Thoughtful Thursday 7: The Ciaran

So here we are, getting used to a new life. I don’t know about you, but I would probably be cranky with all the changes going on. I have a tendency to speak first and apologize later.

How would you be feeling about now?

Let’s find out how Kiera is doing.

The Ciaran:

~~~~~~

Morning found Kiera trying to remember where she was. The bed was unfamiliar: not as hard as the ground and her head lay on a pillow, not her saddle. Turning over, she saw the canvas over head and recalled her arrival at the camp the night before. The smell of coffee already wafted about her. Stretching, she reveled in the freedom her temporary home gave her; she was sleeping in a shift rather than her full clothes. A quick glance around showed Kaitlin was already gone, but the pitcher looked full and the bag of soap was still damp.

With a smile, Kiera went about taking a cloth bath. Later, she would ask Jace about the bathhouse he’d spoken of, but just now this would be plenty clean enough. There was just enough room to lift each foot in turn, wipe it clean of the dust from the road that had infiltrated her stockings and dry it with the opposite end of the cloth. She moved up each leg, and across her torso until every inch had felt a bit of soap, water and the rough drying of the towel.

Finally satisfied she was as clean as she could get without a soaking, she bundled her hair into a knot at the nape of her neck, pulled a breast band and tunic over her head and tugged her clean pair of trousers on. All that remained was to rummage through her belongings for some clean stockings and her boots.

While she looked through her pack, she felt her brow furrow as she noticed some of her clothes were missing: the tunic and stockings from the night before and even the trousers she had worn into camp. She thought she had left them on top of her pack, but when she didn’t see them, she assumed she had tucked them inside. Now she was certain they were not to be found.

“No worries, I be picking them up with mine as you slept.”

Kiera turned abruptly at the sound of Kaitlin’s voice, almost banging her head on one of the supporting struts. “Pardon me?”

“Your clothes,” Kaitlin waited while Kiera turned around and faced her. “I took the clothes you be wearing yesterday and put them in the wash. It is a task we all be taking turns doing, having no laundry crafter. I be a passable seamstress if we be needing repair work done, but bleaching and dyeing have to wait until we be finding a crafter to barter with.”

Kiera nodded, and pulled on her stockings and boots. “I don’t mind taking a turn. I can bleach as well, if we have a need. When one has two children there is always a need and taking things to the launderer was not always an option.”

“That be good to know.” Kaitlin smiled, “I doubt Jace will be letting you damage those hands of yours with bleach and laundry duty.”

Pulling on her last boot, Kiera looked up to see if she was being kidded. “I expect to do my share.”

“Jace says you be doing your share. He says the songs you be playing last night were just a taste of what you be doing, and we be having need of your talents as morale booster – and healer- in the days to come. We be not allowed to let you be injured doing the mundane daily tasks.” Kaitlin explained.

“He did?” Kiera felt her anger rise. She felt as if her were mocking her, making her look foolish before the others of his band. If they took turns at certain unskilled task, especially in the absence of a crafter, then she would take her turn as well. “I am certainly not infirm or incapable. Does he mean to shame me?”

Kaitlin shook her head, a little confused by the reaction. “Not to be shaming you, to be honoring you.” She searched for a better explanation. “He be saying in days gone by, a bard would be honored in any hall.”

Kiera really had stopped listening. Pushing past Kaitlin, she clambered out of the wagon and headed for the central table. She expected to find Jace there, and was not disappointed. “How dare you forbid me to assist in the chores around here?”

“Forbid you?” Jace’s voice cracked in his surprised. “What are you talking about?”

Kaitlin ran up behind, just sure she had made a mess of things. “I told her you be wanting us to spare her hands, and she be angry.”

Kiera brushed the younger woman aside. “I can speak for myself.”

“There is no doubt about that,” Jace muttered. Gregor bit his lip and Kiera knew he was close to laughter.

“I will not be laughed at. I have earned the right to determine my own fate, even if just by my survival. I have buried a husband and two children been honored as a midwife and respected as a companion. I have always carried my own weight, done my share and perhaps a little more, and I will not be coddled.” Her eyes flashed with irritation.

“I get it.” Jace’s shoulders were up, his hands in front of him gesturing for her to settle down. “I meant no insult.”

“What were you thinking?” Kiera snapped at him.

“I was thinking you have earned a little respite from your work. I heard from Karla how many you tended; I also heard the disrespect your hall master paid you. I know how heavy your heart is from your loss. No one here would begrudge you time to mourn them.” Jace’s voice dropped to a quieter tone now that he had her full attention. “If you wish to take on a task here in the camp, we will not stop you. But many of us spoke as you slept this morning. You honored us by reminding us of the old stories, the old songs, the times when the Goddess walked among us. We wanted to honor Her, and you, and allow you time to heal.”

Kiera felt her ears burn as she realized what both Kaitlin and Jace were trying to say. Her meager attempts at the old folk tales had been well received, despite her faulty memory. People wanted to remember better days and she had been able to remind them, however imperfectly and briefly, that there was a time of blessing before and there would be times of blessings ahead.

“I just want to do my share.” Her own voice sounded vexed in her ears and she blushed even more furiously.

“Then feel free to do so, whatever you feel that share is.” Jace answered. Gregor nodded, joined by a few of the others who had come by to hear what the ruckus was about. “We only wish to make you feel at home, and if work accomplishes that for you, we will not stand in your way.”

“Thank you.” Kiera glanced around at the small knot of people who had gathered. Her face was still pink. “I think a cup of coffee would make me feel right at home.”

Gregor offered her one with a grin. “Just finished brewing, shouldn’t be having to strain it through your teeth much.”

Kiera smiled back and took the offered cup. Sitting down at the table she spooned some sweetener into the cup and stirred it, wishing someone would speak.

Kaitlin saved her again. Shall we be planning the day, Jace? After Ryn and I be thinning the chickens I be having some belt work to do. Be there something else we be needing from me?”

Jace shook his head. “You keep the garrison happy with leather goods as often as they ask for them, and you are doing us a service greater than taking on any other task. I know Gregor here would not mind if I took a ride to town and picked up some supplies.” He turned to Kiera, “It would please me if you would join me. I don’t know if you have been to Elura, and seeing the lay of the town might be good for you. Besides, you know herbs better than I do, and you can be sure I pick up the ones Gregor would like.”

Kiera nodded and sipped at her coffee. She didn’t really trust her voice just now, and was still recovering from her own outburst. If Jace had asked her to stand on her head and recite a grocery list, she would have done it.

“I be sharpening up Gregor’s knives today.” Kulain offered his plan. “If there be anyone else who needs some whetstone work done, leave the blade here and I be giving it an edge.”

Jace nodded, “I’ll ask around town to see if anyone has need of smith work. I know their smithy has been feeling under the weather, maybe we can offer to assist him for a portion of the proceeds.”

Ryn raised a hand to get Jace’s attention. “I be thinking we could use a bit more grain for those chicks we be keeping.”

Jace nodded again. “Silly as it seems, keep an eye on the offal when you finish the thinning. With the weather getting ready to turn I would rather keep the carrion far from us.”

There was a quiet chuckle through the small group. “I be willing to go back to burning it, Jace.” Dane offered, “I can take it a bit away and find a good clearing. Then no critter can use any of it, and you know bear be avoiding the fire.”

“That may be a good idea, Dane. Be scouting a site where we can burn it without damage to the forest, and without making the soldiers nervous. I’ll ask around while I am in town to see if anyone has had trouble.” Jace smiled. “I think that’s enough for today, I don’t know about Kiera here, but I think I would like a little breakfast before we set off.”

As she nodded Dane stood up from his position at the end of the table. “I be having Kago and Lian groomed and saddled before you can finish your coffee.”

“Perhaps before we can finish our second cup?” Kiera smiled, a little apologetically as she held up her empty one. Gregor and Dane both laughed as the cook refilled it. The wrangler just nodded and chuckled as he took his leave.