R Michael Card [Card - Soul Seeking

It was high summer, and yesterday Beremus the weeklong Feast of Berem, god of celebrations, drink, and dreams had begun.

The common room of the Ox and Axe was crammed with boisterous revelers toasting the festive god. The three serving girls had their hands full with the large and rowdy crowd, yet they still managed to slide through the throng with ease, as well as somehow understand the shouted requests thrown at them. The three large hearths were all roaring, roasting ox and venison and stewing root vegetables in a thick gravy. The scent of the food was nearly overwhelmed, however, by the stench of sweat from the mass of people, even with all of the windows thrown open to let in light and whatever meager breeze might dispel the oppressive heat within the single room. Overall, it was an assault on the senses.

Jais was glad to leave the noise and heat of the common room and step outdoors once again. His familys small wagon sat just outside the rear door of the Ox and Axe laden with fresh stag: cleaned, skinned, and ready for cooking. His uncles hunting would help to feed the village today, and Jais had one carcass left to deliver.

He hefted it from the wagon bed and reentered the tavern to hand it over to the beefy tavern keeper, a man named Rolm. Rolm accepted the meat and handed Jais the full payment for the load, two silver coins, allowing him to escape the inn for good this time. The tavern keeper would easily make that money back by the end of the day, but it wasnt an unfair price. The exchange had been worked out long ago by Rolm and Jais uncle. Which was good because Jais didnt want to stick around. Having lived secluded from the rest of the village most of his life, he wasnt fond of large crowds. He didnt mind the people so much as the noise and close quarters. It wasnt how he preferred to meet with others. So he was halfway to freedom when a large form staggered over toward him shouting his name.

Jais! There you are. Stay and help me win a bet. Ale-infused breath washed over him as Erid, a large young man, grabbed him by the shoulder.

Not today, Erid, Jais said pulling away. He turned and was nearly out the door when another voice stopped him.

Oh, Jais, you have to prove him wrong. Hes a big lout, and he knows he cant beat you. He keeps saying he can finally best you at grip-wrestling. The voice was one he knew well, Alnia, the millers daughter. His heart constricted in a very familiar way as it did every time he talked to her. He turned back and couldnt help but smile when he saw her. She was flushed with drink, like everyone else, but on her it only served to accentuate her beauty. Auburn hair tumbled in waves to frame a round-cheeked face with sparkling green eyes and full lips, and the dress she wore had a tie around her torso under her bosom, accentuating the curves. Jais heart quickened.

He would stay for her. Just long enough to prove Erid wrong. Then hed return home to his chores.

Of course I will, he said and joined them, pressing through the crowd to their table.

The village of Klastens Green was not large, and there were only a handful of others around Jais age. They were all crowded around one small table. Ulf, a farmers son and the youngest of their troop. Kina and Lisa, sisters, only a couple years apart in age and daughters of the single merchant in town. Danz, Alnias older brother who stood to inherit the mill in a few years. Hansa and Rom, sister and brother and farmers as well, then Erid, the smiths son, and of course, Alnia and himself.

Yana and Esrine were present as well, two of the three tavern keepers daughters, but they were far too busy to join the group today, and most other days as well.

Erid pushed Danz out of a chair and sat, putting his elbow on the table, hand raised. Jais sat opposite him and did the same with his arm, clasping the other mans sweaty palm. Grip-wrestling was not a new activity for him and Erid, and it was far better than the brawling theyd done as kids. Erid was the largest boy in town standing a full head and shoulders above Jais and built thick and strong from hours a day in the smithy. Jais was not a tall man, but as broad as Erid across the shoulders just on a more compact frame, and hed always been stronger.

Alnia called out, Begin! and the two began to struggle against each other, trying to push the others hand down to the table. Erid had grown stronger with each passing year, but still Jais knew how this fight was going to end. Already their arms were tilting in Jais favor, and with a little more effort he finished the contest, touching Erids knuckles to the wood.

Erid huffed, red in the face, open-mouthed, eyes alight with a kindling rage. The man had always had a short temper. It was one of the reasons Jais wasnt fond of him.

He thought to try to diminish the mans anger with some advice. Dont drink so much next time, Jais said. It only weakens you.

Erid shot to his feet. How can you best me every time? No one else in the village, not even my father, can beat me! Spittle flew from the young mans lips. There was murder in his eyes. He wasnt accustomed to losing to anyone else.

Well, his attempt at advice hadnt done much.

Jais stood, relaxed and composed, ready for a fight, knowing hed beaten Erid, in every encounter for the last eight years. Im leaving. If you want me to put you on your back outdoors, join me. He shrugged. I work as hard as you, and I dont drink half as much. Maybe thats why.