The Thistle
16 - The Pelidung
The WinkGef workspace became quiet as FayLinn opened the door. FayLinn heard a quarrel from inside his father's study, when he opened his eyes, and the Sun of Memra had just refracted its bright light. He had never heard his father so angry that his voice rose, and penetrated his study.
And FayLinn doesn't like to hear his father's high voice. So, he ventured to open the door of his father's study. He found two people standing opposite each other. His father, with a reddened face restrained angrily turned towards him and OzzHog with his hands clutching his father's arms.
The OzzHog?
Why did he dare to clutch his father's arm so firmly, and his father did not resist.
FayLinn's approaching. Staring at the clutches of OzzHog's hands on his father's arms. Both WinkGef and OzzHog belatedly realized, that FayLinn had already seen things that he should not have seen. He'll be confused. So WinkGef brushed OzzHog's hand aside, making the man retreat backwards.
”Dad... Are you okay?” ask FayLinn, get close to her father.
”FayLinn, you're up.”
”You quarrel.”
WinkGef grabbed FayLinn's arm, guiding her to sit on the chair. OzzHog was still standing, his face hardened. Some of the edges of his clothes were black marks, and the edges looked irregular.
”Why OzzHog shirt?”
WinkGef turned his head and only realized that a part of the OzzHog shirt had caught fire, leaving behind a blackish remnant. OzzHoga was rather surprised to hear FayLinn's question. He realized what had happened to his clothes. Early this morning, after the plantation workers managed to put out the fire with a blanket owned by WinkGef, OzzHog only realized that some of his clothes were ignited by fire. He rolled on the ground to put it out. And after all those tense incidents, WinkGef dragged her into his study.
There are many things that they must talk about, in terms of astonishment, but without all the plantation workers knowing. However, not to mention they started the debate, FayLinn appeared.
OzzHog rushed out of the room without heeding the father and son.
WinkGef sat on the edge of the table, with one leg hanging and the other treading the floor. Trying to casually stare at FayLinn who was already sitting in her chair with a question mark filled gaze. WinkGef set his breath, and FayLinn could see clearly, his father was trying to assuage his anger.
”Why OzzHog?”
”It's okay. Dad has to scold him because he's not so good at working.”
”But, she gripped dad?”
”She was so angry when dad scolded her. That's why he did it.”
”Dad will fire him? Shouldn't plantation workers respect dad?”
WinkGef let out a long sigh. How could he possibly fire OzzHog in the current situation. WinkGef was convinced that last night's fire had disturbed Nerdia. Soon the news will reach the ears of King Orla. WinkGef needed protection, so that King Orla would not harass him. And proper protection is protection from the enemy King Orla.
Right now, he no longer knew which side was right. His quarrel with OzzHog before FayLinn appeared, had affected him. He just hoped, everything would be fine. For FayLinn.
”Honey, dad wants to eat cold whim.”
FayLinn glared happily. He jumped out of his chair.
”Of course I can make it for dad. I haven't made whim cold in a long time. Said Mr. Destyn, I must keep it a secret.”
”Mr DesTyn correct.”
”But, I want to always make whim cold.”
”Come, we can make it now.”
WinkGef reached out, FayLinn greeted him happily. They both headed to FayLinn's room. In the room FayLinn always available a variety of pasta Rouya stored in a closet. WinkGef provided the cabinet at ZinLinn's request. In Nerdia, only FayLinn has a cupboard containing all of Rouya's pasta. Initially WinkGef had no idea what ZinLinn meant, other than that he just wanted to meet all the needs of his son.
Every child of Nerdia, should be introduced to all Rouya. Both fruit, stems, leaves and processed foods from Rouya. Usually the son of the Nerdian nobility only liked the Green Rouya. Rouya is the most delicious and expensive.
But not for FayLinn. His late mother had introduced him to various types of Rouya.
Ooo
Throughout the day, WinkGef enjoys the services of FayLinn. He could only be amazed by FayLinn's ability. All of Rouya's pasta has been converted into different flavors. Even the famously bitter Blue Rouya, could become so delicious in FayLinn's hands.
”Since when did you learn all this, Fay?” asked WinkGef, again tasting Rouya Merah which tastes like Rouya Hijau when it is mixed with chunks of Rouya Hijau frozen.
”Mother taught me. Since long ago.”
”Since when was it?”
”I forgot. My time is small.”
FayLinn's poking shoulders, ”I don't know. But mom taught me a lot.”
”Why did mom teach you? He never taught me. Mother really unfair.”
FayLinn laughed, then hugged his father's neck and kissed his cheek.
”Because I'm not smart,” said FayLinn, ”mom once said so, really. I once asked, why don't you teach me. If you can, I'll be happy.”
”Keeps mother, father is not smart?”
”Iya.”
”How can you know you're not smart? Dad wouldn't be Enya if you weren't smart.”
”Daddy has stopped being Enya, so dad is not smart anymore.”
WinkGef chuckles. FayLinn is starting to talk. The boy no longer grieved over his mother's death. Apparently various events lately, have made him start to forget his mother. However, not the knowledge that his mother inherited. He is increasingly honing his knowledge. WinkGef found FayLinn's pasta cabinet empty. Apparently, he wears it every day.
”If dad sleeps, dad doesn't wear gloves.”
WinkGef frowned at FayLinn's words. A glove?
FayLinn used to wear gloves while sleeping. Custom made by ZinLinn, from Blue Rouya leaf fiber. Also the blanket. Despite the hot weather, FayLinn never let go of it all. Initially WinkGef thought, this was just a ZinLinn habit that was passed down on FayLinn. To keep her son warm.
”Of course not, baby. Why?”
”Mothers said, when I was born, I almost lost my hand.”
”Really? Your mother never told that to dad.”
”Say mother, it happened at night. When I was one day old. Mother found both of my hands fused like this, and was enveloped by thick, cold white smoke. I find it hard to let go of both my hands.”
FayLiin cupped his palms together, and a moment later a thin smoke came out from between his fingers, slowly thickening and enveloping his entire hand. WinkGef could feel the cold. He tried to hold the smoke, but then, FayLinn rubbed his hands together, and slowly the smoke melted into water that soaked the floor.
WinkGef found FayLinn's hand remained intact.
”That time, mother overslept, until this white smoke froze and made my hand become one.”
”Then, what does mom do?”
”Mother blew it.”
”Blown it?”
”Yes. Mom said, when you're sick, he's enough to blow the sick part. Then my pain will disappear.”
WinkGef nodded. That is why, ZinLinn always provides FayLinn gloves in his bedroom. And WinkGef never found the white smoke surrounding his daughter.
Why would ZinLinn have to keep this a secret to her? After his departure, WinkGef will not be able to keep this secret anymore. FayLinn has revealed the secret in front of DesTyn, LesTyn and Enya Moss. To save DesTyn's life.
WinkGef grabbed FayLinn in his arms.
”Fay, there's something I want to tell you.”
FayLinn hugged his father's neck, and climbed into his lap.
”From now on, OzzHog will be your guardian. Wherever you go, OzzHog should always be with you. You believe in dad, right?”
FayLinn nodded. He knew his father was worried about him.
”If you believe in father, then you must believe in OzzHog. If you're not around, OzzHog will take care of you. You get it.”
FayLinn nodded. He was sure that his father's decision was not wrong. OzzHog saved it. So OzzHog will definitely protect him, according to his father's orders.
WinkGef let out a long breath. He hopes his decision is not wrong. King Orla must be after FayLinn right now. Giving FayLinn protection under his enemy, would make King Orla cautious in his actions.
”Dad will take you to South Nerdia. Tomorrow morning.”
FayLinn took off her arms. His eyes glared happily. South Nerdia is the most distant part of the country of Nerdia. Not all noble children easily go there.