Chapter 14: Consequences
Chapter 14: Consequences
For the next few days little changes around the shop. The front howls on occasion through the poor patchwork of boards now sealing the entryway shut. Snow drifts in through the cracks. A slow steady accumulation has continued to blanket the town and the cold temperatures of deep winter have set in.
Kyra, for the most part, has kept to her self. Remaining in the storage area of the first floor in the corner. Laying down in the cold her chest against the cold floor recovering. Occasionally she calls for Minetz who brings her scraps of paper on which to write. Not once has she bothered to climb the stairs and grace them with her presence?
Minetz spends his time working away on carving smaller and smaller templates to fit more words to a page. Each resulting in a print less legible than the last. None of that seems to bother him. He remains his usual jovial self sure that the answer is just one more attempt away.
For Renno, the boredom is all but unbearable. Without even his past to dwell on his days are spent laying in the loft, staring at the ceiling as if some sign from the watchers were soon going to appear and he best not miss it. His thoughts often resting on the notion of the watchers he wonders. Do I have a watcher? Would they help me? Should I pray? Have I unknowingly broken a law of the watchers? Would that count against me? Perhaps I already have.
The back door opens quietly.
Kyra rolls over slowly. Her ribs and other injuries feeling measurably better after several days rest. Her eyes fall upon the visitor and she leaps to her feet. "Keeta!" She runs over to the Ieza woman and hugs her.
Keeta embraces Kyra softly. Her fur is much lighter than Kyras save for her spots. Her hair tied into a bun is a mix of white and silver. The white a natural tone and the silver a consequence of her age. Her clothing is a simple outfit not particularly loose the kind made for kitchen work. However, it is well kept and lacks the staining one would expect from such work.
Keeta gently strokes Kyra's head as she holds her. She smiles at the girl and says in a soft kind voice. "By Miran child, you're filthy. What happened to your clothes? Please tell me you've changed since you got back."
Embarrassed Kyra steps back. "No mam, I guess I should have."
Keeta sighs and shakes her head. Then in a more serious motherly tone yet gently as was her nature. "Kyra, Why haven't you returned the books I gave you from Lady Manon."
Kyra crosses her arms and rolls her eyes.
"Don't roll your eyes at me, young lady. Your not an adult yet."
Kyra nervously replies. "Sorry. I haven't read them."
Keeta crosses her arms. "Why not?"
Kyra speaks softly at first building confidence. "I was working in the market carrying goods."
"Why?"
Kyra proudly. "Because, I need the money that's why, and besides. It's honorable to work."
Keeta sighs and says. "Kyraaaa, we have been over this. You are more than welcome to sleep and eat at White Hall. Your studies are more important."
Kyra sass's back at her. "Does Lady Manon know you're giving the books to me?"
Keeta gives her one of those stares that normally only a mother can deliver with any effect.
"Sorry." Kyra lowers her head and stares into the floor.
Keeta pats her head and scratches her ears. "Come on, besides I know the little stunt she pulled with that coin too. You won't need any money for a long time."
Kyra steps back her paw to her mouth in shock.
"Oh come now, I know everything that happens in this town. Rozen is my husband too you know. You didn't think he would have told me eventually?"
"I'm giving it away." Kyra's paws clinched into fists and her gaze locked tight with Keeta's.
"You absolutely are not going to give away Lady Manon's hard earned money."
Kyra begins to lecture her elder. "And just why not? Lady Manon gave it away. Miran says-"
Keeta interrupts her. "Oh no, do not start on me with that 'Miran says' nonsense. You will keep that coin and complete your studies."
"Rozen says pushing carts is good work." Kyra refuses to back down.
"Rozen is an idiot." Keeta waves her paw dismissively.
Renno can't help but laugh. Eavesdropping on the conversation from the balcony.
Keeta looks up at him for the first time and says in a polite and charming manner. "Oh, it's you, I've heard of you. Come down here and let me get a good look at you."
Renno takes a few timid steps down to the lower area before hesitating mid-flight.
Keeta reassures him. "Come come, come on."
The moment of hesitation passes as he reevaluates his uncharitable position on the stranger. She did after all likely have a hand in trying to feed him even if he refused to accept. Renno resumes and joins her and Kyra in the locker area.
"My you are an interesting fellow." Keeta takes a knee getting down on Renno's level. Keeta is of average height for an Anoran however, compared to a Pine Martin the difference is significant.
Keeta grabs his ears and examines his face.
Startled Renno pulls away. He is not quite sure what bothers him more. Being touched unexpectedly, or the forward nature of Keeta compared to the other Anorans.
Keeta sympathetically. "Dear, I just wanted to get a look at you, I've heard all kinds of things. I thought you might be a Notol but I see now you're quite different."
Renno speaks up. "So, you're Keeta? Rozen's wife?"
Keeta carefully examines his features gently touching his face. "Oh, that's right, you met my husband a while ago when you came into the table. That must have been quite the scene."
Renno nervously. "I met him again the other day. I was there when he was arrested."
Keeta lets go of his whiskers. "Yes, that does happen from time to time, unfortunately, my husband is no stranger to the inside of a jail cell." She stands back up casually dusting herself off. "Though come to think of it, it has been some years now since the last time."
Renno moves a little closer to her. "Is he going to be okay? Aren't you worried about him? That they might take away his bracelet?"
Keeta unconcerned. "No, not in the least. If they took away his they would have to take away mine. They won't do that. Even if they should they wouldn't and I don't think even in this situation that they would even if I weren't involved."
"Really?" Renno sounding somewhat confused. "Are you that important?"
Keeta. "No, but, I'm sure they wouldn't want to explain why they did it to Meidah."
Kyra bursts out loudly startling Renno. "Keeta!"
Keeta mockingly rolls her eyes at Kyra with complete with the same arms crossed gesture Kyra used on her earlier. "Excuse me, I mean to say. 'The Honorable Arbiter Lady Anora.'"
Renno's lifts an eyebrow. "Why would the Arbiter get involved?"
"Well, to be quite honest. I grew up with her. We were friends, and after her mother died and the capital was moved away she gifted Whitehall to me." She closes her eyes and smiles fondly reliving some long forgotten moment of her childhood. She chuckles softly and looks right to Kyra. "I used to pick on her for being boyish when we were very little."
Kyra recoils in horror.
She pauses a moment to reflect. "It all changed after the war. When Meidah became Arbitor she declared she would lead from the newly built palace. Back then anyone could just go talk to the Arbitor or the Chieftans if they so pleased. Sorry, I don't mean to remissness."
The wind picks up and howls through the cracks in the front door. Renno spins around for a look. When he turns back to Keeta still mildly distracted he mistakenly asks. "I don't understand she just 'gave' you a building?"
Keeta looks at him with mild disapproval.
He backpedals apologetically throwing his paws up in his defense. "I didn't mean to be rude, but, that can't be the whole story."
Kyra interrupts them. "He does this, he asks a lot of questions." This is the first thing Kyra has said to Renno in days.
He turns to her. "Well I'm sorry, I don't remember anything and I don't know where I'm at. I didn't bother you for like three days give me a break."
Keeta turns to Kyra and scolds her, "Kyra, be nice to your guest." and addresses Renno. "There is always more to the story. To answer your original question. 'Am I that important.' I run the hostel known as 'Whitehall' and I own The Table." she pauses and bites at one of her claws subconsciously as she thinks. "I suppose I run that too until Rozen is back." clearly having some difficulty upon reflection she pauses again to collect her self.
She continues. "As you may know, or I suppose perhaps not. We Anorans sleep, eat, pray, and bathe together as a community. I try to treat everyone even the dishonored with dignity and respect because in a way, they are all my children. I have a responsibility to them and they repay me with their respect. And yes, I'm sure particularly some of the younger Anorans find it intimidating that I know the Arbitor on a more personal level than most."
Her words reach him with a certain weight. This is a woman who truly believes in what she says."Couldn't you just have Rozen released then?"
She laughs. "I could pull a few strings but honestly, he's probably happy to consider himself a martyr. He will get his trial. They will find him guilty but with honor and I'll have to pay the guard captain some amount of coin that I'll just get back from the council come tax season."
"Oh, I..." Renno is at a loss for words his mind lingers on the concept of 'tax season'. Not that the phrase 'tax season' carries any specific weight with him. It simply serves as a reminder to him of how little he really knows of the Anorans and their way of life.
Satisfied with her explanation Keeta turns her attention back to Kyra. "Anyway, I must get going. The preparations for dinner start soon. But first," She takes out some worn but still intact clothing from her bag. "Take some of that coin you got from," She emphasizes the next word in her sentence. "'Lady' Manon and get a bath. You can't go over there like that."
Kyra takes the clothing from her paws. "What's this?"
She places her paw on top of the stack and gently pushes them into Kyra's embrace."I salvaged them from the lost and found. It's to replaced those rags you reduced your old clothes too."
Kyra holds up the shirt before discarding her badly torn one and trying it on. "It's too big."
Keeta grabs the edges of it and pulls it down properly onto her shoulders. "Hush, you'll grow into it."
Kyra frowns but leaves the shirt on. The starts to untie her skirt but stops and looks at Renno. "Well go on, get out of here!"
Renno hesistates to say or do anything.
Kyra picks up a sandal and throws it at him. "Go!"
Renno is taken by surprise. "Sorry I don't know, you changed in front of me before I don't know what the rules are."
Kyra pushes him towards the stairs. "Just go!"
He throws his paws up. "Alright, sorry."
After Renno returns to the workshop Keeta privately speaks with Kyra. "That wasn't very nice. You're just trying on new clothes."
"I just don't want him to be here right now."
"Why?"
"I just-" Kyra closes her eyes tight in pain as she bends over to pull her new skirt up. "I just don't okay?"
"Is it because you got hurt?"
Kyra ties her skirt dramatically rather than respond.
Keeta presses the issue. "It's because you wanted to help him, and now you could use his help instead. Isn't it?"
Kyra looks up at Keeta surprised by her insight.
Satisfied with herself Keeta continues. "Oh yeah, I know just how you are. Be nice to him. You have both been through a lot and you could use another friend."
"He's not even Anoran." Kyra says.
"So? Your friend's with that Enozen boy as well, and what about Minetz?" Keeta not letting her off the hook so easily.
"That's different. Minetz needs me. He's just a child."
Keeta gives Kyra a long stare. "And is Enozen a child?"
Kyra and Keeta are now locked in an extended stare down. "We're not supposed to talk about that."
"Who's listening?" Keeta gestures to the workshop above. The banister is empty.
Kyra wraps her feet and ankles putting on her sandals. She takes a stab at sounding casual. "Anyway, that's not the point. I mean Renno isn't one of us, he's not from around here. Someday he will leave. I'll help him find his way home and that will be that. I'll probably never hear from him again."
Keeta rests her paw on Kyra's shoulder. "You don't know that. Just be kind. Let him help around here and you can help him later in the spring."
"Fine." Kyra, defeated, relents knowing she can't argue with Keeta for long. How can anyone justify doing so much for someone rather than letting them do what they can on their own? Does she want me to look bad in front of Miran? This much Kyra knows to be a lie of her own making and the thought leaves her mind leaving behind better sense. Kyra steps forward and hugs Keeta again. "Thank you."
"Okay dear, come now, take some of that coin Manon gave you and get a bath. You need it. Oh, and one more thing. What's this about you changing in front of him before." Keeta dawns a devilish smile.
Kyra frowns back at her and whispers harshly. "I found him and we were caught in a storm. We were just trying to dry off its none of your business."
Keeta smiles. "I'm just teasing you, go on get your bath."
Kyra nods and runs up the stairs to grab her money.
Keeta calls out up the stairs. "Renno!"
He leaves his seat at the workbench and looks over the banister.
Kyra pauses on the way up the steps and looks back at Keeta with intrigue. "Come to the table after watchers rest and I will answer all your questions."
Renno nods.
Keeta addresses Kyra who is still lurking on the steps. "Your welcome dear, now run along and get your bath. Manon will be very upset if her books are not back by watchers light in the morning."
Keeta lets her self out and the trio are left to settle affairs among one another.
Renno stops Kyra on the way past him to the storage room. "Look hey, we got off on the wrong foot, I told you the other day I wanted to start over. I uh, are you feeling any better I guess? You seemed pretty hurt."
She hesitates before answering. "It's fine I guess. It's probably going to hurt for a while." She feels her side.
"Can I feel? I never felt a broken bone before. Or at least that I can remember."
"No you can not just 'feel' what's wrong with y-" she stops abruptly Keeta's words echo in her mind. "Fine, you can feel. It's not like it matters I'm getting a bath anyway."
Renno puts his paw on her side very gently.
After a moment Kyra steps away from him. "Okay, I think that's enough."
"You really hate outsiders don't you."
Kyra genuinely shocked. "No of course not. What makes you say that?"
_Seriously?_Renno thinks to himself."Where do I start? You don't seem to want anything to do with me or Minetz especially if it involves something as simple as getting a hug from the little guy." He points over his shoulder at Minetz who is happily drawing away plans for a new invention. "He really thinks the world of you."
She tilts her head to the side and flicks her ears. Her tail now subconsciously sits nested in her paws. She looks over at Minetz for several seconds before answering. "I don't I... It's hard to explain. Other people, you know. I mean. Minetz... I'm sure you noticed there's just no foreigners around here. We don't do well with the outside. I just... Look I'm sorry." She calls over to the little Thono. "Minetz come here."
Minetz leaps out of his chair and comes running over. "Momma Kyra?" he smiles and stands between them.
Kyra bends over and picks up Minetz hugging him then holds him up off the ground with her left arm while he clings to her shoulder. She looks at Renno. "You too, come here."
To Renno's surprise, Kyra reaches over and pulls him in the motion however overextends her capabilities and she doubles over dropping Minetz and she gasps in pain.
Renno leans in close and grabs her by the arm. "Kyra, are you okay?"
She puts her paw on his shoulder and he helps her back to her feet. "Yeah, I just tweaked it. I'll be fine. You know how you can help me?" She smiles at Renno mischievously. "Keep that one busy and out of my fur." She points to Minetz.
Minetz balls his paws up into fists of excitement while Renno stands terrified. Without warning, Renno receives his hug, not from Kyra but from Minetz.
Kyra smiles and holds back a laugh. "I better go get a bath before Keeta comes back." Kyra grabs her coin and rushes down to the locker area.
Renno calls to her. "You can't leave me like this, help me get this 'thing' off of me!" He struggles to pry Minetz away.
She calls back to him. "It's too late now you're on your own." Kyra mistakenly turns to the front exit. She looks at the patched up door no longer able to be opened. I swear, he is never going to fix this door. She shakes her head and slips out into the back alley.
End Chapter 14