Jodoro was starving and they still had another hour of work to do. Now that the song had finished the workers had drifted back into a more leisurely rhythm. Derry was behind him jabbering about how it was a crime for him to not be allowed to lay stone and how he did not care what Nan said anymore and if she would not let him lay stone then he would lay stone himself and that he might as well leave and work as a carpenter for he would be doing the same amount of stonework as now.
“And if that old gnarled bird thinks she can beat me into submission like she does the rest of you louts she has another thing coming. I know twice as much about stone as her and three times as much about mortar.” Derry stopped mixing and looked at him. “When was the last time you saw her pickup a trowel, cut block, repoint, or mix Jodoro? Hmm…okay ignore me. We both know the answer is never. Supposed to be the greatest mason to ever live yet hasn’t done a lick of work in fifteen years. Meantime she tells me...”
“More mud.”
“…that I’m not ready. And another thing,” Derry grunted as he lifted the half barrel, “this mixing all the damn day is coming to an end soon. I’m not the one Jodoro. I’m telling you I’m not the one. I was born a free man not some mud mixing slave for the blasted Copper Cauldron Company. I have half a mind to walk of this line right…”
“You boy, I would like to ask you a question.” A voice called.
“now don’t dare me to do it Jodoro, because you know I will not continue to stand here up to my dingdong in…”
“Shut it Derry.” Jodoro snapped. He turned around to see two girls looking at them with surprised faces. They both had long waist length red hair and wore expensive dresses. Royals. The older one wore spectacles and had the look of someone who thinks they’re owed the world. If he had to guess, she was his age. The younger one wore her hair in two braids and stood half behind the other girl, presumably her sister. “Are you talking to me?” Jodoro asked.
“Who else would I be talking to?” The tall one said. “Do you see any other BOYS on this wall?”
Right, one of these types Jodoro thought. Their kind expected bowing, scraping and no backtalk. Derry gave him a look that said it all. Let’s have some fun.
“How can I help you GIRL?” Jodoro replied. It was worth it alone for the look of ire on the tall one. The shorter one looked shocked.
“Why I should have you jailed for your words.” The tall one spouted. “This is Ardinum not the bog-begotten backwater you came from, I can have you punished for this, stripped from employment and evicted from the town.”
“No, you can’t.” Jodoro said.
“Yes, I can under Article 56 of the Ardinum code.” The tall one smirked. “Which says, in case you were wondering that ‘no insults, defamations, or scandalous observations may be made or directed to a person of royalty or, or, or…”
“I love seals,” Derry said.
“Or,” Jodoro laughed “any person in direct employ of said persons. Is that right?” They both looked at him flabbergasted and the tall one turned red when the smaller one let the hint of a giggle slip out. “We know the law too and there is nothing wrong with calling someone who is a girl, a girl. Even if it was you called us boys first and we are under direct employment of the Duke and thereby protected equally under Article 56.” Jodoro went back to work.
The tall one paused and collected herself and put on what was clearly a false smile. “From where does the Copper Cauldron Company get its name?”
“It’s named after a Copper Cauldron,” Derry said.
“Clearly but why little boy?”
“Hell, if I know. I be just a little boy malady.” Derry said as he flexed his muscles. “I know not of such worldly and important things. Just a little boy up to his porker in mud and sand. Curse you Nan.” Derry said under his breath.
“Excuse me Mr. Stonelayer. Do you know why the company is named like it is. Our teacher sent us to find the answer and we would appreciate it if you could help.” Said the smaller girl to Jodoro.
Jodoro paused to look at her. She was pretty and seemed sincere enough. “I’m afraid your teacher may have done you a disservice. There is no one answer to your question and I am not being ornery about this. Our people do not think about origins like yours do.”
“Then how do the Onaki think about origins?” the tall one asked him as she tapped her foot.
He turned toward the smaller one. “Some origins can only be captured in song. I regret to tell you, but we cannot sing the song right now.”
“Can I ask why?” The smaller one said.
“We don’t have the required voices.” Derry replied impatiently. “And were trying to work here. Ya know us backwater bog-clods has to work for a living.”
“Well there is a simple solution,” said the tall one. “When you are done gather the required voices and sing it to us. We will pay you in coin. How’s that sound?”
Jodoro clutched his trowel tightly, looked at Derry and shook his head. In all their lives they had never suffered such a grievous insult. Derry looked as if he was about to leap at the woman and Jodoro snatched him by the back of his headband as he turned toward them. Maybe they did not know or maybe they did not care. He did not care. “Mark my words GIRL. We will never sing for you.” With that he turned back to the wall. He could almost feel their eyes on his back, but he did not care. He was no prostitute and he would be damned if he let two royals proposition him. “You can stop mixing Derry.”
***
“Come on Derry Dog, I don’t want to be late.” Jodoro said.
A freshly groomed Derry turned to Jodoro and slowly put one arm through his sleeve. Seta Blackspider had just cut their hair the night before. Derry now wore shoulder length hair with the faint makings of a mustache.
He wants a reaction out of me, Jodoro thought, as he walked to the door. Let him keep delaying if he wants. I’m leaving.
“Wait up bro, I was just kidding.” Derry shouted as he ran out the door. Jodoro’s mind drifted back to Nan’s revelations. She wanted them to go to school for some reason and be trained in the use of weapons. None of it made sense to him. Why now? Both he and Derry could read and write. Nan insisted that he learn how to run the company since he was twelve and in the four years since he learned bookkeeping, contract law, and all the other ins and outs of the Copper Cauldron Company. Hell, Old Trews had even taught them a few languages. So why now?
The rising sun was just beginning to peak over the hills that formed the eastern border of the small city of Bellguard. Many were already awake fetching water from the wells that dotted every street corner. The smell of bread from a bakery wafted through the air accompanied by the noise of creaking wagons, clanging tools, and barking dogs. Bellgaurd was a border city. Over the past few months Jodoro had gotten to know some of these people. In some ways they were less prejudiced then those closer to Ardinum’s capital. Some however were still wary of the Onaki that made up the company. That’s why Nan made sure to set the companies wagons and yurts up on the beach. They approached the battalion’s courtyard just as the first bells began to ring. It was a wide-open space covered with small gravel and sand. Weapon racks covered a whole length of a wall while archery targets stood against another one.
“Enough with the blasted bells.” Derry shouted fist raised to the towers.
Jodoro felt a mix of nervousness and excitement as he saw dozens of men and boys filter out what he assumed was a barracks door. “Easy Derry, easy.”
The men began to equip themselves and break off into groups. One tall, well-built man stood apart from the rest. He was dressed in simple brown pants and a dark blue tabard. As Jodoro walked toward the man he could see Lord Bell’s coat of arms stitched onto the man’s chest, a copper bell beneath two crossed tridents and the Bell creed- Hear us, heed us.
“Good morning my name is Jodoro and this is Derry. Do you know where Sargent Horn is?” Jodoro asked.
Sargent Horn looked them over. “Yes, you two must be the new trainees. Do you have any skills with weapons?”
“No sir.” Jodoro and Derry echoed still wondering if he had indeed found Sargent Horn.
“I don’t take on shirkers.” Sargent Horn warned. “If you train with the Bell Battalion you give it your all. I’ll make one thing clear.” He paused and stared at them for a few seconds. “If you miss one day you might as well not come back. Is that understood.”
“Yes sir.” They said.
“Everyone here learns the spear,” Sargent Horn said as he walked toward the weapons racks. “But you need a secondary weapon as well. Pick something that feels right for you and don’t take all day.” He stopped and stared at them. “You boys tend to treat weapons like they’re toys when they are tools.”
Jodoro was under no illusion that these weapons were toys. He picked up a few different swords but finally settled on a comfortable short sword. When the Sargent asked him if they had any skills with weapons, he told a slight lied. They had fought off bandits before while on the road and both could use a bow. Derry was not big on reading but Jodoro loved military history. The short sword would pair well with the range of a spear and be easier to draw in tight situations. Jodoro was a little irritated to see Derry choose the same.
“There are ten training groups here that are defined by level of proficiency.” Sargent Horn spoke as he paced in front of them. “You will begin in training Group One affectionately known as The Lady Dogs. When you master the skills there you will ascend to Group Two. If by some long shot, you make it to Group Five you become eligible to enlist with the battalion. Corporal Rask.” The Sargent bellowed across the training grounds. “You have two new trainees.” He turned to the boys. “Go on and grab a spear and round shield on the way.”
Jodoro trotted over to shields and spears and selected one of each. When he put his hand on the spear he was overcome with a feeling of deep tranquility. The wind blew in from the sea bringing the scent of salt and something that was far out and indescribable. The rays of the early sun felt somehow more tangible. A spark of calmness ran up his spine and spread out through his limbs. He could feel the grains of what appeared to be ash as he clutched the haft. They whispered to him. We are strong. We are steady. We will not fail you.
He took a place beside Derry in the line of thirty or so boys. Most were younger than him. He listened to Corporal Rask’s instructions and performed the motions like everyone else. He tried to waste no movements when he thrust and always brought his shield up as quick as he could to cover his weak spots. This went on for another few hours before Corporal Rask dismissed them. Most of the other men flopped to the ground.
Derry jostled him with his shield. “Didn’t even break a sweat did ya bro?”
Jodoro looked up at the sky it wouldn’t be long before the bell marking eleven tolled. “Even still we must wash before going to school. I fear Nan has set a path for us. One that takes us away from our world of stone.”
Derry looked at him oddly. “Why the hell are you talking like that?”
“Like what?” Jodoro looked at him.
“Like an actor in a cheap penny play. ‘I fear Nan has set a path for us.’” Derry mocked.
Jodoro knocked him over with his shield as they walked to return their weapons.
***
Crista’ glasses began to fog as she stared out of the seaward window in the scholarium. She pulled them off and began rubbing them with her handkerchief. The other students would begin to arrive in a few minutes and interrupt her mission. Not that it mattered. She had not been able to spot the builder boy anyway. She thought that studying him would give her inspiration for a new angle of approach. She would have that song if it killed her. Getting into university was all that mattered now. She had to get away from here. She had to get away from him.
Her thoughts drifted back to that day two years ago. It was shortly after Ezra died and she was crying alone on the eastern hills among a field of coneflower, tickseed, and lavender when he came. She always had a crush on Ronald Olman the steward’s son. But what happened that day would forever be imprinted in her mind. He told her don’t cry. He held her. He kissed her tears away. Then he grabbed her and threw her to the ground. That was when she knew something was wrong. Something dark had come over him. He groped her and she slapped him. She threatened to tell her father, but Ronald told her that he would deny everything. She fought him off and he left. She did not know what to do so she said nothing and avoided him. Sometimes she felt like she wanted to get revenge for what he done but she did not know how.
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She pulled herself away from the window and went to her seat in front of the classroom. The clock ticked echoing through the room as she pulled out her notepad and pencil. She almost slipped from her chair when she saw the two workers boys enter the room.
“Bull’s balls this place is huge.” The smaller one exclaimed. “You could fit the whole company in this place wagons and all. Even that brood of anklebiters that Seta calls children.” They both wore white shirts with black breeches and patterned headbands. Her eyes were immediately drawn to the older one. The pattern on his head band was a vibrant mix of small orange, white, black and gold squares. His white shirt complimented his tan skin and handsome features. Though he was probably her age he had a body that most men could not achieve- broad shoulders and a wide chest that tapered down to a narrow waist and long legs. His brother nudged him and nodded toward her. Her heart skipped a beat and her breathe caught in her throat as he walked toward her. What is wrong with me? He paused for a moment in front of her desk.
“I apologize for my behavior yesterday.” He looked into her eyes. “I overreacted to an insult that you clearly did not mean to give. Can we start over?” He thrust his hand out. “My name is Jodoro Jaguar and this is my brother Derry Dog.”
Christa stared at him in shock. Say something! Why am I not speaking? Is my face turning red? She heard a giggle to her left and realized that Erda had arrived and was bearing witness to the loss of her wits. That would not do. She took his hand in hers. It a worker’s hand. Coarse and scared. If he were to squeeze, he could break every bone in my hand. The subtle yet intoxicating scent of bergamot, fig and sandalwood wafted from him. “Thanks for your apology.” She twirled her ring. “My name is Christa Bell and this pile of mirth over here is my sister Erda Bell.” He stood there as if expecting something else from her. What does he want?
“My sister and I are sorry for any offense we may have given you two.” Erda interjected with a giggle. Was she flirting? Jodoro flashed Erda a smile in return and Christa felt a pang of something deep in her chest.
“All right, all right,” Derry interrupted as he grabbed his brother by the arm. “That’s enough big shooter. Let’s find some seats afore this place fills.”
“Seats?” Christa yelped.
“Yes seats.” Derry said as he and his brother took the two behind them. “I’m told that you half to do a lot of sitting in school.”
“School?”
“Yes school.” Derry turned to Jodoro. “Is it me or is Lady Christa repeating everything I say?”
“I would not say everything.” Jodoro responded. “She only repeated two words. That barely qualifies as everything in my book.”
“You’d think the educated elite would be less surprised that two fine, upstanding young men such as ourselves have decided to become educated albeit it against our will.” Derry smacked his hand on the table. “Damn it Jo but I think I may actually like attending this school.”
“Your attending this school?” Christa turned in her seat and asked.
“Alright I concede.” Jodoro said to his brother. “Yes, Lady Christa apparently our Nan made a deal with your father or something to that affect. As a result, we were told in no uncertain terms, by Nan that is, that if we did not go to school, we would regret it.”
Christa’s mirth erupted from her and Erda’s laughed chimed along. “That’s all she said? That you would regret it?” She looked at there faces and saw that they were serious.
“I doubly concede Derry Dog.” Jodoro said then looked into her eyes with his amber colored eyes. “When Nan Bowerbird speaks it is wise to listen.”
“Aye, that’s what they say but I’m tired of that old tart.” Derry said to Jodoro. “I will not put up with this coddling any longer, I’ll leave. Don’t say I won’t either Jo because you know I will.”
Jodoro looked at her again and rolled his eyes. “Yes, Derry Dog I know you will.”
Guy and Jean walked in, looked at the worker boys and paused for a moment but made their greetings and went to their seats. Other students began to trickle in with varying exclamations of shock and whispered inquiries. Then strutting as if they owned the castle the Butterflies of Bellguard waltzed in led by Lady Amethyst Ridge the daughter of the general. Bimbos. Amethyst was tall, busty, blonde and beautiful. Boys either swooned over her or were rendered speechless. It was rumored that the third prince of Ardinum, Heliodor, was trying to court her.
“Oh Chrissy, you must introduce me to that boy.” Amethyst whispered in her ear as she sat in the desk next to her.
Conversation stopped as Scholar Barkley walked in. “Welcome class as you may have noticed we have two new students here, Jodoro Jaguar and Derry Dog. Let us get one thing out of the way.” The scholar paused and looked sternly around the room. “Both are clearly of the Onaki ethnicity and I will brook no xenophobia or racism in the scholarium. As I have said before all are equal in this room.” The scholar turned to the chalkboard and began writing. “I realized that I have neglected two significant portions of your education. The first is the ability to work in teams and the second is the practicalities of various occupations. I will begin remedying them today. From now on there will be no individual competitions in the scholarium. All competitions will be between teams. We will form four teams of six which will be selected in a draft by our four top students. These students will be the team captains and bear the responsibility of delegating tasks and ensuring that all assignments are completed.” He turned from the board. “These captains are Guy, Jean, Christa and Melissa. Each of you pick a corner of the room to stand in.”
Christa was caught off guard by this turn of events. She did not want to be part of a team, but she was also grateful for the opportunity to be able to compete against Guy and Jean. “We will start with Guy’s pick.”
“Jeff Gram.”
Christa had to admit it was a solid pick. Jeff was strong in a lot of subjects and one could argue that he should be fourth ranked instead of Melissa.
“Jean.” Scholar Barkley called.
“Jade Ridge.”
Damn you Jean. Jade was Amethyst’s sister. She favored her sister and was particularly strong in military history and literature.
“Lady Christa.” The scholar called.
“Nova Coldwater.”
The selection process went on and eventually she ended up with Nova Coldwater, Grant Hedges, Amethyst Ridge, Jodoro Jaguar and Derry Dog. She was reluctant to pick the worker boys, but she was willing to take a risk on the unknown if it gave have a chance to beat Guy and Jean. After some desk moving her team carved out their own corner of the classroom and waited for further instructions.
“I will return in ten minutes. You have until then to pick a team name.” The scholar called over his shoulder. The pronouncement set the room abuzz. Christa took out a sheet of paper and looked around at her team.
“Well any ideas?” She asked with her pencil poised above the paper.
“Clearly we are the Butterflies.” Amethyst announced while tossing a smile at Nova. “Are we in agreement?”
“I second that.” Nova chirped.
“No, we are not the Butterflies.” Grants stated flatly.
“I agree with Grant.” Christa replied.
“That two against two. Derry?” Amethyst asked. Christa turned to Derry to find the youth sleeping with his blue, green, and white headband pulled over his eyes. He was an almost perfect likeness of his brother except he was a few inches shorter and had longer hair. Jodoro jostled him awake with an elbow to the ribs. He shot up in his chair.
“Sure, whatever works.” He said while fighting a yawn. “Nothing strikes greater fear in the hearts of their enemies than butterflies. Yeah the Butterflies that pure badassery right there.”
Christa was getting frustrated it seemed Amethyst was trying to undermine her. I am captain I could just veto the name and pick whatever I want. But that might backfire. She needed the team to trust her, to work for her even. She could not beat Guy or Jean’s team alone. “Jodoro, what say you?” she asked with her hands clasped together under her desk.
He looked around the table as if measuring them. “I am not necessarily opposed to the idea.” He turned to his brother. “I agree with Derry that Butterflies are badass but I think we should compromise. Perhaps instead of just calling the team the Butterflies we add an adjective before it or name it after a specific species like Red Admirals, Monarchs or Stargazers.” He paused and turned his intense amber gaze on Christa. “But I will defer to our captain’s decision of course.” Derry let out a sigh but everyone else was silent for a moment.
Amethyst poked her and whispered with a smirk, “I think he means you Chrissy.”
Christa hated being called Chrissy and especially hated it when Amethyst did it. “I think the Stargazers is a good name. Any objections?” No one voiced a protest. After a few minutes the scholar returned and wrote the names on the board.
“Right so we have Guy’s Bellringers, Jean’s Knights of Knowledge, Christa’s Stargazers, and Melissa’s Deathdealers. You will be competing in these groups for the whole year and your group performance will be a factor in your grade. Each day one point will go to the best group and the group with the most points at the end of the year will get the last week of class off.” Cheers went up around the room and Christa knew that everyone was in it to win. The scholar pulled out four large blank sheets of paper and gave one to each group. “Today we will be a geography test. The task is simple. Make as complete a map of the known world as you can. You have two hours. Begin!”
Christ quickly huddled together with Grant and Nova. They drew an outline of the continent and labeled the surrounding oceans. Next, they drew the outlines of the other three continents. After that they began to draw the lakes, mountains and rivers. They kept going for awhile labeling all the cities and towns that they could. After about an hour they were stumped. I know Guy and Jean have gotten farther than this. Come on think. Am I missing something important? She looked up to see Amethyst filling her nails and the worker boys laughing at something.
“This is serious stuff you know.” She hissed at them. “This counts toward our grade and the scholar is watching.”
“Don’t fret Christa I doubt they know much about geography anyway.” Nova consoled.
“Lady Nova is right Lady Christa we do not know much about geography.” Jodoro said. “But let us look at the map.” He gently pulled the map to his side of the table. “Maybe we can add some things.”
Christa twirled her ring as the two of them looked over the map and talked back and forth. Jodoro grabbed a pencil and began to mark things on the map. He’s going to mess this up. She walked around the table and peaked over his shoulder. She saw towns that she never heard of dotted throughout the continents. She watched with surprise as Jodoro drew some of the smaller tributaries and ponds on their home continent.
“You remember Capitia Jo?” Derry asked wistfully. “They have the most beautiful women.” He gave Nova a lecherous wink. “Aside from Bellguard of course.” Christa was surprised to see her blush.
Jodoro smiled and Christa twirled her ring faster. Amethyst shamelessly leaned over toward him and placed a hand on his writing arm. “Do you agree with your brother Jojo? Does Bellguard have the most beautiful women?” He paused for a bit and resumed drawing. Is he tracing the outlines of city walls?
“No, I don’t agree.” He said. “There are beautiful women everywhere.”
“Wrong.” Derry laughed.
“You’re right my mistake.” Jodoro laughed.
“For there are no women in Terrelio. Only men married to the sea.” They both sang. Christa exchanged confused looks with her friends as Jodoro put the city of Terrelio on the map.
“But surely you cannot argue that Bellguard and Capitia have a disproportionate number of beautiful women.” Derry said in a voice that sounded a little similar to the scholar Barkley’s. “Academically speaking.”
“Bellguard is clearly the winner here.” Amethyst interjected. “I mean you only have to look at Lady Bell’s entourage. And the women of this class. Right Chrissy?” Christa ignored her and stared at the paper as Jodoro began labeling forests. He knows some stuff. I don’t think Guy even knows these places.
“I might concede that they both have a high number of attractive women.” Jodoro paused and looked almost forlornly at the wall. “But Hytia…”
“Oh, god no.” Derry moaned.
“Does it have more attractive women than here?” Amethyst asked coyly.
“Balls woman! You’ve given him the excuse now.” Derry rasped. Jodoro had the same dreamy look on his face.
“No not all of them.” Jodoro answered. “But they have the swans of Hytia.”
Grant leaned forward eagerly. “Swans you say?”
“Imagine it Grant.” Jodoro said. “Four perfect women from four ruling families. Their beauty is unsurpassed. To look upon them is to stare into the essence of a goddess. It is said that one touch from them could break a man’s heart.” He started penciling in the streets of a city she never heard of. “That’s not the half it though Grant.”
“We bloody know!” Derry interjected and turned to Grant. “He’s going to tell you that they’re bloody smart and nice, that they are charitable and take care of the poor and cook good food and tell funny jokes all while shooting rainbows out of their arseholes and juggling cups of the finest ale.”
“Is it true though?” Grant asked?
Derry looked at Jodoro with frustration- then looked at Grant -then looked back at Jodoro and then back at Grant. “Yeah mate. They are that and more, but I’d throw the lot of them into the abyss if would stop big shooter over here from mentioning Hytia again.”
“Look this over please and thank you.” Jodoro said as he passed the map to Derry. Christa watched as the younger brother studied the map. They were running out of time and she was getting anxious. Nova slid Amethyst a note across the table while Grant pestered Jodoro with questions about women and far off places. Derry made some marks on the map then slid it over to her.
“It’s not exactly to scale but we did the best we could do without any measuring.” Derry stated. The scholar called for the maps and Christa nervously handed it to them.
“I will have these returned tomorrow.” The scholar said as he pulled a black velvet back from his worn brown satchel. “I have solicited permission from various individuals in Bellguard to begin a tutoring program. You will each select an name from this bag and report to them every Friday for the duration of this term. We will no longer have classes on Friday’s.” He paused and bowed as people cheered then continued in a serious tone. “You are to observe and learn. You will do what they ask of you and if I hear any complaints, I will notify your parents immediately.”
The scholar eventually came to her group’s table and her hand shook as she pulled out a piece of paper.
“Lady Bell,” Derry raged. “What the hells am I supposed to learn from a Lady?” He tapped his brother on the shoulder. “Jo, this is balls bro. Who do you have?”
Jodoro looked resigned. “General Ridge.”
“Oh, you are going to love daddy.” Amethyst vouched. “He can be a bit moody, but he is a fair man.” She paused as she read her own. “Does anybody know who Seta Blackspider is?”
“She’s vice president of the Copper Cauldron Company.” Jodoro responded. “She’s a brilliant mathematician and surveyor.”
“Yeah when she’s not bloody pregnant.” Derry deadpanned. “I swear she has a hundred kids.”
“Seven,” Jodoro said.
“More like seventeen.”
Christa wanted to laugh at Amethyst assignment but could not hide her own nervousness. Please don’t let it be Steward Olman. She slowly unfolded the paper. Her heart beat faster as she read the name- Nan Bowerbird. She looked around the table to see the worker boys mouths agape.
“Did I say that out loud?”
“Yes,” Derry responded. “And may the Star Court have mercy on your soul.”
“She can’t be that bad.” She said as she looked to Jodoro for a verdict. He looked thoughtful. It seemed Jodoro had two looks. Either a light smile or that of someone with the cogs of a clock spinning inside his head. She could almost see the clogs working behind his copper face, spinning thoughts around and around. He looked up at her.
“I think you two will get on well.”