Two Days Late So Far…
(Swords with Souls)
Fantasy Fiction
By Dan Watt
(Author of BARD: Bearer of the Gemstone)
(Author of the Plagueborn series)
– Adult content –
The gardenery was always under construction. A main tower, five stories high, was nearly complete. This is where Lord Ysbail would live with his academics. Lord Idris’s indoor training grounds had been finished the year before. A great division was occurring between the two brothers. As the orphan girls became teenagers and some young women, they gave shy stares mostly in Lord Idris’s direction. It was obvious by the strain on his face he was forcing himself to be cold towards them. But one of the older girls was persistent. They could never be married, so everyone said she was his consort. Her name was Asghari. He remembers her thick brunette hair and light blue eyes. She had freckles around her nose and a small bosom but wide hips. Her laugh was joyous but her determination unwavering. And she was absolutely devoted to Lord Idris as he was to her. With time she became lead gardener. For a number of years after the first plague the gardens were bountiful. And although most of the local population were doing well, there were some still struggling. These families were given some of the extra crop. That did not fit into Lord Ysbail’s plans for the gardenery. He ordered the construction of a stone and clay wall to be built around the perimeter of the gardenery.
Every year there were games held for the orphans who were now children. Boys and girls competed against each other because at that age there was little difference in size and strength. A new boy, named Dodder, was allowed to compete. Everyone knew he was the bastard son of Lord Ysbail. There was something off about him and not just the peculiar ways his eyes seemed too close to his aquiline nose making his head seem too big. He was taller than everyone else and physically thicker than the other children, suggesting he was in his early teens. It was expected he would win the strength and running events.
One race consisted of running the perimeter of the gardenery. With a smirk on his face the boy seemed so confident that he boasted he wouldn’t even have to try. When GO was shouted out to start the race, he started off with more of a jog. But one of the girls burst past everyone else. The bastard started pumping his arms and legs to catch up to the girl but she was too fast. When the race was finished a wreath of holly was placed over her head. As the girl beamed and almost everyone applauded her, Lord Ysbail stood with his hands clenched and a face full of rage. The next day a missive was sent out that it was inappropriate for girls to practice or compete in sports, because it may cause harm to their fragile physiques.
After reading the missive, he heard Lord Idris say, under his breath, ‘But it’s okay for them to wash our clothes, sweep the floors, bake the food, and do most of the gardening.’ More missives would appear, each claiming females shouldn’t teach math or writing beyond young children because it was too stressful for their smaller minds. Females couldn’t possibly be as smart as men. Therefore, girls that showed a greater aptitude towards academics must be witches. Boys and girls must tell their male teachers if any girl demonstrated this trait.
Site to check out on Ancient Chinese methods of gardening
Caedar Writing & Artwork 