Fergus looked around the camp for Balris. His familiar brown hair was nowhere to be seen, so he settled for Tarris.
"Tarris, do you have anything you need me to do?" asked Fergus.
"Not really, lad. Mebbe you want to take a bath before tonight? You want to make a good impression on the rest of the clan, right?" asked Tarris.
"Oh! Yes, I suppose I should. I'm nervous. What if I mess up?" asked Fergus.
Tarris laughed, his blond beard shaking. "I remember exactly how I felt the day before I joined. I wanted to run away. Far, far away. I'd never had a family before, you see. I was a city rat, and then at the ripe age of nine, I stowed away on a ship. The captain found me, made me into a deck-swabber, and I grew up on ships. Piratin' is dangerous business, though, so I learned not to get too attached to anyone. Then the Sundown abandoned me to my fate, and turns out my fate was Weilyra."
Fergus nodded. "It's different for me. I've always had a loving family, and I'm worried that I'm betraying them somehow, joining the clan." mumbled Fergus.
"They're dead, Fergus. If they were as loving as you say, then they would want you to be happy." said Tarris bluntly.
Fergus scuffed his boot against the grass. "I guess they would. Kate would laugh at me, being so hang-dog. It's just-if I think of them too long, I get physically ill. The thought of my son, my baby, really, dead? The rest of them were adults, at least. Oren was just a little boy." said Fergus.
Tarris nodded sympathetically. "I understand. Weilyra and I, we had a girl."
"Who is she?" asked Fergus.
"Who was she, more like. She died of a sickness when she was only eight. Just started getting tired, then faded away." said Tarris, his blue eyes sad. "I would have traded my life for hers, easy. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way."
Fergus looked at Tarris. "I suppose I should go get cleaned up, then. What should I wear?" he asked, changing the subject.
"Taedra's been working on something for you." said Tarris.
Fergus headed toward the looms. "Taedra." he said to the woman, whose eyes were squinting in concentration.
She looked up. "Fergus." she said, and stood up quickly, covering her work. "You aren't supposed to see this."
"Is it for tonight? Tarris told me you had something for me-" said Fergus.
"That bugger knows that you aren't to see it until right before the ceremony." said Taedra.
"Oh, I've never been good with that sort of thing. I snuck a peek at Oriana in her wedding dress during one of her fittings." said Fergus.
"Well, you won't get a peek at this! Now, get out of here!" said Taedra, and swatted at him.
Fergus walked down to the stream. He heard laughter, and saw a group of kids, washing laundry. They saw him, and waved.
"Fergus! Good luck tonight!" a boy with a missing tooth yelled.
Fergus felt wet arms wrap around his waist, and he looked down at the red haired river urchin clutching him.
"Hairris." he said. "Hello."
"HiFergusI'?" blurted the boy.
Fergus laughed. "Why don't you see what Johnny thinks of the grasshopper? He's back at my house. You can get him ready for the party."
Hairris squealed excitedly, and shouted to the other children. "We can dress up Johnny for the party!"
"I have a purple hat he can wear! Used to be my baby sister's!" shouted the gap-toothed boy.
"I have ribbons we can tie in his fur!" shouted another child.
Fergus groaned. "No, I meant maybe brush him?" he said feebly, but the children were already running for the village, muddy legs flying.
Fergus gathered up the forgotten laundry, which was mostly clean, and put it into a basket. The children gone, he was free to bathe. He waded into a part of the stream with more tree-cover, and began scrubbing his arms.
Fergus submerged himself, rinsing the soap from his hair and face, and stood in the stream, his bare chest gleaming in the sun. He heard something moving in the trees above him, and he looked up. Recognizing the dirty brown feet above him, he jumped and grabbed the branch, shaking it.
He caught the body that fell from the trees.
"Enjoying the show, Seilra?" he asked the woman in his arms. She blushed and squirmed out of his grasp.
Fergus laughed at her mortification.
"I was keeping an eye on the children, making sure none of them drowned, or worse, ruined the laundry." said Seilra. "But then they left, and you started taking your clothes off-"
"And you watched, like lecher." said Fergus, grinning.
"You would have done the same!" insisted Seilra.
"No I wouldn't! I have no interest in watching men bathe." said Fergus.
"You know what I mean! You'd watch me bathe!" said Seilra.
"I wouldn't. I'm a gentleman. My mother taught me better manners than that. Shame on you, for thinking so low of me." said Fergus.
Seilra cocked an eyebrow. "I think you're actually telling the truth. Hmm. Well, put some clothes on, before I embarrass myself more by ogling you."
Fergus shook himself off and stood on the bank. He pulled on his trousers.
"Okay, I'm decent." he said to Seilra's back. She turned.
"Hardly." said Seilra. "Are you nervous about tonight?"
"Only about what poor Johnny is going to look like." said Fergus.
"So you're not at all nervous about the whole gaining-a-new-family-blood-oath thing?" asked Seilra.
"Blood oath?" asked Fergus.
"Yeah. Very intense, very, uh, bloody." said Seilra, grinning in a manner that made Fergus very, very afraid.
"Balris never mentioned anything like that." said Fergus, frowning.
"He wouldn't know. He's never seen one happen. I haven't, either, but Tarris told me about it." said Seilra.
Fergus grimaced. "Well, I've shed blood for lesser reasons. I suppose it won't be that bad."
"I hear they take so much blood that you'll be weak for days." said Seilra.
Fergus paled. "I'm going to go contemplate my mortality. Maybe have a last meal."
Seilra laughed nastily as he walked back to the village.
Fergus rescued Johnny from a pack of children. Johnny seemed perfectly happy being combed and coddled, but Fergus needed something to take his mind off the impending ceremony.
The sun started to disappear behind the trees, and Taedra approached him.
"It's ready. Come to my house." she said.
Hanging off the door in her house was a beautiful blue tunic, with dark red thread along the seams. Faint green embroidery decorated the sleeves.
"Blue is a Highever color." said Fergus.
"I know, dear. The ochre is the clan's color, and the green is Balris's family. You won't have to give up your family to join a new one." said Taedra.
Fergus smiled. "How did you get to be so wise? Oh yes, it must be your advanced age."
Taedra moved swiftly, and cuffed him on the back of the head. "Try it on."
Fergus shed his shirt, and pulled the tunic over his head. It fit perfectly, the fabric smooth and soft against his skin. "Perfect." he said.
"Well it better be. I'm the Master Weaver for a reason." tutted Taedra.
"Thank you, Taedra." said Fergus, and hugged her.
"Now, don't get it wrinkled!" scolded Taedra. "And put on some decent pants. Those are a sight."
Fergus climbed to his house and pulled on a pair of clean linen trousers. He heard a whistle behind him.
"Looking good!" said Balris. Balris was dressed in a green tunic, the same red thread along the seams. The green suited him, setting off his skin and hair nicely.
"Why, Balris, you almost look nice." said Fergus.
Balris laughed. "I look fantastic, thank you very much. Let's hope Kaetra notices. Though I doubt she will, with such a fancy gentleman as yourself about."
Fergus shook his head. "Let's get down there."
Fergus climbed down the ladder after Balris. Balris waited for him at the bottom.
"You must be nervous. Your hands haven't shaken coming down that ladder for a very long time."
"Yes, I am. Ugh. I haven't eaten all day-I didn't want to lose my lunch at the ceremony." said Fergus.
"Good thing there's a massive feast prepared." said Balris. "Come on, it's not so bad. It'll be over before you know it."
Fergus followed Balris to the middle of the village. Glowing balls of light circled the clearing, weaving through the darkening day. The balls glowed in the different colors of the families involved. The occasion was rare enough that the mages risked an outright display, and a grand one, at that. Fergus smiled when he saw Tarris, Weilyra, and Seilra standing at the front of the crowd.
Fergus walked up to them. He saw the other masters of the other occupations near them. Taedra, Kaetra's mother and father, an old man that Fergus had often seen walking with Virris, who he assumed was the master healer, and the gardening master stood, waiting.
"Fergus Cousland." said Tarris formally. "Are you ready to begin?"
"Yes." said Fergus, and swallowed nervously.
"Balris Sarillen, state your petition." said Weilyra.
"Fergus Cousland is a fine warrior and scout. He has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the clan. More than that, he has become like a brother to me in the past months. I would be honored to have him join my family." said Balris, and he smiled at Fergus. "What is the elders' decision?"
"Accepted." said the elders in unison.
Balris turned to Fergus and hugged him. "Welcome, brother." he said, loudly enough for the rest of the village to hear.
"Welcome, brother!" shouted the villagers.
"Now, we feast!" shouted Tarris.
Fergus looked around, confused. "What about the blood oath?" he asked.
"Blood oath? What are you talking about? We don't mess with blood magic." said Balris, frowning. "We already have Templars sniffing around without doing any of that."
"Seilra told me-oh." said Fergus. He heard Seilra laughing behind him, and soon Balris, Weilyra, and Tarris were laughing, too.
"The old blood oath trick? Weilyra got me with that." said Tarris. "Come on, boy, it's time to eat!"
Fergus groaned, holding his overly-full stomach. Balris sat next to him. "Did you save room for alcohol? I hope so."
Fergus felt his stomach roll in protest. "No, no. Not a chance." he said.
Balris laughed. "I'm just kidding. Tomorrow is the adult party."
Fergus sighed in relief. "Good."
Fergus stared at the ceiling that night, his thoughts swirling. He had not felt this happy since the day he left Highever. Fergus had felt adrift without a family, and having one again was a relief. He remembered Tarris's words, and they helped to push aside the remaining guilt he felt for gaining a new family. Fergus closed his eyes and thought of Oriana, of the familiar memory of her kneeling before him. Her blue eyes kept darkening into those of another, and when Fergus came, it was not Oriana he imagined. Her hair was black, and braided, and her eyes were a warm brown. Seilra.
Fergus groaned and flipped onto his stomach. The guilt was back, and stronger this time. How could he so easily think of another woman? He loved Oriana.
Oriana has been dead for over a year. Eventually, you have to let yourself move on.
Fergus buried his face into his pillow, pushing any thoughts of women out of his head. He awakened to Balris pulling him out of his bed.
"Get up, you lazy sod! Training starts today, and if we're not down there before-" Fergus heard a loud whistle.
"Shit!" cursed Balris. "Goddamnit Fergus, you sleep like the dead. Now we'll have to do extra laps."
"What are you talking about?' asked Fergus blearily, and stood. Balris flitted around him, helping him tie his armor.
"Hurry." said Balris, and they took the ladder two rungs at a time.
"I see that the Sarillen brothers ate too much last night. They're getting fat, and slow." boomed Tarris, his massive arms crossed over his chest.
"Sarillen brothers? Oh, that's me." thought Fergus, and a goofy grin appeared on his face.
"Oh, and he thinks its funny? Ten extra laps." said Tarris. "Get your lazy asses to the training field."
"What's going on?" asked Fergus as he jogged after Balris.
"Training. A month or so before the big hunt, scouts train hard. It is necessary that we be in the best condition possible, so that we can bring home enough meat for winter." said Balris. "That means that Tarris and Weilyra kick our asses every single day until then. I guarantee that you'll be drinking tonight, to drown the pain."
Fergus grinned. "I doubt it. I've never been in this good of shape my entire life."
Hours later, Fergus stumbled to the edge of the clearing and vomited. Muscles were burning in his legs and back that he didn't know existed, before today. Luckily, he was not the only one who was feeling the burn. The other scouts were spread over the clearing, either lying on the ground, panting, or vomiting, like Fergus. Tarris had granted them a short break. Fergus wondered how he had ever thought the big pirate was friendly. He was obviously a sadist.
Archery practice was difficult. Fergus's arms felt like jelly from the endless push-ups Tarris had made them do. He was still a clumsy archer next to the rest of the scouts, and Tarris didn't let him forget it.
"Don't make me regret bringing you along! Aim, man! Are you closing your eyes before you release the arrow? Pathetic!" shouted Tarris. Fergus grimaced. He was used to hearing the harsh shouts of commanders, but usually those shouts were not directed at him. He funneled the anger bubbling his chest toward aiming, and his arrows began to fly swiftly and accurately.
"Nice, Fergus." said Seilra next to him.
"Seilra! Try to get into his pants on your own time!" shouted Tarris, and Seilra scowled.
When the sun finally disappeared behind the trees, Tarris reluctantly let them go.
Fergus dragged his leaden body back into the village. He saw that some of the other villagers had set up tables with food and alcohol. Fergus headed straight for the alcohol.
The aching in his legs finally began to subside. "Does it get easier? I hear we have Weilyra tomorrow." said Fergus to Seilra and Balris.
They groaned. "Weilyra is ten times worse. She doesn't yell, or even raise her voice. Yet, she is much, much more brutal." said Balris. "Oh, I don't even want to think about it."
Seilra winced. "Last year she made most of us cry."
"Not you, though." said Balris. "You never cry. Me, though, I cried enough for both of us."
Fergus caught Seilra's eye, and then looked away, ashamed. He remembered his words, more vicious than a punch, making her cry. Her leg rubbed against his, under the table.
"It doesn't matter." said Seilra, and Fergus knew she was not replying to Balris. He smiled slightly, and she nodded.
"Drink up, my friends." said Balris.
Later that night, Fergus saw Kaetra talking to Seilra. When he saw Seilra get up to get a refill, he nudged Balris.
"Now's your chance. Go to her." he said. Balris nodded, the alcohol giving him courage. He stood, and walked over to Kaetra. He mentioned something, and pointed up. Kaetra looked up, and her cheeks turned pink. Seilra paused near Fergus.
"Ah, so he did catch on to my plan." said Seilra. "Did you see what is in the tree?"
"What?" asked Fergus. "Mistletoe?"
"Mistletoe grows in the winter, stupid." said Seilra. "Why would that even matter? No, the nest of a bluebird. If two people stand under it and one mentions is, they must kiss."
"Like mistletoe." said Fergus. Seilra looked at him, and shook her head. "You're strange."
Fergus saw Balris lift Kaetra's chin, and lower his mouth to hers. Kaetra wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.
Suddenly, Fergus was soaked. Rain had come out of nowhere and was pouring down, drenching everyone.
The people who had witnessed the kiss gasped and began whispering.
Fergus saw Seilra grin. "It's a sign." she said.
"What do you mean?" asked Fergus.
"They are meant to be together. I felt bad for what I did to them earlier this year, so I found a bluebird nest. I then managed to get Kaetra under it. I hoped Balris would catch on, and it seems he did." said Seilra.
Fergus looked at her. "Aww, you're a romantic."
"What are you talking about? I just felt bad, is all." said Seilra, scowling. "Though the sign is more than I could have hoped for. They'll be married soon."
"What? So they kiss, it rains, and then they get married? Isn't that a little hasty? What if they aren't right for each other?" asked Fergus.
"If they weren't right, there wouldn't have been a sign. It's simple." said Seilra, looking at him incredulously.
Fergus rolled his eyes and looked back at Balris and Kaetra. The pair were clutching hands, staring at one another. Fergus had never seen such a wide, happy smile on his friend's face. He watched the pair separate, and Balris walked toward him.
"Did you see that? I knew it! I always knew it!" he said.
"See that you're soaking wet? Yes. So am I." said Fergus.
"The sign!" said Balris.
Fergus personally thought the business with "signs," was a load of superstitious garbage, but he was respectful enough to keep his views mostly to himself. He excused himself from the excited chatter of Balris and Seilra, and walked back to his home.
Fergus awakened with a start. The room was still dark, and he heard Balris's soft breathing. He peered out the window and saw the scout fire burning. He hurriedly pulled on his armor and woke Balris. Balris opened his eyes, the smile from the night before still on his face. Fergus wanted to throw up from the sickly sweetness of it all.
"You make me sick, Balris. Get dressed." said Fergus.
Balris shrugged and dressed quickly. "It's love." he said.
They arrived at the fire just as Tarris put his fingers to his mouth and whistled shrilly. Minutes later, Seilra arrived, her armor not tied completely.
Fergus walked to her and helped her tie it.
"Why are you late?" he asked.
"Kaetra kept me up all night talking about Balris. About what a handsome man he is, and so strong, and such a good hunter, and why hadn't she noticed? Blah." said Seilra.
"Sickening, huh?" said Fergus.
"Extremely." said Seilra. "And now, I get extra laps, too."
"Tarris didn't even seem to notice you were late. Look, he and Weilyra are making eyes at each other." said Fergus.
Seilra turned to look. "Oh, that is interesting. Maybe we'll get a reprieve. The both of them are hopeless romantics, you know. They were the last couple to have signs happen, until Kaetra and Balris." said Seilra.
After the fortieth lap around the field, Fergus was convinced that Seilra had been wrong. He ate his lunch quickly, remembering the day before, when Tarris had forced anyone not finished with their food to abandon it.
"See? I told you we'd have it easy." said Seilra.
"This is easy?" asked Fergus.
"This is how do you say it? A walk in the cake?" said Seilra.
Fergus laughed, choking on his sandwich. "You mixed it up. Either a cake walk or a walk in the park." he said.
"Yes. That." said Seilra. "I even heard that Weilyra is considering letting us spar later, instead of archery."
By the time they got to sparring, Fergus was again feeling beaten and tired. He beat his opponents easily, until he got to Seilra. Once again, they locked into a no-win battle. Eventually, the field began to darken.
"Everyone is dismissed!" shouted Weilyra.
Fergus eyed Seilra. "Do you fold?" he asked.
"No." she said.
Eventually, Fergus had to rely on the light from the moon to see her. Sweat poured off them, and the sword was slippery in his hand. He eventually held up a hand.
"Draw?" he asked.
"Yes." she panted, and grasped his hand. She then pulled him forward, intending on tripping him. He gripped her hand tightly and she crashed down on top of him.
"Cheater." he said.
"Ah, well." she said cheekily, shrugging. Her braids swung forward, tickling Fergus's face and neck. He looked up at her flushed face, her eyes bright. She moved, intending to stand up, but Fergus gripped her waist. She looked down at him and let out a shaky breath. Fergus tangled his hands in her hair and pull her face down to his. He lightly touched his mouth to hers. Seilra kissed him back roughly, her teeth scraping against his lips. She began exploring his mouth with her tongue, and Fergus was painfully aware of just how long it had been since had last had sex. Fergus gasped, his head grinding against the dirt of the training field. He ran his hands up her armor, the heat from her body so great he could feel it through the leather scales. Seilra pushed a leg between his and he rubbed himself against it, feeling wildly out of control.
Seilra tasted like salt and raspberries and something else. She pulled her mouth from his and trailed her mouth across his jaw, then down his neck. She licked at the sweat she found there, and Fergus moaned. He felt her fingers untying the laces of his trousers and he ran his hands up her legs, under the skirt of her armor. Her hand wrapped around his erection and Fergus closed his eyes. He felt her shift above him and then he felt warmth and wetness. Fergus looked down and saw her gaze burning into his, her mouth around him.
"Seilra!" he gasped. "Seilra, you don't have to-"
She pulled away a little. "Fergus, we're both adults. I want to. Believe me, I've wanted this for a long time." she said, and looked at him. Assured of his attention, she moved her her hand to her waist and unlaced her skirt. She pulled it and her small clothes off with one smooth movement. Not breaking his gaze, she then dropped her hand between her legs and put a finger inside herself.
Fergus swallowed. He had never seen anyone as shameless, as fearlessly sexy as Seilra. She smiled slyly, and crawled on top of him.
"I meant to prolong this, but I can't. I want you." said Seilra, and took him into her. Fergus made a strangled sound as she moved against him. She was hot and wet around him, and he thrust up into her. Fergus looked up at her, and she grinned triumphantly, which firmed his control. He brought his thumb up to his mouth and slowly licked it as she watched, then pressed it between her legs, rubbing her mercilessly. She gasped and thrust her hips against him. Fergus held himself in check just barely, but when she moaned and began clenching around him, he lost himself and thrust roughly up. His hands flew to her waist and he slammed her down onto him, biting his lip to keep the sound from escaping. Pleasure shot through him and he felt her eyes on him as he came.
Seilra sat, panting for a moment, then rolled off him. Fergus looked at the sky, thoroughly spent. He heard her pulling on her clothing, and he pulled up his trousers.
"Why do you wear those? None of the other men wear trousers under their armor." said Seilra.
"I don't know. Habit, I guess. I'm used to wearing heavy metal armor, and without trousers under it, it hurts." said Fergus. "You are incredible, you know."
Seilra looked at him sharply, then laughed. "I know."
