by Blink, Bob
The evenings gave Rigo a chance to practice his magic, and while he grew quicker and marginally stronger with those skills he had, he was unable to duplicate several of the spells that Burke had demonstrated during the short time they had been together. Kaler and Daria had become noticeably closer. Each evening they performed a weapons practice together. Kaler showed her a few techniques with the long swords, and she in turn taught him tricks with the short blades she carried that he’d never seen before. Both benefited from the exercise and the exchange of skills.
Then it was time to move on once again. Their packs heavy with the partially cured meat, they set out with high hopes of reaching the open country before much longer. Two days later they encountered the first of the outlying ranches. They saw many horses in large fenced area, and could have made off with a couple, but they would have been without riding gear, and the theft would have announced their presence. That was the last thing they needed. Instead, they carefully worked their way around any structures, easy enough due to the rolling hills they were now traveling through. They kept a careful watch to be certain they didn’t stumble into any of the hands who worked the ranches.
By the time they passed through the last of the foothills they had worked their way unseen around a pair of small villages. They crossed dirt roads periodically that were further signs that they had reached civilization once again. While there were a couple of items they could have used from a village, they all agreed that it would be unwise for even Ash’urn to go into one alone. Strangers here would earn attention, and that was something they hoped to avoid.
The third day out on the flats they stood on a small hill and considered the large village nestled in the valley ahead. A large river flowed slowly north-south, and the lands on either side showed fields of crops that were approaching time for harvest this late in the summer. Daria estimated the population at several thousand from the number of structures and the intricate series of roads they could see.
“We need to go north,” Rigo said, the direction sense strong in his mind.
“Too much chance of running into someone that way,” Ash’urn declared. “Look at the way the place is set up. The major roads all go out of town to the north. Only smaller roads that appear to go into the farming lands extend to the south. I think we had best circle around it to the south, even if it takes us several days out of our way.”
Rigo sighed. A week at least, he estimated, but knew the older man was correct in his assessment. They could see where the trees became a solid band off to the south, and that would be the safer way to travel. He was simply impatient, with the odd sense that something was going to happen that would further delay any chance of getting where the inner urgings were pulling him. The others seemed far more at ease with the delay.
“How did you learn so much about the stars?” Kaler asked as Ash’urn pointed out the location of two of the lesser moons in the clear dark sky.
They were gathered around their campfire, the remains of their dinner before them. Two uneaten rabbits were starting to cool on the spits and would serve for breakfast. Somehow they had gotten Ash’urn started on the stars and what he knew about them.
“I actually spent four years in Sulen at the seminary studying. I had decided that a little formal education might serve me in my searches, and had come across a small deposit of gold which I recovered and brought with me. That paid for my keep. I was a quick learner, but only in those areas that interested me, and by the time a few years had passed the masters had grown tired of my selectively picking from the knowledge they had to offer. Since I showed no interest in following the faith, which since I was raised in Lopal with a different set of gods was very foreign to me, we jointly agreed that I should move on. It was time anyway.”
“But what . . ,” Kaler had started to ask when Daria’s hand shot out suddenly sending a knife into the darkness that thunked into the tree a couple feet behind them. She bounded to her feet and followed where she’d thrown the knife where she grabbed the thin arm of someone who had been attempting to reach into one of the packs off to their side.
“Ow!” cried a surprised voice as Daria withdrew the blade that had pinned the clothing of the perpetrator to the tree and then pulled her catch into the open where she could be seen in the light of the fire. None other than Daria had heard her sneaking up on them.
“Let go of me. I’ll burn you if you don’t. I swear I will. I’ll burn you to ash. You’ll be sorry!”
Kaler had already stood and had his sword half out of his scabbard as the cursing and threatening young woman was thrust into the light. Daria had a firm hold on the arm, and no amount of squirming by the victim was going to get her free of that grip.
The woman, for that was what she could be seen to be now that she was out in the light, was about the same height as Daria, with long black hair that came to her waist. The hair was knotted and tangled, with a number of burrs caught in the mess. It was matted with dirt and dust suggesting she had been sleeping on the ground somewhere. She wore a dress, at least what was left of one. It was torn and dirty, with several rips in the material. A new tear had been added by Daria’s blade and the aborted attempts of the woman to pull free of the blade. The arms and legs of the woman were also scratched and dirty. Her face had fared no better, and she looked thin and haggard. Her eyes were wide with fear, as her head whipped from one of them to the other, trying to assess what they might do with her.
The wild woman tried to bite Daria, which was a mistake. She earned herself a sharp slap for her efforts and would have fallen on her butt had it not been for the fact Daria held her upright.
“That’s it,” the woman screamed. “I warned you. Now you’ll see.” Her eyes got wild and she puffed herself up as if to strike.
“Daria, let her go,” Rigo said sharply.
“What?” she asked surprised by the obvious command in Rigo’s voice. Quickly she looked over at him for confirmation when she saw that he was holding his staff in his right hand. The upper section was glowing blue through the wood where he had concealed the necklace.
Rigo saw where Daria’s eyes had glanced and nodded. “Let her go,” he said again softly.
Daria hesitated for the briefest moment, then released the arm of the squirming young woman. Quickly she stepped back, pulling another pair of knives from their hidden holders as she did so.
The young woman backed away, her eyes wild as she watched them. It was clear she was about to bolt into the covering darkness and the trees behind her.
“You can go,” Rigo said softly. “No one will chase after you. However, you’re obviously hungry. There’s fresh warm rabbit, sweet yams with honey, and cool melon. You are welcome to share.”
“You stole it from the farmer,” the woman accused.
“The rabbits belonged to no one. I doubt the farmer will miss a few yams from his fields and a bit of honey from his bees.”
“Why should I trust you?” the woman asked, still slowly backing away as her eyes watched for any movement from any of them. It was obvious she was about to turn and run, but her eyes had gone briefly to the spitted rabbit on the rock next to the fire.
Ash’urn was closest and slowly reached down and picked up one of the rabbits. He held it out to the woman carefully, making no attempt to move toward her. Her backward motion stopped. They could see the want in her eyes. Hesitantly she reached out and grabbed the end of the offered stick, half expecting to find resistance when she pulled at it. Instead Ash’urn released his end when he was certain she had a firm grip.
Her treasure in hand, she started backing up again.
“You don’t have to run away,” Rigo said softly. “You can stay. Maybe we can help you.”
“You don’t know anything about me. Why should I trust you?”
“You obviously have been listening to us talk while you watched us. You must know that we don’t want any attention drawn to ourselves anymore than you do. We are simply passing through. It wouldn’t be
to our benefit to cause you any trouble.”
“So why would you want to help me?” she asked accusingly.
“Because I do know something about you,” Rigo said. He took a chance based on what the staff was telling him about the woman. He was certain that she wasn’t one of Burke’s. There would be no point for such an act. If the staff was correct, then she had some ability just as he had. Without a word he created a ball of fire and made it float several inches above his hand. “You aren’t the only one,” he said softly. “I am more like you than you know.”
The woman looked around in alarm as if someone might be trying to sneak up on her. When she had proven to herself that none of the others had moved, she relaxed somewhat.
“That’s it?” she asked contemptuously. “Just that little ball of fire?”
Rigo grimaced, but then launched the flaming ball high into the air. It flew up and disappeared high above. He knew it would snuff out before reaching the ground.
She hesitated before speaking. “Mine’s more white. Yours is red and looks like fire. Mine looks like a bright light and burns right through someone.”
That sounded like the beam Burke had used to Rigo. “I know what you are talking about,” Rigo said. “It is very powerful.”
“Just so you know what I can do,” she warned. Then she looked at the others. “All of you?” she asked.
“No, just me,” Rigo replied. “My friends have other skills. “Maybe you feel more comfortable and would be willing to stay and eat. You can leave at any time.”
The woman seemed to consider the offer. Finally a small wry smile appeared briefly and she made the smallest step forward. Daria stepped aside as did Kaler, making the way to one of the rocks where they were sitting open to her. The woman slowly advanced and sat down, still holding the rabbit.
“You’re bleeding,” Ash’urn noted pointing to her arm. Daria’s blade had caught more than just the cloth of the woman’s dress and had cut a two-inch slice into her arm. Blood was slowly trickling from the wound.
The woman looked down at the cut with disdain. As they watched the blood stopped flowing and the slice in her arm closed up and then seemed to disappear. In a matter of a few seconds there was no sign it had ever existed.
She looked up at their surprised faces. “You mean you can’t do that?” she asked of Rigo.
He shook his head.
“You aren’t so powerful, are you?” she asked.
“It would appear not,” he agreed.
“It’s too bad it only works on me,” she replied. “I tried to heal my Dad once, without his knowing of course, but I couldn’t make it work.”
She obviously could wait no longer. Watching them carefully she bit into the juicy meat of the rabbit. They could see how hungry she was by the speed at which she attacked the meat. Ash’urn brought one of the yams and a wooden spoon over to her and set a skin of water where she could reach it.
Once she started slowing down Rigo introduced himself and his friends. The woman hesitated briefly, then said softly, “I’m Jeen.”
“It appears like you’ve had some rough times Jeen,” Rigo said. “Is it something you can share?”
“They’re after me,” she said softly, her eyes shiny. “They want to burn me as a witch.”
“What happened?” Daria asked.
“I burned him,” Jeen said. “I warned him, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“Who’s him?” Kaler asked.
“The son of a nobleman. He thought he could have his way with me. I told him if he laid a hand on me he’d be sorry. I’d see him dead. He just laughed and tried to tear my dress off. That’s when I …”
Jeen hesitated. “That’s when I burned him,” she said finally.
As usual it didn’t take much to cause the horrible memories of that night to come rushing back. Just mentioning them was enough.
The evening had started normally enough. Her father, a struggling businessman was one of many who had been invited to the rented estates of one of the visiting noblemen to display examples of his craftsmanship. The noble was in town for a few weeks, searching for new items and to establish long term relationships with suppliers who could provide him goods that would bring a hefty profit back in the capital and other large villages that the locals could never hope to tap on their own. The affair had been a large one, with food and drink, as well as entertainment for the family members. Jeen had come with her father, in part for the novelty the outing offered and partially because her father was training her in the ways of business for which she had demonstrated a certain aptitude.
Some time in the evening, her father had won the interest of the noble, and was drawn aside for private discussions. That was a good sign, and their future prospects might have suddenly changed for the better. Jeen had not been surprised when she had been excluded from the meetings. Many did not suffer women being present for business, and it appeared that this noble was one of them. Her father told her she should partake of the vast feast, then hire a carriage to take herself home. He didn’t know how long he might be.
Confident in herself, she had circulated among several other young women she knew casually, chatting as they partook of the delicacies set out for their enjoyment. She watched how one of the noble’s sons, a youth only a year or two older than herself, moved confidently among the assembled group, flirting with the better looking young women who were present. He was indeed handsome, and most of the women fawned over him, accepting his attentions with nervous laughter and, in some cases, come-on looks. Something about the young man put her off. His eyes belied his friendly attitude and she was old enough to know what he was after. She’d had enough of the same kind of approach from young men in the village in the past, and knew how to put aside their foolishness. Carefully she avoided the young man as he moved through the group, moving to stay on the opposite side of the crowd. It wouldn’t be wise to offend in anyway the son of the man who could change her father’s fortunes.
She drifted through the public rooms of the estate, marveling at the decorations, any one of which would have required the profits of most of the year from her father’s business. She probably should have taken her father’s advice and called for a carriage, but she couldn’t imagine him being much longer, and the cost of a second carriage seemed an extravagance. She elected to wait.
“Have you been avoiding me?” a confident voice said behind her.
She had turned to find the son leaning against the wall, studying her.
She flushed. Somehow he had discovered her ruse. “I’m not comfortable with strangers,” she lied, trying to gracefully deflect his question.
The young noble pushed off the wall and walked over where she had been admiring a vase. He was indeed handsome, especially this close. He stood close, introduced himself, and casually put an arm around her, suggesting he could show her around.
She had shrugged off the arm, and had noted the flash of annoyance in the young man. Wisely she had headed back toward the common area, looking for security in the rest of the group. The young man followed. When they arrived, she was aghast to discover no one else was there.
“They all left,” the youth told her. “It’s getting late after all.”
She hadn’t realized the time. She had been too intrigued with the art displayed so prominently around the estate. She wondered that her father was still locked away in meetings.
“I guess I should do the same,” she said. “Could you have one of your servants chase down a carriage for me?” She hoped it hadn’t gotten too late for one to be found quickly.
“What’s your hurry?” the young noble asked. “We haven’t had a chance to talk.”
Once again he stood too close, his hand unwelcome on her arm. She tried to push him away, but undeterred by her unwillingness, and confident in the absence of others, he bent and tried to kiss her.
“You are the most lovely young woman I have seen in this village,” he whispered.
She had reacted b
y pushing him forcefully away. Again, the flash of annoyance crossed his face. She could see something harsh and dangerous hiding in his eyes. “Don’t,” she said.
He laughed. “And why not? Isn’t that what you girls of country villages like this are for? You are meant to provide amusement for your betters. A little resistance makes it fun. I haven’t had to force one like you in some time. Normally your type comes to bed willingly. A few golds will make you feel better after.”
Once again he bent as if to kiss her.
“I’ll scream,” she threatened.
“If you wish,” the young noble had replied. “There are few here to hear you. Certainly your father won’t. He is locked up behind a solid door upstairs with mine. The servants know better than to interfere.”
“I’ll tell my father,” she threatened.
The youth flicked his hand as if it didn’t matter. “That would be later, and of little concern. I would claim you sought me out, hoping maybe to win my support and secure a better future for yourself. You wouldn’t be the first. Besides, my father is rich and could easily destroy yours if it became an issue.”
Uncertain what to do, and not wanting to be the source of difficulty for her father, she had decided to leave and find her own carriage. It wasn’t wise for a young woman to be out alone, but it couldn’t be any worse than staying here. She tried to duck around him, but he grabbed her arm and pushed her down onto a large chair.
She had called him a name, which angered him and he backhanded her across the face. Her bruised lip began to bleed, the pain coming as a surprise.
“There now,” he said, confident the blow had knocked the fight out of her. He removed his sash belt and loosened his tunic. “Let’s make this fun, shall we?” he asked and bent down to kiss her again.
She bit his lip, causing him to pull back sharply, cursing. Now they both had blood on their lips. He cursed again when he saw his own blood on his hand. Furious, he reached down and pulled her out of the chair, delivering two quick hard slaps to her face. Then he forced the straps of her dress, ripping the front forward, exposing her to the waist as he flung her down to the chair.
