A Woman's World

by Lynne Hill-Clark

  “One week. We must have the boat ready and stocked with supplies within one week,” he said.

  Baya gathered supplies over the next handful of days, taking only what food, fabrics, water containers and the like that could easily be carried. She hoped they would not be missed from the vast royal supplies.

  Vicaroy was busy braiding ropes and sewing sails. He spent most of his time hidden in the cave in case someone happened into the cove — again.

  When their work slowed at the end of the day, Baya hoped that she would get another chance at a kiss. But Vicaroy stayed well away — busily out of reach at all times.

  What is wrong with him? she wondered.

  The next problem was getting the large vessel out of the cave. They could easily carry the canoe, but not Vicaroy’s latest invention. Vicaroy looked down the cliff to the water. She could hardly lift one end. There was no way they could carry it over the cliff.

  “We need a ramp to slide it into the water … somehow.” Baya’s face was tight with concentration.

  “That’s it! We need two logs that reach from the cave opening down to the water.”

  Vicaroy secured two long poles less than the width of the boat apart from each other. Baya focused on lifting the front of the boat with her mind while Vicaroy shoved from behind. The boat slid down the poles. With outreached arms Baya used her powers to help guide it down the logs and into the water.

  “We did it,” Baya yelled.

  Vicaroy took Baya in his arms and swung her around. When he looked back toward the water, the boat was heading out to sea. He raced down the ladder and plunged into the water. By the time he reached the vessel and dragged it back to shore he was soaked and panting.

  “At least it floats.” Baya yelled after him.

  “Did you doubt my abilities?”

  Baya laughed. “No. Never. I couldn’t have built something like this.”

  After tying the boat off to a rock, Vicaroy waded into the water and swung himself into the boat. He inspected it carefully for any signs of leaks. He found none — his craftsmanship was good.

  They loaded it with as many supplies as they dared.

  “It’s still sitting high in the water,” Vicaroy said. “It should be able to carry us and our supplies with ease. It’s as ready as it will ever be.”

  They looked at each other with wide eyes. The sudden reality of what they were about to do fully consumed them. It was as if a million tiny bugs scurried about in Baya’s stomach as adrenaline flooded her body.

  “Are we actually going to do this?” She studied the shoreline of the cove and surrounding mountains. This was her favorite place. It was quiet and safe — peaceful. “Are we crazy for wanting to leave?”

  “Definitely.” Vicaroy pulled her close and inhaled her scent. “You can stay, you know?” He wasn’t sure if he wanted her to agree or not. He wanted her to care about him enough to leave with him but then again if she backed out on her own he wouldn’t have to sneak away tonight. He could leave with a clear conscience.

  Baya looked into his eyes. “I’m ready.”

  He nodded but couldn’t hold her gaze — the guilt was overwhelming. “Tomorrow morning then. It’s getting late.”

  Baya glanced toward the suns. One was still quite high in the sky. What’s wrong with him? Maybe he was just nervous about the voyage? Of course that was it. This was the scariest and stupidest thing anyone could possibly do. That must be why he hadn’t kissed her again. He’s focused. That was okay, they would soon have plenty of time together.

  “Well, I should spend some time with Bek and Rus. You know, to say goodbye, without actually telling them what I’m up to.” Baya exhaled heavily. “It won’t be easy.”

  “Maybe you should stay.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. I told you, this is what I want. I don’t want a life of politics and petty games.”

  Vicaroy nodded solemnly and pulled on the rope that tied the boat to the shore, forcing the bow into the sandy shore. He helped Baya out.

  “See you at first light.” Baya was surprisingly more excited than nervous or sad.

  Vicaroy only stared off into the distance. He didn’t want to let go of her waist after setting her on the beach.

  “What’s wrong?” She gently rubbed his shoulder to try to get him to look at her.

  He wanted to tell her so many things; like how hard it would be without her, how much he would miss her. That he loved her. …

  Baya misread his sorrowful expression. “We’ll be fine. With my powers and your strength and weapons we will survive out there. We’ll find land and … make a new life for ourselves, one without Shema’s rules. In fact, we’ll get to make our own rules.”

  Vicaroy forced a smile. “That sounds … perfect.” He paused for a long moment, then spoke quickly. “Of course we’ll make it. See you at first light.”

  Baya moved to leave but he swiftly took her by the waist and pressed his lips to hers. She enjoyed the sensation that spread through her body and settled in her belly. Thankfully he was brave enough to take the initiative again. She slowly wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “Good night.” Baya whispered, when she pulled away.

  With a brief wave, Vicaroy watched her walk away. He stared after her for a long time, even when she was out of sight. He fought the urge to run after her. Shaking his head to clear it, he went to the cave to make sure nothing had been left behind.

  Vicaroy debated leaving Baya’s bag of clothes on the beach. But they did smell like her, so he opted to keep them — something to have of hers. He sat on the beach for a moment, this time staring at the mountains around the cove. He’d have plenty of time to watch the sea. Actually, before this was over he would be sick of the water. However, he would never set his sights on these mountains again … or the cove … or Baya.…

  When the last sun was on the horizon, Vicaroy untied the rope that had stayed the boat, wading into the cool water as he pushed it out to sea. He paused at the sound of rustling bushes behind him. Narrowing his eyes, he studied the tree line, but couldn’t see anything. He must’ve been imagining things. So he swung himself into the boat and rowed away from shore.

  Chapter 35

  Fay ran as fast as she could toward the palace.

  That is just like a man, sneaky and conniving, Fay thought. Vicaroy can’t leave without Baya. She has to go.

  This was the perfect way to get Baya out of her way. With her gone there would be no one better suited to become Unawi than Fay.

  “Baya!” Fay yelled.

  Baya was headed up the path to the palace on her way to see Bek and Rus for the last time. She frowned when she saw Fay running toward her from the beach.

  Fay’s brow sparkled with sweat and she gasped for air.

  “What are you doing out here?” Baya asked.

  “Never mind that. He’s leaving!”

  “Who’s leaving? What are you talking about?”

  “The garden boy — well, the former garden boy.” Fay panted as she pointed to the sea.

  From this vantage point Baya could spot a tiny speck making its way through the waves far below. “No,” she whispered. “He wouldn’t!”

  It didn’t take Fay long to catch her breath and find her sarcasm. “I guess he doesn’t really love you after all.”

  Baya bolted down the path.

  Fay gave a self-satisfied smile. “I’ll tell your mother goodbye for you.”

  “Screw you,” Baya yelled over her shoulder.

  When Baya reached the water’s edge directly South of the palace, she lifted her long tunic over her head in one quick motion, hardly pausing as she plunged into the blue water. She swam as hard as she could for the distant speck out at sea. The water grew cooler as she left the land behind. Her arms and legs grew heavy. She forced herself to keep going.

  Don’t stop. You can’t stop, she kept telling herself over and over as she tried to ignore her aching limbs.

  Baya swam much farther than s
he ever had before, when it hit her, what was she thinking? She couldn’t make it that far out to sea. She paused and treaded water. The shore was now farther away than Vicaroy.

  She had no choice, so she pushed on, forcing her arms to stroke and her legs to kick, again and again.

  Not only did the water get cooler but the waves grew stronger. When the sea became too rough she could no longer make it over the tall waves. She stopped swimming and treaded water. Her eyes widened with fear and a scream escaped as she watched a powerful wave roll over her head, forcing her under. Baya fought to make it to the surface. She was able to gulp in some air before the next wave swept over her. Panic rose as the memories of being trapped in a dark well consumed her.

  She couldn’t breathe. Fighting for the surface, her head broke the water. She gasped for air only to have a wave smash down over her. Her throat and lungs burned as salty water rushed into them.

  No. No! I’m stuck in water that I can’t escape. Not again, please no, Goddess, help me. Baya’s thoughts terrorized her.

  The eerie bubbly silence of being submerged under water was all she could hear. She floated helplessly in the vast blue abyss.

  This was it. She had been able to survive the royal tests, yet this was how she would die.

  No. It can’t be, not like this. I can’t give up. I have survived worse. I can do this, she thought.

  She forced her tired legs to propel her to the surface.

  There was a sharp pain in Baya’s armpits as she was forcefully lifted out of the water. Vicaroy pulled her into the boat. Her body crumpled in a pile as she heaved seawater out of her lungs. It was even more painful coming out than going in. When the heaving stopped and no more water came out she lay still gasping for air.

  Vicaroy rubbed her shoulder, not knowing what else to do. He was overwhelmed with relief that she was alive and by some miracle she was actually in the boat — with him.

  When Baya finally stood she had to brace herself with her legs wide apart as the boat rolled over one large wave after another. Vicaroy handed her a cloth to dry off. She jerked it out of his hand.

  Vicaroy couldn’t stop staring at her as she attempted to dry her arms and legs. She was breathing hard and barely covered by her undergarment which clung to her lean wet body. He was not sure if he had ever been happier in his life. Yet, he wasn’t stupid, he knew very well what was coming.

  He looked away and braced for the storm that would soon be Baya. Vicaroy thought he would have been long gone before she found out he had left without her. In no way had he prepared for her reaction. He tensed before she began to yell.

  “You were going to leave me?” It hurt Baya’s sore throat all the more but she didn’t care.

  He sat on the rowing bench in the back of the boat and kept his head down, as every man did when faced with a furious woman.

  “Curse the Goddess!” Baya was glad her mother couldn’t hear her use Ameris’s name in vain. “Look at me, Vicaroy!”

  He slowly raised his head and was again taken by her near-nakedness. He quickly moved to fetch a tunic from the supplies.

  “I don’t need you to wait on me. I need you to answer me, dammit!”

  Out of habit he lowered his eyes again. The overload of emotion — from her, and his guilt, and her sensual body — it was too much. He had no words.

  “Fine! If you …” her voice broke, “If you don’t want me to go with you then … take me back.”

  Silence.

  “Damn you! Look at me.” A traitorous tear ran down her cheek and the anger was gone, replaced by pain — overwhelming pain.

  “I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”

  “No! I will not force you to be with me. If you don’t want me with you then …” she couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence. She had no idea what she’d do without him.

  He lifted his head and forced himself to look her in the eyes and ignore her dripping exposed body. “I want you with me more than …” completely against his will his eyes wandered to her chest, still heaving and wet. “Please put a tunic on — a long, dry one.”

  Now her heart broke completely in two. He couldn’t stand the sight of her. She glared at him for a moment and turned to the cabin. She threw open the knapsack full of clothes. The small cabin was littered with fabrics when she came out dressed as she usually would be.

  No tears. She was determined to be strong.

  Vicaroy gave her a warm smile.

  Baya wanted to throw a ball of fire at his face. Instead, she glanced toward the shrinking city lights in the distance.

  Vicaroy struggled to find the words to explain. He wanted to tell her everything. Yet he was no good at expressing himself. He didn’t fully understand all he felt and he couldn’t find the right words. Even though he frantically searched his mind — in the end it betrayed him.

  Baya tapped her foot impatiently and when she got nothing, she said, “Take me back.” Baya fought against the knot in her already aching throat. It threatened to send tears spilling out of her eyes.

  “Baya … please …” was all he could get out.

  She looked into his golden eyes. “I shouldn’t have swum out here. I should have let you go alone, like you wanted.”

  “Baya —"

  “Just take me back!” She wanted to be away from him so she could let the tears fall — without him knowing how much he’d hurt her.

  Vicaroy reached for the oars. He would always do as she asked. Not only because he was a man who had to do as women demanded but because he cared for her more than anything. He only wanted her to be happy and the best way to do that was to do as she said. She belonged in Pathins, he didn’t.

  Before his oars hit the water the boat rocked and Baya had to grab the side to keep from falling back into the water. A green light flickered over them.

  She looked at Vicaroy with wide eyes.

  “What was …” Vicaroy trailed off.

  “We’ve left Shema’s protection. We’re on the outside. I can … feel it.”

  They looked back to where the island of Pathins should have been but there was nothing. Nothing but vast ocean all around them.

  “The priestesses’ protection makes Pathins invisible from the outside?” Vicaroy asked.

  Baya’s mouth hung open as she nodded. “Apparently.”

  The boat rocked again, this time harder and with a loud thud. Baya was thrown against Vicaroy, who deftly caught her. They quickly moved to where the sound had come from. Looking over the side they found the blue furry back of a large fish sticking out of the water. The fact that it was furry was not what was unusual, as most all fish had thick, water-resistant hair that covered their bodies. What was terrifying was the size of the fish. It was many times the length of their vessel.

  “That thing could swallow this boat whole,” Baya said.

  “And not even know it,” Vicaroy added.

  “Set the sails! We have to get away from it before it decides to see if this boat is edible.”

  Chapter 36

  At first light, Aga’s eyes shot open. She quickly rose and looked out her window at the black diamond-shaped palace in the distance. Today was going to be a big day, she could feel it. She washed briefly in the washbasin and dressed in one of her best gowns.

  Bek was still sleeping. Rus was making breakfast when she hurried past him.

  “Good day, my darling,” Aga said.

  “You’re in a good mood this morning and you’re up early,” Rus replied.

  “Something big is going to happen today. If my intuition is correct this may be Baya’s big day.” She sang the last words.

  “You think that there has been a calling from Ameris?”

  “I hope so and there is no one better qualified than Baya. She is ready to take Shema’s place.” Aga frowned. “Well there is Fay, who is of age. She is skilled but not nearly as strong and powerful as Baya.” Aga’s smile returned. “Baya may become the youngest woman to ever become ruler. It’s why she too
k her tests early, I can feel it in my bones.”

  Aga hurried toward the front door.

  “Wait,” Rus said. “Won’t you at least stay to eat? It’s the most important meal and if you have to begin fasting, you could use some food this morning.”

  “No. I have to get to the palace.” She returned long enough to give Rus a peck on the cheek, then she was gone.

  “Wish Baya luck for me,” he called after her.

  Once Aga entered the Great Hall her heart leapt. She was right! A calling and not just any calling but a call for a new Unawi.

  The water in the fountain in the middle of the large room swirled high into the air. It formed two strands of clear water that curved around each other in a dancing spiral. Sunlight reflected off the water sending sparkling diamonds and shimmering rainbows around the room.

  Aga had not seen this lovely sight since Baya was a small child.

  Shema had been staring at the water intently, as if she were daring herself to believe that it was real. When she saw Aga, she smiled and opened her arms for an embrace.

  Aga kissed her cheek. “Your day has finally come.”

  “Yes. I will be rid of the pressures of ruling at last. I have been Unawi for too long. Longer than most and I’m more than ready to retire to a life of peace and relaxation.” Shema raised an eyebrow at Aga. “And this is good news for you as well, as there are no mistresses better suited than your wonderful daughter.”

  “At last, both our dreams will come to be.” The light in Aga’s eyes danced.

  “You must inform the mistresses that they can go home for the next three days while we are fasting in prayer in order to determine who will take my place.”

  Aga wanted to run to the classroom where the mistresses would be waiting for their lessons. But she forced herself to walk slowly. It was early and the girls would barely be getting settled into their seats.

  Fay sat on a table facing her friends. “Well, if that silly lovestruck girl wanted to run off to certain death with some insignificant garden boy, then there was nothing I could do about that,” Fay boasted.