Tansy of the Wilds

Chapter Twenty-Three

An hour later they were getting ready to leave for Berget and her mother draped a wool cloak over Tansy's shoulders with a smile. "Your papa has packed some extra coin for you. He wants you to pick up this list of things." Tandy took the paper, looking at it. It was a list of things, gifts for her family. She barely reacted when she noticed there was nothing for her written on it.

"Okay, mama." She spoke softly, keeping her voice low like her mother liked and her mother kissed her cheek.

"Remember my love, silence is golden, silence is beautiful, and?" She lifted a finger, waiting for Tansy to finish.

"Silence is good." Tansy finished with that quiet tone and her mother smiled at her. As much as it was something she was expecting, Tansy couldn't stop the bolt of hurt that was sent through her chest. Why did she have to change who she was? Why did she always have to change?

"We will get you there yet, Tansy. Now don't bother Mr. Xer'tal too much on this trip. Remember what we say." The warning was clear in her mother's voice and Tansy nodded.

Keep quiet, don't ramble.

"Yes, mama." Tansy nodded again as she picked up her pack, shouldering it.

"And try not to piss Tenzin off, Tansy." Basil called it out and Tansy gave another small nod, looking at the ground. She felt so small, she wasn't used to feeling like that. She had always known she was a bit much but since going to the kobolds and being able to be herself, fitting back into her place at home was hard, it felt stifling.

"A lot is riding on him, Tansy." Her father's voice was stern and she nodded again, grasping the straps of her backpack.

There was the sound of heavy boots on gravel and when she turned her head, Xer'tal was walking over, his expression dark. She was thrown back to him all but snapping at her family. She hadn't understood why he did it. It was simply how her family was, she was a little too noisy sometimes, talked a little too much, but he had been agitated by their teasing.

"We will pay you when you return, Xer'tal." Her father crossed his arms over his chest and Xer'tal grunted, his nostrils flaring slightly as if agitated.

When he stopped beside her and her mother stepped back, Tansy looked up at him. "Ready?"

He glanced at her, his expression impervious and harshly carved. "Aye." They started off, walking through the large wooden doors to the lumberyard. Once they were out of the lumberyard he grunted again. "Remember," His steps slowed so she didn't have to keep too fast of a pace. "I've got yer back. It's not going to be a smooth ride, and we've got to be vigilant. Keep yer eyes open, yer senses alert. Most important though," His eyes met hers, a sincere gruffness to his voice, "Do not hesitate to communicate, not with me. Even the 'ramblin', as they call it. It's the truth your chatterin' stopped Drok and he has killed many men for simply lookin' at him wrong." Tansy simply nodded her agreement to his words but was ever mindful of her mother's words, the familiar saying, and her father's warning.

He seems like a good sort, Tansy. Don't drive him off with your inane chattering.

So she kept her head down. She made a point to keep quiet so she wouldn't bother him. She didn't want to impose on Xer'tal with her endless ramblings. It wasn't fair for her to use him as a captive audience to her chattering. It just wasn't. The words burbled up inside her but she kept them from tripping off her tongue like clumsy animals.

Less than two hours passed and Xer'tal cleared his throat, as if uncomfortable. "Tansy..." The way he rumbled her name had her repressing a shiver as she looked up at him. "Yer... rather quiet." Tansy just nodded in response, looking down to kick at a rock. He cleared his throat again before he gave another grunt. "I... uh. pantheon take me, this is awkward," Xer'tal muttered, scratching the back of his head. "I... miss yer chatter, Tansy." That had her pausing as she looked up at him. He had missed it? She found it improbable and more than a little bit odd.