Falling From the Tree (Darshian Tales #2)

by Ann Somerville

  He and the others piled in the back. Nym kept his arm around Jembis’s shoulders like he was afraid he would disappear. “We’ve got so much to tell you.”

  “I want to hear it—we’ve been so worried. What happened?”

  Nym grimaced, and Jaika looked briefly sad. “Well, we had to get out of Utuk in a hurry—had to leave the house and hope someone in the clan will find it there when things calm down. We won’t be going back—ever. Will we, Pa?”

  “No, son. We’ve been away long enough.”

  “It’s not as bad as it looks,” Jaika said. “We’d been shipping things back for months, just quietly because Pa had a feeling we might have to get out quickly.”

  “And he was right,” Nym said. “All we really lost was the house and the garden.” Jembis squeezed his arm briefly in sympathy. “But we got out safe, everyone we know is safe, and we’re home. That’s all that matters.”

  “And you’re here! Are you going to live here? On the farm?”

  Nym smiled. “Um, I think Geidi and Jini might want a say in that first. We’ve got to talk to them about a lot of things, but hopefully they can put us up for a few nights. We brought a tent.” Jembis realised the cart was half full of supplies—the farm was only a day’s ride outside Temshek, so the camping equipment must have been intended for use here. He guessed the rest of their stuff was stored with the clan in Temshek.

  “Where’s the armband?” Jaika asked suddenly, looking severely at him.

  “Right here,” Jembis said, patting his pocket. “I was using it earlier to tie up my sleeve, but I didn’t want the jombekers to chew on it.”

  “Good. Nym’s wearing your pouch, look.”

  Indeed he was. Even as he looked at it, Nym put his hand on the pouch, with a look of affection as if touching it was something that gave him good thoughts, but when Jembis smiled at Nym, all he said was, “It’s handy.” Jembis was glad Nym was using it and liked it. He was afraid he’d only said he had, for form, but from its appearance, it was in daily use, and worn all the time. The thought that Nym cherished the gift, made Jembis feel warm inside, almost like being hugged. Even as he thought this, Nym’s arm tightened a little around him, and Jembis let himself enjoy the embrace. He’d missed Nym so very much.

  They weren’t far from the house. Spotting Alis and Pai walking away towards the stables, Jembis shouted, “Oy! Alis! Letu and Karin are here! Tell your Ma and Pa!”

  The brothers stopped, waved, and then turned to run back to the house. “They’ll be so happy,” Jembis said. “They were just talking about you last night. Why didn’t you write, Nym?”

  “Well, things were getting a bit chaotic towards the end. Sorry—we just had so many other things to worry about. We were lucky to get out when we did,” he added grimly. “Forgive me?”

  “I forgive you. Don’t do it again,” Jembis said, and Nym just laughed. Gods, he looked so much happier, like a huge weight had been lifted off him. He even looked a little younger, and so much less careworn. He couldn’t remember when he’d seen Nym smile for more than a few moments at a time—but now he had hardly stopped grinning since he’d caught up with Jembis.

  The family’s arrival was greeted with tears and laughter and everyone talking so fast, Jembis could barely follow any of it—and it wasn’t any lack in his language skills. He just kept out of the way while everyone got it out of their system, but strangely, Nym insisted on sticking by him, keeping a hand on him most of the time as if to claim him. Jembis didn’t mind at all—if Nym and his family were really going to settle close by, then he had all he would ever need for happiness.

  Tea, cakes and dried fruit slaked thirst and hunger, and when Letu said he’d brought a tent, this news was treated with derision. “You won’t sleep in a tent, any of you. Alis and Pai, you’ll share Alis’s bed, Nym, Jembis, you’ll be in Pai’s. Jaika, you and your Ma can have Jembis’s bed, and Letu can sleep on the floor in that room. We’ll arrange something better out when we’ve had a chance to think. Boys, you go sort out the bedroom. Jembis, have you milked the jombekers?”

  “No, Jini. Excuse me, everyone, it won’t take long. I’ll be back for supper.”

  “Wait, I’ll come with you,” Nym said, to Jembis’s pleased surprise.

  They walked in silence down to the pens, but just knowing Nym was safe and right here, made Jembis glow with happiness. Nym offered to help with the milking, but it wasn’t something he was handy at, so Jembis asked him to sit and keep him company while he got on with it. While he worked, Nym told him more about what had been happening in Utuk, and just how dangerous it had become after the sovereign had been assassinated. Jembis shivered to himself at how close it had come to losing Nym and the others, but he was proud the local Prijian soldiers had taken a stand against the angry rioters, and protected the Darshianese until they could evacuate on any ship heading west or north.

  “It was a real panic, though most families had done like we had, and had their essential stuff ready to grab when the need finally came.”

  “I’m sorry about you losing the house and the garden.”

  Nym shrugged. “Everything that really made it a home, we saved. The garden...well, I can make another. This time, I’ll make it a place without my ghosts.”

  “Do you feel better? You look so well.”

  “So do you. You’ve filled out.”

  “Jini’s a great cook. You?” Jembis persisted.

  “It’s easier. It’s always going to hurt, you know that. But I think I’ve found peace. Being back home too, that’s really helped. I didn’t realise how damn homesick I’d been until we landed at Urshek-si. I really never want to leave Darshian again.”

  “Don’t blame you. I love it here. I hope they’ll keep employing me if you all come to live here.”

  Nym looked startled. “You don’t think...Jembis, you’re family now. No one would send you away. Every letter I had from Jini made it clear she sees you as her third son. Doesn’t she treat you like that?”

  “Yes, she does. But I don’t take it for granted.”

  “Better get used to it, Jem-chi.” Nym grinned as Jembis pulled a face at the childish nickname. “You’re part of the clan now. Got the braid and everything, haven’t you?”

  “I guess.” Jembis picked up the buckets. “Let me take this into the dairy.”

  He tipped the fresh milk into the earthen jars to cool, then scrubbed out the pails with nitre weed solution to clean them. “All done,” he said, washing his hands and face under the pump. “Ready to go back to the house?”

  “It’s early. Why don’t we go to the river? Everyone will be catching up, and it’ll be noisy.”

  Jembis grinned—Nym’s least favourite thing was loud family gatherings, as he’d noticed when Bren and other families had visited while Jembis was still recovering in their house. “Think we have time for a swim? I’ve been dying for one.”

  “We’ll make time. I’m on holiday, Jembis. I plan to do a lot of nothing for a while.”

  ~~~~~~~~

  Nym couldn’t believe how much Jembis had changed. He was taller, wider, and though that thick blond braid was the oddest thing Nym had ever seen, it really looked good on him. He’d been a good-looking boy, and he’d grown into a handsome man. For a Prij, of course, Nym amended, smiling to himself. It wasn’t just a physical difference either—as soon as he’d seen Jembis again, Nym knew he’d learned how to be happy, and had gained confidence too. There was no way he could be mistaken for a child now—Jembis stood shoulder to shoulder with him now, same height, nearly as broad, and with the air of adult responsibility and knowledge about him. Nym was damn sure if he’d gone back to his father, or just fended for himself on the streets of Utuk, he wouldn’t be anything like as healthy or happy, and though Nym could have really done with his company these last two years, it was hard to regret that Jembis had spent that time here where he fitted in so well, and was so clearly welcomed.

  Though he had never lived on this farm, he’d
spent a lot of his childhood here, and it really was like coming home, walking across the bean fields down to the river. Last time he’d done this, he’d been eleven, just before Ma and Pa had taken them all across to Kuplik. “I caught a huge fish last time I was here,” he said as they got down to the river back.

  “The poles are in the shed, if you want them.”

  “Plenty of time for that. I figure we’ll be here for a few days.”

  “Good,” Jembis said, smiling widely. He stripped off, and Nym was amused to see he’d lost that shyness which had been such a damn nuisance while he’d been staying with them. “You just going to watch?”

  “Might—view’s pretty good.” He was amazed at the way the sudden flush rose up Jembis’s pale body. “Not used to compliments yet? What happened with that girl who kissed you at the haymaking?”

  Jembis shrugged. “Kera? Oh, she had her fun with me, and then she started going out with this corporal from the barracks. A fireshaper—I think she likes men who are unusual in some way. I didn’t mind—she talked a bit too much for my liking.”

  Nym raised an eyebrow. “More than Jaika?”

  “No. But I didn’t like her so much to talk to. A couple of the other girls were interested for a while, but they wanted Darshianese boyfriends. I was just summer fun for them.”

  “Oh. That’s pretty damn mean of them.”

  “Don’t mind. Not ready for a wife yet. Don’t know I ever will be.” He looked at Nym rather shyly. “Too busy making friends right now.”

  “That’s how I feel,” Nym said. “I figure until I find someone who’s better company than you or my family, I may as well wait.”

  Jembis flushed again, and as he carefully folded up his shirt, Nym realised how that had sounded. But then didn’t regret it at all. He meant it.

  He didn’t miss the admiring looks from his companion as he stripped, and wondered if some of Jembis’s summer fun had included some boys as well as girls. But right now, all he wanted was a nice cool swim after the dusty cart ride.

  “Me first,” he yelled, then raced Jembis to the water, jumping off a low branch that was the very same one he’d used for this very same purpose, twelve years before. And the water was just as cold, and wonderful, and he felt the same exhilaration he had when he’d been eleven. He hadn’t been for a swim in all that time, and he intended to make up for that as soon as possible.

  He had time to admire how Jembis had developed—strong arms, a muscled chest, and an ease in the water which spoke of many hours enjoying himself here. It was wonderful to see him so carefree—he had looked so harried, fearful, when he’d stayed with them, even after captain Janis had saved him from his damn father. Here, he looked as if he had belonged nowhere else.

  It was getting late, and they needed time and daylight to dry off before they headed back to supper. There was a grassy stretch and a well-used old log that made the perfect place to sit in the sun and warm up again. “It’s been damn hot,” Jembis said, leaning back with a sigh. “But I love it here.”

  “I used to try and imagine you in this place,” Nym said, settling against the log. “Jumping off my branch, catching my fish. I loved getting your letters. It reminded me of a time when I was happy.”

  Jembis picked a twig and poked the ground with it. “And now? Will you be happy again, Nym?”

  “I think so. I know you are. You look content.”

  His companion smiled. “I am. I’ve got friends, a job, and I know I’m wanted and needed. I owe you everything. I don’t know how to repay you.”

  “You already did. Your letters always came when I needed them most. You did a lot for Jaika too—she settled right down after you left. Ma said it was amazing. You know, I thought when you first arrived, you were going to hurt our family, and you turned out to be a blessing. It’s me who owes you.”

  “Call it quits, or it’ll get silly,” Jembis said, grinning wryly. “I can’t believe you’re here, though. I missed you all so much.”

  “All of us?” Nym said, gently teasing.

  “All of you. But you most of all,” he said, tilting his head defiantly. “You’re being mean. You know I missed you. You just want me to say it.”

  “Yes, I did.” Hesitantly, he lifted his hand to Jembis’s face, and when his friend didn’t shy away, he cupped his cheek. “Still no whiskers,” he said quietly, looking into Jembis’s eyes, trying not to scare him, but wanting to know if ‘missing’ him was all it was. Because Nym knew now, seeing him again, that it hadn’t only been friendship which had made his heart skip a little when he’d seen Jembis unclothed.

  “I shave, but only every few days.” Jembis’s blue eyes stared into his, searching, asking. “Nym...I...I’m really happy you’re back.” He turned his head slowly and brushed his lips against Nym’s hand, then looked back at him, eyes wide, as if he was worried he’d caused offence.

  Nym stroked his cheek a little with his thumb, then put his arms out. Jembis came into them, and rested against him as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “Wanted to do that again, for the longest time,” Nym whispered. “I’m home.”

  “So am I. Welcome back, Nym.”

  And as the river made its slow, cool way in front of them, and the warm Darshian sun dipped towards the horizon, Nym held his friend close to him, and close to his heart. He felt now he was ready to let his brother go on, on to his new life and new family, where he would bring them joy.

  I’m all right now, Eido. Be blessed, be happy. See you in the next life—you know I’ll find you.

  ~~~~~

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