by J. Naomi Ay
“Heaven help us,” I mumbled, imagining King Loran. That would be the final nail in the Empire’s coffin. “What happens if the Emperor comes back? Aren’t you afraid he’ll kill you on the spot?”
“Oh, he won’t return,” the woman replied. “The guy is long dead.”
“What about the Imperial Princes?”
“Those guys are useless jerks,” Kell said, which prompted his wife to start laughing under her sheath.
“It’s really windy out there,” Kell announced as the van rocked and bucked in the stormy wind currents. “It looks like thunder snow too. I’m going to fly lower and closer to the street. We may have to land, and walk the rest of the way if it gets any worse."
The van dipped below the clouds, emerging somewhere near the River Nika, which was completely frozen over, ice and snow forming ridges across the top. Beyond that was a field surrounded by several large stately buildings.
"Oh, I know this place," Loran called. "This is my school."
"Pampered, spoiled rich, elitist kid," Kell’s shrouded wife grumbled.
"Hey!" Loran objected. "I'm your new Crown Prince. Whoa dudes! Look out the window there. Are my eyes mistaken, or is that the lovely and formerly Imperial Princess Sara?"
"It is!" I gasped, my new heart lurching.
Sara was with her step-sister, along with two boys. One was a short green one, her step-brother, and the other looked closer to her age. All of them were walking through the snow, bundled in coats and knitted hats, Sara's golden curls spilling outward and framing her beautiful pink face.
"Let's capture her!" the wife cried. "Our master will be so proud."
"Alright," Kell agreed. "I suppose it couldn't hurt."
"Are you sure that's a good idea, dudes?" Loran called. "I mean, Sara is my cousin, like four times removed or something. Still, family is family. You know what I mean?"
"Who asked you?" the woman snapped. "The former princess would be an excellent prize."
"How are we going to capture her?" Kell asked. "We don't have any weapons."
"Come on, Kell. They're just teenagers. We'll tell them we've ice cream and candy in the van."
"Or, how about this," Kell suggested. "We send that kid out to get her. If he's really her cousin, she'll be happy to see him. She'll be glad to accept a ride out of the snow, and we won't have to lift a finger at all. We'll take her to the Palace and turn her over to the new king."
Loran chewed on his lip.
"Well, I suppose I could," he began.
"No!" I protested. "I won't let you kidnap her."
"Then, we'll throw you out," the wife cackled, as Kell steered the van into the snowy field. The teenagers watched us, while the green kid came running over.
Here I was at a crossroads again. I could protest some more, or try to fight these guys, but ultimately, protesting would get me tossed out. Fighting might hurt or kill my new body, and warning the Princess’s little brother wouldn't do a thing. So, again, I went along for the ride. I told myself I could help more just by being there. I could protect Sara, and be her knight-not-in-shining-armor, and maybe, just maybe, she’d thank me for it.
Chapter 11
Eva
Somehow, Reggie and I brought the man inside. Mostly, he leaned on Reggie, the two of them clutching each other tightly with each snow laden step. I held the doors, and as soon as he was set safely upon Reggie’s sofa, I ran upstairs for blankets, never minding that I had none to spare.
“Now, there ye be,” Reggie said, patting the Karut on the shoulder. He had removed the man's sodden jacket, and covered him with a dry blanket. I set my blanket on the table, and went to stoke up the dying fire.
“’Tis like yer back ‘ome agin, and all is well," Reggie continued. "Give me a minute, and I'll go fetch ye some tea."
The man responded with a series of painful, hacking coughs that sounded as if they might rip his chest apart. Sweat beaded at his forehead, and streamed down his face. Then, he collapsed sideways on the arm rest as if he no longer had the strength to sit upright.
“Aye, no more smokes for ye, mate," Reggie clucked, kneeling down to wipe at the man's fevered face. The Karut’s pallor was gray, made more so in the dim light. “D’ye want to try sitting' up agin, and ‘ave a sip of tea?”
"No," the man gasped, his breath coming hard, his voice hoarse.
He trembled beneath the blankets, even though the fire was burning well and warm. Then, once again he erupted into coughs, causing a trickle of spittle, and a thin line of bright red blood to dribble down his cheek and stain his beard.
“I ne’er seen ye like this,” Reggie mumbled. "'Tis nothing ye need to say now. Just rest until ye stronger. All's well. Yer warm and dry, and safe. Git yerself some sleep whilst I look through me auntie’s cupboards for her herbs. Come, lass."
Reggie rose and waved to me. Taking a long look at the man on the couch, I followed my landlord into his kitchen, and softly shut the door. Outside, the Karut erupted into a series of painful coughs.
"What are we going to do with him?" I started to ask before Reggie sharply interrupted.
"Yer not to tell anyone 'es 'ere. Ye understand me, lass? 'Tis a matter of life an' death."
"But, he needs a doctor, Reggie. He needs medicine. He’ll die here on your couch.”
“’e’ll die if anyone be seein’ ‘im. No ‘un, especially that Jetro must know about 'im.”
“We can’t hide him forever,” I insisted, growing anxious at Reggie’s stubbornness. “Please Reggie. Let me run back to the hospital and see if a nurse can come.”
“No, no, no, lass. Trust me. Ye and I will nurse ‘im t’gether.” Reggie turned to look through his cupboards. “Me aunt always kept a store of ‘ealing ‘erbs.”
“Herbs?” I cried. “Reggie, he needs something stronger, antibiotics or something. Please, let me go fetch a doctor. Surely, if he’s your friend, you don’t want him to die?”
Reggie removed some containers from the cupboard and then, violently slammed the door.
“Listen to me, lass. ‘e’s a doctor ‘imself. ‘e’ll tell us what we need to do. Ye dun't know nothin' about which yer speaking, so I suggest ye keep yer tongue quiet."
Reggie glared at me, and a tiny vein beneath his eye rapidly pulsed. I stared back at him, silently calculating how quickly I could run down the street to the hospital. What were the chances I could get someone to come back with me? Probably slim, especially for a Karut.
The snow was piling in drifts on the ground, and the wind was blowing viciously. The SdK hospital was one of the few remaining facilities open in Old Mishnah, and undoubtedly, there were plenty of other sick people queued up at their doors. But, I couldn't just stay here and do nothing.
“We've got to do something," I cried. "Did you see him? Can’t you hear him? It sounds like he's coughing out his lungs. I've got to try to get help, even if I have to stay there all night and beg for antibiotics. I have to do it."
I reached for the door handle and as I did, Reggie grabbed my arm.
“Lass,” he snapped. “Ye won’t be goin’ nowhere. Tha’ man out there is more than just me friend. 'e be as dear to me as me own ‘eart. I've known 'im since 'e was a wee lad. 'e rescued me from the streets, and gave me a life that I ne'er could imagine. Dun’t ye be tellin’ me, I’m not seein’ or ‘earin’ whats goin’ on."
I shook my head not understanding.
“Then, why won't you let me help him?” I demanded.
Before Reggie could answer, we were interrupted by a violent pounding on the hallway door.
“Reg!” It was Jetro. “Reg, open up. It’s so exciting. The revolution has started! The Rossorians are saving Rehnor once and for all."
“Blessed Saint,” Reggie mumbled. “We’ve got to get ‘im outta ‘ere.”
“Reggie!” The pounding continued. “Reggie, Duke Petya has arrested everyone at the Palace. We’re going to have a Rossorian as our new king!”
“Blessed Saint!” I gaspe
d.
“Feckin’ bloody Rossorians!” Reggie swore, pushing through the kitchen and out into the living room where the Karut was shivering on the couch. "Tha feckin' religion of peace is goin' to get everyone killed."
“Open up, Reggie!” Jetro continued to yell.
“Come on, lass. Let’s get ‘im into the bedroom. Do ye think ye can get up now, mate?”
I didn’t hear the Karut’s answer, although it looked like he tried to raise himself. A hand gripped the back of the couch, while his right leg swung to the floor. Reggie helped move his left leg, and then, slipping his arms around his friend's chest, Reggie heaved the Karut unsteadily to his feet.
“I’ve got yer bad side. Eva will take yer good. Come now, mate." Reggie made to take a step, then two.
“Reggie? I can hear you moving around in there. Open up. I’ve got to tell you what happened. It’s cold out here in the hall. Come on, Reggie!”
We shuffled towards the bedroom, the Karut and Reggie walking as if joined, while I tried to help, and keep them more or less straight. Somehow, we got the man to the bed, and somehow, we got him in it, and then, I quickly fetched all the blankets to cover him up.
“Reggie! What are you doing in there? What’s all that noise you're making?”
“Ye stay ‘ere with ‘im,” Reggie ordered, quickly shutting the door. “Ay, Jetro,” I heard him say and it sounded like he was faking a yawn. “Ye woke me up, lad. What is it ye want now? I’m in no mood to be ‘aving company.”
“You weren’t sleeping. There was too much noise for that. What’s going on in here, Reggie?” Jetro’s footsteps creaked against the floors. “Is someone in your bedroom?”
“Nay, lad. Just me. Ye dun’t need to be goin’ in there.”
"Sorry," I whispered covering the Karut's head, and then, I made certain his feet were not exposed.
Reggie had removed his shoes, but the man’s dirty, ripped socks were completely soaked through. "Let me take these off." I was just about to do so, when I heard the doorknob click.
"Who's in there?" Jetro asked.
Diving into the bed, I hid the Karut with my own body. He was so hot and feverish, even with clothing and blankets between us, my temperature immediately soared.
"Jetro, thas none of yer business," Reggie barked, as Jetro footsteps came closer to our hiding place.
I slipped off my sweater and pushed back the blanket. I groaned and yawned, stretching my arms above my head.
“Eva?” Jetro cried.
“What?” I yawned again, and then, for good measure, let out a little scream while rising just enough for Jetro to see my naked shoulders. “Jetro, get out!”
“Reggie?” Jetro backed away. “You? Eva? You've got to be kidding me, right?”
“I tole ye it was none of yer business, lad,” Reggie replied sharply, moving behind Jetro to slam the bedroom door. “Now, tell me what is it ye want, and it better be important.”
Their footsteps carried them away, as I slid off the Karut and moved to the other side of the bed. Falling back on Reggie’s pillow, I listened to my blood racing, and my heart pounding in my ears.
"That was close," I murmured, glancing at the Karut’s back. His long tendrils of curly black hair were drenched in sweat. He was wearing some kind of sweater, which was unraveling across the sleeves, and I could see his pale skin shivering through the holes. "Sorry, I had to climb on you like that. Are you alright?"
“I have been better.”
His voice was hoarse, and he spoke so softly I could barely hear, yet in his voice, there was the song of the street. He had a lilt like Reggie’s, although his pronunciation was refined.
Unfortunately, each word was followed by a shallow cough, and a hard gasp for air, as even this small effort was taxing to him. I glanced anxiously at the bedroom door, afraid Jetro would return, but the voices from the outer room had moved away.
"As soon as Jetro leaves,” I told him, dressing again and climbing from the bed. “I'm going to run to the hospital and get you some help. Reggie said you're a doctor. Is there anything specific I should request? Tell me what you need, and I won't leave until they give it to me."
This time, he didn't respond. His trembling turned more violent, and his teeth rattled against each other. I stood by helplessly, not knowing what I could do. I had never been much of a nurse, and being single all of my life, I had never had to care for anyone, and really didn't know how.
"Let me take off those wet soaks," I suggested, once again moving around to his feet. "I'll find a pair of Reggie's to keep your feet warm."
I was just about to look in the bureau when the bedroom door opened again. Fortunately, it was Reggie, and he was alone.
"Feckin' bastard," he swore, his eyes lighting upon his friend. A shadow of anguish crossed my landlord's face. Then, an instant later, it was gone, and a smile was there instead. "'ow we comin' 'ere, mate? Ye be ready fer tea now? What's ye lookin' fer, lass, there in me drawers?"
"Socks? His are wet, and full of holes."
"Aye, but if ye give 'im mine, 'e'll destroy 'em right quick, and I've got only one pair left. I'll find a piece of wool cloth, and we'll wrap em nice and warm. Lass, go back to the kitchen, and fetch that little pot of menthol balm. We'll take care of 'is leg first and then, mix up some 'erb tinctures for 'im to drink. In a day or two, 'e'll be right as rain."
I didn't believe that for a minute, but Reggie seemed to know what he was doing, so I retrieved the smelly little jar and returned to the bedroom. Reggie had removed his friend's clothes, and while the Karut was mostly covered by blankets, his left leg was exposed to the air.
"Blessed Saint," I gasped, nearly backing into the door when I saw the long twisted scar that ran from his hip to past his knee. The scar was swollen and bright red, and the muscles of the Karut's thigh were so deformed and tight, I wondered how the man could ever walk.
"Aye, give that me." Reggie took the jar and proceeded to massage the gel into his friend's leg. The Karut winced and once again, broke out in sweat. "We'll put some of this on yer chest too," Reggie insisted. "Me aunt always said this cures what ails ye. Sorry, mate, if me 'ands aren't as gentle as yer lady wife's."
Inexplicably, my heart lurched when Reggie mentioned the Karut's wife, and for a moment, I found myself unable to breath. It was ridiculous, I knew. He was nothing to me but a bum I had rescued on the street, and frankly, he was so ill he might not live out the rest of the week. Still, he was married. Someone else had taken care of him this way. I glanced at his left hand, and of course, there was a gold wedding band, something I purposely hadn’t noticed before.
"Eva, tear that cloth in two," Reggie ordered, rubbing the gel across his friend's chest. "Now, ye tell me which 'erbs ye need in the tincture, and I'll go mix that up."
"Herbs won’t save me," the Karut gasped, his chest struggling to rise and fall beneath Reggie's hand.
"All the same, ‘tis worth a try. I'm off to do that. Eva 'ere will wrap yer feet up nice and warm." Reggie rearranged the blanket to cover the man's leg and chest, and then, he left us alone while I cut a cloth that had once been one of Reggie’s sweaters.
"Where's your wife?" I asked, trying to sound kind, although a tiny bit of me hoped that she was dead. The rational part of my brain wondered why I cared. The emotional side claimed him as if he were a lost puppy. "Do you want me to ring her and tell her where you are? Although, most of the phones are out. Still, I could try to find her." I lifted the blankets covering his feet.
"I don't know where she is," he replied as I removed one of his socks.
"Blessed Saint!” His toenails were long, black, and sharply curled. I drew back, afraid to touch them, afraid to cut myself.
"Aye, 'ere's yer drink, mate," Reggie announced, arriving with a cup. "Nothin's wrong, lass. Thas the way, they're supposed to be. 'Tis the eyes that worry me tho. They ne'er been like that before."
I looked up at the Karut's face. His eyes were closed as if he were sleeping. An old
red scar crossed his right cheek, highlighted bright by his otherwise wan complexion.
"Drink this," Reggie said, sitting down at the man's side. “I mixed up echinacea, garlic, ginseng, and pau d'arco. Me aunt left me a recipe right on the cupboard shelf.” He propped his arm beneath his friend's head, and touched the cup to his lips. The Karut coughed hoarsely, and shook his head a little bit. “Now, come on, mate. We ain’t come this far just to see it all fall. ‘ave yerself a little sip, and in a few days, ye’ll be back to yer old self. Then, ye’ll fix them bastards good.”
“I can’t, Reg,” the Karut gasped. “’Tis for naught.”
This only prompted Reggie to pour the liquid down his throat. He choked a little, and spat some out, but most of it, he got down. Reggie wiped away the dribble from the corner of his mouth before helping his friend to lie back.
"Come Eva," Reggie said, rising to his feet, and taking my arm.
“Thank you,” the Karut whispered, prompting both of us to turn around.
He was looking at us, and his eyes were open, although there was nothing inside to see. Beneath his lids and long, dark lashes, there was only skin as black as night. There were no pupils, no corneas, no irises, or anything else. Looking into his eyes was like staring into the bowels of hell.
“Blessed Saint!” I gasped again as Reggie pulled me out the door. "Who is he? What is he?”
"Ach, lass," Reggie said, leading me to the kitchen and shutting the door tightly. "That man there be Senya, although ‘e’s a shadow of ‘ow ‘e was before."
“Senya? The Senya? You mean the Emperor?”
“One and the same, which is why no ‘un but ye and me can know ‘e’s ‘ere.”
Chapter 12
Carolie
“Do you think we’ll see Arsan today?” Sara asked, while dragging a brush through her thick, golden curls.
She smiled at herself in the mirror and pouted her red lips prettily. I looked over her shoulder at my own hair and lips, one plain straight brown, and the other thin and uninteresting.
“Here, let me do that.” Taking the brush from her hand, I proceeded to draw it through her tresses. I got an odd satisfaction from making her hair shine and crackle with static electricity. I got even more satisfaction, an evil twist of joy, when inadvertently, I found a knot, and inadvertently, yanked it.