In Signum
Justin and Gareth sat on either side of the family’s table staring silently at each other. Gareth’s father was in the corner on a low stool mending his shoe. Gareth’s mother sat on a chair near the door cleaning and chopping vegetables. After a while the basket at her feet was empty and the cooking pot on her lap was full. She emptied the peels and stems from her apron back into the basket, gave the silent men a hard look, heaved an exasperated sigh, and stood up. As she carried the basket outside Gareth’s father raised his head from his work and regarded the two young men for a full minute. Finally he spoke. “You two make trouble for yourselves in a world that has trouble enough. Why don’t you let your minds be at peace? When you are old men full of care you’ll know one need not be bothered by a barking dog.” With that he too left the room taking his shoe and stool with him.
As soon as they heard him step off the wooden floored porch Justin opened his mouth to speak. Before he could, however, Gareth said, “I can guess how you’re thinking Justin, but you can save your breath. Even if I wanted to, I wouldn’t dishonor my father in this matter.”
When he paused Justin began speaking quickly, “Nor would I want you to, Gareth. But you are his eldest son. And given his age and that of Kegan, you may answer the challenge for him without disrespect. Kegan is a man without honor, or understanding of respect, or he would never have spoken as he did to you, let alone to your father. Do you not remember his words at the shelter?” Justin saw Gareth’s face darken angrily as he recalled the insults flung at his father. Sensing his chance Justin continued, “And when I think of his disregard for your father when he was struck, I don’t know what to say, Gareth.” Gareth’s eyes clouded as his head bent forward. Justin went on, “A good man such as your father lying there injured, and Kegan only caring about the cattle he meant to profit by. I do not wonder that even your gentle dad called him a dog just now.”
But then Gareth’s head popped up and his face cleared as he said, “Now I think my dad was just quoting an adage, Justin. I don’t think he really meant to slander Kegan.”
Justin winced. He had gone one step too far and was back where he had started. Why was Gareth’s family so meek? But he quickly tried to salvage his argument. “Of course, I know that, Gareth. I only meant that in saying what he did your father realizes what kind of man Kegan really is. That is why I don’t think he would truly be upset at all if you were to answer the challenge for him.”
But Gareth’s moment of anger was gone. He had completely regained his calm. “No, Justin, my father is at peace with his decision and so am I. Why then should you not be?”
“Why? Because Keegan is wrong and is going to get away with it. It’s not right. He should be punished.”
“Of course he’s wrong, Justin, but we are not judges. The council hasn’t even felt the need to meet about this. Rational men agree with my dad, and are more concerned about how to prevent future raids than Kegan’s rantings…”
Justin felt a mental fog moving in and it seemed that Gareth’s voice grew distant. The tone of it was constant though assuring him that he would not convince Gareth to change his mind and confront Kegan. Justin felt defeated. Suddenly he wanted to be a thousand miles from where he was. He wanted to forget the whole thing and see or talk to no one that he knew.
