Chapter 5
Walking together felt awkward for a few minutes until Meeka turned to look up into Cage’s calm and distant expression as he carried the torch to light the path down the trail. “So Cage, what brings you so close to my home?”
Cage softened his appearance as he heard the slight twinge of fear and confusion in her words. He saw her shoulders lose their tension as she realized he wouldn’t harm her. “It is where my journey has led me so far. Why do you ask?”
“For simple conversation and personal curiosity. Meeting as we did has aroused many questions in me. I hope you don’t mind?” Her doe eyed baby blues were wide and hopeful to still show further her interest.
“Not in the least. In fact you are the first real person I’ve spoken with in many months.” He smiled slightly while looking ahead. Let her think what she will. Ceembura didn’t really count, being dead and all.
Meeka slowed slightly and Cage easily shortened his gait to match. “Truly? You’ve not had any human contact for months?”
“Hey don’t sound so surprised. A few months alone isn’t as bad as you make it sound. To put things in perspective I’ve gone over six months without contact, three or so is nothing.” He joked with a chuckle and she showed a warm smile.
“Do you do this often? Go out on your own, I mean?”
“Not so much anymore, but this last time I wasn’t given a choice. It turned out to be the best thing that ever happened in my life.”
“How so?”
Feeling a bit unsure on what to divulge and knowing open honesty towards strangers could be counterproductive to ones survival, he decided quickly to say “I’ve recently regained something. I was practically half of a man. But I’m better than I was before.”
“That seems wonderful. So what brought you here exactly?”
Cage made a quick fist and glanced at the diamonds, but met her eyes without her seeming to notice the move in the darkness. “I washed up on shore little over a day ago and I followed a stream up to the lake where we just met.”
An expression of shock plastered itself on her delicate features. “Were you sailing and lost your boat?”
“Something like that.”
Neither ceased traveling up the dirt road. Cage began to notice hoof prints from horses and long, parallel lines from some kind of cart. It didn’t take long for Meeka to begin changing the subject. “Earlier, what made that beautiful music?”
He went to his hip and handed over the instrument while explaining “This is an ocarina.”
“Onk-reena?” She tried to repeat as he corrected “No, it’s pronounced oak-a-ree-na.” He then said “Put the stem between your lips and hold your hand like this, with your fingers over the holes. Lift and drop your fingers to vary the notes.”
Childlike delight visibly overcame her as they stopped for a moment. Meeka did as he showed, but commented “Your hands are huge to have finger holes placed so far apart.” He smiled and held out the large hand she spoke of and swallowed dryly at imagining what such hands are capable of doing. Slowly she managed to cover the holes properly and placed her lips on the hollowed stem and blew. The note went wild and it frightened her from the unexpected. Again she tried, but couldn’t make anything sound as beautiful as what he created.
Meeka returned it to say “It looks like it takes much practice to master such a device.”
“That it does.” He agreed while replacing it. “I just wish I had better tools at my disposal for it needs a lot of work.”
“You mean to say it isn’t already perfect?” He simply nodded. “I find it hard to believe, but it is your device and know what it needs.”
“Do you have any similar instruments?”
She pondered the question for a moment. “I know of only a flute with a straight stem, but it didn’t sound nearly as seductive as your ocarina… oh you said you have business to take care of?” He nodded while walking on her right. “If you can tell me what it is, I might be able to direct you to the nearest place.”
Not wanting to frighten her for she seemed kind, he answered “I need to find the local police or jail to claim a bounty.”
She froze with wide frightened eyes. “W…why would you need to claim a b…bounty? What are you in to? Are you a man hunter?”
“I just need the information. You don’t need any details, Meeka. Just point me in the right direction and you’ll never have to see me again.” She began to panic, he could see her about to faint and quickly rushed up to her and tilted her chin up with a knuckle. “Look at me, Meeka.” He said in a low, deep and comforting voice. “Look into my eyes and think of breathing only. Think of something good. Be calm and you will be fine. You are not in any danger unless you become dangerous. Relax and breathe. You are a strong and fearless woman. Say it back to me. It will help, trust me. You are a strong and fearless woman.”
Meeka stared up into his mesmerizing eyes and listened to him. She felt the warmth of his knuckle keeping her gaze from wavering and heard him leading her on a path to being calm. She noticed the sweetness of his breath and the scent of sunshine and man coming off his chest, but a lesser, dirty scent clung heavily to the snug pants and pack hanging over a shoulder. Her father used to do much the same, but the man before her sounded so calm and sure that she couldn’t resist him in any way. “I am a strong and fearless woman.” She whispered the mantra again and again. In the span of a minute of chanting, her panic lessened to tolerable levels and he stepped back, but she still felt the lingering warmth his knuckle left behind.
“Now that you’ve settled I think a change of subject is in order.” He said. “Meeka, how old are you?”
“I’ve just turned twenty one two weeks ago.” She answered as he turned around to pick up the dropped torch and walked on. Meeka had to keep up. “How old are you?”
He smiled as if nothing had just happened and wondered why he didn’t just leave her. He then thought about how good it is just to talk with another being again and how it wouldn’t have been right to do such a thing when she is being kind enough to lead him to her hometown. “I’m twenty eight.”
She then looked him up and down before asking “And just how tall are you?”
“Six foot six.” Her mouth parted in an O.
“You are the tallest man I know.” Meeka stated outright.
He laughed. “You’re no slouch. Not too many women are six feet either. Back where I’m from I’m considered slightly above average. I once met a man who stood over eight feet five inches. I’ve even seen a seven foot tall woman.” She seemed easy to impress as she stared openly.
While she thought about such gigantic people, Cage had to focus ahead for her bouncing breasts were too well endowed to not do otherwise. His own prided endowment began trying to rip through the shorts, but not staring helped reduce the uncomfortable tightness. He didn’t show any acknowledgement, but had seen her eyes widen with delight at what happened. She didn’t say anything either till clearing her throat and ask “So have you a wife or children?”
“No to both questions. I don’t believe in marriage.”
She looked on in shock again. “You don’t believe in marriage? How can you say that?”
“Easy, it is a foolish custom and I’ll not be a part of something so bias in design that it prevents what instinct dictates we do. People change and if you hold on to a false idea it’ll only cause needless heartache. For instance if a person finds another attractive and that person treats them right, why should they go back home to an abusive spouse or a loveless marriage of convenience. It is a cruel system and I’ll not be part of it. Some people are self sufficient, like myself, and don’t require someone making them do something that only subdues or shackles their personality. That is injustice, pure and simple. And what if a woman loves another woman or a man to a man. Why should their love suffer because of outdated customs and ideals?”
Meeka went silent as she tried following the logic and look for holes to exploit. “But what should a woman do if she bec
omes pregnant? Shouldn’t the man take responsibility.”
She received a chuckle for a response. “You make it sound like women are objects who are useless except when breeding. That is crap.” He met her confusion. “Women are much stronger than the average person believes and is as deadly as any man, if my experiences mean anything. If they do get pregnant and want to be with the father then that is her choice, but there is always more to choose in life than just one way. They could be a single parent and still give the child the love and attention it needs. They could live with a person who isn’t the father. There are countless circumstances that can arise, but still, marriage at its most basic level is utterly useless. Now let me counter your question. Should the woman be raped, should she have to find the person and say you knocked me up and this is our kid now you must take care of us?”
Her jaw dropped, but she couldn’t offer a retort. She asked “Does ‘knocked me up’ mean pregnant where you come from?” He nodded seriously, not giving off any hostility. His calmness was refreshing and she thought deeply on how his context didn’t seem wrong for part of her agreed with it, but the other that had been raised to want to be wed shouted in outrage. “But what if you got a woman pregnant and you both wanted to be together? Would you marry then, even if you were together forever?”
“Not even then.” He didn’t even hesitate. “I seriously doubt it’ll ever happen, but if it does I’ll not title my love with a pathetic label as wife, for it feels and sounds subservient. And I can see you are about to ask what I would call her.” Meeka smiled so beautifully Cage missed a step and stumbled for a moment. Her smile deepened and made his heart race. “I will most likely call her my woman or mate. Mate is equal while Woman is strong, kind and someone who won’t take crap from anyone, especially from me!”
Meeka laughed so beautifully Cage exclaimed without thinking “You’re a singer!”
She laughed slightly harder and placed a delicate hand over her jiggling chest to calm her heart. “You caught me. How did you know?”
“I knew many talented people growing up. You would easily be considered a soprano.”
“What is sooopraaano?”
“It is the highest voice anyone can reach, though I haven’t heard your High E note I can already tell you can reach it. Sopranos are quite rare and can reach a wide range of tones more richly than the average or above average singers. It is a true gift that cannot be reached without natural talent.”
“What is this High Eee you speak of? I want to see if I can reach it?”
“Hmm…” He thought as he broke out the ocarina again. It took a few tries, but he made the high note. “That is as close as I can get with this as it is.”
Cage wasn’t expecting Meeka to instantly reach the pitch without warming up and holding it for five complete seconds. She smiled “Was that it? That is as high I can make my voice.” Then she pealed a laugh at his first open jawed expression that couldn’t be faked even by the greatest spy. “That good?”
“If there was glass around you’d shatter it.” He complimented and she beamed.
They began walking again and Meeka had a little hop in her step at her success in impressing another person. They walked for a half mile without speaking before she said “We’re coming upon the first farm of my town. Welcome to Kote, Cage.”
Cage stopped to survey the first house, but wasn’t expecting to see a simple wooden dwelling with wooden shutters, a large stable with several horses and a large farm of ten or so acres with green sprouts popping up in nice, neat rows. But a candle in the window meant someone lived there. There wasn’t any electric cables or poles anywhere around.
When Cage calmly met Meeka’s excited eyes she smiled contently. “This is going to sound weird, but I’ve got to know something.”
“Go ahead” she urged.
“I’m going to need to ask about certain things. Please stop me when you hear something that you can understand or know what I’m talking about.” She simply smiled again in the flickering firelight as he started big. “Car,” She didn’t react or lie by omission. “truck, motorcycle, automobile, shuttle, combustion engine, fusion, fission, locomotive, freighter, jet, airplane, Computers, television, Camera, college, bullet, toilet…”
“Wait, is that last one like a privy?” She asked after blinking rapidly from the flood of confusing words.
“A place where you relieve yourself?” She nodded vigorously. “Inside or out? Where is it usually located in conjunction with the house?”
“That is a silly question. Of course it’s outside, otherwise the house would smell foul at all times of the day.”
“Alright do you use electricity…err.” Her confusion answered that question. “I have one last one that might be odd, but do you know anything about magic?”
The last word made Cage take a measured, defensive step back and balled his fist as Meeka’s expression turned absolutely frightening. Her earlier happiness had vanished at the flip of a switch and her tone turned as dark as her expression. Once again he had confirmed women aren’t as docile and timid as they portray themselves, they are dangerous creatures. “Why do you ask of magic? It has brought nothing but pain to my family, me and many others.”
Then it all began to make since as to why she seemed so inquisitive earlier, beyond the usual questions he sensed something in her words. “So that it is true that it is real and why you were so curious about why I opposed marriage. You cannot marry for some reason or another, can you?”
That brought her up short and the anger dimmed. “How do you know?”
“You’re quite easy to read, Meeka, and your words are easy to decipher. A minute ago you said magic has brought you nothing but pain. Also you were a bit overeager to know what I thought about marriage and when you listened you unintentionally dropped your chin, crossed your arms and sighed a huff as if I doused your ideal fantasy of marriage. These subtle tells you have explained that you wish to live vicariously through others for what has been denied to you. I’ve been trained to notice these subtle tendencies and it has served me well.”
“What does vicariously mean?”
“To live your life or ideals through others.”
“Fine. Your right, it’s common knowledge around here anyway. And your right, I can’t get married, find love or ever have a family of my own, all because of magic. It has ruined me and no man will touch me. They think my comely appearance is a lure like a fisherman’s bait to catch and kill any man who so much as gets close. Many fear me and I had hope that a newcomer passing through might be kind and offer some companionship for a short time before he or she runs off when they find out I’m a killer.” Tears began to well in her eyes and she turned to run away, but stopped when her grasped arm wouldn’t allow it.
Meeka turned to find Cage’s large hand firmly wrapped around her wrist with one eyebrow raised. “You’ve killed? How?”
She stared openly again as the tears flowed freely and her full lips quivered. “I’m cursed. As a baby I was spelled so that if I kiss anyone they’ll freeze to death. I didn’t believe it till I kissed my first boy six years ago. I woke up to screaming and crying to realize I killed a boy by a mere kiss. I live with his death every day and have to see the pity and hatred in my people’s eyes every day. I cannot control my curse for it has sullied me. I cannot lay with man or woman or even have a child for even if I kiss it the child will freeze from its own mother’s act of love.” She dropped to her knees as her strength waned and self-pity took hold and wept openly. “Why am I saying all this to some stranger? Forgive me, Sir. I’m sorry for saying more than I ought.”
Cage didn’t let go as he knelt in front of her and speared the end of the torch in the ground before using his now freed hand to lift her chin again. With kindness she never expected to ever see in another she heard him say “You are an idiot if you care what others think of you for an accident beyond your control. No one is to be blamed for that boy’s death for he died doing something sensual. Y
ou might have saved him from a more gruesome death down the line. He could have died slowly from a snakebite or an arrow though an eye or could have been torn apart by wolves.” Her blue eyes twinkled with hope. “And to add clarification, I’m not scared to touch you or look upon a woman in pity for an accident. I’ve killed and so long as there are any who try and take my life I’ll continue to do so. There is no such thing as good or evil in this world or any other, only perception. And as for magic, it cannot be all bad now can it? It is like a tool I’d imagine. Maybe it’s like a sword… you do have swords right?” He smiled and she nodded. “In the hands of a soldier cutting down bandits it can be seen as protection, but it could also be dreaded in the hands of those very same bandits. Just like your magical kiss, it can be used for good.”
“How?” She asked in an almost plea to release her pain.
“If it’s true your kiss kills, as you say, then if someone were to rape you, you could quite literally kiss yourself to freedom. Ask him to kiss you first and you’ll make it more fun and pleasurable, when he dies, throw him off and no harm will result of the experience and you’ve taken one more bastard out before he harmed another.”
“I haven’t thought of my curse being used that way.”
“Good, you are learning even the worst situations can be turned around. And lastly, I know why you spilled your guts to me. You haven’t anyone to talk with about all this and it has built up and turned your stomach sour. It was bound to come out sometime so long as you didn’t find an outlet.”
“Your word, terms and sayings are strange. Where did you say you were from again?”
Cage grinned. “I haven’t even told you and I doubt you’d believe.”
“I guess you are right.” He helped her stand and pulled the torch up. “Thank you, Cage.”
“Don’t mention it.” She nodded and together they walked again.
More light appeared as they continued deeper into the town of Kote. It wasn’t big by Cage’s standards, but Meeka said about three hundred families called the town home. Many were simple farmers who lived off the land and raised livestock.
In the heart of Kote were dozens of simple businesses that sold clothes, food and other needs a town might require to function. A lively tavern made both smile as they passed. To Cage it looked as if the town was constructed like old westerns, but without a gun-slinging sheriff or outlaws. Several horses were picketed outside and a couple of people stared uncomfortably at Cage and Meeka for it was one of the strangest sights the must have seen in a while. The people seemed to take care of their own. Meeka went quiet while others were around, but threw her head up with dignity while Cage strolled through as if he belonged. In the center of town stood the largest second story building that was painted pure white and looked the most lavish in the situation. Meeka looked straight into Cage’s eyes and said “I know where you can claim a reward. Our destination is the same. I’m the mayor’s daughter and he will pay or point you in the right direction. That horse over there in the stables is his, and the painted one beside it is mine. He’s still in the office. Usually we go home together. Come with me.”
“Lead on.”
Inside the two story building, Cage became surprised to see waxed or lacquered, hardwood floors. A candelabra hung from the ceiling with dozens of lit candles. An older woman looked up from a table of papers to smile kindly at Meeka and seriously ogled Cage as he stepped in behind. “Hello Meeka, who’s your friend?”
“Hello Kitty, this is Cage. He has business with my father. I know it’s late, but he says he needs to see him tonight.”
“That’s fine, go on ahead upstairs.” And Meeka said “Thank you.”
Kitty burned Cage’s trim and powerful body into her memory as he went up the wooden stairs. She might have been in her sixties, but she wasn’t dead and it never hurt to look.
A knock on the largest door down the second floor hallway was preceded by “Father, it is me. Do you have a moment to see one more person?”
On the other side came a deep, kind voice that boomed “Come on in, Dear Daughter!” She opened the room and went in first to get enveloped by large arms. “You are later than usual to ride home with me. I was getting worried. Did your swim take longer or did you find some trouble?”
“She found me so I’m guessing the latter.” Cage said jokingly as he ducked to enter the room. Meeka’s father was built a solid boulder of a man who didn’t look like any politician he had ever seen before. The man looked to be able to handle his own in a fight with large shoulders and arms more suited to grappling. Her father stood an inch or two above Meeka’s height with sandy blonde hair, pale blue eyes and sharp features that made him look to age well even though he was nearly fifteen to eighteen years Cage’s senior. A large knife handle stuck out of a leather boot and said he knew how to use it as he moved on sure feet. The man wore woodsy clothes, but were lavish enough to be presentable to the common man and to dignitaries alike.
“Come in, good sir! I’m Cillian, Kote’s mayor. So what may I do for you this fine evening?” He asked pleasantly, but the shifting of his eyes said he was measuring Cage’s appearance and just what he was doing with his daughter at such a late hour, without a shirt, but finding her to look oddly excited and happy for once so he didn’t judge too harshly and broke into a smile.
“I came to collect on a bounty and Meeka here says you’re the man to see about the reward.”
Seeing the rounding pack slung over the shoulder Cillian had an idea of what is hidden inside the revolting sack. He smiled kindly and turned to his youngest child. “Meeka, please step outside while I take care of business.”
With a tone he knew all too well for it was exactly as his wife’s, she firmly, yet in a loving and diplomatic way said “Father, I’d prefer to stay and see how a deal like this is done between you and Cage.”
Cage actually chuckled when he saw Cillian’s eyebrow twitch at the unexpected surprise of his child’s suddenly strong stomach, but revealed himself to be quite a calm and collected man. “So long as you don’t cry home to your mother about what you’ll witness I don’t mind.”
“Meeka, hold your breath. He stunk long before I did this.” Cage warned and Cillian’s eyebrow twitched again as he saw his little girl obey without making any fuss by being told to do something. The tall man opened the bag, handed over the poster first to see the mayor’s eyes darken murderously and glared at the sack till the head came out and was unwrapped, put the pack on the mayoral desk as the head was placed upon it.
Cillian stomped forward and pulled the knife from his boot to reveal an eight inch, bowie style blade. Seeing the target wasn’t himself, Cage stepped away. “I must make sure it is him.” He said to the hunter and cut away a section of beard to reveal a long scar from the cheek to jawbone. “It’s him for sure. I’ll get your money, Cage is it?”
“That is my name, Cillian. While you are counting out the price, can you tell me if the family’s of the three girls live nearby or was it a general poster spread throughout the land?” He asked calmly, without revealing much.
Suspiciously Cillian stopped counting the ten silver and nine copper coins to ask “I won’t take kindly to you going to them and try to extort more money saying you killed him and want them to pay for the reward out of their pockets. They are good, decent folk and don’t need to be harassed.”
Cage shook his head while smiling in a disarming way. “Nah, that isn’t my reason for wanting to know. I’m going to give them an even return and peace of mind to realize he isn’t among the living. I haven’t a clue as where I am so unless you draw me a map to the families place of residence or take me there yourself they’ll not have any closure or have a moment to themselves when their grief won’t allow them to work.”
“Why would you do such a thing with something you earned and serviced the town?” He asked.
“Because when he tried killing me I didn’t know he had a bounty at the time. He was in the wrong place and attacke
d the wrong person. So in my mind I wasn’t out to claim the money or killed the guy for it. Personally, I didn’t truly earn it so it doesn’t belong to me. The reward belongs to the girls’ families.”
“Very noble.”
“Hardly. I just don’t want money I didn’t seek, but since I need a little and I don’t know the exchange rate of goods or your monetary system I was wondering if a silver would get me proper clothes, traveling equipment and a meal or maybe some rations.”
“It certainly will and I’ll personally guide you to the families. It was a town issue so the reward came from us. As mayor, it is my duty to do a task such as this. So if you are going to do this, I’ll see your idea through first thing in the morning.”
“Father, I can take him.” Meeka voiced oddly and both men turned to see her turning green, but she couldn’t look away from the revolting head and her stomach wouldn’t hold its contents for long. With the open glass window behind the mayor’s desk, that aimed into the woods, Cage picked up the head and threw it over the mayor’s head and it vanished out into the trees. She watched it fly into darkness while her father gave him a grateful nod.
Finally looking better a minute later Cillian kindly said “Meeka, you have your own duties to attend at home and won’t have time to guide Cage to where he needs to go till they are finished.”
“But…’ she began, but Cage added “That will be fine, Meeka. I’ll stay for maybe two days before leaving. We can talk more sometime later.” He then put all the money in the leather pouch tied to his hip. “See you all later.” And ducked to leave.
Meeka then suddenly asked “Where will you stay?”
“Out in the forest as always.”
“Not in my town.” Cillian sighed as he caught the pleading in his child’s innocent eyes and couldn’t ever see her disappointed. “If you aren’t going to the inn and spend your money for a room, I’ll let you stay the night in my home under one condition, you stay out in the barn and not steal anything or cause my family any grief.”
“It will be good to have a roof over my head again. I accept and give my word that I’ll not disrupt anything.”
“Then it is settled. Meeka, take Cage here to the stall and ready our horses while I finish in here.”
“Thank you, Father.” Meeka stated happily and Cage watched as she turned her face completely away from Cillian’s for a grateful embrace. Normally, overjoyed and grateful daughters kiss their father’s cheek. That confirmed it for Cage to believe her frosty story. “Come on, Cage.”
Cillian couldn’t help seeing the tension leave his child as she looked towards the odd man brought to his door and how Cage seemed kind and withdrawn towards her. Even he could tell something strange is going on.
They went downstairs and out to the stalls beside the mayor’s building. Seeing the design of the saddles as similar to those back home, Cage saddled Cillian’s horse as Meeka did hers. It had been quite a while since he had even been near a horse, but being an animal lover helped the mare be quite at ease with a stranger putting the harness and straps on.
Waiting outside the stall, sitting on a bench to rest, Meeka commented “It looked like you were struggling there for a few minutes with the buckles. How long has it been since you’ve ever ridden a horse?”
“Truth is, I’ve only done it once for training to know what it is like. I know how to saddle though because the man who raised me used to have a horse and it was usually my job to take care of her and get her ready for when he wanted to go out for a ride.”
“Do you not like riding horses? Did you have a bad experience that first time?”
“Not really. I made a personal commitment a long time ago to a friend who is no longer with me. He opened my eyes to a truth I didn’t realize till he pointed it out. You wouldn’t understand my reasons. I won’t dominate an animal just to carry me. If I can do it myself, why should I burden another? Besides, I’ve got a lot of walking to catch up on what I’ve missed out.”
“So you will never ride again?” She inquired while tucking a lock of blonde hair behind an ear.
“No ma’am. Not as long as I can so move under my own power.”
Meeka went quiet while trying to figure out the strangeness that wrapped around her companion.
Sever more minutes passed until Cillian came out of the building carrying an oil lantern on a handle. Cage remembered one of similar make in Beau’s shed. It was an antique back then, but here it looked to be a common way go light ones path. Cage stood, undid the latch to the stall and led Cillian’s young mare over to him while Meeka did the same for her paint horse. “Thank you, Cage… please hold my lantern while I mount.”
“Certainly.” And after the leather creaked and settled from weight being applied, Cage returned the burning lantern. Turning around he saw Meeka had an intentional split in her dress so she could ride. It revealed only her right thigh and Cage sighed when he saw it smooth. He thought. Thank goodness women here aren’t all natural and still shave their legs. He then watched questioningly as she tightened the strings around her bosom. It didn’t take much reason to figure out that they’d spill out wondrously.
Cillian then reached down to offer riding double, but was turned down with a head shake. “I’ll run, but thanks. How far to your home?”
An odd look passed the older man, but he answered “At least an hour’s walk. It will be quicker if we ride.”
Cage grinned. “I’ll keep up.”
“If that is your wish…” and gently tapped the horse’s sides to walk ahead.
But before he realized what happened a large flash sped past Cillian and his horse. It was then followed by a joking shadow. “I said I’d run so don’t make your horse slow on my account.”
Cage didn’t stop as he’d seen which direction to go from where Cillian directed them. He then heard the seductive and musical laugh of Meeka and it was followed by her father’s joyous, deep belly chuckle. “Boy, you think to outrun a horse?”
“That’ll never happen, but it doesn’t mean I have to give up now do I?”
“Suppose not!” Cillian retorted as he kicked the horse into a slow run. Meeka laughed as she quickly caught up.
It didn’t take long to overtake Cage, but he ran as fast and as safely as his legs would take him which meant it was like a leisurely jog for the equestrians. The road took them out of the heart of town and the only light to see by on the road came from Cillian’s lamp. As they ran, the father’s attention became divided between safely navigating his mare down the road and the man running for the sheer enjoyment of it. Cillian looked at the strangeness and appearance of Cage and how he carried himself. Never in his life had he felt or had so many conflicting assumptions of a person as he prided himself on reading others. As the run continued he saw a strange marking between Cage’s shoulders and the more he looked at it the more he came to an understanding. Deep rooted anger clouded his mind till he saw the happiness in Meeka as she too couldn’t stop looking at him, but for a different reason. Some dark part of him wanted for her to use her curse on him, but the more he thought the more he couldn’t ask her to do such a thing. He wouldn’t make her lose that genuine smile.
Maybe half hour later Cillian shouted over the horses hooves “Here we are!”
Cage slowed to a casual walk and had to really focus to see anything as the horses also slowed to find only a large, two story wooden home. It still had the bare, unpainted walls as most homes and farmhouses, but its construction is as impressive as the mayor’s office. The house sat in the center of a fifteen acre plot of land, but instead of planted crops there were many artfully placed plants, flowers and many, many herbs that Cage knew well to be for medicinal purposes. To the side of the house stood a small building which he assumed to be an actual outhouse, or as Meeka called it, a privy. On the other side of the candle lit house lay the moderately sized barn. Set on the inside of the open mouthed building was an orange glow from what would be another lamp to guide the family and thei
r horses to it. “Looks like I’ll be able to sleep well tonight.”
“Why is that?” Cillian wondered as he unseated himself to walk the horse’s body out.
Cage’s eyes shifted to the host to explain. “Because, even as a child I had a lot of energy and couldn’t ever find sleep if I didn’t do anything strenuous to burn it off and relax. That run was perfect, thanks.”
“Boy, you’ve built up a sweat, but why don’t you sound the least bit out of breath and you ran the whole way here as if something was out to get you.”
“Like I said, I’ve always been full of energy. Because of it I’ve ran so much that my endurance is quite strong. I can run all day and only take a five minute break and not collapse from exhaustion. But if I ran full-out I could only do so for an hour before dropping like a stone.”
“To run like that for me seems more like magic?”
Oh shit. Cage thought as he quickly retorted before showing any expression that would give him away. “If it was magic then why would I be sweating?”
“Good point!” Cillian chuckled.
Intense, angry barking suddenly rushed in their direction. “Damn! Rhody got out again. Cage, better get behind me. Rhody! Sit! Stay! Halt! No!” Cillian commanded in a rush.
But before the mayor could finish, Cage saw a disturbance in the darkness as a large guard dog rushed upon them, barking so angrily that the horses reared in fright. Cage grinned as he saw the huge canine enter the light and revealed it to be what looked like a crossbreed of a Rottweiler, Pit bull and German shepherd with long white teeth charging right at him.
Cage leaned forward, brought his arms up and took a fighting stance used primarily against small opponents and animals. Rhody leapt at Cage, seeing him as the unknown threat. The attacking dog’s teeth latched onto Cage’s arm intentionally as the human made it happen. Using the momentum and altering the direction, Cage leaned back and twisted in such a way as to lift and slam the dog on its broad side. Knocking the air out of the trained pooch, he released his biting grip, but not before Cage opened his mouth and bit down hard on the dog’s neck. He didn’t draw blood, but the pain got the hound’s full attention.
Releasing his own bite, Cage jumped back and stayed low to the ground while holding himself up on all fours. Rhody quickly found his feet and growled murderously at Cage, but didn’t move to attack again. They stared at each other for a moment, measuring each other, but remembering what just happened, Rhody went down on his belly, whined in submission, ears drooped with the hackles and crawled over with regret written all over him. Cage’s grin melted into a pleased smile as the stance dissolved and he sat on his heels and petted the healthy and soft chocolate brown coat. “That’s a good boy. You won’t do that to me anymore will you?”
“Cage, what in the world did you just do?” Meeka asked in complete denial and Cillian stared with a dumbfounded expression plastered to his face.
He looked up to see her no longer struggling with the reins while he continued petting and stroking Rhody. “Dog’s are pack animals who naturally follow whoever is the strongest. I just beat him and am his leader for right now. His submission means respect and so long as he remembers, he’ll probably not attack me again.”
“But you bit him.”
“Fair is fair. He bit me first and I returned the favor. Those are my rules.” He then stood and firmly said “Rhody, up!” and the large dog obeyed with a slight wag to his tail.
Cillian then asked “I saw him bite your arm. Are you hurt?”
“Besides a little slobber, not at all.”
“May I check?” and Cage held out his arm and Cillian scrutinized the site of saliva, but not a mark was left behind. He then became inquisitive and Cage felt he’d seen enough and pulled his arm back before he could scrutinize the skull engraving and diamond eyes.
“Is anyone hurt!” Came a feminine shout in the distance.
“No, Tiffa.” Cillian shouted. “We’re all just fine. We have a guest so set out another plate, please. We’ll be inside in a few minutes after we stall the horses!”
“Alright!” and the figure vanished inside.
“Who was that?” Cage asked as he pat Rhody to make him feel at ease.
“That is my mother.” Meeka answered. “I’m hungry so let’s put the horses away and eat Mother’s cooking.”
She led the way without another word and everyone followed after her. Sensing all turned out well, the dog moved away to walk at Cillian’s side obediently and most of all quietly.
The barn was simple and Cage heard the clucking of chickens behind the barn. His stomach growled loud enough to make his hosts laugh. “Hungry?” Meeka asked with a small chuckle.
“A bit. It has been quite a while since having a meal I didn’t have to forage for, but mostly I’m thinking of having scrambled eggs for breakfast since that is what my breakfast back home usually consisted of.”
“We’ll see what we can do, but first we need to finish.”
It didn’t take long to fill the trough of three horses with hay and oats.
At the house, Cillian simply pushed the door open since it had been left with a crack. Cage soon found out why it was done so and saw a wooden bolt that would slide across on the inside to lock it. Its sturdy design would be hard to break down. As the inside air assaulted the senses Cage’s stomach cramped with the smell of food. He followed his hosts and shut the front door, threw the bolt in place and as a show of thanks Cillian nodded and Meeka smiled. “Alright Cage, sit at the end of the table where I can see you best.”
“Is there a place I can wash up or wash my hands at least?” He asked Cillian.
He pointed to a closed door near the glossy and finely crafted table and dining room chairs. “You’ll find a bucket of clean water in there and a pump if more is needed. Be quick for you were too absentminded at seeing your surroundings to see that me and Meeka already washed our hands.”
He went inside to fine a lever action pump that pulled water from an aquifer. So far, this piece of equipment is the most advanced piece of technology he had seen since arriving. He took five minutes to wash his hands, hair and torso and felt much more refreshed as he came out to find Cillian sitting at the far head of the table and Meeka sat seductively by her father, but her lovely eyes twinkled mysteriously. Around the table sat five other empty chairs and on it sat four bowls, plates and glass or possibly crystal glasses. Centered low on the table were several lit candles and behind Cillian’s chair lived a crackling fire inside a welcoming fireplace. The wooden floor creaked as Cage took the end of the table and sat, taking in every angle, advantage and inconvenience that might result in a trap. It didn’t seem to be one, but when you lower your guard is when you’ll not be prepared to defend yourself. Then a thumping on the floor proved Rhody lay beneath eagerly and from the sound judged him to be closer to Cillian.
The wait wasn’t long as Tiffa came in through the door where Cage heard the sounds of finishing up the meal. He managed to not react, but his eyes nearly bugged out for Tiffa is just as beautifully natural as Meeka. If not for the very few grays and exceptionally difficult to spot wrinkles around the eye and mouth to locate they would have been considered sisters or even nearly, twins. The red dress Tiffa wore also accentuated her waist, hips and impressive bust. Tiffa’s hair was blonde, but braided whereas Meeka seem to prefer her hair loose and draped over her back as well as shoulders. Tiffa’s delicate blue eyes took Cage in all at once and a small smile appeared when she saw how her daughter looked upon him. “So you are to be the guest my husband spoke of?” She asked in a kind, motherly way.
“That is what I’ve been told, Tiffa. You may call me Cage.”
Tiffa sat down a large platter of food in the center of the table. “Well Cage, what would you like? I’ve made a stew, cooked up sausage, we have wine or ale and fresh baked bread.” Cage watched Cillian eat the first bite without hesitation.
“May I ask what you put in the stew?”
“Why certai
nly. I’ve put in carrots, potatoes, peppers, peas and mild onions and cooked it since this morning so all the flavors are mixed properly.
“Then I’ll gladly have the stew, bread and I’ll go get water. Is the only water source in the washroom?”
“It is.” She smiled wonderfully.
“Wait a moment, Cage.” Meeka said and he stopped to gaze upon her. “My father personally made the sausage and is the best tasting of the whole town. We have meat and wine so do not worry about making yourself go hungry of you think we cannot afford it.”
He smiled and said “Hold that thought.” and walked into the other room to fill his glass with the water from the pump. He returned to find his soup bowl filled with the steaming contents and a forearm’s length and width piece of warm wheat bread. He sat as Tiffa placed a cover over the soup container and dish of meat. They went silent, wanting to hear his answer. “Have any of you ever heard the term Vegetarian?” He needed to ask for he still didn’t understand all that these people knew.
All three shook their heads. He sighed internally.
“Bottom line, I do not eat meat. I like fruits, vegetables, bread, butter, nuts, berries, eggs that haven’t been fertilized by a rooster, things of that nature. I can consume things that come from animals like milk, cheese and eggs so long as no animal had to die so that I may live. And if you are wondering if I’ve ever eaten meat, yes I have, but not in over sixteen years.”
“Sixteen years?” Cillian asked in wonder as he put a spoon full of stew between his lips, chewed and swallowed. “Does meat taste bad to you or something?”
“Not that I can remember. My thoughts to why I became a vegetarian is this one simple question. Why would I enjoy eating something that tastes so good when the creature that died felt so much pain in its last moments? My answer came simply to me. If I kill when there are alternatives, what makes me any better than the animal that has to die. There are already predators, we don’t have to be. I don’t care either way when I kill, but the victim does. We of the living fight to live, but I try not to take life if it can be avoided or have enough hope to change. I say this about animals only. People are different. If they choose to come and try to kill me they better be prepared to receive the same treatment.”
“You make it sound as if it is easy to kill another.” Tiffa commented.
“Death is neither easy or difficult, it just is.”
“Isn’t killing another wrong?” Meeka asked so low she didn’t believe anyone heard her in the following silence while Cage took a bite and moaned in pleasure. He looked right at her and asked in all seriousness “Do you remember our earlier conversation?”
“What’s this?” Tiffa asked with a smirk when she saw her daughter look down and blush. “What was the context of that conversation?”
When Meeka didn’t respond Cage did. “Tiffa, I told her a scenario that could happen. Life is harsh, wherever you find yourself.” He said more to himself, but her parents nodded. “I was just reminding her that it isn’t easy or hard to take a life when your own is on the line. A woman of her stunning beauty would easily attract the wrong sort and if they were to try and assault her she can simply kiss her way out of the situation, without allowing that same person to do it again to another without a weapon that she cannot lose.”
Silence weighed heavily on the room and Meeka dipped her head. Cage went back to eating with gusto while her parents were so stunned at his openness that hunger had been all but forgotten. Cillian’s eyebrow twitched constantly as he kept making fists to temper such outrageous talk at his table. Tiffa simply couldn’t believe someone could have such odd thoughts and present a curse as a benefit. For Cage, the blend of spices and fresh chunks of vegetables were great and the bread was perfect for soaking up the soup. He didn’t mind being glared at for it was nothing new, but he also noticed how they became only slightly confused as he dipped his bread in the delicious blend. Meeka glanced up to see her parents looking between each other curiously, to her and Cage.
Meeka was embarrassed about how he could so casually turn her curse around, but mostly her silence came from how he referred to her as stunningly beautiful. Others have said as much, but for someone as beautiful as he to say so made her feel excited all over.
Eventually Cage’s sated sigh broke the silence of the room. “Wow, Tiffa, that has to be the best stew I’ve ever eaten.”
“That is kind of you to say.” But before she could say another thing he spoke again. “Since I feel so well fed, how about I do something for you. First I need to know if you have an oven?”
“I have both a wood stove and oven.”
“Good. If you can get me some cheese, tomatoes, seasonings and wheat bread that hasn’t already been cooked I’ll make your family something delicious from where I come from. Oh and any edible mushrooms would be perfect.”
“We’ll need some tomatoes and cheese, but the rest I already have.”
“Then I best be off to get some sleep.”
Tiffa raised a hand saying “One moment, where did you and my daughter meet?”
Meeka suddenly became animated and explained “I heard music and it led me to him out by the lake. Cage, can I ask for one last thing before you leave?” He nodded and sat down again. “Can you play the ocarina for my parents? Can you do the one that is calming?”
“Sure thing, but I make up music by how I feel. I find it hard play two exact numbers.” He said with a smile and both parents had furrowed brows in the exchange. He took it out and watched the reactions of the three and began to play. As the music delicately flowed everyone seemed to get calm and relax. He played for a few minutes before putting it away. “Night, all. I’ll hit the head first and get some sleep.”
“Who’s head are you going to hit?” Cillian wondered with renewed suspicion.
“Ah… um…” He scratched his head for a moment. “Oh, that’s it! Meeka said you call it a privy. It is just an expression. I’m a man of my word, Cillian. So long as I’m a guest, I’ll abide by your rules. Pleasant dreams.” And he left the house, Cillian bolting it shut for the night.
“Strange man.” Cillian stated his personal observation. “He speaks quite differently than any traveler to ever come through Kote.”
“But he is quite handsome. Wouldn’t you agree Meeka?” Tiffa asked mischievously.
“I find him pleasing.” She admitted while spooning her meal around in ever slowing circles.
“Now I want to know everything the two of you did. Leave nothing out, either of you. I’ve missed too much about that man already.”
Cillian first said “That’s fine, but there is another situation I need to discuss with you in private, Tiffa.” When she nodded he turned in his seat while taking a bite out of the cooled bread. “How about you start Meeka? You are the one who found him after all. I can understand why you were so intrigued by his musical instrument and were led to hear more.”
She smiled, glad to be able to be open with her parents. “I was out swimming and heard…”