Soldier at the Door(47)

From the kitchen she heard the sounds of Jaytsy in the large washing basin, splashing and giggling. For all the fussing she did before it, the moment Jaytsy’s toes hit the warm water she loved her baths. It was as if she forgot each day that baths were a favorite activity. Getting her out again would be yet another battle, one that Perrin was well suited for.

Mahrree glanced down at her dress, faded in parts, mucked up by a variety of smudges and smears. True, it was her daily work dress, so it should look like this. She did have a few others, and one was even in good condition. She wondered if she really was missing something, spending every day and night with her babies.

Yes, there were days she was frustrated to tears by the never-ending messes and crying. But she also knew that the never-ending would end, sooner than she would want. Despite it all, she found herself fascinated by her remarkable children. As they discovered the world, she felt she was seeing it new herself.

Take, for instance, just this morning. Mahrree realized to her chagrin that she hadn’t swept under the sofa since before Peto was born, nearly seven moons ago. So while her babies were unraveling balls of yarn from their Grandmother Peto, Mahrree bravely slid over the sofa and braced for the worst.

It was a practical warren of dust bunnies. She quickly swept it together, but not before Jaytsy toddled over, crouched, and oohed! at the pile of dust, soot, and—

Mahrree peered closer, suddenly panicked—

No, no that was only a clump of black Barker fur.

In his odd crawling technique, Peto skooched himself over to stare in wonder at the pile, and Mahrree realized it actually was a fascinating sight. She watched her budding little scientists stare in rapt interest and tried to remember where her notes on the moldy blob were. In a couple of years, Jaytsy and Peto would undoubtedly find that a most enthralling experiment.

Then, the children reached simultaneously for the pile of black dust, their mouths already opened for a taste—

And Mahrree briskly swept up the mess before anyone choked on Barker fur. Perhaps regrowing the blob should wait for at least ten more years . . .

And that was yet another thing that intrigued her. Why was it that her babies were so eager to taste anything, except the food she cooked for them? Yet another amusing mystery to ponder.

Oh yes, being their mother was, by far, the most difficult work she’d ever undertaken.

And it also was, by far, the most satisfying.

At the end of the day, she knew she’d accomplished an enormous amount of work, even if the house looked as messy as it had in the morning. At this point of her life, messy meant success. Things happened.

To look forward to the day she no longer found surprises in Jaytsy’s changing cloths or when Peto no longer spewed half of his meals? The thought already made her sad. It was such a short time. Only a few years . . .

She didn’t notice the blue uniform standing directly in front of her in the open doorway.

The soldier looked at her worriedly and knocked lightly on the door frame. “Mrs. Shin? Are you all right?”

Mahrree’s head snapped up and she found herself face to face with Private Shem Zenos. She shook her head a little. “Oh, oh, yes. I’m sorry—just a little lost, I suppose.”

Private Zenos took her by the arm and turned her gently back into her house.

“I think I understand, Mrs. Shin. They call it sleep deprivation. It was a form of warfare used during the Great War, back home near Waves.” He closed the front door behind him as he explained. “Villagers from Waves would capture female cats that were in season—” he blushed briefly, “secure them in baskets, then hide them around the village of Flax after nightfall. Naturally, the male cats would come seeking them and start caterwauling in desperation to find their new loves. The residents spent most of the night trying to shut up the cats and find the females. By morning they were exhausted and that’s when Waves attacked them.”

Mahrree, now fully out of her daydream, folded her arms. “Cat warfare?” she said dubiously.

“Absolutely,” Zenos said solemnly. “I understand it was suggested by a man who was father to triplets. Meowaaaaah!” he demonstrated a mix between meowing and crying.

Mahrree looked at him in disbelief until she couldn’t hold it in anymore, and she laughed.

“How do you keep such a straight face? I never know when to believe you! If there was a contest for lying, Zenos, you’d take first prize! What are you doing here this evening? Come, sit down.”

He didn’t sit, but stood at ease in the gathering room, his happy sky blue eyes twinkling at her. “Thank you, ma’am, but I was wondering if I could have a moment with the captain. I’m sorry to have come so late to your home, but—”