Rain Glade

by Carroll, John H.

  Rain Glade

  John H. Carroll

  Published by John H. Carroll at Smashwords

  Copyright 2011 John H. Carroll

  Cover Copyright 2011 John H. Carroll

  Cover photography by Tracy Carroll

  This story is dedicated to those who believe war is a waste of loved ones

  Table of Contents

  Map of Ryallon

  Map of Greffen Province

  Map of Cothbern and Rain Glade

  Beginning

  About the Author

  Rain opened her eyes as morning rays peeked through cracks in the eaves next to her straw bed. She stretched and brushed off a spider that had begun spinning a web between her and the ceiling. Judging from cool air coming through the cracks, it was another misty spring morning.

  Her corner loft was barely big enough for the pitiable bed and a chest holding clothes and the few things precious to her. She looked over the side. It was dark and the only sound was that of her father snoring in the single room of their small, stone house.

  A curse word she wasn’t supposed to know came out of her mouth when she sat up and bonked her head against a ceiling beam. Rain knew it was there, but every once in a while she knocked her head on it. Straw from the ceiling fell into the back of her sleeveless, brown robe, making her itch.

  The spider must have chomped her leg before working on its web. She scratched at the bite before changing into her patchwork dress. It only came down to her knees, showing more leg than was proper, but she didn’t have material to make a longer one. A belt and pouch finished the outfit.

  Rain climbed down the rickety ladder from her loft and slipped past her father’s unconscious body on her way to the front door. Cheap mead and body odor mingled to create a stench that made her gag. He had placed the leather coverings over the windows upon coming home in the early morning hours, which trapped the smell. Rain would open them up in a futile attempt to freshen the air after he went to work that afternoon.

  The door’s rusted hinges protested at having to open. Rain watched to see if her father would react as she closed it, but he was oblivious to his surroundings. She slipped into the mist and made her way down the dirt path away from her home.

  The path was muddy from spring showers, so she moved to the edge. Rain enjoyed the feel of grass under her bare feet anyway, though she watched to make certain she wouldn’t startle a snake or step on an anthill.

  Rain and her father lived outside the village of Cothbern in the Greffen Province. The Kingdom of Paruth had a history of land squabbles and infighting, but nobody wanted to take Lord Greffen’s land because there was little of value other than some copper mines and a quarry. The mountains were steep while Grendia Forest was thick and enchanted. Hunters and woodcutters were more likely to disappear than to be successful in their ventures.

  Rain stopped and stretched with her arms toward the sky. She wasn’t tall, but liked to pretend she could reach the tops of the trees. A purple flower nearby had just blossomed and she leaned over to breathe in its sweet aroma. “Oh, you’re so beautiful. You’ll attract countless butterflies.”

  As she continued on her way, Rain took a small wooden comb from her pocket and began working tangles out of her long, honey-brown hair. I will definitely have to bathe today, she thought to herself. By the time she reached Old Ulga Tumo’s house, the tangles were out and the sun was beginning to burn off the mist.

  ***

  Old Ulga Tumo had grey hair and a stooped back. She was sweeping her porch with a straw broom when Rain opened the gate of the whitewashed picket fence. Ulga’s voice cracked with age. “Hello there, Rain. So lovely to see you.”

  “Hello, Ulga. How are you this fine morning?” Rain made her way up the stone path, which was lined with sprouts of flowers and herbs poking through the fertile ground.

  “This mist is making my bones ache.” She put a hand on her hip and tried to straighten. “You’ll help me plant the peas in the garden this morning, won’t you, lass?”

  “Of course, Ulga. You take care of your back.” Rain gave her a welcoming kiss on the cheek.

  Ulga waggled a leathery finger. “My back has carried me for eighty years. That’s more than anyone else can say, twice as much as our good Lord Greffen.” She put her hands on her hips. “Now get inside. There’s porridge in the pot and a loaf of bread in the basket. Gardening can wait until you eat.”

  “Yes, Ulga.” Rain went inside, grabbed a bowl of porridge and tore off a piece of bread before sitting at the dining table. She knew better than to argue with the old woman.

  She glanced around the tidy house while filling her belly. Pots and pans lined the wall behind a wooden worktable near a fire pit. There were two cupboards and even a couch. Ulga Tumo had two rooms besides the common area. Her children and grandchildren had lived there before going off on their own. The amazing woman had outlived all of her children and many of the grandchildren too. Now she lived alone.

  Rain washed the bowl and spoon before heading to the back. Ulga had made her way around the porch and was leaning on the broom before finishing. Rain held a hand out. “I can finish sweeping for you, Ulga. You sit down and let me have the broom.”

  Ulga pulled the broom away. “You’ll not take my livelihood from me. I can still sweep, it just takes me a while.” She waggled her finger. “You should know better.”

  “Sorry, Ulga.” Rain hung her head.

  “Don’t you worry about it. The seeds are in the basket.” She began sweeping again. “When you’re done, there’ll be lunch for you.”

  “Yes, Ulga.” Rain grabbed the basket and the hoe. She worked quickly and was done by midday.

  “You do good work, Rain,” Ulga said as the young woman sat and ate cheese with more bread. “Here are three coppers for you. I want you to have them.” Ulga put the coppers on the table. She waggled a finger, as she was so good at doing. “Don’t you dare let your wastrel of a father know about them. They’re for you.”

  Rain stared at them with wide eyes. “Ulga, I can’t accept these.” She ran a finger over the metal, smooth from years of wear. “I’ve never had money before.”

  “Nonsense. It’s not a lot, but I don’t have any need for them. Perhaps you’ll be able to earn a few more and get material for a wedding dress.”

  “A wedding dress?” Rain looked at the old woman in confusion. “Nobody would want to marry me. There are many more desirable women.” She dropped her dirty hands in her lap and stared at them. “I’m just a skinny peasant girl with nothing to her name except a drunken father.”

  Ulga patted her shoulder. “Nonsense. You’re a fine-looking girl with amber eyes that shine like the sun. Any man would be lucky to marry you.” She grabbed the coppers with her age-mottled hands, put them in Rain’s hand and closed the fingers around them. “Go on now. Keep these safe. Be back in three days and I’ll have more work for you.”

  “Yes, Ulga.” Rain gave her a kiss on the cheek and headed out through the gate. There was a copse of trees to the left of the path and she squirreled her way into them. Once certain no one else was near, Rain opened her hand and stared at the coins.

  The worn copper glinted in the sun. She looked up at the clear sky. The air was growing warmer and sweat trickled down her back from all the work she had done. Rain ignored it as she examined the coins. There was a figure of a person on the front of the coins while the back had a mountain and tree. One coin was newer than the rest, probably showing the current king. Rain thought he looked magnificent. It was hard to tell who was on the others.

  As she made her way past the thick trunks and leafy plants to the path, Rain tucked the coins into her pouch, the safest place she could put them.

  ***

  The path came ou
t on a muddy road through the forest. To the right, it ended over a mile south at a granite quarry where Rain’s father worked. Rain turned north, where it passed through Cothbern and then to the town of Seyten where Lord Greffen’s keep was. Rain had never been to Seyten, though her father had a few times. He said it wasn’t anything special. He said that about everything.

  Perhaps she would visit there soon. There was no reason for her to stay in Cothbern. Most of the men in Paruth died at an early age in war. Women weren’t allowed to fight. In fact, they weren’t considered much good for anything. Rain considered leaving the country for adventure, but it was a frightening prospect. She just couldn’t think of anything else to do with her life.

  “Hello, Rain!” The voice of Tonia Holn startled Rain as she walked toward the village. “Will you watch my little ones tomorrow?” The young woman stood at the door of her house with a three-year-old son at her feet and six-month-old daughter swaddled in her arms. “I’m going to help Gina sew Lady Greffen’s new dress. It’ll pay Gina’s taxes for a whole year.”

  “Of course, Tonia. I’ll be here shortly after sunrise.” Rain waved at the boy, Rober. He smiled and waved back.

  “You can have breakfast and lunch. I don’t have much else to give,” Tonia said with a look of worry.

  “That would be wonderful and very generous of you.” Rain would also tidy up the house and do anything else to help the young mother. Tonia’s husband was conscripted into the king’s army and hadn’t been home since before the birth of their daughter. Two meals were more than enough compensation.

  Tonia smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Rain. You have a good day.”

  “You too, Tonia.” Rain waved again and headed into Cothbern. The buildings in the village were pink granite with straw roofs. Over two centuries earlier, a fire had destroyed Cothbern. The lord at the time had come with his men and a squad of prisoners to rebuild the village, using stone from the granite quarry.

  In the middle of Cothbern was a small inn with four rooms and a large common area where locals went to drink and socialize. That was where Rain’s father spent most of his time. Across from the inn was a circular park where festivities were held after harvest, at the planting season and numerous other times.

  Unoccupied buildings littered the outskirts of the village, which used to have a sizable population. Men once mined gorgeous pink granite from the quarry, but business slowed over the centuries because no one wanted to pay for the stone to be transported through war-torn provinces of Paruth. Only four people worked at the quarry now and they were all drunks like her father.

  Rain turned right at the park and made her way down one of the two side roads in the village. She waved at the smithy who was lazily banging on a piece of copper. Iron was in short supply and rarely used for anything other than the military.

  Soon after that was the tanner’s shop with its terrible odors. Rain held her nose as she dashed past, thankful no one was outside to talk.

  Trees closed in alongside the road and birds sang to each other from the branches. Mossy logs gave off an earthy fragrance that blended with dew-covered leaves. Rain did a spin, reveling in the lively sounds of the forest. Nature was waking after the hard winter.

  ***

  Everyone in the village called Verna Thanthlim crazy. They said she spoke to trees and even danced naked when the moons were full. Rain knew that Verna was perfectly sane and that it was natural to dance naked under the moonlight. They were best friends and Verna had told her so.

  Rain turned down a small path to Verna’s house. Before long, she came into view of the unusual house crafted from clay and sand. Trees, flowers and animals were carved into the curving walls. The roof was made of wood shingles supported by long, curving branches. There wasn’t a straight line anywhere on the house.

  Rain’s favorite part was the wind chimes hanging from everywhere, including the trees surrounding it. They produced sweet music in the breeze. Rain helped make a few, but the one time she had taken a wind chime home, her father had broken it for making too much of a racket.

  Intricately carved forest scenes decorated the rounded double doors that opened just as Rain walked up the wooden step to the porch. Verna was the most beautiful woman Rain had ever met. The lively woman kept her blonde hair short and died strands of it various colors using berries and herbs from the forest. Dark-blue eyes appeared purple as they peered from her pixie-like face. Rainbow patterns, made with the same dye used in her hair, decorated her long, flowing dress. Trailing up her arms and legs were tattoos of brown vines and green leaves. Another tattoo of vines trailed along her left cheek and around her ear, which had multiple piercings.

  “Rain! I’m so glad you’re here to brighten the day with your smile.” Verna’s rich voice filled the air with its charming sound.

  Rain smiled and blushed at the compliment. “Hello, Verna. How are you?”

  Verna wrapped Rain up in a hug and then twirled her away. “I am wonderful! What a fine spring day. The forest opens its arms to the season and welcomes it to its bosom.” She clasped both hands to her chest in dramatic fashion.

  Rain couldn’t help but laugh, matching her friend’s enthusiasm. She twirled again. “Has there ever been a day when things weren’t wonderful for you?”

  “Yes.” Verna became serious and looked around to see if anyone was listening. Rain did too, but didn’t understand why since they were alone. Verna whispered, “But only one day and I have decided it shall never happen again.” Then she winked, grabbed Rain’s hand and sent her spinning across the porch.

  Rain laughed merrily as she fell into a sturdy chair crafted from branches. “So what plans do you have for us today? Shall we make more wind chimes, gather herbs, or dance through the trees?”

  “That is an excellent question.” Verna patted a large bag slung over her shoulder. “You’re just in time. There is one who needs our attention.” She grabbed Rain’s hand and pulled her to her feet.

  They went through the airy house and onto a trail behind it. Trees with massive trunks reached their branches high into the air. Many were thicker than Rain’s home and she occasionally imagined what it would be like to live inside one. “Who needs our attention, Verna?”

  They strolled hand in hand, cheerfully swinging their arms. Verna waved at a brightly colored bird chirping at them from a nearby bush as it whistled a song to her. “That is another excellent question. You’ll find out when we get there. For now, just enjoy the warm air, the gentle breeze, the melody of the animals and the delightful fragrance of the trees and earth tickling your nose.” She spread her arms and inhaled deeply.

  Rain stretched and inhaled too. She felt alive.

  Verna laughed. “Let’s run!” She dashed off, her bare feet speeding along the ground.

  “Hey! Wait for me!” Rain ran as fast as she could after her friend.

  ***

  They slowed to a walk after a few minutes, laughing and catching their breaths. After that, they spent over an hour delving into parts of the forest Rain had never seen before.

  A sparkling creek provided pure water for drinking and Verna shared some flatbread that filled both their bellies. Every once in a while, Verna would turn down a new animal path and they would follow it past clearings or through verdant underbrush that had never seen direct sunlight because the leaves were so thick above.

  At one point during their journey, a shaft of sunlight broke through the trees and shone on a small pond where a family of swans lazily swam. Rain tripped over a root while gawking at the spectacular sight, but Verna caught her and they traveled on.

  The trail passed between two enormous trees into a clearing. A large, scaly creature lay on the ground a short distance away. Rain pulled up short at the sight, and Verna, who was holding her hand, jerked to a stop as well. She turned and raised her eyebrows innocently. “Why ever have you stopped?”

  Rain raised an arm and pointed at the creature. “What is that?”

  “That is a
wyvern. It needs our help.” Verna tugged Rain. “Come on.”

  Brilliant green scales glimmered in the sunlight as the wyvern breathed shallowly. It was thin with leathery wings folded across its back and a long tail stretched out far behind it.

  As they came close, it lifted its snout and sniffed the air. It abruptly turned its head and hissed at them, showing rows of vicious teeth. Rain latched onto Verna’s arm and tried to back away as the wyvern flicked the barbed end of its tail toward them.

  “I know you’re not hissing at me,” Verna told the wyvern with a hand on her hip and attitude in her voice. Rain looked at her in shock.

  The wyvern stopped hissing immediately. It flopped to the ground and managed to look embarrassed.

  “That’s better.” Verna dragged Rain forward. “Now tell me all about it.”

  The wyvern got back to its feet and wailed plaintively. It stretched out a wing, which fell to the ground, broken. The ripple of pain that rolled along its body made it clear that it was suffering.

  “Well now, that is a terrible injury. We’ll just have to fix it right up, won’t we, Rain?” Verna turned to her as they approached the dangerous creature.

  Rain stared at her with wide eyes, but allowed Verna to continue dragging her forward. When they reached the wyvern, it wailed at them plaintively, giving them a whiff of its carnivorous breath. Rain was certain her eyes crossed as she plugged her nose from the odor.

  “Yes, yes. I know you hurt.” Verna patted its nose. “We’ll make it all better. This is my friend Rain. She’s going to help me, so say hello.”

  The wyvern flicked Rain’s face with a forked tongue. Then it did it a few more times while Rain tried to protect her face with her arms.