‘Let’s go to East Point on the River, with Faolan, Samson and the boys’

 

 

September, Bardstown

 

Tanner Hawkwood’s shoulder ached like it had been kicked by a mule. Which might have been an improvement over having it wrenched by the blonde giant from the Lakes. The wrestling had not gone well for Tanner. Oh, sure, he was the Bardstown Farmer’s Wash Day Fair Wrestling Champion, but it hadn’t been graceful. It had been an ugly victory of luck and tenacity; no grace whatsoever. By rights, he should have lost the first match to that farmer from Greensburg, but he had gotten lucky. The ankle lock submission had gotten him out of a tight squeeze. Still, the farmer had given Tanner as much as he could handle. For that, Tanner had bought the man the largest mug of ale he could find. Tanner got himself one, and they shot the breeze until it was time for Tanner’s next match. The Lakeland Giant had five inches in height and a good 50 pounds on Tanner. Only the fact that the man lost his balance had enabled Tanner to win the match. He bought the Lakelander a mug of ale, and a bout of ‘that’s nothing. Back on the ….’ Lakes, or Frontier’, depending on who was telling the story, came forth.

 

Faolan came by to congratulate Tanner on the match. ‘That was great, the way you faked them out and made it look like you weren’t going to win. I cleared 400 silver today’.

 

‘Uh, Faolan. I hate to disappoint you, but I wasn’t faking it.’

 

‘You mean you almost got beat!?’ What the Robb is up with that?’

 

‘Mmm, I’m a bit rusty from the traveling. Ever since I started going around with the Checotah Boys, I realized I am not that good.’

 

‘For Robb’s sake! I could have lost a lot of money on you.’

 

‘Fool’s and their money are soon parted.’

 

‘Well, I don’t want your lack of skill and toughness to rub off on me. I’m going to talk to a woman. Don’t follow. You might convert her to Annah’s cause.’ Faolan shot Tanner a sarcastic, mischevious look. Tanner shooed him away.

 

Annah came back over and asked where Faolan was. ‘Oh, he’ll be back. He’s doing what he always does.’

 

‘I hope she is good looking. ’You’re favoring your shoulder. Did you hurt it?’

 

‘Just a bit. If it is bothering me in the morning, I’ll have you look at it.’

 

‘Too bad for you Bexar isn’t here. She’d demand to look at it now.’

 

‘Yeah, she is good at the healing arts’.

 

‘Not to mention …..’

 

‘Not to mention what?’

 

‘Oh nothing.’

 

‘Tell me, Annah. You make it sound like she actually cares about me.’

 

‘Uhh, Tanner, you don’t think she does?’

 

‘Oh I guess she does in the way a person cares about a servant or traveling companion.’

 

‘Tanner, for someone who can pour over the most obscure tomes and actually learn something, you sure can be blind.’

 

‘What exactly do you mean? Bexar ran off and became ‘Tazzo the Terrible’, Bandit Princess of the South. I hadn’t seen her in six months. Old Samson was sure disappointed in her. And now she’s tending house at East Point. She looks at me hatefully. What did I do except not recognize her and accuse her of being Samson’s squaw?’ Tanner scratched his head. ‘On second thought, I can see why she would be angry with me, making light of the Samson situation.’

 

‘Six months? That’s not a lot of time. Tanner, you couldn’t find your own feet if they weren’t attached to your legs.’

 

Tanner was about to question her again when Faolan came back over. ‘Just who I was looking for’, said Annah. ‘Take a look at this paper that was slipped to me.’

 

 

October, Lebanon

 

Tanner had finished a hot bath out in the converted stables. He was cleaned up nicely, but Queen Anne’s serving girls wouldn’t leave him alone. Lezley and Summer. They kept giggling over him and repeatedly asked him if he wanted them to wash him. No thanks at all. Especially after they had butchered his hair. If they cut his hair that bad, no telling what else they would mangle. Couldn’t they go bother Faolan? Well, except he was all googly-eyed over Queen Anne. At least he was showing good taste.

 

On the other hand, they had probably never seen a Southron before. Definitely not one with a gold dragon tattooed on his left shoulder, and the witch-hammer on the right. So boring old Edward Hawkwood, son of a dirt farmer and himself a book reading fool, was a bit exotic to them. Well, Tanner was flattered, but he had no interest.

 

Later on, as he was sacked out in bed, about to go to sleep, Annah remarked that the last time Tanner had been with a woman willingly was at the Golden Lion last Yule. ‘Willingly?’ he wondered.

 

‘Yeah, Bator and Arana don’t count. You had them seduced with bloodwine, not charm’, said Faolan.

 

‘Every sensitive part of my body aches at the mention of their names.’ Tanner leaned up against the wall. ‘It wasn’t my fault Drake over-served me and those two hell-cats jumped me when we got back.’

 

‘Yeah, Tanner, but those two little maids of Queen Anne’s would not have cost you a silver. You, pass up free love? What’s the world coming to?’ Faolan looked at Tanner inquisitively.

 

Tanner started to feel pushed into a corner. ‘Well, I…I…I have had my reason for not knocking boots.’ Tanner was flushed.

 

‘Oh I get it now’, said Annah. ‘Tanner’s in love with the Bandit Queen of the South, Tazzo the Terrible.’ Annah was almost taunting him.

 

‘I am not!’ Tanner went on the defensive. ‘She wants to be riding around, causing havoc and be up to no good. Now she can’t handle it. Faolan was right: I should never have broken up that engagement between her and the Checots.’

 

‘If Tazzo had married a Checot, Tanner, you would have gone insane. The day you stopped caring for her would be the day your world would end. It’s just so obvious. For Robb’s sake, you’ve even given up sex and she hasn’t even kissed you. You’re so hard up its almost funny.’ Annah shot him a sarcastic smile. ‘Except this is one of the great romance stories of the ages!’

 

‘Oh it is not! Okay. I have feelings for her. But it’s not like she has any for me. Besides she’s a…’ and then Faolan interrupted Tanner.

 

‘…a princess and you’re a dirt farmer’s son. Robb damn man, stop with the commoner-royal thing. We’ve killed enough of their guards to know their nothing special. Now Queen Anne and Faolan the Red Wolf; there’s a love story for he ages!’

 

Annah started to laugh. ’Yeah, Faolan’s great wooing lines:

 

“Queen Anne, are you from the ancient land of Tennessee? Cause you’re the only ‘10’ I see”.

“Lift up your dress and I’ll give you the press’

 

Tanner started to snicker, and Faolan looked annoyed with Annah. “Queen Anne will come back to East Point with us. She just doesn’t know it yet! Maybe?!’ On that note, Faolan threw on his clothes and went over to the house where Queen Anne was. ‘I am going to sing of her rapturous beauty’.

 

Tanner and Annah finished their laughter, when Annah spoke up. ‘She really does think a lot of you’.

 

‘Who? Queen Anne or Miss Macon?’

 

‘Edward Hawkwood, stop this non-sense! You know I mean Bexar.’

 

‘Really?’

 

‘Yes. She told me of the first trip back to Bexar when you all were attacked. You defended her, even with three arrows sticking out of you, until you passed out. At the very least, your determination and toughness gathered notice. Not to mention you were very respectful of her and Samson.

 

‘That was what the job called for. We had to escort her and Samson back to Bexar. If she didn’t arrive in one piece, I wouldn’t have been paid.’

 

‘Yes, but while Samson and Faolan charged off after the attackers, you made your stand beside her, trying to make sure she was safe. Don’t think that doesn’t get noticed.’

 

Tanner stammered something about doing his job, but it sounded like the drunk mumblings of a fool.

 

‘Or when we rescued her and Samson’, said Annah.

 

‘Now wait a minute. Faolan was the hero of that adventure. He talked her out of dying on the Mound, and he held up our defenses until day break. Samson was slaughtering those half-dead Bexari with abandon. Not to mention Bexar rained down fire on them.’ Tanner was shifting back into a contrarian mode.

 

‘I remember you holding your section of the line by yourself most of the night. So does Bexar. Her handmaiden Jova thought you were more powerful than any Bexari warrior other than Samson’.

 

‘Oh I was lucky’.

 

‘Luck is where preparation meets opportunity. Needless to say, except for one wound and the start of the fight, you held that flank by yourself most of the night.

 

Then on the way back, all you did was try to keep up the safety of us all. Sure, so did Samson, Toomsuba, and Faolan. But Samson was exhausted. Bexar was a mess, and I had to keep an eye on her. Toomsuba was in no shape to fight. Faolan sure didn’t mind fooling around with the other hand-maids. Do you remember when Jova finally forced herself upon you?’

 

‘Yeah, I was half asleep. It was chilly. I figured she was cold and needed a warm body to sleep against. The next thing I knew, I was pinned flat on my back.’

 

‘True. But it is their custom. Bexar was impressed that you didn’t try to force yourself on Jova or be rude to her people. Jova’s night with you didn’t bother Bexar. She seemed to be expecting it. The only shocking thing about it was that you played dumb to Jova prior to your, mm, attempts to stay warm.’

 

‘Play dumb? I had no idea she thought of me that way’.

 

‘Tanner, you really are blind in anything not dealing with money, war, or building. It’s not wrong, it’s just kind of … sad.’

 

Tanner shifted his weight on the bed. His face softened up, if only for a moment. In a quiet voice, he said, ‘That is probably true. I never was good at reading people. I could judge a good leader fairly quickly, and knew who was good in a fight. I could see if a person was decent. Buildings don’t have feelings, and I swore I never would go hungry or broke again. Other than that…’

‘Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re still a good man. Your level of discernment leaves a little to be desired. It’s not like you can’t change.’

 

Tanner smiled slightly. ‘I suppose you’re right. Now let’s get some shut eye. We ride out in the morning.’

 

 

A lone rider rode out to meet the party. As expected, it was Lord Gahanna. Pleasantries were exchanged, and Queen Anne and King Grey prepared to ride with him and join his army.

 

Tanner had decided if Tobin Thalion weren’t around to lead an army, then Lord Gahanna would be the next best choice. Somewhere between 5 and 10 years older than Tanner, Gahanna looked like a military leader ought to look like. Tall, well muscled, handsome… er, leave that last description to Pasha. Gahanna had a commanding presence, and one wanted to follow him.

 

‘Your group’s reputation precedes you. I have heard how you all rescued Grey the first time, and other ‘military’ actions you have undertaken.’

 

Lord Gahanna was complimenting Faolan on how daring he had been at Greenburg. Tanner kind of tuned it out. What would it be like to follow a man who actually read more than Tanner did? It staggered his mind.

 

‘Hawkwood.’

 

‘My Lord?’

 

‘Would you be interested in a command of troops in my army? Your reputation of being able to think and fight has not gone unnoticed. I can use another good commander in the upcoming fights.’

 

Military command? Over real veterans? Tanner couldn’t believe his ears. Men armed with steel swords and armor. That wore uniforms. That did not question every command you gave. That had discipline. Sure, he’d take orders from a Gent, but, but, but, It Was A Military Command! This kind of opportunity didn’t come often.

 

On the other hand, it was an Anglian command. How could he look Annah in the face? There was no telling what Faolan would do. On the one hand, Faolan probably would serve in Queen Anne’s guard if asked. On the other hand, Faolan was a firebrand about Frontier independence. So there was no telling what he would do. Worner, who had lost as much as Tanner in the war, would have never spoken to him again. This would be a betrayal of Miss Macon. His mind spun rapidly, weighing the possibilities.

 

Evidently, Annah saw it. She thought to herself: ‘This is what he has wanted since he was 17, a command. There’s no guarantee he’ll get the same thing at home. Oh for Robb’s sake, what can I do?’

 

For what seemed hours, but was really only a minute, Tanner said, ‘My lord, that is an offer that I could almost not pass up, but I must do so. I have interests to look to back home.’

 

Gahanna looked at Tanner for a moment and studied him. Then, with a sigh, he said, ’Very well. I understand the concept of duty. You must do as you feel right. But if you change your mind, my army and my library have a place for you.’ With that Gahanna rode off.

 

Annah smiled. ‘I knew you wouldn’t desert the cause. Your heart is good.’

 

‘Mmm, I don’t know about that, but there’s a squaw that needs talking to.’

 

‘Now I never thought I would hear that.’

 

 

 

 

 

Yule Tide, Brown’s Ferry

 

The New Year’s Festival at the Dragon Garden had gone okay. The ceremony was a bit long, but that was okay. Faolan probably spoke two minutes too long, but for a political speech, it was pretty good, especially since it was his first. Tanner had spent most of the time pacing near the back, a cocked crossbow in one hand, and his sword strapped to his back. He didn’t expect trouble, but you never could be sure. As the speech wound down, Tanner’s mind crept back to the first time he had met Captain Ziska. Tanner’s idea of a speech was one that Captain Ziska gave him when he joined the Bears.

 

‘There are only two commands for this unit. One, you will fight. Two, you will kill!’

 

Sure there was more to it than that, but the army, any army, was based on these two principles. Politics was beyond his thought processes. He understood the necessity of it, so he helped the process as much as he could to function in a way that benefited the common good. Faolan’s heart was in the right place, and sometimes his head was too. Annah could probably mold him into something that he wanted to be.

 

The service wound down and they prepared to go back to Brown’s Ferry. There was a party that night at the White Heron. Faolan would be singing and entertaining, along with some lesser talents. It promised to be good. Tanner climbed upon Comet and prepared to ride back. Tanner had taken to riding Comet, so as to give Aquila a rest. The palfrey was holding up well for all the work she had done, but she needed a long rest. Apparently, the alfalfa and clover agreed with her, as did the apples she got occasionally. Comet was enjoying riding around. Sometimes it seemed as if Comet was the one in control, and he let Tanner along for the ride.

 

‘Can a man on an old country nag ride along with the Great Edward Hawkwood?’ Worner Hesenborg shot Tanner a sarcastic look. Both men laughed hard. Tanner motioned him over and they began the trek back to Brown’s Ferry.

 

‘How goes our formula?’ asked Worner. He was speaking of the recipe for distilled alcohol that they, along with Faolan, had been working on.

 

‘Oh, I am still tinkering with the equipment. I’ll be finishing that soon. I have some engineering work lined up for the first of the year, so I can get silver in my pocket. Then we’ll be ready to test.’

 

‘There are variations on the formula. What grain will you use? ‘

 

‘Corn. It’s plentiful and I have already acquired it. If it doesn’t work out, well, we can always make cornbread with it.’

 

‘Good point. Waste not, want not.’

 

Tanner began to sing a song about the Frontier:

 

‘From the swamps in the south

To Cobb’s End in the east

From Helena in the middle

Onto Brown’s Ferry

 

This is ouu-uuurr country!’

 

‘Stop!’ interrupted Worner. ‘Robb that’s awful’

 

‘Well let me try something else.’ Tanner began to sing a song about adventures he had been on.

 

‘Tanner, Zen, and Faolan

On a routine whore house visit

Found at their best friend Daron was gone

Through a black inky cloud

They stumbled on bravely

To try and find Daron and bring him home

 

In the depths of Hell

In the depths of Hell

In the depths of Hell’

 

‘Only from Hell could such an awful song come’, remarked Worner as he covered his ears in mock disgust with a laugh on his face.

 

‘I never claimed to be a good singer’, said Tanner. ‘I could tell you the whole story, but not in the open.’

 

‘If there is any grain of truth to it, I don’t think I want to hear it. There’s only one grain I am interested in, and hopefully you’ll get it resolved’, laughed Worner. They then began a discussion of water-wheels and improved iron techniques.

 

 

The party at the White Heron was going well. Faolan had been knocking them over. Nothing morose. Even the second-hand bards sounded good, which was saying something, because Tanner was remarkably sober for once. He had been pacing himself. He was sitting by the fire, quietly enjoying the festivities, when a commotion arose.

 

‘We don’t want any of them Checot types in here. This bar is for Frontier folk only!’ Tanner turned his head and looked around. Not far from the door, a couple of dock workers were shouting at… Annah and Bexar?

 

‘She’s my guest and friend, and she’ll go wherever I go’, said Annah. She looked at the ring leader of the group of men. Tanner had seen them before. A couple of dock workers. Most of them were okay, but the leader, Hargan Sandstone, was a different story. An ox of a man, his attitudes to those he considered his inferiors was hostile. He was a coward when it came to anyone who could fight back, including Red Legs. Worst of all, the man had not done an honest day’s work since…, well, Tanner had never known him to do an honest day’s work.

 

‘She’d better get out, and you to if you know what’s good for you! I don’t give a rip if you’re on the Council or not. The next thing a man knows, the Council will be lording around like Gents!’

 

Tanner thought about it for a moment. The man was being insulting to Bexar. Not acceptable, even she if she had slapped him around upon his November return to the Ferry. She might take Hargan out with those long knives, but the repercussions could be bad. Politically, this might do Annah damage if she decided to respond. Faolan didn’t need to hurt his reputation with the audience. ‘Robb damn, I may get in a fight tonight’, he thought.

 

Tanner walked over quietly and placed himself between the two parties. ‘Men, it’s Yule. There’s no need for all of this. Everyone should be able to have a good time, not just people born in the Ferry.’ Tanner looked at the group. There were five of them, two of whom looked hesitant. Tanner stood there, not moving forward or backward.

 

The two hesitant ones, or maybe smart ones, backed off and sat down with their ales. The other two were still backing Hargan. They were about to move forward when they stopped. Tanner glanced back quickly and saw Samson. ‘Got your back, Books.’

 

Tanner spoke quietly again. ‘You have seen my friend here around the Ferry. He and the lady are Bexari, not Checotah. It doesn’t matter because you have been rude. You have to the count of 10 to sit down. Otherwise, I am going to thrash you, Hargan Sandstone. Samson will keep the other two out. When I am done with Hargan, I’ll get the rest of you. 1…2…3…’ The other two sat down. Tanner couldn’t believe Hargan actually was showing some backbone.

 

‘You book reading fool of a man, I’m gonna beat the life out of you!’

 

‘Don’t forget the other insults, like son of a dirt farmer and crazed engineer’, said Tanner as he took a defensive crouch. From then on, it was ridiculously easy. Hargan threw a huge haymaker that would have hurt badly if it had connected. Tanner made an ‘x’ shape with his arms, parrying and capturing Hargan’s right arm at the same time. Almost instantly, Hargan’s elbow had been bent in a way that shouldn’t. Hargan was screaming in pain. His right arm was quite broken. Hargan tried to get away, but Tanner locked his left arm up, threatening to break it. ‘Stop! Stop! She can stay! Just leave me be!’

 

Tanner tightened his grip. ’Yes, she can stay. Yes, you are going to leave. And I am going to see to it that any healer in five leagues distance won’t touch that arm for a week, just to remind you about not mouthing off. When the spring comes, you’d better leave Brown’s Ferry and cross the Brown River and head for Anglia, or else you’ll be the test subject of one of my new ‘projects’. I am sure you remember the incident on Dock Street with the man burned alive?’ Hargan nodded. ‘Such a fate might await you also. Remember, be out of Brown’s Ferry by March!’

 

Tanner threw Hargan out the door. A number of people were cheering him, including the first two of Hargan’s companions. ‘Looks like your fighting has improved since the Bardstown Farmer’s Wash Day Fair’, said Annah with a bemused look on her face.

 

‘You’ve learned something from all those Checotah beat-downs from the last month after all’, grinned Samson.

 

‘I should hope so. Them Checot boys threw me around the barnyard way too often.’ Tanner looked relieved that it was all over.

 

‘Aw, you should have waited. We could have fought all five of them!’ hollered Faolan as he walked over.

 

‘Hargan Sandstone is a useless piece of crap. The other guys…they needed someone to show them the error of their ways. But they aren’t bad. I’ve supervised them on the docks.’ Tanner grabbed a mug of ale that had been offered. ‘Do me a favor. Sing that song about the ‘Frontier Boys, never meaning no harm. Someday Hell might get ‘em but the Crown never will’.

 

‘You got it!’ Faolan broke into song and the party stirred again. Tanner was about to sit down when a hand on his shoulder yanked him up. ‘You move pretty well on a battle ground, Tanner Hawkwood. Now, let’s if you can dance a jig or reel.’ Bexar was standing in front of his face.

 

‘uh,mmm, I haven’t had enough to drink yet?! Uhhh, uhhhh, I can’t dance a flip. Ummm, uhhh’ Tanner kept protesting as she led him away from the chair. ‘No! Stop it!’

 

It was a futile protest. When women sat their mind on something, best go along. Truth be told, Tanner didn’t make too much of a fool of himself. In fact it was quite enjoyable. Tanner couldn’t read Bexar’s face clearly, but she seemed pleased. As the party wore down, the two of them were in a corner.

 

‘Thanks for earlier this evening. I wanted to get out for a good time. A good fight is always enjoyable.’ Bexar looked at Tanner and ran her hand threw her hair.

 

‘Think nothing of it.’ Tanner half-lied. ‘Yes please think something of it’, he thought.

 

‘A woman likes to be fought for sometimes, even if she could do more damage herself.’ She tugged on a knife in her belt.

 

Whether it was being tired, having drank too much, Bexar’s presence, or a combination of all, Tanner wasn’t sure. But he said, ‘A queen must always have a champion.’ He immediately regretted it.

 

She looked at him with eyes that would bore through wood. ‘What do you mean?’

 

‘Umm, ahh, mmmm. Oh for Robb’s sake! There’s only one queen for me and that’s you. I don’t care for Queen Anne’s position and the Anglian crown. You’re the only queen for me.’

 

‘I am no longer a queen or even a princess! Watch what you say!’

 

‘You don’t have to rule over people to be a queen. You can…’ Bexar’s right hand connected with Tanner’s face and she stomped off. His right hand was over his heart.

 

‘I will never figure her out’, thought Tanner as he massaged his cheek.

 

 

 

 

January, Brown’s Ferry

 

‘Edward Hawkwood is the most bull-headed, stubborn jack-ass of a man that has ever walked the earth since creation!’

 

Tazzo the Terrible, also known as Queen Bexar, slammed her cup of tea on to the table, almost breaking the cup in the process.

 

‘Why should he be different than any other man in Brown’s Ferry?’ answered Annah. Tazzo had come to Brown’s Ferry to visit her on Sunday. It was a two weeks after the Yule celebration and Tanner’s and Tazzo’s last fight. Or rather, since the last time she had hit him. ‘What’s he done now? Is he working on some machine again? Is he trying to make some horseshoes that will make Comet, Ghost, and Aquila run faster? A new double-axle, grind-rind water-wheel? Now a new war engine would be a good thing.’

 

‘Arrrr!’ No! No! No!’ Bexar’s face was scarlet. ‘He’s decided to become an alchemist. He’s trying to create a potion called ‘shine of the moon’. But that’s not the worst of it’.

 

‘Trying one’s hand at alchemy is not something wrong. Normally I wouldn’t recommend it, but since Worner knows his way around the potion shop, I doubt Tanner will come to much harm. He might become ill for a few days after he makes a potion of ‘gain intelligence and engineering skill’ ’. Annah looked at Bexar. She had a feeling that alchemy wasn’t the issue. She was right.

 

‘That’s not the point! It’s as if the man wears blinders where people are involved!’

 

Annah looked at Bexar, studying her for a moment. Annah then looked directly into Bexar’s eye and said, ‘No, it’s not that Tanner wears blinders where people are involved. It’s that you think you don’t think he notices you. It’s funny. He’s probably the most book-smart person I have ever met, and you are a powerful mage, but when it comes to the understanding of another person, Robb forbid a lover, you are both like children.’ Annah shot a bemused look at Bexar.

 

‘What! That’s not true. What you are saying is not true. He’s just a heel!’

 

‘Tanner’s a lot of things, but a heel isn’t one of them.’

 

‘One moment I think he is coming around, and then the next moment he is being a jackass!’

 

‘You had a fight when he came back from the north. That was two months ago. What’s he done now?’

 

Bexar started to relate the story of the Yule evening and Tanner’s comments at the end of the evening. How it was a wonderful night, perhaps the best since before the slaughter in the Bexari lands. For once, she hadn’t felt on edge, unsure of herself. When a fool threatened her, she had not had to fight, because someone stood up for her. Tanner wasn’t a good dancer, but he didn’t step on her feet. She felt safe, like it was the right place to be. And then he opened his mouth and ruined everything.

 

Annah leaned against the back of her chair and considered all that Bexar said. Bexar looked simultaneously puzzled and angry while Annah collected her thoughts. After a few moments Annah spoke.

 

‘Tanner isn’t a good speaker when it comes to explaining how he feels. Let me tell you a few things about him.’ So Annah told Bexar Tanner’s life story in a nutshell. Growing up poor but happy on a farm, and everything that he loved being taken away when he was 15. How Tanner had fought and scrapped to survive, nearly losing his life in a battle in the Blackstone Swamp. Then adventuring for the last two years or so with Faolan and a host of other companions, some of whom were long gone. His service rendered to the Frontier Council, trying to regain freedom for the Frontier.

 

‘And what does this have to do with me?’ Bexar said with something of a snarl on her lips.

 

‘It’s not that difficult if you’ll think for a moment. Tanner loved his mother; she died in his arms. He hasn’t seen his sister Sheryn in at least eight years; she may be a slave in the north, she may be dead. Miss Macon is dead, but there’s dying, and then there’s dying. Then there’s me and you.’

 

‘I don’t understand.’ Bexar was slightly less scarlet and speaking a little less agitatedly.

 

‘Do I have to explain everything?!’ Annah stood up and looked at Bexar dead in the eye. ‘The first three women Tanner loved were killed or have disappeared. Maryn Hawkwood is dead. Sheryn Hawkwood is probably dead. Miss Macon is dead in the physical sense. He loves me as a friend. I return what he gives me, but that is all there is between us. And he loves you, all though he doesn’t know how to say it. He doesn’t see the princess of a nation being able to love him, so he carries on the best he knows how.’

 

‘What a fool he is. In love with a ‘princess’ whose nation is dead and gone’. Bexar looked at Annah sarcastically.

 

‘If you call the love of a man who can make a decent living at honest work a foolish thing, then I guess Edward Hawkwood is a fool. If the love of a man who has fought through Hell itself for his friends, helped rescue my step-brother when he faced execution, and fought to save your life in Bexar, then I guess Edward Hawkwood is a fool. If the love of a man who is decent and honorable to others, who has stopped chasing the skirt of every two silver whore, and turned down Queen Anne’s maids for days running, then I guess Edward Hawkwood is a fool. Edward Hawkwood is a difficult, stubborn man. That’s the worst that can be said of him. If you do care about him, and it’s pretty evident you do, treat him well. Sometimes he is a jackass. But sometimes I don’t see what he sees in you.’ Annah moved closer to Bexar. ‘He knows you’re not a queen of a nation. But you are the queen of his heart, and you best get used to it.’

 

For once, Bexar had nothing to say. Her face had gone from scarlet to something approaching a light pallor. She looked somewhat unsettled. There were a few awkward moments of silence. ‘I think I’d better go. I have some things to think about.’

 

 

 

 

Late February

 

‘Tanner, you’ve been working hard for a couple of weeks. You need to take a day off. What with this ‘shine of the moon’, your work on the docks in the Ferry, and all that military training, you need some time to clear your head.’ Samson leaned up against the split rail fence.

 

‘Yeah, you’re right. I had planned on going to see Worner today and drink a few ales. I think I’ll go try some fishing down at the creek branch a couple of hills away. You said you caught a trout there two weeks ago.’

 

‘Yes I did. You might get a catfish or small mouth bass. It’s a pretty good spot. The temperature is unusually warm today. The fish might be more active.’

 

‘Sounds good. What are the plans on the ranch today?’

 

‘Faolan slipped off to Big Cove this morning to sing at a tavern, the Barking Hound I think. He’s scouting it out and to see if it worthy of your ‘shine of the moon’. If they can pay enough silver, it won’t be a problem. After the horses are taken care of, the Checot boys are going over to the Checot quarter. Some kind of festival. They invited me along. Thought I might go over and find a squaw.’ Samson looked at Tanner and started to laugh. Tanner joined in. ‘Yeah, I might need to find some squaws to cook and clean around here. Now that you and Bexar are starting to play nice. You haven’t ticked her off lately, and she hasn’t slapped you since Yule.’ Samson started up a belly laugh. Tanner looked slightly embarrassed.

 

‘Sounds good. I am gonna grab a pole and some provisions and head on down to the mouth of that creek. Maybe I’ll take that new hound dog Bones with me. He seems the adventurous sort.’ Tanner started to move towards one of the long houses.

 

‘You and them dogs’, said Samson. ‘I don’t object to it, in fact I kinda like it, having them around. I would have never figured you for keeping them around, though.’

 

‘Too much the farmer in me. What’s a farm or ranch without dogs? A porch without three sets of eyes underneath it just isn’t right’, said Tanner with a grin on his face. ‘Dogs are as good as cats at keeping the rat population down. Baxter is as good a ratter as I have ever seen. Trooper minds the horses well. Bones looks pretty inquisitive. He treed a raccoon the other day. I got my crossbow and shot it. Bones was thankful for the meal.’

 

‘I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon’, said Samson.

 

The fishing trip was enjoyable. Tanner caught three bass. Bones seemed to enjoy the expedition. One rabbit met an early doom, and Bones met an early supper. Tanner made a mental note to try this spot again. He dressed the fish and prepared for the walk home. Fish stew sounded good. Bones tried to sneak one of the fish off, but Tanner was shooed him away.

 

Tanner got the stew started. It would take awhile to cook. He threw some Checotah peppers into the stew. He wondered if the peppers could substitute for Sunfire, as it seemed they were about the same temperature. While the stew cooked away, Tanner went over to the pump, drew a bucket of water, and cleaned himself. ‘Maybe I should bathe more than once a week’, thought Tanner. Being ‘clean’ was a nice feeling. That book of alchemy had a recipe for a mysterious substance called that everyone called ‘soap’. Tanner had to admit it was good for cleaning. Really loosened grime on anything.

 

Tanner threw his trousers back on, along with some sandals. Nothing else. Truth be told, with the weather slightly mild, he tended to warm up quickly. He was about to head over to the stew when he noticed he wasn’t alone.

 

‘The last time I saw you without a shirt on, you had three arrows sticking out if you. Except for those fool Checotah tattoos, this is a definite improvement.’ Bexar was standing in the door way. She was wearing a traditional Bexari dress.

 

‘I think I can take that as a compliment.’ Slightly red in the face, Tanner hurredly threw a shirt on. ‘What’s with the skirt?’

 

‘I felt like it tonight. So what are you up to?’

 

‘I’ve got some fish and pepper stew on the boil. You’re welcome to some. I’ve been reading that astronomy book lately. I think I might go and try to pick out some stars tonight.’

 

‘Checot peppers? What is it with men and hot food? But I accept. I’ll even tell you the true names of the stars, and the stories behind them.’

 

‘True names?’

 

‘You think some Anglian knows the true stories of the stars? Only the Bexari do.’

 

Tanner smiled slightly. Bexar thought she knew everything. And she did know a lot.

 

Dinner went well. ‘You can actually cook something edible!’ exclaimed Bexar. ‘Maybe your ‘shine of the moon’ won’t kill you after all.’

 

‘Thanks. Let me clean these dishes up, and then we’ll go argue over the stars.’

 

‘A man who cleans up after himself. I think I will die, as I have now seen two things I never thought I would see: A man who can cook and a man who can clean.’ Bexar laughed sarcastically.

 

Tanner cleaned the dishes and went back to his study area to get an old blanket to sit on. He was about ready to leave when Bexar asked, ‘What is wrapped up in that canvas over there? You’ve never mentioned it.’

 

‘Oh that. Umm, well. Better to show you’. Tanner unwrapped the canvas an unfurled the Dragon banner. Bexar did a double take when she saw it.

 

‘Where did you get this? Did you ever notice that the dragon matches the one on your left shoulder? Her tone was apprehensive at the sight of the Dragon Banner, but she remained calm. For whatever reason, maybe it was the light, maybe it was the banner itself, but Tanner felt more commanding with the dragon banner in hand. Bexar noticed this too.

 

‘I did notice it. Considering I had the tattoo long before the banner, I don’t know if it was coincidence or fate.’ Tanner stopped for a moment, pondering the realization of the similarities of the two dragons. ‘Let me put this away. We’ll head to the first hill, and then I’ll tell you about it.’

 

The next several hours were spent on the hill, sitting on the blanket. Tanner told how he had been rewarded with the banner and his sword after the Funeral on the Brown. He didn’t go into the details of the Chest of Longing; he didn’t have to because Bexar could sense the magic aura on the chest. ‘Only you, Tanner Hawkwood, would have a magical artifact for a table’. Tanner noticed that ‘fool’ was not in the sentence.

 

They talked about the stars back and forth. The book had names for them, and some were ones he remembered from his childhood. They dealt mainly with agricultural themes. ‘The ox’ to a Frontier farmer was ‘The bison’ to the Bexari. ‘The hunter’ was the same in both cultures, as were the great and little bears. This went on for awhile until Bexar slid over and managed to occupy every open area around Tanner’s frame.

 

‘Uhhhh’, stammered Tanner.

 

‘Shh. I’m cold. Hold me. Be quiet and don’t ruin the moment.’

 

Tanner did as he was told. Later on they made their way back to the longhouses. They bid their good-nights. Tanner put the blanket up. From there he made sure the fire was safe. It was throwing out a little light, but not much. Tanner stripped down and prepared to go to bed, when he heard a sound at the door. He looked around and saw …Bexar? What was she doing here?

 

Tanner was about to say something, but she put a finger to her lips. ‘I wanted to see what you looked like when you were at peace, so I came to watch you sleep.' Bexar looked at Tanner with a look he never thought he would have seen from her. Something of a look of ‘What path will you choose’ and something of a woman whose man drank a cup of bloodwine.

Tanner considered the situation for a split moment. He walked over. There was no hesitation in him at all. He wrapped Bexar up in his arms; she struggled slightly. When he kissed her, all resistance stopped. With one hand, Tanner pulled her dress off. He picked her up and carried her over to his bed…

 

Tags: Side Stories, Tanner Hawkwood