Chapter Text
“Pop,” Karathael said, seeing her father’s feet stick out from the bottom of a machine. He didn’t answer. “POP.” She nudged his foot with one of hers. He grunted and slid out from beneath the contraption. In the center of the machine was a giant, bladed wheel that was sitting at an angle, probably waiting to be reattached.
Thaeleron sat up, brushing sawdust out of his thick, greying beard, and folded his long legs beneath him. He looked at his daughter expectantly. It had been nearly a sevenday since they’d discussed her picking a potential husband, and he had been waiting patiently for a name.
“No.” Karathael crossed her arms, looking down at the mastersmith with as much conviction as she could muster. Questioning her parents was a new and nerve-wracking experience, but this was important. This was her life, after all!
The old man raised an eyebrow.
“I mean… what if I say no?” Karathael hedged, folding her legs underneath her as she sat down next to him on the floor. The wood shop was loud enough that they didn’t have to worry about anyone listening in, especially with the rest of the crew on lunch break. Thaeleron did most of his work during the times the machines were already down so no one had to wait.
“Sorry, I know… I’m not supposed to interrupt you while you’re busy, but… I wanted to talk to you. Not Mom,” Karathael apologized, handing him the glass of water she’d brought. She’d even found a lid so the sawdust wouldn’t land in it.
Thaeleron took a sip and pulled a wadded-up handkerchief from his pocket to wipe the sweat from his brow. “If you say no… your ma’s gonna pick.” He kept his face carefully neutral, although they both knew that would be a disaster waiting to happen.
Karathael huffed. “That’s not fair! I work just as hard as my brothers! None of them had to get married! Or deal with Mom saying gross body stuff!”
“You’re the girl,” Thaeleron reminded her patiently, gesturing at her. The last child after six boys, being “the girl” had always been Karathael’s role in the family, whether she appreciated it or not.
“I never wanted to be the girl. And I don’t want the rest of it!” Karathael argued, letting her frustration show. Her mother had always been the one to insist on tradition - if there were a way to crack her parents’ resolve, it would be through Thaeleron. “Why can’t I work instead? I’m just as smart, and I do all the gross jobs, too. It’s not fair!”
Karathael and her father stared at each other from opposite sides of the same problem. “You’re right. It’s not fair. But Karalea wants you married. Refuse… she’ll make me force ya. No one wants that.” He took another swig of his water, emptying it. “You can’t always have what ya want, Radish. You gotta pick from what ya got. And you’re the girl, so this is what ya got.”
“So that’s it? Get married either way? Make babies?” Karathael stood up, fuming. “There’s no way I’m letting Mom pick. She has terrible taste… no offense. I’ll figure something out.”
Thaeleron handed her back the empty glass before dropping his shoulders to the ground, ready to attack the machine again. “Those are the options. Unless ya wanna run away,” he added reluctantly. “But I’d miss ya.”