Brian Pratt - The unsuspecting mage

“How did you get in those woods in the first place, if you don’t mind my asking?”

Not sure what to say he settles for, “It’s kind of hard to explain, really. I don’t exactly know how I got there to tell you the truth.” It was the truth in that he couldn’t tell her exactly, but he did have a few unsubstantiated theories.

“Poor boy. Are you planning on returning home when your leg heals?”

James nods. “I intend to, but I may stay around here, at least for a while.” Finishing the last of the breakfast and feeling very satisfied, he sits back and watches her extract peas from the next couple of pods. She has a large pile of them yet to shell. “If you like, I could help you with that. I used to help my grandmother when I was back home.”

“That would be nice, thank you.”

Rising, she removes his dirty plates and brings him a bowl. Placing it before him, she divides the pile of peas, giving herself the larger portion, and then they begin shelling in earnest. He feels good about his progress, his bowl fills at a steady pace and soon his hands are shelling like a pro. His pile is nearly reduced by half when Cyanna comes in with the dogs trotting beside her. Spying James shelling peas with her mother, she comes and sits in the chair next to him. The dogs take up position on the floor beneath the table.

Mary kicks at the dogs and exclaims, “Outside you two!” The dogs hop up and race back outside. “They’d stay in here all day if I let them.”

James nods and gives her a grin. Taking another pod he splits it open, deposits the peas into his bowl, then reaches for another.

“Would you like to go see the pond out back?” Cyanna asks. “It’s got lots of ducks in it.”

James looks at Mary who nods and smiles “Don’t be too long, lunch will be ready in an hour or so. Thank you for your help, James.”

He had just enough time to blurt out a quick, “Thank you,” before Cyanna grabs his hand and pulls him toward the door.

Unable to go as fast as she would like due to his leg, she continuously encourages him to hurry up with a firm, steady pull on his arm. “If we don’t hurry, the ducks will all be gone before we even get there.” Once out the front door, the dogs run over to join them on their walk.

On the way she gives him the grand tour of all the different things to be found on their farm. She points out the chicken house, the dog houses, and all the other things a little girl is interested in.

Continuing a little farther brings the pond with the ducks into view. He agrees with her that there are a lot of ducks out on the water. There are several different species, none exactly matching any he’d ever seen back home. But ducks are ducks and finding a good spot to sit, they relax and do nothing more than enjoy watching their antics.

James finds a comfortable spot nestled against the side of a tall tree. Once he’s settled, Cyanna sits right next to him. He couldn’t help but smile.

“When I was little, my father would take me camping in the mountains near where I grew up. We would hike a long way through the mountains, sometimes taking as much as two days before reaching our campsite. Often, we would camp near a lake and it always felt like we were the first people to have ever been there. Many times we watched the geese as they came in to rest on their trip south.”

“Where is your father now?”

“Dead. He’s been gone for some time now.”

“That’s sad.”

“Sometimes I really miss him. But he’s never really gone, not as long as I keep him alive in my memories.”

“Mama and papa are never going to die. They said so.”

James smiles at her innocence. “That would be good.”

“And I’m never going to leave them, ever.” The look in her eyes said she meant it wholeheartedly.

“Later on you may change your mind. Just enjoy the time you have with them now.” Enjoying the peace and quiet, he changes position and lays flat on the ground. Far above them, clouds drift lazily across the sky. Cyanna lays her head next to James’ and over the course of the next hour, they alternate between finding different shapes in the sky and watching the ducks.

Their quiet morning is eventually interrupted when Cyanna’s mother calls them in for lunch. James felt it was far too soon for lunch, but then realizes that the family had eaten much earlier than had he. Though not really hungry, James allows Cyanna to help him to his feet and back to the farmhouse. The smell of fresh baked bread reaches them long before they near the house.

Corbin and Devin have already returned from the field. They stand at the well in the front yard, washing the dust and dirt from their hands and faces. As James and Cyanna approach, a rider comes at a gallop up the lane.

“Corbin!”

Drying his hands on a towel, Corbin turns toward the rider. “What’s the good word Lor?”

“The mayor has called an emergency council meeting for this evening. He wants all members to be there an hour before nightfall.”

Corbin frowns. “What’s this all about?”

“He didn’t say, only that I make sure to notify all the members and to do it fast.”

“Tell the mayor I’ll be there.”

“I shall.” He gives Corbin a nod and then turns his horse about. “I’ll see you tonight.” With that he prods his horse into a gallop and is off.

Corbin watches Lor depart for a moment then turns to James. “If the mayor is sending Lor to summon the council members for an emergency meeting, there must be trouble afoot.”

“What do you mean?”

“The council only meets once, maybe twice a month to discuss the area’s business, so this can only be bad news.” He turns to Devin. “You’ll need to finish the south field by yourself, I’m heading into town right after we eat and I may not be back until late.”

Nodding, Devin enters the house with Cyanna to tell their mother the news. “It would be best if you remain here too.”

“I understand,” James replies.

After the meal, Corbin kisses his wife goodbye and heads into town. Devin takes Elizabeth to the south field while James helps Mary with chores that his leg will allow.

Late afternoon rolls around and Mary begins the preparations for dinner. She sends him out to the well for water. Hobbling out the door with spear in one hand and a bucket in the other, he reaches the well and begins drawing water from deep below. Devin and Elizabeth appear looking tired, sweaty and dirty. He takes a ladle from where it rests on a hook and offers them a drink.

“Thanks, James,” Elizabeth says as she takes the ladle. Devin doesn’t say much, simply goes to the basin and proceeds to wash off the dirt and grime from his face and hands. James finishing filling the bucket carries it back to the house.

Giving the water filled bucket to Mary, James then proceeds to set the table. After that, Mary thanks him for his help and suggests he rests until dinner. “It will take a few minutes longer before dinner will be ready. We wouldn’t want you to overtax your leg.”

It was throbbing something terrible. Nodding, he takes his seat at the table to await dinner.

Once she deems the stew ready, Mary brings it to the table and calls the others.

“Shouldn’t we wait for papa?” Cyanna asks as she takes her place next to James.

Mary shakes her head and spoons stew into Cyanna’s bowl. “Your papa said not to hold dinner, that he would not be home until after dark.” Turning her attention to Devin, she says, “Would you please slice the bread?”

Nodding, Devin takes the knife and removes sections, passing them around.

Bread and stew seem to be the mainstay of meals in these parts; first Ceryn, now Mary. Of course, Mary’s is by far the superior of the two.