Jeffers
A story (copyright CS Dunn 2015) [also in pdf Jeffers]
He had the side alley. At least it was in the shade. It was too hot to be out hunting for wild kids who stole only food. After all, a person had only to go to the barracks to get a feed, so why the concern for someone filching “cause he didn’t want to go to school. Jeffers didn’t appreciate being volunteered for this task, but apparently his record for “catches” was too good. Well, maybe he’d let this one slip and reduce his count so he couldn’t be volunteered again. Not too soon, anyway. He wanted to spend time with his own children when he wasn’t on patrol in the regions – and he was on patrol more often than not lately. He leaned against the grubby limestone wall of the alley leading to the greens market. The smell of rotten greens assaulted his nose, and if this is where the kid was most often sighted, this is where he would be for the rest of the day. The sun had only been up for a few minutes, and already the sweat was trickling down his back. He rubbed his back against the wall to ease the tickling sensation. That was when he saw the shadow move; a puff of dust on the pounded limestone road. He settled his feet ready to spring, kept his eyelids half shut. This had to be the one. The small shape was crouched deep in the shadows and all Jeffers could see was the whites of the eyes. He saw the eyes register his presence before flicking away.
Smart kid. Jeffers yawned, covering his mouth with the back of his hand, not taking his half shut eyes off the shadow. It rose up, the shape hunched forward – about to run. Jeffers leaned forward a little from the waist and just as the lad came to his feet, Jeffers shot his foot out and tripped him. The hand that had been at his mouth flashed out and grabbed the back of the trousers, his other hand grabbed an arm.
The little beast hissed and snarled and twisted, lashing at Jeffers. Jeffers laughed – it was a wild alley cat, not even human from the sounds it made. He was used to his own kids wriggling, and he knew just where to grab to hold them still. Jeffers lifted him off the ground and let out the high-pitched whistle that would bring the rest of the guard to him. He heard the pounding of boots almost immediately, and relaxed his hold a little. He felt the twist of his thumb against his wrist, and by the time he turned back to look, there was no-one there.
How the Other did he do that? He must have gone up the wall.
The troop leader had just arrived, a newly commissioned corporal Jeffers didn’t know, and he was giving him that look. “Well, Jeffers, report: where is he? You signalled us in.” The corporal wasn’t looking anywhere but straight at Jeffers. He knew Jeffers had not wanted to be here today. This would look like insubordination. The Other take the kid.
“Sorry, Corporal. He just took off up the wall. I did have hold of him, he just disappeared.” Jeffers looked back at the wall as he shrugged his shoulders. There was a strange look to that part of the wall –like a dust-devil white-out, and an almost mirage-like overlay to the stones. He looked harder without moving closer. There was a space that looked a lot like the whites of the eyes. He made as if to turn back to the troop, but leapt up and grabbed the area of the wall where those eyes were.
He connected with something that screeched and squealed like a piglet. He dug his fingers in, hard, and locked his wrist while he brought his other hand up to grab another area of the ‘mirage.’ Success. There was an insubstantial waif-child in front of him again. He would not relax this time. He dragged him off the wall and swung him out in front of the troops, and made sure he did not let the feet touch the ground.
“And here he is – the little shadow cat who needs a good cuff.” He turned to the corporal.
“Grab some ties and put them on hands and feet, and get something to put in his mouth to keep him quiet!” The boy was getting heavy.
Heavier than he looks. As the corporal attached the ties, Jeffers checked them, and swung his head towards Hobi, a man from his own troop, “And get the hog ties on him, too. He’s not going to disappear again!” Hobi obliged, stringing the hog ties from the hands to the feet and around the belly and neck. That should hold him. Jeffers hoisted the body over his shoulder and turned towards the barracks and fort up the hill. It was going to be a hard slog with the squirming and pounding and heaving – definitely more like a wild shadow cat than a civilised person. There would be bruises all over him by the time this was over. Casually, he turned to Hobi and muttered, “If anyone brought a spear, I could tie the kid to it like a real hog.” He wouldn’t do it really, but the kid seemed to understand and didn’t try to fight so hard.
Hobi chuckled, “Allus knew you was a cannibal, Jeffers, but I dun think this ‘un is gunna get et – ‘e’s a gift for t’ spies, ‘cos ‘e can camouflage ‘isself – you mark my words, this ‘un is a spy in the get!”
“A bit young, don’t you think? He’s only just taller than my five year old, and skinny as a stick. He’ll need a foster for a few years yet, even if he can turn into smoke.” Jeffers was huffing now. “Even if he does weigh more than he looks, and even if he does go into school, he’s got a long way to go before they decide which trade he goes to – but at least someone can feed him for a few years!” He lifted one of the kid’s legs, and the other leg, tied as it was to the first, came up in the air as well, “See this leg – I could wrap my baby’s hand around his thigh – he’s too young and too starved to be given to a trade yet, especially the spy trade. That’s the worst thing to wish on any kid!”
There was something special about this one, for sure. Jeffers decided to be at the hearing that would decide the fate of this young boy. He turned to Hobi, “Go to my place and tell my missus we could have another kid by tonight – but say it nice, so she doesn’t decide to kill me first!”
Hobi laughed and turned back toward the markets and the homes lower down the hill. “I’ll be back right soon, Jeffers. I’ll let you know ‘ow long you got to live!”
The Council of Seniors were deciding several matters that day. Each matter was decided by the Council, then passed to the H’Rucca representative for the final seal. R’Cci was the H’Rucca senior on this Council, and she was shrewd. The City of Aramel was lucky to have her on their Council. She was the most revered of the H’Rucca wise ones, and it had been surprising she had nominated for this role. Aramel had gone without a H’Rucca representative for almost five years before that, and all Council sessions had waited on a visiting H’Rucca before holding a conclave. Sometimes, a troop had to be sent out to contact the nomads so urgent matters could be dealt with. Everyone in Aramel was happy to have R’Cci at Council.
Jeffers watched R’Cci as they got through the other matters, and when the kid was brought in, still in the torn and filthy rags that passed for a tunic, he saw her eyes widen. She did not take her gaze from the scrappy little wild-eyed thing. R’Cci stood, her frail figure barely taller standing than she had been when sitting. The Council of Seniors turned to her as one.
“This one is mine,” she said. “She is one of ours, even if there is no family sigil or name mark. Her skin is ours; her mind-shape is ours. I will take this one.” She sat. The Council nodded, and it was done.
Well, a girl. Jeffers had not even noticed; most kids seemed alike until age or clothes defined them as one or the other. He would never have guessed. At least now his wife would not be so ready to hang and quarter him, and he would still only have the four kids at home. He felt the loss, as if the little waif should have come with him and been part of his family.
R’Cci took possession of the child at the end of the conclave.
Jeffers walked back through the greens market, hoping to get some bargains on the way home. As the day got hotter and the greens wilted with the heat, the vendors lowered their prices to try to clear their stalls for the night deliveries. He was sniffing the tomatoes and squeezing cucumbers when he felt a touch on his arm. He spun around, fists bunched. No-one would steal from him.
R’Cci lifted her hand, palm up, a sign of submission and friendship.
“I saw you in the crowd,” she said. The girl was standing behind her, just the big eyes and her head visible. “I have set a charm on this one,” she pointed at the girl, “so she will not be able to hide from me or from you, from others and danger, she still can.” She took Jeffers arm. “I am going to walk with you to your home, to discuss her future life with you and your family. I am an old woman, and I would take on her care and training if I could, but my time on the Council is over, and I would ask this boon of you and your wife. We can discuss what you would want in exchange for this favour.” She did not take her eyes from his face, seeming to search his eyes down to his very soul. Jeffers could see the brown of her eyes turn to gold with flecks of orange, and they were spinning slightly, seeming to draw him into her. He couldn’t see or hear anything else even though he knew the market was busy and garrulous. He smelled cinnamon.
“You’re using magic, aren’t you?” he asked. “You’re looking for anything in me that would harm your girl? I wouldn’t you know. I like kids. I don’t hurt them. And I won’t do something just to get your goodwill.” He could feel her stare as if it was burning a hole in him, seeking out all his hidden corners. “I will take her on – if my wife agrees – with no need for a boon or a promise. Your people are the beginning of mine, and the H’Rucca are my people, too.”
“It is good you ask your wife, as no man has the right to tell his woman what should be for her. You are a soldier, going about our country without her, so she will be the one to decide, but if she asks a boon, she shall have it. All H’Rucca and I, R’Cci, eldest of the H’Rucca lore dreamers, will see to her needs.” She took her eyes out of his soul, firmed her grip on his hand and led him away.
The vendor pushed a pile of vegetables into his arms, his smile as wide as his face, “Take this, and this, and this,” adding more and more. “You are a man blessed by R’Cci. I give you all you want, anytime you come. We thank you, R’Cci, for being one with us and ours.” He backed into his stall, bobbing and bowing as he went. R’Cci led Jeffers away, down the lane that would lead to his home. The girl followed as close as a shadow.
“Does the girl have a name?” he asked.
“You have named her already, although not formally. She will take the name you gave her, Shadow, until she reaches her name day to choose her own. Do you agree, Shadow?” She didn’t turn her head, but the girl nodded, and R’Cci seemed to sense the assent. “That is settled; now let’s go see your wife and children.”
