Vengeance Upturned

Vengeance Upturned - Chapter 15

“Do you think us ready, Rye?” twelve year old Etta said as she sat on a low stool and gently squeezed a cow’s teat. The milk splattered into the bucket firmly held between her knees.

Henry glanced at his twin sister over his shoulder while milking a cow as well. His golden eyes sparkled with excitement. “If Papa said so, then we probably are.”

They continued to milk the cows. Rhythmical and synchronized splatters filled the silence as the rest of the cows shuffled, mooed gently or crunched on the fresh hay.

Etta sighed. “You’re going to win.” She switched her hold to the next teat.

“Why do you think so?” Henry stopped and turned on his stool to face Etta, the bucket safely placed in front of him so the cow wouldn’t kick it over. Etta mirrored his actions.

“Well, you are the better fighter of the two of us. I’m just too…” she waved her hand around, “too distracted sometimes.”

“You do need to work on your focus. Try to impress Papa less, and concentrate more.”

Etta shrugged.

“You’re great with your tachi, Etta.”

Etta shrugged again, dropping her gaze.

Henry sighed. Footsteps shuffled closer to Etta and then Henry’s arms were around her. “You’re a great sister.”

Etta hugged back. “Please don’t let me win just because I’m your sister. I want it to be a fair fight.”

“It will be. I promise. But also, I really think we both have the same chance. You’re very resourceful.” Henry pulled back, now crouching in front of Etta. “I overheard mama and papa talking the other day.”

Etta perked up, lifting her head and nodding to her brother to continue.

“Papa said that you remind him of him when he was little.”

“Truly?”

“Aye… He said that I’m a calm and gentle spirit like mama, and you’re feisty and lively like he used to be as a child.”

Etta squirmed on her stool but a smile spread across her face. “I just want to make him proud.”

A new voice joined their conversation. “You both already make me proud.”

“Papa!” the twins exclaimed at the same time as their heads snapped to the left where they saw their father leaning against the barn door.

Etta blushed. Tao-Sihn smiled as he approached them. “Your mother wants you to go clean up for dinner. Are you done with all the cows?”

“No, papa. Only these two are left,” Henry said as he stood up in front of his father, already reaching past his shoulders.

Tao-Sihn kissed his son’s head. “Go.”

Henry nodded and jogged out while Etta rose to her feet as well.

She was a head shorter than her brother. Tao-Sihn cupped her cheek. “No matter the outcome tomorrow, no matter who gets to wield the family tachi, I love you both the same and you’ve already made me more proud than I could ever dream.”

Young Etta beamed.

“Just do your best tomorrow. That is all I ask.”

“I will, Papa!” Etta nodded her head enthusiastically.