Chapter 3

Kelton smelled Joycelyn's cooking before he could sense the family's presence. Gossamer shared a smile with him as the scent drifted down the road like a friendly embrace. It had been a while since Kelton had a fresh cooked meal.They had caught a rabbit many days ago. A greasy thing, and neither of them had any sense of seasoning. When they did hunt something larger, the meat was smoked for longevity and portability, not flavor. The bouquet drifting through the forest was certainly not dried boring venison.

"I told you she could cook," Gossamer said.

"Mayhap, I need to do the storytelling from now on," Kelton said with a smile. At that moment it was an idle thought. He was still young enough to live in the moment, enjoy the meal and worry about tomorrow the next day, after his mouth stopped watering.

"The privilege of age," Gossamer added, "besides, I can't have you getting fat."

"You mean, like you?" That earned Kelton a shove. He stood his ground and shoved back. He was surprised when Gossamer's body gave a little. He was truly getting older. They laughed it off, both of them as happy as their noses.

"Good day!" Joycelyn called out, waving to them as they neared the small clearing that made up the family's campsite. The two returned the greeting and quickened their steps. It was rare to meet someone on the road more than once, a byproduct of their way of life. Kelton found he enjoyed the experience more than the money that could be gained. Joycleyn's twins came running from behind the wagon, both as excited as Kelton.

"Taggert, Rebecca, this is Kelton," Joycelyn said. A chorus of 'good day's' was passed around, Taggert enamored with the return of Gossamer, Rebecca more interested in the new young red-haired man who had just arrived. Kelton would have preferred things the other way around.

"More stories tonight?" Taggert asked excitedly.

"For a meal from your mother, of course, I do," Gossamer replied with a smile, mussing the boy's hair with his hand.

"No more demons," Joycelyn announced as she returned to the fire. Taggert groaned. "I'll not have you two up all night again," she added as a way of explanation.

"Don't worry," Gossamer said, soothing the young boy's mind, "I have a story of high adventure on the seas. I haven't told it in a while, but it has a great hero and an equally beautiful princess." The princess part sparked Rebecca's interest.

"Or sea monsters," Joycelyn said with a chuckle.

"Nothing but a storm and pirates, my dear lady," Gossamer added a deep bow of respect for the mother.

"Pirates!" Taggert announced with wide eyes.

"Are they polite pirates?" Joycelyn asked with a smile.

"Mama!" Taggert complained, not wanting all his fun ruined. Joycelyn laughed and waved away her silly question as she lifted the lid off a steaming pot. The scent that had lead Kelton to the campsite doubled in intensity. He stared at her as she stirred the contents, adding herbs of some type. He barely noticed when Rebecca's hand found his. Kelton looked down into the smiling green eyes.

"You can taste it," Rebecca said, pulling him along toward the fire. Kelton followed, not wanting to be rude by yanking his hand back. They left Gossamer and Taggert behind discussing the finer points of a pirate's life.

"There may not be enough meat," Joycelyn mumbled as she lifted the large wooden spoon full of broth to her lips. She smiled when she noticed Rebecca pulling Kelton along. She blew across the spoon to cool the liquid. She held it out to Kelton, balancing the spoon tenderly across her palm. Kelton took the offered sip. Heaven invaded his mouth.

"That's the best thing I've ever tasted," Kelton admitted. He leaned forward for another sip before he realized the spoon was returning to the pot. The stew had a spicy tang that excited his tongue and begged not to be swallowed.

"I helped," Rebecca said, looking up at Kelton.

"You sure did," Joycelyn told her daughter with a smile. "I think you can let go of Kelton's hand now." Kelton had forgotten the hand was still there, but still felt relieved when it left. There was something about girls, especially little ones, that made him uncomfortable. They always looked at him like they knew something that he didn't, information he should be aware of but had no idea how to begin to fathom. He didn't even know the questions to ask.

"Where's your husband?" Kelton asked. It was a valid question, knowing that his watering mouth would not be sated without him being present.

"Cory should be back shortly. He took Taffy, our horse, out to graze some. Not much fodder around here." Joycelyn went back to stirring to pot with no intention of allowing another taste. Kelton decided it was better not to be greedy and held back a request for another bite.

"Tag and I were playing stones before you came," Rebecca said, pointing behind the wagon. "We can play teams." She looked desperately at Kelton. "You can be on my team." Kelton didn't know how to say no. He suspected it would be a terribly boring game designed to please children, but he was a guest who didn't want to be rude. He weakly nodded an affirmative.

"Tag! We're going to play teams. Kelton is on mine," Rebecca said as she retook Kelton's hand and dragged him along behind the wagon. Kelton heard Joycelyn chuckle under her breath as he reluctantly hustled along.

Stones was a deceptively simple game. A small section of ground was cleared of brush, and a circle no wider than one's foot was drawn in the resulting dirt. A stick had been driven into the ground at the center of the circle. The goal was to get your stones, by way of tossing, inside of the circle and as close to the stick as possible. Being a good three body lengths away, it was not as easy a task as it first appeared. That and the scoring penalized failure heavily.

Whenever a stone landed outside the circle, the opponents could remove a scoring stone of their choice, usually the one closest to the stick. If the first stone is missed, nothing was lost for there were no scoring stones at risk. Miss with the last and victory could be forfeited. A team scored one point for each stone in the circle and two additional points for having the closest stone to the stick. If there was a tie for closest, those stones were ignored and the next closest counted. It was an unforgiving game to the uninitiated.

Kelton's first toss went wide of the circle to the right. It brought out a snicker from Taggert.

"He gets a practice throw," Rebecca insisted. Taggert was about to argue the point, his competitiveness showing openly on his face.

"I think we'll need a couple," Gossamer added. Taggert relented and stepped aside, realizing his partner was a novice as well.

The stones were smooth river rock, six dark gray and six more a chalky white, chosen for their equality of weight and size. They were almost round and could roll a bit once landed. Kelton was throwing the dark gray. It was decided that a full set of six throws would be enough practice. Kelton's next toss hit the circle and rolled out the back.

"Throw it higher," Rebecca instructed, moving her hand in an exaggerated underhanded motion. Kelton cringed at being instructed by someone obviously many years his junior. He tried again using his method of a straighter toss with the same effect as the last time.

"Higher," Rebecca repeated quieter, obviously disappointed with being ignored. It was her tone that made Kelton comply. He disliked the idea of her feeling bad, no matter what it did to his ego. His next throw arched high and plopped down inside of the circle, just inside the line. Inadvertently, he smiled at Rebecca with pride. Her eyes glowed with something Kelton didn't understand, admiration completely out of any context he was used to. His smile disappeared, and he flung the last two stones poorly, his concentration destroyed by the little girl's unwarranted attention.

Luckily, for Kelton's self-respect, Gossamer fared only slightly better with only two of his stones falling within the circle. It was decided that Kelton and Rebecca would throw first, one stone each then alternating to the other team. Judiciously as possible, Rebecca expressed that Kelton should throw first. He felt belittled by her lack of confidence, but also knew that it would be worse if his toss negated hers. Using all the concentration he possessed, he arched his dark stone into the air, and it landed near the stick, bounced, and came to rest just inside the backside of the circle. He smiled. Rebecca looked concerned.

"Try to be in the front of the circle," Rebecca whispered so that others didn't hear. "Taggert is good at knocking stones out."

"They can get knocked out?" Kelton asked loudly.

"Sure can," Taggert said with a devious smile. Rebecca nodded slowly.

"It's just a game," Gossamer said, trying to calm Kelton's unwarranted concern.

"I didn't know they could be knocked out," Kelton argued.

"I can try and block it," Rebecca said before she tossed her stone. It landed in front of Kelton's stone with a small space between, making it difficult to knock out either rock. The rocks felt heavy enough to disallow multiple rebounds.

"Well done," Kelton said. She may be little and a girl, but she wasn't stupid or clumsy like the ones he and met in the past. Rebecca smiled at him, and this time he didn't shy away from her eyes. He still didn't understand the look, but it wasn't as uncomfortable.

Gossamer's stone landed inside the circle and rolled out of the back edge. "Seems it will take me a bit longer to get used to this game." Kelton hid a grin behind his hand as the pressure of his first throw was lessened again.

Taggert was obviously very good at the game. Knowing that attempting to knock Kelton's rock out of the circle was risky with Rebecca's stone so close, he chose a different tack and confidently tossed his stone. It landed to the right of Rebecca's and about a fingers width from the stick.

"You are a good partner," Gossamer said, slapping the young man on the shoulder. Kelton felt a tiny wave jealousy. Gossamer's praise was never that easy for him to earn.

Kelton's next stone was a fluke. Landing well short of the circle, it bounced off something hard with a sharp crack and rolled strongly and came to rest inside the front of the circle, a good hand from the center stick. A good throw, if it were planned.

"Better lucky than good," Gossamer said with a deep chuckle. Kelton had to laugh since the result was beneficial.

Rebecca tossed her rock with confidence. It struck Kelton's, knocking his against the stick and leaving hers just in front. She beamed at her teammate.

"My partner is better," Kelton told Gossamer. Rebecca swelled with pride. Kelton almost reached out to her but thought better of it. It didn't seem right, patting a girl on the back. Girls were more delicate, so he nodded and smiled instead. She moved closer to him, forcing him to lean in the other direction.

Gossamer's next stone landed in the circle on the right, far from the stick. Taggert placed his neatly between Gossamer's and the stick. The circle was filling up. In his head, Kelton calculated they were winning six to three. As long as they could keep the closest stone in play, the game was theirs. He just couldn't miss. Fear was quickly replaced by greed as he imagined knocking Gossamer's last stone out to cement the victory.

"Just keep it in the circle," Rebecca told him, sensing his desire. Kelton ignored her and took aim at Gossamer's rock. It was a clean toss with only a slight arc to not diminish the force. It struck cleanly, sending Gossamer's stone out of the circle and unfortunately, ricocheting to the right and out of the circle itself. Rebecca sighed.

"Nice try," Taggert said as he rushed forward to remove Kelton's stone that was so expertly knocked against the stick. "Which one of mine?"

"The one on the right," Rebecca said. That left Taggert and Gossamer with the closest. More mental math. Kelton realized that his throw cost them the lead. It was now three to three since Taggert now had the closest stone.

"Sorry," Kelton apologized to Rebecca.

"First game," Rebecca said, shrugging her shoulders. She tossed her stone on the right side, closest to the stick. Kelton now knew why she wanted the right stone moved. It left her plenty of room to work. Smart girl. It was now six to one, though Taggert and Gossamer had two stones left.

Gossamer tossed his to the right. It barely stayed in the circle to give them another point. Taggert took his time lining up his throw. He moved left and right, trying to get the perfect angle. When he was finally satisfied, he tossed his with the same shallow arc that Kelton did. It struck Rebecca's stone, the one closest to the stick, and moved it to the back of the circle. Taggert's stone came to rest at the edge, leaving his first stone as the closest.

"Nice throw," Rebecca admitted. She was used to losing to her brother and this time was no exception. Kelton and Rebecca had lost four to five. Gossamer moved behind and surreptitiously knocked Kelton in the back with his elbow.

"Perfect throw," Kelton said after the elbow brought him out of his brief grief. Gossamer smiled.

"You're quite skilled, Taggert," Gossamer added to the praise. "I believe another game is in order and this time we go first." The idea of playing again brought Kelton's excitement back. It was zero-zero again, and the future wasn't defined.

"Sure!" Taggert replied, and quickly retrieved the rocks.

"Can I throw last?" Kelton asked Rebecca. He thought he had it down now and would like a chance at a victory throw. It certainly wasn't the stupid game he thought it was. This time he'd listen to his partner and only take necessary risks.

"You don't want to switch partners?" Rebecca asked shyly. At first, Kelton thought she wanted to switch partners, then he saw the failure in her eyes. She blamed herself for the loss. It hurt him that she felt that way.

"Certainly not, though I wonder why you wouldn't after my botched throw," Kelton responded.

"Oh, no! I don't want to switch." Rebecca's face brightened.

"Then we shall battle for revenge," Kelton said using his best impression of one of Gossamer's heroes. Rebecca smiled at his words and this time he ignored the glossy look in her eyes. He didn't understand girls at all. He only knew he preferred them happy.

The game progressed slowly with the lead changing hands often. Gossamer had gotten the distance down and conservatively laid each of his stones near the front of the circle. Taggert, more aggressive, succeeded in securing the closet to stick. Kelton's first two throws were nothing fancy, just solidly in the circle. He allowed Rebecca to take the risks and if it weren't for Taggert's closet, they would have a perfect game. They were losing by three when it came down to the Kelton's last throw.

"Can't be done," Taggert said, increasing the pressure. Kelton was studying one of Taggert's stones. It was a good hand away from going outside of the circle, but the most vulnerable. It was sitting near one of Rebecca's, making it difficult to hit. Not that a miss would change the outcome of the game. Rebecca saw what he was studying and waved his head down toward hers.

"Go for the stick," Rebecca whispered. Kelton looked at the Taggert's stone, maybe a finger's width from the stick.

"It's too close," Kelton said.

"Best play." Rebecca shrugged her shoulders. Kelton had ignored her once, and it cost them. He thought it would be easier to try and knock another stone out. She was awfully young to know all the angles though she had played many more times than he.

"Okay," Kelton decided. Shared victory or shared loss, might as well trust your partner. It took him a long time and many aborted throws to achieve what he thought was perfect momentum. The stone launched from his fingers, arced through the air, and followed down the stick, neatly squeezing Taggert's stone farther from the stick and assuming it's place with a thud. They had won by two points. Kelton started breathing again.

"Nice throw!" Gossamer complimented.

"I've never..." Taggert stuttered as he stared at the result. Kelton let his pride show on his face.

Rebecca wrapped her arms around Kelton's waist and hugged like she was never going to let go. He was afraid to move and had no idea where to put his hands, not wanting to return a hug he didn't understand.

"Let the boy go, Rebecca," a deep voice chuckled.

"We won, Papa," Rebecca said, letting go of Kelton and running to her father. Cory was leading their draft horse by the reins. He accepted his daughter's hug with one arm, which relieved Kelton. It was now apparent that Rebecca hugged everyone.

"Your sister finally beat you, Taggert?" Cory asked.

"He was hampered by his partner," Gossamer interjected kindly.

"You did no wrong," Taggert told Gassamer. The shock of the loss left his face, and he pointed toward Kelton. "The Goddess shined on his last throw."

"I don't think I've met the young man," Cory said while handing the reins to Rebecca. Needing no guidance, she began leading the horse to where it would be hobbled.

"Kelton, sir," Kelton said with a slight bow of his head.

"Sir is for those that owe me money, you can call me Cory." Cory stepped forward and held out his hand to Kelton. They grasped each other's wrists and shook like men, which pleased Kelton more than he would have imagined. "So, tell me, how did you beat my stones expert?" Cory jostled Taggert's hair with a smile.

"A lucky throw is all. Rebecca said to go for the stick. I did, and it worked."

"I didn't think he could do it," Taggert said, shaking his head. He proceeded to describe the final throw, using his hand and arm to demo the arc. He showed his father where it landed in the circle and how it had dislodged what he thought was the winning stone.

Cory was a large man, as Gossamer had indicated that morning, with an equally large smile. His love for his children was evident in the way he interacted with the both of them, touching that was as much guidance as affection. Kelton wondered if Rebecca thought him to be like her father since he was tall. That could be why she was so forward.

"Balanced wins is a good way to leave it," Cory announced with a smile, "Besides, I'm hungry, and that stew smells good." Kelton's stomach agreed.

Everyone gathered around the fire as Joycelyn filled wooden bowls and Rebecca passed them out. The healthy helping of stew was topped with a large torn piece of crusty bread. It was heaven compared to the strip of dried meat that would have been Kelton's meal had they not been invited.

"This is really good," Kelton slurred with a mouth full of stew. Gossamer nodded in agreement, not wanting to risk losing his mouth full.

"Thank you," Joycelyn said. Rebecca sat down uncomfortably close to Kelton and slid even closer. Her mother glared at her, and she glared back, then turned toward Kelton and smiled. Kelton wanted to slide away and create a bigger buffer between them, but he decided it may be deemed rude. He had no intention of risking the meal by insulting the hosts.