Armaran chapter 15

Days went by fast as Amina tried to get as much done as possible within the few weeks she had left in Tenera. She focused on school and did her homework with care, but she also helped Mr. Augustin every day for a couple of hours and learned herbalism. She was beginning to learn about the use of some of the medicinal plants as she listened to Mr. Augustin's instructions to his costumers while she was working. Most of the time people were seeking help with a headache or pain in the stomach. Sometimes the headaches were caused by sitting down too much and the pain went away with some exercise or massage, sometimes people had been in the sun too long, and sometimes there was actually some illness behind the aching. Stomach pain was more tricky to diagnose, but Mr. Augustin seldom had a customer leave his shop without some kind of cure. Especially women came for certain herbs, and Amina memorized all of it. She managed to find time to see Tessa once or twice a week as well, but she didn't spend any time with the other children except at school.

Amina wrote to Kros even though she was sure that Jared had already informed him about their plan to travel together. She felt that all writing outside of school was good practice, as she didn't know when she'd return to Tenera. Ms. Slava hadn't yet said a word about how she could keep up her skills while she was away, but she was certain she wasn't going to get a big pile of assignments to take with her. She would just have to figure out ways to practice on her own.

An answer to her previous letter arrived from Kros only a few days before a short note from Jared, where he informed her he'd be in a nearby village in three days. He wasn't sure if he'd have time to come and pick her up on the very same day but he asked her to be ready to go anyway.

On the next day, Amina told everyone her departure was drawing near. The Streckke family thanked her for telling them, but had no more interest in the matter. Ms. Slava was slightly disappointed that she had only a day or two to instruct her, but she promised to arrange some time on the next day after school. Mr. Augustin was despondent, but tried his best to encourage her to explore the world as much as she could. Amina promised to look out for the plants she now knew and, given the chance, collect them.

***

Jared arrived in Tenera in the afternoon. Many of the students were excited as they were expecting another performance with fire, but they were soon disappointed as Jared had come to entertain no one. Some were even throwing nasty glances at Amina on the basis of her escaping the actvities for common good on the following day as she would be leaving.

Amina got her luggage from the Streckke house and bid farewell to the staff. None of the family members were there at that time, and Amina left them a short note, thanking them for the roof over her head and her promise to let them know well in advance when she would return. Then she rushed back to the town and straight to the smithy.

Jared hoisted Amina's sack on the carriage and helped her up on the driver's seat. He then made and agile leap after her and bid farewell to the blacksmith with whom he had been talking to when Amina arrived.

Their journey began leisurely and Amina was eagerly listening to all the things Jared had had a chance to learn though she knew very little about different forging techniques. Their destination was a few hours away and they stayed the night at an inn. In the morning, Jared went on to his business and Amina had time to explore the village. It was smaller than Tenera or Groshna and one of Jared's boss' smithies was located there. Amina walked around the village and some of the surrounding woods. She collected some easy-to-dry plants but left the ones she knew recuired more complicated measures of preservation.

Eventually hunger made her return to town and she ventured to enter the smithy. The pungent smell of hot metal hit her as she entered and it was almost unbearably hot inside. Amina sat in a corner she thought would be safe and watched Jared and two younger apprentices forge and shape the metal into the shape they desired. Soon her stomach hurt so bad from hunger that she had to open her mouth. ”What's it gonna be?” she asked as she wasn't willing to admit how hungry she was.

Jaerd and the apprentices turned to look her way. ”It's going to be a beam for a big carriage,” Jared replied. Sweat was running down his face and his hair was glued to his temples. He said something to the apprentices who nodded. ”Did you go through the whole village yet?” he asked her.

Amina shrugged. ”I didn't go inside any house, so there was only that much to see, but I found some plants in the woods that I recognized,” she answered.

”Would you do us a favour?” Jared asked and, before she could say anything, he instructed her where to get some fine bread and cheap eggs and gave her some money for them.

Amina nodded and went back outside to the refreshing breeze. The coins that Jared had given her were still warm and sticky with sweat but she held them tight in her hand. She purchased the food according to Jared's instructions and returned to the smithy.

One of the apprentices asked her to hand over the eggs and then proceeded to crack them open on a pan and fry them into scramble. Jared took the loaves of bread from Amina and sliced them onto a plate. The other apprentice took some chairs outside. They all sat down in front of the smithy in the fresh air for a light lunch. Jared introduced Amina to the apprentices proprely and they were eager to hear one of her stories. Amina was happy to oblige, and what had meant to be a quick lunch became over an hour of fun chatter. Jared and the apprentices returned to their task, but Jared promised Amina that it wouldn't take more than two hours and then they could head east again. Amina went back to the woods for a while and returned to the smithy again. Jared bid farewell to the apprentices and collected their things from the inn.

Their journey began as joyfully as on the previous day and Amina talked about all the things she had seen in the village.

Jared told her about the two apprentices who were mostly his responsibility. His boss had given him a couple more apprentices who were quite advanced in their skills and worked in different towns, so he would be travelling a lot over the summer. After a moment he got serious. ”Has it been fun to live in Tenera?”

Amina nodded. ”I've learned so many things at school. Miss Slava has even let me read some history. I guess she thought it'd be easier for me because I know so many stories about some historical events. I haven't really had time to read that much yet and I'm not a very fast reader. Oh, and the blacksmith is a nice man, very friendly. Many people don't talk to him unless they need his help with something, but I think it's fun to go to the smithy sometimes.”

Jared let out a laugh. ”Have I had such a bad influence on you?”

Amina grinned. ”It's not bad influence. I think it's much nicer to know people than pretend that I'm better than them because I go to school or if I had a lot of money.”

”That's a good starting point for your life. But have you really enjoyed your time in Tenera aside from going to school or talking to the blacksmith? That healer man seemed to like you, at least.”

Amina nodded. ”Mister Augustin was really disappointed when I left but I promised to go back and help him more. And I want to learn more about plants. I have so much to tell to Emma so she can grow useful stuff in her garden.”

”You still haven't answered the original question,” Jared pointed out.

Amina stared at the road for a while, not saying a word. ”I don't like the Streckke family that much. They have really stupid ideas about what makes you a good person, or civilized and such. But Mister Streckke had arranged for me a place in the school and I get to live with them for free and it's safe there.”

Jared nodded with a serious face. ”They seem like people who know their own value. I can understand if you're not feeling too happy around them. But they treat you well, right?”

Amina shrugged. ”I'm related so I'm not entirely bad. And I like to go to school, so I'm at least making an effort to civilize myself and they respect that. They're not interested in anyone they think is inferior. I think they're still having a hard time figuring you out, because you're very much just a worker, but you've got good manners and you try to imrove yourself as a blacksmith.”

”Miss Slava's school isn't free, right? Who pays your tuition fees?” Jared asked. Amina thought it was unfair. It wasn't his business. ”You know Kros is going to ask you the same thing at some point. Maybe not now, but someday he's going to doubt if you're treated as well as you deserve. And the last thing you should do is lie to him.”

Amina was writhing on her seat. She didn't want to answer the question. Jared had voiced the things she didn't want to think about. There was all that money from the story leather and technically it was hers, but Kros wouldn't let her use it to pay for her school. Eventually she sighed. ”I do get a discount for being an orphan, you know. And I don't really spend money on anything else. Well, a few letters but that's not much,” she mumbled.

Jared patted her on the shoulder. ”I can talk to Kros with you, if you like. I won't let him be so stupid that he would put himself, Emma and their child through harder times than necessary just because he wants to do everything he can to help you. I think it's very wrong that you have to pay the fees yourself, but let this Streckke family have it their way. You're growing up to be a much better person than they are, because you don't value people on a ridiculous basis.”

Amina dared to glanse at Jared. The man she met the first time right after losing her family, when she was too shocked to think about anything. Ever since that moment a sparkle of light on his golden earrings had become a friendly and comforting sight to her. A righteous man, who wanted to help the people he knew, without losing sight of what he wanted to achieve for himself. A man of reason who knew what to say depending on who he was talking to, but who refused to turn a blind eye to injustice. A hero, Amina thought and smiled.

They spoke very little more during that night, before stopping for the night at an inn in a small village.

***

Amina was a bit anxious in the morning. She didn't want Jared to bring up Tenera and its people again – at least not a certain family. However, her fear was for nothing as they began their journey with a couple of other carriages heading the same way. Amina took turns to sit in each carriage, telling stories. The travellers were craftsmen and enjoyed her words, which they heard seldom even on fairs. They travelled together for a few days and then parted on their own ways. Amina was still safe from Jared's prying words. He wanted to hear more stories. Many days passed as Amina tried to remember all the stories of her parents and any other stories she had heard during her life.

”I've sometimes thought what it would be like to be Kahtal,” Jared said out of the blue one day.

Amina started. In itself, the statement was facinating, but it was also dangerous, as any kind of support or adoration of the Kahtal was a taboo. Amina was also terrified where that kind of conversation could lead to.

”Mostly I've been thinking about what it would be like to be a blacksmith with a Keok. I could control the temperature of the fire in my smithy very precisely. It would be really good for some of the forging jobs,” Jared explained.

Amina thought about it for a moment. ”So you'd like to bear a Keok because it would be the best help in your work?”

Jared nodded. ”Have you ever thought which Gahim would be best for you?”

Amina shook her head. ”I've never thought about what it would be like to be Kahtal so I haven't really thought which one would be nicest.”

”I think you could do well with a Panga or a Trua. You could make your voice be heard a long way when you're telling stories,” Jared suggested.

Amina smiled. ”Maybe. But Keok could keep me warm while I'm travelling. And Fansi would be nice if it's raining and it keeps you dry.”

Jared grinned. ”Mehga could help you find and grow plants.”

Amina laughed. She had relaxed in an instant even though the topic was so difficult for her. Jared didn't know about Praie and he wouldn't find out. At least not for now. On the other hand, Amina's trust towards Jared deepened immensely. ”Maybe. But if I had to choose just one... It's really hard to decide. Maybe I'd take Panga. I've met a couple of them and they've been nice.”

Jared was curious and insisted she'd tell him about all the Gahim she had encountered. Amina told him about all the Gahim she had met at the graveyard, and the two Keok, and other spirits she had met while travelling, and eventually about the shy Gahim of Tenera, which she hadn't yet been able to identify.

After Amina finished, Jared thought for a long while. ”I've sometimes seen a Gahim in the woods or near some villages. I haven't had a clue what to do. Maybe next time I'll go and say hi.”

Amina nodded. ”If they don't go away right away, they must be curious. Besides, it's really stupid that you can't say ”Gahim arimma hajahka”. What's the point of making a greeting of the Gahim forbidden anyway.”

”That rule was made by people who believed it was a saying to praise the Kahtal.”

”Well, they were idiots. It's always been a way to greet the Gahim and nothing more.”

Jared shrugged. ”There were a lot of idiotic things happening when the Kahtal were wiped out. The worst being that all of the Kahtal were accused of being murderers and destroyers of all things, even though in Armaran most of them were leading peaceful lives without ever harming anyone,” he said in a sad voice.

”Why would anyone want to kill all of the spirit bearers anyway? It's not like it was their own choice to become Kahtal,” Amina thought out loud.

”Some were jealous of all the power the Kahtal gained with the aid of their Gahim. Others were just afraid of their strength. Many people have a really bad approach to anything they don't understand. And there are always those who will do everything possible to gain power and glory for themselves regardless of the amount of destruction they bring about. Some Kahtal were like that, too,” Jared listed.

”But it's still wrong!” Amina protested.

”You're really Fatil to the bone, you know,” Jared laughed. ”But you're right. It was very wrong towards the vast majority of those who were killed – not many Kahtal, Fatil or their other supporters would have protected themselves or the ones they cared for, if they had been known to have done something bad.”

”And-and-and most of the soldiers who were Kahtal! They were taken to the war and made into warriors! There were a lot of other soldiers, too, and they were all killing people!” Amina shrieked, aggravated.

Jared just nodded to her words and let her let out some steam. ”It's still better not to talk about these things in any villages.”

Amina calmed down immeadiately. ”Yeah,” she agreed quietly. For a moment, she was vexed that one of the Kahtal she had always adored the most, General Stenvil, had been a soldier and killed a lot of people.

”We can't change the wrong-doings of the past, but we can try to make the world around us a better place with our own choices and actions. We can try to help people understand that we don't have to shun or drive away the Gahim, because they haven't done us any harm and they probably still don't understand a world without Kahtal. We can cherish the legacy of the Fatil by listening to the stories, and you of course will tell them on. Many of the stories have been lost forever but we can sustain the remaining ones forever. You can grow up to be a brave woman who cures people and tells them stories by their sick beds to ease their pains.”

Amina smiled. She would tell Jared about Praie some day. But not yet. Maybe when she had grown up. Then, she hoped, life would be easier anyway. Until then she decided to do as Jared had suggested – share the stories and through them the knowledge about Kahtal and their companions.

When Jared and Amina finally arrived in Groshna, Amina had decided to go straight to Emma's garden, but their reunion was so happy and emotional that the first afternoon was filled with nothing but hugs and sobs. Kragu had grown and Amina picked him up gingerly. Praie behaved well, and Amina could relax. She had returned to the one place that had felt like home after the loss of her first home. She would go back to Tenera in time, but perhaps not until autumn when she had no chance of seeing Jared for months.

Even though the long journey and the emotional turmoil of her return had fatigued her, Amina couldn't sleep during the first night. Her thoughts were still caught up in the conversation with Jared – how he had admitted that he wouldn't mind being a Kahtal if he could use the fire of a Keok. Amina thought long about how she could run around Armaran with Jared's help if anyone hostile ever found out she is Kahtal. Kahtal and their families had been mostly eradicated, but not all of their bloodlines. Amina was a living proof of it. Maybe somewhere out there was someone else, or would be some day. Maybe she wasn't as alone as she had thought before, but it might be impossible for her to ever meet another Kahtal. Amina's dreams were filled with spirits who were taking turns to convince her to let them settle in her body and what each of them could do for her or teach her.

Armaran 15. luku

Aminan päivät kuluivat nopeasti hänen yrittäessään saada mahdollisimman paljon tehtyä muutamassa viikossa. Hän keskittyi kouluun ja teki tunnollisesti läksynsä, mutta auttoi joka päivä herra Augustinia muutaman tunnin ja oppi herbalismia. Amina alkoi pikku hiljaa oppia joidenkin rohtojen käyttöä, kun hän kuunteli työnsä ohella herra Augustinin ohjeita asiakkaidensa erilaisiin vaivoihin. Yleisimmin ihmiset hakivat apua päänsärkyyn ja vatsakipuihin. Joskus päänsärky oli seurausta liiasta paikoillaan istumisesta ja se hellitti liikunnalla ja hieronnalla, joskus joku oli ollut liian kauan auringossa, joskus kyseessä oli aidosti sairaus. Vatsan kipuilulle ei aina ollut yhtä helppoa löytää syytä, mutta harvoin kyse oli mistään mitä herra Augustin ei olisi voinut ainakin lievittää. Erityisesti kylän naiset saivat tiettyjä yrttejä, ja Amina painoi kaiken mieleensä. Hän ehti myös tavata Tessaa parina päivänä viikossa, mutta muiden lasten kanssa hän ei viettänyt aikaa koulun ulkopuolella.

Amina kirjoitti Krosille, vaikka oli varma, että Jared oli jo ilmoittanut matkustavansa hänen kanssaan. Hänestä tuntui, että kaikki ylimääräinen kirjoittaminen olisi hänelle hyödyksi, koska hän ei tiennyt milloin palaisi Teneraan. Neiti Slava ei ollut vielä puhunut hänelle miten hän voisi harjoitella poissaollessaan, mutta Amina epäili, ettei saisi isoa läjää tehtäviä mukaansa, vaan hänen täytyisi keksiä muita tapoja harjoitella.

Krosin vastaus Aminan aiempaan kirjeeseen saapui pari päivää ennen lyhyttä viestiä Jaredilta, jossa tämä kertoi olevansa kolmen päivän päästä läheisessä kylässä. Hän ei ollut vielä varma ehtisikö samana päivänä hakemaan Aminaa, mutta hän pyysi tätä olemaan valmiina lähtöön.

Amina ilmoitti heti seuraavana päivänä lähtönsä olevan lähellä. Streckken perhe kiitti tiedosta, mutta sen enempää asia ei heitä kiinnostanut. Neiti Slava oli hieman pettynyt, että sai vain parin päivän varoituksen asiasta, mutta hän lupasi järjestää seuraavana iltapäivänä ylimääräisen hetken aikaa ohjeistaa Aminaa matkaa varten. Herra Augustin oli hieman allapäin, mutta yritti rohkaista Aminaa tutustumaan ympäröivään maailmaan niin paljon kuin vain mahdollista. Amina lupasi tarkkailla matkallaan tuttuja kasveja ja mahdollisuuksiensa mukaan jopa kerätä niitä talteen.

***

Jared saapui Teneraan iltapäivällä. Monet oppilaat olivat innoissaan, koska he toivoivat uutta soihtuesitystä, mutta heille selvisi nopeasti, että Jared ei ollut tullut viihdyttämään ketään. Osa jopa loi Aminaan vihaisia katseita ja mutisi jotain yhteisten hommien pakoilusta, sillä seuraava päivä olisi jälleen yleishyödyllistä toimintaa eikä Amina olisi enää osallistumassa siihen.

Amina haki matkatavaransa Streckken talolta ja hyvästeli palvelusväen. Kukaan perheenjäsenistä ei ollut juuri paikalla, joten Amina kirjoitti nopeasti lyhyen viestin, jossa hän kiitti katosta päänsä päällä ja lupasi ilmoittaa hyvissä ajoin ennen paluutaan saapumisestaan. Amina kiirehti takaisin kylään ja sepänpajalle.

Jared nosti Aminan säkin rattaiden kyytiin ja auttoi tytön kuljettajanpenkille. Hän loikkasi itse ketterästi perään ja hyvästeli sepän, jonka kanssa hän oli keskustellut Aminan saapuessa.

Matka sujui leppoisasti ja Amina kuunteli mielenkiinnolla mitä kaikkea Jared oli ehtinyt oppimaan, vaikkei hän ymmärtänyt erilaisista taontatekniikoista mitään. Heidän määränpäänsä oli parin tunnin päässä ja he jäivät yöksi majataloon. Aamulla Jared lähti hoitamaan asioitaan ja Aminalle jäi aikaa tutustua kylään. Se oli Teneraa ja Groshnaa pienempi ja siellä sijaitsi yksi Jaredin pomon pajoista. Amina kierteli ympäri kylää ja sen lähimetsiä. Hän poimi mukaansa muutaman helposti kuivattavan kasvin, mutta jätti enemmän säilöntää vaativat maastoon.

Nälkä ajoi Aminan lopulta takaisin kylään ja hän uskaltautui sisään pajaan. Kuuman metallin haju iski vastaan voimakkaana ja sisällä oli melkein sietämättömän lämmintä. Amina seurasi turvalliseksi kokemastaan nurkasta, miten Jared ja kaksi nuorempaa kisälliä takoivat ja muovasivat metallista haluamaansa esinettä. Lopulta hänen vatsaansa sattui niin pahasti nälästä, että hänen oli pakko avata suunsa. ”Mikä siitä tulee?” hän kysyi, koska ei kehdannut heti sanoa olevansa nälkäinen.

Jared ja kisällit kääntyivät katsomaan häntä. ”Siitä tulee aisa suuriin vaunuihin,” Jared vastasi. Hikeä valui hänen kasvoiltaan ja hänen hiuksensa olivat liimaantuneet ohimoille. Hän mutisi jotain kisälleille, jotka nyökkäsivät. ”Tutkitko jo koko kylän läpikotaisin?” Jared kysyi Aminalta.

Amina kohautti olkiaan. ”En mennyt mihinkään taloon sisään, joten nähtävää ei ollut kovin paljoa, mutta lähimetsissä oli joitain kasveja, jotka tunnistin,” hän vastasi.

”Tekisitkö meille palveluksen?” Jared kysyi ja vastausta odottamatta ohjeisti Aminalle, mistä saisi ostettua hyvää leipää ja edullisesti kananmunia ja antoi hänelle rahaa niitä varten.

Amina nyökkäsi ja palasi raikkaaseen ulkoilmaan. Jaredin antamat kolikot olivat vielä lämpimiä ja hiestä tahmeita, mutta Amina puristi niitä kädessään. Hän osti ruokatarpeet Jaredin ohjeiden mukaan ja palasi pajalle.

Ensimmäien kisälli pyysi tytöltä munat, jotka hän rikkoi pannulle ja paistoi kokkeliksi. Jared otti Aminalta leivät ja viipaloi ne lautaselle. Toinen kisälli siirsi ulos muutaman jakkaran. He siirtyivät ulos raikkaaseen ilmaan nauttimaan kevyttä lounasta. Jared esitteli Aminan kisälleille kunnolla ja nämä pyysivät heti innoissaan Aminaa kertomaan jonkun tarinan. Amina suostui mielellään ja heidän nopeaksi tarkoitettu lounaansa venyi yli tunnin mittaiseksi. Jared ja kisällit palasivat työnsä pariin, mutta Jared lupasi, että se olisi parin tunnin päästä valmis ja he voisivat sitten jatkaa matkaansa itään. Amina käyskenteli lähimetsissä jonkun aikaa ja palasi sitten pajan luo odottamaan.

Jared hyvästeli kisällit ja haki heidän tavaransa majatalosta.

Matka alkoi yhtä leppoisasti kuin edellisenä päivänäkin ja Amina kertoi mitä oli nähnyt kylässä. Jared kertoi kisälleistä, jotka olivat pääasiassa hänen vastuullaan. Hänen pomonsa oli määrännyt hänelle pari muutakin jo melko edistynyttä kisälliä eri kylissä, joten hän matkustelisi paljon kesän aikana. Hetken päästä mies vakavoitui. ”Onko Tenerassa ollut kiva asua?”

Amina nyökkäsi. ”Olen oppinut paljon asioita koulussa. Neiti Slava on antanut minun jo lukea joitain juttuja historiasta. Hän kai ajatteli, että ne olisivat minulle helppoja, koska tunnen niihin liittyviä tarinoita. En ole vielä ehtinyt lukea paljoa, koska en ole kovin nopea lukemaan. Ja seppä on kiva ja ystävällinen. Monet eivät juttele hänen kanssaan muuten kuin, jos tarvitsevat jotain, mutta minusta on kiva käydä pajalla aina välillä.”

Jared naurahti. ”Ei kai minulla ole sinuun niin huono vaikutus?”

Amina virnisti. ”Ei se ole huono vaikutus. Minusta on mukavampi tuntea ihmisiä kuin esittää olevani parempi kuin he, koska käyn koulua tai jos minulla olisi paljon rahaa.”

”Se on hyvä lähtökohta elämään. Mutta onko sinulla oikeasti ollut mukavaa Tenerassa muuten kuin koulussa ja sepän kanssa jutellessa? Ainakin se parantaja taitaa pitää sinusta.”

Amina nyökkäsi. ”Herra Augustin oli tosi pettynyt, kun lähdin, mutta lupasin palata auttamaan. Ja haluan oppia lisää kasveista. Minulla on jo paljon kerrottavaa Emmalle, jotta hän voi kasvattaa hyödyllisiä juttuja puutarhassa.”

”Et vieläkään vastannut alkuperäiseen kysymykseen,” Jared huomautti.

Amina tuijotti hetken tietä sanomatta mitään. ”En oikein pidä Streckken perheestä. Heillä on tosi tyhmiä ajatuksia siitä, mikä tekee ihmisestä hyvän tai sivistyneen. Mutta herra Streckke oli järjestänyt minulle koulupaikan valmiiksi ja saan asua heidän luonaan ja siellä on turvallista.”

Jared nyökkäsi vakavana. ”He vaikuttivat oman arvonsa tuntevilta ihmisiltä. Ymmärrän, jos et viihdy siellä. Kai he sentään kohtelevat sinua hyvin?”

Amina kohautti olkiaan. ”Olen sukua, joten en ole ihan huono ihminen. Ja tykkään olla koulussa, joten ainakin yritän sivistää itseäni ja he arvostavat sitä. Heitä ei kiinnosta kukaan heidän mielestään vähäarvoinen. Luulen, että heillä on edelleen vaikeaa ymmärtää sinua, koska olet periaatteessa vain työläinen, mutta käyttäydyt hyvin ja tahdot tulla paremmaksi työssäsi.”

”Neiti Slavahan pitää maksullista koulua. Kuka maksaa koulumaksusi?” Jared kysyi. Aminasta se oli epäreilu kysymys. Se ei ollut Jaredin asia. ”Tiedät kyllä, että Kros kysyy sinulta samaa jossain vaiheessa. Ei ehkä vielä tällä kertaa, mutta jossain vaiheessa hän epäilee, että sinua ei kohdella niin hyvin kuin mahdollista. Eikä sinun pitäisi missään tapauksessa valehdella hänelle.”

Amina kiemurteli penkillä. Hän ei halunnut vastata. Jared oli pukenut sanoiksi asioita, joita hän ei ollut halunnut ajatella. Tarinanahasta oli toki saatu paljon rahaa ja se oli hänen rahaansa, mutta Kros ei varmasti antaisi hänen käyttää sitä koulumaksuihin. Lopulta Amina huokaisi. ”Saan kuitenkin alennusta, koska olen orpo. Eikä minulla kulu rahaa oikein mihinkään. Paitsi pariin kirjeeseen, mutta se ei ole paljon,” hän mutisi.

Jared taputti häntä olkapäälle. ”Jutellaan vaikka yhdessä Krosin kanssa tästä. Hän ei saa olla niin typerä, että asettaisi itsensä, Emman ja lapsensa ongelmiin sen takia, että haluaa auttaa sinua. Minusta on väärin, että joudut maksamaan koulusi itse, mutta tämä Streckken perhe pitäköön päänsä. Sinusta kasvaa joka tapauksessa parempi ihminen kuin he ovat, koska et arvota ihmisiä tyhmillä perusteilla.”

Amina uskaltautui vilkaisemaan Jaredia. Mies, jonka hän tapasi ensimmäisen kerran perheensä kuoltua ollessaan shokissa. Siitä hetkestä lähtien valon kimallus tämän kultaisissa korvarenkaissa oli ollut hänelle ystävällinen ja turvallinen näky. Oikeudenmukainen mies, joka halusi auttaa tuttujaan parhaansa mukaan kuitenkin samalla omaan tavoitteeseensa pyrkien. Järjen mies, joka osasi valita sanansa tilanteen mukaan, mutta ei halunnut kääntää katsettaan kohdatessaan vääryyttä. Sankari, Amina ajatteli ja hymyili.

He eivät puhuneet paljoa illan aikana ja pysähtyivät ennen pimeää erään kylän majataloon.

***

Amina jännitti hieman uutta päivää ja matkaa Jaredin kanssa. Hän ei halunnut puhua enää Tenerasta ja sen ihmisistä – ainakaan eräästä tietystä perheestä. He saivat kuitenkin matkaseuraa parista muusta vaunusta, jotka olivat matkalla samaa tietä. Amina istui vuorotellen eri vaunuissa ja kertoi kaikille pari tarinaa. Matkalaiset olivat käsityöläisiä ja nauttivat hänen sanoistaan, joita heillä ei ollut mahdollisuutta kuulla edes joka markkinoilla. He matkustivat yhdessä muutaman päivän ja hajaantuivat sitten eri suuntiin. Aminan ei silti tarvinnut pelätä, että Jared palaisi hänelle kiusallisiin puheenaiheisiin, vaan mies halusi kuulla lisää tarinoita. Monta päivää kului leipposasti Aminan yrittäessä muistaa kaikki mahdolliset tarinat, joita hänen vanhempansa olivat kertoneet tai joita hän oli koskaan itse kuullut.

”Minä olen joskus miettinyt millaista olisi olla Kahtal,” Jared sanoi yllättäen yhtenä päivänä.

Amina säpsähti hieman. Lausahdus oli itsessään kiehtova, mutta myös vaarallinen, koska Kahtalien tukeminen tai minkäänlainen ihannointi oli edelleen tabu. Lisäksi Aminaa pelotti mihin keskustelu voisi päätyä.

”Lähinnä mietin, että olisi hienoa, jos seppänä minulla olisi Keok. Voisin kontrolloida tulen lämpötilaa pajassa tarkalleen. Se helpottaisi joitain taontatöitä huomattavasti,” Jared selitti.

Amina tuumi hetken. ”Eli haluaisit kantaa Keokia, koska se olisi paras apu työssäsi?”

Jared nyökkäsi. ”Oletko sinä koskaan miettinyt, mikä Gahim olisi sinulle paras?”

Amina pudisti päätään. ”En ole koskaan miettinyt millaista olisi olla Kahtal, joten en ole oikein ajatellut mikä Gahim olisi kivoin.”

”Sinulle voisi sopia Panga tai Trua. Saisit äänesi varmasti kuuluviin kertoessasi tarinoita,” Jared ehdotti.

Amina hymyili. ”Ehkä. Toisaalta Keok voisi pitää minut lämpimänä aina matkustaessa. Ja Fansi olisi kiva, jos matkalla sataa, niin se voisi pitää minut kuivana.”

Jared virnisti. ”Mehga voisi auttaa sinua kasvien etsimisessä ja kasvattamisessa.”

Amina naurahti. Hän oli hetkessä rentoutunut hankalasta keskustelunaiheesta huolimatta. Jared ei tiennyt eikä saisikaan tietää Praiesta. Ei ainakaan vielä. Toisaalta Aminan luottamus miestä kohtaan kasvoi suunnattomasti. ”Ehkä. Mutta jos minun pitäisi valita vain yksi... Todella vaikea päättää. Ehkä se olisi Panga. Olen tavannut pari niitä ja ne ovat olleet ihan kivoja.”

Jared vaati uteliaana kuulla kaikista Aminan kohtaamisista Gahim kanssa, ja Amina kertoi kaikista hautausmaalla tapaamistaan sekä kahdesta Keokista ja matkoillaan tapaamistaan Gahim sekä Teneran ujosta Gahim, jota hän ei ollut vielä tunnistanut.

Aminan lopetettua Jared mietti pitkään. ”Olen välillä nähnyt jonkun Gahim metsikössä tai kylien laidoilla. En ole tiennyt mitä minun pitäisi tehdä. Ehkä ensi kerralla vaan menen tervehtimään.”

Amina nyökkäsi. ”Jos ne eivät lähde heti pois, ne ovat varmaan uteliaita. Sitä paitsi on tosi typerää, että sanonta ”Gahim arimma hajahka” on ollut kielletty. Ei ole mitään järkeä kieltää tervehtimästä Gahim.”

”Sen säännön kehittivät ihmiset, jotka uskoivat, että niillä sanoilla ylistetään Kahtaleja.”

”No, he olivat idiootteja. Se on aina ollut vain tapa tervehtiä Gahim.”

Jared kohautti olkiaan. ”Kahtalien tuhossa oli paljon muitakin tyhmiä asioita. Pahimpana varmasti se, että kaikkia Kahtaleja syytettiin murhaajiksi ja tuhoajiksi, vaikka varsinkin Armaranissa suurin osa eli omissa oloissaan vahingoittamatta ketään,” hän sanoi hieman surullisena.

”Miksi kukaan haluaisi tappaa kaikki henkienkantajat? Ei ollut kenenkään oma valinta tulla Kahtaliksi,” Amina ajatteli ääneen.

”Jotkut olivat kateellisia siitä kaikesta vallasta, jota Kahtalit saivat Gahim ansiosta. Toiset suoraan pelkäsivät heidän voimaansa. Monet ihmiset myös suhtautuvat todella huonosti asioihin, joita he eivät ymmärrä. Ja aina on niitä ihmisiä, jotka käyttävät kaikki mahdolliset keinot saadakseen itselleen valtaa ja kunniaa riippumatta siitä, paljonko he kylvävät tuhoa ympärilleen. Sellaisia Kahtaleitakin oli,” Jared luetteli.

”Mutta se on silti väärin!” Amina protestoi.

”Sinä olet niin vahvasti Fatil kuin kukaan vaan voi olla,” Jared naurahti. ”Mutta olet oikeassa. Se oli väärin suurinta osaa tapetuista kohtaan – monikaan Kahtal, Fatil tai heidän tukijansa ei olisi suojellut itseään tai arvokkaana pitämiään ihmisiä, jos heidän tiedettiin tehneen pahaa.”

”Ja-ja-ja suurin osa sotilaistakin, jotka olivat Kahtal, oli nimenomaan siksi kutsuttu armeijaan! Oli paljon muitakin sotilaita, jotka tappoivat ihmisiä!” Amina huusi kimpaantuneena.

Jared nyökytteli ja antoi tytön purkaa tuntojaan. ”Parempi kuitenkin olla puhumatta näistä asioista kylissä.”

Amina rauhoittui heti. ”Joo,” hän sanoi vaisusti. Häntä harmitti hetken aikaa, että yksi hänen ihannoimistaan Kahtal, kenraali Stenvil, oli ollut sotilas ja tappanut paljon ihmisiä.

”Emme voi muuttaa menneisyydessä tapahtuneita vääryyksiä, mutta voimme omilla valinnoillamme yrittää parantaa maailmaa ympärillämme. Voimme yrittää auttaa ihmisiä ymmärtämään, ettei kaikkia Gahim tarvitse vieroksua saati ajaa pois, koska ne eivät ole tehneet meille mitään eivätkä välttämättä edelleenkään ymmärrä maailmaa, jossa ei ole Kahtal. Voimme tukea Fatil-perintöä kuuntelemalla tarinoita ja sinä tietysti kerrot niitä itse eteenpäin. Monet tarinat ovat kadonneet iäksi, mutta jäljellä olevien ei tarvitse unohtua koskaan. Sinä voit kasvaa rohkeaksi naiseksi, joka parantaa ihmisiä ja kertoo heidän sairasvuoteensa vierellä tarinoita heidän oloaan helpottaakseen.”

Amina hymyili. Hän kertoisi Jaredille joku päivä Praiesta. Mutta ei vielä. Ehkä sitten, kun hän olisi aikuinen. Sitten elämä olisi ehkä helpompaa muutenkin. Siihen asti hän päätti tehdä kuten Jared ehdotti – jakaa tarinoita ja sitä kautta tietoa Kahtaleista ja heidän kumppaneistaan.

Kun Jared ja Amina vihdoin saapuivat Groshnaan, Amina oli päättänyt heti mennä katsomaan Emman puutarhaa, mutta heidän jälleennäkemisensä oli niin iloinen ja tunteellinen, että ensimmäinen iltapäivä kului halaillen ja nyyhkien. Kragu oli kasvanut ja Amina otti hänet varovasti syliinsä. Praie käyttäytyi hyvin, ja Amina rentoutui. Hän oli palannut siihen paikkaan, joka tuntui kodilta ensimmäisen menetetyn kodin jälkeen. Hän palaisi vielä Teneraan, mutta ehkä vasta syksyllä, kun hänellä ei olisi mahdollisuutta nähdä Jaredia kuukausiin.

Vaikka Amina oli pitkän matkan ja tunteellisen kotiinpaluun jäljiltä väsynyt, hän ei saanut nukuttua ensimmäisenä yönä. Hänen ajatuksensa pyörivät aiemman keskustelun ympärillä – miten Jared oli suoraan ilmoittanut, että häntä ei haittaisi olla Kahtal, jos hän saisi Keokin tulen käyttöönsä. Amina mietti pitkään, miten voisi yrittää pakoilla ympäri Armarania Jaredin avustuksella, jos kukaan hänelle vihamielinen saisi tietää hänen olevan Kahtal. Kahtalit ja suuri osa heidän perheitään oli tuhottu, mutta ei kaikkea heidän vertaan. Amina oli itse siitä elävä todiste. Ehkä jossain oli joku muukin tai tulisi olemaan joku päivä. Ehkä hän ei ollut täysin yksin, mutta hänen olisi ehkä mahdoton koskaan tavata toista Kahtal. Aminan unet täyttyivät hengistä, jotka kaikki yrittivät vuorotellen vakuuttaa hänet, miksi juuri sen hengen pitäisi saada asettua hänen kehoonsa ja mitä ne voisivat kukin tehdä hänen hyväkseen tai opettaa hänelle.

Armaran chapter 14

Amina watched Jared's performance, smiling, and dared to take a peek from the corner of her eye to see what her friends were thinking. They were positively smitten.

Jared asked for a few more torches from the blacksmith and kept on juggling them all successfully. Eventually, he picked them all in his hands and bowed deep. He received a thunderous applause.

The blacksmith took the torches from him and placed them firmly in an iron bucket.

”Thank you, thank you so much, but I didn't come here to perform myself!” Jared addressed the audience. ”I was sorry to arrive so late in the afternoon that I missed most of the stories. Now I'm begging you, if there is even one person among you who could spare the energy to tell one great story, would such person please step forward?” He turned to face Amina.

Amina was smiling so hard it hurt her cheeks but she didn't care. She took a step towards the stage and ignored the mumbling of the growd who were perhaps thinking about getting one of the earlier story tellers.

Jared jumped down and lifted Amina on the stage. He sat down cross-legged in front of the stage, smiling. ”Something very pompous, if you'd please.”

Amina turned to face the audience. Most of the villagers were still there, along with lots of merchants and craftsmen, even some folks from other towns. She could feel her heart beating in her chest and a blush climb up her face. She took a few deep breaths and said aloud one of the many Fatil greetings she could remember her parents had started their performance with.

Some villagers murmured their acceptance. Maybe their children had told them about the day the stundents had been mending the roads.

Amina chose to tell about one of the many civil wars that had occured in Everion. This one took place about 1 500 years earlier. She knew there was a more detailed version of the story, but luckily she couldn't remember it that well. It described a lot more cut arms and other hacked parts of the body flying through the air. The war in question had been unusual as all of the Kahtal had refused to fight on anyone's side and there had been at least five different regions of Everion battling one another. Any alliances and contracts were violated and nullified in a matter of days and each faction was ruthless in their ambition to gain more power in Everion. When the war was finally over, the biggest University of Everion, situated in the capital city of Eprus, and its headmaster were given a new task to uphold the peace of Everion with the powers of knowledge and erudition. It was also to strengthen the position of Eprus as the centre of all governance, as many larger cities had attempted to become independent by administrating their own regime over the past centuries.

After finishing the story, Amina curtseyd low and received vibrant applause from the audience. For the first time, she dared to take a good look at the audience and spotted the Streckke family quite close to the side of the stage. Ms. Slava was standing in the middle of the crowd, looking pensive. Many of her friends were still stading close to the stage and some other students were in the crowd with their families.

Jared stood up and the crowd fell silent. He was slightly perplexed by this authority, but he asked for another story.

Amina curtseyd but hesitated.

Jared took the opportunity to ask the audience to bring something to drink for the storyteller who had strained her voice for their entertainment. A bucket full of fresh water straight from the well was procured almost immediately.

Amina agreed to tell another story but she was careful to choose a rather short and joyous one, as she felt slightly fatigued.

She received loud applause after the story, but it was obviously a good time to end the night. Many families were guiding their children towards their homes and the evening air was getting cooler.

Jared helped Amina down from the stage. He was smiling but didn't say anything.

Amina got serious. ”Was I that bad?”

Jared shook his head. ”You were quite nervous, but the stories went really well. When you get more experience, it's going to be easier to empathise. No one as young as you could have done any better.”

Amina could see her friends moving a bit nervously at the edge of her vision and she turned to face them. No one said anything.

”He's really good, right?” Amina said to open the conversation because she wanted them to acknowledge the events on the stage somehow.

Couple of the girls giggled, one tried to look into Jared's eyes but turned her head at the last moment, and a couple more were nodding. ”Do you know him?” one of them dared to ask in a loud whisper.

Amina smiled. ”He is a family friend. Not from around here, though,” she said and looked quickly around in case the Streckke family was in ear shot. Someone tapped Amina on the shoulder and she turned to look.

Mr. Augustin gave her a kind smile. ”Splendid stories. I had no idea you were from a line of Fatil. Mr. Streckke hasn't mentioned it. Are you related through his wife?”

Amina shook her head. ”As far as I know, Mr. Streckke had no interest in the family legacy but he would have been entitled to learn the stories.”

Mr. Augustin thought about it for a while. He looked at the whispering and giggling girls, puzzled. ”Have you been telling stories at the town fairs before?”

Amina shook her head. ”When I asked for a permission for the first time, the chargé d'affaires of that town said I was too young to perform. Tonight is the first time I was telling stories by myself, though I've been on stage many times with my parents.”

Mr. Augustin was nodding. ”Right. Spendid. Good. Good. I hope you'll still return...” he mumbled as he walked away lost in his thoughts.

”Mr. Augustin is the herbalist of Tenera,” Amina explained to Jared, who nodded, obviously amused.

Parents were trying to usher their children back home but many of them would have wanted to speak with Amina. They moved along, however, as they saw Ms. Slava approaching her.

Amina curtseyd to her teacher.

”I am positively surprised. I haven't heard that many stories of the Fatil before and those have been... shorter and far more simple. You have an excellent memory,” Ms. Slava complimented Amina. She tried to avoid looking at Jared, but kept glancing his way from the corner of her eye.

Amina curtseyd again. ”I wouldn't have performed if I only knew children's stories.”

Ms. Slava nodded and turned her gaze to the side. ”Good evening, Mr. Streckke, Mrs. Streckke,” she said and bowed slightly to the approaching family.

Amina glanced over her shoulder. The Streckke family was approaching slowly, with dignity, basking in the light of her success as though it was all thanks to them. Amina curtseyd at them.

”Beautiful, darling. It was obviously a good choice for the entire family for your father to take over the storytelling,” Mr. Streckke said. Amina wondered whether it was meant as a grand praise.

”I wanted to do my best. I wouldn't have asked the permission to perform unless I was sure I can do it.”

Mr. Streckke's eyes turned to Jared. Even though nothing in his face changed, Amina felt a chill go down her spine.

Jared bowed lightly. ”Good evening, sir. I'm Jared. I've just returned from Everion where I learned from a mastersmith, and as I was in these parts of Armaran, I thought I'd say hello to Amina. I came to know her when she moved in with Kros and Emma,” he introduced himself politely.

Amina thought she saw Mr. Streckke's gaze soften a little. ”Is that so? How nice. She has been a very cheery girl during her stay here.”

Amina tried to think of a way to make the family show more respect to Jared despite his mundane profession.

”Everion is quite far for an apprenticeship,” Ms. Slava commented.

Jared smiled. ”I've already finished my basic blacksmith training in Armaran and I went to gain more knowledge in different techniques of forging. I'm going to another smithery in Juhvian come next autumn.”

Mr. Streckke was pleasently dumbfounded by this information. Ms. Slava seemed surprised aswell, but quickly regained her composure.

”Do you travel to different parts of Armaran often?” Mrs. Streckke asked.

”My master owns close to two dozen smithies all around Armaran, well, mostly further east-wards and in the central parts, so I do travel some. If he gives me an apprentice to look after, I might stay put for a while,” Jared replied.

”I had imagined that blacksmiths live and work in one sole location,” the son of Streckke said, slightly puzzled.

Jared nodded. ”Most blacksmiths learn and work in the same smithy their whole lives, but my master has gathered several under his guidance. All of those are in some smaller villages. He said he didn't want to compete with anyone in the bigger cities, but he has at least one apprentice in each smithy and he hires several fully trained blacksmiths. He has been very encouraging towards my plan to travel and learn more forging techniques,” Jared explained.

”I am quite surprised, I must admit. I never thought that a blacksmith would have the ambition or the opportunity to advance his career beyond the basic work,” Mr. Streckke admitted.

Jared bowed. ”There are many who don't want to or simply don't have the opportunity to learn more, but I will use every chance I get. I want to discover the limits of my abilities, if such exist. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a long day of traveling behind me even though I enjoyed my time at your town's fair. I wish you all a good night,” he said and bowed again. As he walked away, Amina saw the blacksmith of Tenera standing a little further away. He was waiting for Jared but was exceedingly polite to keep himself outside all the conversation.

Ms. Slava bid them all good night aswell. As she walked back towards the school, she was glancing after Jared.

Amina wondered how big of an impact Jared had had on the townspeople of whom the majority thought of any kind of craftsmen as their inferior. Handsome and ambitious, but well-mannered young man, who knew what he wanted and what he had to do to accomplish it. Those were qualities many civilised people lacked.

The Streckke family didn't ask any more questions about Jared, but Amina was sure they would be talking about this exceptional working man amongst themselves and their acquintances.

When Amina finally placed her head on the pillow, she was exhausted. She had been nervous about the public performance but enjoyed it nonetheless. Praie must have done something to keep her calm. It was present but didn't say or do anything. It wasn't moping, though. Maybe it had had an interesting day aswell.

***

On the next morning, Amina got up early even though she was still tired. She wanted to visit the smithy before her school started because she wanted to see Jared again and she didn't know how soon he'd travel on.

The blacksmith of Tenera and Jared were up and lighting the fire in the big fireplace of the smithy as Amina knocked on the door and peeked inside. She received a kind and warm welcome.

Jared was leaving on the same day but he had promised to help the blacksmith with something as thanks for letting him spend the night in the smithy. However, he had plans to travel to some nearby villages in a few weeks time and he promised to come see Amina again if he had the time to spare.

Amina remembered her promise to Kros and Emma to come back by summertime and she asked Jared if she could travel with him.

Their conclusion was that she could go with Jared after the next few weeks if she could settle her business in Tenera with Ms. Slava and Mr. Augustin.

Amina rushed to school happy. She was watching Ms. Slava with care as she was wondering if the woman might ask her something about Jared, but there was nothing out of the ordinary in Ms. Slava's behaviour. Many of the children wanted to talk to Amina about Jared's performance, though.

Amina gathered all the courage she could muster and asked Ms. Slava on the next day how her absence of several weeks would affect her school. Ms. Slava was surprised at first, but understood that Amina longed to meet other members of her family, and promised that her school wouldn't suffer too much if she took the trouble to practice while she was away. As Amina had witnessed, she had other students who were gone at times and still did quite well at school.

Amina approached Mr. Augustin next. She asked him what were his thoughts on her possible absence of several weeks. Mr. Augustin was somewhat disappointed but he was as understanding as Ms. Slava. His only wish was that Amina would return to his aid when she returned to Tenera. Amina promised and was very thankful that she'd have another chance to learn herbalism.

Amina spoke to the Streckke family last. They had no great interest in her coming and going, provided that they would receive a notification in advance. Amina was happy she'd get out of the house for a while. Tenera had many things she would miss – the school, Mr. Augustin and herbalism, the friendly blacksmith, and her new friends, but with the Streckke family she always felt inferior and miserable.

Armaran 14. luku

Amina seurasi hymyillen Jaredin esitystä ja uskaltautui vilkaisemaan silmäkulmastaan kavereitaan. He seurasivat esitystä hullaantuneina.

Jared pyysi sepältä lisää soihtuja ja jatkoi edelleen onnistuneesti jonglöörausta. Lopulta hän poimi soihdut ilmasta ja kumarsi syvään yleisölle. Hän sai raivoisat suosionosoitukset.

Seppä otti häneltä vastaan soihdut ja asetteli ne tukevasti rautaiseen sankoon pystyyn.

”Kiitos, kiitos paljon, mutta en oikeastaan tullut tänne tänään esiintymään!” Jared sanoi yleisölle. ”Ikäväkseni saavuin paikalle vasta myöhään iltapäivällä ja menetin suuren osan tarinoista. Nyt pyydän, jos vain teidän joukostanne vielä löytyy joku, joka jaksaisi kertoa edes yhden hienon tarinan, voisiko sellainen henkilö astua esiin?” Hän kääntyi katsomaan Aminaan.

Amina hymyili niin leveästi, että hänen poskiinsa sattui, mutta hän ei välittänyt. Hän astui kohti lavaa eikä kuunnellut yleisön muminoita, jotka kenties liittyivät johonkin aiempaan tarinankertojaan ja miten he hakisivat tämän paikalle.

Jared hyppäsi alas lavalta ja nosti Aminan ylös. Hän asettautui istumaan haara-asentoon maahan hymyillen. ”Jokin oikein mahtipontinen tarina, jos saan pyytää.”

Amina kääntyi katsomaan yleisöön. Suurin osa kyläläisistä ja paljon kauppiaita ja käsityöläisiä sekä muita muualta tulleita oli vielä paikalla. Hän tunsi sydämensä hakkaavan rinnassaan ja punan nousevan poskilleen. Hän hengitti pari kertaa syvään ja lausui alkuun yhden Fatilien tervehdyksistä, jollaisia hän muisti vanhempiensa esittäneen aina ennen tarinaa.

Muutamat kyläläiset mutisivat hyväksyvästi. Ehkä heidän lapsensa olivat osanneet kertoa hänen tarinoinnistaan tienpaikkauspäivänä.

Amina valitsi tarinakseen pitkän kuvauksen Everionin yhdestä sisällissodasta noin 1500 vuoden takaa. Hän tiesi, että tarinasta oli yksityiskohtaisempikin versio, mutta hän ei onnekseen muistanut sitä kokonaan. Siinä kuvattiin lenteleviä irtokäsiä ja muita irti hakattuja ruumiiden kappaleita. Kyseinen sota oli ollut siitä erikoinen, että kaikki Kahtal olivat kieltäytyneet taistelemasta minkään armeijan puolella ja ainakin viisi eri osaa Everionia oli taistellut toisiaan vastaan. Liittoumat ja sopimukset oli rikottu päivissä ja jokainen osapuoli oli häikäilemättömästi havitellut omaa etuaan ja Everionin herruutta. Sodan loputtua Everionin pääkaupungin Epruksen yliopistolle ja sen rehtorille annettiin uusi tehtävä ylläpitää Everionin sisäistä rauhaa tiedon ja sivistyksen voimalla. Samalla Eprus haluttiin vakiinnuttaa kaiken hallinnon keskittymänä, sillä monet suuret kaupungit olivat yrittäneet kahmia itselleen lisää alueellista hallintoa ja valtaa vuosisatojen kuluessa.

Saatuaan tarinan kerrottua loppuun Amina niiasi syvään ja sai yleisöltä raikuvat aplodit. Hän uskaltautui ensimmäistä kertaa katselemaan yleisön joukkoon kunnolla ja näki Streckken perheen melko lähellä lavan sivustaa. Neiti Slava oli keskellä ihmismassaa mietteliään näköisenä. Hänen kavereitaan oli edelleen lähellä lavaa ja muita oppilaita perheineen näkyi siellä täällä yleisössä.

Jared nousi seisomaan ja väki hiljeni. Hän vaikutti hieman hämmentyneeltä omasta arvovallastaan, mutta pyysi Aminalta toista tarinaa.

Amina niiasi, mutta epäröi hetken.

Sinä aikana Jared keksi pyytää yleisöltä juotavaa ääntään kuluttaneelle tarinankertojalle ja paikalle saatiin nopeasti ämpärillinen raikasta vettä suoraan kaivosta.

Amina suostui kertomaan toisen tarinan, mutta hän valitsi huolella melko lyhyen ja iloisen tarinan, koska tunsi olevansa jo melko rasittunut.

Hän sai jälleen kuuluvat suosionosoitukset tarinansa päälle, mutta siihen oli selvästi hyvä lopettaa. Monet perheet ohjasivat lapsiaan kotia kohti ja ilta oli selvästi viilennyt.

Jared auttoi Aminan alas lavalta. Hän hymyili, muttei sanonut mitään.

Amina vakavoitui. ”Olinko minä ihan huono?”

Jared pudisti päätään. ”Jännitit jonkun verran, mutta tarina meni tosi hienosti. Kun saat lisää kokemusta, pystyt eläytymään paremmin. Kukaan ikäisesi ei varmasti olisi pystynyt parempaan.”

Aminan kaverit liikkuivat levottomasti hänen näkökenttänsä laidalla ja hän kääntyi heidän puoleensa. Kukaan ei uskaltanut sanoa mitään.

”Hän on todella taitava, eikö vain?” Amina aloitti, koska halusi kavereidensa huomioivan lavan tapahtumia jotenkin.

Pari tyttöä kikatti, yksi yritti katsoa Jaredia silmiin, mutta käänsi viime hetkellä katseensa, ja pari nyökytteli päitään. ”Tunnetko hänet?” yksi uskaltautui kysymään puoliksi kuiskaten.

Amina hymyili. ”Hän on perheystävä. Ei tosin täältä,” Amina totesi ja vilkaisi nopeasti ympärilleen, jos Streckken perhe olisi kuuloetäisyydellä. Joku taputti Aminaa olkapäälle ja hän kääntyi katsomaan.

Herra Augustin hymyili hänelle ystävällisesti. ”Oivia tarinoita. En tiennytkään, että olet Fatil-sukua. Herra Streckke ei ole koskaan maininnut asiasta. Oletko sukua hänen vaimonsa kautta?”

Amina pudisti päätään. ”Herra Streckke ei käsittääkseni halunnut jatkaa suvun perinnettä, mutta hän olisi ollut oikeutettu oppimaan tarinoita.”

Herra Augustin tuumi hetken ja vilkaisi hieman hämmentyneenä kuiskivia ja hihitteleviä koulutyttöjä. ”Oletko aiemmin kiertänyt markkinoilla tarinoimassa?”

Amina pudisti päätään. ”Kun kysyin lupaa ensimmäisen kerran toisaalla, asiainhoitaja sanoi, että olen vielä liian nuori esiintymään. Tämä oli ensimmäinen kerta, kun kerron itse tarinoita, vaikka olen ollut vanhempieni mukana monta kertaa.”

Herra Augustin nyökytteli. ”Aivan, mainiota. Hyvä. Hyvä. Toivottavasti palaat kuitenkin vielä...” hän mutisi ja käveli omille teilleen ajatuksissaan.

”Herra Augustin on kylän herbalisti,” Amina selitti Jaredille, joka nyökkäsi ja hymyili huvittuneena.

Vanhemmat yrittivät paimentaa lapsiaan kotia kohti, mutta monet olisivat vielä halunneet jäädä juttelemaan Aminalle. He lähtivät kuitenkin liikkeelle, kun neiti Slava lähestyi Aminaa.

Amina niiasi opettajattarelle.

”Olen positiivisesti yllättynyt. En ole aiemmin kuullut montaa Fatil-tarinaa ja ne ovat olleet... lyhyempiä ja yksinkertaisempia. Muistisi on todella hyvä,” neiti Slava kehui Aminaa. Hän yritti välttää katsomasta Jaredia, mutta vilkuili kuitenkin tätä silmäkulmastaan.

Amina niiasi. ”En olisi esiintynyt, jos en olisi osannut kertoa jotain muuta kuin lastensatuja.”

Neiti Slava nyökkäsi ja käänsi katseensa sivummalle. ”Hyvää iltaa, herra Streckke, rouva Streckke,” hän sanoi ja nyökkäili lähestyvälle perheelle.

Amina katsoi olkansa yli. Streckken perhe käveli hitaasti ja arvokkaasti heitä kohti paistatellen hänen saaavutuksellaan aivan kuin se olisi heidän ansiotaan. Amina niiasi heillekin.

”Kaunista, kultaseni. Oli selvästi hyväksi suvulle, että isäsi otti vastuun tarinankerronnasta,” herra Streckke sanoi. Amina ajatteli, että sen oli varmaan tarkoitus olla suurikin kehu.

”Halusin tehdä parhaani. En olisi pyytänyt saada esiintyä, jos en olisi ollut varma pystyväni siihen.”

Herra Streckken katse siirtyi Jarediin. Vaikka hänen ilmeensä ei muuttunut, Aminaa kylmäsi.

Jared kumarsi kevyesti. ”Hyvää iltaa, herra. Olen Jared. Palasin juuri Everionista sepän opista, ja koska olin täällä päin Armarania, ajattelin tulla tervehtimään Aminaa. Tutustuin häneen, kun hän muutti Krosin ja Emman luo asumaan,” hän esitteli itsensä kohteliaasti.

Amina kuvitteli herra Streckken katseen pehmenevän hieman. ”Ihanko totta? Sepä mukavaa. Hän on ollut oikein reipas tyttö täällä asuessaan.”

Amina mietti kuumeisesti, miten saisi Streckken perheen arvostamaan Jaredia tämän arkisesta ammatista huolimatta.

”Everion on kovin kaukana lähteä vain kisälliksi,” neiti Slava kommentoi.

Jared hymyili. ”Suoritin sepänoppini jo Armaranissa ja lähdin opettelemaan erikoisempia taontatekniikoita muualle. Lähden seuraavaan pajaan Juhvianiin ensi syksynä.”

Herra Streckke oli selvästi positiivisesti yllättynyt. Neiti Slavakin vaikutti yllättyneeltä, mutta hillitsi itsensä nopeasti.

”Matkustatko useinkin eri puolille Armarania?” rouva Streckke kysyi.

”Mestarini omistaa parikymmentä pajaa ympäri Armarania, pääasiassa lännempänä ja keskiosissa, joten matkustan jonkun verran. Jos hän nimeää minulle kisällin, saatan pysyä paikoillani vähän kauemmin,” Jared vastasi.

”Luulin, että sepät elävät ja työskentelevät vain yhdessä paikassa,” Streckken poika kommentoi hieman kummissaan.

Jared nyökkäsi. ”Useimmat sepät oppivat ja työskentelevät samassa pajassa koko ikänsä, mutta mestarini on kerännyt omistukseensa useita pajoja. Kaikki ovat tosin pienemmissä kylissä. Hän ei ole halunnut lähteä kilpailemaan kaupunkien markkinoille, mutta hänellä on vähintään yksi kisälli jokaista pajaa kohti ja hän palkkaa muutamaa valmistunutta seppää. Hän on myös suhtautunut erittäin kannustavasti haluuni matkustaa ja oppia lisää tekniikoita,” Jared selitti.

”Olen yllättynyt. En koskaan ajatellut, että sepällä voisi olla kunnianhimoa tai mahdollisuuksia kehittää uraansa tavallista työtään pidemmälle,” herra Streckke myönsi.

Jared kumarsi. ”Monikaan ei halua tai heillä ei ole mahdollisuutta oppia enempää, mutta minä aion käyttää jokaisen eteeni tulevan mahdollisuuden. Tahdon löytää omien kykyjeni rajat, jos sellaiset ovat olemassa. Jos nyt suotte anteeksi, takanani on pitkä matkapäivä, vaikka nautinkin ajastani markkinoilla. Toivotan teille kaikille oikein hyvää yötä,” hän sanoi ja kumarsi uudestaan. Hänen kävellessään pois päin Amina näki hieman etäämmällä Teneran sepän, joka selvästi odotti Jaredia, mutta oli kohteliaasti jäänyt keskustelun ulkopuolelle.

Neiti Slava toivotti heille myös hyvää yötä ja vilkuili takaisin koululle kävellessään Jaredin perään.

Amina mietti, kuinka suuren vaikutuksen Jared oli tehnyt niihin kyläläisiin, jotka tavallisesti pitivät käsityöläisiä alempiarvoisina ihmisinä. Komea ja kunnianhimoinen, mutta kuitenkin hyvätapainen mies, joka tiesi mitä halusi ja mitä sen eteen täytyi tehdä. Niitä ominaisuuksia ei ollut läheskään jokaisella sivistyneelläkään ihmisellä.

Streckken perhe ei kysellyt Aminalta enempää Jaredista, mutta Amina oli varma, että he keskustelisivat vielä keskenään tai tuttaviensa kanssa tästä poikkeuksellisesta työläisestä.

Amina painoi lopulta pään tyynyynsä lopen uupuneena. Hän oli jännittänyt esiintymistä, mutta oli nauttinut siitä. Praie oli varmasti tehnyt jotain hänelle, jotta hän oli pysynyt rauhallisena. Se oli läsnä, muttei sanonut tai tehnyt mitään. Se ei kuitenkaan murjottanut. Ehkä silläkin oli ollut mielenkiintoinen päivä.

***

Seuraavana aamuna Amina nousi aikaisin, vaikka oli edelleen väsynyt. Hän halusi ehtiä sepänpajalle ennen koulua, jotta ehtisi varmasti nähdä Jaredin, sillä hän ei tiennyt kuinka pian tämä jatkaisi matkaansa.

Teneran seppä ja Jared olivat hereillä ja sytyttämässä tulta pajan uuniin, kun Amina koputti varovasti ovelle ja kurkisti sisään. Hän sai ystävällisen ja lämpimän vastaanoton.

Jared oli lähdössä vielä samana päivänä, mutta hän oli luvannut ensin auttaa seppää jossain asiassa kiitoksena yösijan tarjoamisesta. Hän oli kuitenkin aikeissa matkustaa pariin läheiseen kylään joitain viikkoja myöhemmin ja lupasi tulla tervehtimään Aminaa uudestaan, jos vain ehtisi.

Amina muisti luvanneensa Krosille ja Emmalle palaavansa viimeistään alkukesän aikaan ja hän kysyi Jaredilta voisiko tämä ehkä matkustaa hänen kanssaan.

He tulivat lopulta siihen päätökseen, että Amina voisi jo muutaman viikon päästä lähteä Jaredin kanssa, jos hän vain saisi sovittua asiansa Tenerassa neiti Slavan ja herra Augustinin kanssa.

Amina kiirehti kouluun iloisena. Hän tarkkaili neiti Slavaa, koska pohti haluaisiko tämä kysellä lisää Jaredista, mutta neiti Slava käyttäytyi kuten yleensä. Monet lapset halusivat kuitenkin jutella Aminalle Jaredin esityksestä.

Amina keräsi rohkeutensa seuraavana päivänä ja tiedusteli neiti Slavalta miten hänen poissaolonsa monta viikkoa vaikuttaisi hänen opintoihinsa. Neiti Slava oli ensin hieman yllättynyt, mutta ymmärsi kuitenkin Aminan kaipuun tavata muita sukulaisiaan, ja lupasi, ettei hänen koulunkäyntinsä kärsisi pahasti, jos hän jaksaisi harjoitella. Kuten Amina oli nähnyt, hänellä oli muitakin oppilaita, jotka olivat ajoittain poissa ja pärjäsivät silti koulussa.

Seuraavaksi Amina tiedusteli herra Augustinilta, mitä tämä oli mieltä, jos hän olisi poissa useita viikkoja. Herra Augustin oli hieman pettynyt, mutta yhtä ymmärtäväinen kuin neiti Slava. Hän esitti vain toiveen, että Amina palaisi hänen avukseen heti, kun palaisi Teneraan. Amina lupasi ja oli kiitollinen, että sai oppia lisää herbalismia.

Viimeisenä Amina puhui Streckken perheelle. Heitä ei lopulta kiinnostanut paljoa milloin Amina lähtisi ja koska tämä palaisi, kunhan he saisivat siitä tiedon jonkin aikaa aikaisemmin. Amina oli tyytyväinen, että pääsisi edes joksikin aikaa pois talosta. Tenerassa oli paljon asioita, joita hän jäisi kaipaamaan – koulu, herra Augustin ja herbalismi, ystävällinen seppä ja uudet kaverit, mutta Streckken perheessä hän tunsi aina itsensä alempiarvoiseksi ja huonoksi.

Armaran chapter 13

Amina got to know Tessa and her family better in secret. She wasn't missed at the Streckke house that often, no one wondered where she went during the afternoons, and she was rarely asked about her day. The son was recovering slowly and he kept complaining how he would get fat if he had to eat as much as Mr. Augustin had instructed. Under the watchful eyes of his parents he had no choice but to eat the small portions cooked especially for him.

Amina would make an extra sandwich at breakfast and pack it with her usual school lunch, because she didn't want Tessa to have to go through the whole day hungry. She agreed with Tessa that she'd leave the sandwich on a corner of the table in the classroom and she could take it without anyone noticing.

At the beginning of the next week Tessa didn't show up at school. Amina was vexed but she knew Tessa's family couldn't afford to send her there every week. After school Amina returned to the Streckke house and packed some more sandwiches. She went to Tessa's home where she had visited a couple of times during the previous week.

The children weren't at the house according to their mother. They had gone to gather the first sprouting plants of spring from the forest nearby.

Amina left the sandwiches with the mother and went to find her friend. It was easy to walk in the woods and the day was warm. Amina enjoyed her walk among the trees. She felt someone watching her. It was the same Gahim that had been watching her before. It still wasn't revealing itself to her.

It took Amina about half an hour to find the children and they studied the sprouts together. Amina had much fun even though the feeling of being watched didn't go away. She didn't let it bother her too much. There could easily be more Gahim in the woods.

They spent several hours in the forest and Amina realized she'd be late for dinner. She bid the children hasty farewells and hurried back. No one had missed her and she got some warm food from the kitchen.

***

As Amina came back from school on the next day, she was surprised by Mr. Streckke who asked to talk to her. She stepped into his study and saw a man whom she didn't know and one of the boys that had bullied her.

”Mr. Sten stopped by today to inform me that his son Ben had seen you yesterday... in some questionable company,” Mr. Streckke began.

Amina smiled. ”That is possible, but I had a good reason for it.”

Mr. Streckke returned her smile. ”That is what I told Mr. Sten, though I do appriciate his concern on my family's reputation. Please, tell me.”

Amina had been sure that she'd get caught at some point even though she hadn't expected it to be so soon. She looked the boy, Ben, in the eyes and said: ”I've met the children of a poor family a few times after I heard that Mr. Augustin buys some medicinal herbs and other plants they have gathered for him. I don't want to bother Mr. Augustin over nothing and I thought that I can learn some things about the plants from these children as he has already shared his knowledge with them. I thought it would save the time and effort of a busy man, who in my opinion should have as much time as possible to focus on his work. I am interested in gathering and preserving plants for him, if he ever needs the help and I am good enough.”

Ben made a face.

Mr. Sten was nodding his acceptance to Amina's explanation.

Mr. Streckke's face was somewhat unfathomable. After a moment the smile returned to his face. ”There we have it then. I knew I could trust you, Amina. Now, off you go, dear,” he said and waved his hand towards the door.

Amina left, feeling delighted. She was sure that if she was in any trouble now, it wasn't anything serious, though she decided not to see Tessa for a few days. Ben's revenge had failed miserably.

***

The next common good day was spent at the various shops in town where the students helped the merchants and craftsmen go through their inventories. Amina was ready to head off to the smithy when Ms. Slava directed her to the dressmaker's. After a moment she came back for her and directed her to the apothecary. ”Mr. Augustin asked specifically for you,” was Ms. Slava's sole and slightly puzzled explanation.

Amina stepped in timidly. Two students were already there, listening to Mr. Augustin's instructions. He didn't interrupt his explanation despite Amina's arrival and made sure the other two were well enough instructed to begin with their work. Only then did he acknowledge Amina. ”I have heard you have been gathering some plants for me.”

Amina nodded. ”When Tessa told me what she's doing with her siblings for you, I was very eager to learn about the plants and their uses... I don't really have any experience so far,” she replied.

Mr. Augustin thought for a while. ”Come here. You can start by counting all the ingredients in these jars,” he said and directed Amina behind the counter. The shelves were full of rows of big glass jars that held plants, insects, and their parts inside.

Amina stared at the jars with her eyes wide but without further delay grabbed the first one and placed it carefully on the table. She took a piece of paper from the counter and marked down carefully the words written on the label of the jar and began to count the huge grasshoppers.

Amina had gone through three jars when Ms. Slava came over and announced the children had done enough for the day. Amina asked Mr. Augustin if it was okay for her to finish the fourth jar before leaving.

In the end, Mr. Augustin expressed his wish that Amina would come back any time to count the contents of the rest of the jars. There was no hurry, but he would appreciate it very much if Amina would be willing to use her spare time to finish the job.

Amina promised to return some day and was sorry it would still take her several days to go through the rest of the jars.

Mr. Augustin assured her he didn't mind.

***

A couple of days later on her day off Amina received an excess of attention at the Streckke house as their son was commenting on the amount of food she was eating. The conversation moved on to other things fairly quickly but eventually turned to the professional talent of the apothecary. Mrs. Streckke praised him above all and complimented Amina how it had been her pleasure to introduce her enthusiasm towards herbalism to Mr. Augustin. Amina had to answer several questions but she managed to keep the conversation on herself and the apothecary instead of Tessa and her family. She hadn't had the courage to go see the kids yet.

It turned out that Mrs. Streckke had gone straight to Mr. Augustin after hearing from her husband about Amina's interests, to praise her will and motivation to help at the house and likewise elsewhere.

Amina was a little baffled and wondered if she had taken up a task far too great for her. As the whole family seemed to be in a good mood, Amina took the opportunity to ask what they would think about her performing at the town fair. She had heard at school that one was coming up in a couple of weeks. However, Amina wanted to be sure that the family had no objections to it before she asked Ms. Slava and last the chargé d'affaires.

Mr. Streckke thought about it for a while and came to the conclusion that, though he had personally had no interest in the Fatil legacy of the family and its continuation, he had no objections to Amina holding on to the legacy if it was acceptable to the other parties.

Amina thanked him and promised to ask Ms. Slava about it the very next day.

***

Ms. Slava had no reason to stop Amina from performing as she had already received the permission of the Streckke family but she doubted whether the chargé d'affaires would permit it.

Amina promised she would find it out as soon as possible. She had never met the chargé d'affaires of Tenera before, and she was anxious. However, she got help from an unexpected source.

Eric came to talk to her after the second day of school that week and first apologiced that he had paid heed to rumours, but he wanted to be sure if Amina was really intending to tell stories of the Fatil at the fair. As Amina admitted it to be so, he promised to accompany her to see the chargé d'affaires if they could go straight away.

Amina was grateful and relieved. Apparently Eric's family was well acquinted with the chargé d'affaires.

They walked over to the town hall where the office of the chargé d'affaires was.

Eric introduced Amina to him and let her take care of her own business. Amina asked as politely as she could for a permission to perform at the fair even though she admitted that she was rather young to do so and lacked in experience. She assured him that she knew her family's stories well. And she would not demand all the time that would be reserved for the stories and would be very willing to share the stage with other storytellers.

The chargé d'affaires of Tenera thought about it, with some creases appearing on his forehead as he frowned slightly. He asked Amina about her family in detail and came to the conclusion that they had at some point performed in his town. Eventually he found no reason to deny Amina the pleasure of performing, though he asked her to let the older and more experienced people share their stories first.

Amina thanked him kindly and repeated his thanks to Eric after they left the building.

Eric replied modestly that he had hardly done anything but helped her a little.

Amina shared the news with the Streckke family that night. In the evening, she wrote to both Kros and Jared because she wanted to share her happiness. The next day she gathered enough courage to go see Tessa and told her aswell.

***

A few days later, Amina received a letter from Kros. It was a reply to the letter she had sent earlier and she spent hours after hours reading it over and over again. Kros wrote how Kragu had grown and developed much, and how they all missed her even though they were happy that all was well with her. Nothing particular had happened in Groshna since she left but Kros told how some of the families whom they knew well were doing.

Amina had no time to feel homesick, as her days were full of activities. She tried to have time to see Tessa at least on two days each week but otherwise she spent all her afternoons arranging Mr. Augustin's jars. Amina thought it must be just her imagination that Ms. Slava was giving her less homework. However, the tasks she were to do on the common good days were definitely lighter, out of which the next two were dedicated to the preparations for the town fair.

On the last day before the fair Ms. Slava sent her students home at lunch time and told them to get ready for the fair, which would otherwise have been another common good day, but was now an extra day off.

Tessa was at school that week, and Amina had a chance to speak with her after school. Tessa and her siblings were headed to the woods again to gather some herbs, and Amina asked to join them.

They stopped by at the Streckke house so Amina could leave her school bag there as Tessa was waiting far enough from the house not to raise any trouble. Amina told the housemaid she'd be gone at least till dinner.

The children walked all over the woods surrounding the town and gathered many plants into a sack. Occasionally, the siblings would argue how some of the plants should be cut so they would be exactly how Mr. Augustin wanted them.

Amina listened carefully but didn't comment anything. She had not received any direct instructions or teaching from Mr. Augustin but she had listened to to his conversations with his customers and assistant about the proper use and storage of many of the ingredients. She had learned a lot while counting the insects and plants, though she still understood very little about the markings on the jars. Mr. Augustin had spent only a few moments to tell her about singular ingredients.

The afternoon went by fast and the children returned to town. Mr. Augustin went through their findings and frowned at some of the wilted plants. ”I would prefer these were cut closer to the root,” he commented on one of the plants.

Tessa's younger sister gave her sister a poisonous glare.

”Amina, take a look at this,” Mr. Augustin said as he picked up one of the plants that had a small bud on it. ”Here is a perfect young specimen. Even the roots seem to be in good condition...” and he explained in detail the use and preservation of the plant in question and asked Amina to preserve it as he had just described. The entire time he ignored the other children.

Amina took the plant from him with care and went to the back of the shop to prepare it. She had been to the back only a few times as she had very little business there but she knew where to find all the supplies she needed for the preservation. She worked fast but with great care and returned to the front of the shop.

Mr. Augustin was just counting coins on the counter and nodded at the children, who were watching with glee as Tessa collected the money into a small leather pouch. They thanked Mr. Augustin politely and waved at Amina as they left.

”Excellent. Quite a good catch for today, I'd say. Would you now tell me, my dear, what you have learned today?” Mr. Augustin asked.

Amina turned to the counter and told him what she could remember about the plants. She admitted her uncertanty at those points where the children had argued about the proper preparation of the plants.

Mr. Augustin listened to her with great patience and corrected all the errors. He thanked Amina for her great care and expressed his hopes of her returning to his aid after the fair.

Amina promised and courtesied as she left. She walked back to the Streckke house, exhausted. The sunny weather and long hours in the woods had almost drained her. Praie pointed out that she was just thirsty and hungry.

Amina smiled. Next time she'd make sure to take something to eat and drink with her. The day had been beautiful and useful in many ways. She had learned a lot. The Gahim was following her again amidst the trees but it still wouldn't show itself.

***

Amina spent most of the fair day with the Streckke family. Many merchants and craftsmen from afar had arrived on the previous day to get their stalls up on time along the streets. The Streckke family would visit only the finest of them. Amina looked around, curious, because she had a feeling she had met some of the merchants before. Her family had travelled a lot, so it was very possible, but she knew none of them well enough to dare greet them.

In the afternoon, the family stopped at the inn for some lunch as it felt futile to walk to the house and back again. Mr. Streckke had also given the servants the day off from after breakfast to late night. Amina hadn't been to the inn of Tenera before, and she compared it in her mind with the one in Groshna.

The afternoon in the whole was far more boring for Amina, as Mr. Streckke spent his time talking to his acquintances and they didn't visit any more stalls. Many people went home to get something to eat or to rest before the evening program began. Amina had heard there would be puppeteers, stories, and a dance show, and she was eagerly waiting for them all. She had no idea how many storytellers there would be or how many stories they would tell, but she was determined to stay at the fair as long as it took to get to tell at least one story of her own.

All of a sudden Mrs. Streckke expressed her weakness and asked that they would return to the house. Mr. Streckke was a little surprised but willing to return with his wife. He asked his son if he would stay with Amina, but he had absolutely no interest to mingle with the common folks any longer.

Amina was disappointed. She was about to ask Mr. Streckke if she could stay in town by herself, when he said over his shoulder that she was free to return to town a little later. Perhaps Mrs. Streckke would be feeling a little better then as well.

Amina sighed in relief in her mind.

***

The sun was closing in on the horizon, when Amina managed to gather enough courage to ask Mr. Streckke if she could already go back to town.

Mrs. Streckke was still feeling a little under the weather but she didn't want to keep everyone else in the house.

The whole family left for town again. Amina was walking in front and a little faster than the others, and she reached the town before dusk. She said hi to her friends from school, who told her that the storytellers had come and gone, and the set for the dance number was just being worked on the stage.

Amina smiled and pretended to be excited, even though disappointment filled her gut again.

The school children gathered closer to the stage to wait, as did many other villagers. Amina saw the Streckke family arrive a little after the show had begun, but they remained at a distance from the stage. The dance was a traditional Armaranian folk dance, which had a simpler version for casual dancing. It reminded in many ways the dances Amina had learned from the Gahim. She didn't even notice she was humming to the music and clapping her hands along with other people.

After the show, people moved further away from the stage and chatter filled the air. Amina couldn't see the Streckke family through the masses so she walked with her friends instead. She saw Tessa and her family a little further away and waved at them, but she didn't dare to go closer to greet them as she knew Mr. Streckke was nearby. Night had fallen during the dance show and lanterns were hung on the walls all over the town. Amina had fun talking to her friends and their families until there was some commotion near the stage. People were already gathering close to the stage, but Amina could see flying balls of fire above their heads. Amina asked her friends to come with her to see what was going on. They pressed past the taller adults right to the front of the stage.

The blacksmith was sitting on the edge of the stage, holding a few lit torches. In the middle of the stage was standing a man who was juggling skillfully with three lit torches. The flames of the torches created jumping shadows and patterns on his bare, muscular arms and focused but smiling face. The light was also playing on the gold of his multiple earrings.

Amina smiled wider than she had done in many weeks. She had not expected Jared to show up in the fair as he had told her nothing about it.