the horse nickered and moved away back to his original position in the stall. Stewart Lon looked thoughtful but Rinku knew the boy was not about to put off his dream, even as he was not, so long ago.
Dredged up memories of his youth made the Potter sigh and he said quietly, "When you do follow your dream, Stewart, just be sure that destiny you've chosen for yourself will be worth the pain and struggle you'll have to endure to achieve it."
Rinku patted the teenager on the shoulder and left the stable. He felt tired but instead of returning to the house, he walked out to the middle of the pasture. He sat down and closed his eyes as he fought to dispel the images his conversation with Stewart shook loose. It wasn't working so Rinku laid down, arms outstretched, and stared at the starry sky.
After a while and having found no peace, Rinku felt lost as he watched the moon crawl across the sky. All the while, scattered thoughts of his destined past continued to plague him and he felt something akin to despair.
Unable to sleep or forget, the one time hero turned master potter asked the heavens, "Will you never set me free of mine?"
The only answer he received came as the chirping of crickets all around him. The sound soothed him, and after a time lulled the old man, and soon he fell asleep.
A/N: I've decided to put responses in my forum - but that will have to wait until tomorrow its 12/21/05 is late at nite - zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz