91, Making the rounds

Ayya and Tenac made sure to show Jason around the common room and the other rooms in the tower. They introduced him to everyone and showed him his bed, which had been set up in Tenac’s room. They all had lunch together and Ayya enjoyed watching everyone giving Jason their attention. 

“Did you feel there was a different mood in the city today?” Ayya asked Tenac. 

“I did. It felt like some of the tension was gone,” he agreed. 

“Maybe it’s because of the communique the king sent out this morning?” Jason asked.

“What communique?” Tenac asked.

“Um, the sister read it to us after breakfast. I think it was to be read in the streets and in the churches all day. It talked about how you had found out why people were getting sick and the Bishop had done something bad,” Jason said. Ayya looked at Tenac.

“Did you know?” he asked her. 

“No,” Ayya said. “I had no idea.”

“I guess the news is out then,” Tenac concluded.

“I guess so,” Ayya agreed. They had decided to spend the afternoon planning the journey home. They would only be there for two more days. Hinat delivered Bettina’s answer to Ayya’s letter. It was short and consist. 

‘Dear Ayya,

Of course, the two of you are more than welcome to stay at home. I will make the arrangements. You have some explaining to do.

With LoveBettina’

“Even by letter, she can make me feel like I’m five years old,” Ayya told Tenac. “And that is a feat, since she didn’t know me when I was that age.” Tenac laughed and moved a stone on the Kai board. He was teaching Jason how to play.

“My mother has the same ability. It’s scary,” he admitted. 

In the evening, Ayya and Tenac tucked Jason into bed and told him they would be in Ayya’s room if he needed them. His head had barely hit the pillow before he fell asleep. They stood and watched him for a while.

“We can do this, right?” Ayya asked.

“We can,” Tenac agreed and ushered her into her room. They sat down on the couch and Tenac drew her in to his arms. 

“I can’t believe we are all ready to leave,” Ayya said. 

“Any regrets?” Tenac asked. 

“No. I needed to do this. Thank you for coming with me. It hasn’t been easy for you,” she said. 

“Never would have done it any other way,” he told her. 

The next morning, Ayya and Tenac left Jason with Hinat and Firlea as they made their way to the artisan quarters. This time, they walked into the shop and Sandra smiled at them.

“Welcome, I will get Erik,” she said.

“Thank you,” Ayya told her. As they waited, Ayya had a look around the objects again. 

“See anything you like?” Erik asked as he came walking with his wife. 

“I do, quite a lot. I’m here for two things today. Let’s take the fun part first. I’m here as a customer. Could I please have a look at that little horse?” Ayya asked. Erik showed her a small carved horse with a saddle made from some type of wood. “Very beautiful, we will take it, and the hairpin shaped like a dragon,” Ayya said. Then she turned to Tenac. “What should we get for your mother?” she asked. 

“I think she would like one of the prayer boxes,” he said. 

“Oh, good idea. How about the one with the cloud pattern?” Ayya asked. He nodded. “We will take that as well. How much do I owe you?” Ayya asked Erik. He had taken the objects she had asked for and handed to Sandra, who was wrapping them up.

“Your money is no good here. It’s our gift to you,” he said.

“No, no, Erik. I won’t do that. These objects have taken you months to complete. I’m going to pay you for it. If you don’t play nice, I will make the deal with your wife,” Ayya threatened him. Erik finally caved and offered them a price, which Ayya accepted. “And now for the sad part,” Ayya said.

“You have come to say goodbye. I figured after we heard the news yesterday. I can’t believe you solved it,” Erik said. 

“I just put all the pieces together,” Ayya said. They walked back to where Mrs Korpi watched the baby and Ayya took her farewell. It didn’t seem as final this time as it had done. The relationship between the two countries looked to improve. There was a chance Ayya would be back. But it would take some time. She had a lot to do closer to home first. 

Back at the castle, they all sat down for lunch again. Jason seemed to adjust nicely to the new settings, and he spent lunch telling Ayya and Tenac everything that had happened since they left. 

“I am going to see an old friend and say goodbye. Would you like to go with us, Jason?” Ayya asked. 

“Can I?” 

“Of course you can. Tenac will be there as well. And Anna makes amazing cookies,” Ayya told him. She had already figured out he was easily persuaded when it came to food. As the three of them walked to Ken and Anna’s apartment, Ayya told Jason about how she had met the couple. 

“You grew up in the castle?” Jason asked.

“I did. I worked in the kitchen until I moved to Salmi,” Ayya said. Tenac knocked on the door and it didn’t take long before Ken answered it. 

“Ayya, Tenac, what a pleasant surprise, please come in. And who might this be?” he asked as he noticed Jason. 

“This is Jason. Jason, this is Mr Bore,” Ayya said. 

“Hello, Mr Bore,” Jason said and bowed. 

“Hello, Jason. Please call me Ken,” Ken told him. Jason looked at Ayya and when she nodded, he nodded as well. They were shown into the kitchen where Anna was already putting teacups on the table. 

“Ayya, I was expecting you to drop by soon,” Anna said. Then she stopped and looked at Jason and then at Ayya. 

“Come and meet Anna, Jason. Anna, this is Jason, Tenac and I have adopted him and he will be coming home with us,” Ayya explained. 

“Hello,” Jason said and bowed again. 

“Hello, such good manners. Tell me Jason, do you like apple cake?” Anna asked. Jason’s eyes lit up like she had promised him all the riches in the world and he nodded so fiercely his blond locks bounced. “Good, I have baked one for today, so you need to help me eat it. Would you like milk or tea to go with the cake?” Anna asked.

“Milk please,” he said. Anna smiled and nodded. 

“Please take a seat,” Anna said as she took out a mug for Jason. They sat down and ate the cake and drank tea and milk. Anna was talking to Jason about what he liked and disliked and he answered her between his chewing. As the cake had been eaten, Tenac and Ken drifted to a conversation about fighting techniques and Jason listened attentively and clung to each word. Anna and Ayya smiled at the boy.

“He is a wonderful boy,” Anna told Ayya. 

“Thank you, he really is special,” Ayya said and her hand went to straighten out his hair on its own. Anna smiled at the gesture. 

“How are you planning to arrange things when you get home?” Anna asked. Ayya told her about their plans. “You have thought it through,” Anna nodded approvingly. 

“We have. It may be a little soon to marry after just started courting. But Tenac and I have known each other for a long time. It feels right,” Ayya said. 

“You will have to let me know when the wedding is, I would like to at least send you a gift,” Anna told her. 

“I will let you know,” Ayya promised. 

“I’m guessing you will be leaving soon? You have accomplished what you came here for.”

“Yes, the day after tomorrow. That is why we came. Last day in a location is always hectic. I wanted a chance to say goodbye without feeling stressed. And I wanted you to meet Jason,” Ayya explained. 

“The three of you make a nice picture. It’s nice to see Tenac taking to the boy as well,” Anna said.

“It was Tenac that first talked about taking Jason with us home. I had thought about it, but I didn’t have everything planned, so I didn’t want to speak of it. Tenac is braver than I am,” Ayya told her with a smile. Anna laughed and shook her head. 

“The two of you complement each other,” she said. They continued talking for a while, but as dinnertime grew nearer, Ayya and Tenac decided it was time to head back. As they crossed the courtyard, Jason tugged on Ayya’s hand. She stopped and smiled at him.

“Yes?” she asked.

“Can we go to the kitchen?” he asked.

“We can. They will be busy with dinner, but we can go and have a look if you promise to stay by my side at all times. The kitchen is full of people, hot pots and sharp knives. It can be a dangerous place,” Ayya said. 

“I promise, please can we go?” he asked. Ayya looked at Tenac. He shrugged to let her know he didn’t mind. Ayya led the way to the kitchen. She put an arm around Jason’s shoulders to make sure he was close to her and so she could help to maneuver him if needed. They stayed at the edge of the kitchen and watched as the people were finishing dinner. Ayya had just started pointing out things for Jason, explaining what was happening when she saw a beaming Mrs Karrots come walking. 

“Mary, what a pleasant surprise,” Mrs Karrots said.

“Mrs Karrots, we are sorry if we disturb your work. Jason wanted to see the kitchen,” Ayya explained. Mrs Karrots seemed more than happy to have them, and they stayed for almost half an hour. When they were leaving, she handed Jason a big basket full of treats. There were pieces of cake, cookies, candy and fruit. 

“We will have to ration that, or he will have a stomachache for a week,” Tenac said to Ayya. She agreed she would go through it and put the things that would last aside. Jason could have some of it on the journey as well. Even after putting things to the side, there were a lot of sweet things left. After dinner, Jason walked around the common room and offered people to have some. 

“He’s a good kid,” Tenac told Ayya as they stood and watched him. 

“He is. He is also charming,” she pointed out. 

“A good combination,” Tenac said, sounding proud.