Chapter 6
A week I spent in the cell, enduring the name-calling, the rotten vegetables, the glares, and the hateful lectures from the villagers. Melo and Basra visited daily, talking to me and encouraging me. They convinced Pereira to visit me by the second day. My oldest sister arrived without Chika and tried to gently explain to me that Ahlf was busy, but I knew better. He wasn’t actively hurting me or tormenting me, the way Venhedas was, but he ignored me completely and refused to allow me anywhere near Chika.
“How’s Ellery?” Pereira asked quietly.
“Why would Cricket know?” I was no longer shackled, but it didn’t make the cell any less unpleasant. Melo and Pereira stared at me.
“You haven’t talked to him yet?” Melo asked.
“No.” I frowned. What was so surprising? “Ellery hasn’t come to see Cricket either.”
“Okay, that’s it!” Melo stormed out with Basra on her heels.
“What?”
“Ellery’s been standing guard outside every night.” Pereira said. “We assumed you two had talked and made up.”
“Made up?” I asked incredulously. “Ellery cheated on Cricket!” Maybe. I choked that thought back.
“You two are still married.” Pereira stopped me before I could start. “And that means you two have to work together to fix it. Marriages don’t end because one partner breaks the vows. They have to be broken by both. So, unless there’s another guy…?”
“No!” I knew the look on my face was horrified.
“Then you two have to work it out.”
Bann arrived the next day with the keys and opened the door.
“The Elders have decided that you are not a threat and that your help is required to keep us from being destroyed.” He explained. I eyed him warily. “The Janjua Elder has been denied a vote due to the personal nature of this particular issue.” Bann’s eyes sparkled with mischievousness.
“Where is he?” I asked, leaving the cell gratefully.
“He is sulking on his lands.” Bann rolled his eyes. “But he
will come out eventually, and he
will harass you. The Elders have warned the village that negative actions against you will be considered to be crimes against the village itself and will be condemned to the highest extent of the law.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Your family has forsaken you. The only family you have left is the Chief’s family. You are a ward of the village now.” Bann smiled at me. “Your father, er, the man who raised you, won’t pay the Elder’s any heed, however. So, be careful.”
“Thank you, Bann Serannas.” I bowed to the chief.
“You are a Serannas now.” Bann put a hand on my shoulder, halting my bow. “Seeing as Janjua has denounced you, it is even more important that you remember that.” I nodded and the man left me.
“Cricket!” Melo hugged me tightly as soon as I stepped out of the jailhouse.
“Cricket is disgusting, Melo.” I laughed.
“Too true.” Pereira held her nose.
“Bann has arranged for you to stay in his house.” Basra rumbled.
“Cricket needs to bathe and change.” I said. “She is too gross to think about anything else right now.” I longed to scrub the mites and rotten food off my skin and out of my hair. The world outside had changed, since I had been locked away. The snow had begun to melt and a cold slush slid along the ground.
“We’ll take you to Bann’s house for some clothes.” Melo said, leading the way. My eyes spotted Ellery, who was standing outside the bakery with his hands in his pockets. His gold eyes were sad as they watched me. I felt fury well up inside me at his look. Who gave him the right to be sad? What did
he have to be sad about? He didn’t endure the jail cell. Eliza clung to his arm as soon as she exited the bakery. I immediately turned away, not missing the way Ellery snapped out of her hold, but choosing to ignore it.
Unfortunately, Bann’s house was across the village. Fortunately, his house was right on the river, so I wouldn’t have to go far to bathe. Someone screamed and my head jerked forward as a rotten tomato hit me in the back of the head. Melo spun around, cursing angrily. I kept walking, my eyes glued to the ground. People were still adjusting to my powers and they hadn’t been given any time to adjust to my freedom. Basra took Melo’s hand and pulled her along, ignoring the perpetrator. Pereira watched me sadly. I was struck five different times on the trek across the village. Each time, Melo got more and more angry. Each time, Pereira’s eyes got more and more sad.
“You three stay outside,” Pereira ordered as we approached the house, “I’ll get clothes for Cricket so she doesn’t have to worry about getting Bann’s house dirty.” My sister disappeared into the building.
“Cricket,” Melo looked me in the eye, “Ellery thinks you hate him.” I shrugged.
“Cricket hasn’t had time to think about it.” I lied. “Rotten fruits and vegetables tend to take up her energy.” Melo frowned.
“I understand, but you two
have to talk at some point.”
“He worries about you, little one.” Basra said, gently.
“Here,” Pereira returned with a bundle of clothes, “Melo and I can help you scrub that jail smell off.”
“Basra…”
“I’ll stay here and make sure no one bothers you.” Basra was the strongest man in the village. Few would dare get on his bad side, and none would dare without lots of backup. Melo grinned and kissed him. Pereira led the way down the hill to the cold river and I shivered in anticipation. Pereira had brought several soaps and oils to bathe myself with and more than a few towels to help dry me off.
I shivered violently as I stepped into the river. My breath whooshed out of my chest as I waded deeper. My feet were numb almost instantly. I dunked my head under and felt my bones ache with the cold. Pereira and Melo waited patiently while I scrubbed my skin nearly raw, trying to get the smell off. Pereira called me back and scrubbed the oil in my hair, having me wash it out over and over again. She finally designated me clean after a fifth oil scrub. Melo dried me quickly and efficiently. I felt like a doll as my sisters babied me. I would have dried myself, or at least fought harder to dry myself, if I could feel my fingers. Melo held the fresh clothes under her jacket, warming them with her body heat while I bathed.
“It’s odd to see you without a scarf around your hips.” Melo noted as I laced up the boot I had been given. I assumed the clothes belonged to Ellery’s mother and felt guilty because I was wearing her personal belongings. I hesitated at the river’s edge, still shivering madly.
“Cricket is going to do majik.” I warned my sisters. They both took a step away from me and my heart sank. I let the sparks flare over my body, drying and heating my skin instantly. I shut off the power and flicked my fingers. They still tingled every time. Well, except for when Ellery and I– I shut the thought down before it could properly exist.
“Sit down.” Pereira ordered. “I’m going to comb your hair.” The thickness and length of my hair made such a task long and arduous. Pereira had always liked combing my hair, though. She got to do it often because I was always running wild.
“Ahlf is looking for you.” I didn’t know when Basra rejoined us, but I was sure Ahlf was
not going to join us.
“Okay, well, I’m done.” Pereira sighed, still combing. “I’ll go meet him.” She kissed my head and left us. She always kissed my head when she finished combing it.
“Crickie, we have to go, too.” Melo broke me out of my thoughts. “Jorje needs a baby-sitter.” I had learned that Eaie’s baby was a rambunctious boy named Jorje. Pereira insisted that he was exactly like me. I then reminded her that I wasn’t actually part of the family, so he
couldn’t be anything like me. I hugged and kissed my sister before she disappeared with her husband. I realized, suddenly, how much I missed Ellery.
I meandered up the hill, feeling all the emotions I had been suppressing come to the forefront of my mind. I struggled with the feelings while staring at Bann’s door. I didn’t want to go in there. I didn’t want to see where Ellery grew up. I didn’t want to have to deal with Ellery at all. I sighed and sat on the porch, unwilling to find the courage to go into the house. All I wanted was to curl up and cry, but I couldn’t because I had to keep an eye out for possible threats to my person, namely rotten foods.
“Are you okay?” Ellery’s voice brought me out of my thoughts. My head shot up and he was standing before me with Eliza on his heels. She looked terrified of me. That was probably wise, considering how I easily could kill her.
“Cricket is just fine.” I said shortly. Ellery flinched. “She was just wondering where Xiu was taken.”
“He’s in the stables.” Ellery said quietly. I longed to talk to him, but Eliza was too much an obnoxious distraction for any real conversation to take place. At this point she wasn’t leaving his side for an instant. “It must have been awful for you.”
“Did Ellery have rotten vegetables thrown at him, too?” I asked, mostly out of curiosity. He flinched again.
“Don’t be ridiculous, witch!” Eliza snapped. “Ellery Serannas is the most
amazing, the most
talented, and –”
“The richest?” I tilted my head. I saw Ellery’s lips quirk and he coughed, hiding a snort. Eliza puffed herself up and flushed maroon. “It doesn’t matter to Cricket what Ellery is. She was just wondering if he suffered the way she did.” I turned to face Ellery.
“I didn’t get any vegetables, but I got a lot of verbal abuse.” Ellery said. “And when I stood guard at night, some stupid teenagers decided to pick a fight with me.”
“Oh, you’re so honorable, El-honey!” Eliza simpered. “You stood guard over me at night!”
“No, I stood watch at the jail.” Ellery sighed, as if he had tried explaining the concept several times. “I was guarding Cricket.”
“Oh, Ellery,” Eliza laughed, “You’re so funny.” I rolled my eyes and saw Ellery do the same.
“Cricket is going inside.” I said, dismissing them.
“What?” Eliza sounded offended. “
You dare to enter the Serannas home?”
“Cricket
is a Serannas.” I replied. “She’s allowed.” I turned on my heel and entered the building I had been dreading. I walked through the impeccably clean rooms and meandered towards the kitchen. My safe haven. As soon as I entered the room, I missed my family.
“Cricket?” Ellery had followed me.
“She doesn’t want to talk right now.” My voice was tight, like I was about to cry.
“But we have to talk at some point.” Ellery said.
“Cricket doesn’t care.” I snapped. Ellery fell silent and stood behind me for a long time while I struggled with my homesickness. I missed the love and care that I had been provided with my entire life. I missed the support system that had been promised to me. I had Melo and Pereira, but I didn’t have my father, mother, or any of my other siblings. It was even worse being out of the jailhouse, because I physically couldn’t go home before.
“Cricket, I –”
“Hello? Is anyone home?” Iain’s voice pulled my attention and I turned my head. Ellery was also facing the doorway, but I could see how tired he was simply from his profile.
“We’re in the kitchen, Iain.” Ellery said, sounding more exhausted than he looked. Iain walked in, looking more than a little unnerved.
“You do know that Eliza is sitting outside, staring dreamily into the window of your bedroom, right?” He asked, nodding a greeting to me.
“Yeah.” Ellery collapsed in a chair with a sigh. I turned back to the cupboards and began searching through them. I wasn’t in the mood to talk or fight with anyone, much less Ellery, but I would still take care of my husband.
“She’s really terrifying.” Iain said, sitting across from his brother. “I don’t know why you even chose her in the first place.”
“Well, it doesn’t matter now, because I’m married and she’s crazy.” Ellery shrugged.
“Why didn’t you notice she was crazy in the first place?” Iain asked. “
I could have told you that much.”
“Because I was an idiot.”
“Eat.” I sat down a plate of food in front of each brother and turned away to fill cups with water. The men made noises of surprise and glee at the food.
“Thank you very much, Cricket.” Iain said, gratefully.
“Thanks, Iain, now you just made me look like an idiot because I didn’t have the chance to thank her before you did.” Ellery groaned.
“Well, you have the opportunity now.” Iain was grinning.
“No, the moment has passed. If I say it now, everyone will think that I only said it because you said it first, and if I maintain the same politeness and etiquette that you did, then everyone will assume I’m not being genuine.” Ellery complained.
“But, since you’ve been spending all this time on explaining it, we will understand that you are being sincere and you aren’t doing it to copy me.” Iain replied.
“True, but since I had to take the time to explain all this to you, the opportunity has passed and it would just be awkward for me to thank her now.” Ellery said.
“Why don’t you ask her if it would be awkward?” I said, handing him a glass of water. Ellery and Iain jumped, as if they had forgotten my presence while they were talking.
“Cricket, thank you for making us food.” Ellery took my hand and stared into my eyes. I stared back into his gaze for only a moment before pulling my hand back.
“Have you two talked?” Iain asked as Ellery stared after me. I ignored him.
“No.” Ellery sounded very disappointed.
“Should I leave?” Iain asked his mouth full of food.
“No.” I replied at the same time Ellery responded “Yes”.
“Um…” Iain glanced back and forth between the pair of us and swallowed tightly, not having finished chewing the mouthful.
“Cricket and Ellery can talk at any time. Iain will not always be able to visit.” I added. Ellery took a bite of food to keep from snapping at me. Iain looked between us and at how we deliberately avoided looking at each other and dropped his gaze to the floor. I turned my back on them and wandered the house, giving names to rooms as I saw them, because I had no guide. I found Ellery’s room easily because Eliza was still peering through the window panes. I shut the blinds viciously, nearly tearing them, and Eliza let out a wail of despair.
“I don’t know what to do, dammit!” Ellery’s voice echoed from the kitchen. I heard Iain speak softly in response. “But, she won’t let me!” Iain’s voice was soothing and gentle. “I won’t force her to do anything!” Iain continued as if Ellery hadn’t interrupted. A long silence filled the air. Ellery responded quietly and Iain sighed heavily. Light, awkward chuckling emerged from the kitchen and quickly turned into full-blown laughter.
They were talking about me, I knew it. Bann spoke as if Iain was Ellery’s confidant. The brothers were best friends long before they were even of age to be thinking of marriage and probably always would be. Iain was being groomed by Bann to become the next Chief, which was why Ellery was given the trapper’s cabin. He had a naturally affinity for hunting, so his lot in life would always be easy. Only once did they seriously hate each other and it was when Bann announced that Iain would be his successor. The first-born was usually considered for taking over the family business, but there were many occasions when the second- or third-born would succeed.
I was never even considered in that. Eiryn was the only male heir for the Janjua family, but Pereira was the wisest one. It turned out that Melo and Basra ended up getting the family plot, since Basra was the only one to marry into the family without land of his own. Basra’s family was all bakers, and his elder sister had taken over the family business. Basra had a natural build for farming, and so he had adapted to plowing and sowing fields quickly.
“Cricket?” Iain called for me. I looked around Ellery’s room, pretending I didn’t know it was Ellery’s. Iain leaned against the doorjamb.
“Would Iain like more food?” I asked, politely.
“No, thank you.” He smiled at me. “Did you know this was Ellery’s room when we were growing up?”
“Cricket didn’t know that.” I replied. Iain walked into the room and looked around, like he was remembering fond events from the room.
“We used to build forts out of pillows and blankets in here. We never did it in my room because my room
had to be tidy.” He shot me a grin, so similar to Ellery’s that it hurt. “Ellery never cared about the state of his room, though. Da would often call him in from playing to clean his room and boy, did Ellery hate that.” Iain was chuckling.
“And then I would go into his room and move the furniture around to make him mad.” Ellery’s voice was behind me. I jumped and turned to the door. I didn’t know how he moved so silently, and it was getting annoying.
“Who, Bann or Iain?” I asked.
“Both, the brat.” Iain replied, glowering at Ellery. Ellery laughed and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Would you like something to eat, Cricket? You haven’t eaten all day.” Ellery asked, smiling at me. I shook my head, avoiding his smile.
“Ellery?” Bann’s voice entered the house. “Cricket?”
“We’re in Ellery’s room, Da.” Iain called.
“Iain, why are you visiting?” Bann entered the room with a smile.
“Because my brother needs mental help.” Iain grinned.
“Shut up.” Ellery nudged his brother.
“Ellery,” Bann’s smile fell and he glanced at me, “I have to talk to you.”
“Oh.” Ellery and Iain obviously got the silent clue that I was not to hear the conversation.
“Cricket will go clean the dishes.” I said, surprising the men when they realized I knew what was going on. I guess they thought Bann was being subtle.
“No.” Ellery said. “You’re a part of this family. Anything Da has to say can be said to you, too.”
“Ellery, I’m not sure that –”
“Da, I’m sure.” Ellery interrupted. Bann sighed and glanced at me again.
"Ellery, why did I see you and Eliza kissing?” He asked.
I jolted upright, a scream on my lips. Warm arms were around me and I struggled away from them.
“Cricket, calm down.” Ellery’s voice was soft in my ear. His calming influence still affected me, even though I knew the truth. I felt my body relax in his grip and my gaze found a worried and slightly frightened Iain. We were on the floor of Ellery’s room and Ellery was cradling my body, holding me still.
“What did you See?” I instantly began fighting my husband, struggling to get away from the truth of the matter. “Cricket!”
“Let Cricket go!” I snapped, ripping myself away from his warmth and strength. Ellery held onto my wrist, preventing me from tearing away, but not bruising me.
“No.” He said. “What did you See?”
“Ellery kissed Eliza.” I growled. In his shock, Ellery’s grip slackened and I pulled myself away. “Cricket doesn’t want to talk to Ellery again.” I started leaving the room.
“Cricket, wait!” Iain called after me.
“Cricket has no qualms with Iain.” I said, pausing in the doorway of the kitchen.
“Did you actually See them kissing?” He asked.
“Cricket’s visions don’t work that way. She usually Sees someone telling her a particular event happened.” I replied.
“So, how accurate is your Sight?” Iain asked. I shot him a glare.
“It is only wrong when Cricket changes the circumstances by interfering.” I replied.
“So, it hasn’t happened yet?” Iain asked hopefully. I shrugged.
“Cricket isn’t sure.”
“So, Ellery might not have broken his vows.” Iain said, confidently.
“Cricket doesn’t care about Ellery’s honor anymore.” I snapped. “She has protected it and pretended that he was truthful long enough.”
“Cricket, I swear to every god out there that I would never
ever kiss Eliza willingly.” Ellery stepped into the hall behind his brother. I sneered at him.
“Of
course Ellery would say that!” I snapped.
“I’m not lying!” Ellery walked down the hall towards me.
“Cricket…”
“If Iain speaks on Ellery’s behalf again, Cricket will burn his food next time.” I interrupted. Iain paled.
“She’s right, Iain. This is between me and my wife.” Ellery said, his eyes never leaving mine.
“I expect a visit by tomorrow eve, Ellery.” Iain said, turning and leaving the house. I spun around and began cleaning the kitchen violently.
“Cricket, I’m not a liar.” Ellery said, watching me from the doorway.
“Cricket agrees.” I replied, fighting the urge to throw something at him.
“What?” He sounded surprised.
“Ellery doesn’t lie. He does, however, hedge the truth. He had never mentioned a word of Eliza, or why he visited the village so frequently, or even why he ignored Cricket when he couldn’t get into town.” I continued, scrubbing the plates ferociously.
“Cricket, calm down.”
“No!” I slammed my fists onto the counter, feeling my sparks erupt all over my skin. I turned around to see Ellery coming towards me. I slid my right foot forward and held my fists up like we were going to brawl. Ellery didn’t even pause. He snatched up my left fist and tugged me out of my stance and into his arms. He shivered as my sparks caressed his skin and I could feel him slowly losing control. My sparks didn’t burn him the way I wanted them to.
“Cricket…” Ellery’s eyes were velvet gold and I
knew that look. I shut off all the power to my sparks and they died instantly. Ellery shut his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. “I would never do
anything with Eliza.”
“Then why is she allowed to hang all over Ellery?” I asked.
“Because I can’t get her to stop. She doesn’t understand ‘no’.” Ellery said. I tugged myself out of his grip and he let me go. He took a step away from me, his skin flushed. “But I can’t make you believe me. You have to decide. I want you to believe me. I don’t want you to hate me.” He sighed and took a deep breath before walking away from me.
I told myself I didn’t believe him.
Sorry about the delay! Actually, I'm really not sorry. I was having fun kicking my family's ass at Yahtzee and Clue. Now, no one I know will play Clue with me. Sad times.
Anywho! To my lovely reviewers: Tainted Wolf
- Cricket and Ellery are by far the most fun characters I've ever written (and I've written a LOT). Ellery's kind of an idiot, but he's a dorky, adorable idiot. There's a lot of insanity going on at the moment, so there's not really a good time for them to work out their issues... But Cricket gets a good friend soonish (like in the next chapter or so) and she finally gets a positive relationship. The next chapter is a doozy in terms of Ellery and Cricket's relationship... Eliza was added a last second thing when I realized the story would be very boring unless something got between Cricket and Ellery. She was literally a very, VERY last second addition and her name came from the fact that I was reading Pygmalion in my British literature class. Even though Shaw was Irish... Anyway, Eliza is an idiot and it's really fun writing for her because she's got the worst timing EVER! Well, "worst" for Cricket and Ellery. maialia
- Yeah... Ellery's kind of a douchebag right now, but he's just being an idiot because he's a guy and he's never been in a serious relationship before. (Eliza does NOT count.) But, Ellery is by far one of the most fun characters to write for, and I've actually been writing snippets of this story from Ellery's perspective and it's the most hilarious fun I've ever had. He's great. Really. I might post them when I'm done with this story, but I haven't decided yet. But Ellery's a good guy. Honest. He gets better. I promise. Eventually... kittykat
- Cricket is so much fun when she's pissed off. I like making her inadvertantly set things on fire. And I LOATHE her "da". He's a complete jackass. I wrote him specifically to be a character to hate, and I hate him so much that he doesn't even get a name. I'm not ever going to give him one. He's just going to be Jackass Janjua. Or Douchebag Janjua. Or I'm-Going-To-Kill-You-Because-I-Hate-You Janjua. Oh, and her "mum" is a slut. Woo! Anonymous
- Thank you very much! I'm glad you're enjoying it! MOAR REVIEWS! OM NOM NOM! ~LP
