Chimes rang softly in the breeze. Kaleh laid in the soft grass and smiled, knowing the sound meant his wife was coming to wake him from his impromptu nap.
It was rare enough that a farmer could rest, but with the last of the wheat harvest in, he’d taken a dip in the pond to clear the debris from his bare chest and arms. The stone cabin was close enough to the pond to provide easy fish and water; far enough away the marsh and its mire stayed properly away from harming the humans that lived nearby.
He’d done well, Kaleh thought. Better than he’d hoped. Better than Bella had teased him, as he’d built the stone and wood cabin during their courtship. He’d installed the bells and pipes for her as a decorative touch last midwinter, when she’d mourned the loss of daylight and fretted that the snow wouldn’t melt in time for a proper plowing and harvest.
Bells for his Bella, he’d told her, when the wind blew or the door opened.
It had been worth the coin to the smithy to hear her peal of delighted laughter at the gift, followed by a delightful embrace onto the bearskin rug with a swirl of lemon and vanilla. He was convinced that particular session had resulted in her current condition.
Footsteps approached in the grass, and he smiled and reached a hand blindly toward the sky. If he were very lucky, he could still tug her down into a pile of laughing skirts. They’d have to be more careful, since her time drew quite near indeed. Perhaps he could convince her it would help their firstborn arrive sooner.
Footsteps, slower even than her current pace, and a squelching sound that made him furrow his brows together. The movement hurt, causing a pulsing throb across his right temple. The heavy beat joined the ringing and drove away questions about why lemon and vanilla had somehow been replaced with copper and scorched earth.
Kaleh let his arm fall and found his eyes were covered in sticky, warm goo. He opened them with difficulty.
A man in unfamiliar leather armor stood above him, spear hoisted high. Crimson splattered across his face.
“Bella,” Kaleh mouthed.
***
Thanks for the prompt about chimes, Becky! Sorry about what I did with it. This week was a trade, so make sure to check out what she did with twining moonlight – and don’t forget the rest of the Odd Prompts crew, or that you too can play along!
