Chapter 8- Aftermath

Jodoro sat silently next to Derry sipping from his flagon of ale. The Great Hall was packed with people celebrating what they now called the Battle for Bellgaurd. The second prince had come with 3,000 of his own men. With the help of Heliodor’s forces and the men from Hernit they pushed dregs of Alis the XIV’s army across the Nowell river and deep into the swamplands that made the border between Farki and Ardinum. They then joined Bellgaurd’s forces to clear the city. The casualties were immense. Of the 2,000 mustered in Bellgaurd only 600 remained. Even now Jodoro could see the pain etched on Duke Bell’s face as he sat on the dais with his family and the two princes. The cousins left earlier and much to everyone’s surprise Ike Ironrat and Sweet Ceta Honeybee announced their intent to form a lovebond. Jodoro felt a mix of sorrow and happiness for them. When they left Ceta kissed him on each cheek. Her words were still stuck in his head. I’m going away now. I’ve seen enough war and things won’t be the same here.

Jodoro pondered going with them but he could never leave Nan and Derry. His thoughts turned toward the Onaki graves that they dug deep within the sands of the beach. Hamsa, Rajo, Trepa, and Yhen all pershied. Harra left to start a new life in Hernit with Urma Armormouse but Jodoro suspected he left because he never wanted to see the beaches of Bellgaurd again. Hamsa hurt the most and he could not help the tears that flowed down his face. Hamsa was like a fucked-up uncle. He pestered the hell out of them when they were younger and continued to do so until his dying day but Jodoro would never forget his booming laugh or the time when he beat a man senseless for calling Nan a whore.

He dried his eyes and laughed at the memories. There was much of that going on. Derry was staring daggers at Carl Ridge who sat with them at a table in the back corner of the Great Hall. Erelda Coldwater sat next to Carl with her arm wrapped in his. Jodoro nudged his brother out of his sullenness and raised his flagon. “To Hamsa, Trepa, Rajo and Yhen,” he said as they nocked mugs. Carl joined the toast and added his own names.

“Would someone get these fucking mutts outta here,” Derry growled as he kicked the two dogs next to him. They were a pair of small white and brown hounds that had been following him all day. Jodoro didn’t tell him that he had secretly smeared boar grease on his boots. Was it childish, perhaps but he thought Derry needed something to keep his mine off things. His brother had killed men and Jodoro did not want him to change.

“I think they’re adorable,” Erelda slurred as she reached over the table to gently pinched his brother’s cheek. Carl Ridge laughed as Derry’s sullen look melted under her attention.

“Well maybe you should try having them follow you around all day,” Derry said then turned to him. “Do you think Nan was serious?”

“I’ve never known her to lie about company business.” Jodro responded. That morning after the cousins left Nan announced that this was the last job for the Copper Cauldron Company. She gave Ceta and Harra a pouch of gold coins each and told the others that their shares would be given once the wall was finished. She told Jodoro that she was retiring here, starting a new venture. The roads had gotten too long for her and her old body was weary. He told her he would run the company, but even he knew that it would never make a profit. The conglomerates had taken over most of the jobs and he refused to work for anyone else.

“Enough deep thoughts brother,” Carl said. Carl had taken to calling him brother since the end of the battle. “More ale!” Jodoro raised his flagon and let it be refilled.

“I bet a ten gold she refuses him.” Erelda said nodding to Amethyst on the dais. She was sitting between Heliodor and the second prince Dundar. The brothers were conversing while she silently nibbled at a plate of food.

“I’ll take that bet,” Carl said. “It’s Heliodor he’s a hero among men.”

“He may be,” Erelda countered. “However, you know your sister. She is a rose with thorns. She would wilt under that tall tree. Does she look happy to you?”

Carl stared for a moment then nodded. “Can I retract my wager?” He turned to Jodoro. “I heard she slapped you twice.”

“No twas thrice.” Derry added.

“She was scared for you and did not take kindly to my shot.” Jodoro got up.

“Where you going bro?” Derry asked.

“I’ll be back in a moment.” Jodoro left the hall and went into the courtyard. The gardens that lined the wall had been trampled. Men stood on vigil on the wall guarding against any men left behind by the sea raiders and Farki. The crisp night air hit his face and cleared his thoughts. He found a spot to piss and was about to return to the hall when he heard someone crying. He crept slowly around a ring of night blossom azaleas and saw Guy crying near a fountain. He had not washed since the battle yesterday and still had blood and bits of gore on his armor. For a moment he considered beating a hasty retreat but steeled himself and moved forward.

“Guy it is time to get cleaned up.”

Guy looked up from the depths of the fountain. The night sky was shining on the water. “Why?” He asked the question as if Jodoro’s statement was the dumbest in the world. “Jean is gone and so has the light of my world.”

“Guy you must get cleaned up.” Jodoro replied as he moved toward him. He saw a gardener’s pail laying nearby and picked it up. He filled and threw the water on Guy. “You will be sick if you don’t.”

“What’s the use? I could not protect him.” Guy cried as Jodoro continued to douse him. “I’m weak. I’m so fucking weak,” he sobbed. Jodoro let him cry more. Things made sense now. He always suspected Guy and Jean were more than just friends.

“Then get stronger.” Jodoro said. Guy looked at him with the same puzzled look he had in the scholarium when he was asked a particularly tough question. “We will help you. We will start tomorrow morning. You have family to live for. Family to protect. Everyone must go on.” Guy wiped his eyes off and nodded. Jodoro gave him his pancho as he ushered him inside. “Wash, change and get to the great hall for there is ale, wine and food. You will feel better then.”

He left Guy and went back to the Great Hall. Nova Coldwater had taken his seat and Derry looked much happier for it. Christa and Amethyst were there now as well. He saw Ronald Olman give him a nod and raise a flagon to him as he passed by his table. He returned the nod and took a seat at the end of the table. “Seta Blackspider said you two saved many lives. We all owe you thanks.” He said as he raised a flagon to them.

Carl stood up on his bench despite Erleda tugging at him. He raised his flagon high in the air it sloshed, and he teetered for a moment to the laugher of all those present. “Never let it be said that the women of Bellgaurd are soft,” He yelled. The cheer went up around the hall for a few seconds. The musicians began playing a lively melody and soon those present were filled with the joy of the moment.

Guy arrived and sat next to his sister. She poured him some wine and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I heard he fought bravely Guy. We are all sadden by what happened.” Christa said and everyone agreed. Guy drank to hide his tears.

“Brother?” Carl asked. “You must tell me how you made that shot.”

“Brother? What is this brother business?” Amethyst asked.

“Jodoro and Derry are my brothers now. For we fought like demons together and what greater test of a man is there?” Carl responded seriously.

Amethyst gave him a puzzled look then as if struck by the god of anger’s arrow glared at Jodoro. “Yes, I would like to hear this story too.” She’s beautiful when she’s angry.

“The key to bouncing a shot is ensuring the flat side of the arrowhead hits the surface not the point.” He demonstrated using his hand and the table. “The release must be perfect, and the draw of the bow cannot be too far.” Now it is more difficult when the target is moving. I did not think the arrows trajectory would hit the throat, but I know it would hit the raider’s face. I only sought to provide a distraction but in the end the result was good.”

“The result was good,” Amethyst mimicked causing a wave of laughter around the table. “I have half a mind to slap your face again.”

“You must let it go little sister. I owe this man my life.” Carl said.

“You saved mine too on the wall. I would not have made it back to the castle. I say we’re even.”

Christa leaned over and whispered something to Amethyst who looked at Carl. “We want to learn how to fight.” She told her brother who nearly lost his ale.

“Fight? What for?” He said.

“You said it yourself the women of Bellgaurd are not soft. Dundar and Heliodor suspect more war is on the horizon. We refuse to be defenseless. Besides the Onaki women can fight as well as any man.” Amethyst said.

Carl looked at her sternly then Guy spoke up for the first time. “I too will begin training with Jodoro tomorrow. I think its time we all learned.”

“Fine we will join you and train on the beach in the morning, but you will follow my rules little sister. If you talk back to me, I will stop this.” Carl said as he quaffed more ale. Then he paused mid drink and slowly set his drink down. “I thought you would be leaving with mother to the capitol in the company of Heliodor.”

Amethyst looked down as if embarrassed. “I will not be marrying Heliodor. Dundar has brought word of a marriage between Heliodor and one of the Swans.” She looked up again. “I am strangely relieved.”

“This is good news,” Erelda proclaimed. “An alliance between Ardinum and one of the great houses of Hytia will help against the Farki.”

“Your fate is your own now sister. You will make a man very happy someday.”

“Enough of the bloody politics its been a long week.” Derry said as he reached behind him a pulled out a mini lute. He handed it to Jodoro as he pulled out a set of pipes for himself. Jodoro strummed the instrument gently and adjusted its strings. It was not of the best quality he remembered buying it for Derry last summer, but his brother never took to it preferring instead to play the pipes. Derry blew a melody and Jodoro followed him along through the chords. It was a soothing sound and he had to be careful when accompanying Derry. Derry could change chords and time signatures at a moment’s notice. He followed Derry’s tune and he could envision where his brother was going. The song had no name, but it had a feeling. It was walking on a beach at night. It was running by a cold mountain stream. It was love, loss and war. Derry played more and Jodoro saw their destination. A large man on a rock laughing at the sea as it crashed toward him. Jodoro opened his mouth and began to sing. He sang of Hamsa Heavyhorse, Hamsa Hardpressed, Hamsa Heftyheart. Whether he sung for minutes or hours he did not know. He sang of his laugh, his smile, his anger. He sang for Trepa, Rajo, and Yhen. Then he sang for Jean and the people of Bellgaurd. His fingers cramped but he still played matching the fervor of Derry’s pipes.

He stopped when a flagon of ale fell breaking the silence of the hall. Duke Bell cursed someone for a fool and Jodoro flushed with embarrassed at the attention and subsequent applause. He bowed his head slightly and returned to his drink as the chatter resumed. A maid approached the table and informed him the Duke wanted to talk to him. He rose and excused himself and walked toward the dais. His palms were sweaty for before him were three of the most powerful men in the kingdom. He bowed as he came before them.

Duke Bell looked down on him with kindly eyes. “How old are you young warrior?”

“Seventeen milord.” He answered.

“Seventeen he says,” Duke Bell said with disbelief turning to those at his table. “You are called the Jungle Cat are you not?”

“Yes milord.”

“I hear tales of your prowess and that of your Onaki comrades.” The Duke said as he stood up and address everyone. “Let us usher in a new era in Bellgaurd. One that puts aside petty differences. One built on the unity of all men and women. Let us thank those who stood with us in our hour of need and embrace them as brothers and sisters.” Those gathered cheered and even more ale was passed around. The Duke sat back down and beckoned Jodoro closer. He looked at him sternly. “I see great thing in your future. No matter where you go in life the people of Bellgaurd will be there for you. You will always have a home here.” The Duke nodded his dismal and Jodoro stumbled back to his seat for the weight of hundreds of eyes was not easy to bear. Carl clapped him on the back and Derry cut a joke that made everyone laugh.

Later while stumbling back to his yurt in the courtyard a blonde blur appeared in the corner of his vision. “Amethyst?” He slurred. She pressed him against the wall a put her full lips on his. A fire burned in his soul for those moments and when she pulled away, he wanted nothing more than to grab her back.

“I’ve been waiting to do that all night,” She said with a drunken giggle as she disappeared. Derry came around the corner.

“Was that…Jodoro you are a fucking fool.” He said as he helped him back to the yurt.

***

Christa woke up early the next morning and got dressed in black breeches and a pink shirt. She headed to her family dining room and ate a quick breakfast of fruit and porridge. Guy was already there finishing up and just when they were about to leave Erda bounced out of her room dressed in trousers and a shirt.

“I’m coming too.” Erda defiantly proclaimed. Christa thought about excluding her but just waved her along. They met Nova and a glowing Amethyst on the way to the beach. The sun was just breaking the dawn sky as the hungover city of Bellgaurd rose. When they reached the beach, they saw Jodoro, Derry and Carl standing in a line before Nan and Old Trews who were going through different stretches and motion with their eyes closed.

“Stand and learn,” Nan called as she opened her eyes. “Jodoro will teach help you learn the motions of the Way.” They stood next to Carl and Derry and tried to mimic Nan and Old Trews. The motions were difficult and caused her muscles to burn. Jodoro walked behind them and corrected their positions. They did this for an excruciating half hour, finally collapsing when Nan and Old Trews left.

“What the heck was all that?” Nova asked.

“It’s just the Way. A serious of pre-work stretches passed down from the old heads. No one hardly does it anymore.” Derry answered.

Carl stood before the group and told them to stand up. “Jodoro and I decided that I will handle all arms training except for the bow which I am admittedly not good at.” He walked to a bundle of sticks and gave one to everyone. “We will begin with the spear. The spear is the fundamental weapon of Bellgaurd. Amethyst why is the spear important?”

For a second Amethyst appeared confused then she answered as if from memory. “The spear is important because it allows the wielder to keep the enemy at a distance while simultaneously providing the ability to harm.”

“Good, I see you’ve been paying attention to father’s drunken ramblings on the subject.” We will learn the basics of hand placement and stance. Once you have mastered that we will move on.” Christa gripped the spear mimicking Carl, Jodoro, and Derry as best she could. Carl came around and adjusted their positions when needed. They held the stances for a long time. Why am I putting myself through this? Christa thought to herself but instantly banished the doubt when she thought back to the carnage of battle. She must get stronger. If the Onaki women could do it so could she. She watched as Guy went into the training with more determination than she had ever seen. Guy was never into weapons training, but something changed when Jean died. After another half hour Carl called it a quits and handed it over to Jodoro who had placed a barrel on the beach.

They watched as he pulled out a black bow. “Derry please demonstrate a proper draw.”

Derry swaggered up to Jodoro and snatched the bow from him. “Time to see the real master at work.” He pulled the bow back and held it.

Jodoro pointed to various points of the draw. The level of the bow, how the draw came to the edge of Derry’s mouth and the placement of his hand on the arrow. Derry released the draw afterword and Jodoro let each of them take turns drawing while he adjusted their positions. When it was Christa’s turn, she was surprised by how hard it was even with the lighter bow that Jodoro provided for the women. Her face began to grow hot when Jodoro placed his hand on her legs to adjust her stance but she could not deny that she liked the idea of the bow and wanted to learn more. The eighth bell began to ring, and they went back to the castle to get ready for class. For her mother and Scholar Barkley were insistent that life should go back to normal.