Spice Box (Itona)

[E]

^{((This doesn't take place in Ponaa Hold - but in the holdless caverns not far away))}


Deltontai watched the man lean dangerously to the left then rock suddenly to the right. Knowing he was done for, she took a quick step in – always bouncing on the balls of her feet – before giving the final upper cut and watching him fall backwards. The small group around the two went up in a chorus, a small number cheering and congratulating her while the larger majority complained and cursed loudly.

Bouncing right then left a few moments more, she waited as her heartbeat slow before finally stretching. Legs burning, she reached down and rubbed them before standing straight again and touching her tender eye. The man had done a few good swings most hitting in the exact same eye before Deltontai decided he hit too hard to stay within his reach. Even so she had come out the victor and as such her and her sister would eat well for a few days.

Moving forward to the book man, he grinned at her. It had not taken the gapped-toothed weasel long to learn that she was a good investment, most men underestimating her and thus giving him a larger profit. In exchange she got a good cut of the winnings. Pointing to a pile, he just smiled at her as he collected odds and ends from those who had lost and handing out winnings to those who knew Deltontai’s reputation.

Looking at her pile, she smiled. There was a bag of grain and while it wasn’t the best tasting it did last a long time. Along with that was a box of spices – something not often seen and thus valued in their holdless community – as well as a pile of cloth. Picking up the cloth she opened her eyes wide in surprise to find it soft cotton. Usually it was a bundle of wool. Perhaps they could get something made out of it.

Turning to find her sister behind her, Deltontai gave one of her rare smiles saved only for Itona. “Lookie here, Ita. We’ve gone and won ourselves a spice box! That will be a nice change hmm?” Deciding the smile hurt her eye, she turned it into a half grin, letting the side she was sure was turning colors relax.

[Rowen]

Itona spared a glance for the pile but her eyes went nearly straight back to her sister. ‘She’s really done it this time… Better than last week at least.’ “I don’t know if we have anything to put on your eye at home.” Itona watched as the colors began spreading around the eye Itona was talking about. “Already hurts doesn’t it?”

Itona cast a glance at the man who made a profit from her sister’s talent. “Dela…” Itona managed to stifle the sigh of regret. ‘If only mother had been a proper lady. This wouldn’t be necessary.’ Itona shook her head. ‘Now isn’t the time to think of such things..’ Smiling Itona wrapped an arm around her sister’s waist lightly and gave her a gentle squeeze mindful that her sister might be sore from the fight.

“You win again.” With a smile Itona looked back up at Delatontai. “Can’t wait to find out what’s in the spice box. I’m warning you though; I’m telling Kartell that you won a spice box.” Itona couldn’t help trying to share the joy of making it through another fight. Watching her sister wasn’t the easiest thing to do, but every time Itona did, afraid if she didn’t Delatontai wouldn’t come back to her; even more afraid that Snake would find them when they were separated.

[E]

Hearing her sister’s concern, Deltontai gave her a shrug. She knew her sister didn’t like watching Del fight, but it was what Del did best. In Del’s eye’s it was better for them to win what other people stole than to take part in the stealing themselves. While there were nights they went out themselves, she still preferred they at least won it. Gambling was something they at least wouldn’t get their hands cut off for.

“If we take this home we can climb the cliffs. It’s getting warmer, but there might still be some snow if we go high enough. I’m not too worried about it though. It’ll heal.” Returning the hug with a single arm of her own, Deltontai kissed the side of her sisters head. Hearing the warning, Deltontai laughed, picking up the grain sack to her shoulder and motioning that her sister should carry the cloth and small spice box.

“Old man would have sniffed it out soon enough anyways.” Pushing a man out of their way, she lead Itona out of the fighting cavern and into the sunlight. Their cave was not far and she headed in that direction. “You want a new shirt? I bet there is enough cloth in that to make one. We’ve a mark or two saved we can find someone to make one I’m sure.”

[Rowen]

Itona carried the spice box and cloth in her arms in front of her, but close to her so that not just anyone could take the items from her. Some wouldn’t even blink an eye at trying to steal a spice box from a woman if they were desperate enough. Itona personally knew what it felt like.

Following her sister Itona couldn’t help but smile faintly at Dela’s comment about Kartell. “Should I tell him you said he has a big nose? Or that he has a good sniffer?” At the picture her own words created Itona smothered a laugh.

Itona glanced down at the soft cotton and shook her head slightly. “I’d rather you use it for something you need. My clothes will last me awhile longer yet.” Itona didn't even bother to check if her words were true, she knew he clothes weren't the best, but it was as good as it would get as far as she was concerned.

[E]

Deltontai was not as concerned as her sister over theft in the middle of the day. Part of it came from being able to knock out most men, part of it came from the reputation she was slowly growing for herself in the fighting cavern. Deltontai was confident almost to a fault.

Hearing her sister’s question, Del stopped in her tracks a moment to consider the possibilities. “Best go with the sniffer I bet. He might make me do pushups again.” Del made a playful face at her sister despite her eye. Wincing afterwards, she pushed two fingers against it to see if it was swelling. “I have a feeling Old Man is going to send us up for ice anyways.”

Continuing the walk, she looked back at her sister and raised an eyebrow. “I could use some new cloth for wrapping my hand, but its good cotton. The softer, lighter stuff. Your sure you don’t want a new tunic?” Knowing her sister to be a difficult one when it came to spoiling herself, Del shrugged. “Well maybe we’ll save it till we have enough for two tunics or until one of our own clothes tears again. How bout that?”

[Rowen]

Itona sighed at the thought of having some more time alone with her sister and no chance of others nearby to over hear their conversations. “We’ll have to make sure mother doesn’t find out we have the cotton she’ll turn it into one of those low cut things again.. What are they called?” Itona wrinkled her nose slightly. ’You’d think if mother had to show off her curves that it would say something about her looks..’

Her thoughts were halted abruptly as she stubbed her foot on a rock party buried in the ground and partly sticking out. Quickly suppressing her urge to cry out, Itona caught herself, and without pause continued walking as if nothing had happened. Stupid rock if my hands weren’t full I’d pull you out of the ground and throw you as far as I could.’

Forcing herself out of her thoughts Itona concentrated on where she was walking. “If uncle makes you do pushups again it isn’t my fault.” Itona smiled faintly managing not to limp the few steps after stubbing her foot until the pain ebbed to a low throb that quickly started disappearing.

[E]

Deltontai didn’t notice her sister stub her toe on the rock as she had closed her eyes at the mention of her mother. A moan escaped her lips, close to a growl, and she found her smile turned back into its usual frown. “Yes, we’ll hide it good, maybe not even in the cave.” With a sigh, Deltontai turned toward a cave entrance. Their mother did have an annoying habit of helping herself to their things as if they owed her something.

Hearing her sisters deny to fault, Del cheered up a little, but her frown remained as she stopped not far into the cavern. Their mother had been there, the glow basket had been left open and their things were moved around the room again as if someone had been searching for something. Groaning again, Del dropped the grain bag in the far corner before going up to their bed mats (more of a pile of furs than actual beds) and kicked the furs.

“Shard it, I thought Old Man was staying home all day. He knew I had a fight today…” Looking around, she frowned at her sisters bed. “You had your things on you right?” By things, Del meant anything of value. Their stash of marks were buried up the cliffs, but they had not been up in a few days and Del couldn’t remember if they had stashed any in their cavern recently to take up to the main stash.

[Rowen]

Itona carefully set down the cotton and spice box, as her eyes traveled around the room narrowing in anger. “I hate when she does this!” Pulling up her sleeve she showed her sister the gem wrapped tightly around her forearm by the thin chain that insured Itona didn’t drop it or lose it on accident. “I only brought this today. You weren’t the only one who thought he would stay the day.”

Itona’s brows furrowed as she ran a finger over the gem. “Perhaps something came up. If so, I hope at least he is okay.” Closing her eyes Itona forced herself to relax and calm down. She wasn’t aware of her hand wrapping tightly around the gem, or her other hand curling into a fist, but slowly she did relax, but her next words were almost yelled.

“What did she expect to find here? A mountain of gold?” Itona winced at her own words turned and placed her hands flat against the one of the walls of the cave. Itona lowered her head letting her forehead rest against the wall. “It could have been someone else, but my question is still the same. What did they expect to find here?”

[E]

Deltontai punched the stone wall nearby, feeling her sisters anger rise as quickly as her own. Her sister made a point, however, that perhaps Old Man might not be okay. But without knowing where it went it was hard to tell where to look for him at. Her near yell, however, kicked Del from her own dark thoughts.

Looking up, she let out her breath and removed her hand from the wall. “I dunno, Ita. Perhaps food. Perhaps coins. Perhaps clothes.” With another look around the room, she went back to pick up the bag of grain, dropping it in the middle of the mess and kicking a fur over it. “All of those are commodities that many in the caverns don’t have. We are lucky to have Old Man willing to watch our things most of the time with so many people so desperate.”

Looking back up at her sister with her head against the wall, she walked over and wrapped her arms around her. “Don’t worry, we’ll leave it a mess. Anyone looking for anything won’t bother if they see the cavern’s already been searched. The grain will be safe and we’ll bury the spice box in the far end so they can’t smell it.”

Picking up the box, she moved to the end of the cavern to do just that, scrapping at the dirt with her own hands till enough was moved to hide the shape of the box. Looking back up, she sighed. “Let’s get out of here. A climb sounds great and there might be a redfruit still on the tree up the way.”

[Rowen]

Itona relaxed from her sister’s hug. Feeling her hand clasping the gem Itona released her death grip on it and resorted to fidgeting with it then quickly pulled her sleeve down covering it again. Pushing herself away from the wall Itona straightened as she watched her sister hide the spice box.

She nodded at the mention of leaving. “I could use a climb.” ’Or a run.' Casting one last glance over the room Itona turned her back on it and stepped back out. “If Uncle isn’t back by dinner time we might have to go looking.” Itona glanced around clearly expecting to see Kartell coming at any moment. “He usually doesn’t just leave like that.”

Itona ignored the saliva that filled her mouth at the mention of the fruit. “It’s not likely.” Itona shrugged as she looked at her sister giving up looking for Kartell. “We should start climbing now before it gets too dark to see our way down.” ’Not that it ever stopped us before.' Itona smiled at her memory then she lifted an arm her palm out stretched to the side. “After you.” She said it with a wink and a smile, clearly mocking what their mother had once done to one of her clients.

[E]

Wiping her dirt stained hands on her breeches, Del stood up and moved back to her sister. Listening to her sister, she nodded in agreement. “Yeah, let’s get climbing.” Moving toward the door, she rolled her eyes with a laugh at her sister’s antics. “Keep that up and you’ll be great as Mother at it.” She said, poking fun at her sister as she took the lead again.

Laughing again, she lightly tapped her sister’s shoulder. “Race you to the redfruit trees?” she asked, a glint of competition in her eyes despite the darkening color. There was a stand of redfruit trees up the path a good distance and it was usually from there that they climbed a ways to another path that took them to the edge of the snows. They might need to do another short climb, depending on how far the snow had retreated in the growing summer heat.

[Rowen]

"Wouldn't mother just love that." Itona shuddered at the thought of being like her mother in even the smallest way. When Del tapped her on the shoulder Itona paused to turn and look at her sister. Seeing the glint in her sister's eye Itona blinked at her, eyes confused a moment. Shrugging Itona smiled. "What's the reward?"

Itona's gaze shifted to over Del's shoulder her eyes narrowing as her smile vanished. "Last one to the tree's has to deal with mother if she follows us." Itona jerked her head up slightly in a indication for Del to look behind her. "Our favorite escort always seems to show up when we never need her." Turning Itona took off running without pausing to warn Del that the race was starting.

[E]

Shifting her weight to one hip, she brought a finger up to her lips and tapped them as she thought over a possible reward – always willing for a good bet. As her sister’s smile vanished, however, her expression turned serious as she looked over her shoulder to see her mother making her way up the path. With a groan, she turned to tell Itona “Deal” only to find her sister already off.

“Your rotten little…” she cursed under her breath, despite the smile tugging at the corners of her lips. Taking off as quickly as her legs would carry her, she took the time to lengthen her stride knowing full well the run was a decent length and she would be hard pressed to keep up with her sister. Even so, her legs ached from the earlier fight, but began to feel better as she continued to work them and loosen the muscles.

[Rowen]

Itona used to running let her stride lengthen quickly her breathing shifting to a even rhythm that matched her foot steps. Feeling the air rush around her Itona let her anger leach from her as she let her feet carry her away from one of the worst parts of her life. Feeling a slight twinge in her foot that she had stubbed earlier she lowered her gaze to the ground just slightly in front of her so she didn't stub her foot again, tripping now would probably hurt, and Del wouldn't be the only one using the snow.

Skidding to a halt at the red fruit trees, Itona glanced over her shoulder to make sure Del was alright. 'This is just one more reason I'd rather be anywhere then here. Then I wouldn't have to deal with mother...' Itona carefully began slowing her breathing forcing it to be slow even breaths despite the fact she wanted to gasp for breath.

[E]

Del finally caught up to her sister as they reached the grove of fruit trees. Breathing heavy, she doubled over to spit and catch her breath as she leaned against her own knees. After a moment she stood up straight again. Looking back the way they had come to find no one in pursuit, she turned back to the trees looked up.

“Well mother never runs, so we’ve got some time at least.” she said to her sister as she moved beneath the trees, her gaze still upwards. With the grove so close to the holdless caves all of the lower branches had been picked clean. Finding a suitable tree, she jumped up to catch the nearest branch, pulling herself up easily with her trained upper body strength.

“Here catch Itona.” She said once she was within reach of the redfruit left on the tree. Finding two that had no bug holes or had been eaten by the birds, she tossed them down to follow in short pursuit. Landing next to her sister again, she sat down and leaned against the tree, closing her eyes. The jar from the landing had been painful to her now purple face. Opening them again, she patted the ground next to her for Itona to sit.