Blunt Objects
© 2014 by Walter Reimer

Art by  tegerio

Part 8.

The fragrant scent of tea and small cakes infused with rosemary and orange-flower water filled the parlor as the family settled into comfortable chairs. Ayyub had finished getting the bags upstairs and came down as the Broadleas’ daughters came into the room.

They were all wearing homespun dresses, with Linda in red, Louisa in blue, and Lisa in green.

Thank Fuma. Ayyub inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. He could barely imagine what Isabeau might think of it when he told her. He didn’t plan on keeping secrets from her after they were married, so didn’t plan on keeping any while they were betrothed. It seemed a sensible plan.

Once everyone was settled down with cups of tea and cakes, Katerina gave her daughters a stern look. “I’ve warned you three about swimming in the cistern.”

“Aw, Mom,” Linda May said.

“We were just cooling off,” Louisa May added.

“We did all our chores!” Lisa May protested.

“That water’s for passing travelers to water their ants, and I’ve told you that time and again. And neither of you are too old for me or your father to tan your tails, right Josef? Josef?” She aimed a swift clip of her paw to her mate’s ear, as he was slumped back in a well-stuffed armchair and starting to doze off again.

Josef twitched. “What? Huh? That’s right, girls, mind your mother,” he said automatically. He glanced at Farukh. “So, you’re from Rajjan Tor?”

“That’s right.”

“Good farm country down there,” the tod said. “I used to run coaches between there and Frost Haven, further back in the mountains.”

“When was that?” Farukh asked, taking a sip of his tea.

“Hm? Was about two hundred years back. Started this place with some money I had put by – that was before I met this lovely vixen,” and he smiled fondly at Katerina, who blushed coyly.

“Two hundred – yes, I recall now. You were at the Tailless King one night, and the Yeomanry was called out to deal with a riot there.”

Josef looked a bit embarrassed. “Well, yes, that did happen. Didn’t spend a day in jail – “

“You rode away while we were stopping the fight,” Farukh said. To Ayyub he said, “This was before we had our own City Guard. The Yeomanry got called out for such things.”

“I see,” and Ayyub smiled as Josef squirmed a bit. “You started it, didn’t you sir?”

“Started it? Of course not.” He glanced at his wife. “I may have contributed to it, though . . . “

“Tell them how, dear,” Katerina said. She’d obviously heard the tale before.

“The barmaid had been insulted, and all I said to her was ‘Dearie, you aren’t that fat,’ and she chucks a pitcher at my head! So I duck, and it hits some rowdy, and the fight’s started.” He grinned as the other laughed.

“I hear you’re betrothed, Linda,” Alys said.

“Oh, yes,” and the vixen grinned gleefully. “His name’s Stefan, and he’s a doctor down in Ant’s Striving.”

“That’s an odd name for a town,” Lucy said.

Louisa giggled. "The town got its name in the Long Ago, 'cause they used to breed fighting ants for the Army. People'd come from all over to watch a bug tussle."

“That was a while back,” Katerina agreed. “Louisa?”

“Mom?”

“I want you to run on over to your Uncle Cedric’s and let them know that Isabeau’s intended is here with his family.” Louisa nodded and was running as soon as her feet hit the bottom step. “I know she’s been anxious for you to arrive,” and she smiled at Ayyub as she stirred a measure of honey into her tea.

“Ma’am, you’re Isabeau’s aunt?”

“One of them, yes. Her father’s my brother.”

“Do you know what the problem is?” Ayyub asked. “Isabeau didn’t say – “

Katerina raised a paw. “We’ve discussed this. She’ll tell you herself, Ayyub, it’s only fair.”

“How far away is she?” The tod started to get up from his chair. “I’ll go see her – “

“No, you won’t,” his father said, gesturing at him to sit back down. “Take it as it comes, if it’s the Lady’s will.”

Ayyub’s ears and tail drooped a bit as he sat back down. The tea cake tasted like ashes in his mouth as they sat and the others talked about their trip, what types of crops Farukh grew on the farm, and how business was doing up in the mountains. Jake looked bored, while his parents and sisters were talking animatedly about the wedding later in the year.

Ears perked at the sound of running feet and they looked up as Louisa came into the room. “H-hey,” and she faltered, out of breath. She leaned forward, paws on her knees as she panted.

“By Fuma, girl, we didn’t mean for you to run all the way there and back!” Josef said.

Louisa nodded, still trying to catch her breath. Finally she managed to gasp out, “They’re . . . on their way.”

“What was keeping them?” Katerina asked.

“Au . . . Aunt Verity.”

The vixen scowled. “Verity. I’ll have a word with her, right enough.”

“Isabeau wrote me about her Aunt Verity,” Ayyub ventured, and Katerina gave an irritated snort, while Josef simply chuckled. Katerina finally collected herself and smiled at Hannah.

“My older sister’s a bit of a character. She and her husband traveled quite a bit when he was in the Army.”

Farukh stirred his tea. “Was he an officer?”

“No. If he had been, she would be completely insufferable. Viktor moved around a bit to different postings, and she insisted on following him. She said – “

“I know very well what I said, Kate, and there’s no sense in repeating it. I’m not senile,” came a harsh female voice from the door. The vixen came in, stamping her low boots on the threshold. She was dressed in a pleated dark brown skirt and a cream blouse, and she made a beeline for the Sharpears.

“Verity Osmundt,” she said, taking both of Hannah’s paws in hers and bussing Ayyub’s mother lightly on the cheek. She changed so swiftly from anger to a pleasant and openly friendly expression that Ayyub felt he might have gotten a crick in his neck. “I’m so very pleased to meet you.”

Hannah smiled and returned the kiss. “Hannah Sharpears. My husband Farukh, and this is Ayyub. I’m told Isabeau told you about him.”

Verity greeted Farukh the same way, adding “Welcome to the family,” before turning to stare at Ayyub.

Under her regard, Ayyub felt a bit like a feral field mouse might feel as a hawk swooped down. “Stand up, boy, and let me have a look at you.”

He blinked, and she suddenly barked, “ATTENTION!”

The tod was on his feet and at rigid attention before he knew what he was doing. He stood there, blinking, as the older vixen circled around him and looked him over. “Hmm,” she muttered, “fur color good, looks clean . . . pretty healthy . . . “

Katerina said indignantly, “Fuma’s Whiskers, Verity! What are you going to do next, look at his teeth? Someone would think you’re buying an ant!”

“Just wanting to make sure he passes muster,” Verity said as she gestured for Ayyub to sit down. “And why shouldn’t we be sure he’s the right fellow for Isabeau, Kate? Netherhells, I hear that some place up north – Elvenheim or something – the womenfolk choose husbands, not the other way ‘round.”

Katerina made a dismissive gesture. “Pfft. You’ll believe anything you hear, Sister.”