Morning Diamond

It begins

Clad smiled as he watched her. Arianna. Her name tickled the tip of his tongue, begging to be released so the sound could caress his ears. She was everything he had ever dreamed of small, feminine, and beautiful. Her long blonde hair streamed down her back in soft curls. She wore a plain green dress that danced across the powdered earth as she moved. The color brought out the remarkable shade in her gentle green eyes. Her pink lips curved to reveal beautiful teeth, slightly crooked. She hung on her father’s arms as he led her forward.

Clad’s spirit soared when they paused before him and Arianna’s father placed her delicate hand in Clads large callused ones. Love shone in her eyes and his reflected the same look of adoration.

Clad reluctantly turned from her glowing radiance to present the stunning young woman to the village monarch. The old woman smiled kindly and began her practiced speech. Words surrounded him with the gift of pride and anticipation. Arianna would be his to protect for all time. He looked down at her and his world became perfect the moment he accepted this divine creature as his wife.

The celebration following the simple wedding lasted late into the night. They laughed and danced as flutes sang a salute to their love. The next morning when he woke with his bride resting peacefully on his shoulder he smiled, thinking life would never again be so perfect. He pulled her closer, knowing she was the reason for his very existence.

It was with great pride that Clad led Arianna north to present her to his family. He laughed as she questioned him.

“Will they like me?” He gently kissed her and reassured her of the love and devotion his parents would shower her with. He looked back to the small group of men who completed their caravan and encouraged them with his eyes to confirm his words. They did not hesitate. Arianna delighted him with her purest smile and thanked him with a light kiss.

It took a week to reach the small hill bordering Clads home. Excitement coursed through him when he saw the smoke floating to the sky and licked his lips in anticipation of the feast that would welcome him and his new wife. As they climbed the slight incline he chuckled when a childhood memory filled his mind.

“What’s so funny?” Arianna asked. Clad looked at her quizzical anticipation and momentarily debated if he should share with her the secrets of his past.

“If I tell you I am afraid you will never look at me the same again.” She raised a brow and her eyes widened. Clad couldn’t help but wrap his arm around her, pull her near, and kiss away the sudden worry reflecting from her innocent emerald eyes.

“I was a different lad in my youth; quite mischievous in fact. I fear I felt the sting of a switch one too many times as well as gained incredible amounts of experience in numerous chores around our village.” Arianna smiled at the teasing in his voice.

“And this is why you chuckle?” He grinned and nodded his response. “You have intrigued me. It may be best if you tell me what I can expect if we are to have sons of our own someday.” She gazed up at him shyly and it took all his willpower to continue climbing the hill and not whisk her away to work on the suggested task. He cleared his throat and looked at her soberly.

“When I was a much, much younger man my best friend, Mac, and I stole one of Marcel’s potions!” Clad maintained a serious expression though he knew by Arianna’s sputtered gasp and the sudden light in her eyes she was imagining two youngsters sneaking into the witch’s hut to take a vial of liquid for some naughty intention.

“What did you do with it?” She attempted to compose a stern look, but failed miserably.

“Do you remember the old man I told you about the other day that was grumpy as a badger?” She nodded. “Well, Old Man Shace used to get these bad aches in his back and feet. Marcel had made him a cream that he would rub on the sore spots a few times a day.

“Mac and I had no idea what the cream we stole would do so we decided to trade out Shace’s cream with the one we took.”

“You didn’t?” Arianna had to cover her mouth to hide her grin. Clad gently pulled her hand away and lightly ran a finger over the side of her mouth and watched her breath catch.

“We did!” He pulled her to a rock and sat her down so he could tell her the rest of the story. They were only a short way from the top of the hill and if they continued, he would be unable to finish the tale. His family could wait a few more minutes before meeting his new bride. He signaled for the men to take a break and sat beside Arianna.

“Mac and I waited until the next morning for Old Man Shace to go work in the gardens. When we were sure we would not be caught we snuck into his shack and found the cream Marcel had made for him. We scraped the goo into a bowl we found in his cooking chest and replaced it with the cream we had taken from Marcel’s hut.

“We ran from the tent like Sorchanna herself was chasing after us with the switch to beat us with.” Clad shook his head at the thought of the Great Goddess coming down to punish him with a whipping stick.

“It would be Melek, God of the underworld, who would be chasing you, not to spank you, but to pull you into Purgatory for your sinful deeds,” Arianna corrected with a gleam in her eyes.

“Indeed, I believe you may be right, Love.” He tweaked her nose and continued his tale. “We watched from behind a nearby shack until Old Man Shace returned from the fields to take his afternoon break. When he disappeared inside we ran across the path to the side of his home to watch from the window.

“Shace was just pulling the cream from the shelf when we poked our heads over the windowsill.” Clad chuckled again and his voice almost squeaked with mirth when he continued. “He rubbed that cream all over his back, groaning the whole time. When he pulled up a chair to sit on, Mac and I were struggling to keep our laughter at bay.

“Shace pulled his foot over his opposite leg and began kneading the cream into the arches of his foot. At that point, I’ll admit I was the first to make a sound. Both Mac and I ducked our heads just as the old man’s keen eyes darted to the window. We heard the chair scrape and knew he was coming for us. That’s when the fun began.” Clad pumped his eyebrows.

“Did he catch you then?” Arianna asked when Clad did not continue right away. She watched with impatience as he broke off a piece of wheat grass and stuck it in his mouth. He chewed on it for a few moments without saying a word. When he was sure his wife would explode with curiosity he finally spoke again.

“He began to swear. That’s what made Mac and I peek through the window again. He was studying the cream suspiciously and at the same time reached for a towel. Mac and I about burst when he lifted the bowl of cream to his nose then flinched at the sweet scent.

“Shace whipped the towel from the shelf and began rubbing it against his back furiously while advancing on the two pesky faces laughing at him from the window. ‘What did you do?’ he yelled then froze.

“Oh Arianna, I can’t tell you how amazing it was to watch his expression transform from the look of death to cold fear. His face turned white, his eyes widened, and you could visibly see the sweat begin pouring over his brow. He looked at the cream, looked at us then dropped the canister on the ground. I am positive he had no idea what he was doing for several moments, because he reached up and wiped his hand over his forehead like he was attempting to force himself to think of a solution.

“When he realized what he was doing he yelped and sprang into action. He darted from the shack and ran to the stream. I bet that was the best bath he’d had in months. Mac and I were laughing so hard it attracted several of the villagers, including Marcel and my father. I tell you one thing’s for sure; one look from my old man sobered us two boys faster than anything I could ever imagine.

“After Shace finally finished scrubbing the lotion from his skin he stormed out of the water, took Mac and I by the ears and led us back to his shack. Everyone in attendance followed close by so Shace had no qualms about leaving us outside while he went in to retrieve the bowl of cream. He stepped out of his home and towered over Mac and me. I swear I have never seen a person look so tall and forbidding.”

Arianna chuckled.

“He handed Marcel the bowl and asked her what it was. You know what she said? ‘So this is what happened to the hair growing tonic I made for Grism.” Clad’s laughter echoed off the rocks and over the grass. Arianna’s eyes watered in response to her own intense merriment.

“Mac and I had to do extra chores for over a month, but it was worth the sore muscles every time we walked past Old Man Shace’s hut and there he was standing outside scowling at his wife as she shaved his back, forehead, and foot.”

“Oh Clad, will I ever be able to handle raising sons?” Arianna laughed.

“Well, My Sweet, you are quite lucky to have me for their father. I know all the tricks and played all the pranks possible. I will be able to stop their mischief before it starts.”

“That or you’ll teach them all the tricks you know and watch as they show you how to do them better!” Clad looked up as Mitch approached them.

“I hope not”, Arianna responded to the intruder with a smile of welcome as he squatted before her and Clad.

“I remember that day as being one of the best days of my life. I was a few years younger than Mac and Clad, but I watched every prank they played over the years. They were heroes for every boy in the village. None of us had the courage to do what they did. After I got older they let me start participating…”

“By participating he means we sent him around doing our dirty work,” Clad offered, Mitch chuckled.

“Yeah, but I didn’t catch on to that until we were much older and I realized I was getting into trouble more than you were, but man it was worth it. We started traveling shortly after we turned twenty summers and became traders. Mac met Sarah on one of our excursions and that was the end of his youthful blunders. I guess now that Clad’s found you he’s going to become a dreadful bore.” Clad kicked Mitch’s legs out from under him causing the younger man to topple over.

“Overly touchy. Must be the truth of it then,” Mitch chuckled as he stood and offered his hand to Clad. “If story time is over, I’m a bit anxious to see if a certain lady friend of mine is still single and awaiting my return. We’ll have plenty of time to reminisce of the old days over a fire tonight.” He winked at Arianna and helped Clad to his feet.

“ Come, My Love, I am sure Mac would want to tell you all the lies he can tonight.” Clad offered both hands to assist his wife to her feet. She smiled into his eyes and rose onto her toes to kiss his cheek.

“I look forward to hearing more about your childhood.”

“Here, let me tell you some other things I believe you should know about this love struck block head,” Mitch offered his arm, which Arianna readily accepted. “Did Clad tell you how he caught two cats by the tail, strung them together and threw them over Lady Saundra’s clothes line? They fought against each other for a good fifteen minutes before the old lady found and rescued them. What was your penance for that one?” Mitch asked over his shoulder. Clad shook his head and winked at his wife.

“I plead not guilty,” Clad stated as he passed his wife and friend to breach the hill.

“Bogus! You thought it was the best trick in the…” Mitch’s words caught in his throat and he all but choked on the horror in front of them. Clad heard the sharp intake of breath to his side. It was his concern for his gentle wife that forced him to tear his eyes from the scene before him and look into her panicked face.

Her green eyes instantly filled with tears and her hand flew to cover the scream that escaped her. When she stumbled, Clad caught her against him, turning her head into his shoulder to shield her from the sight that greeted them.

Clad looked down on his father’s village and for the first time in his life felt the freezing hand of bitter loss.

The smoke they had seen rising above the hills were not the friendly cooking fires he’d expected, but the remains of a massive fire. Smoldering piles of ash was all that remained of the grass homes. Bodies of family and friends lay scattered motionless across the blackened earth. After several moments of staring blindly at the remains, Clad needed answers to the questions racing through his mind.

“Take her!” He commanded and encouraged Arianna into Mitch’s waiting arms. “Please?” Mitch nodded and Clad knew his friend would care for Arianna while he searched the village.