Long Way Home
Chapter 12 –Fun and Games
Jen knelt on the ground beside a flowerbed, digging in the moist earth with a trowel and pulling weeds as she waited for Lila to arrive and her services to be needed indoors once again. She worked steadily, falling into a kind of rhythm; dig-pull, dig-pull, dig-pull. Although the task itself was dull, the work and the warmth of the sun on her back were soothing and she found her thoughts wandering in an almost meditative way. Soon they had moved away from Nanny Bea's sunny garden and back to her strange dream about Haer'Dalis.
She could still picture the forest path, twisting and winding its way through the trees. Home had been so close, yet she couldn't reach it without help. And when help had arrived, it was deadly. She rocked back on her heels thoughtfully. Was I dreaming about Haery? Or picking up everyone's suspicions about Haery? Oh who knows! And I'm thinking in circles again.
Still, it was hard not to think about Haer'Dalis in some way. Usually she thought of his smile or his hands and more recently, the feeling of his arm around her shoulders. Suddenly she thought I haven't given any thought to Ryan in quite awhile. It's all been about Haery.She pressed her lips together, mentally shaking her head as she finally admitted to herself that she liked Haer'Dalis quite a lot, regardless of Nanny's and Nalia's warnings or even her own common sense.
Her musings were interrupted by the sound of a door slamming and looking over her shoulder, she saw Aoife, Nanny Bea's nine-year-old granddaughter running towards her.
"Jen! I've come to play!" called the little girl. "Granny says to tell you it's ok, she's making tea for Mother and her."
Jen smiled at the child's enthusiasm. "Alright, alright! Just let me finish pulling these weeds and wash my hands. Then we'll find something to do."
"Ok," agreed Aoife. She was an active, tomboyish girl with long coltish legs and curly brown hair that refused to stay confined in its braid. Flopping onto the grass beside Jen she said, "Look what Owen gave me!" Owen was her twelve-year-old brother. She pulled a wooden dagger from her belt, handing it to Jen. "He's been teaching me to fight. Shall I show you how after you finish weeding?"
"I'm sure your mother would really appreciate that!" Jen said with a grin, thinking of Nanny Bea's very proper daughter. Lila had married a wealthy merchant and now had hopes of improving her family's social status further by marrying her daughter into Amn's nobility. Lila had told Jen on numerous occasions, she was raising her daughter to be 'A Lady.'
"Mother doesn't know and she won't know if you don't tell her!" retorted Aoife.
Jen looked down so that Aoife couldn't see her smile. "OK I won't tell." She finished her task and went into the house to clean up. Returning to the garden, she found Aoife waiting, standing in the middle of the grass. She'd found a couple of long garden stakes to use as swords and handed one to Jen.
"En garde!" yelled Jen, snapping into a theatrical fencing stance. She faced off against Aoife and the two came together with a thump of wooden "blades." Jen attacked, seeking an opening that would allow her to disable her assailant.
Aoife parried the blows dealt her and began an attack that had Jen dodging and twisting to stay out of the way. Finally, she kicked out and managed to hook her foot behind Aoife's left knee, bringing the girl down in a spinning bundle.
"No fair!" Aoife shouted. She rolled to her feet, dropping her "swords" and threw her arms around Jen's legs. They collapsed together onto the grass where they lay there laughing and gasping for air.
"You're pretty good at this," Jen said finally, looking over at her. "Do you want to be an adventurer like your Auntie Nalia when you grow up?"
"Naw, I just like to play. I want to be healer when I grow up," Aoife replied. "Lots of people need healers 'cos there isn't always a priest around. Gran's been teaching me about herbs. She says it takes a long time to learn them all, so I have to start young like she did. Mother doesn't like it. She says people will think I'm a witch."
"And what's wrong with being a witch?" Jen asked, although she thought she knew the answer to that question already.
"Witches can't be ladies. That's what Mother says anyway. And she says if I became a witch I'd grow up to be a scary old lady with 20 cats." Aoife replied solemnly. "I'm allergic to cats."
"I see. Well, from what I've seen of Athkatla, it seems to me that it doesn't hurt to learn how to heal yourself. Seems pretty easy to get hurt." Jen wriggled, settling herself more comfortably in the soft grass.
"You say that because you got hurt the other day. Mother says it's not because Athkatla is unsafe but it's 'cos of who you were with. We've never had anyone try to hurt us and neither did Auntie Nalia until she met all her new friends – like that old knight…or that blue-haired bard with the curly ears—what's his name?"
"Haer'Dalis," replied Jen. "And where did you hear that?"
"I heard it from Mother who heard it from one of her friends who heard it from one of her friends whose housekeeper knows Gran."
"That's quite a gossip chain!" Jen laughed ruefully. In some ways Athkatla is really just a small town. It occurred to her however that Lila had a point. I've been all around this area alone and with Nanny and I've been to the Five Flagons as well and never been threatened or seen anything that alarmed me. And there are plenty of people on the streets who seem unharmed. "Your mother is probably right," she said aloud. "I've never had problems before."
Aoife nodded, clearly finished with the conversation. She rolled onto her stomach and picked a strong, wide blade of grass. Stretching it tightly between her thumbs, she blew on the space between her thumb joints until it whistled loudly, her face splitting in a pleased grin at her accomplishment as she peeked at Jen to see her reaction.
"Gran says grass makes a good poultice. Which reminds me - can I see your arm?" She propped herself upon one elbow, looking at Jen expectantly.
"Nothing much to show really." Jen held out her bandaged arm. "It wasn't a very deep cut."
Aoife undid the bandage, examining the shallow cut with a critical eye. "Auntie Nalia says that whatsizname - Haer'Dalis - can fight with two blades. I'd like to learn that."
"What would your mother say to THAT? Jen said with a laugh, adding as Aoife's face fell, "No hon, I'm just kidding. Really, if it were up to me you'd learn as much about defending yourself as you could."
The garden's street gate creaked and Jen looked up to see Haer'Dalis coming towards them. She smirked, "Your ears must be burning."
"Why so?" He looked puzzled for a second and then laughed. "Ah – am I the topic of discussion? That explains the sudden heat rising to this poor poet's brain. For a moment I thought it was merely the sight of such beautiful creatures as yourselves that had my mind aflame."
"Aww…stop it!" said Aoife. She wasn't interested in the opposite sex yet and thought such flattery was just plain icky. "We were talking about the way you fight! With two swords, like Drizzt! Would you show me? Jen and I have been sword fighting but I bet you're better at it than she is!"
"Aoife, we were playing!" Jen exclaimed, shaking her head at the child.
Aoife ignored her, looking instead at Haer'Dalis. "Pleeeaase?"
He raised an eyebrow. 'Ah my Hummingbird, are you sure you want to learn? After all, fighting is a serious business."
"I am serious!" she exclaimed. "Why don't you believe me?"
Haer'Dalis looked at her consideringly while Jen bit her lip, wondering whether to step in. For all the stories Haery has told me in the last month, he's never said anything about his own childhood. Did he ever play as a child? Does he even know how to play? "Aoife," she said quietly, "Haer'Dalis didn't come to play. And your mother wouldn't agree to his teaching you to duel. And she would need to agree first. Why don't you go in the house and visit with your Gran for awhile. You and I can play again later."
Aoife frowned for a moment. She was clearly thinking. Then she looked up, a knowing expression on her face. "You just want to get rid of me so you can be alone with him." She turned to Haer'Dalis, "Pleeaase show me?"
"Ah, you undoubtedly pose a great challenge for one such as I. So great in fact, that I must decline. For my own safety, you understand." His face remained solemn but Jen could see his eyes were twinkling.
"Now you're just teasing me." Aoife said. "Auntie Nalia says you fight very well and you didn't get hurt the other day."
Jen decided it was time to intervene. "Aoife, it's time to give in gracefully." She held out her hand, helping the child to her feet. "Go on! We'll be in soon."
Aoife nodded took a couple of steps towards the house then, suddenly whirled, grabbing her abandoned stick as she threw herself at Haer'Dalis. "Ha, Coward! Put up or die!"
Haer'Dalis caught her by the arms as she lunged towards him, lifting her off her feet. "Should you approach me thus in battle, little Hummingbird, this Doomguard would soon skewer you. Today however, you are most fortunate, for I've not time to finish you off. Now, run to your grandmother, for what I would say to Jen is not for your young ears." He put her down, giving her slight push.
Aoife grinned and stuck her tongue out at him before heading into the house. They watched until the door closed behind her then Haer' Dalis beckoned Jen to follow him, heading away from the house. The path he chose ended at small lily-covered pond, with a bench, shielded by a pair of large trees, next to it. The trees hid the pond from the house, providing them with a modicum of privacy. Jen settled herself on the bench, waiting for him to follow suit. When he didn't but stood looking down at her, she felt her heart sink. Oh great. Nalia promised to send a message. I bet he's here to tell me they're to leave for - somewhere. I'll be alone here again. Finally she said, "So, what do you want to talk about?"
He remained silent for a moment, studying her then said, "Why the long face, my Kestrel? I had hoped you might welcome this poor Sparrow with pleasure. Instead I find you frowning at me."
"Well, I am glad to see you, but it just occurred to me that you've probably come to tell me you're off again on another one of Tristan's missions."
"Perhaps you're confusing me once again with the town crier or one of the Flagon's messengers. Is it not possible that I might have come just to enjoy your company?" A warm smile lit his face as he reached down and took her hand, holding it between his own.
She blushed, feeling her heart start to beat a little faster. "I don't know. Is it possible?"
"After our adventure the other day, how could you doubt it? I do enjoy your company." His fingers squeezed hers gently. "Although I also must confess you are correct. Tristan does have business that will take us away for awhile, although not for long, I hope."
Her face fell and she glanced away hoping he hadn't seen her changed expression. She took a deep breath, and forced herself to smile before looking back him and saying a light tone, "If only I had a way to get one my world's weapons! If I had an Uzi I could go with you! I'm tired of being left behind! And it sounds like my visit to Cambrel must be postponed."
He looked pleased but puzzled, "This Sparrow would welcome your company on our journey, tis true. But, you speak of the unknown. What, pray tell, is …Ooozi? He stumbled slightly over the last word.
"An Uzi is a kind of gun. About this big." She pulled her hands out of his and held them up to approximate the size of the weapon. A gun is an um - metal rod that fires a continuous stream of projectiles. Anyway, let's just say it's a pretty destructive weapon and leave it at that. She shrugged, "And I don't have one so I guess I have to stay here."
"It sounds like a marvelous weapon – a glorious weapon and one I would give much to use. And perhaps I shall when I travel to your world." His lips quirked humorously and he said, "It seems my lovely Kestrel, that your predatory spirit is beginning to show at last. Perhaps you are beginning to gain an appreciation for the Doomguard philosophy?"
"Chaos and the inevitable destruction of all things? I only appreciate it in action films – uh plays, I mean." A picture of the bandits who attacked them flashed before her eyes and she shuddered. "Besides I'm not really all that warlike. I'm just tired of being left behind." She looked up at him, her expression somber. "I'm frustrated and a bit confused actually. I'd hate the fighting. I was so scared the other day. And I think Tristan was right. I'd be a liability to all of you. Yet as much as I like Nanny Bea, I'm tired of sitting around." A strand of hair fell over her eyes as she spoke and she pushed it away irritably.
He sat down on the bench beside her and looked at her for a long moment, considering his next words. The strand of hair fell forward into her eyes once again, and reaching out he carefully brushed it off her face, saying gently, "My poor Kestrel, I have watched you for some time and know this sedentary life is not suited to one of your spirit. You will return home if that's your wish, I swear it. In the meantime, this Sparrow would offer you what comfort he can, if you'll but allow it."
Jen's heart began beat uncomfortably fast at his closeness. "Haer'Dalis…I…I …don't know exactly what you're offering."
He squeezed her fingers slightly, stroking the backs of her hands with his thumbs. "Don't you?"
"Well, actually I think I do, and that's just it," she attempted a playful tone, "Tell me good sir, do you make this type of offer frequently?"
He looked at her solemnly. "I'll not hide that I've had other loves. But do not disdain what this bard would offer. Or is your wish to return home because someone awaits you there?
A picture of Ryan formed in her mind as she thought, We don't have anything exactly. We didn't have time to figure it out. She shook her head, "No. There's no one right now."
"Then allow this bard to share his feelings for you and give him hope that you return them in the same measure." He took her hands, raising them to his lips.
Jen shook her head with a smile, "Haery, please don't mistake me. I'm flattered, but I'm just trying to understand what your feelings truly are at this point. I mean you haven't known me that long and you've constantly told me that all things are transient and short-lived. So I assume this applies to relationships as well? I don't know if 'forever' really exists and I'm certainly not asking for anything close to it but I'm also not anxious to be…." She stopped, searching for the right word, "well, I'm not looking to be a diversion."
'Tis true, that all feelings fade with time and love is no different from any other emotion, but while it lasts, I can promise to love you truly and well. And somehow, I do not think my feelings for you will be short-lived," he replied.
She smiled, wanting to believe him in spite of the fact that a cynical little voice in the back of her mind said otherwise. The bench was small, but somehow he managed to move even closer to her, his hands sliding up her arms to cup her face as his eyes met hers. She stared back at him unblinkingly until finally he smiled and bent forward to kiss her gently. She found herself responding to him, her lips parting as she kissed him back. He pulled her closer, kissing her more deeply as his arms tightened around her. For once Haer'Dalis wasn't wearing either armor or his reinforced vest and she could feel his heart beating through the thin shirt he wore and knew he could feel hers as well. She wriggled slightly, fitting herself more comfortably against him becoming lost in the feeling of his lips on hers and his fingers on her back.
It was a long time before they went back to the house.
*Endnotes:
1. Drizzt Do'Urden (full name Drizzt Daermon N'a'shezbaernon) is an atypical drow elf who has forsaken both the evil ways of his people and their home in the Underdark. .com/wiki/Drizzt_Do'Urden