Ch: 6.75
As they bathed in the morning sun, steam taking the chill from the air, she curled into his arms, sassy and insistent like a cat. “Ye have dexterous fingers, musician, an yer tongue be whip quick as well. How did some lass nae teach ye the game ere this?” When he faltered, she reached and clasped him under the water.
“Morning be a time fer answers Gary…” She nibbled at his jaw, further weakening his shaky will.
“Sexy pirate girls are just no fair.” He complained to the unheeding universe. Her grip tensed ever so slightly, reminding him that he was on a clock. He rattled out his story, with some backtracking and digression, got to the end… and received only a tightening grip.
“Gary…” Just his name. He panicked just a little.
“Shai, you saw my workshop, my tools, my bath!” He said, rolling his eyes to indicate the surrounding vegetation.
“Have you ever even heard of things like this?”
“They hae baths in the capital, I hear. An lies come cheap in the hinterlands.”
“Think, was this house here last week?” He struggled, carefully. “It’s true, ask Otho, just don't do anything… drastic. I thought you two were getting along!”
“Ooh, I like him just fine, but I mislike liars!” Slowly she released him, giving a gentle pat as though to make amends.
“I’ll be asking Tawny, she said her secrecy oath dinnae hold an ye tell me of yer own will.” She settled back against him, crawling inside his arms.
“I decided to trust ye when ye sang those songs, t’was one in a language I did never hear, and the others were naught I recognize.” She sighed, “Aye tis the songs, I cannae let ye go.”
#
Arm in arm they wandered into the late morning light, looking for food. “I cannae believe ye hae nae food in yer place, save that mysterious sandwich.”
Gary got serious. “Do not eat that sandwich, Otho has decided that anything in my kitchen is there for the taking... he just swings by to raid my fridge.”
“As you wish silly boy, I will nae eat yer magic sandwich.”
With a twist of his fingers, he made his flute appear and began to brighten everyones morning. Not that his playing was masterful, but when he played Shai danced, and when Shai danced every one danced.
“I’m dating the hottest chick in town…” He mumbled as he switched to guitar.
“She’s hot, crazy hot, crazy. Hot. Huh, there's a song in that.” He sang in english as she danced to his improvised blues.
She spun closer “What does ‘sheezhot krazyhott’ mean?” She asked sweetly. “I want tae learn all your songs boy.”
“I was going to write a song about you, but I think somebody already wrote it.”
“I cannae wait tae hear.” She whispered huskily in his ear.
“I’ll sing it just for you, no one else on the planet will hear it unless you say so.”
“Ye make me feel powerful” She laughed, spinning away as he switched to an improvisational ‘Girl From Ipanema’, singing the lyrics in english and portuguese.
#
As they strolled through town Gary tried to use his gift to make Shai more interesting, slowly dialing it in and watching the crowd. There seemed no real effect, but he developed a hollow pain in his heart that told him he was growing imbalanced. He backed it off, making the pressure relent, he was going to need to get his ass kicked by Liam tonight.
A message appeared and he shoved it away while Shai was dancing. She was clearly enjoying the confused looks from those who she swept up in her dance. She enjoyed it even more when the songs mystified the onlookers. Just to make her happy he played a spirited version of ‘Fat Bottomed Girls’, still in english, just for her.
When they twirled up to the tavern, the barkeep gave Gary and Shai a table by the windows so that the music could draw in more hungry and thirsty strollers.
Settling in, she said. “I want ta learn that last song, it were fun! What dae it mean?”
“Remember Shai, I'm a stranger here, I don't know your…” Her look gave him pause. He began to softly sing her the verses in the common language. First she turned pale, then red, pale again and finally she burst out laughing.
“Be that the filthiest song in your home? It were a rare treat!” She blushed again, “I cannae believe ye sang that in public in any language!”
“Ohh sweet summer child.” Gary soothed her, “I will sing you the ‘Mayor of Bayswater’ some evening”
“Be he naughtier than the Queen that sang this song?”
“Hmm perhaps, there is a noble knight of my land you should become familiar with. Sir Mixalot is his name. Remind me about him later.”
“Sir Mixalot, Knight of Garysland. I will remember”
#
As they headed for the forge, he caught Shai softly singing; “she was such a naughty nanny...” and he couldn’t resist pulling her close for a kiss, damn the watching eyes.
He whispered, “Come by any evening, or find me at the orphanage, or shout my name down the halls of the college, if you want me, I’m yours.”
She whispered back “Run away now Gary, Papa Harlan is duty bound tae beat ye an he lays hands on ye today. Tis tradition!”
That was when the beautiful girl floated away and was replaced by an angry, red haired thunderstorm roaring his way.
Gary fled, crying: “Forgive me Master Harlan!”
Tradition did not extend more than one hundred yards from the shop. Because at that point, Harlan stopped, breathing heavily with hands on his knees.
He waved at Gary, calling: “Be good to her boy, or she’ll kill ye”
#
Back home Gary climbed in the pool, feeling hollow again. He pulled up that message from before.
Gift: Familiar Stranger has fully integrated. New functionalities have emerged;
Entrainment, non hostile entities may be influenced in behavior or action. Gift scales against creature’s will, mind, and the nature of the influence. Creatures will be very difficult to induce to act against their own interests. No cost, no cooldown.
Unknown, unknown/null
The Unknown, unknown/null was faintly brighter indicating more information, he dug in deeper.
Unknown, unknown/null, you have attempted to activate a locked ability, Contract related attribute to unlock.
Gary dug around, finding a thread running from Familiar Stranger to his Animus stat, that made sense. Contract that to unlock this.
“Nothing to do for that now.” He mumbled. Before running to the orphanage so Liam could beat him again. “I can't believe this is my life now.”
Liam was insufferable, and he had Aisha along to spectate, while he took Gary to the training ground and proceeded to whomp him with a stick for a solid half hour.
When sweet innocent Becky brought Tawny in to heal Gary’s battered flesh, she stuck her tongue out and sassed “I heard what you did to poor Shai, so embarrassing! I hope she beats you too!”
Tawny snorted while Liam Aisha and Gary looked confused, though to be fair Gary looked confused before… he had taken a wooden sword to the head.
“Right under the helmet” Liam was explaining. “took a little nap and called me mommy, Shai will be mad if I make him any dumber.”
Tawny looked him over and pronounced, “No, he's still just odd, no harm done.” She looked down at him and smiled “Feel better Gary, you start class tomorrow.”
He groaned miserably. “They won't even let me in the library, so I can't ‘get my filthy peasant hands’ on the books. I'm Starting day one at zero.”
“Gary,” Liam soothed, “you have learned so much since coming here, surely you can avoid soiling yourself or falling off a building.”
Tawny’s golden, liquid laugh lingered as she left, while Gary slowly climbed to his feet.
“She’s so meam” He griped nasally, trying to sneeze the congealed blood out of his sinuses in the corner of the courtyard. “Was she like that before she saw my spear?”
“We’ve all seen your spear Gary, it's not that impressive.”
“Shut up Aisha, I don’t recall inviting you into my bath, anyway.” Gary tried to glare fiercely at her but the effect was ruined by Liam’s laughter.
“Shai never laughs at… Aww dang.” He hung his head in exaggerated woe and sobbed unconvincingly into his hands. “She thinks I'm hilarious too.”
His friends, still grinning at his misfortune, helped him to his room. “I’m just going to lay here for a while…” He said, collapsing into the small, lumpy bed.
“So…” Liam began. “If you are going to sleep here for a bit…” Aisha chimed in.
“Liam and I are going to run some errands in the carpenters ward…”
“So now you start asking” He moaned. “Go on you two. Don’t eat Otho’s sandwich.” Aisha looked puzzled, but the pair scampered, leaving him in peace.
#
He woke with late afternoon sun streaming through his tiny window. As Gary awakened from that lazy afternoon nap, he found a warm body pressed close to him, spreading a pleasant warmth. A spray of coppery hair spilled onto his pillow. He snuggled in closer, receiving a soft, pleased grunt in return.
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They lay like that for a while, sharing silent companionship, disturbed only when he heard a voice calling. “Otho!” Again the call. “Otho! Where are you?”
As she stirred, Gary put a comforting arm around her and played gently with her big floppy… ear?
With a shout Gary leapt up, just as Ivy poked her head in, “There you are!” The huge, shaggy dog galumphed over to greet her, wiggling in excitement.
“And there you are.” She said with just a little disappointment. “Clothes Gary? Shai won't be best pleased if you keep running around in your underthings.” She ran an appraising eye over him while he struggled into a shirt and pants. “I came to find my silly mutt, not to ogle my sister's bad choices.”
“Ouch Ivy, that stings”
She harrumphed softly, and sank onto his now vacant bed. “You start at the college tomorrow, if you can’t handle a little verbal tit for tat with me, the rich kids will eat you alive.”
Gary lounged into the only chair, a study in casual indifference. “How this?” He asked, in languid bored tones. “I call this ‘careless indolence’ I like this for rich kids,” He intoned, a lazy drawl making his words seem to pour out like cold honey, slowly, thickly. ‘It makes them… wait… for you.”
The cute blonde shook her head in amusement and annoyance.
“No? Well I can try, ‘studious and obedient go getter’... but that does NOT play to my strengths.”
“Gary… Otho and Amicus are not representative of the college and most of its members. It is a deeply elitist place. They will let us play with their toys, but we need to know our place.”
A slow smile spread on Gary’s face and he drawled:
“That's the thing Miss Ivy… I do know my place, and its wherever the fuck I find myself at the moment.” He rose and sauntered in his most infuriating slouch, to the door.
Ivy grinned and called “Remember that brother, we are Adventurers. We belong.”
“Somebody wrote a song about that Ivy, we’ll see if I play it.”
#
Down in the carpenters’ ward, there was someone standing outside his shop door. Odd, since all his friends had switched to using the house entrance.
She was a small woman, robed in the green of the temple of Joy’s acolytes. Her skin was tanned and her hair was straight, dark and long. As Gary opened the shop door, she made a nodding bow and followed him in.
With a wave, done purely for theater, the paper lanterns scattered around illuminated his all but empty shop.
What few products and instruments he had managed to create over the last few busy weeks were displayed with pride. A rack of recorders from soprano to bass, ukuleles, drums, that shamisen and a few simple guitars hung, glowing softly in the lantern’s light.
Stepping behind the counter, he smiled. “Welcome to Ward instruments, where We Will Rock You.”
She looked mildly confused, but pushed past it with visible effort. “You are the proprietor? Or an apprentice?”
Gary’s easy smile grew wider, “Both actually, Gary Ward, apprentice luthier and ceo of Ward Instruments, where We Will Rock You.”
“I was told that you are the only maker of musical instruments of any kind in this town.” She said, eyeing the sparse selection and the rack of pipes, mugs and wooden tableware in the corner.
“I assume you are one of Otho’s minions? What can I do for you? Or did you just drop by to be… polite?” He asked, emphasis hanging on the last word in quiet challenge. Calmly he began tuning his display instruments while waiting.
From a satchel over her shoulder she produced an instrument case, immediately attracting his notice.
Now excited, Gary pulled the case to himself across the counter and opened it. She stood in silence while he took stock.
It was a violin, slightly wider and longer than he expected, but not a viola. It was deep bodied and the soundboard arched gracefully, suggesting a full, rich sound when handled deftly. It shone a deep golden yellow, slipping into autumn shades of orange, red and finally dark brown.
The headstock was a lifelike fiddlehead fern frond, gracefully uncurling into a neck and fingerboard glowing as only wood rubbed by loving hands for generations can.
Turning it over, he gasped in sorrow. A deep splintered gash marred the back of the instrument, explaining its lack of strings. Even the lightest tension would likely rip the poor thing apart. Cracks radiated from the gaping wound and the seams were separating in a number of places.
Violin, instrument, string class, Iron Rank, enchanted. Quality, rare. Damaged, non functional. Seek repair from a qualified craftsperson.
“Ooh, no!” He swept it from the case like an injured puppy and set it on a padded stand that had not been there a moment before. He peered at the wound with a magnifying glass that evaporated as he threw it aside. With a short lived forcep, he pulled a splinter from the gash, popped it into his mouth and chewed carefully.
“Not maple, it's resinous and sour, what is this?” He asked crisply.
The unnamed woman just stood there looking startled. “Did you just taste my instrument?”
“Of course not, that would be strange and foolish… so, what wood is this?” He asked, still chewing and sucking on a splinter.
“I think it's bog cypress.” She shrugged. “It has been in my family for generations.”
“Mm hmm...” He murmured, letting a tiny flake of the varnish dissolve on his tongue.
“You did it again!” She whispered in horror.
“Did what?” He asked, gently easing a probe with a small round mirror into the body through a gracefully curving F hole.
“Stop eating my violin this instant!” She fumed in desperate impotence. A tiny paper lantern appeared inside the cavity, illuminating the interior for his inspection, while she complained.
Taking a page from Jennah’s book he made a shooing motion. “I can’t work under these conditions, run along and play.”
“This is unacceptable, I will see Head priest Otho about this! Return my instrument immediately, or I shall call the Justicars!”
All emotion drained from his face as he coldly said; “You came to me woman. It looks like it was struck with an ax. Did you do this?”
“Of course not!” She snapped, even more furious.
“I may be able to repair this for you, it will take time though. Do you have a substitute?”
“Where would I find a violin in this backwater? Do they grow on trees here?” She stamped her foot impatiently. “How long boy?”
“I can make you a violin in three days, but to repair this properly I need to find some lumber and figure out this varnish. A month, maybe two?”
“Unacceptable I cannot play some scrap wood fiddle in the temple of Joy”
“You can bang rocks together in the woods if you want, but I will not damage this work of art to please a spoiled child. If you want it covered over with wattle and daub, perhaps Old Mikkel the plasterer can help, sheep dung is his secret ingredient.”
Gently he placed it back in the case and slid it to her. “Sadly, we Cannot Rock You Today.” Shaking his head he sighed. “I will make a violin, it will be ready in three days, come see me if you wish. Otherwise, you should consider taking better care of your toys.”
It broke his heart, but the Ward family honor demanded he repair that treasure correctly or not at all. With sadness he watched her leave. He locked up, heading in to bathe.
Liam, Aisha and Shai were already there, soaking and chatting. “...Amicus vanished three days ago, Otho disappeared yesterday, Priestess Naiomi and Tawny both went into the college and never came out last night. Something is happening.” Aisha was saying, when he slipped into the pool.
Shai slipped close and snuggled into his arms as soon as he settled, while Aisha continued. “Rumor is that Amicus found something in the hills and they are all atwitter over it.”
“Ohh, Z’s library and workshop.” Gary said blandly. “I told Amicus about it when I woke up” He leaned close, whispering to Shai. “That's the place where the music never stops”
She swatted him playfully. “Mind ye what Aisha’s saying ye great fool, ere ye find Otho an Amicus leading ye by a ring in yer nose.”
“I didn’t understand anything beyond that a sexy pirate girl is still not fair.” He said, nuzzling her ear.
She batted him away gently, while Aisha tried to explain. “The three academic scholars who have seen this house are all clustered together with the only other mage who has direct knowledge of your… situation,” She prevaricated, looking at Shai.
“Shai knows everything. Please, carry on.” Gary said, while she was climbing farther into his lap than he had thought would be possible.
“Aye, Shai knows everything, save why ye keep callin me a pirate, tis getting insulting.”
He squeezed her gently and whispered. “We’ll go over sexy pirate girl cosplay later, it's going to come up a lot.”
She purred. “I be no man’s dress up doll, save he be mine in turn.” She turned to Aisha, “Make yer point Aisha, we’er fer the dance ere the evening ends.” She punctuated this with a tug on Gary’s ear.
“Ohh dancing! Get dressed Liam, we’ll walk and talk!”
#
As they dressed and strolled into the orchard Aisha outlined her suspicions. “With those four closeted away, and with Zygnos’ library, it can only mean they have some insight or at least some solid theories about… whatever Gary is.”
“Hey!” He complained.
“Mine is what he be, half sister, an those vultures want their beaks in him, I’ll be the one tae clip their wings.” Shai growled softly.
Aisha looked at her flatly. “You don't even have your first Contract Shai, we are playing their game and have to follow the rules.”
With a snort she made a shining steel knife dance across her scarred knuckles and then disappear like magic. “Contract or nae, I’ve the magic of steel and guts, that's enough fer now.”
“Wait, back up,” Gary said, stopping cold. “Shai, no Contract? You don't have one?” He asked, shaken.
“Nae Contracts, I be an orphan as ye know.” She said coolly, watching him closely.
“So, all of…” He waved his hands up and down at her. “Is all you? No magic? No eldritch Contract with the beyond?”
“Nae… is just me…” She was cut off as Gary swept her up and spun in circles crowing like a madman.
#
In a clearing just outside the orchard, on a stump Gary had cut a few days before they began hanging lanterns from nearby boughs. Gary’s legs disgorging a surprising number.
Once lit, creating their informal dance floor, Gary began to play his guitar. A smooth improvisational piece, stolen from Norwegian Wood and Santana in equal parts.
He let his gift flow out into the forest, cajoling and teasing the nocturnal residents of the wood and orchard to join in.
Setting aside the guitar, while whistling the melody, he pulled a drum out and began to line up the owls and whippoorwills into a bass section. The flute teased the crickets and nightjars into the melody.
A few bars on the mandolin brought bats and nightingales into the mix, while a wolf barely within his aura, sang long and mournful hymns to the moon.
Whistling, he left his stump, scattered with instruments. Gliding on the beat to Shai, she spun into his arms in wonder.
They danced, singing, whistling and stomping together while the night creatures followed Gary’s gentle urging. Eighth bell surrendered to full darkness while they cavorted, wild and desperate. Clinging to the fading summer evening to the very last.
As the music wound down and the creatures slipped away, Shai pulled close. “Ye did promise me a song of me own foolish boy.” Gary’s eyes flicked to their friends, collecting lanterns from nearby.
More loudly now, so they all could hear, she called out. “In me Benevolence an grace, ah will allow these two tae hear my song, boy.” She clapped imperiously three times. “On with it! Ere I find a new minstrel!” She giggled afterwards, ruining the effect.
“Now, Mistress Shai, This is an old song from my home, but here it is yours alone.”
He never really felt Star Of The County Down before, but it's a fine old song, lively and sweet. Seeing this girl for the first time and each time after he understood, he really got it, and that came out in his voice and instrument.
Ringing out through the trees with desire, need, fervor and adoration. Raw and naked in the desperate hunger of a young man’s emotions. Soon all three were joining in on the chorus while Shai spun and whirled in the gathering moonlight.
She was a barefoot dream in flowing woolen skirts, flickering through the trees at the edge of the Carpenter’s ward. Aisha and Liam parted with a kiss, headed for their beds. While Shai took Gary’s arm, turning to head home.
Gary turned to head home as well, as they softly collided, she hugged the boy and spun him towards her forge.
“Ye’el be walking me home this night foolish boy. An me papa likes ye well enough, ye will nae be rubbing his nose in it. I be his daughter under law, an humiliation is nae a dish I would serve in gratitude.”
Seeing Gary slowly putting the pieces together, she continued. “I’ll be leaving ye the strength tae stand fer the first day at yer college, foolish boy,”
She kissed him fiercely and bit his lower lip almost too hard. “Repay me kindness tomorrow evening.” Then she was gone, slipping from his arms like a ghost and vanishing up the stairs to the residence above her forge.
“Maybe I should have gone with Rhiannon…” He muttered, walking back to the orphanage.
#
Firstday rang in with a shimmering still sunrise, promising a hot day. He dressed in his second hand market day finery, just a bit upmarket and just worn in enough to send his message.
Draped in the light brown over-robe of a first year novice, he strolled out into the hall, hat askew at a saucy angle. Ivy was there and for a surprise, Liam. “Otho called me in, perhaps I will learn something.”
“Keep me posted… hey,” There were faint bags under Liam's eyes, and he had been only ‘Horrible’ to Gary during their morning routine, several notches down from ‘Walking Nightmare’, his usual mode.
“You ok buddy, you seem…” Liam flashed him a warning glare and significant glance at Ivy. “Like you didn’t sleep well.”
“I slept just fine Gary, I was out late dancing.”
“We will have to put you down this afternoon bro, a bath and a nap will fix you up!”
Ivy clapped Gary on the back firmly. “Shai sent this one home early, Liam. Otho saw you creep in before first bell.”
“Wait, Otho was here?” The others looked at Gary and then down at the massive coppery red dog that followed Ivy like a red gold shadow.
“You named the dog Otho?” He asked, puzzled.
“It was supposed to piss him off, but the old goat loves him. Takes him for walks, pretends anyone who tries to talk to him is talking to the mutt.” She shook her head while scritching the dog behind the ears. “Says it's the only way to take a walk in peace.”
“And the dog told you Liam came creeping back?” Gary asked.
“He's my familiar Gary, I see, hear and unfortunately taste everything he does.” She smiled, “He’s really a busybody.”
“So how does a familiar work?” Gary asked as they walked in a group to the college.
“I’m Contracted to the God of Beasts. Instead of magic I get Otho here, He's my Boy!” She chimed excitedly on the last, making the dog wiggle.
“I thought Contract talk was taboo?”
She scoffed at him while Liam added, “We’re Orphans Gary, you are one of us now.” He clapped Gary on the other shoulder. “I’m Contracted to War, Ivy has Joy and the beast spirit.”
“The God of Beasts.” She growled very slowly, her cute, blonde pixie bob and upturned nose looking decidedly feral.
“Sorry, The God of Beasts” Liam corrected himself. “War is kind of a dick about the god of Beasts. I have to pay attention or his nonsense can influence me.” He explained as they walked.
“Lima Bean here says you have a weapon Contract, a spear?” Liam bristled at the obvious childish jibe, but he bristled all the time anyway.
Gary made Wanderer’s Legacy appear as a cane and handed it over to her. “Letting me get my hands on your spear just like that? Shai is gonna murder you twice!” She continued laughing at her off color innuendo all the way up to the college gate. The boys remained unmoved by her wit.
“The whole spear analogy is just a bit on the nose.” Liam criticized.
Gary stroked his chin thoughtfully. “It has a certain juvenile indirectness I suppose, still, low hanging fruit.”
“Precisely, had she say, gone for your low hanging fruit… that is the kind of elevated discourse the modern jokester should be focusing on.” Liam said, rising to the topic.
“I agree, in this day and age there is no excuse for that kind of sloppy display.” Gary opined.
“Sloppy display you say? I can work with that. Otho, if you please?” Ivy barked.
The boys spent the rest of the walk being nipped, harassed and generally tripped up by an enthusiastic mountain of red gold fur. They separated at the administration building, Liam going inside, Ivy heading to the third year building. Gary was directed to an outbuilding near the wall under a huge cedar tree.
He spent the entire day being tested on basic knowledge starting with establishing that he could in fact, read. Literate commoners were indeed a rarity.
The physical sciences part of the tests was OK he guessed, spatial awareness and geometry were simplicity defined. In the magical section of the knowledge assessment he performed disappointingly.
Some of the questions felt almost similar to music theory, in the way that a drawing of a tree on paper was similar to a living tree. All in all it was exhausting.
#