B008P7JX7Q EBOK

by Ijaz, Usman

  “How was dinner?” Tarak asked.

  “A little akward,” Adrian admitted.

  “Yes, well, they seem like odd men. Did you find out where they come from?”

  “Carlstown,” said Connor.

  Tarak rubbed his grizzled chin. “Can’t say I’ve heard of it.”

  “It’s suppose to be near the City of Lights,” Connor said.

  “I’ll have to take your word for it,” Tarak said. “Well, in any case, you two look plenty tired. Go on and get to bed.”

  “Night, Tarak,” Adrian said, and they headed for the kitchens. He looked back toward the table they had occupied, and saw that Owain and Alexis had left for their rooms. Hamar sat there alone, smoking his pipe, his face clouded in deep thought.

  Connor’s father beckoned them over before they could go into the kitchens. “How did it go?”

  “Fairly good,” said Adrian.

  “Were you two courteous to them?”

  “Yes, da. We shook their hands, and referred to them as ‘sirs’,” Connor answered, yawning.

  “Well, that’s good to know,” his father said. “It’s good to see you two learning how to be civil.”

  The two headed to the kitchens for some warm milk.

  2

  “Alexis, you have to come down to the docks with us!”

  Connor received a curious look from Alexis, that perpetual smile on his lips. He stood over Adrian and him, watching them play, but mostly the three of them just talked. Alexis’s dark hair clung to his scalp, damp with sweat. The air in the stables was hot and humid, with no breeze from outside to alleviate the dry choke. Alexis wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of one gloved hand and asked what for, still smiling.

  “The fireworks! There’s going to be a huge display down by the docks!” Connor sensed how great his excitement was, and yet was incapable of lowering it. It seemed infectious.

  “There is nothing else for me to do. We were supposed to meet with some merchants here, but it looks as though they’ve yet to show up. I suppose I will.”

  “Great! Do you want to play marbles?”

  “Not now,” Alexis said, looking around in a distracted manner. “I’ve got to try and find Hamar and Owain.”

  Adrian glanced up from where he knelt. “They left about an hour ago. I saw Quinn preparing their mounts as I came in.”

  Connor watched Alexis’s gaze travel to the surly Quinn at the rear, throwing feed for the hens, and he saw Alexis’s lips thin in a frown. “I suppose I’ll have to try and find them. Can one of you boys saddle my horse for me?”

  “I’ll do it,” Connor said, and rose to go to the stalls. He understood Alexis’s reservations about Quinn; the man looked as though he absolutely hated to be there and didn’t seem to be enjoying his duties at all. He saw Connor approaching and gave him a baleful look. It was a surprise to Connor that his father still kept the man on, along with the other stablehand. Jic was not so bad, not when Quinn wasn’t around, but he still had a tendency to show the same laziness that afflicted Quinn.

  “Why don’t you get off your ass and help me out here?” Quinn spat at him as he saw him approach.

  “Because it’s your duty,” Connor told him vehemently. “You should have fed the hens when you first came in, not left it until nearly afternoon. Adrian and I are only to help you, not do your duties for you.”

  Quinn turned away from him looking disgusted and walked off muttering obscenities under his breath. For a moment Connor felt like challenging the man, but he let it drop. He would talk to his father about him again. He saddled Alexis’s mare and led it to the entrance.

  “Is he going to cause any trouble for you?” Alexis asked as he took the reins.

  “All right. I’ll see you boys later.” Alexis walked his horse out into the morning light and disappeared around the street. Connor thought he looked agitated about something, but didn’t comment on it to Adrian.

  The boys returned to their lax game. After a while Adrian said, “What’s taking Jic so long?” He spoke as though it was a distant thought, though, something to say aloud, while his face betrayed his serious concentration. Connor watched him quietly, wondering what plagued his mind. It was not hard to notice the recent change in his cousin. It must be the nightmares, he thought. He wished he could understand how mere dreams could trouble someone so much, but he didn’t want to hurt Adrian’s feelings by voicing the thought aloud. It was no wonder that he was so excited about the Festival, he was making up for Adrian’s lack of interest, as well.

  “He better not try to use the same excuse as last time,” Connor said. “How can a man who’s lived here all his life forget the damn way?”

  Adrian made no response, and Connor wondered if he even heard him. The sound of shod hooves on the cobblestone street reached his ears. Connor looked past the open doors to see Jic rounding the street, driving the single pony pulling the cart with the aid of a switch. He was beating the animal as though it was a racehorse.

  “Stop that!” Connor stood up and walked to the gates. “Ed’s going as fast as he can.” Adrian came and stood beside him, watching as though just awakening to the scenario. “What took you so long, anyway?”

  Jic glanced behind them to where Quinn stood and a devious smile spread over his cracked lips. “I got turned around, what with all the people and all.”

  “You--” Connor began, and was cut off as Adrian placed a hand on his arm.

  “Let it go,” Adrian said quietly. “He’s not worth it.”

  Connor didn’t agree; he thought both the stablemen deserved whatever harsh reprimand they received. But at Adrian’s insistence he let the matter drop and allowed his cousin to push him towards the inn.

  “Do a proper job of stacking the feed in the shack,” Connor called over his shoulder. He turned to Adrian as soon as they were within the cool shade of the common room. “What is it? The man’s an idiot!”

  “I know. But even idiots don’t like being talked to that way, not by someone a quarter their age.”

  “Who’s this you’re talking about?” Tarrak asked as he crossed the mostly empty room, his repair kit in one hand.

  “Those idiots in the stables!” spat Connor. “I’m going to talk to my father about them again.”

  “You probably won’t have to worry about them for long,” Tarrak told him, halting him in his step. “Your father told me that even no help is better than incompetent help. I told him that I’d be willing to mind the stables for the few hours after dusk when we’re still open. Of course, that means that you two would have more responsibilities during the day.”

  Connor felt a small thread of his excitement return. “We already do most of the work. I’m fairly certain we can handle it, can’t we, Adrian?”

  “We couldn’t do a worse job than those two,” Adrian agreed in a vacant tone.

  “I’m going to go tell my father,” Connor said. He left Tarrak and Adrian, searching for his father. His excitement was returning, and once more the major concerns governing his mind were the Festival and the fireworks that night.

  3

  For Adrian the walk down to the docks was the most bewildering of his life. He had enjoyed the Festival for as long as he could remember, and he had walked down this street countless times, but never before had he felt so apart from the rest of the folk he saw. It felt as though he was a complete outsider amidst them, watching them in their merriment and wondering why they were so jovial. Alexis and Connor walked to one side him, yet he felt apart from them as well.

  The Festival of Lights had swept the whole city up in a joyous mood. The streets were filled with the rainbow hues that represented the festival colors, and streamers flew on every lamppost and porch. The night was pitch black and cloudy, with a strong breeze rolling in from the harbor, a nice contrast to the day’s heat. Lamps cast little pools of light every few feet down the streets, lighting the townsfolk as they mingled in small groups or flocked to the docks. The docks were the o
nly place where the overwhelming bright colors were missing. A few of the ships had colorful streamers tied atop their masts in patriotic pride. Many of the other merchant and trader crews partook in the yearly ritual as well, no doubt glad of the respite from an ordinary night.

  “There’s hardly any room to stand,” Alexis said as they came out onto the wide docks.

  Adrian saw at once that he was right. A sea of humanity covered the harbor front, cast in the orange glow of lamps, their voices in direct opposition to the gentle sounds of the waves.

  “We should have come earlier,” said Connor.

  Adrian looked to the small wall that he often liked to occupy and watch the ships roll in, and saw that it was also crowded by other youths. They all laughed and joked, delighting in one another’s company, as did every other person he saw. How odd was it then that he could feel so little of their joy? He wanted to share in their mirth, but the dark clouds hanging over his soul refused to drift away. He remembered times, as the year before, or even months before, when he would have been as delighted as them at the prospect of witnessing this great climax to the ancient Festival, carried over from Naban by the first settlers. Now he watched with an outsider’s gaze.

  “There’s Jaime,” said Connor. “Jaime! Over here!”

  Jaime headed towards them with a lopsided grin to match his lopsided hat, covering his blond mat of hair. “Nice surprise to see you two fellows down here.” He took notice of Alexis then, standing quietly between them and scanning the crowd, and introduced himself properly. “Jaime Fahnen, sir, pleased to meet you.”

  “Alexis Marshall. A pleasure to meet you, young master.”

  “Would it be too much to assume that you are one of the three newcomers staying at the Golden Lilly?” Jaime inquired.

  “You would be correct in assuming that,” said Alexis. His eyes drifted over the surrounding crowd, as though seeking something. He immediately excused himself and left the boys.

  “What’s the matter with you?” Connor asked Jaime. “Can’t you ever talk properly?”

  “Don’t blame me, gents, if my mother taught me to behave graciously. Your mothers should have taught you the same manners.”

  The words caught Adrian’s attention and he sensed Connor tense beside him. He wondered if Jaime had planted the barb on purpose, fully knowing that both their mothers were dead, or if the boy was simply ignorant. Nonetheless, it reminded him of why he had never quite grown to like Jaime Fahnen.

  “I wonder if your mother taught you to fight, as well,” Connor asked in a low voice.

  Jaime looked startled. He held his hands out before him. “Come on, Connor, I was only joking.”

  Connor simply shook his head and stared past the other boy. “The fireworks are about to start,” he said in a controlled voice.

  Adrian turned to look towards the center of the harbor. He could barely make out the masts of the ship anchored there. Alexis joined them as they waited, handing them each a roasted ear of corn flavored with lemon and spices.

  “How do you celebrate the festival in Carlstown?” Adrian asked him.

  “It’s not so grand as here, we hardly have a large firework display, but everyone gets together to sing and dance. It’s joyous, which I suppose is all that matters.”

  The crowd of watchers packed even more tightly together as they waited for the first light to bloom in the night sky. Adrian was glad that he and the others had chosen to stand farther back and apart from the thick of the crowd; he didn’t want to feel trapped amidst all those people. The folk crowding the docks hushed in anticipation, and the whoops from some of the youths and the sound of firecrackers seemed oddly pervasive in that silence.

  “There it goes,” Alexis said quietly.

  A moment later the sky lit up with bursts of yellows, greens, and pinks. The crowd broke their silence and cheered, while children sitting atop their parents’ shoulders exclaimed their awe at the sight. As the first sparks began to rain down another explosion lit up the night sky. White sparks shot out in every direction, blooming and exploding as they descended, immediately joined by a brilliant burst of gold and then red. The sparks alternated colors as they descended; the white turned blue while the gold morphed into orange. Again the crowd cheered in approval, and Connor and Jaime shouted in delight. Shouts for more came from all around them. Adrian watched the people around him, their eyes turned to the sky above the harbor where brilliant colors dominated the night, and once he opened himself to it, he felt their joy. It was not hard. All he had to do was watch them delight in the Festival, and his own excitement returned. He was as incapable of not sharing their mirth as he would have been unable to return someone’s smile.

  For fifteen minutes the sky was filled with blossoms of color drifting down like rain, forever stuck in the minds of the watchers. The display ended with an extravagant burst, with five explosions going off simultaneously, banishing the night above the harbor for the moment of their duration. As the last sparks began to drift down folk began to applaud and cheer so loudly that Adrian was certain even the men on the barge could hear them.

  Adrian glanced to his right and he saw his friends applauding as fiercely as anyone else, even Alexis resembled a child. Adrian’s own lips cracked in a smile as he watched them.

  Why can’t I feel like this all the time?

  4

  “Did you ever see anything so great?” Connor asked Alexis as they made their way up the hill. Music came from every inn and tavern they passed, and small bands strolled the streets, gathering followings as they moved further down the street. The sounds of firecrackers were everywhere, little gunshots erupting in the night followed by joyous laughter.

  “Once or twice,” said Alexis.

  “It was better than last year, don’t you think, Adrian?”

  “Yes, definitely better than last year.”

  It began to rain then, a soft drizzle that felt cool to the skin. Connor turned his face to the sky to let the rain roll down his face. “Can we stay out a little longer, Alexis? Watch some of the street performers?”

  “I don’t think so. I told your father I would look after you and have you back on time.”

  Connor didn’t object; he was simply glad to have been able to catch the fireworks. Last year they had nearly missed the display because Tarrak had been too busy to escort them down. It struck him as a little unfair that Anne and Bertha could stay out longer than him - he thought he had caught a glimpse of them down at the docks with their own friends - but he and Adrian must follow a curfew. He knew better than to bring it up to his father, though, knowing what he would be told.

  “Is that Quinn?” Adrian asked suddenly.

  Connor looked to where Adrian was looking and he saw a thin shape emerge from a tavern, nearly tripping over the doorstep. The man looked up in puzzlement at the rain and walked out into the street muttering under his breath. Connor saw only a glimpse of the man’s face in the light cast by a lamp, but it was enough for him to be certain.

  “He’s supposed to be minding the stables!” Connor said aloud, annoyed. “With him here that means there’s no one at the stables!”

  He ran after the figure stumbling up the street. “Quinn! What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be working! Quinn!”

  The man turned to look at him. He watched Connor approach with his face lowered. “What do you want?” he asked fiercely. His eyes narrowed as he recognized Connor. “Oh, it’s you. The little yapping bastard.”

  “What are you doing out here?” Connor demanded. “Why aren’t you at the stables?”

  “The whole damn city’s out enjoyin’ themselves, I figure I’d join em. What’s it t’you?”

  “Your drunk! Damn it, my father is paying you!”

  “Bugger off, y’little runt,” Quinn told him as he turned to walk away.

  “I’m going to tell my--”

  It was as far as Connor got. Quinn wheeled around, surprisingly quick for his drunken state. Anger and hate t
wisted his face like a mask. Connor felt himself grabbed from behind and pulled back from Quinn’s backhand. He looked up to find Alexis standing over his shoulder. The smile had disappeared from Alexis’s face completely and left him looking grim, his wet hair hanging in his face.

  “Don’t touch the boy,” Alexis warned.

  “To hell with you!” Quinn snarled and rushed towards him.

  Alexis pushed Connor further back, never taking his eyes off Quinn. Connor watched in fascinated horror, and for a moment of clear thought he wondered what Alexis could hope to do against the fiercer man.

  Quinn attacked with a hard roundhouse. Alexis nimbly stepped aside and shoved the blow aside. His hand shot out and punched Quinn hard in the ribs. The sound of the blow caused Connor to wince. The stablehand fell to one knee with a grunt of pain. He immediately launched himself at Alexis with a furious cry of outrage, bowling the younger man over with a stiff blow to the stomach, and then a meaty punch to the jaw that sent Alexis staggering to the ground.

  Quinn aimed a hard kick at Alexis’s ribcage. Alexis raised his arm and managed to block it. He rushed to his feet and tackled the other man in the same motion. One hand gripped the stablehand by the throat while the other gripped his left wrist. Quinn’s eyes widened with alarm as he tried to free Alexis’s grip on his throat. Alexis shoved the other man back, using his heel to trip him, and slammed him hard to the ground. Connor heard the sound of Quinn’s skull hit the cobblestone and he swallowed nervously. Alexis rose to his feet slowly, looking down at the other man’s unconscious form.

  “Is he--?” Adrian began, but Alexis cut him off.

  “Don’t worry about him. Let’s go.”

  It was raining more strongly as they left the sight of the brawl and marched up the hill. Connor looked behind and saw the eyes of the few people who had gathered to watch the fight follow them. He tried to tell himself that the whole ordeal was justified, that Quinn deserved what had come to him, but he kept remembering the dull thud that Quinn’s head made as it struck the street. He exchanged a worried look with Adrian as they followed Alexis, regarding him with wary caution.