The Sage's Daughter: Chapter 2

Isacar and Blair walked out of the house, their arms loaded with packages of cheeses that Kary had made. This was Kary's business that kept her family going. Isacar's mother was very smart and knew how to make ends meet. Blair wished she was like her, but knew that would never happen. She and Isacar walked down the steps silently, each with their own thoughts. Isacar watched her as they walked down the streets. She seemed more depressed the usually.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

Blair adjusted the cheese she was carrying.

“Not really... I tried to stop Wryn from going to The House.”

Isacar looked concerned.

“And did she?”

She sighed.

“Yes, she did.”

“Why didn't you stop her?”

“I tried!” Blair answered bitterly. “What was I supposed to do after warning her? They might have called the Marks on me.”

Isacar looked angry.

“Blast the Marks.”

Blair grabbed his arm and almost dropped all the cheese.

“Isacar! Keep your voice down!”

He helped her put the packages back in her arms and they kept walking.

“Sorry, Blair.” he said gruffly.

Blair knew that he was only sorry that he put her in danger, not that he had spoken against the Marks.

“Your gonna get yourself killed one of these days.” she began. “Blasting the Marks, saying you won't get drafted, are you nuts?”

He looked at her, dead serious.

“Listen to me, Blair. We are not going to be drafted. What will happen to Bethel if you get drafted, or even my family? Five mouths to feed isn't easy.”

Blair looked hesitant.

“Well we wouldn't be much good to them dead.”

“We're dead ether way.”

Blair agreed with him in her heart but she was to scared to try to fight.

“Isacar... You know I hate the Marks as much as you do, but there's nothing we can do about it.”

Isacar saw a Mark patrol coming.

“Quiet.” he hissed.

They both tried not to make eye contact with the Marks as they past. Once they were gone, Blair looked over her shoulder.

“Maybe we'd better talk about something else.”

Isacar seemed happy to.

“You know Rodger and Merrie?”

Blair nodded.

“Yeah, they work at the clothes factory.”

“Did you know that they got married?” he asked.

Blair stopped short.

“What?”

“Yes, they did. Rodger told me that for their wedding he just gave her the ring because of all the red tape you have to go threw to get married. I agree with him.”

Blair looked doubtful.

“Their both very young. Almost our ages.”

“Yes, but they are very committed. I guess all the rules of marriage have at least made the couple committed. My mother says its better to marry young, because people don't live as long as when she was a kid.”

“Well thanks for that cheery thought.” she muttered under her breath, beginning to walk again.

“Its true.” said Isacar, defending himself.

He looked thoughtful.

“I think when I get married, I'm going to do that to. Besides, I'm eighteen now and the Marks would get all nosy if they heard about it. I mean, if I give the girl the ring, that's all that matters. I just need something symbolize our love.”

Blair suddenly realized what he meant and blushed. He seemed just then to realize what he said to and quickly corrected himself.

“Oh, eh, I mean hers and mine.”

She couldn't help giggling. A quiet moment went by the she spoke

“I agree with you, Isacar.” she said softly.

He smiled and then they walked in silence for a while. Blair started to think about the drafting. It was twenty years ago that the Marks enforced the All Draft law where either man or woman had to be drafted when they turned eighteen, no exceptions. And they had to serve as a Mark for five years, the first for training, but they often kept them longer then that. Blair guessed that that was what happened to her parents, even though they were not eighteen, the Marks sometimes took older people who had not been drafted yet. But her father had always spoken so much against the Marks that they could have taken them away to kill them. Blair was afraid to think what would happen to Bethel when she would be forced to become a Mark. Turning a corner, they walked into the market place. It was alive with people selling and buying, or trading. Isacar and Blair stayed close together so they wouldn't get separated in the crowd. They made their way over to a small table and set the cheese down on it. Blair began staking it neatly in rows. They always had three or for certain costumers on Sunday. A young lady, who's name Blair could never remember. Then a little boy, Hannan, who Isacar knew. After that, an old gentleman, Mr Ganruff by name, would come. He always seemed to be sad... Or depressed. And then the last Isacar and Blair always sold to was Rennie, a thirteen year old girl who's grandfather was a very rich man. But, having known her for a while, they had found out that her grandfather drank and beat her whenever he became drunk. Blair felt sorry for her, and wondered if Rennie's life was worse then hers.

The young lady walked up, carrying a big black bag and wearing a black hat on her head. She quickly picked out two small cheeses then left, apparently in a hurry. Isacar started to juggle the cheese, bored.

“Your going to drop it.” Blair warned.

“No I'm not.” he replied.

Something caught his eye and he dropped one. Luckily, it landed on the table. The person he saw was the little boy Hannan, walking towards them. He smiled at Hannan.

“Hey.”

“Hi. Did you bring your girlfriend along to help you?” he asked.

Blair and Isacar looked at each other.

“Uh, yeah.” Isacar answered.

Blair elbowed him in the ribs.

“Nobody told me about this.”

Isacar grinned.

“Well, your a girl and your my friend. Aren't you?”

Blair gave him a look, then grinned back.

“So, what kind of cheese are you getting today, Hannan?” she said, changing the subject.

Hannan looked at the cheese then pointed to a small one.

“That one, I think. My mom just wants a small one this time.”

“It seems like everyone is buying the small ones.” Isacar commented quietly.

Hannan gave Blair a five dollars and she gave him the cheese. He waved to them then walked off.

“Everybody's making just enough to make ends meet, no thanks to the Marks.” he murmured.

Blair didn't answer. If anybody knew about that, it would be her and Isacar. The stood there, waiting. A group of Marks past by, all well armed. Blair and Isacar starred at the ground as they walked by. As they walked out of the market place, Blair saw the old gentleman walking towards them with his sorrowful expression on his face. He leaned on a cane as he walked. She and Isacar smiled at him, greeting him as he walked up.

“Good day, sir.” she said.

He forced a smile, but didn't look up from the cheese that he was inspecting.

“I'll take that pale cheese there.” he said abruptly.

Blair gave it to him and he put the money on the table. Isacar took it and thanked him.

“Good day, you two. Be careful.” he said.

He never talked like that. He almost never talked at all, but they both nodded. They waited for a while, watching all the people going to and fro. Isacar caught a glimpse of Rennie slowly making her way over to the table. He nudged his companion.

“Look, Rennie's coming.”

Blair smiled and waved to her. Rennie walked up, holding a basket in her arms.

“Hello, Rennie.”

As Rennie turned her head to look at her, Blair saw a brews on her cheek. She felt a pang of sympathy for her as she tried to find her voice. She was so mad at the girl's grandfather for doing this to her.

“How are you today?” she asked, thinking how stupid the question was.

“I'm fine.” she said quietly.

She was very shy. Rennie looked at the cheeses.

“My grandfather wants two big ones.”

Isacar gave them to her.

“Thank you.”

Isacar smiled and nodded.

“Rennie...” Blair began. “Are you sure your okay?”

Rennie looked like she was about to answer when she heard someone calling her.

“I... I have to go. Sorry.” she ran off, clutching the basket close.

Blair sighed and looked down at the table. Was there nothing she could do?

“I can't help any of this.” she said despairingly.

Isacar looked at her quizzically.

“What do you mean?”

Blair shook her head.

“I can't stop Wryn from going to The House, I can't stop Rennie's grandfather from drinking, I can't stop the Marks from taking you away from...” she trailed off, as if not wanting to say more.

“From what?” he asked.

She tried to shrug off what she had been planning to say.

“From us.”

He looked into her eyes.

“Don't give up, or you really won't be any help.”

She forced a smile and leaned on the table.

“Slow and steady?”

They stood there for three more hours, until it turned dark. Isacar gave Blair her share of the money then she helped Isacar pile the rest of the cheese they hadn't sold into his arms. It was getting cold and they both were ready to go to their homes.

“Goodnight.” he said.

“Goodnight... I'll see you tomorrow, right?”

“That depends on if I'm selling her tomorrow. But most likely.”

Blair nodded then they both parted, Isacar going down one street and she going another. The walk back was uneventful, which Blair was glad. She walked up to the her house and opened the door. Walking in, she placed a package of cheese that Isacar had given her on the table. Blair turned to see that Bethel asleep, laying in her bed with her yarn still in her small hands. Blair smiled. Taking off her boots, jacket and belt quickly, she stole over to her little sister and picked up her blanket. Covering Bethel gently, Blair stroked her little sister's hair. Blair didn't know what she would do without Bethel, probably go crazy with nothing to do she thought. Rolling over, Blair lay down on her bed which was made up of old sheets and blankets too. Laying her head on the pillow, she soon fell asleep, tired out from standing all day. 

Please comment on my work!