“Don’t you dare touch her!” Dayn shouted. He planted himself between his sister and Reiv.
“No, I—” Reiv gulped.
“Alicine was right,” Dayn said, his usually calm voice now fraught with hostility. “You’ve been lying to us, pretending to be our friend, saying you would be there for us when you had no intention of it. It was all just a big show for Brina, wasn’t it? You don’t care one whit about us, do you!”
“No, Dayn. I mean—yes—I mean . . .” Reiv stumbled over the words, frantically searching for the right ones to say. “You cannot possibly understand.”
Alicine stepped around and stood at Dayn’s side. “We can’t understand if you don’t explain it to us.”
Reiv stared at the floor, then tucked his hands beneath his folded arms. “I do not want you to see. Can you understand that?”
“You don’t have to show us, Reiv,” Alicine said, sounding genuinely remorseful at her earlier insistence that he do so. “But can’t you at least tell us?”
Reiv stood silently for a moment, then looked into their curious faces. He unfolded his arms and held out his hands, struggling to set his face with indifference. “Burned. They were burned. That is all you need to know.”
Alicine took a step toward him, her eyes full of sympathy. “Maybe I can help.”
“No one can help,” Reiv replied.
“But there are treatments.”
“Everything that could have been done, has been done.” Reiv waved his arms around him. “Do you not see all the bottles? Do you not see all the herbs? Brina and I have been working for a year now to try and make my hands better. No, Alicine, there is nothing else that can be done.”
“It’s been a year since it happened?” Alicine asked.
“Yes,” he said.
“And that is why you are called Jecta?” Dayn asked hesitantly.
Reiv’s eyes shot to his. “Yes. But I am not Jecta. I was born Tearian. That is what I am, not Jecta!”
“What of your family?” Alicine asked.
“Brina is my only family. Well, and now Dayn; and you, I suppose.”
Dayn drew a breath. “Reiv—” But before he could finish, they were startled by a loud knock at the door.
“Brina!” Dayn exclaimed, his voice hopeful. He turned and ran in the direction of the door.
“No, Dayn! Stop!” Reiv shouted.
But it was too late. Dayn reached the door and threw open the latch.
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Chapter 17: Princes and Warriors
Brina ducked into a shallow alcove and scanned the river of faces winding past. She wasn’t supposed to be there; royals were not allowed this close to Market without an escort. But she had lied that morning, claiming she was going to see an ailing friend who lived nearby. She did indeed call on that friend, justification for the falseness of her words, but stayed only long enough to solicit the woman’s silence and a change of clothing. The promise to bring her friend a Shell Seeker trinket had sealed the agreement between them.
She pressed her back into the shadows as two members of the Guard strolled past. Although she was dressed in pastel green in place of royal yellow, Brina could not risk the guards’ attentions upon her. Were they to recognize her face, and they very likely would, there would be no explaining her way out of it. She eased from the wall and watched the guards as they disappeared into the crowd. Pulling in a steadying breath, she stole into the mass of bodies and made her way out the gates toward the Market grounds beyond.
A large Tearian man, blinded by a tower of purchases teetering in his arms, pushed into her, almost knocking her off her feet. Before he had a chance to finish his half-hearted apology, Brina turned and disappeared into the crowd. With growing impatience, she craned her neck to see over the throng ahead of her. The Shell Seeker tents were just ahead. That would be her first stop.
The Shell Seekers always had the greatest number of customers at their booths, for they were the most sought-after crafters at Market. They were the only ones who dared dive into the sea, so the goods they brought were considered a luxury. Over the years, the Tearians valued the shell wares so greatly that they came to regard the Shell Seekers more highly than the other merchants. But there was still no denying what the Shell Seekers were—Jecta.
A shell-pink awning caught Brina’s eye and she worked her way to it. Shouldering her way between a wall of haggling customers who crowded the booth, she moved to the back where a dark-haired young man was speaking with a patron. Brina strolled along the tables, fingering shells here and there, all the while eyeing the young man. His business finally completed, she motioned him over in her most authoritative manner.
“Young man,” she said, “I am looking for a special vessel, a gift for my sister.”
“Of course,” the young man said. “As you can see, we have many. What did you have in mind?” He ushered her to the display of intricately designed bottles, vases, and urns that lined a shelf along the back of the booth.
“A perfume bottle,” she said.
“Here is a nice one,” he said, picking up a beautiful pink bottle inlaid with a swirl of bird-shaped shells.
Brina took the bottle and examined it, commenting on its beauty as she rotated it in the light. “It is lovely, but not quite what I had in mind.” She sighed and handed the bottle back to him, then bent down to inspect the row of bottles more carefully. “I see nothing here that is to my liking. Have you anything else you could show me?”
“Well,” the young man replied, “there is one you might be interested in, but it is in the back still being crafted. I could not risk handling it to bring it to you here.”
“Take me to see it then,” Brina said.
“Very well,” he said, motioning toward a flap dividing the stall from the tent at its back. “Please, allow me...” He bowed and held the flap back as Brina brushed past him. Glancing over his shoulder, he stooped and made his way through the low portal and disappeared with her to the other side.
Brina grabbed the young man’s arm. “Torin,” she whispered. “Where is your sister?”
“Here is the bottle you wanted to see,” Torin said somewhat loudly. Then he lowered his voice. “She’s here, somewhere. What’s wrong?”
Brina hesitated. She knew she could confide in him. She had known him since he was a child and knew him to be trustworthy. But she wanted his sister Jensa to be there before she divulged her plan. She studied his worried face for a moment. Torin was a handsome young man, tall, with a striking mane of jet-black hair braided and pulled away from his face. He was dressed in a loincloth, and his chest was covered with strands of colorful shells. Tattoos encircled his muscular arms, and black kohl lined his dark brown eyes. Nothing about him could be mistaken for Tearian, except perhaps his pride.
“Tell me, Brina,” he said. “What is it?”
“I will tell you, but I want Jensa to be here when I do. This will concern you both.”
Torin placed a hand on Brina’s shoulder and nodded. “Wait here and I’ll fetch her.” With that, he slipped through the flap and went back to the stall.
Brina fingered a half-finished bottle that lay amongst the shells and tools littering the work table. The flap opened behind her, and she wheeled around, smiling with relief.
Jensa strode into the room, her presence enveloping it. Tall and lithe, she stood nearly the same height as her slightly older brother, Torin. Her hair was dark, though not as dark as his, and was piled up in braids and ringlets. The shells decorating her ears cascaded down her long neck and across her barely covered breasts. The green tattoos around her arms gave the impression of ocean waves dancing across her golden skin. Her kohl-lined, pale blue eyes darted in Brina’s direction. “Torin says you need some assistance with a bottle,” Jensa said.
“Yes, this one here,” Brina said.
“What is it, Brina?” Jensa asked in a hushed voice. She ushered her to the back of the tent.
“Who is watchi
ng the booth?”
“Mya is watching it for us,” Jensa replied. “What—”
“I need your help,” Brina said. “There are two Jecta I need smuggled out of the city.”
“Smuggled out? Who are they?” Jensa asked.
“Strangers. Reiv brought them to his place last night.”
“Reiv—humph!” Torin said. “Since when does he take in Jecta?”
Brina’s mouth compressed, then she said, “Torin, please, can we keep our personal feelings out of this?”
“But Brina, you know how Reiv is. Why would he have Jecta at his place?”
“He thought they were thieves. He intended to take them to Headquarters, but was delayed due to the wedding.” She shot Torin a look to remind him that the previous day’s festivities would have been particularly difficult for her nephew.
“Are they thieves?” Jensa asked.
“No. Reiv made a mistake.”
“Reiv is a mistake,” Torin muttered under his breath.
“Torin,” Brina said, struggling to keep her voice low. “Reiv made a mistake and is doing everything in his power to rectify it. May I remind you that he is at risk also? He was seen by the guards last night. They know he had the Jecta with him and that he was planning to take them to Headquarters. What do you think will happen to Reiv when they discover he never turned them over?”
Torin moved to speak, but Jensa put a commanding hand on his arm. “Torin, put your hostilities aside and listen to what Brina has to say.”
He nodded, but folded his arms. “What is it you need, Brina?”
“They must be smuggled out. I am planning to go to Pobu to see Nannaven. I need to find them a place to stay.”
“That still doesn’t explain what you want us to do,” Jensa said.
“If Reiv could get them this far without being detected by the guards,” Brina said.
“Then they could leave with us,” Torin added, piecing her plan together.
“Yes, and you could escort them to Pobu. Of course there could be some risk to you. The guards might recognize them, but they are dressed as Jecta now so perhaps—”
“Dressed as Jecta? But you said they were Jecta. Brina, who are these people?” Jensa asked.
“A boy and a girl. They are special. That is all I can tell you now.”
Jensa and Torin looked at each other in bewilderment.
Brina continued. “I told Reiv that if I was not back by high sun he was to take them to Pobu himself and wait for me at Gair’s shop.”
“Reiv? To Pobu?” Torin arched his brow. “Gods, they must be special. He would never go there if they weren’t.”
“Exactly. That is why I must return from Pobu quickly to tell him to come here instead. I did not want to send him here unless I had spoken to you first. Reiv’s presence in Pobu would raise too much suspicion, by both Tearian guards and Jecta.” Brina narrowed her eyes at Torin. “All the more reason to give Reiv some credit. He knows that if I do not return he is to take them to Pobu himself and he is willing to do it.”
Torin nodded. “I’m sorry, Brina. You’re right.”
Brina glanced toward the flap. “We do not have much time to talk. Jensa, do you have a wrap I might borrow? I was watched with much more scrutiny than usual this morning. Although I managed to borrow this frock, the color of it might still draw unwanted attention.”
“Of course. Whatever you need.” Jensa walked over to a large trunk and pulled out a lightweight cloak.
“Oh, and a trinket for the owner of these clothes,” Brina said. Jensa lifted a strand of shell beads from around her neck and handed it to her. Brina pulled the beads over her head and draped the cloak around her shoulders. “I noticed more guards than usual milling about today. Something is afoot, and I pray it does not involve Reiv or the Jecta he is harboring. Is there perhaps a way one of you could watch his place, to make certain they are safe until I return?”
Torin frowned and shook his head. “Jensa and I would be noticed in that area of the quadrant. Shell Seekers don’t go there.”
“I know,” Brina said, “but—”
An energetic boy suddenly bounded into the tent and rushed toward her. In an instant his arms were wrapped around her hips.
“Brina!” he exclaimed. His eyes twinkled as his grinning, freckled face turned up to hers.
Brina reached down and tousled his sandy-colored hair. “And how is my little warrior today?”
“Good, Brina! But why are you here? Are you going to stay? Are you? Please say you will!” The boy looked pleadingly into her face and grabbed her hand, jumping up and down.
“Kerrik, settle yourself down this instant,” Jensa ordered. She took him by the shoulders and pulled him away.
“But Jensa,” he protested. “I only want—”
“I don’t care what you want,” Jensa said sternly. “Brina did not come to see you.”
“Oh, Jensa,” Brina said, “I always have time for my favorite person.” She smiled sweetly at the boy who was struggling to remove himself from his sister’s firm grip.
“Jensa,” Torin said, his voice strangely level, “couldn’t Kerrik spy for us?”
“Are you mad?” she cried.
“He’s seven years old now. I was younger than that when I started taking up the cause, and you were even younger. Remember?”
“What are you saying?” Brina said.
“What I’m saying is that Jensa and I can’t go undetected to the place you want us to go. But Kerrik—”
“No, absolutely not!” Jensa stomped her foot. “I will not have it!” She looked at Brina for support, but Brina revealed no sign of it.
“Torin, do you think the boy could manage it?” Brina asked, glancing down at Kerrik’s twisted right foot.
Kerrik’s eyes, wide with anticipation, darted between Brina and Torin. He wrenched free of Jensa’s grasp and bounded over to his older brother. Lifting his head, he puffed out his chest in an attempt to look bigger.
Torin laughed. “Have you ever known anything to slow this boy down? Besides, I’ve been working with him and, as you know, our little warrior has been anxious to be just that. Maybe this would be a good first job for him.”
Brina looked at Jensa whose hand had risen to her mouth. “Jensa, you know I love Kerrik. I would never risk him. But, this is so important.”
Brina knelt down in front of Kerrik and placed her hands on his shoulders. Staring him in the eye, she took a very serious tone. “Kerrik, I need your help. Do you know where Reiv lives?”
“Yes, Brina.”
Jensa gasped. “How could you possibly know?”
“I’ve been there,” Kerrik replied matter-of-factly.
“Been there?” Jensa exclaimed.
“Of course,” he replied. “What do you think I do all day at Market while you and Torin are flattering Tearians?”
“But to Reiv’s?” Jensa said.
“He never knew I was spying. Nobody saw me. I only wanted to see the prince.”
Brina stifled a smile. Why wouldn’t the boy want to see him? Reiv was famous, after all, especially amongst the Jecta boys who thought being a prince must be the greatest thing in the world. “Kerrik,” she said, “all I need you to do is watch Reiv’s place. Nothing more. Can you do that?”
“Of course.”
“If anyone goes there, anyone other than me, you must come and tell Jensa and Torin immediately, do you understand?”
“I understand.”
“And Kerrik, if anything happens there, under no circumstances are you to interfere.”
“I will be the best spy the Jecta have ever known,” Kerrik said bravely.
“I know you will,” Brina replied. Then she pulled him into her arms and hugged him tight.
“Brina, please,” Kerrik whined. He squirmed from her grasp. “I’m not a baby.”
Brina took a deep breath and rose, then turned her attention to Jensa and Torin. “Here is what we must do,” she said. “I will go to Pobu.
Kerrik will keep an eye on Reiv’s apartment. After I have secured a place for them with Nannaven, I will return here to let you know all is well then go to Reiv and instruct him to bring the boy and girl here. You can then take them with you when you leave Market.”
Torin and Jensa nodded.
“And if you don’t come back?” Jensa asked.
“If Kerrik sees Reiv leave with them, he is to follow and give him the message to come here.” She looked at Kerrik. “Can you do that Kerrik?”
“Yes, Brina. I know what to do,” he said.
Brina smiled. “I knew I could count on you.”
Brina tightened the cloak around her neck and pulled the hood up over her head. She walked toward the rear exit of the tent, then paused. “There are no words to express how grateful I am,” she said over her shoulder. Then she slipped through the portal and left them standing in silence.
Jensa pulled Kerrik over and spun him around to face her. “First, we must get this kohl off of you,” she said, scowling with disapproval. She reached for a rag that was draped across the workbench and scrubbed it across his face.
“Ow, Jensa, that hurts!” Kerrik cried, trying to jerk his face from the harsh wipes that were only replacing the black marks with red ones.
“Be still!” Jensa barked.
Torin stepped toward them. “Are you trying to wipe off his entire face?”
Jensa shot Torin an icy glare. “And you! I cannot believe you suggested this.” She turned her attention back to the wriggling boy and continued to rake the rag across his skin.
“He’ll be fine, Jensa. It’s time.”
“Time? Time for what? Time to risk his neck?”
“No, time for him to grow up.”
Torin yanked Kerrik from Jensa’s reach. “Let him be,” he said as he ushered the boy away from her.
Jensa stood staring at Torin, her blue eyes now black with rage. She threw the kohl-smeared rag to the ground. “Fine, but this will be on your conscience, Torin, not mine!”
Souls of Aredyrah 1 - The Fire and the Light Page 21