The Wolf, the Butterfly, and the Kraken

Chapter 35

Vam
I was not the watercaster, who could sense other peoples emotions, and I still had trouble reading the expressions of some Venerans, but Lord Eureces seemed somehow desperate, maybe even hopeful. Here desperation was everywhere. Hope, however, was in short supply. “What question is this?”
“Do you think the lycants would discuss a truce for a day or so, for Midwinter Festival?” He seemed to be holding his breath.
I could see why he was so scared to ask this question. Being the first to suggest peace could be seen as a weakness. Yet to have peace, even for a day or so, might open the way for longer spans of peace later, maybe even an armistice. “This is a difficult question. It must seem like it is their idea.”
Joann smiled, “Allow me to try to initiate something. Maybe I could send a message to Rajit from the council at Finton?”
Lord Eureces frowned. “They hurt you every time you go over there though.”
I shook my head, explaining, “It is different with us though. Scars are beautiful, good things. Rajit has even been honoring her with a specific pattern that warriors earn over time. Watch, the next scar will run from shoulder to shoulder. It’s a mark of honor and bravery.”
He was baffled, “It doesn’t upset you to see your wife hurt?”
I shrugged, and explained further, “Of course I do not like to see her in pain, but the pain will fade, and she will be left with distinction to wear proudly for our family. I will allow her to do this, if you will.” I honestly loved Joann being allowed distinctions for bravery. This would be good for Oshie to see, and maybe even helpful in the future for when he joined a battlepack and listed his lineage.
Eureces nodded. “I leave in 4 days. You have until then.”
That was not much time in which to negotiate. But, “We will do what we can.”
We were dismissed.

Clarissa
It was two weeks to Midwinter Festival. I hated this time of year. There was so much to do. It was always finding a caterer, decorator, musicians, inviting only the most esteemed people. Timing the party so it started precisely one hour after Lady Lavenders, because I couldn’t stand her, and relished in stealing her guests. Then there was the gown. It had to be lovely.
But not as lovely as hers.
And elegant.
But always revealing that damnable collar! The one that she did not have to wear. Lady Eureces would be arriving today, and I would have to step aside, while she flaunted my preparations, my home, and my lover.
I was alone, and let the tears fall down my face. They splashed onto my vanity for a few minutes. I heard a noise and opened my eyes. Before my eyes was a tiny water figure. It was me, in a gown, much like the one I had tried on earlier today, but I wore no collar in the image. It was absolutely lovely. And there was only one person in this entire world who could have, and would have made this for me.
But when I turned I didn’t see Eureces, just a wide eyed, furry, small face peering in the doorway. “Oh!” I had not expected the baby - thing to be there. However, small children could not tell people that I had cried.
I sniffed. “Did you make that lovely little sculpture?” I asked him. He snuffled, and nodded. “You can come in.” I dried my eyes, and blew my nose.
He was small, a baby. He toddled in, and came up to me. I would never have a baby. It was not allowed, and she had harmed me besides that. She had done so many awful things in the name of being Lady Eureces. Eureces had cried when he told me that she had put in the marriage contract that he could not father children with anyone else. She did that knowing that we were in love. It still hurt when I saw small children, and happy families, and knew that could never be mine.
“So, you are Oshie, correct?”
He smiled and wagged.
“Do you know who I am? Do you know my name?”
He thought a moment, and just smiled at me. So sweet! He had no clue.
“Can you say Clarissa?” I asked. He seemed to be listening carefully, “Clar-issa,” I spoke slowly.
“Rrssa.”
Not bad for a first try. “Clar-issa.”
“Ursa!” he clapped in delight. “Ursa!” He laid his tiny head in my lap and hugged me. For that act alone he could have called have called me anything. I smiled, leaned over, and hugged him back.
Soon we were sitting on the floor playing snick snacks. He was delighted, and happy to be around me. No one liked being around me. I was either an ugly, filthy mistress, who they all thought had snaked her way into his graces. Or I was a cold bitch. Or both.
No one knew that Eureces and I had fallen in love long before his mother arranged that marriage to the daughter of a neighboring state. No one knew our promise. No one knew of our child, which I had lost after only a few weeks, and a battle against her. I lost our child, my element, and my freedom that day.
Tarlson came to my room, completely out of breath. He froze upon seeing the lycant-elemental child he had been ordered to keep out of my way, sitting on the floor in front of me.
I pretended to be upset with him. “I trust you have an excellent explanation as to how he managed to leave the care of a tutor, a guard, and you, and all the staff, and wind up here.”
Oshie sang out, “Niks ak!” This was how he said snik snack. I wore a grim expression for Tarlson, who was looking sick to his stomach, but inwardly I was, oddly, for this time of year, happy.
Tarlson stuttered, “I-I do not!” I saw a sheen of sweat on his forehead.
Oshie stood up and said, “Hitre!” I could see he was proud of his prowess in escaping 3 adults and sneaking away.
I had no idea what hitre meant, but I couldn’t hold it in any longer, and laughed. I laughed so hard I fell back on the floor with tears in my eyes. Oshie wasn’t sure what was so funny, but he laughed and lay down on the floor too.
Tarlson waited until I had composed myself a bit before asking, “Would you like me to escort him downstairs madam? His grandfather has been waiting for quite some time.”
I tilted my head. “Isn’t he supposed to guard him at all times?”
“A couple of the tutors send him out of the room at the start of each lesson. They say Oshie focuses better that way. They were beginning with breathing exercises in the grand dining room. I left him outside the door leading to the ball room, and I went to the kitchen to get some water, as it is frequently requested by the tutors. His tutor closed his eyes a moment, or so he says, and Oshie was gone.” Tarlson wasn’t lying. I didn’t need an element to tell me that. And there were 4 doors leading from that room.
“Maybe he should be tutored in a room with only one way in or out,” I suggested.
Tarlson sighed, “I have considered this, but the rooms that only have one way in or out are not appropriate for the mess he makes each session. And before you suggest sending him outside I ask you to discuss this with Rey, his tutors, and grandfather or parents, because it is cold.”
I looked at the baby, rubbing his eyes sleepily now. It was too cold to have a baby playing in water outside for an hour or more a day. “I see. Go ahead and escort him back to his grandfather. I will work on it in my spare time.”
I could tell he thought I was crazy to think I would have any spare time over the next few weeks, but honestly I could not wait to leave the house the second Lady Eureces arrived. Maybe I would find a place that Oshie could practice his watercasting somewhere in the merchant streets. It was as good excuse as any to leave the house.
Little Oshie waved bye bye to me, and I blew him a kiss. He smiled. Yes, I might have to visit with him now and then.