Oathtaker

by Patricia Reding

  Sounds of shuffling made their way through the wall, cutting off the next few words. Then came the end of Lilith’s comments, “. . . and of course, the children.”

  Children? I thought she was looking for a single child.

  “Astounding, isn’t it?”

  “One would have been enough. But two? Isn’t it just like Rowena to pull a stunt like this!”

  Two children? Rowena’s? She bore twins? But the Select never had twins!

  There were more unintelligible sounds, then Lilith said, “And that woman. She’ll pay.”

  “He seems entirely smitten with her.”

  Who? Who’s ‘she?’ Who’s ‘he?’ With whom is ‘he’ smitten?

  All was silent for a minute. “I’ll kill him,” Lilith then said, her words as clear as though she stood right next to Velia. “I’ll kill them all.”

  The Oathtaker nearly gasped, the voice sounded so close. She willed herself to remain still. She wondered if Lilith had discovered the knothole. Then the voice quieted again. “Really, Edmond, I’m tired.”

  Velia thought about what she’d heard and what it all meant. So Rowena had born twins. But who was the woman to whom they referred? And where were they all going anyway?

  Dear Ehyeh, tell me more. Use me. Guide me. Help me!

  The day dawned with a weak sun that crept in through the dirty window. A few of the first birds of spring called out to one another, breaking the silence of the countryside, but the crows’ screeching on the grounds of, and in the air around the inn, quickly drowned them out.

  Velia continued to find it odd that wherever Lilith went, the scavengers followed and even seemed to multiply. Did the woman do something purposefully to attract them? Or did they simply follow her of their own accord? Crows had always reminded the Oathtaker of darkness and evil. Now that feeling intensified.

  She ached all over. Her head hurt from the stink of the inn. Her knees rebelled from her nightlong position. Her back cramped as though someone had locked her inside a box for days.

  She tried to stretch out her kinks and pains, but her efforts were to little avail. She held her head between her hands for a moment. It throbbed to the beat of her heart. Today would be difficult riding, but she couldn’t let on that she’d not slept or Lilith might grow suspicious.

  She listened for sounds from the next room. When it was clear that Lilith had awakened and was preparing to leave, Velia collected her things. After what seemed an eternity, a knock came at her door.

  “Are you ready?” Lilith asked.

  “Certainly.” Velia followed Lilith and Edmond down the stairs. She couldn’t wait to take in a breath of fresh air.

  When she stepped outside, she breathed in deeply. Unfortunately, the stink of the place seemed stuck in her nostrils. She found a hankie in her pack and blew her nose. It didn’t help. She tried again.

  “Something wrong?”

  Velia looked at Lilith. “Oh, no. Why?”

  “You sick or something?”

  “No, just trying to clear my nose of the smell of the place.”

  Lilith’s brow furrowed. “The smell of the place?” She looked back at the inn. “What smell?”

  The Oathtaker, shocked to realize that the woman had been unaware of the stench of death permeating The Resting Place, glanced at the inn, then turned her gaze back. For a moment her mouth hung open. “Oh,” she finally said, “I just meant that it was dusty in there.”

  Lilith raised her head. Her chin jutted forward. “Let’s go.”

  They met up with Jabari who’d already prepared their horses, then set out with him in the lead.

  Velia rode behind Lilith and Edmond, hoping they might pick up their conversation from the night before. Finally, a few relevant words floated back her way including “City of Light.” She surmised that they might be headed there.

  When the day wound to a close, they again found refuge. Fortunately, the accommodations were better than the night before. Unfortunately, Velia’s room was across the hall from Lilith’s.

  After dinner, the Oathtaker excused herself and made her way up the stairs. For a moment, she stood outside her door. The innkeeper’s wife, a short plump woman with manly features and mannerisms, passed behind.

  “Excuse me, ma’am?”

  “Yes?”

  “Is that room taken?” Velia pointed to a room diagonal to her own.

  “Is there something wrong with your room?”

  “Oh, no, thank you for asking. I was just . . . curious.”

  “Do you want me to change your accommodations? No one is checked in there yet.”

  “No, but thank you.” The Oathtaker went into her room, waited for a minute, then re-opened her door a crack and peeked into the hall as the innkeeper’s wife descended the stairs.

  Velia darted across the hall and tried the door handle. It turned. She stepped inside, shut the door, then approached the wall separating the room from Lilith’s.

  A built-in closet occupied one corner. She entered it, closed the door, then allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkness. With her hands, she examined the wall. She found an opening, though it was very small. She might be able to hear if she had her ear right to it. She retraced her steps back to her own room, then waited.

  A short time later, Lilith and Edmond made their way up the stairs. When a knock came at her door, Velia opened it.

  “We’ll leave at first light,” Lilith said cryptically.

  “I’ll be ready. Is that all?”

  “That’s all.”

  Lilith entered her room. Edmond, behind her, turned Velia’s way. His eyes ran up and down her form. Carrying a bottle of wine and two glasses, he motioned to her, suggesting he’d be willing to share with her rather than with Lilith. The Oathtaker stood firm at his effrontery, but she certainly hoped the alcohol would loosen his lips. She closed her door and paced.

  The minutes dragged. She pulled her hair back and tied it up. She cracked open her door. The hallway was empty. She crossed the hall and then, upon hearing someone at the bottom of the stairs, quickly entered the room next to Lilith’s. She tiptoed to the closet, stepped inside, dropped down to the floor, then pressed her ear to the wall.

  “But you can’t do anything at sanctuary,” came Edmond’s voice.

  “Of course I can.”

  “But—”

  “Oh, Edmond, the only sanctuary I need fear is the one in Polesk.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “It was built with magic.”

  “Really?” He sounded surprised.

  “Yes. The windows were made from the magic of Oathtakers. I could not, now that I serve Daeva, do anything there.”

  Daeva! Lilith serves Daeva? Oh, she must be stopped!

  “But I thought that was true of all sanctuaries.”

  “No, it’s a myth—that all sanctuaries were built with magic—that the Select perpetuated. It serves them well.”

  “So you think—”

  Velia could not hear the rest of Edmond’s question.

  The cork of the wine bottle popped.

  “Well of course we can’t stay at the—what was the name of that place?”

  Edmond’s response was too quiet to hear.

  “Yes, well we can hardly go riding up to the door there, Edmond, and ask for them. But—”

  This time it was Lilith’s words that Velia could not make out.

  “Maybe,” Edmond said.

  “You said Dixon trusted you—that you won Mara over.”

  “He does, and I did. But Dixon is just so . . . insufferable. There’s definitely something going on between those two.”

  “But you could get them to go where you direct?”

  “I think so.”

  “We have to take them by surprise, you know.”

  “Yes, I know. From what Dixon says, Mara takes her position as Oathtaker to the girls very seriously. He says she studies all the time, that she’s consumed with issues like what she’s to do if the
interests of the girls are at odds—things like that.”

  “Well I intend to put her to the test.”

  “I wonder whose interests she’d put first if Dixon’s were at odds with those of the girls.”

  “Oh, Edmond, that is a delicious thought!”

  He laughed. “I understand her magic is very strong—but there are limits. She can’t travel with the girls and Dixon at the same time.”

  Travel? What does that mean?

  “How do you intend to take her down anyway?” Edmond asked.

  “What? She’s not vulnerable to a good old-fashioned stabbing? The point of an arrow? Or have you forgotten this?”

  What is ‘this?’ Velia tried to peek through the hole in the wall, but the opening was too small to see anything.

  “You intend to use that?”

  “Why not?” Lilith quipped. “It would serve all those do-gooders right to—”

  The rest was unintelligible.

  Edmond laughed. Glasses clinked.

  Velia gasped as the door to the room in which she was in, opened. From outside the closet door came voices.

  “Will this do?” the innkeeper asked. “There’s a place for your things, water, soap, and towels.” A second passed in silence. “The dining room is still open. Or we can bring your dinner here if you like.”

  “Yes, that would be good. Thank you.”

  Velia’s heart beat wildly. She could be stuck here all night. There would be trouble if Lilith looked for her later.

  “On second thought, no. No, thank you. I’ll get settled in and then be down for dinner shortly.”

  Slowly, Velia exhaled. She listened as the innkeeper left the room, then rose to her feet. She stood behind the door, in the event it opened. Just as she made her way there, it did. She tightened up against the wall. The pattern of light on the floor grew. Then it stopped and the door closed again.

  Her heart still pounding, she listened for more. Something dropped on the floor, then water splashed. Minutes later, the door to the room opened and closed. She waited. Might he return? Did she dare stay to hear more? No, she couldn’t risk someone finding her in a stranger’s room.

  She peeked out. The room was empty. She made her way to the door that exited into the hallway. Placing her ear to it, she listened. She heard nothing. Wait . . . Someone knocked on a door, once, then twice. Apparently, no one answered. Were they knocking on her door? More seconds passed, then someone went down the stairs.

  Again the Oathtaker peeked out. Finding the way clear, she dashed across the hall and opened her door. She stepped inside and turned to close it, just as Lilith’s door opened.

  “Going somewhere?”

  “Lilith, did you knock?” Velia’s breath came heavy in her fear and surprise. “I’m sorry, I must have dropped off.”

  “No, I didn’t knock.”

  “Oh, all right then. I thought I heard someone knocking at my door. I guess it awakened me, but it must have been for someone else.”

  Lilith smiled weakly. Her eyes narrowed. “Velia, I’d like for you to ride next to me tomorrow.”

  “Me! But I thought you preferred Edmond’s company.”

  “I just think it would be good to get to know you a bit better.”

  “Well, I’d be . . . honored. Good night, ma’am.”

  Lilith said nothing.

  Velia closed her door. She leaned her back against it and exhaled slowly. That was a close call, but she’d learned so much. Now she could make her way to the City of Light to find Dixon and this—Mara, warn them of the danger they were in, and tell them how Lilith intended to trap them and to harm the girls.

  Did she dare leave tonight? No, she’d best get some sleep first. If she was to make her way to the city before Lilith, it was essential she first see to that detail.

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  They traveled over rocky terrain cut through by the river that ran north to south across Oosa and that wound its way through the City of Light. It was evidence they neared their destination.

  Lilith insisted that Velia ride near her and behaved as though she didn’t want the Oathtaker out of her sight. For the past two nights she’d even arranged for them to room together. Knowing Lilith observed her carefully, Velia felt more and more like a prisoner with each passing moment.

  She led Victory into the stables when Lilith went inside to arrange for their rooms. Edmond, awaiting Jabari’s assistance with Bob and Donagh, eyed her closely—and much to her chagrin. She longed for a moment alone, a moment to give thought to how she might escape Lilith’s clutches. She started removing Victory’s saddle.

  “I’ve got it,” Jabari said, startling her out of her reverie.

  “No, really, I’d like to groom her myself this time.”

  He shrugged and walked away.

  Moments later, Lilith returned. “Your room is ready, Velia.”

  The Oathtaker looked up. “I’d like to see to Victory myself this evening.”

  Lilith sighed. “Very well, but I’ll expect you in for dinner soon.” She turned to Jabari. “The staff will deliver yours here,” she said, then headed back to the inn with Edmond.

  Currycombs and brushes hung from rusty nails on the wall. Velia started in with her task. Stopping to offer Victory a handful of grain, she smiled at the whisper soft feel of the equine’s muzzle. She patted her neck. “Good girl.”

  “She’s not going to let you out of her sight, you know,” came a voice just above a whisper.

  Velia turned at the sound. Jabari stood just feet away from her. She stepped back and instinctively reached for her blade.

  “You won’t be needing your blade,” he said as he hefted Bob’s saddle off the beast. He turned away to place it over a sawhorse. What would have been a burden to the average person appeared of little difficulty to the brawny man.

  Velia’s eyes followed his every move. “What are you talking about?”

  He looked toward the inn, then back at her. “Something roused her suspicions. What’d you do?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Nothing.”

  “Well if you’re going to get away from her, which it appears to me—and apparently to her, as well—has been your objective for days now, you’re going to need my help.” He removed Donagh’s saddle.

  “And why would I accept help from you?”

  “Because,” he stood unwavering, “Lilith is an evil woman and she must be stopped.”

  “Wh—ah—” She stuttered. “What are you talking about? You—one of her hired thugs?”

  “Wasn’t hired.” He set the saddle down and started grooming Bob’s coat.

  Velia turned back to brush Victory. “You weren’t hired? What? You joined Lilith’s campaign of death for the fun of it?” She glanced at Jabari. “You’re despicable.”

  He stepped toward her. “I wasn’t hired, I’m not one of her ‘thugs,’ and I have no part in her plans.”

  She bit the inside of her cheek and looked him over carefully. “You certainly look like one of them.”

  “Well then, I guess my disguise has served its intended purpose.” He stepped away, then resumed grooming Bob.

  Velia watched him for a long moment. “Well, you’re certainly a man of few words. So, are you just going to leave me in suspense here? What’s this all about?”

  He turned toward her and reached back. When he brought his hand forward, he held what was unmistakably an Oathtaker’s blade.

  Her mouth dropped open. Her eyes narrowed. “I don’t understand.”

  He put his finger to his lips and looked toward the inn where someone had just stepped out. Seconds later, the smell of burning pipe tobacco wafted through the air. When it reached the inside of the stables, Victory stomped a foot and snorted. Velia patted the animal’s back, hip, then rump, as she made her way around to the other side.

  “Tell me more, Jabari.”

  “Name’s not Jabari.”

  She sighed. “You know, Lilith is likely to come out here, or to send
someone to check on me, any minute now. Do you think you could dispense with the ‘strong and silent’ image long enough to just fill me in? What are you doing with her? Why didn’t you tell me earlier that you’re an Oathtaker? Why haven’t you tried to stop her?”

  She checked herself, realizing that her voice had risen. “I don’t understand,” she said, dropping to a whisper.

  Jabari glanced at her. “Keep your voice down. Keep busy there, and listen up. My name is Jerrett. I lived in one of the towns Lilith passed through on her campaign shortly before you showed up. When I saw what was happening, I knew I had to learn more. Who’d believe any of what we’ve seen?”

  He brushed Bob. “I dressed myself as close to the look of Lilith’s men as I could so I would fit in. Fortunately I have some leftover tattoos from my young and restless days. They don’t know who’s who anyway.” He put the brush down. “As to doing something to stop Lilith, I might ask you the same thing.”

  She pursed her lips. “Go on.”

  “That’s pretty much it. I infiltrated. Later, I offered to accompany Lilith on this mission. None of the others wanted to go anyway, so that part was easy. That’s all.”

  He moved Bob back and brought Donagh forth. “Quiet down. Quiet down,” he said to the animal, stroking its neck gently. As though by magic, the horse shook its head and dropped it in submission.

  “You have a way with him.”

  “He’s mine. We’re closely connected by attendant magic.”

  “Why aren’t you riding him yourself? Why have Edmond ride him?”

  “Like I said, we’re closely connected by attendant magic.”

  “So—what? He talks to you?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “What then?”

  “Sometimes he acts as my ears.”

  “Any other powers?”

  Jerrett shrugged. “Mostly just powers related to hearing. You know, like the ability to hear at considerable distances, that sort of thing.”

  “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

  His face registered no emotion. “Because I thought you might be helping Lilith.”

  “And now you don’t?”