If it wasn't for Quincy, Will would have never left Russ's bed last night. But he awoke before dawn, dressed and crept into the main room to look in on Quincy. The boy was playing with all his toys on his bed, foremost among them the ones Russ gave him – the dragon stone, the turtle and the horse.
Will sat with him then went to fetch water. He was pouring it out from the pail, when Russ emerged from his bedchamber and came to stand close behind him.
After clearing his throat, Russ inclined his head. With his lips close to Will's ear, he said his name.
"Good morning," Will said. He meant to sound the same as always, but his voice shook and he did not dare turn to look at Russ.
"I am not one to speak honeyed words..." Russ began to say but Will did not let him finish.
"You did last night," Will reminded him and glanced at him over his shoulder. He had spoken hotly, his words molten and searing as he thrust inside him. Will knew he turned crimson at the thought and turned away.
Russ did not let him though. He spun Will around to face him. "And you snore a lot for a skinny soft-spoken lad," Russ countered gruffly as if they were engaged in some sort of contest. Perhaps he was embarrassed by all he said in the heat of passion.
Will laughed, but he also worried that Russ might wish to take back what he said or even did last night. If that was so, Will's heart could not take it. It would surely be splintered and never recover.
With his head slightly bowed, Russ affixed him with a smoldering gaze. "Whatever I said last night can't express even half of what is in my heart. Words can't encompass what I feel for you."
"Last night, I heard you as loud as thunder and felt you shake the earth and sky, and I listened to your heart as I slept," Will told him. "I don't know if I can see into the depths of your heart, but I want to."
Russ embraced him and let out a shuddering breath as his arms nearly crushed Will. To him it seemed as if Russ might never let him go. Will had no objection, but breakfast had to be made and chores done. After a night like the last, Will thought it odd that daily life could go on the same as ever, but it did. Still there were twinges and aches and other sweeter reminders of what they had done. And best of all were several quick kisses that Russ gave him whenever he caught him alone.
Later in the day, Will came out in front of the house and saw that Russ had a visitor. A strapping, young redheaded lad, with a pack of leather goods on his back, was talking to Russ. Their voices were friendly, their faces cheerful, but Will found only dark feelings within his heart.
Being a handsome fellow, that man excited such unexpected jealousy in Will. He couldn't abide to see him so much as speak to Russ and wanted the redheaded man to be on his way already.
Will didn't know what came over him all of a sudden to be thinking that way. Was he afraid that Russ would be stolen from right under his nose? Or did he fear that Russ might do with that fellow what he had done with Will last night?
Now that he had been with Russ, he cherished him more than ever. If he were to be cast aside by him, Will could not bear it.
When the visitor finally departed, Will breathed a sigh of relief but his worries were not over. He watched Russ as he returned and wondered if he did not look too happy after having met up with that man.
"Do you know that traveler well?" Will asked since they stayed in conversation so long, or at least too long for Will's liking.
"That's the son of the tanner over in Finsbury village. He just had word of some work for me. Mr. Worley says he wants me to help fix his barn. Lightning stuck it last night and he needs help rebuilding it. His is one of the big farms in Ochre Valley. He has given me plenty of work before." Now Russ hesitated and looked down at his feet and Will wondered what was on his mind. "I'll be going early tomorrow. You can come along and help me if you like. Though mainly I want your company." When Will did not answer right away, Russ tried a different sort of persuasion. "He'll pay us with milk and cheese for our trouble and other good stuff besides. There'll be plenty to tempt Quincy to partake of food."
Now Will came out with the reason he had not agreed to his plan as of yet. "Will Quincy be safe there?" Will wondered. He did not want to put the child in harm's way no matter how much he wished to go so he could be in Russ's company.
"Downriver there isn't as much fear of River Eleth as there is upstream. The farmers owe their fertile lands to the river so they regard it more benevolently," Russ explained.
"And at night, do they not see apparitions and silver smoke hanging over the waters?" Will asked.
"I've never heard those things talked about around those parts," Russ said. "I don't think they fear the river day or night in the valley."
"Then it might be safe for Quincy to venture there. We will be glad to accompany you," Will said and he and Russ both smiled at each other. Looking at Russ now, Will thought he seemed far happier than after he spoke to the tanner's son.
Since the matter of going to Ochre Valley was settled, Russ went over to Quincy to give him the news. "Quincy, my boy."
Quincy pointed at himself.
"Yes, you," Russ told him. "How would you like to go and do some farm work with me and Will tomorrow?"
Quincy nodded then he said. "I work."
With Quincy happy to go as well, they made plans to set off at the crack of dawn the next day.
As dawn was breaking, casting a purple hue over the clouds on the horizon, the three of them descended the path from Russ's house and headed south. This was the first time Will and Quincy had been away from Stony Hills since they had taken refuge there. Though he had his worries, Will was glad to be able to show Quincy new places.
They followed the road to Ochre Valley at a steady pace. Going each way, people and carts passed them now and then. A number of people greeted Russ, but Will saw no one that he knew. That was for the best. As it was, if Russ wasn't with them, Will would have been consumed with worry about Quincy's safety.
As long as they were with Russ, Will felt sure that they would not be bothered. He remembered when he first laid eyes on Russ. Will had been most unsettled by his fearsome appearance and his obvious strength. Russ seemed to him glowering and dangerous.
It was only after he started doing work for his father from time to time that Will felt more at ease in the presence of the imposing man. That's when he noticed that Russ made his heart drum in his chest, but it wasn't out of fright.
Will understood the reason now, but back then he didn't have a single notion what could be amiss. The thing that was amiss turned out to be fairly simple – Will wasn't in Russ's arms, he wasn't by his side, he hadn't tasted his kiss and he hadn't felt him come inside him.
It was when they stepped from the main road to a well beaten track that led to the west side of Ochre Valley that Will realized he should not be entertaining those sorts of thoughts at a time like this. He looked over at Russ to see if he had noticed. That's when Russ drew his attention to the path in front of them. "That's what befell Worley's barn roof as well."
Ahead of them stood a lightning struck tree, split and charred, but Will only saw Russ's handsome face and kind eyes and knew how very fortunate he was. He walked beside Russ feeling happy just to know such a man.
After a while, they started heading for some low hills. Russ turned his head and his eyes were bright with morning light as he told Will, "This is the footpath that will get us there quicker. Carts take another way because this path takes us up this hillock. The other way is easier for the carts but takes a bit longer."
They started the climb up the gentle hill. Following the dirt path, they reached the crest of the hill. From there they took in the sight of the valley stretching out on both sides of the river. It was parceled and fenced into neat plots colored according too each crop that grew there. Grassy fields and woodlands broke up the neat pattern here and there, but it was the sight of the river that held the whole of Quincy's interest and attention.
Here the river flowed smooth and wide almost like it had turned into a lake. Though its slow current was far away, Quincy still frowned at it.
"We aren't going near the river," Will assured him and looked to Russ for confirmation.
"Will is right. We'll be heading to that big house," Russ said and pointed out their destination in midst of green and golden fields.
"It's because of his dislike of water that we headed your way when we first set out from Talisbury. Quincy refused to cross the river. He would not go near it. But that's no wonder since he won't go near even the smallest puddle," Will said as they moved on.
"He seems to like looking upon it," Russ remarked since Quincy hardly took his eyes off the river as long as it was in sight.
The river stayed in view for a while longer, its waters smooth as glass. Every tree on the riverbank looked down at a reflected image exactly like itself with not a ripple to mar it.
On to the Worley farm they went and marveled at the size of the place. Passing by a patch of woodland, they saw the structures of the farm and their owner in front of the damaged barn. There Farmer Worley greeted them. He was a friendly, portly fellow with a bushy, gray mustache.
"Glad to meet you, Will. I think I can put you to work and the little one too," he said after they were all introduced.
"We'll do what we can to help," Will said.
"We need to cut down some timber for the roof and for the posts to hold up the new roof. The lightning split one of the old ones clean in two and the other one got eaten through with rot from where rain seeps in. It's past time it was replaced," Farmer Worley explained. "That's why I asked for Russ here. He can take a tree down in two strikes of the ax."
Russ laughed. "It will take more than two strikes."
"I have my nephew coming one of these days. He's a stout lad. He'll be of help too," Farmer Worley said.
Russ went over to choose himself an ax and maybe run it over the whetstone a few times. Farmer Worley turned to Will and Quincy to give them their instructions.
"While Russ helps me with the heavy work, I've got something for you and your boy to do as soon as you can get it done. The thunderstorm frightened away six of my cows. Coax them back here quick as you can. They'll be past ready for milking."
They agreed on a small payment, and Will and Quincy went off in the direction where Farmer Worley said the cows were likely to go. He had pointed to a forest of tall, old pines.
So as not to send the cows running farther, Will and Quincy walked quietly through the forest of towering pines. Their canopies were high above, blocking out the bright sunshine, making the forest cool. Will held onto Quincy's hand as he looked around for any sign of where the cows might have gone. After a while he noticed that Quincy was a step ahead and leading the way.
"Do you hear the cowbells?" Will asked him. He didn't hear them himself as of yet, but he thought the boy's hearing might be sharper than his own.
Quincy pointed straight ahead. "Cow and other cow," he said.
"Two cows are that way?" Will said as he let Quincy take him where he would.
In no time they came upon two cows, just as Quincy said. The cows were busy stripping leaves from a bush that grew between the roots of a tree.
Will stayed quiet, wanting to approach slowly so as not to spook them, but Quincy ran straight for the cows heedlessly. Sure that they would now have to chase after the cows as they ran off, Will saw that the two brown cows showed no surprise or fear of Quincy. They were as placid as if nothing had happened and no one had approached.
"Cows go home," Quincy said then he pushed at one cow then the other. Will was ready to rush in lest the little boy got kicked or trampled, but the cows showed no resistance or alarm simply started walking slowly where he wanted them to go.
"You've done well," Will said as he fell into step with the cows.
"Good cow," Quincy said and reached way up so he could pat the side of one of the cows gently. The cows did seem to follow him more readily than they did Will when he tried to encourage them along.
They returned the two cows to the edge of a pasture. Seeing them, a girl about Will's own age waved to them from a nearby field then came over. She had picked some turnips and now held them in her apron. "I'll take them for milking," she said and gave Will a beaming smile. "I'm Paula, by the way."
"I'm Will and this is Quincy. He's the one who found these cows. We'll go see if we can find the rest."
"You found these two right quick. Good luck to you," she said
Will went off with Quincy, and let him lead the way from the start this time. He seemed to know where the cows were even though no sound could have reached him. This time they found one cow in a patch of undergrowth and another drinking rainwater from a hollowed out log. As before, the cows followed Quincy meekly. Thanks to him, they were able to gather all four before long and bring them back together. Once they got back and the cows were checked over, Will went to help with the work on the barn.
"I help," Quincy said.
"No, you sit and watch. Learn how to help," Will told him. He chose a spot for him to sit under a tree with leaves that were turning from bright green to yellow. "If you get frightened, call for me. I won't be far."
He kissed the top of Quincy's head and went to look for Russ. Will did not think anyone would bother Quincy, but he still intended to keep a close eye on the boy.
Will joined Russ who smiled, said he was glad to see him, then put him right to work. Will was happy to help and also to watch Russ at work. Getting too hot as the sun rose toward its highest point, Russ stripped down to the waist, and Will could hardly take his eyes off him.
Will did have to keep his eyes strictly on his own work when Farmer Worley was around. He was busy with other tasks so he came and went leaving Will to enjoy working alongside Russ. Impressed by his strength, and taken with his good looks, Will didn't know how he kept his wits about him around such a beautiful man.
Will still glanced over at the spot under the leafy tree where Quincy played. Then some work had to be done out of sight of him in the back of the barn. Afterward, Will went straight over to the front of the barn to check on Quincy. Coming around the corner, he saw that Quincy was no longer under the tree, but someone else was. It was only Paula, but where had Quincy gone?
Worried that he did not see him, Will ran over and called Quincy's name. Hearing leaves rustle, Will looked up and saw him among the green and yellow foliage above. He was looking from Will to Paula, who was Farmer Worley's daughter. As Will approached her, he saw that her expression was somewhere between vexed and astonished.
Will noticed that she carried a jug of milk and a cup, and he could guess the source of the trouble. Seeing Will, she pointed up into the treetop. "Your boy went up there. He was friendly enough before, but when I came over here to offer him some of this fresh milk, he was off and up that tree as fast as lightning," she complained.
Will knew well what sent Quincy to climb up and hide among the branches of the treetop, but he knew that Paula would never understand such a thing. "He is a good climber, and he is a might bashful at times," Will told her but she still looked cross.
Will wondered how to explain that a well meaning girl offering Quincy a drink of milk should send him right up a tree. That the boy was afraid of milk might be the strangest thing of all about him.
"Pretty girls make him shy," Will said to soothe her displeasure.
Paula grinned at him. "Tell him it's safe. I'm engaged to be married by the year's end. I've got no designs on him."
"My best wishes," Will told her. He looked up at Quincy where he was peering down at the two of them. "Did you hear that? Paula is spoken for." Quincy only smiled at him, but did not climb down.
"Come down and have some milk, you little imp," Paula told him, but that was the last thing that would make Quincy budge.
"I guess he's satisfied just to look at you from up there," Will told her and she gave up with a sigh.
"Would you like some," Paula asked, and Will accepted the cup of milk gladly and thanked her.
Paula then spotted an older woman making her way to them with a basket on her hip and pointed her out to Will. "Here comes my mother with your midday meal. You better come down or you'll miss out," Paula called to Quincy. When he did not come down, she wondered, "Could it be that he doesn't know how to get down from there?"
"He has climbed trees before and got down just fine," Will said.
"Still, it's mighty daunting. He's only a wee lad and it's a long way down," Paula said but then her mother called her and she went off. She might be older, but she still reminded Will of Sally with her bossy ways. That made him miss his sister as well.
Now that Paula was gone, Will reached up his arms. Quincy smiled and jumped straight down to be caught by him. Will was surprised how easy it was to catch him.
"Scared to come down but not to jump. You're a funny one," Will told him.
"Of cause he isn't scared when his papa is holding his arms open for him to jump into," Russ said coming up behind them and smiling at both of them.
Will's heart warmed to hear Russ call him Quincy's papa. "You came to eat?" he asked.
"I saw you flirting with a pretty girl so I got jealous," Russ said.
"Quincy was the one flirting," Will told him.
Both of them looked at Quincy, who scrambled down from Will's arms and went to hide behind the tree. Maybe Will was more right than he realized.
The farmer's wife brought them some biscuits, milk and a few other things. Farmer Worley didn't sit with them but went off with his wife.
As the three of them sat down, Will asked Quincy, "What is it about milk that frightens you? I know you dislike water, but milk is not any kind of water."
"Is wet," Quincy said simply.
"That it is," Russ agreed with a grin. "You can't argue with his reasoning there."
"Here's a nice biscuit for you," Will said as he handed Quincy one of them from the basket.
"Biscuit?" Quincy said and frowned at it.
"Eat up. It's good stuff," Will told him.
"Soft," Quincy said. His brow was furrowed almost as if he objected to the unaccustomed feel of it.
Russ laughed. "That's more what a biscuit should be like, but I grew up eating the hard kind. It's all I know how to make."
"Your have improved," Will told him. As he looked over at Russ, Will was thinking how there was nothing better than eating something made by the one you love. The word only sounded in his own head, and it nearly made his heart stop, such was its power.
Now that it sounded inside him so suddenly, the word was too loud to ignore. It would not let him be but repeated on each beat of his heart. He truly did love Russ. With every fiber of his being, Will felt Russ next to him, but he dared not turn his head and look at him.
Russ noticed that Will had gone silent and still. "Are you all right?" he asked Will. When he did not answer, Russ reached out and touched his hand to Will's forehead. "You feel all right."
"I am," Will assured him. He smiled at Russ's concern and tenderness, but he could not meet his eye lest he do something unseemly. It would not do for Will to throw himself into his arms and start kissing him right there.