The rest of the day passed as the morning had, with the twins and Takuya carrying sacks to and from the mill, with Mathew occasionally giving them a hard time. Often Kouichi would take Takuya's load when the group was out of the view of most of the others, allowing Takuya to make sweeping gestures or pantomime as he taught Kouichi and Kouji the common tongue. Both the twins watched Takuya carefully, but neither could see any ill effects from the strange heat he had emitted before. In the end, their toil was ended by Tony around sunset, and on his orders they moved to the bathhouse to clean up before Last-meal.

Last-meal itself was the same uncomfortable affair it always was, with most of the workers ignoring the twins, and by extension, Takuya. Finally the meal was over, and the men separated out into groups, with some sitting to play cards, and others horseshoes. The boys moved away from them, trying to find a spot where they would not attract attention, and therefore ire of the other workers, before sitting down. They spent the rest of the evening in silence until night fell.

************************

"When the world was still young, the Gods Themselves walked amongst us, guiding our people so we would not error. All of the Goddesses children were with us as we built our homes and farms and temples. They taught us their skills, which we could only mirror dimly. The Green Lady taught our women-folk herb-lore, and the art of healing, giving some the rare gift of the 'Touch of the Green' which allowed them to heal through magical means. As she travelled the sphere, the Lady found that many questions were asked of her about why she gave this gift to us. She always answered "You have compassion enough for this, but your wisdom is lacking, so my brothers and sisters cannot give their gifts to you yet."

"Some of us, wishing answers, sought out Selk the Wise, who unlike his brethren did not travel the world, but lived in a darkened citadel on the Southern Shore. To him, the wind spoke only truth, and his eyes saw history's ebb and flow. All wise and all-knowing, but blind in the here and now, many came to ask him why the other Gods denied us.

""O foolish youth. You are too young a people for our power. You can be cruel and jealous as easily as the compassion which my sister rewards. Such power would lead to your destruction." This continued, until one day the question was asked "Oh Wise lord, when will we be ready?"

"Selk thought for a while, peering into the murky path of the future, before replying. "When the two ancient foes become one blood, we will begin our work, choosing only those most strong and righteous, who will walk this hard path of sacrifice." For many years after this prophecy, the great warlords of the time made treaty after treaty, often intermarrying their offspring in a hope to be the ones to give this wondrous gift to all our kind.

"After a time, the Gods decided that they had taught us all that it was wise for us to know, and withdrew from our world, guiding us from afar.  They left behind, in their highest temples, their vessels, ones chosen to hear the Gods and continue to guide our people.

"We know these truths as passed from her…

********************

The next day passed much as the previous, with Takuya and the twins shifting grain for Mathew, who was the miller. They again spent most of the day with Takuya chattering away about everything and nothing, with the twins listening. Takuya did briefly consider asking why it was that he struggled so with the weight of the flour and grain, while the twins did not, but decided against asking, as he was sure he would only get another mystifying answer like when he asked about their hearing.

Finally the end of the working day came, and at Last-meal Tony moved through the workers, carrying parchment and a bag of coins. Each man received two silvers, and was asked to leave a mark on the parchment by his name to say he had received it. When it came to Takuya's turn, he received only one silver coin.

"Um, Tony, sir?" asked Takuya as he signed against his name.

"It's the right amount, Takuya," sighed Tony. "You only came on Middle-day, at midday, so you get half of what the other men get."

"I understand that, sir," replied Takuya, "But I was going to ask for a loan."

Tony shook his head. "Master Farrow is very strict about that. I can only give you money for the work you've done."

Takuya sighed. "And if I asked one of the other men? Because I wanted to get some of the things I lost when the fire happened at my home."

Tony looked thoughtful. "I doubt many of them would give you help. By helping the twins, you haven't exactly endeared yourself to them, and many of them spend half their pay on Rest-day on alcohol and women-folk. The rest they keep secreted away somewhere. But you could ask, I guess."

Takuya nodded, looking miserable, as Tony moved on and put four coins in front of the twins.

"If you want to get in for the market, be dressed and ready to go at sunrise. And don't wait for the ride back. Some of the men are a little worse for wear by then."

Takuya glumly poked at his broth, then saw a slender hand push four silvers into his view. He looked up to see Kouichi offering their pay to him.

Takuya smiled. "Thank you. But I can't take it."

Kouichi pushed it forwards again, and leaned in close. "Take it. I know you will give back one day."

Takuya looked at Kouji, expecting to see him glare again, but instead received a simple nod of agreement. Guess Kouji is starting to be more friendly. About time too, after all the nice things I've done.

******************

Takuya had always loved Rest-day. It was a chance to have fun with friends and not do any work. The marketplace was busy, with another local farm running a stall, this one a cattle and sheep farm. He and the Applefields workers who had gone to the market helped to set up the stall, then left Farrow and Tony running things while they went their separate ways.

As he walked about, Takuya found he was missing both the twins and old Jeb, who had volunteered to stay and look after them, although Takuya was now sure that the both Kouichi and Kouji needed no supervision at all, and that all their ignorance was an act. As he passed through the village, he was reminded of the night that he had fled through it, and of the ghostly stillness that made him remember his own village. Now he could see that the village really was little different from his own, as although the people and places were different, the heart and soul of the small community was the same. It made him homesick. Some of the local kids tried to talk to him, but Takuya ignored their company.

I don't want to be reminded of what I've lost, or of what damage I can do. He shivered as he remembered his nightmare. I've never heard of Mithrir appearing in a dream before, so maybe it was just my fears, the ones that tell me I'm something different, that gave him form. Maybe I am just a normal boy. Really. It sounded a hollow likelihood, even to himself.

He found the weavers, and got himself a new shirt, this one dyed a bright red colour, and a comb to remove the tangles from his hair. Otherwise, he bought nothing, feeling guilty for taking so much help from his friends. My next two weeks belong to them, he thought, fingering the few coppers left in his purse.

It was late afternoon when he found Tony fastening down the tarp on the farm cart, Mathew sitting grumpily on the cart seat with Farrow. Even from where he was standing, Takuya could smell the alcohol on Mathew's breath.

"We're just heading back, Takuya," said Tony. "Guess you'll be back soon after, as most of the men prefer the taverns this late."

Takuya nodded. "I've done what I wanted here, and I've no wish to chase after girls."

Tony laughed. "That'll soon change, my lad. Soon a pretty little thing will turn your eye and you'll be just like the rest of them." He swung his massive frame up onto the cart. "See you tonight, then." He slapped the reins, and the horse trotted off, pulling the empty cart behind.

Takuya shrugged, then started to follow. Like I'll ever be interested in girls. He walked for a few hours, enjoying the evening sunshine and the peace. It lasted until he reached the farm gate, then all peace was shattered.

***********************

Rest-day was always an interesting time for the twins. No work, and no workers meant they were free to talk wherever they liked, and did not always need to stick together for safety. While previously they had walked separately, each in his own thoughts, for the moment they were sat together against a tree in the orchard, while nature moved about them.

Kouji stretched slightly. "So you think you 'saw' something in him?"

Kouichi shook his head smiling. "I don't think, I know I saw magic about him. A fierce, fiery red. It makes me afraid. It's not the green and grey I am accustomed to, or even black or white."

"So he knows magic?"

Kouichi looks sad. "No," he whispered softly, "He doesn't. It's controlling him, more than he it, and he's already lost control before. While he dreamt, it swirled about him. I think it may be the reason that he left his honoured-parents."

Kouji looked sad. "His nature forced him out, just like ours did."

"Not feeling sorry for one of the dirt-folk, are you?" teased Kouichi.

Kouji snorted. "No. Just a kind of kinship. He did loose his home, same as we did. He just chose to."

"We should help him," decided Kouichi. "Teach him. Help him control whatever it is that has him in its power."

"And tell him what?" asked Kouji. "That we just happen to know magic? And what happens when he figures us out?"

Kouichi started to reply, then looked up as both he and Kouji heard the clatter of wheels in the yard. "They must be back from the market. Takuya must be with them as there's no way he'd wish to stay drinking with the men."

Kouji nodded. "But do we have to leave just yet? I've found it restful not to play dumb."

"Nothing is stopping you talking to Takuya except your own pride, brother," countered Kouichi. "I know you find him interesting, else you'd just ignore him, not bait him."

Kouji blushed. "Maybe. Maybe I just think he's another of these useless dirt-folk who can barely live."

Kouichi got up slowly. "Maybe you should stop lying to yourself. You don't hate humans half as much as you pretend to, and you're as interested in what we're missing as I am." He started to walk away. "When you finally decide what you feel, come find me." He started to walk to the exit of the orchard.

Kouji lent and closed his eyes. Maybe he's right. I do want to know where I come from, but humans took everything from me. My status, my life, my honoured-father… How can I forgive them for that?

And how can I keep blaming them all? It's her fault about my life and status… and I don't even know who killed him. He continued to think until he was rudely interrupted.

//Kouji! Help!//

Kouji sprang to his feet as he heard Kouichi's call, and started to run towards the yard, the direction the call had come from.

What he found was Mathew swaying drunkenly, holding his brother off the ground by his collar.

Mathew shook him. "Why did you come here, you good for nothing little whelp? People like you are a curse on everything us honest, decent folk do." Mathew hit him, turning Kouichi's head to the side and dislodging his headband. "Should've drowned you when you came to the mill, you stinking little…" He raised his hand for another blow, and Kouji stepped in and grabbed Mathew by the wrist, holding his hand back from striking his brother.

Mathew threw Kouichi away, just as Takuya rounded the farm gate. "Kouichi!" He ran up to the boy and stood between him and Mathew protectively.

Kouji just stood there, face impassive, holding Mathew's arm. Slowly he returned Mathew's arm to his side and hissed at him aggressively, before shoving him hard enough that Mathew in his drunken state fell over. He then turned back to his brother, only to find that Takuya had started to help Kouichi up.

And had stopped.

When Mathew had thrown Kouichi, his headband had been thrown clear, revealing to Takuya the pointed ears that Kouichi had as part of his elfin heritage. As he'd helped Kouichi up, those ears had finally registered on him, and now Takuya stood, frozen in shock.

Kouichi looked up at him worriedly. "Takuya? I can explain…"

Takuya let go of Kouichi's arm, causing him to fall back to the ground with an 'oof'. He looked between the twins. "You… you…"

Kouichi started to get up again. "I know you did not think…"

Takuya didn't listen to anything else. He ran.