by Dana Davis
“Stop that worrying, Kepriah.” Larisa scolded. “You are sending my hairs on end.”
She fought a sigh as she pulled her cloak tighter to block out a chilled wind that swept down from above. Why in hell and Hollow can we not find a building with a sarding roof? “We really need to learn to shut out each other’s emotions.”
“You think we have not tried?” Larisa turned and scolded Rabbit for getting off his blankets again. Then she marched to his side and planted hands on her hips, fingers tapping in a random sequence. “Kepriah’s healing did not replace the blood you lost. Now, you lie down and rest or I will give you something to make you sleep. And I guarantee it will taste awful.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Rabbit said in a shy voice and he lay back on his blankets. His mates ribbed him about being whipped.
Larisa ignored them and made her way to Patrice, who sat against a wall with a blanket wrapped around her and Gail’s empty leash on the stone floor beside her. Jakon and Palith had re-hung the door they found inside and bolted it shut with a very heavy beam. It had taken three men to lift that beam so there was no chance Gail could run away tonight, unless she could scale a ten-foot wall. Another chilled wind swooped down and Kepriah joined Larisa, while Gail finished with the meal.
“I’m fine.” Patrice brushed Larisa’s hand from her forehead. “For someone who claims not to be a healer, you’re downright annoying about it.”
“I have nothing else.” Larisa felt and sounded hurt.
“Shit. I’m sorry. I’m just tired and edgy.” Patrice leaned toward Kepriah, who sat next to her. “Gail still doesn’t know about the marriage, does she?”
“No. And you two will not say anything.”
Patrice held up her hands in defense. “I have no intentions of telling her. You can take care of that unsavory job. She’ll have a fit when she finds out.”
“No doubt.” Kepriah eyed the girl and fought the urge to groan.
Why did the Moirai choose her to lead this motley group? Not that she would have wanted to take orders from Larisa or Patrice. Neither of them had any inkling about leadership. But Kepriah was used to taking orders, not giving them, orders that she never questioned. Orders that, on occasion, had nearly gotten her killed. She eyed Jakon and the other men as they spoke softly among themselves and caught the glimmer of Jakon’s sword when he shifted his cloak.
Oh, to feel the weight of steel in my hands again. The scepter was capable of far worse but Kepriah would feel better if it resembled a blade instead of a staff.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Patrice uttered.
“What?”
“Something my mother used to say. It means what are you thinking?”
Kepriah realized both sisters waited for an answer. She felt their anticipation through the link and could see the glimmer of soft eye tissue aimed in her direction. She smirked and kept her voice low. “Just wondering why the Moirai put me in charge of an arranged marriage.”
“Better you than me,” Patrice said.
“I do not envy you that task, Kepriah,” Larisa said. “But you do like to bully people.”
Patrice shifted her weight. “Well said, sister. Besides, I like having Gail around.”
Neither responded to Kepriah’s raised eyebrow, so she said, “You just do not like to cook, Patrice.”
“You figure that out all by yourself? My, my, aren’t you the genius. I told you I couldn’t cook when you forced me with that stupid scepter of yours. It’s not my fault we’ve been eating meals that taste like old shoes.” Before Kepriah could respond, she turned to Larisa. “And you, there aren’t that many clothes to sew or herbs to gather so you could offer to cook once in a while.”
Kepriah realized through their link that Patrice was genuinely upset with the chore. “That is enough, Patrice. Larisa can help if she wants, but what would you do if you did not cook? What exactly would you contribute? You hate cooking. And I agree you are sarding bad at it. If you used your ring to hunt, you would faint before you could even kill a bloody rabbit. How is your sewing? Just as I thought. So, what can you do, Patrice? I am just panting with anticipation to hear your response.”
“Well, shit, Kepriah. I know books. I have a college degree. Two in fact. I own a bookstore. And I make one hell of a pot of coffee. The only thing I make in the kitchen with any accuracy, I might add.” She did not seem upset that she could not do any of the things Kepriah mentioned.
“Perhaps she could barter,” Larisa said.
“I’m not much of a barterer. We don’t do that in my business.”
Confusion emanated from Larisa. “Then how do you sell anything?”
“We put a price on it and customers buy it or they don’t. That’s how businesses are run where I live.”
Larisa sniffed. “Seems like an awful way to keep them coming back.”
Patrice’s humor caressed Kepriah’s senses. “Oh, they come back. We sometimes discount merchandise for promotions or when we want to get rid of stuff faster. I sell coffee, chocolate, and printed books. Some of my customers stop in every day and buy something. What I wouldn’t give for some coffee on this world.” Patrice had brought up those two food items just about every day she had been here and longing waved from her.
“You will not need it after tomorrow,” Larisa told her. “Kepriah’s friend over there gave me some tea that ‘will put hair on your knuckles’. His words.”
“Warrior’s tea?” Kepriah said hopefully.
“Palith called it that. I have never smelled anything exactly like it. Very strong.”
“It’s a secret blend made especially for warriors. Put pubic hair on a toddler, that stuff will.” Her sisters chuckled. “One cup will keep you up for hours.”
“You do not need warrior tea for that, First.” Jakon sat in front of them and focused golden eyes on Kepriah. They seemed to glow in the dim light. “You have the scepter.”
“Yes, I know, Jakon.” She had used it to stay awake recently and felt the strain of it afterwards. She hoped she would not have to do it again anytime soon. She enjoyed a good night’s sleep as much as the next person. “But remember the smell of that tea in your nose? The weight of it in the mug, warming your hands? The way it feels going down your gullet?”
“Ah, yes. It has been a while but I do remember.” He laughed.
Suddenly, though she could not tell by looking at Jakon, Kepriah remembered Patrice was holding her camouflage spell. Jabber shit! How could I have forgotten? What kind of leader puts her followers at risk like this, especially her own sisters? No wonder the Earth woman looked exhausted and had a short temper. Kepriah took in Palith, Bendi, Bugger, Winker, the prone Rabbit, and Ched, who had barely said two words since he arrived, and wondered just how they would react to Jakon’s true self. Right now, they still saw him as a farmer.
“Patrice. I’m going to have you to release the camouflage.”
The Earth woman snapped her head around and a wave of relief flowed from her, adding to Kepriah’s guilt. She could not let her sisters know how stupid and unobservant she had been and she tried desperately to still her emotions. From the look Larisa gave Patrice, she had forgotten about it, too.
“Palith,” Kepriah called as she got to her feet. “Bring your men over here by the fire.” Once they sat near, all but Rabbit of course, Kepriah motioned Jakon up. “Now that you have proclaimed your loyalty and proven you will follow the Trine without question, you need to know something about Jakon. I urge you not to be startled by what you are about to see.”
“Right,” Palith said. “Weapons at rest. Got that, men?”
“Yes, sir!” came their unison reply.
Kepriah wondered whether they would keep that confidence once they got a gander at Jakon’s eyes in this darkness. She motioned for him to turn and face the men. Gail watched from the fire but the girl had gotten over her initial fear of Jakon’s looks a while ago. Or perhaps she had learned to hide her fear better.
“Now, Patrice.�
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Palith let out a stream of obscenities followed by a bellowing laugh as he stared at Jakon. “Well, I’ll be a donkey’s son. A desert dweller. In the flesh. My dear grandmother used to tell me tales of your people, Jakon. I never thought I would live to see one for myself.”
The younger men did not seem so sure of him but they kept their weapons down. At least that was something.
“Yes, I am a desert dweller. Patrice has been hiding my true appearance while we travel.”
“I can understand why, man. Those eyes would draw unwanted attention. I have some questions, if you do not mind?”
“Not at all.”
The two crossed to the far wall near Rabbit and sat, as Palith’s men moved back to whatever chores they had been doing.
“That went better than I expected,” Patrice said.
Kepriah nodded. “Yes.” I could tell it was hard for them but they proved their loyalty once again.
“I have a question.” Larisa this time.
Kepriah turned to her middle sister, who now stood with her hands on her hips. “Why did you wait so long to reveal Jakon? Patrice is exhausted.”
“I’m fine.”
“You hush. I am the designated healer around here, no matter what Kepriah can do with that scepter. After dinner, little sister, you are going straight to bed.” She folded her arms and faced Kepriah again. “I am waiting for an answer, dear eldest.” Danger touched her voice.
“I had my reasons,” Kepriah said as she tried to ward off Larisa’s anger. The woman made her skin prickle now, but she could not allow the men to hear that she had made such a mistake, especially concerning her own family.
That blonde head turned to the men then down to Patrice and back to Kepriah. Larisa seemed to understand and her anger receded. “Well, next time you plan to keep one of us working so long with magic, will you at least let me in on it? I could have given her some of that tea.”
Kepriah raised a brow. “If I had known about the tea, I could have suggested it.”
“Right.” Larisa sat and leaned in, keeping her voice low. “I guess the three of us need to talk more. We cannot keep secrets like this.” She raised a palm at Kepriah’s started protest. “I realize you have to look like a fearless leader, but I think from now on we need to appear more as the Trine than as separate sisters bickering over rules.”
The woman had a point. “You are right,” Kepriah said in all amazement to herself. “It’s time we became the Trine.”
“And Gail. It will not hurt for her to know we will act together.”
“Now, wait just a damn minute,” Patrice interjected. “How are we supposed to appear as a united front when we can’t even agree among ourselves? On anything?”
“That,” Larisa said, “will have to change.”
“Larisa’s right, Patrice. From now on, we are the Trine, for better or worse. And we must be in agreement, at least in the eyes of others.”
Patrice started to protest again but decided against whatever she was about to say. “Fine,” she uttered, sounding like a wounded adolescent. “But if I have to keep cooking, you better get used to eating old shoe leather.”
With that, Gail called dinner, and Patrice went on about how good it was until Kepriah ordered everyone to bed. No one was in any shape to keep watch. Not tonight. Besides, no one would get through the bolted door.
She glanced at the sky and hoped time did not keep advancing. We will never make it to the hoisting if the bloody sun keeps setting early. Do you hear me, Moirai? If you have any power in this at all, we need more time.
****
In the morning, Patrice announced that her clock seemed to match the rising sun again. Kepriah silently thanked the Moirai for that bit of luck. We just need Selenea to stabilize long enough to do the hoisting. Patrice and Gail heated up last night’s leftovers served with stale bread as they broke fast, though Gail did most of the actual cooking. The girl was turning out to be quite an asset. As long as she does not try to bolt again. That might change once Kepriah revealed why she had brought her along.
Warrior’s tea tasted like liquid gold to Kepriah’s tongue and she waited for it to attack her aching head. Patrice seemed grateful for the tea, saying it had similar effects as the coffee found on her world. Even Rabbit looked better this morning.
Patrice seemed to be taking her Trine role seriously, now. Either that or the tea put her in a better mood. The Earth woman studied her ring often and kept a civil conversation, much to Kepriah’s relief. She, for one, was in no mood for arguing. Despite the tea, her head felt like it was filled with sand. Disturbing dreams had haunted her all night and she woke numerous times, worried that someone was attacking their little hideout. She rolled her shoulders and saw Jakon eyeing her. He gave her a sly smile that would have made her blush had she been a virgin. She winked back and he walked to her.
He placed a brief hand on her shoulder and leaned down to her ear. “You need further release, Noble?”
A smile tugged at her lips. “Maybe later.”
“As you wish.”
What Kepriah wished was that she had never been chosen as one of the Trine, that Selenea was not in danger, and that she held the familiar weight of her sword again. War seemed simple compared to these new tasks she had been given. The scepter leaned against one of the walls like a harmless ornament, but Kepriah could feel its power even without touching it. She also knew its whereabouts without looking, something that she had only recently realized. It also followed her if she strayed too far from it, so she had to be careful around strangers. She held out her right hand and mentally called the weapon to her. Her right palm tingled just before the scepter flew across the width of the stone house, dodging anyone and anything in its path, to rest firmly against her palm.
Gail’s eyes widened as she stared at the scepter, fright crossing her smooth features for an instant. Fear could make even the tamest human do unimaginable things, and Kepriah’s hope that the girl had finally resigned her fate misted away. Kepriah would not leash her again unless she tried to run off, but she would make sure everyone kept an eye on the girl.
She offered the girl a knowing look and pointed to the fire. Gail obediently crouched to finish cleaning but her eyes darted to the scepter numerous times. Perhaps she thought it revealed her every desire, whatever she was planning to do. If so, then that just might keep her under control. For a while anyway.
The men, all but Rabbit, fed and saddled jabbers while the women packed. Kepriah took watch outside the stone house several paces from the door. Something caused the hairs on her neck to stand on end, and her sisters hurried over to join her.
Larisa had her arms crossed over her body as though to ward off cold. “What is that?”
Kepriah studied her sisters and focused on Patrice. “You feel it, too?”
The Earth woman nodded and rubbed at her arms. She held out her hand to study the blue stone around her finger. “I’m not getting any visions.”
“Neither am I,” Larisa said as she studied her talisman.
“Nobles? Is there a problem?”
“Yes, Jakon,” Kepriah told him. “We just have no sarding idea what. Finish getting the jabbers loaded and let us get the hell out of here.”
Before she got three paces, something stung Kepriah’s right shoulder. Her fingers went slack and the scepter fell to the ground. Her leg muscles refused to hold her up any longer, turning to what felt like the equivalent of water, and she collapsed. Her head landed at such an angle that she could see her sisters and Jakon fall to the ground.
She could not move anything but her eyes. What in hell and Hollow is going on? Was her entire party disabled? Someone, a woman perhaps, was giving orders. Jabber shit! She mentally called to the scepter and felt it roll against her fingers but she could not grasp it. Her vision began to tunnel. She fought it, mentally cursing her assailants and calling out for the ancient magic of the scepter, but it was too late. Darkness won out and Kepriah plunged int
o unconsciousness.
Chapter 27
Something sharp had pierced Larisa’s shoulder. From the way her head felt, heavy and full of cotton, and the numbness in her limbs, she had no doubt she should be unconscious right now. But I’m not. Granted, her stomach lurched every time she moved her eyes but she remained awake. She lay on her back, head twisted to one side. Footsteps and murmurs emanated around her but she did not recognize the voices. Who attacked us? Boots stepped near her head and she slammed her eyes shut.
“Hurry up,” a man said. “Get what we came for and get out of here.”
What are they after? Larisa still had her purse strapped to her belt and no one had touched it. Fear swelled when she felt someone stroke her hair. Her limbs were paralyzed. She could not protect herself if someone planned to rape her. Whoever it was drew the hand away and she managed to keep her eyes shut until footsteps receded and it grew quiet. When she got up the nerve to open her eyes again, sunlight stabbed at her vision and her head ached something terrible. She could move her head now and did so, but the world spun around her and all she managed to do was make herself nauseas.
After what seemed an eternity, her limbs responded. Through a lot of huffing and grunting, she managed to roll onto her hands and knees. She stayed that way until her stomach settled. She stilled her mind and mentally reached out for her sisters. She felt Patrice nearby, but Kepriah grew distant. Her eldest sister lived but where was she? Panic surged and Larisa fought it down. It would do no good if one of the Trine and the only healer among them began to shriek like a terrified child. Perhaps she recovered more quickly and followed the attackers. Larisa could hope.
The rest lay about in awkward positions. She crawled to Gail and reached for the girl’s neck to find a strong pulse and steady breathing. Whoever attacked did not want us dead. Which meant the others were probably in the same fix, unconscious and unable to assist.