Gallel's Heir

Chapter 7.1: Gently Sleeping

On Yelsday, Canúden woke before Ma, a rare occurrence. She’d gone to bed early, before he’d returned home after his second drawing lesson, so he hadn’t talked with her. He did the milking, made breakfast, and still she remained in her bedroom. He tapped on her door. “Ma, I made breakfast. Is anything wrong?” He pushed the door open. Ma lay in blankets damp from sweat. Reddish-brown hair matted around her head. Her eyes were open, her face pale and smooth, pretty.

“Thank you, Canúden.” She reached out a hand. “I couldn’t seem to get up this morning. Milking’s done?”

“Yes, Ma. Rest here, I’ll bring you breakfast. Dylin is coming to see you today.”

“Is she? Well, that’s good. I’ll admit, I don’t feel well.” She rubbed her forehead. “I dreamed about your father.”

Canúden left, then returned with a bowl of porridge, juice, and a damp cloth. He set her food on a dresser, then wiped her brow. “Nightmares. I’m sorry.” He held her hand. “What can I do before I go?”

She smiled. “I’ll be all right. Thank you for breakfast. I’ll sleep here a while, and my dreams will be better knowing Dylin is coming. Drop by the school and tell my students I’m not coming today.”

He nodded and kissed her head. “I love you, Ma.”

***

Boreck stopped him when he crossed the Logan Bridge. “The gracious Kel wants to see you. Follow me now.”

Canúden groaned. “But…”

“Come now.”

Boreck turned towards Gallel’s west entrance without a look to see whether Canúden followed. The guard was twice his size, and as mean as Tutang. Canúden followed.

Tutang beamed when Canúden entered his office. A different, much larger book lay open on his desk, and he fiddled with a quill. “Well, boy, you’re back! Have you considered my offer, then? I hope you’ve chosen in my favor?”

Canúden sighed. “Sir, I feel that with my talents and level of experience, I would be more suited elsewhere, more fitting for my den title.”

Tutang’s quill snapped. “Do you need more time to consider, boy? How about your own quarters in Gallel? A title! Fine clothes, of course. I can find you some women, if that will make your stay here more pleasurable. Do accept my hospitality, boy, and my offer.”

Canúden’s mouth clenched and his fingers twitched. He tried to smile. “I have what I want, sir. I am but a humble young man, not prepared to be your treasurer. Please accept my decline.”

Tutang dropped his broken quill gently. Canúden felt anything but at ease. “Well, my boy, Canupen, if that’s the way it is to be, how can I fight it? Go on your way, then. You can come back to me any time if you happen to change your mind.” He opened his drawer, found another quill which he dipped in ink, and continued writing something, using the book as a reference. Canúden backed out of the office carefully.

Dylin didn’t answer his knock. When he opened her door, he found she wasn’t inside her room. He searched the garden and found Lianna climbing a darkwood with Ophia. “I haven’t seen her,” said Lianna. Maybe Dylin was called away on some emergency, or was already with Ma. He headed home with growing anxiety; Lianna not knowing where her mama was couldn’t be good. And if she went out to heal, she would have taken Ophia with her.

He found Ma still asleep in bed when he arrived home, the breakfast he had made untouched on the nightstand. She turned and opened her eyes when he touched her damp face.

“Is she with you?” said Ma.

“I can’t find her.” Canúden sat on her bed. “She hasn’t come by already?”