The small bag felt heavy. Yet it made no sense. The leather was thin and cheap. The contents of the bag were few and light.
Maybe something was wrong with me. Lately I've been noticing things I shouldn't. Aches, that didn't exist. Weariness that shouldn't.
"Maybe I'm finally dying," I said, somewhat hopeful.
"What's with that?" Jelti asked with a snicker.
Glancing at the short woman, I frowned and wondered why she was still here.
"Oh look at that. You want me to leave. Such a surprise," Jelti sighed and shook her head, but of course didn't oblige me.
"I did agree to let you meet her in exchange," I admitted.
Jelti nodded. "You did…" then she smiled and laughed, as if remembering the conversation brought her joy.
Entering the Cathedral, Jelti and I went quiet for a moment as we passed a small crowd. They were reading a newly posted notice on one of the town's bulletin boards. A brief glance at it told me it was the notice for tomorrow's alms.
"Clothes," I said.
"They've given out a lot this year. I heard one of the clerks mention they've already spent a year's taxes so far," Jelti commented.
"You still tasting the clerks even though married?" I asked.
Jelti paused a moment, and then laughed. "Not at all! My girl's a clerk, you see, so I kind of get to hear all the gossip," Jelti said.
"Ah… that makes sense," I said. It was a surprise but… not… Jelti loved women. She was as bad as Kaley. Yet like Kaley she had her own tastes… and for whatever reason that was women who worked with numbers.
What was actually surprising was she went and married one. A human one at that.
"I'm sure she's a good woman," I said as I thought about it.
"She is," she said.
"Where's she now?" I asked her.
"At home," she said proudly. She suddenly grew a huge smile, and I knew it was because she actually enjoyed saying it.
"Why didn't you bring her?" I asked.
"You don't introduce your new wife to your crazy uncle the first few months you're married, Vim, really!" Jelti laughed at me as we headed for a wooden door that would lead us to the back end of the Cathedral.
"I met her the other day…" I said, offended.
"A hello! But that was it! You're not allowed to scare her away!" Jelti said with a serious smirk.
Opening the door for her, I couldn't help but smile at the giggling woman as she entered. "I might have," I admitted.
"Right?" Jelti laughed.
Closing the door behind us, we headed down a well lit hallway. Off in the distance I could hear conversations, and the howling wind from the storm outside.
"Did you actually have a wedding?" I asked.
"No. You really think the Chronicler would allow that?" Jelti said.
"Well… don't invite her?" I asked.
"Easy for you to say. You're not scared of her," she said.
Well that wasn't entirely true. I didn't like her eyes. Or rather, what they let her see sometimes.
We walked in silence for a moment as we passed a pair of priests. They ignored us, both of them deep in conversation about some brother of theirs that was so sick he couldn't get out of bed.
That disease the chronicler spoke of maybe? Or just from the cold of the storm?
As we headed deeper into the Cathedral, I let my thoughts drift back to the woman next to me.
Jelti looked mostly human, but underneath her thick dress was a small tail. A puff of a ball fur about the size of her head. She was a type of rabbit, although I had never heard exactly which species.
Although a rabbit… and although, like Kaley, enjoyed the more sensual arts… it wasn't common for her to actually fall in love. I had known her for almost three hundred years and this was the first I had heard of her actually declaring someone a wife. Or husband.
But for it to have been a human…
While we rounded a small pillar, and began walking along an open courtyard, I studied the small framed woman next to me.
Was this her last years then?
Although Jelti wasn't my favorite person, she's always been trustworthy. I've had her help me a few times throughout the years. Mostly with delivering items for me, or news and messages… but…
"Don't be sad Vim," Jelti then said.
I blinked and came to a stop as she scratched the back of her head. Her short hair sounded dry, and she gave me a sad smile. "I'll be fine. I love her… so I want to enjoy every moment while I can. You understand, right?" she asked me.
Standing still, I realized my thoughts had been on my face. Another uncommon mistake for me to make. Something really was wrong with me.
"If you ever need me for anything, just ask," I told her.
Jelti blinked, and her blue eyes became a little… blurry. "Thank you Vim," she whispered.
I nodded, and hoped she'd never have to ask… but if she did need me, I hoped I was nearby when she did.
"I wish you and her a happy marriage. What was her name?" I asked her.
"Caroline… you forgot already?" Jelti pretended to be offended.
"No last name?" I asked. That was what I had meant to ask for.
"Oh. No. She had been an orphan. Raised here in the Cathedral," Jelti said.
Returning to walking, I frowned. "You didn't…"
"No! Jeez. I met her for the first time only two years ago. It was actually a rather unique meeting too, you know? She hated me at first," Jelti said, proud of it.
"Oh? Let me guess, caught you in bed with one of her sisters or something," I said as we neared the mansio.
"How'd you know?" Jelti seemed genuinely shocked, and I shook my head at her.
While we walked down the hallway that led to the mansio and its little garden, I noticed a figure in the distance. Down the hallway, near where the hallways converged and separated into four.
"Hm… one of the cleaning girls, based off the robe," Jelti said.
"Get rid of her," I said with a nod.
"Sure, sure. I'll meet you at the house," Jelti picked up her pace, bounding with a little hop as she hurried down the hallway.
I studied the young girl down the hall, and knew she was not a real threat. She was cleaning, she had a feather duster and was trying to reach one of the smaller paintings hanging in the wall.
Yet, she was human.
Opening the heavy gate, I glanced one last time to the girl. Jelti was waving her down, and I could just make out the echoes of their voices as they spoke.
Entering the garden, I sighed and wondered why I had given that order so swiftly.
Usually I'd not have bothered. After all this was their Cathedral before it was ours. Plus she was only cleaning. Probably one of those very orphans Jelti had just spoken of a few moments ago.
But…
Glancing at the house, I noticed the white smoke only existed for a few moments before the strong winds scattered it.
Renn was already back. I had expected it, but it was still comforting to know.
Even though there should be no reason for me to worry about her. She's proven she was fine on her own… hadn't she?
Yet I worried about it all the same.
By the time I reached the front door, the heavy metal gate that led to the garden made noise. A small glance showed it was Jelti. She was using both arms to push the gate open with all her might. After a huff she went around the gate and pushed to close it.
I should have waited for her.
Jelti hurried along the stone path to me and gave me a smile. "She's almost done. She has that section and the one near the kitchens today," Jelti said as she approached.
"Hm," I nodded and went to open the door.
But before I could, it opened on its own.
"Welcome!" Renn happily greeted… not me, but Jelti.
"Oh my!" Jelti broke out into a huge grin, and I instantly regretted bringing her here.
"This is Jelti," I introduced the fool as I stepped between the two and headed into the house.
"Vim didn't tell me you were beautiful!" Jelti greeted Renn in her typical fashion as I noticed the book on the table near the fireplace. She had been reading.
Putting the little leather bag I had been carrying onto the table, I walked over to check on our wood supply.
There wasn't much left. Two logs.
Bending down to pick them up, as to toss them into the fire, I glanced at the two women who still stood at the doorway.
Jelti had closed the door, but they had stayed at the entrance. They were whispering to each other, which was a little odd of them since I could hear everything they were saying.
"I'm a bunny," Jelti told her.
"Oh! Oh… I'm a cat. A jaguar, the chronicler said," Renn responded in kind.
"A predator!" Jelti made a noise and pretended to step back in shock.
Putting one of the logs into the fire, I sighed as I heard Renn's own shock. "She's teasing you Renn," I said lightly.
"Huh? Oh…" Renn's relief was very audible as Jelti giggled.
"Still, a cat? Wow! Do you got ears under there then?" Jelti asked.
Renn must have obliged in showing her ears, for Jelti whistled.
"All I got's a giant fuzz ball," Jelti said with a sigh.
While I put the other log into the fire, I heard the sound of ruffling clothes.
Jelti was showing Renn her tail.
"It's cute!" Renn said.
"It's a pain. My butt gets hot all the time," Jelti complained.
Her rear was actually rather nice…
"Vim just thought something rude," Jelti whispered.
"I did," I admitted as I brushed my hands off and stood away from the fire.
Jelti had already put her clothes back in place, but Renn was now the one who was messing with her clothes. After a few grunts she finally got her tail free of her pants, and it popped out with a whip.
"Well look at that!" Jelti smiled at the sight as Renn showed it off.
"Does your ass get sweaty too Renn?" I asked her as I went to sit at the table.
"Sometimes," Renn nodded.
"See? None of them believe me, you know?" Jelti laughed.
Sitting down, I lifted the cover of the open book she had been reading.
It was this region's bible.
I sighed and let it fall back to the table, and felt like I needed to wipe my hands.
"Would you like something to drink Jelti?" Renn asked. A glance at her told me she had seen what I had just done, she was smiling softly at me.
"Got any tea? If not, a tall glass of you will be just fine," Jelti teased as she headed for the opposite side of the table.
"Uhm…" Renn didn't seem to know what to say to that, but had a smile all the same.
"She's married, don't panic," I said.
"Ah… but it's true. I'm sorry Renn, but it just won't work out between us, I'm sorry," Jelti sat down with a very exaggerated heave, as if she had just accomplished some kind of herculean task.
"I see. That's too bad, I've always liked bunnies," Renn had collected herself in time to play along.
"Ha! I like her Vim, please leave her here," Jelti said as Renn went to head for the kitchen.
I hadn't shown her where the tea supplies were, but it was obvious she already knew.
"That had been the plan, originally," I said.
"Oh…?" Jelti frowned, a real one. She wasn't teasing and making light of the conversation anymore. She looked to my right, to the woman headed for the kitchen. After a few moments she leaned forward and covered her mouth with an open hand.
"Not going to give her the present?" Jelti asked with a whisper.
Before I could tell her there was no point in whispering, we both heard a skidding foot as Renn came to an abrupt stop.
Jelti raised an eyebrow and smiled at me. "Woops," she said.
"Did you think her ears were for show?" I asked her.
"No… well… maybe. Sorry…" Jelti sat back, as if worried I was going to smack her.
"Present?" Renn turned around, and had a weird grin on her face.
"Aww, here I'll give it to her," Jelti reached for the bag.
I didn't stop her from taking it, but noticed Renn's grin die a little as Jelti happily dug into the bag.
"Vim was going to get you one for wood," Jelti taunted me as she dug out the little box.
"Wood…?" Renn glanced at me but I ignored her as she stepped up to the table again.
Jelti got the box out of the leather bag and put it on the table. The small circular box was finely sanded and painted a deep blue.
Renn's face told me she had no idea what it was, which wasn't too surprising… but it told me she might also not appreciate it.
For a small moment no one moved, and then Jelti patted the table with an expectant happiness. "Open it, open it," she hurried her.
Renn's ears twitched as she nodded and reached out to pop open the small lid.
She carefully opened it, and once she did her tail went still, hanging a little oddly in the air. It was a tad too higher than normal.
"For your nails!" Jelti said happily.
Renn gently picked up one of the items in the set, a small stone of pumice. There was a set of small scissors, a silk rag, and beneath it all some clay paste that Jelti said was the current trend of the women in this town. It gave the nails a shine.
While Renn studied the small nail cutting set, I looked at her longer nails that were shaking a little. Hopefully she didn't get too offended by the gesture.
"Want me to teach you how to use them?" Jelti asked. Somehow she had done so without sounding rude or pushy.
Renn looked up and away from the box. She blinked at Jelti and then looked at me.
Her lips quivered for a small moment, and then she smiled and nodded to Jelti. "Please. I assume this is a filer but…" she spoke evenly, which was a surprise… but she was blinking quickly in an effort to hide her watery eyes.
I slowly stood from the table and nodded in thanks to Jelti as Renn went to sit down next to her.
While the two got engrossed in talking and messing with the gift, I headed for the backyard to restock the wood.
Seemed it was the right choice to get Jelti to help me out. I hadn't even known that they had such things already.
The humans were advancing oddly quick… in odd ways, too.
The shop had even had paints for the nails. Although not an entirely new invention, it was definitely surprising to see so many colors available already.
Jelti had wanted me to get those too, but…
Too much was too much sometimes. Only the wealthy could afford such things right now. And it was best to not be seen as wealthy while traveling.
That little box was already a stretch as it was.
The damn thing had been more expensive than I had anticipated. I had to have Jelti write an I-O-U for me since I hadn't taken enough money. A simple manner, since she could just get the Society to pay for her, but…
Leaving the mansio, I directed my thoughts to hauling wood and only that.
The world seemed to agree with me as it began to grow noisy. Thunder roared and the sound of the storm followed.
I was looking forward to this storm. I wasn't sure why… but I was excited for its arrival. Several days in the making, it was time.
The little shed that held the cut wood was only half full, but there was far more than enough for the rest of our visit. I filled one of the smaller wooden boxes with a dozen little logs and then headed back to the house.
Entering the house, I heard happy giggling amongst their conversation.
Pausing a moment at the back door, before heading for the hallway… I spent a moment to study Renn's laugh.
It was a happy one. Like usual, a real one too.
Jelti sounded happy as well, but that wasn't too much of a surprise. Renn was her type. I felt bad for her supposed wife.
And…
"He did!" Renn said with a happy laugh.
Jelti laughed alongside her and then went to telling her a story about me. The one where she had seen me fall off a cliff.
It was the kind of story she told her friends.
Heading into the hallway, I decided to get them their tea after I handled the wood. Since they had obviously forgotten all about it.
I was ignored as I worked, but there was nothing wrong with that. The two were becoming fast friends.
Maybe between that little present, and Jelti… she'd realize coming with me was a mistake.
Hopefully she'd realize this place was far better than by my side.
"He fell on a donkey!" Jelti was barely able to say between her laughs, as she both recalled and told her story.
Smiling at the two, I hoped their sudden friendship lasted forever.
I hoped Jelti and her love remained happy for a long time.
I hoped Renn found a place to call home.
I hoped she found friends and made a family.
I hoped I'd be able to see her for hundreds if not thousands of years.
And at the very least, I hoped when her time came… it didn't have to end at my hands.
I was tired of killing friends.
Tired of killing those I loved.
Especially since I was so damned good at it.