Fate and the House of the Four Winds

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. Jenna remembered the time before when farms filled the land. Patchworks of green, the Florin snaking across the Valley floor, a ribbon of silver.

The Florin ran muddy across the middle now, wallows created by the huge beasts that congregated there. Fields abandoned, in the ten years since their arrival, most evidence of the Valley’s former occupiers had been erased.

Jenna stood on a rocky outcrop, surveying the Valley below her. A wind blew up the face of the rocks, a welcome relief from the sweltering heat. The sun had only been up a few hours and it was unbearable already, especially in the thick woollen dress that all women in Harlborn wore. The breeze made strands that had escaped her bonnet fly around her face.

‘You ready?’ Holly, her younger sister, a basket on her hip, the other held out to Jenna.

Jenna nodded, ‘No, but let’s get on with it’ taking the proffered basket.

Holly’s laugh tinkled, ‘You’re such a grump Jenna Wade’ she slipped her free arm through Jenna’s. ‘You never know who’ll be down there’ she laughed again, ‘the Willard’s crop will be ready too.’

Jenna knew she shouldn’t rise to it, it would only encourage her, so she swallowed the retort. Her sister enjoyed teasing her about the elder Willard boy. Jenna had kept to herself that she had no desire to settle, especially not for a prig like Edd. As much as she deflected, she knew that they would not be put off forever. The excuse of not being ready was wearing thin, staying in Harlborn meant she would need to pair.

Holly swung her arm a little as they walked down through the woodland, the land sloping gently here towards the valley floor. That was their destination, the Hogan trees that grew on the lower reaches of the hill. The fat leathery leaves hiding the purple berries beneath. It was Hoganberry season, a short window of a few weeks, when the years of careful pruning, literally bore fruit.

The heat had made her testy, but Jen actually looked forward to this time when she and her sister brought in the Hoganberry crop. Their family had tended this grove for generations. The fruits of their labour made fine preserves, a taste of summer in the dark winter. Any berries deemed excess by their Ma, made into a brew by their Pa.

When she had turned nineteen last winter, Pa had allowed her a taste. The first sip had made her cough, her face turn red. When she had finished the half glass, her head span and her face was flushed.

The air was even stiller in the trees, the heat thick and sticky. The weather had built heat for days, a tremendous thunderstorm the night before. Jen had lain awake and listened to noises that sounded like they would split the earth. When the rain had finally come, it drummed against the roof.

The rain had cooled and freshened the air, but it had not lasted. The sun had come up and the heat had built again. The overnight downpour making the bottom reaches of the slope muddy though. They slipped and slid, Holly laughing as they held tightly onto the baskets and each other’s hands.

As they emerged from the shade of the trees the sun beat down on the back of her neck. ‘Will be a bloody nightmare on the way back up’ she complained.

‘Grump’ Holly laughed again, releasing Jenna’s hand to undo the gate. Her laugh and motion abruptly stopped, half hanging on the gate.

‘Jen’ she said quietly, ‘who’s that?’

Stepping past her younger sister, Jenna put herself between her and the figure that sat under the stunted growth of the nearest Hogan Tree. An unconscious touch to the knife hilt in the sheath at her waist.

Their head tipped forward, obscuring the face of the individual. Their upper body leaned against the tree, their long legs spread in front of them, a book open on their thighs. A pack lay at their side, no weapons that she could see. By their demeanour, they were fast asleep in the broad shade.

‘Jen?’ Holly repeated quietly behind her, ‘what should we do?’

‘Are the Willard’s harvesting?’ her stomach twisted at asking them for aid. Edd was unbearable as it was.

Holly stood next to her and nodded, ‘Saw them come down when I fetched the baskets.’

‘Stay at the gate’ Jenna touched her sister’s arm, ‘run to them if there is trouble.’ Holly’s eyes clouded, but she nodded and stepped back to the gate.

Jenna approached the figure, as she neared, a faint snore permeated the air. This made her unreasonably angry for some reason. Bolstered by this, she aimed her foot and kicked the sole of their boot firmly.

The figure jolted, brown eyes sleepily fixed on hers, ‘Hey’ he grumbled, ‘was sleeping.’ Yawning, he ran a hand through his wheat coloured hair.

‘Sleep somewhere else’ Jenna replied tersely, he looked fairly harmless she decided. She didn’t recognise him, which meant he wasn’t from Harlborn. His boots and clothes were well made, not flashy like she had seen Lord Caris or his entourage wear.

He yawned again, ‘Why?’ he closed the book on his lap. Pulling at a stalk of grass, he stuck it between his teeth and began to chew it.

‘Because’ the reason fled her momentarily, she recovered herself under his gaze, ‘because I said so.’

His lip curled at the corner, ‘You say so?’

‘Yes’ she put her hand on her hip, ‘I did.’ An eyebrow raised as the smirk rose higher.

‘Of course’ he levered himself up gracefully, ‘I am always happy to fulfil the wishes of a beautiful woman.’

Holly snorted behind her, Jenna fought the blush down, hoped the heat she felt on her chest didn’t rise up her cheek.

‘Kai Dagan’ he swept down into a bow with a flourish, the book still in his hand, ‘at your service, ma’am.’

Holly tittered again, his eyes falling on her as he rose, ‘Two beautiful creatures, I must still be dreaming’ a lazy grin crossing his face.

His confidence riled her, ‘You must be’ she snapped, ‘if you think our heads turned by pretty words from a layabout.’

He clutched the book to his chest in mock outrage, ‘A layabout? Ma’am I am wounded.’ The grin widened, ‘I sought only a moment’s peace, away from my duties.’ His eyes danced over her, amusement crinkling their corners.

Jenna scoffed, ‘Duties’ she muttered as she shook her head, ‘clear out, before our brothers set upon you.’

He tsked, ‘I am a little disappointed, this is not the welcome I was expecting from Harlborn.’

‘This is not Harlborn’ annoyance in her tone, ‘this is my family’s orchard’ she gestured at him, ‘and you are in the way.’

‘Trouble, Commander?’ a deep bass tone asked behind her.

Jenna’s stomach dropped as she turned. Beyond the fence stood a fully armed man. Black boiled leather armour, a dragon symbol picked out in gold across the chest.

Holly shrank back as he put his hand on the hilt of his sword.

‘Not at all, Ser Owain’ the smile was back, ‘I was just introducing myself to these delightful young ladies.’ He bent and scooped up what Jenna had mistaken for a pack. As he stood she realised it was his discarded armour.

‘Good day to you Ladies’ he nodded, ‘thankyou for your’ he gestured to the tree, ‘hospitality.’

Ser Owain chuckled softly as Holly stepped back to allow Kai out of the gate.

Jenna watched them disappear back into the woodland in silence. Holly allowing the gate to swing closed as she joined her sister.

‘Hells breath, Jenna, Dragoners’ she murmured quietly.

‘Will be fine, Holly’ she said with a confidence she didn’t feel, ‘they never stay long.’

Her head throbbed, the sun had been relentless all day, despite them sticking to the shade. Dropping the handful of berries into the basket at her feet, she turned. ‘Enough’ she declared.

Holly turned, ‘Agreed.’ She ran a hand across her forehead, her cheeks and forehead pink, Jenna knew by the tightness in her skin, that hers also glowed.

As they climbed the slope, baskets brimming, the sweat slid down between her shoulder blades. Pausing to switch the basket to the other hip, she blew out hard.

‘Don’t think I have ever been this hot.’

‘Me neither.’

Her clothes felt unpleasantly damp, the long heavy skirts and bodice trapping the heat. For a moment, Jenna wished she were male, they would not suffer so in this heat. Stripped to the waist and wearing short breeches. Not for the first time, Jenna internally grumbled at the misfortune of being born a woman.

‘Paddle in the brook?’ Holly looked at her hopefully, ‘we can wash the berries, save doing it when we get home.’

‘We should get back’ even Jenna could her the lack of commitment in her voice. A short pause, ‘A few moments, just to cool our feet and wash the berries.’ Holly’s face broke into a grin.

They followed the track through the trees, moving a little quicker at the prospect of the cool water between their toes. Eagerly pulling off and abandoning their boots and stockings on the mossy bank. Hitching their skirts up, exposing their pale legs they stepped into the cool water.

Both groaning in delight at the same time, they laughed as they wedged the baskets firmly against the stream bottom.

The water flowing safely through the wicker, ‘Gods, Jen, that feels good.’ Holly gingerly walked a few feet upstream to where the bank rose. Sitting on the moss, she kicked her feet, splashing the water.

Jen joined her, rolling her skirt past her knees, ‘We shouldn’t stay too long or Da will send Petyr for us.’

‘Stop whittling’ Holly rolled her eyes, ‘will be fine.’

‘Not you that gets into trouble’ as the elder by three years, Jen bore the brunt of the blame in her Da’s eyes.

Holly tutted as she lay back on the bank, her feet and ankles still submerged.

Jen stared at the water as it swirled around her feet, another few moments she told herself. The water swiftly reducing her temperature, she had stopped sweating. Scooping up a handful of water she took a deep draft before gathering up more to wash her face and neck. The cool water brought her out in delicious goosebumps, sending a shudder down her spine.

Closing her eyes, she let out a deep sigh, allowed the sounds of the woodland to fill her senses. The tinkle of the water over rocks, birds calling. The scent of warm damp earth, the faint scent of wildflowers that grew in the spots where the sun pierced the canopy.

The birds quieted, the snap of a twig, her eyes flicked open.

‘Sisters’ Edd came to a halt on the opposite bank. His brown eyes slid downwards, to her bare knees and calves.

‘Brother’ she replied, self-consciously adjusting her skirts to cover herself, water wicking up the hem.

Holly sat up as Edd spoke, ‘You shouldn’t be out on your own down here.’

‘Why not?’ Holly shaded her eyes with a hand and regarded him.

‘Dragoner’s in the valley’ he gestured vaguely downhill.

‘We’ Holly started.

Jen elbowed her subtly ‘We’re just leaving’ she pushed up onto the bank.

‘I’ll walk you back.’

‘We’re fine’ she tried to keep her voice neutral, ‘thank you.’ She held out her hand to help Holly up.

‘I insist.’

Retrieving her basket, her irritation rising, she turned her back to him. Pulling her stockings over her damp feet, then her boots.

‘We will be fine.’ She reiterated as she turned hefting the basket onto her hip. The water soaking through the wool where the basket pressed against her.

‘I insist’ he repeated, his expression darkening, ‘I have already come across two of the foul breed.’

Jen wondered if it were the two from earlier, they didn’t seem foul. Arrogant and scary, but not foul.

He stepped over the stream with a single stride and fell into step beside Jen.

Leaning into her he said confidentially, a glance in Holly’s direction.

‘I would not trust them to behave honourably if they came across you two alone. Any man that chooses that lifestyle.’ He shuddered as he straightened, muttered to himself.

Jen caught Holly’s eye sand resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

‘I have not seen you at Chapel for a few weeks.’

Jen shrugged, not wanting to be drawn into this conversation. Holly dropped back a few paces, Jen threw her a look.

‘The Maester is starting an evening group, now the nights are lighter.’

Her heart sank, she knew exactly where this was going.

‘For those of age, who are not yet paired.’ He stopped and put a hand on her arm, stopping her too, ‘I think you should go.’

She looked pointedly at his hand, still on her arm. He dropped it, a slight flush at the collar of his shirt.

‘I’ll think about it, we are so busy at the moment.’ Her excuse sounded thin to her own ears.

His eyes narrowed, the muscle in his jaw ticked, ‘You cannot neglect your duties to your essence, Jenna.’ Annoyance in his tone, ‘You must submit to the Gods and ask them for guidance.’

Jen wanted to tell him where he could stick his submission, she shoved it down. The last thing she needed was a row with her father and being forced to attend chapel every Sixthday. Or worse, forced to attend the Maester’s evening group.

‘Come on, or we will be late for supper’ Holly trilled, ‘Ma will be getting worried.’ Jen could have kissed her, readjusting her basket she made her way up the slope. Edd a dark, glowering presence at her side.

The rest of the journey was made in silence. A sigh of relief as the dry stone wall that surrounded their property came into view.

‘Thank you for walking us home.’

Her hope that he would leave dashed by his words, ‘I would speak with your father. He should not allow you down slope without a man, while those beasts roam.’ Jen wasn’t sure if he was speaking of the dragons or their companions.

She thought to the men they had already encountered and how useful Edd would have been if they been dangerous. Despite their armaments, she hadn’t truly felt unsafe in their presence. Her Da would call her naïve if she expressed such a thought.

Holly swung the yard gate open, Edd following them through and to the small farmstead that was the Wades family home.

‘Da will be in the parlour.’

Her stomach sank, dread filling her. Da was always in the parlour, he ran the little empire that was the Wade family from the overstuffed chair in the corner. Rarely shifting from that spot for ten years, since the Wades had been forced to give up the larger parcel of land on the Valley floor, for this smaller parcel higher up the slope.

The Wade family avoided talk of dragons and Dragoners for fear it would set him off on another endless tirade about how he and the other farmers had been cheated. A visit from Edd to tell him of their presence would undoubtedly set him off.

The kitchen was cool, dim in comparison to the late afternoon sunshine of the yard. Ma looking up from her chopping as the three of them entered.

‘Edd’ she smiled, ‘how lovely to see you’ rolling her sleeves back down to her wrists, her eyes flicked to Jen. She hid her emotions well, but two decades spent in her company and Jen could read her like a book, she found him as distasteful as her.

‘Mother Wade’ he acknowledged her with a nod, ‘I must speak to your husband.’

‘I will see if he is awake’ Jen saw the question in her eyes as she met her Ma’s glance, before she disappeared into the parlour.

The baskets of Hoganberries were deposited on the flagged floor by the sink. ‘I’ll see to the pig’ Holly winked swiftly at her before leaving her alone in the kitchen with Edd.

Pushing away murderous thoughts, Jen pumped the handle of the water pump, cool water splashing into the large copper basin as she filled a glass.

‘Drink?’ she held out the glass, Edd tore himself away from the perusal of the books that lined the dresser. Sketches and watercolours that her Ma had particularly admired were perched among the books and assorted oddments that filled the dresser. If the parlour was her Da’s kingdom, the kitchen was her Ma’s.

‘Thank you’ he took the glass, ‘You have read those?’ he disapproved.

Jen nodded as she filled her own glass, ‘Some’ she lied, she had read all of them, at least twice. Her favourites were the romances and the poetry.

‘I see no Standard there.’

Of course he would look for that, she sighed inside, more evidence if he needed it that she was failing in her duties to her essence.

‘By my bed, of course, so I can read before I sleep.’ Underneath her bed, gathering dust more like. She smiled innocently as she lied through her teeth.

His face lit up in approval, perhaps she wasn’t a hopeless case.

‘The pictures, drawings, yours?’ he took a sip of the water.

A nod, ‘A small hobby’ she dismissed them with a wave. She would rather draw, paint or read than do any of her daily chores. A morning in the meadow with her watercolours was one of her favourite pastimes and one luxury she rarely got.

‘The Gods disapprove of idleness’ he tutted, ‘perhaps more appropriate subject matter, the Precepts?’

The Gods would have to forgive her of murder if this man opened his mouth much more.

‘The Gods creations are not appropriate subject matter?’ she kicked herself, she should not have risen to it.

His expression darkened, ‘Only Man knows of the Gods, their creatures are innocents in the grand plan. As the God’s vessels we must live by the Precepts’ he gestured vaguely at the dresser, ‘not allow ourselves to be swept up by foolishness. Our time is limited, we must seek to do as much of the Gods work as we can, not waste that precious time.’

He took a deep breath, ‘and on that matter’ her stomach plunged, she knew what was coming next.

‘I have discussed this at length with the Maester and despite your -’

He was interrupted by her Ma’s return, Jen could have kissed her. ‘Father Wade will see you now.’

Edd face twisted a little, ‘Thank you, Mother Wade’ he turned his attention back to Jen, ‘we will speak further, Jenna.’

There was silence in the kitchen as he closed the door behind him.

‘What does he want?’ her Ma hissed as she crossed the room.

‘Dragoner’s are in the Valley’ Jen rolled her eyes, ‘he has come to tell Pa that he should keep us home.’

Her Ma let out a sigh of relief, ‘I thought he had come to ask permission to pair’ her voice low.

‘It’s only a matter of time.’

‘Your Da will never agree’ she knew her Ma sought to reassure her, but Jen knew better. Edd’s family had more land and less dependants. That and there were only three men of age in the village. One was her cousin, the other a simpleton, Edd was the only option within Harlborn’s borders. Any other options were in the next village, the opportunity to mix limited to a monthly market a morning’s walk away or an occasional festival.

A sense of dread filled her, she would pair with Edd if she stayed here. It was unthinkable that a woman would remain unpaired past her twentieth year. She had six months to find a better option than Edd. For a moment she considered the simpleton, then dismissed it. Mikey had a lovely sweet temperament, but had not progressed beyond what one would expect of a four year old. It would be unconscionable to take advantage of him, though she had no doubt that his parents would approve.

‘Jen?’ her Ma’s voice brought her wandering attention back.

‘Sorry, Ma, was miles away.’

‘Come to market with me tomorrow.’

‘Yes, of course’ Jenn tried to make her smile convincing, it dropped as the door opened and Edd came back into the room. His expression was dark, that made her heart lift a little.

‘Good day Madame Wade’ he acknowledged her Ma before turning to her, ‘a moment of your time, Sister.’ He gestured to the outer door and stepped through.

Jen’s stomach dropped to her boots, a glance at her Ma as she followed him out.

Edd stopped at the gate as she trailed after him. Turning he clasped his hands together in front of himself and regarded her from under his brows.

She stopped a small distance from him, slightly out of arm’s reach, should he try to touch her. Focussing on his feet, because she couldn’t bear to met his eyes.

‘You are aware of my intentions’ he didn’t stop for her to acknowledge him, ‘I thought to ask Father Wade today for permission, but -.’ He faltered a moment to gather himself. ‘The news of the Dragoner’s in the Valley upset him considerably.’

In another situation she would have laughed, upset would be an understatement. The rant would last at least three days from previous experience.

‘I will approach him when he is in a better frame of mind. I will ask him just before the Cleansing ceremony. We can complete our pairing after the statutory wait.’

It was hardly the most romantic of proposals. He could have been discussing the weather for all the emotion in his voice.

‘The Maester has misgivings’ he continued, she kept her eyes to the floor, ‘but I have convinced him that you will be a suitable pairing for a Maester.’

Her head shot up, eyes met his briefly, he smiled. She supposed he meant it as a compliment. ‘Yes, Jenna, I am to be an Initiate’ he stepped towards her. ‘Did you ever contemplate that you could hold such a position? To be the future Maesters pair, to bring forth his children.’

Bile rose in her throat, as she looked at his hands. The prospect of him touching her, of him – she shoved the disgusting notion down and fought to keep her face neutral.

A hand lifted, touched her chin and raised her head. His eyes traced across her face, focussed on her lips. Her heart thudded, praying that he didn’t try to kiss her.

‘With me by your side Jenna’ he said softly, ‘you will devote yourself to the Gods. Turn back to the Precepts and fulfil your duties as a woman in service to the Gods.’ She was glad she had eaten little at lunch, her stomach churned. A thumb traced her lip, she shuddered and closed her eyes, swallowed hard. Forcing herself not to turn and flee from him.

Edd mistook her reaction, as he dropped his hand, Jen opened her eyes. A faint smile crossing his face, ‘Soon, Jenna’ he murmured, his eyes on her lips again. ‘Soon’ he repeated, ‘you will begin your life with me.’

He stepped back, ‘I should go, I would not wish to have my integrity questioned prior to the announcement.’ A curt nod and he turned.

Jenna waited until his back had vanished into the woodland before leaning on the gate and throwing up what little was in her stomach. She had a month, a month left before her life would belong to another.

Ma and Jenny looked up from the table as she entered, a pot of tea between them.

‘That bad?’ her Ma pushed a cup towards her as she sat heavily at the table.

‘He will ask Pa just before Cleansing’ her hand shook as she lifted her cup.

‘Oh, Jenn’ Holly’s face dropped.

‘I’ll talk to your Pa’ her Ma started.

‘Will do no good Ma’ her heart clenched, ‘I have to pair’ she shuddered. ‘Maester won’t allow me to remain as I am, there is no one else.’

Ma put one hand over Jenn’s, ‘We can find someone else.’

Jenn met her eyes and raised a brow, ‘In a month, Ma?’ She sighed, ‘At least I know him.’

Ma tutted, ‘Never liked that boy, too focussed on others essence rather than his own.’

‘He is to be an Initiate’ Ma’s brows rose as Holly gasped, ‘he thinks I should be honoured he would consider me, given the position he will take.’ Her head was trying desperately to reason with her heart. That organ wished her to pack a bag and flee as far and as fast as her feet would take her.

‘Gods, Jenn’ Holly shook her head, ‘wish I hadn’t teased you as hard about him.’

‘Don’t’ she shook her head, ‘his brother will be of age the same time as you, Holly.’

Her sister’s face fell farther as her words sank in. A couple of years and she may well find herself in the same predicament as Jenn.

‘You are both coming to market with me tomorrow’ her Ma’s jaw set. ‘I would keep you both out of the Willard’s hands.’

Jenn shook her head, ‘Too late’ she told her Ma and herself, ‘I haven’t enough time. If Da won’t give permission, the Maester will.’ She swallowed hard, ‘Edd will pair with me whether Da allows it or not.’

‘Then we have to find someone to ask Pa before he can do that.’

Jenn guffawed, ‘Really, Ma?’ she laughed again, ‘you think that will happen in four weeks?’ her laugh became uncontrollable, almost hysterical. Her head screamed as tears began to roll down her face, Ma lifted and gripped her hard.

Lifting her from her seat and hugging her hard, Ma spoke furiously into her ear, ‘Over my dead body will that boy have you my Jenny Wren.’ She rocked her gently, ‘I swear.’

‘It’s alright, Ma.’ Jenn forced distance from her Ma’s grip, ‘I’ll be fine.’

‘No’ Ma shook her head, ‘I’ll take you both away.’

‘Stop it, Ma’ Jenn shook her head furiously, ‘You can’t leave Da. The Maester will black mark us. Anywhere there is a Maester our lives won’t be worth living,’ She swallowed hard against the bile that rose in her throat again.

‘Maesters aren’t everywhere’ Ma retorted.

‘How would we live, Ma?’ Jenn gripped her shoulders, ‘Three women and no man? What would happen to us?’

Ma’s shoulders slumped, ‘It’s alright, Ma’ Jen said softly, ‘we can’t escape this. I have to pair with Edd. There is no other choice.’

‘Jenn - ’

She stopped her with a hand on hers, ‘I’ve made my decision, Ma.’ Her heart sank to her feet, ‘It is my own fault Ma, I knew it was coming and pretended it wasn’t. I should have gone to market every month, found myself someone better than Edd.’ Swallowing hard again to keep the tremble from her voice, ‘What we have to do now is find Holly someone before her time comes.’

A storm raged again that night, trees lit up in sharp relief. Holly in the bed that they shared, they had cried together before her sister slid to sleep.

Jenn leaned her head against the cool glass of the window. Her nightgown tucked around her legs, she watched the rain lash down the pane.

Trapped, she felt trapped, no way out of her situation. In a month, she would share a bed with Edd, be expected to obey his desires. Jenn had seen how the pigs and sheep coupled. The thought of Edd carrying out that act upon her filled her with cold fear. Her mouth dry, a stifled sob at the thought of being used in such a way. Without a thought as to her own wishes, obedience expected.

For a moment she contemplated running, knew her Ma would not begrudge her taking the coin she had squirreled away from her Pa. The black mark she would incur from such an act scared her. What terrified her though, was the prospect of it being extended to her family. Holly would be forbidden to pair. Friends and neighbours barred from providing aid. Life was hard on the mountainside, no support during tough times could well mean death.

A tiny sliver of her considered the ultimate alternative. She pushed the image of a blade against her wrists away. That she would do after, if her life was too unbearable, she told herself. To do it now, would bring shame.

Lightning forked on the other side of the pane. Lighting up the trees below her. The water running in wide rivulets down the glass. The air had cooled and she shivered. With a deep sigh, she unfolded herself and crawled in next to her sister.