Ghosts: A Quelondain Short

by Mireille Chester

Ghosts

  A Quelondain Short

  Mireille Chester

  Copyright © 2014 by Mireille Chester

  Published by Mireille Chester

  Chapter One

  The morning was cool and Jasper was grateful for it as he went to the creek for the last bucket full of water he would need for the day. He set the pail down on the blue grass that grew by the water, sat beside it, and wiped the sweat from his brow with the back of his forearm. His thoughts turned to the conversation he’d had with his father a few days before. He frowned. His father had been so proud as he’d given his son his general’s ring. Jasper remembered the sinking feeling in his chest as he’d taken it. He didn’t want to be on the guard, he’d argued with his father. To be on the guard meant he might have to fight Luke. Jesse had been understanding, but adamant. The chances he’d have to fight against Luke were small and Jasper had been born to a family with an excellent military record. When he turned of age a few months from now, he was expected to travel to Pinsaber to start his training.

  “Jasper!”

  He looked up at his sister’s call. “I’m coming!” He stooped, filled the bucket, and made his way back to the cabin.

  “What were you doing?” questioned Jane.

  “I thought I’d take a minute to myself.”

  Jane’s frown softened and she hugged him awkwardly, trying not to spill the water in the bucket he still held. “You were thinking about what Dad said the other day?” She looked up into the clear blue eyes that matched her own.

  Jasper glanced toward his father’s bedroom door.

  “He’s still sleeping.”

  “Do you understand what I was trying to say? I mean, if women were allowed to enlist, would you want to?”

  “No. I mean, yes, I understand and no, I wouldn’t want to. To go up against Luke would be, well, I think I’d rather die than to have to try and kill him. He may be Maj, but he’s still our brother.”

  Jasper nodded, relieved it wasn’t just him. “What should I do?”

  Jane kissed her twin on the cheek. “I can’t tell you that. This is something you have to decide on your own. Just listen to your heart, Jasper. You’ll know when you come to the right decision.”

  Both of them turned at the sound of little Jared coughing in his bedroom.

  “I’ll go see to him. Can you put that bucket full in the laundry tub?” Jane left without waiting for an answer. Jasper did as she’d asked and set about heating some water for tea.

  “Good morning.”

  Jasper smiled at his mother as she stepped out of her bedroom. He tried not to show how worried he felt at her ragged appearance. Even with the twins healthy and able to help, she still took her turns with her mate and the baby despite the fact she was also getting sick.

  He poured her a cup of tea and washed the yoll eggs he’d found by the stream that morning. As he fell into the rhythm of the day, his thoughts turned to how he felt about being on the guard.

  Chapter Two

  “Jasper, be a Sweetling and bring me another cloth, yeah?”

  Jasper rolled his sky blue eyes while reaching under the counter for the cloth his mother needed. “Mum, I’ll turn of age in less than a year. I’m not a Sweetling anymore.” His grin defied the objection he was raising. He knelt in front of her and put the wet cloth on baby Jared’s forehead. “How is he doing?”

  Carmelle smiled her thanks, brushed the mop of dark curls out of his eyes, and leaned forward to press her lips to his forehead. She tried to keep the exhaustion out of her light blue eyes, but Jasper could tell the past week was taking its toll on her.

  “He’s still fevered,” she answered. They turned their attention to his parents’ bedroom where the sound of his father’s cough went from an unending rolling bark to the dry heaving of a man who hadn’t eaten in days.

  Jasper put a hand on his mother’s shoulder to keep her from getting up. “Sit with Jared. I’ll see if Jane needs a hand with Dad.” Carmelle tucked a loose strand of wavy light brown hair behind her ear and watched as her son made his way into the bedroom.

  Jane looked up and smiled tiredly at her twin. “How’s Jared?”

  “He’s still fevered. Do you need me to bring anything for Dad?”

  She put a hand on their father’s forehead. “Maybe a wet cloth?”

  “I could use a shot of jeckden,” mumbled Jesse. His green eyes met Jasper’s then turned their attention to Jane who was shaking her head.

  “No jeckden for you until you’ve managed to keep some food down.” She turned a stern blue gaze toward Jasper. “I mean it, Jasper. You can bring him some broth, maybe. We’ll try that again.”

  Jasper shrugged. “Sorry, Dad. The last time she caught me sneaking you a drink, she punched me hard enough to leave a bruise.”

  Jesse started to laugh but was quickly overtaken by a coughing spell. Jane sat with a cup of water, ready for when he was done his fit. Jasper headed back into the kitchen, scooped some already warmed broth into a mug, and wet another cloth before returning to the bedroom.

  “How much paste do you have left?”

  Jane looked to the dresser where the almost empty jar sat. “I’ll have enough until tomorrow. Klaira promised to stop by again to see how they were doing.”

  “Oh, well, that’s good.”

  Jane grinned at her brother’s blush. “You know, she told me she thought you had the most unbelievable eyes.” She didn’t add the part where she’d groaned at her friend and rolled her eyes before saying she didn’t need to hear things like that about her twin. “I don’t see why you’re so shy around her. We’ve all been friends since we were cubs.”

  Jesse took a drink of water and lay back down. “Klaira’s a fine healer.”

  Jasper went to the edge of the bed and handed his father the mug of broth. “That, she is,” he agreed.

  “She’s pretty, as well.” His father smiled, took a sip of broth, and broke out into another fit of coughing.

  Jasper helped Jane settle him back into his pillows. “You can flatter her all you want when she comes to have a look at you tomorrow.” He looked out the door at the sound of baby Jared coughing. “I’ll go see if Mum needs anything.”

  “How is she doing? She looked tired when she came in a few hours ago.” Jesse’s worried gaze drifted to the doorway.

  “She’s fine, Dad; mostly just tired. She has a bit of a cough but it’s not getting worse.”

  “And you?”

  Jasper shrugged. “You know Jane and I never get sick.” He stopped at the door. “I’ll go hunting tomorrow morning.”

  Jane nodded. “I noticed we were getting a bit low on meat.” She bent and gave her father a kiss on the forehead. “Try to get some sleep, Dad. If you need anything, just let me know. I’ll go start on the laundry so Mum doesn’t decide she should do it.”

  Jasper closed the door behind them and made his way to where his mother had fallen asleep on the chair, little Jared snuggled in the crook of her arm. He lifted his brother gently and placed him on his little bed. The little green eyes opened and Jasper smiled at his soon to be two year old brother.

  “Try to go back to sleep, Sweetling.”

  Jared coughed and his eyes filled with tears. “Apper… Ared ow.”

  “Where does it hurt?”

  The toddler touched his chest.

  “I’ll go get a bit more paste for you. Lay here and I’ll be right back.” He stopped by his mother’s chair. “Mum, wake up.” He shook her lightly. His mother stirred and smiled.

  “I fell asleep.”

  “You did.” He helped her up and led her to her bedroom. “Lie down.
Jared is going to sleep and Dad is already sleeping. Jane and I have things under control. Get some rest.”

  She started to object then changed her mind at the sight of her bed. She slid under the covers. Jasper watched as his father automatically pulled her to his side.

  Jane looked up from the clothes she was folding. “Is Dad asleep?”

  “He is. I’m going to put a bit more paste on Jared. He’s complaining his chest hurts.” He quietly opened the door to the room he shared with his little brother and knelt by the bed. Jared was fast asleep, just the top of his dark hair poking from under the blankets. Not wanting to wake his brother, he put the jar on the dresser and left quietly.

  Jasper put the kettle on the stove and sparked the fire to life with his flints before pulling two cups from the cupboard.

  “Will you have some tea?”

  Jane nodded without taking her attention off of the dark brown deerskin pants she was folding. She placed them in the wicker basket along with the rest of the folded clothes. While he waited for the water to boil, Jasper set about lighting a fire in the fireplace. The fire lit and the clothes put away, the twins settled on the couch with steaming cups. Jane took a sip of hers and sighed.

  “I haven’t heard a cough in fifteen minutes,” she remarked.

  Jasper nodded. “I hope it’s a sign that things are finally going to get better.” He stared into the fire and watched the flames lick over the logs. His thoughts turned to his adopted brother.

  “You’re thinking of Luke?”

  He nodded, not at all surprised by the fact Jane had read his mind. She always seemed to know what he was thinking. “He’s been gone six months, now.”

  “And he’s only been back once.”

  “I just… I guess I thought he’d come back more often.” He shrugged.

  “You do realize he’s better off there, yeah?”

  “I do. It’s a miracle no one ever figured out he was Maj. Do you remember the day we went to town and little Brian threw a rock at the back of his head?”

  Jane was already laughing. “Luke shifted into his wolf without thinking about it and little Brian ran screaming to his parents.”

  Jasper had to put his cup of tea down to avoid spilling it as tears of laughter filled his eyes. “The best part was how Brian got a swat from his mom for pointing at Luke and calling him a dog!”

  Jane stood, put her hands on her hips, and wagged her finger in an impression of little Brian’s mother. “Little Brian, if I ever catch you calling anyone else a dog again, I’ll tan your hide and use your lion skin as a rug!” She collapsed back onto the couch in a fit of laughter. Their laughter cut off at the sound of their father coughing in the bedroom.

  “The more trips home he makes, the more likely someone will see him shifted. If he comes across a pack on Namael territory, they won’t care he was raised by cats. They’ll simply see him as a dog.” Jane gave his shoulder a squeeze. “I miss him, too.”

  “I suppose it’s best, too, now that he’s found Mel. He’ll be wanting to keep her safe. You know, I thought she took the news well when Luke introduced us as his family.”

  Jane nodded. “I agree. She’s very level headed for a dog.” She smiled. “I do hope we get to meet her again. I can’t wait to be an aunt. Do you think Luke will bring the pups over when they have some?”

  Jasper nodded. “I’m sure he will; just as we’ll make sure to bring our cubs to meet him if we ever have any.” He yawned and stood to put the cups on the counter. “We’d best get some sleep while we can.” He kissed his sister on the forehead and checked on Jared before going to bed.