Chapter 3- Friday

Jodoro was up before the ringing of the first bells. He quietly slipped out of bed amid Derry’s snores grabbed a change of clothes, soap, and the hickory wood spear that he had BangBang the company smith make. Nan was in the main room sleeping curled up facing him. She looked peaceful and something else. Happy maybe? For a moment the dawn light caught her face as he opened the tent flap and Jodoro could see the beauty beneath Nan’s weather-beaten face. They said that Nan was a beauty twenty years ago and that another forty back she could turn the heads of kings, emperors and priests. Jodoro could almost believe it now.

“The hell you staring at boy?” Nan grumbled. “Close the flap, your letting the cold in.”

“Yes, Nan.” Jodoro said as he stepped outside. There was a nice sea breeze in the air, and he walked toward the water passing other yurts and wagons on the way. The beach was littered with kelp and other sea debris. He put his clothes on a rock and walked into the ocean until the water came up to his waist and held out the spear like the Corporal had taught him. He went through the movements as the waves pulled at his legs and core. He thrust spun and danced among the waves. All was whole. He was water, air and sand. He was as indomitable as the sea.

He thought about how much things had changed in the past few days. He found that he enjoyed school and weapons training, but he missed working on the wall. Not the work but the people. At least Nan said that he and Derry could work on Saturday’s which were typically half days. He took comfort that a more well-rounded education would make him a better president of the company. He needed to see Ceta Honeybee soon. They had not hung out in a while and he was afraid that she might think he forgot about her.

Jodoro washed in the freshwater stream that ran along the south side of Bellgaurd and into the sea. He felt refreshed and made a promise to repeat this routine every day. He walked toward the yurt and saw Derry leaning against their wagon arms crossed.

“Who pissed in your porridge?” Jodoro asked as Derry fell into step beside him.

“I’m fine.” Derry said as he pulled a biscuit out of his pocket and began eating. “We have those bloody assignments today is all.”

Jodoro knew what he meant. He was a bit nervous about meeting the General at all let alone spending half a day with the man. There was nothing to be done though. The scholar made it a point to remind them that the nature of their tutorships was completely dictated by their respective tutors. This meant that each of the students was going in blind. Over the past few days there was much speculation about it among the Stargazers but know one knew what would happen. He and Derry were starting to get close to their classmates. He originally thought they would be treated differently because they were Onaki but that did not seem to be the case. The training grounds were different. Some of the soldiers from the upper groups would hurl the occasional slur at them but that was not unusual. Onaki learned to live amid discomfort and resentment.

They walked through the training courtyard and equipped themselves then waited. The sound of the killdeer and goldfinches that permeated the morning was interrupted by the crunch of hundreds of boots on the sand gravel of the training yard. Men and boys began rummaging through the practice weapons but instead of the normal morning joviality a somber businesslike mood wafted off them. Jodoro felt uneasy as three boys about his age walked up to him and Derry. The one in red leather boots nodded at the two others and walked up to Jodoro. He was so close that Jodoro had to resist the urge to push him back.

“Don’t you think this has gone on far too long Onaki?” Red Boots said. “Look around,” he gestured toward the other men. “You are not like us and we are not like you. Each of us has our own place in this world and our own talents. For the sake of balance go back to building walls there is no shame in doing this.”

“We are fine where we are but thanks for your concern.”

“Concern?” Red Boots laughed. “Do not confuse my words with concern. I care not for you but for natural order and if you refuse to leave.” He pointed over his shoulder. “We will make you.”

Jodoro tamped down on the anger building in his chest. By now a crowd had gathered around them. Several people were egging them on. People loved to watch fights for some reason. Jodoro never understood why. It seemed a man would run to watch a fight no matter what he was doing. He could have the most beautiful woman on his arm but the instant he heard the commotion of a fight he would drop her. He looked at Derry who wore a look of angered impatience then looked at Red Boots, “Fuck off.”

Much to his surprise Red Boots immediately punched him in the face. Jodoro managed to roll with the punch minimizing the damage. He saw Derry leap toward one of Red Boots goons and could only hope his brother could hold his own against the grown man.

Jodoro immediately put distance between him and Red Boots as the other goon tried to flank him. He angled to his left putting the goon between him and Red Boots. As he moved closer to the goon, he lashed out with a combo of punches that set the goon reeling. The goon tried to close the distance and tackle him to the ground. Jodoro’s knee met the goon’s face and he crumpled to the ground. He caught a glimpse of Derry on his back getting pummeled and let out a bellow or rage. “GET THE FUCK OFF MY BROTHER!”

Before he could do anything, Red Boots tackled him to the ground and thrust an elbow into his ribs. The pain was immense and Red Boots face glowed with glee as he rained blows down on him. Jodoro regained his senses, jerked upward with his hips causing Red Boats to plant both of his hands on the ground to maintain balance. Jodoro hooked his right arm over Red Boots’ left, clamped it to his side and thrust the forearm of his other arm into Red Boots’ neck. The maneuver pushed Red Boots’ off him and allowed Jodoro to rush over to Derry. The crowd let out a shout.

His brother was still and bloody. Time seemed to slow and Jodoro’s vision narrowed. I’m going to kill this bastard. He ran full speed to the man who was astraddle Derry. As the man was set to rain down another blow Jodoro kicked him in the ribs with all his power. The man let out an animalistic cry as Jodoro sat on top of him raining blows down on his face.

“IM GOING TO KILL YOU PUSSY.” He was shouting and crying now. “YOU LIKE HOW THIS FEELS?” He continued to rain down blows like a hammer on stone. He felt someone punching him in the head, but he did not care. More people were punching him now, but he did not care. Arms wrapped around him and tried to drag him away. “FUCK YOU ALL.” He said as he fought them off. He broke free of the restraints and threw a haymaker at Red Boots. More arms restrained his head, neck and arms and he lashed out with his feet kicking anyone that came close. “DERRY!!!” He shouted as two men finally stilled his legs. “DERRY!!! COWARDS I WILL KILL YOU ALL!!!”

The men who were restraining him were talking and he continued to struggle for minutes. Eventually he grew tired and could barely move. In his mind he saw the lifeless form of his brother on the ground completely vulnerable to the goon on top of him. His anger peaked again, and he thrashed and cursed. His throat was raw from screaming and he was still crying. He saw a group of men ushering Red Boots away. The bastard looked at him and smiled.

He realized he was on the ground in a tangle of men when Sargent Horn’s face appeared above him. “Are you done son?”

Jodoro stopped his struggle but could only think of his brother. “Derry?”

“He’s fine just was out cold for a bit.” Sargent Horn answered calmly. “Look,” he sighed, “you two can’t be on the yard today. Tensions are too high right know go home and rest up. Don’t come back until I send for you.” The Sargent turned to two men. “Spaka and Jimbo, help these two home.”

***

Christa did not want to go to the seaward wall alone so she did something that she normally would never do. She invited Amethyst Ridge to accompany her. Normally Amethyst’s constant nattering would drive her crazy but today, with nervousness energy roiling in her chest, it provided some comfort.

“So, I told her that it simply was not Butterfly behavior and that my brother was strictly off limits.” Amethyst said.

“How dare she.” Christa said with mock indignation.

“I know,” Amethyst clucked. “The gall of that girl and to think she offered to do that to him. Sometimes I wonder if Thomas has any standards.”

They turned the corner and came into view of the seaward wall. For the first time in a few months Christa stopped and marveled at the Copper Cauldron Company’s progress. The wall was visibly higher and several of the old grey stones were removed during the restoration and replaced with shining white ones creating a grey-white patchwork. Dozens of workers were scurrying about on the scaffolding and the sounds of hammers on stones permeated throughout the air. She spotted two old women sitting on top of the wall. Both wore the head scarfs of the Onaki. “That must be them,” she said as she pointed up at the wall.

“Clearly but how do we get up there. I’m not climbing a wall in a dress.”

“I don’t think we have to worry about that.” Christa responded. As they were talking the two old women spied them and began climbing down the scaffolding with nimbleness that defied their age. Are they racing? They reached the ground simultaneously and began walking over toward them.

“She must be Seta Blackspider,” Amethyst said nodding toward the woman in trousers. “I have never seen a woman with limbs that long.”

“Indeed.” Christa responded but her eyes were fixed on Nan Bowerbird. She was a short woman with large frying pan hands and a wind ravaged face. She would be lying if she said she saw any familial resemblance between her and Jodoro or Derry. Nevertheless, she was determined to make a good impression and perhaps even unravel the mystery origins of the company’s name. The woman advanced on Christa and looked her up and down. Seta Blackspider stood silently by.

She was surprised when the old woman hugged her and kissed her on both cheeks. She noticed that Amethyst was less stiff when it happened to her. “Nan Bowerbird President and this old hag is Seta Blackspider Vice President,” Nan in a voice that sounded like the sandpaper rubbing gravel. “Ya always do that when ya nervous?”

Christa stopped her fingers but before she could answer Amethyst butted in enthusiastically. “That she does. Mother says that the world will stop spinning before Chrissy does.”

Nan looked at them sternly. “I’ll say this once for you ladies. We deal with a lot of men.” Christa saw Seta nodding solemnly in agreement. “They won’t hurt you or disrespect you but give a man any excuse to talk to a lady and he’ll take it.” Before Christa could react, Nan pinched her cheek. “You gotta have thick skin and give as good as you get around here. You two are to follow us and learn. Today we will start with the basics of scheduling and shift management which are skills that are… how would you say it old coot?”

“Translatable, “Seta provided looking not in the least offended.

“Yes translatable, now come walk with us down the line.” They set off on the heels of the old women as the began to walk the length of the wall. Nan stopped in a few places to give the occasional worker a piece of advice or an admonishment. She seemed to have an eye for slackers even though to Christa it looked as if everyone was working hard. They stopped briefly and watched a pretty Onaki girl about their age work. She moved with the same efficiency that remined Christa of when her and Erda watched Jodoro and Derry.

“I see you Ceta Honeybee,” Nan shouted as they moved away. Nan turned to Seta. “Your little girl is growing up. I thought she would slack off without Jodoro here for her to show off to.”

Amethyst gave her a nudge and a wink.

“Aye I was ‘fraid of that too,” Seta responded. “But I’ll never have it said that one of Seta’s is a shirker.”

“Bump her pay a bit,” Nan commanded, and Seta pulled out her notepad in anticipation. “Not too much mind you. Three percent seems fair.”

Christa watched as Seta beamed with pride. Her smile lent her face a beautiful cast. Some said that Onaki did not age like everyone else, but Christa did not believe them. People were people. Though she had to admit that these women were old they had a certain youthfulness about them. Seta Blackspider scrolled on her pad with the enthusiasm of a young quartermaster who sought to impress her superior. They continued walking down the line. No one said anything to them and by the time they reached the end of the scaffolding word had seemed to spread that Nan was on patrol. There was little chatter and everyone’s work areas were clear of obstructions and debris. Nan stopped as they came to a ruined part of the wall. She pointed things out to Seta who hastily took notes. The sea was spread out before them and the morning sun was well into the sky. Yurts and wagons were set up along the beach and Christa could see a few old people milling about while children ran along the sandy beach.

She hoped that this beach would some day become her legacy much like the expansion of the seaward wall would be her father’s. Guy did not want to take the title so it would fall to her. She hoped people would remember her as the greatest rule of Bellgaurd ever. If she had her way, she would find a way to build a harbor or port for Bellgaurd as of now most of their trade moved up and down the river. This left Bellgaurd without a share of the profitable sea trade. If they had a port, they could also have a navy, if they had a navy, they could strike back at the sea raiders who pestered the small towns surrounding the city. Thus, securing more taxable income for Bellgaurd. But starting all this cost money and who knew how long it would take for the coffers to refill after the seaward wall expansion. She would go to university to study economics and hope to make connections with the political elite and merchants in the capitol. Maybe then she could secure enough financing. Maybe then she could find a solution to her other problems.

Nan and Seta began lecturing them about shifts and scheduling. They eventually went into the logistics of the business discussing shipments from the quarries and merchants. It was interesting to learn all the planning that went into something as simple as building a wall. Christa listened closely but out of the corner of her eye saw Amethyst staring out toward the beach.

“Is that Jodoro and Derry?” Amethyst asked hesitantly. Christa turned along with Nan and Seta. She saw Nan’s friendly demeanor change as they walked through the gap in the wall. As they got closer, she saw Nova’s cousin Spaka Coldwater and another man helping a bloody and bruised Jodoro walk toward the flap of a yurt that Derry was holding open.

“DERRY!” Nan shouted. “What happened to your brother?” The boy flinched at the sound of her voice but gestured the men inside.

He seemed to hesitate for a bit when Nan stormed up to him. “There was a fight on the training grounds and Jodoro took a few licks.”

Nan brushed past Derry and went into the yurt. Christa looked at Amethyst for a moment then followed Nan and Seta inside. The interior of the yurt was larger than it appeared on the outside. Pads of low furniture lined deerskin walls and the floor was covered in lush red carpets with strange symbols and designs. The ceiling was the most interesting part though. It was covered with etchings of stars and various constellations. Jodoro lay in one of the beds his eyes swollen shut. Dried blood surrounded his lips but did nothing to hide his grimace of pain.

“Seta fetch Old Trews.” Nan barked without taking her eyes off the boy. Just as Spaka was about to leave she grabbed his arm. “What happened to my boy?” She growled.

Spaka to his credit wore a calm expression. “Him and the other one got into a fight with a few other trainees. Things got out of hand…”

“Out of hand? A Few?” Nan yelled. “Does this look out of hand to you?”

“Yes mam. I mean no mam.” Spaka stuttered. Christa had never heard Spaka stutter before. He tried to pull away from Nan’s grip put got nowhere. “Three of them jumped them. But your boys gave as good as they got mam. I took five men to restrain him. I’ve never seen a man go that berserk before.”

Nan was silent for awhile and Christa could not help noticing that Jodoro had drifted of to sleep. “I want their names.”

Spaka hesitated. “Mam please let this go.”

“Names.”

“The Sargent is going to handle it mam.”

Nan tightened her grip. “Names.” Spaka looked at Amethyst and her in exasperation.

“Spaka she has a right to know.” Amethyst prodded.

Just then the tent flap burst open and Ceta Honeybee flew in and flung herself down next to Jodoro’s bedside. “Jo” She called. “Jo talk to me are you alright Jo.” She turned to face Nan as if noticing for the first time that other people were in the room. Christa got a good look at her and was struck by how pretty she was. She did not have the body of Amethyst, but she would have no shortage of suitors. Is this Jodoro’s girlfriend. “Nan what happened?”

“Tell them who it was Spaka.” Christa said. As soon as the words left her lips, she almost immediately regretted them.

He looked down. “Hal Bridges, Tug Kline and…”

“And?” Nan asked.

“Ronald Olman.” Christa’s stomach hit the floor. She saw Nan thinking pensively.

“The steward’s son?” Nan asked as she let go of Spaka’s arm.

“Yes mam.”

“Derry.” Nan called. “Stop hiding from me and get in here.”

Derry walked into the yurt. “Wasn’t hiding Nan. Was just catching some air.”

Nan looked at him pointedly as she sat in an old wooden rocking chair. “Go you know to the wall.” She pulled out a pipe from her skirt pocket. “Tell them all to stop work immediately.” She swung a match along the inside of her hand, and it sparked a light. She puffed for a few moments. Christa looked at Derry was still standing there. Run you fool. Go. “Tell them we will have a congress by the big rock in an hour and don’t stop for air.”

Derry lit out of the room as the old woman puffed smoke in the air. Clouds of cherry scented tobacco wafted throughout the room. She turned to Amethyst. “Help Ceta Honeybee take Jodoro to his room.” Soon Christa was alone with the old woman. “Sit next to me chile.” Nan gestured to the low sofa next to her chair. “The first thing you must learn is to take care of the people. You hear that? The people. Everything starts with them. It doesn’t matter how much money I have if I don’t treat my people right someone else will pay them.” She paused and took a puff from the pipe. “You could be a good ruler if you learned this.”

“I know the people must be taken care of.” Christa said indignantly. “Are you trying to say I don’t.”

“Chile you cant take of the people if your cant take care of yourself.” Nan put the pipe down and turned in her chair. She locked eyes with Christa for a few uncomfortable moments. “What happened to you? When was the last time you had fun? I’ve never seen you outside the castle keep. Your pale chile. Your pale. Get some sun, rebel a little, fall in…” Nan paused her onslaught and appeared to be in deep thought. So that’s where Jodoro gets it from. “Chile your soul is all fucked up. Who hurt you?”

Christa’s eyes began watering and she felt a wave pressure mount in her chest. I’m not going to cry in front of this woman. But the floodgates opened when Nan gently set her hand on hers. She sat there for what seemed minutes crying in front of an old woman that she did not know. When she calmed down, she told Nan what happened between her and Ronald Olman. She told Nan about Ezra. She told Nan about how her family wasn’t a family anymore. How she hated her mom because her mom acted like everything was alright. Nan by now had moved beside her and pulled a scarf from the folds of her skirt. It had the same pattern as Derry’s. She wiped Christa’s face off and place the scarf in her hands. “It feels good don’t it?”

“I think so.”

“There’s nothing like a good cry to make you feel better. I can’t do much bout ya brother or ya mother, but you can be damn sure the steward’s boy will get his. I’m going to tell you this once. You better never let a man make you cry again. But you know what Nan is going to do for you little Redbird?” She picked up her pipe again and blew a cherry scented ring into the air. “I’m going to make sure that when it happens. You got a front seat.”