Flicker of the Flame: A YA Epic Fantasy

by Evelyn Puerto

  “That’s nice.”

  Waukomis raised his eyebrows. “Usually it is. Unless I have to save him from bandits.”

  “Or I have to rescue you.” Da smiled, then grew serious. “I’m glad you’re here. We need to speak with the two of you.”

  Kemet didn’t seem surprised. Tereka’s neck tensed. Why was she the last to know?

  Tarkio pointed at Waukomis’ son. “Kemet is twelve, like you. And he’s going to become his father’s apprentice.”

  Tereka eyed the boy. “You want to be a trader?”

  He nodded. “Of course.” He leaned toward her. “It’s the only job where you can come and go as you please. Everyone else is trapped.”

  His eyes sparkled as if he couldn’t imagine a better treat than to join a caravan and get on the road. Tantalizing images of traveling far from Groa, to a new village every day, poured into Tereka’s mind. She pursed her lips and looked at her da. “Would that mean I would travel with you, everywhere you go?”

  “Some of the time. We’d have to work it out that you wouldn’t miss too many of the oppidan lectures.”

  These were the twice-weekly classes held for all children up to the age of sixteen. In the early years, they learned to read, write, and do simple math. In later years, they learned the history of Tlefas and what their part was in building a safe, fair, and prosperous country. At fourteen, most would start working with various tradesmen, craftsmen, and other workers to find what job would suit them. But they could choose a profession and become an apprentice as early as twelve years old.

  Waukomis stretched out an arm and ruffled Kemet’s hair. “I’ve been waiting a long time for my son to travel with me. His mother, however… ” He smiled and shrugged.

  Tereka felt a stab in her chest. Kemet’s mother loved him. It wasn’t fair that the woman she’d thought of as a mother hated her.

  “We just need to hear what the lovely Tereka has to say.” Waukomis leaned forward as if hanging on her every word.

  She frowned. Was he making fun of her? Maybe this was what her da had in mind when he told her Groa would never beat her again. Maybe he’d concocted this scheme as a way to protect her. Which meant he didn’t really want her traveling around with him like some kind of package to be guarded.

  “Da, do you even want an apprentice?” She looked into his dark eyes, trying to read his expression.

  He stared back for several heartbeats. “I do.”

  “But not me.” She pressed her lips together to keep them from trembling.

  “Actually, I wasn’t sure what you’d want to do. But now that I consider it, you’ll make a fine trader. You can calculate sums in your head, much better than Tirk, or me for that matter. You have a strong sense of fairness and don’t back down easily. I think you’ll do well.”

  Tereka looked down, flushing a little with the praise. But did he want her around?

  “What do you say, dear girl? It’s not for life. You can try it for six months or a year and if it doesn’t suit you, you can change your mind.”

  “You couldn’t pick a better person to apprentice to than old Tarkio here.” Waukomis’ grin spread across his face. “Unless of course, you decide to ditch him to work for me.”

  She nodded slowly. She could try this. Maybe trading would be fun, the way Kemet seemed to think it would be. If she sensed Da didn’t want her around, she could quit. If she turned out to be no good at it, she could find something else. Besides, traders wore brown, not the ugly gray everyone else was stuck with.

  Tarkio smiled. “Good. Then tomorrow I’ll go to the syndic’s office and make it official.”

  A knot formed in Tereka’s stomach. The syndic was her aunt Juquila, who’d never missed a chance to tell her how worthless she was. No chance Juquila would approve this new plan. And even if she did, Tereka had no illusions Juquila would make things easy for her. She narrowed her eyes. She might not have had an ambition to be a trader, but she was sure about one thing—she was determined to prove Juquila wrong. She’d succeed as a trader if she died in the attempt.

  6

  Five years later

  With a small smile, Tereka spread her documents on the kitchen table. In spite of Juquila’s initial objections, she’d proved to be a good trader. Now everything was in order. The statement from Da attesting that she’d finished her apprenticeship successfully. Sample bills of lading and tax receipts she’d prepared, all duly stamped by the syndic’s clerks. The certificate from the ludi stating she was released from the oppidan lectures, having successfully completed all the requirements. The recommendation from the head of the trade guild.

  Even with all these papers, she doubted things would go well with her aunt. Tereka tapped her finger on each document, settling on the final one. The letter from her father requesting she be made a joint owner of his trading license.

  Because today, Tereka was hoping to not only finish her apprenticeship but become a full partner with Da. Then maybe her aunt would treat her with at least a semblance of politeness, and not sneer at her for being a lowly apprentice. And maybe Groa would thaw toward her enough that she could see Aito. Would he even remember her after all this time?

  She hoped so, just as she’d put all her hopes in becoming a trader.

  At first, she’d balked at the idea. It seemed dull to her, the endless travel over dusty roads, sleeping out of doors in all kinds of weather, the perpetual forms and fiddling rules, and most of all, haggling with traders and vendors. It seemed pointless in a way, just to make a profit that met the minimum quota but didn’t exceed a set maximum.

  But quickly, she began to see the appeal. Being able to leave Trofmose and venture out, to sleep under a clear sky, and watch the nightly dance of the two moons.

  Then there were the stories the other traders told. Some of bandit attacks or warboar hunts. Others were romantic tales of long-distance romance between traders and girls in far off villages.

  Then she learned to value the vendors she bought from as friends, rather than adversaries. To anticipate seeing them on her visits, to know them and their families.

  Sure, there were dangers on the road. Despite Juquila’s warning that Tereka shouldn’t be fighting bandits, Da made sure she could defend herself.

  She smiled, remembering how he started her training. His first move was to teach her a game of throwing rocks against a tree. He made her play that game with him every night they were on the road. When she was able to hit the target consistently from fifty paces, he switched from stones to knives.

  She’d been startled. “This isn’t safe, Da.”

  He’d laughed. “And a bandit with a sword running at you would be safer?”

  Once she mastered the grip on the knife, she skewered whatever target Da named. And she understood why Da had insisted on the rock game.

  One night on the road to Shinroo, a knot of traders had gathered around her, placing bets on her throws. Those who bet against her surrendered their bronze sheaves to those who’d spied her rock-throwing from earlier trips.

  Da juggled the sheaves he’d won in his hand. “And, in case you’re all interested,” he announced to the gathered traders, “my daughter sleeps with a knife.”

  A few laughs answered him, but his message had been received.

  He followed that up by making sure she could use the knife in close quarters. On their very next trip, one of the guardsmen shot a deer. Da volunteered to skin and prepare it for roasting. He used the opportunity to teach Tereka a practical skill as well as give her a very public lesson on where to stab a man who attacked her.

  The lessons didn’t stop with knives, either. When they were home in Trofmose, he taught her how to fight off attackers absent a weapon, how to throw a man bigger than her, to elbow or knee him in the places it would hurt the most.

  And then he moved on to bow and arrows, the weapons that made her the most nervous. The only time she’d need any proficiency in archery was during a bandit attack. And fighting bandits was som
ething Juquila had expressly forbidden her to do.

  Her protests had ended the day Da had mumbled “archery’s in your blood.”

  She didn’t think he was talking about himself. Did that mean her mother had been a skilled archer? Da repelled any questions about her mother, so learning archery seemed to be Tereka’s only way of forming a connection with her.

  And so she practiced, even surpassing Da’s skill, and he was known as one of the best among the traders.

  Her thoughts returned to her upcoming meeting with Juquila. For five years, her aunt had ignored Tereka’s existence. Even the times Tereka brought the bills of lading to the syndic’s office or paid their taxes, Juquila acted as if she’d never seen Tereka before.

  Which made Tereka more uneasy than open hostility.

  “Ready to go?”

  She started at Da’s question. She hadn’t noticed him come in.

  He smiled at her. “Let’s get this over with, dear girl, then go out and celebrate. I’ve waited a long time to have a trading partner.”

  “Let’s hope you don’t have to wait much longer.”

  “What, maybe an hour, waiting for Juquila’s clerks to deal with everyone else? Two, at the most.”

  Tereka gathered her papers, rolled them up, and tied them with a cobalt blue ribbon. She hoped her da was right.

  She kept silent as they walked the short distance to the market, threading their way through throngs of people arguing over the price of dried pelba fruit or the quality of candles. A tabby cat raced past in pursuit of a black rat. A stiff breeze carried the scent of horses, burning leather, and baking bread.

  Too soon they walked through the tall wooden doors into the syndic’s hall, where traders and market vendors came for permits and licenses and to resolve petty disputes. Da led the way through the crowd to the back of the hall. A clerk with an orange band around his shoulder looked up from the letter he was writing and raised his eyebrows. He glanced at Tereka’s documents, then pointed to the door to the inner office.

  Tereka followed Da into Juquila’s office, which, as usual, was crammed with traders and vendors, all seeking the syndic’s decision on matters great and small. She leaned against the wall. Da spoke in her ear. “Nothing to worry about.” He walked to the front of the room to give her papers to the clerk.

  Her gaze followed him and to her surprise, she saw a familiar face. Tirk, her brother, was seated to Juquila’s left in the seat usually occupied by a clerk. She studied his clothing and noticed the band around the shoulder of his gray tunic. Students and apprentices wore white. Tirk’s band was orange, marking him as a clerk. He’d finished his apprenticeship, then.

  Da returned to her and they waited. Tirk turned his hourglass over once as he carried out his duties, handing papers to Juquila, collecting fees, recording decisions.

  Then it was Tereka’s turn. Tirk didn’t even acknowledge her as he handed her documents to Juquila. Da nudged her to approach Juquila’s worktable.

  “Tereka Sabidur requests to be released from her apprenticeship and be made a full trader. Tarkio Sabidur requests that Tereka Sabidur be made a joint owner of his trading license.” Juquila stared at Da. “The regular license, I presume? Not the Risker license?”

  “The regular license, if you please. Out of concern for her safety, I’ve never taken her to the Riskers.”

  Tereka, while curious about the Riskers, was glad her da had never suggested taking her on one of his runs to trade with them. She had no desire to visit the savage, barbaric Riskers, even though trading with them was highly profitable.

  “That’s one sensible thing you’ve done.” Juquila spread Tereka’s documents on the table before her. “The ludi released you, Tarkio released you, the trade guild supports you.”

  Tereka let out a slow breath.

  “But I do not.”

  Tereka’s jaw slackened.

  “This all looks good on paper. But I’m not convinced you’re ready.”

  If she’d had the least hope that her aunt would be fair to her, it was now as dead as last year’s wildflowers. Kemet had finished his apprenticeship last year when he was just sixteen. Da had made her wait an entire year longer. He’d said he wanted there to be no doubt. Clearly, he’d miscalculated.

  “Juquila— ” Da stepped forward.

  She waved a hand at him. “So tell me, Tereka. Explain to me the pricing rules within Decree 65.4 of Prime Konamei Pallu II?”

  Da gasped, making Tereka’s chest tighten as if Juquila had wrapped a chain around it. Her mouth went dry and she struggled to speak. “If you please, I don’t understand.”

  Juquila pointed at Da. “I would have thought you would have taught her this one better.” She made a tsk-ing noise and shook her head. “And how many trading runs have you done without your father?”

  “Five, if you please.” Tereka wrinkled her brow. Why was Juquila asking these questions?

  “And to how many different towns?”

  Tereka looked at the ceiling. “Three, if you please.”

  “Hmm. It’s clear you’re not prepared to be a full partner.” Juquila pointed at her clerk. “Record this. Tereka Sabidur has completed her apprenticeship but she is on probation for three months. During that time, she is to conduct five trading runs without her father, to at least four towns where she has not previously traded alone.” She gathered up Tereka’s documents and tossed them to the edge of her worktable. “And during that time, I do not want any complaints about you, or hear of any unsafe behavior like using weapons or fighting bandits. Am I clear?”

  Tereka’s heart shrank but she kept her expression stony and her chin high. She didn’t want Juquila to see how deflated she felt. She nodded.

  Juquila fixed an icy stare on Tarkio. “And don’t think I’ll overlook anything you do, either. I know the things you say in the trade guild, about traders needing to protect themselves. That’s acting in an unsafe manner and showing a distrust of our ephor and his guards. I will not tolerate that, not from anyone. And I will see that violaters are punished.” She flicked her glance back at Tereka. “If you are successful, then I’ll consider the request to be a joint owner of the trading license.” Juquila turned to her clerk. “Next.”

  7

  Tereka opened her mouth to speak but stopped when Da stepped in front of her. He swept her papers off Juquila’s table.

  Juquila smiled. “You know I’m within my rights, Tarkio.”

  “Peace and safety, Juquila.” His voice shook with suppressed rage. He spun on his heel and stalked toward the exit.

  Tereka scurried to overtake him. “That evil— ”

  Da touched her shoulder. “Not here.”

  He led her home, striding through the throngs in the market. Only when they were in their house did he utter a word. To Tereka’s surprise, it was a foul curse she’d never heard him say before.

  “Da?”

  “What? Isn’t that what you were thinking?” He set Tereka’s documents on the kitchen table and dropped onto a stool. “Sit. We need to talk.”

  “How could she do that to me? It’s not fair.” Tereka crossed her arms. “Kemet did only one trade run alone, and she approved him.”

  Da nodded. “You’re right, it’s not fair.” He laid his hand on Tereka’s papers. “Please sit.”

  Tereka eased herself onto the other stool. “Does this have anything to do with Groa?”

  “Groa? Well, somewhat.” He let out a heavy sigh. “When my father died, I stood to inherit his trading licenses. But there were a few traders who would have loved to gain control of them. One trader in particular. He was in cahoots with the syndic of the day.”

  “And what happened?”

  “The trader filed all kinds of complaints against me, including violating the pricing decree Juquila asked you about. This happened about the time I met her and Groa, so they knew all about the accusations against me. Between the complaints and my age, I was put on probation.”

  “So you served it a
nd got your licenses.”

  “Not without having to go to court to appeal the syndic’s decision. Which was risky, since if I lost, the syndic could have had me taken for making false accusations against one of the town Konament members. My enemies bribed people to lie about me.”

  Her face heated, her anger this time on his account and not her own. “But you won?”

  “Barely. The ephor and questor were annoyed with the syndic, which helped. And Groa testified on my behalf, knowing her uncle would make her suffer for it.” He pressed his lips together as if thinking. “You need to know, her uncle was a drunk who beat her and her sister. He was especially brutal to Groa after she testified for me.”

  Tereka put a hand to her mouth. “Then she knows what it’s like. How could she have done the same to me?”

  “That’s what I’ve been wondering.” He stretched his hands out and studied his fingers.

  Tereka’s mind raced, but her jumbled thoughts offered no answers. Finally, she broke the silence. “So why did you marry her?”

  He shrugged. “I admired her courage and honesty. She was the only person I could trust. Choosing Groa is the root of Juquila’s hatred of me. Even though she was openly pursuing Valday, the ephor’s second in command, she wanted to be the one to reject me. I denied her that by marrying her sister. And she’s clamped onto that grudge like a snake swallowing a bird.”

  “So she’s taking it out on me. That’s hardly fair.”

  “No, it’s not.” Da shook his head. “I’m sorry. It’s me she hates. I know she let Groa take the blame for a lot that went on. And now to ease her guilt, she blames me for all Groa’s unhappiness, but I’m not sure what she’s up to.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, are you her target, or just a way to get at me?”

  “What have I ever done to her?”

  “Other than be born?” Da rubbed his forehead. “Who knows what goes on in that woman’s mind. She and I have been on opposite sides of many disputes in the past, and that’s not going to stop any time soon. Not until she supports the traders’ right to defend themselves.” He ran his hand over his hair. “What we need to think about is you. Fetch the map, will you?”