Jack Simple

Chapter 10

The morning sun breaking over the treetops kindled both welcome and dread.

Jack sat upon the tinker's wagon that he had traded his sawmill for, Lightfoot curled up at his side. The wood of the bench was still redolent with the scent of newly-cut wood. Dolf the cartwright knew his business; the design of the wagon was rather inventive. The door to the living compartment, accessed by a set of stairs on a hinge, was rounded and carved with flowing designs. Though containing a large bed and multiple hidden storage compartments the wagon was still light enough to be drawn by a single horse. The horse, a Thaneish Plower, was shaggy and heavily muscled. The steed nickered, a cloud of vapor shooting from it's nostrils. The wagon was Jack's only home now.

He had a beast of a headache. The night's excess of drink had taken it's toll. He could only hope that those against whom he had contended had fared much worse. Jack had not even attempted to sleep. It would have been a fool's errand. Instead, he had gathered those belongings he most cared to keep, hitched his new wagon to his new horse, and rolled his way to the place where he was due to meet Eidna.

Mayor Viggson had appeared quite impaired when he had walked away from the feast, off to claim his virgin trophy. In such a condition, he would have been hard pressed to even find Eidna in the darkness of the wood, let alone perform the deed. Still, it was quite possible that he had fumbled through it. There were no guarantees. It doesn't matter, Jack said to Jack. Whether the Mayor claimed her maiden or not, she has shown that it is you that she truly desires.

The morning passed with an agonizing tread. She will come, Jack reassured himself. The words sounded good, but his doubts held no regard for his self-assurances. They bounced about behind his eyes, caring not a whit for his headache. It was approaching midmorning when he saw a flash of white in the distance. It stumbled from the tangle of the wood and onto the dirt of the road. Eidna. Jack's heart leapt. She walked slowly, still barefoot, still wearing the gown from the previous night. She clutched the knapsack she had brought from her cottage in front of her. Her hair, so intricately worked the previous night, was now as tangled as a bird's nest. Upon closer inspection he saw that the gown was torn open.

He managed it, then, Jack thought. All of Jack's planning had come to nought. It changes nothing, he reminded himself. All that mattered now was how Eidna would answer his next question.

Jack leapt from wagon bench, Lightfoot eagerly following. Eidna drew near, stopping to appraise the horse and wagon. "Say nothing," Jack commanded her. He closed the distance between them and knelt on one knee before her. He took out the ring that he had purchased from the jeweler. There was no stone set in the gold; it's only ornamentation lay in engraved likeness of Mirahl upon the band. Jack could not afford a more expensive ring.

"We never need to discuss what happened last night," he said. "My feelings for you remain unchanged, and I think you know what I plan to ask you now. Before you answer, I want you to look upon this wagon. This is the only home I can offer you. My land and whatever coin I once possessed are now gone. For various reasons, I can no longer remain here in Brecht. If you were to be my wife, you would have to leave this life behind. I have kept the tools of my trade and will need to travel until I find work. Until then, we will have to live off the land. There will be little comfort to be had, for many months perhaps. At times, we may lay to bed at night with empty stomachs. Despite it all, I promise you this: you will always have my dedication and love. I will always protect and honor you. I will never raise a hand to you, nor ask you to sacrifice your happiness for my own. You would be a cherished wife," Jack promised. "So," Jack continued, finally coming to it. "After everything I have told you...will you marry me, Eidna?"