Candy

It was the first Tuesday of Mary’s break and she and Tenac had spent the day at the marketplace. They had decided to drink a cup of coffee before they would leave.

“No honey for me this time,” Mary told Tenac as he was walking over to place their order.

“Are you sure?” he asked. She nodded. Mary had been drinking coffee for almost a year. She thought it was time for her to stop using the honey.

As they sat down in their usual spot, Mary sniffed the coffee and then tasted it. She felt the difference at once. The sweetness had taken a lot more of the bitterness away than she had expected. But it still tasted nice.

“My grandfather and his clan arrived yesterday,” Tenac told her.

“Did everyone arrive safely?” she asked, and he smiled.

“Yes, they had no issues,” he answered. “I was thinking we could visit them together on Sunday. Would that be, okay?” he then asked.

“That sounds great. I haven’t got anything planned,” Mary smiled excitedly.

“Good. I thought that it might be best to, well, they are camped some way away from the city and maybe it would be best to…” Tenac had started to mumble and was rubbing his neck.

Mary looked at him in confusion. Tenac was never nervous, so why was he acting this way?

“What? Is there something we should do?” she asked.

“Well, it would be more practical. But if you feel uncomfortable, or don’t want to, then we don’t have to. You know, it’s up to you,” he said.

“Aha, what is?” Mary was just getting more confused. Tenac took a deep breath and got a look of determination.

“Since they aren’t camped that close to the city, it would make more sense to spend the night at the camp and then return in the morning,” he then said without looking at her.

“Oh, yeah, that would make sense. I’ll let my parents know,” Mary nodded. Tenac looked at her.

“What?” she asked. He was acting really strange today.

“You’re okay with that?” he asked.

“Yes, it makes sense, and since you suggested it, I know you have thought about the alternatives and that you believe this is the best way. Since I don’t have that much experience with it, I’ll refer to your judgment,” she explained.

“And it would be okay with you to spend the night away with me?” he asked, looking nervous.

“Will you and me be sharing a sleeping place by ourselves?” Mary asked.

“No! No, of course not. You would stay in the tent with one of my aunts’ or my uncle’s families. No tent by ourselves,” he told her. He was shaking his head and waving his hand as he explained it to her.

“Well then, I don’t see an issue,” Mary shrugged.

“Okay then,” he said.

“Okay, what should I bring?” Mary asked.

“It’s cold enough that it’s simplest to just sleep in your clothes. Just bring extra socks in case you get wet. It’s tradition for guest to bring something to eat or drink, but you are a foreigner, so they won’t hold you to it,” Tenac told her. Mary shook her head.

“No, if I’m going there to meet your family, I want to do it correct. How many people should I bring something to eat for?” she asked. Tenac looked at her with a smile.

“Just for my grandfather’s and my uncle’s households, as they are the hosts, that would be five adults and three children,” he said. Mary nodded.

“And how many are there in the clan in total?” Mary asked.

“I would say about 30 adults and maybe 40 or 50 children,” Tenac answered. Mary nodded again.

“We need to stop by some stalls on our way home and the perfumery as well,” Mary said.

“Okay, I’m ready if you are,” Tenac told her, and she gave him her mug to give back to the vendor.

An hour later, Tenac was walking Mary home.

“What are all these things for?” he asked as he was carrying a newly bought basket full of everything from honey to lemon and almonds and rose water.

“You will have to wait and see,” she told him with a smile. “Are you sure you don’t want me to help you carry anything?” she asked as she felt guilty for him having to carry everything.

“I’m sure,” he said. Tenac helped her carry the basket all the way into the kitchen. He said hello and exchanged a couple of words with Bettina before leaving.

“What is all of this?” Bettina asked.

“I’m going to make candy to bring with me to the Che’hul. We are going on Sunday, so we don’t have much time,” Mary said, looking at all the ingredients she had bought.

“It’s four days, Mary,” Bettina smiled.

“I know, no time at all,” Mary sighed. She had helped the confectioner in the castle kitchen sometimes and she had several recipes memorised.

“I will also need your help,” Mary told her mother.

“Sure, I haven’t made candy before, but I’ll help any way I can,” Bettina nodded, looking determined.

“Thank you, but that wasn’t the help I needed. Tenac thinks it would be for the best if we spend the night at the camp,” Mary told her.

“Oh, does he?” Bettina said. Mary didn’t recognise the tone in her voice. Was she making fun of Tenac?

“Yes, but you know how dad is,” Mary said. Bettina laughed.

“I’m assuming you will sleep in different tents,” Bettina said.

“Yes, I would spend the night with one of his family members,” Mary nodded.

“That’s too bad, but okay. I will help you with your father,” Bettina smiled. Mary looked at her but decided not to ask.

“What kind of candy are you making?” Bettina then asked.

“I was thinking of making almond candy and candied aniseeds for everyone. They are easy to mass produce. Then I’m going to make marmalade candy and candied hawthorn and nuts for Tenac’s grandfather and uncle,” Mary said.

“That sounds like a lot of candy,” Bettina said. Mary shrugged.

“I don’t know what they like to eat, so I don’t know what food to bring. But everyone like something sweet,” she smiled. Bettina smiled back at her and nodded.

“We’ll start first thing in the morning, now we have to prepare dinner and then figure out how to make your father agree to you staying overnight,” Bettina chuckled.

They were sitting down, eating, when Mary brought up the subject to her father.

“Tenac’s grandfather and his clan have arrived. Tenac has asked me to go over there with him on Sunday. I said it was okay,” Mary told Kopa. He nodded.

“They seemed to have set up camp further away from the city than originally planned,” she continued.

“That was expected. The riders have used the plains outside the city for training during the fall and early winter. I doubt the clan is happy with the grass,” Kopa nodded.

“Right, Tenac thinks it would be best if we stay overnight and head back in the morning,” Mary said, trying to make it sound like she just had told Kopa it was snowing. She then continued eating.

“That’s a good idea,” Kopa stated at first. Mary held her breath.

“Wait, he thinks what?” Kopa suddenly yelled.

“No need to yell, dear,” Bettina calmly told him.

“No need to… No need to yell? If this isn’t the time to yell, then I don’t know when is,” Kopa said upset.

“I don’t see the problem,” Bettina said.

“You don’t see… Bettina, he wants to spend the night with her,” he said, sounding baffled.

“No, he wants them to spend the night with his family, as it makes little sense to go so far out to just turn back and come back. Which is what they need to do if they are to make it back before sundown,” Bettina pointed out.

“Well, then it’s best not to go,” Kopa said.

“Dad!” Mary said, upset.

“Kopa, Mary has been looking forward to this. She is going,” Bettina said.

“But honey…” Kopa started.

“Don’t, ‘But honey’ me. She is going and she will spend the night and that is that,” Bettina said, glaring at Kopa.

“Thanks, mom,” Mary smiled.

“Any time, dear,” Bettina smiled back.

The next couple of days Bettina and Mary were busy in the kitchen, grinding almonds and spices, boiling sugar, and honey. The house smelled amazing and even Kopa had a smile on his face after trying some of the candy.