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Like a sleepwalker, Teine shuffled his way back toward his cohort’s barracks, ignoring the performers, Aoife businessmen and their families, and other residents of Solmurry. Everyone was on the move, heading to or from somewhere, breaking down the booths and stages, going about their business. Teine found himself envying them. They had their own business to go about, whereas it seemed unlikely that Teine would ever have business of his own, ever again. All the careful planning and preparation, classes he’d taken- wasted. Because he’d always been proactive, he’d tried to be ready for any and all alternatives. But, this was the one avenue he’d never foreseen as a possibility. He’d been completely blindsided.
And what a rude awakening it was! Teine had always found his existence to be comfortable, to make sense. He’d always found himself treated fairly by his teachers and superiors, popular with his peers and tutors, and used to receiving lots of encouragement from the authority figures in his life. Never one to cause trouble or be lazy, Teine had always managed to follow directions, do well in his studies and excel at whatever task had been put in front of him. Everyone, from cohort to chore boss had promised him a bright future, and assured him that he could achieve most of his personal goals- because it was the logical conclusion to working hard and following all the rules! Teine knew on some level he’d been cheated out of something very vital, something very Human. And part of him expected to be angry, to desire recompense, but all he felt was a peaceful kind of numbness. It seemed to him that the numbness he felt was concealing, perhaps mercifully, the emptiness in his chest where it felt all his hopes and plans for the future had once resided. He felt the cold air on his damp cheeks, and realized he was crying.
“Don’t be such a baby.” he admonished himself under his breath, as harshly as he could.
But the tears kept coming. As if in sympathy, the ominous sky dropped a few drops of rain. Then, the wind kicked up and it suddenly began a steady drizzle, pausing only to produce gusts of sideways, stinging rain. Alarmed, he scrambled to get the folder that Master Solmurrian had given him that contained all his paperwork under his shirt, feeling grateful the folder itself was made of leather. Within seconds, Teine was soaked. A quick glance up at the sky showed a horizon dark with menacing clouds that blotted out the afternoon sun. The main mass of the storm was much closer now, it’s bruise-colored heart ever nearer their coastline. It would make landfall well before dark. The sky itself seemed to let out a low groan, answered by the trees, as the leaves hissed under the steady fall of precipitation.
Teine knew he should go back to Mastiff cohort, and pack a bag. Although he had no idea what his new Master would want of him, if anything, prudence seemed to dictate that he make good use of the information the Prior had given him, and make the attempt. Wiping his eyes on the sleeve of his tunic, he attempted to put himself in some sort of order. Envisioning the curiosity, chaotic questioning and well-meaning sympathy of his cohort did nothing to put him at ease. What he found he really wanted, he realized with surprise, was to speak with Leis. Although the other boys sometimes teased about his friendship with her, Teine had always valued her council and unique perspective. Besides, he knew many of them were jealous and wished their own siblings had any kind of an interest in them. He decided immediately that he should stop at the Commons, in hopes of catching her there. She would have good, detailed, first-hand information on his new Master, as she’d been assigned to the boy for several months, if only on a part-time basis.
As Teine approached the Commons building, he noticed right away that the line for seating had diminished to the point of nothing. In the time he’d been away at the Demesne, the efficient kitchen staff of the Commons had managed to seat and feed enough people that there was no longer any waiting. The only people outside the Commons were a pack of boys from Ram cohort, who were goofing around in the rain. They looked as though they might have planned to get a pick-up baseball game going, but for now their hardwood bats were abandoned to lean against a tree, while they pitched the ball back and forth between themselves. A few adult Humans wearing the livery of other Houses, and some of the Solmurry natives with whom they were flirting had all had taken shelter under the broad wrap-around porch of the Commons building where they watched the ball players and made clever conversation.
Skirting the front entrance that led right to the main lounge, Teine ducked right into the entrance to the dining hall then paused to pull the folder out of his shirt. He passed a startled cook, a gangly woman about the same age as his Amagi, who asked for his meal chit.
“Not eating, Maggie.” Teine replied, waving her off, and scanning the mixed crowd of working class Aoife, humans servants from other houses, and the usual Solmurry diners. “I’m looking for Leis.” Although Teine had been absolutely ravenous before his meeting, the thought of food made him feel slightly nauseous. He wasn’t ready to eat. But he was ready to talk.
“Not eating?” Maggie repeated, stunned. “Are you kidding? Are you feeling all right? I’ve never seen a storm put you off your feed, before,” She made a playful show of checking him for fever, by clamping her hand over his face. He struggled meekly, his heart not in the game. Sensing his mood, Maggie released him. “Your sis is over there, with Samia and her new people.” Maggie gestured toward Teine’s siblings and the Aoife couple. Leis and Samia seemed to be telling some kind of story together, flapping their arms in unison, while the steady rain pattered against the windows. There were smiles all around, and it was contagious enough to have caught Maggie, too. “They seem like good ones- I bet they’d like to meet you, too.” The cook added, giving Teine a nudge in their direction.
Teine made his way across the dining hall, noticing the radio station was playing a cheery dance number with lots of horns, in between bursts of static from the weather. It seemed to ease some of the tension from the room, and distract people from fretting over the incoming storm. There was also a large knot of Solmurry humans, mostly mature adults, that were gathered around one of the tables nearby. Noticing the traditional candled cake, decorations and presents, Teine assumed it was a birthday party. Looking closer, he recognized the guest of honor. Boric of Solmurry was one of the premier characters of the closehold, the lands of Solmurry that were nearest the Demesne. He was a celebrated stud, sire of many of Solmurry's finest, including Teine's friend Vosh. Aside from siring children, Boric had the equally important duty of assigning the crop rotations to the fields and vegetable gardens, as well as overseeing every work crew for the acreage put to crop production. He was important, influential, and enjoyed the privilege of his own cottage which he shared with a few of his chosen fellows. Teine had always admired Boric, his easy way of command, and effortless talent for making decisions without any obvious deliberation. When he was a younger lad, Teine had dreamed of securing a position for himself like Boric’s. Something where he’d have challenging, interesting work, where his value to Solmurry could be well proven. Teine craved that influence and comfort, desiring nothing more than to reap the rewards of his talents and be surrounded by good friends. As he passed by, he caught Boric’s eye and raised a hand in greeting. Boric did the same, his weathered face wrinkling pleasantly at Teine, his grin baring a perfect white smile.
Teine’s two rosy haired siblings were oblivious to the music and the weather, as they pantomimed being dragons, banking and breathing fire on each other. Samia’s new mistress, a rather plain Aoife woman with a smile so radiant, it transformed her into a real beauty, watched, as if charmed. She looked delighted, laughing, clapping and giggling girls’ antics. The tight knot of anxiety in Teine’s chest returned, as he looked on. It was hard to imagine this happy scene as being a part of the world of cruelty and injustice he’d witnessed earlier that afternoon. Hard to believe that they could all be just sold, like cattle or hounds or wheat, their own wishes disregarded and tossed aside. Out of the corner of her eye, Leis noticed Teine and inclined her head to acknowledge him. Looking closer, she raised an eyebrow at his brooding expression, and paused mid-flap.
“Oh, it’s Teine!” Samia squealed, noticing her sibling. “It’s Teine, my brother!” Without waiting for an invitation or a by your leave, she launched herself at him, wrapping her arms gleefully around his middle.
Accepting the embrace without a struggle, Teine made the pleasantries with Samia’s new family. Despite the very obvious fact that they were neither noble born nor had attained any other status than successful merchants, Teine found himself admitting a grudging liking for them. He was certain that Samia would be safe there. She’d be cherished as a valuable member of their household and she’d have a variety of interesting duties to keep her active mind busy and challenged.
It would have been fair to say he was jealous.
“Samia tells us that some congratulations are in order for you, as well.” Mr. Aylmer added. His hand was small in the grasp of Teine’s handshake, but did not feel delicate. It’s wiry grip felt strong and capable, unlike the fashionably limp handshakes of the noble Aoife Teine had met. His favorable impression of the Aylmers increased. “Is it true that you’ve been gifted to the Master’s son and are going on to a career in Display?” the Aoife man asked, before releasing Teine’s hand.
“That’s the way of it.” Teine replied, attempting to arrange his features into something resembling serene acceptance. It wouldn’t do to have these strangers to Solmurry left with a negative impression his willingness to perform his duties. It wouldn't reflect well on his bloodline.
Samia jumped up and down and squealed with delight, hugging Teine again. Leis smiled at him, but with less exuberance. Teine knew Leis was picking up on his discomfiture, and longed for a few words alone with her.
“I’ve seen a Display meet.” Mr. Aylmer added, looking down to his wife. “It’s quite the show. The participants all have to be real athletes, at the peak of their physical conditioning. They then perform feats of strength and agility, plus oration and some other skills to showcase their intelligence and versatility.”
“You must be so excited!” Mrs. Aylmer exclaimed. “Coming from Solmurry, everyone in the Empyrean will know your name before long! I’m so happy for you!”
Teine’s smile was genuine this time, and not at all forced. It was hard not to like these people.
Suddenly, Mrs. Aylmer went pale, her hand fluttering reflexively to rest on her protruding lower belly. A mere instant later, there was a deafening crack of thunder, and a collective cry from everyone as the lights in the Commons flickered, dimmed, then went completely out. Although the room was far from dark, all the diners began murmuring among themselves.
“Ah, and so it begins.” Mrs. Aylmer quipped.
“What?” squeaked her husband. “Now?”
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The Gilded Shackle is the first book in The Evermancer Saga, a series of online serial novels. Go go right to the most recent chapter, go to www.evermancer.com.
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