by John Mangold
“Well, there was no one else there when we arrived,” the Sergeant replied, “and no signs of anyone leaving. If you had a companion with you, he must have been quite adept at concealing his presence.”
Maluem slumped back into her bed, more confused than ever.
“It must have been my fever,” Maluem mumbled, more to herself than the two strangers sitting next to her. “I guess it was just wishful thinking after all. But it seemed so real…I could have sworn…”
With an uncomfortable sounding cough, Sergeant Mitchell continued.
“Now, while we are on the topic, where might you have been traveling from? Had you come through the town of Ortus, on the Aragina River?”
“Not directly,” Maluem replied abruptly, a little aggravated at having an audience to her ramblings. “I tried to cross at the river town of Estel in Camilos, but the ferry there refused to carry me. They seemed to be afraid of some beast in the water. As Fortune would have it, I was able to charter a small rowboat and made my way across. I came ashore in the wilderness on this side of the river. From there, I attempted to head east, hoping to find a village or settlement, when I became lost.”
“I should say so,” Sergeant Mitchell agreed with a skeptical look in his eye. “There are no villages or towns anywhere near where we found you. That is all long-abandoned logging country. Had it not been for the current situation, you would not have crossed paths with another living being for many, many miles. So, you say you made the crossing from Camilos to Enox by yourself, with only your horse, in a rowboat?”
“What do you mean, the current situation?” Maluem asked, ignoring his question entirely.
Kym considered Maluem silently for a few moments. As the pulses drew out, it was clear the Sergeant did not believe her story, but Maluem was in no mood to provide further details. She had paid a high price to avoid any attention following her across the border. It would be foolish to ruin that now by blabbing her trials to the first person she met. After a timeless span under the sergeant’s scrutiny, Kym finally spoke once more.
“It appears that a while ago, the Enox border town of Ortus developed a bit of a problem. Reportedly, a strange serpent in the waters had taken an unhealthy interest in merchant ships attempting to cross that part of the Aragina River. It is said that none had successfully navigated that passage in quite a few months. As you can imagine, this has caused some concerns in the capital. My detachment was diverted from the northern border patrol and given orders to move down to the western river to see if we could alleviate the situation. The good Doctor Fyfe had agreed to accompany us, in case anyone should get injured in our little adventure.”
“After more than a little convincing from your Lieutenant, I might add,” Nia squeezed in.
“Well, Nia, that is the price of a Government Sanctioned License. You know that as well as me. You signed the same papers I did, and I am sure you remember-”
“I remember my obligations quite well, Sergeant, even without you and your Lieutenant reminding me every other day. Do you really feel this is the proper place to discuss this? You are clearly upsetting my patient enough as it is, and…”
Maluem lay quietly, listening to the argument, not knowing if the display was for her ears or not. It seemed quite animated and, on some level, entertaining. Still, it could all be an act, just to get her to lower her guard. The Sergeant clearly did not fully believe Maluem’s story. No matter, it isn’t like he could prove anything. If Captain Sutton kept his word, then these investigators would be sent off on a ferd-path chase to nowhere. If he didn’t, or if someone in the town had a loose tongue…well, she would deal with that when and if the situation arose. There was no need to fight a battle before it started.
Maluem returned her attention to the two, still arguing before her. She had no idea what the two were on about, but she knew quite well what the dilemma in the border town had been. It was the Leviathan that had, until a few days ago, been hunting those waters, guarding the dark treasure that once lay beneath them. That is until she and Volo had managed to blow the fiend into tiny bits. But she was not about to admit any of this to the Sergeant or Nia. Not just yet, at any rate.
Besides, she really could not center her mind on their problems. As illogical as it might be, Maluem had really begun to hope that Volo would still be there when she awoke. That somehow, what happened at the border had been the nightmare, and what she saw when she awoke the other night was the reality. She chided herself again and again for concocting such childish fantasies. Had she not grown up at all in the last few years? Had she not seen death’s face before? She had been through all of this when she lost Master Valde, yet she had obviously gleaned nothing from the tragedy.
I should be used to death by now, Maluem thought crossly to herself as she closed her eyes. Should I not? How many losses must one suffer before one stops asking mindless questions like ‘why’?
As the details of her fevered dream floated slowly back into her mind, Maluem unconsciously rubbed her left hand. She had tried so very hard to forget that horrible moment when her grip finally gave way. When she ultimately failed her master and allowed him to be dragged off into certain death. She could still see the look in his eyes as their grip broke. An involuntary shiver racked the length of her body. Was it from remorse or revulsion?
“I can still feel his hand…” Maluem muttered.
Sergeant Mitchell let out another nervous cough before he continued.
“Yes, so, as I was saying, imagine our surprise when we reached this little town of Venustus only to find out that all communication had been lost with our border town but a few days before our arrival. Even the rails have been knocked out of commission! This added a bit of urgency to our travel. We were well on our way when we came upon a fire in an abandoned camp, and that is when we found you. From your style of dress, as well as the equipment you carried, it seemed obvious you had recently arrived from Camilos. Due to the seriousness of your injury, the good doctor and I accompanied you back to town to treat you. We also hoped to learn if you had witnessed anything out of the ordinary along the border.”
Maluem looked down at her cot to hide the anger she knew would show through in her eyes. She could feel her temper growing very short, very quickly. She could not tell if she had just spoken those last few words aloud, and it vexed her deeply that anyone should hear them. She must be losing her mind to let her emotions show so freely. Why wouldn’t these two just let her be? Couldn’t they see she had enough on her mind without-?
“So, what we would like to know is-” began Kym.
“-if I witnessed anything out of the ordinary along the border?” Maluem finished for him.
Both her visitors now looked pointedly at Maluem, hanging on any reply that she might give. To be honest, she found the display to be more than a little amusing. Maluem knew the Sergeant’s interest well, but the Doctor’s she found more intriguing. Why was she so concerned about activity along the river? What were the requirements of a ‘Government Sanctioned License?’ Maluem could not help feeling a bit curious. The answers to these questions could prove helpful to her.
“Yes…as best as you can recall,” Sergeant Mitchell added, breaking the tense silence. “Was there anything out of the ordinary?”
“Sergeant, there is very little that I have seen since my crossing that has not seemed, out of the ordinary, as you say,” Maluem replied. “I would barely know where to begin. However, I can only think of one event that might be of interest to you. Shortly after I entered Enox, I witnessed an extraordinary storm over what I believe was the two border towns.”
“What do you mean, you believe? Couldn’t you tell where the storm was?” Kym asked.
“I could not be certain as the clouds obscured all below them. It looked to be a very destructive tempest, covering the entire area in clouds and lightning,” Maluem said.
“Both towns, you say,” Kym said. “Why, that would have to straddle the Aragina River herself! That would be
a huge storm indeed! Are you certain of what you witnessed? It could not have been a-”
“-Hallucination,” Maluem finished for him. “No, sir, I am certain of what I witnessed.”
“Well, there you have it,” Nia broke in. “That would explain the loss of communications. The lines must have been blown down in the high winds or were struck by a bolt. Are you satisfied, Sergeant?”
“Yes…I suppose that could be…but that doesn’t explain the damage to the rails, unless-” the Sergeant began.
“Well, well, much to ponder and other places to do it. Off with you now. My patient has seen quite enough of you for one day, and so have I.”
Sergeant Mitchell gave Nia a polite smile then turned to Maluem one last time.
“If you should think of anything else, miss, my office is right across the street. Be sure to stop in to collect your things before you continue on your way.”
“Indeed, she will be around to see you in no time at all. Now go already!” Nia cut in once more, shooing him with her hands. With a smart nod, the Sergeant turned to leave, and as soon as he was out of range, Nia put her head down close to Maluem’s ear.
“You needn’t worry about your things,” Nia whispered. “I took the liberty of hiding that strange collar of yours along with that ‘staff.’ From one Mystic to another, we got to look out for each other these days, particularly where I come from.”
“Did you-” Maluem began, slightly alarmed.
“Oh no, I didn’t unwrap it. Professional courtesy, I believe it’s called,” Nia added with a wink. “But from its shape, it could hardly be anything else. They are both very secure in my quarters, and so they shall remain until you are fit to claim them. I know you have many questions but get some rest. The sooner you are on the mend, the sooner you may be on your way, and so may I.”
Nia got up and turned to walk away before she paused.
“Oh, I almost forgot. When we moved you, a small necklace fell out of your pocket. I thought you would want it back.”
She placed the small item gently in Maluem’s hand and walked away. Looking down into her open palm, Maluem felt a coldness envelope her heart at what she saw. It was a simple bit of jewelry made of twine running through a small triangle pendant with a smooth cut jewel inset at its center. It was the necklace that traditionally marked its wearer as an Acolyte of Camilos. The very same bit of jewelry that had, until recently, belonged to Volo.
7.
A Disturbing Visitation
After Nia and Sergeant Mitchell left, Maluem did not find herself in a very restful state. Questions about what she had witnessed in the past few days kept circling in her mind. The more she thought about them, the harder it seemed to tell fantasy from reality. Events that seemed so clear at the time now blended in with her fevered nightmares. Had she really seen that storm on the border, or was that another part of her visions? Had she awoke to Volo sitting next to her, or was that an extension of her dreams? Or maybe she was asleep even now, trapped in some unending delusion while her body slowly died. Maluem could not help but wonder if this is how it felt to slip into insanity.
It did not help that the other patients in the room appeared to be somewhat standoffish around her. It seemed that her yell earlier had made them more than a little wary of her. She thought of letting out another scream just to see how high they might jump but decided it might make matters worse between her and Nia. The Doctor acted kindly enough towards Maluem, but she could tell her flinching at the Doctor’s touch had bothered Nia. She could not understand why that feeling of revulsion had returned, particularly at the hands of a healer. But it was there nonetheless, and just as strong as before. Perhaps it had something to do with her dreams. If so, it was yet another reason not to welcome sleep.
As the day wore on, meals were brought out to Maluem’s bedside by a very bored-looking woman. The food was a somewhat utilitarian affair, the essential elements one needs with minimal flair to their blending, but it did the job. Maluem managed to eat a portion of her dinner, but it did not sit well with her. She could not tell if this was due to a sour stomach or a restless mind. She attempted to offer the remainder of her food to the patient in the next bed, but he pretended not to hear her.
The people of this land must be of an uncouth lineage. Maluem thought crossly. I bet he would acknowledge me if I threw it at him. Come to think of it that might be the best use for this pigswill at that!
Deciding to leave the ferd to his hard-of-hearing act, Maluem settled her mind to perform her evening meditations. As she could have predicted, a meditative state was nearly impossible to achieve. Visions of Volo and her late Master Valde continued to plague her the moment she closed her eyes. Every time she felt the tumultuous ocean in her mind begin to settle, another vision of death appeared, arousing the tempest once more.
Giving up in frustration, Maluem opened her eyes to find her formerly oblivious neighbor now staring at her as though she were an odd bug. Maluem shot him a glare, causing him to turn over quickly to face away from her. She could not tell if she had the energy to cast a spell yet, but she was now quite sure who her first test subject would be.
Maybe he would look good as a dog, Maluem thought with a grin as she began to drift off to sleep. Or perhaps some form of insect…
When Maluem awoke, the room around her was very dark. She could not tell how long she had slept, but from the position of the moons outside the large windows, the night was well along. However, this became a small detail when contrasted by what sat before her. Sitting on the foot of her bed, eyeing the remnants of her meal, was Volo Jinn. Madness surely had her fast in its grip.
“Do people really eat this stuff?” The man who looked like Volo asked. “I would wager whoever made this never tasted food. Perhaps some form of demon does their cooking-”
“Who are you?” Maluem demanded in a hushed whisper.
“That’s an odd question, Maluem. Is the fever still on you? I felt your brow, and the heat is gone, but-”
Maluem edged back as his hand reached out to touch her forehead.
“Stop it,” Maluem said a bit louder. “I do not know how you know my name, but I certainly do not know yours. I would thank you for leaving, sir, before I am forced to remove you myself.”
“Maluem, have you gone mad?” the man asked, a look of hurt evident on his face. “You seriously don’t recognize me? I am-”
“Do not say it!” Maluem shouted, then flinched at the echo of her own voice. She glanced around quickly, but all her outbursts seemed to have caused was some sleepy grumblings from her fellow patients. “I may be insane, but I have enough of a grip on reality to know who you are not.”
“I am Volo Jinn,” The man completed before she could finish. “Why is that so hard for you to believe?”
“It is impossible to believe because Volo Jinn is dead,” Maluem answered.
“Now you are talking crazy!” Volo shot back, the look of hurt returning to his face. “I have been with you since the border-”
“Liar!” Maluem shouted. “I saw Volo Jinn die at the border, with my own eyes. You were…he was pulled from my grip and devoured by the Leviathan. Do not even try to suggest I imagined that!”
“No, that can’t be! I remember…I remember we were being pulled down by the demon, and I was gifting all my power to my crystal. I was building it up so I could transfer the amplified power to you. You had just warned me that the crystal would break if I kept pushing it so hard, and then-”
“Why are you doing this to me? Can you not see the torment you are causing? You know you are not who you claim to be. I assure you, nothing will be gained by this ruse!”
“Maluem, please, you have to believe me,” Volo pleaded. “I know I’m not dead. I just can’t remember-”
“Shut up! Shut up! I will stand no more of this!” Maluem screamed, clamping her eyes shut and putting her hands tight over her ears. When she opened her eyes once more, she found the imposter had vanished, and her nearest
neighbor was now staring at her with a groggy gaze. For a few pulses, Maluem could only stare back.
“You heard me!” Maluem snapped as she fixed him with a dark glare. “You snore like an ape!”
The patient growled something ending in “…back-water savage…” before rolling on his side to face away from her. Part of Maluem wanted to kick him out of his bunk, but she was more concerned with where the imposter had spirited off to. The room was far too large for him to have exited so quickly. Could she have been dreaming once more? She reached forward to touch the area where he was sitting, but it felt cold. There was only a slight depression where his rump would have been.
I am mad! Maluem thought frantically as she shrunk back to the head of her cot. She feared to let any part of her touch the portion of her bedding where the apparition had been, lest it cause a relapse. Her mind raced over everything said in their short conversations. With every detail she recalled, she became more confident in the depths of her own dementia.
How could he have known what went on below the water? I told no one of it! No one could know those details except myself, and… Maluem did not even want to think of his name. He was dead; he had to be dead! Didn’t she see it? Hadn’t she felt his blood on her face, was his arm not pulled from her grip? Could she even discern reality from illusion anymore? How could she function if she could not be positive of what was real? What had that wound done to her?
Maluem found no more sleep that night. She sat there, staring at the foot of her bed as though it were a snake ready to strike at any moment. She vowed that she would stay awake until the sun rose in the sky. Then she would see what reality was in the bright light of day. Only then would she let her eyes close once more.
8.
A Fantastic Trespass