Calliope started, and looked up from her washing. Thelios was standing in the door way, filling it with his impressive bulk. She frowned at him.
“Go back?” He nodded. “So soon? But… you just got home?” She let the plate in her hand slip back into the tub of water and turned to face him as she dried her hands on the towel hanging from her belt. He stepped into the room with a small smile, and folded his arms across his chest, mimicking the stance she’d taken. She in turn uncrossed them self consciously and rested her hands on her hips instead, cocking her head at him as she waited for an answer. He just smiled that odd smile. “Well?” She prompted.
His smile widened just enough for the points of his fangs to show. “I only came… home, to tell you I would have to be away for some time, and, before you ask, I’m not sure for how long.”
She was able to school her features enough to hide her reaction, but she couldn’t stop the tightening in her gut and throat. “So… no idea at all?” He simply smiled at her again. She was starting to get irritated.
“Why on earth are you smiling at me like that? This isn’t funny.”
“No, it’s not.” He agreed, his smile dimming and falling slowly into a frown. “It’s damned inconvenient is what it is, but it can’t be helped for now.” He huffed out a sigh. “We have three days, and at sunrise on the fourth, we leave. You and Demitri will go by boat and I’ll meet you at our destination.” He paused and looked her up and down thoughtfully, completely and casually ignoring her look of shock as only he could. “Dress nice.” he grunted before he turned and made to leave.
But he didn’t quite make it, and paused in the door way once more and looked back over his shoulder. “And I don’t mean the gold dress.” He added giving her an unusually stern look, before turning away once more and denying her the opportunity to question him further.
Calliope loosened her rag from her belt and tossed it on the edge of the wash tub, shaking her head at the grayish water. Such a strange, infuriating man. But… he was taking her with him? The corner of her mouth twitched up… then down again. What did he mean by not wanting her to bring the gold dress? It didn’t matter, she wouldn’t have anyway… but it was odd that he should mention it.
She shrugged. “Mine,” she murmured to the piece pottery she’d rescued from the dish water, “is not to question why.” She rinsed the plate, and dried it with the raggedy towel, and slid it into place among its fellows on the shelf above her. “At least not until he’s had enough wine” she amended with a small smile and flicked out her drying cloth to catch and hang from its little hook.
She eyed the even stacks of plates and bowls along the overhead shelf critically, nodded her approval, then turned and headed to her room, considering what constituted ‘dress nice’ in the mind of a grey skinned giant who spent the vast majority of his day in a state of near undress. “Not the gold one, at least.” Or its fellows, she surmised.
A sudden thought occurred to her which made her freeze in the door way.
“Whose going to look after the sheep?”
The day was clear and air had a peculiar sharpness to it which encouraged the use of a light cloak. The sharpness was made all the more poignant by the brisk wind whipping up from the sea. Calliope cursed again the deceptive sun which shone so brilliantly overhead, but seemed to give precious little warmth… at least not enough to counter the native chill of the morning’s air. She wrapped her cloak tighter about her shoulders and scanned the field blow the rock-studded ridge. When she finally spotted what she was looking for, a grin spread quickly over her face.
She waved and let out a laugh when the figure waved tentatively back, the surprise on his face evident even from where she stood.
As she picked her way down the side of the ridge, sliding and skidding over the small loose stones, the young shepherd made his way toward her. His youth became evident the nearer he approached. He didn’t look a day over 14 winters, and that was a generous surmise. She waved again as they came within speaking distance.
“Hello there. It was you I saw earlier, wasn’t it?”
The boy blinked and nodded. His arms hung limp at his sides, one clutching a long staff. She couldn’t help but notice the strength of his grip was slowly turning his knuckles white. His expression made his uncertainty more than evident as well. “Please,” she continued, “don’t be frightened.”
He blinked. “How… how is it… why are you on the beasts land?”
She blinked back. “Oh, yes, ah… well,” she cleared her throat, “I’m one of his servants.” In her haste and her eagerness to get on with her business, she had forgotten the awkwardness of her position, but now that she’d recognized it, she was determined to push past it. She straightened her shoulders and pasted a warm smile on her face. “I don’t know if you noticed, but I have, on occasion, tended my lord’s flock for him.” she paused to allow him time to respond. He only stared.
“Well,” she continued staunchly, “I’m not going to be able to for a while, and was wondering if you might consider taking them on.”
His eyes widened, and she pushed forward before he could protest. “I wouldn’t expect you to do it for free… or course. I could pay you. In coin, or in sheep if you prefer. I know there are several who are due to deliver… to start I would offer you any lamb which is born in your care… of either sex, and one adult for each week we’re gone… would that be satisfactory? Or would you offer some other price? Either way I’m afraid my time is short, and would know your answer relatively soon.” She paused and sucked in a long breath, then watched him with hopeful eyes.
It took him some time, but eventually he managed to sputter out a response. It wasn’t encouraging.
“W-What?” He gasped, staring at her as if she were the one with the horns. She sighed and mentally counted to five to compose herself. It wasn’t the boy’s fault after all, seeing as how unsettling this must be for him.
“I had thought,” she smile, “that since your land boarders ours… or the master’s, rather, that you might not find it too difficult to take them on. You’d be welcome to use these graze lands for your flock as well of course while you do so.” He held up a hand to stop her.
“I… yes… I mean, that’s a more than a fair offer… but, ah, I…”
“I know. It’s a little strange isn’t it?” She chuckled. “You should try living with him.” She shook her head when fear replaced confusion in his eyes. “I don’t mean that it’s frightening or the like… just… occasionally strange. And you wouldn’t have to meet him.” That seemed to ease his anxiety somewhat.