You get used to it (ch11)

Synopsis: Madga and Ress enjoy the welcome warmth, delicious food, and excited dancing that Wrysal's Last Harvest of the year has to offer. Madga is shockingly enjoying herself, when suddenly one of the music-makers plays a sharp note that causes Ress to be sick.

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Darkness consumed them while faint wisps of smoke rose toward the stars from doused torches. The houses were cooling, their hearths now empty. Embers in the great fire in the centre of the tribe twinkled amongst the ash.

Through the crowd, Madga could just about see the druid-priest standing near the pit. The Osaeh-oh woman recited the familiar end-of-year rites. She thanked each Wrysal god for the prosperity of the previous year, thanked the spirits and ancestors. She named each member of the tribe who had passed during the year, including the animals.

There was a moment of silence, and then she smiled and turned to retrieve tinder and flint from another woman. Excitement hummed through the crowd as she knelt to light the great fire for the new year. With each strike against the stone she called on everyone she had previously thanked for another good year to come.

Next to Madga Ress shifted and she looked up. Ress mouthed silent words to herself with her eyes on the lighting of the fire. She breathed a little too heavy once and Madga’s ears strained to hear the sound of a Suuroo name. Feeling her gaze, Ress’ eyes flickered to her and she smiled. Madga swallowed and looked around, but no one seemed to have heard. Next to them Raearrt and Argorth hadn’t heard either, focused on the ceremony and whispering prayers.

She released a long breath. She pressed her lips together in thought—she hadn’t prayed to Gwae gods in a long time. She whispered thanks to the Wrysal spirits, but hesitated before briefly thanking Mwae for protecting her, if she did at all. She paused. The priest blew on the fire and the flames licked to life. The crowd cheered but she was elsewhere. After some thought she opened her mouth to whisper again but Raearrt interrupted.

“Will you help us?” He beamed, holding a cold torch. Ress and Argorth had also finished their prayers and were waiting for her answer.

With a start she asked, “You… you want me to help?”

“We do! Do you feel that wind? It’s going to take all of us working together to bring the fire safely home.”

“Okay,” she nodded, stunned.

People crowded around the fire, coming and going with their own torches while dodging others’. Together the four of them waited for their chance to gather a piece of the new year’s fire. Once there was room Raearrt brought the torch close to the growing flames. He swirled it like one might a spoon in soup. It caught and he brought it it away, taking care to avoid burning anyone. To keep it out of the worst of the wind he lowered it as much as he could without burning himself. Ress put her back to the wind. She grasped the sides of her cloak and spread it wide to cut off the worst of the ocean gusts. Argorth made a smaller wall of himself on Raearrt’s other side.

Madga paused—she had left her cloak in her pack. The three began moving without her and at a loss she quickly looked around. She saw an adult in one group, and some children in another, all of them ensuring no one accidentally came near their torch. She rushed to do the same, walking in front with the warmth of Raearrt and Argorth’s torch at her back. She spread her arms, occasionally raising her hands but anyone who came too close saw them and moved away with laughter. She took a breath, reminding herself it was supposed to be a happy occasion.

She inhaled when someone bumped into her. They apologized and stepped away, leaving Madga to quickly check her hat. Feeling a loose strand of hair she tucked it back in. Her heart thudded but no one seemed to have noticed with their attention on the torches.

When they finally arrived at the house Madga, Ress, and Argorth stepped side, allowing Raearrt to light the way inside without fear of the wind snatching the flame away.

The circle of light warmed what it could touch of their home. They joined Raearrt at the edge of the light when he stopped in front of the ring of stones. Some of the stones had been painted or carved with ocean waves, acknowledging the god of the tribe’s namesake. Others had depictions of horses. Madga swallowed, recalling Wrysal’s horse god Ricah and his anger. Much like the priest, Raearrt welcomed the gods and ancestors. When he brought up Ricah she glanced at Ress, who gave her a soft, reassuring smile.

Two large stones had been painted with the vague shape of a woman and a man. Animals, particularly fish, surrounded them. Wrysal was unique for having a father god, and one which was equal to the mother. Madga’s eyes traced the vague shapes of Mvansah and Funrrah. She had only ever seen them on the clothes of travelling Wrysal, or in sanctuaries like the one Ress and she had stayed in.

Finished, Raearrt lowered the torch to relight hearth. The flames took and happily ate at the wood, returning warmth and life to the household. Smiling, he went around, lighting another torch before briefly stepping out to light the one standing outside. Inside, Argorth took the newly lit torch and lit another before returning it to its hold. He nodded with a grunt of satisfaction.

Raearrt placed his torch in another hold, then clapped his hands. “Perfect! Thank you!”

Ress chucked and clapped. “Thank you for having us.”

Madga nodded.

“It’s always great to see you, Ress-ess. Now, shall we go and enjoy the festivities?” His bright eyes looked at each of them.

Ress took a deep breath and sighed. With an apologetic smile, she said, “I would love to, but I’ve haven’t slept for a while. I think I’ll catch a nap before joining you.”

Hearing Ress say it, Madga was suddenly aware of how tired she was. Her limbs left heavy and her eyes drooped. She failed to stop a yawn.

Raearrt sighed but smiled. “It looked like you both could use some sleep. Fair enough. Please, make yourselves a home. Honey?”

Argorth grumbled but followed him out. The door shut behind them, muffling the voices outside.

At her cot, Madga slowly moved her pack. She removed her boots, placing them next to the cot for when she woke up. She rubbed her eyes.

“Tired too?” Ress asked. Her smile warm and caring.

Madga glanced away with a nod. Without a word she moved the wool blanket, shifting it to the side to leave her enough room to shuffle onto the cot. She adjusted the linen and wool pillow, and then curled up. She further fixed her hat to ensure it covered her hair, and after a moment of thought she grabbed the blanket to hold it against her chest.

There was a small sound and she cracked her eyes open just in time to see Ress look away with a soft smile. Madga frowned in confusion, but as she watched Ress readying herself to sleep her eyes grew heavier and heavier, until she couldn’t keep them open any longer.

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The winds had eased a little, allowing the smell of cooked fish to led them towards the chief’s house. The roof of the largest roundhouse pleasantly smoked from the re-lit fires within. The door frequently opened and shut by people with bright, smiling faces and lungs full of conversation. The pleasant sound of a flute drifted outside, but Madga slowed to a stop as Ress hesitated just ahead of her.

Madga peered up at her. Ress’ face was pinched, her brow furrowed as she stared at the door.

“Ress? Ah, Ress-ess?” Madga corrected herself.

Ress looked at her. A smile quickly erased the look of unease, and without a word she followed her friends. Worried, Madga frowned but didn’t push.

“There you two are!” Raearrt called from up on tiptoe to look over a few heads. He lowered and said, “We thought we lost you for a moment there.”

“No, you didn’t,” Ress said.

Madga glanced at her. She nodded.

“Come on then,” Raearrt said with grin. “Oh, but you might be a little warm, Ress-ess. Are you sure you don’t want to leave that at our place?”

Madga’s stomach twisted but Ress simply shook her head. “No, thank you, Rae. I’m afraid the wind has chilled me to the bone. I’ll keep it on.

“Oh dear. Well, I’m sure the heat in here will warm you right up!” He swung the door open and the four of them walked inside.

A wave of dry heat met them. Despite it Madga kept her hat. She removed her boots and set them by the door with a collection of others. As Raearrt led the way in they passed people happily chatting. Sometimes their voices suddenly grew, or a bubble of laughter burst that made her jump. A few guest cots had been claimed by bags sitting on top of them while their owners ate a warm meal, danced with strangers, or were in deep conversation with friends.

A shriek rose up and Madga spun. A group of children with huge smiles chased each other through the throng of people. She froze when one tried to use her as a shield. The children shifted to one side of her, then the other. She looked up in panic as more joined them.

Ress chuckled. A little girl shrieked loud and she winced. She held her hands out much like herding sheep. “Alright, let’s move on now,” she said in a firm and kind voice.

The child hiding behind Madga barely glanced at Ress before running away to find another place to hide, the pursuers closely behind.

Madga breathed a sigh of relief. Ress’ eyes glittered with humour.

As they continued farther in a group of people moved, revealing Argorth already sitting down at one of the tables. A few tables away the cauldron sat bubbling, fat and full of what smelled like a rich, fish stew. A generous amount of steam rose high to the ceiling. Next to the cauldron lay a long piece of thin stone like the top of an odd table. A woman in a red skirt cooked meats on its surface—mostly fish and crabs but also, shockingly, pieces of an auroch. Off to the side a woman stood in the middle of the group, her chest puffed with a cup of mead in her hand as she boasted her kill and listed the deeds she completed to give back to Mvansah and Funrrah for the bounty. Her listeners, awestruck and proud, clapped and patted her on the shoulder.

“Rae, do you think you can get her a piece of the auroch?”

Madga’s head twisted. Ress grinned up at her, catching her in the act of staring at the auroch. Raearrt beamed with pride and humour.

“I think I can do that,” he said. “Any other requests?”

Argorth grunted.

“Of course, hun. What about you, Ress-ess?”

“Stew for me, please. And bread if there’s honey I can dip it in.”

He nodded. “Anything else, Madga?”

“A little, mead too. Please. And bread.”

Just as he left the flute fell silent. There was some cheering, and then the rumble of conversations fully replaced the music. Madga’s eyes flickered to movement out of the corner of her eye. Ress had leaned on the table much like Argorth. Her shoulders slumped a little and Madga’s lips pressed together.

“Are… are you okay, Ress?” she asked.

Ress perked up and straightened her shoulders. “I am.”

Madga opened her mouth, but thought better of it.

Raearrt returned shortly with four cups held between his arms. Ress stood to help lower them to the table, and then he disappeared again. The three of them briefly left to wash their hands and returned just moments before Raearrt did. He and another man carried a small collection of stone and clay bowls, clay spoons, and wicker plates.

Madga’s mouth watered. She stone bowl was filled with leaping fish, beans, orange carrots, green leeks, and white turnip, which rose like an island in the small sea of steaming broth. On the wicker plate rested a few pieces of browned auroch meat. Animal fat had been placed on the stone slab before the meat was added, and salt boiled from sea water had been sprinkled on top.

Her gaze flickered from the bowl to the plate. She licked her lips and swallowed, before bringing the plate closer and choosing a piece of meat with a bone in the centre. She said a small prayer for the animal and the wife and husband gods before bringing it to her mouth. She nibbled around the bone, her stomach growling in anticipation. The meat quickly disappeared and she gnawed at the bone, then moved on to the second piece. Their table was full of slurping and munching sounds, of gulps of mead and stew. She sucked on her fingers to clean them temporarily, then took a sip of mead and switched to her spoon.

If the auroch meat didn’t warm her stomach, then the warm liquid certainly did as it made its way through her body. The extra heat brought a warmth to her cheeks. The vegetables turned to soft mush between her teeth and the herbs sparkled pleasantly on her tongue. She hummed with pleasure and swallowed

Ress chuckled. Madga started and glanced away in embarrassment. Ress leaned toward her with a grin. “The Last Harvest is my favourite time of year too.”

Raearrt cheered in agreement and he and Argorth raised their cups. Their dirtied moustaches rimmed the top of the cups as they drank deep. Ress winced at the loud cheer but laughed and drank along with them.

Once they finished they brought the empty bowls, spoons, cups, and plates to a large washing cauldron where several people were busy at work. As they dropped them off a man replaced a women washing the dishes and she left to grab her own meal. They passed her as they headed for a wash bowl to clean their hands and for the men to clean their moustaches.

Afterwards, Raearrt gasped. He suddenly spun and declared, “For your stay you must dance with us!”

Ress’ brows rose. Her cheeks were just as red as Madga’s from the heat around them.

Madga said, “But we’re warm-”

Raearrt laughed. “Then remove your hats!”

Madga shrunk back.

“Please,” he continued to implore Ress. “We had so much fun last time you visited.” He turned to Madga. “You should have seen her dance!”

Argorth nodded seriously. Madga looked up at her with curiosity.

Ress shook her head with a smirk. Her eyes were tired but she assented, “Alright, alright. I you had gotten better since.”

Argorth snorted and Raearrt nudged him. “You’ll see!” he told her.

Madga cautiously backed up a few steps, but Ress gestured at her. “Join us, Madga!”

She shook her head. “I-I….” Their gazes begged her. The flute sounded again. Clapping hands and seashell rattles established a beat. She knew the song and easily followed the lyrics in her head.

“Oh-okay.”

They beamed and her heart thumped a little quicker as they led her toward the music-makers. In the circle of people some were eating while they watched, others clapping. Two men and a woman had taken everyone’s attention, claiming the circle with their wild, flowing dancing. As they move it was clear they were together romantically. Madga watched with fascination; their arms linking and unlinking; hands holding; spinning; clapping and jumping like waves on the ocean itself.

The music suddenly stopped and just as how those same waves would crash into a cliff with a spectacular spray of water, the dancers instinctively froze. Their chests rose and fell as they panted for air, huge smiles on their faces as the crowd erupted in cheers.

The music struck up again and the circle collapsed as everyone began dancing. Madga unexpectedly found herself in the middle of a group. For a moment panic griped her chest but the dancers seemed to give each other room and she breathed a little easier.

She briefly lost Ress, until clapping and laughter broke above the din. She heard Raearrt cheer and she followed the sound to find Ress at the centre of a new, smaller circle. The music-makers had chosen another quick song and Madga watched in awe as Ress matched the beat, even with her layers of warm clothes. Raearrt laughed and clapped with excitement and pride. Even Argorth grinned. It was catching and Madga miraculously found herself laughing and cheering on Ress too.

Ress’ eye flashed to her. With a beam she stuck her hand out. Madga hesitated. She tentatively reached out, and the moment their hand’s touched she was pulled in with a gasp. Ress refused to let her freeze in place, guiding her with a hip bump or a hand nudge, and eventually Madga was dancing on her own. To her embarrassment a squeal of delight escaped. Only smiles greeted her and her feet kept moving.

Suddenly a bow slid across the strings of a bulge. Some visitors stopped in shock at hearing the rare instrument and left through the crowd. Madga had heard and seen them before. She continued dancing as the energetic vibration of the strings pulled her around and around.

The new music-maker touched a high note and someone gasped. She spun and her smile fell—Ress’s brows reached high, her eyes shifting wildly in her face. She squeezed them tight, and as Madga rushed over to support her she heard her pant, “No, no, no.”

“Ress? Ress, what’s wrong?”

“N-nothing. I need-” she swallowed. “I need to go outside.”

“Okay.” Ress tried to step away from her but her strength fled. Despite only knowing her for a short time, Madga had never seen her so weak and her stomach grew cold. She matched Ress’ pace and together they slowly walked through the crowd. Noticing something was wrong, people stopped and asked if they could help but Ress denied it without looking at them. Her eyes still shifted and Madga’s sweat chilled.

Argorth and Raearrt chased after them.

Raearrt gasped. “What happened? Ress-ess?”

Argorth helplessly watched with concern.

“I’m fine. Just need… I need to lay down. Outside.”

“What?”

“I don’t know,” Madga said. She was barely able to keep the whine from her voice. “I- she just stopped all of a sudden. And her eyes are moving all over.”

Raearrt glanced around, clearly fighting panic. “Right, right. We’ll take you to the healer.” With arms open, Argorth stepped in to pick Ress up.

Ress tried to shake her head and lean away but she leaned too far and Madga inhaled. She held on tight and she and Raearrt worked together to keep Ress from falling. Ress panted opened mouth. Her lips were shiny and she swallowed.

“Please, let’s go to a healer,” Madga begged.

Ress went to shake her head again but stopped. Without a word she continued through the house and to the door, Madga holding her upright, and Raearrt and Argorth nearby to offer assistance.

Ress took a breath of the cooler air. The cold pleasantly chilled Madga but sweat still ran over Ress’ forehead.

Raearrt said, “If you won’t let us take you to a healer, then can you at least make it home?”

Ress hummed yes. They paused a few times on the way, and Madga wondered if Ress would empty her stomach, but she managed and continued on.

Argorth went ahead and ensured the way to her cot was clear as they entered the house. The heat was far more bearable than in the chief’s home, but Ress still panted and her eyes still spun.

Raearrt reached for her hood. “You’re still too warm, let’s get that off-”

“No!” Madga cried.

Raearrt gasped and stepped back like he had been burned. Ress’ hood fell back, revealing her bright, blond hair. The braids and purple ribbon had held, but a few thin strands had escaped during her dance. She tried to look at him but her eyes wouldn’t stop moving.

“Rae-”

He stared at her in horror. “You… you’re Suuroo? But-but….”

Argorth silently moved next to him, putting his shoulder between them.

Madga’s stomach dropped.

“I’m still your friend,” Ress finished for him, pushing through whatever sickness she was experiencing.

Raearrt shook his head, his eyes stuck on her hair. Argorth glared. It faltered occasionally, but never left her.

Madga guided Ress toward the closest cot and eased her down on it. Ress held her stomach for a moment as Madga left to gather their things.

Ress finally looked up as best she could. “Raearrt. I would… would never hurt you. Neither of-of you. The colour… of my hair… means nothing.”

Raearrt shook his head again with uncertainty. His feet shuffled back. “You’re Suuroo. Why are you here? Are you here to befriend us? To- to tell-” He inhaled and his eyes widened. “Are you gathering information about our druids? Is that why you asked? That’s horrible-”

“No! I was telling the truth-”

“Is Ress even your name?”

She stopped and leaned over with a groan as her stomach rolled again. Spit dribbled from her mouth onto the packed dirt floor.

Madga placed Ress’ bag on the cot next to her. With hers on her back, she placed a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s go, Ress.”

Ress frowned. She looked up at the men. Her lips were thin as she fought the sickness, but her face remained resolute. “My name is Ress. I would- would never do anything against you. You are my friends.”

Raearrt’s eyes widened. Something in them flashed but it was gone. He turned away. “I think… I think you should leave.”

Ress stared in his direction like he had slapped her. She turned toward Argorth. He wore a deep frown but didn’t contradict his husband.

Madga turned from them. She carefully pulled Ress’ hood up to cover her hair again.

“Do you think you can use the spears like walking sticks?” she asked.

Ress raised a hand to wipe the shock and sweat from her face. “At least… at least let us stay until this passes. Please.”

They didn’t speak. Raearrt hugged himself.

Ress’ mouth parted and then thinned. “Yes,” she breathed, answering Madga as she took Madga’s spear. Madga helped her slip her pack on, then handed the other spear and they both slowly walked through the house.

Madga felt Ress try to glance over her shoulder, but Madga didn’t spare them a look. She instead kept an eye on the comings and goings of anyone outside. A few asked if they could help but Madga weaved her way out of it.

Eventually they came upon the spears surrounding the tribe. Neither of them looked at the heads as they passed.

Just as they neared the boulder hiding Ress’ round shield she stopped. Madga looked up from where she was under her arm. The wind had died down and she could hear her stomach roll and shift. Ress panted and swallowed. She fought again but this time she failed and a terrible mix of fish stew splattered on the ground. Madga held her until she finished. Ress spat on the mess, and after a brief thought, Madga brought her closer to the boulder.

Exhausted, Ress muttered, “I’m sorry… you have to see me… like this.”

“You’re hurt. It’s okay.”

“…hate… being weak.”

Madga didn’t know what to say. Instead she lowered her to lean back against the boulder. In the distance the new year’s flames danced in the torches, cold and unwelcoming. She set to carefully removing Ress’ pack and taking the spears from her. She put everyone together with her own bag, then kneeled and dug out the shield to add to the pile.

“Curse my… ancestors who… started this fight….”

Madga looked up. Though her eyes still shifted, Ress stared toward Wrysal. Under the sickness she appeared largely disappointed and angry.

“Curse me, even though I only… only fought Tasoragh. People… shouldn’t treat each other… like this.”

“You get used to it,” Madga said as she walked around her and huddled against the boulder. “I am.”

Shocked, Ress shifted, turning her head just enough to see her. Her eyes narrowed, fighting to focus on her. After a pause, she said, “No one should be used to it.”

Madga shrugged. She sniffed, rubbing her nose as she stared out at Wrysal and the dark ocean beyond.

After a moment she heard shuffling. Ress pulled her hood back and loosed the scarf enough to show the stain on her neck. Madga’s eyes flickered to Wrysal but no one suddenly appeared to take their heads. Ress tugged at her braids but gave up with a sigh. Another moment and she slowly, carefully, shifted to lie on her side on the ground.

“Thank you… thank you for waiting for me… Madga.”

Madga hummed.

─── · 。ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ────── · 。ﾟ☆: .☽ . :☆ﾟ. ───

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