{"id":359,"date":"2022-12-25T11:02:11","date_gmt":"2022-12-25T16:02:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/?p=359"},"modified":"2023-01-15T17:43:16","modified_gmt":"2023-01-15T22:43:16","slug":"boots-chapter-15","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/?p=359","title":{"rendered":"Boots Chapter 15"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the days following the storm, the weather had gone from hot and humid to hot and dry, and though the air was not as unbearably close, the sun remained unbearably bright. As the soggy ground dried up and plants began to mend there was relief; but as the sun continued to bear down new worries emerged.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Heat sizzled across the earth leaving it hard and dusty, sun showers dried up before the thirsty ground could drink them up. It seemed the recently flooded fields would soon be in danger of drying out.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

At least the river had cleared of salt as the flow returned to its natural direction, giving the village a course of fresh water. And although the water level was surprisingly low after the downpour, it was not dangerously so. Nevertheless, a watering route had been organized to start bringing water to all the fields should it be needed. But with all the repairs needed in the village, and to the mill, and the blight still a problem, the goodwill and cooperation that was fresh and bright following the storm had started to fade in the heat of the unforgiving sun. Jealousy and frustration started to creep through Holding like the blight crept through the fields.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tale, Yuggen, and sometimes Albo, all seemed in high demand to sort out problems and find solutions. Balert had even offered to buy fields from some struggling farmers. This was taken badly by many, who felt Balert was trying to take advantage of a difficult time. Boots agreed with them, although he could not readily say so.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The only change that lightened Boots\u2019 worries was that his mother was steadily recovering. She still stayed in bed most of the day, coughing, and bringing up more darkish phlegm, but not with the violence she had before. From time to time, she would rise from the bed to sit by the banked fire, or drowse in a chair Boots had dragged out the back door so she could look over her garden. Often, the last thing Boots wanted to do when he arrived home was more digging and pruning, but he tended to the back garden to try and keep her from doing it herself.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes, she would ask for books and her writing utensils then fall asleep trying to work. \u201cThe blight,\u201d she\u2019d say, \u201cI need to help Jayna.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because the blight continued to be a problem in Holding, as constant and overbearing as the heat. The dry, hot weather brought a list of typical ailments for people, animals and crops. These, at least, they knew how to treat and cure. But the blight was its own creature; sneaky and unknown.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots had found blight in both his field and Balert\u2019s. The moment he had discovered the scaly patches sank into his stomach like a heavy stone. A quick look showed him that, almost overnight, a good third of the field had been infected. He had rushed to find Balert, a mix of failure and frustration sloshing in his belly. He found Balert in one of his storage barns and laid out the plant samples he had brought.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t understand how it spread so quickly,\u201d he said to Balert. \u201cI check every day; I checked yesterday and there was none. And then today \u2013 I came straight here. What if it gets worse by tomorrow?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Balert frowned at the afflicted cuttings Boots had brought along. He picked up a leaf to examine it more closely as he spoke. \u201cI\u2019ll admit, I thought for certain your mother and Jayna would have found a cure by now. Or at least a cause that we could control. Where has your mother been, anyway? Did I not ask you to set up a meeting?\u201d the irritation in Balert\u2019s voice was clear.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey have both been looking into it,\u201d Boots said, slightly irritated as well. <\/span>As if Jayna and my mother are not trying to solve this.<\/span><\/i> \u201cMy mother is doing all she can right now.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Balert made an impatient sound, then put the piece of plant back on the table. \u201cWell, it\u2019s a good thing I set about finding my own solutions, isn\u2019t it? You were right to bring this to me today. From what I understand, the blight can spread quickly \u2013 it has devastated entire villages in a matter of days. Tell me, how are the fields that border mine?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots thought carefully. \u201cFered\u2019s field is by yours, and he\u2019s seen some too, but dug it out. That was a few days ago. I haven’t heard anything more about it since. I can ask the others.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Balert pursed his lips and studied the stems and leaves, the frown still deep in his features as he thought through his instructions.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am going to send Siggu to meet you with the wagon and everything else you will need. I have been gathering methods on my travels and he knows what to do. He is going to teach you, and then you may both be made available to help others as needed. Still under my employ, of course. We will have to renegotiate the terms since sharing the harvest may not be as lucrative as it once was.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots thought on this a moment, before asking, with surprise, \u201csorry, you want to employ me to help other farmers clear their field of blight?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Balert looked over at Boots with a wan smile. \u201cThere are some villages I have seen on my travels that are so badly stricken between the blight and the storm that they do not know how they will survive the winter. Most fields here are going to make it to fall harvest. No one in Holding will go hungry this winter, Boots. Not if it can be helped.\u201d Then he added, as if it were expected, \u201cbesides, what good is a poor, blighted town to a merchant?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots left Balert with a strange shifting feeling inside. Balert, the selfish, pompous, pretentious merchant who belittled everyone and criticized openly. Balert who always seemed he was too good for Holding and wanted to buy fields out from struggling farmers. Balert was going to <\/span>pay<\/span><\/i> Boots to work <\/span>other farmer\u2019s<\/span><\/i> fields. <\/span>Well,<\/span><\/i> Boots thought, <\/span>Balert was selfish and petty, but that did not mean he was heartless, right?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This shifting of Balert\u2019s priorities had Boots thinking about the fall of King Harald and the rise of King Frederick. He wondered how the men and women that shaped the kingdom came together and fell apart for their different selfless and selfish aims. With no more to go on than his mother\u2019s stories and his imagination, he pictured it almost as a dance through grand halls; groups of people parading through rooms and corners, sweeping together for whispered conferences or bold proclamations, only to break apart again and join in some new pattern. Ideas and plans strewn across the floor like flowers at a festival, to be picked up by some and discarded by others. It was a colourful, fantastical notion he had \u2013 but there was a greyish pall over it all.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lurking in the corners, blending with the shadows, was the idea of the wizard. His long fingers snaking through the crowds to hook around some unsuspecting soul. So enwrapped was Boots in his thoughts of those crooked shadows reaching out that he did not hear his name being called, and when a hand fell on his shoulder he spun around with a startled yelp.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cF-Fauna!\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoots, oh I\u2019m so sorry \u2013\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI was just thinking about something \u2013\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t seem to hear when I was calling \u2013\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I was just heading back to the field \u2013\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They stammered over each other until they both gave up trying to explain. Fauna smiled prettily; her cheeks faintly blushing. Boots felt a little warmth prickle along his own face as all thoughts of wizards and courts went out of his head.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, you look very nice,\u201d he said, not necessarily because he had noticed in any detail, but because she always looked nice to him. And he had not seen her since the evening gathering after the flood.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she said, looking pleased as her blush deepened. \u201cAnd you look well too. I mean, you look very nice, even if you are a little distracted.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Boots said, scratching his head, thinking about the blight even as he tried to process what she meant by going from <\/span>look well<\/span><\/i> to <\/span>look very nice<\/span><\/i>. \u201cI was thinking about my fields and what to do. I have to meet up with Siggu.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her brows drew together in a slight frown then rose as she followed what he was saying.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour fields…Oh Boots! Is it the blight? In your fields? Balert\u2019s too?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, um, kind of. Maybe not too much, um…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He looked around to see if anyone had noticed, they had not. He steered her by the elbow to walk along beside him so he could speak more quietly. He did not feel it was his place to discuss Balert\u2019s problem \u2013 even if it was a problem they shared.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe just don\u2019t say anything yet, to anyone. I don\u2019t really know how bad it is yet. Balert has a plan on how to deal with it,\u201d Boots said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her voice was quieter, but her eyebrows were still as raised as ever. Her eyes were so wide, and so close now that she was walking right beside him.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDoes Balert know how to fix the blight?\u201d she stopped and grabbed his arm. \u201cHave your mother and Jayna found a cure for it?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Looking into those big eyes he wanted badly to say yes, or even to say they were working on it. But with her hands clamped around his forearm so tightly he was finding it a little difficult to think of anything to say at all. He even had a crazy thought that he would lean a little closer and plant a kiss on her rosy lips right there in the middle of the street. He had no idea how long they stood like a couple of fools, staring into each other\u2019s eyes with a mix of surprise and anticipation, before Boots became aware of familiar voices behind him.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust wait a moment, Colin.\u201d Tafner was saying with a touch of irritation.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been a few moments already, I think the moment has passed.\u201d Colin was saying drily.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust because you\u2019re feeling miserable today it doesn\u2019t mean you have to spread it around,\u201d Tafner replied, her voice coming nearer. \u201cHe doesn\u2019t belong to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTafner, Colin, it\u2019s fine.\u201d That was Siggu, sounding reasonable.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>He doesn\u2019t belong to you<\/span><\/i>,\u201d Colin mimicked in a high voice, closer than before. Boots felt Fauna loosen her grip on his arm a moment before Colin showed up and draped his arms over both their shoulders.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIsn\u2019t this cozy!\u201d he proclaimed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fauna stiffened and slid her eyes in Colin\u2019s direction with a barely concealed glare. Boots felt the warmth that had pricked along his face bloom into a full flush that was part irritation, part embarrassment. Colin\u2019s grin widened as he pretended not to notice either one of their reactions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu bobbed into view.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry to interrupt Boots,\u201d Siggu said, with a significant look at Colin, \u201cbut we were looking for you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fauna crossed her arms and stepped away from Colin to stand beside Tafner, who was crossing her own arms in solidarity. Both were glaring openly at Colin, who rolled his eyes at them, his arm still draped around Boots\u2019 shoulders.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots might have glared at Colin too if he wasn\u2019t so happy to see him in a good mood; so instead he shrugged off Colin\u2019s arm and nudged him in the ribs, as if to tell him to behave. Colin shrugged, as a weak apology, and stuck his hands in his pockets grinning at the girls in spite of their glares.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots chose to ignore them all in favour of Siggu, who he needed to see anyway. \u201cDid you talk to your father yet? About the fields?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Siggu nodded. \u201cAlthough that wasn\u2019t why I was looking for you, even if it is now. I\u2019m going down to the river to help out with the mill in two days and wondered if you wanted to come along. I know you\u2019ve been trying to find time to help. Fauna, you\u2019re welcome to join us, Tafner is going to go as well.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve made some rolls,\u201d Tafner said, unenthusiastically indicating a small basket that she had set down. \u201cBut they\u2019re not very good.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For some reason everyone looked at Siggu, as if waiting for him to defend Tafner\u2019s baking. He just held out his hands as if to say, <\/span>what did we expect?<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid you make the dried berry ones?\u201d Fauna asked her. \u201cYou know those are your best.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI thought they would take too long so I went with something quicker.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, not the knotted rolls,\u201d Fauna said. \u201cYou always overwork the dough and make them tough. And in this heat, you very well could have made the berry ones, they would have risen quickly.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tafner sheepishly toed at the dirt. Fauna composed herself with a small sigh, she looked from Boots to Siggu.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWill you be going, Boots? And what time?\u201d she asked, sweetly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots looked to Siggu. \u201cWhen were you thinking?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAfter lunchtime, closer to dinner. That way people can get their morning work in, and there is always lots of food to be shared for those helping through the evening,\u201d Siggu said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots took a moment to think. It would depend on how his mother was doing. And if Jayna had any time to spare; he would have to check with her.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would like too, very much,\u201d Boots said. \u201cOnly I need to make sure a few things get done first. Can I send word to you tomorrow?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure you can,\u201d Siggu said. Then called out in the direction Colin had wandered off in, \u201cmaybe Colin will want to join us too.\u201d Colin gave a wave to indicate he had heard and was coming; this was met by sour looks from both girls.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fauna then linked her arm through Tafner\u2019s and steered her towards the basket of Tafner\u2019s meagre baked goods. \u201cGrab your rolls and some ingredients and come to my house. We\u2019ll mix the berry biscuits and while they are rising, and we can start a nice bread pudding from those other rolls you made.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou really think they\u2019re that bad?\u201d Tafner asked as she picked up the basket.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fauna peeked under the cloth covering the rolls. Her look said it all.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s stop at my place first,\u201d Tafner grumbled. She gave an amused Siggu a plaintive look as she was led away.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI prefer my dried berries finely diced,\u201d Colin called after them.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Fauna did not deign to turn around. Tafner made a rude gesture with her hand that surprised a laugh out of all of them. Then Colin made an even ruder gesture back. Boots\u2019 eyebrows shot up and an angry and shocked Tafner was pulled away by Fauna. Siggu was looking sternly in Colin\u2019s direction.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat, she isn\u2019t my girl. What do I care if she likes me or not?\u201d Colin asked.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe isn\u2019t my \u2013\u201d Siggu started to say, then stopped himself. The tops of his ears were pink, and his mouth tucked down in a frown. \u201cI\u2019m going to get the wagon, meet you at my house,\u201d Siggu said to Boots, then stalked off.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that was something,\u201d Boots said, looking over at Colin, who shrugged.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to come out to the fields with us now?\u201d Boots asked. \u201cSee what fighting the blight is all about?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNah,\u201d Colin said. \u201cI need to help my dad.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs he spending a lot of time at the mill?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I\u2019ve been too. But I\u2019m also trying to keep some things going for him at home.\u201d Colin perched on a wall and fished a roll from somewhere in his shirt. He had a bite and then made a face.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that one of Tafner\u2019s rolls?\u201d Boots asked, a grin spreading over his face.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c-s terrible.\u201d Colin said, reaching for Boots\u2019 waterskin to rinse his mouth out.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots laughed. \u201cServes you right for pinching one.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGuess she got back at me after all,\u201d Colin said. He had another drink and wiped his mouth. Then he pitched the roll neatly into a nearby shrub and hopped off the wall.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSee you tomorrow, at the mill?\u201d Boots asked, taking back his waterskin.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, see you then,\u201d Colin said, walking away with a wave.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots watched his friend go with a crooked smile and went off to meet Siggu.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots made his way over to see Siggu at his house and help load up the wagon. As he went through to the back, where the tools and wagon where, he was reminded of how grand Balert\u2019s house was.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The property itself was large, boasting two barns for storage in addition to the stables and storage sheds near the house. This was where he kept his most valuable goods, and the large shed attached to the back of the house had a locking mechanism on it. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The house itself was two stories and had three rooms plus a small mud room on the bottom level and two largish rooms on the top floor. A large, impressive room was at the entrance of the house, bedrooms were on the top and main level, with an extra loft space for even more sleeping area. Although Boots never had to share a bed with his siblings \u2013 he had neither bed nor siblings \u2013 there were many children in Holding who had grown up envious of the number of rooms and spacious sleeping arrangements. Even though Siggu had his fair share of siblings, they never did seem too crowded.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The main room took up the entire front half of the house and had a large, folding divider carved with heavy trees and vines for privacy when needed.\u00a0One of the back rooms was for sleeping and the other was where Balert conducted business and housed his large, solid desk. The desk was very old but distinguished. Boots noted how Balert often ran his hand over it, fondly, and recalled how it had been built by his grandfather when he first moved to Holding \u2013 just like the fireplace that still stood at the heart of the house while Balert expanded the building around it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The table and furniture in the great, front room were newer \u2013 well at least newer to Balert\u2019s house \u2013 and although Boots knew nothing about where it was from, or why it was impressive, he well remembered how it had been the talk of Holding the day Balert had proudly driven it through town, carefully piled and tied on to the wagon, the carved surfaces gleaming with polish. He remembered how Colin had pointed out that Balert must have stopped to uncover it on purpose right before entering town because only a fool would travel that great a distance with their precious cargo completely exposed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots smiled wryly to himself as he shifted some tools to help balance the weight in the cart. Even so many years ago, Colin had always been just that much more perceptive.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu, who had been inside speaking to his father, came out with a bag looped over one arm and an angry look across his brow. He plunked the bag down in the front of the wagon and then started to look things over, poking and prodding the tools with a little more force than was probably necessary. One of the horses whickered and stamped.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEverything all right?\u201d Boots asked.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, it\u2019s all fine,\u201d Siggu said, looking up with a stretched smile. \u201cLet\u2019s go.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots and Siggu stepped up into the seat. Boots eyed the reins as Siggu took hold of them. Balert was very strict about who was allowed to drive the cart, and Boots was not on that list despite having asked many times; but that did not seem to matter to Siggu. Given Siggu\u2019s stiff back and deep frown at the moment, Boots was not going to ask just yet.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But having seen Boots\u2019 look, Siggu smiled, and this time it was more relaxed. \u201cOnce we\u2019re out of the village,\u201d he said. \u201cIn the meantime, eat; I grabbed us some food from the house.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots smiled broadly and helped himself to some food as the cart steered out of the yard. He was surprised to see a smallish, distinct jug sealed with wax in the bag.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that some of Bessie\u2019s best cider?\u201d He asked, eyebrows raised. It seemed beyond Balert\u2019s generosity and sense to give them a whole jug of something so valued while also paying Boots to work. But maybe working with Siggu afforded some liberties not usually granted.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s a hot day and I expect we will work harder knowing a reward is on-hand. I have no doubt we\u2019ll deserve it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Once they were beyond the busier areas of the village, Siggu slowed the cart to a stop and handed Boots the reins. Boots shuffled over on the bench and refamiliarized himself with the set-up before clucking the horses to start. There was an uneven lurch, but the horses obeyed, and the wagon swayed along the road.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Tending to the blight was much as Boots had expected. They cut away the blighted crops and bundled them in old blankets to take them away to be burned. It was a slow, careful process because they wanted to avoid dropping any affected cuttings into the soil in case that spread the disease to other places in the field. Then they tended to the soil itself, digging up the roots and removing them before mixing in some concoction of soil brought in from Balert\u2019s travels. Boots asked about the soil mixture as they shoveled it in.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s from the seaside,\u201d Siggu explained in response to Boots\u2019 question. \u201cThe thought is something about the saltiness maybe slowing the spread of the disease. And there are some herbs in here. Not fully vetted by your mother or Jayna, but from sources my father has met on his travels. You know my father,\u201d Siggu said, pausing in his shoveling to wipe his brow, \u201che does not wait for answers.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots had a moment of doubt when he heard where the earth was from and tried to work out if it was linked to his mother\u2019s ashlung in any way. But reason told him it was not, otherwise Balert, Siggu or someone else would have developed symptoms by now. At least he thought that would be so. Maybe he would ask Jayna about it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The work had started easy enough, and Boots was enjoying having someone to share it with; but it made no difference to the weather, and he was soon as hot and sticky as always. They did Boot\u2019s field first, then Balert\u2019s. Then they moved on to the two nearest fields, one of which belonged to Fered. The way the farmers perked up when they heard why Boots and Siggu were there helped motivate Boots to keep working, but the heat soon sapped that out of him once more.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Peering over at the sun, he could see that it was mercifully tilting closer to the horizon. He hoped there would be a breeze worth opening his windows to while he slept tonight. If there was an ocean beside him right now, he would plunge into the depths and let the cold tendrils of water scour the sweat and grime from his body. He remembered the salty tang of the water following the storm and thought about the dirt they were shoveling from so far away.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t mind seeing it,\u201d Boots said, suddenly. \u201cThe ocean, the sea. I bet it\u2019s beautiful.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu stopped and stretched his back, then stared off into the distance, thinking.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s very beautiful. I\u2019ve only seen it a few times, we don\u2019t always make it that far on our travels. Or it\u2019s just a grey glimmer in the distance. But even then, it\u2019s kind of…\u201d <\/span> Boots watched Siggu, watching the distance, and tried to piece together the ocean from the expression on his friend\u2019s face as he described it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a little like the sky, the way it goes on forever, you want to go to it so badly and just lose yourself in the waves. Except that it\u2019s also terrifying, you realize how vast it is, and how powerfully the waves crash against the shore and what sort of things are hidden in its depths. I think Tafner would really like it…\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He trailed off and Boots stared into the distance as well. He thought about the pretty shells all the girls had found after the flood, delicate, pale whorls decorating necklaces and offerings. Then he thought about the shark\u2019s sharp teeth, and the raging froth of water crashing down on them. He imagined the fields stretching before him as a rippling, glimmering grey, silvery in comparison to the blackish brown of the river. The ocean seemed so vast that it could be just about anything he imagined it to be. Boots had a long drink from his waterskin and kept working.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As they worked, they started to attract attention from the surrounding fields, or villagers walking along the path. They were getting on towards being done with the field when a group of other farmers approached.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots smiled and waved. Siggu waved too, but his face in the shade of his hat was less welcoming. Boots looked over at the newcomers. It seemed that the group was led over by Glenni, whose land was on the other side of the path and bordered the river.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t say anything.\u201d Siggu murmured to Boots and Fered before stepping forward to greet Glenni.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGlenni, how are you?\u201d Siggu said in a loud, cheerful voice.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m doing well, considering,\u201d Glenni said, much less cheerful. \u201cConsidering how close my farm there is to the river. Given summat of it already got blighted, now flooded on top of everything. I heard tell your dad\u2019s got some special concoction he\u2019s sharing around. I was hoping I could be next in line.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And it all came together for Boots. It was all very well to have a special soil mixture and share the soil and the labour. But it was another to have to pick and choose where it went, and who to help. Boots knew there was not enough soil in the wagon to do much more, and he suddenly wondered how much more soil Balert had secured, and who Balert planned to share it with.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou know I only go where I\u2019m told,\u201d Siggu said, lifting his hat and wiping his brow. \u201cWhat have you done for the blight so far? Maybe I can give you some ideas.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve done what everyone else has been doing.\u201d Glenni said, annoyance clear in his voice. \u201cCutting out the bad, burning it and leaving that part of the field to fallow. It hurts to lose the space, but it\u2019s what has to be done. I\u2019m hoping though, if there\u2019s something more that can be done people would be good enough to share with the whole village and not just their neighbouring fields.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There was a murmur of assent from the other farmers that were with Glenni. Boots contrived to be busy while he listened carefully. In tending the fields to either side of Balert\u2019s they were helping the farmers of those fields, but they were also preventing the blight from spreading to Balert\u2019s crops from any neighbouring fields.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t rightly know that this will do anything,\u201d Siggu said. \u201cWe just got this here soil ourselves and were hoping that it\u2019ll make things better. But it could do nothing at all.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSuppose that could be true. But I don\u2019t rightly believe Balert would make any move that could harm his profits. There\u2019s bound to be a shortage of wheat and grain, probably even drive the price up. It\u2019ll be good for any man who has lots to sell and hard on those who do not \u2013 or have so little they must buy from others. Or sell their fields off.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots grimaced as he started rounding up tools. Glenni was implying a lot by saying that.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow there\u2019s no cause to be bothering Siggu about this,\u201d Fered said, calmly. \u201cI think you know who you need to discuss this with.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSure, you weren\u2019t this calm the other day when Balert was trying to buy your field out from under you,\u201d Glenni shot back. \u201cAnd I\u2019m sure you\u2019d feel differently if it was <\/span>my <\/span><\/i>field getting the special treatment and <\/span>your<\/span><\/i> field going to ruin by the river.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow about this, Glenni,\u201d Siggu\u2019s irritation sharpening his tone, \u201cI\u2019ll mention to my father that you want to speak with him. And when you have the time you can send word or come on over yourself to discuss this with him. Just like Fered suggested.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Glenni looked Siggu up and down, as if contemplating how seriously to take him. To his credit, Siggu stood unflinchingly. Boots was sure, that in Siggu\u2019s position, he would have been stammering out an apology.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe I\u2019ll do that. Maybe we all will,\u201d Glenni finally said. And if it sounded somewhat like a threat, he was very careful about his tone. Then he tipped his hat at them all before leaving.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu watched Glenni walk away for some time before coming back to the field. They finished gathering up the tools, and said an awkward farewell to Fered, who stood in front of them, thinking.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, Fered said, \u201che\u2019s been complaining a lot, Glenni has. About everything, to anyone who\u2019ll listen.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu cocked his head to the side. \u201cWhat do you mean? About my father?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, not just Balert. Although I bet he\u2019ll be the target now,\u201d Fered said. \u201cGlenni\u2019s just unhappy, and scared. Men do and say things they don\u2019t mean when they\u2019re scared.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, well, that\u2019s what I\u2019m worried about,\u201d Siggu said. \u201cCome on, Boots.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots and Fered looked at each other with similar expressions of <\/span>what can you do?<\/span><\/i> and departed with shrugs. Boots climbed into the wagon.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou want to drive?\u201d Siggu asked.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots accepted the reigns and Siggu sat hunched over, an arm across his midsection. Then he took a small bottle from the bag that had held their food. Boots recognized the bottle as one of Meranin\u2019s concoctions. Siggu had a swig from it, then grimaced and rubbed his stomach. Boots searched for something to say.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI still think it\u2019s nice of your father to bring that soil. And pay me to help spread it,\u201d Boots said, trying to be charitable for his friend’s sake.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu squinted at the sun and had another drink from the bottle before putting it away. He sat up a little straighter, one arm still across his stomach.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid it occur to you,\u201d Siggu asked, \u201cthat my father picked the fields bordering his to be turned over and treated and not the ones bordering yours?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I have now,\u201d Boots said, colouring a little. He was embarrassed that he had not thought of it, but also that Balert had not tried to help him as much as he had helped himself.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why I went back in the house before we left,\u201d Siggu said. \u201cThat\u2019s why I was so…frustrated before we left. I wanted him to put in enough soil to do the fields to either side of yours as well. I told him \u2013 well, never mind what I told him. But in any case, he should have. And I think he will.\u201d Siggu did not sound entirely convinced, though.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt would be appreciated if he did,\u201d Boots said, trying to keep the tightness he felt from his voice. Siggu was not deceived.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you mean by that, I think, is: \u2018it\u2019s the least your arrogant, selfish, miserly father could do for me after I stood up for his drunken idiot son\u2019 and you would be right.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots shifted in his seat but did not contradict Siggu. For Boots really did think it was the least Balert could do for him, considering he saved Siggu from having his hand chopped off for making drunken claims. Granted, Boots created the situation through his own folly, but it might have passed them all by if Siggu had never riled up that pompous Lord Narosh.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots reminded himself to relax his grip on the reigns as he urged the horses gently to turn and follow the road where it ran parallel to the river. As the silence stretched between them, he started to worry that Siggu may be on the verge of trying to talk about that fateful day and what had followed. Boots remembered the awkward moment when Siggu had shown up at the cottage after the whole thing and had tried to give Boots money. He did not want a repeat of anything like that, and he certainly did not want to revisit any part of that memory.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots adjusted his hat and wiped sweat off his brow for what seemed the millionth time that day and felt no cooler or more comfortable for it. He did not think he could feel more grimy if he had stripped and rolled naked and sweaty through the dirt. The more he thought about it the more uncomfortable he felt.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou think we have time for a quick swim?\u201d Boots asked, seeing the river sparkle invitingly between the trees and recalling his promise to Colin about going back to it. He had not done so yet. \u201cIf I leave my clothes on it will count as a bath and laundry all at once. And don\u2019t think I\u2019ve forgotten about that cider.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I could do that,\u201d Siggu agreed, a small smile on his face.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The grasses off the path were still washed flat and cluttered with debris from the flood. Siggu took the reins to guide the horses off the road and Boots hopped out to move anything that might be in the way. Then Boots ranged ahead to the river while Siggu got the jug of cider and looked to the horses.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As Boots got closer to the water, he thought over his conversation with Colin about the flood and the nikka. His promise to Colin weighed on him, but he dreaded the idea of going back to the river to confront his fear.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But standing here, in the summer sun, with the birds chirping in the trees and the pleasant babble of the water, the memories lost their sinister edge.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was not the same place that Colin had been taken at, it was nowhere near that, but Boots still felt the same surety that Colin had described. He was different, he had new fears and new concerns. Like the land behind him he was marked by what had happened even if it could not be seen as plainly as the marks on his hand. But this place, this river, it was the same as it had always been. It belonged to Holding. It was only Boots who was different.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He took a few steps closer, his feet sinking into the squishy mud. The fresh, cold, water washed over his toes with a wave of cool relief \u2013\u00a0and that was all the encouragement he needed to abandon philosophical thoughts and plunge forward with great strides. He ducked under the water and shook his head, raking his fingers through his sweat-matted hair, and came up to see Siggu splash in bearing the uncorked jug and not a stitch of clothing.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They floated along to find a large rock to serve as a table for their jug and floated back and forth sharing the drink.\u00a0The cider was so warm from being in the wagon that it was as though it had been heated by a fire. But the crispness of the flavour \u2013 like a bite of fall apple \u2013 was refreshing all the same. It rinsed the dusty taste of earth from Boots\u2019 mouth and the coating of thirst from his tongue. With the sun dipping below the tops of the trees to throw shade across the river, Boots felt blessed relief from the endless sweat and sun.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In his blissful reprieve from work and heat, Boots\u2019 thoughts had moved beyond lords, and punishments and blighted fields; but Siggu\u2019s must have still been circling those same ideas.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you ever think about it?\u201d Siggu asked. \u201cAbout when Burig comes to ask us for whatever it is we owe him? When he comes to collect on our, our punishment I guess is what it is.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots and Siggu\u00a0leaned their arms on the rock with the jug on it, their legs floating out behind them. Boots had taken his shirt off and was rinsing it haphazardly in the current. The copper salmon token was cool against his chest.\u00a0<\/span><\/span>He pushed his dripping hair back from his eyes and pondered his answer.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes. But not that much, not really.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu looked at him, confused and a bit skeptical.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally? I think about it all the time,\u201d Siggu said. \u201cI wonder what it will be. And when I\u2019m not wondering about it my dad is. He sort of seems to be trying to plan it out. Like, he is always trying to figure out where I might be going and if he might be able to make use of it.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A slow smile of disbelief spread on Boots\u2019 face. \u201cWhat, like for his business?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, for his business.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots raised his eyebrows; but maybe that was not so surprising. Balert was ever a businessman, looking for the best angle. He probably had his speeches all lined up, about how he would tell people that his son was chosen by Burig himself.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe that\u2019s part of the difference,\u201d Boots said. \u201cMy mother has no interest in Burig\u2019s plans and designs. Will probably try to change his mind when it comes to it, too.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat she would,\u201d Siggu agreed. He had a drink, then passed the jug to Boots.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe doesn\u2019t seem to like him very much. She likes even less the idea of me leaving,\u201d Boots said, accepting the jug and having another sip.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The water washing around the jug had finally cooled the remnants of the cider and he savoured it even more before he swallowed. He told Siggu as much and offered him the rest. Siggu waved for him to finish it, rubbing his stomach again. Boots shrugged and savoured the dregs. He suspected that Siggu had taken the cider in retribution for Balert not giving them more soil, and the drink was all the sweeter for it.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell how do you feel about maybe leaving?\u201d Siggu asked. \u201cI can\u2019t imagine what use we would be here in the village, but wouldn\u2019t someone have mentioned it if we were supposed to go away?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots made a sour face, he could not help it, it was his reaction to Siggu voicing the exact thoughts he was always trying to avoid, leaving Holding. Something about that felt especially uneasy to him. It had taken on some of the direness of his mother\u2019s foretelling about archery and was tangled up with the idea that he had set himself on a new path, one that may be fraught with consequences. Sometimes, the edges of his mind whispered that the shark, the flood, the nikka were all because of that path. <\/span>Found you, boy<\/span><\/i>. Boots repressed a shudder before he answered.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know. I…I guess it could be an adventure. It <\/span>could<\/span><\/i> be. But I would also worry. If it was for too long, what would happen to the fields? They\u2019re all I have. And my mom would be all alone in that cottage. Think about the winter. What if something happened?\u201d he shook his head and said with a crooked smile, \u201cit seems I spend more time thinking and worrying about what would happen here in Holding while I was gone than about where I might go when I leave.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu was nodding in understanding. \u201cI can see why you would. But you know there would be help. I know Tale \u2013 or even my father \u2013 could help find someone to take the fields for you, just while you\u2019re gone. Fered would do it, his sons might be old enough to help. And Colin will still be here, in Holding. I mean, if we even leave for that long, if we even leave at all, maybe we can work off our debt right here. But if we did go, you know there are people to help you. And <\/span>everyone<\/span><\/i> would help take care of Meranin too, Boots. So, you shouldn\u2019t worry about that.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots thought about what Siggu had said. He had no doubt that the people in Holding would gladly pitch in to make sure Meranin was well. Even if she was not close with many people, she was someone they needed, someone they relied on, someone who had helped and taken care of them all at some point or another. Looking at how things currently stood, Boots knew the real difficulty was in Meranin letting them take care of her.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Sig. It kind of helps to hear that.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu shrugged. \u201cI\u2019d be worried about the same things if I were you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDo you…\u201d Boots thought about what he was going to say without being too obvious. \u201cDo you worry about leaving anyone here. Like your family or, you know, anyone else?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu wasn\u2019t fooled. \u201cYou mean Tafner. Yeah, I\u2019d miss her,\u201d he said in a way that made Boots feel he should not ask any more questions.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

They lounged in the water a little longer, but as the shadows started to blend together, they knew it was time to turn towards home. Taking the jug, they made their way back to where they had jumped in.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ever fastidious, Siggu had a change of clothes in the wagon and had brought them along to the shore. He mopped water off himself with his dirty clothes before getting freshly dressed. Boots got out and stripped off his shirt, wringing the water out and putting it back on before doing the same with his trousers. As he did so he noticed some fish in the calm shallows nearby.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThose fish, they keep doing that,\u201d he said to Siggu. \u201cAlmost like they\u2019re swimming in a perfect circle.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu glanced over without much interest. Boots went over for a closer look and saw that the fish were, indeed, swimming in a ring. Something white gleamed at him from the mud in the centre of the circle. He waded back in, and the fish wove excitedly between his ankles before scattering away when he reached his hand into the water. He pulled the white object out of the mud.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was a large shell, spiralled around to a delicate point like some sort of fantastical horn and shimmering with a pearly finish. It was almost the length of his hand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu finally came over to look. \u201cThat\u2019s a nice one. My dad would probably buy it off you if you asked.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots dipped it back in and swished it around to rinse out some sand.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe,\u201d Boots said, stepping back onto the grass and turning it over in his hands. A bit more water and sand trickled out.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The bottoms of his pants had gotten wet again, but he didn\u2019t bother to wring them out a second time. He didn\u2019t mind his clothes being damp it would keep him cool a little longer while they dried on his back. He nestled the shell in his hat and tucked it into his pack. Maybe Balert would pay him for it, but he was quickly deciding he wanted to keep it. Something to remind him that the water brought good things, too.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI still stink,\u201d he said, getting into the wagon next to Siggu.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMe too,\u201d Siggu said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And they headed home.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The next morning, Boots pried his eyes open and ordered himself out of his hammock as soon as he was awake. He had passed another restless night; being wakened once by his mother\u2019s coughing and twice by his own strange, restless dreams. That voice, the feel of it, lingered each time he awoke.\u00a0Found you, boy.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Siggu had given him the remainder of food from yesterday and Boots ate that for breakfast. Somehow, he had managed to avoid preparing much food during his mother\u2019s sickness and he counted himself lucky for it. He barely seemed to have enough time and energy to eat the food other people gave him, no less prepare his own.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Packing up for his next day of work, he found the shell scrunched into his hat. He brushed some sand off of it and placed it on the shelf.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s that? It looks pretty,\u201d his mother said in a croaking voice, watching him from her bed.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re awake! How do you feel? Are you hungry?\u201d Boots asked.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would not mind if you heated me some of that soup Jayna brought over before you go \u2013 no finish your breakfast first,\u201d she said to him as he immediately moved to towards the soup.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll just move the pot,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

He placed the pot of soup closer to the fire to heat, gulped some more of his breakfast down, and picked up the shell, holding it out for her to see.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI found this on the riverbank yesterday. I didn\u2019t take anything from the river after the flood. So, I was happy to find it. A souvenir.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His mother looked it over as Boots brought it closer.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Rannu\u2019s needle,\u201d she said, naming the deity of the ocean. \u201cIt is said she uses these shells to knit large nets, woven of strands of seaweed that stretch from the depths of the ocean floor to the tips of the waves. Her large nets catch sea beasts and unlucky ships that venture too far out to sea without making the proper offerings.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Her voice faded to a whisper and she sipped some water. Boots turned the shell over in his hands as she spoke, observing how the long spiral came to a point.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of the shape, I guess,\u201d he said, turning it over in his hands.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMmmhmm,\u201d his mother said, laying back and closing her eyes. A smile ghosted across her lips. \u201cIt has another name inspired by its shape too, so-called after Rannu\u2019s husband and one of his…appendages.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots looked at the shell and an embarrassed laugh escaped him. Meranin\u2019s smile broadened in turn, then faded as she seemed to drift back towards sleep. Having a sudden, worried notion, Boots crept forward and waited to see the rise and fall of her chest before he felt comfortable setting about to leave. Remembering the soup, he scooped out a bowl and set it on the little table beside her bed with a spoon, a piece of bread and a cloth draped over everything. In the heat, it would stay fairly warm for a bit. Before he left, he helped the fire die down and moved the soup just a little further from the heat.<\/span><\/p>\n

While Boots worked, he was conscious of being a little lonely after having Siggu\u2019s companionship yesterday. But at Balert\u2019s field, Fered was out working, and they shared their mealtime together. They talked about the blight, what Boots might do at the mill tomorrow and Fered\u2019s five children.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots remembered Fered\u2019s wedding, the man had seemed so young, handsome and smooth-faced. And now, he was still handsome, but in a fatherly way, creased and rugged instead of fresh and smooth. Boots could picture himself and Fauna being like Fered and his wife. Living a quiet life, growing slowly older together, and raising children in Holding. He hoped he would see Fauna tomorrow. He did not think he had imagined that moment between them yesterday as they gazed into each other\u2019s eyes. He tried to ignore those whispers of foreboding that had started yesterday, about fate, about his future, about a changed path he could not escape.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots came home to find Luthi was at the cottage, and once more, he did not notice the man right away. Boots was putting salve on his hand and arm when Meranin opened her eyes and said, as though just realizing it, \u201coh, Luthi\u2019s out in the garden.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boot went out back to see that Luthi was, indeed, in the garden. His soft cap was just visible on the other side of a trellis of climbing plants. He was sitting on a low stool picking away, a half-full basket beside him. Once again, Boots had no idea how long the man had been sitting there for and wondered that his mother had not told him about the visitor sooner. Luthi stood up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBoots, I have something for you,\u201d he said, walking over with his hand outstretched.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Boots reached out his left hand and Luthi placed two smoothly carved objects in it. One\u00a0was a sort of long oval, carved of a hard, dense wood and polished to a perfect finish. There was a groove the length of it, and a notch that seemed ready to cut the top off, but it only went halfway through. The other was like a teardrop, with a\u00a0hole hollowed out of the round part of the tear drop and a few sawtooth notches leading around the curve to the point.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is it?\u201d Boots asked, although he had an inkling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s to help you draw your bow.\u201d Luthi took them back and showed Boots how each worked. The oval one was for re-building finger strength. \u201cThe bow string goes in this long groove, here, so you can pull back. The knock goes through this notch here, at the top, so it can meet the string. You won\u2019t win any speed competitions using this, but I think it will help you draw. It should keep you from straining your hand, and maybe help retrain the muscles.\u201d The teardrop one was for when his fingers were feeling stronger. \u201cThis little notch helps you have a quicker release, the arrow goes like so. But I had to guess on the size.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The teardrop one was already an awkward fit for Boots, although he could see how it would eventually work. The oval one, though, nestled perfectly into the curve of his fingers.<\/span> Boots did not know what to say, mostly because of the lump in his throat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLet me know how it works, and if it needs reshaping. Or I can always make you a new one,\u201d Luthi said.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Boots finally managed, \u201cthank you so much.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Luthi nodded. He called a farewell to Meranin through the window and left while Boots studied his gifts. Boots realized he should have offered Luthi some of the food he had picked in the garden, or to share their dinner, but the man was already long gone. Boots got out his bow and tried out his new tools. As expected, the teardrop was too difficult for him to use, and it flipped out of his grip causing him to almost lose it in the grass. But the oval shaped one worked incredibly well, taking the strain off his fingers so that he could un-hunch his shoulder and settle it more comfortably. He went in for dinner practically bouncing with happiness and ate quickly so he could shoot a little more before the light left. Before bed he placed the gifts on the mantle beside the carved horse and the spiral shell. All thoughts of leaving Holding and fulfilling debts were chased from his head. He went to sleep with a smile on his face.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In the days following the storm, the weather had gone from hot and humid to hot and dry, and though the air was not as unbearably close, the sun remained unbearably bright. As the soggy ground dried up and plants began to mend there was …<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":365,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-359","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-boots"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=359"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":372,"href":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/359\/revisions\/372"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/365"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=359"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=359"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.fictionforest.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=359"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}