Guardians of the Light (Book One of The Nebril Riverland Chronicles)

  Chapter 2

  Jalya opened her mouth to answer, but before any sound could come out, the deep voice of Reverend Grell boomed across the pews, and silence fell over the crowd.

  "Welcome everyone to our very special Sunday service," he smiled warmly. "Please take your seats; we have a lot to do this morning."

  There was much shuffling as everyone found a place to sit. Jalya and I sat together, as we always did, next to Salare, a girl we knew from school. The Reverend waited patiently behind the altar for the crowd to settle. My eyes scanned the room nervously, observing all the single young men. I had known each one of them for most of my life, since we had all been in school together for ten years. During those years I had fancied a few of them and dreamt about marrying one after another.

  However, faced now with the reality of being bound to one of them for life, I didn't think any of them looked good. As I watched the boys squirming uneasily on the pews with mocking smirks on their faces, I doubted that any one of them would ever grow into a good man like my father. I resigned myself to the hope that I would at least get one of the better looking ones like Lenal.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement at the front of the church and turned to see that Reverend Grell had left the altar and was speaking with a man whom I had not noticed when I first came in. Though how I could have missed him was a mystery. Not only had I never seen him before, which was an unusual occurrence in our small community, but the man himself was just so strange looking. He was dark, with black hair and tanned skin, though not the sun kissed kind of tan that came from hours of working in the fields, but rather an even tone that stayed all year long. As his eyes flitted over the crowd, I was sure that they were also dark, rather than the blue-green color that was typical of those in the village. In fact, there had never been anyone in Carper's Village with brown eyes except for Ashel, Jalya's younger brother.

  When Ashel was born, that one feature was noticed right away: brown eyes! I was too young to remember the event, but I had heard tales of the uproar it created in the community throughout my entire life. Blue eyes, green eyes, either was acceptable, as was any mix of blue-green, but never brown. This meant the blood of an outsider, that Jalya's mother Hallen had been unfaithful. Special meetings were called and the elders discussed what to do about this abomination for weeks. It was finally decided that she and her son must be removed from the community. Early one morning, before the others rose, members of the church clergy entered Jalya's house and forcibly removed Hallen and Ashel. She was allowed to grab a few belongings before they were taken by horse and cart to the forest just outside of the village.

  It was expected that they would be taken away or killed by someone from the Twelve Clans. The clans were tribes of nomadic woodland people that occasionally wandered close to the village. It was the general opinion of our people that the clanspeople were dirty, sadistic heathens, though I had never seen evidence of that. However, the stories we were told of their atrocities had haunted our dreams since childhood. And Hallen and her baby had been thrown right into their territory.

  Even if Hallen managed to keep out of harm's way, she and Ashel would almost certainly starve to death. They weren't allowed back into the village for food and no one could take it to them without bringing the same horrible fate upon themselves. But somehow Hallen and her son survived in the rugged landscape. She built a small cabin on the outskirts of town, just far enough into the forest to avoid trouble from the church. This allowed her to be close to Jalya, so she could remain in contact with her as she grew up.

  After the banishment of his wife, Jalya's father became very distant and withdrawn, just barely seeing to her basic needs. By the time she was three years old, Jalya was pretty much raising herself. She spent a great deal of time at my house, where my mother would make sure she was fed and washed. Then eventually she began to wander off to Hallen's house in the woods. Most everyone in the village knew that she was sneaking off to visit her mother, but they turned a blind eye to it.

  As I grew older and had more freedom to explore on my own, I would often accompany Jalya to visit Hallen and Ashel, despite several warnings and finally punishments from my parents. I became quite close to them over the years and wished pitifully at this moment that Ashel was the one with which I was to be united. Even though he was almost two years younger than I was, he would still make a better husband than the flock of unsophisticates that sat inside the church. Unfortunately Ashel would never be given a wife, not in this community anyway.

  My thoughts were interrupted by Jalya's sharp whisper. "Who is that well-groomed fella talking to the Reverend?"

  "I have no idea," I responded, turning my glance once again to the mysterious stranger. "I was just wondering that myself. He is dressed up rather nicely, isn't he?"

  "It's not hard to look good next to the men in this town. I wonder if he's here looking for a wife....might be a little old, but nice to look at, nonetheless. I'd love to marry a man that would take me away from this place."

  "You just want to marry him because he has brown eyes; that would really piss off your daddy!"

  "Emerin!" Jalya laughed at my crude language, something that was distinctly frowned upon at any time, but especially in church. "Yeah, it really would, wouldn't it!"

  At that moment Reverend Grell broke off his conversation with the handsome stranger and returned to the altar, silencing our giggles with his baritone voice.

  "Quiet please, everyone...we are ready to begin the ceremony," he waited for the crowd to settle before continuing. "Today is a very special Sunday. As you all know, when a young lady in our community turns seventeen years of age, she is united with an eligible young man. The elders deliberate extensively over these engagements to find the best match for each of you. This week we turn our attention to Emerin Gareth. Today she, and the rest of our fine congregation, will find out who the elders have chosen to be her husband."

  The Reverend gestured dramatically at the crowd with a sweep of his arm. The church pews creaked as everyone turned to look at me once again. I stared at my shoes, hoping no one would notice the redness that I could feel creeping across my cheeks.

  "But who will the lucky man be?" he questioned, darting his wild eyes toward each of the young men. "Which one of you will get to spend the rest of your life with this beautiful young woman? A very good question, isn't it Bainie?"

  The Reverend's lively eyes stopped to rest upon Bainie who was wrestling with a container that he held, desperately trying to get to the food inside. When he felt everyone in the church turn toward him, he dropped it onto his lap and smiled sheepishly.

  I gripped the sides of the chair as the panic welled up in my throat. What if it was him? I felt tension building in the back of my neck and that familiar dull ache growing behind my left eye that signaled a headache was on its way. I'd been having a lot of those lately and they had been steadily getting worse each time. As the Reverend droned on about the virtues and tribulations of marriage, I took several deep, shaky breaths and fought the urge to flee the church. Jalya, apparently noticing my distress, grabbed my hand, wrenching it from its place on the chair, and squeezed it tightly. We both looked up as the Reverend paused his speech and gazed playfully into the crowd.

  "Well, I won't keep you all in suspense any longer," he said. "Emerin will be united with Polin and Germand's son, Callum Rony!"

  With a dramatic flourish, Reverend Grell swept his arm across the altar in the direction of Callum, a man who was two years older than I was. I knew him, as I knew everyone in the village, but not very well. My heart pounded heavily as I looked at him now, carefully studying his features...too tall, a little on the thin side, too many freckles, and his nose...something just was not right about his nose! What were the elders thinking? I swallowed hard as I tried to focus on the positive aspects of this situation. After all, it could have been worse. I looked over at Bainie, who had now successfully opened his container and was cheerfully eating a san
dwich, happy that the crowd's attention was no longer directed at him. It could have been so much worse. This realization did nothing to soothe the growing pain in my head, however, and I winced slightly as the light from the window hit my eyes.

  "The two of you will pass the next few weeks getting better acquainted with one another," the Reverend continued. "You will spend much time alone together to ready yourselves to be husband and wife. Callum will be spending more time with his father, as he continues to hone his farming skills. Emerin will spend extra time with her mother learning how to be a good wife and mother and how to best tend house and raise children. You will shrug off the innocence of childhood, and prepare yourselves for the responsibilities of your adult roles. It will be a time of incredible transition, and amazing growth." He smiled at both of us in turn, a mocking smile I thought. He knew exactly how bad it would be.

  "Beginning next week, Emerin and Callum will also take marriage classes together with me, every Sunday after church. Marriage is a sacred union that the church does not take lightly. We must see that you are adequately prepared before the ceremony, which will be held in exactly six weeks’ time, after our Sunday service."

  Farming. Callum was from a farming family too. I assumed that Jalya didn't think of him when she was assessing who the elders would pick for me. I turned to glare at her, but I couldn't manage any look that required more energy than sadness. Jalya looked at me and mouthed the words, "I'm sorry." It was all I could do not to cry, yet I tried not to show it, as everyone was looking at me yet again.

  If Callum had any feelings, positive or negative, about the situation, he wasn't letting them be known. His face betrayed no hint of emotion, except a small grin at whatever it was that his friends were saying to him. I cast a sideways glance at my parents and found them still smiling. It figured that my father would be happy with me marrying a farmer; he'd have lots to talk to him about, I supposed.

  Suddenly everyone in the church seemed to have something to say and the buzzing of a hundred conversations reverberated in my ears. My head throbbed with the sound, as if keeping time with my beating heart. Of course, everyone kept looking from me to Callum and back, judging for a reaction. I did my best not to give them any, hoping that I was not too obviously wincing in pain. Reverend Grell stood at the altar and waited for the madness to settle.

  "Alright," he boomed, silencing the last stray chatter, "now that we've gotten that out of the way, it's on to our next order of business." He turned and gestured toward the mysterious stranger. "This is David Harris of Nebril City. He will be here for a few days, selling his wares to the good people of our village. He has cookware, building materials, clothing, tobacco..." He stopped to nod at my father, who grinned ecstatically in response. He had been running low. "....and many other essentials that you may be in need of. So don't be shy, come and see him after the service to see what he can do for you."

  Jalya and I exchanged glances and seemingly came to the realization at the same time. Of course this man, David, was a Nebril; he had the look. Nebril City was a huge settlement that lay far to the other side of our eastern mountains. From what I'd heard, to get there meant traveling through a dense forest with many dangers and crossing the turbulent Nebril River on the other side. Occasionally, one or two Nebril would pass through the village, selling items that we did not make ourselves. It was quite rare, however, as the trip from their city was so long and arduous, they didn't want to make it too often. But what everyone did notice during their visits is that they all had a look that was quite different than ours. They were taller generally and thinner, with long faces, dark hair, brown eyes and olive skin. This man fit that description precisely.

  Reverend Grell began his sermon, but, with all that was going on in my head, I could not pay attention. So rather than listening, I began to consider my options. I figured David must have a cart where he kept all his merchandise. Maybe he would let me hide in it somewhere and I could go with him to Nebril City. He would know how to navigate the forest and all of its dangers. He would certainly know what lay on the other side of those hills.

  I wondered what the city was like and tried to imagine myself living there. I'd heard there were places where they served you food and other places where people put on shows. Some people said that the Nebril never die, that they live forever, though my mother always said that was nonsense. Maybe Jalya would want to come with me; she was always talking about getting out of the village. Maybe Ashel, and Hallen too. Wait, that might be too many people to fit in his cart....

  A sharp nudge in my ribcage rudely interrupted me from my thoughts. Jalya grinned at me. "Daydreaming about Callum already, eh? Oh, I'm sorry Emerin, that's not even the least bit funny, is it? And I'm usually right about what I hear. Well, what we need now is a plan....hey, maybe we can stow you away in that Nebril man's cart!"

  I couldn't help but laugh. Jalya and I were so in tune sometimes. Then I realized that everyone was rising from the pews and talking amongst themselves. I had mentally missed the entire sermon, though certainly not because I was thinking about Callum...not in a good way anyway.

  Salare wiggled in her chair. "Oooh, I have to go talk to that foreign salesman," she gushed, "but I'm nervous; he's so handsome." She turned to Jalya. "Do I look alright?"

  "As pretty as ever," Jalya said, with just a hint of sarcasm.

  "Good. I'll tell you what he says later if you want." She turned to go, then turned back. "Oh yeah, and congratulations on what’s-his-name, Emerin." Then she was off, flying to the front of the room, her skirt swirling out on the floor behind her.

  "Uh, thanks," I mumbled, not sure whether or not she actually meant to be sincere.

  Jalya glared after her. "Isn't her birthday coming up next? She'd better not get Lenal!"

  "Come on," I said, disgusted. "Let's just get out of here." I didn't want to think about matching day any longer, anybody's matching day. I just wanted to get on with my day and forget about the prospect of becoming Callum's wife for as long as I could. In the corner of the church, my parents were chatting again. Between my upcoming marriage and the strange visitor from the city, I was sure that they would have a lot to talk about, which meant that I would probably be here forever.

  "Let’s go outside and wait for them," Jalya suggested, looking in the direction of her father. He was talking to Miss Telly who worked at the trading post, and who also happened to be a widow. "Ugh, he's always looking for a new wife...making sure Reverend Grell sees him talking to her too, so maybe he'll grant it. Like anyone would want to be with a drunk like him."

  Jalya turned and walked toward the door without waiting to see if I followed. I couldn't blame her for the resentment she held for her father, and for the whole town for that matter. I pushed my way through the crowd, attempting to make it to the door as well, when I heard someone calling my name.

  "Emerin, Emerin, are you listening to me?" It became apparent that it was my mother's voice, so I pretended I didn't hear, because I really wanted to be outside and away from all of the prying eyes. Unfortunately, she was just as determined and squeezed between the people that were blocking the aisle so she could reach out and grab my arm. "Emerin! Did you not hear me?"

  "Mama?" I feigned surprised. "Oh, no, I didn't. I'm just meeting Jalya outside. She seems to be upset about something and I think she needs to talk...."

  "I'm sure Jalya will be fine. You can talk to her later. Right now I have some people I want you to meet."

  I groaned on the inside, as I followed her back into the crowd, feeling what little good spirits I had about this ordeal finally being over slip away. All that was left was the incessant pain in my head. My mother led me back to my father and another couple.

  "Here she is!" my mother exclaimed nervously. "Emerin, I want you to meet Germand and Polin. These are Callum's parents, honey."

  Again, the urge to run, yet my legs and arms felt frozen. My arm felt about fifty pounds when I lifted it to shake hands, first with Polin, t
hen Germand. Polin was delicate looking and would have been quite pretty, except, well, I saw that Callum had inherited his nose from her. Germand was muscular and gruff, much like my own father, except he seemed more serious. They were warm and polite as they greeted me, and I tried my best to smile through the pain that was now overtaking the left side of my head.

  "Nice to meet you," I croaked.

  "Are you okay, my dear?" Polin asked with what seemed to be genuine concern. "Don't worry, our son really is a nice boy. And good around the farm too. He'll be a good provider and a good husband. You'll see." She turned to my mother. "Everyone is nervous on their matching day."

  "I'm sorry," I said. "I'm sure he is. I just have a bit of a headache, that's all."

  Polin and Germand exchanged concerned glances, then looked back at me with identical fake smiles. I knew they were just as disappointed in the match as I was. Their daughter-in-law was going to be weird Emerin with the headaches, Emerin who wandered off toward the mountains in a trance. The whole village knew; I had left class, church and community events with no apparent reason. I'd even wandered off in the middle of the night unannounced. The urge to wander always accompanied these headaches, but as I grew older, I became more able to control it, and I'd been running away less and less.

  Some of the elders thought that I had been bewitched, perhaps by a wild wood clansman during one of my visits to Hallen and Ashel. I thought this was ridiculous and so did my parents, but that didn't relieve the embarrassment and social stigma that came with having me as a daughter. They were probably thrilled that the elders had agreed to marry me off at all.

  "Well, Emerin darlin', sounds like what you need is some fresh air," said my father, just a little too enthusiastically. "Your mother and I are going to go to Germand and Polin's house for some tea. We thought that you and Callum could talk on their front porch, y'know, now that it's warming up and all......get to know each other a little better."

  I turned to my mother. "But Mama, Jalya...."

  "Oh, don't worry about Jalya now. She'll be fine. You can go visit her this afternoon....if she's home that is."

  Seeing absolutely no way to get out of this, I kept quiet and decided to just get through it somehow. Who knew, maybe Callum would be nice and we'd get along. It might not be so bad. Germand motioned to Callum who was still across the room, talking amongst the mob that had gathered around David the Nebril. An irritated look crossed his face and he and his strange looking nose fought through the crowd over to where we stood. When he saw me standing there he smiled, but I could tell it was the same kind of forced smile that I'd been decorating my face with all day. His eyes were a really nice colour of deep green. Well, that was something at least.

  "Hi, uuh, Emerin," he stammered.

  "Hi, Callum," I replied, and could think of nothing else to say.

  "Well, let's be off then," Germand growled. "And Callum, I don't want to see you talkin' to that city boy again, y'hear? You don't need anything he's sellin'"

  "Yes, Papa."

  "Those Nebril, they bring nothing but trouble." With that he turned and walked out the door of the church. He didn't have to fight his way through the crowd like everyone else; it just sort of parted for his massive frame. The rest of us were left with nothing to do but follow.

  Once out in the sunshine, I could feel that the air was getting warmer and I no longer needed my shawl. My parents walked ahead with Polin and Germand, so I had no choice but to walk behind them next to Callum. Jalya was standing next to the river, talking to a couple of boys that we had gone to school with. She saw me leaving the church with Callum and her initial look of confusion quickly changed into one of disgusted understanding. She knew what was expected and that I had no choice. It was my turn to mouth, "I'm sorry" in her direction, and she waved in response. I turned my head back toward Callum and my future, the throbbing in my head having, fortunately, subsided a little. He was a little too tall, but who knew, maybe I would like him. Maybe he'd even be the man of my dreams.