Winds Of Change

Chapter 3: Counting Rules and getting news

*previously*

"Thank you sweet sister" Aros said the smile disappearing from his face as I left my hiding spot and made my way towards the house where I could see my Dad's form filling up the doorway as he stood waiting. Apprehension and fear bloomed within me as I took many deep breaths whilst fight very hard to keep my expression as blank as possible.

*end*

Chapter 3

"Yes father?" I asked as I stood in front of him with my head bowed slightly. "Ah yes. Good news" he started his voice filled with amusement. Amusement with him has never and will never be a good thing... "Black Mountain, has opened its doors to girls after the fall of Suris" I couldn't believe my ears. Shocked I looked up, my eyes meeting his.

Rule number 1: never make eye contact.

"Really?" I whispered. "Yes really" he stated his eyes gaining a dangerous glint to them. "Tell her father, tell her!" I heard Armus urge from where he stood to the left of the kitchen barely hidden from my line of sight but through the sliver that I could see I could see the smile, more a flashing of teeth really, as he reveled in the news.

Rule number 2: Never question father. Ever.

"Yes, Airis. You will be partaking in the ceremony" father stated his face stoic, though his eyes still had that dangerous look to them. 'No!' I thought as I felt my eyes widen. 'No, this can't be!' Immediately my world had been turned upside down and I felt bile rise up my throat and I had to clench my fists as I fought to remain standing. 

"Why?" I asked managing to just-just hide the tremor in my voice. "Because I say so you insolent girl. You are still my daughter no matter what you look like or how much I don't want you" father spat at me as he pushed his way past me, almost knocking me to the ground as he went towards the horse he had saddled and ready waiting for him. I had to grip my shoulder as the pain spread down my arm and into my elbow. That would definitely leave a bruise.

"I'm going into town to register them. When I get home I expect a clean house, a warm bath and supper" father said as he swung himself onto the horses back "And Airis" He called tugging at the horses reigns. "Yes?" I ask my voice soft.

I already know what's coming. "Story time in my study when I come back" and with a swift kick to the horses side he was off.

Rule number 3: Expect the worst from everyone and you'll never be surprised when they turn out to be a monster.

In silence we watched his form disappear around the turn before my eyes once again met that of my mothers. 'Why me, why now?'  It had been a relatively good day so far. Yet still I didn't want to believe it to be the truth. In a daze I turned my head and made eye contact with my mother. Her eyes were filled to the brim with beautiful crystal-like tears. She was crying, for me?

"Yes and Armus will join you" my mother whimpered as she took my brother in her arms and placed a loving kiss on his shoulder, as he is a few inches taller than her. 'Oh, so that's why she was crying' I thought my mind almost immediately clouded by misery and anger. Not me... It will never be for me.

"Airis, you'll do the cooking, Aiden you chop the wood for the fire, Arden you'll get the water and I'll clean" my mother said as she took Armus by the hand and led him towards his room. "And what about Armus?" Arden asked his whole persona bleeding irritation. "He needs his rest, the ceremony is tomorrow" my mother said as if the answer was obvious. "Come now precious" I heard her mutter as they walked away.

Aiden sighed as he ran a hand through his shaggy hair making eye contact with the rest of us as he stepped into his role as oldest. "You heard her, Aros you help Aiden with water, I'll get the wood and you get something cooking" he ordered before marching out the door and into the outhouse where we kept the ax. He can't even say my name...

"Well then" I mutter as I march into the kitchen rolling up my sleeves as I went trying my best not to think about anything. Our very bare kitchen with its five seated dinner table greeted me. And it really is only five seated. I'm not allowed to eat with them, father made sure of that as he burned the sixth chair five winters ago.

I haven't been allowed to eat with them since I turned eleven. Instead I have to eat my food outside like a dog. Yet I'm good enough to cook for them. I've started to wonder how it is that I still love them? perhaps it is because I know that there had never been anywhere else for me? Though my love for them lessens with story time with my father and each time my mothers empty eyes meet mine afterwards.

Sighing I move to start chopping up the mushrooms. "Soup should be fine" I mutter shaking my head. Its not like there is much else to work with, its been a tough years with crops and hunting. the rains haven't fallen like they usually do and it has taken its toll on everything. Perhaps if we were more superstitious people we would've seen the signs sooner. 

Stirring the pot I didn't even attempt to smother the part of me that prayed for him not to come home... but I was disappointed when the door banged open and a calloused hand gripped my bicep tight. 

Rule number 4: Never show them your tears. Tears just make them stronger.

* (Edited 2021/01/09) *

Guys the pictures are not mine that is just what I used to get a feeling of the place of where Airis is living with her family.