Hatchling (Tameron and the Dragon) (13 page)

"I just hope they're not as bad as mine," Marysa said with a trembling voice. "I stole away with him to my family's home when I couldn't bear it any more. Honnold's men took everything when I wouldn't give Jorry up. We had to run. I don't think he knows we have this cabin. He's got the local mage under his thumb, but not as much as he thinks. Tigran put a spell on us so we can't be found, even by another wizard. He threatened to turn us in if we don't keep paying him. Papa started by trapping, and went back to it, at his age! Since then, I've watched my mother work like a drudge, Papa risk his life in the winter, and my boy wear rags and eat slops. Last year my brother coughed himself to death because all our money goes to that wretch Tigran. But I couldn't let Honnold hurt my son!" She began sobbing.

Tam quietly slipped away from Dorena and let Marysa cry on his shoulder. How brave she was! She only worried about her family, and hadn't said how much she must hate working at the inn. He was outraged by the rest of what she'd said. A mage so corrupt he squeezed
the people he should be helping—that was wrong! "Did you ever see Jorry's father again?" he asked. He imagined what Honnold and the cousin looked like. The image of a wizened, aging man with graying hair came into his mind, along with the mental picture of a dark-haired younger man, only with Jorry's bright blues eyes.
Damn both of them for leaving Marysa like this!

"For all I know Honnold
is
the father. I never want to see him again!" Marysa said, her head still drooping. "I never saw Jarrett either. He left one night and I heard he became a soldier. I'd be surprised if he even remembers me."

Tam lifted up one of her hands and kissed it. "I know I'm only second-best, but will you have me anyway?"

She stepped back, took his hands in hers, and said, "Yes! Oh, yes!" Tam gently embraced her again, as if they'd been wed for years. She started laughing and crying at the same time till his kiss quieted her.
I'll make her so happy she'll never dream of any other man
, he swore to himself.

Dorena looked at them both, and shook her head. "Well, I see no reason to object now. I accept this betrothal, but things must be decent between you two until the wedd
ing. Tam, I'm sorry, but you have to find some blankets and make a bed out here. I don't know what's happened already, but you have to behave yourselves now. I'm putting both of you on your honor not to seek each other out that way till you're married."

Marysa withdrew from his arms. "Which means that her eyes will be on us both even when she's asleep!"

"Mine will be on you," Tam said. He went back into the cabin to fetch the blankets, while the two women talked to each other. He and Marysa were going to be separated for now, but soon they would never be parted again.

The cabin was a mess. With everyone gone, Jorry had dug into several chests looking for the small cloth dog now clutched in his arms. The boy partially awoke as Tam picked things up. "What's going on?" the child asked.

"Jorry, I love your mother. I want to be her husband, and your grandmother agrees, but till we're married I have to sleep in the barn. After that, your mother and I will be in the same bed. I'll make you one of your own when your grandfather comes back. A big fellow like you deserves it."

The boy looked puzzled. "Do I have to call you Da?"

"Only if you want to. Or we could just be friends." How did Marysa's son feel about this?

Jorry chewed his bottom lip for a moment,
and smiled. "You don't hit me. I like you." Then he yawned and fell asleep again.

If only life was always so simple! Tam smiled. Soon it would be, at least for him, if Aylar agreed to let him marry Marysa.

He caught a glimpse of something bright in the bottom of one of the chests he opened as he looked for more blankets. Curiosity made him clear away the clothes on top. He found a dark blue cloak, a fine shirt with intricate beading, and the long, shining blade of a sword. Marysa's family had been rich indeed to afford such things for their son before his death. Why hadn't they'd sold them when Darin was sick?
No doubt the mage would have taken the money and let the boy die anyway,
he thought.

Tam's fingers stroked the hilt. It fit well in his hand. Perhaps the sword wasn't Darin's. Or maybe his own head was so filled with dreams of Marysa he wasn't thinking straight! He quietly closed the lid of
the chest. One thing at a time.

He barely slept that night, and not just because of the hard floor or the stench of the cows. Marysa was going to be his wife! He prayed for Aylar to return soon and bless their union. How could he wait? He almost didn't need a fire in the small hearth in the barn to keep warm as he imagined Marysa's arms around him forever.

But that night he dreamed of the sword.

Chapter 7

A few days later Marysa wrapped herself in two cloaks and left to work at the inn. He argued against it, and so did Dorena, but Marysa held firm. "That mage'll think I've run away to cheat him of his bribes if I don't come back," she said. "And I can eat there instead of here. That'll help some."

Tam was angry. Did she pay only in money? He didn't ask. Instead, he stood at the front door and clenched his fists in rage as he watched her walk away into the forest towards the town. Whatever she did, it wasn't her fault. If only he could use the sword in the chest to teach that evil mage a lesson!

Despite feeling heartsick at missing her, and the extra work, it was easier for him once Marysa left. She'd been so affectionate, even with her mother watching, that it was all he could do to keep his hands off her. He moved back into the cabin and used the same bed as before, though Jorry now slept with his grandmother to help keep the old woman warm. It was becoming colder at night as winter deepened in the forest.

Tam slept better at night once she was gone, though the dreams never stopped. Now they included a blurry-faced man in a red silk robe leering at Marysa. She cried out for someone to rescue her, while Tam rode by on a chestnut mare and cut the fellow down. Tam's body always sang with delight as she rewarded him for his bravery--
that
part didn't change.

During the daytime he repaired everything that he knew how to. Some evenings he drew plans in the hard dirt floor for another room at the side of the cabin. He and Marysa would have more room if they put up a new barn and then used the old one in back, but it'd take forever to clean out the smell.
Best to begin fresh,
he thought, as he imagined the joy of having her with him forever. Oh, if only he could build a hall like the one he sometimes dreamed of. It had a high ceiling and a long table fit for a king. He and his beloved sometimes feasted there in his night-visions, and then walked upstairs to a room with a wide bed that belonged only to them.

Dorena fussed over him more than ever. Tam became worried when she started looking more tired without Marysa to aid her. He tried to help out, but she
became irritated when he did. Some days he took Jorry with him when he led the cows out to forage, and had to dig deeper than ever to reach below the snow. That gave her some rest. Tam also made a game of bringing in the firewood and cleaning out the stalls, so Jorry would join in more often without feeling overburdened. Tam tried to teach Jorry how to sew, but Dorena was afraid of the child breaking one of the few precious needles. However, Jorry thought it was fun to pound dough, at least till he was tired, so that much was taken from the older woman's shoulders.

The days kept growing shorter, till it seemed they rose in the dark and went to bed that way as well. The cabin began to fill with wonderful smells as Dorena clearly took advantage of Jorry's absence to do some baking. One night Tam came in with the boy and saw a garland of bright-leaved herbs hung up over the fireplace. "It's going to be feast-time soon!" Jorry said, and ran around as if he hadn't been tumbling in and out of snowdrifts all day long.

"Yes, dear, in two days," Dorena said. She looked smug till she gazed at the death-doll of her son, half-hidden by the garland. "Tam, do you remember anything about your home this time of year?"

He stopped where he was and closed his eyes. Sometimes he
retrieved a few images that way. He was usually all right as long as he didn't push for more. "Midwinter..." he murmured to himself. "I'm in a great hall full of lights. Mama--no, Esa--is holding my hand so I don't make a fuss. I don't see Father. Everyone's too tall. She's taking me to the front. I see him! I want to wave to him, but I'm not supposed to. Everyone's shouting. I'm scared, but I can't run away. I have to be good, or I won't have any sweets after supper. Oh! Now I don't see anything." He gasped as pain hammered his head, and his vision went blurry when he opened his eyes. Tam sat down on a bench, as exhausted as if he'd put in two days' work instead of one. "I'm sorry, Dorena," he whispered. "That's all." The only good thing about this latest attempt was the memory of the woman's plump, freckled hands.

"There, lad, don't worry. I'll tell the story." Dorena handed out mugs of steaming cider sweetened with honey. Tam and Jorry sat back to listen once the older woman had settled herself in the one good chair.

"When the Lord and Lady had their first four children," she began, "they grew up to become the Elements, Arial, the Giant, Salamander, and Shapechanger. After they made the world, each one decided to hold a festival in celebration. Shapechanger was happiest in spring, because the ice melted and he could move around again. He promised to give a party for everyone when he first woke up. That's why everyone plays like a child after the winter storms are over. Arial said she would give one in the summer for the Lord's birthday. That's why the sun shines the longest then, for He lingers as long as He can. Then the Giant said he'd give one for the Lord's and Lady's wedding anniversary, which is in the fall. Because he's so respectful of both his parents, he always has the most to offer at the feast. Salamander was unhappy. She's weakest in the cold weather and can't do much to help celebrate the Lady's birthday at Midwinter. The Giant tries to help, but he's always so sleepy then he can't do much. That why we have to use his gifts carefully in the fall, so we have enough to last till spring. Salamander tries to burn brightly in our hearths to make up for it," Dorena said.

"Of course, we have to
help by providing fuel," she added. "That's why this month is called the Candle, for flames burn low at this time of year no matter how hard the Salamander works. Next month is the Mountain, because the Giant was the first to begin shaping the earth. On the last day of the Candle, the Lord comes for the shortest time and stays away the longest. It's said that He does battle against the invaders from Outside once each year. We mourn His departure and keep watch in the night to keep evil away until He returns for the first day of the Mountain. Even though the Giant is very sleepy, he still protects us once the new day begins. But none of the Elements rule during the Dark Night, so the eldest person in each family must sit up and guard the doors and windows."

"What about the Lady?" Jorry asked. "Why doesn't she have a party for Her birthday?"

"Oh, she has one every month, but only women go to Her feast. At Midwinter She sometimes takes pity on us and watches over the earth instead of following Her husband. The Dark Night is no longer evil when She shines Her light. And when Her face is full, then only great good will come," Dorena said. "Around here, it's so cold She usually prefers hiding under the clouds! But I remember, there was a clear night as far as the eye could see about fifteen years ago. The sky was so bright, both from the Lady and the strange sky colors in the north, that we knew something important was about to happen. My youngest son Darin was born two days later, and he was the best lad..." Her voice choked up.

Tam bowed his head. Of course she missed her son.

Dorena calmed down. "But when the Lord is safely back from His journey into darkness the day after, then everyone feasts on the Giant's bounty and stays warm with the help of the Salamander! Those who sat up now rest, while the others serve them!" Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears.

Tam was glad he was here now. With both Aylar and Marysa gone, Dorena would have been terribly lonely with only Jorry to watch over, and would have had no one to help her.

Two days later they put up more garlands and lit all the lamps in the household. Only light drove away the darkness and kept people safe from the demons that roamed the earth when both the Lord and Lady were absent, as they were that night. Tam and Jorry huddled under the blankets, while Dorena bundled up and sat next to the fire. Even with the hearth as full as could be, it was still bitterly cold.

Tam realized he must have fallen asleep when he heard Dorena muttering to herself. No, it was prayer. He saw her silhouetted against the hearth light as she faced the small shrine in the corner. The flames picked out Darin's death-doll that she held in her arms.

"...though you took one son from me, I thank Thee for giving me another," the old woman said softly. "Don't let Marysa hurt him. The boy really loves her, but she's just tired. Thank you for letting me catch them before things went too far. Fall and winter are bad times for having children, as I should know. Darin was always sickly, poor lad. Let me keep Tam in his place, Great Lady. You have the stars in the sky and the Elements, and I've lost three of my children to You already. Isn't that enough? Watch over Aylar and bring him home, I beg you! And protect Marysa when she's in town. Keep Honnold from finding her, and forgive her for anything she does there to help us. Lady, you know what those evil folk are like. And please, please find a way so she doesn't have go back there any more..."

Tam felt like throwing up. Even Dorena guessed what kind of bribes the mage probably wanted. It wasn't Marysa's fault! Once they were married, she'd never go back. If he had to, he'd sneak into the town and break Tigran's neck. He didn't
care how powerful the man was.

His stomach churned when he thought of Marysa and the mage together. He'd better
go to the privy. He made a bit of noise so Dorena would know he was awake, then pulled on his boots and threw a cloak around himself as he stumbled out of the cabin without regard to any danger. A good thing he'd worn most of his clothes to bed.

The cold woke him up all the way. He shivered as he got rid of used cider, from more than the cold. "It's not Marysa's fault," he repeated to himself. He couldn't be angry with her.
If only she loves me a little, I can bear it,
he thought. He remembered the way she'd leaned on his shoulder in the barn, and calmed down. That had been real.

He gazed at the sky for a moment on his way back to the cabin. The stars blazed brilliantly between scraps of cloud. He knew the names of some of the star-patterns--the Candle, the Mountain, and the Snowdemon, while the Hunter was near the horizon. Above them was a single star that wasn't part of any group. He suddenly knew it was his.

Tam was startled when Dorena touched him on the shoulder. "Lad, come inside," she said. "It's not safe for anyone to be out this night. The stars are the Lord's and Lady's children, but can't be trusted when their parents aren't around."

"Just looking at my star," Tam said, and pointed at the shining gem in the sky that sat in such lonely splendor.

Her eyes grew wide. "You must have born just when Darin was. He was nearly given that star when he was blessed by a mage at the Feast of Fools in the spring. A good thing I had witnesses to prove he was born two days later. I wouldn't wish having that star on anyone."

"Is it a bad one?" He knew that some stars meant that the bearer would have to fight evil, either in the world or inside his own soul. He couldn't remember what his was. Why could he recall only part of what he'd learned before coming here?

"No, Tam. That star is just a heavy burden for anyone to bear. Ah, but it could be worse. With the Lady shining down on your birth, it means you'll have Her favor whenever you’re too lonely. But then, that's not a hard guess. A handsome lad like you won't need much help with that!" She patted him on the shoulder. "Tonight must be your birthday. The demons won't attack you. Come in anyway, before we both freeze."

He
willingly obeyed, though he wasn't sleepy at all now. He sat with Dorena by the fire. "I hope Marysa returns soon," he said. "I hope your husband does, too."

"So do I," she said with a sigh.

He couldn't sit still. He draped another quilt over the older woman, and felt warm inside when she smiled up at him. He built up the fire, and then paced around the cabin. Part of him longed to be outside no matter how cold it was.

As he turned towards the door, he knocked over a small pot and caught it just in time to keep it from breaking. Dorena uttered a soft cry when the dried plants inside fell out.

Tam helped her scoop them up. "Do they turn into gold?" he asked.

"More valuable than that till spring, when they grow fresh again," she said. "It's childbane, and not very much of it. The cabin's too cold for me to grow the stuff in a pot. Did you ever think how fast you might have become a father if I hadn't interrupted you that night?"

"No." His face burned as hot as the hearth. His mind had been on Marysa's warm skin and silky hair. Now he imagined her growing large with his child, and could not describe the joy it brought him.

"Good
thing I've kept you apart, then. When spring comes, it'll be easy to find. A woman must take it during her moon-time and a week after, then she's safe for as long as she drinks the tea for the same half a moon each cycle.”

"If Marysa and I-
-if we're to be married, why does she have to take it at all?"

"Our life here is hard. Babes born in the fall or winter often die, and their mothers with them. It's best for a child to be born in the spring as poor as we are now. Marysa would start breeding in
a month with you for a husband. She had a hard time with Jorry, and was sick all summer, even living in a proper house with servants. Who knows what might happen here?"

Tam's delight at the thought of Marysa bearing him a son or daughter turned to fear that she might die. Oh blessed Lady, he couldn't
stand it if he was the cause of such pain. "What are we supposed to do?" he asked. "Do we have to wait till spring, or even Midsummer?"

"If Marysa can
buy more in town, we can have the wedding as soon as Aylar returns," Dorena said. "If he returns..."

"He will," Tam said with more confidence than he felt. What if Aylar never came back? How were they going to find the money to keep the mage from telling Honnold where they lived? Then he decided to take care of it. Perhaps the Lord who gave out justice to all
meant
for him to find that sword.

Dorena yawned. "Ah, you're a good lad. You don't have to wed Marysa to stay here."

"I love her."

"She's the only young woman you know," she said. "Wait till Festival, anyway. A lot
of people come in from the countryside to Bogatay. You might find someone you like better then."

"It's not just that!" he said. "She does everything she can to help you when she's home. She's a good mother to Jorry, too. He's so happy around her, and you are, too. I know she doesn't love me as much as I love her, but...she's kind to me anyway. I dream about her every night." He hadn't meant to say that.

Her face softened. "Aylar was like that, too. The Lady  knows I wasn't far behind! A good thing my mother gave us a basket of the leaves for a wedding present, or Marysa would be older than she is. I wish I could grow it in a pot here," she fretted. Then Dorena looked stern. "I hate to say this about my own daughter, but she might not be the best of wives if she has to keep going into town. I don't mean that she'd betray you just for fun, or celebrate Festival every day of the year, but..."

Tam tried to stay calm. "The time may come when she doesn't have to go," he said, though his voice shook. He changed the subject. "What kind of mage is Tigran? What element is he?" He remembered just enough to know it was important.

"Fire, curse him! But it doesn't matter. If he were Water, he'd be ice. If he were Earth, then he'd have a heart of stone. And if he were Air, then he'd be the kind of wind that put sleet down your neck!" She clenched one fist in anger.

Somehow he knew what that meant. An Air mage might guess what he was up to before he struck. A Fire mage could hurt him if he didn't attack quickly, but it was doubtful Tigran would expect
much if the mage was used to bullying others. Tam kept his plans to himself. Dorena would forbid him if she knew. "We'll find a way," he said. "I love her no matter what."

The night passed swiftly after their talk. Tam woke up with his head on the table and a blanket wrapped around him. Dorena lay snug in her bed, while a warm fire blazed away. The lamps were out and a faint light crept through the crack at the bottom of the door. The Dark Night was gone, and the world was safe.

Tam put his blanket on the older woman, and then woke Jorry. "We have to get up and start breakfast," he said in a whisper. "Your grandmother has to rest." He looked in the cupboard and found some food already cooked. That explained the wonderful smells and the secrecy for the past few days. Jorry set the table as quietly as the small boy could, which wasn't very, and Tam warmed up a pot full of cider over the fire. He set the child to watching it so it didn't bubble over while he brought in more wood.

Dorena pretended to be surprised when she woke up, but Tam guessed she'd been listening for longer than that. All of them laughed and feasted that day, though the older woman napped during the afternoon.

When the sun set, Tam stood with bowed head, and reminded Jorry to do the same, while Dorena prayed out loud for the welfare of those who were missing from their circle, both the living and the dead. Tam nearly added some names of his own, then caught himself. He didn't know who they were for certain.
Aliana
was only the empty picture of a beautiful woman, while
Esa
meant soft, warm hands and shining red hair. Other faces floated before his eyes, but they had no names. He sighed, and replaced all of them with the image of Marysa as she'd looked that night in the barn, and the feel of her head on his shoulder as she'd leaned on him for strength and support.

By this time next year she'd be his wife. Who needed memories?

Chapter 8

Marysa came home two weeks later. Tam breathed thanks for this answer to his prayer. Then he realized something was wrong. Her face was red from more than the chill wind outside. "I'm sorry, Mama, I can't go back! I just can't do it any more!" she cried once she came in the door. Then she sat down on the one chair and began weeping.

Tam closed the door for her, and quietly moved his bedroll back to the barn before Dorena asked him to.

Marysa's voice was loud enough to carry to the next town, let alone to the other side of the wall. "It was bad enough before, but when he wanted me to sell myself to the
travelers I slapped his face. He was so stunned that he just stood there as I left. If he makes any trouble, I'll walk all the way to Lochil and plead our case before the Guardian!"

"You know your father doesn't think it'll do any good," Dorena said, though Tam barely heard the older woman. He hastily came back around and entered the cabin.

"I don't care! Let the whole filthy story come out! I'll--I'll take oath before the Earth Spirit in the Sanctuary north of Lochil if that's what it takes! I'll raise a big enough stink nobody will ignore it!" Marysa stood up and almost ran into Tam, who was standing near the door.

"I won't let anyone treat you like that," he said quietly, as he reached out for her. She retreated, her eyes briefly widening with fear. He wanted to strangle the man who'd taught her
that
. As soon as the weather cleared, he'd go to town himself and kill the mage. It couldn't be much of a walk, since Marysa had made it several times this winter without any trouble she'd mentioned. He'd dreamed of rescuing her since before Midwinter. The sword had called to him the moment he'd touched it.

Marysa softened. "Tam, this isn't your fight," she said,
and briefly embraced him.

Was it his imagination, or was she forcing herself to touch him? He ignored the flare of warmth his body felt anyway. "Anything that threatens you is my fight," he said. "That is, if you still want it that way." He hoped she didn't hate all men after what both Lord Honnold and Tigran had done to her.

She looked startled, as if she'd forgotten her pledge to him. Then her face fell. "I don't know," she whispered, as she let her head droop. "I need time to think. Forgive me, Tam. It's not your fault."

He let his arms drop from around her, and winced at her look of gratitude. "I'm stronger than you think, Marysa," he said softly. "And we might not have any time if he follows you."

"He's a coward. Don't worry about
that
," she said with a twisted smile.

Dorena intervened, and hovered over her daughter as if Marysa were ill or injured. When Tam went to bed that night, he opened the chest as if to fetch one more quilt, and took the sword with him as well.