Shadows Of Desire

As Rowan rested, Asgall gave Thaden and Tally a tour of their village. Riona wasn’t happy that Asgall had decided to allow the three strangers to stay but after hearing what Peigi had said about them, Asgall no longer had any doubts that he was doing the right thing. Riona wasn’t as easily convinced. She had never known Peigi to be wrong about anything but Rowan was still a vampire, and vampire’s were the enemy. She would not, however, go against Asgall and so chose to say nothing more on the matter. She refused to let her guard down though. Not for a second. Not until she knew for a fact that Rowan was no danger to her, or her people.

Thaden soon learned that Asgall was the tribal leader, or chief, of the village, as Peigi had said earlier. Riona was his mate and commander of the tribe’s warriors and guards, which consisted of both men and women. Pickaway village had no real gender roles to speak of. Men could be home makers if they so wished, and the women could work or fight. Though they did have a leader, the tribe wasn’t ruled like any Kingdom that Thaden had ever seen. Asgall worked as hard as any other member of the tribe and interacted with them regularly.

The guards and warriors were trained in combat and had weapons but it had been years since they have had to defend themselves. Still, their warriors were not out of practice and were ready to defend their village at a moments notice. As for the rest of the village, it was like most villages that Thaden and Rowan had encountered on their journey. The people lived in quaint little huts or cottages. They hunted, farmed, and fished for their food. There was a small market, a blacksmith, and most other shops that one would expect in a small village. They even had a tavern and a brewery.

Thaden and Asgall sat at a table in the tavern while a young Shee named Moibeal, took Tally to meet some of the other children. Asgall ordered them each a pint of ale, refusing any money when Thaden offered it to him.

“We don’t trade in gold or silver here.” Asgall explained. “We trade in goods and labor. Everyone is expected to work, even the children, and the entire village reaps the benefits of that work. No one is without shelter, no one goes hungry, and no one is denied medical care. As long as they contribute in some way none here will go without. It has been our way for centuries.”

“In what way do the children contribute?” Thaden asked. “You said they work. What work are they expected to do?”

“Whatever they are capable of doing.” Asgall told him. “Of course we expect nothing from infants and toddlers as they are far too young to work, but the older ones chip in when and where they can. In the mornings they help with planting or harvesting, some clean, or help with the washing. Others apprentice with a skilled laborer. When they are old enough, we allow them to choose what profession they want to learn and they are then assigned to a master. At mid day, they cease their work and are then sent off to the school for the remainder of the day.”

“You have a school?” Thaden’s eyes lit up at the idea of a school.

“Oh yes.” Asgall told him. “Educating our young is one of our highest priorities.”

“And this school, do only boys attend or is it open to all genders?”

“Everyone here has the opportunity to learn and be educated. Male, female, and even omegas are allowed to attend school and receive a proper education.”

“You have omegas here?” Thaden leaned forward across the table, his interest piqued more so now than before. He knew that omegas existed within the Far realm but he had only met a handful of them in his entire life and all of them had been females. Rowan was the first male omega he had ever met.

“We have two.” Asgall told him. “A set of twins. One female and one male. A couple of hellions.” Asgall laughed. “But they’re good kids. Just like to get up to mischief.”

“I should like to meet them.” Thaden said. “Rowan too I suspect. He’s never met another omega. It might do him some good to talk with them. I’m sure he has many questions.”

“I could arrange a meeting.” Asgall lifted his mug of ale and gulped down a mouthful. “Neither of them are mated yet, but I’m sure they could still be of help. It must have been hard for your mate, growing up with no one else to talk to. Tell me, how did it come about that a vampire was born omega anyway? I heard that was impossible.”

“Not impossible.” Thaden answered, taking a drink from his own mug. “Just not common. He’s the first in about a thousand years. As far as I know, no one is sure how or why it happened. I suppose, it must have been the will of the Gods.”

“Perhaps so.” Asgall said, watching Thaden thoughtfully. “Whatever the case may be, I’m sure there is a good reason for it. The Gods don’t do anything without just cause. His purpose will be revealed soon I suspect. When the Goddess is ready, that it.”

***

Thaden discovered much about the village in the time he had spent with Asgall, much more than he had known before. The last time he had visited was with his father and Thaden himself had just been a boy. He remembered the beauty of the village though and the tribe. He remembered their kindness and acceptance. That was why he had chosen to return now. If there was any place that he and Rowan could go, any place that would accept an elf with a vampire mate, it was Pickaway village. But, the village and the tribe that lived within, were so much more than he remembered, or even knew.

They lived as a large family and cared about each other greatly. They were not ruled by royalty. They weren’t really ruled at all. More like guided by their chief. Loved, protected, and provided for by every member of the tribe as a whole. Children were not the sole responsibility of their parents. The entire village helped to raise and protect each others children. If someone were injured, or ill, the tribe came together as a community to help them. The village had laws of course, but there was seldom any reason to enforce them. Thaden had never seen such a strong dynamic between any one group of people.

Within this tiny village, there was no poverty, no malice, and no crime. It was truly a paradise. Thaden couldn’t think of a better, more suited, place to raise his children. He smiled as he thought of his children. Not just the child that Rowan carried which, Thaden was extremely excited about, but Tally as well. She was as much his child now as any babe that he had fathered himself, and he loved her as much as he would his natural children. His heart swelled with pride as he thought of little Tally. So strong for one who had suffered so much and yet, the cruelty she had endured had not killed her spirit. She was loving and kind. My daughter. He thought with a smile. What a truly lucky man I am.

Asgall folded his hands behind his back as he and Thaden walked slowly back towards the hut where Rowan was resting. The nights festivities were beginning to come to a close. Thaden had asked about the celebration and was told that they were honoring the Gods of the hunt who had granted them a great bounty, as their recent hunt had yielded enough meat to see them through the winter. Anyone who was skilled with a bow had participated in the hunt and the meat would then be divided equally among each family. The same went for the fruits and vegetables that had been harvested. Grains were turned to flour and the bulk was given to the baker who would supply the village with breads, rolls, cakes, and other baked goods.

Thaden was impressed. If his own Kingdom were ran so smoothly there would be a lot less theft and fighting over land and food. It was a good system but one he knew had taken centuries to perfect. As they walked along, he thought about what life could be like for he and Rowan if they were to put down roots in the small village. Now more than ever, with two children’s futures to think of, he wanted that life. The people here seemed happy. They were content in their lives. They weren’t rich in money nor did they live lavish lives. They worked hard, but they were happy, and that was all that really mattered.

“I’ve been thinking about your request to join us.” Asgall finally said, pulling Thaden out of his thoughts. “If it were up to me, I would say yes right now. I think you and your family would be a good fit here, even your tiny human. But, the final decision is not up to me.”

“Are you not the chief of this tribe?” Thaden asked, a bit confused. “Your word should be law.”

Asgall chuckled some as he turned to look at Thaden. His expression was thoughtful as he looked over the young Prince. “How old are you, my Prince?”

Thaden was surprised by the question but he nevertheless answered it truthfully. “One hundred and fifty two years.”

Asgall snorted. “You yourself are just a child. And your mate, I imagine he is much younger?”

Thaden nodded. “He is nineteen, born just after the great war.”

“I am eight hundred and twenty-three years old.” Asgall told him. “And that is still considered young among those who live in this village. Riona is Seven hundred and ninety-four. Peigi is over one thousand. The twins I spoke of earlier, Una and Filib, children in our eyes, and they are older than you are now. I tell you this not to belittle you but to help you understand our ways. There are members of this tribe who have walked this world long before I had ever come into being. Their wisdom is vast and essential to our way of life.

I was chosen to be chief. It wasn’t handed down, and it wasn’t my birthright. I did not inherit my position. The members of my tribe chose me because I am fair and impartial. I may suggest doing things a certain way or guide our people, but I do not rule them and I never force something on them that they do not agree with. The opinions of my people are important to us all. They are important to how we live and survive and yes, there are arguments and disagreements, but we work through them, fairly. The point is, everyone, old and young, has a say in what happens within this village.”

“So, what your saying is that if the tribe doesn’t want us here, we’ll have to leave, regardless if you agree with them or not?”

Asgall nodded. “That is basically true. Not everyone is going to agree with me. Riona almost certainly will vote against your staying here, but if the majority votes in your favor then there isn’t much she can say. Majority rules here and the final decision is upheld by all. In all my years I have never seen anyone challenge a ruling and I don’t foresee it happening now. As I’ve said before, I believe that the Gods have brought you to us. The final say will be theirs.”

“So, what do we have to do?” Thaden asked. “What’s the next step?”

Asgall thought for a moment. He wanted to be careful in how he went about asking for the tribes permission to allow the newcomers to stay. No one new had been admitted into the tribe in over a hundred years and those who had were brought in through marriage. There was no way for him to know how the others would react but, he knew he had to try.

“I can allow you to stay on a trial basis.” Asgall told him. “I’ll introduce you to the tribe first, let them get a feel for you. After that we can assess your skills and see what jobs would be a good fit for you. Once the tribe has gotten a chance to know the three of you better, say in a weeks time, I’ll call a tribal meeting and we will then vote on it.”

“That sounds fair.” Thaden said. “What about lodgings? Is there an Inn or boarding house we can stay at until a decision has been made?”

Asgall shook his head. “No. We’ve never had a need for Inn’s. We don’t many visitors.” He chuckled a bit. “We do have one or possibly two huts available at the moment. They’re small though. Meant for newly wed couples without children but, if things work out and you are permitted to stay, a larger one can be built.”

“Anything you have will be fine. We’ve been fortunate enough to have rented rooms twice on our journey. The rest of the time we spent camping in the woods so, really, we’re not picky.”

“Excellent.” Asgall gave Thaden a friendly pat on the back. “Let’s see about your lodging now then. After that we’ll go check on your mate. I’m sure he’ll be glad to rest in a place more private.”

“Thank you.” Thaden said, his eyes shone with gratitude. “Your kindness will not be forgotten.”

“It is my pleasure.” Asgall smiled. “I believe that every kindness one sends out will be revisited on them. That is the way of our people. It’s how we’ve survived for so long.”

Thaden nodded in understanding. “If only there were more people in the world who thought the way you and your people do. There would be less suffering if we all learned to work together.”

“Indeed there would. But, your race is young still. Give them time to grow and learn. I believe they can change.”

“You really think so?”

Asgall nodded. “Of course. You’re living proof that change is possible. You, an elven Prince who took as a mate the son of your sworn enemy. If you set a good example for your people they will follow you. So, change is not only possible, it’s inevitable. It just takes time.”

As Asgall led Thaden through the village to one of the empty huts he’d mentioned, Thaden had time to really think on what Asgall had told him. He always knew there was a reason that he was gifted with Rowan as his mate, he just never knew what that reason might be. Now though, he had to wonder. Perhaps the Gods had chosen to pair him with his enemy as a way to broker peace between their two races. Before, Thaden wouldn’t even have known how such a thing could be possible but with the vampire King dead, the idea of peace didn’t seem so far-fetched. Of course, nothing could be changed overnight. As Asgall had said, it would take time. But, at least now it was a possibility.

Asgall turned down the road leading through the center of the village and began to walk the opposite direction of where Rowan was currently resting. Thaden thought to ask if they should get him first before going to see the hut they would be borrowing but then he stopped himself, deciding that Rowan probably needed the rest. Even if he were awake, he might need time to process the news he had been given. No matter what his feelings for his father were, learning of the man’s death had to have come as a shock, leaving him with some conflicting emotions. Thaden figured it would be best to give him the time he needed to adjust and then tell him of Asgall’s plan.

As promised, the hut where Thaden and his little family would be staying was, indeed, quite small. The hut was round with a thatched roof made from straw and other indigenous leaves. The walls were constructed of wattle-sticks and twigs woven together-and coated with clay and mud. It had a wooden door and one window that was cut directly into the wall and then covered with a thick hide that was used to keep out the weather. The interior of the hut was much the same as the outside except, to Thaden’s relief, it had a wooden floor. A fur rug lay in the center of the floor in the main room but, other than the rug, a small table with two chairs, and a small shelf sat against the wall, the room had little else in the way of furniture.

The second room was little more than a large closet and was separated from the main room by a brown curtain. This room also had wood flooring and one tiny window. The only piece of furniture in the room was a box bed and mattress that sat directly on the floor. The mattress had no sheets but two blankets lay, folded, at the foot of the bed. Thaden realized that the bed was barely big enough for two people. If they were allowed to stay at the end of the week, he would talk to Asgall about having another bed built for Tally and, eventually, a cradle for the babe when it was born.

Despite the meager furnishings, Thaden could really see this place being a home. It was small but cozy and something about it just felt right. It was a new beginning for them all, and the true start of their life together as a family. Thaden new without a doubt that Rowan would be as pleased with the dwelling as he was. Even the size wasn’t anything to worry about as Asgall had already mentioned building a larger, more permanent, hut for them if they were permitted to stay. It seemed that everything was falling into place. They’d found their home and it was perfect. He just hoped that the tribe felt the same way and allowed them to join as true members of the Shee tribe.