Tavaar - 9th Edition

We last left Tavaar and her friends naked in Fire Lake. Khaiu and Shello had been invited to join them, but proper etiquette won out and the boys left the girls to play alone.

Today we pick up with Tavaar receiving the results of her flamesword test. Somewhere I documented the exact day when this took place. I don't feel like searching for it right now. Suffice to know it had to occur within a week (eight days) of the test. The narrative context suggests it is the following day.

Formatting: Text notes; Text narrative; Blog notes.

This is the final passage in the first of Tavaar’s journals. (The journals were Blank Books I purchased for $2.00 each at Target. I filled six with Tavaar vignettes.) It was written over a period of roughly two weeks and is fairly lengthy as a result. We are introduced to several new characters, some of whom have been referenced. Pulich, who we met briefly when Tavaar lost to Shello the first time, is given a larger part. We meet Parvah, Pulich’s wife, and Tavaar’s driver and coachman are given names. From this passage forward, little in Tavaar’s life works to her joy. It begins shortly after her flamesword test.

Tavaar entered the house feeling tired. She started for the stairs but decided to check the kitchen. Sometimes there were leftover baked goods in a bowl. She entered the kitchen and saw Pulich with Parvah, his lady.1 (This note acknowledges an error on my part. I say Parvah is Pulich's "Lady". Not true. the year is 316. Pulich and Parvah were married in 312. Parvah is Pulich's "Wife" and Tavaar's Wed-Sister.)

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude.”

“No, Tavaar! Do come in,” said Parvah.

Tavaar came forward and greeted Parvah with a kiss. She gave Pulich a look, but neither moved to kiss in greeting.2 (This note states: The animosity between Pulich and Tavaar has grown to the point where good manners are being ignored. For either to withhold the kiss of greeting is a major breech of protocol.)

“Pulich!” said Parvah. “Aren’t you going to greet your sister?”

Pulich's look said he would rather not. However, Pulich dare not refuse his lady. Tavaar watched him rise from his place and come to her. She accepted his kiss. Had the thought not been so distasteful she would have found it amusing.

“We were just talking about you,” said Parvah.

“Oh?” Tavaar asked, looking suspiciously at Pulich, who only shook his head and grinned. Tavaar didn’t like that. If whatever they had been talking about made Pulich grin there was a high probability she was in trouble.

“Yes. We were talking about what you did yesterday,” said Parvah, oblivious to Tavaar’s concerns.

But Pulich wasn’t oblivious. At Parvah’s last words Tavaar’s heart froze. They had been seen, naked in the water with Khaiu and Shello at the shore. That, or someone had broke down and confessed. Not Sashwa. Ahzbah, either. In fact, she was surprised Ahzbah hadn’t stood up. Chahma? Maybe. She hadn’t liked it that the males were there. She had threatened to tell, but Tavaar thought they had convinced her to keep silent. After all, if Khaiu and Shello were brought before the Council – and this was a Council offense – they just might reveal Tavaar, Sashwa and Ahzbah’s temptations. Had Chahma changed her mind? Or, could it have been Khaiu and Shello? Would they turn themselves in?

As her mind raced with these thoughts she noticed Pulich’s face. The knowing look it gave her told her he was aware of her distress. If he knew why she was distressed she was in terrible trouble.

“Father is looking for you. So is mother,” he said.

“Do you know why?” she asked, trying to sound calm. She didn’t think she succeeded. Pulich’s smile told her she was right.

“I do.”

“Well, are you going to tell me?”

Pulich laughed. “I should think you should guess.”

You should just think, thought Tavaar, but she said nothing. Her fear was welling up. She knew Pulich relished her distress, waiting for her to break into sobs so he could report it to their mother – if she didn’t already know – and the truth would spill out like an upturned milk bucket. Parvah’s enthusiasm was Tavaar's life send.

“Oh, Tavaar! The judges have decided.”

Tavaar felt dazed. “What? Are you sure?”

“The scroll was delivered two turns ago.”

“Really? Where is it?”

Her fear was now replaced by excitement. The decision had been made. If it was the one she hoped for then all of her dreams were now open.

“I believe it is in the study,” offered Pulich.

Tavaar bolted from the kitchen and raced to the study. Her father was not there. She searched the desk top, drawers and bookshelves. Nothing. She stood in disappointment as Pulich and Parvah came in. Tavaar felt like crying again. Had Pulich got Parvah to go along with one of his stupid tricks?

“I can’t find it,” she said.

“Try looking on the mantel,” said Pulich.

Parvah elbowed him. “Pulich! I told you your mother and father wanted to be here when she opened it.”

“Oh, that’s right. Well, too late now.”

While Pulich and Parvah debated, Tavaar rushed across the room and retrieved the scroll from the fireplace mantel. It was addressed to her and it was sealed with the signet of each judge – and the Head-of-Family. She broke the seals and unfurled the scroll, reading aloud.

“’To Tavaar, daughter of Odelmaar –‘ I passed!” she screamed. “They called me ‘daughter of Odelmaar’ and not ‘daughter of Taylich’. I passed! I passed!”

Despite her disapproval, Parvah laughed. Even Pulich smiled. Tavaar danced and then returned to the scroll.

“’We are pleased to inform you that it is our judgment you are more than ready to begin training with flameswords. Both the Head-of-Family and the Defense Sovereign have been informed of our decision. The Defense Sovereign will choose a Fire Lord to instruct you. In the meantime, you are free to train with your father, who we know to be a Master Warrior. Train hard. We expect you to do well. You will be retested before mid-year. If you perform as expected, you will be moved to level one. Congratulations.’”

Tavaar danced again. She went to Parvah, who embraced and kissed her. She even kissed Pulich with affection, thanking him for pointing her to the scroll.

“So how does the newest flamesword warrior choose to celebrate her new status?” asked Parvah.

“I shall empty my purse at the inn,” said Tavaar. Then she stopped. A new thought came to her. “But even before that there is something I must do.”

She kissed them both again and then hurried out, still clutching the scroll tightly in her hand. She marched straightway to the carriage house and ordered her carriage to be made ready. Then she ran back to the house where she quickly washed and put on clean clothes. She came out of the house in shiny black boots and pants, not britches. They fit her closely, following the curves of her hips and thighs perfectly. Her top was black silk, tied about the waist with a thick, black belt clasped with a silver buckle. Over this she wore a sparkling silver vest. On her head was a sturdy, wide-brimmed hat with a low top, also black. Several baubles dangled from the brim. The carriage was waiting for her and she primly stepped into it, giving instructions as the splash door closed behind her.

“To the Temple.”

When Tavaar reaches the Temple she requests an audience with Thayna, who was Chief Temple Keeper. Thayna was the father of Jothayn, who was the father of Thiessa, who was Chief Temple Keeper and Temple Sovereign during the time of Books I through IV. Why tell you that? I spent years developing the family trees and maintaining continuity. I like to pat myself on the back when I can. (I'm the only one who can't do it with a knife. [grin] Sorry. Bad joke. But aren't those really the jokes which garner the greatest laughter? Come on. Be honest.)

“So, young Tavaar, what is it that you wish to see me about?” Thayna asked. “I assume it is a matter of importance.”

“It is, Sir. At least, it is to me.”

“Ah! Then let us address the matter quickly.”

Thayna was an older member of the family. He was an unusual member of the Temple Line in that he liked to tease. The sparkle in his eyes was not diminished by age nor hidden by grey hair and wrinkles. He was wearing the robes of his office, purple with gold trim. A small, soft hat was on his head. Tavaar did not see him often, but he had stood as a teacher occasionally in some of her temple classes. She was one of his favorites.

“Here, sir,” she said, presenting her scroll for him to read.

“Ah! You have passed your flamesword test. Congratulations!”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“I must be one of the first you have told?”

“Yes, Sir. You are.”

“How wonderful. With all the friends and family you have, you come to me first. I am honored.”

“Well, actually, Sir, I came to add my name to the List-of-Hopefuls. If it is still open.”

“Oh,” said Thayna, his face falling into mock distress. “And here I had thought you were come to seek courtship.” He sighed. “Ah, well. Life is so full of disappointment.”

Tavaar couldn’t help blushing. “But, Sir. You already have a wife.”

“I do. That is true enough.”

“Then why should you think me come to court? By family law, you are forbidden to me.”

“Perhaps so,” said Thayna with a grin on his mouth and a twinkle in his eyes. "But if you would like to court me, I shall argue for a change in family law.”

Tavaar laughed with him.

“Besides,” he added, “there is no law expressly forbidding it. It just hasn’t been done.4 (The note here actually says more than I want it to before Book I becomes a published work. Suffice to say, this is an important exchange.) Would you care to be the first to change family practice?”

“I believe I would,” said Tavaar.

“Excellent!”

“But that is not why I came.”

“Oh, well. Maybe next time,” said Thayna, not sounding too disappointed. He reached into his desk, pulled out a parchment and lay it on the desk before him. Then he moved his ink well toward her and handed her a pen. “Just identify yourself and your intention,” he said. “Mines has not completed its allotment of candidates, as you know. I must say, too, how pleased I am to have a girl from Mines submit her name. Not many do.” He shook his head, disapprovingly. “There is, of course, the issue that your brother already has his name on the list, but hopefully, that will not make a difference. If it were up to me, it would not.”5 (This note states: Thayna clearly wanted Tavaar to be accepted. He was not alone. Outside of Mines, there were few – if any – who failed to see Tavaar’s worth.)

Tavaar finished writing and Thayna added his notations. She watched him roll it up, seal it with wax and a press of his ring. He got up, taking the scroll. He placed it in a small cubby.

“I shall have this sent to Sovereign Fahrhar today. You will be contacted soon.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“So,” said Thayna. “Where are you really going and what are you really up to?”

“Sir?”

“Come, come, Tavaar. Warriors do not dress up in finery to place their names on the List-of-Hopefuls. I’ve had them show up quite dirty – and smelly. What are you up to?”

“This is hardly formal wear, Sir,” said Tavaar.

Thayna laughed loudly as he walked around his desk and reseated himself.

“Wonderful evasion!” he said. “You’ll make an excellent Head-of-Family. They never answer questions either. No, you are not dressed formally. However, you are about as close to it as you can be without putting on a gown and slippers. Very well. I see it is a private matter and I shall let it be. Enjoy yourself.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

She turned and opened the door, but before she could exit Thayna made one more comment.

“I expect he will enjoy himself. I know I would.”

Tavaar looked at him but did not speak. Thayna’s knowing smile made her blush. She exited and closed the door.