Li stretched and yawned as he slowly woke up the next morning. He always woke early and this morning he could see that the sun was only starting to shade the eastern sky. He had gotten into the habit of quietly moving around getting breakfast for him and his brother as the sun rose. Zen always slept late so this time was Li’s alone and he usually took his porridge out to watch the sun rise.

This morning was bit different though. He had lessons this morning and a lot of work do first. So he stretched one last time then swung his legs out of bed into the cold morning air and got dressed quickly. Crossing tot he kitchen he poked the fire back to life and pulled a scoop of the oats from the pot where they had been sitting overnight. Before long he had a steaming bowl of porridge which he was quick to eat, wincing once as he burnt the tip of his tongue on the hot mixture.

Moving quietly he headed outside and over to the village. He had promised the village baker a few hours of his labour this morning in return for the work he would be doing for the cakes for the wedding and he needed to be there early. As it was the baker would have been up for hours kneading and proving the loaves. Li was only going to be there for the last of the baking and the cleaning afterwards.

By the time he reached the village the sun was just lifting over the horizon. He took a moment to admire the stillness of the morning. There was a fresh breeze coming down from the mountains blowing some black clouds before it but the sun was still rising into a sky that was mostly clear. Li filled his lungs with the crisp fresh air full of the scents of Spring.

Four hours later he waved to a smiling baker and strode over to the Town hall. It was time for the weekly lesson.

The town hal was a big strucutre with one echoing. Although there were windows far up the walls it was alwasy dark and still in the room, especially compared tot he hustle and bustle of the village life outside. He was first to arrive. That hadn't been his intention: he usually tried to arrive perfectly on time to limit the interactions with the others in the class. But Brom,the Baker, had been very pleased with his work this morning and had insisted on sending him off early and loading him down with bread and some of his favourite sweet buns. Being ffirst Li started pulling chairs and desks from the corner inot the irrgualr straighlt lines they used for the class. Finally he made his way to the seat at the far side of the room where he always sat.

Hearing footsteps in the corridor he kept his head buried in the sack he carried, trying to keep up the appearance of being busy to avoid having to deal with whoever was coming in. Most of the other kids his age were fine and he was on good terms with most. But Simon and some of his hangers on often came early and he didn't want to get into another argument. He was feeling good after putting In a few hours productive work and it not even lunchtime. He didn't want to wreck that mood.

But it wasn't Grady who walked in. He was the Brehon of the village, the leader and lawmaker. Grady was a middle aged man with a smiling face and a round stomach. He was also one of the few people in the village who had always seemed to be on the side of Li and his brother. Li knew that some of the villagers had felt that Li had not earned his place in the lessons. That the two bothers did not do enough for the village commons and that they were only “blow-ins” - their family had been here for generations. But Grady had always stood up for them. His had always been the voice of reason and mercy in the village. Of course that his job, as judge and lawmaker the Brehon needed to be seen as fair, generous and wise but it was also obviously what the man believed and Li had always respected him for it.

“Brehon” said Li, nodding to the older man.

“Li” said the older man, looking up form a sheet of notes. “And how are you today? Did I see you at the bakery this morning?”

“Yes. Just helping Brom out. He is going to be doing a lot for the wedding so its the least I can do.”

“Ahh yes. The wedding. It seems like its all I’ve heard anyone talk about this week.”

“Well, it is a chance for a celebration. And it was a really long Winter” said Li, straightening hunched shoulders and trying not to sound defensive.

The older man looked up from the notes with an eyebrow raised. “Don’t get me wrong boy. Ive very happy for your bother and very much looking forward to the celebration. And I'm very much looking forward to cake!” He chuckled and rubbed his stomach. “But there are only so many times any man can stand to hear the same conversation about whether the weather will hold or whether this early in the year is good for such a celebration. And whart the groom and bride will exchange as gifts.” He grinned.

Li laughed. He had had some of those same conversations enough times that he knew what the Brehon meant.

The classroom had been filling while they were talking. Grady waited for the last few stragglers, frowing at Simon who sautered in last, and then brought them to order.

“OK. Today we are going to be talking re-covering laws and traditions of our village and our country.”

Grady gave a couple of lessons a year. Usually about the laws and due respect to the lords and king. The subject may have been dull but the Brehon managed to make it all seem interesting. His classes were always popular. And always very well behaved. No one wanted to get on the wrong side of the highest authority in the village.

Grady turned to look at Li. “I guess with the wedding coming up we can start with that.”

“Shouldn't even be a wedding”.

“Who said that” said Grady looking around.

No one met his gaze but Li could see Simon smiling at the other side of the class. His fits clenched and his face flushed as he stared across the room at him. Simon started back, a mocking smile on his face.

Grady went to carry on but Simon raised his hand.

“Do you not need to have something to your name to get married. What if you are just miserably poor with no prospects and no name?”

Grady turned and stared at Simon. “Everyone can marry as well you know lad. There needs to be a gift from bride to groom and groom to bride to signifying all that they give each other. And those gifts are usually special as this is a special day. But anything will do. As long as the gifts are given and the promises exchanged then the law is clear that the marriage has taken place.”

Simon smiled and nodded his thanks to the teacher, as always the picture of the perfect student. Grady couldn't see the smiles and muffled laughs coming from the rest of the class and all pointed Li’s way.

Li could feel the beating of his heart loud in his ears again. Why did he always have to put up with this. Why should anyone have to spend day after day of being badgered by the likes of Simon. Grady carried on discussing different forms of ceremonies and contracts that were used in village life. Simon tried to concentrate but couldn't. Simon’s taunts kept going around in his head.

If even one of the other kids had stood up for him it might not have been so bad. But they all fell in line whenever Li was the target. Li knew that he was partly to blame. He had had a few friends in the village. But over time they had drifted away. All the kids were busy but Li and Zen had always had to work particularly hard. Zen always said that their family weren't from around here and the village had been good to take them in. They needed to work extra hard to repay that kindness.

But Li locked at it differently. They worked hard while the others got an easy ride. Their parents had died defending the village. But that was never mentioned. Over the years his resentment had grown and he had had trouble keeping it from the others his age. He had lashed out again and again, even to those who thought of him as a friend. And over time that had left him being isolated and alone in the village. And so Simon felt free to pick on him whenever he pleased. He knew no one was going to come to his aid.

The rest of the lesson passed in a blur for Li as he spent the time thinking of what might have been. His only solace was the coming wedding. It could not come soon enough.