Rojuun Read Free

was.
    Liselle was a pretty young woman, the kind
who would find an unpleasant life in many of the cities Tathan had
traveled through. The thought made him look back down to the food
on his plate. He missed the worried looks his family exchanged.
    “You worry me, son. I’ve said it twice and I
say it again. You look haunted.” His mother’s face was filled with
concern. “Tathan, what happened in your time away?”
    It was a difficult question to answer.
“Well. . .” Tathan sighed. “I . . . don’t know. A lot of things
have happened. I’ve seen . . . things.” He looked around the room
for a way to escape the conversation. There was nothing of help.
“The world isn’t peaceful like it is here. Please, Mother, what
matters is that I’m here.”
    Ellin smiled sadly at her son. “Of course,
my dear Tathan. You’re here and that truly is what matters.” She
smiled and reached for his hand, taking hold of it with her own
calloused hands. “It’s so good to see you. I’ve worried so much
since you left.” Tathan returned both her smile and her grip.
    “How long are you here, Tathan? For good or
just visiting?” Laremy asked in a deep voice, which was warm and
welcoming.
    “I don’t know honestly. I didn’t even
realize I was coming home until I saw the trail through the
mountains. There it was, and I was traveling on it.” Tathan gave
them a wry smile. He had been escaping from troubles in the south
and hadn’t realized he was near the trail until coming to a small
village at the base of the mountains.
    Scott nodded toward the sword on Tathan’s
hip. “You seem to know how to wield that thing. I probably wouldn’t
be much of a challenge for you with my pitchfork, would I?”
    “I’m sorry, Scott, but no. I . . . am
dangerous when a sword is in my hand,” Tathan said. He didn’t want
to hurt anyone, especially not his family. “You may have noticed
that I. . .” He found himself pausing a lot. He didn’t like talking
about himself. “I’ll be very careful not to hurt you. I promise.”
Instead of reassuring his family, his words made their eyes widen
in worry. Tears of sadness flowed down his mother’s cheeks again.
“Here now, mother. Don’t cry for me. I’m alright, really,” he
said.
    Ellin fanned herself with her hand,
controlling her tears. “Oh I know, dear. I just worry. I can see
you’ve grown, but I also see that peace eludes you.”
    Tathan gave a short laugh. “True, but I
found the adventure I wanted.” He took her hands into his and held
them to his forehead. “I love you, mother.”
    Ellin sobbed into her son’s shoulder for a
few moments. Sherrie and Liselle dabbed at tears that formed in
their eyes at the emotional moment.
    After finishing breakfast, they moved to the
living room and talked for a bit about life in the valley. The
weather was an important subject. Winter had been mild and spring
had started strong, giving the men hope for good crops and gardens.
Hunting and gathering supplemented small crops of vegetables and
grains. The sheep that roamed were used for food as well. Life was
good, if simple.
    Tathan avoided talking about his travels
when asked, preferring to listen to his family. He felt his eyes
beginning to droop before long.
    “Laremy and I were going hunting for deer
today. We should get going if we want to be back before nightfall.
Would you like to go with us, Tathan?” Scott asked as he pulled a
bow and quiver off of the wall. Laremy grabbed his as well.
    “No. . . Thank you. I haven’t had sleep in a
couple of days, so I wouldn’t be much use to you.” Tathan did feel
tired, but it was a relaxed tired. It was good to feel warm and
safe for the first time in what seemed like an eternity.
    “Liselle, get your cousin set up in the east
bedroom. He’ll be comfortable there, I’m sure,” Sherrie said.
    “Yes, mother,” Liselle responded and then
turned to Tathan. “You probably know the way, but I’ll show you
anyway.” She beamed a