by Paul Heisel
"There is a spot over here where we can rest," Feln said.
Iristi looked over her shoulder, her face dripping with water, and nodded. "I see it."
Ahead of Feln was an indentation where the brook had once flowed, a natural curve cutting deeper into the forest. Around him the trees stretched into the heavens - these trees were the tallest he had ever seen. Redwoods, Iristi had called them, because if you stripped away the bark underneath the wood was red. The wind came from downriver, sweeping through the trees and causing them to creak. One of these redwoods had fallen over long ago and had disintegrated over time, and all that remained was a thick bark shell. With a knife and gentle kicks, Feln knocked away parts of the bark to create an opening along the midpoint of the trunk. The hole grew as he removed the bark and he thought he could create a small shelter. The inside was hollow, about four feet high, but still sturdy. It would have to do.
Feln cleared away debris, dirt, and webs. A wolf spider scurried away, a host of beetles in the ground followed. When he finished making the area suitable, he sat down, took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. He controlled his breathing, regulating it such that it soothed his insides. The power of the belt flitted through his body, refreshing him, filling him with needed energy. It felt as if the belt was becoming a part of him. He opened his eyes, the surge of vigor releasing him from a moment of quiet bliss.
Iristi was in front of him. She had removed the robe and was crouched at the entrance of the hollow log. Her hair was wet and plastered to one side, the green silk dress stained terribly by water, dirt, and ash. It looked as if she had tried washing the grit and grime away, but to no avail. The dress was falling apart as well, torn asunder by their escape from the city. The shoes she had were in shambles; at least they had lasted long enough to protect her feet during their initial flight. They would have to find shoes or sandals for her in the next town they came to, or wrap her feet in cloth strips. Iristi folded the robe in a pile to the side and squeezed into the space next to Feln. Without a word, she laid her head down on the makeshift pillow she had made from the robe and closed her eyes.
#
Feln stared at her sleeping form as the morning wore on. He had to trust her despite his need for caution. Without information and direction, he would remain lost. He needed Iristi's help, and that outweighed any other consideration as he had to find Suun and figure this out. Not to mention that he had to find his way home to Waskhal by learning the key to transporting with the belt. In the past day he had saved her life for sure, and perhaps that would be enough for him to ask Iristi for help. She certainly owed it to him, although he was conflicted asking for it. The affection she had shown concerned him as well, and he wasn't sure what to make of it. It was his hope that the situation had pushed her beyond what was appropriate and it wouldn't last. He didn't need the temptation, as she was distracting enough just being her playful self.
Outside the day was warming, removing the waterlogged chill. Feln crept away from the shelter, not disturbing Iristi's slumber, and went into the sunshine of the clearing by navigating around the rocks and boulders. He removed his outer fighting ghi, the belt, his underclothes, and his tight fitting shoes. It felt like he was almost dry, but that wasn't the reason he had removed everything. He surveyed his body for injuries, bruises and the like, and was surprised to find few. Dirt and grime was along his hands, neck, and face. But other than that, he was untouched. The burns from a few days ago had healed already.
At the brook he washed quickly, the water cool and shocking. In no time he was scraping the water off with his hands, removing as much of the moisture as he could. He felt vulnerable without the belt on, and it was unsettling. He felt weakened without it, so he donned his clothing, the belt, and shoes. He drank as much fresh water as he could from the brook and filled his waterskin. The magic of the belt, reunited with its owner, jolted him in a wave, inundating his senses with power. His head spun. The energy rose to a climax, settled and leveled. Within moments he felt normal, one with the belt again, and the relaxed confidence returned. As he had thought earlier, the belt was becoming accustomed to him.
Inside the shelter, he ate one of the honey fish cakes he had purchased in Tero, noting again how wonderful they tasted. He set a portion aside for Iristi. Purposely he looked outside the entrance of the bark shelter, concentrating on a leaf shaped boulder half the size of a horse. He memorized the jagged lines, staring until his vision blurred. Complete relaxation came and he closed his eyes. He reached a state of tranquility and soon ventured into restful sleep.
#
At her first movement, Feln came awake, his eyes flipping open. In front of him Iristi sat up, tucking her legs underneath her bottom and placing her hands in her lap. Her hair seemed to sprout every direction. She saw him looking at her hair. Calmly she used her fingers to straighten it. Pulling it down and to the side, she twisted it into a knot and put it up.
"Better?" she asked.
"It's acceptable." He rolled to a sitting position, crossing his legs.
Iristi laughed, her bright smile lighting up her face. "We're going to have to work on your compliments."
The statement reminded him of Owori, and a pang of loss filled him with…confusion. Owori had said the same thing to him when he couldn't find the right words to describe her kiss. He remembered her being close and the kiss, tender and meaningful. He missed her and didn't know how to get back to her. Here he was with Iristi, a beautiful woman in her own right, and they had been thrown together in a desperate situation. He didn't know how far away, or how close, the Furawa army was or what the army would do if they caught them. They had to work together if they were going to survive, if he was going to find Suun, if he was going to get home.
"Why was your blue dress so important?" Feln asked.
"Good morning to you too!"
"It's afternoon I believe. Good afternoon," he said, recovering from her sarcasm. "So?"
Iristi cocked her head to the side. "My dress? It was one of a kind, made for me with the finest silk and thread in all of Emesia. The artisan who created the dress only makes clothing for the privileged - the wealthiest of the wealthy. The cost of it exceeded what a normal laborer would earn in a year."
"That doesn't explain its importance. I can buy a blade that costs a year's wages, but it's still a blade. A tool."
"It was for my wedding to…" she seemed to struggle with the words, "…my betrothed. After his murder, I had no use for it until now. I was going to wear it when I presented myself to Hiru. Now I have nothing." Iristi smoothed her ragged dress and laughed. "A sight I will be for him if I arrive. We'll be turned away at the gates as beggars!" She laughed.
"We may find a dress along the way to replace what you lost," Feln said. "I have coin."
"The dress can't be replaced, not without returning to the dressmaker and spending another fortune. We can't return, nor do I have the gold to offer. Your notion of me finding another dress is ridiculous. The dress can't be replaced nor can it be replicated to my satisfaction."
Feln was about to respond, but didn't. He could see it was a sore point with Iristi, the loss of the dress, and it would do him no good to try to convince her otherwise. Iristi was as stubborn as Owori. "There is something else I must speak of," Feln said. He looked to Iristi and found that she was keenly interested. A sly smile was upon her face.
"Changing the subject so quickly? Do you no longer want to convince me of the worthlessness of my dress?"
"No good could come of it, that's for sure."
"I wish you were on the Hou council," she said. "No one knows when to stop talking, but everyone knows how to start."
Feln realized Iristi was two persons wrapped into one, a strange combination of woman and politician. He had forgotten that she was Hou's council leader, having taken the responsibility from her betrothed after his death. He surmised he had seen Iristi the woman so far and little of the politician. Based on his situation, it was the politician he needed
to get to know better. That Iristi would be able to help him.
"Now it seems you don't know how to start," Iristi said, looking hopeful. "Just let it out, I'm a good listener."
"I'm not from Pyndira," he announced, clasping his hands in his lap. From Iristi's look, she was surprised and appeared as if she had expected him to talk about another subject. "The name for our lands collectively is Malurrion. I come from the Waskhal Monastery, and I'm a member of the Accord of the Hand."
Iristi stared at him. "I know of what you speak, this Malurrion, but it's only been rumored that a few privileged ones can travel from Pyndira to this other place. It's a myth."
"My mother was from Pyndira or came here from Malurrion, I'm not sure which," Feln said. "She was the owner of this belt. It came into my possession just days ago while I was fighting a war. It isn't a belt of a Favored One, as you thought." Feln unfastened his outer clothing and moved it to the side, clearing enough space for Iristi to see the belt. He sat up tall so she could inspect it.
"I thought it was one of the seven belts of the Most Favored," she stated. "It's not a fake?"
"No, definitely not a fake. It's genuine."
"So you're not from here. It's no wonder you aren't familiar with our customs. This is making sense to me now."
"I have rudimentary knowledge, but not enough. I need your help," he said. "I need to find a person that I met who can explain all of this to me, but I don't know where to start."
"For this would you be willing to help me?"
Feln wasn't sure he had a choice, and it concerned him that she had jumped in with the offer so quickly. The situation was desperate and without help, he could wander for ages and still not find Suun or get back to Waskhal. Who knew what other dangers were out there? "Iristi, I will help you. We need to be clear on what we're trying to accomplish, though, as I'm not sure I know what you're trying to do. I have to remind you, though, that we are alive because of my actions. Had we stayed back there, we'd both be dead. I don't care what belt I had on, they were intent on killing everyone."
"I understand," she croaked, as if already the memory of it was too much.
"For this you must help me find where I belong."
Iristi sat up and frowned. "I will help you."
There was silence between them. The brook bubbled and the trees creaked in the wind. Birds sang out their songs, undisturbed by the two visitors to their forest home. Iristi and Feln stared at each other, both waiting for the other to commit. Feln was intent on not saying anything until he first heard what Iristi wanted. Her request would shape his discussion with her. It all rested with what she wanted.
"This is going to be a hard negotiation," Iristi said.
Feln remained silent and stared at her.
"Then I will go first."
Feln could see Iristi tense up, as if she were going to tell him something monumental. Her entire body was rigid and taut. All at once she relaxed and closed her eyes, placing her palms over her skinned knees. From there she caressed the torn green dress that was plastered to her thighs. She opened her eyes and looked straight at Feln.
"I have decided - I do not wish to be married to Hiru," she said. "If I don't, though, Hou will be doomed. There is no other way. What I want is this; I want you to use your influence to keep me from being married to Hiru, and at the same time make peace between Hou and Hiru."
"But I have no influence, all I have is a belt."
"You have a Most Favored belt, one of the ruling belts. You are one of the seven Most Favored, the rulers of Pyndira's families and provinces. Your wishes are not taken lightly, nor can they be ignored. You can make demands. You can make the impossible happen."
"Wouldn't I be treated as an enemy?"
"Not necessarily," she said. "You are an enemy if your family has a dispute with Emesia. Understand that the Most Favoreds can go wherever they want, do what they wish, and speak with whomever they choose. There are those who may see you as an enemy and try to take advantage of your vulnerability, but others may ignore you out of fear. What did my uncle say to you?"
"He thought I was a wanderer, a ranan. He didn't recognize the belt for what it is. He told me that he wouldn't betray me because I had helped defeat the horse demon. He let me go on my way."
"I'm sure he was afraid you would bring a criminal element to Hou, so he sent you on your way. In any of these towns around here, the people would do what they could for you then send you on your way just the same. Only by meeting a Favored One of Emesia would you face a challenge."
"Once it's known I have a belt of the Most Favored, what will happen in Hiru?"
"You'll be treated fairly, but not allowed to leave until they understand what you came for. You would be able to leave at your discretion once those questions have been answered. My guess is they wouldn't harm you, if that's what you're worried about. They wouldn't take you prisoner - that would send shockwaves through Pyndira."
"It can't be that simple," Feln said. He reflected on his interaction with her uncle, Rayu. He was in a hurry to get rid of him, belt or no belt. People in power would probably have a different reaction to him. "What would stop Hiru from lopping off my head and taking my belt?"
"Nothing," she said. "The belt, though, is attuned to your family. Unlike the belts of the Favored Ones, only a few can use the Most Favored belts. They would gain nothing but denying a family their leading belt. Your family, when they found out you were dead, would come to retrieve the belt, either through diplomacy or force, or they would appeal to the Emperor to intervene. Besides, it would be dishonorable for Hiru to treat you in that manner. If you approach Hiru with respect, then he will return the respect in kind. We aren't savages."
"So what do you have in mind? What's your plan?"
"My plan…well…" Iristi straightened her back and shoulders. Feln followed the lines of her shoulders, breasts, waist, hips, and legs that were swept underneath her bottom. The dress, torn and nicked, didn't detract from her beauty. He could see patches of soft skin through the shreds, hinting at what remained hidden by the tarnished green silk. Her eyes drew wide and she leaned forward, looking as if she were going to pounce on him. "Forgive me for being so bold," she said. Now she was close enough to Feln that he felt a buzz in the air. "I want you to take me as your wife."
Chapter 12 - Capture
Feln laughed. He saw by Iristi's reaction that she wasn't amused. Her olive skin darkened and her eyes narrowed, then her face turned red with embarrassment. She was close to him and the tension remained, but his laugh had broken the seriousness of her request.
"That was not the response I wanted," she said.
"And that will solve all of your problems?"
Iristi nodded. She looked like she was getting angry.
"Forgive me, but you'll have to explain. As I recall, they found your betrothed dead. Why would I not suffer the same fate?"
"Not necessarily," Iristi said. "It's complicated, but I will do my best to explain. It's true they murdered him because of his aspirations - our aspirations - for Hou. I also believe he was slain so I would be unmarried. Marriage is more than a promise of love, it's often used to form alliances between lords and families. I don't love Hiru, but will join with him so Hou and Hiru can unite. So Hou can be safe."
"It still doesn't explain how taking you for my wife solves your problems."
"If I were married to you, a Most Favored, Hiru couldn't take me for his wife. I would be spared from that…pig."
"That doesn't solve Hou's problems."
"It just solves mine in the short term." Iristi dipped her head, not looking at Feln. "Hiru is a Favored One, not the ultimate leader in Emesia - Chang is. We could get an audience with Chang, the Most Favored, and talk through the situation. He would listen to another Most Favored."
"Then why don't we just go and talk to Chang?"
"As soon as I make my presence known in Hiru, they will take me away unless I'm married to you. By taking me as your wife, you will ha
ve made me part of your family. It would be a marriage in principle only, and I wouldn't ask that you love me or raise a family with me. Once we have spoken with Chang, I will return to Hou and you can return to Malurrion or wherever you wish to go. As a Most Favored your will is the law, and you can annul our arrangement if you choose to take another."
"What is to stop Hiru from returning to you once I have moved on?"
"Publicly, and in Emesia, I would remain yours," she said. "With your authority as Most Favored, you can make it so no one else can marry me. I would wish it so, to spare me from Hiru. I do not want to marry him. Not now. Not ever."
"This doesn't sound like a permanent solution." Feln crossed his arms. He could see from her hopeless expression that Iristi was distressed. "It's crazy!"
"No it isn't! You aren't from Pyndira! You don't know politics like I do! You don't understand the power you command!"
"Still seems temporary."
"It's all I can think of. I thought I could do this for Hou, sacrifice my life and myself so Hou will not suffer. I'm being selfish. What is wrong with that?"
Feln figured that marrying her would only complicate, if not exacerbate matters. He was new to this land, an outsider, unfamiliar with their traditional customs, views, and politics. He wasn't sure of his place or where he belonged or if her assertion that he was powerful was true. Yet he needed Iristi's help, and he needed a companion he could trust. He looked at her and he could see she was desperate for him to help, desperate for him to accompany her to Hiru and help solve her problems.
"You're not telling me the full story," Feln said.
"What makes you say that?"
"I'm an outsider. From my point of view it doesn't make sense. Start over and give me perspective, give me the reasons why I should do this."
She started immediately. "Two years ago a man named Wafu arrived in Hou, my future betrothed, and became one of the most visible businessmen and samurai in Hou. He began setting up stores in every corner of the city, selling wares from all over Emesia, and using the profits to buy land. He was involved in politics, was a natural leader, and he gathered support quickly. As a politician, he was doing all the right things to make Hou a better place. He had great ideas, and he even had support for creating a wall around the city. It was then he began speaking of severing ties with Hiru, not a new idea, to split Emesia in half, and he also began speaking of marriage to me."