The Courier's Quest

by T. S. Valmond

  "I know next to nothing about scientific procedure."

  "No problem, you can help me record my findings while I do trial and error."

  "Sure." Ladi picked up the communicator and continued where he'd left off. "Can I ask you something?"

  "I guess."

  "Will you really be able to do this?"

  "I'll be honest. I'm not sure, but I owe it to Jak and the others to try."

  "Why do you care so much?"

  "Why haven't you taken the oath?"

  He caught her off guard. He meant the courier's oath. She stuttered and shook her head.

  "I don't believe in it anymore," she said.

  "Which part?"

  "'Loyalty to none,' it would be a lie. I left Tero and stood for the first kingdom beside Rasha because she was the princess incumbent. We battled against enslaved beasts. I can't turn around now and say I'm not loyal to them."

  "So, you're loyal to the first kingdom or to Rasha?"

  "Well, Rasha, she was my brother's best friend and partner." Ladi was embarrassed. She'd never talked about her feelings toward Rasha. She wanted to be like her. It was the first time she'd told anyone before.

  "Right, so not loyal to the kingdom or the land but to the people who live there."

  Ladi thought about it a moment. True. She was loyal to the people. Was that the same as saying loyal to none?

  "You cannot be loyal to one kingdom over another and still be loyal to all the citizens of Bolaji."

  In one sentence, he clarified her dilemma. She could be loyal to all people yet loyal to no kingdom. Was that what Rasha and the others had been trying to tell her?

  "I'll never let the boundaries of the individual nations that make up Bolaji keep me from my duty. That's why I care about its citizens so much,” Ebere spoke as if he meant it.

  If so, why let the beasts be taken and help distribute a disease that was killing everyone? Before she could ask him, he turned to her.

  "So, when this is all done, are you going to tell me who gave me up before you kill me for betraying you?"

  Ladi took in a couple of steadying breaths before she could speak.

  "Should I?"

  Ebere shrugged.

  "Gorg told us."

  Ebere hit his fist against his thigh. "Dirty ranglefort! I knew the moment you arrived something was off," he said, his voice an angry whisper.

  Ladi didn't deny it as she stood there, watching him with amazement. Had she believed him capable of it until now?

  "From the outside, I know how it looks," Ebere said as he stood up from his stool.

  "Tell me, how does it look?" Ladi’s hand went to her hilt again.

  Ebere raised an eyebrow, then he shrugged again.

  "It looks like I'm working with the enemy, supplying them information about how they can access the sacred Courier's Keep systems while helping them figure out a way to distribute a contagious disease that could kill everyone."

  Ladi crossed her arms and stared at him, waiting. But he stopped speaking and continued to make observations of the tree and take notes.

  "Well, you talk a lot about serving the citizens of Bolaji but you sure don't have a problem killing them."

  "Not all of them, no. When Omi approached me, I knew what would happen if I didn't help him."

  "What?"

  "You mean after he threatened my family?" Ebere shook his head and stood up, taking two steps away from her. "He'd have done exactly what he said he would do. He'd find someone else to make it for him and make sure that me and everyone I loved were the first to get sick."

  "So instead you secured your own family and stood by, watching the rest die."

  "No, I agreed to help so I would be able to work on a cure. I knew they'd be the first to find one. The day we went our separate ways, I went to work on a cure."

  "But you didn't think to warn us?"

  "Of course I wanted to warn you, but Omi was clear that none of you could know or his entire plan was at risk."

  "What plan?"

  "He's after the Chilali throne."

  "What? Why?"

  "He didn't exactly make me a friend and tell me all of his secrets over a bowl of bazil."

  "So, why did you stop me from finding them in the forest after they took my friends?"

  "I was protecting you. They were going to kill you rather than risk you running back to Rasha with their location. I was traveling with them that day. When I saw you tracking us, I doubled back around and put you down with a sleep dart. Then when you woke up and saw me, I made up the excuse that I'd been following you."

  Ladi felt her hand cramp. She'd been gripping the hilt of her sword but hadn't noticed it until now. Her hand released it and she stretched it out.

  "If you spoke to Gorg then you already know I found the cure."

  "Yes."

  "You're wondering if I'll give it to you." Ebere shook his head. "I'd give you the moons if you asked me."

  "Don't start," Ladi said as she took a steading breath.

  "Why not? Do you think I could fake my feelings toward you?" He scoffed at her reaction.

  "Of course you could. To say otherwise is to lie to my face. I'm not a pumseed."

  "You are if you believe I'm capable of that."

  He reached out a hand, but she took another step back. She was now against the door.

  Ebere held up his two hands in front of him as if to stop her from leaving.

  "I'll give you the cure, I'll give you the easiest way to distribute it. But I do want something in return."

  Ladi held up a hand to stop him from speaking. Rasha had warned her that in the end he'd plead for something. He'd want his freedom, his family's freedom, his life. None of those things were in her power.

  "I can't help you, I don't have the authority," Ladi said.

  "You have authority over your own heart. Please, look there and see if there's any way you could forgive me for my selfish actions."

  "I won't promise to forgive you, you're a muke if you think I'd do that."

  "No, I know you can't forgive me now. I'm only asking you to consider my actions and my reasons. Think about my feelings for you and in that vein, decide if you could give me any hope."

  "Hope?"

  "Yes, hope that we might someday be together," Ebere's hands fell to his sides.

  Ladi's heart broke into a thousand pieces.

  28

  EVEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, THE palace had the appearance of death. The bushes and trees had no spring flowers on them that was expected. It was the apparent lack of attention from the grounds keepers. Untended grass and uncut bushes grew in haphazard patterns. Rasha ran up the stairs to the palace with no resistance. Without any guards standing at the gate or the doors, anyone could come and go as they pleased. She ran a hand over the chill on her arms at the sight of the abandoned place. It seemed no one was anywhere near the front door.

  "Hello,” Rasha called out. No one answered until she reached the second floor.

  "Rasha, is that you?" Silae came out of a room and dashed toward her, gripping her hands. "Where were you? We've been worried sick."

  "The prince sent me to help find a cure for this plague. I've only just returned.”

  “Did you bring it with you?”

  “No, we’re still working on it. Where is everyone?"

  "Either sick or keeping to their room." Silae took Rasha's arm and tucked it under her own as they walked. "The prince hasn't left Chiza's side for more than a few minutes at a time. Xeku is tending to his son and most of us are helping each other as we can until we fall sick. I'm one of the few still unaffected."

  "Thank the Universal,” Rasha said. "Is my aunt around?"

  "No, she left on urgent business. I suspect she didn't ask for permission."

  "Why do you say that?”

  “Bashir seemed angry that she'd gone. It caused a stir among the princes who were upset to learn that some had been allowed to leave while the rest were forced to play nursemaids
." Rasha had a feeling about who'd be the ring leader of that group.

  "Prince Omi, is he among them?"

  "Yes, until today he was among the most vocal." Silae took a seat near the window so she could keep an eye on the doors. She glanced from one to the other, listening. Rasha remained silent while Silae listened for her patients.

  "What changed today?"

  "I'm not sure, but no one's seen him. When he didn't turn up for his rotation, the princes went to search for him. He may have found a way out of the palace."

  Silae stood up and rolled her shoulders. "I better get back."

  "An entire floor to yourself?" Rasha asked.

  "We go in shifts now that there's so few of us. One of the other girls will be here soon. Most of the servants and royals fell sick days ago. There's only a skeleton staff in the kitchen so if you're hungry you have to go hunting up your own plate. The prince will be glad to see you."

  "I hope you aren't too disappointed,” Rasha said.

  "About not being the future queen of all eleven Bolaji kingdoms? No, I'm fine. To be asked to the party, that was all I wanted." She flashed Rasha a playful grin. "Besides, you need someone to keep your partners busy."

  Silae picked up her skirts and turned toward a door. Rasha couldn't fathom how Silae always managed to look amazing even while nursing the sick.

  Prince Bashir would be in the room at the end of the hall and on the right. When she reached the door and raised her hand to knock, she heard voices. The prince's voice grew louder as he refused to listen to the person in the room. Rasha placed her knuckles against the hard wood and knocked before she slipped inside the room.

  To say Bashir appeared altered and nothing like himself was being kind. His hair hadn't been combed since she'd left. He'd stopped changing his clothes as it appeared his white shirt had two different colored stains. His feet were bare as he paced the rug beside Chiza's bed.

  "No, I won't accept that," Bashir was saying. Neither man had heard the knock at the door.

  When Bashir caught sight of her, his face lit up and her own heart sank. She still didn't have what he needed, even though it was close.

  "Rash, I'm so glad to see you. The cure, did you find it?"

  "It's complicated. Can we sit? I'm tired."

  "Of course."

  She wasn't all that tired, but he was so it didn't matter. Besides that, she didn't want to sit too near the bed and risk seeing the death that seemed so imminent on Chiza’s face.

  "I believe I may have something." Rasha explained how she'd found Tero-Joro working hard on a cure until they'd all fallen sick. Then she explained about her encounter with the old woman that lead her to the mermen. He interrupted her before she could explain what they'd asked for in return.

  "This tree sounds like some kind of magic, did you bring it here with you?"

  "No, Ebere, my former partner, is working on a way to disseminate it to the kingdoms. He's a scientist, as it turns out."

  "When will it be ready?"

  "I'm not sure. We're close, Bashir." She leaned forward in her seat and put a hand on his knee. "Just a little longer."

  He ran both hands over his face, then his head dropped as he nodded to the floor.

  "There's more. I found the source of the disease. It wasn't an accident."

  Bashir's head came up in a flash.

  "Who?" The question was almost a growl.

  "Omi Gongma."

  "Prince Omi?"

  "As it turns out, he's not the prince of Buku, he told me so himself. What's strange is that he said he did it out of revenge, only the people he'd wanted to hurt hadn't fallen sick."

  "You didn't apprehend him?" Bashir jumped from his seat. "I'll take care of him myself." He started for the door.

  "He's not here, your highness, he's long gone. If I hadn't been fighting off another, I would have brought you his head. My people are investigating him now. We'll track him but you needed to know."

  "Speak to Xeku, he seemed to be uncannily familiar with the young man. He may know more." Bashir's shoulders slumped again as he turned back toward the bed. He didn't speak for a long moment, just stared at the bed that engulfed Chiza.

  "The doctor says she may not last another night."

  A stabbing pain cut into her as she caught his resignation. They were so close to a cure. She lifted her amulet to her lips and sent out a prayer to the Universal. It was time to see Jak.

  29

  THE ENTIRE FLOOR HELD THE smell of death. A young maid was dressed as a nurse and she hurried from room to room, caring for the ill in the West wing. Her mouth was covered with a cloth. Rasha's eyes dropped to the floor. She didn't have to ask where Jak was located. She'd never forget seeing him lying down in that bed for as long as she lived. She'd been running around the kingdom looking for a cure because she wanted to avoid this very moment. Xeku held the answer to her question, and she'd have to ask him. The burden weighed on her shoulders and she drew them into her chest before she knocked on the door.

  She didn't expect an answer. Instead, she opened the door and slipped inside. The figure in the bed drew her eyes and she couldn't stop staring. Jak's skin had turned sallow and his cheeks had sunken against his teeth. He looked starved, though she was sure his father tended his every need. Rasha moved toward the bed, unable to tear her face away from the sight of him. Jak's eyes were closed and his lids were faint purple, as if someone had battered against his eyes to open them.

  His father, Xeku, was resting near this son's hip, his eyes closed, a light snore the only indication that he wasn't affected by the disease. Rasha moved to touch him but instead her hand went to the side of Jak's cheek. He didn't stir when her hand brushed the clammy skin. Cold. He was too cold, she decided, and started to look for something to warm him despite the blanket that cradled his body up to the chin.

  "I'm so sorry, I should have told you,” she whispered and placed a light kiss on Jak's forehead and mouth. Rasha waited as if he'd open his eyes and give her that mischievous grin. He didn't move. His breath came in shuddering gasps. She was mesmerized, watching his chest rise and fall.

  "There's been no change since he closed his eyes."

  Hearing Xeku speak into the silence of the room was startling. It was like someone had yelled in her ear and she jumped.

  "I thought you were sleeping."

  "I nap, now and then, but I haven't slept since the day he became confined to this bed." Xeku took a damp cloth and wiped Jak's forehead. The curls at the front of his hair line stretched then bounced back as they dried.

  Rasha was tempted to reach out a hand and touch them, but instead she tightened her fists.

  "I need to speak with you, Xeku."

  Xeku looked around then smiled at her. "I think we're alone. You may speak."

  Rasha dropped her gaze to Jak's face then back to his father.

  "I see," Xeku stood up from the chair and gestured for her to follow him as he walked around the room. He stopped at the window. "What's troubling you?"

  "The prince is under the impression that you know the true origins of Omi Gonma." Rasha watched Xeku's sharp features went from soft to hard, the distinction so great that Rasha's left hand moved instinctively to rest on Cutter.

  His expression changed almost as fast to exasperation.

  "I can't get involved in this. I didn't want to be involved in the first place. I've caused enough trouble for your family."

  "What does this have to do with my family? I want to know where this Omi came from and what his end goal is before he kills us all."

  "What are you saying? He has something to do with this?" His expression hardened again.

  "I'm saying he's behind this disease and he's after revenge. I need to know against who so I can get to him before he does even more damage."

  "I have the towels— The voice came from a thin girl wearing a white apron over a faded pink dress. She wore her hair in a yellow ball at the base of her neck. The girl’s eyes grew wider with recognit
ion as she stared at Rasha.

  "I'm sorry, I'm interrupting Xeku, I can come back."

  "No, it's okay. This is Jak's–"

  No one could seem to finish their sentences. Rasha didn't move from Jak's side. It was as if she were giving him up to allow the young woman to be close to him. Instead, they stood staring at each other without a word.

  "Well, I guess introductions are in order,” Xeku said as he stood up. "Rasha this is,"

  "Duna,” Rasha said. The word threatened to choke her. What was she doing here?

  "Yes, and this is,"

  "Princess Rasha Jenchat Indari. Yes, I'm aware." Duna put the towels down and gave Rasha a light curtsy. "You're probably wondering what I'm doing here, your highness."

  Rasha didn't know why her official title should be so bothersome but she hated the sound of it more now than she ever had. Instead of acknowledging the curtsy, she turned away from her and looked down at Jak. She put a light hand on his shoulder, a caress and a nudge. The nerve of him to leave her here to meet his ex on her own. This wasn't right at all.

  The room threatened to suffocate her. The dreams from before came rushing back to her as she stared at Duna's narrow frame and flat belly. She wasn't pregnant, but there was something in her expression that made Rasha want to guard her neck.

  "I have to go. Excuse me,” Rasha said in one breath.

  "Go to your aunt," Xeku said with a heavy sigh. "She'll answer your questions. I can't."

  Rasha nodded to both Xeku and Duna before rushing out of the room. She ran down the stairs and didn't stop until she was breathing the fresh clean air outside.

  One of the little Temis was there, curled up by the door. He yawned before wrapping himself around her ankles. Then he yawned again. She was tired too. Her aunt knew something and she needed to find out what it was she was holding back.

  If Lu were here, he'd know just what to say. The communicator in her pocket beeped twice, and she pulled out the transparent square and saw an image of Ladi's face.

  "I've got the cure, and we're here but there's a problem," Ladi said.