Gzera And The Warrior God

CHAPTER TEN

The market day dawned bright and bustling, but for Gzera, the morning held a different kind of anticipation. Aba was due to arrive, and with her, the moment of truth regarding Thorn's surprising generosity. Gzera had spent the two days since their last meeting preparing, not for market sales, but for Aba's visit. She had used some of the cotton fabrics to quickly fashion herself a simple, comfortable dress, a vast improvement over Thorn’s oversized tunic, which she now folded neatly. The cottage hummed with the quiet domesticity she had brought to it, a stark contrast to its former silent existence.

Just as the sun began to climb higher, painting the new, rapidly growing cottage frame in warm light, Aba appeared. She was alone this time, her usual vibrant headwrap a splash of color against the earthy tones of the landscape. Her eyes immediately went to the new, larger structure, a flicker of impressed surprise crossing her face before settling on Gzera, who stood waiting by the cottage door.

"Aba, welcome!" Gzera greeted, a warm smile on her face. "Come in, please."

Aba stepped inside, her gaze sweeping over the comfortable interior. She noticed Gzera's new dress, a subtle nod of approval acknowledging the well-made garment. "The cottage is coming along quickly," Aba observed, her voice polite. "Thorn and the men work well."

"They do," Gzera agreed, then her expression grew a little more serious. "Aba, about the fabrics..." She gestured towards the neatly folded bundles on the new bed. "Thorn, the warrior god, he... he doesn't want me to work at the market to pay for them."

Aba's face, which had held a hopeful anticipation for a moment, fell. A palpable wave of disappointment washed over her. Her shoulders slumped slightly, and her eyes, usually so sharp and business-like, clouded with deflated expectation. The thought of Gzera's wondrous food being a regular market draw, a new source of prosperity for her family, had clearly been a powerful lure.

"Oh," Aba said, the single word heavy with unspoken regret. "I see. He forbids it, then?"

"Not exactly forbids," Gzera clarified, "but he insists on paying. He says I shouldn't 'labor to pay a debt.'" She picked up the heavy leather sack Thorn had given her and offered it to Aba. "So, here is your payment, for all the beautiful fabrics."

Aba took the sack, her fingers testing its weight. It was substantial, clearly containing more than enough coins for the fabrics. Her disappointment lingered, however, a visible shadow over her features. While the money was good, it was a one-time transaction, not the recurring, market-day bounty she had envisioned. The allure of the market, the promise of Gzera's food drawing new customers to her own stall, had been a powerful dream.

"It is a fair price, Gzera," Aba said, her voice somewhat subdued as she weighed the sack. "Thank you." She paused, her gaze going to Gzera's face, then to the remnants of their shared meal from two days prior, the memory of the incredible flavors still fresh.

Then, with a sigh that was more resignation than anger, Aba reached into a small satchel she carried. She pulled out five rolls of shimmering silk fabric, each more exquisite than the last. Their colors were rich and deep – a sapphire blue, a ruby red, an emerald green, a golden yellow, and a deep, lustrous violet. She placed them on the bed beside Gzera's chosen fabrics.

"For your honesty, and for the promise of the taste of your food," Aba said, her voice regaining a touch of its usual warmth. "Consider these a gift, for the meals you have already shared with me and my family." She hesitated, then added, "And perhaps... perhaps you might reconsider the market one day. Such talent should not be hidden away."

Gzera's eyes widened at the unexpected generosity. Five silks! They were truly magnificent, even more luxurious than what she had initially chosen. "Aba, you don't have to!" she protested, genuinely touched.

"I do," Aba insisted with a small smile. "Consider it a gesture of friendship. And," she continued, her eyes brightening with a sudden thought, "Kojo mentioned a 'sweetening fruit mash' you made this morning? He said it was unlike anything he'd ever tasted."

"Oh, the ripened fruit preserve?" Gzera asked, a smile returning to her face. "Yes, I have some left." She quickly went to the cottage’s small pantry, where she had stored the leftover sweetening fruit preserve. She carefully spooned a generous portion into a small, clean gourd, sealing it tightly.

"Here," Gzera offered, handing the gourd to Aba. "This is for you and your family. To remember the taste."

Aba took the gourd, her expression softening considerably. The prospect of taking home a sample of this incredible food seemed to genuinely lift her spirits. "Thank you, Gzera," she said, her voice warm and sincere. "You are truly a gifted woman. May your stay here be blessed."

With a final, polite nod, Aba turned and made her way out of the cottage. Gzera watched her go, a sense of warmth spreading through her. She had managed to navigate a delicate situation, pleasing Thorn with her obedience while still fostering a good relationship with Aba. And she had gained five extra silk fabrics in the process!

She went back to the new fabrics, running her hands over the silks. They were truly beautiful. Thorn, for all his gruffness, was unexpectedly generous, and Aba, despite her initial disappointment, was a woman of honor and kindness. Gzera already had ideas for the silks: maybe a flowing cloak, or even just some decorative elements for the finished cottage.

She thought of the market, and the bustling life she had briefly contemplated joining. While Thorn's desire for her to stay, for her not to 'labor,' was touching, a part of her still yearned for the wider world. His reasons for keeping her close were still a mystery. Why was he so adamantly against her being seen, or working, beyond the bounds of his land? It was a question she knew she would eventually have to ask. But for now, surrounded by the bounty of her garden and the warmth of her increasingly transformed home, Gzera felt a profound sense of contentment. The cottage was growing, her powers were restored, and the silent warrior was, in his own way, becoming less silent, and more intertwined with her presence. The realm of gods and demons was proving to be far more complex, and far more engaging, than she could have ever imagined.