The Wolf, the Butterfly, and the Kraken

Chapter 24

Joann
The week went by in a rush of work, taking care of a swiftly growing Oshie, and evenings filled with the story of the Red Moon Green Scythes clan came to be with the romance of Asha and Gyla. Their story changed a nation ages ago. Farmers were allowed to become warriors after Asha proved his valor over and over again. And women too as Gyla fought by his side.
I wondered if thousands of years from now our childrens, childrens, children would say how two nations were changed because a Lycant and Veneran fell in love. Oshie had gone from chubby folds and thick fur to scrawny, long, lanky, and scraggly fur.
The day we left Franny gave Oshie one of Aldens old coats, saying it was going to be a long, cold walk to Centris. She had warmed up to Vam a bit. She could be in the same room as him. Alden thanked him for the hard work. Ana hugged him, and let him know he was always welcome for stoytime.

Kane
I had marched through many towns on my way South, or to fight the next raider. People had watched and applauded us. Approaching this town, the first town with a Lycant, and my Lycant looking grandchild, made me apprehensive. I thought of making a silly excuse to delay our arrival until nightfall, and sneak through. But we needed supplies and further I could tell that Joann was not used to marching so long. She was weary. She was also worried that no one would ever accept her husband and son. She needed to know there was a place for them in her land.
We came to the first field on the outskirts of town in the morning. No one was in it, and we continued on, passing another field. I saw herd animals in the distance, but no people. After a bit I could see homes ahead. We would pass right by them. Hopefully.
I saw a form dash inside the second home, then out, and into the next home. We continued walking as forms came out and lined the road. As we got closer I saw most were just young men, boys really. The youngest was 10ish, and oldest 16, nearly ready to join the Host. Altogether there were 6 boys. They held knives, rocks, and garden tools.
I was about to say something when Vam shook his head sadly, "My father would have shaved me bald if I presented a scythe so dull in battle. Come, let me show you how it's done."
That said he appropriated the 13 year olds scythe by approaching him and snatching it out of his grip. Then he sat in front of the boys. "First you clean it with a cloth. If you have no cloth, use fur. In your case though maybe not. Maybe find a piece of leather. You might also consider wrapping the handles in two places for a better grip, using leather. You don't want a splintery grip, like this. Kane, may I borrow your whetstone?"
I nodded, and dug through my bag until I found it. I heard the boys muttering, "Is that Kane Ristora? Why is he with one of them?" "What is this mutt doing?" Then he schooled the boys on how to properly sharpen the blade of a scythe. It only took him a minute to make the edge razor sharp.
"Now that you have a sharp scythe I am certain that warriors such as yourselves know all the appropriate fighting moves with such a sharp blade." Before I could blink he had swung it in an arc that, given a slight extension of his considerable reach, would have opened all of their throats. He tossed the scythe high in the air, caught it one handed, and slammed it onto the ground in front of the 13 year old he'd taken it from. "Now you have a weapon you can shave with, but that won't get you shaved."
The boy gulped, and took the scythe. He seemed to have no voice. None of them did after nearly being killed in one move. The oldest regained his composure first, and looked to me. "Are you Kane Ristora?"
"Yes."
"Why is he here? Unrestrained? Alive?"
I imagined many people would be asking the same on our journey. "Lord Eureces is sending us to Centris. This is Vam of the Red Moon Green Scythes clan, he is here on a diplomatic mission of sorts. Where are the adults?"
"The wedding," piped up the youngest. "Richan was released from duty and is marrying Crista."
Richan sounded familiar. "Was he in the 2nd division?" I pointed to my left arm, which a man by that name had lost.
The boys nodded.
Vam seemed to understand. "He has earned valor."
"Are you Ambassador Dura?" one boy asked.
Vam chuffed a laugh. "No. I have met him once though. He is much larger than I and has a black coat."
"They get bigger than you?" the boys were in awe, never having seen a full sized Lycant.
We continued walking as they kept asking questions. Questions about Oshie. Questions about what it was like in Lyngara.
Joann stopped them after a bit and asked them where the inn was. The inn, it turned out, was where the wedding was being held. And it was in full swing. I wondered how many toasts had been made, how drunk some of the guests were. How easily could this wedding be turned into a funeral?
Vam was very curious, and before Joann or I could stop him, he entered the inn carrying Oshie. The boys sucked in a breath and rushed in after him with us right behind.

Vam
The inn was cozy and cheerful, until everyone saw me. The air seemed to sour then. Everything stopped. Eyes were open in horror, and fright. Some people edged back. Then the boys came in.
"Don't worry! Vam is no danger. He's here on a peaceful mission. Kane Ristora is here too."
I smiled, "Greetings. I wish to wish the couple love and happy days ahead. My family and I are traveling to Centris, and I was wondering if you have an area where I may lay my son down for a rest, and where we may have a simple meal? We do not wish to- to- oh what is the word?"
Joann stood next to me, "We do not wish to interupt the festivities."
A one armed man was shaking with rage. He must be the groom. This was bad. I had somehow inadvertantly disrespected him. I thought hard. Had I misspoke? Made an errant motion? Was I smelling offensive perhaps? Maybe it was Oshie. Were children not allowed? No, there were children here. Then it must be-
"No mongrel is coming near my wedding! Get out! Get OUT!" the groom shouted.
Kane was there then, his hand on my arm. He pushed me towards the door. "Our apologies. He doesn't understand all of the customs of Venera yet, and wedding invitations are a new concept."
They actually weren't, but I could tell Kane was worried about something here, so I went with it. "Invitation." I rolled the word around on my lips. Venerans had strange words for things, but that we also had them was a comfort.
Joann said, "It means you can't go to an occasion unless you are invited, asked to come."
"Oh!" I faced the party I had interupted, "Oh, now I understand. My apology. I leave now." They sure got upset over me not having an invitation though. I looked down at Oshie and Joann, "But what about a place to rest? Is there another inn here?"
One boy said, "There's no other inn in town, but I have a barn with a loft."
"And my mother prepared enough food 5 families today. I could bring you some."
Kane said, "That's really generous boys, and I appreciate the offer, but we don't want anymore trouble. You know how some people are after a wedding."
This I did not know.
But they all did. Joann said, "We need to get far away."
One boy smiled, "The shack."
"The shack?"
The boys were nodding. The eldest said, "It's not much, just a fishing shack North of here near the lake. But it has a few cots and bedding there."
The boy with the scythe said, "I could get you there in just a few hours on Yamen."
"Yamen?" Kane asked.
"My family has a gargant."
Kane nodded, "Yes, let's go."
And so I found myself mounting a gargant with a bundle of food brought over by the boys, along with my family. The gargant was smelly, but it was fast enough, and we were not walking this stretch of the road. Soon the town was out of sight.
It occurred to me that Veneran children received me better than their parents. There was much bitterness in the past, but hope for the future.