Chapter 11 - Kas

Kas watched the townsfolk go, keeping his silence. He seethed at his wife’s blatant display of power. There would be damage control from this needed in nearly every household in Haver, and he knew he’d be the one doing it.

He hurried to the forge. As he arrived he belted on his sword. I shouldn’t wear it. The townsfolk are scared enough. But he had no other choice. It would be foolish not to after what just happened. And he’d have to wear it from that point forward.

He stepped back into the road and Zelicia and Animus were waiting for him.

Zelicia grinned at him. “Shall we go see how Sterl is doing, husband?”

Her smug smile and calm confidence made him even more furious. Arrogance and foolishness are often the same. His wife didn’t realize that. And she never would, no matter the stakes.

Animus looked at her before his eyes settled on his father. Kas met his son’s gaze, seeing his bewilderment. He’s starting to learn his mother’s not all smiles and kisses.

“Papa? Can we go see him?”

Kas nodded. “In a minute. I need to speak with your mother first.” He pointed to the spot an Animus’s feet. ”Wait here.”

Kas walked with his wife until they were out of the boy’s earshot. The grin never left her face. When they were far enough away, he whispered, “Have you lost your stones?”

Her grin disappeared. “You would have preferred I let that drunken bear worshipper beat me bloody? In front of everyone?”

“I would have gone with you.”

“You stomped out of Animus’s room like a spoiled child.”

“Barl’s cursed beard, woman. I was coming back!”

“Lower your voice. You’ll have people think we’re fighting.” Zelicia grinned and put her finger to her lips. “Shhh…”

“Cursed...” He saw Animus looking at them and forced himself to be quieter. He whispered, “The villagers are already terrified of you. Must you give them another reason?”

Zelicia put her palm on his chest. “Stop coddling them. We’re here so we so can dictate our surroundings for our benefit.”

He grabbed her hand. “We’ll be lucky if half of the townsfolk don’t leave after that.”

“They didn’t know it was me, husband. Leir has all the symptoms of Stiggler’s fever. I was certain the Recruitment Mistress would recognize it. From what I’ve heard, the disease is running rampant through their army.”

Kas was astounded. She hadn’t left his arms last night until Animus stumbled through the house like a drunken ox. Then she spent the rest of the night dealing with Yayisha. She couldn’t have known that a Recruitment Mistress would conveniently appear. “How is it you know so much of the Southern wars? You knew she’d be here, didn’t you? ”

She nodded. “I knew that someone from Haver sent a letter to her commanding officer, telling him how our boys had been trained in sword and shield from a veteran of the Wars in the North. I figured they’d quickly send someone to swell their ranks,” Zelicia said.

“Why did you do that? What benefit do we gain from sending all the boys I’ve trained off to war?”

Zelicia replied, “The more distractions, the better. You know the narrow minds of these petty villagers. Thoughts of their sons and daughters in the South will pulls their minds afar. They’ll stop focusing on our children.”

Kas couldn’t dispute that. Worry can gnaw through the thickest of steels, the staunchest of walls. As a father, Kas knew that to be true. He couldn’t imagine either Animus or Yayisha off fighting a war. Not without me to protect them.

He said, “I trained those boys to protect Haver. I’ve plans to build defenses, pave our roads, expand our trade—.”

“There’s more boys to train. Haverians mate like rabbits.”

Why did I ever marry this woman? Kas struggled to keep calm. Everything he tried to mold to protect them she spun from his control. “You should’ve talked to me about this.”

“You never see the bigger picture, husband. Only what’s in front of your nose.”

Kas knew exactly what she was talking about. Thousands of men and women lost. Because I wouldn’t listen. He stepped away from her and looked up to the clear blue skies. A slight wind blew in his face, the cooling him. “We’ll talk of this later. Right now we try and fix what happened yesterday.”

“I’ve already fixed it.”

Foolish woman. So many pieces could fall apart… “What if this Recruitment Mistress determines it isn’t Stiggler’s fever?”

“I’ve seen that she will. The fever often happens in bunches. A few more will come down with it today.”

“You already had this planned! You couldn’t have known Leir would confront you.”

“I didn’t. But I decided last night after you ravished me that Haver needed its own drama. An outbreak of sickness, the arrival of the Recruitment Mistress to recruit—Leir was an afterthought.”

Kas couldn’t believe his ears. “You’re as evil as the day we met.”

Zelicia smiled wide. “You didn’t seem to mind my evilness last night.” She leaned in and whispered, her lips brushing against his ear. “Now I want you all over again.”

Zelicia kissed him on the cheek and walked to Animus. Kas watched her go. He recalled the day he’d given up his name, his life, and his responsibility to Fourth Legion. Seventeen years later he still questioned the decision. Have I made the right choice? I’ve given up everything for this. Part of him told him that raising his children was worth it. But the battlefield was where he belonged. Sometimes he thought he’d even made peace with this decision. Yet the past nipped at his heels. He willed himself to look forward, not back. Pondering the past is an act for fools.

Kas followed wife and son. He tried to forget his anger and fell into a slow, familiar march. But he felt the stares. They crawled on him from the windows of the buildings they passed. His eyes darted to the right, the movement of a dog causing him to jerk, his hand going for his sword. Muscles under his bottom-most left rib pulled. That would will bother me until I enter the grave. Without thinking he rubbed the lumpy remains of a scar. It was a rare through and through from a crossbow bolt that missed every vital. Point blank shot, too. I should’ve been dead, “Luck of a devil” my men said.

From the opposite side of the street, a door slammed. Again he went for the sword. Slowly he made himself release the hilt. There’s no archers, no ambush, no blood about to be shed. Kas focused on what was coming. He knew there was a conflict coming. And he’d be dealing with it.

They arrived at Sterl’s house after a few minutes, the trek to the other end of town a short one. There, Zelicia stopped and put her hand around Animus’s shoulders.

“Why’re we stopping?” Animus asked.

Kas leaned over and whispered in his son’s ear. “They won’t be happy to see us.”

He saw the hurt in his son’s expression. Animus said, “It’s my fault.”

“Nonsense,” Zelicia said yet again.

Kas couldn’t keep the anger from his voice, “The boy’s right. Good that he knows it. But we’re at fault for not putting a stop to this nonsense between you and your sister.”

Zelicia changed the subject. “Zalarius is as talented a healer as I’ve seen. Its doubtful Sterl will even carry a limp after he heals. Still, we’ll wait here while your father announces our arrival.”

The boy nodded. “I’ll make it right.”

“I’ll see that you will. Wait here with our mother until I give the signal.”

“Yes, father.”

Kas knew Dalpa would be waiting for them. He was Sterl’s father, and no friend to Kas. Ever since Dalpa and his family had moved to Haver last year, Kas always caught the huge man staring at him. He suspects us. Dalpa had proved his intelligence; he was a shrewd and knowledgeable barterer when it came to selling his wares, and in the previous year the man’s lumbering trade had grown so much he could send the fallen timber to other villages in the mountains.

“Kas had just stepped on the porch when the door opened. Dalpa himself stepped out to meet him. Like most lumberjacks, he wore a burly beard and long hair, the latter of which signified his trade. Bits of white streaked through the man’s brown hair, which had been pulled into a ponytail that reached his tailbone. He’s a master of his trade with hair as long as that. The man’s burly girth made him twist at the torso to get through the door.

Kas just stepped on the porch when he stopped. Less than three feet from each other, they watched at one another, Kas making certain to keep his hand far away from his weapon. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He would wait for Dalpa to speak as was customary when visiting someone at their home.

But Dalpa didn’t. After a few moments the man crossed his arms. He stared at Kas, staying quiet.

He insults me. Kas had seen enough fury to know Dalpa’s mood. One of the man’s fists were balled, and the lines of his face showed tension. Kas stayed relaxed but ready. He remained silent, but nodded to Dalpa.

Finally, Dalpa nodded back. Kas took that as a sign to speak. “No need to be this way.”

Dalpa strode forward and pointed at Kas. “My boy nearly died last night!” Now Leir lies sick. You expect me to believe that’s coincidence?”

Kas didn’t move. Yet he saw no idol of the bear shaman across Dalpa’s neck. So just the son worships the bears. He asked, “Are you accusing me of hurting your sons?”

Dalpa nodded. “I am. Maybe not you, but that wife of yours. I know what she is.”

The man was bristling for a fight, Kas knew. He has a hot temper. I see where Leir gets it. Kas shrugged. “She’s concerned. That’s why she sent the newly arrived healer to tend your son last night even before the dust could be cleaned from his clothes. Do you seek to repay that debt with accusation?”

Dalpa’s eyes widened. “Debt? I see no debt.”

Kas knew there would be some type of fight. It’s in his eyes. So he stopped being so polite. “Then you’re as big a fool as you are strong.”

Dalpa sneered and started to take a step forward.

Kas jumped toward him and jutted his own leg between Dalpa’s. The move caused the lumberjack to stumble. Kas gripped one of Dalpa’s wrist and squeezed hard. Kas said, “We are this town. Everything you see. The temple, the road, and that town bathhouse you and that disrespectful shit of son use.” Kas squeezed harder. Dalpa balled his other hand but Kas ignored it and squeezed even harder. “One swing and I’ll destroy your other hand. That numbness you feel? A full squeeze with just the right twist and you’ll never use it again.”

Kas pressed harder, using his other hand to grip the back of Dalpa’s other shoulder to keep the man moving backward. Any moment now… Sure enough, Dalpa’s anger slowly dissolved to fear. Sweat popped on the man’s forehead.

Only then did Kas withdraw his foot. Still he kept his grip on the wrist but lessened it ever so slightly. “Now, I’m going to hug you. And by all that’s right, you’ll hug back.”

“Doesn’t make any of this right,” Dalpa said.

They embraced. Kas kept talking. “I know you’re angry. Tuck it away. Be civil. Many eyes watch us. Do you really want me to break you on your own doorstep?” He waited for a few uncomfortable seconds before stepping back and releasing the man’s wrist.

New-found respect smoldered in his Dalpa’s eyes. Still, the man was defiant when he spoke. “Once our boys are well, we’re leaving this cursed village.”

Kas shook his head. “Your wife will disagree. She’s to work with Zelicia at the temple.”

Dalpa’s eyes widened again. “What?”

“Oh, it’s a great honor. Just ask the other women in town.”

Dalpa’s forehead wrinkled, “She wouldn’t…”

Kas smiled. “Like or not, she won’t leave, nor will my wife allow her to.” Kas made himself smile then, though inside he felt sick about what he was doing. It’s the truth. The man needs to hear it.

Dalpa rubbed his aching wrist. “You won’t control us like this,”

Kas pointed at the man’s wrist. “I just did. And you backed down like a scolded dog.” Kas stepped in Dalpa’s face and looked into his eyes. “Or you still want to have a go?”

Dalpa swallowed yet stayed silent. Kas knew that he’d won the battle of wills. For the moment. “Now, we’ll come in. My boy will talk to yours, and then we’ll leave. After that, Animus will be by once a day until Sterl walks again. And you’ve my word Zalarius will tend him till your boy’s running in the streets.”

“What good’s your word when backed by threats?”

“Better than just threats.”

The lumberjack winced.

“I’ll have my wife take care of that wrist herself. Unless you have a problem with that?” Kas asked.

Dalpa shook his head. Kas nodded one more time, relieved the only thing he had hurt was Dalpa’s pride.

Moments later, Animus and Zelicia approached the deck. She was all smiles as she greeted Dalpa, who was noticeably pale. He gave Zelicia a courteous nod. When Animus stopped in front of Dalpa, the man saw the tears running down Animus’s face. Dalpa’s face softened. “Sterl’s right inside. Been asking about you.”

Animus saw the man’s shaking hands and was smart enough to stay quiet. “Thank you,” Animus said, and tucked into the house quickly.

As Kas walked past the big lumberjack, he whispered, “I hear of our little talk from anyone, it’ll be more than that hand I take.” He walked into the house then, fully ashamed of himself. The man will only ever respect me out of fear now.

Though Kas hated himself for what he just did, he buried the regret. There would be more people that would fear him before their stay in Haver was done. But Kas knew it did no good to feel sorry for himself. But he remembered what one of his sergeants told him when he just a grunt in the army. Buckle your straps and get used to it.