Chapter 15
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“Well gal, I see you’re back.” Brin’s father says to Brin with no fanfare or anything. “At least you brought some women folk to help out.” And with that he turns and walks back into the house where he bellows at his wife to come out and see to us.
Brin gives us an apologetic look, once his has left. Brin’s brothers, after hearing their father’s call of company, come tumbling out of the house. Her brothers on the other hand don’t say anything once they see us. They just follow us with greasy, hungry eyes. Catherine and Diana are not bothered by them, but their stares have Alys so unnerved, she clutches my arm and ducks her head. She is not ready for this kind of scrutiny. I give them all an icy stare in return.
Brin waves the boys actions aside and says to us. “Come in and meet my Ma. She’ll be glad y’all came.” We follow Brin in, making sure to stick close together.
The interior of the farm house is neat as pin, but shabby. Old wall paper that is pealing on the edges go the ceiling. The wood floor looks scuffed and unpolished. The windows have curtains over the boarded up missing glass, trying to give the house a homey feel to it; only to miss that impression by the lack of furnishings except for a few old crates and a very tattered couch.
Brin, leads us directly to her kitchen, where she knows her mother spends most of her time. Her mother turns out to be a big woman. Strong bones and wide hips but she has soft eyes, that seem to be in world of her own. Her face lights up on seeing her daughter. It is good to know at least one person is happy to see Brin.
“Oh god!” She exclaims as she see Brin. “I did pray that you would be safe.” She engulfs Brin in a tight hug. “Girl you are nothing but skin and bones.”
Brin just smiles through her tears. “Oh mama. I am home now. Don’t you worry none.”
Diana gives slight cough and Brin’s mother looks up. “Guests!” Mother looks us over. “Now aren’t you a sight to behold.” She sounds faintly shocked but the smile she gives us is one of pure welcome.
“How do you ma’am?” Catherine holds out her hand to shake Mother’s.
“Woo wee.” One of the brothers says, as they stride into the kitchen. “Calling her a ma’am, ain’t you something.”
“I wasn’t addressing you, boy.” Catherine glares at him.
“Billy Ray, you behave, these fine ladies are our guests.” Their mother chides them. “I’m Emma, and you might be?” She takes Catherine’s hand and gives her a quick squeeze.
“We are the Kindred.” I break in before things can progress any farther, and push back my hood so Emma can see just what she is dealing with.
“Kin huh?” Another boy speaks up. “And what about that hair, do you need to be kindred to get that hair.” His words are all slurred together, like he is slightly drunk first thing in the morning.
I am suddenly struck by the thought, that these young men are at an emotional development of, say, 12 year old boys. We are not likely to get any intelligent conversation out of them. And they will not let us forget they are in the room. I close my eyes and ask for calm.
I look over at Catherine, “Cath, can I please do something completely reprehensible and show off like, to make them stop?” I plead with her.
She says, after some internal debate. “No, you had better not.”
“As you wish, you are in charge.” I curl my fingers tighter about Alys and hug her closer to me.
“Boys don’t make me tell you twice, you behave!” Emma chides them again.
“I am Catherine. A knight Protector for the kin.” She bows to Emma.
“I am Diana. A knight Protector for the kin.” Diana gives her the same.
“Hi, I am Chronos, the god of time.” I say brightly.
Diana burst into laughter. Catherine sigh’s and shakes her head.
“She daft?” One of the boys asks.
“No, she just thinks she is funny. ” Catherine answers for me in a dry tone.
“And who are you?” I turn my cold glance onto the boys.
“That’s Billy Ray, and Bobby Joe and the short one is Tilly.” Brin rattles off their names. I look over the boys. They are so similar that I am not sure I can tell them apart.
“And who is your sweet thing?” Billy Ray asks as he makes a circle around us, head almost brushing into Alys’ face.
“Back off fan boy.” I say harshly and hold my hand up palm out. “Alys is my charge. You will keep your hands and your petty little minds away from her.”
All of the traveling companions draw a breath of anticipation at me making an aggressive action. They have seen what I can do. The boys, on the other hand just scoff at my actions. I look at Catherine. She purse her lips and gives me a quick shake no. I lift my eyebrow at her dissension, but lower my hand.
“The girl is under my care.” I repeat more softly this time.
“Why you gots to be like that?” Bobby Joe ask or maybe it was Tilly.
At that point, I just decide to ignore them all. I simply turn away from them and address Emma.
“Alys has had a rough journey. Could we have a place, so she can lie down?” I ask of her.
“Oh, well, we don’t have a lot of…” Emma starts.
“She can sleep in my room.” Brin breaks in.
Emma blushes.
“I would hazard to say one of you brother has taken over your room, Brin.” I interpret the blush.
Brin turns and lites into her brothers shaking her finger at them and yelling. “What did you do that for, you were just wishing that I would never come back! I am tougher than that!” The boys back out of the room as she gets going.
“That’s our Brin.” Catherine smiles.
“Well, I’m sure you can rest in her room,” Emma decides, as she watches Brin come back in with a satisfied grin. “It might take some cleaning, but you girls look like you could handle it.”
“Brin’s room?” I look at Catherine, who looks amused but nods in agreement. “Brin’s room it is.”
I wonder where Brin’s Father has gone off to, while we have been standing in the kitchen. He disappeared into the house before we entered. I calm my senses and reach out around me, he is not in the house. There must be another door out. Before I have a chance to look around, Emma leads us up a rickety flight of stairs. There are 3 doors.
She goes to the one at the end of the hall. That must be Brin’s room. Emma peaks in and grimaces. Brin pushes the door open and takes stock. She lets out a groan of disgust and starts to gather the dirty clothes on the floor.
“Would you get the window open?” She asks and juts her chin to it. Catherine goes over to the little window and shoves it open. It lets in a light breeze that help’s to air out the room some. Brin stalks over to the window her hands full and tosses the clothes out.
“That’ll teach them.” she puts her hand on her hips and surveys her handy work.
“Oh Brin, you’re going to make it worse.” Emma wrings her hands.
“No, I am not.” Brin smiles and for the first time lifts her face and sticks out her chin. “I am not going to stay.”
“What?” Emma asks as we all look at Brin in shock.
“That’s right, I am gonna go back to the homestead and see if they need help. I am going to find me a real man.” Brin says, clearly proud of her decision.
“Brin, you can’t leave.” Her mother looks shocked.
“I can’t live like this any more, momma. We have to be better and I want more.” She leads her mother out of the room with a firm nod of her head.
“There you go Catherine, your first convert.” I say impressed that all of her whining and horror at how Brin had to live as paid off. I didn’t think her whine would do more than upset Brin. But no, it got Brin thinking instead.
“Maybe there is hope.” Catherine smiles after Brin.
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