“You’re welcome.”
“Now I have to brush my teeth again.”
“You should wait until after dessert,” said Justin as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a brownie wrapped in a napkin.
“You really are wonderful,” said Lucy.
“Don’t mock the bearer of the brownie,” countered Justin as he yawned and handed over the brownie.
“You don’t have to stay,” said Lucy.
“Your hair’s not dry yet,” he said with a shrug.
Lucy wasn’t sure if that explained anything, but bit into the brownie.
“Thank you. Now, I have to ask. The challenge was obviously a challenge, but sometimes, it felt more like a test. You asked me to help with things that I’m not sure you needed help with.”
“I thought you could use the experience. Besides, it never hurts to get a second opinion on these things. What if you had sensed something from a different rock than I did? What if I missed something when trying to find the source of the howling?”
“So, it was a test?”
“I can neither confirm nor deny that supposition,” said Justin with a straight face.
“That means yes,” said Lucy with a smile.
“Everything’s a test around here, even tomorrow’s dinner. It might be disguised as a social event, but it’s a test.”
“I think I’d almost rather wander through the forest looking for a rock again.”
“In that we agree. If I have to be at an event like this, I prefer to sit in a corner and watch rather than participate. It’s much more interesting and much less stressful.”
“Hence the lack of a date?”
“I already told you that the only woman worth asking is already going with someone else.”
“Some would call that picky.”
“I know what I want. Why settle for less?”
“Like I’m doing?”
“I’m not sure I’d call it that. You don’t know what you want.”
“That’s true,” said Lucy and it was. “I’d rather avoid a messy relationship right now.”
“Does it have to be messy?”
“Most relationships are.”
“They don’t have to be.”
“Says the man who isn’t bringing a date.”
Justin shrugged but didn’t say anything.
“Tonight did feel rather anticlimactic,” said Lucy.
“I don’t follow,” replied Justin, and he really didn’t.
“We ran around a forest without sleep, found a rock, won the challenge, and now we’re going to bed. Something seems off.”
“What did you expect?”
“I don’t know. Something different though.”
“You wanted a parade?”
“Perish the thought,” said Lucy with a shudder. “A celebration of some sort perhaps.”
“That’s part of what dinner tomorrow is supposed to be, I think.”
“I was thinking along the lines of something more positive. We already established that social events are not my forte.”
“When you figure out what you want, let me know, and I’ll see what I can do about it.”
“Since we’re back on the subject of the dinner, who were you going to ask?”
“Were we back on the subject of dinner?”
“We are now. Who?”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“Will you tell me after the ‘social event’ since it won’t cause any drama at that point?”
“Perhaps,” he reached a hand towards her and held a lock of her hair.
Lucy couldn’t help but notice that his brown eyes were awfully close and that he smelled good.
“Your hair is dry,” said Justin, dropping the lock and looking down.
Lucy blinked, slightly confused. She wasn’t sure what she was expecting, but it hadn’t been that.
“It’s time for you to go to bed.” Justin stood up and walked towards the door. “Sleep well.”
“Good night,” said Lucy.
At the door, he paused and looked back at her. After a minute, Justin turned and walked away shutting the door behind him.
Lucy sat in bed feeling confused. Sometimes Lucy felt like she was missing something during her discussions with Justin. At the same time, she wasn’t positive she wanted to know what she was missing. Perhaps that in itself was the problem. Finally, she got up and brushed her teeth again. She closed her book and put it back on her shelf, got under the covers, and fell asleep before she could think about it anymore.
Chapter 35
Lucy woke up the next morning and groaned. After walking for so much the two days before and then the long period of inactivity that sleep provided, her legs ached. She wished the school had a massage therapist on staff. She thought about suggesting that to Eric, but knew she’d never get around to it. Usually, any discussion she had with Eric involved topics much more interesting or important than staffing ideas. She supposed she could ask Justin for a massage, but that seemed like a bad idea on so many different levels.
Lucy rolled out of bed and got dressed. What was she going to do for the day? Dinner wasn’t until later that evening, and it certainly wouldn’t take her all day to get ready. She was sure Maya would take her time doing her hair, but Lucy was sure even that wouldn’t start for some time. Lucy sat on her bed and thought. It had been awhile since she had spare time. They had been preparing for the competition for weeks, and then the competition itself had structured her days. Lucy did know that she didn’t feel like taking a long walk. Nor did she feel like sitting in her room. Perhaps a ride? Riding used different muscles than walking. She hadn’t seen Ash in awhile. Lucy made her way down to the stables.
“Hello,” Lucy greeted Ash.
“Hello,” Ash shook her mane in greeting. “I wasn’t expecting to see you today. I thought you would rest up, and then you have your dinner tonight.”
“True, but I didn’t feel like being inside,” thought Lucy as she saddled Ash.
“A sentiment any horse can understand, unless the weather is terrible,” Ash added as an afterthought.
Lucy smiled and led Ash out of the stables.
“Where would you like to ride?”
“Anywhere is fine. Take me somewhere you like to go. I don’t want to be in charge. I just want to ride.”
“Tell me about the competition,” said Ash as she trotted off.
So Lucy did. Ash only had a couple of comments about the challenges. She was upset that breakfast had been poisoned. As a horse, it violated the trust in the one providing the food. She was glad that creatures who needed healing got it. She thought the trek through the forest would have been easier if she had been along and Lucy agreed. Ash didn’t seem to care that the object of the quest was to bring back a specific rock. When Lucy asked her about that she only replied that she generally didn’t trouble herself to understand the whims of humans. After that, they rode in silence enjoying the ride and each other’s company. Lucy didn’t pay any attention to where they were or how long they had been out; she let Ash take charge of that.
“Lucy?” Justin’s voice intruded into her thoughts and startled her.
“Yes?”
“Where are you?”
“Out riding with Ash.”
“After the last couple of days you went for a ride instead of resting?”
“It seemed like a good idea this morning. Can I continue to enjoy it?”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea. Maya’s having kittens. She tracked me down to help find you. She says you’ll never have time to get ready if you don’t get back now.”
“It can’t possibly be that late.”
“It’s not, but I think it’s later than you think.”
“Maybe I’ll skip it.”
“Just get back here so Maya can stop pacing. Go for a ride tomorrow.”
“Ok, tell Maya I’ll be back as soon as I can. Honestly, I’m not sure where I am.”
“Ash? W
e need to head back. I have to get ready for dinner.”
“Is getting ready for dinner that complicated that you need so much time?”
“Apparently. Maya is helping me get ready so I don’t feel like I can argue too much.”
They headed back. Lucy didn’t want their ride to end, but eventually it did. She unsaddled Ash and brushed her down. She took longer brushing than she could have, but Ash didn’t complain. Sure enough, when she reached her rooms, she found Maya pacing in front of them.
“There you are! Where have you been? You smell like a horse. In the shower now, but be quick we have lots of work to do.”
Lucy decided it was better not to argue. She entered her room and went directly to the bathroom to shower. She took a very quick shower and came out wrapped in her towel.
“You look fantastic,” she told Maya. The brown dress made her look regal. Her hair was piled on top of her head with curled tendrils strategically escaping. Her make-up was perfect. Everything was perfect.
“Thank you, now it’s your turn.”
Lucy wasn’t sure she could ever reach perfect, but Maya was free to do her best. Maya proceeded to brush out Lucy’s hair and then twist and braid it into an amazingly complicated pattern. It looked fantastic without feeling like it was going to fall down. She had Lucy put on the blue dress. Then, she added some small blue forget-me-nots into the braids. She only did a little with make-up for which Lucy was grateful. She hated wearing lots of make-up. Maya believed the effect was going to be so striking that less was more as well as being the current fashion in Salmatina. After that, Maya took out some black paint, which she assured Lucy would come off during her next shower, and started on Lucy’s tattoos.
“Are those necessary?” asked Lucy.
“Yes,” said Maya in a voice that implied Lucy shouldn’t argue, so she didn’t.
Lucy had spent the day away from people. Maya, of course, had not. Thus, Maya was able to fill Lucy in on some of what had happened to the other groups in the last challenge. There had still been about ten other groups out there searching when they got back. Maya did not have any answers for why they hadn’t come across any of them. Most of those groups had stopped and slept for at least part of the night, and Maya thought that might have made a bigger difference than they had previously assumed. Also, theirs was the only group to bring food and water. The others had had to forage some, which might have also helped. The rest of the groups had abandoned the quest for various reasons. Lack of food and water was a common one. One group was attacked by poisonous snakes. They were fine and did everything right, but after that, they called it quits shortly after the night noises started. Some groups had gotten separated in the dark, freaked out, and called for help. Most groups were impressed by their group, but there were a few bruised egos. They had won all the individual challenges.
“There,” said Maya as she finished the tattoos. “What do you think?”
“I think I look beautiful and formidable.”
“Good, that’s how you are supposed to look. Salmatinan women are incredibly beautiful and always dress for formal events but at the same time, no one messes with them unless they have a death wish.”
“That should keep Darren at bay,” said Lucy with a laugh.
“You didn’t have to go with him, you know.”
“I told him I would.”
“One of the privileges of being a woman is the right to change your mind. In fact, you don’t even have to have a good reason; you can do it on a whim. Some here have already switched dates two or three times since the announcement of the dinner came out.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t feel right doing that.”
Maya shrugged. “Some people do the right thing for the wrong reasons, and some people do the wrong thing for the right reasons. Who’s to say who is right? Either situation can cause people to get hurt.”
“I really don’t feel like having a philosophical and moral conversation at the moment, so why don’t you tell me what the tattoos mean instead, in case some professor quizzes me on them.”
“A good idea. The band on your upper arm shows that you have displayed courage in battle. The swirls below that show that you have won battles, and the filled in circle in the center of that means you have been wounded in battle. The pattern of leaves on your shoulder shows magic prowess, or for them, druid powers or potential. Because they are strong fighters who take lives, they try to balance out that violence with a care for the earth and plants. Since warriors take life, druids restore it. Having both makes you even more formidable and unusual. The flower petal below that shows that you are single. It would be filled in if you were married. Other petals would be added if you had children. The quartered circle shows that you are part of an elite group. The interwoven sign on your collar bone gives you the rank of horse master. Only people who can be one with the horse can get that. Justin told me to put it on.”
“So, if I walked into Salmatina like this I would pretty much out rank everyone in the room other than the Queen and other visiting dignitaries?”
“Pretty much.”
“It’s all very visible though; wouldn’t that make me a target as well?”
“That’s also very likely, but one as strong as you wouldn’t worry about it. They don’t so much flaunt what they’ve done as have confidence in their abilities. If someone were to challenge you and win, were you Salmatinan, you would welcome death because you would no longer deserve the honor of your station. Anyone in your position would be treated with respect unless they had stepped on a lot of people’s toes to get where they are, which also isn’t looked upon too highly.”
“This is sounding complicated,” sighed Lucy.
“It can be. Remember confidence. Incidentally, you outrank your date.”
“I’m sure he’ll like that.”
“Everything will be fine. Jared’s picking me up at my room shortly. I’ve got to get back down there. Have fun, I’ll see you soon. You look fabulous.”
“Thank you Maya, for everything,” said Lucy.
“Hey, that’s what friends are for. Gavin protects, Justin heals, and I make you pretty,” she said with a smile, and she walked out the door.
Jared was meeting Maya at her room. Where was she supposed to meet Darren? They hadn’t talked about that. She didn’t think showing up at his room was a good idea. However, how long did she wait here before he came to get her? Perhaps she should make her way down to the Dining Hall. Lucy paced back and forth in her room. She was nervous. She felt better if she had a plan for something like this, and she didn’t have one now. Lucy continued to pace. Finally, she decided to go down on her own. She put her hand on the door, opened it, and ran straight into Justin who was in position to knock.
“Oh hello,” said Lucy trying to recover from the surprise.
“Going somewhere?”
“To the Dining Hall.”
“Unescorted? You look beyond beautiful.”
“Thank you, yes. Darren and I didn’t make any arrangements on where to meet. You look good too.”
He looked very good wearing soft leather boots, dark green leggings, and a tunic almost the same shade of blue as Lucy’s dress. His red hair looked roguishly tousled and his smile implied trouble.
“I’m sure he’ll be here shortly. He’s probably working up his courage as we speak.”
“I’m not sure I feel like waiting around for a guy.”
“That’s the spirit,” said Justin with a bow. “I am ready and willing to provide the lady with an escort.”
“I think Maya made me powerful enough that I could walk in unescorted.”
Justin studied her tattoos.
“True, she also made you single and thus fair game, even if you were escorted.”
Lucy wasn’t sure how she felt about being called fair game, but before she could reply, Darren showed up.
“Hello,” he said smiling at Lucy, but looking slightly confused. He was wearing a green, silky, layered, and fl
owy version of what Justin had on. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had changed your mind.”
“What?” asked Lucy confused herself.
A glance at Justin’s all too innocent face told her there were many things going on here. It was then that she realized Justin and her looked like a matching couple. She wondered if Justin had done that on purpose. Lucy shook her head.
“No, we didn’t do this intentionally,” said Lucy. “We were talking while we waited for you.”
“Again, he gave you an out. You should have taken it. Now you are encouraging him.”
“Perhaps, but you’re intentionally provoking him.”
“Certainly not!”
“Blue?”
“I look good in blue.”
“Are you going to be this way all night?”
“Most likely.”
Lucy sighed. Then she smiled at Darren and held out her arm. He took it, and they started to walk down the hallway together. Justin followed a few paces behind.
“You’re giving the poor guy false hope.”
Lucy ignored him.
“You look beautiful,” said Darren.
“Thank you. You look good in green,” replied Lucy.
“I asked Maya what style your dress was, and then I picked a Salmatinan style that felt comfortable.”
“You might as well be comfortable on these occasions,” agreed Lucy amicably.
“You don’t like formal events?”
“They tend to make me nervous,” said Lucy.
“They tend to make me nauseous.”
Lucy tried to keep from smiling at Justin’s wry but accurate comment.
“What do all your tattoos mean?”
Lucy told him about all of them. It was good practice to see if she remembered in case she was asked by any of the professors. She could feel Justin’s amusement from behind them even though he didn’t say anything. She had no idea what he was amused about, but she was sure she’d find out eventually. Darren was unsettled about having Justin walk behind them. Lucy hoped they were seated on opposite ends of the Dining Hall or this was going to be a very interesting, though likely uncomfortable dinner. When they got near the Dining Hall, Justin stopped and motioned for them to enter first.
The Eye of Elicion: The Kinowenn Chronicles Vol 1 Page 27