If the night had gone as planned the two would have parted in sweet kisses of longing and farewell. The reality was an uncomfortable experience, Beaux couldn't find it within himself to look Lily in the eyes.
Her estate was not far, larger than that of the Poncè house. Once she was safely inside, Beaux turned back towards the tavern to fetch Ton and Fen. They were in varied states of undress and drunkenness. The tavern's last call had long been sounded, and the man was nearly begging Beaux to take the two out of his hall.
The fields around the three were still, and birds were beginning to sing their dawn choruses. The twins thought themselves bards, joining the chirps with lyrics of their nightly adventures. The thought of the pond haunted Beaux between each step he took home. His face was a granite slab of hard focus.
Fen came behind Beaux and draped his arms around his stiff shoulders, sore from fighting the mud and water.
"You're soaked, cousin." Fen said only just now noticed the water dripping from the curls on Beaux's head.
Ton yelled from behind him "Took a dip tonight, eh? Are you wet from Lily or the water, cousin?"
Beaux shoved Fen off him hard, and he stumbled backwards into the grass beside them. Ton's laugh was loud enough to disturb a few crows from their nearby perch.
"Looks like your performance wasn't up to the Lady's standard, we could teach you a thing or two." Fen said, lifting himself up with great difficulty. Ton moved to the side to help him and Beaux stared them down fuming.
"We went to the pond near the village." They both smiled deviously, baring their teeth like beasts.
Beaux shook his head, "I saw something there, it spoke to me."
At this they crowded him, deeply concerned. The moonlight eyes haunted Beaux's mind and he shivered. He'd seen nothing like it in his life, and never felt the cold grip of drowning.
"A Daemon? Should we call the village leaders?" Ton asked.
"No." Beaux responded quickly, "whatever it was, possessed Lily to speak to me. Told me to 'take it home', if the village leaders knew. Not even Lily's father could stop them from interrogation. Who knows what they'd do to the poor girl."
The twins stood, mouths agape.
"Maybe it's right for Lily to go through interrogation. What did she say once she came back?" Fen asked, his demeanor turning cold.
"She had no memory, and believed she had just passed out." Beaux was sympathetic to the girl. Whatever it was that took her had only held control for a mere few minutes.
[Was I the Daemon's target? As Lily said, we were not the first to swim in that water under the moon. Many women have tried for eternal youth.]
Ton was scratching his head, the strawberry blonde locks pushed into disarray.
"Do you suppose it could have latched onto you? Some say the creatures can take hold of your soul and possess you in sleep."
Again Beaux shook his head, "I have no idea, but it felt like the creature was begging."
"Strange." Fen said, and started again towards home.
For the rest of the walk, they made suggestions on where it came from and what its purpose was. The talk made Beaux feel more at ease, but the pond water was still stuck in his throat. That feeling of being trapped hadn't let go of his mind.
[Where could 'home' be? And why would I be the one to take it there, can't it take it's damn self home.]
The pond had nearly overshadowed the fact that in just a few hours the village would have its summer solstice celebration. All those born in the past year would gather and begin their journey to Theo, the great capital. It was merely bad luck to have been born on that very day, the village elders decreed that those born on the solstice would make the journey. Those born the day after, would wait another year. The celebration however, was a great holiday. Women would dress in pure white, and dance around a great maypole, spreading petals of all colors and shapes. Wine would flow, and when the day was at its peak a mighty farewell would be presented for all those who'd depart.
Beaux sighed in deep annoyance. As a child, it was an enthralling day, it felt like the festivities were for him alone. The Poncè women would join the festival, and all the children would come, flowers in their hair.
The estate came into view and Beaux decided to join the boys through the window, not wanting to explain the water in his hair if someone happened to be awake. He crawled into bed, every part of his body aching. As he fell asleep, that eery voice rang clear in his mind.
"Take me home"
"Take me home."
"Please, take me home."
Morning came too soon, the twins had risen earlier and left Beaux to his deep slumber. They'd avoid the greater chores for the day, and focus on preparing for the festival. When Beaux moved from his bed and through the house he could see the fruits of his family's efforts.
The two littles had small white linen dresses, and the other women were each dressed in their fine white dresses. Each of the boys would also wear white, except Beaux who'd don the fine green with their family crest.
The most excited was Kandy, who lept and spun in the grass in pure excitement.
Dona's hair was tied back in fine green ribbons, a braided crown atop her head, the ribbon he had gotten back for her all those years ago. A blue sash was tied at her waist, to represent the child in her belly.
"You look stunning, sister." Beaux said, helping her carry a few goods onto the cart.
"And you look like you had a long night at the tavern, better shave while you still have the chance." She retorted in an annoyed huff.
[Should I tell her about Lily?]
Beaux grimaced, now that he could see every member of his family hurrying towards the village he couldn't imagine ruining their day with such a dark memory. Especially Dona, who'd no doubt want to tell the leaders immediately.
Beaux went to the bathroom to shower and prepare himself, it'd be the last chance before the three week journey to Theo. There would be occasional inns he could stop at for bed and bath, but they would be a great distance apart until he reached the middle lands.
The cold bath reminded him too much of the pond. He felt no desire in submerging himself in the icy water again. So after tossing a few buckets of water on himself and throwing on the tunic he had worn the day before he set himself off to pack.
Aunt Losa had done much. Preparing him a pack with a few necessities, clothes, and dried meat that would last him a while or be a decent trade with a starving man. There was a hunting knife, but the pistol would stay at the house. Beaux took the neatly wrapped candle from the dresser and packed it tightly in one of the bags pockets.
Once all morning matters had been settled, the Poncè house gathered and started towards the village festival. Uncle Less remained in his shed. The man had no interest in public affairs, and feared crowds the most.
On Honey's saddle was Aunt Losa, and in the wagon was the remainder of the girls and Beaux's pack. The boys trailed behind them a bit more silent than usual, perhaps thinking of the pond and Lily.
[She'll no doubt be there. I must avoid Lily at all costs, if the daemon has latched on I can't take the risk. Even if the creature's message was for me, I don't need another strange request.]
The village was bright compared to its usual gloom. At the gate there were two young women placing flower crowns on each person's head as they passed. The twins smirked, and hustled towards them in hungry curiosity. Aunt Losa rolled her eyes from her seat on the horse. Beaux's mother graciously accepted the flowers and took delicate care to place them on the children's hair. Going as far to swiftly place one such crown on Aunt Losa, which made Kandy and Dona laugh wildly. Beaux did not accept flowers, but a simple green clover was pinned to his shirt, a wish for luck in his journey.
The clovers had always been a favorite of the pig's diet. It grew in wild patches all throughout the countryside. Some may have seen it a gift of luck, but for Beaux it felt like foliage on a meal meant for the daemons to devour.
Just as he was helping Kandy off the cart, Lily stormed through the sea of people towards him.
[Oh no. There goes that genius idea.]
"Beaux I'd like to have a word with you." She announced, crossing her arms stiffly. Beaux sighed deeply and motioned towards a quieter alley on their side
The two stood close between two houses, she was in a white dress like everyone else. Lily's hair was tied into a single long braid with little white ribbons throughout. Her lips were pressed into a hard line and she looked as if she wanted to tear him apart.
"Last night." She spit harshly.
"I'm sorry, Lily, it was a mistake." Beaux apologized with great fervent, "I never meant for things to go that far between us, I'm leaving after the announcement and it'd be best to forget everything."
She raised an eyebrow looking at him up and down.
"So you regret having touched me? I mean so little to you, Beaux Poncè."
Beaux was shocked, surely she knew he'd leave and never return. Then Lily spun away from him, her braid nearly slapping him in the face.
"I will forget you, Beaux. I'm betrothed to the Hills son, he has a hearing condition and cannot go to war." Her voice sounded a bit tight, like she hadn't drank water in years. "I was curious to bed you, but that opportunity has passed. I simply wish you good tidings and goodbye."
She stomped away back towards the crowd, and never looked back.
The festivities continued. Beaux took a few sips of summer wine, but mostly filled a water pouch for the road, not wanting to meet his travel companions drunk. The twins had joined the maypole dance with Kandy, twirling any girl that came near with a fox-like grin. Food vendors were everywhere, and the smells and sights were nostalgic. This day had always felt special, but this very summer left the wine on his lips tasting bittersweet.
Among the crowds of white, he peeked at a tunic of gold. Sandaval Sturruk leaned against a cart with two black steeds beside him. His hair was that of hay, silky and flowing down past his shoulders. In the day's full light you may have mistaken him for royalty.
From his aunt and sister's gossip, Beaux knew a few things about the Sturruk house. Sandaval was known as the most handsome man in the Sow. His family came from the middle lands ten years ago. He would've been very popular if it weren't for the fact that the Sturruk family refused to interact with anyone from the village. It wasn't known why they had come from the middle lands, but they did occasional conservative trades with a few of the other families. The Poncè family being one of them.
Beaux was admired for his charisma, selling his wares to the delight of his neighbors. Sandaval, on the other hand, was not. The Sturruk's sold their cattle directly to the Tethya government, to be used as war horses.
Honey was bought from them, a trade made years ago. Since then, the families have had a good relationship.
Aunt Losa appeared at Sandaval's side and started chatting, Sandaval nodded his head in understanding and lifted his eyes to Beaux.
He had no idea Sandaval would be making the trip to the capital.
[I suppose it's not too bad to have someone with a horse or two on the journey.]
Sandaval made his way over, Aunt Losa in tow.
"Beaux, you know Sandaval, yes?" She said in an impolite greeting.
He nodded and held his hand out for Sandaval to shake. For a moment, the man looked perplexed, as if unused to any sort of contact with others. But in the end he hesitantly reached and they quickly shook hands. His fingers were weak and the grip was loose.
"Sandaval will make the trip to Theo with you Beaux."Aunt Losa continued, "Myself, and his mother came to an equitable agreement. This horse will be yours for the time ahead, in exchange we will pass over another pregnant sow in the spring. You will make it a priority to stay with Sandaval on the trip and in basic training."
His aunt acted as if she was a queen, offering such things to people of lower status. The Sturruks may have come from the middle land, but the Sow's history was from her father and the Poncè family. That pride could be seen in the lines on her face.
The idea made Beaux feel sick to his stomach, trading loyalty and livestock for a single horse?
[The fastest stallion in Tethya couldn't buy me playing as Sandaval's squire or protector.]
Still, Beaux smiled and Sandaval looked away in what seemed like embarrassment. Losa took Beaux by the arm and tore him to the side.
"The Sturruks may be unusual, but they have contacts in the city. It will be a great benefit to have a few connections." She said squeezing his arm so tightly it felt like the blood circulation would stop. "Keep the boy at your side and he may be a well to do ally."
Again Beaux nodded, understanding the serious tone of his aunt's voice.
[If he knows people in the city, there's a chance I could get a letter or two back to the sow.]
"Thank you for the forethought, aunt."
The two parted ways, and soon the honor calls were to begin.