ABC tales serial part 4

Grandfather was crouched by the dying embers; he made no move as Mateo came down the steps and saw him.
The older man remained silent and after a moment Mateo approached him cautiously.
‘I always knew when you were near, all I had to do was watch her; she could always sense you.’ He said softly as Mateo approached him. He looked up then, noticing the stock of the shotgun sticking up past his shoulder.
‘She gave you that old blunderbuss did she? Be careful if you’ve a need to fire it, it’s got quite a kick.’ He stood, looming over Mateo by a good four inches. Despite being nearly seventy years old his body was still strong but no stronger than his mind.
‘You’ve carried a heavy burden; the blood of two peoples flowing in your veins. The others saw you as half breed. They didn’t know your father like I did; he had the heart of a Journeyman. I was proud to call him grandson as proud as I am of you—’
‘Grandfather I’m sorry—’ Mateo interrupted thinking a lecture was on its way.
‘Tch, it’s done and can’t be undone. Kio went willingly enough and other than a sore nose and two black eyes Malik can’t complain.’
‘I would’ve thought he’d be screaming for my head about now.’ Mateo said cautiously, not quite sure how to take the old man’s attitude; it certainly wasn’t what he’d expected.
‘Oh I’m surprised you can’t hear the screams from here and it wasn’t your head he was after, at least no the one on top of your shoulders.’
Mateo snorted a laugh.
The old man looked at him for the first time, flashing him a quick grin.
Grandfather could be harsh, but then he was head of the family and that required hard decisions, but he had never been unfair, never treated Mateo any different from the other children his obvious pain over Mateo’s actions was hard for him. ‘If you exile me; he can have no more grounds to complain—’ he started.
‘Do I look so old and frail to those young eyes that I need advice on how to run my family?’
‘I meant no offence—’ Mateo stammered quickly.
‘First Malik thinks to tell me what to do with my family and now you. There’ll be no exile; this is your family, your home and it always will be.’ He waved a dismissive hand.
Mateo said nothing, he’d expected at least disappointment if no anger but not this…
‘Stenna told me what really happened.’ The old man continued by way of explanation, ‘she told me you asked for Malik’s leave and he insulted your woman. It’s a thing not done among our people and he knows it. He should consider himself lucky you didn’t gut him for it.’
‘She’s a Landsman and not really my woman—’ Mateo found himself defending Malik.
Grandfather snorted again, ‘You’re more of a Journeyman than he’ll ever be. So now you don’t need to go skulking off in the night, your place is here, though it might be the best idea to stay out of Malik’s way for the time being, at least until the bruises heal.
The relief that washed over Mateo nearly brought him to his knees; he didn’t need to leave, he could stay with his family… Even as the thought formed his eyes turned to the north once more. ‘I— I’m going north.’ He heard his own voice speak the words.
The old man watched him intently, ‘I can understand that you might need some time alone to sort things out but—’
‘My father always wanted to go north, he often spoke of it to me.’
Had he been watching the old man he would have seen his face change; a second of wonder replaced by a look of pity but he was still staring off into the darkness.
‘Between here and the ice wall there’s nearly a thousand miles of wilderness; lands twisted by the weapon chemics from before the dark time; it’s not a place to wander idly.’
Mateo reached over and patted the heavy butt of the shotgun, ‘I have ample protection.’
‘Don’t get to relying on such things; your wits and what you have learned will serve you much better.’ He sighed again. ‘You’re set on doing this then?’
Mateo nodded, ‘I-I have to.’ He blinked, ‘Besides it would be better for the family if I wasn’t around for a while.’ He shuffled uncomfortably, ‘There’s more. I put down two Troopers; they might come looking for me.’
Grandfather snorted; ‘they won’t leave the imagined safety of the roads and we don’t use them so there’s no fear there but I understand, more than you know.’ He paused, staring at the embers for a time in thoughtful silence. ‘You’ve… You’ve got your father’s knife with you of course?’ The question seemed innocent enough but Mateo was sure he caught something in the old man’s voice.
He patted the sheathed blade on his hip. ‘I always carry it.’ Even as he spoke the words he realised the truth of them though quite why he couldn’t answer.
The old man nodded, closing his eyes. ‘Good, good, a man needs a good blade with him.’ Again, there was no obvious sign but Mateo felt like he was missing something.
The old man placed a hand on his shoulder; ‘Always remember this is your home, we are your family…’ His words tailed off awkwardly.
‘I won’t forget; I’ll be back in a few months.’
The old man said nothing.