Nexus Point

by Jaleta Clegg

  Chapter 24

  Robin's camp bustled with activity. I slid down from the horse, more tired than I've ever been. Every bruise ached ferociously. The scabs on my wrists and ankles itched. The girl dismounted, landing beside me. We leaned on each other.

  "What have you brought, Will?" Robin asked, as clean and elegant as ever. He planted his fists on his green-covered hips as he surveyed us.

  "I found her with the slave caravan," Will answered.

  Robin frowned. "No, I won't ask how you ended up there, miles from where you were supposed to be." He turned to the girl. "Who is this?"

  Her hand clutched my arm. I could almost taste her fear. She hesitantly lifted her head.

  Robin's face paled. He dropped to his knees. "Marian," he whispered. "I dreamed of this moment. I was beginning to doubt you would ever come. You do remember, don't you? You've dreamed of me as I've dreamed of you. Haven't you?" Robin lifted his hands in supplication, his eyes begging her to believe.

  She tilted her head to one side. She dropped her hand from my arm. "Say my name."

  "Marian, my lady, my shining love," Robin answered fervently.

  The girl smiled. "Maid Marian of the forest, so shall I be from this moment forward." She held her hand out to Robin. He took it, letting her lift him to his feet. "And you shall be my champion, Robin Goodfellow."

  All trace of the frightened slave girl was gone, erased by Robin's fanaticism and belief in the legend. The girl was Marian. Even I could believe.

  Robin beamed. He stood taller with her at his side. "Will, escort Marian to her new home and see that her needs are met."

  Marian turned to me. "You must come, too," she said, taking my hands in hers. "You have hurts that must be tended."

  I nodded dumbly, astounded by her complete transformation.

  Will took us to Robin's own hut, bigger than the others and built of cut wood, not live bushes. It had a floor that wasn't dirt. It had chairs. With cushions. I collapsed into one.

  Robin's men scurried around, falling over each other in their desire to grant Marian's every whim. They dragged in a large tub, filling it with steaming water. They fetched food. They raided the storage room for gowns and dresses. One of them brought in a large clay jug filled with wildflowers. Marian finally shooed them out, claiming the need for privacy.

  I dozed off in the chair while she bathed. She shook me awake some time later. Her hair shone like spun gold. She wore a flowing dress of bright green. She smiled, beautiful and poised. "I had them fetch fresh water for you, and a salve for your wounds."

  "What was your name before?" I couldn't stop myself from asking.

  "I have always been Marian. Here, in my heart, I know the truth of it." She leaned towards me, earnestly holding one slender hand over her heart. "Whoever I was before no longer matters. I am Marian now." She leaned closer. "But I won't forget your help in that bad place," she whispered. She straightened, smiling warmly. "I will leave you to your bath." She danced out of the hut, closing the door behind her.

  I stood wearily, every aching muscle protesting as I stripped off the filthy slave tunic. I sank into the tub, sighing with pleasure. Flower petals floated across the water. I slipped down until only my face stuck out.

  I hadn't been clean, really clean, since I'd crashed. I heard Miss Hadley in my memory complaining about filthiness. At the orphanage, she had insisted that even I bathe every day. It was the one area where she held me equal with the other girls. Hygiene was of utmost importance. I wiggled my toes in the water and wondered what she'd say if she saw me now.

  I soaked until my bruises quit complaining. I found a pot of sweet smelling soap and used it liberally. I rinsed off and settled into the tub. The warm water felt good. My eyes drifted shut.

  "You might drown if you aren't careful."

  I jumped, splashing water onto the floor. "Will Scarlet, get out of here. Now."

  He grinned. "Then you don't want these?" He held up a pair of boots.

  The door opened behind him.

  "Out, you ruffian!" Marian's tone was stern, but she smiled as she spoke. She took the boots as she pushed him out the door.

  He winked as he let her shove him outside.

  She shut the door. "He is sweet on you."

  My face flushed red. Marian's smile turned into an impish grin.

  "Don't even suggest it," I warned.

  She smiled innocently as she held out a towel.

  I stepped out of the tub, rubbing myself dry before pulling on the clothes, an embroidered blouse and a pair of leggings to go with the boots.

  Marian's eyes widened. "There are more gowns. You are welcome to them."

  "No, thank you." I stamped my feet into the boots. They were actually the right size. I wrapped the belt Will had provided around my waist. No skirts or dresses to tangle my legs and remind me of Tivor, I was myself again, the person I'd chosen to be.

  "Perhaps a skirt?" Marian suggested.

  "Not if I can help it."

  Marian handed me the pot of salve and left, murmuring about seeing to the feast.

  I smeared thick green paste on my wrists, covering the worst of the chafing from the slave cuffs. The salve smelled mildly of leaves and rain. I stretched out my bruised muscles. I was safe, for now.

  Only one problem remained. I'd left Tayvis behind, unintentionally, but I'd still left him facing bandits in the woods. I had to get to the Patrol base, to pass on his report. I would leave in the morning. Maybe Robin would allow Will to go with me.

  I could admit that I'd liked Tayvis. There might have been something like friendship between us, someday. That opportunity was lost, gone when his horse ran away and forced me to desert him.

  I left the hut, walking out into a warm, golden evening. The thought of Tayvis being dead lay like lead in my gut. I went to the stream, watching it ripple past in waves of silver.

  Hooves pounded into the camp. I turned to look. And then stared.

  As if my thoughts had summoned him, Tayvis swung down from a horse. He stretched wearily as he handed his horse off to Robin's men. The two men with him looked just as tired. They started up the hill towards the cooking area. Tayvis glanced at me, then away. He stopped, then pivoted slowly to face me.

  "Dace?"

  I took a single step towards him, uncertain. "I thought you were dead."

  He took one step towards me. "You ran away from me. Again."

  "Your horse ran off. I just happened to be on it at the time. I tried to stop it." My stomach twisted into nervous knots. "I fell off. I was going to come back, but I didn't know which direction to go. Shomies caught me. Her assistant, Vunia, drugged me. I woke in a slave caravan. And this morning, Will rescued us."

  He walked towards me while I babbled.

  "I told Vunia everything. She knows all about you and me and everything. I'm sorry. I tried to stop myself." I'd betrayed him. I stared at his face, waiting for his anger to show, for him to turn away.

  "You say she drugged you. It isn't your fault. She would have found out sooner rather than later anyway."

  "You aren't mad?" My voice was small, like a child's.

  He pulled me into a hug. "I'm glad you're still in one piece." His voice rumbled in his chest, deep and soothing.

  "How come you aren't dead? You fought at least six of them."

  "Once I convinced them I was with Robin, they helped me. Mutual assistance agreement." He held me at arm's length, his hands warm on my shoulders. "They were helping me search for you." He frowned, brushing one hand over a bruise on my cheek.

  "I'm fine." I pushed his hand away, acutely aware of the audience surrounding us. I took a step away, self-conscious of how close we'd been standing.

  He caught my wrist and folded the cuff of the blouse back, exposing the new lines of scabs. "What did they do to you?"

  "Nothing much." I tried to pull my hand away. He wouldn't let go.

  "That doesn't look like nothing much."

  "They didn't try to burn m
e alive," I said. And then wished I hadn't. Tears burned my eyes. "They chained me up."

  "And beat you?" Tayvis sighed. "Don't bother answering that, you don't need to. It's clear on your face. Dace, I'm sorry."

  "You didn't do it, Tayvis. You don't have to apologize." I blinked the tears away.

  "I didn't stop it, either."

  "As if you could. It won't stop until I'm either off Dadilan or dead."

  "Tomorrow, you and I are going to the Patrol base. You're leaving on the next shuttle, Dace. I promise."

  "You don't have enough evidence yet."

  "That isn't your problem."

  I shook my head, grinning. He was alive, and so was I. Something would work out.

  "Tomorrow morning, we're going straight to the Patrol." He squeezed my hand.

  I nodded.

  "I see you found each other," Will said as he joined us. He winked behind Tayvis' back. "Robin says he put extra food on the fire just for you."

  I blushed.

  "Big feast tonight," Will said to Tayvis. "It seems Dace saved Marian from the slavers and Robin wants to celebrate."

  "You did what?" Tayvis asked me.

  "It's a long story." I hadn't done anything, not really.

  "I've got all night," Tayvis answered.

  "Only if you feed her," Will said. "Did you know she gets really cranky when she hasn't been fed?"

  "What would you know about it?"

  They kept up the bantering argument all the way to the eating area. I didn't listen. I was too focused on Tayvis' hand, warm around mine.

  Enormous platters of food covered every table. Men in green lounged everywhere, laughing and singing, eating and drinking. Robin himself lorded over the festivities. He beamed, his smile stretching from ear to ear. Marian sat next to him, smiling like a queen at her subjects. Even a blind man could see Robin was head over heels in love with her.

  Robin dragged me into the spotlight despite my efforts to stay in the background. I retreated to the shadows as soon as possible.

  Tayvis followed. "You want to tell me now?" He sat near me in the shadowy woods.

  "There isn't much to tell."

  "Tell me anyway." Tayvis poured a cup of sweet juice, handing it to me.

  I sipped. I didn't want to remember, I wanted to forget. "I think I met Gerant Clyvus."

  Tayvis sputtered juice. "The elusive smuggler? I was beginning to doubt he existed."

  "He met the slave caravan. He does business with them."

  "As well as smuggling for Shomies and Leran. I'll have to send someone to track him down. After I get you to the Patrol base."

  "That may not be safe, Tayvis. One of Nuto's men was with Clyvus. He recognized me. He isn't working undercover, is he?"

  "The smugglers have an inside man. Nuto didn't know who, which is why they sent me."

  "Flago worked for them, too. I heard them mention his name."

  "Your crewman?"

  I nodded. We drank juice in silence.

  "You're still going to the base," Tayvis said. "You can trust Nuto. Point out the man you saw and he'll see he gets arrested. Something big is happening. Shomies' and Molier's soldiers are everywhere. And others I didn't recognize. This whole planet's going to pieces."

  I agreed wholeheartedly with his statement. Maybe Robin could pull something good out of the situation. I didn't want to be there to see it, though. I was leaving in the morning. Dadilan was not my problem.