I saw the well ahead. The horses stopped so suddenly at its edge that both wheels of the cart left the ground and came down again hard. Thackary managed to stay in the cart because of his grip on its side, but I landed on the back of a horse and slid down to the dirt. I lay there wondering if any of my bones were broken, then slowly got to my fee and straightened my clothes. I had no broken bones, just more bruises and scrapes added to what Thackary had given me the night before. The horses had their noses in the water, with every intention of making themselves sick by drinking too much too soon and as fast as possible. We pulled them away and unhitched them from the cart, then pushed the cart back against a sand dune. I went back to the animals and walked them around for a little while, to be sure they were OK. They were tired, but in better shape than I was. My arms and back ached from trying to control their race to the well. I gave them some grain and left Thackary to brush the sand and dust from their backs. I told him to let them have more water, as much as they wanted, after they had eaten. Then I rinsed and refilled water skins and brought out another loaf of bread. Two more remained in the sack of supplies. We were going to be very hungry by the time we got through the Wahanassatta Pass to the sea. Nice cart, said the voice that spoke almost in my ear. It was not Thackary. I turned and looked into the face of an older man. He had tied his white hair so tightly behind his head that I thought he must have trouble closing his eyes. He showed me his teeth, the way an unfriendly dog will show you his teeth, and said, Nice horses, too. There were three other men and one woman with him. Two of the men had swords in their hands. The old man, the woman, and a man with black hair did not have swords. The man with black hair put out his hand and touched my shirt. He said, I like this shirt. I stared with hard eyes into his face. I knew who they were. Thieves, bandits, outlaws. There are many ugly names for men like these. The old man said, Well take the cart, the horses and your clothes. If you give them over without quarrel, then we wont stick a sword in your belly. He showed me his teeth again. Either way, I knew I would be dead in the desert. I said nothing and gave no warning as I spun around and rammed my head into the chest of the man with black hair. I had chosen to fight him because he had no sword. I wondered what Thackary was doing. I decided that he must be hiding himself somewhere, waiting until I was dead and the bandits had left. I also decided that when the one I was beating got my shirt, it would be full of blood and holes from swords, and he would not enjoy wearing it. All of these angry thoughts about the bandits and Thackary filled my head as I punched the man with black hair. The other bandits stood back from the fight and cheered their fellow, who was not doing well against me. When at last he sat on the ground, too dazed to rise again, I turned to face the others. At that same moment, Thackary leaped out from the weeds surrounding the well, waving a sword of his own.
In less time than I had taken to defeat the black-haired man, Thackary had wounded one of the swordsmen, who also collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain, although his wound was not so serious that he could not get up again and run off with the rest of them. I said, I thought you were hiding. Then you dont know Thackary Symontun Sketes. I prefer knives, but there were none in the shack over there. Only swords. These bandits have been living here and robbing everyone who stops for water, probably killing them all. Theres food stored, and some fine clothes, which I will take, so that I can return these that Ive borrowed from you. Someone coughed. Thackary looked around and saw the woman standing nearby. I had thought shed run away with the others, until I saw her creep out from under the cart. He said, Whos this? She was with the bandits. The woman raised her chin, Against my will. I was their prisoner, and Im grateful to you for setting me free. And Ill be even more grateful if you will allow me to ride with you. I wont be much trouble. I dont eat much, either. Youll be plenty of trouble, said Thackary. Youre one of them. She looked at me and said, Im not, and I wont be trouble. I know where theyve gone. Theres another water hole a ways from here. They have a camp there, too. Theyll eat and bandage wounds and come back. Youre safe here for tonight, but we should get away early. Thackary grabbed my elbow and pulled me a few paces away. I dont trust her, he whispered. Look at her eyebrows. Theyre so heavy they practically meet at her nose. She might be a man disguised as a woman. I looked across his shoulder to the woman standing with worried hands pressed together. Her dress was worn and plain, and no matter how I tried, I could not see why Thackary would believe her to be a man. The shape under that thin dress was very much the shape of a woman. I said, You have wooed many women, Thackary, and yet you do not recognize this as one? She will come with us, but we should leave before dark. Those thieves may not behave as she says. Yes, they will. That part I do believe, because I know about that other watering hole. I found it. Thats where they attacked me and took my clothes. And although the man I wounded today was able to get up and run with them, he will be in bad shape from losing blood by the time they get there. Thackary looked in the direction of the horses, We should let the animals eat, drink and rest, because the road from here to the mountains is long and without another well. Do you agree? You have walked that road? He sighed, Yes, and I dont look forward to doing it again. Too bad that Mungan, who used to live here at the well, isnt around any more. I heard he had a flying carpet. It is foolish to believe all these tales meant only to entertain. But if you think we are safe enough to rest here tonight, then I agree. Im betting there is a bit of truth in most tales. The trick is figuring out which bit is which. But now, while you practice your wooing skills on Madam Eyebrows, I will go wash the desert from my face and find cleaner clothes to wear. I am not going to woo her. Thackary smiled, Why not? Go ahead and enjoy yourself, Ben. Because you are right--theres no man under that dress. I could not see past those eyebrows. Talk to her, watch her closely, because a womans loyalties cannot be trusted. Prisoner or not, she might decide she prefers their company to ours. He did not wait for me to speak, and went quickly up the hill toward the stone shack behind the well. I walked over to talk to the woman. I said, Did those thieves treat you badly? She lowered her eyes, Like men everywhere treat a woman who is alone. I expect that you and the other will be the same, but there are only two of you, and you are in danger from Klas and his fellows if you stay. So you will leave, and I will go with you, and eventually we will reach the sea. There will be other women there, and I will be safer. I wanted to protest her opinion about all men, but knew it would be useless. She would not believe me. Perhaps, by the time we got through the mountains and reached the sea, she would have learned that not all men are like Klas. My name is Ben. Whats your name? Etta. The sun is setting and it will grow colder fast, as I guess you already know. Help me build a fire and well have something to eat. With Ettas help the fire was soon burning. More than that, she knew about the food stored in the shed and found cheese to go with our bread. She also found a jug of wine, which she and Thackary drank from heavily, while I kept to water. One of us, I thought, must stay sober enough to watch through the night, in case those thieves we fought, or even a different group of thieves, came back.
After we had eaten, I washed and changed my clothes as well. I found a jacket, boots and pants in bright colors that pleased my eyes to look at them. I had seen the same on one of the bandits, and I had searched mine carefully for any holes that might have come from swords or knives. There were none. I would not have worn them if I had found anything like that. Thackary said, Well done, Ben. Youre a different man, now. I would never have called you a farmer if I had seen you first wearing these. I smoothed the jacket on my chest and moved my shoulders inside it. It felt comfortable, and it was warmer than the shirt Id thrown away. Thackary, I said. Read some of Claudias book. I want to know more about Saturday. I sat down near the fire and waited. Etta sat nearby. Thackary had drunk much wine, and agreed with my suggestion. He got the book from the cart and stood up on the other side of the fire, facing Etta and me. He was quiet for a moment, looking around, holding the book. Ben, you spoke of tales that are meant to entertain, but are not true. When a woman writes in her diary, and this is true, because I have spoken to women about this, she writes fantasies. She writes to entertain herself, she writes what she dreams and what she wants, but not the truth. Etta interrupted him, her voice loud and angry, Thats not true! Either you spoke only to very silly women who have nothing but empty space between their ears, or you are making that silliness up yourself, out of the air that you breathe. Etta! I said, Let him read. It doesnt matter what he says about Claudia and the other women he wooed. They all broke his heart. Thats why he says those things. Etta smiled. They broke his heart? Then I should not have called them silly. No one, Thackary frowned at us, has broken my heart. I courted many, but I never gave any of them my heart to break I shook my head. Except for Claudia, you mean to say. You told me that you loved her and discovered that she did not return your love. She must, then, have broken your heart. I am not going to read this after all. You dont appreciate the fine distinction that must be made between simply loving a woman, and giving a woman your soul, which some will insist on calling your heart, although that is such a small piece of What is this nonsense? said Etta. Why dont you give me the book to read, while you sit down here and think about the difference between hearts and souls. No, my little bandit friend, and dont shout at me any more, or you will walk behind the cart tomorrow instead of sitting on one of those solid wooden seats. And no words from you, either, Ben, if you want me to read more about Saturday, which I will do, because I have changed my mind. We will all learn about a womans fantasies. I closed my mouth, saving the words about what we would and would not do with the cart I had gotten in exchange for a very good iron cook stove. Ettas eyes met mine, and I could see that we both agreed on some things about Thackary. The man on the other side of the fire raised the diary he held, opened it, and started to read, repeating the beginning of Claudias tale about Saturday that I had heard before, but I waited patiently. Saturday~~ Then we dance a little, and I move closer, and I breathe the air that he breathes until our lips meet. So warm. So sweet. The taste of wine Etta mumbled, This is good. I expected less. Fortunately, Thackary did not hear her, and kept reading. "I imagine it, no more than that. He was on the street outside the window of the study. He stopped there for a moment and looked around, but not into the window where I sat, although I wished for it with all my heart. Then he crossed the street and walked away, soon out of sight as he turned a corner. His clothes were of good quality, although they didnt have the fit of someone with great wealth. Yet I would like to know him, to flirt a little, to see him smile. The history book Im forced to read makes me yawn. I cannot remember the dates. Or the names of people who became kings and queens in far away lands that Ill never see. There are no pictures in it. Perhaps, if I saw their faces and the clothes they wore, I would have an easier time. Lady Wren has told me I will read the book more than once, again and again, all year long, until I remember the names and dates. Lady Wrens dresses dont fit her well. I suspect she makes her own clothes." Etta looked at me and said, I dont like Claudia. If I were a man, I could never love someone as selfish as she is. Lots of people make their own clothes. I make all of mine. Yes, Thackary said, lowering the book and looking angry at the interruption, I can see that you do. Etta rose to her feet. I thought she might jump over the fire and attack him. Instead, she just made a noise of disgust in her throat and stalked away. Thackary shrugged and said, Im tired of reading. Im going to sleep in the cart. You might want to go find her and make sure she is not running back to the bandits. The reading of Claudias diary was over for the night. Thackary went to the cart and I went to find Etta. She was standing in the moonlight, out of sight of the fire. I said, Its cold here. Come back to the fire and get some rest. We need to leave early tomorrow. She stamped her foot and pointed her finger at me, He is as spoiled and selfish as the girl, Claudia. And if you are friends with him, then you must be equally spoiled and selfish. Its still warmer next to the fire than it is here. She nodded, and we went back, but she continued to complain, If he says anything else about my clothes then I will punch his pretty face until its black and blue. I will help you. But not until we get to the sea, because I want him to stay with us. He knows how to use a sword, and I have seen that its a very useful skill to have. I would like him to teach me. When we got to the fire, I straightened the skins and lay down on one. Etta lay down on the other. After a few moments, she said, Where is he? Sleeping in the cart. He will probably get cold later and move closer to the fire. He does indeed have a very handsome face. I can see how a girl, without knowing that he is spoiled and selfish, might believe that she loves him. I said nothing. I thought of his bragging about the many girls he had courted. It could easily be true. But I also believed that he had loved Claudia with all his heart, or soul. I wondered if she had written the truth in her diary, the truth about what she felt for him, or if, as he said, she had written only silly dreams. I thought about it, and decided that he did not know what she had written, but that he wanted to find out, and not quickly. Not all at once. He was torturing himself. Etta said, Are you warm enough? I was on my back, watching the stars. Yes, Im not. Id like to move closer, if thats OK with you. Yes? If you like. I did not know exactly what she meant, not until she lay down next to me, curled against my side. It was such a surprise to me that I was awake most of the night, thinking about her, and about Amara, too.
I've been working on this story for a month, so I've almost caught up here with everything I've written up to now. Tax season with its long, long days is almost ending for my tax manager husband, so I'll have less free time. It's funny, but as much as I've been playing the game to follow Ben's story, they're in the desert where I've set all seasons to summertime. So I haven't experienced the other seasons. But I was amused by the fireflies that appeared in the background when Ben and Thackary were beating each other up. Butterflies showed up once, too. Sheesh. Maybe when they get to the mountains I'll set all seasons to winter. Hmm. I'd better go find them all some coats to wear.
I woke to the noise of Thackary laughing. I opened my eyes and saw him looking down on me with his hands on his hips and a big grin on his face. I started to get up but a weight on my arm stopped me. It was Etta, asleep with her head on my shoulder and her hair in my face. Thackary bent down and grabbed her arm, Up, girl! Time to greet the day. She started yelling and thrashing around, Ow, ow, ow! Let me go! Dont touch me! A moment later she was wide awake and getting quickly to her feet. She straightened her dress and smoothed the unraveling braids of her hair. Do not, she said to Thackary, touch me again. Then with back straight and stiff, she walked up the hill toward the shed. By this time, I was also on my feet and shaking my arm to restore circulation. Thackary was still grinning, I congratulate you, Ben. Well done. What are you talking about? The wooing of our little Etta. It cant have been easy. She is too eager to fight everyone she meets. But youve succeeded where others have certainly failed. So I say, well done. You are mistaken. I did not pursue her heart. Last night she complained of feeling cold and lay next to me for warmth. Nothing more than that occurred. I thought he had lost interest in what I said, because he was watching Etta, who had stopped at the well to drink and to splash water on her face before walking up to the shed and inside. His eyes did not move from her until she was out of sight. He said, I believe I said something last night that made her angry About her clothes. Ah, yes. Her clothes. I should apologize. I agree. He turned and looked at me, his brow wrinkling, So, Ben, what are your intentions for Etta? Are you going to pursue her heart? A charming phrase. I like it. Is that what they call it in Kemee? What? I only just met her yesterday. We are not yet even friends. I dont see what that has to do with it. Now I know the reason for your problems with women, Thackary. Why are you asking me about my intentions? Do you plan to pay court to Etta? To woo her? She told me last night that she did not like you. And yesterday, you had no interest in her. He smiled with his mouth, but not his eyes, I do not have problems with women, Ben. You do. Etta will be flattered by my attentions. She has endured too much in the company of rough men and will not be able to resist me. As for yesterdayIve changed my mind. I began to worry for her. And if she learns to love you? What will you do then? Marry her? He laughed. Of course not. I will never marry anyone. Then he looked toward the rising sun, Its getting late. Wed better get out of here. Im going to get as much of the bandits food and supplies from the shed as the cart will hold. He walked away. I went to the horses. While he and Etta carried sacks down from the shed, I harnessed the horses to the cart. We soon had it loaded with grain, extra clothes, a couple of jugs of wine, and bags of cheese. As I tied the sacks securely into the cart, I saw Thackary stop Etta near the well. He spoke quietly to her, his manner subdued, his head down. I saw her nod and smile. I knew he had apologized, which was good, since it would make the long trip to the Pass easier. Then he came over to the cart, climbed to the front bench, picked up the reins, and invited Etta to sit in the seat beside him. When I objected to this new arrangement, he said, I can see that your shoulders still ache from yesterdays race to the well, and maybe from the fight with the bandits, as well. So you have earned a rest, my friend. Take the entire seat in back for yourself. He smiled with eyes wide and without guile. My shoulders did not bother me so much as that. I was used to labor, but I agreed to the change, and sat behind Etta. I watched Thackary flirt with her. She laughed and flushed red at everything he said. Although I had hoped she was too wise to be fooled by his flattery, I could see that she was happier now than she was the night before. Perhaps she was not fooled. Perhaps she was only entertained, and glad that they werent fighting each other. But he had made clear his intent, and I did not understand why he was doing this. It did not make sense to me that one person would court and woo another if he did not plan to marry and have a family. What of Claudia? Had he not planned to marry her? If not, then why did it bother him that she had married someone else, the chinless snob?
The sun rose higher and the day grew hotter. Etta and Thackary were soon quieted by the heat, with only an occasional word to each other. The cart bumped over the uneven road, which disappeared now and again beneath the sand. I was not worried about getting lost. The Wahanassatta Mountains rose in the distance, straight ahead. I thought I could see the gap that was the Pass. But distances out here will deceive you. Although we traveled steadily all morning, the mountains never seemed closer than they were when we first saw them. The grind of the wheels around the axle, the swaying of the cart, and the unending dunes that rolled away to the bright horizon weighed on my eyes, until I closed them and dozed. I woke again when the cart stopped moving. Two desert trees and some other weeds sprouted nearby. They gave no shade. The horses stood with heads down, tired and hot. I got down from the cart, gave them some water in a bucket and talked to each of them for a few moments, pointing out the mountains ahead and promising an easier time of it when we got there. Thackary was sitting on the ground next to the cart where it gave a little shade. Etta stood nearby, chewing on a piece of bread and watching me. She said, Do they understand what you say? Thackary looked up at us with a grin on his sweaty face, Of course not. All they want is a pat on the nose and water in their bucket. Ben is just amusing himself. I touched my hand to the neck of the nearest horse. I could feel the muscles move under the hot skin. I waved the flies away. They were big flies, and I wondered how they got out here into the middle of the desert. Maybe they were riding along on the cart. But I had not answered Ettas question, and Thackarys answer was ill-tempered. I said, Look at the size of their heads, their eyes and their ears. There is so much more inside of them than is inside of us. They must therefore see more, and hear more, so it follows that they have more to think about than we do. Thackary shook his head and rolled his eyes as he wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve, but I paid no attention to him. He is a man absorbed with himself. All of his opinions put himself in the center of things. I paid attention to Etta, instead, because I could see that she was as curious about the horses as I was. Then why, she said, dont they just walk away from this hard work we expect of them? Why do they agree to it? Everyone has work to do, I said, and they know that, so they do their share. She nodded and smiled at me. I sold flowers. That was my work. In the evening I went into the hills to gather them. Then I arranged them in pretty bouquets to sell from my wagon on the street corner. I was saving what I earned very carefully, so that I could buy a little shop for the flowers. Thackary interrupted us, standing up and stretching. We should eat something and rest until the sun is lower and the air is cooler. He moved closer to Etta and began to rub her shoulders. Her eyes got wide in surprise for a moment, but she did not push him away, and even seemed to enjoy it. I fed the horses some grain and more water. We didnt have much water, but they needed it more than we did. Then we sat down in the shade of the cart and ate. When Thackary had finished eating, I handed him his book. Read more, I said. Yes, Etta smiled. I want to hear more about Claudia, too. He took the book from me and opened it carefully, smoothing the pages. Tuesday, he said. Etta interrupted him, But the last you read was Saturday. What happened to Sunday and Monday? She didnt write anything on Sunday and Monday. She says so here, if you will let me read. Let me see, Etta leaned forward. He held up the book for a moment, with the pages toward her, and she stared hard at them, and then nodded, Her writing is difficult to read, but you must know it well. I see Saturday and Tuesday. She looked at me, Hes right. There is no Sunday or Monday. Thackary turned the book around and began to read. Tuesday~~ When did I write last? Saturday? Lady Madalyn has worn me out with visits to the museum and her monotonous lectures there. At least those old stone buildings are cool inside. It is a relief from the heat. Then we come back here and have dinner. Then I go to my room and fall asleep, much too early. In the middle of the night I am wide awake and wishing I could go up on the roof because it is very slightly cooler on the roof. But in the middle of the night all the doors are locked and I do not have a key. So I sit by the window and look down on the street, and think about the lovely boy I saw walking there on Saturday. Wednesday~~ I saw him again! He must live nearby. Oh, dream, and dream again, Claudia. He has no ring on his finger. I saw his hand when he raised it almost in salute when he saw me. Yes, he saw me, and I think he started to wave, but realized that Lady Madalyn, who is very sinister in her black gown, would probably have beat him about the head with her cane for even daring to look at me. Lady Madalyn fussed with me and hurried me along the street with much advice about proper behavior when in public. Sometimes I think she can see the thoughts inside my head. But as the handsome lad passed by, I winked at him, before lowering my head so that Lady Madalyn would not know what Id done. He did not look directly at my face, but I saw him smile and tilt his head in a playful manner. Now I look forward to visiting the museums, and Ive surprised Lady Madalyn by telling her so. Thackary stopped reading and nodded thoughtfully. He said, I remember that morning when I first saw Claudia out walking with her guardian, the Lady Madalyn. Yes, I saw her wink at me. I hadnt realized until reading this, how soon after her arrival in Urquhart that we met. I loved her in that moment. In the days that followed I spent a lot of time and energy in trying to find a way to get her alone on the street. But her guardian was always there and watching closely. One day I decided to follow her and the very grim Lady Madalyn, and in that way discovered museums. Etta was quiet. I said, And you still love Claudia. No! he said. I do not love her, and she does not love me. She made that very clear. Etta remained quiet, biting her lip. Perhaps, I thought, she believes as I do, that in spite of his protests, Thackary is still in love with Claudia. A little while later we continued on our way, and this time I insisted on taking the reins.
No one can make a journey as interesting as you can, Lynet ... I like Ben. He's trustworthy, unlike his companions, but not stupid about whom he trusts. I like that he's willing to take people at their word, at least until they prove themselves other than what they say ... So picturesque, and absorbing, as always! Thanks for starting a new story!
Thank you, SBW. That means a lot to me. Now, since the Library is open, I will continue with the story over there. (However -- no new chapter posted yet. But soon.) http://forums.worldsims.org/library/browsecategory.php?c=14 :bigthumbsup:
