Jax seems to be okay with what Tater is suggesting but I sure as hell ain’t going to stay out here. I want to see what has Jax riled up so. It cain’t be that bad. So I leave Finn with Jax and the nags. I can hear Finn’s rapid fire questions as I walk away.
“What’s an ill house Jax? What kinda women did Tater say they was? How does a woman treat her wedded husband? How come I cain’t go in? What’s an elephant?”
And Jax’s “Drop it Finn….never you mind. Finn I ain’t telling you that! Huh?”
It makes me snicker some. Good luck trying to shut Finn up on this one. Once something got stuck in that boy’s craw he don’t give up on it easily. Tater looks back at me trailing him with raised brows but just shrugs as I accompany him into the dim interior of the sickly house.
The first thing I notice is the smell. It’s an odd combination. It was like sickeningly sweet berries and stale smoke and unwashed bodies all rolled into one. I wrinkle my nose and pull my wrapper up a little higher but Tater don’t seemed to be bothered at all. In fact he is smiling, looking round the little room with affection, like he was home. The room is oddly furnished. There ain’t nuthin in it but cushioned seats and layers of silky looking cloths hanging from the ceiling. I ain’t even noticed that there is a door behind some of the cloths ‘til a woman walks through, almost like she was appearing out of thin air. Her appearance is very similar to the woman we had seen earlier, face heavily painted and her dress barely there...so low cut that I’m afraid her chest is gonna fall right out in front of us. Tater don’t seemed to be afraid of this at all though...he is smiling at her like she was a vision from the gods. Unlike the other woman however, it seems to work for this one. She walks with grace and dignity...her look almost...queenly. That’s the word that pops into my head. At seeing us her eyes open wide with surprise.
“Why I’ll be....Tater! I haven’t seen you in forever my friend. Where have you been?”
“Hello Duchess. I hope we find you well?” He goes to her and they embrace like they truly were long lost friends.
“As well as the gods will allow,” she responds, bending slightly and dropping a kiss on his wrinkled cheek. “Are you here as a gainful customer?”
“Regretfully no,” he says and sighs in disappointment.
She notices me then and she eyes me sharply, whatever else she was about to say cut short by my presence. She looks me up and down, sizing me up.
“And what have you brought me here old friend? A new girl perhaps?”
Tater looks back at me in surprise, like he almost forgot I was there.
“Oh dear me, no. No not this one. I’m afraid she’s too...prickly for your establishment. She would chase all your customers away.” They laugh and I ain’t quite sure but I think I have just been insulted...again! She keeps eying me, then shrugs he slim shoulders.
“Pity. With a little work she would have made for a very profitable investment.”
“No, I wouldn’t waste your time on this one Duchess. She is just a poor orphaned child I found in the sand lands. I escorted her to Littlepass for she has family in the city...somewhere. But I am in need of a great favor Duchess. We had a rather unfortunate encounter with some raiders in the mountains...barely escaped with our lives.”
At her sharp gasp he continues. “Indeed! They have robbed me of everything and I’m afraid I am now rather down on my luck. Until I am able to earn some coin I was wondering if you would be generous enough to offer me a room. I would pay you back of course. Maybe something out of the way....back alley so we do not interfere with your daily business?”
Loud laughter comes from the room the ‘duchess’ just came out of and I find myself itching to see what was going on back there. I stand on my toes trying to peer past her shoulder but all I can see is the gauzy curtains. Suddenly the curtains are pushed aside and a man and woman emerge. Eagerly, they make their way to a staircase built alongside the back wall. If there was any doubt in my mind of what Tater was trying to tell me earlier, it is cleared up by the way the man is groping the woman as they make their way up the stairs. Oh my! Cheeks flaming with embarrassment I look away, back at Tater and the duchess. They don’t seem to be the least put out at all...like they ain’t even noticed! No wonder Jax don’t want Finn in here. I hate to admit it to myself, and I sure as hell ain’t going to admit it to him, but he was right.
The duchess smiles at Tater and it surprises me at how that smile makes her painted face look so much younger.
“Of course my dear...I could never say no to you Tater, you know that.” She reaches into an unseen pocket and pulls out a ring of keys. I didn’t even think that dress could hide a pocket, let alone the key ring! Sorting through she pulls one out and hands it over.
“Here, it’s the room above the stable. Rarely gets used anyway so may as well make some coin for it.”
Tater bows to her regally.
“Thank you Duchess. You truly are a generous and noble woman,” he says.
“Yeah yeah... I will expect my full payment. And just make sure you and your...orphan girl leave it the way you found it.”
They exchange a bit more conversation but happily it’s cut short by some ruckus from the mystery room. The duchess quickly excuses herself and I eagerly follow Tater back out into the courtyard. I breathe in deep the moment we are outside, trying to cleanse my nose. I wouldn’t exactly call it ‘fresh’ air but it was much better then inside. Finn and Jax are still standing by the nags like we had left them but Jax ain’t looking at me with the ‘I told you so” look like I was expecting to see. Instead he looks angry and anxious. Why? I think. I take a couple of steps toward them, wondering what it is this time that has him looking like his innards were tied up in a knot when out of the corner of my eye I catch a quick glimpse of movement. Before I can turn around something hard and cold is driven into my back and a voice speaks almost directly into my ear.
“Do not move.”
I watch unbelievably as the courtyard fills up with brown robed Army. They move quickly, silently, shooters drawn and held on us from all directions.
“No! Not Now!” I think. “Not after we have come so far!”
They circle us completely, cutting off any exit, any chance of escape. What was happening here? I thought Tater said we had nuthin to worry about? That only the iron mines were heavily guarded? Why was the Army here? And how had they found us so quickly?
Jax catches my eye and his gaze slides to the saddle bag on his horse. Our shooters were in there!
I know right away what he is thinking! He moves for it quick, but not quick enough. One of the soldiers whacks him across the back of his knees and he goes down hard.
“Jax!” Finn cries but he don’t run to him. The soldier’s between him and Jax prevent him from doing so. Jax struggles back to his feet, not bothering to hide the anger on his face.
“Try that again boy and the next time you won’t get back up.” The sneer on the soldiers face as he stares down at Jax is full of arrogance and I can tell Jax is just itching to wipe that smug look right off of his face, but he don’t . He may be angry but he ain’t totally stupid. Tater steps out in front of us all, his hands held up in surrender.
“Calm down gentlemen...this is all a misunderstanding. I think you have us mistaken for someone else. We are nothing but a group of travelers, minstrels, traders just looking to do some business,” he says, a disarming smile on his face.
“Is that so old man?” This from the same soldier who had spoke to Jax. “A dwarf, two boys, and a girl. A very distinct group is it not? The exact same sort of group an Army squadron was sent out to pick up weeks ago, and from which only two survivors returned. You can see why such a group entering our city walls has raised our suspicions.”
Tater nods. “Yes, yes I can see where you may think that but really we are just travelers. Harmless, entertaining travelers. As a matter of fact if you know of anyone looking for our services ....”
The soldier rolls his eyes impatient
ly and interrupts Tater.
“Enough talk old man.” He turns to his men. “Take them all.”
“Wait!” He stops and turns back to us at Taters command. Tater drops his hands and steps boldly up to the young man and I tense. What the hell was he doing?
“Where is your commanding officer?” he asks.
The young man looks taken aback. “I am...”
“No you are just a trainee.” This time it is Tater who interrupts the soldier. I am shocked at Taters words...his tone. What was he playing at?
“You are just a little boy playing soldier. Who is actually in charge here today?”
“That would be me.” The voice is mild, pleasant and comes from the shadowed alleyway. He steps into view and I am surprised to see a potbellied round little man with a balding head and round silver spectacles sitting low on his nose. If it weren’t for the Army getup you would believe he was just a neighborly sort. He ambles over to Tater, his chins wobbling from his effort.
“Hello Naryz...I thought it would be you,” the half man says.
“Tater.” The fat man nods and I feel a huge wave of relief washing over me. Tater knew him...just like the other guard. It was going to be okay.
“I have information for you,” Tater says.
“Is that so?” The fat man sounds dubious.
Tater nods. “Indeed. First things first though, in anticipation of what may occur I have to inquire about your diligence. Are you equipped with serum today?”
“As you well know Tater we are always prepared. Why do you ask?”
“And the reward still stands?” Tater’s words are puzzling me. Where was he going with this?
“It does.” The fat man nods again, making his chins wobble some more.
“Then he will be very pleased for I have brought him a wonderful gift indeed. This girl standing before you is probably one of the most powerful new bloods to come into his possession for a very long time.”
Wait! What? What was Tater saying? Shizen! Why was he telling them I was a new blood?
“And you are sure Tater? He has been disappointed before and trust me old man...you do not want to disappoint him.” The fat mans words are meant for Tater but he is eyeballing me like I was suddenly a piece of meat on a plate. I’m stunned, unsure of what is going on. Did Tater truly just say those words or is my mind playing tricks on me?
“I am sure...I have seen it with my own eyes. She is a true new blood in every sense of the word. And the two with her are her willing accomplices.”
Jax’s “Bastard!” bursts out, shocking me, and he lunges for Tater snarling like an animal. He is immediately taken down by half a dozen soldiers before he can get anywhere near him, and disappears under the barrage of bodies.
Jax’s yelling, it brings me out of my stupor and I finally realize what is happening. No! It cain’t be!
I stare at Tater with uncertainty.
“Tater? What are you doing?” I whisper disbelievingly.
He ignores me entirely and turns back to the fat man.
“I shall expect my payment to be prompt.”
The impact of what is happening hits me like a punch to the gut.
“You bastard!” I echo Jax only this time it don’t come out as no whisper. “You lying traitorous bastard!”
I move at him quick, my intent to wrap my hands round his scrawny neck. But like Jax I am instantly restrained by numerous hands. Struggling against them I stare at Tater’s back with hate filled eyes.
“How could you do this! We trusted you! I trusted you! Look at me Tater! Dammit...look at me! You betrayed us all!”
I can hear Jax still struggling against his captors and Finn’s quiet sobbing but my focus is solely on the half man in front of me. I need to understand. I need to know why he would do such a thing to us. He turns then and his eyes are cold, ruthless, not like the man I had come to know at all.
“I warned you girl of the evil and corruption. I said you would see things that would change you forever.” He shrugs. “This is merely one of those things. Only the strong survive in this world and when you have riches...that’s when you are the most powerful.”
That’s why he did it? For the reward? We meant so little to him that he turned us in for iron? He turns his back to me again and starts to walk away with Winnie in tow but I ain’t done.
“I’m gonna make you regret you ever crossed us Tater!” I’m screaming now but I don’t care. I’m pulling at my captors, nearly dragging them as I try to follow Tater. “Mark my words Tater...I will kill you!”
Hurt, anger, betrayal...the emotions all boil over and the buzzing starts out of nowhere. I welcome it with open arms. I welcome my Chi...I embrace it! The hands that seemed so strong holding me back I now shake off like swatting away maskeetos. I almost laugh out loud as the fat man backs up in fear, his eyes almost bugging out of his head, and yells at someone behind me.
“For gods sake man, take her down already!”
I feel a small prick of pain as something jabs me in the neck. I whirl around, hand on my neck and come face to face with my attacker. His eyes open wide as I grab him by the throat and he drops a small white chamber with a sharply pointed end. He had stuck me with that? What the hell?
An icy coldness starts at the spot on my neck. I can feel it quickly working its way through my en-flamed blood, cooling me down...making me weak. The hand holding the soldier’s throat goes limp and falls away on its own...like I cain’t control it. What was happening? The coldness works it way down into my legs and I wobble a bit. What was this? Magic? I try to step away from the soldiers approaching me but I fall into their hands instead. Jax by now is back on his feet and I can see his bloodied face peering at me...calling my name. Finn too but they sound strange...distant...distorted. I shake my head trying to clear it but it don’t work.
I can feel myself being dragged helplessly through the narrow alleyway and tossed non too gently into some kind of boxed wagon. I land in a heap on the floor but I’m too weak to even make myself sit up. I hear the others being herded in then gentle hands grab me...move me to a sitting position and I stare up into angry blue eyes. One of Jax’s cheekbones is already turning purple and he is bleeding from his lip and the old injury on his temple.
“You’re bleeding...” I try to say but feels like my tongue is swollen twice its normal size and all comes out is gibberish. But it’s like he understands and he shakes his head.
“I’m fine....Finn too.” He sounds so strange, like he’s talking real slow. Finn sits on my other side staring at me worriedly. I want to tell him I’m okay but I cain’t seem to form the words. What was happening to me? I cain’t move...cain’t speak! I’m so scared! Is this what it feels like to die? A single tear escapes the corner of my eye. I can feel its wetness start to trail down my face but Jax gently wipes it away.
“You’re going to be okay...we’re here with you. I won’t let anything happen to you Tara....I promise.” Somehow I know he actually means it. Jax always keeps his promises. I find it eases my fear some and I relax in his arms.
I drift in and out of consciousness. I know we’re moving, I can feel the bumps and ruts in the road but time has no meaning to me. Cain’t rightly say how long we are on the move. I wake occasionally, panicked, but Jax is right there soothing me, keeping me calm and I quickly drift off again.
I wake again when they move me outside but whatever magic they had attacked me with is still very much in control of me. My body is still useless and I’m shifted from the wagon to a sturdier metal cage like a sack of taters. I watch, immobilized as Jax and Finn are forced in as well and the clanging of the metal door as it locks behind them resonates in my ears. Finn immediately runs to me but Jax starts shaking the cage door and yelling cuss words that I ain’t ever heard before at their retreating backs. They ignore him. I on the other hand, for some reason find it extremely funny and I start laughing uncontrollably. Jax whirls and stares at me in disbelief. I don’t know what’s wrong with me but
I cain’t stop laughing. It’s like their magic has affected me in some other way now.
Finally Jax’s lips twitch and he joins me and Finn at the other side of the cage.
“That’s it...you have truly gone mad,” he says as he slides down the wall to sit at my head, running his hands through his hair.
I nod, amazed that I am able to do so. “I think you’re right,” I whisper.
Ah! I can speak! Whatever they had used on me must be starting to wear off. I raise my hand slowly and try flexing my fist. I manage to do it once before the hand falls useless at my side again. But at least I had done it.
“Can you help me up?” I whisper and Jax pulls me up in a sitting position against the wall.
I peer through the bars of the metal cage trying to figure out where they have brought us. I was expecting to be in some dank, underground cell but we ain’t inside. We are definitely still outside and, amazingly, there are people milling about...everywhere! And no one, not one single soul was paying any attention to us prisoners in the cage. Then again if there was a prison cage around I guess they were very well used to seeing prisoners in it. Then I notice that these weren’t just normal everyday people walking around. These people were dressed in filthy rags, dirty, unkempt like they ain’t seen a bath in years. Not at all like the people we had seen in the city. Soldiers are herding them along like cattle and they rattle and clang as they pass by the cage. The noise is coming from chains round their ankles and I suddenly understand why they ain’t bothering with us. They are prisoners...all of them....just like we are.
“Where are we?” I ask and my words come out a little stronger this time. I try moving my legs...happily they respond.
“I’m not sure but I think we are being held in the iron mines,” Jax answers and I can feel my heart skip a beat. Really? There may be a silver lining here after all. If that’s where we were then I ain’t gotta worry about finding my way in to search for my kin. No, seems like I just have to worry about finding my way out.
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