Rojuun Page 6
Chapter 6
The next morning, they stood looking down at the gravestones of their parents and Laremy. A chill breeze brushed the air and the sky was cloudy, a perfect day for standing in front of graves. Tathan knelt to place a wooden figurine upon the grave of his sister Mariah. It was something he had carved in his travels.
The graveyard had all of their ancestors dating back at least twenty generations, probably more. Tathan had traveled a fair amount of the world and had never seen a single family with such a graveyard. Nor had he seen one with such powerful enchantments on it. It was consecrated against evil, animals left it alone and it grew larger to accommodate new family members.
“Were the holes already dug when you brought them here, Tathan?”
The question surprised him. “How did you know?”
Liselle pointed at the grave of Tathan’s father. “When your father died, and later your sister, the holes were already here. Uncle Laremy remarked at how extraordinary it was. Headstones came up after they were buried too.”
“Yeah . . . That too.” He shook his head in amazement. “I drew my sword thinking it was zombies the first time.” He chuckled at his foolishness. “This place, the house, this graveyard, all of it is magical. I’m sad to leave it.”
“As am I, but I feel a need to leave now. I don’t want to be sad here anymore.” She looked up at him, eager to get away.
“You want to be sad somewhere else then?”
Tears welled in her eyes.
Tathan felt terrible. She was going to be miserable for a while no matter where they were, but she was trying to be brave and get on with life. “I’m sorry. Yes, let’s go now.”
Earlier that morning they had released the livestock and chickens. Tathan would have locked the doors to the house had there been any, but there was no need for such things where thievery did not exist.
Liselle had never ridden a horse. Tathan showed her how to mount and give it basic commands with the reins and knees. The horse glared at him, but was too well trained to cause problems.
Tathan swore the flowers drooped in sorrow. Liselle turned and waved to them. More tears ran down her cheeks.
The cousins followed the brook north until it turned off to the eastern mountains. There had been little speech between the two as they grew accustomed to the horses. It was healing to travel in silence.
At midday, they stopped for lunch. After eating, Tathan looked at Liselle’s garb. She was well prepared for the road with sturdy woolen leggings and a green tunic she had made. In her pack was a wool-lined, hooded leather jacket. Despite it being overcast, the weather was warm enough that she kept the jacket off. A bow made by her uncle was tied to the saddle along with a quiver of arrows.
Liselle undid the ponytail in her dark, curly hair and sat down on a fallen log to braid it. She took the flower pin out of her hair. Tathan hadn’t realized that it had long green strands with leaves. As Liselle re-braided, she wove the strands back into her hair, making them disappear again. The purple petals of the flower usually sat above her left ear, though he remembered it being in different places on occasion.
Tathan was worried for her. Much of the world was dangerous for young women, especially attractive ones like his cousin. Liselle was taller than most women were and had a pretty face. Long lashes highlighted pearl grey eyes that originally seemed ready to challenge the world, but had been filled with a sad tentativeness since leaving home. As Tathan moved to check the horses, he decided that anyone who took an evil interest in her would die quickly. Tathan would not risk his cousin’s safety.