Vaehandre: Where The Stars Fall [Under Revision]

Chapter 41: Boys and Bears

It was as if a ghost had passed by. The people who saw the convoy of Rathornian nights that day whispered amongst themselves. Lord Aiden kept his eyes forward. A crowd gathered in the streets, all of them looking anxiously.

One middle-aged woman took a knee and bowed her head. The rest followed.

Tears shimmered in Aiden's eyes. He straightened himself up as they rode further inward among the houses of man.

Once in the infirmary, Aiden met the prime healer. The white strip of cloth wrapped around her arm was covered in dried blood, making the two red stripes for her title less visible.

"Good news, my lord," she said. "There have been no deaths last night."

"I'm glad to hear it. And how are your healers, my lady? Are they well rested?"

"They can manage."

Henry approached them. "Sorry to interrupt, lady Cateline, but have you seen Finnian anywhere?"

"He left Sir George in charge and went to go see his wife."

"Thank you, lady Cateline," Henry said before leaving them.

● ● ●

Looking to the side, Henry saw Reeve peering through wine barrels. Sneaking up on the boy he confronted him. "Still lurking about are we."

The boy turned around with a start. "What? You were just there. How did you..." Reeve glared at Henry, then smirked. "I hope you know that not all your knights are loyal to you."

Henry raised a brow. "What do you mean?"

"You're looking for him aren't you the knight you always leave in charge."

Wagging his head, Henry asked, "Well then, have you seen him."

"Down at Bear Paw Pub." Reeve suddenly looked at him with such anger that he balled his fist. "They're going to get you you know."

"Who's going to get me?"

"You'll see. You'll pay for what your Lord did to my father."

● ● ●

Meanwhile, two rows of houses away Finnian stood in front of a pub. He stared at the sign Bear Paw Pub it read. Looking from side to side he entered it cautiously. There were four men in red seated at the door. He avoided glancing in their direction. "Can I speak with you in private?" he said to the barkeeper.

"Jade, watch the patrons for me will you."

"Got it, mistress Eda," the younger man replied.

Both of them go to the back of the bar.

"How have they been treating you?"

"The bears have been respectful towards me, and you?" She leaned closer to Finnian. "How is the marshal of Rathorn fairing?" she whispered to him.

"He does what he can." Finnian scanned the area. "How's Drustan? How's our boy?"

"Well, he misses his father still."

"Despite what's happening now. I think it's safe to say that this is the most time I'll be able to spend time with you two. I'll be here to guard the infirmary till all the patients get better." Glancing at the bar, Finnian brought back his attention to his wife. "What have the Ursaignis been up to."

"You know they sit at the furthest corner of the bar. I couldn't overhear anything..."

Finnian let out a sigh. "What am I saying? Forget I asked anything. I don't want you to be in any danger."

"You're putting yourself in danger by being here."

He smiled sideways. "They're probably looking for me. The Knight Protector should be here by now. Is Dustran with your sister? I'd like to see him before I go."

"Yes, now be on your way and be careful."

"I will."

● ● ●

Back in the pub, Reeve was waiting by the door.

"Who are you waiting for Reeve?" Eda asked from behind the bar.

The boy turned his head slowly. "Just a friend Mistress Eda."

"A friend here coming here to a pub?"

"I'm waiting to talk to Hesev, mistress Eda."

Eda looked further past the door. Three men in red coats approached.

"What have you got for us Dustran?"

Moving toward the shelf closest to the door, Eda dried cups and glanced at the door every now and then. She barely avoided a glance from one of the men standing guard. The last she saw of Hesev was him nodding at Reeve.

● ● ●

In the last row of houses, a house right next to the curtain wall that surrounded the city laid a small house made of wood and hay it only had one window on the left side of the door. The path he walk on, the main path was the only paved path on this side of the city. Finnian knocked on the door.

A woman opened the door.

"Mary—"

"Dustran," she immediately called out.

Finnian closed the door behind him.

Climbing down a ladder from his makeshift room, the boy ran to Finnian and hugged him tightly.

"Father, you've been visiting more often now. Does this mean you can start living with us?"

The marshal glanced at his sister in law who shot her gaze downward.

"No, I'm afraid it's not that easy, son."

"Oh," Dustran said, his smile turning into a frown. "Then can you at least show me how to be a knight like you?"

"You want to be a knight? Since when?"

"Since you told him all your stories," Mary put in.

"I can handle it, father. I'll be of age soon. I'll join the knights of Rathorn."

"We'll have to ask your mother first." Finnian squeezed his the boy's shoulders. "I'll see you again tomorrow."

Mary drew near and made a mess out of Dustran's hair. "Go eat breakfast okay."

"Okay."

Once he was out of earshot, she faced Finnian. "You know you're not making your situation here any easier."

Scratching the back of his head, Finnian replied, "I didn't want to be unkind. Let's spare him the disappointment from now shall we."

"For his sake and my sister's I hope no one finds out that a bear had a child with a half-blooded Elite."

Finnian glanced at his son and back to Mary, "Is that all you have to say to me."

"I apologize, things have been a bit tense lately."

"Why? What's the matter?"

Mary turned her back on Dustran and Finnian stooped lower. "The Ursaignis are planning something. Eda looked so worried when she talked about their meetings. They'd been meeting more than their weekly gatherings. They've got Alard's boy in the mix as well. You should be careful, Finnian. They don't know about your family but they know about you being the marshal. That puts a target on your back."

The marshal nodded his head. "Understood," he replied. "I best be off." He waved at Dustran right before exiting the door.