Three months later, winter had ripened into early summer, and Fergus sat at the fire, eating whatever it was that a weaver apprentice had shoved into his hands. His food suddenly leapt off the plate, into his lap.
"Alright. Enough of this self-pity. You make me sick." said Seilra, standing in front of him.
Fergus looked up. "What are you talking about?" he asked.
"Walking around with a dead look in your eyes. Barely speaking." said Seilra. "Balris and Kaetra are worried sick about you."
"That's their problem, not mine." muttered Fergus. "Leave me alone."
"I will not leave you alone. I haven't forgotten what you said to me. If I'm not allowed a little self-pity, then neither are you." said Seilra.
"That's totally different. Your parents died what, nearly ten years ago? My family died-"
"Nearly a year ago." said Seilra. "And you couldn't have prevented it. If you would have been there, you would have died."
Fergus felt familiar anger curdle in his gut. "How do you know?" he snarled.
"Because believe me, I've run over thousands of possibilites in my head regarding my parents. Each one them ends with my death." said Seilra.
"Go away." said Fergus. "I don't want to hear you speak."
"Too bad." said Seilra. "Get your sad-sack ass up."
Fergus surged to his feet. "I said, leave me alone!" he shouted, and pushed her back. Seilra rushed forward and pushed him, hard, nearly into the fire. She curled her lip at him, her brown arms rippling with sleek muscle.
"You want to fight? Fine. Meet me at the sparring field." said Seilra, stalking away.
Fergus clenched his fists. The numbness was gone from his chest, replaced by a raging fire. He followed her to the field, his heart beating furiously. Blood surged behind his eyes, and he wanted nothing more than to wipe the mocking smirk from Seilra's face. He grabbed a training greatsword, hewn especially for him, and walked onto the field.
Seilra watched him, her dark eyes unreadable. She held a dagger in each fist. They circled one another, each bristling with anger. Seilra struck first, and Fergus easily blocked her blow. She circled him, her movements quick, but not quick enough. She danced out of the way of his swings. She attempted to trip him, but he recognized her trick and stepped out of the way. They continuted to circle, neither finding an opening. Their swords crashed against each other, sharp cracks punctuating the morning stillness. Fergus felt his blood racing, sweat dripping off his face. Seilra's face was lit with demonic glee. She aimed a kick at his stomach, but her lean leg kicked only air as Fergus smoothly sidestepped. He swung his sword at her legs, hoping to unbalance her. She lightly jumped over it, and rushed forward. Fergus dropped his sword and grabbed her wrists, twisting her hands until she dropped her daggers. She winced, frustration showing on her face.
"Do you fold?' gasped Fergus.
"Never." said Saelra, kicking out at his ankles. Fergus pinned one arm behind her back, and she twisted, unbalancing him. They fell to the ground, kicking and clawing.
Electricity crackled through the air next to them, and the oak tree at the edge of the clearing flashed, then burst into flames.
"Did lightning just hit that tree?" asked Fergus, releasing her. "But the sky is clear."
"Yes." said Seilra, her face pale. She jumped to her feet.
"So, same time tomorrow?" she asked.
"Sure." said Fergus. "Tomorrow, I'll win."
"Right." said Seilra, and flashed a quick grin before she caught herself. She ran from the clearing.
And so, it began. Every morning, Seilra would insult Fergus as he ate his breakfast, and then they would spar until they agreed to a draw. Over time, her insults grew less serious, though Fergus wondered if he was just getting used to her.
They began to talk during and after their fights. Seilra was very curious about all the cities he had visited in Fereldan, and Fergus wanted to know about the other Chasind clans. One morning, parried one of her blows, and asked,
"What were your parents like?"
Saelra looked at him, her eyes narrowed. Then, words began flowing out of her mouth so quickly Fergus could barely understand her.
"My mother was very tall, and beautiful. She had long, straight brown hair and the kindest smile. Pity I got neither of those things from her. She was from a clan up north, a clan legendary for its skill with daggers. My father was a scout and a messenger. He was sent there to deliver a message from our clan. It was love at first sight. The very night they met, they kissed, and the barren apple orchard they did so in, bloomed the next morning. The clans still speak of the sign. My father was short, like me, and dark. He had curly black hair just like mine. They made a strange-looking pair, but when they were together, it was like the world was singing for them." said Saelra dreamily. "My father sang to me every night, and my mother would read to me from her books. They were so proud when I began to show skill with both daggers and bows. Then, one morning, they left on a hunt with two other scouts. They never returned. Arl Howe, of Amaranthine, killed them for poaching." said Saelra.
"He killed my parents, too. My sister, my wife, my son." said Fergus. "One day, I will sink my blade into his throat."
Saelra nodded, a fierce look on her face.
"So it was your father who is from this clan? Kaetra's uncle? You two don't look anything alike." said Fergus.
Seilra laughed. "That's because my uncle married the palest woman to have ever been born. Have you seen Kaetra's mother? Her skin seems never to tan. She's one of the animal-keepers."
Fergus thought to himself, and then remembered the tall, pale, redheaded woman who tended the village's livestock. Hairris's mother.
"So Hairris is your nephew?" he asked.
"You aren't as dumb as you look." said Seilra. "Hairris was a surprise baby, ten years after they thought they were done having children. They should have known better, being the animal keepers themselves."
"Both of them are animal keepers?" asked Fergus.
"Yes. Kaetra is somewhat of an oddity. Most people in our clan grow up and take on their parents' roles, but Kaetra was always much more interested in plants than animals. When she started to show signs..."
"Signs? Like of magic?" asked Fergus.
"Yes. The healers offered her a place in their guild, and she begged her parents. They were unsure, but allowed it." said Seilra.
"So there are mages in the village?" asked Fergus. "I've never seen any."
"Sure you have. You know Tarris and Weilyra's son Virris, right?" asked Seilra.
"The tall, blonde scout?" asked Fergus.
"Yes. He's not actually a true scout. He is responsible for maintaining the defensive wards around the village, along with a few others. He also enjoys hunting occasionally. It is useful for our mages to have a cover story, in case any Chantry blunders into our village." said Seilra.
Fergus nodded. "Very clever." he said. "Most of the mages I have seen have been pale weaklings. I would never have suspected Virris."
"They're only weak because they are kept locked up in that Tower. Grippa call us barbaric, but what they do to their own people is disgusting." said Seilra.
Fergus was eating a rather strange-looking salad later that night when Kaetra approached him.
"I see you are feeling a little better?" she asked.
"Yes." said Fergus.
"Are you enjoying your meal? I helped pick most of it." said Kaetra.
Fergus chewed, and shrugged. "I don't think I've ever eaten anything like this before."
"I think it's delicious, but the strong flavors can take some time to enjoy." said Kaetra. "I picked something else for you. Something I know you'll enjoy."
Fergus looked up, and she dropped a handful of something onto his plate. Tiny red strawberries. Fergus laughed delightedly. "Strawberries? They're so tiny!" he said.
"They are wild around here." said Kaetra. "Try one."
Fergus bit delicately into one, and smiled. Tart sweetness exploded in his mouth. "They are really good. Much more flavor than the ones I've tasted."
Kaetra nodded and then walked away, her red braids swinging.
Weilyra sat on the bench next to him. "I see a little life is back in your eyes."
"That's what I hear." said Fergus.
"Good. I am sending you and Seilra out." said the woman, her brown eyes twinkling.
"On a hunt?" asked Fergus excitedly.
"Not precisely." said Weilyra.
Fergus heard Seilra shouting across the village.
"No! I told you, I'd never do it again, and I won't! Make someone else do it!"
Fergus looked at Weilyra, whose face had a guilty look.
"I need you two to go into the forest and catch a pig." she said.
"A pig? Did one get loose?" asked Fergus.
"No. I need you to catch a wild pig. A boar. Some of our animal keepers would like to breed our tame pigs with a wild one, in hopes of having some sturdier stock. Too many pigs died last year from the cold, but yet somehow the cold does not bother the wild boars around here." said Weilyra.
"Wait, you want it alive?" asked Fergus.
"Yes." said Weilyra. "And relatively uninjured."
Seilra came stomping over. "Did you hear what they want us to do, Fergus? Humiliating!" she steamed.
"Seilra is still angry about last year's attempt. She was...unsuccessful." said Weilyra.
"Unsuccessful is right! That damned boar nearly killed me. Look!" shouted Seilra, holding up her skirt. A long, white scar ran up her thigh.
"Danger doesn't usually scare you, Seilra." said Balris, leaning on a nearby tree. "Why don't you tell Fergus exactly why you don't want to go."
Seilra scowled. "Fine, I'll tell him. Last year Seilra and I were sent on this mission to catch a boar for the breeding stock. Right now they are very irritable, as it is mating season, and they charge anything that moves. One charged Seilra, and she flew forward, right into a pile of pig dung." said Balris, grinning.
Seilra huffed, her face a brilliant purple, while Fergus laughed uproariously.
"We'll do it, Weilyra." said Fergus.
"Good. I will have your gear ready in the morning." said Weilyra, and walked away, her braids twitching in suppressed laughter.
Fergus picked through the bags at dawn, and noticed it was lacking some vital components.
"Where is the food?" he asked.
"Food? Why would we take that?" asked Seilra, her face quizzical.
"Because we're going to be gone for days...because we need to eat." said Fergus slowly, as if talking to an idiot.
"It's spring. The forest is full of food." said Seilra, and slapped his hands away from the pack. She shouldered it, and pointed to the other one. "You take that one."
Fergus followed her out of the village, feeling uneasy. As soon as they were out of view of the village, Seilra stopped, and took off her boots.
"Tarris says we should wear boots always, to prevent injuries, but it's spring, and I just can't." said Seilra. Fergus looked at her strangely. "Doesn't it hurt to walk on on sticks and briars?"
"No." she said, and strode forward.
They stopped about midday near a stream. Seilra waded in, and stood stock-still, watching the water.
"What are you doing?" asked Fergus.
She held a finger to her lips, and then her hand shot out, faster than Fergus could follow. A fish flew through the air, smacking him in the chest and flapping on the bank. It started to slide back toward the water.
"Grab it!" said Seilra. Fergus grappled it clumsily, its scales cutting into his hands. He dashed it against a nearby rock, and it went limp. Another fish went flying past his head and his hand snaked out, catching it.
"Good catch!" shouted Seilra. Fergus grinned proudly, despite the pain in his hands. He saw Seilra digging around near the edge of the water, and she soon came walking up the bank, graceful despite the heavy, sticky mud.
She tossed some roots near Fergus and sat down next to him.
"What are those?" asked Fergus.
"Cattail tubers. They're tasty, roasted. I also have some watercress and spring onions to stuff in the fish." said Seilra. "Here, help me clean the fish."
She handed him a small knife and he picked up one of the fish. Seilra looked at him sharply, and grabbed his wrist.
"What happened to your hands?" she asked.
"Nothing." said Fergus.
She forced his fist open, and lightly stroked his palm. "Did the fish do this?" she asked.
"Yes. My hands are callused from the sword, but everywhere else they are pretty tender." said Fergus.
Seilra lightly touched the inside of his hand. "They are soft! Like a baby's!" she said.
"Thanks." said Fergus, and snatched his hand away.
Seilra laughed. "You must have lived some kind of life in that castle." she said.
Fergus ignored her, and began gutting the fish.
Fergus ate the fish, which was delicious, and then laid back in the grass.
"That was really good." he said.
"I told you the forest would feed us." said Seilra, who stretched out next to him.
"You're a genius." said Fergus. "I wouldn't have known what to eat."
"Oh, I just know the basics. Kaetra, now she can make a feast out of wild food." said Seilra.
"Yeah, she found that salad last night, right? She also brought me some strawberries." said Fergus.
Seilra frowned. "What are your intentions toward my cousin?" she asked.
"Oh, Kaetra? I see her as a friend. I guess we're pretty close, so I see her more as a cousin or a sister." said Fergus.
"I don't think she knows that." said Seilra.
Fergus groaned. "She's not still...oh no. I accepted another one of her gifts. Damn it! I told her that I wasn't interested."
"No, you told her you were married. Now, you no longer have a wife. This probably makes her think she has a chance." said Seilra.
"I guess I'll just have to tell her outright that I am not interested, and never will be. Ugh, she's so young, too." said Fergus. "How old is she, exactly?"
"Well, I am six years older than she is. I am twenty-six. How old are you, anyway?" asked Seilra.
"Twenty-nine. I will be thirty in the fall." said Fergus. "My sister would have just turned twenty. Oh, Katie." he sighed.
Seilra got to her feet quickly. "Well, let's get going. We have a boar to catch."
They walked until the sun began to set. Seilra pointed out boar tracks.
"He's been here, though not for a couple days. I assume he'll be back, though. There are plenty of fallen trees around here, which are good for worms and grubs, his favorite food." said Seilra. "We should set our traps out tomorrow. I'll be back in a bit. I'm going to go catch us some food."
"Can I help?" asked Fergus.
"You stay here and light a fire. I won't be long. Don't be afraid, the fire will keep the monsters away." said Seilra.
"Oh, shut it." said Fergus.
Seilra soon returned with a pheasant and eggs. "Kind of gross, cooking a pheasant in her own eggs. Delcious, though." said Seilra.
They ate in silence until a question burst out of Seilra's mouth.
"What was she like?" demanded Seilra, her eyes flashing.
"Who?" asked Fergus, ripping meat from the leg he was chewing on.
"Your wife." said Seilra.
"She was-beautiful. Tall, and graceful. She was Orlesian nobility, and very elegant. She had long, light brown hair that turned golden in the sun, and very pale, creamy skin. Her hands were incredibly soft. She abhorred fighting, and used to beg my sister to let her make her over. My sister was like you-tough and rough around the edges. Oriana worried my sister would never smooth those edges. I guess she never did." said Fergus sadly.
Seilra looked at him, and then stood up and took his plate. She noisily dug a hole and scraped the plates into them, trying to give him some privacy.
Fergus sat, and stared at the ground. The sorrow over Oriana's death left a deep ache in his chest. He missed her, and Oren. He missed his easy conversation with Kate. He missed the feeling of having a family, of knowing every day that he was loved. A sob rose in his throat, and he wept for his family. The cold night air stung his cheeks, and he sucked in a breath. The desire to die was gone, and in him burned a greed for life. Fergus stood up and wiped his eyes, determined to no longer go through life as a golem, cold and unfeeling. He did not see Seilra, watching him across the fire, her face mirroring his sorrow.
Fergus slept soundly, and he awakened to Seilra's soft snores next to him. He jumped up, and shook her.
"You never woke me for watch! We could have been killed! You know the dangers that live in this forest!" he shouted into her sleepy face.
"You idiot." she said, and held up the pendant around her neck. "This is an alarm ward. It has a forty foot radius, and burns if anything large crosses it."
Fergus inspected the pendant. "I've never seen anything like this before." he said suspiciously.
"Of course you haven't. It's Chasind magic." said Seilra. "Invented by our very own Virris."
Fergus reached out a hand and touched the pendant, his fingers stroking Seilra's neck. She jumped back as if she had been burned, and scowled.
"Ready to begin?" she asked brusquely, and got out a shovel. She handed him one, and they began to dig.
"Why did you bury our scraps yesterday?" asked Fergus.
"Bears. They are coming out of hibernation, and are very hungry. Bears are another excellent reason not to carry food with us." said Seilra.
Fergus nodded. "Of course." he said.
They dug a few pits, and covered them with brush. The bottoms of the pits had nets strung over them, for ease of pulling an angry boar from them.
Fergus wiped the sweat from his eyes and winced, his hands bloody.
Seilra saw him wince and walked to the back. She returned with a jar.
"Hold out your hands." she said.
Fergus held them out, and she spread some of the brown mush from the jar onto his hands. His hands stung, and he began shaking them. "Ouch! What did you do?" he asked, dancing from foot to foot.
"Hold still! You'll shake off all the medicine."
"That was the plan." said Fergus, but held his hands still, eyeing Seilra. Soon, his hands stopped stinging, and the bloody blisters closed.
"See?" said Seilra, and grabbed his hand to inspect it. "Better," she said, looking satisfied.
"Thank you, Seilra." said Fergus, and lifted her hand to his lips mockingly.
Seilra's cheeks pinkened, and she looked at him nervously, then pulled away.
Seilra went to a stream to catch more fish, and Fergus had an idea. He searched near the fallen trees by the traps, and found what he was looking for. He saw Seilra, sitting near the stream, gutting the fish. He dropped the bag he was carrying into her lap.
"Why was the mushroom such a fun guy?" he asked.
She looked at him as if he had lost his mind.
"Because it was good for morel. Get it? These are morel mushrooms." said Fergus.
Seilra's laugh rang through the trees. "That is awful." she said. "You're lucky I love morels,."
"Or what? You'd punch me? Like you could even land a blow." said Fergus mockingly. Seilra shrugged and popped a mushroom into her mouth. "These will be great with the fish, thank you, Fergus."
"I used to hunt morels every year with Nan and Kate." said Fergus. "Later, I took Oren along."
Seilra nodded.
They ate, and Fergus enjoyed the afternoon sun beaming down on his back. He also enjoyed the sight of Seilra, stretched out blissfully in the sunlight, her brown toes wiggling in the grass.
"How, exactly, are we going to lure the boar into the trap?" asked Fergus, suddenly uncomrtable with his train of thought.
"Oh, that's simple. This." said, rolling over and reaching into the pack. She held up a vial. "Piss from sow in heat. Brings the boars running. If only it were so easy with humans. I could just squat, and bam! A mate!" she said, laughing as she mimed squatting, her thighs flexing.
"I think for many men, all you would need to do is squat like that, and they would come running." said Fergus. Seilra rolled her eyes and kicked him square in the side.
They sprinkled the pee around the traps, and then Seilra climbed into a nearby tree and motioned for Fergus to follow her.
"Come up. We don't want to be charged by the boar." said Seilra.
Fergus climbed up rather clumsily, and she laughed at him.
"I haven't climbed a tree since I was a child, and I never did it much then, either." said Fergus.
"Oh yes, you're afraid of heights, aren't you?" asked Seilra.
"A fact you enjoy pointing out." said Fergus, holding onto the trunk of the tree while he sat down next to her. Despite his time in the tree house, he still felt dizzy this high, and looked at Seilra to avoid looking down.
"I'm sorry I was so awful to you." said Seilra seriously, and put a hand on his arm.
Fergus nodded. "I was terrible to you, too. Let's forget it."
Seilra smiled, and Fergus noticed what white, straight teeth she had. He felt the dizziness intensify, and she leaned forward slightly. The tree shook suddenly, and Fergus pitched forward. He heard Seilra scream, and everything went black.
Fergus awakened to a terrible din. He looked, and saw Seilra leap nimbly over one of the pits, a huge, bristling boar close behind. The boar crashed through the brush, and squealed as it was caught in the net.
"You're awake." said Seilra, panting. "Good. We have two of the bastards snared."
Fergus got up and walked over to one of the pits. He looked down, and sure enough, another boar glared up at him.
"Do we need both?" asked Fergus.
"We should take both of them. I don't want to do this again next year." said Seilra.
"You caught them both yourself?" said Fergus. "Wow."
"Not exactly. You falling out of the tree made the little one charge, and he fell right into the first trap. The second, who was already ramming the tree with his tusks, was not so stupid. He rushed , intending to gore you, but I jumped out of the tree to distract him. From there, it was an easy jump, and he went down."
Fergus smiled. "Good job, Seilra. Tarris and Weilyra will be happy."
They pulled the struggling boars up. Fergus panted with the strain. Seilra was strong, but Fergus still bore most of the weight. Seilra looped the nets to a tree, and began cutting branches off a tree.
"We have to make something they can ride on as we drag them through the trees. They won't walk without charging us." said Seilra. "I should have thought of this."
Fergus shrugged. "We can drag them. It won't be too far."
The return journey took less time, as they did not need to follow the boar's tracks. It was considerably noisier, however, with the boars squealing their outrage nearly the entire time. Balris spotted them, and came running. He looked at the boars and whistled.
"Some big, mean ones, I see." he said.
Fergus nodded. "Seilra caught them." he said.
Seilra smiled proudly and nodded. Balris helped them drag the boars into the village. Kaetra's mother came bustling across the village.
"Wonderful! These boars are just what I was looking for!" she said happily, and bent down to the boars. She cut through the nets before Fergus could stop her, and the boars came charging out. Fergus covered his eyes.
"Stop. Calm." said Raetra, and amazingly, the boars stopped. She reached into her apron and pulled out a couple dried apples. She held them out, and boars delicately plucked them from her hands.
Fergus stared, his mouth open, as the boars followed Raetra to the edge of the village, and went into the pen.
"What the hell?" he whispered to Balris.
"What?" asked Balris, apparently unfazed by Raetra's miraculous control over the boars.
"Two wild boars just followed her, simple as that." said Fergus.
"Of course they did. She's the animal keeper." said Baltris simply.
"Why didn't she go out and catch them, then?" asked Fergus.
"Oh, she couldn't leave her animals here. Besides, they would not trust her if she were the one to capture them." said Balris.
Fergus shook his head. Balris's explanation was gibberish to him.
Tarris and Weilyra were very happy with their work, indeed. Tarris announced a celebration, and the whole village buzzed into action.
Fergus found himself sitting next to the fire with Balris and Seilra, somehow locked into a three-way drinking contest.
"Ugh, I'm too old for this." said Fergus, eyeing the mug in front of him balefully.
"Nonsense." said Balris. "Look at Tarris. He's old enough to be your dad." Tarris danced by, a wreath of flowers in his hair.
"Did he just pass with violets braided into his hair, or is this grog finally making me hallucinate?" asked Fergus.
"Don't they do that where you come from? The first summer celebration, the adults give flowers to the ones they fancy. Violets are reserved for life-mates." said Balris.
Fergus shook his head. "Most Fereldans are rather more..reserved. Maybe in Orlais they might do something like that.." he said, eyeing the flowers in Balris's hand. "Who are those for?
"Why, for you, of course." said Balris, grinning. Fergus choked on his drink, and Seilra clapped him on the back while Balris laughed.
"Lighten up, Fergus. They're for Kaetra, who else?" said Seilra.
"Are you going to get the nerve to give them to her?" asked Fergus. "It looks like you've been holding them for a while-they're wilting."
Balris looked down at them. "Yes. Yes, I'll do it, right now." he said, and walked bravely off in direction of Kaetra, who was laughing with some other healers and the tall mage, Virris.
Fergus looked over at Seilra. "I guess it's just me and you. Bottoms up." he said, and drained his glass. She did the same, and he looked at her over the top of his glass.
"You don't have any flowers." he said.
"No." she said.
"Why not? You're pretty." said Fergus.
"I think most people are sure I would cut them if they offered me flowers. No one is brave enough, I guess. That's fine. I think this is a stupid tradition, anyway." said Seilra, and grabbed her mug. "Well, I'm done for the night. I will see you in the morning. We have a spar to settle."
Fergus watched her walk away, and wished he had flowers to offer her. Balris appeared soon after, his head hanging dejectedly.
"What happened?" asked Fergus.
"Well, I was just about to give her these, when Virris did some witchery and offered her the most beautiful roses I have ever seen. How could I give these to her, then?" asked Balris, and threw his handful of wildflowers to the ground in disgust.
"Did you even look to see if she accepted them?" asked Fergus. "Look, she's still not wearing any in her hair."
"She isn't?" slurred Balris, and looked up. He brightened. "Well, isn't that something." he said.
Fergus smiled, and went back to his house.
One morning, nearly a month later, Balris followed Fergus after breakfast, and was amazed at what he witnessed. Seilra and Fergus circled one another, shouting taunts.
"Today, you will wish you had never been born." shouted Seilra.
"Ah, and that is a change from any moment I spend with you?" mocked Fergus.
Balris winced, expected Seilra to explode in fury, but instead she grinned. He watched as they clashed, neither getting the upper hand. It exhausted him just to watch them. Finally, Fergus held up a hand, panting.
"Draw?" he asked.
"Draw," gasped Seilra, holding her sides. They limped off the field in opposite directions. Balris raced back to the village. He told the other scouts, none of whom believed him.
The next morning, a crowd waited around the sparring field. Balris began tallying bets. Betting was split pretty evenly.
Balris watched Fergus walk onto the field, his eyes scanning the crowd. They narrowed when they saw Balris. Fergus walked over. "So, I see you decided to tell everyone you've ever met about Seilra and my little sparring matches."
"Not everyone. A few of the merchants I know couldn't make it." quipped Balris. "It's a show of support for you, Fergus. I bet a deer on this match, so you better win."
Fergus laughed. "Maybe I should lose, just to spite you."
"And let Seilra win? You could never do that. She'd never let you hear the end of it. Ugh, she's insufferable NOW, can you imagine what she'd be like?" said Balris.
Fergus heard the crowd whistle and cheer, and saw Seilra walk out. She walked to the middle of the field, met his eyes, and bowed sarcastically.
"M'lord, will you favor me by getting your ass kicked?" she shouted.
"Only for such a beautiful lady." returned Fergus, and her eyes widened. He laughed at the blush that crept into her cheeks.
They circled one another, like the duels of so many mornings. Again, they crashed into one another, neither faster than than the other. It went on for some time, with the crowd shouting encouragement. Then Fergus heard a high, familiar voice above the rest.
"Go, Fergus!" shouted Kaetra. Fergus saw Seilra frown, and knew she had heard her cousin, cheering for him. He saw his opening and swept his foot out, tripping her. She felt onto her back, and Fergus grinned.
"We have a winner!" shouted Balris.
Fergus held out a hand to Saelra, who rolled away from him, refusing his help. She brushed herself off.
"Good one. "she said quietly.
"What, no accusations of cheating? I'm wounded." said Fergus. Seilra shrugged and disappeared into the crowd.
The next morning, she did not appear to insult either Fergus or his breakfast. He waited for her at the field, but she did not show up there, either. He looked around the village for her, but she was nowhere to be found. She made herself scarce every morning. Fergus found himself missing her sarcastic humor, and the way her brown eyes missed nothing. He even missed the bruises their sparring had left on his arms and legs.
He was eating his breakfast slowly one day, and he felt eyes watching him. He turned to see the blond pirate staring down at him.
"Hello." said Tarris. "You've made incredible progress, I'm happy to say. The big hunt is coming up in a couple months, and I hoped you'd be ready."
"But only members of the clan can join the hunt." said Fergus.
"That's why you're going to join the clan." said Balris from behind Fergus. Fergus turned.
"What?" he asked.
"My family, specifically. My request has been approved. Soon, you'll be my brother." said Balris.
Fergus choked. "Really?" he asked shakily, his throat constricting.
"Really." said Balris, and reached out to slap Fergus on the back. Fergus pulled him into a hug and Balris laughed.
"I can't believe you would do this for me.I'm sorry you had to put up with me during those dark months." said Fergus.
"I understand, Fergus. No one was expecting you to recover as quickly as you did, though. Lucky you had Seilra to slap some sense into you."
"Yeah, she's good at that." said Fergus ruefully. "I have to tell the others the good news!"
Fergus found Taedra at her loom. She turned and smiled when she saw him.
"Guess what? I'm joining the clan!" said Fergus. She got to her feet. "Oh, I'm so happy for you!" she cried. Taedra saw Kaetra sitting near the fire, grinding some seeds into a bowl. "Kaetra, did you hear?"
"What?" asked Kaetra.
"Fergus is joining the clan!" she said.
Kaetra looked up at Fergus, her blue eyes watering. "Oh, Fergus!" she said, and stood up. She threw her arms around him.
Fergus patted her back and then pulled out of her embrace. "I'm joining Balris's family." he said.
"Do you know where Seilra is? I haven't seen her recently, and I'd like to tell her." said Fergus.
A strange look crossed Kaetra's face. "Down by the river, probably. She likes to wash her clothes there, even though that part of the river is fed by a spring, and is still cold. She's stubborn, though."
"She certainly is." said Fergus, and headed toward the river. He found Seilra there, skipping stones, laundry nowhere to be seen.
"Hi." he said.
She looked up, and smiled cautiously.
"Hi." she said.
"Don't look at me like that. I'm not here to push you in." said Fergus. "You'd think we weren't friends, the suspicious look you just gave me."
"We're friends?" asked Saelra.
"Yes." said Fergus. "And if you try to argue with me, I will push you in."
"I'd like to see you try." sneered Saelra, and shrieked as Fergus rushed forward, tackling both of them into the river.
She squawked in outrage. "I thought you weren't here to push me in?" she asked.
"I wasn't. I was here to tell you important news, but then you taunted me, and I forgot." said Fergus.
She splashed him and he grabbed her, dunking her head under the water. She struggled against him, and he was suddenly aware of her slick, lean body against his, her skin hot against his.
Fergus pulled away and scrabbled up the riverbank.
"Where have you been, Seilra? I've looked for you in the mornings."
"Well, you won, didn't you? Why spar anymore?" asked Saelra.
"Because I cheated, that's why, and you know it. Your cousin distracted you." said Fergus, shivering in the morning air. Seilra sat next to him, her teeth chattering. Fergus draped an arm over her shoulders. "Maker, that river is cold."
"Infant.." said Seilra. "What did you come here to tell me?"
"That I'm joining the clan." said Fergus quietly.
Seilra turned, her brown eyes wide. "What?" she asked, her black braids dripping onto Fergus's legs.
"Balris asked me to join his family as his brother. I can hardly believe it." said Fergus. "Tarris said it will be before the big hunt this fall."
"Oh, so you will get to join us? I worried that you would be left alone at the camp." said Seilra.
"You worried about me? How sweet. Really, Seilra, did you crack your skull when I tripped you?" asked Fergus, nudging her. "Besides, I wouldn't be alone. All the people who aren't scouts would be there. Kaetra would still be in camp."
"Yes, she would." said Seilra, an odd tone in her voice. "I'm sure she would be very happy to have you to herself."
"What are you talking about?" asked Fergus. He groaned. "Oh, no. I forgot to have my little talk with her. I was so surprised with the boars, and then the celebration, that it completely flew my mind.
"The time has given her much encouragement, I'm sure." said Seilra.
"But I don't want her. I see her as a sister. She even has nearly the same name as my dead sister Kate." said Fergus. He did not see Seilra's slight smile. "I guess I'll have to talk to her." Fergus leaned against Seilra. "But you're so nice and warm. How do you stay so warm?"
Seilra smiled. "I didn't grow up a prissy noble, that's how."
Fergus grinned wickedly. "Then you won't mind a quick dip in the river." he said, and scooped her into his arms, and flung her into the river. He turned and ran back to the village, her screams echoing in his head.
Fergus appeared in the village, soaking wet, with his cheeks flushed. He marched up to Kaetra, who looked at him and licked her lips. He obviously did not know what an enticing picture he presented.
"Kaetra, I have something to say to you. In private." said Fergus.
Kaetra got to her feet quickly. "Of course." she said.
Fergus led her into the woods, away from the village.
"Oh, Fergus, I hope I gave you enough time to grieve for your wife. The attraction between us is so difficult to resist." said Kaetra.
"Er-about that." said Fergus. "There isn't anything between us, Kaetra, and there never will be. I feel for you like a brother feels for a sister, and I don't see that changing."
Kaetra gasped. "What?" she asked tremulously. Fergus could see her eyes filling with tears, and he sighed.
"It's not anything to do with you. I just-you're young, and you don't know what you want, yet. I wouldn't take advantage of that." said Fergus kindly.
"So you are just waiting for me to grow up?" asked Kaetra, grasping at straws.
"No. Kaetra, I can't make this any more plain. We will never be romantically involved. Not ever." said Fergus, and he turned away, heading toward camp. He ignored Kaetra's sobs and kept walking. He felt guilty for hurting the girl, but knew her hurt would be worse if he had let her build her hopes up.
That night, Balris again met Fergus in the cabin, his eyes angry.
"So Kaetra's not good enough for you?" he hissed.
Fergus groaned. "What did you want me to do? Should I bed her? Would that make you feel better?"
Balris leapt toward Fergus, his face furious. Fergus stepped neatly to the side, and Balris crashed into the wall.
"You idiot. Don't blame me for your utter lack of testicles." said Fergus. "You like her, but you've never told her. Try it out."
"I don't know how. I'm scared she doesn't like me." whined Balris. Fergus sighed, and got into bed.
"Well, whatever you decide, leave me out of it." said Fergus, and closed his eyes.
The next morning, Fergus was enjoying one of the first tomatoes of the year when the rest of his breakfast upturned into his lap.
"Are you going to eat your meal, or wear it?"drawled Seilra, grinning.
"Both, it seems." said Fergus. "I take it we're back on?"
"Indeed." said Seilra.
Fergus walked out to the clearing, his stomach strangely upset. He saw Seilra leaning against a tree, her wide smile visible from yards away.
"Why are you so happy?" asked Fergus.
"I'm smiling because it unnerves you." said Seilra, and thrust forward. Fergus barely avoided her dagger, and twisted away, laughing.
"Oh, it does? Maybe it's because your face is so pretty when you smile." said Fergus, and watched her stumble slightly. He threw his head back and laughed.
"Little girls shouldn't play grown up games." he mocked.
Seilra's eyes flashed golden in the morning sun. "I'll get you." she hissed. They clashed into a familiar pattern, frustration showing in each face. Fergus swept his foot out and she sprawled forward, the skirt on her armor flying up. Fergus stared at her green smallclothes, his mouth open. He heard her laugh and found himself facedown, his arms pinned, her boot on his neck.
"Oh, but I'm no little girl." said Seilra.
"You did that on purpose? Sneaky." said Fergus. "And entirely unfair."
Seilra took her foot off his neck and crouched next to him, her breath hot in his ear as she murmured, "I never fight fair, Fergus. You know that."
She walked away and Fergus stared after her, feeling as the boar must have when the ground underneath him disappeared.
