by Gin Hollan
"Thank you," she smiled lightly. "And the horse, I presume."
"Of course, Madam."
Soon, five others joined them. These men were armed and wary, looking outward, away from the group as they walked in a circle around them. Sam shrugged lightly when Arabeth caught his eye.
// Chapter 24 //
Inside the well-appointed mansion, Arabeth was allowed to stay with Melanie, but Sam was sent to the servants’ quarters and to put Davin in her stall. They were led to the top floor, down a long hallway. The apricot coloured walls seemed odd to Arabeth. If they hadn't been offset by white doors on both sides of the hall, it would have been too much.
Half way down the hall, their guide turned and rapped lightly on a pair of glass French doors. They were met with a gruff, male voice yelling, "Just get in here."
"You'll have to excuse him. He's been sleep deprived ever since our other Seer passed away. I'm sure he's actually quite happy that you're here."
She pulled the doors open and stood back to let them enter. The first thing that struck Arabeth was the enormous number of Windows. They weren't tall, but they did line both exterior walls. Except for a black, glass tube about four feet wide that went from floor to ceiling, a large wooden desk and chair off in a windowless corner, and an oriental screen blocking what looked to be a sleeping area, the room was empty of all adornments.
"Not your fault, I'm sure, but it's about time someone was sent. I can't be living like this, no matter who he is," the man's voice seemed to be coming from the tube in the centre.
There was a click and he walked around toward them. Slim, with jaundiced skin hanging off his bones, his eyes seemed to glow golden as he limped toward them. As he neared, a smell came off him like old cabbage. Arabeth suppressed a shudder and immediately her heart went out to him. Marble whimpered and went to sit by the door.
He was about their age, she realized. There was no disease she knew of that did this to a person, so it had to be the job.
"Melanie, I don't think this is the job for you, after all," she whispered.
"Let's get you trained up fast. How long have you been a Seer?" he asked.
Melanie shook her head. "A Seer?”
He frowned. "You're not that new, are you? They sent someone with no training at all?" He seemed to gather energy from the air around him, looking suddenly powerful, and angry.
"Wait," Arabeth said. "No one sent us. We were looking for a way to get back to our homeland and got lost. Melanie saw something this direction, so we came this way."
He put his hands up to his face, looking worried now. He walked over and grabbed Melanie's arms. "Look, I'd nearly kill for a good, week-long coma. Can you try, just for a day? I'll show you what to do. It's easy, but I need sleep and the king wants hourly reports, even if they say nothing. The Grimshaw is only as good as its user, but I'm sure you'll be a quick study. The crystals are fussy about who they pick these days."
Arabeth watched as they made eye contact and she was sure they were communicating silently. Slowly Melanie nodded.
"Why hasn't a replacement been sent?" Arabeth asked, breaking the silence.
"We're not growing on trees, you know," he snapped, as he walked back to the tube.
Melanie turned and put a hand on Arabeth's arm. "He can teach me. He knows what I am and wants to help."
Arabeth didn't have the heart to dissuade her, for both their sakes. She just nodded. "I'll go see what Sam's doing."
"Thank you," Melanie smiled, looking excited as she hurried after her new teacher.
Arabeth waited, not sure she should go. There was a cool feel to the air in the room now. Sebastian was no threat, but this guy... he needed Melanie. He'd do everything in his power to see she stayed. His life seemed to depend on it. A few moments later Melanie laughed. That was a good sign.
Hovering on the edges of Arabeth's mind, she was lost. She couldn't just wander around a mansion for a week, while Gregor caught up on his sleep, but she didn't want to abandon her friend here, no matter how well she adapted. Was this more about her, or was it about Melanie?
'Why am I worried,' she wondered. They'd only just arrived. She forced herself to give a light laugh and do a couple shoulder rolls. It was far too soon for that level of paranoia.
She went straight back the way she came, eager to hear Sam's impression of the people and place.
"Where do you need to go?" asked one of the women who had met them on the road?
Arabeth squinted. Why couldn't people just wear name tags, like in hotels? "I'm sorry, what's your name?"
The woman blushed. "I'm Bernice. And you are?"
"Arabeth." She stuck to her first name. Giving her second might make her a known quantity, if Clara's short recounting of family history was any indicator.
"Arabeth, can I help you get settled in?"
Her gut flipped a bit at that. Settle in? No. "Thank you. I would appreciate that. And a small tour, if you have time."
"Of course. We want your group comfortable here," Bernice smiled.
Something about her smile struck Arabeth as dishonest; there was no reflection of it in her eyes, she realized. "You mustn't get a lot of visitors here," she prompted.
"Only the ones sent by the King."
"What is so dangerous out on the road that we needed an escort and five guards?"
"There is nothing. We are surrounded by acres and acres of nothing. It gives Hector's life here meaning, and keeps the King happy. If we hadn't started planting the fruit trees, this would be a large, empty nothing." Bernice heaved a sigh. "I am starved for art. Why did I agree to come here?" The last part was more to herself, Arabeth knew, but she smiled.
"I realize you came under the service of the new Seer, but while she's here, you will serve this entire household."
"What makes you think either of us are her servants?"
"Gregor said that... well, I'm not sure what he said, now. But she was the one on the horse, while you to walk. That seems pretty subservient to me."
"In fact, Davin is my horse. I traded for her a few days ago when we first arrived in your country. We are all friends, travelling together. None of us is a servant of the other."
"I'll have to verify this with her, you understand," she sounded skeptical but her expression gave nothing away. "Either way, you will need to work for your keep. We are not a hotel. You are either gainfully employed by the king, or leave. Do you understand?"
"I don't mind earning my keep, but we won't be leaving without our friend. You understand. If you want her here, we're a package deal. I'm sure you understand."
The two of them stopped walking and turn to face each other. Arabeth was not backing down and she wasn't going to be made a slave of anyone.
"We we'll sort this all out when the king arrives tomorrow."
"Perfect. I've never met your king. He'll be great addition to my travel journal." She pulled her notebook and a pencil out of her satchel. "What's he like?"
"We do not speak of our King except to relay his instructions."
Arabeth paused, trying to work out how she should handle this woman's apparent disbelief.
"That is good, I think. I would rather make my own impression of him. When I go back to my homeland, I would hate for him to be misrepresented."
She was suddenly grateful she had a sidearm with her. If they had to make an escape of any sort, now was probably the time. The problem was, Melanie. Stuck in that room with Gregor, who was desperate for some relief, Arabeth doubted she could talk Melanie into going any time before the king showed up. They might have to do a midnight escape, when she eventually got a break.
"I don't doubt that you're from another place. But your friend is far too valuable to simply walk out of here. I am not saying this as a threat. I am giving you a gentle warning."
"Where would I find the man we were traveling with?" Arabeth thought it best to change the subject. She needed to talk to Sam, anyway.
Bernice seemed taken aback for a mome
nt, then shrugged. "At the stables, being just as disagreeable as you are."
Arabeth couldn't tell if Bernice was irritated or sulking, but either way, she hadn't made a friend here.
"And where might that be?" Arabeth asked.
"Go outside. Follow the wall. You'll find it, eventually."
Arabeth went to look for Sam, trying not to let Bernice's personality switch bother her. He was near the paddock Davin stood in, watching as she munched on a fresh stack of hay.
"I was wondering when you'd come down. Care to explain what's going on here?" he said, looking concerned.
"It's strange - they think we're Melanie's servants because she's something called a Seer. They have her sequestered in a black glass tube, doing I don't know what. 'Seeing,' if that's a term." She leaned forward, crossing her arms along the rail in front of her. "Their king arrives sometime tomorrow, I'm told."
"And they have Melanie using this distance vision ability?"
"She's been guilted into it pretty thoroughly."
"So, we're in another hard spot. Where is Kennen?"
"I haven't seen him since our arrival. "
"That's curious. Maybe we'd better go track him down before he gets us in real trouble," Sam suggested.
Arabeth stood away from the fence, her uneasiness growing with each conversation. "Right. One hurdle at a time. Good thinking."
// Chapter 25 //
It wasn't long before Arabeth regretted her decision to find Kennen. He was debating philosophy with the resident priest, and it was a long conversation. Arabeth stood away from the wall she'd been leaning against, and tried to think of another way to pass the time while Melanie worked. She was still in the tube ten hours later.
Gregor had long since gone to catch up on sleep. The only time anyone had seen Melanie was when she stuck her head out to ask for food. Maybe it was time to take her a snack.
The kitchen staff was hurriedly preparing for the King's arrival, but they were happy to hear Arabeth was taking care of their unexpected guest's and hurriedly threw a tray of cheese and crackers together. Arabeth added food and saucers to the tray and asked for a pitcher of water with glasses, saying she would also take some down Sam and Kennen, snacking on it herself as she walked. It was a feat, juggling it all, but as bored as she was, the temporary challenge was welcome.
Kennen was still debating with the priest, albeit cheerfully, and accepted the food and water with a nod. Arabeth listened for a moment then realized philosophical theory would not be able to distract her right now. She needed something more practical. She was headed down to see Sam, anyway. Assuming he was still in the stable, she could look around to see if they had a wagon like the one that had come with Davin.
Different stalls, she found Sam asleep in one of them. He was propped up in a corner with Davin grazing off to one side. Chuckling, Arabeth rattled one of the cups against the plate. When Sam didn't rouse, she walked in, closing the door behind her and sat down near him.
"Sam, I brought food and water. Are you hungry?"
Sitting may have been a bad idea. She'd been on her feet constantly as the moment they got off the train, and this little break made her keenly aware of her weariness. Marble climbed up onto her lap and curled into a comfortable position. There was no moving now, Arabeth chuckled.
She pushed herself to stay awake, nudging Sam so that he would wake up in. They could sleep after that.
It was dark when she woke up next. Their food was gone, so she figured he must've eaten, unless Davin liked cheese. She didn't feel hungry, and hope she hadn't eaten the whole tray herself. She reached out and tapped Sam on the shoulder.
"Hey, sleepyhead. Shouldn't we find out if they have beds for us?"
Sam sat up, grumbling a little to himself.
"We have to go," Sam said, standing and stretching. "Is Melanie done yet?"
Arabeth stood up, grabbing the dishes. "I have no idea. I fell asleep."
"Well, let's get her and go. If she's tired she can ride Davin again."
"You're getting a general sense of foreboding, right?" She had been as well, but didn't want to admit it. Not to herself. Not to anyone.
As they walked, they saw people sleeping in random locations. It was as though they had simply fallen down, exhausted.
Up on the second floor in the Seer's room, it was pitch black. Arabeth switched the light on and walked over to the tube. Melanie was still inside. Gregor was still asleep over on the cot. Arabeth knocked on the glass then went around the back to open the door.
When Melanie turned to meet her, she looked tired, but happy.
"Arabeth, perfect. You and Sam need to go as soon as possible. Sebastian is accusing you stealing the crystals and wants you arrested. Since the king is one of his sponsors, you need to be gone before he gets here," Melanie said.
"What about you and Kennan? I'm not leaving without you."
"Yes... Yes, you are. I need to stay and do this job. I can make a difference on this planet now. I’ve found my place. You and Sam have to go warn our leaders that they should not interfere with change in roles and leadership that are coming here, regardless of treaties and agreements. If they do, the war that we've all been fearing will happen. I am so tired of war looming over our heads all the time. Tell them this is a guarantee, not a potential."
"What about Kennan? Why is he staying? Isn't he a wanted man, too?"
"He is a minor concern to them, and as long as he stands around debating philosophy, he's in no danger."
Arabeth picked at her satchel a moment. She didn't want to leave either of them behind.
"Hey, maybe you can tell me – why are people lying around everywhere, asleep? It's kind of weird. Are they just working them that hard?"
Melanie turned around and looked at a panel inside then gasped. "Oh nuts – I forgot to wake everyone up." She pulled the door shut behind her. Within moments Arabeth could hear random noises starting up around the castle. The door opened again. "I am going to be in so much trouble. I forgot to warn everyone to get to bed on time."
"What do you mean?"
Melanie looked uncomfortable, for a moment, glancing at Gregor's sleeping form.
"This booth enables me to suggest behaviours and actions to people, as well as communicate with other seers. It's kind of like hypnosis – if you're not already susceptible to it, it won't affect you. You have to want what I'm suggesting.
For example, when you leave, I am going to strongly suggest that people help you pack and let you go quickly. I can send messages to you through other seers. Just tell them I am in booth LBA738. They will get your message to me and I can relay back." She glanced at Gregor again, biting her lip.
"This really is a new world for you. You'll have to tell me more about it someday." Arabeth knew this was goodbye. She reached out and pulled her friend into brief a hug before stepping back. "Please, don't be a stranger. I think us staying hidden behind that mountain may be doing more harm than good, so I'm going to suggest we find a way to open transportation up. Even if that doesn't work, use the shuttle since there are no seers on the other side."
"There really should be. Just a pair working a simple booth, like this one, would be brilliant." Melanie smiled as she stepped back. "I had better get back to work. Gregor will be up soon and I have some notes to write out, still. I'll suggest everyone ignore you and Sam, except to give you a large lunch bag including chicken for Marble, and treats for Davin. I'm going to miss you, but we'll be in touch. I'm sure of it."
Something about the moment felt oddly final. "You're sure you'll be happy?" she whispered.
"You're worried they won't trust me, but you are my only tie to Blastborn and I'll miss you but there isn't another living soul that even cares." She took a deep breath. "And after what they did to me, starting at the police storage lockers and after," she quickly glanced twice at Gregor then winked, but her tone didn't change. "After being knocked out and experimented on, I owe them nothing. The crystals healed me, and that's
who... that's what I owe my allegiance to."
Arabeth smiled. Clever, changing the story to blame Blastborn, instead of the people they were looking for. Hopefully she wouldn't be found out.
"I'll wait for word from you, and if you get homesick, let me know. Emotion doesn't always make sense. At the least, Sam and I can come visit," she took one of Melanie's hands and patted the back.
An alarm in the booth sounded, drawing Melanie away. "Sorry, I have to take this. You guys go. Have a safe trip."
Melanie shut the door, leaving Arabeth standing a little dumbstruck. There were a couple things in what Melanie said that would need decoding but first, she had to tell Sam and Kennen.
As she shut the door behind her, heading down the hallway, a short young woman with an obvious limp started following.
"Pardon me, Ma'am. I am here to help you get organized for your departure. Prince Andun will be here any moment now, so we may have to go out the back way."
Arabeth turned and smiled at the girl, surprised to see someone so young out here. "You are the only person under the age of 40 I have seen that in this place."
The girl suddenly went red in the face. "My brother is the Heir Apparent. He likes me out of sight."
"Is that why you're helping me? Because I also need to keep out of sight?"
She nodded.
"Why does everyone seem bent of keeping me from meeting him, I wonder?" She said, pretending to talk to herself.
"Probably so your opinion of our country doesn't go down," the girl muttered.
Laughing, Arabeth nodded. "He's that kind of King, is he?"
"No, but he is impulsive. Quick, we'll go down this way." She ducked to one side, entering a steep stone stairwell.
As the girl led the way, Arabeth noticed a slight blue glow over one of her ears, slightly under her skin. She'd have to ask Melanie what that was... someday.