Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Balance of the Elements ❯ Chapter 1

Chapter one

In the village of Patrus, the weather was pleasant and the Earth was clean beneath the feet of its citizens, a rarity these days. They kept to the old ways and though other villages scoffed at their fetal attempts at simplicity, they could not argue that the village was still very powerful, despite their limited technology.

Their warriors were tough and unafraid to die; their scholars would return to their home place and find the natural ways to keep the village continuing into the future; their people no more ignorant than the amount of water around them constantly telling them that they were dependent upon it. There was but one river, but one village idiot in the fray and no one took ignorance without a fight.

The people were happy there, had always been and will always be. Their numbers dwindled with disease but soon after the village would recover and babies would cry from their mother's wombs at the chance to live life. Children had hard lives here but any child, with parents or not, was accepted into society and was given at least a roof over their head. Adults worked hard, knowing that death could sweep them up today or the next day and they never faced down a challenge without giving their best.

These qualities were present in all of citizens. From the shoemaker to the cook, everyone was as tough as a nail and never denied their heritage. They knew technology well but refused to depend on it or use it at all. They lived close to how their ancestors did and never regretted it. Even the children had an understanding of what was to be expected of them. They were to raise their own children to these standards when the time came and they were to respect their ideals as a whole people.

Everyone knew everybody. The drunk who always asked anyone with the money to buy him a drink, no matter what it was; the wife of the tailor who was expecting a baby in the spring and was taking care of her husband as he laid sick in bed with chlorella; the boy down Coltis street who would call the hour in town square for days on end until his father's leg mended from a recent accident. Even if names were not known or faces pictured in minds, everyone knew that all they needed to do was to ask and they would learn more about the familiar profile.

They had but one of everything in the village; one farmer, one barber, one school teacher, so the whole village gave their assistance to their neighbor's family readily. If they did not, they would all suffer together. The children were expected to follow their parents' footsteps or leave the village to spread their undying vision of simplicity to a new village or town. Cities were already becoming hopeless.

On Sleet drive, the house of the village farmer stood, the whole street being his land to work. If he ever needed help, he could call upon some of the villagers to help him and they would gladly put their backs into harvesting or planting the food that would soon be in their homes. He admired everyone and every man envied him for his wife.

His wife was pretty thing, definitely not suited for the work of a farmer. She instead worked as the village's singer. Her voice always had people swaying closer to her emotions or to the emotions she wanted them to feel. She was always shining brightly at others and was very friendly but her honey hair and slim hips made people often forget or second-guess at her being the mother of four, dark-haired boys.

All the farmer's boys were about the same, tall or going to be tall with black or dark brown hair upon their bodies as thick as coarse twine. They had broad shoulders from farm work and all reminded the villagers of a kind of animal.

The eldest boy was about seventeen, almost a man, with dark eyes hiding beneath his shaggy black mane of hair. His arms were covered with the same hair but he always had his legs covered so it was unknown if he had hair down there as well. His name was Gigerbar and the villagers took him as mysterious and moody, like a wolf. Fathers protectively pushed their daughters out of sight when he came around but he failed to notice.

The second boy was just a year and a season younger with green eyes shining brightly and prominent from the contrast in color from his black hair. Like his older brother, he too had hair upon his arms but it was less prominent than his, fading as if a pattern upon his skin. He looked older than he was and other men took to his intimidating personality like moths to a flame. His name was easier to fall of the tongue, being Feir, and many fathers were also cautious with their daughters around him, in fear of them becoming pregnant. He was like a dog around women, except for his mother, and a lion around other men with his natural intimidation.

The third boy was a dozen years or so old with dark, almost black eyes lying on his face below a short cropped head of brown hair. He didn't have too dark of hair on his body yet except for his eyebrows that were thick and black like caterpillars. He took working to the fields seriously and only played with other children when he was forced to or when there was a small break between planting seasons. He was called Wird, and often teased behind his back as being “Wind” or “Bird” since his name was close to both. He wasn't interested in girls at all but fathers still kept their daughters out of the way because of the possibility of him turning out like his older brothers. The citizens usually compared him to an owl with his thick eyebrows and they warned children that if they stared long enough at an owl's eyebrows, they would get their eyes clawed out and so they treated him about the same.

The fourth, or youngest, boy was different from his brothers with his brown eyes and ever changing hair color. It was usually a dark and solid brown but it would change to almost and orange at the tips and lighter brown to the middle depending upon his mood. He didn't hate working in the fields but he didn't really enjoy it either but he never really told anyone so. His name was Taivr and he was very friendly to other people and rarely got angry. Being only ten or so, many families didn't see him as a threat to their daughters and often asked him for favors and errands around town which they had yet to pay back. Many of the citizens had a hard time comparing him to an animal, sometimes a loyal puppy, sometimes a comforting cat, sometimes a playful bird; it was hard to decided so it just depended on who you were and what Taivr did for you. But he also took after his mother more than his other brothers and a small waist was paired with his becoming broad shoulders and it made him look lopsided.

The boys' father was a terrifying looking man with thick, black hair everywhere and a beard that was thick enough to hide things in. His hair managed to stay flat upon his head but everywhere else it seemed to have a mind of it's own and curled upon itself. His arms were strong and muscular and when he wore shorts, you could barely make out the shape of his muscles under all the hair. To be under his glaring eyes took a strong will to withstand and his sons found it easier to ignore than the rest of the villagers. His eyes softened around his wife though and she never took notice of the difference. He was like a bear and only children felt safe around him and he often watched the children during the festivals instead of joining in the fun.

All together, their family wasn't well liked but there was a buzz going around town that their cousins, one of the farmer's brothers, were coming for a visit since their season was done a little earlier than Patrus'. This brother had two older daughters at marrying age and they weren't seen since they were thirteen. The sons other than the farmer's sons were curious if they were pretty or at least useful.

The farmer's sons were all but cheerful about it. They were going to have to scrunch into one room while their rooms were given to their boy cousins, girl cousins, and their aunt and uncle. The elder boys were afraid that the boy cousins would want to compete to see who is a better harvester but Taivr had other worries. Since his youngest boy cousin was fourteen, the older girls would definitely persist to dress him up as a girl. He remembered it the last time they came and Wird joined him but this time he was going to put his foot down and resist. Taivr knew he didn't have an excuse to get out of it and his parents allowed it as long as he didn't leave the house dressed up in such a way.

The only thing he was looking forward to was seeing his cousin Kirn who was but half a year younger than him. Last time he saw her, he remembered getting along with her and he knew that she wouldn't force him into a dress. Then again, they were five and there wasn't much five-year-olds could argue with each other about so she might have changed since then. He really hoped not.

 

It was about two days before their cousins were going to arrive and the farmer's sons just finished watering. Taivr quickly put away his bucket next to the well and ran to his brother Gigerbar on the other side of the field. He always took his time to get anywhere but his legs were so long so it really never made a difference from a regular person's stride. Gigerbar stopped as Taivr approached, his little brother only just coming short of the middle of his chest made it hard for him communicate with him without feeling like he was putting him down but if he didn't walk and talk at the same time, the feeling went away.

“What is it, Taivr?” his husky voice bellowed out. Sometimes it was hard to remember he was just seventeen with such a voice.

Taivr stopped just a hand from his brother and spoke though his breathless voice.

“Let's go to the library. I need to turn my book back in.”

“Alright. Go get it.”

Taivr turned on his heels and started to run again. “Okay.”

“And if you wouldn't mind, could you get mine off of the bedside table?” Gigerbar shouted after him.

Taivr just waved in response, knowing his high voice wouldn't carry back. He ran to the house and quickly went up the stairs before stopping at the top of them to catch his breath. He then briskly walked into his room to grab his library book off of his bed. He went across the hall and into his brother's room, picking up the book on the bedside table, where his brother said it would be. As Taivr ran down the stairs, he almost bashed into Feir and narrowly escaped his reach. He shouted curses at Tavir as he ran out the door.

Outside, Gigerbar just showed up in the road, pulling the leather strap he wore to keep his hair out of the way while working out of his hair. He didn't have to wait at all for his little brother and he continued walking, expecting Taivr to follow. He had to run to keep up but Taivr handed him his book.

“So how did you like it?” he said as he almost tripped upon his own two feet.

“It was something to read.”

Taivr knew that Gigerbar only said that when he meant he didn't particularly like it. Despite his looks, Gigerbar loved to read and would read any book he was in possession of. It was something to boast about to the librarian's daughter, Sarin, if he ever got around to it. He couldn't talk very well when she was around but she was a quiet girl already and barely talked in the first place.

Usually Taivr had to start the conversation between them and then he let them slowly take over as he went away. When he was ready to leave, Taivr would shove a book in this brother's arm and say goodbye to Sarin as he tugged upon his brother to the checkout. The Librarian would warn them to take care of the books and when she needed them back and they would leave, Gigerbar talking about nothing else but their conversation the whole way back to the house.

At least, the past few times were like that and Taivr was getting sick of playing matchmaker. He wanted to just tell Sarin how Gigerbar went on about her and tell the Librarian to betroth them both since it was obvious how much they felt for each other but his brother would die of embarrassment, literally, and Taivr would have to explain to his parents how he had caused such mischief and pain.

“How was your book?” his gruff voice echoing as they entered the village buildings.

“Fine.” Which was true, until the hero died at the end.

A pause held between them before Gigerbar spoke once more.

“Today's the day I talk to her by myself.” He clenched his fists in anticipation. “I'm telling you Taivr, you're lucky to be so well liked and cute; I'm afraid all the time I'm going to say the wrong thing or scare her.”

Taivr didn't think so but he went along with it. He was brutally honest with his brother and spared him nothing.

“Well, it's true she won't marry you for your looks,” he said as he started to skip, “but when she does, you two will make a nice couple.”

His brother's face flashed red. “Taivr!” Then he lowered his voice as he realized it attracted the attention of their pass-byers. “You talk about courting as if it is so easy. She would have to like me first but all she has been to me is polite. She probably can't stand to be around me, a hideous, filthy man following her around in the library to talk to her.”

“You're not hideous!” Taivr immediately said in defense. If his brother put himself down all the time, he wouldn't get anywhere in life. “And you're not filthy, just unkempt. Don't let anyone ever put you down for your looks because you're not that bad. The only reason people have a hard time looking at you is because you look fierce.”

Gigerbar merely nodded his head in response, not really believing him. Taivr continued.

“And courting is simple: you just ask her out to something and ask her family if you can take her out of their home for a few times alone together and after a few times, you've gotten on their good side and you can get married.”

Gigerbar nodded again.

“And besides, if that doesn't work or you don't want to do so, you can just ask for her hand right off the bat.”

Gigerbar's face flushed red again and he almost yelled his brother's name out again but he sucked it down a whisper between his teeth.

“Taivr! You're acting like Feir!”

Taivr cringed at the thought but tried not to take it as an insult.

“Well at least he knows what the Hell he's doing! You said you thought you scared her and I'm telling you what you need to hear. You don't scare her and she's only polite to you because she doesn't know what else to say. The reason you two would make a good couple is because you two are just too damn shy. Maybe together you could actually make conversation between other people possible since you can't do it by yourselves.”

Gigerbar should have hit his brother for cursing but he let it slide and pouted as the words sunk in. Taivr looked to his brother once before adding,

“We can only hope.”

They stayed silent until they were almost to the library. Taivr tugged on Gigerbar's sleeve and pulled him into the gap between the buildings right next to the library to hiss more advice at him.

“Okay, here's the thing: take a good look at what she is doing. Continue to pay attention to what she is saying but look for signs in the way she moves.”

“What-”

“If she seems to take longer in doing something, it means she wants to still be around you and talk to you. If she lingers after finishing something, she wants to stay near you. If she backs away suddenly, don't follow; you were too close to her and she was finding it hard to find anything to say and she probably forgot how to breathe. If she fiddles with her hair by twisting it around her finger, what she is saying is hard to get out to you; the same goes for not looking at you. If she does look at you, she's getting used to you and what she says either excites her or doesn't matter to her and you will be able to tell which is which. And when I, I don't know, give a signal, if she backs away from you, you will know for sure that she likes you.”
Gigerbar's face tensed. “What are you going to do?”

“I said, I don't know. Probably just come up to you two while you're talking and interrupt you from your intense conversation.”

“That better be all.” He hissed. If Taivr didn't know any better, he would have said that was a threat but his brother was too kind-hearted to do anything to him.

They went up to the library doors and Gigerbar prepared himself fast for his conversation by taking a deep breath but Taivr had to open the door because Gigerbar hesitated to do so. Inside, very few people were sitting at the tables and getting books off of the shelf but they weren't looking for the numbers of books as they made their way through the library, they were looking for Sarin. They spotted her shelving books in the literature section and Taivr continued to stick to his brother in case he had to start the conversation again.

As they approached, Sarin stopped as she spotted them. Gigerbar stopped himself but Taivr kicked him so it wasn't obvious that he needed help to get over to her. When they were within whispering distance, they stopped and Gigerbar tried to talk but his tongue felt heavy within his mouth. Taivr had to start the conversation, again, because Sarin also looked at a loss for words.

“Hi Sarin, we've come back for some more books to read.”

Sarin was much more comfortable talking to him than Gigerbar and she answered him right away.

“Well if you see anything you like, I'm sure my mother would be willing to check it out to you. You both are very faithful readers.”

“Thanks, Gigerbar got me into it when I was little and now I beg him to take me here just to check out another book. Isn't that right, Gigerbar?”

“Yeah…” his voice barely hearable despite how deep it was.

Sarin looked at him. “Oh? What did you read this time?”

He held the book up for her to see, embarrassed by the title.

“`Horror Stories from the Deep Iligstar Sea' by Jen Keltimir.” She looked into his eyes through his hair. “Did you like it?”

Gigerbar scuffed the back of his head as if by a sudden itch. “It was alright.”

“I liked his book `Journey from the Center of the Sactifur Jungle' better.”

“Oh, yeah! Like when the main character was climbing the vine up to the bird kingdom, that was my favorite part: when he got there.”

“Me too!”

“It sounded so beautiful and peaceful, almost as if he could live there for the rest of his life just living off of its beauty alone.”

Taivr took his leave before it would go noticed between their pauses they were about to run into. Sure enough, as he passed the corner he could hear the conversation stop and he desperately wanted to get a better view of what was going on instead of looking for another book.

“I mean,” he thought, “Why pass up the opportunity to see a story unfold before you to see one just begin?”

He looked for a ladder and found one on the far side of the library. He took one quick look around before climbing swiftly up it to the support beams and securing a good seat in view of his brother and Sarin. They started up a conversation again but Taivr couldn't hear them.

“It doesn't matter,” he thought, “Because the only thing worth paying attention to is the way they act anyway.”

Gigerbar would argue differently. He was completely absorbed with everything being said between him and Sarin. He offered to help her shelve books so she could get done with her work faster. He failed to notice how closer they were when they were working but Taivr took notice and praised his brother for such a bold move. Well, bold for Gigerbar anyway.

After a while, Gigerbar tried to start up the conversation again by asking how things were going.

“So, how is everything?” He said as he shelved a book on one of the top shelves.

Sarin didn't hear him. “Hm?”

“You know, with the library and your family. Is everything okay?”

“Oh, of course. My mother is thinking of getting more books for the science section but my father would rather have the money spent upon food since there never seems to be enough in the kitchen during the summer because of the heat.”

Sarin's father was one of the cook's assistants, since the cook served the whole town. The assistant jobs were to help with the cooking and distribution of the food. More specifically, her father made sure that people who have allergies to certain foods were taken care of; Sarin included because she was allergic to most kinds of fish.

“Ah. I see.” Gigerbar said as he picked up another book. “You know, if it were me, I would pick the books.” He posed his arm for a moment, putting his free hand upon the muscles rippling to life upon its surface. “I think I have enough to eat if I can use these well.”

Sarin looked at his arm for only a moment before turning away from Gigerbar's sight and laughing into the back of her hand. Gigerbar thought he had done something wrong and looked away but he remembered what Taivr told him about paying attention to how Sarin acted around him so he turned his sight back to Sarin and got closer to her to try and see around to her face. She turned back to grab a book and their noses almost touched.

They stared at each other for a moment, much longer than they would have dared if they realized they were gazing into each other's eyes. Sarin could see Gigerbar's black eyes distinctly though his mane of black hair covering his face. Gigerbar could see Sarin's lovely green eyes just as clearly and the sight overwhelmed him first as he turned away in both shame and satisfaction.

The only thoughts going through his mind were what Sarin was going to do now, since he had read and believed that the eyes were the windows to your soul. Did she see his feelings for her? Did she see something as horrid as his face? Did she see some hidden evil within him? He couldn't bear to find out but fear of the answers to those questions made his feet unable to move and tears started to well up in his eyes in desperation.

Then he felt Sarin's hands upon his face as she turned it towards her. Her body was closer to his and she still struggled to reach but Gigerbar was almost unable to help her as he was almost unable to look at her but he didn't resist her touch and he opened his eyes to her as soon as his head stopped moving. Gigerbar had never dreamed of her face as close as it was now but the shattering glass of his heart was much different from the feeling of flight he had always read of in books.

“Gigerbar?” her voice was soft through her lips and Gigerbar could hear his heart pounding within his ears. He didn't answer but she continued, knowing his attention was on her.

She stroked his hair away to show his face. Her lips parted into a small smile as she timidly looked up at him.

“So this is what you look like under all that hair.” Her hand stroked the stubble of a new growing beard upon his cheek. “I wish I could see it more often.”

Gigerbar could feel the tears roll down his cheeks but he didn't realize they were falling until Sarin's face showed concern. She pulled her hand away and placed it unknowingly upon his shoulder.

“Gigerbar? Why are you crying?” She thought it was something she said but soon after the word “crying” left her mouth, Gigerbar embraced her and nuzzled his head into her shoulder.

“Thank you.” He whispered to her ear, holding back sobs of joy. She didn't fear him as he had thought.

Taivr didn't know what was being said between Gigerbar and Sarin but it gave him an idea; one that would get him killed but an idea he had to use. He put his fingers into his mouth and let out three whistles, something Feir had told him when he was little that signified an increasing passion between people. When he actually found out what it meant, he stopped whistling since so as not to insult anyone but he had to admit the feeling of the air going through his lips and the success of the notes made him feel good.

Everyone in the library heard the whistle and they looked around confused. Gigerbar and Sarin immediately let go of each other and jumped away as far as possible. Their faces were turning bright red and it didn't take Gigerbar long to figure out who had done it. He scanned around for Taivr since the library echoed and it was hard to tell exactly where the sound had come from.

Taivr was laughing so hard that he had to strain his legs to keep a hold on the banister while his hands clasped over his mouth to keep from bursting out. He failed to notice the man who came up behind him but soon that man sat next to him on the banister, a wide grin appeared on his face as he whispered,

“Nice one.”

Taivr looked over and immediately stopped laughing. The man was Sarin's father and Taivr knew it wouldn't take much to push him off the banister and it was a long way down to the ground. Sarin's father seemed to see his worry.

“Don't worry, I'm not mad. My wife may be if she finds out you disturbed her library but I totally thought that was worth it.”

Taivr's worries faded and grew to excitement that he could barely contain under a whisper.

“Wasn't it? Man, Gigerbar's going to kill me when it's time to go.”

“Tell me, what are your brother's intentions?”

“Hm?”

Taivr looked over to Sarin's father, seeing him look happy but sad at his precious daughter. At first, Taivr didn't understand but Sarin's father was willing to elaborate.

“I mean, is the rumor true for your brother Gigerbar as well? The rumor that he is…” he put his hand into his hair and scuffed it around before he started again. “I want to find a good man for my daughter and she seems to like your brother but your brother Feir is a good excuse not to trust Gigerbar in fear of the same treatment of women. Is Gigerbar going to protect her and be her equal? Or is he going to have is dreams crushed and beat her to relieve himself?”
Taivr wanted his brother's happiness and prove his good nature but he was going to be in a bad spot with his brother for days and wouldn't be able to prove anything. He decided to tell the truth instead of make any lies that would make his brother sound better.

“My brother is timid. If the soil seemed to have any moving life to it, he wouldn't hoe it. He even treats moths and butterflies as if they are to be respected. He doesn't like to speak up for himself,” he turned his head to Sarin's father, “but he likes your daughter and would try to make her happy. He would protect her if it came down to her defense and he would try not to put her into danger.”

Sarin's father was dazed from his words. Taivr smiled brightly and continued.

“My brother may look mean and scary but really he's just the opposite. I think him and your daughter would go very well together and make happy lives together but Gigerbar has yet the courage to ask to court her and it will take him a while but I think it will be worth the wait, you know?”

Sarin's father smiled. “Is that so?”

Then, Taivr got cocky. “And he can't practically begin to imagine that Sarin likes him back. I had to tell him what to look for and I'm not sure if he's really remembering anything I said. On the way home he'll say something like, `You little brat! Why did you whistle in a library and right when, when…' and then I'll say something to tease him like, `You were about to kiss, weren't you?' and then he'll get all red and say something like, `No, you don't understand. It's not like that. She probably doesn't think of me like that.' and he'll get all depressed and it will take until next week to bring his hopes back up to take him back to the library. It's a painful process and I-”

“You have to play matchmaker.”

Taivr looked at him. “Well, of course. Both my brothers will need help if they expect to get married. Gigerbar and Wird will need what Feir calls a `wing man' in order to get on with their lives. Feir will just need help sticking to one chick, preferably one that makes him work and works hard herself otherwise their lives will suck.”

Sarin's father laughed as silently as he could manage. “So what are your plans?”

Taivr looked at him like he was crazy. “I don't even like girls yet. When I do, I could probably do well on my own. Until then, I have to help them like they're supposed to help me with becoming a man.” He scooted closer to Sarin's father and whispered like sharing a secret into his ear. “They all teach me a variety of things I need to know but if you ask me, Feir is a slacker teacher when it comes to his lessons. At least Gigerbar tries and Wird does his best without knowing it.”

At that, Taivr stood up and started to walk to the ladder while waving goodbye to Sarin's father.

“Goodbye; we have to go. Oh, and don't push things along. They need to flow naturally otherwise their bond will break apart from the stress. And don't sound too forward around Gigerbar, it'll freak him out.”

Taivr carefully climbed down the ladder and grabbed a book he wanted to read that he had looked at last time. It was where it was last time he had seen it and he proceeded to pick a book for his brother before going to where he was still helping to file books on the shelves. Taivr tugged on his sleeve.

“Come on, Gigerbar. Time to go.”

Gigerbar had looked melancholy before but now his face twisted with hatred. He didn't say a word in response but let Taivr pull him away. The librarian said nothing as they checked out but suspected that they had something to do with the ruckus in the library and frowned upon them as she checked out their books. She took back the ones they had checked out the last time as well.

“The new books are due back in two weeks. Don't be late.”

Taivr smiled. “Aw, you know we're usually early.”

“Yes, but you are having company over. It is easy to forget things when you have to house and entertain people other than yourselves.”

“Ah, I get you. I'll be sure to write it down when we get home. Right, Gigerbar?”

Gigerbar still wasn't going to forgive him for his teasing. He just nodded as a response.

Taivr looked back to the librarian. “Well, see you in two weeks I guess. Have a nice day.”

The librarian let a smile light her face just this once. “You too.” Taivr was worth it; he was a sweet boy.

Walking out of the library was one of the most painful things Taivr had felt in his life. Gigerbar was streaming hatred around him all the way out of the library and down the street, Taivr catching most of the waves since they were directed towards him anyhow. It wasn't until they rounded the first corner that Gigerbar said a word.

“You. Are. Dead.” each syllable sounded like a promise, one that Taivr didn't want to be kept.

So he retorted his brother's anger. “Did you even remember a word I said?”

“Yes, of course. I was looking at her,” and Gigerbar started using his hands to show his frustration, “I was fine until out of the blue, a flirtatious whistle cut through the air and cut us apart.”

He was trying hard not to look at his brother, and Taivr noticed, feeling guilty about his decision but, like any of the other villagers, was unable to back down without a fight.

“I told you I would do something and I did tell you that her leaping from you showed that she liked you. You practically had her at your will when you started to shed those tears. She probably even knew they were of embarrassment and when she comforted you, she hoped they would turn into tears of joy, which they totally did.”

Gigerbar's anger had ebbed a little. “But crying isn't a manly thing to do. It's not very attractive.”

Taivr's eyes grew wide and he walked in front of his brother to make him come to a stop. Now he was furious and he was about to let Gigerbar know why.

“Okay, get it out of your mind that crying isn't a manly thing to do. It shows that you have feelings, that you are passionate, that you are not perfect, that you need someone by your side, and that you care about something enough to show at least one person what your true feelings are. And of course it's not attractive! It's one of the ugliest things in the world but it brings people together in a different form of attraction that becomes stronger than the first!”

Taivr shook his head and started to walk towards home again. “And if you don't get it, you never will and God help you.”

Gigerbar stood frozen for a moment before he took a few brisk steps to catch up with his steaming little brother. His anger was no longer there, now that Taivr had turned against him.

“I-I did get to feel her for a moment.” He quietly said. “She smelled like those berries Mother picks near the base of the mountain each spring.”

Taivr had a moment of blank thought before he burst out laughing, his frustration gone. “So you enjoyed yourself today?”

Gigerbar's face flushed. “Yes.”

“And you think you could do better next time? Maybe without me?”

“Yea…n-no. No. Definitely no.”

Taivr knew as much, but he knew it never hurt to ask. He shrugged.

“Ah, I won't leave you yet, don't worry. But next time we'll work on you starting the conversations, not me.”

They turned the corner down their street and passed a few steps in silence. Gigerbar eventually broke it with a quiet, but still husky voice.

“Thank you.”

Taivr smiled. He knew it was hard taking advise from your little brother whom should be taking advise from you. It was an equal trade off at times but Gigerbar would always feel as though he was in debt, for that was his way of thought. What Taivr learned from him was about life or planting, something that seemed easier or unexplainable at times. What he learned from Taivr, however, seemed to be knowledge he would never be able to grasp on his own and never successfully carry out on his own either.

Eventually, a question bubbled up in Gigerbar.

“How do you know so much about these things when you are younger than I am and are not even interested in girls as of yet?”

Taivr turned to his brother and grinned as they came upon their house. “Well, having a brother like Feir can be useful if you listen and doing errands for just about everyone in the village means that you listen to their problems as well as do their work. Out of those two I can gleam all the information I need. As for the not like girls yet, I guess the horror of being dressed up as one by ruthless examples is about as close as I want to get right now.”

Gigerbar laughed heartily as he opened the door and they stepped inside.

xxx

Later that night, Taivr was up reading his latest library book in his bed, under the light of a candle and the moonlight coming through his window. It had him entranced at the moment and there was no way his eyes were going to tear from the page until he got to the next chapter. And if he wasn't careful and didn't shut the book fast enough, he would be feverishly reading the next chapter as well.

But then he heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Taivr quickly blew out the light, covered himself and the book with his covers, and waited until the heavy footsteps of what sounded like his father went into one of the other bedrooms. He timidly peaked out from under the covers to look over his shoulder, as if he could be watched, before realizing it was safe once more to read.

To light the candle, Taivr blew like he did to snuff the light out. If anyone else had seen the candle, they would note that it seemed to have ice crystals around the top and the wick. Taivr, however, took no notice and blew for about twice the time it took him to snuff out the candle to have a flame appear, the crystals completely gone. To him, this was ordinary.

He read until he reached the next chapter and punched the flame out with his fingers. As he put the book on his bedside table and settled down on his pillow, he wondered what his cousins would be like when they visited in two, no, one day. He shivered at the thought of the older ones and what they would do to him but the cousin his age well, she would sympathize.