by Taki Drake
<< Zhanna! Stop for a moment. >>
<< Why? >>
Zhanna had no more uttered the words when the tiny form of Tisha popped out of the brush. The small brown-furred female said, “I would like to go to the market too. If I see something we need, I can tell you quietly, okay?”
Zhanna replied, “Of course. I am sorry that I didn’t think of that earlier. I know that there are many things that will be useful for the Hidden Folk and we have enough money to get whatever is needed. We just have to be careful not to display too much wealth or people will be curious.”
“That should not be a problem. Most of what we need is small, little bits of things.”
With no more fuss, Tisha hopped up and nestled just underneath Zhanna’s thick sweater, arranging her body against the young woman’s so that it didn’t show from the outside. The three females, human, feline, and Folk, were immediately back on their way.
<< <> >>
The shopping trip was an overwhelming success. Reassured by the knowledge that she had plenty of money, Zhanna ranged through the market looking for bargains and trying to give Tisha the opportunity to identify what it was that the rest of their group needed. Despite the wealth that was concealed under her grandmother’s hearth, the young woman bargained as if her available funds were as scant as they had been before.
Deciding to rest briefly before the walk back home, Zhanna went to sit by the fountain in the village square. Most of the people that hurried past her ignored her and her cat, uncomfortable with the woman they saw as overly assertive and an old spinster. Years ago, that ostracization bothered Zhanna. Now it was just part of the landscape. She had ceased to be upset about it. After all, she had her Baba and her Familiar. What more did she need?
There were a few people that greeted her either with a nod and a wave or short comments of greeting. Those she returned pleasantly and with a smile. It wasn’t that she disliked any of the people there, she just lived in a slightly different world, and it was hard to talk across those barriers.
Used to the separation that had become the norm, Zhanna was surprised when one of the hurrying women stopped in front of her and addressed her directly, “Hello Zhanna. Might I sit next to you and talk for a little bit?”
Zhanna looked up in shock and saw that it was Marina. The woman was an old schoolmate who had been leaving school as Zhanna had been entering it many years ago. Only eight years older than the young Witch, Marina looked worn and old. Zhanna remembered her smiling face and laughing eyes and wondered when that had changed. She knew that part of the alteration was the loss of her husband and sons on mercenary missions. Having lost her brother, Zhanna better understood the pain of that and her eyes filled briefly in sympathy.
Plastering a smile back on her face, the young Witch patted the wall next to her and said, “That would be lovely. Come have a seat next to me, and we can talk.”
The older woman sat down and shifted slightly uncomfortably before breaking into speech, “I understand that you might have a use for a vehicle. And I thought that if you would come to get it out of my shed that you could have the one that my father left me so many years ago.”
Zhanna was stunned speechless. Her surprise was visible on her face, and Marina lost some of her tension at the reaction. Offering a faint smile, the older woman continued, “The car had been kept for when my boys were ready to fix it.” Her eyes closed in brief pain and then her jaw firmed, and she looked straight at Zhanna once more, “Now there’s no reason to keep it, and I would like it to go to someone who might benefit.”
Zhanna’s stammered, “Why me? You could probably get money for it.”
“You are trying to be more than just a village woman. I was not brave enough to do that, thinking that I had to be the proper wife and mother. I cannot turn back time, but I can do my own part to make your dream come true. You are stronger than I ever was, but no one is strong by themselves. Let me do this part to help you.”
Marina didn’t wait for Zhanna to reply, instead, standing up and starting to move away. Zhanna called after her when she had regained her wits, saying, “thank you and I accept. When would you like me to come to get it?”
The older woman called over her shoulder and answered, “Tomorrow. Tomorrow would be good.”
<< <> >>
By the time that Zhanna had made her weary way home, the group that had gone to Brasilov had returned. Forgetting her exhaustion in the excitement of seeing the three men, apparently unharmed, Zhanna quickly greeted them and surprised them each with an unplanned hug.
“I am so glad you are back! Tell me how Vadim is. Tell me what else happened? What was the news? How much did we get?”
Stefan laughed and tried to slow her down, saying, “Enough! Stop asking questions so I can answer the ones you’ve already asked.”
Quickly, all of the mercenaries and many of the Hidden Folk crowded into the kitchen. Bolormaa and two helpers made tea and distributed cookies and slices of bread with butter and pickled onions to all. Once everyone was settled, the three travelers looked at each other and wordlessly agreed that Stefan should start.
He said, “We got to town without a problem. We had called Vadim and let him know when we were coming and he had his bodyguards ready.”
Pavel added, “Of course, I had talked with Dov, and a full squad of our unit was also waiting. Part of them guarded the SUV while the others acted as additional perimeter guards. Dov joined us in the meeting with Vadim.”
Stefan once more took the conversational reins, continuing “Vadim had Kirill with him, the big guy that is his main bodyguard. They told us how on their trip to Moscow that they were attacked three times. The first time the fight was executed by people that they recognized from Brasilov. The other two times the attackers were unknown. The surprises that were built into their vehicle help them break free, but each engagement got more difficult.”
Tolya added his contribution, saying, “I was talking to the people that were left outside. One of them was on the trip also and said that the first two were just regular troops, but there was a definite Witch in the third attack. He said that if they wouldn’t have had the special protections on their vehicle, similar to the ones that Vadim had insisted for ours, that they might’ve been in more trouble.”
Zhanna asked, “How could Maxim organize such a complicated series of attacks? That doesn’t make any sense to me.”
Stefan responded, “Apparently, Maxim is more connected than anyone knew. After Vadim completed his business in Moscow, he stopped by and talk to a few friends of his. He found out that Maxim is associated with a group of mercenaries headquartered about 150 miles from here. That group has a very unsavory reputation.”
Pavel added, somewhat shamefacedly, “Even for Russian Witches.”
Zhanna nodded in acknowledgment and motioned with her hand for them to continue their tale.
After a moment, Stefan took up the narrative, saying, “With the help of his friends, Vadim added more offensive and defensive abilities to his vehicle. He also convinced a stronger Witch that one of his friends knew to accompany him back to his home with the idea that that Witch would be modifying the protections on all of Vadim’s properties.”
Noma muttered, “Smart! The old man is very smart.”
Tisha corrected him, murmuring, “Wise. There’s a difference between smart and wise.”
Heads nodded around the table in agreement, and Zhanna asked, “Then what happened? Do you know anything about the Witch that they roped into attacking? If we know his abilities, we can prepare for them.”
Shaking his head negatively, Pavel said, “They didn’t know much of anything about that Witch, other than the fact that he was powerful and he seemed to work with both force and fire.”
Stefan added, “Vadim wanted to tell you that his business in Moscow went almost too well. He’s afraid that the item that he had to sell will draw very high levels of attention. It turns out that that particular piece was extremely well
known and given to a particular person in exchange for saving the Czar’s life. Its provenance up to a point is highly documented, and he expects that there will be a lot of interest in where it was recovered from. He wanted you to know.”
Zhanna sighed, “I suppose it was inevitable. It was probably too much to hope that we would have more time, but at some point, they’re going to figure out that I can get into Blagogarsk.”
“WHAT?? No one can get into that city. It’s cursed and warded. It’s impossible!”
Zhanna just looked at Stefan briefly and then turned her glance to the stunned face of Pavel. The exclamation had been ripped out of the man against his normally-controlled speech patterns. He stared in total amazement at the young woman’s face and said reverently, “Dear God, no wonder you’re so secretive. And no wonder that Vadim got extra spells.”
Turning his gaze back to Stefan, the subcommander asked him sharply, “Does Dov know?”
When Stefan shook his head, Pavel turned to look at Zhanna and asked, “Is it all right to tell him? I think this is very important.”
Zhanna agreed reluctantly. Pavel said that he would arrange for Dov and the other subcommander to join them sometime in the next few days for negotiations. He added, “I was supposed to tell you that Dov and most of the retired group in Brasilov would like to join you and be part of your mission. I hope that you will accept us.”
Surprisingly, Tolya piped up and said, “If you do not accept the entire group, I will leave them so that I can stay with you. Please don’t turn us away, Lady.”
Zhanna was once again reminded that things were moving quickly. Taking a deep breath, she answered Tolya, saying, “I don’t believe it will come to that. However, know this, Tolya Mishin, you are always welcome.”
Shaking off the tension of the moment, Stefan said, “Oh, by the way, Vadim sent more than just money. He thought that we might want to celebrate, and he sent several cases of good wine and beer. I think it would be a reasonable idea for us to open a bottle of wine and some of the beer. What do you think, Zhanna?”
Bolormaa started to laugh, and when everyone in the room turned to look at her, she explained, “I have cold beer and wine waiting for you. I agree it’s time for relaxation.”
The room relaxed into a shared laugh and mugs and glasses appeared so that all could enjoy the drink of their choice.
Raising his glass in salute, Stefan said, “To our Lady Witch, Zhanna!”
A muted cheer brought a flush of embarrassment to the young woman’s face as everyone raised their glasses and drank. To counter that surge of emotion, it was her turn, and she raised her glass and said in a clear voice, “To all that have made it possible this far, both those that are here and those that are absent.”
That salute and drink were executed more somberly, but the rising tide of excitement carried them further.
The conversation became general, and more food appeared on the table as if by Magic. People were eating and talking with clusters of mixed mercenaries and Hidden Folk everywhere. After a while, Zhanna looked over at Stefan and asked, “Oh, by the way, how much money did we get from Vadim?”
Stefan’s answer left her speechless once more. The amount made what she had already received seem paltry by comparison. Smiling grimly at his liege Witch, Stefan said, “And this is just the beginning.”
Trying to distract the stunned woman from her bemusement, Pavel asked her, “What has been happening while we have been gone? Hopefully, nothing as exciting.”
Zhanna answered after a wicked side glance at Tisha and Dascha, “Oh… Nothing much. We went to the market and did some shopping, then acquired a car that we have to pick up tomorrow and fix. That’s about it.”
Issuing a short laugh, the subcommander said, “That will teach me to try to tease you. Do we really have another car?”
“We do if we can get it running. Marina has volunteered a vehicle that has been covered in her garage and was left to her by her father.”
Stefan said, “There are not a lot of us that know about cars. Mikhail does but will probably need another one or two.”
“Surprisingly, Mikhail answered, saying “I know of someone else who knows a bit about cars. He came in from Kalisov before we left.”
She asked, “How do you know that he knows about cars?”
“We were talking about them, and he seems to know even more than I do! I originally noticed him a few days ago. I saw him looking at Zhanna, and he seemed to want to talk to you. But he's in that gangly and shy stage and cannot figure out what to say.”
The men in the room laughed, both human and Hidden Folk, and Zhanna flushed slightly. Mikhail said, "No, I don't think it's anything like that. He seems to want to talk to you about something specific, Zhanna. Something really important to him.”
The young Witch thought for a minute and then said, “If he is willing to help with the car then let him. We could use the help, and it will give all of you an opportunity to evaluate him. If he has something to ask me or talk to me about, that will be his opportunity to do so.”
Bolormaa said, “Enough problems, people. You have survived a horrific event and have been triumphant. It is now time to celebrate.”
A chorus of “Yes, Baba!” was her answer.
Chapter 39 – Unintended Consequences
To uncover the car, Zhanna had to first deal with a myriad of things that somehow always find themselves piled up on top of an empty surface. Marina had insisted that there was a car underneath the pile of miscellaneous items, but it was impossible to tell. The entire shed was packed with the flotsam and jetsam of life. Old tools, parts that could be used, raw materials, building components, and hay bales. The items that a frugal household would save against time of need.
All of that was camouflaging the shape and size of the vehicle that Marina had offered to Zhanna. The quiet widow had said that it was her contribution to the changes that Zhanna would make. Her generosity was overwhelming to the young Witch, but she had gratefully accepted.
<< At least somebody thinks that you’re going to be making changes. Even though you have no clue what those changes are going to be. >>
<< Thanks, Dascha. Just what I need is a little more snark! >>
<< You’re welcome. It’s the least I could do considering that I can feel your mind running around in circles like a mouse that somehow got stuck in a ball. >>
Zhanna knew that Dascha was right. There were so many thoughts crammed into her head that they were fighting for space. It felt like she was trapped in the middle of a dust spinner, bombarded by ideas that refused to go together into any coherent whole.
This was uncharted territory. The young Witch had no option but to take each step as she could figure it out. Hopefully, she would be able to start to plan and to think strategically in the near future. This feeling of uncertainty, of feeling like she was spinning in place was not comfortable. All she could think of doing to improve the situation was to find small things that she could do and get them done. At least she wouldn’t have to worry about those later on.
Hence the vehicle. One of the problems that they had was the slowness of transport. After all, it had taken several days for Zhanna to travel to Blagogarsk. That slowness of travel in the 21st century was a big problem and was something that Marina had thought she could address.
So today Zhanna found herself in a cobweb-decorated, dusty and cluttered old outbuilding, excavating a buried vehicle. One with an unknown condition or value. However, every contribution would help her. No one in the village really was very wealthy. Families lived hand to mouth, sometimes forced to rely on the charity of neighbors. In such a poor environment, the fact that anyone would donate something was amazing. Something to be cherished.
The large vehicle was buried under the accumulation of odds and ends from over a half-century. Uncovering it was a tremendous effort. If only Zhanna and Marina had been working on it, unburying it would’ve taken them days. Showing an organizational skill that Z
hanna had never suspected, Marina had asked for help from the village in general.
Two of the mercenaries that were in town between assignments had volunteered to help. Willie and Mark were middle-aged and serious, veterans of many contracts. They had both worked with Zhanna’s brother and came in to help, silently and without looking her directly in the face. She wasn’t sure if it was guilt or something else but was pleased with their assistance.
The two mercs were joined by Mikhail and a young man that was not from the village. In fact, no one locally had ever seen him before. He had arrived earlier that week, walking in from the main road. His body showed the gangliness of teenage years. Looking a bit like a mobile scarecrow, he had jerky movements and hunched shoulders. His dark hair and eyes reminded Zhanna of others in the village, and he looked faintly familiar. The young Witch just couldn’t remember where she had seen him but was positive that she had.
His mumbled introduction had been only his name, Ivan. The youth stayed close to Mikhail, who had invited him. He asked no questions. Instead, he got to work immediately and continued with a focused ferocity that surprised all of them. The two women were glad he was there because his efforts added to that of the mercs made sure that the job was done quickly.
Every once in a while, Zhanna would look up to see that he had been watching her. His quickly shuttered expression of desperate hope made her uncomfortable, and she had hoped that he would say something to her about why he had come.
It had been several hours, and he had not said anything to her. However, he certainly knew how to work. With all of them doing what they could, it only took a couple of hours to dig out the vehicle so that the tarp could be pulled away.
Zhanna feared that after all this work that the vehicle was not going to be any good. Marina had insisted that the car was something that her great-grandfather had gotten as a reward for his mercenary work and that it should be in working order. Zhanna hoped she was right.