- 1 hour ago
Bought by the Lone Huntsman
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Short filmTranscript
00:04Before father left to join the army, he made a promise.
00:10If I die on the battlefield, you can find another man to marry, like the hunter on the edge of
00:15the village.
00:16But that huntsman, Vance, had a crippled leg and a scar that split his face in two.
00:22One punch, they said, could drop a full-grown tiger.
00:25They also said he'd already beaten his first wife to death.
00:30Marrying Mama to him was the same as sending her to die.
00:33Three years later, word came that father was dead.
00:38Grandma and the village elders collected 20 silver coins from Vance.
00:41They sold Mama off.
00:43The news arrived on the day Mama was washing clothes by the river.
00:47Deep winter, the water was thick with floating ice, cold enough to cut bone.
00:52Grandma wouldn't allow her to use hot water.
00:54She said firewood was precious, not for a worthless brat who couldn't produce sun.
01:02I'd haul extra firewood down from the mountain, but it always went straight to Uncle Dale's fire pit.
01:09If Mama or I used so much as one extra stick, Grandma beat us and cursed us for three days
01:15straight.
01:17I tried to help with the washing.
01:20I tried to help with the washing.
01:20Mama waved me off.
01:21The river's cold, little one.
01:23Go play over there where the sun hits.
01:25It's warmer.
01:26In the dead of winter, midday sun was the only warmth we ever had.
01:31When the laundry was done and we walked home, Grandma and the village elders were already waiting.
01:37They'd been in such a rush, but not enough to walk down to the river and find us.
01:41You take this long, wandering off who knows where, worthless brat.
01:47Roy's barely gone and already your heart's drifting.
01:55The soldiers sent word.
01:57Roy's dead.
01:58You killed him.
01:59Every bit of bad luck he had started when he married you.
02:02He's gone now, so hurry up and remarry.
02:04Don't stay here dragging our family down.
02:06The bundle was small.
02:07Two of Mama's worn-out dresses.
02:10Grandma didn't look like she was grieving her own son.
02:12She looked the same as always, like someone had told me the village dog had died.
02:17Mama said nothing.
02:19She just held my hand tighter.
02:22Grandma, can I bring my daughter with me?
02:25Mama wasn't crying much.
02:27She was only worried about me.
02:29See if the huntsman's willing to pay for her.
02:33A girl this size?
02:35Sell her to a broker and you'd get ten silver easy.
02:39Mama's grip went tighter around my hand.
02:41We both knew.
02:42The moment she left, Grandma would sell me.
02:45She wouldn't keep me a single day longer than she had to.
02:50Mama shouldered her bundle and held my hand.
02:52Grandma and the village elders herded us to Vance's house.
02:55He was inside, sharpening a blade.
02:57The scraping sound never stopped.
02:59His bad leg jutted stiffly to one side.
03:02It couldn't bend.
03:03A scar ran from below his left eye all the way to the right corner of his mouth,
03:08like something had tried to split his face in half.
03:11I stepped behind Mama.
03:13Vance looked us over.
03:15You people forced this woman on me.
03:17Twenty silver is already too much.
03:20Don't push it further.
03:21He clearly hadn't wanted to take Mama, let alone me.
03:25Dead weight she'd dragged along.
03:26My Roy saved your life once.
03:28Now he's dead, and we're delivering this woman straight to your door.
03:32You should be on your knees thanking us.
03:34She wants to bring the girl along as your daughter.
03:36You get a wife and a child all at once.
03:38I'm not asking for much.
03:40Another ten silver and we're done.
03:42Most families earned two or three silver in a year.
03:45Ten silver could buy a full acre of good farmland.
03:48I was not worth that much.
03:52People in the village said he was a silent man, but when he opened his eyes and looked at you,
03:57really looked, it could stop your heart cold.
04:01Grandma shoved Mama hard.
04:02Mama's thin frame nearly went down.
04:05Mr. Hart, my daughter eats very little.
04:08She can work.
04:10Please, could you give us somewhere to go?
04:12Vance finally looked at me.
04:14A long, unreadable frown.
04:16Mama tugged at my hand.
04:17I dropped to my knees beside her with a thumb.
04:21Call him something.
04:23I stared up at Vance.
04:25At the scar.
04:26My lips shook.
04:27Papa.
04:28Vance went still.
04:30The scar looked even more ferocious when his face froze like that.
04:34Grandma's foot came with my back.
04:36Your real father's barely cold and you're already calling some stranger Papa.
04:41Worthless brat.
04:43Just like your harlot mother, heart already belongs to someone else.
04:47She kept kicking.
04:48I lay flat and didn't move.
04:50Didn't make a sound.
04:52That was how it worked.
04:53Stay still.
04:54Let her finish and she'd stop.
04:56Mama tried to crawl to me.
04:58One of the village elders kicked her back.
05:00It was always like this in Roy's household.
05:03Mama couldn't save me.
05:04She couldn't save herself.
05:06Enough!
05:07Vance stood.
05:09He went inside.
05:10He came back and threw ten silver coins onto the ground.
05:14This girl is my child now.
05:17I looked up at Vance.
05:19Mama hadn't caught with his silver.
05:21I had.
05:22Grandma grabbed the silver and turned to leave.
05:25Vance blocked her.
05:26He demanded a written contract.
05:29Grandma refused.
05:30Vance snatched the silver right back.
05:33No contract.
05:34No silver.
05:35In the end, with the village elders and the village head as witnesses, the contract was
05:40signed.
05:41Both Mama and I became part of Vance's household.
05:45Mama put down her bundle and started working immediately.
05:48If she stayed busy enough, maybe Vance would let me eat more.
05:52Maybe he wouldn't hit me.
05:54Vance's house was plain.
05:55Three main rooms.
05:57A hall in the center.
05:58A bedroom on each side.
06:00Only one bedroom had a bed.
06:01The other was empty.
06:03Mama led me to the woodshed.
06:05The firewood was stacked clean.
06:07The floor was tidy.
06:09Mama shifted some wood and found a board.
06:11She built me a rough bed out of it.
06:15Don't be afraid, little one.
06:21Mama, I'm not afraid.
06:23At Roy's house, it had always been the same.
06:26When father was home, he'd say I was in the way, always getting between him and Mama when
06:31they were trying for a son.
06:33He'd chase me to the woodshed.
06:35Roy's woodshed was filthier than this.
06:37Rats.
06:38Snakes.
06:39Frozen solid in winter.
06:41A furnace in summer.
06:42I'd survived all of it.
06:44Mama held me against her chest.
06:46Maybe, once I give him a son, things will ease up.
06:50I said nothing.
06:51I'd long suspected father's cruelty toward Mama had nothing to do with sons.
06:57Mama, why did father want you to remarry Vance?
07:00Before he left, father had kept Mama on a tight leash.
07:04Wouldn't let her leave the village.
07:05Wouldn't let her look up when she passed a man.
07:09Grandma would curse her for it, too.
07:11Said she was out there tempting people.
07:13Mama's bitter laugh stayed locked in her throat.
07:18Because Vance was the only one who could pay that much.
07:23She didn't finish.
07:25She didn't need to.
07:27Father had sent Mama here to die.
07:30Father had been planning to sell Mama even before he left.
07:34He knew he wasn't coming back.
07:36He made sure Mama would have nowhere left to go.
07:38I'd worked this out some time ago.
07:40Not because I was clever.
07:42They'd been obvious about it.
07:44The whole village talked.
07:45Not long after we arrived, Vance came back carrying armfuls of thick wooden boards.
07:50He disappeared into the empty west bedroom.
07:53Steady hammering rang out, one blow after another.
07:57Mama stood outside the door.
07:58She wanted to ask where the food stores were so she could start dinner.
08:02But she didn't dare.
08:04After a while, Vance came back out.
08:06He saw us both still standing there.
08:08He frowned.
08:09Something you need?
08:11His voice was rough.
08:12I flinched and nearly stepped back.
08:14But we were alone here, Mama and me.
08:17If I stepped back, she'd be standing by herself.
08:20I held my ground.
08:21I took Mama's hand and stood beside her.
08:24Vance noticed.
08:25Something shifted in his brow.
08:26Mama asked carefully.
08:29I want to ask.
08:31It's nearly dinner time.
08:32If you get the grain out, I can cook.
08:35You've worked hard all day.
08:36You should eat.
08:37Vance frowned harder.
08:38He looked us up and down like we'd said something strange.
08:41Then he pointed at the kitchen.
08:43In there.
08:47The key.
08:50Vance's frown deepened.
08:51He walked over and kicked the kitchen door open.
08:54He looked back at us.
08:55I had the feeling he was asking with his eyes whether we were simple.
09:00No lock.
09:01No key.
09:02Roy's kitchen was always locked.
09:04The grain.
09:05The oil.
09:06The salt.
09:06The eggs.
09:07Everything in locked cabinets.
09:09Grandma would measure out exactly what was needed for each meal.
09:12Set it on the counter.
09:14Then stand there watching Mama cook.
09:15Drop a single grain of rice.
09:17Get a lecture that lasted half a day.
09:20She called us starving ghosts.
09:22Said we never worked.
09:23Only ate.
09:24She was afraid we'd steal food.
09:26Mama and I stepped into the kitchen.
09:28Grain.
09:29Oil.
09:29Salt.
09:30All of it just sitting out in the open.
09:32Mama stood there for a long moment.
09:35She glanced toward Vance.
09:36He'd already gone back out.
09:38She was almost afraid to touch anything.
09:40She was afraid she'd cook it wrong.
09:42And he'd come back angry.
09:44Beat her.
09:45Like grandma.
09:46She was afraid of being accused of stealing.
09:50Eventually, Mama cooked.
09:52The food sat on the table.
09:53The two of us stood in the courtyard.
09:55Neither of us moved toward it.
09:57Vance came back carrying two large wicker baskets.
10:00He saw the food on the table.
10:02He saw us standing there.
10:03His frown deepened.
10:05He washed his hands.
10:06Sat down.
10:07Saw us still standing.
10:08He told us gruffly to sit.
10:10He scooped himself less than half a bowl of rice.
10:13Not enough food.
10:15Cook more tomorrow.
10:17He ate fast.
10:19Loud and efficient.
10:20Finished in minutes.
10:21But barely ate half of what was there.
10:24Done.
10:25He sat sharpening his wood cutting knife.
10:27Watching us eat.
10:28Mama hesitantly filled my bowl.
10:30We ate.
10:30Both keeping our eyes on him.
10:32I noticed it quickly.
10:33When I ate fast, he looked away.
10:35When I slowed down and tried to set my chopsticks down, he frowned.
10:39He was telling me to keep eating.
10:41Mama and I finished every last bite.
10:43Then we sat waiting to be scolded.
10:46Or hit.
10:47Vance put the knife down.
10:48Wash up and get some sleep.
10:50You've worked enough today.
10:53Mama hurried to heat the water.
10:55She waited for Vance to finish washing.
10:58Then, after a moment, washed her own face and hands and feet.
11:02It's the first day.
11:05If I'm clean, he'll find less to resent.
11:07She muttered it while she scrubbed.
11:09Eyes dim.
11:10I used her leftover warm water.
11:13The heat spread up through my hands and feet all at once.
11:16So this was what it felt like to wash with hot water.
11:19No wonder Grandma and Uncle Dale always demanded extra buckets in winter.
11:23I went to the woodshed for the night.
11:26Mama stopped me at the door.
11:27Cover your ears.
11:29No matter what you hear tonight, don't come out.
11:32Pretend you heard nothing, you understand?
11:35I nodded hard.
11:36I knew.
11:37Once, when Father was hurting Mama, I'd run in crying and begged him to stop.
11:42He'd kicked me so hard I ached for half a year.
11:45This time I wouldn't make a sound.
11:47We both had to survive.
11:49Stay alive.
11:50And there was still hope.
11:51Even if I didn't yet know what that hope looked like.
11:55Then the woodshed door was kicked open.
11:58Vance stood in the doorway holding a lantern, staring at me where I lay in the straw.
12:03I shrank back.
12:05Cold sweat poured down my neck.
12:07Once, Father had come home half drunk in the middle of the night and walked into the woodshed.
12:12He beat me nearly to death.
12:13He said I was a burden.
12:15My fault he had no son.
12:17My fault he lost money gambling.
12:18That night, Mama grabbed the woodcutting knife and told him she'd take his life.
12:23That was the only thing that saved me.
12:25Vance was stronger.
12:27Could he put me down in three kicks?
12:29But he wasn't drunk.
12:30He wasn't angry.
12:31He reached down and grabbed me under the arms like he was picking up a stray chick.
12:36He carried me into the west bedroom.
12:38Mama was already standing there quietly.
12:40The empty room wasn't empty anymore.
12:42A wide wooden bed stood against the wall.
12:45Worn, but tidy.
12:47Vance set me down.
12:49He turned and walked back to his own east bedroom.
12:51The door closed.
12:53Within minutes, his snoring came through the wall.
12:55Mama and I stared at each other.
12:59That night we slept restlessly.
13:01But we slept warm.
13:02I burrowed into the quilt and said quietly,
13:05Mama, it's so warm.
13:07I had never been this warm in winter.
13:09Not once.
13:10And I'd eaten dinner.
13:11My stomach was full.
13:13This, I thought, was what being alive was actually supposed to feel like.
13:17Mama stroked my hair.
13:18Little one, you called him Papa today.
13:21Do it again tomorrow.
13:23Keep calling him that.
13:25Okay.
13:26Vance was already a better father than Roy had ever been.
13:30The meals got bigger after that.
13:32And slowly, Mama didn't dare increase the amount all at once.
13:35She added a little each day until she finally understood his appetite.
13:39He ate a great deal.
13:41Roughly as much as Mama and I put together.
13:43But he never once stopped us from eating.
13:45If we ate too little, he'd frown.
13:48He hunted.
13:49Large catches he sold.
13:50Sometimes he'd bring back a rabbit or a wild chicken.
13:53And he'd have Mama stew it.
13:55He ate half.
13:56The rest went to us.
13:58I had eaten meat three times in my life before that.
14:01This was the fourth.
14:02It was so good.
14:04No wonder Grandma and Uncle Dale had always been so desperate for it.
14:07Mama saved the extra pieces for me.
14:09I ate without thinking.
14:11Too happy to pace myself.
14:12That night, I woke in the dark with my stomach seizing up in cramps.
14:17I rolled across the bed in pain.
14:19Mama rubbed my belly.
14:21It didn't help.
14:22She ran outside and scraped ash from the bottom of the cooking pot, stirred it into water, and brought it
14:27to me.
14:28I took one sip and vomited everything up.
14:33Vance burst through the door.
14:34One look at me.
14:35He wrapped me in the quilt, hoisted me onto his shoulder, and ran.
14:38Mama stumbled after him.
14:39She didn't say a word.
14:41He ran all the way to the village doctor's house at the edge of the road and kicked the door
14:44in.
14:45The whole household lurched awake.
14:46They started to complain.
14:47Then they saw his face and went quiet.
14:50The doctor checked my pulse, then asked what I'd been eating.
14:53What did she eat?
14:55Ova-aid.
14:56Indigestion.
14:56Nell's been underfed all her life.
14:58Eat this much meat at once and her stomach can't manage it.
15:01She'll be fine.
15:02I'll give her something to bring it up.
15:04Keep her warm, light food for a few days, she'll recover.
15:07She gave me something.
15:08I vomited, loudly, and at length.
15:11The smell filled the whole room.
15:13The doctor's husband muttered from the corner.
15:15Never had good food her whole life.
15:17Body can't handle it when she finally does.
15:18Vance looked at him.
15:20One hard stare.
15:22He retreated to the back room.
15:23I was humiliated, getting sick from eating too much meat.
15:27Just like Grandma had always said, I was a bottomless pit with no sense.
15:34Vance carried me home over his shoulder.
15:35On the way back, he said gruffly,
15:38You've really never had meat before?
15:40I thought he was scolding me.
15:43This was only the fourth time before we only ever got a piece or two.
15:49Grandma had never let us have even the broth.
15:52He made a low sound.
15:54Eat more often enough, and this stops happening.
15:57I was wrapped too tight in the quilt and didn't quite catch it.
16:00The next few days, I could only drink porridge.
16:03Vance brought back millet.
16:05He brought back brown sugar.
16:07Millet and brown sugar were things only new mothers got after childbirth.
16:11A bowl or two, a little sweetness stirred in.
16:15I was getting a full bowl at every single meal.
16:18I was eating better than Mama had after giving birth to me.
16:22Vance watched me eat every morning until the color came back to my face.
16:26When it did, something in his own expression finally loosened.
16:32He fixed the village doctor's front gate as payment for the house call.
16:35Then he pulled the doctor back to check my pulse again.
16:39Only when she said I was fully recovered did he walk her out.
16:42He said he was going up the mountain to track a big animal.
16:46Might be gone several days.
16:48He told Mama to bake a stack of flatbreads for the road.
16:51Mama kneaded the dough with lard and mixed in brown sugar.
16:54The flatbreads came out golden and fragrant.
16:57She pressed into his hands the thick insoles and padded cap she'd sewn over the past few days.
17:03Vance took the flatbreads.
17:04He looked at the insoles and the cap.
17:06He looked up at Mama.
17:07Something in his eyes went soft.
17:09New year's coming.
17:10When I sell what I catch, we'll go buy supplies.
17:13Think about what you want.
17:15Mama held my hand as we stood at the door to see him off.
17:19His figure moved away from us, uneven but steady.
17:22I couldn't help shouting after him.
17:25Papa!
17:26Come home soon!
17:27Vance stopped.
17:28He didn't look back.
17:29He lifted a hand in our direction.
17:32Go inside.
17:32It's cold.
17:35We waited five days.
17:37He didn't come back.
17:38The cold deepened.
17:40On the fifth day, snow began to fall.
17:42Mama watched the sky go dark.
17:44She looked at me.
17:46She pointed to the food stores and told me to mind myself.
17:49Cook my own meals if I got hungry.
17:51Mama's going to find him.
17:53I'll be back soon.
17:55Take care of yourself.
17:57She changed her clothes and strapped the wood cutting knife to her body.
18:01She found the oil lamp.
18:02I tucked a small sickle under my clothes and followed her out.
18:06Wherever you go, I go.
18:08We'll bring Papa home together.
18:11Vance was my Papa now.
18:12He was a better Papa than Roy had ever been.
18:15I was never going to have a different one.
18:17Mama let out a long breath.
18:19If something goes wrong out there, you standing alone in this house isn't any safer.
18:24Alright?
18:25Together.
18:26We held hands and went up the mountain.
18:29We'd only ever been to the edges, gathering firewood.
18:32We almost never went deeper in.
18:34Wolves in the air.
18:35Wild oars.
18:36Tigers.
18:37Though with Mama beside me and the thought of Papa waiting somewhere in that cold, I wasn't afraid.
18:43The snow came down harder.
18:45It was barely past midday, but the sky had gone dark.
18:48Moving through the forest was difficult.
18:51Every step was uncertain.
18:53You'd break through a soft patch and sink to the knee.
18:56Mama pulled me out each time and prodded the ground ahead with a stick.
19:00We hadn't gone far when we heard heavy footsteps in the trees.
19:03Mama raised the wood cutting knife.
19:05I raised the sickle.
19:06We stared into the dark ahead, both terrified.
19:09If we were going to die out here, at least we'd die together.
19:12The footsteps came closer.
19:14A large figure emerged from between the trees.
19:16A tall man with a stiff, lopsided gait, dragging something massive behind him.
19:21A tiger.
19:22We stared.
19:24He stared back.
19:25I let go of Mama's hand and ran.
19:28I threw my arms around his leg and looked up.
19:31The tiger dropped from his grip and hit the snow.
19:34He looked down at me, then up at Mama.
19:36What are the two of you doing up here?
19:38He reached down and grabbed me under the arms, trying to lift me.
19:42His hands had nothing left.
19:44He couldn't manage it.
19:45I held onto his leg.
19:46He came to find you.
19:47I've been gone five days.
19:49The snow started.
19:51I was afraid.
19:54The last time she'd gone out searching for a man who hadn't come home, she'd told Roy
19:59she was worried he'd been hurt.
20:00He'd slapped her across the face, said she was cursing him, said her worrying was the
20:05reason all his bad luck found him.
20:07After that, she stopped saying she worried about Roy.
20:10She stopped worrying about Roy at all.
20:12Vance looked at her.
20:13The corner of his mouth moved.
20:15He wanted to smile.
20:16Years of not smiling seemed to have made him forget how, but he explained.
20:20This one was big.
20:21It took longer than I thought.
20:24Get the fire going.
20:25Start dinner.
20:26A tiger that size.
20:28He must have been dragging it for hours.
20:30He was running on empty, but he didn't ask for help.
20:34He would get it home himself.
20:35Mama stood watching him torn.
20:37She didn't dare disobey, but she wanted to help.
20:40I ran forward and grabbed one of the tiger's hind legs.
20:44Papa.
20:46We'll all go back together.
20:48I wasn't very strong.
20:50And touching that leg, even a dead leg, sent a chill through me that had nothing to do
20:55with the snow.
20:56The tiger was enormous.
20:57Dead as it was, it still looked vicious.
21:00Mama hesitated.
21:01Then she stepped up beside us.
21:05Vance's mouth twitched.
21:06He agreed.
21:09The three of us dragged the tiger back home.
21:12By the time we reached the village, the snow lay thick on the ground.
21:16The whole village was dark.
21:18The lanes empty.
21:19We made it inside at last.
21:21The tiger lay in the yard, half buried in white, still looking dangerous.
21:26I wasn't afraid of it anymore.
21:28I circled it a few times just to prove it, then ran back and pressed myself against Papa's
21:33leg.
21:34Papa's so strong.
21:35He killed a tiger all by himself.
21:38Vance was too exhausted to move.
21:40But he reached down and rested his hand on top of my head.
21:45His hand was huge and rough and heavy.
21:48But when it rested on my head, it was light.
21:51It was warm.
21:52Roy had large hands, too.
21:54They'd never been rough.
21:55He rarely did anything that required effort.
21:58He wasn't very strong, either.
22:01Every time he'd pick to fight and come out worse, he'd curled up on the ground and hadn't
22:06even tried to fight back.
22:07But when he hit Mama and me, he hit hard.
22:10In this village, most men were like that.
22:12Hands that fell hard on their wives and children.
22:15I had always thought all fathers were the same.
22:18Turns out some of them were different.
22:23The next morning, before dawn, Vance fetched an ox cart.
22:27He woke us up, and we rode into town together to sell the tiger.
22:31In the county seat, he went straight to a large estate he clearly knew well.
22:35He called someone out.
22:36Fletcher!
22:37Fletcher came to the door.
22:38His face lit up when he saw Vance.
22:40The two men grabbed each other by the shoulders, talking like old friends, so Papa could be
22:46like this, animated, warm, full of words.
22:49Mama and I hung back, staring at the tall, heavy doors, the high threshold, the stone lions
22:55flanking the gate.
22:56We didn't dare step forward.
22:59Vance looked back at us and said something to Fletcher.
23:01Fletcher studied us, then reached into his coat and pulled out a small cloth pouch.
23:06Here, child.
23:08Take it.
23:08I didn't dare.
23:09He pressed it into my hands.
23:11Papa nodded.
23:12I took it.
23:17Thank you, Uncle Fletcher.
23:19Inside the pouch was a small piece of silver.
23:21I walked it over to Papa.
23:23Papa!
23:23And tucked it into his hands.
23:25For you.
23:25Fletcher blinked.
23:26Then he laughed, loud and warm.
23:28Well, old Vance, you've got yourself a devoted little girl.
23:32You're a lucky man.
23:33That one's for your Papa.
23:36This one's yours.
23:38Keep it.
23:39Fletcher bought the tiger and invited Vance to stay for drinks.
23:42Vance shook his head.
23:43Nothing at home.
23:44Need to stock up for New Year.
23:46Next time, then.
23:47And you'd better actually show up.
23:50The tiger had sold for a good sum.
23:53Vance walked us through the market.
23:54First, a wonton stall for breakfast.
23:57A big bowl each.
23:58Thin wrappers, fat filling.
24:00Floating in rich broth that steamed in the cold air.
24:03Mama was afraid to eat.
24:04But Vance had already paid.
24:06Wasting it was worse.
24:07She tried to give me her bowl.
24:09Vance stopped her.
24:10Children who overeat end up with stomach aches.
24:13Mama thought of my illness immediately.
24:15She stopped.
24:15After the wontons, her face had some color in it.
24:19Vance took us to buy pork, grain, flour, oil, dried spices for cooking.
24:24Then to the cloth shop.
24:25New quilts and padded coats.
24:27Mama waved her hands.
24:29The ones we have are perfectly fine.
24:31I said the same.
24:32When we'd first arrived, the quilts and padded clothes Vance gave us had been secondhand.
24:37But they were clean and warm.
24:39That was already more than I'd ever had.
24:42Before, I had no silver.
24:44I bought used.
24:46Now I have silver.
24:48We buy new.
24:49In the end, they didn't buy ready-made.
24:51They bought fabric and cotton batting.
24:54Mama still didn't want to spend too freely.
24:56I can sew.
24:57My hands are fast.
24:58Done before new year, I promise.
25:00She found a length of dark blue cloth and held it up beside Vance.
25:04This one suits you.
25:05It was the closest they'd ever stood.
25:07I was almost sure I saw Vance's face go red.
25:13His face went red and he looked happier.
25:16He lifted me up and set me on his shoulders so I could see all the way down the market
25:20road.
25:20I laughed so hard I could barely breathe.
25:23It was the highest I'd ever been.
25:24I could see everything.
25:26Mama walked carefully beside us, glancing again and again at his leg, afraid he'd tire himself out.
25:33Further along, Vance bought sesame candy and sugar figurines.
25:37He bought hair ribbons and flowers for Mama and me both.
25:41The stall woman smiled at them.
25:43Your wife and daughter are lovely.
25:45These flowers suit them perfectly.
25:47City made, you know?
25:48Vance and Mama both went red at exactly the same moment.
25:51On the way home, I sat in the ox cart holding my sugar figurine and refused to eat it.
25:56It was a general in full armor, fierce looking, just like Papa.
26:00We passed Roy's old house on the road through the village.
26:03Grandma was in the yard washing clothes, in hot water, so she'd always known about hot water.
26:09Uncle Dale sat slumped under the eaves doing nothing.
26:12They'd sold Mama and me for 30 silver.
26:15Dale still hadn't found himself a wife with that money.
26:18He just sat around and called it waiting for a good match.
26:21Grandma looked up.
26:22Uncle Dale looked up.
26:24They stared at us, slack-jawed, and their faces turned ugly.
26:29Worthless brat.
26:30Harrel it.
26:33The curse had barely left Grandma's mouth when a rock hit Uncle Dale square on the head.
26:39Who threw?
26:39Vance threw a second rock.
26:41It landed straight in Grandma's washtub and sent water splashing in all directions.
26:45These are my wife and daughter.
26:46Open your mouths against them again and you've got me to answer to.
26:50He stood at the gate in the fading light.
26:51Even with the bad leg, he was a wall.
26:54Grandma and Uncle Dale, bullies who ran at the first sign of real resistance, went completely silent.
27:00Mama's hand found mine.
27:02Her eyes had gone red.
27:03We rode on.
27:04When I looked back, I could still see the venom in their faces.
27:08Then I found my nerve.
27:10I raised my sugar figurine at them and made the ugliest face I could manage.
27:14I had a real papa now.
27:16They couldn't touch us anymore.
27:20I lost my sugar figurine and my new hair ribbon.
27:24I was too ashamed to go home.
27:26I hovered near our gate, going back and forth, not able to make myself walk in.
27:32Papa came down from the mountain.
27:34He saw me, coat torn, face bleeding, covered in mud.
27:39He dropped his firewood.
27:41Dropped the wild chickens he'd been carrying.
27:43Who did this?
27:44I'd never seen him this frightened.
27:46It scared me more than the beating.
27:49I started shaking.
27:50I'm sorry.
27:51I'm sorry.
27:52He crouched down.
27:53He wiped the mud off my face with his rough hands.
27:56His hands weren't steady.
27:58Tell papa.
28:00Who did it?
28:01His voice steadied me.
28:03I told him everything.
28:05Halting, stumbling over the words.
28:07With every sentence, his expression darkened.
28:10He took me inside and handed me to mama.
28:12Then he picked up his walking stick and walked back out.
28:15Mama grabbed his arm.
28:16She shook her head.
28:18Papa thought about it.
28:19He picked up the thick wooden post that braced the door shut.
28:23That afternoon, the fathers of every boy who'd hit me got beaten.
28:26I won't hit a child.
28:28I'll hit you.
28:29One more incident and I'll break your legs.
28:34Every one of them was a grown, able-bodied man.
28:37Papa had one good leg.
28:39He chased them through the village anyway.
28:41One methodical blow at a time.
28:44Then papa went to Roy's old house and beat Uncle Dale in front of the whole street.
28:49You people forced Ivy and this girl on me.
28:51I painted the silver.
28:52I signed the contract.
28:53They're mine.
28:53If I hear any more talk from your side of the village,
28:55Dale should stop walking alone after dark.
28:57Uncle Dale howled and promised over and over that it would never happen again.
29:03Anyone with something to say, say it to me directly.
29:07Not one person stepped forward.
29:09Several hurried to point out that grandma's family had always treated Ivy and me badly.
29:15It's true.
29:16Ivy and little Nell are well off with you, old Vanch.
29:18You know how to take care of people.
29:20Those two are lucky they ended up with you.
29:22Papa walked home carrying the door post.
29:24He stopped in front of me and rested his hand on my head.
29:28He held my hand and walked me inside.
29:30In the lane, he said quietly,
29:32Who gave you that name anyway?
29:34Nell.
29:35It was grandma's choice.
29:37Half the girls in the village had names like it.
29:39Nell, for invite a brother.
29:41Hope, for wish for a son.
29:43Bless, for pray he comes.
29:45Papa didn't like it.
29:46How about Clara from now on?
29:48Bright as the sun and moon, that's what Clara means.
29:50A name for someone with a future ahead of her.
29:55I was six years old and had my first real name.
29:58Clara.
29:59Clara Hart.
30:01A heart now?
30:02I told mama, grinning.
30:04She laughed through red eyes, pressing the tears back.
30:07Papa said it twice, softly to himself.
30:09Clara Hart.
30:10Clara Hart.
30:11That night, mama finished sewing the new quilts.
30:14She came to me with them folded in her arms.
30:18Clara, you're a big girl now.
30:20Time to sleep in your own room.
30:23All right?
30:24Her own room.
30:24If I moved out, where would mama sleep?
30:26I thought about it for one second.
30:28Yes.
30:29Mama, you and papa should hurry up and have a little brother or sister for me.
30:34I'll take care of them.
30:35I meant it.
30:36A little brother or sister who had papa.
30:39They'd be wonderful.
30:40I already wanted to meet them.
30:42The next morning, papa woke me at dawn.
30:44Clara, yesterday, was papa impressive?
30:47Very impressive.
30:48You can't rely on me your whole life.
30:49You need to protect yourself.
30:51Do you want to be as strong as papa?
30:52Yes.
30:55I wanted to be strong enough to protect papa and mama, the future little ones, to hunt
31:00on the mountain and earn enough silver to take care of all of them.
31:03Papa was pleased.
31:04He pointed at the yard.
31:05Run 50 laps to start.
31:0750 laps.
31:09By the end, I could barely stand.
31:11He didn't let me stop.
31:13Mama watched with pained eyes.
31:15She said nothing.
31:16After running, came stances.
31:18And lifting the stone block, papa had brought back from the mountain.
31:22It was just heavy enough that I could manage it on a good day.
31:26By evening, my hands and feet were covered in blisters.
31:29Train hard.
31:30Your papa means it for your good.
31:32I know, mama.
31:34I understood what papa's care looked like.
31:36That night, mama carried her new quilt into papa's bedroom.
31:40They talked quietly for a while.
31:42The lamp went out.
31:43The night was noisy for a bit.
31:45I slept soundly in my new quilts anyway.
31:48The next day, papa woke up late.
31:50I'd already run 30 laps around the yard by the time he appeared at the door.
31:54All day, he and mama kept catching each other's eyes and looking away fast.
31:58Both of them red-faced.
32:00Both of them smiling at nothing.
32:02If you want to look, just look.
32:05Why the sneaking?
32:06Adults were very strange.
32:11After New Year, papa bought several acres of good farmland with the tiger money.
32:16He farmed in the busy seasons and hunted in the quiet ones.
32:19He was teaching me how to track animals, how to read droppings and prints, which sounds meant danger.
32:25He taught me the knife and the bow.
32:27How to put a person down using as little force as possible.
32:30My strength was still limited.
32:32Progress was slow.
32:34The village gossiped.
32:35Most of it came from Roy's old household.
32:38That cripple got a wife and a daughter handed to him for nothing.
32:41Doesn't matter how smug Ivy acts.
32:43She still ended up with a cripple.
32:46Roy was twice as handsome.
32:47Roy had been handsome.
32:49Much good it had done anyone.
32:51He couldn't carry a load or plant a field.
32:53He was a farmer who refused to farm.
32:55His greatest skill was hitting the people who lived in his house.
33:00I glanced at papa's leg.
33:02He noticed.
33:03He adjusted his gait and walked more carefully than before.
33:07Mama caught me looking.
33:08She smacked the back of my head the moment we were alone.
33:11Your papa has been nothing but good to us, Clara.
33:14Don't you dare look at him the way this village does.
33:16Don't you dare.
33:17Mama, I want to study medicine.
33:19If I'm good enough someday, maybe I can fix papa's leg.
33:23I didn't care about the limp.
33:24I didn't care about the scar.
33:26I just didn't want him to hurt on rainy days.
33:28I didn't want him working through the pain and never saying a word about it.
33:32Mama's expression shifted.
33:33She worried.
33:34Female apprentices were hard to place.
33:37Most healers wouldn't take them.
33:38But papa had been standing just outside the door.
33:41He went quiet for two days.
33:43Then he took me back into town.
33:45To Fletcher at the large estate.
33:47Fletcher looked me over for a long moment.
33:50Medicine is hard work, Clara.
33:51An apprentice life is harder.
33:53Can you take it?
33:54I can.
33:54And when I've learned enough, I'll fix papa's leg.
33:57Then I'll earn enough silver to take care of all of them.
33:59Papa and mama and my little brothers and sisters.
34:02Brothers and sisters?
34:03Is there news already?
34:04Papa went scarlet and said it was far too early for that.
34:07Far too early.
34:10I moved into the county seat and began my apprenticeship at the clinic.
34:15I only asked to bring one thing from home.
34:17My stone lifting block for training.
34:20Mama couldn't make herself leave.
34:22She stood at the clinic door and wouldn't move.
34:24I waved her off.
34:26Mama.
34:28Come back when I've made something of myself.
34:30She laughed despite herself.
34:33All right.
34:34Mama's waiting.
34:36The clinic's doctor was warm and patient with patience.
34:39With her apprentices, she was merciless.
34:41Too slow to learn.
34:43She scolded you.
34:44Made an error.
34:45She scolded you.
34:47Sometimes she hit.
34:49Some of the younger apprentices cried and went home within weeks.
34:52I wasn't troubled by any of it.
34:54She only ever struck the padded parts of the body.
34:56The force was calibrated.
34:58Sharp on impact.
34:59No lasting harm.
35:01Compared to Roy's household, this was nothing.
35:03And when the doctor scolded us, I recognized that look.
35:06It wasn't hatred.
35:07It was impatience born from caring.
35:09She also made sure we ate.
35:11Every meal.
35:13Every day.
35:13Without exception.
35:14She never once stinted on food or clothing.
35:18I could tell the difference between people who meant you harm
35:22and people who were hard on you for a reason.
35:24I kept lifting my stone block.
35:27I kept practicing the fighting forms Papa had taught me.
35:30My grip got stronger.
35:32When I started learning massage and manipulation from the doctor,
35:35I was already ahead of the others.
35:37I could feel exactly where the tension sat under the skin.
35:40I worked on her shoulders when she'd had a long day.
35:44She started looking less grim.
35:46Every two weeks, I went home.
35:47First thing.
35:48Papa's bad leg.
35:49He refused at first, twisted around in his seat like I'd suggested something embarrassing.
35:54A few minutes in, his eyes went red.
35:57When he stood up afterward, he walked without catching himself on the doorframe.
36:01Clara's gotten good.
36:03Learning fast.
36:04Mama asked me to teach her.
36:05When you're in the city, I can work on it for him.
36:08He pushes himself too hard.
36:09I walked them both through it side by side.
36:12When I'm not here, you can do it for each other.
36:14They both turned red at exactly the same time.
36:17Adults.
36:18Truly inexplicable.
36:33Going next week, they will be editing three books.
36:34In more than a space, you can do it for us.
36:34When everything plays on the end, it can even VANILLA If excess.
36:34When they're in the city, you know, all the people are doing it for us.
36:34You can do it for us.
36:41VUGOW.
36:41I do this for us.
36:41You can do it for us.ips
36:48and pull us off course. It's
36:48really amazing. It's
36:48really amazing. We have
36:49been amazing. We have
36:49great futures DON'Thesse, black blend
36:49communities people.
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