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Chapter 4. The Vision |
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iang Yi found Pendaran that evening as people were preparing for the final meal of the day. With so many still dwelling in tents it had become customary on sunny days for everyone to gather outside to sit upon the cobbles on a blanket and with their closest friends. Mabane was with him as the two of them carried their family’s share of the fresh bread and stew from the outdoor kitchen that fed everyone who sought refuge on the island. Teleri and Sabina awaited them in the crowded courtyard that now resembled a colorful colony of seabirds. Since assuming Master Bei’s role as leader of the Order of the Crystal palm, Xiang Yi had also adopted Zhou’s habit of wearing somber robes of black and gray. It was strange to see the bald monk without his intricately enruned vestments and it sometimes took Pendaran aback to see Xiang Yi’s blue tattooed pate where he expected to see the bristling black mane of his beloved master. The winter had brought losses for them all both of home and treasured friends. Xiang Yi seemed gaunt now and the lines upon his face had deepened. “You missed our appointment today,” the monk said with a disappointed smile as he fell into step with Pendaran, “Do you mind if I join you and your family for supper?” “I am sorry. No, of course not, I’d be honored by your presence,” Pendaran replied. He had not forgotten. Lemony had let the matter of his health drop and was busying herself with other things but Xiang Yi insisted upon a weekly assessment. The tall Canthan sensed his resistance and frowned. “After what you have been through, I would feel more at ease if you kept your appointment, Master Kai.” “I am fine, I assure you,” Pendaran replied, keeping his voice even despite his desire to tell Xiang Yi to butt out. He was alluding to what had been done to him in the Realm of Torment and the madness that had gone before. Pendaran had no desire to discuss it, “The only strain upon me at the moment is fatherhood, and I welcome it.” “Are you sleeping through the night?” Pendaran snorted. What a ridiculous question to ask the parent of a newborn child. “As well as might be expected given the circumstances.” “How many hours a night?” “Once Sabina has grown a little it won’t be so bad,” Pendaran replied, evading the question. “And the nightmares? Are you still having those?” “Only if I’m sleeping.” “After supper, will you come to my tent? I have some things we can try to help you rest.” “How long do you suspect my wife would put up with that?” he snorted, “She needs rest, too. No, I’ve had my fill of mandrake, thank you.” “Teleri is worried about you, Pen. She talked to me today,” Xiang Yi persisted, ignoring the peevish tone of Pendaran’s voice, “and there are other means of relaxing that do not involve strong soporifics.” “If she’s that worried, she can tell me herself.” Pendaran scowled. Maybe she should let him alone in the morning and not insist that he get out of bed at some ungodly hour. And why was it anyone’s business what went on in their bedroom? What had she been telling the monk? “Papa sits up all night with Sabina,” Mabane said, “I’ve seen him.” “She gets colicky or her diaper needs changing. It’s not fair to expect Teleri to do it all,” he retorted, annoyed that Mabane had spoken up. The last thing he needed was his own family ganging up on him. He liked sitting up with Sabina, it made him feel useful and grounded. It was one of the few times of the day he felt whole and content. “Your devotion to your daughter is laudable,” Xiang Yi said, “but once she is asleep, you should also go back to bed. If Sabina’s needs are that great, I am certain one of my people would be happy to help so that you can both rest through the night.” “That’s quite alright, we need not trouble a servant.” Xiang Yi shrugged. “Nevertheless, there are several older servants who are idle right now and would jump at the chance to be made useful. Not to mention, many would love to attend to a babe.” One of the cooks brought a bowl of stew and a mug of watery ale to the guild leader so that he did not have to stand in line and keep Pendaran waiting. Most of the people who kept everything running smoothly had come over with Zhou’s sundered guild. Pendaran was immensely grateful for them and not at all certain what would have happened without them. Xiang Yi was silent as they walked the short distance to the place Teleri had staked out for them amid the happily chattering crowd. “Hello Xiang Yi!” Teleri said enthusiastically, urging Mabane to sit closer to her so that there was room on the corner of the blanket for the man to sit comfortably beside Pendaran. Sabina chortled happily as Pendaran set aside his fare to receive her so that Teleri had her hands free to eat. “Hello, my treasure,” he whispered, nuzzling his daughter’s soft brow. The babe grabbed the unruly jut of his beard and his nose, squealing in delight as he made a weak attempt to shake free, “I’ll protect you, my sweet one, you’ll never want for anything, least of all my love.” He was aware of Xiang Yi and Teleri talking about him, but he withdrew from the conversation, enjoying the rare sense of calm and rightness he found with his child in his arms. His mind wandered to Ascalon and his old home near Rin and the window seat in his bedroom that overlooked the forest. The low roar of a falls loomed behind the scattered birdsong and the wind through the boughs. The falls… how odd, he did not remember it and now he was curious, striding down the dim corridors of memory to draw closer. There was the forest path that threaded through the hours of careless childhood games. He smiled to himself to remember how his brother had always made him play the charr while Owain was always the victorious knight from King Adlebern’s army. Of course, neither of them had a clue what a real charr was capable of, but like all childhood fears, they were neatly vanquished with old sticks and volleys of chestnuts. The falls, when he found it, was unfamiliar. He was standing on a stone balcony gazing down on a canyon. An immense veil of churning water shimmered with rainbows as the setting sun shafted through the drifting spume. Above the falls there was a great plain, a sun drenched highland punctuated with low scrub and sandy bluffs. Below the rushing water there was an immense basin and it was surrounded with palms and dense clumps of resinous bushes. He had never seen it before. “Pen?” He startled awake, the sudden jerk of his body causing Sabina to cry out in alarm. “You nodded off,” Teleri said gently, “Let me take Sabina while you put some flesh on your bones, and then maybe you should go to bed, sweetheart.” “Sorry.” Xiang Yi smiled gently upon him as Teleri gathered up Sabina and rocked the babe until she grew calm again. Still disoriented by the vividness of the dream, Pendaran said nothing and picked up his bowl of tepid stew to eat it numbly. He could not shake the sensation there was something significant about the vision, that for a brief moment he had actually been standing there gazing upon it in a distant land. “I’ll come by in the morning,” Xiang Yi said after a time, gathering up his empty bowl and mug as he rose. He nodded respectfully to the monk but said nothing, aware that Mabane was watching him closely. The boy was progressing quickly, a natural at reading subtle shifts in mood and demeanor. He knew something had happened to Pendaran. “I’m alright. I’m going to sleep now, there is no need for you to worry about me,” he said into the boy’s mind, relieved when he sensed Mabane was soothed by his words. Unable to fight the weight of long exhaustion, Pendaran relented and kissed Teleri’s cheek. “I’m going to bed, then.” “Alright, darling,” she replied, squeezing his hand, “Mabane and I can take care of the crockery. I’ll be along in a couple hours.” He thanked her as he climbed to his feet and dusted himself off reflexively. He wished he could have stayed awake for the evening’s revelry around the fire. Already he could see musicians carrying their instruments in preparation for the now traditional sing alongs and dances from their homelands. “Pen?” “Hmm?” “Thank you for speaking on Murdi’s behalf this morning.” “It was no problem.” “I love you. Get some sleep.” He flashed her a weary smile and strode away. |
