Without hesitation, I cloak myself, not taking an eye off her.
“I’ve not made enough progress with your wounds,” she continues. “I’m concluding your family is in dire need of assistance with the lack of trust you all bare. More so than what your brother led to. If you’ll have it, I would like to help. That is all I desire. May I continue so as not to lose what we’ve already accomplished?”
“My brother! Where is my brother? Where am I? Is this Greenport? Why won’t you answer any of my questions?” I spit out question after question but fail to wait for an answer. I flip my legs over the edge of the bed, safeguarding my flesh as I do so. My feet touch ground, the Healer maintaining her distance all the while, and my legs crumple under the weight of my body with excruciating pain to follow. To worsen the predicament, I’ve exposed myself once more to this predator. Naturally, as any predator would do, she rushes to take advantage of the opportunity. Or…as any Healer would do, she’s rushing to my aid? Regardless, I won’t allow it. I kick and flail and sputter several curses to keep her at bay. The sexually discriminating curses seem to affect her rather well, so I stick with that. “I’ll kick you in the pellets if you come closer. I bite, you know. I’ll bite off your—”
“Stop! Stop it right now!” She shouts loud enough to overcome my obscenities. “I try to tolerate crude behavior as best I can, knowing emotion is a strong cause. It is a semblance of need, invoking my urge to aid. It’s nothing new to me. I dwell amongst sailors for Susy’s sake!” She pauses, softly closes her eyes, and palms her hands together as she bows her head. Her eyes open with a resolute expression and she continues in an inviting tone. “Excuse my language. But I cannot stand such vulgarities, especially coming from an innocent youth like yourself. Both of your brothers were here. Only an hour or two ago. I’ve asked them to leave—”
“So you can take advantage of me—”
“Your manners are repulsive. I understand you’ve awoken in an unfamiliar place, in the flesh, but your behavior exceeds my boundaries. Please, allow me to finish. Your brothers left you in my charge so I could tend to your injuries without distraction. That is all. They’ll return at sunup to check on the progress, which, if I might add, is remarkably well in the brief time of my suspension.”
“Suspension? Suspending what?” I interrogate. Regardless of what her tongue spits, she remains a stranger. I haven’t encountered a stranger since I was eleven seasons. How do I know I can trust her?
Astor stares and ponders for a moment. No doubt she believes I’ve been living under a rock my entire life. Which isn’t far from the truth. She explains her healing process and my attention turns toward the battle scars I’m being awarded. My angst softens.
With the sudden rise in tension, Astor proclaims the need for an intermission to regain some strength, which is fine by me. With the pain I’m experiencing, it’s apparent I’m still in need of her services, but I’m not quite ready to have her hands on me. I examine the battle scars running up the entirety of my leg and my abdomen. Gnarly. I cannot restrain a grin. Then, suddenly, my stomach lets out a roar.
Astor must have anticipated my hunger. A meal has already been prepped.
“Crab cakes and breaded cod with lemon sauce?” she inquires. “I’ve had them warming over the embers since midday.”
My eyes turn into lanterns as she dishes a plate and serves it to me. I don’t hesitate and shovel the food into my face like a starving orphan.
“Your brother, I had him help prepare this, before I sent him away. So, you can give him your thanks when he returns.”
As if I was going to thank her for the meal.
She chats as I eat. Nothing more than awkward small talk, but I succumb to being civilized to show my appreciation for the meal. With only a few words between each mouthful of cod, it makes for an arduous conversation, but I don’t care. Then, Susy is merciful when uninvited guests arrive to take her attention off me.
“Nero! Crescia! Great for you to return!” Astor greets them. “As you can see, my charge has come to life, and I would be delighted if you would assist me with the final stretch of the suspension.”
“Well, you know me. I’m always eager to learn,” Nero says with excitement.
“Word has spread this is your toughest challenge yet,” Crescia adds.
“You could say that.” Astor cocks her head to one side and hits me with a peripheral glance.
“Word has spread?” What does that mean, word has spread? Word has spread amongst all the townsfolk? I can’t have my presence known. “Where’s Stone? I need to get out of here.”
The new arrivals share a confused look with each other and turn to Astor for answers.
“Jaymes, you are perfectly safe here. I must assure you.” Astor approaches and attempts to put a hand on me. I flinch.
“And how do I know that?” I glare in the direction of the newcomers. “It appears you’ve made my presence well known.”
Astor half-sits, half-leans against the cot, making herself comfortable. “You must let me finish the suspension. Your legs need more work. If you allow me another hour, I may have you far enough along that the surface lacerations will heal themselves.”
She’s speaks the truth. I would flop out of here like a seal out of water. In a town of anglers, they may mistake me for a meal from the delta.
“Fine,” I reply. Astor smiles and places a hand on my knee. I shrink back.
“Do you mind if they sit in, Jaymes?” Astor gestures for the new arrivals to take a seat without waiting for a reply. I’d rather not spend another moment alone with Astor, so I silently comply.
The tall man has an innocent face. The girl, however, dons serving attire that’s a touch scantier than typical. With the attire alone, I can decipher her innocence is lacking. Goose has mentioned the serving girls in this town a time or two. In his arrogance, he proclaims to have the experience firsthand, but that’s an exaggeration. Though, I have no reason to distrust his stories, other than the fact he was part of them. I can’t trust her. She could be a spy.
“Jaymes, this is Nero and Crescia, two of my most cherished counterparts.”
I acknowledge them with a simple nod and refuse to make eye contact.
Astor addresses her companions on my current state, proclaiming she has already suppressed the deepest of the lacerations. “We’ve made some timely progress.” She gestures toward my abdomen, which radiates with pain as it remains an open wound.
It’s not oozing blood, I suppose. But I don’t believe she knows what that word means—progress.
“Although, a lot of work remains to be done. Her legs are currently useless, and that is where we must focus our attention.”
“Useless! Don’t be so crass.” The mention of the word ignites me. What a thick arrogance. Useless! I’m not useless. I think back on Goose’s comment about performing the menial tasks. Goose thinks I’m useless too. And Stone is always looking out for me, trying to protect me. He obviously believes me incompetent as well. “I’m not useless!” I cry.
I throw my legs over the edge of the cot, yet again, and slide off the bed without the slightest notion of grace. My soles slap onto the hardwood with a thud. The pain proves to be overbearing as I crumple to the ground with a lurid moan. Dammit!
Nero and Crescia rush to my aid. I offer resistance, but they lift me back into the bed regardless. Astor ogles at the disaster I’ve become, callous to my decision.
“Jaymes, are you done? Please, I ask that you trust my judgment. You’re in no condition to mosey on out of here on your own accord. I can have Nero or Crescia summon your brothers if you prefer familiar company.”
I nod in agreement.
“Crescia? Can you? They’re boarding at Abbey’s.” Crescia gives a nod of her own and exits.
“Now, back to work. Are you going to cooperate?” Astor asks bluntly. “I suggest you curtail any aggression or doubt you have in my intentions. With an audience, I will respect your privacy. You may remain c
overed under the linens, but I will need access to the injuries.”
She has stopped asking permission and has moved to a sterner approach. She’s not my mother.
“Do I have your full cooperation?” She echoes after I fail to respond.
A submissive yes slips from my tongue. Dammit!
Astor flees to the kitchenette to gather what appears to be more washcloths. I hear a thud on the other side of the room, which turns my attention toward the entrance. A shudder overcomes me. A woman in red stands in the doorway. The unfriendly type with a mask concealing her identity, all except for one pale-green eye.
“Pardon me, you startled me.” Astor greets her while picking up the washcloths she let slip to the floor. A bit too friendly of a greeting, in my opinion. “I wasn’t expecting any more visitors at this hour. How can I help you?”
After Astor politely inquires about the purpose of the visit, I realize the Woman-in-Red is gripping the hair of a corpse. A dark-haired female in servant’s garb. And Nero… Where did Nero disappear to? My gaze darts about the room until I see him face down on the floor right next to me.
“I’m here for the girl.”
We are to be tested. My colleagues and me. This world drives us apart. Can we survive without one another?
14 Stone
“Y
o-yo Goose-o.” I bark, less enthusiastically than I normally would. “Hold on, Goose. Goose! Don’t be such a wailer.” He stops in his tracks without turning around to face me. He’s wandering the docks aimlessly, it appears. I don’t doubt he’s expecting I forgive him for his ridiculous choices. “You’re family, Goose. I can’t let you wander off. Jay will want you here when she comes to, regardless of how you’ve behaved or how she reacts.” What I’m not willing to confess is I want him here too. I’ve had enough loss in my life and am not willing to let my best friend walk out of it. “But…don’t be mistaken, I am not forgiving you for what you’ve done. That’s not why I’ve chased after you.” Astor is. But he doesn’t need to know that. Immediately after he departed, she—an acquaintance—lectured me about what family is and what it means to love your family. Although insufferable, she made me realize how unnecessary my reaction was. “I know it would be best for you to be by her side. Plus, you’re a lost boy. You don’t have anywhere else to go.”
He performs a comical whirl to face me with his best attempt at a remorseful look. A small smile hits his face. “Stone, I’m so sorry. I hope you know I had the right intentions. The result’s obviously unsound, but my intentions were good. You have my word. I’ll do anything in my power to make this up to you.”
“Your atonement will be endless. It won’t be easy.” I place a hand on the back side of his shoulder. “Come on, Goose, let’s go fill our stomachs.” I retrieve a shiny silver rib from my purse and flaunt it.
“Where’d you get that?” He grabs for it, but I tuck it away too quick.
“I’ll tell you over some ale.”
“What about Jay?” Goose asks.
“Astor doesn’t need us by her side. Actually…she kicked me out. Said she couldn’t get the focus she needed. Jay’s in good hands, I think. But I feel helpless…leaving Jay in the care of a stranger.”
“A beautiful stranger. You’re right. She’s in good…soft…gentle…” Goose trails off in thought.
I don’t allow his likely inappropriate daydream to last. “What are you saying? All you need is a pretty smile and lady lumps to be trusted?”
Goose cocks his head and smiles at me. “And soft skin, yes. I like soft skin.”
Astor is lovely. Aside from her apparent beauty, there’s a kindness about her. It’s in her smile. It’s in her eyes. It’s in her words. Jay is in good hands.
We stroll past the piers reaching far into the Scarlet Delta. It’s late in the day, but the sun is high yet and beating down on us. The broiling heat and the shallow murky waters of the delta make for an insufferable humidity. More so, it incubates a wonderful breeding ground for skeeters, the most villainous of all creatures on the entirety of this moon. They suck the blood of their host, only to repay with disease and possible death. Wicked creatures.
“You know, Stone, after a two-day journey in this heat—packing more than a desirable amount, I might add—I’m beginning to draw the mosquitoes. It’s no wonder my charm didn’t work on Astor.”
“I don’t smell anything out of the norm. After acquainting with Astor, I think they smell your eagerness to mate.”
Goose retaliates with a fist to my shoulder. “Do you have a room at the inn?” he asks. “I’m not my freshest.” He tugs at his collar and sniffs. “After we eat, of course. And I think I’ll make it a scented bath. Astor appreciated your fruity aroma, no?”
“So, the dirty duck wants to turn himself into the stunning swan for the pretty blonde. You’re wasting your time.”
“Really? And how so?”
“She’s beautiful—you’re not; she’s well groomed—you’re a slob; she’s properly mannered with a coating of sweetness—you’re too forward, rude at best, and deceivingly sour after your sweet coating rapidly fades. She’d never have it. Jay would be a better suitor.”
“I’m not a slob. Before we landed in the Broken Forest, I was very much proper and clean. You’ll see. I clean up very nicely.” He combs his fingers through his straight locks and gives a charming sway of his hair.
I do what I’m good at and turn the light air stiff. “We’re still being hunted, Goose. You must lay low. That woman who flushed us from our home knows who I am. She wouldn’t admit it and went on her way, but it was far too easy to dismiss her. Our stay needs to be quick and unnoticed as we intended.”
“Damn, Stone. I just thought I stunk a little. Or is my stink a harmonizer in this fish-overlaid town? Suppose maybe I ought to throw a few minnows in my bath instead.”
“You do stink.” Having voiced my concerns, I make light of the situation again. “Have your scented bath, Sheela. Lilacs and strawberries would suit you. Then we can have the handmaids braid your hair and give you a manicure too.”
“That sounds delightful,” Goose replies with a giant grin. “Thank you, Stone. I appreciate your never-warming heart. You’re so kind to me.” Another fist pounds my shoulder. “Wanker!” This time I cringe at the contact and try to massage the pain out. “We’ve been living in the wood for four seasons, for Susy’s sake. I think we both deserve a warm bath. And the chance to use a functioning water closet too.”
With time to spare while anxiously awaiting Jay’s recovery, we continue strolling down the waterfront at a mild pace, heading toward Abbey’s Alehouse. I take notice of the large trees growing throughout the port. I would think with all the large vessels, the industrialized buildings, and the large quantity of freight trafficked through here that such large trees would get in the way, but instead, they’ve been integrated into the logistics of the port. The larger trees closest to the shore—some growing out of the delta itself—have branches overhanging the crimson waters. Likely manipulated by Greenthumbs and reinforced by Sleepers because they’re unnaturally large and conveniently placed. Each has been rigged with ropes and a pulley system to load and offload the ships docked at the piers. Resourceful as it may be, it’s clearly harmful to the trees. Every one that acts as a functioning part of the port has fading yellow and orange leaves. The Autumnal Equinox is a long way out yet, so it is far too early for a change of the seasons. I find it odd a town so devoted to Susy would allow such a thing to happen.
I escape my thoughts when a loud gurgle erupts from Goose’s stomach.
“Did you hear that? My stomach just asked you how much farther.”
“Keep your cool, Sheela. You can see it. Just up there across from Caster’s Jetty.” I point to the aged building a hundred paces out. As his attention is focused on the inn, I swing in rebuttal to his earlier shot at me, but Goose is too quick. He leans backward just as I’m about to impact his shoulder, and he catches my fist with his palm.
“Sheela?”
We arrive at the inn, and the barmaid greets us with her hoarse voice. I notice in my peripheral that Goose flinches. I can’t refrain from smiling, but it works in my favor, as she believes I’m smiling in response to her merry greeting. She takes our order after we find a table and flees to the kitchen immediately.
“Ugh, a looker for sure, but put a gag in that one. A night alone with her would be like sleeping in a lagoon with serenading toads.”
“Goose! She’ll end up lacing your cod with nightshade. A croaker, maybe, but vigorous too. She wouldn’t hesitate.”
“You know…these Sheelas are known to fluff a pillow or two.” He smiles and deliberately raises his brow. “How do you know so much about her?”
“Shut it, Goose. Nothing happened.”
“I think something did.”
“Shut it!”
“No. What happened? You had yourself a taste, didn’t you? How was it?”
My face warms. “Nothing happened. She offered, but nothing happened. I can’t be loose with my newfound riches.”
“Ah, I see. Too expensive? So, she got you a bit excited and you sinned alone, then?”
I swing my leg hard and plant the ball of my foot right on his shin.
“Wanker!” He rubs at his leg. “That was cheap!”
“Get over it.”
“You ought to use that coin to get yourself a new pair of boots. Maybe a full wardrobe. How ‘bout it? There’s bound to be a tailor and a cobbler nearby.”
“If we’re reintroducing ourselves to society, I suppose it’s a good spend,” I admit, looking down at my rags.
Season of Sacrifice (Blood of Azure Book 1) Page 15