Whisper

by Christine Grey

  Daniel stayed where he was and shrugged. “I’m sure they’ll be on their way soon. It hardly pays to get down only to have to get right back up again.”

  “I would agree with you, but Brin says it’s going to be a while.” When Daniel stayed where he was, Darius began to suspect the real reason for his hesitation, and despite his best efforts, he began to laugh. “You…you’re stuck, aren’t you?” he asked between broken chuckles.

  The stiff nod from Daniel prompted Darius to a fresh wave of laughter so great, Darius had to lean heavily against his horse to keep from dropping to his knees.

  “Shut up and help me!”

  “I’m sorry, Daniel,” Darius said, wiping a tear from his eye.

  “You’re not sorry yet, but you will be if you don’t quit braying like an ass and help me off of this thing.”

  “All right. Come on then.” Darius held his arms up to the proud weapons master as he would to lift a small child. Daniel’s face turned almost purple at the Breken’s actions, and Darius started laughing once again.

  “Darius.” Daniel said, his voice icy cold. “You realize that I will get down at some point, and that eventually, you have to go to sleep, right?”

  Darius gradually got control of himself and held up his hands in surrender. He took hold of Daniel’s booted foot, and while Daniel leaned back, Darius helped him lift the leg up and over the horse’s neck so that Daniel sat sideways, with both legs hanging over the same side. Next, Darius went around to stand next to the horse. Daniel braced a hand on Darius’s shoulder while he slid off the animal and onto his own two feet.

  Darius was about to offer what he thought was a very witty comment, when Daniel’s hand smacked him sharply at the back of the head. Under the circumstances, Darius decided that maybe he would be wiser to stay silent.

  The two men stretched the stiffness from their weary muscles and took the opportunity to water and feed their horses before settling down to enjoy a bit of refreshment themselves.

  Daniel couldn’t guess what had caused the girls to pause, but he was grateful for the rest, nevertheless.

  ***

  “Carly,” Dearra said, somewhat impatiently, “what are you doing? I feel like a haunch of venison laid out on cook’s table. This is just embarrassing.”

  Carly sighed before speaking. “If you would just keep still for a moment, I might be able to accomplish something.”

  “Yes, but what is it you’re doing?”

  “I’m trying to pull water from the air to bathe your wounds. We have water in the skins we brought, but I am hesitant to use it. I figure if I have to learn how to control this…whatever it is, I might as well start now.”

  “That’s very practical, Carly, but could you try to hurry? I feel a little…exposed.”

  Carly didn’t answer. Her eyes closed as she held the cloth out before her, trying to coax the water out from the air around her. A soft sound escaped her lips, and she began to chant to herself in a sing-song sort of way.

  The words were completely unfamiliar to Dearra, but she watched, wide-eyed, as what appeared to be wisps of clouds formed just over their heads. “Uh, Carly?”

  Carly did not respond, but only swayed from side to side and continued her quiet song. All the while, the cloud formation grew darker and more ominous.

  “Um, Carly?” Dearra said again.

  Finally, Carly seemed to hear her, and her eyes flew open. “What?” she snapped. At that exact moment, the cloud above them let loose and rain pelted down upon the girls in a torrent only six feet in diameter. “See? I knew I could do it,” Carly said loftily.

  It was obvious to Dearra, however, that Carly was just as surprised as she was. “Do what? Drown us?”

  Carly sniffed indignantly and shoved her dripping hair away from her eyes. “Let’s see you do better.”

  “All right. I’m sorry. You are very, very impressive.”

  Yes, but can she stop it? That’s the real question. I can feel my fabulous blade rusting as we speak.

  You don’t rust, Brin. Brag, complain, and nag? Certainly. But rust? Never.

  Hey!

  Peace, Brin. You do have a point. It is getting a little wet.

  Carly was busy on her ministrations to Dearra’s wounds when Dearra asked, “Carly? Not that you aren’t, you know, wonderful and everything, but do you think you could maybe try to turn it off?”

  Carly rocked back on her heals, closed her eyes again, and the rain tapered to a soft drizzle before finally coming to a halt. Carly smiled in triumphant satisfaction.

  Even Dearra had to admit she was pleased and proud of her friend’s success. “That really was good, Carly. We’ll need to stay put for a while to dry off before we begin again, but it was worth it.”

  “Thanks, Dearra. I was really nervous. I wasn’t sure I would be able to make it stop. When I tried, it felt like…like pulling back. No, that’s not right. Like…like turning inside-out, or pulling into myself—I don’t know how to explain it. It wasn’t really painful, but…uncomfortable, like trying to fit into a skin that’s one size too small for my body.”

  “It sounds disgusting, really.”

  Carly laughed. “I’m just not explaining it right.”

  “I find that comforting. The whole skin thing was just odd.”

  The two friends moved to a dry patch of sand, and after laying their garments out to dry, stretched themselves out to soak up the warming rays of the sun.

  ***

  Darius stared at the way the water moved as he swirled it around in the cup in his hand, grateful for the distraction. Sitting there with nothing to do and nowhere to go left him with time to dwell on the current state of affairs. Lately, it seemed like he was constantly running from perceived danger into certain danger, from destruction, headlong towards annihilation, and when he thought about it, he realized that it was because he had been following Dearra. Wherever she went, he went, and almost without exception, she chose the direction that promised the most peril.

  Darius shook his head, and the corners of his mouth curved upward. If nothing else, at least she was consistent. He thought again about his plan to join with her, or at least his plan to ask her to join with him. She had become such an important part of him that he could no longer imagine trying to function without her. Logically, it only made sense for them to join, to share all aspects of life with one another. She was a warrior, albeit unlike any he had known before. She understood him on that level, and he felt comfortable with her. She was a friend, a true friend, and he trusted her with his life. For a Breken, there was no higher compliment.

  But there was more to Dearra than that. She wasn’t just his friend; she was his world. The way her eyes lit up when she had an idea always made him smile in response to her almost childlike enthusiasm. The way her lower lip trembled when tears threatened to spill from her magnificent eyes was enough to make him want to promise her the world if only to save her from any hint of sadness. And when she looked up at him through those long lashes and smiled, his heart beat like a hummingbird’s wings until it felt like it would fly apart into a million pieces if he didn’t take her in his arms and kiss her. He could almost feel the warmth of her breath, feather soft on his face, as he remembered the way she twined her arms around his neck to hold him more closely to her. He could feel how she felt when she would press herself against—

  “Darius!”

  He was startled from his thoughts by Daniel’s harsh call. A little embarrassed to be caught daydreaming, he felt himself flush as he looked up to meet the weapons master’s eyes.

  “Honestly, boy. What am I going to do with you? What were you thinking about, anyway?”

  “Nothing, really. Why?”

  “Nothing, huh? Had the cup offended you personally? Something it said, perhaps?”

  Darius looked down at the lump of twisted tin he held in his hands and flushed more deeply than before. He hoped the natural copper of his skin would protect him from Daniel’s scrutiny.
>
  “You know what? Never mind. I don’t want to know. It’s either something stupid, or something I would have to kill you for. In either case, it’s too hot to waste that much energy.” Daniel stood, brushed the sand from his sides, and walked over to check on the horses.

  I agree with Daniel, Brin said, his voice petulant. It’s too hot for such nonsense. It doesn’t do anyone any good for you to think like that, besides. You’ll just wind up driving yourself crazy. History has already shown us it’s too dangerous for you to let your imagination run away with you like that.

  It’s hardly dangerous, Brin. You can’t believe for one minute that I would ever put Dearra in danger again. I would never—

  Bah! Words! Had I asked you before it happened you would have said the same thing. People have no control over their instincts. If you knew how important…how you could have ruined…what might have…well, never mind what could have. I need you to focus!

  You are the most annoying dragon on the planet, do you know that? You speak in half-truths and riddles. Can’t you ever just say what you mean?

  I would…thought…Not even close to…

  “Brin!” Darius yelled aloud, panic lighting his eyes.

  Damn…out…range…up!

  “Are you saying you’re too out of range for me to hear you? You’re moving! Why didn’t you say something? I swear, Brin!”

  Not…Range!...I…superior…Dragon’s….

  That was the last word Darius heard as he sprang to his feet. “Daniel, come on. The girls are way ahead of us. We have to catch up.”

  “How in the world?” Daniel said, struggling to hoist himself back into the dreaded saddle. Darius planted an undignified hand on Daniel’s bottom to help shove him up onto his horse’s back before swinging lithely onto his own mount. “How did they get so far ahead of us?” Daniel said. He thought he’d heard Darius mutter something about arrogant dragons before his heels jabbed sharply into the sides of his horse and he sprang away. Daniel could do nothing more but struggle to maintain his hold on the reins and keep up with the Breken, who raced ahead of him.

  Chapter 29

  Khan had just cleared the last dune, and the city of Darak spread out before them.

  “In Cyrus’s name,” Dearra said, her voice no more than a breathy whisper. Lavish pavilions of every color surrounded the city, like brilliant petals on a desert blossom, becoming more sporadic as Dearra’s gaze worked further inward until they were no more than dots of pigment against Darak landscape. At the far edge of it all, a towering stone wall loomed like a red giant, watching over the bustle of the insignificant mortals who dwelled in its shadow.

  Most of the stone dwellings were single-level structures with deep overhangs extending outward from the roofs, creating dimly-lit recesses where their residents could find comfort in the shade, though, probably because of the cold, grey stone, nothing about them seemed comforting to Dearra.

  As her eyes scanned further inward towards the heart of the city, a lone tower dominated. It rested quietly, like a sword buried in the sand, yet appearing no less deadly.

  They neared the first of the tents that rimmed the city and were flanked by a half dozen Breken warriors, clothed in vibrant red and black that somehow made them seem even larger than they already were. The tattoos on their faces looked severe and imposing. Though Dearra had become accustomed to the gentle swirls and lines on Darius’s face, and she was certainly familiar with markings like these, it made them no less foreign and frightening. They wore no head coverings, but let their hair flow wildly down their backs except where it was woven into a tight Breken-braid.

  The Breken guard made no move to stop their progress. Instead, it seemed to the girls they were simply there to ensure the women kept moving in the right, general direction.

  Carly remained calm and looked straight ahead as she moved deeper into the city, but Dearra’s hand went to the hilt of her sword. She turned her head, first left and then right, as if struggling to keep watch in all directions at once. It was unnerving to be in such a situation, and Dearra kept trying to analyze her surroundings in order to plan a defense, should one be needed. But try as she might, her plans were no more solid than the shifting sand beneath Khan’s hooves.

  One of the Breken seemed to ride quite near them, but then Dearra blinked and he suddenly appeared to be behind them slightly, just on the border of Dearra’s peripheral vision. When she shifted to get a better look, he seemed to appear in front of them. The other Breken laughed at her obvious confusion, and it was then she realized this was his ability, and he had been toying with her, so she fixed her gaze straight ahead, and tried to ignore their jeers.

  Dearra’s irritation at being laughed at was so great, it was palpable. Carly felt her hold herself rigidly erect behind her as they continued to ride. “Breathe, Dearra,” Carly whispered.

  “That’s easy for you to say. All you have to do is steer the horse. I’m the one who has to save us if something goes wrong.”

  First of all, I am the one who would be saving us if something went wrong. Secondly, if something did go awry, I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t stand a chance anyway, so you might as well relax and enjoy the view.

  “Thanks, Brin. Thanks a lot.”

  “What? What am I missing,” Carly asked anxiously.

  “Nothing, really. Brin was just reminding me that if anything were to happen now, we’re all dead anyway, so I might as well relax.” Dearra huffed.

  “Oh.” Carly paused and then added, “He has a point, really.”

  “You two will be the death of me,” Dearra complained.

  “That’s good, right?” Carly asked.

  “What do you mean, good?” Dearra asked.

  “Well, if we’ll be the death of you, you can stop worrying about the Breken, right?”

  Dearra and Carly laughed aloud, surprising one of the guards. He drew his sword in response and coaxed his horse closer to them, but it was a little too close for Khan’s comfort, and he reared up at the perceived threat, lashing out with his sharp hooves.

  Dearra heard a sickening crunch as Khan’s hoof connected with the man’s shoulder and sent him crashing to the ground. She pulled Brin from his sheath, her eyes blazing as she braced to meet her attackers, but as Khan settled she heard loud booming laughter from the guard as they mocked their injured companion’s foolishness. Supporting his arm—which was clearly broken—the man lifted himself from the ground and disappeared amongst the swirl of tents, only to be replaced by another one, shortly thereafter.

  The Breken laughter ended abruptly and all eyes turned to Dearra to see what she would do next.

  Peace, Dearra. All is well.

  Dearra continued to hold her sword before her, and a slight tremor of adrenalin coursed through her body.

  Brin spoke again, this time a bit more forcefully. Dearra! You’re upsetting, Carly.

  Dearra realized how still Carly sat, and how the air around her seemed noticeably cooler than it had a moment before. Realizing that she needed to break the tension before things disintegrated further, she sheathed her sword and leaned close to Carly’s ear. “I guess I was wrong,” Dearra whispered. “Maybe you won’t be the death of me after all.”

  Carly snorted a small giggle and visibly relaxed. They began to move again, and though the girls were quieter, Khan was still tense after the recent threat to Carly’s wellbeing.

  The small procession continued, and Dearra and Carly took in the bustle of activity around them. The Breken people went about their business as if visitors were a common occurrence, though Dearra suspected most strangers came here only when forced to.

  A loud argument soon caught their attention, and Carly moved Khan to the side of the road to let a large group pass by. Two Breken men of obvious wealth rode in the lead. Behind them, wearing rags and covered in filth, followed ten people, men and women combined.

  “You knew I had my eye on that one!” the first Breken fumed to his companion. “She was the best of
the lot and her tongue had already been removed; she was perfect. I wouldn’t have needed to wait for her to heal before—”

  “Oh, shut up! I’m tired of your incessant whining. If you wanted her then you should have bid higher. It was an auction after all.”

  “You knew I wanted her?”

  “Of course I did. It served to make the acquisition that much sweeter,” he laughed cruelly at his companion’s frustrated glare.

  What followed happened so quickly, Dearra hardly had time to track the movement. The first Breken drew his sword and wheeled his horse around to attack. The second Breken drew his sword at almost the exact same moment, and the two men’s horses slammed together as steel hit steel. The massive animals reared and screamed while the men continued their assault on one another.

  One of the guard dressed in crimson and black stepped into the fray. “In the name of house Falco!” he shouted above the din. “I order you to stop!”

  As incredible as it seems, the two men ceased combat almost immediately. The guard looked at the two men before beginning again. “We have business. Continue on so that we may pass, or give your explanations to the Lord of the House.”

  Though they seemed calm enough, Dearra noticed a flash of alarm in their eyes at the mention of House Falco, and the men collected themselves quickly.

  Dearra heard a soft keening sound and noticed a woman on her knees beside an elderly man, trampled beneath the hooves of one of the Breken mounts during the altercation. The woman held him in her arms and rocked him back and forth. Dearra saw a thin trickle of blood running from the corner of his mouth and out of one ear.

  “Now look what you’ve done! It’s bad enough you bought the one woman I wanted, now you’ve cost me another slave. You’re paying for the loss,” he said casually, before kicking his horse into a steady trot and moving on. Another Breken, one of a lower rank, brought up the rear, and ushered the slaves forward, but the woman refused to leave the injured man until she was grabbed firmly by the hair and dragged from his side.

  Peace, Dearra. There’s nothing you can do. Any effort you make on her behalf will only bring her more punishment. Brin’s words were gentle. Even he could feel the waves of wrath and helplessness that radiated off of Dearra.