Season of Hytalia

by Jennifer Arntson

  The possibility of Merci being dead didn’t change anything. Calish asked her to marry him. He never asked me. Reinick had given him medallions, and they never left the box while at our house. The idea made my stomach cramp and tears pour from my eyes. Once the first few broke free, there was no way to stop the rest of them.

  Ino touched my back. “Hey, I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to be mean. Come to think of it, Kaprilla had redeeming qualities, too.”

  I shook my head. “It’s not her.” I tried to control my jagged breathing, a half-won fight against my emotion.

  “Is it the valley?”

  Accepting the easier excuse, I nodded. “It’s been a long few days, and I need some rest.”

  “And you should have it soon.” He rubbed my arm sympathetically. “Here’s our turnoff.”

  * * *

  Our group stopped in the middle of the road. All that lay ahead seemed no different than what we’d already traveled past. Since I’d only entered the camp once by mistake, I didn’t recognize anything as familiar.

  “How do you know this is it?” Father asked.

  “The trees.” Trisk smiled.

  As if on cue, my parents and I lifted our eyes. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

  “The very tops,” Ino hinted.

  Still we didn’t notice anything noteworthy. In fact, Ino had to explain exactly what to look for. Over the course of a hundred paces or so, the highest branches of a section of trees slowly blended from green to blue then faded back to green. It happened so gradually, I would have never noticed the discrepancy in shades. Ino kept watch while the others led the animals off the road before we followed them into the wood.

  Wrestling the goats proved difficult in this brush, although the route was easier than the one Marsh and I had taken. Ino dismounted, helped to shorten their leashes, and assigned everyone animals to guide. We each took a goat, except for Ino, who took two, while my father controlled the ox. Marsh led a horse, and by the amount of cursing that spilled from his lips, he had the toughest job among us. Not wanting to reinforce any type of trail, we each took our own path toward the camp. Watching the six of us would have been comical from afar. None of the livestock wanted to be the least bit accommodating in our attempt to get home. I fantasized about how much easier this would be with Paw here. Eventually, we gave up on the idea of separate routes and followed one after the other toward the camp; the animals seemed to like it better that way, and we did much less yelling.

  “It’s about time you showed up!” a voice called out from the trees.

  It spooked my father, and he panicked a bit when the shrubs around us stirred.

  “No need to worry.” Marsh held out his hand to my father. “It’s the security team.”

  “Ah, I was hoping to mess with you.” A man walked out from around a large tree, lowering his bow.

  “Hainen,” Marsh introduced him, “this is my father, Tawl, and my mother, Redena.”

  “It’s a pleasure, sir.” Hainen bowed slightly. “We’re quite fond of this big hairball.” He smiled. After he gave the call to stand down, a couple of team members emerged from their positions to relieve us of our animals.

  Happy to hand my leash over, I didn’t consider how difficult this might be for my parents until I heard Ino attempt to comfort them. “They’ll take care of your livestock. If for any reason you’re not approved, or you choose not to stay, you’ll get them back.”

  My mother reached for my hand, grasping it tightly in her own as Father handed over the reins to the ox. We followed our escorts the rest of the way to camp, Marsh and Hainen discussing the projects accomplished using the Nobu. I could feel my father’s eyes on me as if I’d given up a secret I had no right to tell. Averting his stare, I focused on the sway of Trisk’s ponytail as she kept up at my brother’s side.

  Mother gasped when the Camp’s perimeter came into view. The fences stood tall and protective, with no evidence of damage from the quake. While I felt comforted by its height and uniformity, my mother wasn’t. I’d almost forgotten the impression it made when I first came. As we were led in through the main gate, I felt my mother’s grip grow stiff when the guards collected my father’s weapons.

  “Are you a Crossover?” the guard asked him, eyeing the Authority shield pinned to his chest.

  My father stepped back. “A what?” His eyes darted between the strangers as he positioned himself protectively in front of his wife.

  Ino held his hand up to the guard nonchalantly. “A Crossover is someone who was Authority but pledges allegiance to the Resistance.” He turned his attention to the guard. “I’ll escort him to Nik myself.”

  He nodded, handing Ino my father’s blade for safekeeping.

  “Follow me, please.”

  Over the years, my father survived as a cautious man. Anything he learned about the Resistance before our arrival would never be enough to prepare him for the small town existing on the other side of the wall. To be regarded in a respectful manner by a Citizen was not something people of our status were accustomed to. As he kept pace with Ino, I saw him remove the badge from his shirt and slip it into his pocket, also hiding his thumbless hand in the process. There was no reason for either of my parents to be nervous, but telling them that would not make it any less so. Like Marsh and I did, they would have to experience it themselves.

  On the way to Nik’s tent, I noticed the stark contrast to the activity in here in comparison to what transpired on the hill. Nothing seemed any different than when I left. Why wasn’t the camp affected by the quake? Either Nik knew this area would be safe from destruction when he chose it, or the community worked together to fix everything over the last three days. He must have seen every step of the future in order to pull off something so incredible. I envied his ability.

  My hand migrated across my abdomen. Maybe if I saw my future, the present wouldn’t hurt so much.

  We passed the kitchen, my mother curious and I lost in thought, when my favorite little girl threw her arms around my middle. All thoughts of regret evaporated when I saw her smiling eyes.

  “Well, hello there, Kasish!” I picked her up. “What a wonderful surprise.” I touched her nose with my own.

  “Where did you go?”

  “I had a job to do, but now I’m back,” I said before introducing her to my mother.

  “I made something for you!”

  I set her down, and she dug around in her pockets, pulling out a small round knotted thing made of yarn. She handed it to me proudly. “Do you like it?” she asked as she bobbed up and down on her tippy toes.

  “Oh, yes!” I held it in the palm of my hand. “You made this?”

  “Yep!” She was absolutely glowing, she was so happy.

  “Wow! So, what should I do with it?” I asked, trying to figure out exactly what it was.

  “Here.” She took it back from me and stretched to put it around the top button of my rain cloak. “It’s a button charm.” She made sure it hung properly before standing back to admire her handiwork.

  “Kasish, I love it.” I admired it dramatically. “I will treasure it forever. Thank you.” I hugged her. “Are you enjoying it here?”

  “Yes! I get to feed the rabbits! Everyone has a job, even me!” She held her arms high like she’d won a prize.

  “Yes, they do,” I agreed. “Now, I need to visit my friend, Nik. How about I find you and your parents when I’m done?”

  “Sure!” she said and ran off.

  She skipped in the mud with bare feet, carefree and content. I thought of all the children in the valley, the small ones and the ones who mocked my warnings. I tried, and with more time, perhaps they would have listened. My mother put her arm around me as if she read my thoughts. I laid my head against hers, accepting the comfort she offered, if only for a moment.

  Ino and Father noticed our delay and were waiting for us up ahead. Nik’s tent stood a few steps away, and Ino intended on presenting them together.

  “This is
our first stop.” I greeted the man standing in front of the door. “Is there an assessment in there?”

  “No, Miss Una.” He stepped aside to let me pass.

  “I’ll be right back,” I told my parents before entering the tent.

  Once inside, I took off my cloak and draped it over one of the chairs behind the table. “Nik?” I called, touching the curtain. The instant I began to pull it back, Nik’s hand came around the corner on top of mine and stopped it.

  “Give me a moment to get decent,” he said calmly.

  “Oh, geez, I’m sorry. I forget this is your residence, not an office.”

  “It is both, but don’t apologize. You’re always welcome here.” I sensed his hidden smile by the way he pardoned me.

  When he stepped out from behind the curtain, I felt compelled to hug my friend, but since he didn’t close the distance between us, I resisted. He was dressed comfortably in an off-white tunic, and his brown shoulder-length hair, still wet from his bath, made its mark on his shoulders. His smile pulled at the corners of his mouth, and his freshly shaven cheeks blushed. “You’ve been missed. I’m glad you’re back.”

  “You said I would be.” I raised my eyebrows as I reminded him that he gave away unsolicited information.

  He stepped forward and softly said, “Yes, but you didn’t have to.” He brushed my arm as he passed me.

  “My parents are outside awaiting approval.”

  “Did you begin?”

  “Um, no.”

  “Why not?” he asked as he pulled his hair back and bound it as usual.

  “Because they’re my parents. I don’t want to know about their past.”

  He laughed. “Are you sure? I’m kidding, Una. Go ahead and bring them in.”

  One thing I liked about Nik was he was easy to be around. He was the only one who understood our gift. I wondered if he knew about his parents’ history. That would be really, really awkward.

  “He’s ready.” I held the panel door back, and my mother and father came inside.

  “I’m going to go check in with Lark,” Marsh said.

  I nodded before letting the door close.

  “It’s so nice to meet you both.” Nik stood to greet my parents. “You’ve had a long journey. Would you care for some water?”

  “That would be lovely.” Mother sat first.

  “Una, would you mind?” My mentor indicated where they should sit as I accepted my role as hostess.

  “This is Donik; he’s the Seer here at the camp,” I explained, filling the glasses. “He’s been training me on how to use my gift.”

  “I’m Tawl, and this is my wife, Redena.” Father took the water I handed him and drank it quickly. “Thank you, Mr. Donik.”

  “Have more. Whatever is here is yours,” he offered, “and please call me Nik. I only hear my given name when my mother is angry.”

  Nik’s mother?

  “Is she here?” my mother asked.

  He cleared his throat. “No, ma’am. She passed years ago.”

  My parents apologized, but he graciously dismissed their formality while taking his seat. “Do you know why you have been brought to me?”

  “Una said it was for your approval,” Father answered.

  “Well, yes, sort of. My job, and Una’s job, is to peer into the past, present, and future of our guests to see if the Community is an ideal match for everyone involved. As I’m sure you know, Una and Marsh have already been approved.”

  “So Una does this, too?” Mother asked, smiling in my direction.

  “She has assisted. She’s still learning how to use her gift. She didn’t feel it appropriate to search your past, so she’s asked to be an observer during your interview.”

  “So what if we don’t want to be interviewed?” Father asked.

  “Then we take you back to the main road and you continue on your way.” He shrugged.

  “What if we’re not approved?” Mother asked.

  “Then we escort you to the road. No harm will come to you, I give you my word.” He leaned forward, folding his hands together. “Una has told me so much about the two of you that I feel as if I know you already. Her memories of you are heartwarming ones. I know you’ve done everything you can to protect your children.” He sat back. “You both have big hearts. I can see your influence in many areas of Una’s character.”

  My mother reached for my father’s hand almost instinctively. “It’s strange that you already know so much about us,” she said sheepishly.

  “I’m very impressed with your family so far.”

  “So what do we do to be approved?” she asked.

  “Well, it’s easy, really.” Nik stood, making my father’s posture straighten. “I just ask your permission, and I observe your past, present, and future.”

  “He just needs to hold your hands,” I interjected.

  “You did this?” Father asked me.

  “Everyone does.” I nodded.

  “Let’s get started,” Nik said, and he knelt in front of my mother. “Do I have your permission to look into your past, present, and future?”

  “Yes.” Mother slowly held out her hands.

  Nik took them and closed his eyes.

  He stayed still for a moment before opening his eyes. “Thank you for sharing that with me.” He squeezed her hands gently. “Tawl?”

  My father didn’t hold out his hands. His right one hid under the cover of the left, masking his missing digit.

  “Darling, what’s the matter?” Mother whispered.

  “What if she’s approved and I am not?”

  “I’ll admit, when the situation presents itself, things get a little complicated.” He tilted his head to the side. “Are you afraid of being denied?”

  My father cleared his throat, his thumb digging nervously between the bones of his other hand. “I’m not proud of everything in my past,” he stated vaguely.

  “Tawl, sir, people here are not judged by their actions as much as they are by their motivation. It’s part of the reason for this type of interview. If you are afraid of what I would see, don’t be. I have seen a great number of things. These things can be quite disturbing, but I assure you, your memories are confidential. I don’t share them with anyone. There is nothing that would cause me to treat you any differently than any other member of our community. That being said, it is your choice. I believe in free will, and I will never force you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”

  My father considered his options. “Is Redena approved?”

  “Yes, she has been approved.”

  Father took a deep breath before holding out his hands. I’d only ever seen them shake like that once before.

  “Now, Tawl, do I have your permission to look into your past, present, and future?”

  “Uh huh,” he said, avoiding eye contact with anyone specific.

  “Please, relax,” he said as he closed his eyes. It didn’t take long before they opened again. “Welcome to the Resistance.”

  My father pulled his hands back in disbelief.

  “I told you, Tawl, people here are judged on their intentions.” He stood. “You are an honorable man, not one I would like to wrong, mind you, but a man with strong conviction. Standing up for the innocent and seeking justice are principles we believe in here. It would be a great complement to our cause to have more men like you.”

  My mother smiled at my father.

  “In order to make things run appropriately, we all have roles or jobs here at the camp. Tawl, I’d like you to help set up the mill you brought, and Redena, even though you are a Healer, I’d like you at the children’s school. We can start there until you feel comfortable, then I’ll give you a new task.” Nik opened the door and addressed the guard standing outside. “Please find them a spousal tent.”

  My parents stood, and I walked them out.

  “Una.” Nik stopped me. “Could you stay? I need to review some Council business with you.”

  My shoulders dropped. �
�Now?”

  “Yes.” He smiled. “You don’t mind, do you?” he asked my parents.

  “I guess not.” Mother shrugged as she considered my father’s expression.

  “Will we see you in the morning?” Father asked.

  “I’m sure you will,” Nik answered for me.

  “Until tomorrow then.” I sighed. “Goodnight.” I hugged my mother then my father. He kissed me on the cheek, and they followed the guard into the resident tents. I came back into the tent and plopped down in one of the guest chairs. “So, what’s so important that it couldn’t wait?”

  Nik sat down next to me. “I was worried about you. How are you?”

  “You’re the Seer, you tell me.”

  “You’re not being fair.”

  “I’m sorry,” I fell back into the chair, “I don’t want to talk about it if you don’t already know.”

  “I told you, I didn’t assess your future—”

  “—then just let it be.” I massaged my closed eyes with my fingertips. He didn’t leave, nor did he speak. Instead he waited, and as it turned out, I’m an impatient person. “I saw the landslide.” I dropped my hands to the chair armrests.

  “I heard about your vision.”

  “No.” I shook my head. “I mean, I watched it.” I felt my eyes begin to fill. “The vision was bad enough, but I happened to be at high ground and actually saw the land fold itself over and swallow the valley whole.”

  “Una, I’m so sorry.” He laid his hand on my shoulder.

  “All those people, Nik. They’re dead. I tried to warn them, but they thought me crazy and refused to listen. There were families in those homes.” I smeared the tears from each side of my face.

  “It’s not your fault.” He stood in front of me and pulled me up to hug him.

  “Did you know about it?”

  “Yes, it’s the whole reason for this camp,” he whispered as he held me. His answer made me cry harder. “Come here.” He led me to his personal area and sat me on the edge of his bed. He sat next to me and let me cry in his arms.