by Brenda Poppy
Just as she had expected, Jez stopped at the end of the long building, rapping his knuckles quickly on the large wooden door. A muffled “come in” issued from within, and Jez ushered them inside.
This room was bigger than the others Burn had seen, taking up roughly double the space. It was cluttered with round tables surrounded by chairs, in addition to a long desk set against the far wall. Just like the others, this room was adorned in intricate patterns, with brilliant blues and yellows and oranges painted onto the walls in minute detail.
There was also a man. Burn sized him up, studying his appearance in hopes of discerning something useful. He was tall, although nowhere near Hale’s size. His thick dark hair was graying at the temples, and his tanned skin was just beginning to wrinkle. Judging from the calluses on his hands and the muscular set of his shoulders, he looked like the kind of man who liked to labor alongside the people rather than above them. Burn could work with that.
Jez spoke first. “I’m glad I caught you, sir. I was afraid I’d have to go on another scavenger hunt through the city to track you down.” He spoke in a respectful yet familiar tone, one that suggested they were, in fact, on fairly equal footing.
“I’m happy I could make things easy for you today, Jez,” the man responded lightly. “Now, who do we have here?” He indicated Burn and Hale, looking inquisitively between them.
“Ah, yes. These are the latest victims of the Pit. Found ‘em as they were leaving the tunnel. They got a bit loopy from the air out here, but they seem to be coming around now.”
“Wonderful,” said the man, whom Burn took to be Imber. He made his way around the desk and stood before them, looking them up and down as if appraising their value. “Now, tell me what you can do. Or, better yet, show me.”
Right to the point, then. Burn briefly considered how she could demonstrate her ability in a way that would impress this man, but before she could land on anything, Hale lurched forward and strode past the group toward Imber’s desk. Without a word, he grabbed the heavy stone that made up the desk’s top and lifted it above his head. He held it there for a minute, no obvious strain evident on his face, before placing it gently back down on its legs.
Imber appeared suitably impressed. “A strong man. Nice. Well, that should come in handy. Our construction crews are always looking for better ways to transport materials. And I bet our citizen militia could use someone like you. I think we’ll keep you.”
With that declaration, he pivoted in place, turning to face Burn. “What about you?”
This was her moment, her chance to shine. But suddenly, she couldn’t think of a single thing to say. Her mind went blank, devoid of everything she had prepared in her defense. Imber began to look annoyed, obviously growing impatient with her silence. So she did the only thing she could think of: She closed her eyes.
Clearing her mind, she opened her ears up to the world. She sifted through the conversations of the city, trying to find anything that could be useful in proving her case.
“Dinner is ready in the mess hall,” she began, roving through the city with her mind. “One of Mendas’ pigs has escaped, and he’s recruited some of the children to help get it back. And there’s a storm on the horizon. It should be here a little after nightfall.”
Burn opened her eyes again, hoping she’d heard enough to convince him, but Imber didn’t seem impressed.
“So…you’re a psychic?” he asked dubiously.
“No,” Burn shot back, trying to remain calm. She didn’t like people judging her, and so far that was all this man seemed to do. It put her in a foul mood. She took a breath to steady herself before continuing. “I hear things. Secrets and plots and approaching enemies. Things that are coming – and things people want to keep hidden.”
To Burn’s consternation, Imber did not look enthused about her gift – or what it could bring to Videre. He scrunched up his face in consideration, gently shaking his head.
Burn tried again. “I can act as a guard up on the walls. I saw them as we were coming in. I can hear beyond what the human eye can see. I can tell you when danger is coming before any of them can.”
To her dismay, Imber’s headshaking became more pronounced. “We already have someone with enhanced sight. I don’t know what you could provide that she can’t. Besides, if you’re that good of a guard, how did you get caught back in Kasis? Shouldn’t you have heard them coming?”
Her eye twitched in fury, but she bit her tongue, straining to remain calm despite his condescension.
He considered her for a few more seconds before going on. “Everyone here has a role. For their service, they get food and shelter. They get to live in safety. But we’re not a charity. We have limited resources and can’t go around giving them to everybody. That’s why…”
Yet Burn never learned what it was he was going to say. At that moment Hale stepped in – literally. He placed himself between Burn and Imber, crossing his arms in his best “imposing” pose.
“She’s also my wife,” he said matter-of-factly.
Chapter 5
Burn couldn’t move. Or speak. Or think. She merely stood there, so surprised by Hale’s declaration that her body seemed to have gone numb.
His wife? Why had he just said that she was his wife?
Hale looked down at Burn, clearly trying to communicate something, but she was at a loss. Then he opened his mouth a fraction and shut it hard. Burn realized that her mouth was hanging open and closed it, trying to adopt an expression of nonchalance.
“Well then, that’s a different matter entirely,” Imber stated, his voice abruptly losing its stiffness. “I would love to have you and your wife join us in Videre as our newest citizens. Welcome to our little slice of paradise, Mr.…?”
“Just call me Hale,” he said firmly. He glanced at Burn and, upon observing that she was still too stunned to talk, he introduced her, as well. “And my wife here is Auburn. Although most people call her Burn. And thank you for your hospitality. We’re delighted to have found such a welcoming place in our time of need.”
“No, thank you, Hale. I’m sure we’re the lucky ones,” Imber said smoothly. “Now, Jez will show you to your accommodations. Once you have a chance to clean up, it would be a pleasure to have you join us for dinner. As your wife so accurately deduced, the food is ready and waiting. I’m sure the rest of the townsfolk will be delighted to meet you. Then tomorrow, you’ll start work! Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a few more matters to attend to before supper.”
With a nod, Imber shepherded them out into the hallway and shut the door behind them. Next to them, Jez looked inordinately pleased.
“I was hoping you two would get to stay,” he whispered conspiratorially as they walked toward the entrance. Neither Hale nor Burn replied, so he kept going, “I could tell from the moment I met you that you two are incredibly powerful. Imber likes the powerful ones. And the great thing about living in the wildlands is that our gifts become even stronger.”
Hale latched onto that the second it was out of Jez’s mouth. “What do you mean we become stronger?”
“Oh, of course. I should explain. You should probably know what you’re in for. Yeah, it’s something about the atmosphere out here. Maybe the radiation is higher. Maybe there’s something in the air. We’re not entirely sure what causes it, but everyone with gifts seems to get stronger. I imagine you’ll be able to move heavier and heavier objects. And Burn…well, I don’t know. Maybe you’ll be able to hear even better?”
Jez led them out onto the street, still talking merrily. “For me, it’s animals. I could kind of communicate with bugs and the like in Kasis. Out here, though, I can connect with almost anything. It’s not talking.” He gave a short, dry laugh. “Animals can’t talk, obviously. It’s more general ideas and such. But now I look after the animals here – and there are so many more types of animals to look after! I’ll have to show you sometime. It’ll blow your minds.”
He walked them down the main thoroughfa
re for a minute before making a sharp right turn between two buildings, leading them down a semi-shaded lane. As the suns dropped below the horizon, the air was rapidly cooling, and Burn found herself shivering in her thin garments.
Of course, Jez noticed. “The temperature change is always a bit of a shock to our new residents. They’re so used to the temperature-controlled Kasis, where it never drops below freezing. Out here, the nights can be brutal. Just be glad you got to stay! Otherwise you’d have had to find your own shelter for tonight. And don’t worry, we’ll get you some warmer clothes. There should be a few spare items at the boarding house you can use for the time being. That’s where we’re headed – the boarding house.”
He took a few more turns, and Burn, coming back to herself slightly, tried to commit them to memory.
“You’ll stay in the boarding house until you can build a house of your own. Or until one of the others becomes free. But the boarding house is nice enough – indoor facilities and a comfy bed to sleep on. Plus, you’ll get to meet some of the other newbies. It’s a great bonding opportunity.”
While Burn appreciated the intel he was providing, Jez’s incessant chatter and unending optimism were beginning to get on her nerves. She was obviously glad they hadn’t kicked her out, but she resented being deemed unessential and considered “less than” Hale.
While Jez had been talking, an overwhelming exhaustion had overcome her, seeping into her bones and leaching into the crevices of her brain. All she felt like doing was locking herself in a room, collapsing on the bed, and not moving until tomorrow. Yet it didn’t look like she was going to get that luxury.
Jez stopped in front of a sturdy two-story building capped with a small patio. Two stone columns rested in front, holding up a cantilevered room that provided shade to the entrance.
Jez knocked briskly on the front door. “I hope the landlady’s in,” he said to no one in particular. “There’s a chance she’s already gone down to dinner. In that case, we might be out of luck.”
But his fears were for nothing because a few seconds later, a round woman with long gray hair and sharp eyes opened the door and stared up at them.
Jez stepped back, addressing her. “Evening, Luce. I’d like to introduce Hale and his wife, Auburn. They’re our newest residents – and they’ll be your new tenants. You do have a spare room, right?” She nodded once, almost reluctantly, and Jez went on, “Marvelous. Well then, I’ll let you take it from here. See you two at dinner!” With that, he strode off, leaving them at Luce’s mercy.
Luce didn’t move aside to let them in. Instead, she looked them up and down, her expression turning into a sneer. Burn didn’t know how, but they already seemed to have made a poor impression. She sighed, the full force of the day’s events catching up to her and worming its way through her body.
Once again, Hale did the talking for both of them. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Luce. We’re so grateful that you’re letting us stay at your wonderful property. But it has been a long day, and my wife and I would truly appreciate it if you could show us where we’ll be staying.”
Burn guessed he was trying to sound charming. She didn’t think it was working. Yet after a moment, Luce gave them another small nod and gestured for them to come inside – although she still didn’t appear happy about their presence.
“You’ll be sleeping in one of the upstairs rooms,” she said, her voice high-pitched and crackling. She led them up a creaking staircase and down a short hallway, stopping outside a closed door with the number four painted on it in a garish green paint.
“I expect you to clean up after yourselves. I don’t tolerate messes, and I don’t tolerate loud tenants. If you disrespect me or my house, you will find yourselves on the streets. Do you understand?” She looked back at them, and they nodded mutely, both too startled to talk back.
“Good. Now, here is your room and here are your keys.” She handed each of them an old-fashioned iron key before abruptly turning and heading back down the stairs.
She was almost as bad as Scar, Burn thought – then immediately regretted it. Thinking of Scar and what she must be going through was too painful, and Burn pushed it to the back of her mind. Now was not the time to dwell. She would save that for later when she was alone.
But, as it turned out, she wouldn’t be getting that much-needed solace. Because as Hale turned the knob and opened the door, they were met with the sight of a tiny room equipped with a single lumpy bed, a shabby desk, a wardrobe, and one solitary window. This was going to be a problem, Burn thought tiredly.
Hale, however, didn’t seem to see the issue. He strode forward and collapsed onto the bed, the furniture groaning and sagging under his weight. Gathering herself, Burn followed him, shutting the door behind her.
“So, we’re married, huh?” Burn asked, her annoyance on full display.
Hale sighed, turning onto his back and putting his hands under his head. “Imber wasn’t going to let you stay. He was going to kick you out into the desert. It was the only way to ensure that you’d be safe.”
Burn chafed at the idea that she needed a man to keep her safe. Hale was, after all, the reason she was out in the wildlands in the first place. If he had been able to protect her, wouldn’t they still be in Kasis? She opened her mouth to say just that, but closed it again, her common sense getting the better of her.
She was angry, yes, but it wasn’t anger toward him. Well, it wasn’t all toward him. She was angry at the Peace Force, at Imber, at these people of Videre who would judge her without even knowing her. And she was angry at herself.
Letting out a deep breath, she rubbed at her tired eyes, resigning herself to the situation at hand.
“So,” she began, seating herself on the bed next to Hale, “how should we do this?”
✽✽✽
A short while later, Burn and Hale made their way to the mess hall. They still didn’t know the layout of the city, but Burn was able to navigate them in the right direction, following the sounds of raised voices and cheerful conversation.
The hall turned out to be a large square building near the center of town, its entrance marked by two towering stone statues. Just like the city itself, the statues seemed to rise from the ground, as if they were carved directly into the sand, and both depicted fearsome fantastical creatures. Well, Burn hoped they were born from fantasy and not reality, although after her experience with the donkey-ram, she couldn’t be quite sure.
The creature on the left appeared to be a bear, although its neck and head were that of a vulture. In its left paw, the creature held a trident – a strange choice, given the arid landscape around them. Guarding the other side was a beast with the body of a man and the head of a deer, with striking antlers branching out above it.
Hale and Burn stood at the doorway for a time, taking in the peculiar specimens. They were intricate, even beautiful in a way, but also altogether alien, and Burn felt achingly out of place. Everywhere they turned, there was another reminder that they weren’t in Kasis anymore. Burn wondered when the shock of their surroundings would fade – and the homesickness along with it.
The pair roused themselves from their momentary stupor and entered the mess hall, with Hale once again leading the way. The room inside was cavernous, consisting of one space with dozens of wooden tables. Each table was equipped with long wooden benches that spanned its length, providing seating for hundreds.
As they entered, a fragile hush fell over the room, all eyes turning in their direction. Burn felt exposed, like she was on display, and she instinctively tried to shrink behind Hale’s large form. She was used to being the one doing the observing, not the one being observed, and the reversal of roles made her uneasy.
Just as she was considering turning around and leaving, a cheerful voice broke the silence.
“Hale and Auburn, welcome! I’m delighted you could join us. It was getting so late that we were beginning to think you wouldn’t make it.”
Burn peeked around Ha
le to see Imber coming toward them from a table at the far end of the room. Burn couldn’t help but notice that his demeanor toward them had changed entirely. He was no longer the same man who had judged them and calculated their worth. Now he addressed them with kindness and mirth, a wide smile lighting up his face. She couldn’t tell if they were real emotions or merely an act he was putting on for his audience.
“Everyone,” he said, turning around to address the gathered crowd, “I’d like to introduce you to your new neighbors: Hale and his wife, Auburn. Oh, sorry, Burn,” he said, correcting himself. “Hale will be joining our construction team and helping out in the militia when needed, and Burn here will be an excellent addition to our town guard.”
A smattering of applause rippled through the crowd, and Burn decided to play along with the charade. She held up her arm and waved at the room, giving them her best glowing smile. Taking her cue, Hale did the same, grinning warmly and waving while wrapping his other arm around Burn. She tried not to flinch at his unexpected touch.
Clearly pleased with their play-acting, Imber concluded his public address. “I know you’ll all be the best neighbors you can be, helping out this delightful couple in any way you can and showing them all the wonderful things Videre has to offer.”
With that, he turned around and lowered his voice, speaking directly to Hale and Burn. “It would be my honor if you’d join me at my table tonight. Although most of us are done eating, I’m sure we can scavenge up a few more plates from the kitchen. I’d love to get to know you both. And I’m sure you have plenty of questions about us, as well.” Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and walked back to his table, evidently expecting them to follow in his wake.