"A lot has happened," Aia apologized. "I'm sorry to leave you with so much to do, but I-"
He waved her off. "It has nothing to do with the work. I'm just glad you're safe."
Politeness kept Aia from fishing through his head. Kyren was the truest friend she had, and she trusted him to tell her everything. To pry it from him was disrespectful.
"Tell me," She urged.
"I don't... even know where to start."
"Then start with the girl in my house."
"Raelle. She's one of mine."
One of mine. "A patient? From the asylum?"
"She stayed with me when the Justices disbanded the clinic."
"Dis-disbanded?" Aia stuttered, "But... why?"
Kyren pursed his lips. "They were taking the healers. All of the {s. izem, throughout the city."
"But you got away."
"Raelle helped me get out without being caught. Dorene and Cale did not reveal me." He shook his head, "I knew something was wrong when Lenna and Alteas disappeared, and then you. I've been keeping an eye on things, so I was prepared... they..." he swallowed, "I'm not sure what the Justices did with them. I didn't stay in the city long enough to find out."
"When?"
"Two weeks ago."
"Is Delia...?"
"She's fine. Brings wood every day or two," Kyren smiled faintly.
Kyren reflexively moved back toward the door when Les, Garren and Teveres approached. Garren somehow puffed himself up to look more intimidating than usual. Aia held up her hands, the mediator between her two worlds. Kyren looked to her for explanation.
"Kyren," she said calmly, "This is Garren, Les and Teveres. They're my friends." She eyed Garren specifically. "Kyren is also a friend and colleague of mine. I trust him completely."
Garren grunted. Aia chose to interpret it as approval.
Les bowed his head with a flourish of political chivalry. "The infamous Kyren, we finally meet."
"Indeed," Teveres managed. Aia detected a subtle edge of jealousy in his voice. It intrigued her.
Kyren gave each of them a nod and a welcoming smile. He lingered on Garren and the excess of sharp objects the man haphazardly concealed under his cloak. "These are the people you left with?"
"We picked Les up on the way," Aia said with a smirk. Les returned the expression with ease; he was immediately at home with other normal people.
"Are we allowed to go in?" Teveres regarded Kyren with a challenge. "It's about to snow out here."
"This is her house." Kyren pushed the challenge right back, causing Aia to stifle a laugh.
"We have a patient," Aia managed to say without laughing. "She's asleep."
"Raelle won't mind." Kyren pushed the door back open, "She's doing well."
"Well?"
"As stable as I've seen in a while."
Aia held the door for her guests, self-consciousness creeping into her awareness. Her humble cottage would hardly fit so many people comfortably. If she pulled out the spare cots someone would still have to sleep on the floor. Teveres gave her an unreadable look as he passed by her. If she were not so curious about the healer situation she might have kicked him.
Raelle stirred from the sickbed. Her slightly unkempt brown hair hung in ringlets around her face in a ragged short cut. She was young, perhaps still in her teens. Blue eyes surveyed the newcomers drowsily.
"Raelle, this is my friend Aia, who I was telling you about." Kyren proceeded to introduce the others.
Raelle nodded, her eyes distant. The potions which the blight touched imbibed to maintain a fragile hold on reality created a veil between the patients and the world. It was palpable in her resonance, just a little bit off, a little bit dimmer than everyone else's. Aia's gift itched on her fingertips, eager to be put to use.
Aia pulled a stool from the foot of the sickbed to complement the four chairs at the table. The party collapsed into the chairs. They had extended their travel day by several hours to make up the few extra miles to Nivenea.
Kyren began putting water into the kettle while a cheerful fire was going strong in the hearth. Once Aia's cheeks began to regain their sensation, she and the others stripped off their cold weather gear. In another life they might have been a group of friends sitting down to chat about their respective days.
"Tell me what happened from the beginning, since Lenna and Alteas disappeared," said Aia.
Kyren set four mugs and tea balls on the table, straddling the stool. He carefully regarded his male counterparts, all of whom were studying him critically.
"I don't know as much as I'd like to," he began. "After they disappeared, there was silence for a few days. There was no public announcement, just rumors and whispers. Some said that one of the barons stepped up to rule, but most people knew that it was Leniq giving commands. The people started asking the clergy for a timeline on when the divine council would meet. Then more people started disappearing. Healers, Justices, Clergy, even Engineers and Greens. It was slow at first, but then clinics started shutting down and the blight touched... became homeless." Kyren spared a glance at Raelle. "People in Nivenea became frightened by them. Some tried to leave the city; some spread the rumor that a plague of blight was upon us. When the clinic healers went looking for answers, we could not find Telani. He'd been taken, too."
"Have all the barons left?" Garren asked.
"Not that I know of. Just the barons of gifted trades," Kyren replied.
"And that's all you know?" Teveres pressed.
"I only know what I can see. Leniq is in control of the city, I believe, but I don't know what he's doing or why he's taking gifted people. When they came to my clinic Raelle snuck us out the back door. We managed to pass unseen through the streets and make it beyond the wall through a passage she knew of. If it weren't for her I would never have made it here."
Aia gave Raelle a warm smile. The girl wrapped her arms around her legs, hiding her face.
"Now what I want to know is why you left," said Kyren, leaning forward on the table. & { th>I
Veni's story is not yours to tell, Teveres communicated with Aia.
Fair. Aia poured boiling water into her mug, savoring the smell of brewing tea. The motion gave her the break she needed to collect her thoughts before she began their story. She walked Kyren through everything - her status as Deldri, meeting Garren, Drei's demands, the encounter at Torvid's rest, and the incidents in Vail. The others helped her when his questions tested the limits of even her understanding of what happened. By the end of her oration Kyren was staring at all of them in stunned silence.
Raelle, in contrast, was on the end of her bed listening intently. Though her thoughts were sluggish, she was a bright young woman beneath her illness.
The silence dragged on long enough that Aia felt compelled to intervene. She cleared her throat. "Well?"
"I... always knew there was something strange about you. Obviously." Kyren shook his head. "I know you're being truthful, but everything you've said is so unbelievable - especially-" he looked at Teveres, primal fear edged into his eyes. "You're possibly the most dangerous person I've ever been in the same room with."
"I am." Teveres's reply was curt. He took a sip of his drink, setting it down soundlessly. "What of it?"
"You're very calm."
"I would hardly be effective otherwise."
Aia narrowed her eyes. Why are you being an ass?
I'm... being direct. His eyes softened, I will make an effort to be less abrasive. If it pleases you.
It pleases me.
Teveres cocked his head to the side, still wearing his damnable impassive mask.
"Alright." Kyren said indifferently, oblivious to Aia's private exchange. "Well, I'm surprised that all of you made it back here in one piece."
"Likely not as surprised as I," Les said with an amiable grin, lightening the mood. "Cut up my hands on swords until they told me which end was which. I expected to be dead by the end of a week."
Thank you, Aia whisper
ed into Les's consciousness.
Les gave her a slight shrug. It was nothing, he thought, knowing she would hear.
"What are the defenses in Nivenea?" Garren asked, zeroed in on what was truly important. "Is there traffic in and out of the city?"
"Out, some, but not in,&q {butivate exuot; said Kyren. "I tried to go back into town just for a general goods run, but there were Justices at the stables and the pedestrian gates. They turned away some travelers before I got there, said there was a plague in the city."
"Why would no one be allowed in?" Aia looked to Garren.
There were no answers in his blue eyes. "Unless they are planning to cull the city or wage war I cannot understand it. They are already in control. It does not fit."
"It's the truth," said Kyren.
"I do not think you lie," Garren smiled in his not-so-comforting way. "You have healthy fear. Too much fear to lie."
"I... thank you?"
"You are welcome."
Aia didn't know whether to laugh. Garren's occasional attempts at what she assumed to be humor always left her puzzled.
"I take it we're going to find out why sometime soon," said Les.
"In the morning," Garren agreed. "Nivenea's wall connects to underground tunnels. The tunnels connect to the prison. It is our best approach."
"You've been down there?" Kyren asked.
Garren's nonplussed expression made Aia snigger. The Kaldari scout continued without addressing the question. "This is the best option that I know. Does anyone have a better idea?"
"Any other idea would be better." Teveres spoke abruptly, "The wall is full of Justices. It's where they live."
"It should not be a problem for you," Garren replied.
"I don't want to burn our way to the prison."
"Then you explain your better plan."
Clearly, he did not have one.
"Please, don't let us keep you up," Kyren motioned open-handed, eager to move on to another topic. "You must be tired."
"I will take first watch after we work through our strategy," Garren announced. "We move for Nivenea at dawn."
"I'll take first watch," Aia said quickly. "I have some things to do here, and I'd like to speak further with Kyren. Everyone, make yourselves at home. Everything that is mine is yours as well."
Garren inclined his head. "It is your domain, it is your choice."
"I'll take that as a 'thank you.'"
* * *
When the others finally began bedding down, Aia beckoned Raelle into the corner and began to apply her healing skills. The men averted their gazes, talking in hushes voices about who would sleep were.
Raelle was skittish, twitching at every sound and sudden movement. Calmly as she could, Aia had her patient sit on the edge of the bed, hands on her knees. She closed her eyes and focused. Bringing Raelle's resonance back into harmony shot pain through Aia's joints, rocking her back on her heels.
Unwavering hands reached out to catch her. When Aia recovered, she saw a new person in front of her. The muscles in Raelle's face awakened, giving her a sharper, more alert appearance.
"Are you okay?" The sleepiness was gone; in its place was the voice of a girl coming into adulthood, strong and kind.
"I'm fine," Aia accepted her help to climb back into a seated position on the bed. "Are you...?"
"Yes." Raelle breathed a sigh of relief, "That was amazing."
"It was nothing."
"No, it's... I can't believe it. I haven't felt this way in..." She shook her head. "I was smart once." Raelle looked into Aia's eyes with profound sorrow, and just a touch of guilt.
"You're still-"
"I didn't believe it," the girl said hurriedly. The story of her past was busting to get out. "I used to say I was stupid because being humble is nice. I didn't realize that I was really smart until this happened to me. Now I'm sorry I didn't think so before. I could have done things." Raelle frowned, "I could have tried."
"I can't imagine what that must be like," Aia watched Raelle's face closely with an empathetic posture. Aia had always feared contracting the blight. If ever there was a hell, it would be existing trapped inside a mad dream with no way out.
"I tried to kill myself." Raelle's smile was bleached of joy as she continued, "I climbed to the top of the pyramid and threw myself off, except I didn't. I was on a bunk in the clinic and broke my wrist. I can't tell if I'm dreaming or if I'm awake, or if here is a dream and the nightmare is real."
"This is real." Aia reached for Raelle's hand, drawing the girl's haunted gaze up to hers. "I'm real."
"Only for a minute." Raelle shook herself, "Thank you for what you did for me. Being awake... it's a good change."
"I wish I could make it forever."
"I guess I'll just have to follow you for the rest of my life."
Aia swallowed. If she could cure them all, spend her every day fixing them, she would. It was futile. To care for one would take all the energy she would have, every day. It was a horrid disease that she hated to her core, but which she could do so little to fix. The blight always came back, slowly bending the harmonious resonances until the suffer {il ut ers wandered through the world lost in dreams. There were other illnesses in the land which caused hallucinations, but none swallowed victims as effectively as the blight.
"Don't be sad," said Raelle, "Not for me. I'm better off than most."
"You shouldn't have to deal with all of this. No one should."
"Not everything happens like it should."
Aia could hardly argue with the truth.
Raelle fell asleep soon after the healing, exhausted but clear-headed. Aia only wished that her skills would work for more than just a few days.
As the men settled in, Aia went about her usual business, putting away her things and keeping up with the fire. Mundane tasks took on a new significance in the face of her recent travels. When everyone was content, Aia invited Kyren to join her outside with the horses. He seemed happy to have a moment alone with her, even if the temperature was less than ideal.
They began caring for the animals in silence, working in tandem the way they used to work as students in the University. It was some time before Kyren dared to speak.
"Your friends are... interesting," he said.
Aia smirked. She used a brush on Winter, whose skin rippled with delight. "That's a polite way of saying that you don't like them."
"I don't really know them."
"Mm-hm."
Kyren went quiet again, his curious energy bumping up against her while she worked beside him.
"So is he nicer when you're reading his mind, or is he always that much of a bastard?" he finally said.
"Which 'he' are you talking about?"
"You know which one," Kyren laughed. "I've treated enough Kaldari to deal with Garren. He's actually pretty nice for a warrior type. I might be more concerned if you weren't the one saying he was trustworthy..."
"I can't hear Garren's thoughts." She could see his eyebrows rise almost to his hairline at the statement. "I mean, I can hear them. I just don't speak Kaldari."
"Are you crazy?" Kyren hissed, "What am I saying? He could be crazy for all you know."
"I know plenty. You heard the story. He saved us in Torvid's Rest, and he's been good to us ever since."
Kyren sighed loudly. He stopped his work and leaned against the dilapidated waist-high fence. "I worry about your judgment sometimes."
"Well do {&qu"In't. I've gotten this far."
"I see." Kyren unceremoniously dropped the issue. "So this other guy-"
"Teveres."
"-this other guy. He's just rude?"
"He can be charming," Aia hedged, "He's just not charming with you."
"Oh, so he's charming to you, then. I thought as much the way he looked at you."
"No, no." Aia stepped aside to look Kyren straight on. "We're just friends, that's all. It's complicated for him."
"Because he murders people?" The cutting remark was a bit ch
eap, but not completely unwarranted.
Aia masked an inner cringe. "That's part of it."
"This whole thing is too much. It's too fast. I don't like the way things are going, Aia."
"That's the point. We don't like where things are going, either."
"There are four of you," he raised an eyebrow, "You think that three - Deldri, you called yourselves? - and a Kaldari mercenary are going to take Nivenea from the High Priest and stop the Kaldari army? If that's all Nivenea's got protecting her, I'm not very optimistic. I'm sorry."
"We can't just sit back knowing what we know and wait to see what happens."
"You could. You're just a healer. You don't have to be mixed up in this."
"I'd never forgive myself if I let them go without me." Aia leaned on the fence next to him, staring at the scraggly grass at her feet. "I might not have anything to offer in this... whatever this is... but I don't know what else to do. They're my friends, and Nivenea is my home. I didn't go looking for this. It came to me."
Kyren's shoulder brushed against hers, warming her skin through the fabric. "Don't die out there."
Aia laughed. "Good advice."
"No, I mean that. You almost died on me once. Don't take any risks you don't have to."
"I love you too. I won't let anything happen to me. I've gotten good with a knife."
"Believe that when I see it," he teased, genuine concern just below the surface.
They returned to their tasks. Fatigue was making her muscles feel old and tattered, but Aia refused to let it overtake her. She insisted that Kyren return inside once the animals were cared for. She wanted to linger a while longer by herself in the garage, surrounded by her own objects. If she tried, she could almost pretend that her new friends were not drifting to sleep in her house, that Kyren was still at work in {l aied,the asylums and Nivenea was safe as it ever was.
Almost, but not quite.
When Aia turned to walk back to the cottage, Teveres caught her by surprise. She didn't notice him approaching, his presence physically and energetically quiet. He was leaning casually against the doorway, his black sweater tight against his skin. He eyed her quietly, the way he looked at her that day they practiced with knives in Torvid's Rest. She would have felt more comfortable if he was holding a dagger.
Tragedy (Forsaken Lands) Page 24