Disclaimer: Anyone legally not allowed to view this story....Don't! It sucks I know but that's how the world is, sorry. Any references similar to any other story or person is entirely coincidental.
Authors Note: This is my first attempt at a story series, updates should be weekly. Please excuse any grammar mistakes. I love feedback, so e-mail me at Athos6182@aol.com, all comments welcome.
Entering Harmony Chapter Three By: Inanimate_Transformer
Silence. Only silence. Looking out over the bloodstained ground Razmus, saw many of his family, friends, and fellow villagers wounded, trembling, or dead.
As the dust settled over the tainted ground, Razmus saw some hope as all the robed men and their guards were dead. With a shock he snapped his head around to look for the bodies of the two men, he and the other villagers had so valiantly tried to protect. Moving bodies, he could not find a trace of either boy. A shimmer of hope filtered through the sorrow filling his heart.
Hours later, as the wounded had been cared for, and the dead buried, Razmus entered the now silent hut of Ballard and Kaithan. He walked slowly around the hut taking in every detail, as if something new would reach out from time and grab him.
The hut itself was nothing special, a large 30ft diameter thatch hut, strung together by thick ropes, the women made from left-over hay and animal fur. A large central pole rose from the ground like a living tree, leather strips encircled the trunk like so many creeping vines. Each nailed in such a way as to provide holding pockets for various knickknacks and toys for the children. The ground was well trodden dirt, with a sprinkling of hay covering most of the floor, providing a cushion against scraped knees.
Old wooden dressers and cabinets cluttered along the edge of the hut, as well as the large feather stuffed bed, the two young men had slept upon. Razmus wandered to the bed and let his head fall on his hands, as he began to weep softly.
"My son, where have you and Ballard gone?" Razmus whispered softly, as tears fell through his hands, landing like hammers on the soft earthen floor. "Your mother would never have allowed this to occur; she would have known how to stop this from happening." Looking around the room, Razmus spotted a small reflection of light, glinting from the dresser. Treading carefully, Razmus reached over and grasped a small thin necklace; with a sigh he clutched it to his chest. "Your bonding gift; how could you have left without this my son. Your mother worked for months, collecting the small pieces to make this for your bonding to Ballard, what a day that was."
7 months earlier
A small dark haired woman, with long flowing brown curls, that held the slightest hint of sliver, sat at a small work table, in a large thatch hut. In her hands was an intricately fastened loop of thin rope while a set of polished metal and small precious stones sat next to the strands of un-plaited rope. Her hands worked quickly, braiding the rope, around this stone, and that piece of metal, before moving onto the next segment. The day passed quickly with each completed section of the necklace signifying the passing hours, until the last rays of sunlight abandoned the sky. The woman stood up and stretched, sighing as her back and neck popped and she felt a hand lightly rest on her shoulder.
"Cassandra my love, you finished it. It looks amazing!" Razmus murmured as he hugged her gently.
She sighed, "Not yet Razmus, I still have two more spaces left to fill, and I just can't seem to find the right fit. All the stones just seem, well I don't know, wrong somehow?" Cassandra dropped her head onto his shoulder, her hair falling over Razmus's hand. He leaned in and inhaled the scent of her hair, sighing at the memories it stirred. "Dear, you know it doesn't have to be perfect, Kaithan will love it either way, you know that".
Cassandra laughed softly "That boy would love a lock of soiled horse hair tied with twine!" Both laughed long and hard as tears formed in their eyes. It was Cassandra who started sobbing into Razmus's shoulder. "Shhhh, shhh it will be alright, Ballard is a wonderful companion for Kaithan, they have been inseparable since he first wandered into the village 16 years ago. You know how much he loves Kaithan, they will be happy together." Razmus softly said, as he ran his hand gently through her curls. "I know, it is silly, but I feel like I am loosing him, even though he will only be across the yard, oh, and Razmus" drying her eyes and looking into his large brown orbs "the matriarchs have finished their part. Now if I can only find the right stone to..." she suddenly paused looking at Razmus's neck. "Razmus what is tha....Oh Razmus! That's it, that's the perfect finish..." her hands quickly went to her neck, fiddling with something behind it. "Cassandra, what are you..." Razmus chuckled. "Quickly my mate," she said. "Take off your bonding necklace my mother gave you...oh come now do hurry!" Razmus chuckled again as he removed his necklace that Cassandra's mother had given him 27 years earlier. "Here, now what are you.... what are you doing?!?" he uttered, racing over to the table where she began prying the largest stones from their necklaces. "Razmus, what better stones to use then the main ones from our necklaces, with all our years of love, could there be any question as to the love and affection they hold. It will just take a few....AH! There we go, perfect" Cassandra stepped back letting the light from the window hit the necklace. The suns rays gleamed off the stones and metal, making it come alive, "Cassandra...oh my, its, its beyond words."
Looking down, Razmus was captivated. Sitting on the table was an intricately woven necklace. Dozens of polished emeralds, sapphires and onyx stones, with round polished silver spheres, all matching on both sides reached the bottom of the loop. Here a large dark green emerald and an equally large sapphire joined by a golden thread tied around the middle had the sun glinting off each stone and orb. It had taken months of trading with the other villagers to get these stones, and a good part of their grain stock, but it was worth it. Tonight, at the solstice feast Ballard would ask Kaithan to spend the rest of his life with him. To be bonded in front of the entire village. Cassandra and Razmus looked up. Each held the other's gaze before rushing into a passionate embrace; a yearning for each other burning within them.
"Dame Cassandra! Elder Razmus, come outside with me, we want you to play with us...what are....Oh... I am sorry..." Cassandra and Razmus looked at the little figure that had just come running in from the yard. Both had a deep blush creeping onto their cheeks. Little William also stood there, cheeks crawling a red as bright as the adults. "No William its ok, now come on in here, what is it you needed?" Cassandra asked kneeling, and holding her arms open for him to come give her a hug, which he rushed to do. "We are playing fox and rabbits, and Lian thought you might want to play, you can even go first..."
"William what are you doing in here, it's your turn to count, while the little rabbits hide, you don't think a fox would be trying to get another fox to do his hunting for him, instead of trying to peek to see where they are hiding do you?" Kaithan stated with a chuckle, still out of breath from his turn as the fox. "No Kaithan, I am sorry, I'm just not good at finding them." William hung his head, and Kaithan came over and ruffled his curly brown locks. "It's ok William, but go out and try to find them, I will be right out to help you, ok?" The boy raised his head, "Oh ok, meet you out there Kaithan" William turned and ran out the door.
"Sorry mom, sorry dad, he got away from me, and Ballard is watching the babes right now, trying to get them calm since the matriarchs are preparing for the feast tonight. Oh mom, have you see the Elderess matriarchs, we can't seem to find them anywhere, and they all seem to have disappeared?" Kaithan said with a quizzical look at his smiling mother. "Why no, I can't say I have seen them today, I have been busy in here cleaning the hut. Have you seen them Razmus?" Cassandra turned to her husband "No dear, sorry, you know how they get, find a project and just forget the time. Did you need them urgently Kaithan?"
"No dad, well you see, with the matriarchs working on the feast, the children have missed their feeding, and I was wondering if it was ok to take some extra milk from this morning's milking and feed them ourselves. They are wailing pretty fierce." Kaithan said in a rush, his face showing his worry for the young infants. Cassandra smiled gently "Of course dear, take as much as you need, but be sure to bring back any extra."
"Will do mom" Kaithan turned for the door when something on the table caught his eye. "Hey mom, what's that on the table, something from the traders?" Cassandra walked by the table, and whatever it was disappeared. "Oh that, it's nothing, just something I have been working on for the solstice celebration tonight, nothing important. Now shouldn't you be outside helping William find those rabbits?" Cassandra winked, while Kaithan raised an eyebrow before nodding, "Yes ma'am see you later" and with a wave, he ran out the door.
"You see, look at how well he and Ballard have taken to caring for the young ones, they will both be fine." Razmus said as he pulled his wife closer. "Your right my love, they will be fine together." With that, not another word was spoken for a long time, both returning to their passionate embrace.
Later that night...
The entire village had turned out for the feast, fifteen long tables created a semi circle inside the large gathering hut. Hay and animal skins lined the floor, to give a semblance of warmth to the room. The tables were filled with villagers of all ages, from Sarita's three day old baby, to Dame El'Beth the eighty seven year old head matriarch. All intermingled gorging themselves on the food that the ladies of the village had been preparing for days. Inside a small children's table had been set, with around fifteen youngsters ranging from age two, up to seven seated around it. With them, were their daytime guardians Ballard and Kaithan. Who even now were wrangling them into some semblance of order, so their parents could enjoy the night. Toys littered the floor around them, so as to keep them entertained.
The moon now hanging high overhead, shone through the open hole at the top of the hut, casting a silvery glow over everyone. As the moon meandered through the sky, it moved closer and closer to the exact center of the roof, as it reached its position, it created a large round blue circle of haunting light. All the torches except for four around the room were extinguished, as had all of the extraneous noises. Everyone waited patiently for Dame El'Beth to walk to the center of the circle, to address the community.
"Villagers of Di'Tharn, my family and friends, another year has passed and once again we meet under the Solstice moon, joined together in friendship and familial ties. Together, we have built over thirty new huts, including this new gathering place. We have once again gathered enough food to sustain all of us through the coming winter. Thirteen new children have been born, while seven have reached the age of decision. Here they will work with different villagers, and decide what they want to do for in their lives. We have two of our hardest working young men to thank for preparing them for this, Kaithan...Ballard, please stand so that we may thank you for your work." Both men stood, and took a small bow, with the villagers and children cheering their accomplishment. "For nine years you both have watched and cared for our young ones, so that we, their parents can work to make sure our community is fed and taken care of. For this, we offer you our gratitude.
"Ballard, Dame Natura blessed us with you, when she guided you to our village after yours was crushed by that tragic landslide. Since then, you have worked harder than any other, proving yourself to us, and making us proud to have raised you; for you are truly this village's child. We all had a strong hand in guiding and raising you into the man you have become. We are honored to call you our son." Dame El'beth said loudly with moisture in her eyes.
Kaithan, son of Dame Cassandra and Elder Razmus, you were the person who found Ballard after he had wandered into the village after dark; and it was you who ran to get me when he collapsed from exhaustion. I believe it was a sign that you chose that night, to wander out of your house to stargaze. You have made us all proud."
"Now Ballard, you asked me earlier if you could have a moment to share something with the community, I believe that now would be an appropriate time." El'Beth says with a hint of a smile.
"Ballard, what's going on?" Kaithan asked with a questioning glance. "It's ok Kai" said Ballard, using his pet name for Kaithan, "there is something important I must do."
El'beth moved to one side of the circle, giving Ballard the space he needed. "Friends, family, I want to thank you all for your help in building the new children's space near Kaithan's parents, and also for helping with Dame El'Beth's new residence beside it. A few of you came to me concerned that the children's space was to small for our young to all congregate in, and to be honest you are right. That is not a children's space at all, but is to be my new hut. For years you have all taken turns letting me stay with you all in turn. But as the village is growing, so are the families and it has become increasingly difficult for room to be found. So Dame El'Beth came to me with an idea, of my own hut and a much larger children's space. For you see, the space next to my new hut, is not for Dame El'Beth at all, but is in fact the true children's space. She has always planed to stay in her family home, where she spent fifty-nine years with the love of her life. So, this is why I wanted to speak with you, and to let you all share in this special moment. Kaithan, my friend and companion will you join me, and help me explain the plan to our friends and family." Kaithan, mouth open, stood up and joined Ballard in the center circle. Both stood side by side under the light of the harvest moon. Kaithan leaned to whisper to Ballard, "why did you hide this from me, did you not trust me to keep this secret?" Kaithan said in a sorrowful tone. "Shhh, let me finish Kai" Ballard said resting his hand on Kaithan's shoulder.
Ballard moved to the side, and instead of facing the audience, he turned to face Kaithan with a warm smile on his face, his love shinning through. As he spoke, Kaithan began to feel weak in the knees. "Kaithan my love, from the moment I saw you, you captured my heart. Every moment I have spent with you has been both loving and blissful. You are strong, confident, funny, and most of all eternally caring. Your compassion for all things has inspired me to become the kind of man worthy of being your friend and companion." Ballard lost himself in with light sniffs, while tears fell down his face.
Ballard placed his hands lightly on Kaithan's shoulder. "I, Ballard of Di'Tharn, child of the whole, ask you to bond with me, now and forever, to live your life with me, and be my companion throughout time. As an orphan I do not have a necklace, as that would have been my mothers place, and I could not ask our matriarchs to take such a burden on themselves. All I have to offer is my undying love for you. Kaithan, will you be mine?" With these last words, he locked eyes with Kaithan, whose emerald eyes glistened in the moonlight, his mouth opening and closing several times, before he found his voice.
"Ballard my love, my heart, you know the answer is yes. You have been my friend and companion for sixteen years, through hard times and good. My answer is yes, but I am afraid I do not have a Bonding necklace for you." Smiling, Dame Cassandra got up from her seat and walked over to Kaithan. When she stood next to him she pulled out the necklace she had labored on for these many months.
"Ballard, this necklace is from my self and Elder Razmus to bind you to our son and accept you into our family." Tears fell down his eyes, as she handed the necklace to Kaithan, who raised it, to place it on Ballard's neck, when suddenly ten of the Dame Matriarchs stood up and walked over, gathering behind Dame El'Beth.
"Kaithan, this necklace is from the village as a whole, to bind you with Ballard from this day forth" Ballard looked shocked before turning and pulling each Dame into a long hug, giving each a light kiss on the cheek. Ballard took the necklace from her and at the same time, both put their necklaces on each other, once on, they turned to face the community, as a gasp rang out. Wondering what had shocked them, both Ballard and Kaithan looked down at their chest, as tears once again fell from their eyes. There, hanging from their necks, were two identical necklaces, each a reverse of each other, whether standing on each others right or left, their stones matched. Emerald to emerald, Sapphire to Sapphire, they flowed seamlessly between the two.
Dame El' Beth, stood in front of them, and with a small piece of silver rope, bound their wrists together and spoke. "Ballard and Kaithan, sons of Di'Tharn, on this day, in front of the entirety of our community, family and friends, you are now bound together as a whole, for all of time." This time all in attendance leapt to their feet, and applauded the young couple as they turned to face each other. With a gentle kiss, they promised themselves to each other.
The present
Razmus, sat sobbing clutching the necklace, tightly as Dame El'beth, came in, sat down next to him to console an old friend in a time of great hardship
I hope you have enjoyed Chapter 3 of Entering Harmony. Thanks to Gee-Kay for his wonderful help in editing this and future chapters. If you have any comments, questions or critiques feel free to e-mail me at Athos6182@aol.com .