Savior

by Loren K. Jones

  Java shook her head but didn’t say anything. She could understand Arten’s point. She had felt much the same toward Sammy and the triplets. Sighing deeply, she shook her head again. “I’ll speak to her about it when she starts yelling again. I guess it never really occurred to me how she felt. How you felt. I just wanted to be with the Firewalkers again, even if it was just for a little while.”

  “I understand, Java,” Arten said, reaching out to cup Java’s cheek. “But, as my father told me far too many times, what you want is secondary to what the duchy needs.”

  Court the next morning was when Java saw and felt the full extent of the trouble she was in. The entire court was present, even those lords and ladies who normally just sent a representative. Java and Jah’Moke were questioned at length about the men who had attacked them, their actions before, during, and after the attack, and their identification of the attackers as Frander’s men. Lunch came and went unnoticed by the court as plans were laid for the protection of the duchy.

  Naria sat and glared at the court, not uttering a word unless she was forced to. Java unobtrusively moved her chair closer and closer to Naria as the day wore on, finally reaching the point where her hand was almost touching Naria’s. Naria noticed and reached over, clutching Java’s hand tightly and not letting go, even when Java had to stand to address the court. Others noticed the hand holding as well. Arten smiled softly and ignored it while some of the lords looked confused.

  Naria kept hold of Java’s hand even after the court was dismissed, leading her to the royal suite without saying a word. When the door closed, though, that was another story.

  “Java, what in the hells were you thinking!?” Naria shouted. “You should have returned here as soon as your escort arrived!”

  Java flinched back from Naria a little, then straightened. “Naria, I was safe, unharmed, and well protected.”

  “And you should have been here!” Naria shouted, her hotly flashing eyes boring holes in Java.

  “I was doing what I thought was best. If we had come back here first, then Lieutenant Tahoe and her detachment would have been late getting to Linkville,” Java replied, keeping her voice level. “Besides, I did send a messenger telling you that everything was under control.”

  “You should have been here!”

  “I didn’t want to be here!” Java finally shouted back, stepping closer to look up into Naria’s eyes. “I wanted to be with the Firewalkers! With my friends! I’m not a noble, Naria. I miss being able to just sit and talk without worrying about who’s listening at the door or who’s going to walk in on me!”

  Java’s outburst took Naria by surprise, not so much for the volume, but for the content of her shout. “Who has been spying on you, Java?” she asked in a surprisingly soft voice.

  “Who hasn’t?” Java whispered sullenly. “Anytime I’m alone with someone, a maid bursts in. Every time Robin stays in the palace we get woken up two or three times by maids or matrons checking to see if we’re sleeping together.” Java turned and began pacing the room.

  “It’s always been this way, right from the start. Lord Broward started it, but his friends and our enemies have kept it up. I wish Robin and I had just been open about our relationship, but that was impossible at the time. Now it’s not only impossible for us to openly be together, but Robin has gone away.” There was a hitch in Java’s voice that drew Naria to her side.

  Slipping her arms around Java, Naria leaned her head down to rest on the top of Java’s. “Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry things have been like that for you.”

  “I know. But that’s life in the palace. Sammy told me it wasn’t that much different for her when she was growing up,” Java whispered, leaning her head against Naria. “She told me Duchess Neldan explained that ‘The children must be watched.’ Even after they’ve grown up.”

  “Life in a fishbowl. That’s what I called it,” Naria whispered, squeezing Java tightly. “I didn’t like it either, and it took Arten making an issue of it to get us left alone.”

  “Then I guess I’m going to have to make an issue of it myself,” Java said softly, but Naria shook her head.

  “No. This is our job, Java. I hadn’t thought about you wanting to be left alone. I imagine Jah’Moke is having similar problems,” Naria sighed as she straightened up. Keeping her head on Java’s shoulder was putting a strain on her back. “I’ll have a word with Lord Neavers about it.”

  Java nodded. “Naria, I’m sorry I upset you and made you worry. But you have to remember that I was already an adult when you adopted me.”

  Naria looked at her sideways and shrugged. “I know, Java. But you’re so small that sometimes I forget you’re not a helpless little girl who needs to be protected.”

  Java chuckled softly and fingered a knife hilt. “That’s why I still wear these. Not just for looks, though you have to admit they do look good. I wear them to remind everyone that I’m not helpless. They’ve probably saved a number of men from serious injury. Or death. Remember, Shair and Anness were my teachers. So was Marta to some extent.”

  Naria had to smile at that. “I keep forgetting you were a Scout. It’s just that we love you so much, Java. Adopted or not, you’re everything we ever wanted in a child.” Naria clasped Java in an affectionate hug again. “We just want you safe.”

  Java returned the hug, then looked up. “All right, I promise to be good. I admit that I was frightened by Frander’s men being so close again. Feeling the poison again made my skin crawl.”

  “Marta told us about that,” Naria mused, drawing away from Java. “About you and the others being able to feel the poison on the weapons. That was in the message we sent to Klamath and the others. Everyone who was infected with Frander’s poison during the war is being sent out to ‘feel’ for trouble.”

  “Except me,” Java said sourly, and Naria nodded.

  “Except you,” Naria agreed, but she grinned about it. “You get to stay in the palace and feel for trouble. You’re the only one here who was infected.”

  Java thought about that, then nodded. “Good enough. We’re sending Cah’Fene back to Lender’s Dale tomorrow. Do you have any messages that need to go with him?”

  “No, we sent everything that needed to go that way with the courier.” Naria turned and walked over to her desk for a sip of wine. “How many of the Latté are coming for the wedding?”

  “Only about eighty. Carr’Bon Veer said that Lender’s Dale is too friendly to leave right now. He and Jah’Moke’s immediate family will be the only one’s attending.” Java grinned as she spoke, looking at Naria sideways. “Caloo’Ah should be here a month early to help arrange the wedding.”

  “I look forward to meeting her. She sounds like a remarkable woman.” Naria was looking at her desk as she spoke so she missed Java sudden grin.

  “Oh, yes. Remarkable is a good word for her.”

  CHAPTER 10: REUNIONS

  Treasure the good times.

  Ancient Wisdom

  THE SWEEP OF THE DUCHY DIDN’T produce any more of Frander’s men, but it did have a dramatic effect on the more ordinary bandits. The duke’s prison was a bit crowded by the end of the sweep, but the duchy had never been safer. Other surprises had been discovered as well. A large number of refugees from Lender’s Dale had staked out claims in the backcountry of the counties, eking out a meager existence from the land and forests.

  Marta had been presented with two hundred men, women and children within two weeks of the start of the search. Most were ragged scarecrows who hadn’t even been aware that the war was over. Some, though thankfully few, had known but decided to try and hold on to the land anyway. Marta frowned mightily at those individuals, then scolded them for not seeking permission to continue in the county. Those who showed at least some sign that they were ashamed of themselves received permission to stay, while those few who were brazen enough to try to defy her were unceremoniously escorted across the river. One of the surprises was Branard Sheridan, Merrit and Anness’ bro
ther.

  “Branard, what the hells do you think you’re doing?” Marta asked, stepping around her desk to face the man. He was between Merrit and Anness in age and Marta recognized the name, but not the man. It had been fifteen years since they had met, and he was taken aback by her knowing him.

  “Lady, forgive me, but I didn’t know what to do,” Branard murmured, twisting his hat in his hands and staring at the floor. “We’ve been getting by well enough, trading what we grow for what we can’t make for ourselves. We don’t have the means to return to Lender’s Dale.”

  “Didn’t you know that the new capital is in Morrisdale?” Marta asked, looking at the man curiously.

  Branard shook his head slightly. “No, Lady. Even so, I don’t know if my parents have returned home, or even if they are alive. Or if my home is still standing.” Branard wouldn’t look up, so he missed Marta’s surprised expression.

  Marta almost chuckled. “Your parents are both alive and kicking, Branard. And your farm is still standing. Branard, don’t you recognize me?” she asked, moving so that she was within a foot of him and tilting her head to look into his face. “Merrit introduced us years ago. I’m Marta. Don’t you remember?” That brought his eyes up to hers, but he seemed very puzzled. “Marta Freeholm. Merrit and Anness’ captain and friend? Princess Java asked me to see to the county for her.”

  “But, they call you lady. The Marta I met was a commoner, like the rest of us,” Branard said, puzzling out the information.

  “True, but Java and Naria ennobled me so I could hold the county. Come in and sit a spell. How long have you been here?” Marta led a very curious Branard to a table and poured him a drink.

  “Since the beginning. We traveled on until we reached Linkville, looking for Anness, but she was already gone.” He paused to sip the drink, and his eyes opened wide at the taste of the brandy. “Gods, it’s been a long time. Anyway, with the Firewalkers gone, we started looking for a place, but there were precious few available. We wound up in the backcountry and cleared a small plot. I know we should have petitioned the lord, but he was a hard man to approach. Then we heard that the county had been presented to the lady who had rescued the young duchess. She wasn’t here to be approached, so we stayed on and hoped for the best.”

  “Do you want that piece of land, Branard? I’m sure Java would approve if you did,” Marta said softly, walking over to clasp his shoulder. The state the man was in was shocking. Rail thin, with sparse, iron-gray hair, he didn’t look like the man she remembered.

  “Why would the princess approve?”

  Marta looked at him, her own surprise evident. “Don’t you know? No, of course not. Branard, let me tell you about your family. You knew that Merrit had gone to Lender’s Dale to serve Duchess Neldan. What you probably didn’t know was that she was Armsmistress to Duchess Neldan’s children. She escaped the attack,” Marta paused as Branard’s eyes lit, “and made her way to Greencastle. Java found her and brought her back to camp.” Marta had to chuckle at that memory. “Little scamp almost got herself sent home for that stunt, but she did it for Anness, so I let her get away with just three days bread and water. Then, a few years later she found Samantha and captured her. That’s how she got to be a lady in the first place. Duchess Samantha needed a noble guardian, so instead of bringing one out to her, Naria and Arten made Java a noble. That’s a story that you’ve got to hear later. When we attacked Lender’s Dale, Duchess Samantha made Merrit her general, and Anness went as a captain. Now both of them are with Duchess Samantha in Morrisdale. And they are all living with your parents. Your family is one of the most powerful in Lender’s Dale now.”

  “Merrit is alive? And a general? And Anness a captain? And they moved the duchess into our home? Lady Marta, I don’t...How?” Branard was overwhelmed by the revelations that Marta had made concerning his siblings. He had been afraid that both of them were dead.

  “Samantha is a great deal like Java. Practical and caring.” Turning in her seat she pulled on a bell rope. Harran answered almost immediately. “Harran, there are a woman and three children sitting out front. Please bring them in.” At Harran’s bow, she turned back to Branard. “You still haven’t answered my question. Do you want that land, or do you want to go home?”

  “Go home? Lady, I told you, we don’t have the means to go home,” Branard said softly, his eyes begging Marta not to dig at that wound.

  Marta threw her head back and laughed. “Branard, in about a year Java is going to be married. Do you think your sisters are going to miss it? They’ll be here, I assure you. Even if they weren’t, Java would give you the coin to go home with. Or, if you want to stay, she’ll give you the land you’re on, and a bit more as well. Gods Above, she’d do anything for Anness.” Marta smiled at the woman and three young people who entered the room. “Come in and sit down. Harran,” she waited until Harran was looking at her, “we are having guests for supper. Please have Dora fix something extra.”

  Harran looked at her sideways, then nodded and went to speak with his wife. Branard’s wife, Gloriden, and his three daughters, Defin, Helvis and Janis, all looked at Marta with awe.

  “Lady, why are you doing this?” Gloriden asked, glancing between her husband and the lady.

  “Because Java would skin me if I didn’t,” Marta laughed, standing to lead Gloriden to the chair beside her husband. “You don’t have anything to worry about. You’re among friends.”

  “Glori, this is Merrit and Anness’ friend, Marta Freeholm. She is administering the county for Princess Java. She says that Anness and Merrit are both with Duchess Samantha, and they moved the capital to Morrisdale.” He paused to look at Marta for confirmation. At her nod, he continued. “The princess and Anness are, were, close, and Lady Marta thinks the princess would let us have the land if we want it, or she might send us home. Do you want to stay or go?”

  “Home?” Gloriden asked softly. “Oh, Bran, I want to go home so much. But, the money? Lady Marta, are you sure?”

  Marta nodded. “I know Java. For now, though, I’ll put you up in the Blue Heron. Java owns it, so don’t worry about the bill. Now, let me tell you the tale of our young princess.”

  Marta told Java’s tale over supper. Dora had taken her instructions to heart and laid out quite a feast. Branard and Gloriden were still reserved, but the children dug in and continued eating through the tale. Marta’s tolerant smile surprised both of their parents, but they were happy to see the girls getting a full meal.

  “...So you see, you ended up in the best possible place for you. Java has already been giving things to the families of her friends, but you’re in a special category. Merrit and Anness aren’t just friends: They are family as far as Java is concerned. Now, the only question left to be answered is do you want to go now, or wait until they come for the wedding?”

  Branard and Gloriden had a quick, whispered conversation, then he looked her in the eye. “We would like to go home, Lady Marta.”

  Branard and his family spent ten days in the Heron, at Marta’s insistence. She didn’t explain why, and they were too grateful to make a fuss. The reason why rode in late the tenth day, ten Royal Guardsmen trailing her as best they could.

  Java stopped at the manor to clean up, then let Marta take her into town. In the Blue Heron, Java walked over to her mentor’s brother and smiled. “Anness told me quite a bit about you, Branard. I’m happy to meet you at last.”

  Branard was wide eyed and immediately dropped to his knees. “Princess Java, I don’t...that is I...” his voice trailed off as he looked between the slight figure before him and Marta.

  Marta laughed. “Branard, relax. I told you, Java considers Anness and Merrit to be family.”

  Java nodded and looked past him to the women of the family. Branard’s daughters were all in their mid-teens, and Gloriden was staring wide eyed at her.

  Walking over, Java reached out a hand to them all. “Welcome. I’m very happy to meet you all, and I want you to know that you don’
t have anything to worry about. Captain Freeholm has arranged passage to Firedale with a trader. From there, Captain Rivers will provide your transportation. If you would, I have a few messages that you could deliver when you get to Morrisdale.”

  “W-We would be honored, Princess,” Gloriden managed to say, though she was clearly awed to be in the presence of the heir.

  Java saw her hesitation and smiled. “You may as well get used to royalty. Sam is still living in your father-in-law’s house. You’ll be exposed to her on a regular basis.” Java grinned, then looked at the younger girls. “Come on, I have something to give you three.” Smiling and laughing, Java led the girls outside while Marta gathered the adults and led them to the window.

  “Java has presents for you as well, but I think she wants to show off a little for your daughters,” she said softly, surprising both Branard and Gloriden with the unmasked love in her voice.

  Outside, Java had led the girls over to Sugar’s side. “I didn’t know what size’s you were, so I got you cloth to make dresses with,” Java was saying as she untied a bundle from behind her saddle. “I also got you needles and thread, and an assortment of buttons and bows.” Smiling at the young women, she handed each a full bolt of cloth. “There are shears and razors, too.”

  Defin looked at Java with a mixture of gratitude and awe. “Princess, I don’t know what to say,” she whispered.

  “It’s all right. Your aunts were my mentors and friends for years. The things they gave me are things I can never repay,” Java said, her grin never fading. “Anness and Merrit are as much my family as anyone.”

  Java led the girls back inside, then approached Branard. “Branard, I know you’re a proud man.” She grinned impishly for an instant. “Anness had some choice terms for it. I want you to accept this. It’s a gift, for you and your family.” She drew a bulging purse from her belt and pressed it into his hands. “This will see you safely home, and help you reestablish yourself.”