Rain Glade

by Carroll, John H.

  Rain gasped. “No . . .”

  “Your friend Tonia has a tattoo of a flower on her lower back. Her husband loves it.” Verna grinned. “Jacob will love yours too. I’ll put it in front, where your leg meets your waist. She put her thumb just above Rain’s hip. Then she tickled the spot with it.

  Rain laughed and squirmed away.

  “Will you let me?”

  Rain played with a flower in her hair and nodded timidly. “Yes.”

  Verna grabbed Rain’s hand again and nearly yanked the arm out of the socket as she led her down the hill.

  ***

  “Ow.” Rain did her best to relax as the needle repeatedly pierced her skin. “I still think you should have told me it would hurt.”

  “Yes, yes. You’ve said that countless times now.” Verna dipped the needle in another color. She was sitting on Rain’s leg to hold it still and had a damp cloth in the other hand to wipe off the extra ink and blood.

  Rain looked down at the butterfly. It was beautiful even if it did sting. Verna rapidly stabbed the needle a few more times in a spot away from the butterfly. “What are you doing now?”

  “I’m making raindrops around it, like your name. Now lie back.” She smiled briefly at Rain and dipped the needle in the ink again.

  Rain rested her head on the grass and looked up at the gathering clouds. “Why do we have to do this outside on the ground? You never did answer that question.”

  “The earth underneath you gives you strength. The sun above brings you life. The gentle breeze brings comfort to your skin. The clouds cry for your pain. The spirit of the forest surrounds you and wraps you in its protection.” Verna stabbed some more.

  “The clouds don’t need to cry for me. I’m ready to do that for myself.”

  Verna giggled. “We’re almost done, although I could spend the rest of the day, and many more, drawing tattoos all over your lovely body.”

  “No!” The thought made Rain cringe. “I like the butterfly, but I couldn’t handle that needle stabbing me to death like that.”

  The needle pierced her skin some more. “I’m not stabbing you to death.” Verna rolled her eyes. “I like giving tattoos. They’re attractive and the skin is such a perfect palette, second only to nature.”

  “Who did yours?”

  “I’ve done most of them. The ones on my back and in places I can’t see were done by other Druids.”

  “Do all Druids have tattoos?” Rain preferred talking to concentrating on the needle.

  “Most.” Verna thought for a moment. “Maybe all. Tattoos are a way of expressing our love for the world and nature. A bare body is boring.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.” Rain saw an interesting cloud in the sky and stared at it for a little while because talking wasn’t helping either.

  “All done,” Verna said a short while later. She poured water on the tattoo and wiped it clean, sending a shiver through Rain.

  Rain looked down at the tattoo in amazement. Brilliant colors stood out against her tanned skin. “It looks like a real butterfly, and the raindrops almost seem as though they’re falling.”

  “I did that by using similar colors.” Verna poured oil into her hand and rubbed it on the tattoo. “I’ll touch everything up once it’s healed. Use this oil twice a day to keep it soft. It’ll help with the scabbing and with retaining the colors.” Verna stood and began cleaning up her supplies.

  Rain slipped her dress back on, glancing at the tattoo one more time. “I like it.” She checked the flowers in her hair. “Jacob said he’s going to become a hero and get us a cottage. We’re going to have lots of children to take care of us and we’ll spend every night in the glade.”

  “Did he now?” Verna sealed the numerous jars of ink. “That sounds like a very wonderful life, Rain.”

  “I know it’s not realistic, but I like the way it sounds.” Rain sniffed the orange flower again. It was her favorite.

  Verna smiled. “It does sound nice and I hope that’s what happens. You deserve it.”

  “He says he might have to go to war.” Rain studied her friend’s reaction.

  “Oh.” Verna picked up the tray holding her tools and turned toward the house.

  Rain followed. “I don’t want him to go to war.”

  “Is the war for the king of your silly country?” Verna asked over her shoulder.

  “No, for Lord Greffen. You’re not supposed to say things like that. They take people to jail for it.” Rain looked around, even though she knew no one else was there.

  “Are you going to tell anyone that I said it?” Verna asked as she set the tray upon a table on the porch.

  “No! I would never do that.”

  “Well then, there’s nothing to worry about.” She cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled at the top of her lungs. “The king of Paruth and all of his lords are silly!”

  “Verna!” Rain rushed over and tried to cover the Druid’s mouth.

  Verna laughed and hugged her instead. “Let’s eat something. I’m famished and you haven’t eaten anything all day, have you?”

  “Ulga fed me porridge this morning.”

  An expression of distaste crossed Verna’s face as she opened the door. “How delightful. Let’s have some real food.” She turned abruptly. Rain’s nose ran into the Druid’s finger. “And tea. You must drink tea.”

  ***

  Five more days passed without a sign of Jacob. Rain grew worried. She was sitting on the rock by the pool, staring at the water when he snuck up behind her and tickled her sides.

  Rain screamed and turned, only to see him fall to the ground laughing. “Oh! You . . .” She glared at him, but only for a moment before jumping on him and licking his nose. Then she got up and began climbing the rocks.

  “Wait for me.” Jacob scrambled to his feet. He caught up with her at the top and tried to take her hand, but she pulled it away. “Hey, are you mad at me?” he asked worriedly.

  “Yes.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why.” Rain turned her shoulder as she walked. She couldn’t help her anger. Or the tears that were fighting their way to her eyes.

  “No. I don’t know.” Jacob moved in front of her and stopped her with hands on her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

  Rain turned her head so she didn’t have to see his wonderful pink eyes, and so he wouldn’t see her tears.

  He put a hand on her chin and turned her face to him. “Please don’t be mad at me. It cuts my heart to think you might not care about me anymore.”

  That wasn’t what she expected. “I do care about you! I need you.” She draped her arms around his neck.

  Jacob lifted her. “I just don’t understand why you’re mad at me.”

  She wrapped her legs around his waist. “Because you didn’t come for so long I thought you were dead and then you scared me.”

  “I’m sorry,” he whispered in her ear.

  They didn’t say or do anything for a while, just held each other. Finally, Rain released him and let her feet fall to the ground. “I don’t know why I got so mad. Every day that passed worried me more. I keep wanting to talk to you.”

  “What do you want to talk about?”

  Rain took his hand and began walking. “Everything! I want to listen to you talk. Your voice makes me feel safe and warm, like a blanket.”

  “Your voice is like the creek tumbling over the rocks. It’s soft and fluid, a joy to listen to.” Jacob kissed her hand.

  Rain smiled so hard her cheeks hurt. “I don’t believe you, but I adore hearing it.” She shoved him in the chest, moving herself more than him. “That’s why I’m so mad. You weren’t around to say things like that.”

  He turned his head, but Rain caught a glimpse of gloom on his face. “Jacob? What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

  It was Rain’s turn to stop him. She put hands on his cheeks. “What aren’t you telling me? Do you not care about me anymo
re?”

  His voice deepened in sincerity. “I will love you for my entire life and beyond, beautiful Rain.”

  “And I you, but something is bothering you. Tell me, please.”

  Jacob took her hand and they resumed walking. “Lord Greffen has demanded a meeting with Lord Bullot. He’s going to take all of us, and we’re meeting in the village of Zethbern, which is in Lord Bullot’s province.”

  “Oh.” Rain didn’t like the sound of it. They walked in silence to the tunnel and through to the glade.

  “You’re not saying anything.” Jacob ran his hand along her back, a gesture she enjoyed.

  “It sounds bad. Do you have to go?” Rain put her hands on his chest and looked up at him.

  “I have no choice. It’s my job and I have to do five years of service.” He kissed her forehead. “That’s the best way to become a hero so we can have our cottage and spend all our nights in your glade.”

  “What if we become adventurers?” Rain asked hopefully. “I’ve thought about exploring the world and doing brave things. We could become heroes that way.”

  Jacob brightened at the thought. “Hey, that’s an idea! When I was a kid, my friends and I would always pretend to explore ruins and fight ghosts. The ruins of an old fort were not far away from my house.”

  Rain kissed him. “Let’s do it! Let’s become adventurers.”

  The excitement faded from Jacob’s face. “If I leave Lord Greffen’s service, my father will have to serve it.”

  Rain’s heart sank. “Oh.”

  “He’s got a bad cough from the mines lately. I don’t think he can do it.” Jacob took her shoulders. “I want to go adventuring with you, but my father’s a good man. I don’t want him or my mother to suffer, Rain.” His voice was almost pleading.

  “No! I don’t want that either,” Rain said in earnest. “You have great parents and you should honor them.”

  Jacob wrapped her up in his arms.

  Rain clung to him, afraid to let him go. They stayed like that for a long time. “I don’t feel like dancing right now, Jacob. Is that alright?”

  He kissed her. “Of course it is. I’m just happy to be with you. Would you like to sit with me?” She nodded, so he picked her up and carried her to their spot between the roots. He leaned back against the tree trunk and they cuddled together. Jacob ran fingers through her hair. “Who did your father serve with, if you don’t mind my asking?”

  “He spent five years in the Aveen City Guard.” Rain didn’t feel like talking about her father.

  “He served in the capital? Wow.” Jacob was impressed.

  Rain shrugged. “He hated working for the Guard. Before that, when he learned my mother was pregnant with me, he took off and went adventuring.

  “Why didn’t he keep adventuring?”

  “He took an arrow to the knee.”

  Jacob winced in empathy. “Ouch. Bad news that.”

  “He still had to serve his time in the City Guard. When he was done, he came back to my mother. The first time I ever saw him, he was drunk. He’s been drunk ever since.”

  “I’m sorry, Rain. You deserve better.” Jacob squeezed her.

  “Why?” Rain sat up and looked into his eyes.

  “What do you mean, why?”

  “Why do I deserve better? Perhaps I have exactly what I deserve in life and nothing more. I don’t think I deserve more.”

  Jacob kissed her.

  Rain enjoyed the feel of his lips against hers, but she was expecting an answer. She lifted her head. “Wh . . .” was all she got out before he kissed her more passionately than before. Each time she tried to speak, he kissed her again. It wasn’t long until she gave up and lost herself in his desire.

  ***

  She watched the sky slowly changing colors when their cravings were spent.

  Jacob nuzzled her neck. “I must be getting heavy.”

  “Stay.” Rain put a hand on the back of his neck to keep him there. “I like the way you feel on top of me. You’re not heavy at all.” They remained silent for a moment. “You can keep nuzzling my neck too.”

  He chuckled quietly. “When did you get that tattoo?”

  “Verna gave it to me. Are you angry?” Rain was worried about his reaction.

  “No, just surprised. It’s beautiful.”

  “Good. Now about that nuzzling . . .” She gasped in pleasure when he continued. They spent a good long time making love that night.

  The last thing Rain said when they fell asleep was, “Always come back to me, Jacob. Please, come back to me always.”

  ***

  Rain woke first and went to the creek to rinse her face and get a drink. There were flowers woven in their hair again. She stood and looked around the glade. A blue glow flitted through the mist into the branches, but that was the only sign she saw of the fairies.

  She went to put on her dress, but stopped before her hand touched it. Jacob slept peacefully, his muscular chest rising and falling. Rain went to him and kissed his parted lips.

  Jacob woke up, so she kissed him more thoroughly. Rain pushed her body against his, determined to give all of herself to him. They made love with abandon, rolling in the mist across the glade.

  ***

  Jacob carried her in his arms all the way to the pool. “I want to carry you forever, my dearest Rain. I love you and I will come back to you.”

  She kissed his neck. “I love you.”

  He set her on her feet. “I have to go now. We were only given one day and night away. When this is done, I’ll be back.”

  Rain kissed him again.

  Jacob returned the kiss before walking away, their outstretched fingers the last touch.

  Rain watched him walk along the creek. He looked back numerous times and waved sadly as he disappeared through the trees.

  She watched a while longer.

  Then she fell to her knees and cried.

  ***

  “Rain, what’s wrong?” Verna came out of her house as Rain slowly walked up the path around noon. When Rain didn’t answer, Verna led her by the shoulders to the bench on the porch. Rain laid her head in the Druid’s lap.

  Verna ran fingers through her friend’s hair until Rain fell asleep late in the afternoon. Then she slipped a pillow under the distraught woman’s head and a blanket over her. Verna made some food for when Rain woke up and then the Druid curled up on the chair where she could keep an eye on her friend.

  ***

  Rain woke up screaming in terror. Verna was right there, holding her. “There, there. It was just a dream. Everything is just fine.” She let Rain sob into her shoulder for a few moments, but finally made her stop. “It’s time for you to gain control and tell me what’s happening.”

  “He’s going to war.” Rain used the cloth Verna gave her to wipe away tears.

  “I assume you mean Jacob?”

  “Yes.” Rain nodded. “Lord Greffen is going to meet Lord Bullot in Zethbern, but I think it’s going to end in war.”

  “I’ll ignore the fact that ten soldiers on one side and fourteen on the other don’t make a war, but how do you know the lords won’t work it out?”

  Rain looked to see if her friend was serious. “You do realize we live in the Kingdom of Paruth, right? Lords never work things out here.”

  Verna conceded the point. “True, but perhaps Jacob will be fine, or even become the hero he says he will.”

  “Perhaps.” A pit in the bottom of her stomach said otherwise, but Rain clung to hope. She laid her head on Verna’s lap. “Can I stay here tonight?”

  “Of course. You may stay here as long as you like.” Verna ran fingers through Rain’s hair again.

  Rain stared at the stars and sent thoughts to the Gods to keep Jacob safe. It was a while before she fell back to sleep.

  ***

  The next day, Rain helped Verna with a wounded wolf that came to visit. After that, they cleaned and gathered items from the forest for more wind chimes. Rain spent the night again.
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  The day after that, Rain watched Tonia’s children until the sun set. Then she went home and slept.

  Another day passed and she worked in the garden and then cleaned the house, which smelled like stale wine and her father’s sweat. She took a bath in the pool before her father woke up and went to work. Jacob didn’t come. She spent another day doing the same.

  The next day she helped Ulga with the gardening before going to Verna’s house in the evening.

  “How long do you think it’ll be until Jacob comes home, Verna?” Rain was letting Verna tattoo an image on her calf of the orange flower the fairies had tied into her hair. The flowers were gone, but she still remembered the scent of it.

  “Comes home? Interesting choice of words.” Verna poked the needle into the side of Rain’s calf.

  Rain had decided she didn’t care if people saw that she had a tattoo. The butterfly was beautiful and the flower would be even more so. “Maybe it isn’t home for him, but when we’re together, wherever we are feels like home.”

  “What a perfect thought. I like it.” Verna smiled as she dipped the needle in more ink. “I don’t know when he’ll be home. I believe Zethbern is on the edge of the two provinces, so the lords have likely already met.”

  “I could go to Seyten to find out if there is any news.” It was a thought that had been brewing in Rain’s mind for the last couple of days.

  Verna raised an eyebrow. “It’s unlikely they’ll give information to you.”

  “I don’t care.” Rain stretched an arm along the cool grass. “I have to know, even if I’m being a stupid little peasant girl.”

  A sad expression came over Verna. “I hate it when you talk about yourself like that, Rain.”

  Rain studied her friend for a moment. “I’m sorry. I don’t feel that way when I’m with you. People have told me that my whole life, so . . . I believe them, I guess.”