tailieunhanh - The Fox

Peat smoke darkened the room and firelight struggled to glint off the weapons behind Uncle Beathan, our clan chieftain. I kept my eyes on the weapons so I did not have to look at him. A bronze shield, two spears and two swords -- one short, and one long -- were balanced against the wall. The sword hilts showed our smith's interpretations of animals, trees and the spirals of life. If I squinted just right, the bear, Uncle Beathan's name sign, shrugged its shoulders as if alive. When he was in a better mood than today, he let me touch them. I wished I had. | The Fox 1 Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 CHAPTER 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 The Fox by Arlene Radasky photo by Zail Coffman cover by Amy McKinney Chapter 1 2 Chapter 1 JAHNA AD 82 November I will die when I choose to die. And as I die my thoughts will be of Lovern the Fox a man who taught me to live to talk to the gods and to love. We failed to change the future and now I beg the goddess Morrigna to allow my daughter a safe journey. I have only time for one more passage dream to tell our story. Then I shall die. AD 72 October Peat smoke darkened the room and firelight struggled to glint off the weapons behind Uncle Beathan our clan chieftain. I kept my eyes on the weapons so I did not have to look at him. A bronze shield two spears and two swords -- one short and one long -- were balanced against the wall. The sword hilts showed our smith s interpretations of animals trees and the spirals of life. If I squinted just right the bear Uncle Beathan s name sign shrugged its shoulders as if alive. When he was in a better mood than today he let me touch them. I wished I had worked with my cousin to create this art. We stood in front of my uncle s table like thieves as he ate goat cheese and bread crumbs falling into his beard. My hands were sweating. I held them behind me. I jumped when he spoke. Jahna you will marry Harailt. He had sent Braden to summon my mother and Harailt as well as me. Harailt s father Cerdic was there too. No good ever came from being summoned. Beathan would usually send the girl who did his cooking Drista to ask us to join him for family discussions. Drista a farmer s daughter honored to be chosen by Beathan to serve at his table was almost at the marrying age and would leave Beathan s home soon. He would pick another and another