(A/N: Guys, I need a knew topic for a story. Give me anything, just help me. Ummmm, anything from original stories to fanfics from … well … anything. Okay? Oh yeah, and I'm too lazy to change 'Garumn's Gorge' to something else, so deal with it people. I'll change it later, when I'm feeling motivated. My friend (named Hess) says my next story should be about her. This is what she said: "You should write a story about your friend Hess who had telekinesis. She killed people and ate their eyeballs and made quilts out of their skin." She's not the type of person who you would expect to say that…. But I think it is actually a pretty good idea…)
Chapter Twelve
"Should we go through Garumn's Gorge?"
Pa'das, Eckerd, and Jander were sitting around their fire, the flickering fames creating eerie dancing shadows on their faces. They were trying to decide where to go next, what path to take. Eckerd wanted to go through Garumn's Gorge.
"Sounds good to me," Pa'das said. "What do you think, Jander?"
"It doesn't matter to me. But there is a town right outside the Gorge. Shall we stop there?"
"If you want to. You never want to stop anywhere, never have an opinion, so you should choose the next few places we stop at."
"See, Pa'das, that's because I don't care. Wherever you want to go is fine with me."
Pa'das and Eckerd shared a secret smile. Jander thought they were going where they wanted, and they were half the time. But the other half, they were watching his reactions with an eagle eye, deciding where to go based on those reactions. They both knew he wanted to stop and sell some of his carvings, not for the money, but so his pack had room for more. It didn't occur to any of them to put some in Eckerd's bag.
"So let's go there then," Eckerd said with another shared smile with Pa'das. Jander did not notice.
* *
* * *
The town was a nice little town. It was bigger than the last hamlet, and got more trade. Jander's figurines were quickly gone, and he began to carve more. A blizzard struck, and they were forced to stay in the town. No one minded (at first) however, because it really was a pretty little town.
Pa'das, Eckerd, and Jander sat in Jander's room as usual. That always seemed to be their gathering place. That, and the bar. Eckerd sat in a chair, his lanky body flung across the back. Pa'das sprawled across Jander's bed, watching him and Korrieana. Jander sat on the floor, playing catch with Korrieana. Of course, playing catch with her consisted of him rolling the ball to her, her missing it and crawling after it, pushing it further ahead of her each time. Jander would eventually retrieve it and roll it to her, starting the game all over again. At one point, she was crawling for the ball, which had come to rest against the wall. Instead of heading for the ball, she aimed for the wall, and crawled right into it! Jander jumped up, going over to her incase she started to cry. Pa'das sat up, after all, it was her child, and she could hear the bump, but Eckerd stayed flopped.
Korrieana just shook her head and changed directions, getting to the ball this time. It started rolling again, staying along the wall. The three friends started to laugh. Jander went over and picked up the baby. There was a big red bruise on the top of her head where it had hit the wall, but she didn't seem to care.
"Let's go back to the middle of the room, sweetie. It's not a good idea to fight over the right of way with a wall. The wall will always win."
He plunked her down on the floor, and rolled her the ball, still laughing. She, of course, pushed it away and chased after it.
"She just goes on like nothing happened," Pa'das laughed. "That has got to be the funniest thing I've seen in a while. It was like the wall wasn't even there."
Their laughter slowly died out, leaving them all back in their lax positions. The three of them were bored. None had realized just how much fun they had out in the woods and on the open road, and just how boring being in a town was, until they were forced to stay.
Eckerd jumped up. "I'm going down to the bar. You guys coming? It is so boring here, maybe there's some interesting people down there."
"In the middle of a blizzard?" Pa'das laughed. "It's been snowing off and on for the past week, and the snow is up to my waist. Believe me, no one's going to be down there."
"So? You never know. What about the other people stuck here? Are you coming?"
"I'm too lazy to get up."
"Jander?"
"I'm playing with the baby."
Eckerd sighed. "Alrighty then. While you're up here doing nothing, I'll be down there-"
"Doing nothing?" Jander cut in with a laugh. "Have fun."
Eckerd grinned. "I will. At least I can have a few drinks."
Eckerd went out the door, whistling a jaunty tune. Jander and Pa'das watched him go. Once the door closed, Pa'das started to laugh.
"I think he really does believe there might be someone down there."
Jander grinned. "We aren't that boring, are we?"
The lapsed back into silence. Even Korrieana was silent, intent on catching the ball. She finally got bored with the game and sat down, sucking her thumb. Jander transferred his body from the floor to the chair Eckerd had just vacated, flopping over it the same way.
Korrieana broke the bored silence. "Jan'ner!" she cried, lifting her pudgy arms to be picked up.
"Now that was her first word," Pa'das said with a huge grin. "And it was your name!"
Jander, his face lit up by a huge grin, went and picked up the little girl like she wanted. "That's right, cutie, that's me."
Pa'das came to stand beside him, tickling Korrieana under her chin. "Good job baby. Not only did you say your first word, I think you just made Jander's day." Pa'das smiled at him. "You're lucky. Usually babies' first words are one-syllable names of objects. Almost never names."
Jander turned his shining face towards her. "I know. And even lest often two-syllable words." He then turned back to cooing to Korrieana.
Pa'das smile, watching the two of them. She had an inkling of how much this meant to Jander. She did not know if he had ever had children - they never spoke of his life from that far back. But she was pretty sure he had never dreamt of holding a baby in his arms again, and knowing that if he so chose, he could watch her grow up. She was pretty sure he had never dreamt of a baby's first word begin his name. Yes, Korrieana really had made Jander's day.
"You know, she's almost a year old," Pa'das said.
Jander was walking on air from hearing Korrieana say his name. "Wow, really?"
Pa'das nodded. "One month from yesterday. The time had just flown by, hasn't it?"
"Yes, it has. Wow. A year old. And I've only got one month to make her something? I'm going to make you something special, cutie."
"She's only turning a year old," Pa'das said with a little laugh. "She won't even appreciate birthdays for another couple years."
"Sometimes you're too practical. You only turn one once."
"That can be said for any age."
Jander laughed. "Too practical. So, when's your birthday?"
"That doesn't matter. I'm past the age for birthday parties and presents."
"So? When's your birthday? Besides, no one's past that age." He looked at her with those silver eyes, and Pa'das knew she would answer anything he asked. Nobody in their right mind should be able to resist those eyes.
"Day after tomorrow. But I don't celebrate, or anything. Nor do I expect anything from you guys. My birthday's not a big thing."
"And why not, may I ask?"
"It… Just… Because!"
She was upset, which Jander could see, and he guessed why. "Sarrasor?"
Pa'das nodded miserably. Her good mood had just plummeted. She sank down onto Jander's bed, trying to rebury bad memories. Jander swore viciously in his head at the man who had put so many deep, hidden wounds in the girl. Not all blades kill, and Sarrasor was apparently an expert at using those blades. Not all wounds bleed, and he had given Pa'das so many of those wounds. Jander sat down next to Pa'das, trying to figure out exactly what was the best thing to say. In a strange way, he actually enjoyed trying to make Pa'das feel better. It gave meaning to his undead life. He couldn't really explain it any better than that.
"Sick, sick man," he said to himself. Each little new insight he got into what Sarrasor had done left him more and more horrified. "Pa'das, you are a very special person. The day you were born is a special day. Anybody who tries or tried to tell you different is an ass. You come tell me about that person, and I'll go beat him, or her, up for you." He spoke it just like an older brother and was deadly serious, but he also knew it would bring a smile to her face, which it did.
"I know, I know. But…"
"But nothing. I speak the truth. If you really don't want a party or anything…."
Pa'das looked thoughtful for a moment, considering. She looked at Jander's sweet smile, and knew that he would understand, no matter what she chose. "I really don't," she finally answered.
"Alright." Jander squeezed her shoulder and handed her Korrieana. "I'm going downstairs to join Eckerd. Coming?"
Pa'das shook her head. "I'm going back to my room to think."
Jander smiled his sweet smile. "Think happy thoughts."
* *
* * *
Downstairs, Jander grabbed Eckerd's arm and dragged him out of his conversation with two buxom girls.
"Please excuse me ladies," he said as Jander dragged him away.
"Listen," Jander said as he sat Eckerd down, "day after tomorrow is Pa'das' birthday."
"So?"
"So, we have to do something. I'd do something for your birthday. In fact, I did."
"I bet she doesn't want anything."
"No, she doesn't. But that's from trauma."
Eckerd nodded. He knew the story of Sarrasor, at least the basics. "So let's get planning. Something little?"
"Something little. Very little and simple. Maybe breakfast in bed or something. I still have to find her a gift," Jander mused to himself. He looked towards the door, thinking about the deep snow. Nobody was likely to be in their shops. There was a jeweler who lived above his shop close by. Jander remembered seeing the shop and thinking he might go look for something for Pa'das, as a 'just because' gift. He would try there the next day.
* *
* * *
Pa'das woke up to the creak of her door being opened. She could have sworn she had locked it the night before, but wasn't really sure. She pretended to still be asleep, but her hand inched toward her sword, and the other arm curled around Korrieana, making it look like a natural move for a sleeping person.
Pa'das heard a floorboard squeak, and a voice hissed, "Shhhh. You're going to wake her up."
Pa'das recognized Jander's voice and almost groaned. It was her birthday, and the fool had gone and done something. He probably had a present for her, and Eckerd with him. She gave up the sham and sat up.
"What are you doing?"
Jander and Eckerd both froze, but then an easy grin spread across Eckerd's face, and Jander's sweet smile appeared on his own.
"Good morning," Eckerd said.
"And happy birthday," Jander added.
"Didn't I tell you I didn't want anything?" Pa'das asked Jander with a semi-serious glare.
"Too bad," Jander said. "Besides, we just brought you breakfast in bed. That's not so bad, is it?"
Eckerd scooped Korrieana up from the bed, managing not to even wake her. Jander put the tray on Pa'das' lap. The plate was steaming, hot griddle cakes, juicy strips of bacon, and fat sausages covered it. It looked absolutely delicious.
"Mmmm," Pa'das licked her lips. "Thanks guys. But this is it, right? Breakfast in bed and then nothing more?"
"Nothing more," Eckerd reassured her. "At least, not that I was a part of. Now, I have to go put this darling on my bed before she wakes up."
They watched Eckerd leave the room. Once he was gone, Jander pulled a small, wrapped box out of his pocket and handed it to Pa'das.
"Happy birthday," he said softly. "I hope you like it."
Pa'das took a deep breath and opened it slowly, carefully unwrapping the paper. She pulled the cover off a plain square box, about four inches long on each side. Inside was something wrapped in a piece of velvet. She slowly unwrapped it, wondering what in the world Jander had bought - or made - her, and when he had done it. When it was opened, Pa'das gasped. A necklace fell into her hand. She held it up in the light. A fine silver chain that flowed like water hung from her hand. On it was a single, tiny, flawless blue gem that complimented her eyes. Pa'das thought it was a sapphire. Her eyes filled with tears. It had been so many years since anyone had given her a birthday present, so many years since anyone cared. But, even before then, she had gotten nothing compared to this.
"Thank you," she whispered, a tear trickling down her face.
"What's wrong?" Jander asked. He had stood patiently as she unwrapped his gift, but now he dropped down to crouch by the side of her bed.
Pa'das shook her head and smiled a self-deprecating smile. "I can't remember the last time someone gave me a gift, and never was I given anything so beautiful as this." She leaned over and hugged him, making sure not to spill her breakfast, and whispered "Thank you" in his ear.
Jander smiled. "Well, I'm glad you like it."
"Will you put it on for me?"
"Of course." Jander took the necklace from her hands and undid the clasp. He gently moved her hair out of the way and put the necklace around her neck. He closed the clasp and let her hair fall back down, straightening back up.
"There you go," he told her. "It looks beautiful on you." And it did, even with her messy hair and nightgown. "I made the poor jeweler down the street open up his shop yesterday so I could look around." Jander grinned. "Poor man thought I was nuts." It had been snowing when he went, snowing hard.
Tears spilled down Pa'das' face again, even as she laughed. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have a friend like Jander.
"Happy tears, I pray," he said.
"Very happy tears. Thank you so much."
"You're very welcome. Now eat," Jander said with a grin. "Your breakfast is getting cold, and I did not spend all that time arguing with the cook to let me and Eckerd bring it up here for you to let it get cold."
Pa'das smiled and dug in. The griddlecakes were covered with melting pats of butter and powdery sugar. It was absolutely delicious.
Jander smiled watching her, and was turning to leave the room, when she asked, "How did you get in here? I could have sworn I locked the door."
Jander grinned as he opened the door. "Eckerd's magic is occasionally useful for something. Happy birthday." He left the room.
Pa'das watched him go and started to cry softly again. It had been so, so long since anyone had cared that she had been born, so lone since anyone had been glad that she was alive. Her friends were certainly glad. She would always cherish the necklace. It must have cost a fortune. The chain was so fine that if she dropped it, it pooled like water in her hand.
After she had eaten, washed, and dressed, she went down to the bar to find Eckerd and Jander. Of course, since that's where she looked first, they weren't there. So, she went up to Jander's room. They were in there, of course.
"Thanks you guys," she said, hugging them both.
"Group hug!" Eckerd said, drawing laughs from all. "I can't wait for my birthday. I wonder what I'm going to get…" They laughed. "I've only got to wait, what? Five months?" They laughed again.
Pa'das turned to Jander. "Well?"
"Well what?"
"When's your birthday?"
Jander's face crinkled in concentration. He tried to remember, but in the end couldn't. "I have no clue. I've been cursing the day I was born for so long, that I've forgotten."
"You forgot your own birthday?" Pa'das asked, amazed.
"Well, it wasn't exactly a good thing for the world that I was born, what with my fate,"
"But you are a special person and the day of your birth is a special day. Anyone who says different is an ass." Pa'das said it with a straight face, sounding innocent, but there was a mischievous twinkle in her gray eyes.
"Don't throw my own words back at me."
"We should make you a birthday," Eckerd said.
"Well, not now. You two can decide on when my birthday is some other time. Today is Pa'das' day."
Jander and Eckerd proceeded to make it the best day - and happiest - of Pa'das' life. She had friends - no, a family - who loved her for the first time since her parents died, and that was the greatest gift of all.