The Baker's Assistant (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"I always wait," Dazu assured her softly with a weak smile. It hurt to wait, but he was nothing if not patient when it came to the man he loved. "But... take care. Hunters not just after werefolk... after people who help them too. I... not mean to get you mixed up... but no one else to go to. Afraid of Boar and Emma."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Dazu, never be afraid of my parents. They are as kind and loving as they come. They...well, let's just say that Leon takes after them a lot." She said softly as she reached out to take his hand in her own, squeezing it with a smile on her lips. "I'll help you in any way that I can. I promise you that."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Thank you, micha," Dazu murmured, using the common Erygonian slang for 'little sister.' He headed out before long, making his way back toward the little village settlement outside Inverness that the Erygonians had made after the war in the image of the Gol Dun who lived to the east side. the Erygonians took up the west in the much thicker highland forest as neigbors with the Tuari centaurs who'd also stayed. Inverness had become a hub of tribal and traditional culture since peace was made between the humans and werefolk nations there. Even though it was one of the safest human settlements in the western world for the werefolk, hunters haunted Invernessian borders and had to be specially taken care of by Brogan's best fighters since they were so skilled. Still, peace remained within the borders even if the werefolk had to tread lightly around some less-than-welcoming people who still clung to the fairytales and rumors of the werefolk being maneaters and may have seen some of the Teo being cannibals in the war to induce fear. But for the most part, the werefolk were more peaceful than the humans and fairly pacifistic like Dazu outside of imminent threats.

 

[heartofcourage]

When Aleister had returned from the tavern, she told him about Dazu's visit. Her thoughts were that she would give her brother another few days to calm down before she approached him again. Perhaps then he might listen to reason. It was her hope, at least.

The next day she arrived at the bakery bright and early, ready to work hard in order to make up for the lost day. Lucy was in tow, her mother busy that day and her brother away on business again. Little Lucy played out back with her stuffed horse, making herself scarce as the grownups worked.

"If you were upset with your sibling, how many days would it take before you spoke to them again?" Kayla asked, looking at Aleister with a sheepish glance as she placed a tray of rolls into the display case out front.

 

[KieranSoares]

"... Well, honestly if it were me, I'd be too stubborn t'be the first t'break the silence. Yer brother's probably the same. But if ye've got somethin' important t'say, don't wait too long. Give 'im a while t'think, maybe a couple days." Aleister stepped over to the door where a couple barrels of flour sat waiting to be moved to the back. With a grunt of effort, he hefted one up onto his shoulder and headed into the bakehouse.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I guess you're right." Kayla said softly as she moved towards the barrels. "Dazu mentioned something about bad people in Inverness. Have you heard anything?"

Kayla tipped a barrel onto its side and rolled it along the ground behind him. Aleister hated when she did that, but she was too stubborn to listen to him when he insisted that he would take care of it himself.

 

[KieranSoares]

"You talked t'Dazu?" Aleister raised an eyebrow, taking her barrel after he'd set his down in its proper place. "I... heard some talk about hunters 'long the borders, an' a few rumors at th'tavern about some group operatin' in town... somethin' about a few Wolves goin' missin' and some mysterious attacks on people who'd been friends 'r family of werefolk. I asked Gerald about th'rumors, 'e said he's been gettin' threatenin' letters tellin' 'im t'leave Inverness. Ria got bloody mad when 'e mentioned it an' she refused t'talk about it other'n promising she'd 'ave the heads o' the people sendin' those letters. I really jus' thought it was some racist tryin' t'scare 'im... What'd Dazu say?

 

[heartofcourage]

"He said that Leon was happy and then he was pushing him away. I wonder if Leon got threatened as well." Kayla said, wiping her hands on her apron. "That certainly might explain why he was so upset when I insisted we go see Dazu."

Kayla glanced towards the bakehouse door as Lucy entered, a scone in her little hands as she looked up at Aleister with a question in her eyes. Of course Aleister would never tell Lucy no, but the little girl still asked in her own way just the same.

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister smiled to Lucy as she entered witht he scone, "Go 'head, lass." He patted her head before going to get more wood for the ovens. When he returned to stoke the fires, he looked to Kayla again. "I'd like t'talk t'Dazu about it... if there's some kinda danger out there fer th'werefolk, us Invernessians oughta help 'em. This is their home much as ours... they oughta feel safe." He hated the thought of someone feeling unsafe in their own home, especially such peaceful people who despite their warrior prowess, rarely fought except in defense of their beliefs and their safety.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I told him that my Uncle Brogan needed to know, but he couldn't tell me who they were. He doesn't speak very well except in his native tongue." Kayla said, watching Lucy scamper back out the door with her treat. "Perhaps you could talk to him and get a clearer picture. He lives in the village with the others."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Hm... I'll see if I can get a chance t'talk to 'im soon, maybe Sunday since it's a day off. I ain' ever talked to 'im much... seems like a good lad. Fairly young if I remember, not much older than you, much as 'e doesn' look like it. Jus' promise me ye'll be careful what with all this goin' on. I don' think ye'd be in danger, but it seems like werefolk sympathizers are a little worse off than most at th'moment."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'll be fine, Aleister." Kayla insisted, placing her hand on his arm. "I promise you. I'll lock my doors every night and have someone escort me wherever I need to go."

She gave him a sweet smile as she went to open the front of the bakery for the day's business. Sam and Rho soon entered with their little cart and were followed closely behind by Katya and Timmal. She loaded them up with what they needed and gave them each a little extra for a treat.

"Would one of you take Lucy with you? She can help. Just make sure that she doesn't leave your sight." Kayla asked as Katya and Timmal offered to take her to the village with them. "If she gets tired, send her to your Grandma and I'll get her after work."

Once Lucy was bundled up, her stuffed horse left in the bakehouse for safe keeping, Kayla watched as both groups went on their way. Lucy was excited, following after her cousins with her wide dark eyes. Kayla smiled after her, waving as she glanced back every so often until they were out of sight.

 

[KieranSoares]

Things were fairly steady and Aleister talked with a few of his regular customers, occasionally asking about the rumors around town. A few confirmed they'd heard of or seen some less than kind actions against the werefolk, mentioning that it seemed there was an influx of racism going on because of the last war especially against the Erygonians. There was already little bit of millenniums-old rivalry between Lunars and Kalma and Teo, but that was friendly and peaceful. The humans added to the mix were the more violent ones.

When Bell came in and Aleister asked her, she seemed a little put off by the question. "There's a lot of pretty harsh people in the denser areas of town. Most of the people living outside the walls don't mind the werefolk. My husband happens to be one of the people who think the werefolk shouldn't be allowed in town. He says they're dangerous, being half-beast, and he won't let our daughter so much as walk near them."

"What makes 'im think they're dangerous?" Aleister raised an eyebrow.

"He insists that anyone who isn't fully human can't be trustworthy. It's that damned war... A single over-zealous Erygonian shaman and a lot of misunderstandings ruined his people's chances with a lot of the humans here once we made peace. Now the language barrier and the differing cultures are making it hard to overcome. I'd say a good quarter of the people within the walls don't like the werefolk, and at least half the population are somewhat afraid of them. And of course when they fear Erygonian werefolk, they're bound to fear the Lunars and the Tuari too."

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla listened to the conversation with an ache in her heart. No wonder her brother had been so nervous about sharing his secret with her. And she had just made things worse by not understanding him. It made her feel like the worst kind of person, she thought to herself as she pulled a loaf of bread from the oven and thought over what she had to do. Once her baking was done, she went to the front of the store and grabbed her cloak.

"I'm going to get Lucy and then go find my brother." She said to Aleister. "I'll be back to help with cleaning up."

 

[KieranSoares]

Aleister looked up as she headed for the door, "Alright, lass. Jus' be careful." He tended to remind her of that regardless of anything.

Katya and Timmal were happily set up in the Gol Dun village market square between a potter's shop and the village blacksmith who had happily given them a little canvas-roofed stall beside his shop as one would bring in business for the other and the blacksmith had something of a sweet-tooth. The twins took turns playing with Lucy, the other selling pastries and bread with the most polite smile and great excitement.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla made it to the village about the time that the twins were selling out. Lucy had a tired look in her eyes, but she was as happy as a little girl could be. When she saw her aunt, she raced to her side, holding up her arms to be picked up. Kayla obliged, lifting the little girl onto her hip as she continued towards the twins.

"I think you two might be our best sellers." She complimented, laughing softly at the shy look that came to Katya's eyes.

 

[KieranSoares]

Timmal smiled gladly up at Kayla and was about to speak when a tall, dark Wolf came to pause by Kayla. "Papa!" He and Katya immediately jumped up to hug their grandfather. Kayla had not seen Kreston for some time as he spent most of said time with Selena in the Gol Dun village or beyond it. They were still fairly young as far as they were concerned, and liked to go off on little adventures. Selena was close beside him, whom the twins greeted as well with 'Khali' which was the Lunar word for 'grandmother.'

"Evening, Kayla," Kreston smiled softly to his niece. He and Boar were friends even if they'd never had much cause to spend time with one another. In fact, it was usually Emma who found herself around Kreston as the women of the family seemed to make close friends with him. Most of Kayla's memories of him as a child were walks in the eastern forest as he taught her and her brothers about the herbs and the plants. Leon had been the more interested of the twins and had eventually learned enough to be a healer though he never pursued the profession.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Uncle Kreston." Kayla said with a fondness in her voice as she kissed his cheek gently. "Aunt Selena."

She did the same for her dear aunt as Lucy's head grew heavy on her shoulder, the little girl falling asleep as the family reunited. "I was just telling Katya and Timmal that they might be Aleister's best sellers. Right up there with Rho and Sam."

Of course, they were their only sellers, but she gave a wink to her aunt and uncle, letting them know that she was lavishing the praise on the two in the hopes that their confidence grew.

"Da already told us we can buy a horse when we earn the money. Maybe even one from Annie!" Katya said with excited eyes as Selena chuckled softly and spread her fingers through her granddaughter's soft fur.

"One of Annie's horses will cost you a lot. You'll have to sell much more if you want to achieve that goal." Selena murmured.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We'll make it," Timmal insisted and Kreston could only smile.

"I'm sure you will. Now you two had better get packed up and hurry home before long. Your mother needs some help around the house tonight." At that, the twins quickly put everything into their cart and took down their stand to return to the blacksmith. Kreston looked back to Kayla. "How are you, love? It's been a while.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I've been alright." She said, giving them both a smile as her uncle looked her over with those kind eyes. "Getting bigger every day."

Selena laughed at that, kissing her niece's cheek. "I remember that very well. It only gets harder after the baby comes."

"I know. I've been looking forward to that moment for months, though." Kayla admitted, knowing that the two of them would understand most of all.

They had almost lost the one that they loved the most. Fondness made the heart ache, but it had worked out in the end for them. She had hopes that she would find that one love again and keep it for the rest of her days.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Just remember, if you need help we're here," Kreston murmured before pressing a kiss to Kayla's forehead. He took Selena's hand then. "I imagine we'd all better get headed for home. It's a full moon tonight. The young and the restless will be running around like mad." Among Lunasian werefolk, that was fairly true. Young Erygonians and Lunars loved to go out running and singing and chasing on the full moon. More due to their culture than any real biological effect, the full moon got young blood rushing while the older members of the tribes enjoyed full moons more quietly and liked to sit outside.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Promise you'll come to dinner next week at my home." She commented as they parted ways, a wave goodbye in their direction was the last she saw of them as she started down the trail back to Inverness.

The moon was high that night, lighting the way for her as she heard the distant howls from the village. She had always enjoyed running the forest with her cousin Ruben, but that had stopped when she went to live in Edinburgh. Perhaps when she had the baby, she could start up that tradition again.

Kayla sang softly to herself as Lucy dozed, the little girl heavy against her hip as a sound caught her attention. She stopped in the middle of the road, glancing into the thick crop of trees as a low growling reached her ears. It wasn't a friendly or playful tone. This was full of anger. Kayla felt her heart drop to her toes as she heard that noise, her mouth going dry as she started walking again. The growling followed, turning into a snarl.

When the first howl came, she took off running. Leaves skittered behind her as something came after her, chasing her through the fallen branches and slick snow. She held Lucy close, darting into the thick tangle of trunks that would lead her deeper into the forest. Kayla was panting, fear making her run as fast as she possibly could. She had to get away for Lucy...for her baby. The sound Dazu telling her that there was danger rang loudly in her ears.

The growling was getting closer. She couldn't outrun whatever it was. Just as she turned to look over her shoulder, the ground beneath her feet suddenly gave way. Kayla let out a scream as she fell into a trap, the ground tumbling to meet her as she lost her grip on her niece. Then everything was black...

A sick pain met her as her eyes opened slowly. It was raining, she thought to herself. The pattering of the rain on the trees was loud down there in the hole. Her vision was blurred, a sick headache forming behind her eyes as blood dripped down the side of her face. She tried to move, her eyes searching for little Lucy, but the only thing she saw was the thick spike that was sticking out of her leg. She had somehow missed the rest of the spikes in the trap save that one. She was lucky...but only if someone came along to find her.

"Aleister..." She murmured, her voice a whisper as she pressed her cheek back down against the soft, wet earth. "Gale..." Then everything went dark again.

 

[KieranSoares]

The rustling of ropes and the distinct metallic sliding of sled blades through snow were what eventually woke Kayla. The pain in her leg was dull, the wound covered by herbs and bandages. Her wrists and ankles were bound in rusted old shackles and both sets were connected by a single chain between them. A thick woolen blanket lay over her, tucked in around her. Off to her left trotted a large white sheepdog and off to her right were a couple athletic white Wolves. Pulling the sled was a large tan werelion. There was another sled somewhere behind her with a similar group around it. The werefolk around her seemed to be of mixed origin. Some spoke in Erygonian and some in Lunar, but they all understood each other regardless of language or heritage. The two white Wolves that she could see were definitely not Lunar or Erygonian considering their tattoos, and one slipped into a language she'd never heard before. The Lion was certainly Erygonian by his language and tattoos, and behind them came Lunar and Erygonian and unidentified language as well.

 

[heartofcourage]

Kayla woke with a shiver, the sounds around her making her dull headache fierce again. She could taste herbs on her tongue, no doubt given to her to dull the pain of the head injury she had sustained. Her eyes took in the scenes around her, a slight furrow to her brow as she noticed the second group behind her sled. Was that Lucy, she wondered. Where in the world was she?

"Water. Please." She croaked out in Lunar, her lips and tongue heavy and dry as some in her party paused at her words. "Please."

Instinctively, her bound hands went to cradle her belly and a long sigh left her lips as she felt the child moving sluggishly beneath her hands. Gale had protected their baby. She was so incredibly sure of that. She sent up a prayer of thanks to whoever was willing to hear her.

 

[KieranSoares]

The sled slowly came to a halt and the giant Lion hauling it laid down the ropes and approached Kayla. His hard brown eyes were a confusing mix of malice and pity, and he slowly sat her up to lean against his muscled shoulder so she could drink from his canteen. He growled something to the Wolves and both continued on at a quick trot. The other sled pulled up alongside, hauled by a centaur and surrounded by a second centaur and a Wolf and a type of werecreature Kayla had only seen on a couple occasions: a weredrake. They were an echo of their dragon ancestors, but had no wings and had shorter, stouter necks like their drake brethren who were famous mounts on the mainland that could outrun the best horse and even climb sheer cliffs.

The Drake snarled something at the Lion, and the Lion retorted quietly, making the Drake snap at him. "Enough," the centaur hauling the second sled growled. "If we want live bargaining chips, we can't afford to stay out here much longer. Humans can't take the cold like this."