A Butter Churn

The farm functioned smoothly that night, with a decent, if plain, dinner prepared, Jonas’s energy boosted to get him through the night, and overnight watch negotiated among the Turhmos soldiers. After once again checking and soothing the house cows, Llew luxuriated in a full, deep sleep, bundled beside, though separately from Jonas, and woke feeling ready to take whatever the day had to throw at her. Jonas, too, seemed brighter on waking. Llew had been sure to give him more blood than what he merely needed for sleeping, no matter how much he assured her she’d given enough. It would never be enough, not while he remained infected.

Sam, who’d taken on the role of primary emissary between the Turhmos soldiers and Llew, reported no signs of search parties in the night. Their own group hadn’t been expected to report back for another day or two, so they supposed they had about that long before anyone suspected trouble in their neighborhood. With so many hands and sets of eyes available, more eggs were found for breakfast, and the first sourdough loaf was baked fresh and sliced to share. Even Karlani didn’t complain at the servings available.

Conversations were cordial, and mostly about running the farm. Extra hands and extra feet meant the whole farm had been explored between them in the earliest light. Rowan, Karlani, Alvaro, and the soldiers collated what they’d learned regarding how many animals required tending and the paddocks available to keep them over breakfast. Llew took particular interest when conversation turned to a small river several paddocks behind the house. It was generally agreed that the fence markers suggested the river indicated a boundary between properties. Care would need to be taken with regards crossing paths with the neighbors, since they had no idea where their loyalties would lie, but it was a relief to know the whole farm didn’t rely on the well as its single water source. And a wade in an isolated swimming hole sounded a preferable way to bathe than in a tub in such a busy household. She suggested as much to Jonas and he agreed.

After breakfast, Rowan headed out to dig through more of Ard’s equipment to see what was already on site. Otherwise, he awaited the return of the soldiers who’d traveled to Hinden, though they were at least a day away, yet. Llew asked him to keep an eye out for the seeds from the ancient Ajnai.

Llew, Jonas, Elka, Sam, and two other Turhmos soldiers, Edwyn and Lyneth, planned to head out to the Ajnais to show the Turhmosians how the blood transfers worked, which would free up Elka. She wanted to study Ard’s ledgers, learn the rhythms of the farm along with plans he’d jotted for the coming months, such as crop and livestock rotations. Sam wasn’t to do the transfers himself, with the risk he might brush up against Jonas and heal his own muscle aches, but he could relieve any aches the others developed in the process.

As soon as she stepped outdoors, Llew’s eye was drawn to the dead Ajnai; an ache lancing her heart at the sight. She strode straight out to it, everything else fading from her awareness. It was the tree that had allowed her to heal Anya – to give back what she had taken – to break some ancient rule. She touched it and it remained silent. It had assured her it would heal. Why was it now dead? They couldn’t afford to keep doing this.

She glanced up into the brown leaves. Such a painful sight. But, off the ends of some branches hung bunches of seeds, just like those left by the ancient Ajnai.

“I thought you couldn’t …”

Of course, there was no response from the dead tree. She moved to the next one over and placed her palm on the living bark. While it didn’t overflow with joy at the gift bestowed by the dead tree, it gave off a sense of grudging acceptance, even some appreciation, for Jonas and what he had done and promised to do for the Aenuks. And Llew couldn’t help the flush of pride in these trees she and her fellow Aenuks relied on and their acceptance of Jonas’s place in her life.

She turned back, beaming at the sorrowful faces, and held her arms above her head. “Seeds! It’s given us seeds. There might be enough for one for every Aenuk. Just imagine …”

They did. She could see it in their faces. Sam came forward, evidently, and rightfully, awed.

“I could plant a tree of my own?”

“I think so.” Llew tried to estimate how many seeds now hung from the dead tree.

How many Aenuks still lived in tiny, plain rooms beneath the Duffirk palace? Llew wished she could’ve opened every door as she’d run that corridor, but then where could they have gone? Then, there had been nowhere for so many free Aenuks. Now, above Llew’s head hung the way forward: Ajnais everywhere.

So it was that despite another dead Ajnai in their midst, Llew rolled up her sleeve and they continued on with the planned blood transfers for Jonas while Elka returned indoors to redirect the remaining Turhmos soldiers to locate a saw to bring the dead Ajnai down and collect its seeds. Llew didn’t love the idea of cutting down the tree, but it was already dead and better off making way for a replacement. Unlike the ancient Ajnai, it wasn’t a community of nature in its own right, its demise a tragedy for sure, but a relatively small cost in the long run. Such cold, practical thoughts seemed to be coming all too easily to Llew, such seemed to be the trajectory of her life. Plants, animals, and people lived and died around her. For some, she had the power to help them live, for others she had to learn to let them go.

Alvaro and Karlani refused to help in any way, disappearing off together and only returning for lunch. By then, some two hundred and forty-seven seeds had been collected from the fallen tree. Sam couldn’t guess at how many Aenuks remained in Turhmos prisons either, so they cautiously only replaced the two trees that had given their lives – for Ard and these seeds – and took the rest of the seeds inside. The store solidified Llew’s plan to bring Aenuks to the farm to give them a chance to learn about the outside world before venturing out on their own, with their very own Ajnai seed. It’s what Merrid and Ard would’ve done, she was sure.

After lunch, Elka finally settled to study Ard’s records. With so many extra hands available, the farm chores were divvied up and Llew was able to relax as much as one might despite having enemies plotting against her. More Turhmos soldiers would come and they would be dealt with. As for Braph, they could only guess at his ultimate plans and where Llew and Jonas might fit within them, and all they could do was what they were already doing: keep Jonas alive, get him to Taither and, hopefully, heal him fully. If they could achieve that with nary another thought spared for Braph, all the better.

Of course, Llew couldn’t ignore the niggle that Braph very likely also had plans that involved their tree in Taither. Plus, he could fly …

And they couldn’t.

Llew and Jonas took some time to wander, continuing to improve Jonas’s competence with his crutches and prosthetic.

Rowan stood at Ard’s workbench inside the three-sided shed where the cart was usually housed, sketching ideas, surrounded by plows and other pieces of equipment Llew had no name nor anticipated function for. Resting his free arm over a large wooden contraption on the bench beside him, he pointedly ignored them when first they approached, concentrating on what he wrote and drew. After a while, he gave them an acknowledging smile before scowling back down at his page.

“A butter churn?” Jonas asked.

Rowan looked up absently, then followed Jonas’s gaze to his armrest.

“Oh! Yes. It certainly is. For now. Elka’s idea. She’s read that spinning blood in something called a centrifuge can make it separate into different components.” He patted the butter churn, then set about illustrating his ideas with expansive gestures, pulling Llew along on his theoretical journey. “We thought, perhaps, if we could isolate the thing in Aenuk blood that allows Bra— people to do magic, it might make it easier to make crystals with the machinery we have here on the farm, compared to working with whole blood. Even if we could inject it, your body wouldn’t have to waste energy healing itself from the damage caused by blood transfusions, which should mean you would need less blood for the same effect. It’s a sound theory, anyway. I’m doing some calculations on what the existing butter churn size and gearing might achieve … I’m going to have to modify it … a lot. So, if you were wanting to make butter, I’d do that today.” He flashed a grin. “Well, really you’ve got a couple of days. I need parts that will be coming from Hinden.”

“We have no cream,” Llew murmured absently, her mind reeling at the new information. She supposed she didn’t have to fully understand what Rowan had in mind. Between him and Elka, they knew more about the human body and engineering than Llew would likely ever comprehend. “The cows!” In all the excitement of discovering the Ajnai seeds, Llew had forgotten to check on the cows that morning. She ran back to the small shed, grabbed the fragrant oil and headed into the paddock to soothe and administer to the cows, apologizing to them profusely. She loved the idea of settling here at the farm, but it was going to take some getting used to after a lifetime of only having to look out for herself. She took a few extra moments to check their water was clean and full. The Turhmos soldiers had been taking care of those needs, thankfully. And already there was a clear improvement in their udders. Still, they couldn’t afford for her to forget them like that. She apologized to them again and promised to do better.

She returned to the large shed, where Rowan crouched before Jonas who had the trouser leg that usually covered the prosthetic rolled up.

“I wanted to see how the leg was holding up so far, given we’ve had a few challenging days.” Rowan pressed Jonas’s thigh flesh, pushing it back from where it disappeared into the large cup of the prosthetic.

Jonas’s eyes flared and he focused somewhere into the recesses of the shed.

“The prosthetic’s doing fine, but it’s rubbing, huh?” Rowan released Jonas’s thigh, pushed the trouser leg down and stood, looking down at Jonas who didn’t bother to meet his eye. “You’re not used to asking for help, are you?”

“Llew helps me. It’s enough.”

Rowan smiled kindly. It was probably best Jonas still didn’t look up at him. Llew suspected he would interpret that look as condescending. “She’s giving you blood to keep you alive. She wouldn’t have to give as much if you said the leg was rubbing and gave me the chance to adjust it.”

Jonas flinched at those words, glancing apologetically at Llew, who had seen no signs of rubbing when she helped him remove the prosthetic at night. But, of course, she gave him blood right before bed.

“There hasn’t been time.” Llew squeezed Jonas’s shoulder briefly. “But we do need to know what we’re dealing with.”

“I wasn’t tryin’ to hide it from you. It just ain’t been a problem when we’ve had a moment to talk.”

“We can add padding for now.” Rowan gestured for Jonas to sit on a tall stool by the workbench. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to grab my tools from my workshop, just managed to pack some basics from Ma’s place. But if our new friends managed to fulfill my entire order – and that mister— Lord Gaemil didn’t balk too much at the prices – I can mold you a new leg specifically for you.” Rowan had pushed Jonas’s trouser leg up again and unbuckled the prosthetic, exposing reddened skin, some threatening to blister. “Still, it’s going to do you even more good to take a break from wearing the leg. Probably most of the time.”

“And when the next group of soldiers come?”

Rowan gave Jonas a meaningful look. “Those who’ve joined us will give us more chance of settling things diplomatically than you standing before them on two feet. This isn’t Quaver. You’re not the hero here.”

Jonas froze. He didn’t look angry. More like he’d been smacked in the face with his own worst self-belief.

Llew gripped his shoulder. “Maybe not to most of those on the farm but you are mine.”

“Oh, I didn’t—” Rowan looked between Jonas and Llew. “Sorry, I suppose that was the wrong thing to say. I didn’t realize …”

Llew silenced him with a shake of her head. “We’re adjusting.” She gestured to Jonas’s stump. “And we need to heal that.” The syringes were back at the house, the Ajnais in the cartway. “You, stay.” She wouldn’t submit Jonas to hopping back to the trees, so she returned shortly after with Lyneth and Sam in tow, and they set about once more pressing Llew’s blood into Jonas’s vein. Sam drew Llew’s blood because he could always heal, even from injuries sustained when Llew accidentally healed off him, while Lyneth injected Jonas, neither of them posing a risk to each other. After only a couple of syringes, Jonas’s skin had cooled and smoothed. Still, Llew insisted on a few more to boost his energy for the afternoon. She headed back to the Ajnais with Sam, and returned to find Jonas standing again, insisting to Rowan his leg felt much better, thank you.

Llew added her own thanks, which Rowan brushed off as unnecessary and turned back to the butter churn. “Now I need to figure out if I can gear it so anyone can spin it fast enough or if we’re going to have to ask Karlani …“

Llew made a sound in the back of her throat. “Try to gear it for anyone. I’d rather not rely on Karlani for anything.”

“Fair. I’ll see what I can come up with.”

They thanked Rowan again and left him to his calculations.

“I know he’s a good guy, but that stuff reminds me of Braph,” Llew said when they were out of earshot. She kept wanting to reach out with her hand that hung between them, but Jonas’s hands were occupied with his crutches. It it reminded her of the distance between them after Aris’s attack. No, touching Jonas wouldn’t kill him this time, but it would hinder his movement.

Jonas responded with one of his non-committal grunts.

They turned past the chicken shed and headed through a gate.

Sheep stopped to watch them, alert but not running. A few had distended bellies, while most either had lambs at foot or playing in a group nearby. Llew hoped Ard had made good husbandry notes for the sheep. It seemed he’d kept more than he and Merrid were likely to eat in a year. Did he have a family somewhere expecting meat for next winter? Did they sell wool? There was so much to consider in terms of the farm, but Llew wouldn’t be putting much thought to it until Jonas’s life was assured. She almost laughed to think how nice it was of Turhmos to send them helping hands.

They crested a low, broad hill and looked down upon a most inviting river, its bank dotted by trees; some towering, many stubby bushes providing minimal cover. That seemed not to bother Karlani and Alvaro at all, as they clung to each other, water most of the way up Alvaro’s thighs as he pressed Karlani against a boulder, her legs wrapped around him, barely getting wet.

“Uhm. Can’t say I didn’t have much the same in mind, actually.” Llew smirked at Jonas.

“I can’t do that anymore.” Jonas’s sense of humor seemed to have disappeared.

“Well, no. I had slightly different …” Llew realized she hadn’t taken her eyes off the couple and turned her back to them, cleared her throat.

Jonas watched her, deadpan, and turned back to the river.

Karlani’s moans rose above the ambient cacophony of flowing water, bending leaves, baaing lambs and their mothers. Without looking back, Llew figured it meant Karlani, at least, knew they were there. She and Alvaro had been there when Edwyn gave Llew the directions. As her initial shock eased, Llew could think of a few choice words for the couple.

“You save her life and this is how they show their gratitude?” Jonas looked at Llew again, though he kept his body facing the water, apparently not infected with the same awkwardness as Llew.

“Well, it is Karlani. I never expected thanks. I’d rather she was gone. It’s just …”

“She’s Syakaran.”

Llew screwed up her face and met Jonas’s gaze. “Yeah.”

Jonas held that gaze a few moments, then turned back to watch the now quietened couple. Llew fought the urge to look back. She had little doubt in their current state of undress. Sure, she’d seen Alvaro naked before, and Karlani wasn’t known for leaving much to the imagination. In that moment, Llew wished she didn’t have such a reliable mind’s eye image of the couple. With her thoughts already turning to the prospect of such activities with Jonas, her body had been cultivating the rest of the mood. It wasn’t a combination she relished.

“I said we were planning to come here, didn’t I?”

“You did.”

“And they just …”

“They have.” Jonas murmured, still watching the couple.

Llew didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. Crying was tempting. Certainly, her own plans were shattered. Just a bath, then. But, damn it. Karlani and Alvaro shouldn’t have had that kind of power over her. Besides, if Jonas was going to face Braph – and there was little reason to doubt he would – they needed Llew to carry his baby, if it was still possible. This wasn’t about a frivolous fling. This was a matter of life and death.

“They’re comin’.”

“It’s not even like we’re in a building. They could leave in any direction.” Still, Llew kept her back to them.

Jonas barely had time to inhale before Karlani reached them, slowing to a normal walking pace in time to push between them, knocking Jonas. He flung a crutch out wide, catching himself to prevent toppling completely.

Karlani turned to face Llew. “The water’s nice. Captain.” She flicked a hand by her head in a derogatory salute. “And, ah, the area’s safe.” She shrugged.

“So, you came out here to check it was safe, that it?” Llew kept her chin raised. I am dangerous . Even to a super fast and super strong Syakaran. A large part of her trembled at the idea of actually having to fight Karlani – she knew how that would turn out – but she focused on projecting confidence. I am dangerous .

“Sure. Yeah. Must be something in the air here.”

Llew shared a look with Jonas. His held a glimmer of the anger he would’ve dished out, had he had the energy to spare.

“What? It’s not like you own it.”

“No. But—” Llew didn’t know how to put all her thoughts into words, or if they’d be worth wasting on Karlani if she did.

In the absence of known heirs, Llew was confident Merrid and Ard would pass the farm to her, certainly out of everyone currently residing there. Regardless, Llew was supposed to be the leader here, however reluctant or out of her depth she was. They’d all agreed that, under the circumstances, it made sense. Karlani’s attitude felt like an unnecessary waste of energy to deal with and, without knowing why Karlani was behaving as she was, Llew couldn’t formulate a response.

Finally, Alvaro approached the top of the hill at a trudge. “You didn’t have to make it look so easy.”

Karlani rolled her eyes. “Did I unman you with my athletic prowess?”

“No unmanning here, as you well know.”

Llew was tempted to roll her own eyes, but Alvaro was drawing level with Jonas and she didn’t like the way Alvaro eyed him up and down. She took a breath to warn Alvaro not to do anything stupid. Jonas must’ve read something in Alvaro’s manner, too, as he lifted a crutch between them. It wasn’t enough. Alvaro shoved Jonas, sending the weakened Syakaran sprawling, one crutch flying from his grasp and out of reach.

“Hey!” Llew took a step towards the smirking Alvaro. Karlani turned back to face Llew, her hands rising.

Time slowed to a near standstill.

Llew brought her own hands up. Against the Syakaran speed, she was far too slow to block. And yet, as Karlani’s hands grabbed Llew’s head, she was aware of her own hand gripping a forearm. Llew’s neck twisted, wrenched. Pain. There was nothing but pain. And a pop. And darkness.