Hammer’s Echo

The laws were established, though it drove some people out. Most were newcomers and a few catfolk who didn’t like the ideas that the others found binding. The sense of community grew among the people as they crafted how they would live together. Construction became more swift with the newfound unity, and Bard found himself more and more directing instead of working with his hands, something he disliked. However, he did manage to find time to work on his and Sen’s home.

Elwood came over one day without Sen at his heels. Bard greeted him and set aside his tools.

“Where’s-”

“Sen?” Elwood finished. Bard nodded, cleaning the sweat from his brow. “With Amir. Apparently there is a scouting mission that she wanted to join and Amir went with her. They likely won’t be back for a few days.”

“I see. Let me guess. She chose to go in the moment and asked you to relay that?” Elwood’s nod was all Bard needed. He sighed. She was still so full of energy and drive. He was grateful, but he wondered how long he would be able to keep up. He wasn’t getting younger.

“I see the house is coming together,” He switched to the human tongue, and Bard blinked as he swapped over. Lately, so many had been using Asternum that it was becoming rare for him to use the human language.

“Yes. It is. Where are you going to be putting your tree again?” He asked.

“Right over there,” Elwood pointed behind the house and to the west. Bard nodded. He expected Sen to want a path that way, so he factored that in and made a few adjustments. “May I see what your plans are for the house?” Elwood asked, kindly, but Bard could sense that curiosity that was bubbling underneath.

“Sure,” Bard said cautiously. He wondered what Elwood was looking for. He led him inside and bit down as Elwood looked a bit crestfallen. They talked about what Bard had in mind, and Elwood occasionally shook his head.

“Bard, it’s not just a place to live, it’s a home. Sen had some things in her childhood that made where she lived home. And there are some things you aren’t considering here. The kitchen, for example,” he said as he walked around. Bard began to take note as he described what Sen had grown up with and realized just how inadequate a place this was shaping up to be. Thankfully, he still could adjust the layout and shape of the place, as the heavy materials hadn’t been set fully.

“Who sent you?” Bard asked as Elwood finished. Surely Sen had asked him to intervene.

“Amir,” Elwood answered, and Bard tilted his head, not expecting the answer. “He came here and was able to grasp what you were building and said I should offer some advice.”

“Why you?” Bard asked.

“I was the one who gave him suggesting when he started his family. Apparently it left an impression,” Elwood answered. Bard could agree with that.

“Well, thank you. Is there anything else you want to say?” he asked, feeling a bit worn down as he realized how much work he still had to do on this place.

“Don’t do it alone,” Elwood said as he moved to rest near Bard. Bard felt a wan smile form. How many times had he heard this over the last few months? It was welcome, but he also wasn’t sure how to respond. There were some things he wanted to do by himself, and there were a lot of things he could do, having traveled alone for so long, but now… it was different. This whole asking for help was foreign, and he had much to consider.

The two chatted while Bard recovered, and then Elwood politely excused himself, leaving Bard to continue his work.

“Need help?” a voice asked outside. Bard paused and saw Jamil in what would be the doorway.

“Jamil… I…” Bard started and then gritted his teeth. He heard Jamil laugh, his tail swishing with amusement.

“Elwood sent me. Said you had a lot to do here,” Jamil laughed as he strode over.

“That… It’s true,” Bard admitted. He didn’t know if he should pull on some hairs, or if he should be grateful to the old Dryad. “How much do you know?”

“Enough to have brought some help,” Jamil answered. Bard leaned over and looked to where the tail indicated. Several catfolk chatted outside, keeping their voices low.

“Jamil, I… Appreciate, but I can’t pay-”

“Don’t even go there, Bard. Those silver herbs I bartered for? I raked in a fortune, let alone the business I’ve gotten from the sunstones and this place, and the money I raked in from your wedding. I’ve got orders out my ears,” Jamil stopped his protest. “I owe ya,” he said with a note of finality.

“I, I see,” Bard said, almost admitting defeat. “I wanted to build this with my own hands.” He offered one final argument.

Jamil laughed. “Then we will just take down what you got wrong so you can focus on getting the things done that are right. It’ll still be your hands that make this place, you stubborn kitten.”

Bard bristled a bit. “I’m not a kitten anymore,” he growled.

“Then quit acting like one. Alright boys!” he whistled and the other catfolk came in and stood at attention. “He wants to do most of this, but he got started on the wrong direction. Let’s take down what he got wrong.” Jamil said and Bard smiled. Leave it to Jamil to beat his own logic. He was the one who had pointed out his flaws about romance and many other things. There wasn’t an option for him to win against his friend.

The catfolk got to work with Bard and were quick to help him get on the right direction with the construction. By the end of the day, they were farther than Bard had hoped.

“You’re becoming quite the leader, kitten,” Jamil said as he placed his arm around Bard’s shoulders.

“Not a kitten,” Bard growled, and the others laughed, reminding him of his caravan days. Perhaps, it wouldn’t be so bad to work with them again, if nothing else, it was good practice.

The work sped up as Jamil brought in more skilled tradesmen from his people. Sen arrived to a much more complete place than when she had left. Her report thankfully was pretty empty, meaning that they were safe for the time being.

Days continued on to weeks, and they discovered resources in the caves and mountain valleys that they could use to trade for help from the catfolk. This alone boosted moral and the work sped up once again.

Bard wiped the sweat off his brow and smiled. This was the last house. He climbed up into position and waved the hammer to the assembled crowd. There were some cheers and a few movements as people waited in anticipation. He raised the hammer and then swung down, the final nail defied him and he swung again. Once it was done, the catfolk nearest shouted in jubilation, and then the humans and dryads joined. The roars of delight filled the city. Bard joined them. Some children cried out in fear at the sudden noise, but otherwise, they were done. Bard climbed down as wives began to drag their husbands around to get started on the next projects. The houses were done, but the walls needed work and the roads could still be better. And realistically it was the exterior that was done, much still needed work on the inside, but at least this way if the storms came, they would be safer.

Bard approached Sen as laughter was heard from the ones who watched.

“Hello, Dear,” Sen said. She leaned into him, and he embraced her, joining her. “You know… I think we should have a festival. One to celebrate the completion of Sal Shefa,” she hummed.

“Hmm. That sounds nice. I can help you bring that up with the others at the next meeting,” Bard said as he looked down at her warm eyes. A celebration did sound nice, after these long months of work.

“I’d prefer if you could take charge of it, dear.” She said, and Bard mouthed an ‘O’ before leaning down to give her a kiss.

“If you’re alright with that,” he said before ruffling her hair.

“Of course I am,” she said playfully. “The meeting is tomorrow, by the way. Amir and Elvira asked for it, so I came to tell you.”

“I see. Then I will be there. By the way. Our house is done,” he said, and she brightened at that announcement.

“Can I see?” she asked.

“Of course,” he said as she hugged him. He took her hand and guided them to their house that he had finished at the beginning of the day. As he opened the door, Sen stepped in and then gasped. Within moments, she turned into that child he had met in the forest, climbing and exploring everywhere. He, however, walked in solemnly. It wasn’t fully furnished, but it was nice. With a large circular main room to remind them of her home from her childhood, a kitchen to the side laid out how she would be most comfortable, the start of a fireplace that would be added once they got enough stone from the mountains, and an upstairs with several rooms. Yes, it was theirs. Sen climbed the exposed beams that held up the roof. Her laughter and amusement was nearly contagious as she walked across the wood.

“Do you like it?” Bard asked, smiling contently and grateful for Elwood’s intervention. Sen climbed down and gave him a fast and furious hug.

“It’s wonderful,” she said. He looked to the stairs leading up, and she quickly ascended while he followed. She opened the doors to each of the rooms and looked through each. She returned to Bard and had him enter them with her.

“This is our room,” he said as he looked at her. “And those will be rooms for guests if we get any unexpected visitors.” He indicated to the other rooms. “Of, course… that will only be until our children take them.”

Sen smiled and then wiped at her eyes.

“Thank you,” she said before jumping into his arms and giving him a big kiss. She then broke the embrace and laughed. “I should go get our things.” She eagerly left, and Bard sighed in deep gratification. Finally, they had a place of their own. It was a big improvement from his little place in Father’s woods, or the place they had stayed since their wedding. He was relieved she liked it. He would need to thank Elwood for the ideas and Ruegar and Elvira for the instruction on building this to weather the storms, along with all the catfolk who had helped.

As he left he noticed the catfolk and humans, who grinned as he saw them.

“She loved it. Thank you everyone,” he said. The others cheered and laughed, congratulating him on it. A few women came over with baskets of supplies.

“Don’t you worry. We’ll work with Sen to stock the place by tomorrow. She’ll know where everything is. It’s the least we could do after all she has done,” the oldest lady said. Bard thanked them, and they went inside and began to unpack things. Sen returned with Kai loaded with their things, and he helped bring their stuff inside.

As they finished moving things around, the crew of people moved on to the next house. As he watched them leave, Sen guided him to the second floor, much to Kai’s complaints. Bard wanted to soothe his friend, but Sen pulled on him, and he ultimately complied. In their own room, Sen moved to the temporary bed like structure and sat down. She motioned for Bard to come over, before looking out the simple window. At the very edge, Bard could see the storm shutters he had installed before he gazed past and at the sunny sky.

“Home,” Sen muttered, she leaned towards him, and he pulled her into his embrace, allowing her to rest comfortably against him. Her eyes flickered up at him. Those same emerald eyes that still held boundless energy and a depth of love he was becoming more grateful to see each passing day. His gaze drifted to the tip of her scalp, seeing that little bit of red poking at the roots.

“It’s that time of year again,” he muttered, and she grinned.

“Took you long enough to notice.”

“I’ve been busy,” he retorted but then smiled. “Home,” he hummed, his eyes being cast outside.

As they took a moment to relax, Sen drifted to sleep. Bard, however, took her request seriously and began to think of things they could do for a festival. Activities, food, and such all crossed his mind. But he wanted it to be reasonable. They still needed to stock their supplies for the coming winter, and there were still hunts and other things that needed to happen. So much to do, but he still felt it important to have some sort of festival. It had been nearly a year since their last one. He also had heard from the catfolk and the humans that they typically got gifts for one another for anniversaries. Bard had figured out that it was the catfolk who had insisted on keeping the tradition alive, and the dryads preferred to do something every five years instead, but… he wouldn’t live long, so he hoped Sen would be alright if he was a bit selfish and did something for her every year.

While she rested, he plotted and planned.