Well, some of you asked for this, so you only have yourselves to blame! Again, it's an extract from a singularly unfinished work-in-progress. There could be more to come, although there is little sex in what remains. We'll see.
Give me the Man, Part two
Ardan's father was just beginning his breakfast when Ardan reached the guesting house. He smiled at his son.
"Was it well for you, my son?"
"Aye father, it was well." He caught the eye of the heavily-pregnant serving-girl and she nodded, turning to the kitchen to fetch him some breakfast.
"I'll say no more, son. 'Tis a personal thing, not to be shared, I feel."
Ardan nodded, grateful for his father's understanding. "When do you leave for home, father?"
"I leave after the noon meal. I should reach the falls comfortably by dusk." He smiled. "I've reserved the room for you for an eightday. Aye, and paid for it, too. If you want to stay longer, you'll need to dip into the purse."
Ardan nodded. "I'll ride part of the way with you, father. I have little doubt that Shadow needs exercise. What of this morning?"
"Have you forgotten the trip to the armourer?"
"Of course! My sword."
Breakfast over, Ardan and Gerlan strolled along in the bright, spring sunshine to the commercial quarter of Jalx. There was bustle everywhere, the shops and markets busy with customers. The armourer was in a side street near the guard barracks, quiet this Thirdday morning. As they entered, the proprietor straightened from some inlay work he was doing on a belt knife. He nodded to them, courteous.
"Gentlemen. May I be of service?"
"You may, indeed. I require a sword for my son, sir."
The proprietor eyed Ardan. "Military or civilian?"
"Military. The Guides."
"Mainly for horseback use, then. I have some here. Please, feel free to examine them. If you'll permit me, I shall continue my work. Just call if you need assistance.
Gerlan and Ardan began to examine the blades. Despite the proprietor's words, he watched them carefully. Gerlan indicated one, slightly curved, a cutting edge on both edges of the blade for two handspans from the point, a further two handspans of cutting edge on the outer side of the curve, the inner curve thickened to strengthen it.
"That one, perhaps?"
Ardan picked it up, checking the balance. "It balances well, father, but I would prefer more protection for the hand."
"Well, how about this one?" An almost identical blade, but with a hammered steel half-basket hilt, the basket extended back and over the hand, to join with the main body of the weapon above the hilt.
Ardan turned it, noting the riveting joining blade, basket and hilt, strengthening the weapon. He checked the balance, liking the slightly angled grip which made the blade almost an extension of his arm. He smiled.
"Yes, father, this one, if you please."
The proprietor came over to them. He smiled at the weapon, and nodded. "An excellent choice, sir. You know your weapons." He gestured. "A scabbard and harness is included in the price."
"My son awaits his Guide entrance exam results. My buying this sword for him is a father's expression of confidence in a son's ability."
The proprietor laughed. "I think if your son has learned his other lessons as well as he has learned the blade, you need have few worries. My nephew, too, awaits the examination results. You may know him," he said to Ardan.
"His name, sir?"
"Jandol. Jandol Traln."
Ardan smiled. "I know him well, sir. He is a friend." Ardan frowned. "He spoke of an uncle in Jalx. What was the name? Ah, yes. Are you by any chance Peralon Traln, sir?"
"I am! I don't suppose by any chance you are Ardan, are you?"
"Yes, sir, I am. Has Jandol spoken of me?" Ardan was surprised, for Jandol said little that wasn't necessary.
"That he has. Tell me, how long are you in Jalx?"
Ardan glanced at his father. He turned to Traln. "Until Lastday, at least."
"Join my wives and I for dinner on Seventhday, if you would. You, too, sir," he said, addressing Gerlan.
Gerlan shook his head. "I leave this afternoon, for home. My affairs will not keep. My son has earned his stay, and I thank you for your invitation."
"Jandol is staying with us for a few days. He arrives on Seventhday. I think he will be glad of your presence, Ardan. My wives and I have no children near his age." Traln laughed. "And the two we have are girls."
"I accept your invitation willingly, Fro Traln. It will be good to see Jandol again."
"If you would let me have your bill, sir, I will settle with you now," said Gerlan.
*
"He gave me a substantial discount on the sword, son. He must be fond of Jandol," said Gerlan as he and Ardan strolled back to their lodgings. "Ardan?" His son's attention was elsewhere.
"Sorry, father. I thought I saw someone. What was that you said?"
"I said your new friend gave me a substantial discount on your sword. An excellent weapon for the price of an adequate one."
Ardan laughed. "It's good to know that I can sometimes actually save you money, father."
Gerlan clapped his son on the shoulder, laughing. "I fear it is your sister's dowry that will cost me most when she marries." He pointed. "Shall we eat there?"
* * * * *
Mid-afternoon found Ardan and Gerlan parting company. Gerlan reached across and took his son's hand in his firm clasp.
"Farewell, son. Enjoy your stay in Jalx. Your mother and I will look for you to come home some time in the next two eightdays, not before. Spend your money wisely." Gerlan laughed. "I don't doubt you will, son."
"I'll try, father. Safe journey." Father and son clasped hands again and Gerlan wheeled his horse and put it to the trot, waving a last goodbye as the trail disappeared behind a copse. Ardan gigged Shadow into a gentle canter and made his way back towards Jalx. On an impulse he swung west about the city and came in from a different direction. Just outside the city an encampment caught his eye, for the inhabitants all seemed to be women. The road into the city led straight past the camp and he looked as Shadow walked past. Yes, all women. He was wondering what it meant when he was startled to hear his name.
"Ardan! Ardan Tearo! Wait!" A figure came running through the camp. Amazed, he recognised the woman.
"Vella! What do you here?"
She stopped at his stirrup, looking up at him, smiling.
"Hello, Ardan."
"Hello, Vella. I confess, I didn't expect to see anyone from home here."
"I was born here. I moved with Tonal when we married." Vella shrugged. "When he was killed, I came home."
Ardan gestured. "What is this camp?"
Vella looked behind her, then up at Ardan. "Is there somewhere we can talk?"
From horseback, Ardan could see an inn just inside the city gates. He pointed. "There is an inn over there. Let me buy you something."
She held up her arm. "Help me up." As Ardan freed a stirrup Vella swung herself up behind him, sitting sidesaddle, her arm around his waist as he gigged Shadow into motion. It was only a two-minute ride before they reached the inn and Ardan tethered Shadow, loosening the saddle-girth. He followed Vella into the inn. They were soon seated at a quiet table, mugs of fruit tea steaming before them.
Ardan studied Vella. He had known her in Vilna Station only as the wife of Tonal Hasdel, a sergeant in the Guard detachment stationed there. Tonal had befriended the young Ardan, encouraging him in his wish to become a Guide, and Vella had welcomed Ardan to their home. Tonal had been killed in a skirmish with brigands a year or so ago and Vella had left Vilna Station without leaving a forwarding address.
Sitting at the table, Ardan studied her. Still only twenty-six or -seven, Vella was a good-looking woman. She smiled at him over her tea.
"Aren't you going to ask, Ardan?"
"About the camp?"
"And me?"
"How are you?"
She frowned. "Still missing Tonal. Especially at night."
Ardan flushed, a vision of Vella and Tonal making love springing unbidden to his mind."I'm sorry," he said, knowing the inadequacy of his remark.
Vella shrugged. "I survive. You wanted to know about the camp?"
Ardan nodded. "Please."
Vella looked away. "We are all either widowed or divorced, all under thirty. There aren't even enough men around for the single girls, so our chances of remarriage are poor." She looked up. "Understand, Ardan, I'm not complaining, merely stating a fact." She nodded, as if to emphasise the point. "The one other thing we have in common is that we want children. For that we need men. Where better than a garrison town." Her tone was lightly mocking, a little bitter.
"So you prostitute yourselves," Ardan said quietly, "hoping to become pregnant."
Vella looked away again. "Yes," she whispered. She turned back to him, unshed tears brimming in her eyes. "I want a child, Ardan, is that so bad?"
He shook his head. "No, of course it isn't. I wish I could help," he said quietly.
"You can," she retorted. "Make me pregnant."
Her words hung between them. She stared at him, troubled, wanting, hoping. He looked back at her. Young, attractive. Desirable.
"Have you taken no lovers, then?"
Vella shook her head. "Not yet. I keep thinking of Tonal. He was gentle. I used to wonder why he ever became a soldier. The few men from the barracks that I've seen seem coarse in comparison. I was amazed when I spotted you. I called out without thinking.
Ardan smiled. "I'm glad to see you. I wondered, after you left."
"I'm glad to see you, too. Thanks for the tea. I'd better get back. Before I go, may I ask. Why are you here?"
"I came for Initiation."
Vella clapped her hands to her mouth. "Oh. Of course. And for testing, too, no doubt."
"That, too."
"Was your Initiation good? I wonder sometimes, what it might be like."
