PART 4

Farmland confused him greatly. Why would any creature intentionally pen off sections of land so they could cultivate a small variety of plants and very few animals. The wild animals and vegetation were far superior in nutrition. Didn’t they know that? The wild weeds were sparse, but the trees had come back into view. Forested areas here and there dotted a meadow streaked, hilly valley.
The people he had passed in the last two days were not friendly like Jafen. They were typical “simple people”, cattle among human beings in Dresden’s mind. Noblemen were insufferable for their superiority but the fearful commoners were far worse. They would kill you without justification, simply because of a superstitious belief. Noblemen at least looked down on those they despised. He understood that, and the thought smeared a malicious grin across a now bearded muzzle. With just two days left to the coast, he began smelling fresher air here. It hadn’t rained in weeks and the sun beat down like a torch in the sky. Soon enough, there would be more rain than folks would know what to do with, and then the harvest, and from there cold weather would keep all these farmers indoors with their families.
Dresden enjoyed his little daydreams. He had become a true wanderer. He called no place home, slept wherever and whenever, and relied on no one for his needs. His threatening demeanour protected him from being robbed, since he was more frightening than some of the cursed race, more aggressive than scoundrels and thieves, and more dangerous than mercenaries. He had nothing to fear. Walking. His life had been reduced to walking. He could hardly tell the days apart anymore, and every step away from the Northern kingdoms was a step in the right direction.
Recent events made him question his choice to return to the coast. Go far enough and eventually you end up right back where you started. He couldn’t let that happen. He would never return to BasNassal; the Dragons would never let him, and he didn’t want to.
An arm waving from the road ahead of him pulled him back towards the landscape as sounds flooded his ears.
“You there, sir! Hey, can you hear me?”
A boy, older than a child but not yet a man, came running up to Dresden. His tunic and breeches made his lowly class instantly known.
“Hello traveler. My name is Heimel. I live in the cottage just there.” Catching his breath, he pointed towards the North side of the road down a long hill, past a meadow, possibly a mile or more away. “My family saw you coming when you crested the rise and sent me to fetch you.”
Dresden examined the boy further: curly mess of hair, busted footwear, he wore nothing of value. What would this boy’s family want with him, he wondered? He fingered the bottle. Suspicion was a game that Dresden had to play. The Dragon Council would not stop interfering in his life for the rest of his days, and those were running out fast. That lesson had come very hard, not long enough ago either.
“What is your business with me? How do you know me?”
“It’s my Gran. She insists you come and see us. She told me to let you know that you would be happy you did, Dresden.”
Dresden raised an eyebrow - they knew his name! Curious indeed. He had not made many friends in the course of his journey and no one should consider him one. Yet, he found himself following the boy down the road to a humble cottage, under the cover of gigantic trees that he recognized. Pigs sounded behind the cottage, ducks played in the yard, and children ran about, catching bugs for the chickens. The scene felt peaceful, calm for a moment. The boy burst through the front door bellowing.
“He’s here. I got him to come with me. It wasn’t as hard as you said it would be, Gran.”
An elderly woman rocked away in a wooden chair in the corner of the room, next to a bright window. Billowy cloth draped her shoulders and covered her gown. Hands like leather came up to her face at the sight of Dresden before her.
“You haven’t changed a day; scruffier perhaps.” With a silky, subtle voice, she called him over to her and lifted the veil from her eyes.
Dresden instantly knelt on the ground in front of her. He removed his sword and laid it behind him. Then he gently removed his gloves and took her hands in his hands.
“I would know you anywhere, lady. You really saw me from so far off?”
Tears filled her eyes. “I loved you, you know? But you never did. Now I see why.” She smiled at him and took his face in her hands. “Stay with us for a few days, please. Tell your stories and shrug off the road, for just a moment. I know you have the time. Do this for me. You owe it to me.” She wiped away the tears, gentle as they were and had him help her stand. He left his sword on the floor with his gloves. The family just smiled. They knew him. Probably from stories from the old woman, he guessed. He didn’t speak, just let her lead him out of the cottage to a bench in the shade of the trees.
“Do you know what kinds of trees these are?” she asked him as they sat together. “Of course you do,” she continued, before he could answer. “You gave me the seeds. I planted them, just as I promised.” Her eyes lit up with a mirthful grin. “I was so young. You knew better, you old dog.” With a merry chuckle, she caressed his forearm, and he let her.
Of course he remembered. He might forget the day, or how long the road was, or who he had slain, but he would remember her. Although he had not loved her, he had fancied a time with her that had meant something to him. It had been peaceful and carefree, which was a golden gift in this dreary, complicated world. A blink of an eye in the life of a Dragon who’d lived nearly forever. She was a maiden and she'd loved him instantly. They met in the Northern Lands before her family left everything for a new life in the wild Southern Lands. The trees were native to BasNassal, but he had wiled those seeds away, that and other treasures from his homeland that kept surfacing from time to time.
“Do you know how old I am, Dresden?” the old woman asked.
“No Thedra.” He didn’t know what else to say to her; he remembered her name and always would. He retained a reverence for the moment, he could feel how much it meant to her to see him again. He could feel how very broken her heart had been, and how joyful she felt to be in his company now. He would not ruin that for her. He felt nothing of the sort, but curiosity and a simple kind of pleasure that comes when your needs have been met and you can relax. He had a sense that he should speak, but couldn’t bear to be cruel to this woman who’d loved him. He was unable to feel the same for her, but the respect he had for her genuine nature and kindness would never dwindle. The memories were too good to let it spoil over stubbornness and his sullen nature.
“I am one hundred and four years old. I was sixteen when we met, Dresden. I will respectfully not ask you your age, knowing what I know now that I see you this way.” She couldn’t take her eyes from him, examining every curve and hard angle of his face, his tight shoulders and muscular arms, even the hair on his forearms had her attention. “You see this family?” She went on, not waiting for him to speak. “You see how well they are doing? Happy people. We don’t need much in this world, Dresden. Happiness is a gift that you make and share. If you want to be happy, you have to let yourself.” Then she laughed, roared, from deep in her belly and had to catch her breath, wiping more tears from her eyes, happy tears, just droplets, not real crying.
“Gran,” Heimel appeared in front of them. He interrupted their conversation to tell them that lunch had been prepared inside.
Dresden helped Thedra back into the cottage where a banquet was awaiting them. Wild greens, freshly cooked flatbread, fatty pork and something in a carved, wooden pitcher to drink. His sword and gloves had been relocated to a bed, rather than standing it up against a wall. Dresden didn’t want to think on Thedra’s words. Happiness was not a goal of warriors. Day to day satisfaction came by getting done what was required in order to move on to the next thing. Another fairy story of women and children. He made note that there was no man older than Heimel in the household.
“Where have your men gone? Surely there is a father to this lot?” Dresden boldly inquired.
Without hesitation the lady of the house answered. “They have been called to the castle to join the guard. The kingdom of Sveldin Donan is in need of men right now. They just won a victory from the islanders who attacked the castle from ships. It's been a bloody political war that's gone on for about three years now. My husband Donnel has not returned to us.”
“He may never,” Thedra spoke up from her place at the head of the table. “That’s how a monarchy works, my dear. The queen will use all the available resources at her disposal so long as the women and children remain safe.” Her crooked grin revealed a cruel side to the gentlewoman. But Dresden understood what she meant. The children did not join the conversation.
“So the kingdom to the South is a monarchy?”
“Oh Dresden this is a young kingdom in comparison to the Northern Lands. The port of Sveldin has grown into a flourishing place and is now the main thoroughfare of goods to this continent from other countries. The queen there is quite lovely, but young and in need of a husband to rule beside her. She refused the suitor of our closest neighboring kingdom and started a war, all to protect her honor, perhaps. Pish posh! She uses the common people to maintain her position without a counterpart to rule beside her. Her selfishness has robbed the land of men and robbed families of breadwinners and workers!” Thedra beat her fist on the table. Everyone started, the children jumped. All eyes turned towards her.
“Mark my words, if she doesn’t find us a king soon, our lands will be in ruin and the women will be wielding swords next.”
After the meal, Dresden helped Thedra into a bed for a nap. The woman had had quite enough excitement for one morning. Her daughter, and mother of the children, showed Dresden where he would be sleeping, but he just shook his head curtly.
“You aren’t staying?”
“Your mother wants that, I know. But look at me lady. I am not fit for even pretending this fantasy as she would like me to. I will be on my way in an hour. I would like to make use of the stream behind your home for bathing and cleaning up. May I take with me some of the meat and a few pieces of bread? I hate to ask since you find yourselves managing the lot on less than you deserve. I can pay you for it.”
“You can pay us for it. I would thank you for the kindness and ask nothing less.”
Dresden nodded, collected his belongings and made his way down to the stream.