Contrasts

Sen came close as he pulled the tokens down from their new resting spot. A tiny crick was heard as he brought it into the dim firelight. Sen’s gasp mirrored his own feelings. Honor’s token was turning black. Then, a second sound drew them to Communication’s token. It, too, had a split, and it was turning black.

Sen looked back at Zak who was sleeping peacefully on their bed. Bard placed the tokens in her hands and moved their son to his own room before returning. Sen had tears in her eyes, and Bard moved her to the bed, gently setting her down and then sitting beside her. She leaned into him, and he shifted to wrap his arms around her as she wept. Just seeing her so upset, brought a tear to his eyes.

“Sen?” he spoke with a hushed tone. She looked up and then began to wipe her tears, hastily.

“Sorry. I just thought that… well, what if Father and Emotion get attacked too? And… I couldn’t stop thinking about the run of fire with Preparation and Life.”

Bard felt a shiver run up his spine with her words. It was not a pleasant memory.

“And with the influx of shades, I’m not sure we can get any messengers to them to have them come and join us very quickly…”

“I know,” Bard barely managed to say. Thinking of his Father shading, scared him, and he couldn’t focus on his surroundings, as his mind played it out.

“We’ll talk with the others and see what can be done. Those shades that can ignore the sunstones are still at large, and they would pick off anyone quickly, and traveling in a group isn’t safe either.”

The realities were stark, but perhaps someone at the next meeting would have an answer or solution.

They comforted one another as they went to bed, though Bard felt Sen curled up next to him, similar to their days on the road. His dreams thankfully didn’t have him revisiting those events, nor did he imagine what it would be like to be there and watch the others Shade.

As the morning mists began to play and disperse, Bard rose and found Sen was already up and toddling after Zak, he had grabbed her hand and wanted her to follow him to who knew where. When he approached the door, Sen corrected him while Bard found breakfast warm and served at the table.

With a simple shift, he sat himself and prepared to eat, but Zak noticed him and came over and began reaching over the table.

“Words, Zak. You can use them,” Bard chuckled, seeing him reaching for the food.

“Hungry,” Zak said with a frown, before trying to reach again. Bard sighed and Sen was already over with a smaller wooden plate. Bard took it and served some of the food off his plate, and Sen helped the little tot to sit at the table next to him. She helped their son try the different foods, and if not for seeing her token’s peek around her robes, Bard would have convinced himself that last night was just a dream. Those blackened tokens were a constant reminder. Today they were fully black.

With a grim expression, he ate and then excused himself to head to work. Zak complained, but Sen swept him up and said they were heading to the forest today, which changed the tune of his whines to ones filled with excitement. Bard barely caught her gaze and gave her a thankful look. He hated seeing Zak upset when he left the house. If he could, he would just stay home all day, every day.

As he walked out, he was greeted by the neighbors, and then some passing catfolk who wore more green as the years went by.

He passed the market and noticed Jamil on the outskirts. When their eyes met, Jamil excused himself from the conversation and approached. Bard had an inward flinch at that. What could cause Jamil to be in such a rush to talk? Something else that he needed to be worried about?

As Jamil came over, his tail indicated to move to the side, instead of the middle of the road, and that bothered Bard.

“What is it?” he asked politely.

“Kihana wanted to speak with Sen later, do you think we can arrange that?” Jamil asked, his ears flicked with a strange nervousness that Bard took note of.

“Sure…” he said as he refrained from folding his arms in dubious doubt. Jamil seemed to miss all the normal marks with his demeanor as he plowed on about the details.

“Hold on Jamil. What’s got your tail in a knot?” Bard nearly laughed, shocked that even the composed and tactful Jamil would be ruffled. Jamil’s eyes went wide before they settled with his sigh of defeat. He looked around to confirm he wouldn’t be overheard, and Bard was surprised by the behavior.

“Look, it’s about Kihana,” Jamil said, and Bard grinned. Jamil’s expression quickly changed to a neutral frown. “Why are you smiling like that?”

“Oh, nothing. How is she doing lately?” Bard asked and Jamil threw up his hands, which made Bard snicker. “I’m sure it’s fine, so long as her and Hasina are getting along.” Bard teased, and Jamil truly frowned this time.

“Don’t bring that up. I’m still trying to smooth it out.”

“Sure. Matters of the heart can be quite tricky to navigate.”

“As if I could ask you for advice on this. You had it figured out when you left the silver woods with a girl at your side.”

Bard didn’t have much to say to that and just shrugged, enjoying this immensely. While he was lost in his own world looking after Zak and Sen, Jamil had set his own into a tail spin. Bard only knew some of the rumors, and it made the whole thing more amusing. Jamil was dead set on marrying Kihana, but he had an uphill climb to make it work. As a merchant, it was important to have one of your family inherit the trade, especially as a Caravan leader like Jamil with a strong trade route and near monopoly with a location, like Sal Shefa. However, Jamil was an orphan, abandoned over his fur color. The love of his life was obviously Kihana, but she couldn’t inherit the trade as she was tied to the temples, and she couldn’t abandon it either. This left Jamil with a lot of ladies who wanted his trade. Hasina seemed to be a candidate, though his heart wasn’t with her, and if Bard understood, that made this whole thing one big mess.

“I heard you found a solution to this?” Bard teased and Jamil’s ears flattened a bit.

“And that is why Kihana wants to talk to Sen. Could we arrange that?”

“I assume you mean time without Zak underfoot or in her arms,” Bard said with a thoughtful look. “It’s possible tomorrow, or maybe tonight, depends on if you are going to need me to work on a lot of trivial things again,” he said.

“Well, you do need to have a busy schedule sometimes so you can stay in top form when under stress,” Jamil countered and Bard folded his arms.

“Alright, I’ll tone those down. Tonight?” he asked hopeful, and Bard grinned.

“It’s a deal then.”

Jamil was about to reach out his hand and then swiftly drew it back. His lips pursed as he refrained from saying some unsavory words.

“Ooo. I… you… fine. I’m not on my game today. I can see that,” Jamil half chuckled. Bard laughed and took Jamil’s hand and gave it a firm shake of agreement.

“We’ll talk later. You need to get your personal life out of your work and soon, else you fall victim to more intense steals,” Bard laughed, enjoying being able to turn this on Jamil. How many times had the cat come down on him like this? He admitted to himself that he could see the enjoyment, though he doubted he could pull it off much. It just wasn’t in his nature.

“Noted. I’ll see you later,” Jamil said before his ears perked up, and he shifted them around. “It would seem that my ‘daughter’ is calling for me,” Jamil sighed, before excusing himself. Bard was a bit surprised as he watched him walk off. Daughter? What was that about?

Knowing Jamil’s perchance for leaving with more questions than he answered, Bard refrained from asking. Besides, he would be able to return home sooner from that exchange.

As he made it over to where the other leaders were gathering, he noticed Sparring Tree sticking up above the heads of those who were there.

Keith waved as he came close, and Bard saw Amir glance his way. He walked over to the two and greeted them.

“Keith, it’s a surprise to see you here,” Bard said. Keith had a big grin, while Amir looked at him with a pitying face.

“I was just asking Amir about something, and he said I should refer to you on this,” Keith said. Bard felt his brows furrow. First Jamil, and now Keith? These two handled themselves fairly well, why would they want him?

“What is this about?” Bard asked Amir. Amir sighed and pulled Bard off to the side.

“Well, Keith has found someone he wants to marry,” Amir said somewhat quietly. Bard quickly looked at the man, but Amir drew his focus back.

“Wouldn’t a pledge be something you handle?” Bard asked.

“Well, he brings up a fair point. I am under you in terms of leadership, and pledges need the permission of the highest leaders, including the elder trees.”

“Haven’t you been doing this with the others?”

“Keith is the one who pointed out the problems,” Amir sighed. Bard could see where this was going.

“But I don’t know all those rites and rituals,” he said, keeping his voice low.

“And I pointed that out, but he is insistent that we follow the laws exactly for this.”

Bard placed his palm to his face, rubbing at his temple and then down the nose.

“Okay. But he knows I would be referring to you on this?”

Amir nodded, and Bard felt like today was going to be more eventful than he had anticipated.

Hours passed in the council, until most things had been concluded. Bard called for a separate meeting after lunch, and they adjourned for the time being. Keith waited for him with Amir, and Bard could feel his excitement. He looked to Amir for direction, but as he was asked to confirm how many tokens he had, Bard fell silent. Seven tokens. No doubt that Protection still refused to guide them. He put his hand to his own chest where his tokens were, trying not to sour the mood. He could still feel the growing silence from the freshly shaded tokens. Amir prompted him through the rest, and Keith left on Sparring tree while Amir came over.

“What is weighing you down, ‘chief’?” his emphasis on the word chief brought Bard out of his musings.

“What a day to have such joyous news,” Bard hummed. Amir’s eyes gravitated to where the tokens were and his eyes narrowed. Bard paused and then pulled out the string. When his eyes saw the four black tokens, he closed his eyes in apology, and reverence.

“Which ones?” Amir asked. Bard answered.

“They are nearing Father tree.” Bard said softly. Amir stiffened and then looked apologetic.

“I’m not sure we have a way to warn him, but perhaps we can find a group that would be willing to head that way.” He then looked back at the forest and the lake. “What a day for announcements. I’ll have to temper Keith’s expectations for a bit,” he said with a rough sigh. Bard smirked.

“It’s fine. A bit of joy for some is better than dashing his excitement for my worries,” Bard said, and Amir looked a bit surprised before smiling kindly.

“You’ve really grown into this, Bard. Faster than I did,” Amir complimented, and Bard shook his head.

“I had to. I won’t live as long as you will, but still… thanks.”

They heard the sounds of the messengers calling the leaders together, and joined in the conversation. With the approach of fall, many wanted to have their weddings like Bard and Sen had all those years ago, and while the mood was joyous, it was a problem that needed sorting.

Amir was the one who found a place to bring up the tokens and the shades again, and Bard showed the truth of it all. The mood shifted and some were tasked with finding those who could fight their way there. Kai was needed to help get things set up for the coming festivities, and time was of the essence.

When he returned home, ready for dinner, he found Sen happily playing with Zak and joined in. They heard a cough at the door and saw Jamil, Hasina, and Kihana there. Sen quickly called Kai over and took Zak to Elwood’s before returning and boiling some water.

“I didn’t realize you would bring the whole entourage,” Bard snarked.

“Now, Bard. They did ask for our help,” Sen said. Bard settled his face with a cheeky grin. Kihana’s wings dissipated as she sat next to Jamil. Hasina’s pouting frown remained. Sen poured the herbal brew, and Bard let the silence unfold. After each thanked Sen for the drink, she settled next to Bard, handing him one.

Kihana smelled the drink and then had a repulsed reaction as she gently set it down. Jamil looked apologetically at Sen, and then Bard noticed the tails intertwined between those two. He closed his eyes as Sen began with the probing questions. He already had an idea, and it was only a matter of time if his haunch was correct.

As Sen began exploring his question, he listened in.

“Bard mentioned you said you had a ‘daughter’, Jamil?” Sen probed and Jamil looked over at Hasina, who looked away with her nose up in the air.

“Adopted, daughter… Yes.” Jamil looked a bit nervous. Bard picked up on the exchange and sighed.

“I see,” he muttered, glad his life was more simple in comparison. Adopting Hasina, even if she had romantic feelings towards him, would allow Jamil to pass on his routes and caravans to her, while he got to pursue his love life. But it sounded like such a hassle.

“I’ll remain blissfully unaware then,” Sen said with a helpless shrug. “So you had something else you wanted our help with?”

“We were wondering if Kihana could stay with you two for the time being,” Jamil said, sipping at his drink. Hasina turned and lounged on the chair, as if she didn’t want to be part of the conversation. Though, when she took a drink, she looked pleased as her tail swiped contentedly, and she continued to sip at the hot brew.

Sen looked at Bard and her eyes showed her mild surprise and confusion, but he could see no reason to say no.

“Before we say yes, we would like to know why,” Bard said, worried that Jamil might try to squeeze in some deal, especially after this morning’s exchange.

Kihana and Jamil exchanged looks this time, and Kihana was the one who sighed.

Bard shook his head as the silence stretched.

“It is the safest place, after all,” Kihana said, licking her lips. Bard grinned as he shook his head.

“Bard, you’re being so mean,” Sen chided. “Of course you can stay, but we can’t provide food and water. If she stays, you’ll have to provide that. I can cook it, but I’m not going to get more ingredients on my own time. Especially while I watch Zak.”

Bard was proud of Sen for sticking up for herself and their family life. Cooking for one more guest wasn’t that much work, but having to get any special foods or even just extra ingredients wouldn’t be easy. They didn’t have the best finances with Sen staying home now.

Jamil looked quite pleased at the prospect. “I can do that. Also, since she is staying, I’ll be adding some coin or goods to your wallets. Whichever makes more sense each month.”

Bard raised an eyebrow at that remark. He was curious why Jamil would go out of his way to sweeten the deal, after it was already agreed upon. He clearly needed them to be happy with this arrangement. Piecing together what he could, Bard finally realized what was going on. Bard sat back as his jaw dropped.

“And after all that time, you kept calling me a kitten,” he scrutinized. Jamil closed one eye tight at that remark, a frown evident. Hasina sat up at that and glowered at Jamil.

“Well, since that is done, let’s go, Hasina. I’ve got a lot to teach you,” Jamil said, hands slapping his legs as he used the momentum to stand. Kihana looked a bit saddened at this, but Jamil paused and then leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers.

“I’ll be back to check on you,” he whispered, and she closed her eyes while he dragged Hasina out, her hissing and mewling at leaving so early. Bard chuckled, then wondered if he would be doing something similar in the future with his own kids. That thought alone sobered him.

“Now that those two have left… care to share what is exactly going on?” Sen asked, looking quite annoyed.

“First, you did well to keep that in check, I’m proud of you,” Bard complimented. Sen looked pleased at the praise. “As for what is going on…” Bard looked to Kihana whose ears were twitching as she listened. She let out a breath she had been holding.

“They should be out of earshot now. I’m sure Bard has figured some of it out, but yes, I can explain.”

She asked them how much they knew of catfolk customs and expectations. When Bard shared what he knew, she looked pleased, though it was obvious he wasn’t aware of everything.

“First, Jamil and I want to thank you, Bard. If not for you being friendly with him, purchasing his goods, and trading like you have, Jamil would likely have died. His black fur isn’t exactly an ally among those devoted to the Sun.” Sen looked alarmed at that tidbit, and Bard understood it.

“However, you two are quite close,” Bard remarked. She looked at where Jamil’s cup was set and sighed.

“Yes. He has saved me more times than I care to count. Even when I wasn’t the kindest. That said, Hasina is… being difficult.”

“She has been around him for a long time, it’s no surprise,” Bard hummed, taking a sip of the brew. Sen looked confused.

“Clarity?” she pled. Kihana chuckled before looking around.

“Jamil has loved me for a long time, and by the time my own feelings were reciprocal, he had already built up his caravan and had many devoted to his trade. This led us both into a bind. His traders wanted him to find an heir and raise them to take over, since he has many insider secrets. The fastest way was to marry Hasina and have her take over the trade since he was wanting to be done, but once married, it is hard to break that off, and he never loved her in that way.”

“I still-” Sen griped, but Bard placed his hand on her leg.

“Their culture. It’s different on its expectations,” Bard said simply, and Sen shrugged, stopping her push for more clarity.

“So Jamil adopted her instead and married you,” Sen finally said. Kihana nodded and Bard rolled his eyes. That was a more recent development that he had only pieced together. He had no idea how catfolk did weddings, but they likely varied and had rites and such tied to their religion. Still, he wished someone had said it more bluntly before today.

“So, why are you staying here with us?” Bard asked.

“Hasina…” Kihana said with gritted teeth. “Knows that I am expecting, and has tried multiple times to…” her words stopped and Bard shook his head.

“I see. It is safer, though she does know that you are here.”

“Jamil will keep her busy. Learning the trades and secrets can be quite demanding,” Kihana explained. Bard sighed. Sen looked livid.

“Unacceptable. If she shows her face around here,” Sen began, but Bard stopped her again.

“That’s enough, Sen. We know what to do, but let’s not get too embroiled than we already are. They will have to navigate that themselves, else we risk our own family coming under fire,” he warned. Sen bit her lip and then let out a long hum of dissatisfaction. “Why don’t you show our new guest to her quarters, and we can work out the details later. I’m sure you are tired,” Bard said, courteously.

“Thank you, chief,” Kihana said with a bow. Sen showed her to her space and the two met back up for a final snack, before heading to bed.