Chapter 11
“Is she here?” My eyes shot open.
“Perhaps.”
“Da,
please don’t patronize me now. I need to talk to her.”
“She’s in your room.” I sat up. “Son, the tactics that has worked on other women won’t work on her.”
“I realize.”
“What has worked on
her before won’t work now.”
I waited patiently and when Ellery walked in, I lit the candle on the bedside table. He jumped and turned to face me, his expression one of guilt.
“Ellery has a need to talk to Cricket?” I tilted my head.
“We can’t get married again.” My heart shattered.
“Cricket doesn’t feel that matter has the urgency Ellery has attached to it.” Ellery looked as if he had been slapped. “Cricket has other, much more urgent matters to be thinking about. Like how she will save the lives of everyone.”
“Cricket, it’s not that I don’t
want to –”
“Ellery doesn’t!” I interrupted. “If Ellery did, nothing in the world would stop him. At least, the Ellery Cricket fell in love with wouldn’t allow anything to stop him.” Ellery paled.
“People change.”
“Obviously.”
“Cricket, I can’t!” Ellery snapped. “Your father used my life debt to forbid me!”
“Do
not call him Cricket’s father.” I said voice icy. Ellery flinched. “He will use the life debt for many things.” I said, quietly. “When he orders Ellery to kill Cricket, she hopes Ellery will be the man he was and not hide behind excuses when he cuts her throat.” Ellery would choose the quickest death, so he probably wouldn’t slit my throat. He was more likely to put the knife in the spot at the base of my neck to sever my spinal cord.
“I would
never –”
“Until Janjua used the life debt.”
“There are laws –”
“Are there?” I got out of the bed. “Laws didn’t stop Ellery from dancing with Eliza when it was Cricket’s right.”
“Those are
traditions not
laws –”
“Does Ellery really think Janjua will pay attention to the difference?” That stopped him. “Cricket isn’t part of the village anymore.” I explained. “The laws no longer apply to her.”
“But you were
raised as one of us –”
“Open your eyes!” I snapped. “Very few even
care! The village needs someone to hate!”
“The Rogues –”
“
Me! I’m a Rogue. To them, I’m the face of how evil the Rogues are!”
“But –”
“But the Rogues aren’t necessarily evil and neither am I, right?” I tilted my head. Ellery collapsed against the door, staring at me wide-eyed. “An angry mob doesn’t care about specifics. They would gladly kill me if they thought it would fix their problems.”
“Cricket…”
“The likelihood is that I won’t even survive this encounter. On the off-chance I do, I’ll become a Rogue and never see this village again. You need to realize that there’s no good ending for me. I’m only still alive because if I’m killed, the village has no leverage against the Rogues.” Ellery held his face in his hands, shaking slightly. “If you’re lucky, you’ll get to kill me yourself. Either way, I’m out of your life forever.”
“Do not assume that you know how I feel about you.” Ellery had me pinned to the bed, angry tears in his eyes.
“I don’t have to.” I replied. “You’ve shown me how you feel about me.” Ellery growled wordlessly and kissed me. Part of me wanted to melt and let him kiss me to convince me of whatever he wanted to convince me of, but then I thought about every other time he had kissed me. It was always based off of uncontrollable passion or anger. When my hand found its way to his cheek, it was in a closed fist, not a gentle caress.
“No!” Ellery fell to the side, dazed and surprised by my punch. I squirmed out from under him and moved to the door. “I can’t do this anymore!” I felt tears prick at my eyes as I shook my head and ignoring the stinging of my knuckles.
“Cricket, I
won’t kill you.” Ellery said, rubbing his jaw.
“I can’t fall in love with you even more while you choose Eliza.” My tears fell and Ellery stared at me as if I stabbed him in the heart. “You chose the man who abused me before me.”
“No, he threatened to kill you –”
“He’s been threatening my life since he stole me from my family!” I cried. “You once hated the man. But now I understand how fickle you are. You have only chosen me once, when I was jailed. Since then, you have chosen against me every single time. You don’t want me. I’m something beautiful and exotic that you lust after. I’m not someone you love.”
“Cricket, I would
die!” Ellery snapped, standing. “We talked about what you can’t do. What about what I can’t do? I can’t watch you die. I can’t watch you leave forever. I can’t handle people hurting you.”
“Then why do you hurt me with every chance you get?” I replied. Ellery stopped, mouth open as if he would reply. No sound came out. I shook my head. “I will sleep on the couch. You sleep here. I will find new lodgings for tomorrow and after.” I walked out of the room.
“Cricket…” Bann waited in the kitchen and looked sadly at me. I shook my head at him.
“Cricket can’t stay here any longer.” I said, quietly. “It hurts her too much.”
“We’ll figure this out, my dear.” Bann touched my shoulder. I shied away from the comforting touch.
“There’s nothing to figure out.” I said. “Cricket and Ellery started off rocky and when their lives were threatened, they bonded together. When they were no longer about to die, Ellery went back to how he was before. Cricket can’t go back to the way things were.”
“Cricket, he will figure it out, I promise.” Bann said.
“Cricket might be dead or gone by the time he does.” I replied. Bann flinched.
“There’s a meeting tomorrow for the Elders to discuss what is to be done about the Rogues and to determine your fate.” He said. “You will not be able to attend the first part, but I would like you to be there for the second part.”
“Cricket will be there.” I nodded.
“That’s a good girl.” Bann patted my shoulder. “You should get some rest. It’s been a very emotional couple of days. And it doesn’t look like it will be over any time soon.”
“Good night.” I curled up on the couch and when I woke up, the large wool blanket from Ellery’s bed was draped over me. I was staring at it when Rivaini came in the room.
“Help me make breakfast.” She smiled at me. I stood and joined her in the kitchen.
“Rivaini wants to talk about last night.” I said, cutting the loaf of bread into slices.
“This is why I love you so much.” Rivaini laughed. “You never beat around the bush.”
“Ellery and Cricket are over.” I sighed and summed up what happened the night before.
“But you
aren’t over.” Rivaini said. “He admitted that he doesn’t want to see you hurt and that he can’t survive without you.”
“Then why does he hurt Cricket every chance he gets?”
“Because that’s love.” Rivaini sighed, patiently.
“Cricket doesn’t understand Rivaini.” I shook my head.
“When you truly love someone, they will drive you insane and make you want to kill them, or stab them violently, or kick them, or beat them over the head with a hoe.” I laughed. Rivaini grinned. “It’s true though. He’ll make you so angry and so annoyed, but then he’ll do something sweet and cute, like do the dishes, or make dinner before you can, or –”
“Cover Cricket with a blanket from his bed?” I asked. Rivaini stared at me before a slow smile dawned on her face.
“So, he did that?”
“No.” I lied. “It was an example.”
“Uh huh.” One of her delicate eyebrows arched up. “You are a terrible liar.”
“Why do they do that, though?” I asked, avoiding the silent question altogether.
“Because we do the same for them.” Rivaini smiled. “We do things that make them crazy and then we make coffee for them after they’ve been working outside in the snow all day, simply because we can. We make them take off their boots before walking around the house and then cuddle with them when they look tired. We are just as frustrating to them as they are to us. If you truly love someone, they will be a pain in your ass, but you’ll never want them to go.”
“So, Iain makes Rivaini crazy?” I asked.
“Of course, I do.” Iain strolled into the room. “It’s my job.”
“But, Iain’s not an ass about it.” Rivaini kissed Iain’s cheek as she handed him a cup of coffee.
“So, it’s not the same thing between Ellery and Cricket after all.” I said.
“It
is!” Rivaini sighed. “Ellery just hasn’t figured out how to
not be an ass.”
“True.” Iain sighed, sitting at the table.
“Bye!” Ellery called from the front hall.
“Don’t you want something to eat?” Rivaini asked.
“Nah, I’ll stop by the bakery for something.” The front door shut loudly. I gave Rivaini a look.
“Now Ellery’s avoiding Cricket.” I said. “
Not the same thing.”
“You know what?” Rivaini glowered at me. “Be in denial all you want, but I’m going to tell you ‘I told you so’ when you two get back together.”
“Can someone get these children off me?” Bann stumbled into the kitchen with a giggling Mikal hanging off his neck and a grinning Deni clutching his ankle tightly. Mikal and Deni barely sat still long enough to eat before they tugged me outside with them. I walked down the street holding their hands as Mikal talked rapidly about what he wanted to do and Deni kept trying to catch my attention.
“Auntie Crickie, are you and Uncle El not talking anymore?” Deni asked.
“Uncle El and Auntie Crickie are having a fight.” I said. “Everything will be fine.”
“Are you sure?” Mikal looked unsure.
“Of course.” I replied. “Auntie Crickie is always right.”
“Nuh-uh!”
“Yeah-huh!”
“Nuh-uh!”
“Hello, Cricket.” I froze and Mikal and Deni stopped and hide behind me as the man who raised me approached us. He looked no worse for the wear and was smiling pleasantly at my nephews as he joined us.
“Hello.” I said, holding the boys by their shoulders so they wouldn’t run off or move from behind my legs.
“How are you doing?” He asked. What did he want? He wouldn’t talk to me unless he had something to gain from it.
“Fine.” I kept my responses short and simple.
“That’s it?” He raised his eyebrows. He never had the talent of moving only one eyebrow at a time, the way I did. “Why so short, Cricket?” I shrugged one shoulder.
“Why not?” I replied. His smile didn’t dim. It grew wider, if anything.
“Well, I heard you and your dear Ellery have split apart.” He said, grinning as though he was a cat that got into the cream.
“And?” I quirked my eyebrow. It always annoyed him when I did.
“And, I was wondering if it was because of the sweet Eliza.” He was watching me closely. Ah, he wanted to get a rise out of me. He wanted to get me mad in public so he could convince the Elders to put me to death.
“Of course it is.” I replied, shrugging my shoulder again. His face fell marginally, as if he expected something bigger than that.
“Young love.” He said, still watching me. “It’s always better to just step back and let nature take its course.”
“Is that what happened when Ellery was forced to marry Cricket because of his life debt?” I asked. His face fell and his eyes narrowed.
“Ellery!” We both turned to see Eliza throw herself onto Ellery. He caught her and pushed her away, shaking his head.
“Young love.” I said, glancing at the Elder from the corner of my eye. “It’s always better to just step back and let nature take its course.” The man glowered at me.
“Ellery!” He barked. The young man stiffened and turned to acknowledge us. The man who raised me made a cutting motion across his throat and Ellery flinched. Ellery turned to Eliza and hugged her gingerly. I felt my heart twist and struggled to hold my emotions in check.
“What’s Uncle El doing?” Deni whispered against my leg. Ellery kissed the top of Eliza’s head and she squealed and threw herself on him again.
“He’s not supposed to do that to her.” Mikal said quietly. I turned to face the Elder, who watched me closely.
“Satisfied?” I asked. He frowned.
“Good den, Janjua.” Bann joined us, frowning.
“Good den, Serannas.” He didn’t bow his head, the way he was supposed to. “I was just conversing with Cricket here.”
“I can see that.” Bann said, coldly. “Are you prepared for the council meeting?”
“I am.” Both men were trying to outwit each other.
“Rivaini, will you take Mikal and Deni home?” Bann turned to the woman, who stood just behind him.
“Of course.” Rivaini took her sons and started walking up the mountain.
“Son.” Ellery turned to face us, face pale. “Would you accompany her?”
“Yes, sir.” Ellery hurried away from Eliza.
“Go, child.” Janjua snapped. Eliza squeaked and hurried away, following Ellery’s path exactly. He turned to Bann. “Don’t you think we should discuss Cricket’s fate before the meeting?”
“No, actually.” Bann smiled. “I think Cricket’s fate merits no need for more discussion. The Elders will not vote to put her to death. She has done no real harm to anyone and has saved the lives of the entire village, specifically my daughter-in-law and grandsons.”
“I mean to silence your voice in the council.” I paused, looking between the men. “You are emotionally compromised in this situation.”
“Indeed.” Bann nodded. “I am emotionally attached to Cricket, the way a father ought to be.” The obvious insult wasn’t unnoticed. “But you shouldn’t assume that because my voice is silenced that your voice will reign supreme.”
“You shouldn’t assume that I am powerless.” The other man snarled.
“I don’t assume anything. Making assumptions is for the weak.” Once again, the insult was poorly taken.
“Do not insult my honor, Serannas.”
“I’m not.” Bann said serenely. “I’m merely stating that men who make assumptions are weak. I didn’t say that you were one of those men. But, it
is odd that you took it as such. What does that say about you?”
“You won’t be Chief forever.” Janjua snapped.
“No, I won’t.” Bann smiled. “Thank the gods. I wouldn’t want this responsibility for that long. Cricket, would you help an old man to the townhouse?” He offered his arm to me and I took it, smiling at him.
“Good den, Janjua.” I said, softly. The man who raised me stiffened in outrage. In speaking those words, I presumed to be the most powerful person in my family. Since I didn’t know who my family was, it was logical and wouldn’t be taken poorly by anyone. But, because I had been raised a Janjua, it was an insult to the man’s honor. Bann led me down the street in silence. We got all the way past the jailhouse before he spoke.
“You are very clever.” He smiled.
“Cricket doesn’t know what Bann means.” I said. “She was just taking after his lead.”
“I was being rather rude, wasn’t I?” Bann didn’t look sorry by any means.
“Not rude.” I corrected him. “Smart.”
“Of course.” Bann nodded. “You would know the difference.”
“Of course.” I grinned. “Cricket is never rude.”
“But
very smart.” We laughed together.
“Where is Iain?” I asked.
“He’s gone with some others to go hunting. It’s just safer for them to go in a group.” Bann shrugged. “I hope you won’t take this the wrong way, my dear, but I refuse to let the council use you as a bargaining chip.”
“What does Bann mean?” I asked, completely thrown by the subject change.
“You are too dear to my heart. You have captured my son’s heart and are slowly turning him into a better man. You saved the lives of my grandchildren and the life of my daughter-in-law, who is practically one of my own children. You are a miracle, child, and I would not see you taken away from us simply because we want to live. If the Rogues are sincere, they will be more open to compromise.”
“What if it is the only way to save the village?” I asked.
“If they are anything like you, then they will not be so uncompromising.” Bann smiled. As if everything would work out just perfectly. It wouldn’t. Life didn’t work that way. Especially around me.
“Cricket will wait outside while the meeting starts.” I said.
“I will call you in when it’s time.” Bann nodded and left me outside. There was a bench for such purposes. I sat down and watched as the other Elders greeted each other outside before walking in. Janjua glowered at me as he passed, but didn’t confront me. I took sadistic pleasure in knowing that he was frustrated in the fact that I wouldn’t be baited by his scheming. He held Ellery’s actions in the palm of his hand and thought that I would be stupid enough not to see it. I was always more clever than my father gave me credit for.
“Awaiting your sentence?” Venhedas sat down next to me.
“Venhedas would sit so close to a witch?” I asked, shooting him a pleasant smile.
“I would sit next to my sister.” He said.
“Cricket would feel happier if she knew it was real and not some plot of Janjua’s.” I said.
“She is much smarter than you give her credit for.” Melo sat on Venhedas’ other side. “She’s always been the cleverest of all of us.” Venhedas snorted.
“You are only saying that because you’re afraid of her powers.” Venhedas snapped.
“I’m afraid of how powerful she is, yes.” Melo smiled. “But she’s my sister. She would never hurt me even if her life depended on it.”
“How can you be so sure?” Venhedas asked.
“Has she ever hurt you? Even on accident?” Melo asked.
“No.” The answer was grudging.
“
That’s how I’m so sure.”
“She’s a Rogue!” Venhedas snapped.
“I helped
raise her!” Melo replied.
“Don’t be so naïve, Melo.” Eiryn said, joining us. “You can’t change your blood.”
“You are both idiots.” Melo crossed her arms. “You and I were born together, but I can’t believe we shared the same womb. I must have stolen all the smarts before you could get them.”
“Don’t even start with me, Melo.” Eiryn snapped.
“Will all of you shut up?” I asked. “It’s really annoying how you talk about me as if I’m a thing and that I don’t have an opinion.”
“You don’t.” Eiryn snapped. I quirked an eyebrow at him.
“Shall I remind you of the time you got lost in the woods right before a big snowstorm?” I asked, smiling. “Who found you?” He didn’t answer. “Who kept you warm?” Again, he had no response. “Who ensured that frostbite didn’t cause you to lose any of your limbs?” Once more, he sat in silence. “I do believe that you owe your life to me, Eiryn.”
“I do not!” Eiryn stepped forward.
“Don’t worry,” I raised a calming hand and he flinched, “I have no intention of holding it to you. We were children and I don’t think you would appreciate being reminded of an embarrassing childhood memory. My point is this: if I were anyone other than who I am, I have a myriad of memories I could bring up that would put almost the entire Janjua line in my debt.”
“Are you blackmailing us?” Eiryn asked.
“No.” I smiled. “In fact, I’m doing the opposite. I’m giving you free information.” I leaned close to my brother, my smile fading and my expression becoming deadly serious. “No matter what you do, no matter how much rotten food you throw at me, or poisonous insults you spit at me, I will never,
ever fight against you.”
“Don’t believe her.” Venhedas said.
“Cricket’s not making Venhedas or Eiryn do anything.” I shrugged. My anger had worn off when Eiryn’s face became terrified. Terror didn’t inspire anger. Not in me. “She’s just reminding her family –”
“We’re
not your family.” Kelty snapped, taking Eiryn’s arm.
“Yes, we are.” Pereira joined us. Soon, I was surrounded by the people I had grown up with, everyone arguing about whether or not I was their family member. Pereira, Melo, Eaie, and Basra were on my side. Eiryn, Venhedas, Kelty, Ahlf, and Mum and Da were against me. I stood in the calm center of the chaos, the eye of the storm. I watched as my own family drew barriers and split lines. They were barbaric in their verbal attacks, throwing every fight, every mistake, every failure in judgment into the air for the world to hear.
“Cricket has no family.” I said. Instantly, everyone stopped. “At least, none she knows of.”
“Finally, some sense.” Venhedas nodded.
“Cricket has no family because the Janjua family
killed her entire family.” I said, harshly. Everyone shut up. “But Cricket does find it amusing that Venhedas so adamantly hates Cricket, and yet he agrees with her statement.”
“Cricket, you don’t have to be related by blood to be family.” Pereira said, gently.
“According to Janjua, one does.” I replied.
“We don’t all believe in Janjua teachings.” Basra said his voice soft.
“Yet so many do.” I gestured to the small crowd of villagers that watched the family dissent with interest. “The Janjua family has had a hard enough time to trying to rise above their bad reputation; they don’t need to have family quarrelling added to it.”
“Cricket.” Bann Serannas’ voice pulled our attention to the townhouse. “It is time.” I followed the older man into the house and he turned to me almost immediately inside the door as it shut behind us. “Are you all right?”
“Cricket is fine. The Janjua family is divided.” I shrugged. “They’re easier to deal with than Ellery.”
“Only because Ellery holds your heart.” Bann waved it off. “That’s the danger of falling in love. Hearts are very easy to lose or break.”
“How was the council meeting?” I asked.
“It was fine. No decision was made, as I suspected.” Bann looked amused. “As for the next part, I am given no voice to speak for you. However, you will be given opportunity to speak for yourself.”
“How are the Elders?” I asked.
“Moody and impatient.” Bann said. “Keep your words, should you choose to use them, short and to the point. Don’t say anything to convict yourself. Merely remind them of all the good you’ve done and all will be well.”
“Cricket will just be honest.” I said.
“Yes, you
are good at that.” Bann ushered me into the council chambers quickly. All the old men I had trusted my entire life glowered at me as I sat in the chair in the middle of the room.
“Cricket, you have been called here because it has been assessed that you are a potential threat to this village.” Janjua spoke coldly to me. “Have you anything to say in your defense before we deliberate?”
“Cricket would just like to remind the Elder Council that they helped raise her and that she’s hasn’t changed simply because her blood is Rogue blood.” I said, softly.
“This isn’t a matter of blood, girl.” Janjua snapped. “It’s a matter of what you did.”
“Cricket saved the village.” I said, looking him in the eye. “If she wasn’t of Rogue blood, it wouldn’t even be a question: Cricket would be a hero. It has everything to do with Cricket’s blood.” The entire council sat in silence.
“Well, at least we know she’s still Cricket.” The oldest woman in the village, Grannie Fitcher, chuckled happily. “So quiet and composed. You’d never know just by looking at her that there’s a brain in that head of hair.”
“True.” Several Elders nodded to themselves, smiling slightly.
“She’s also a Rogue.” Janjua pointed out.
“And the Rogue’s are known as a peaceful people for a reason.” Grannie Fitcher interrupted. “They only attack who harm them first, and it wasn’t this girl here who brought this down on the village.”
“What are you saying, Fitcher.” Janjua spat through gritted teeth.
“Only what everyone has been avoiding since Cricket and Ellery came back with the news.” Grannie smiled serenely, the way she did right before cutting people a new one. “This whole problem is your fault, Janjua, and you don’t want to take the blame for a mistake you made years ago.”
“It wasn’t a mistake!” Janjua roared.
“Leave, child.” Grannie Fitcher smiled at me. “We won’t be discussing you for a while.”
Janjua started screaming as soon as the door shut behind me.
So, I’m only a little late! If I get more than five reviews in the next day, I will uload Chapter 12 immediately! Yay! Bribery for reviews! Special thanks to NA_Zeno and Moose who sent me their opinions!
NA_Zeno
– While I would love to make poop-head jealous, that’s not Cricket. She’s not the type to go make out with some guy to mess with Ellery. I considered it for a while, but she’s much more straight-forward than that. But, don’t worry, Ellery figures it out and turns into a dork about it. Moose
– You should really talk your fellow readers into reviewing quickly if you want Chapter 12 so badly. I know you, especially after reading your review, will definitely enjoy the next chapter. A LOT of stuff goes down from here on out. There’s only 15 chapters total, and the fit hits the shan very soon. Merry ChristmaHanaKwanzika! ~LP
