The Rumbling River
“Your son may soon long for days like this one.”
After leaving the city of Dunport with no where to go, Inahtuu heads north at the behest of Geralt, the owner of the Bard’s Inn. After a few days of travel he happens upon a group of travelers heading in a similar direction as he.
With the bread in his bag gone stale and little else to eat, Inahtuu decided to rest early. The midday sun beat down, soaking him in both sweat and insufferable heat.
The road he was on was flattened by both wheel and hoof. The map he’d accepted from Daichi was as good as the old man had claimed - surprising, considering the man had likely lost his vision decades ago.
Cunningham Estates sat 150 miles north of Dunport and the trip was just as picturesque as Daichi’s map made it seem. The Toris River flowed south from the heart of the estate until it ran into the sea. Just beyond the river lay the eastern edge of Athea and the sheer cliffs there overlooked the Blue Expanse. Inahtuu lost at least a day or two early in his trip taking in its majesty.
For now, the river provided an ideal place to rest. Inahtuu knelt and dipped his cupped hands into the cool water and brought them to his face. He refilled his makeshift cup and this time ran the water through his locs, which fell loosely down his back.
A man’s voice sounded from behind him. Close. “Why, hello there!”
Without turning, Inahtuu instinctively reached for his ya’rosa and scanned his flanks. Both were clear.
“I did not mean to frighten you, friend. In fact, my intentions were quite the opposite.”
“Don’t mind him. My apologies for the disturbance,” a young woman replied. She was a bit closer. Her voice steady.
Inahtuu stood, water still trickling down his face. He let his ya’rosa hang by his side, but his grip remained firm. Before him stood a group of three. An aging, yet fit man, a woman twice his size and half his age, and a child no more than 10 years old, who ran full speed towards the river.
“Mother, can I get in?!” the little boy yelled over his shoulder as he bolted past his mother.
“Yes, but be careful, my love.” By the time she’d spoken the boy had already yanked his tunic over his head and was breeches deep in the water just behind Inahtuu.
For the first time in a long time a soft smile came across Inahtuu’s face.
“I like to say the boy is like a tempest just before a harvest. Exactly what you need, just a bit too much of it.” The man laughed at his own joke- he was the only one.
This family was close knit, that much was clear. They traveled light, with nothing visible but waterskins. Inahtuu could see two horses tied up behind them, each with a few bags slung over their backs. No weapons. At this, Inahtuu placed the pommel of his ya’rosa in the dirt and relaxed.
“Once again, please pardon my father. He says a lot, but only thinks before half of it. My name is Faye, my father’s is Nicolas.” The woman matched Inahtuu’s smile with her own and looked past him at the boy.
“And my son there, his name is Cole.”
Inahtuu turned to see the boy swimming happily. He couldn’t help but think of his own mother, of her indulgence of his boyish behavior and her desire to see him explore. Take risks. Have fun. Faye cleared her throat when Inahtuu hesitated, lost in thought. “And you are?”
He hesitated as he considered her question. “I am Inahtuu Kinisc. It is a pleasure to meet you, Faye.”
After Faye and Nicolas had filled their skins and watered the horses, the three sat together, backs to the rumbling river, Cole’s laughter and the occasional horse whinny the only other sounds. Inahtuu hadn’t had anyone to speak to since he left the Bard’s Inn and Geralt’s brief company. He was pleased to have companions.
After taking a swig from his skin, Nicolas spoke up. “Inahtuu, where is it you’re headed? A man all alone carrying nothing but a bag, a skin, and a staff can’t be going too far.”
“I’m making for the Cunningham Estates, I’ve been told I will find work there.”
“Aye. The Cunningham’s have lorded these lands since the day’s of the Empire.” Nicolas stared blankly, as though he’d fallen into his own daydream.
“That’s a queer thresher you have there. You a farmer?” Faye gestured towards Inahtuu’s ya’rosa
Inahtuu chuckled. “Seems so. What brings the three of you here?”
“We are on our way to Riverburgh to see the Queen’s Justiciar and the traveling court. It’s time he see his first execution.” Faye responded.
Cole giggled profusely as a horse nibbled out of his palm.
Inahtuu’s eyes shot up to meet Faye’s. Her face didn’t stir. To her right, Nicolas finally came to and spoke. “I was a boy of five or six when my mother and father took me to see the court. We followed them from Densewood, to Norligh, then back to Annsbury. Lady Bolisk’s grandsire was Justiciar back then.” He grinned at the memory.
Inahtuu looked at Cole, then Faye and to Nicholas. “Cole is just a child. He need not see such things, no?”
Faye and her father looked at one another. Faye covered her mouth with her hand to politely conceal her laughter. Nicolas guffawed and almost fell backwards into the river.
“But if I may, where are you from, Inahtuu?” Faye laid a hand on her father’s shoulder in an attempt to quiet him.
Inahtuu said nothing.
“Here in The Republic Kingdom it is a right of passage to see the Queen’s court. Cole has been asking for this since the death of his father. My husband always spoke about his first time seeing the court’s justice enacted.” Faye looked lovingly at Cole and continued, “I say spoke, but his father was so enthralled by his first trip that he sang of it for the rest of his days - that and many other things.”
“Wherever it is you’re from, do they spare children from fulfilling the wishes of their fathers?” Faye’s head tilted in anticipation of his answer.
Inahtuu’s mind began to race. He saw the training yard, felt the sting of his father’s blows. He smelled the open sea, and heard the wailing. A first born child on the Islands of Kavana learned of life quickly, indeed.
Faye continued to watch Inahtuu as he reflected. The first man he’d captured. Those he’d maimed. The babies he’d ripped from their mother’s arms.
Nicolas appeared done with his fit of laughter and broke the silence. “Faye, now, don’t be rude. The man has little understanding of our customs, same as the rest of the Ga’nga’bi.”
Perturbed, Inahtuu stood, the sky now a soft purple, the sun a thin blazing line on the horizon, and reached for his things. “I am grateful for your company. It was a pleasure to meet you both, truly.” He paused, considering.
“Where I’m from, children are groomed early for service. Many of us have few memories of anything but.”
Inahtuu met Faye’s eyes, curious and thoughtful in the dying light. “Your son may soon long for days like this one.”