Page 54 of Tiger's Trek
“Near eighty,” replied the tree-loving man.
“How many more years do you think it will live?” she continued.
“Could be past my lifetime!” the other man complained loudly.
“Then here’s my proposal. The tree stays.” She held up a hand before the loud man could cry out again. “But this one compensates you for loss of your land until such time as the tree dies.”
“Now hang on. I can’t afford ta?—”
She held up a hand again. “If such payment cannot be made, when the tree does die of natural causes, then the owner wills the tree and any proceeds from it to his neighbor or his neighbor’s descendants.”
Both men were quiet for several moments, working their jaws, trying to come up with something different but unable to speak. Then, at last, they nodded, shook hands, and parted ways.
It was many, many hours later when Veru had finally heard the last person and told them she would retire to her chamber and muse on their wishes for a time before announcing her final decision. After each one had presented their case, they were allowed to fill their container with water from the pump, which she assured them also held magical properties, perhaps not wish fulfilling but nevertheless still special. Then they were also given a bundle of bread, cheese, meat, fruit, and vegetables provided by the house, and finally, a white flower was plucked and handed to each person.
Most were so happy with the arrangement they no longer wished to wait for the announcement and left completely satisfied with what they had already received. Still, about a third of the contenders remained, sitting on the grass in the sunshine, picnicking on their gift of food while they waited for the witch’s daughter to make up her mind regarding their fate.
“And what of you, good knight? You have served me well today. Do you not have a wish for yourself?”
“It is not my place to seek boons from those I serve, mistress. However, I am humbled that you would take notice of one such as myself.”
“Tell me, is there indeed magic in this well? Is it in the water, the flower, the drawing up?”
The man said simply, “There is magic in all those things when you consider it, isn’t there?”
“Must I truly just select one to draw water from the well?”
“It is tradition. But you may alter tradition as you wish.”
“I’ll consider that.” Veru peered at the man. “Have you always served Yu—my mother?”
He shook his head. “She captured me and my brothers. We are bound to her with chains much stronger than our armor. I am afraid we must serve her to the end of her days. Or the end of ours. Whichever length of time is the shortest.”
“But is there nothing that could break those chains?”
Sheathing his sword, he climbed onto his prancing stallion. “What can break steel?” he asked. Stretching out his hand, he reached for hers and kissed it. “I must go now, my lady. My time is far gone.”
“Of course.”
After she and Danik had “retired” into the house, Veru sank into the chair. “What do we do?” she asked him, pressing her head into her hands. “Which one do we let draw the water? So we keep with tradition, or do we alter it? I don’t want to set a precedent when we don’t intend to stay here.”
“That’s true. But sometimes traditions need to be changed.”
Veru sighed. “They all made good cases. I wish Stacia was here. She’s the smart one. She’d know which one to pick. What to do.”
Danik knelt in front of her and pulled her hands away from her face. “You think your sister is smarter than yourself? Granted, I don’t remember much about her. Have I met her?”
“Yes. But only as a tiger.”
He grunted. “Doesn’t matter. You’re one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. You’ll know what to do. But just in case... I sneaked over to the well and drew some water.” He held up a small vial. “If you want to keep the wish for yourself, I wouldn’t blame you. You could wish yourself out of here or you and your sister back home. It’s my fault we’re here in the first place.”
“Oh, Danik,” Veru said, standing and cupping her hand around his containing the vial. “That... that was sweet of you, but it’s not your fault. Even so, I’d never leave you here alone, and I’m not one to take the easy path. We’re here to learn, right? I don’t think wishing our way out, as nice as that sounds, is the right thing to do.”
Biting her lip and keeping her hand in his, she headed back outside. When they stepped on the porch, everyone came to attention and stood.
“Thank you all for your patience,” Veru said. “It’s time for us to make a decision.”
Chapter15
