He remembered other years when the harvest had been poor, or the times after the troll raids and he acknowledged silently to himself that these people were entitled to a little celebration of their good fortune. Winters were mild in the Vale of Dreams, snow having fallen only once in fifty years, and already farmers were planting winter crops that would grow nowhere else. By the time the autumn traders returned from the Kingdom and Great Kesh, with wagons of tools and other necessary items, the second crop would be ready to feed the demand for fresh food in the frozen north. Compared to most farming communities, Stardock was wealthy, but even here a farmers lot was not an easy one. Caleb pushed his musings aside as he turned the corner and spotted the boys. He had taken only one step before he realized trouble was about to erupt.
Ellie stood up and said, If you two dont stop this right now, Im leaving.
The two to whom she referred were Tad and Zane, who stood confronting one another, ready to resume the brawling. The lithe girl positioned herself between them and started pushing them apart with surprising determination. This caused both boys to hesitate and gave Caleb just enough time to reach them and ask, What is the problem?
Both boys glanced at Caleb, then locked gazes again. Ellie gave them a final shove. She said, These idiots have decided that its important which one of them has the first dance with me.
You promised me! shouted Tad, only a half-second before Zane echoed the claim.
Caleb lost his smile. The musicians had gathered near the ale casks and were tuning their instruments. In a moment theyd start playing, and the boys would start fighting. Your mother asked me to keep an eye on you. Both boys regarded him, Zanes expression only slightly more belligerent than Tads.
It seems there was good cause, Caleb added. He reached into his belt-purse, fished out a large copper coin and showed it to the two boys. This is the head and this is the tail. Head is Tad, tail is Zane. Tossing the coin into the air, he let it fall to the ground. The boys followed its descent closely.
It landed on tails and Zane shouted triumphantly, I get the first dance! just as the musicians struck the first notes of the dance.
Tad started to complain, but thought better of it as he noticed the dark expression on Zanes face. Caleb had led Ellie out among the dancers and shouted back at them, Winner gets the second dance!
Ellie laughed as Caleb escorted her through the steps of a traditional farmers reel. Even those not dancing were clapping their hands. When it came time for him to take Ellies hands and lead her in a series of turns, she said, That was quick thinking, Caleb.
Theyre getting as bad as two young bucks with green horns. What are you going to do?
She lowered her voice a little and said, Im going to marry Grame.
Thatll start a dust-up, said Caleb with a laugh. Still, you cant very well marry both of them.
I wouldnt marry either, said Ellie. Theyre like brothers to me.
As he moved behind her, placing his hands on her waist and then following her steps, he said, They obviously dont think of you like a sister.
Oh, they would if there were more girls around, she said, turning to face him before standing still as he bowed before her, ending the dance. She slipped her arm through his and said, Its just not fair, the other girls are already spoken for, or too young.
Caleb knew what she was thinking. Many children their age had been killed during the last troll raid. There was still ill feeling from the parents of those lost children towards the magicians for not acting sooner. Caleb had been up in the Eastern Kingdoms, working on behalf of the Conclave at the time of the raid. It had occurred nine years ago, when Ellie, Zane and Tad had been little more than babies.
Caleb walked Ellie back to the boys slowly, reaching them just as the second song commenced. He planted a strong hand in the middle of Tads chest as the blond boy began to protest again, and said, Son, dont spoil a perfectly fine festival. Youll get your turn.
Tad seemed ready to argue, but seeing Calebs serious expression, he simply let out a slight sigh and nodded. Yes, Caleb.
Caleb was glad it had been Zane who had won, for he was the more hot-tempered of the two and would possibly have ignored Caleb and forced him to do something the older man didnt want to do: stop him physically.
He studied Tad while Ellie and Zane danced, and watched the boy seethe. Ellie was right; they were acting contrary to their nature.
When the song was over, Ellie returned and it was Tads turn to dance. As he had before, Caleb watched the boy not dancing with Ellie. Zane could barely contain his jealousy.
When the third song had ended, Caleb said, Im in the mood for something to drink, why dont you three come along?
Ellie readily agreed for all of them, and slipped her arm through Calebs, leaving the boys to follow. They went to the table where four men were filling flagons of ale and then passing them out as fast as possible. Ellie declined the strong drink, instead she accepted Zanes offer to fetch her a fruit-scented water. Tad volunteered to bring her something to eat, and she declined until she saw him wilt, so said, Perhaps something light, until we all sit down to eat?
He ran off, and Caleb sighed, What are we going to do with those two?
I dont know, but something. They sit around all day with little to do. Theyre not the sort to take to strong drink yet.
Caleb understood. Stardock Town was big enough to support a fair amount of commerce and a little bit of industry a blacksmith had opened a shop the year before, working ore brought down from the foothills but most of the work was done by family members. There were always more men than work to be done, and without fathers to teach them a craft, Tad and Zane were growing up without skills. They were becoming wild and feckless.
He knew them both to be bright, able young men, but without a direction to their lives, they were in danger of becoming lost. More than one younger son without a craft had ended up as a bandit, or working hand-to-mouth in the city.
Caleb was pondering the matter when Marie reappeared. He nodded to her and moved away from where Zane was anxiously awaiting Ellies favour. He kept his voice low so that the boy couldnt overhear, and said to Marie, I mistook your meaning, before. I thought you meant that you were worried about the boys today. I see what you mean now.
She studied his face, then said, Do you?
He nodded. Lets keep an eye on them for now and try to have some fun. Well speak of this later, tonight.
She nodded, then forced a smile. Dance?
He took her by the hand and said, It would be my pleasure.
They danced to several tunes then fell upon the heavily laden tables. After filling their platters with food, they found a quiet corner on the steps of a shop closed for the festival. Caleb set down the platters and left Marie for a moment to fetch two flagons of ale. When he returned, she said, Where are the boys?
Over there, he said, pointing to a spot on the other side of the town square. Ive not let them out of my sight.
How do you do that?
He smiled. Im a hunter. Besides, theyre hard to miss.
She nodded, and spoke with a mouth full of food. I know, just look for the trouble.