The river slithered amongst the buildings. Giant metal grates in the wall allowed the water to flow into and out of the city. But what captured Baya’s attention was the large head of the stone beast that sat atop the wall. Its mouth stood open in lethal warning. Its long fangs were fully visible and its glassy red eyes were aglow with sunlight.
“The slippery creature … the … the serpent,” Baya breathed, her voice little more than a whisper. Could it be? “Merth …” She finally allowed her eyes to blink. It was a test to see if the city would still be there when she reopened them. A screech escaped her lips when the city still lay sprawled out in front of her.
“Vicaroy! We found it! We found the ancient city nestled in the serpent’s belly. It really exists. There are other people in the world. We haven’t been chasing shadows this entire time.” That’s when she noticed that he had already headed down the hill. She sprinted after him and leapt onto his back. “We did it! We found Merth!”
Chapter 65
Vicaroy didn’t seem to take any notice that Baya had jumped on his back.
“Wahoo!” She pumped a fist in the air.
Tara bounded around them, Baya’s excitement was contagious.
“Maybe they have a healer who can fix you?” Her thoughts whirled. What would these people be like? What if they weren’t friendly? Would she even remember how to act around others?
Baya felt like they had been alone for a lifetime. Oh, to have the protection of walls … the comfort of a bed … She hardly allowed herself to hope for such things as they made their way down the hill.
Silent and fearless, Vicaroy marched toward the walls of the city, which looked plenty tall enough to keep out any type of wild beast. There appeared to be only one metal door at the base of the wall underneath the massive serpent’s head. It was ridiculously small compared to the wall and the statue above.
The sound of a horn boomed through the air as they approached.
Tara halted and gave her tail a nervous flick. She sniffed the air. It smells … funny.
“You haven’t smelled this many people before.”
Figures ran along the top of the wall. There were more than Baya could count. Vicaroy was not deterred and continued his approach.
I don’t know about this. … What if they’re hostile? Doba whispered into Baya’s mind. He crawled into her pack hiding himself from view.
Baya slowly advanced as did an antsy Tara.
A male voice rang out. It sounded similar to the word, “Beast!” An arrow flew through the air and landed at Tara’s feet. Then came another and Tara leapt out of the way just in time.
“Stop!” Baya yelled. She swiftly moved to stand in front of Tara and raised an invisible shield around them as two more arrows harmlessly bounced away. “The animal is with us. She is our … companion.”
Some of the figures looked at each other and murmured. Baya was too far away to make out what they said.
Vicaroy remained focused on the door to the city as he continued forward, relentlessly determined in the face of flying arrows.
Nocked arrows and strained bow strings lined the top of the wall as a female voice called out. It sounded to Baya like the word “Halt!” but it was heavily accented. The woman wore a metal breastplate and her upper legs were also covered in a protective metal. Baya studied the figures on the wall. There were more men than women and all wore armor and were well-armed.
Baya grabbed Vicaroy’s arm to stop his advance.
The woman yelled again.
Baya was only able to make out a couple of words. She must’ve been asking where they were from. “We’re from Pathins.” Baya yelled up to them. She held on tight to Vicaroy to keep him from moving forward and being impaled by an arrow.
The people on the wall murmured in awe at the mention of Pathins.
The woman, clearly the leader of the guards, spoke again this time more slowly.
One word rang out — beast. Baya was able to discern that the woman was inquiring about Tara. Maybe she wanted to know why Tara didn’t attack them.
With numerous arrows pointed in their direction, Baya moved slowly. She knelt down by Tara and rubbed her chin and ruffled the iridescent feathers on her neck. “Lick my cheek.” Baya whispered.
Tara did.
“You see. She is our friend.” Baya yelled up to the woman on the wall.
It sounded like the woman said something to the effect of, “Impossible.”
“Please. We need help. My friend is …” Baya gestured to Vicaroy. “He’s sick. He needs a healer.”
After much murmuring and some commands being thrown around, the metal doors in the city wall swung open.
The leader of the guards gestured for them to move forward, even though the arrows remained ready to fire.
Once inside the city they found themselves surrounded by men and women holding spears. They were mostly focused on Tara.
Tara bared her teeth and growled.
“Tara. Be nice. That’s no way to convince them that you’re harmless.”
If they make any sudden move, then I won’t be harmless.
“Tara!” Baya chastised. Sit tight. Don’t make any aggressive gestures. Baya spoke directly to Tara through their mental bond.
Tara sat on her back leg and closed her mouth, concealing her sharp teeth, yet her tail flicked in warning.
The armed people parted to make way for a woman. She was dressed in the finest gown Baya had ever seen. It was of the purest white. Small pieces of clear gems hung down on threads anchored all over the gown. The precious stones moved and shimmered with every step. Long pieces of sheer white fabric flowed behind the woman as she approached. The crown atop her head contained more white jewels which, like her gown, glistened in the sunlight.
She must be the Unawi of Merth, Baya thought.
Unlike the others, this woman had dark skin. Almost the color of Vicaroy’s. Many were pale, but most were a golden brown — like Baya. She was suddenly acutely aware of her attire for the first time in months. They looked like the poorest of the poor, even worse actually. Her hair was ratty and her clothes were torn, stained and threadbare in many places.
The armored leader of the guard stood close to the woman in the white dress. The guard held a spear and appeared ready to leap in front of the crowned woman, especially if Tara were to make a move.
“I’m Unawi Nacora, the ruler of Merth, and you are from Pathins?” She didn’t seem surprised — simply curious.
“Yes.” Baya was relieved that she could understand her. Baya hardly paused to question why this woman didn’t have the same heavy accent as the leader of the guard.
The ruler briefly studied Tara and Baya. Her eyes stopped on Vicaroy. After a long moment they widened. “What is your name?” she demanded of Vicaroy.
Vicaroy stared blankly past the Unawi.
“Please.” Baya ventured. “He is … sick.”
The Unawi narrowed her eyes at Baya. “What is wrong with him?” she snapped. “He looks fine.”
Baya thought she sensed a hint of panic in the woman’s voice. Baya slowly took a step toward Vicaroy, leery of all the spears pointed at them and gently moved Vicaroy’s overgrown hair in order to reveal the long curved pink scar. “Ever since he hit his head, he … hasn’t been right. Do you think you can help him … heal him?” Tears had filled Baya’s eyes. She tried not to get her hopes up … too much.
Unawi Nacora lifted her chin high. “His name?”
What does that matter? she thought. “Vicaroy.”
The woman’s eye’s widened again. She spun on her heel causing her gown to flash with white light as the sun reflected off the gems. “Get the healer at once,” she all but yelled to the people behind her.
The head of the guard inquired about the beast — that was what Baya guessed anyway.
“Lock it up with the others,” the Unawi ordered.
Baya’s relief was replaced with fear.
Tara snarled as a net was throw
n over her. Tara’s tail wildly slashed through it as she swiped and snarled at the approaching men.
Baya ran for Tara but a man took hold of her arms.
“No! Don’t lock her up. You can’t take her from me!”
Unawi Nacora turned to glare at Baya. “Are we going to have to lock you up as well? You’re insane, girl, for bringing that animal in here. It will try to kill us the first chance it gets.”
Chapter 66
Baya looked frantically between Vicaroy, who was being gently led away and Tara who had ropes around her neck and legs. Men struggled to drag her off in the opposite direction. “No. Please! Just don’t hurt her.”
Tara. Baya used her mental bond to communicate silently. Calm down. It will be okay. I’ll come for you as soon as I can.
“Let go of me!” Baya tried to jerk her arms out of the man’s grip but failed. She had never been treated like this before. “What are you? Heathens? Men should never handle a woman like this.” If he hadn’t been wearing metal armor, she would have gladly kneed him in the groin. Baya was about to use her smoke on the man when the Unawi rounded on her.
Fury flickered through the leader’s dark almond-shaped eyes. “Shut your mouth, girl. You know nothing of life here. These men will knock your teeth out if I give the word.” The Unawi gave a slight nod to the man who held Baya.
He released her at once.
With one last glance toward Tara, Baya headed after Vicaroy. The thought of letting him out of her sight in this place was only slightly more unbearable than having to leave Tara. “Please don’t hurt her.” It was a soft plea this time, not a demand. I’ll find you as soon as I can, Tara. I promise.
They led Vicaroy and Baya down a wide cobblestone street. People lined the road to get a peek at the newcomers.
Baya wished she were clean and dressed in her finest gown. She had never been looked at with such sorrow and pity. They must’ve looked dreadful, like they had been dead for a long time and recently came back to life.
They were escorted straight toward the largest building in the center of town, directly toward the giant palace. It was even more impressive up close. Numerous pointed spires rose high into the sky. It consisted of much more glass than stone, making the palace shimmer in the sunlight like a giant crystal.
They were taken into a large white room with glass walls. Evenly spaced stone columns were the only things holding the building and the glass in place. Baya glanced around nervously as she wondered about the integrity of the structure.
An old woman sat by a large bed — the healer was already there waiting for her new patient.
Nacora gestured for Vicaroy to lay down.
Baya was surprised that he did just that, without hesitation.
The healer placed her hands on either side of Vicaroy’s head. He instantly closed his eyes and went limp.
It seemed to take forever before the healer shook her head.
“It’s not good.” The Unawi translated for Baya.
“What’s not good?” Baya said. Her heartbeat throbbed in her ears.
Baya grew more anxious with each second she had to wait for Unawi Nacora to translate what the healer was saying.
“His brain is too full.”
“What does that mean?” Baya’s voice came out higher than normal. “You can fix him, right?”
“It means that some of it has to be released. My healer will drill a hole in his head —”
“What?” Baya yelled. “You’re going to open up his head and what … let his brains spill out!”
“The pressure in his head is keeping his brain from functioning properly,” the Unawi spoke through gritted teeth.
Baya slowly reached for the knife at her side. She quickly drew it as she turned to stand in between Vicaroy and the others gathered in the room. “You are not going to put a hole in his head!”
Nacora glared at Baya. “I’ve had quite enough of you, girl. And I only met you moments ago.”
The healer laid a gentle hand on Baya’s arm, which held the knife. She started at the sudden and comforting contact. The old woman looked deep into her eyes.
It is the only chance he has. I’ve done this procedure before.
“Why is your voice in my head and how can I understand you?” Baya asked.
Mind to mind communication does not need translating.
Baya thought about how she knew what Doba and Tara were thinking without knowing their language per se. This appeared to be rational. “Will he be okay?”
It is a risky operation. Once it was successful. And yet another time … not so. The old healer shook her head in sorrow.
Baya had lowered the knife. “So, he is equally likely to be fine or … he will die?”
The healer smiled with warmth and sadness. She gave a slight nod.
“No!” Baya raised the knife to the Unawi. “I won’t risk it. It’s my job to protect him and I can’t let you do this.”
The Unawi nodded to the healer, who moved behind Baya with surprising speed and placed both of her hands on Baya’s head.
Baya tried to move away from the old woman but instantly felt dizzy. Her head bobbed and she swayed when she tried to turn toward the old woman. The knife clattered to the floor and she stumbled forward. Baya felt the ground coming up to meet her.
Strong arms caught her. The room was nothing but a blur. The muffled voice of Nacora could be heard, “Good riddance. Take that crazy girl away.”
Baya was taken to a bright room. She couldn’t focus on the face of the person who carried her but he appeared to carry her with ease. She was too tired to struggle or even move. “Vicaroy…” she mumbled. “They’re going to kill him.”
The man carrying her sat her on the bed and took off her pack. She tried to protest but couldn’t. He gently laid her down and covered her in bright white linens. She vaguely registered the sound of the door closing behind him as he left.
Baya tried one last time to get up — to move but she could no longer hold her eyelids open, let alone raise her body. The familiar tickle of Doba crawling across her and nestling against her was the last thing she remembered. Her heavy arm fell over him and Baya knew no more.
Chapter 67
Baya had to be shaken awake. When she finally came to, she swung at the hands that held her shoulders. The pounding of her heart was all she could hear. The healer stood by the bed with two other women.
Baya started again at the sight of her hands. They were … clean. No more dirt and grime, even the black was gone from under her nails and someone had smoothed the chipped edges. She looked down to find that she was wearing a long white nightgown. A quick glance told her that Doba was nowhere in sight. He was good at disappearing.
Unawi Nacora stood in the doorway. “My healer has informed me that he is awake and he is asking for you.”
Baya was on her feet and shooing away the woman who tried to help her. “Is he okay?”
Nacora frowned. “Yes. No thanks to you.”
The Unawi’s entourage walked far too slowly for Baya’s preference. She wanted to run to Vicaroy but she didn’t remember which room he was in. She had to slow her pace and wait to be led down a wide hallway.
“How long was I asleep.” Baya asked, in order to break the awkward silence and distract her from the anxious energy that was threatening to boil over.
“Eighteen hours.”
“Really? I don’t think I’ve ever slept that long before.”
The Unawi shot her a brief glare.
Baya obviously hadn’t made a good first impression. All that had happened after they arrived was still somewhat blurry.
When they entered the large sun-lit room, Baya’s name rang out. The sound of it coming from his lips was the most beautiful thing she had ever heard. He knew who she was! He was back!
Vicaroy tried to lift himself out of bed but winced and placed a hand on his head. Baya sprinted for him. With no regard for anyone else in the room she leapt on top of him. Straddling him,
she gently kissed his forehead then his cheek. She pressed her lips to his.
Her face was soon streaked with tears of happiness as his hands gripped her waist pressing her against him. His touch was loving, passionate and strong. “You know me.” She breathed before she kissed him again.
Vicaroy pulled away enough to look at her. “What’re you talking about? Of course I know you.”
Baya studied his lovely honey-colored eyes. They were no longer vacant. She could only answer with a laugh. He saw her, really saw her. Even though Baya’s lips were wet with tears, she kissed him again. It was easy to lose track of how much time had passed before someone cleared her throat — a reminder that they were not alone.
“Where are we?” he asked.
Baya let out a choked laugh. “We made it. We’re in Merth.” Tears continued to stream down her face. Vicaroy’s eyes were full of light and love but even more importantly they were full of recognition.
Vicaroy didn’t loosen his strong hold on Baya’s waist. When he finally pulled his gaze away from her, his face fell. His eyes narrowed on the person standing behind Baya. It was not the empty stare that would haunt Baya forever. No — this was an angry stare. Baya turned to find that it was the Unawi who had brought about this change in him.
“Mother?” Vicaroy asked.
Nacora studied him with a gentle warmth. “Yes, my son. You have found me.”
* * *
The End of Book 1
* * *
If you enjoyed this book please write a review on the site where you found it.
* * *
Sign up to Lynne’s email list at lynnehillclark.com to get free books, give-a-ways, book reviews and more.
About Book 2
Lost Powers
Nothing is what it seems,
so don’t say I didn’t warn you.
A Woman's World Page 27