Hamlet Thriving (Black Lake book 2)

Chapter 23
Ike

~

I caught movement to my right as I crossed the steps leadin’ to the newish veranda Papa’s so proud of. Tae, Aedwin’s dragon, wobbled out of the barn leadin’ his sibling, Tir. So Aedwin is visitin’ Asr, huh? The thought angered me. Aedwin had treated me with painful aloofness since the day I caused the dangerous clash between Taiz’lin and Asr’s Tir. So it pushed Aedwin toward Asr? So be it. There are lots of ogre hens about to pick from. Not that I’m ready to be pickin’. Or, that Aedwin was the one I’d be pickin’, if I was pickin’. Since I’m far from ready to be pickin’.

Yet the thought twisted my gut. That she preferred Asr’s company over mine isn’t somethin’ I easily accepted. I indeed missed Aedwin’s company. Truth be told.

“Tir and Tae wish ya a good day,” Taiz’lin told me silently.

I looked back down at my dear friend spreadin’ out to collect the first of the sun’s rays. The former wanderer had been readily accepted into the local brace of dragons. That their anger with him had diminished made sense, recognized Taiz’lin simply hurried to his friend’s aid that horrible day. Mostly forgiven. And by extension, I guess I was too. Even Aedwin spoke to Taiz’lin sweetly, not that she had many opportunities. But it’s a small hamlet. When we did find ourselves together, she avoided makin’ eye contact with me.

I reconsidered my plan of joinin’ family for breakfast. I could come back tomorrow.

“Coward,” Taiz’lin taunted. He didn’t even raise his chin off the sod where he sunned.

My papa’s bellow filtered through the door. “Are ya gonna stand out there all morn’, or come in and join us for tea?”

“Ya’re committed,” Taiz’lin said. Sometimes communicatin’ mind to mind is too convenient.

Even though the dragon lay two hundred feet away, the vibration of the dragon’s laugh tingled my flesh. I turned and pushed open the door. Good mornin’s rang out at me, makin’ me feel guilty for my weaselly thought of escapin’. I blinked to adjust to the relative gloom inside.

“Leave the door open,” Papa said. “The fresh air will do us good.”

I swung the thick oak door against the wall. When I turned back, I caught Aedwin eyein’ me. She looked down at her cup quickly. My stomach tightened. Mama walked up to me and lay one hand across my face to pull me down for a kiss. Her tusk clackin’ against mine, her arm around my waist, warmed my heart. Was glad I was here, regardless of the chill from Aedwin.

“Aedwin and I are takin’ a load of Janding’s art north today,” Asr said.

My face prickled hot, sensin’ the brag in my bull sibling’s tone, for his association with the ogre hen. Mama looked back and forth between the two of us for a moment, and rushed to change the topic. She’s far from bein’ as subtle as she thinks.

“Ya must take yar papa up to see that castle of a home ya’re buildin’. Butter a biscuit and shut up. Everyone and their fairy has been up there. It’s yar papa’s turn.”

“I don’t wish to intrude,” Papa said softly.

“Come sit down, dooley bug,” she said. “I’ll pour ya a tea.”

Mama propelled me toward the open chair immediately across from Aedwin. If Ren had been here, she would have teased our mama for her extraordinary tact.

After pourin’ my tea, Mama returned to her kitchen work table and cracked eggs into an ample mixin’ bowl. “How is Master Coedwig?”

“Grumpy as ever.” I blew into my tea, strugglin’ not to look straight ahead.

“We’re takin’ several new carvings to that fancy gallery in Caern,” Asr wiggled the knife again in my back. “We’re considerin’ stayin’ over and seein’ the sights. Should be fun. I’m told there’s lots to do there.”

“So how many bed chambers did ya and Coedwig decide to break that enormous space into?” Mama asked. So tactful. Ren woulda been rollin’ on the floor.

“Five,” I answered. “Besides a large workroom in the front. We’re thinkin’ of makin’ one a library.”

“A library?” Asr’s face brightened with interest.

I knew that would get my stinkin’ sibling’s attention. The idea I might store away a treasure he may never see would irritate him like gravel in his shorts on a hot day. But his expression was only half what I expected.

“Since when did ya last pick up a book?” Asr asked. Didn’t take long for his mind to twist from his favorite topic, books, to bein’ mean to me again.

“Coedwig has gotten me into readin’. He curls up in front of the fire every night with one. He has trunks full.”

“Ya’re lying.”

“Asr!”

The young ogre snapped his head around to look at Mama. He turned back to glare at me again—not very repentant.

Torc laughed. Our older sibling gets enormous enjoyment out of any battle between Asr and me—especially since he accepted he didn’t have a chance with Aedwin himself. I was surprised Torc was even home. He had begun workin’ to woo the clan leader’s youngest granddaughter—love that human word—and was lately more often camped out near their home.

I decided to spread the antagonism around a little. “When are ya gonna start workin’ on yar own place?” I asked Torc. “Wouldn’t that help ya a lot with yar wooin’?”

Torc turned an un-ogrely shade of rose. He looked back at me through narrowed eyes.

“We’ll strike him a cabin soon enough, no later than this fall,” Papa said.

Let him fight his own battles, Papa. He’s the oldest bull, after all. No. That’s why he didn’t have a chance with that cute, lowland hen. Even Torc knew he didn’t have a chance. Otherwise he would already be splittin’ his courtin’ time workin’ on his own homestead.

“Ya’ve monopolized the best craftsmen in the hamlet,” Torc whined.

He’s been around humans too much. “So sorry about that,” I quipped. “Must only be thinkin’ of myself.”

“Ya aren’t known for thinkin’ of anyone else.”

“Torc!” Mama didn’t even bother lookin’ up.

“The musk is gettin’ unusually heavy in here,” Aedwin barked. She rose and walked out the front door.

Papa reached out and pressed my chin up, to close my mouth. I closed it with a snap, looked at Mama, who glared over at all her bulls sittin’ about the table. She motioned her head for me to follow Aedwin—I think.

I grimaced. She snapped her head more briskly. Really didn’t want to face the ogre hen. Mama continued to glare at me, eyes widenin’. Reluctantly I stood, takin’ my tea with me. It was gettin’ about the right hot anyway.

I found Aedwin standin’ over by the fence talkin’ with one of the nanny goats. The animal stared at the ogre as though very intrigued in what Aedwin had to say. It bleated at me though, and rushed away. Always loved me when it was milkin’ time.

Even the goat doesn’t want to have anythin’ to do with me. Why would Aedwin?

I looked toward the Lake. The three sunnin’ dragons watched us with interest. They’re too nosy for their own good.

“They’re bein’ uncharacteristically quiet, doncha think?” Aedwin asked.

I jerked, not expectin’ her to speak. To me, that is.

“I’m surprised Asr didn’t follow me out here and tackle me to keep me away from ya.”

She shot me an irritated look.

Wrong thing to say, Ike.

I tried again. “I guess all four of ’em wouldn’t mind if we made peace.”

“I wasn’t aware we were at war,” she said.

“Closest thin’ to one I’ve ever experienced.”

“Ya haven’t exactly gone out of yar way to be nice. Ya haven’t come to the loft since, since, ya know.”

“I’m no genius, but I could see ya were, less than—um.” All words gushed out the side of my head along with my ability to wield them. Absolutely nothin’ came to me.

“This is yar time to apologize,” she said. “Don’t mess it up.”

“Apologize? For what? It wasn’t my fault.”

“Pushin’ him down the stairs was uncalled for,” she snapped.

“He slipped on the ice. I nudged him, but he’s the spastic duck that fell down the stairs.”

Aedwin’s glare turned as harsh as I’d seen. But I couldn’t stop from blabbin’ one more excuse.

“He slugged me.”

Why didn’t ya apologize? Oh no. Ya had to wander off at the mouth.

She walked past me to return to the cabin. I stood a moment watchin’ her disappear through the shadow of the door, before I turned and threw my cold tea into the grass with a little more vigor than I needed. The handle of the cup snapped off as I flicked it. The cup flopped onto the ground and broke into a half-dozen shards.

I mumbled a mild oath before pickin’ up the pieces and tossin’ them in the bin near the barn. I headed for the Inn. Maybe I’d try a cup of that coffee the humans like.

“I’ll stay here with Tae and Tir,” Taiz’lin told me.

At least he’s at peace with the siblings. Thankfully he didn’t cluck about my superlative way with hens.

~

At the front desk, Bick mostly hovered so he could keep a general eye on what was about in the dinin’ hall. The man’s eyes brightened when he saw me. One person on Earth doesn’t hate me. Besides Mama. Papa puts up with me.

“Ya’ve wandered away from that mansion of yars on that mountain peak to join us mortals, have ya?”

“Oh, ya know how I hate ya talkin’ like that,” I mumbled.

“Join me for a tea?” he asked.

“I’m starting to get the hang of that coffee.”

I followed Bick to a table in front of the kitchen entrance. It was far from conducive for private conversation here, but I understood the man wanted to be handy if he was needed for some emergency or another—not that there are many emergencies in the Inn. The staff could run the place with their eyes closed, I know well, since my hen sibling is the boss no one ever wants to cross. I folded into the human-styled chair, grimacin’ at the pinch at my hips.

“Ya need more chairs for ogres,” I complained.

His eyes searched for an open ogre chair I think. “We have some for trolls,” Bick said. “Ya want me to find ya one?”

I shook my head.

“Ya should’ve stopped growin’ sooner. That Tiff fed ya too well.”

“Too much influence from yar kind,” I said, “with yar meals every time ya turn around.”

Bick grinned. “Never heard yar papa complainin’ about the sandwiches yar mama started feedin’ him mid-day.” He paused only a second. “I know that face of yars better than ya do. Ya’ve somethin’ on yar mind. Spit it out.”

Ren walked out of the kitchen and spied me. She walked over and pushed my head down teasingly. “Hey, booger. Ya have breakfast ’cross the way?”

I shook my head.

“Not surprised. Aedwin stopped by before she walked over. Didn’t figger ya had the guts to face her.” She turned and rushed off on some task.

“I don’t see why ya two can’t resolve yar differences,” Bick mumbled. He looked down into the cup that one of the waitresses slid in front of him, like the blackness within might hold an answer or two.

I bowed my head over my own, hopin’ the man wouldn’t look me in the eye. Humans make too much about the eyes bein’ the window to one’s soul.

“I know she’ll never take up with that sibling of yars,” Bick said. “I think she spends time with him to aggravate ya.”

I looked up, fast enough my neck popped, I think. The man wasn’t wearin’ a teasin’ grin, but that didn’t mean he was earnest. Bick has a dry wit that’s sometimes too subtle for me to follow.

“Asr is a good natured ogre,” I said. “He’d make any hen a good mate.”

“Indeed. A fine gentlem—uh—a fine ogre he is,” Bick said. “He does well by his mama and his papa. I’m a little surprised that dragon, Tir, hasn’t put a little spunk into ’im yet, though.”

“If ya haven’t noticed, dragon bulls—”

“Ya don’t have to tell me,” Bick interrupted. “I understand it’s the queens that make the decisions and do the thinkin’. It ain’t only with dragons, young one, if ya haven’t figgered that out yet. Even yar mama makes sure yar papa toes the line. But hens still like a man—uh—male who’ll stand up with their chin up.

“It reminds me,” Bick continued, “of the day ya threatened to put an arrow through Iza’s wing. Not too many two-legged would snarl at a queen dragon like ya did that day.”

“I’ve been around Iza since I was swaddled.”

Bick laughed. “Ya think Asr would’ve shouted down that dragon?”

I thought for a moment. “If it’d been his dragon about to be killed, he would.”

Bick grunted. “Well, I love that sweet ogre hen, and want the best for her. Ike, ya’re gonna lead yar council before too long. I think Aedwin would be a good hen to have at yar shoulder.”

“Me? Leader of the council? Ya been nippin’ at the evenin’ cider already this mornin’? I’m not even old enough to attend the council yet.”

Bick stared at me for a long moment. “Ya haven’t looked in the mirror lately, have ya, son? Yar tusks are no shorter than yar oldest sibling’s, and yar papa is sendin’ Torc to the council to speak for yar family already. Ya aren’t just physically advanced for yar age. Ya have a head on yar shoulders to challenge any ogre twice yar age. Troll for that matter.”

My stinkin’ face was flushin’ somethin’ awful, and it riled me. I doubt anyone hates hearin’ good words shared about ’em, but if the words don’t stand up to scrutiny—

Bick continued. “The chatter about the Hamlet is we should organize and create our own council. We aren’t a mere collection of cabins any longer. Got lots of folks stakin’ claims up and down the Range’s nearby valleys.”

“Can’t play a game of checkers without that generatin’ a strong discussion or two,” I admitted.

Bick chuckled. “Yeah, and best I can tell, Lucas is a shooin for mayor. But, we’d be served well to have ya on the council, and I’m thinkin’ no one would make a better sheriff than ya.”

My face burned a bit more. Didn’t like it. Certainly was unused to such talk from Bick. “I think one of the daemons would be an imposin’ sheriff, not that I’m sayin’ we need one. Who’s gonna argue with a creature that big?”

A huge grin crossed Bick’s face. “Their leader, Master Drazy, might talk a criminal to death. Size isn’t everythin’. Would ya ever cross our dwarf friend?”

I grinned. But he’d have to take a criminal out at the knees.

“Besides, ya’re the biggest ogre I’ve ever met in my life. If I didn’t know yar mama as well as I do, I’d question if she didn’t have a special relationship with one of our troll neighbors.”

I tried to paint an expression of displeasure for Bick’s rude suggestion, but the thought of Mama havin’ any thought for any other bull in the world besides Papa, much less a troll, was comical.

“And look,” Bick said. Holy horse tails did the human wake up opinionated today. “Ya have the calm disposition not to feel slighted when none’s intended.”

I took a tentative sip of my coffee. Had turned tepid, so I slurped about half of it down. Odd not to be hearin’ someone harpin’ about me goin’ a wanderin’ for a change.

“Not to dismiss Lucas, but either ya or Master Braes should be mayor.”

“Nonsense. I’m in my seventies. Have already retired from one life-long job. Don’t really do much around here anymore. I move too slow. Ren runs what Sylvia or Gladys don’t cook.” He grimaced. “And I don’t even know if that dang elf is even gonna come back. Thinkin’ of ’im puts me in a snit.”

“He’ll come back,” I said.

“Enough. Ya’re too young to be sittin’ all day talkin’ to an old fool like me. Get outa that chair and go propose to that sweet hen.” Bick pointed toward the door.

A crescendo of dragon roars vibrated through the dinin’ hall. I closed my eyes and grimaced. The bull bellows continued, rattlin’ the windows, china and silverware.

“What’s wrong?” Bick asked, his bushy eyebrows archin’ together.

“I’m in trouble. It may be a good time for me to go on a wander.”

Faces all around the dinin’ room glared at me, those who no doubt know I’m a representative of the Hamlet’s dragon riders. I caught Ren makin’ a bee line for me. Sylvia, Gladys, and Eina stepped out of the kitchen. They gave me an odd look, and rushed toward the veranda.

“I take it Taiz’lin was listenin’ to yar thoughts,” Bick hissed over the growin’ din.

“He thought it was entertainin’ that I might storm over and ask Aedwin for her hand. The twit shared it with the others. Tir didn’t think it was amusin’.”

I stood as I finished my explanation. Bick grunted as he struggled out of his own chair.

“Help me up!” As he allowed me to pull him along, he said, “What can ya say, son? Dragons will stand up for their mates.” Ren was at his side now, pullin’ him along.

The expansive windows at the front of the Inn shook before I even recognized Iza’s trumpet. “Oh, she’s mad.”

We struggled to flow out the front with the fifty or so guests that rushed along with us for the veranda and front lawn.

“She mad at ya too?” Bick asked.

“Taiz’lin isn’t answerin’ me,” I said. “But I figger she doesn’t want her little bulls repeatin’ the little battle all over again. Their wounds have just healed up.”

I broke through the crowd and left Bick and Ren behind as I ran toward the bulls. Wings flashed, tails swung dangerously back and forth. The vibrations of their bellows raised the flesh on my neck and shoulders, but thus far I didn’t feel from Taiz’lin that any of them had begun swipin’ away with talons.

Iza, comin’ from across the Lake, swooped in low with her talons extended though, trumpetin’. Tir, Taiz, and Tae threw themselves flat upon the ground, and it turned eerily quiet as the queen blazed inches above the three bulls, talons knifin’ at dorsal ridges. Iza arched around and came back with a single push of her wings. I heard the shout comin’ from my throat. Was certain no words ever formed in my mind. A bigger surprise—Iza flew directly at me. She glared with eyes blackened with ire.

I jabbed my heels into the grass and came to a stop, to wait for the queen. It didn’t take long enough for me to consider what was on her mind. She back stroked so near me, I didn’t think there was any way she was gonna avoid slammin’ me good, send me flyin’ for the South Plain. But I stood, unflinchin’. Maybe I’m stubborn that way.

The air pushed in front of the enormous creature was enough to knock a human to the ground, I figgered, as I struggled to keep my feet. I managed to remain balanced, looked directly into the breast of the queen as she settled. She drew in her wings with a dramatic flourish, before reachin’ down and nudgin’ me backward hard with her snout.

“I am done with the ogre games ya three are playin’. They’re confusin’ and upsettin’ my simple-minded siblings and that idjit Taiz’lin.” I wasn’t sure, but I think she was speakin’ privately with me.

Her words were soft, yes, intended only for me, but emotion vibrated from deep in her chest. It was an intimidatin’ means of gettin’ a message.

“Ya’re not gonna tell us how to live our lives, dragon.”

Out of the corner of my eye I caught Aedwin and Asr standin’ halfway between Iza and me, and our cabin. Maybe a tint of fear hung on their faces.

“Three options,” Iza whispered, snout only inches from my tusks. “Either I send my silly bull siblings away, which I will not do. Aedwin goes back to her own people, which would be stupid. Or ya do as the silly human suggests and ask her to be yar mate.”

I laughed. This politickin’ certainly wasn’t what I expected. My death was more probable, if I was a bettin’ ogre. No wonder she was whisperin’. Good thin’ she’s better closin’ her mind off from her siblings, as the other way around. “I’ve heard of marriage brokers. Didn’t know they came dressed as hen dragons.”

“Hen! Do not mock me, little ogre.”

“Hard not to. Ya’re puttin’ yar stinkin’ snout where it doesn’t belong.” A growl rolled out of my chest. Hadn’t intentionally meant to do that.

“I know well,” Iza said in a soft hiss, “how ya and Aedwin feel about each other. I can’t get away from all of yar simple thoughts. I also know that sibling of yars is only attracted to the hen because he wishes to beat ya out in somethin’. He’s still a silly, self-centered ogreling. He needs to grow up a decade before he tries to woo a female.”

I felt dizzy. She was serious. But still interferin’ in somethin’ none of her business.

“Marriage broker, indeed,” the dragon muttered before launchin’ into the air.

I threw himself to the ground to avoid the downward plunge of her wings. Wing dew claws can hurt. She made that rattle noise, the thing dragons manage when they try to laugh like humans. Rage to humor. Who knew a dragon queen could transition like that. Or pretend rage from the start. I looked back at Aedwin and Asr as I got to my feet. They walked toward me. My gut tightened. What was my stinkin’ sibling gonna say, do? I slapped mud from my pants.

“That queen knows how to quiet them bulls,” Aedwin said.

I looked over at the three dragons. They were just beginnin’ to raise their heads to look about. Mud and a clump of sod hung from Taiz’lin’s chin, which may have drawn a chortle from me if the settin’ was different. I reached out mentally, but not to assure my Taiz’lin.

“Ya got what ya deserved, ya blowhard.”

The dragon weaved his head back and forth. I grinned, tickled that my friend took my teasin’ as well as he does. Taiz’lin moved toward Tir and nuzzled the bull. Ah, wasn’t that special. The vibration, oddly like a kitten purrin’, floated across the lawn.

“I’m sorry,” Asr said, comin’ to a stop five feet away.

I lurched a look back at my sibling. His face eeked red. I started to speak, but Asr continued before I could.

“I deserve what Iza said about me. I may have—um—motivated Tir’s anger. This was my fault. And maybe—” He faced Aedwin. “I’m truly fond of ya, but I imagine I was tryin’ too hard because—well—” He paused and looked at the ground. “I would always like ya to be my friend. I—” He looked back up, at me. “I’ve been—an unkind sibling to ya. I feel ashamed. Will ya forgive me?”

I smiled. My sibling and friend is indeed a good ogre, more mature than either Bick or Iza gives him credit. I stepped up to Asr and pulled him into a hug that was a lot more animated than necessary.

“Let me go, ya oaf.”

I snorted and released him, only to lean into him, grab him and hoist him up on my shoulder. Over Asr’s angry squeals, I said, “Let’s go share a cup of tea.”

Aedwin followed behind. The three dragon bulls growled, their kind of laughter.

~