“It may leave a scar,” he warned them as he produced a small ointment-filled bottle and rubbed a copious amount on the wound, covering both sides. He placed some moss on it, then used the cloth to bandage the wound, making sure it roped tightly around her shoulder, immobilizing her arm. He tugged it twice, then leaned back to admire his work. “I need more alcohol.”
“Why?” Cyrus asked, perplexed. Had Angel more wounds?
The priest shot him a stern look as Xhi fished another flask from a cloth bag and handed it to him. Mellis took a swig and smacked his lips. “Thanks,” he said and gave it back to Xhi, a big grin on his face. “This is thirsty work.”
“What now?” Cyrus asked, taking Angel’s hand in his. A wave of exhaustion crashed over him and he leaned on the tree, closing his eyes for a moment.
Xhi’s voice sounded softer. “You rest.” A rustle was heard behind them, and Xhi nodded towards the immobile foot sticking again out of the bush. “We bury them and make camp. We leave in the morning.” He faced Mellis and pointed at the wounded First. “He needs your help, too.”
The priest made his way towards the injured man, slouching his shoulder resignedly when Xhi addressed the second First. “Don’t leave this man from your sight.”
The Capital
Paul
“To what do I owe this honour?” Paul asked, motioning a servant to fill their glasses. “Bring us some dates,” he told the lithe girl as she approached. “Our Regent likes them.” Somehow, he managed to hide the chill from his voice. Or the wish to see Teo choke on one of the large pits.
“I see you remember my small indulgences,” Teo said as he sat down on one of the large chairs on the veranda. He pressed the cool goblet against his forehead to drain away some of the stifling heat.
“The large ones, too,” Paul blurted out, then regretted it. He was still a prisoner, after all. “At least it’s windy today,” he said, changing the subject.
“Yes,” Teo said with a sigh. “I can’t stand this heat.”
“Jonia’s always windy in August,” Paul said, a faraway look in his eyes. He caught Teo studying him and leaned back. “But that’s not why you visited.”
“Can’t I visit my best friend?” Teo asked and took a sip. He turned his attention to the approaching servant. “Thank you,” he said, picking a few dates. He flung the stones onto the floor and dropped the succulent flesh into his wine, then swirled it with his finger.
A smile stayed plastered on Paul’s face. “Of course, it’s always a pleasure.”
Teo took another sip and pursed his lips. He picked up two more dates and threw them into the goblet. “Don’t bullshit me, Paul. I know you’re mad at me. But I beat you fair and square.”
The smile on Paul’s face widened, teeth showing. I could kill you with my bare hands. “Yes you did. But why are you keeping me here?”
Teo took another sip, and smacked his lips with satisfaction. “If you could stop thinking of ways to murder me for a moment, you’d see we still need each other.”
“You’re king in all but name.” Paul looked away. “What do you need me for?”
Teo waved his hand. “Look around you. I’m surrounded by imbeciles. Did you know that Cyrus and Angel have escaped?”
Paul’s grin melted away, his mind racing. “How would I know that?” Why would the two siblings be together? Had Angel not tried to kill her brother? Or was this another of Teo’s lies?
“It’s only a matter of time before we capture them again, of course, but for now they’re missing. With war approaching, it’s for the best of the realm if I focus my attention on the future. Which means that I need someone I can trust to run things for me. You know, everyday stuff.”
War? “Everyday stuff,” Paul repeated, still trying to make sense of everything. What war? Was Teo going against the Democracies?
“You were always good at everyday stuff,” Teo continued. “Jonia was always run like a fine clock. What’s your secret?”
“Let people do their job,” Paul said with a shrug. “Running a country is like frying small fish. If you never turn them, they burn, but if you turn them too much, they fall apart. The state should only intervene to level the playing field, then get out of the way. People can figure out the rest for themselves.”
Teo clapped his hands. “Perfect. See, that’s exactly the kind of crap I need you for.”
Paul rolled his eyes. “What you need is justice. The only reason why the system works in Jonia is that we have a great judicial system. Over here, however, you’re the justice. If you were to try every case, you’d need a hundred years.”
“See, that’s another thing I didn’t know,” Teo said with enthusiasm. “I thought Jonia’s secret was that they had you.”
Why is he trying so hard to flatter me? Paul wished Teo would stop beating around the bush and tell him what he wanted. “No, it was that they didn’t need me – or anyone else, for that matter. Justice is the cornerstone of democracy.”
Teo frowned. “We don’t need democracy. But we do have justice. Every large town has a courthouse, you know that.”
“Sure,” Paul agreed. “Who makes the appointments?”
“I’m not sure,” Teo said, scratching his chin. “We have a department for that sort of thing.”
“Then that’s where you’ll find the greatest corruption.” Paul saw the confusion in Teo’s eyes and sighed. “How free is it?”
“What do you mean?”
“Being a judge means wielding power. What are that power’s limits? Can a judge arrest you?”
Teo almost choked with laughter. “Now you’re just being silly.”
“Can a judge arrest a priest of Themis?” Paul insisted. “Or a soldier?”
“I’m not sure—”
“I’m trying to show you the limits of justice,” Paul interrupted him. “It’s like a spider’s web. It catches the small insects, but a bee will just tear it and fly away. That’s always been the case. The question is, how large does a bee have to be?”
Teo leaned back and studied him. “If I place you in charge of the everyday stuff, can you run the show?”
Paul filled his goblet and took a slow sip, his mind spinning. This could be the opportunity he needed. He had to get out of there, or he would surely go mad. And he would have a chance at finding out more about Cyrus, about Teo’s plans. But if Teo needed him, Paul had leverage… Leverage he could use to find out what mattered most. “There is one condition,” he said, carefully placing the goblet back on the table. “I need to know Satori’s well.”
Teo nodded. “And if I find her for you, then you’ll help me?”
Paul lifted his eyes to meet Teo’s. “Then I’ll help you.”
The Marshes
Angel
In her nightmare, she ran in a dark forest, tentacled creatures lurking in the long shadows surrounding her. She saw Cyrus in the distance and dashed towards him, but every time she thought she had reached him, he cried out at her from another part of the woods. The shadows seemed to laugh at her as she sprang back and forth.
Then, she found herself with her father. She was a little girl, half-asleep in his lap, a cosy fire warming her. His body smelled like safety, peace. Tears formed in her eyes at the sense of loss overwhelming her.
“You’re dead,” she said, even as she hugged him closer to her, creasing his soft, white shirt with her fingers. He caressed her hair.
“No one ever dies,” he said and planted a soft kiss on her forehead, drying away her tears with tender fingers. “Thank you for taking care of them.”
“Who?” she started to ask, then the twins barrelled into the room chasing each other and giggling. A smile warmed her face at the sight, but it froze when she noticed Cyrus outside, in the garden. She got up and ambled to the window, sliding it open. She cried out his name, but his attention was fixed in the woods surrounding the manor. The setting sun seemed to stretch the tree shadows, until they had almost reached him.
Why
doesn’t he move? Inexplicable panic engulfed her, and she found herself in the garden, standing next to him. She grabbed his arm and bolted towards home, only they were now in the woods, pale green eyes stalking them in the darkness, the manor nowhere to be found. A creature emerged from the shadows, opening its stinking mouth to reveal long, pointy teeth as it roared in rage. Her legs gave way and she sank to the ground, gaping in horror as it rushed towards them. It lunged at her, and she screamed herself awake.
“Angel! Angel!” Someone was calling her, touching her, and she jolted away, still shaking. She felt embarrassed as she recognized Cyrus, his anxious eyes studying her.
“Mellis! She’s awake,” he yelled, and a priest of Themis hurried towards them, hoisting up his white robe to avoid tripping.
“You!” She jolted back, gaping at her brother in terror. “He’s—”
“He saved our lives,” Cyrus said. “He killed the other priest and removed the arrow from your shoulder.”
“What…” She cried out in pain as she moved her arm, yesterday’s events rushing back to her.
“Easy, my dear, we don’t want you to open your wounds,” the priest said. His voice was kind, but every time she closed her eyes she saw the cruel fire in the young priest’s eyes as he prepared to murder them in cold blood. Clasping Cyrus’s hand, she let him remove the bandages. Throbbing pain travelled up and down her arm. She grimaced in agony and squeezed her brother’s hand as he pried away the last pieces of the cloth, by now embedded in her skin. Her whole arm felt on fire. She leaned her head back, grateful to be lying down. Her head was pounding, as if experiencing the worst hangover of her life.
“I’m sorry, but we have to clean the wound,” the priest murmured as he stood back to examine it. He sprinkled some dust on her shoulder, then took a large swab of ointment and rubbed it with slow, careful motions. It stung and his fingers hurt her, even if they barely touched her. She looked away to hide her tears as she bit her lip to stop from crying out.
“All done,” the priest said after a lifetime of agony. He replaced the bandage and she let out a yelp as he tightened the cloth around her shoulder. The pain burst up and down her spine, sending burning shivers throughout her body.
Mellis looked genuinely distraught, but did not stop. “I’m sorry, my dear, we have to make sure it doesn’t get infected.” He produced a small flask from a large leather satchel and handed it to her. “This will dull the pain, but will also make you sleepy.”
She shook her head and refused the drink. “I need to stay awake. We have a long way to go.” Glancing at their companions, she noticed that one of the First had a bandage around his waist.
Mellis followed her eyes. “He’s fine, I’ve already changed his bandages.”
“What happened?” she asked him.
“We were sent to find you. I thought to stake out the Old Woman, as this was your likely destination.”
“So you led them to us.” Her face flushed with anger.
“They said you’d be safe,” he said, drawing back. “They only wanted to return the Prince to the Capital.”
“They lied.”
He looked crestfallen. “Yes. That’s why I had to stop them. Thankfully, they expected you to be alone.” He nodded towards the two First, preparing the horses. “They were no match for your friends.”
She looked away, anger fighting with gratefulness in her heart. “Thank you,” she murmured as Mellis raised himself on creaking legs with a loud groan.
“I’d better help with preparations. Your Xhi is quite the slave driver.” A weary smile appeared on his face as he made his way back to the horses.
Right on cue, a flushed Xhi appeared in front of her. “Where’s my wife?”
Angel’s brow furrowed. “What?”
“I can’t find her. Where is she?”
“Perhaps she’s just taking a leak? It is morning after all.”
Xhi’s eyes darted back and forth and he started shouting out her name.
“Stop that,” Mellis said. “Are you trying to lead the Regent to us?”
Xhi’s jaw hardened. “How many men have you brought with you?”
“Just my group, I swear. But there could be more.”
One of the First hurried towards them before Xhi had a chance to reply. “A horse is missing,” the man said in broken English.
Xhi’s face turned crimson. “She’s left. Can you find her?”
“If she left during the night, she’ll be too far away by now,” Mellis said, not waiting for the First to reply.
“Unbelievable!” Xhi exploded. “How could no one notice her absence?”
“You said, watch priest,” the First said apologetically. “So, I watch priest.”
Xhi spun around once, then twice, his hand on his forehead. He mumbled between his teeth, then closed his eyes and looked up, drawing sharp breaths. “We move on,” he finally said. Nothing we can do about it now.” He bit his lip, as if to stop himself from saying anything else. “Break camp,” he yelled, then stomped towards the horses, still mumbling to himself.
Scorpio
Gella
“Where do we go from here?”
Gella yawned and stretched. A frown crossed her brow as she realised David had asked her something, but in her half-asleep state she had no idea what. They had spent the night locked in each other’s embrace. David had proven an eager student, and she had no doubt he would soon be an accomplished lover. “What?” She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.
“I think I love you,” he blurted out.
The frown deepened for a moment, then her eyelids flew open. Is he still drunk? They had had a celebratory drink too many last night, she remembered, in between trying out new positions. She opened her mouth to reprimand him, then remembered she was his first and she plonked her head into the pillow. This was a mistake.
Memories of her own first time sprang unbidden to her head. She had married her first love, then lost him to battle a few short months later. No, it wasn’t a mistake. Life was too fleeting, too short to worry about things like this. She had already made that mistake twice; first with her husband, then with Parad, thinking they had all the time in the world. No, love was something to be enjoyed while it lasted, and she had no doubt he meant what he said. However, their fling was just her way of celebrating their survival, not their love. She had to let him down gently.
“I…” Her voice trailed off. What could she tell him? That she liked him well enough, but was not interested in a relationship? That she was not the sort of woman to raise a family? Anger rose from within her, for embarrassing her like this. What did he expect? That they’d get a nice farm somewhere and grow old watering potted plants and raising snotty brats? “I’m a soldier,” she said, more abruptly than she intended.
He jolted back, reprimanded. She noticed black shadows under his eyes. He must have spent all night watching me sleep!
“No, of course,” he stammered. “I understand. We have to win a war first.”
“Yes, that’s it,” she agreed, relieved. “We can’t afford to lose our focus. Anyway, I’ll be heading to Anthea and you’re going east.”
He lay down beside her and took her hand. Her first thought was to pull it away, but she let him play with it, caressing lovingly her palm with light fingers.
“You’re right. I must go east. Losing you is my penance.”
“Your what?”
He raised himself to look at her, his head resting on his hand. “Remember what you told me in Georgetown? How I’d abandoned everyone at Malekshei?” She nodded. “Even when we realize our mistakes, we still have to pay for them. It’s just the way of the universe. I have to go east, help fix what I destroyed. I just wish I knew there was a happy ending to all this.”
She pursed her lips. “You do?” she asked, considering it. “I think life would suck if we did.”
He kissed her softly on her lips. She considered offering her cheek instead, then decided it did not hurt. Let us enjo
y what we have, while we have it.
“What do you mean?” he asked her.
“Can you imagine a life where we knew everything in advance? No decisions to be made, no choices… Just plodding along, from one milestone to the next. A life with no surprises – what a dreadful thought!”
He chuckled. He does have a cute smile. She had not noticed his dimples when he smiled, or how his eyes lit up. “So we shouldn’t try to control life,” he said. “You sound like…” His words trailed off, taking out the light in his eyes.
My Voice, she guessed he would have said. She felt sorry for him. How can any woman compete with the kind of intimacy he had with that strange creature living inside his head? She shrugged the thought away. “Parad taught me this,” she said. “Give yourself up to the current. Surrender to the flow of life. Let it carry you wherever it may.”
“Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero,” David said with another chuckle. “Seize the moment, and distrust the future.” She jolted her hand away, the words cutting her like a knife. He stared at her, alarmed by her reaction. “What?”
“Parad used to say that,” she said, avoiding his questioning eyes as she swivelled her body off the bed to get dressed. “Now, come. We must return to Anthea.”
“You’re not staying here, then?” He did not bother to hide the relief from his voice.
His words gave her pause. Since Parad’s death, she had spent every minute giving herself up to one cause, then another. You’ve been running away, a voice whispered in her head, and she had to admit it was right. She had been fleeing her pain, hiding away in a succession of causes. First to protect Cyrus, then to win the war against Jonia, now to aid Anthea.
Pearseus Bundle: The Complete Pearseus Sci-fi/Fantasy Series Page 70