The Wolf, the Butterfly, and the Kraken

Chapter 7

I dreamed of Vam. He was working hard next to me in the fields and late at night he hunted me meat. It was a good dream. Then a huge Lycant ripped his throat out and headed for me next.
I startled awake. A warm, brown, furry arm was draped across me. I felt his chest and legs against mine, his beating heart. I sighed, all was well. I went back to sleep.
Later I woke to pee and realized I was sharing a bed with Vam. He was asleep and I was safe next to him. I watched him for a bit, considering him. He had brought me in from the barn against his guests wishes. The guest who probably didn’t rip my throat out only because it would mean he would have to clean up the blood. That took stones, especially since the guest was far from being a runtling.
I lightly kissed his muzzle and whispered, “Thank you.” He snuffed lightly in his sleep and I went to pee.
When I came back I realized the guest slept on the rug I usually occupied. I couldn’t sleep there. I didn’t want to go back to the barn. That left Vam’s bed. I was surprised to find that I wasn’t frightened of him, and even enjoyed the security of him next to me. And so I got back into bed with what every person I had ever known would call a monster. He snuffled a greeting and gently pulled me closer to his chest, going back to sleep. I smiled and slept another hour or two until we would have to get up to do chores.
I woke before them, having to pee, again. I decided to just start a bit early and collected eggs. I went into the meat storage. I saw huge pieces of meat hanging up. I walked around and got some sausage I had made. It didn’t have all the spices I normally used, but should be more flavorful than beans and taters, or rabbit broth. I milked the goat and headed inside. It didn’t take long to start some biscuits.
I tiptoed around the guest as I got the biscuits to cooking and the sausage browning. His nose twitched first and his eyes opened. I didn’t need watercasting to know that he knew, and he didn’t entirely understand. I stirred the sausage without taking my eyes from him and said, “Sometimes your head tells you one thing, and your gut says another. My head says I could die having this child. I have shamed my people just as much as Vam has his. This child will not have an easy life.” I stirred the sausage again. “My gut tells me it deserves a chance to live, and that it will be loved, even treasured.”
His brow raised, “What are you cooking?”
I smiled, “An old recipe my grandmother taught me. She would have me help her make it when family visited. Biscuits and gravy.”
Vam was starting to sniff the air from his bed. He grumbled a greeting to both of us and yawned. He said, “I see you have met my cousin Oyarg. He is in town for a week, on break for Midwinter Festival from his battlepack.”
So he was here for a week. For Midwinter Festival.
Wait. “You have Midwinter Festival too? Will more family be coming? Did you plan on telling me?”
Vam’s eyes shifted and he said, “Yes?”
If Oyarg had not already been on the floor he would have been shortly. As it was he was laughing and rolling on the floor. He finally calmed down enough to tell Vam, “You have been tamed. She has tamed you. A Veneran female.” He looked at me once more and laughed.
As I continued fixing breakfast I asked them how many people would be coming, or if we were going somewhere. Then what sorts of things they did to celebrate Midwinter. Gifts were exchanged, a feast (which it was Vams turn to host) would be held, they had a bonfire against the darkness to thank the moon for her protection, and they sang of their previous year for their battlesong.
“So I have a years worth of preparing to do in a week.”
Oyarg pointed out, “Six days, actually.” He found it incredibly funny.
Vam said, “But Oyarg can help some-”
“No I can’t. I have two howls to get ready for,” he said succinctly.
“You are starting your courtship process? Now?” Vam seemed desperate.
“How often is my battlepack in the area? I must take advantage of the holiday breaks. Besides you should not be the only one to have fun.”
Vam glared at him and was about to say something, but I interrupted him with the food being done. Then I grinned and said, “Go to the howls Oyarg. Next year maybe we will meet the mate who tamed you and enjoy a feast hosted at your home.” Then I placed a plate heaped with biscuits and gravy under his nose. “If she lives nearby and wants help I will come to her aid.” That shut him up.
Vam tried the Veneran cuisine first. His tongue lolled and I could tell he liked it. Oyarg was next, and in short order there was not so much as a crumb on either plate. I found we would have Oyarg, Vam’s parents, his sister, and her 4 cubs, and maybe their sire if his battlepack allowed him the time off.
“How old are the cubs?”
“Ten and five.”
I nodded and started counting everybody up. Then I looked around the den. “How are we all supposed to fit?”
“Outside, unless it storms, then the barn.”
Great. Now I had a yard and a barn to get ready instead of a den. I already felt tired, just thinking of it. First things first. “Today I want to start treating the meat with spices. We need more candles, firewood, fresh trimmed pine boughs, and enough large logs to seat everyone around a bonfire.” I listed every ingredient and decoration. Vam couldn’t read Veneran, and I couldn’t write in Lycant. Vam shook his head, “You will have to shop with me. I do not know these things.”
And so I put on the rough “shoes” I had fashioned from sanded wood and leather. I had no jacket or scarf to wear. He saw I was resolved and told me to wait in the den a moment while he prepared items to be sold.
We went to a busy butcher shop first. Many of the customers eyed me as if I would make a fine meal. It was unsettling. The butcher and Vam bargained for a long time. The butcher kept trying to have Vam throw me into the deal for good measure. Vam finally said, “She is my cook, not my or any others stew. Do you wish to have the largest hams in town, or should I sell them elsewhere?”
The butcher grumbled and bought the hams. Next we went to a tailor. The tailor greeted Vam by name and asked what he could do for him. He pulled him aside as I viewed many fabrics. Some were light and silky, others were various leathers. I saw a bag with interesting fringe and went for a closer look. I almost puked when I realized it was made of elemental skin and hair. I spied a case full of threads, some silk, some goat hair, some blonde, and brown, and black. Elementals hair. I wondered if any of it came from the girls I was on the boat with.
Vam and the tailor approached me. “You will stay here with Kiro. He will take your measurements and keep you safe while I go elsewhere. He is an old friend.”
I nodded and Kiro curiously led me to stand on a podium of sorts. “What manner of clothing do Venerans wear?”
He was probably speaking to himself, but I answered, “It differs on purpose, and if it is for a male or female.”
He eyed my feet, “Footwear?”
“Shoes. Boots. Sandals.”
“What do they wear into battle?”
“Boots.”
“Huh. And into fields on cold days?”
I smiled, “Boots.”
“And what do these ‘boots’ look like?” I described them.
“Yet you are using sandals.” He stated simply.
He measured me, asking many questions. I answered them. I had never actually been to a tailors before. Once a year I would go to the cobbler when I was growing and get a pair of shoes. Kiro kept eyeing my brown hair, which went halfway down my back.
“What is it worth Kiro?”
“It is long and healthy, and in a fine color. The wealthy would pay much for it.”
“How much?”
He ran some fingers through my hair. I felt his excitement through Isa as he tried to keep the rest of his body relaxed. “I could pay you 2 silvers for it.”
I pulled my hair away from his hands. “Do you know how long it has taken me to grow so much? 3 years. Even 3 silvers is far too little.” He was anxious. Then hope surged in him when I said, “You must have a better deal than that.”
He contemplated a moment. “You are with a litter. What if I made an outfit for each child, for each season, for a year?”
“Venerans have one at a time. Make that one outfit per season for 3 years, plus a dozen diapers, and you have a deal.” I hoped I wasn’t losing too much money here.
He considered and nodded slowly. “When do I get the hair?”
“Late summer.”
Kiro nodded. He continued taking measurements. I could tell he was confounded by my lack of tail, but too professional to say anything. Vam came to collect me after a bit. He held out a yellow fruit to each of us. Kiro thanked him, peeled it, and ate it in two bites. I tried it and found a soft, mushy texture that was sweet. Baby didn’t want it. I sighed sadly and handed it to Vam. He shrugged and finished it.
We bought spices last. I was amazed how much mint cost here. It was all over in our plantation. I would have to leave mint tea off the list.
When we got back I made a brine for the meat we were serving. Then I got to do all of my regular chores.
Oyarg was not there for dinner. Vam said he would not be home until tomorrow, or late tonight.