A Tale of Infidels by Erik A. Otto

Author:Erik A. Otto [Otto, Erik A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sagis Press
Published: 2019-04-29T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

The Imbecile

Adeira was often preoccupied with the myriad household tasks she needed to attend to. Darian offered to help, but she refused any assistance. Eventually she let him chop wood for the stove, even though it looked like a couple of months worth were stacked behind the homestead. She also gave him her bow and told him to keep watch so she could “finally get things done”. He gladly did so but felt silly watching the homestead when she was so busy working.

While chopping wood and keeping watch, he couldn’t help himself from thinking of home. Surely his family would be warned if the Sambayans were coming. Surely the southern Thelonians would be able to marshal an adequate defense. That’s what he told himself, but in truth, he wasn’t sure. Not even close.

Adeira was a tough woman. She weeded the garden, milked the goats, cooked dinner, fed the chickens, and cleaned. Her work ethic reminded Darian of his mother’s, although her demeanor was starker when preoccupied with these many tasks. Yet Darian had the sense that Adeira enjoyed it. It was hard work, and she often winced from her belly pains, but she seemed satisfied most of the time.

He would eventually have to leave, but should he try to go on to Thelos to find the nearest military outpost, risking the roving bands of Sambayans in the meadows, or should he head south to his family’s estate? The southern road was his gut urge, although following the main host of Sambayans was risky.

He asked himself what his father would do. Sometimes when he did this the answer would be patently clear, speaking to him in his father’s voice. But this time his father’s voice didn’t assert itself. As his mind wandered, he also asked himself what Reniger would do. There was no response there either. Reniger remained an enigma, a nexus of incessant questions, his dead eyes still empty of purpose and yet intent on boring into him at every opportunity.

Just after dark he made his way up to the loft to lay down. Lulled by the sounds of Adeira putting Donaldo to bed below, sleep came easily in the homestead. He pulled the covers up to his neck and then it was as if he blinked and suddenly it was daylight.

Adeira was up before him, boiling eggs and cooking oats. Darian had packed all his things and kept them on his back, not willing to let her throw them on the table again.

“So where do you go, Bronté?” she asked, staring down at the stovetop.

He hesitated a moment, then said, “More than anything, I want to go south, to my family, to the Bronté estate, but I know that’s too dangerous. So I plan to head northwest to Thelos and join up with the brigades stationed there.”

She brought over his egg cup and placed it firmly in front of him. “You know, Bronté, there are still Sambayans around the meadows. That could be dangerous.”

“But I’m just one person. I can hide easily.

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