Tenets of War



  Tenets

  of

  War

  Book III in the Tenet Series

  Copyright 2014 Beth Reason

  Thank you for downloading this ebook. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be copied or resold in whole or in part, either for commercial or non-commercial use. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author!

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  About the Author

  More Great Books by Beth Reason

  Chapter 1

  Wren McKay took a deep breath and knocked on the old wooden door of the small house in the center of the circular clearing in the thick forest. He was the Ogden septad's most fearsome warrior. His skills at battle were unmatched, and when he hunted it was as if his arrows were tipped with magic. He was large and tough and should not be nervous. Yet, he couldn't help it. He knew Tenet was away and he'd have to deal with Mrs. Lorne. Though he'd known the woman for nearly six years, she still scared the tar out of him.

  "Da, maybe she's not home?" Beddick asked hopefully.

  Wren gave his young son a stern look, then knocked again. He knew they wouldn't be so lucky. Mrs. Lorne's personal transport was parked by the house and smoke curled out of the chimney in the early spring evening air. After a few more seconds of tense waiting, the door flew open.

  "What can I do for you, Mr. McKay?" Scarab asked quickly without any preamble.

  Wren appreciated her abruptness. Her personality and bearing were that of a hunter or warrior, rather than a wife, and whenever they spoke, her bluntness was familiar and easy. It was the way she looked at him that made him uncomfortable. It was as if she could see every weakness, look into every chasm of his being and find the one thing that could take him down. Not for the first time, he said a small prayer of thanks to the Mother that the tough woman was on his side.

  "A sheep has been slaughtered before the cull," Wren explained.

  Scarab glanced down at Mr. McKay's children. They looked guilty, but the dark eyed girl was the one who caught her attention. She stared, unblinking and almost defiant, and Scarab had to press her lips together to keep stern. "I see."

  Wren looked down at his son Beddick. When the boy only shuffled his feet, Wren prodded him. "It was my idea," the boy blurted out, refusing to look at Scarab.

  Scarab knew the children were scared of her. While she didn't care what the adults thought, it was frustrating to have the children think she was mean. She had never so much as raised her voice around them. Tenet told her it was just her "aura", something she couldn't control. Still, she made an effort not to seem dangerous when children were around.

  "So it was your idea, was it, young Beddick?" she asked, hoping her voice was soft. When the children took little steps back, she knew she failed in her attempt to appear friendly. Well, to all the children except the little dark haired girl. She was still looking up at Scarab without so much as a flinch.

  When Beddick remained silent, Wren frowned. It was important that children learned to take responsibility for their actions. Beddick was already six years old, almost seven. He should have been the one to seek out Mrs. Lorne and confess instead of making Wren beg at the door. He would definitely speak to his wife about having Beddick spend the free day at the temple, and he wouldn't let his wife sway him this time. An entire day of meditation with Mirvena was long overdue. "Beddick, Mrs. Lorne asked you a question. Your rudeness is bordering on unforgivable."

  The little girl suddenly let out a long sigh. "It was my idea."

  Scarab quirked an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. "Was it, now?"

  Beddick piped up, scared for the girl. Mrs. Lorne would tear her to pieces! "No! It was me! I wanted to cull the first ones like Da, so I got us the bows. Don't be mad at Violet."

  Scarab was glad the boy spoke up in Violet's defense, but she knew the score. Of all the children in the village of Ogden, Violet was the clear mastermind. She turned her attention to Beddick's little sister, Kenda. "And you. Why do you look guilty?"

  Kenda was five and still sucked her thumb, especially when she was nervous. She popped the wet digit out of her mouth and said quickly, "I didn't tell in time," before shoving it right back in and hiding behind her father's legs.

  With the few words from the children, a clear picture formed in Scarab's head of what had happened. She turned to the dark eyed Violet. "Violet Constance Lorne, you get your ass in the house this minute!"

  The other children tittered at the swearing, but Violet only sighed heavily again. "Yes, Mumma." She began to walk to the door when Scarab snapped her fingers. Violet heaved her little shoulders once again and turned to her friends. "I'm sorry I got you in trouble." She looked to her mother, and when she saw Scarab's eyebrow lift, she rolled her eyes and turned back to her friends and added, "Again." Scarab gave a firm nod, and Violet walked past her into the house to sit at the table and wait for the lecture she knew was coming.

  "I'm sorry, Mr.McKay," Scarab said to Wren when Violet was inside. "Tell Tenet the cost and of course we will compensate you."

  Wren looked down at his two children. "You two go wait for me on the path between The Sisters while I discuss business with Mrs. Lorne." The kids walked down the well-worn trail to the edge of the clearing and sat down between the large trees that marked the road to Ogden proper to wait for their father.

  "I am not worried about the cost of the sheep," Wren said when the kids were settled in the meditation pose. "The culling begins next week anyway."

  Scarab frowned. "It's not right. She caused a bunch of trouble again and we'll pay for it."

  Wren knew Scarab was a very proud woman. He knew that she felt bound to compensate him somehow, even though he really didn't need it. His wife would no doubt yell and scream about the "demon Lorne woman" and her "inability to corral that child" once again. In truth, he had a soft spot for Violet. He found her to not only be a good mix of her parents, but an excellent influence on his children. His wife spoiled Beddick and Kenda, and if they didn't start toughening up, there would be dire consequences in their future.

  "We begin the cull next week. I believe that if young Miss Violet were to come and help card the wool for a day, that should be compensation enough."

  Scarab didn't smile, but her eyes twinkled again. "Yes, Mr. McKay, I believe that is just the punishment for the crime." Violet would hate it. She would despise a day of sitting still and pulling the oily wool through the hooked paddles over and over and over. Maybe that would finally teach her a lesson! "You just tell me the day and I'll have her there first thing."

  Wren gave a nod. "Very well."

  Scarab nodded back. "Good day," she said, and was turning to enter her home when Wren stopped her.

  "I just wanted you to know that the kill was clean," he said quietly, not wanting any of the children to overhear. The girl should not have shot an arrow into his herd, no matter the reasoning behind her actions. That was clear, and he wasn't disputing that fact. However, he felt that Mrs. Lorne would be pleased to know what a g
ood shot her daughter was becoming. If the situation was reversed, he would like to know.

  Scarab flashed a quick, rare smile. "Was it, now?"

  Wren tried to school his own smile. "Straight through the eye, with Beddick's training bow. Not how we usually cull a docile creature, but a respectable kill for one so young."

  Scarab knew she shouldn't be proud. She shouldn't feel a swelling of admiration for an action so inexcusable. But she just couldn't help it. Her five year old took down a full grown sheep in one shot. What mother wouldn't be proud? "Thank you for letting me know, Mr. McKay."

  Wren nodded. "Good day." He turned and joined his children on the path, wishing the discussion with his own wife would end in a smile as well, and knowing it absolutely would not.

  Scarab waited until she could no longer see the McKays on the path before she turned and entered her home. Violet was sitting at the table with her chin on her fist and kicking her foot against the chair across from her. When she saw her mother she sat up.

  "It was an old sheep, Mumma," she began in a hurry.

  "Zip it!" Scarab said, crossing and taking a seat. She folded her hands on the table in front of her and simply stared at her daughter. Taking the cue from her mother, Violet did the same. The two sat there staring at each other for long minutes before Scarab knew she'd start laughing if she didn't speak. Violet looked so much like her. She had the same dark, serious eyes. It was like looking in a mirror to the past and it never ceased to amaze her.

  "Young lady," she began, in as firm of a voice as she could. "That was unacceptable."

  "But it was an old sheep, Mumma."

  Scarab nodded. "Even more reason to leave it to Mr. McKay to cull in a humane manner. That sheep was not a threat."

  Violet frowned. "Targets aren't threats and you let me shoot them."

  It was the logic of a five year old. "First of all, a target is not a living creature. And secondly, it was not your living creature to kill."

  "But it's Beddick's and he said he didn't care."

  "You haven't reached your majority. You call him Mr. Beddick, as you well know."

  "But we're not even Celtists," Violet pointed out.

  Scarab gave a wry smile. "Changing the subject might work with your Da, but it's not going to work with me. You'll obey the rules of their customs or you'll find yourself without friends." Violet rolled her eyes, and Scarab snapped her fingers and pointed at Violet. "If you roll those eyes at me one more time, I'll snatch them right out of your head and feed them to an alligator!"

  Violet couldn't help giggling, and with that one action, Scarab could only see Tenet in the little girl. "We don't have alligators, Mumma!"

  Scarab sighed and frowned, looking up at the clock. Tenet wouldn't be home for a few more hours at least, and that was only if the birthing went quickly. He might not make it back from the call until morning. He was much better at handing out punishments and she could really use him right then.

  "I got it in one shot," Violet said, trying anything to get out of trouble. She knew her Mumma was always proud when she made a good shot. She pointed to her eye. "Right in the middle like you said."

  Scarab rubbed her forehead, frowning at the forming headache. "You can't go shooting things up. People just don't like it." When Violet opened her mouth, Scarab held up a hand. "I don't care what your reason was. Now because of it, Mrs. McKay might just not let you play with Mr. Beddick anymore."

  Violet almost rolled her eyes, but remembered the alligator threat. While she knew that wasn't going to happen, she wisely decided not to push Mumma's buttons anymore that day. "Mrs. McKay always says that," she pointed out.

  "And one of these days she'll mean it, and won't you be sad!"

  Violet would. She liked Beddick best of any of the village children. He didn't pick on her for her Mumma being weird, or not going to prayers like the rest of the town. He just played with her. And he did whatever she said. Violet liked that about him best of all. It would be very boring if she couldn't play with Beddick anymore. "Yes, Mumma," she said, resigned.

  Scarab nodded. "And next week on their first day of culling, you will sit inside with Mrs. McKay and Kenda and you will card the wool." Violet's eyes went wide and Scarab bit back a smile. "No, I don't want any arguments," she said quickly before Violet could open her mouth. "You should have thought of the consequences before you shot Mr. McKay's sheep."

  Violet sighed heavily again, slumping in her seat. "But I hate carding wool. It's itchy. It gets on my legs and scratches me all day."

  "Then wear your leathers."

  "And I hate sitting in Mrs. McKays living room. It's hot and smelly."

  Scarab quirked an eyebrow. "Smelly?"

  Violet nodded, seeing a possible way out. "Yes, Mumma. It smells like burning flowers in there all the time. It makes my tummy sick." She batted her eyes for extra effect.

  "Well, that's a shame. I'll be sure to have your father give you some bismuth syrup before you go so you don't yak all over their carpet."

  Violet frowned deeply and crossed her arms over her chest. Mumma was really going to make her do it. "I'll get sick anyway."

  "Aw," Scarab said in fake sympathy. "Then it's going to be one bad day for you. I guess you should have thought about that before you caused Mr. McKay so much trouble." She stood, satisfied that she'd done her best to handle the situation. "Now, stop moping and go wash up. It's your turn to shred the jerky for the stew."

  Violet smiled and jumped up to run for the bathroom to get scrubbed up. She loved to help with the cooking and instantly forgot about her predicament. Scarab sighed heavily and shook her head, wondering how the girl could flip the switch so quickly, and instantly knowing the answer. Tenet. Violet somehow inherited Tenet's easy acceptance of life and all the miseries it could throw their way. Scarab was glad for it. If Violet only resembled her, if she inherited not only Scarab's look but her hard personality, Scarab knew she wouldn't have loved the little girl half as much.

  Violet returned and held her dripping hands up for inspection. "Are we using turkey jerky?"

  Scarab wiped off the girl's hands with a towel, then pulled out a little stool for her to stand on near their new stove. It took many years for them to be able to afford a real stove, and while Scarab could have easily continued to cook in the fireplace on the rare occasions she had to cook at all, it had meant the world to Tenet. "Why turkey?"

  "'Cus' you can pull it in big strings," Violet explained, climbing up on the step stool. "Can we?"

  "I don't think we have any left," Scarab said, rummaging in the pantry. "Nope, sorry," she said, holding up a jar of beef jerky and a jar of dried deer chunks. "I think we ran out last week. Deer or beef?"

  "Beef," she said decisively. Beef shredded better. When her Mumma handed over the jar, Violet happily took out several large sheets and began carefully pulling the strips of meat into shreds, just as her Da showed her. She liked to cook with her Da better, because her Mumma never said what she was doing or let her stir the big pot or made up silly songs about the vegetables they cut up. "Where's Da?"

  "Still on call," Scarab said. People had accepted Tenet as a medic in the area, and though many in Ogden septad still used the old medicines of their religion, they did call him out for serious cases their prayers could not handle. Once in awhile, someone came all the way up the hill from the larger town of Nortaberg and asked for his assistance, and that was where he was that evening. A woman was having a bad labor and the soldiers sent a runner to ask for Tenet's help. "He might not be home until morning."

  Violet bit her lip. "Do you hafta tell him about the sheep?" Scarab didn't even bother to answer, just sent her daughter a knowing look. Violet wisely turned her attention back to the cooking and didn't push the issue any further.

  They finished the cooking in silence, then Scarab sent Violet to her room to look at her lesson book while the stew bubbled and softened the meat. Tenet wasn't home by the time they ate, or even before Violet's bath. Sca
rab tucked the girl in and told her one of her bounty hunting stories. Though she never shared specifics, like why she was hunting the person and what they did to deserve it, Violet loved her Mumma's tales of wandering and facing all the dangers of the other country. She'd pepper Scarab with questions, just like Tenet, until her little eyes began to droop. Scarab kissed her forehead and tucked her in, then sat for awhile in their large living area and stared into the fire, hoping Tenet would get home.

  Scarab had thought she never wanted a child. That wasn't exactly true, she could admit after the fact. She was scared to have a child. She and Tenet had only been married and in Ogden a few months when she discovered she was pregnant. She remembered how she shook when Tenet confirmed what she suspected. He was thrilled. Tenet was always thrilled with life. And she was utterly terrified. What did she know about raising a child? She was a bounty hunter, a killer. It didn't matter that she had given up that life when she took the contract to hunt Tenet. It didn't matter that she left that behind in Southland when they crossed into the Borderlands. She had been a bounty hunter for eight years, and a cold, lonely, hurt child before that. What did she know about a family?

  Tenet did what Tenet did best. He calmed her. He spent the months of her pregnancy soothing, promising, planning and being annoyingly wonderful. By the time she was in labor, she was resigned. Not happy. Not excited. She still believed she would fail. She knew in her heart she could not be a good mother. And then after the pains, after the blood, after the hours of utter agony, Tenet placed her daughter in her arms and everything changed. In that moment, Scarab not only wanted a child, but needed her. She wouldn't even let Tenet hold Violet for an entire day. And Tenet was patient, as he always was, and seemed content to hold Scarab while she held their daughter.

  Almost six years later, she still didn't think she was a good mother. She had a very hard time punishing the girl for things she herself found completely reasonable. No, Violet shouldn't have killed someone else's sheep. However, it was slated for culling, and the girl did need to start getting in some practice on moving targets if she was ever to be a sharp shooter. She also let Violet do things that scared Tenet. Part of that wasn't her fault. They lived in a Celtist community in the harsh near-wilderness of the deep mountains of the Borderlands. Tenet had been raised as a privileged child of a very powerful politician in completely different society where technology made life easy. Scarab simply let Violet grow at the rate of the other children in Ogden, and that was something Tenet had a hard time accepting. Their child did not live in Tenet's old world. Violet would need survival skills that Tenet hadn't learned until he was an adult on the run. At age five, she already had to learn them. If they were farmers, she'd be in the fields as soon as she was let out of school for the day. If they had the sheep herds, like Mr. McKay, then Violet would not only help card the wool, but assist with the sheering, washing, dying, and spinning as well.

  She had to let Violet do things that scared Tenet because that was what the life they lived demanded. And maybe that made her a bad mother. Maybe she should have tried harder to find them a safer place to live where Violet didn't have to grow up so quickly. But she knew she loved her daughter, and that had to count for something. That had to offset some of her deficiencies. That had to mean something even in their harsh world.

  The door opened and Scarab snapped out of her reverie. Tenet stomped his feet, shaking off the mud the night rain churned up. He removed his coat and shook it out, then hooked it over the peg by the door and kicked off his boots.

  "How'd it turn out?"

  Tenet turned and looked at his wife. He figured she would long since be in bed, and was greatly relieved she waited up for him. He opened his arms and she didn't hesitated to walk into them.

  "You're shaking," Scarab said quietly.

  Tenet squeezed his eyes shut and held her tighter, drawing from her strength to take out the bitter reality of the day. "It did not go well," he said quietly.

  He didn't need to explain further. His tone of voice told her that least one of the parties died, either the mother or the baby, and maybe both. Scarab knew how deeply Tenet felt each loss, how much he would beat himself up for it, and she squeezed him tightly to her. She could tell him that he did the best he could. She could once again point out that it wasn't his fault. She could explain that sometimes these things just happened and no one could have prevented it. But she had learned long ago that sometimes Tenet was more like her than he'd ever admit. Sometimes he needed to fight his own demons.

  Scarab waited until she felt him stop shaking, then plant a kiss on her cheek. She let out the breath she didn't realize she was holding. She hated to see him hurting. She was always afraid that one of these days, it would be too much. And yet, he always rebounded. She pulled away and looked up at him. "Violet's only been sleeping for an hour or so."

  Tenet smiled down at Scarab. She knew exactly what he needed. "Thanks."

  "I'll warm you up some dinner. Violet chose beef."

  "That's my girl!" He gave Scarab another squeeze, then made his way to his daughter's room. He needed to see her. He needed to hear her snore like her mother and watch her chest rise and fall to prove to him that she was alive and healthy. He needed to watch her until he could get the image of the stillborn baby out of his head and move on.

  Tenet crossed to her bed and sat on a chair next to it. It was chilly in the room, so he leaned over and put another log into the fireplace, making sure to snap the grate tightly closed after. He wished for the millionth time he had enough money for an electric heater, if only for use in her room. He was positive that one of these days the little scamp would get it in her head to try and stoke up the fire for herself and get burned. She was just enough like her mother to do just that. But so far, she had surprised him by listening to the warnings and she left the fire building to the adults.

  "Da?"

  Tenet hadn't realized he had been stroking her hair. He must have woken her up. "Shh, go back to sleep. I was just saying good night."

  Violet blinked her sleepy eyes. "Did Mumma tell you about the sheep yet?"

  Tenet sighed. "Oh, no," he said.

  "It was a really old sheep, Da."

  He didn't want to know what his daughter had done now. He just didn't have it in him. It was a long, soul-crushing day and he just wanted to stroke his daughter's hair until she fell asleep and then hold his wife and let her make it all better. "I'm sure it was. And we'll talk about it in the morning."

  She gave him her best charmer smile, and Tenet knew whatever happened was really bad. "I love you, Da."

  Though Tenet knew she said it right then to butter him up and soften the blow of whatever it was she did, he knew she really did mean it. He leaned over and kissed her head. "I love you too, Vie. Now go to sleep. I'm going to go eat some dinner."

  "I helped make it."

  Tenet smiled. "I know. Mumma said you hooked me up with beef. That's my girl." He gave her a thumbs up, then stood and blew her a kiss before closing the door behind him.

  He took the bowl of stew from Scarab and ate it without tasting much, the weight of the day settling in. He was exhausted. As soon as he ate, Scarab stood and took his hand, then lead him to their bedroom. They got undressed and climbed into bed, then Scarab held her arms open for him. He turned his back and scooted into her embrace, needing her strength and warmth to soothe him as it had so many times in the past. Scarab held him and gently stroked his arm, then planted a kiss on his bare shoulder.

  Tenet squeezed his eyes shut against the pain inside. "The baby was far too early," he whispered. "I know it wasn't my fault, but..."

  "Shh," Scarab soothed. He didn't have to say it, she already knew. "Tomorrow someone will come to you with yellow fever and you'll cure it and remember that you are a good medic."

  "I don't feel like a good medic."

  "But you are," Scarab said simply.

  Tenet took a shuddery breath. He saved the mother, though he was sure s
he didn't want him to. Her cries would echo in his head for a long time. Still, Scarab was right. That was what he both loved and hated about being the local medic. The cases that went south tore into his soul. Each one felt like it took a little piece of him. And then someone would come to him, near death, without hope, and he'd figure out the right combination of treatments and he'd see the person, happy and healthy months later and feel such a deep sense of personal satisfaction that he knew he would never give up doctoring.

  He understood why his mother was a medic, in spite of her untold riches. As the wife of the exalted Leader, she didn't have to work. She could have servants lift the tea cup to her lips, if she chose. But she worked long and hard. While she had many other personal faults, Tenet finally understood why she gave so much of herself to healing. One positive outcome made up for all the things that were missing in her life.

  Tenet took Scarab's hand and kissed it. He didn't know if he was really a good medic or not, but he certainly wanted to believe his wife when she said it. She always sounded so certain. "I wish I could save them all," he said quietly.

  "I know."

  He sighed heavily, then turned to hold her. "But then again, I always have been conceited."

  Scarab smiled, knowing he had come to terms with the outcome of the day. She knew he'd still have unwarranted guilt, but at least he accepted the death. That was a hard step for him simply because he so badly wished it would have turned out the other way, as if his thoughts could will the Fates themselves. "You are conceited," Scarab confirmed. "And whiny."

  Tenet chuckled, then drew a deep breath. "And you are a stubborn pain in the ass." He kissed her. "Thank you," he whispered into her ear. Warm and safe and loved in spite of his faults, he held his wife and let himself drift to sleep.

  Tenet rubbed his tired eyes the next morning, wishing he had gotten just a little more rest before dealing with his daughter. Violet sat across from him at the breakfast table trying to justify her killing of a sheep. She had put a lot of thought into her arguments, he had to give her that. He looked at Scarab. While she gave Violet a firm look and stood with her arms crossed over her chest, a picture of seriousness, her eyes twinkled and he knew she was more proud than angry.

  "Really, Da, I just made the sheep go to sleep early. That's all," Violet finished.

  Tenet quirked an eyebrow. "That's all? Violet, you took a life. You killed a living creature. You didn't make it go to sleep, you made it go to sleep forever. It will never wake up."

  "I know that, Da," she said, rolling her eyes. Scarab was right, he thought to himself. That habit of Violet's was wearing thin. "Mr. McKay will tell his wife to chop it up for their dinner."

  "And you don't think it's wrong to kill an animal for no reason?"

  Violet took a bite of her toast and tilted her head to the side, thinking it over. "I had a reason," she said eventually.

  "Which was?"

  "Killing it. Now Beddick can have mutton for lunch and he really likes mutton."

  "That's Mr. Beddick to you, young lady," Tenet chastised automatically. "And young Mr. Beddick's lunch is his mother and father's responsibility, not yours."

  "But Beddick..." at Tenet's glare, Violet corrected herself. "Mr. Beddick said they don't have meat in the pantry and he didn't want to wait for the cull."

  Tenet looked to Scarab, wondering if that was true. She gave a small nod. It had been a very difficult winter. The horrible weather drove game so deep into the woods that the monthly hunts through the ice and snow were largely unsuccessful. The only reason they had any meat left on the Lorne table was Scarab's paranoid food hoarding, something Tenet determined he would never tease her about again. Scarab had gone on a special hunt off Ogden land in late January, and gotten enough meat to see the elderly members of the septad through. But many were now completely reliant on the dried grains and vegetables, and some were dangerously close to outright starving.

  "Violet," Tenet said patiently. "I think it's very good that you wanted to help your friend. But if his Da wanted him to wait another week, then there was a reason. The wool they trade cannot be transported until the main road clears, and it's still icy and dangerous. They do not have room to store all the wool in their home. Things happen on a time line for a reason. Besides, I have seen how roly-poly Beddick is. Trust me, the boy is getting plenty to eat."

  "Tenet!" Scarab said, trying hard not to laugh.

  "Your mother said you are going to card wool with the McKays," Tenet said to Violet. The little girl nodded and made a face. "Oh no, little brat. Don't go giving me that face. You fully deserve that punishment from Mr. McKay, and my punishment on top of it."

  Violet's eyes went wide. "But Da..."

  "Nope, save your begging and pleading." He took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, but you must learn the value of life. I believe a meditation session with Mirvena is in order."

  "Tenet," Scarab said quietly.

  He looked at her and raised an eyebrow. Scarab held his stare for a minute. When it was clear he wouldn't budge, she rolled her eyes and turned away. And she wondered where Violet got it, Tenet thought to himself with annoyed amusement. Her look didn't sway him, though, not even the roll of her eyes. Tenet knew it wouldn't be a popular punishment, but he truly felt it fit the crime. While he knew Violet wasn't a mean or violent child and would never take a human life, he didn't want to take any chances. "That's your punishment. And you are not allowed to touch a bow until I believe you are capable of being more responsible." He saw the disappointment in her little eyes and almost caved. Almost. "Now, I believe I hear your friends. Off to school with you."

  "Yes, Da," Violet said heavily. She got up and put on her winter fur, then grabbed the lunch her mother held out and left to follow her friends up the hill to the school. It was her first year taking lessons on reading and writing and while the work was boring, it did let her have a lot of time with her friends. Her bad mood didn't last more than a few steps, and Tenet watched her grin and skip off towards the school with her friends.

  "Mirvena?" Scarab scoffed. Though she liked and admired the priestess on a personal level, she did not want her daughter joining the Celtist religion.

  "She's got to learn to respect life, Scarab," Tenet pointed out.

  He was right, but that wasn't the issue. It wasn't the lesson, just the method. "But Mirvena?"

  "Can you think of anyone better?"

  Scarab clenched her jaw and the fire flared in her eyes. "If the old bat tries to convert her..."

  "Has she ever?" Tenet finished his own toast and stood, gathering the other plates and cups to bring to the sink. "She didn't even bless Violet when she was born because you didn't want her to."

  Scarab scoffed. "Don't make me sound like the asshole here, Tenet. You don't want her to be a Celtist, either."

  "No I don't," he easily agreed. While intriguing and interesting to study, Tenet had no belief in the ancient religion at all. "But Mirvena is the leader of this community, religion aside." He rolled his sleeves up and pumped the handle on the spigot until a steady stream of icy water filled the sink basin. He soaped up a sponge and made quick work of the breakfast dishes while he talked. "You know as well as I do the best way to hammer home a point with Violet is through the torture of silence." He grinned and Scarab couldn't stop her own lips from tugging upward.

  "Fine," she said. "But you've got to be the one to set her straight if she starts talking about rituals and sacrifices and hocus-pocus."

  Tenet stuck out his hand. "Deal." When Scarab rolled her eyes and put her hand in his to shake, he pulled her quickly to him for a deep kiss. "Now. What should we do today?" he asked, grinning at the slightly stunned expression on Scarab's face.

  "Fratz and Phyllis will be here soon. I was going to work on fixing the guest room fireplace."

  Time marched quickly. "Is it that time of year already?"

  "Yep. And you've been saying you were going to fix that up since last time they were here," Scarab said with a po
inted look.

  Tenet sighed. While he proved very handy at most household repairs, he never got the hang of masonry work. The old mortar between the bricks had crumbled the previous year when the normally unused fireplace was lit for his friend's comfort. The heat spread the tiny cracks and in the middle of the night the collapsing fireplace caused a huge commotion that Phyllis and Scarab found hysterical, while Fratz and Tenet scrambled to gather enough water to put the fire out while still in their long johns. Since then, Tenet had dealt with the problem by simply closing the guest room door.

  "Get that look off your face and go see Hans," Scarab said. "He's got the concrete powder. I'm going to go start hacking out the bricks and seeing how many we can reuse."

  Tenet snapped a salute. "Yes, sir! Anything else, sir?"

  Scarab thought for a second. "No, I believe that's all for the moment. Dismissed." Tenet's laugh followed her into the cold, unused room. She pulled on a pair of leather gloves and removed a hammer from the tool belt she wore around her waist. She swung her arm back, then felt the satisfying sensation of shattering as her hammer connected with the half crumbled fireplace.

  Scarab worked all morning, loving the physical exertion. It was difficult for someone used to running down escaped convicts to sit still, and the winter in the mountains left few other options. She always looked for ways to keep herself busy, to keep her body moving. She didn't mind the hard work it took to disassemble the fire place, she welcomed it. By the time Tenet got back with the mortar mix, her arms ached and she was sweaty. But the bricks were all removed and she was well into the task of chipping off the old mortar.

  "Go take a break and I'll keep at it," Tenet offered.

  They worked through the day together. By early afternoon, they had the base of the fireplace laid and decided to let it cure overnight before building up the walls. Tenet couldn't have planned a more perfect day. While he still sucked at laying the bricks, he liked working quietly by his wife's side on something physically demanding. It gave him the time he needed to get past the events of the day before.

  "Think I should bring Wren some jerky?" Tenet asked much later as he cleaned the putty knives.

  Scarab had considered it herself when she found out the warrior and his family were down to root vegetables in their pantry. "I think he's too proud for that," she said. "Besides, he's got mutton now."

  Tenet pulled a face. "Mutton. Promise me we'll never try that again."

  Scarab laughed, remembering the one time she made him try the tough, gristly meat. "I already promised."

  "Just making sure you still know that rule still stands." Tenet finished cleaning their supplies, then dried them off with a towel. He glanced up at the clock and frowned. "Shouldn't Violet be home by now?"

  Scarab shook her head. "The last few days have been nice weather and she and the McKay kids take their time."

  Tenet gave a little laugh. "You think that's a good idea? Doesn't seem to have turned out so well yesterday."

  Scarab grinned. "One shot. That's all. One shot, right through the eye!"

  "You say it like it's a good thing."

  Scarab put her hands up. "Yeah, yeah. Save the lecture. I'd never tell her how proud I was to hear that."

  Tenet sighed. He often felt like he was fighting a losing battle on some things. He was about to launch into a lecture when the door burst open and Violet raced in, her eyes twinkling and her cheeks pink from the chilly air.

  "Da I saw Grandfather in town today!"

  Tenet instantly tensed. He did not like Mordin, the old man who held a position of honor in Ogden society. He was rude, crass, more than a little crazy, and the way he treated young women was unforgivable. "Violet Lorne what have I told you about him?"

  Violet's face crinkled into a frown. "But..."

  Tenet couldn't help the father's fear he felt course through him. Before Violet could get another word out, he was kneeling in front of her, holding her arms. He gave her a little shake. "You never, ever go around that man by yourself! You know this."

  Violet's bottom lip quivered. "But I wasn't by myself and..."

  Tenet pulled her close, his hands shaking at the memory of Mordin's roving hands all over the bottoms of several young women in Ogden. They were much older, of course, having reached their majority. But just barely. The Celtists had different rules, different ways. Those girls didn't mind. They had no qualms about sharing their bodies with the unmarried men. But Tenet had never accepted that, and refused to allow his daughter to ever put herself in that position. She was not a Celtist. He would not let her act like one, not in that way.

  Scarab looked at her husband and knew why he was so scared. She walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Tenet, not even Mordin would touch a child like that."

  Tenet knew that. His reasonable mind was positive of that fact. But he was a father, and fathers were not always reasonable.

  "I didn't do anything, Da," Violet said, beginning to cry.

  Tenet turned and kissed his daughter. "I know," he said. "I know. I didn't mean to overreact. I just don't want anything to happen to you."

  "I know, Da," she sniffed.

  "Don't go near him. Don't ever go near him without me or Mumma there. Do you understand?"

  Violet nodded, and Tenet kissed her again before reluctantly letting her go. She ran into her bedroom and closed the door.

  "It's okay, Tenet. She's fine."

  Tenet turned his eyes to his wife. He was good and worked up, something Scarab wasn't used to seeing in his normally gentle eyes. "I mean it, Scarab. If that old bastard so much as looks at her..."

  "Shh," Scarab said, shooting a look at Violet's door. "He won't."

  Tenet ran a shaky hand through his hair before standing up. He took a deep breath to calm himself. Scarab was right and he shouldn't have overreacted. "I suppose I should go in there and let her know I'm not mad at her, huh?"

  Scarab got a kick out of his face. Usually it was she that lost her temper around Violet and had to explain. "I'll start dinner," she said.

  Tenet went into his daughter's room and an hour later when Scarab called them for dinner, Tenet bounded out to the table with a giggly little girl on his shoulders.

  "You almost hit my head again Da!"

  Tenet reached up and grabbed her around the middle, then swung her down and around and gave an extra whirl. "Good! Then maybe it would knock some sense into you!"

  Violet's giggle increased and she kicked her legs as Tenet started tickling.

  "Hey," Scarab said, coming to the table with the platter of meat and vegetables. "I stooped low enough to cook dinner, the least you two could do is eat it." She was smiling when she said it, though, so neither took her very seriously until she snapped her fingers. Tenet cleared his throat and placed Violet in her seat. They both knew full well what that snap meant.

  After they all began to eat, Violet noticed the bucket of mortar and tools in the corner of the kitchen. "Whatcha doin' with that?" she asked around a mouthful of carrots.

  "What are you doing," Tenet corrected as he buttered a piece of bread. Violet looked up at him and he quirked an eyebrow.

  The girl swallowed. "What are you doing with that?" she said, following his corrections.

  Tenet nodded and continued to butter his bread. "Oh, nothing much," he said casually. "Just getting that fireplace fixed up in the other room."

  "How come?"

  "Because it's broken," Scarab said, shooting Tenet a look. Fratz's springtime visits didn't follow an exact schedule. A lot depended on the weather, and they hadn't really had the best. Odds were he'd get there the following week, but she didn't want Violet to get excited and then be disappointed when Fratz didn't walk through the door exactly when she was expecting him. "Now eat."

  "It's always broke," Violet pointed out, kicking her feet and popping a chunk of deer meat in her mouth.

  "Broken," corrected Tenet. "The word is broken. It broke, and then it was broken." He ignored Violet'
s sigh. "And we are fixing it because it's almost full spring. And you know what that means."

  Scarab scoffed and dropped her fork, then crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Tenet as Violet jumped up and began to shout excitedly.

  "It's Fratz time! Fratz!" She clapped her hands wildly.

  Scarab snapped her fingers and Violet dropped back down into her seat. "Great. Great job, Tenet. Now when he can't get here until..."

  "I didn't say when," Tenet pointed out. He turned to Violet. "It'll be sometime within the month." He shot Scarab a look. He wasn't an idiot, and he certainly didn't want to hear Violet whine about Fratz showing up late any more than Scarab did. However, he was still feeling bad for scaring her earlier and wanted to see her smile. "Now, eat your dinner and I'll tell you how you can help us get that horrible mess of a room ready."

  Scarab picked up her fork and listened to Tenet make plans with Violet as she ate. Apparently the whole room was to be worked over, but she didn't mind. It would give Violet something constructive to do instead of shooting sheep. Even if she was a good shot. Besides, it may just teach her a little patience. As Tenet spelled out his plan, Scarab became more and more excited herself. It was something to do, and by god she needed to shake off the long winter.

  "Can we afford new curtains?" Tenet asked.

  Scarab took care of the finances simply because she always had. Tenet seemed to understand that she needed things to control and let her keep track of the money for them. "No, not unless we make them ourselves." She paused, her fork halfway to her mouth. Tenet and Violet were both looking at her with hope in their eyes and she let out a harsh little laugh. "Don't look at me. I told you years ago I don't do that crap."

  "You repaired your suits by yourself," Tenet pointed out.

  Violet jumped all over that reasoning. "Yeah, Mumma. You sewed up all your suits that the rafes ate."

  "Wraiths," corrected Tenet.

  "Yeah. Wraiths."

  Scarab gave Tenet a wry smile. "Did you know your Da took lots of crafts classes at the academy when he was a boy?"

  Violet turned her wide, bright eyes to Tenet. "Did you Da? I love crafts. I do crafts in Mrs. Dinty's class. I like the crinkle paper. Do you know how to make a snowflake in crinkle paper? Maybe we should make crinkle paper snowflakes for Fratz's room! Can we Da? You and me."

  "Well played, wife," Tenet said with a twinkle in his eye. Scarab smiled smugly and ate the rest of her dinner while Tenet attempted to explain to Violet that he took survival courses, not craft classes. Of course it was no use and by the time they were washing the dishes, Tenet gave up.

  "Fine!" he said, throwing his hands in the air. "Crinkle paper snowflakes it is! Do we at least have enough money for crinkle paper?"

  "Oh, we could get a few sheets," Scarab said, coming out of the bathroom. "Time for your bath, Violet."

  "I just got a bath last night!" she whined.

  "Yes, and maybe if you and Mr. Beddick hadn't made mud pies on the way home, you wouldn't need another one tonight."

  Violet's eyes went wide. How did Mumma know they did that? That was all the way back at the school! Some of the kids she knew said Mumma was some kind of witch, that she had powers. While Violet didn't know about all that, she did know that sometimes Mumma knew things that no one else did. Without a word, Violet turned and headed for the bathroom before Mumma used her powers to see what they did with those mud pies.

  As soon as the door closed, Tenet was on Scarab, pinning her against the counter. "Craft classes? Now I'll be making crinkle paper snowflakes until my hands ache!"

  Scarab threw her head back and laughed as Tenet dug his fingers into her sides and tickled her.

  "I don't even know what the hell crinkle paper is! I should demand you sew us up some new curtains just for that!"

  Scarab leaned forward, placing her head on his shoulder and wrapping her arms around his waist. "Crinkle paper is just very rough paper that's been rubbed with wax to help keep the chunky fibers together," she explained. "And you can make your first demand any time you want. I guarantee you'll be making the second 'demand' in an empty house!"

  Tenet grinned and held his wife closer. He would never make demands of her. Ever. They both knew that. There was a loud splash from the bathroom, then a very quiet, "Uh oh."

  Tenet burst out laughing. "Ah yes. The one thing little girls are great at...killing the mood." He smacked another kiss on Scarab's head. "I'll get this if you put the dishes away."

  "Don't slip," Scarab called in warning, knowing there would be water all over the floor. "The last bathroom 'uh oh' almost broke my hip!" When she heard Tenet echo the "uh oh" as he entered the bathroom, she couldn't help but smile to herself as she stacked the dishes and placed them in the cupboard. She turned and leaned on the counter and was once again humbled by the feeling of happiness. She was content. And for someone who spent so much of her life in pain and alone, she marveled at every moment. She wondered how it was she went without so long, how she once thought she'd hate having a family and ties and roots. She was happy, no matter how messy it got, and that never ceased to amaze her.

  Tenet poked his head out of the bathroom door. "Um, a little help in here?"

  Scarab grabbed the dish drying towel and headed to help her husband. And she didn't mind one bit.