by AJ Martin
“Luccius!” Matthias hissed.
He swallowed. “Sorry. But can we all just set aside the past for a moment and concentrate on Josephine’s future?”
Maryn gaped, her porcelain white skin flushing crimson in her cheeks. “Yes. You’re quite right Luccius,” She ran her hands through her hair, and shifted it into some semblance of order again. She took a breath. “I just... I never expected to see you again,” she said. “And here you are...”
Matthias smiled thinly. “I know. I’m sorry. But Josephine needed you. I had to find you. And I knew you could help.”
She nodded. “It’s alright. Now, let’s see how this is doing.” She went over to the beaker, picked up a spoon, and prodded the mixture. The liquid had grown as thick as tar, and smelt even less pleasant. It bubbled away with a gloop as she picked the beaker up using a towel, and poured it into a china bowl. “Very good,” she said, before she picked up another handful of crystals from a wicker box. “Stand back. Unless you want singed eyebrows?” She dropped them into the mix and withdrew her hand quickly, as a flame burst from the bowl with a poof. It continued to burn, a mixture of orange-blue flames, until after a minute had passed all that was left in the bowl was a grey, powdery substance. “It is done,” she said, waving away the smoke that curled up to the ceiling.
“What... is it?” Thadius asked, leaning forward to look into the bowl.
“It’s a combination of filium ore, emerald stone and a few other liquids and herbs put in for good measure. An old antidote with a twist of my own devising. Normally I would have had her swallow the mixture, as its potency would be much greater. But since she is in no state to drink the potion I have turned it into a dissolvable powder. We can place it on and under her tongue and it will absorb into the body.
“We gave her water,” Thadius said. “She seemed to swallow that down OK.”
“Then you are lucky she didn’t choke,” she scolded. “Men! Do you not ever think?”
Thadius grumbled and shook his head. “This all sounds like witchcraft! ‘Emerald dust?’” he repeated. Matthias visibly winced at the comment and Maryn’s eyes flared.
“I will let the comment pass, soldier, since I know you are not aware of how much of an insult I take that term to be!” She drew herself up high; her eyes were only just level with Thadius’s chin, but her very presence seemed to shrink the knight’s stature. “My reputation as a healer was what convinced King Arwell to contact me for help in the first place all those years ago now. So, I would think my expertise would be proven, hmm? So unless you have any other ideas of how we can help this young girl, I suggest you keep your narrow - minded attitude to yourself!” She placed her hands on her hips and glared. Thadius swallowed and then, awkwardly, he nodded his head.
“Very well. Do what you need to,” he said.
Maryn nodded. “I have done all I need to do,” she said and indicated to the powder “Now we just need to administer it. So who will do the honours?”
Matthias stepped forward “I’ll do it. It should be me.” Maryn turned and thrust the bowl into his hands.
“It smells worse than poison,” Thadius whispered to him, trying to remain out of earshot.
“I don’t think the princess is worried so much about the smell,” Matthias replied. Maryn stared at them both with fiery eyes. She had clearly heard.
“She’s a formidable woman,” Thadius said even quieter still.
“Tell me about it,” the wizard smiled. “What do I do?” he asked, raising his voice so Maryn could hear.
“Take some of the mixture and simply place it on her tongue. And let nature do the rest.”
Matthias nodded. He reached into the bowl and with two fingers, scooped some of the mixture onto his hand. Then he stepped around the others, so he was at Josephine’s side, and bent over her.
“You’d best wake up soon Josephine so you can chastise me for doing this,” he breathed quietly to her, as he lifted her head forward and gently grazed her lips, depositing the powder on to her tongue. He repeated the process until Maryn intervened.
“That should be enough,” she said, and slipped in front of Matthias, inspecting Josephine.
“Checking my handiwork?” Matthias asked.
“You men can be awfully clumsy at times,” she retorted, as she watched the powder fizz in Josephine’s mouth and slowly dissolve, disappearing. “But in this case you’ve done well,” she said approvingly. “It’s with the gods now, I’m afraid, and Josephine to fight this off with the help we have given her.”
“What do we do now?” Thadius asked.
“We wait. If I have done my job correctly, then the potion will loosen the hold the petrification has taken on her. But with an incantation made with the tainted energy...” she shook her head. “Have no illusion that this will be a happy ending. The odds are against her. Poor girl,” she said, and touched her forehead. “After everything you’ve been through…”
“Thank you,” said Matthias sadly, staring at the princess.
“Oh come on,” she said, shaking her head. “We will accomplish nothing standing over her like this. I think you and I need to exorcise some demons, don’t you?” She said to Matthias. He nodded. “Thadius, make yourself useful and take Josephine upstairs and lay her on my bed. Luccius, can you boil some water? There’s tea in a jar by the windowsill,” she instructed. He nodded. “You’ll also find a salve made of jimson weed and priory thorn in the cupboard to your left. It should reduce the boils on your face and…” she looked down “-wherever else they have appeared. Reapply it every hour until I say otherwise.”
Luccius smiled. “It’s good to see you again Maryn.”
She smiled. “As much as I hate to admit it... it’s good to see you again as well.” She looked from the ansuwan to Matthias. “Come along, let’s sit down.”
Maryn took Matthias into her small living room just off from the kitchen. Two wicker chairs sat by a window with a side table positioned by them. A hearth lay dormant to their side. Not much else decorated the room, save for several clusters of wildflowers in vases. They sat down and Maryn pulled her chair closer so that she could talk to him properly.
“You have a nice life here, it seems,” Matthias complimented. She smiled.
“It’s only small, but its home. More of a home that I have had in quite a long time. So,” she said, patting the arms of her chair. “Are you going to actually tell me what’s going on, or do I have to squeeze it out of you? I can, you know.”
Matthias smiled weakly. “I know you can.” He took a deep breath. “From the beginning?”
Maryn nodded. “The beginning. I know what Josephine is, obviously. But what I really want to know is, what all of this has to do with you?”
So Matthias told her, from the Council’s decision to retrieve Josephine, to Master Pym ordering him on his own mission, to his arrival in Rina, trying to kidnap the princess and all the events of their journey right up to the present. Several hours passed before the story was finished.
“I don’t know how you always manage to get yourself into these messes Matthias,” Maryn sighed.
“These things just have a habit of happening to me,” he replied.
“So you have allied yourself with men willing to defy the Consensus of the Council?” She shook her head. “I would be pleased, if I thought they could do anything to turn the tide in Mahalia. But this will bring you nothing but trouble, Matthias.”
“I’ve been in trouble before. It’s Josephine I am sorry for. One way or another her life will never be the same again. And I’m responsible.”
“She would be trussed up like a turkey and on her way back to Mahalia without you!” Maryn exclaimed.
“And instead she’s lying upstairs, poisoned,” he rebuffed.
“Self pity doesn’t suit you Matthias,” she said, and leaned forward to finish her drink. “I see you took all of five minutes undoing all my hard work with the princess,” she commented. “The wards we worked on have com
pletely evaporated.”
“They were only a temporary fix,” Matthias said. “They were ripped apart by the sorcerers as soon as they knew about her. She has to learn how to use them, not run away from them.”
“Are you saying that’s what I did?” she snapped. Matthias said nothing, simply looked to the ground. She sighed. “We have certainly started again from where we left off, haven’t we?”
“It seems that way. And I really don’t have the energy for an argument.” Matthias replied.
“I know you weren’t responsible for what happened. And I know what you did saved my life,” Maryn sighed. “But you led them right to me. That was something that broke my heart!”
Matthias nodded glumly. “That’s a decision I regret every day. Perhaps I could have refused, found some way of defying the Council’s orders. But at the time I couldn’t see any way out of it. And then afterwards… sometimes I wish I had forced you to take me with you. There have been times since I have wondered if that was the biggest mistake I have ever made.”
They were silent a moment, but then Maryn continued. “It wasn’t written. The gods took you down a different path and here you are now, making a difference to someone’s life and doing some good.” She offered a hand. “Perhaps we never will see completely eye to eye on the past. But given the circumstances, perhaps we can broker a truce?”
Matthias took her hand and shook it without hesitation. “Agreed,” he said. Then, after a pause, he let go, and sank back, rocking in his chair, watching Maryn silently.
“What is it?” she asked him.
“You still look exactly the same as you always did.”
She chortled. “Now I know you’re lying!” she sipped at her delicate china cup. “Just before you arrived I thought to myself how the power is losing its grip on my skin. I’m starting to feel time beginning to catch up with me.” She nodded. “As it should be. One cannot live forever, after all.”
“Speak for yourself,” Matthias chuckled and finished his tea, placing the cup back on to the small table between them.
“You look well enough, despite coming in here soaked to the skin,” Maryn said. Then she peered a little closer. “But it’s happening to you as well. Your eyes are older.”
“And wiser?” he ventured.
“That remains to be seen,” she shot back.
Matthias’s smile fell a little. “I have felt a watchful eye over my shoulder all the more these past few years,” he said. “Time loads a lot onto our shoulders as the ages pass. Even more since I have been travelling with the princess, I have felt time stalking me. She is so young and I am so old in comparison.”
“You give yourself little credit as always,” she said softly. “That you have grown older is no bad thing. How else can one gain experience? You want to change the world and lead Mahalia into the future with these other wizards? Then you need the wisdom that comes with age to do so.” Her face grew sad. “The outcome of all you have told me could change the world. Thousands of people will live or die depending on the decisions made in the coming weeks. Depending on what you do.”
Matthias nodded. “I know.” He shook his head, and stared out the window. The rain had abated a little and sunlight was peeking its way through the thick cloud.
“Do you love her?” Maryn asked suddenly.
He looked up at her, wide eyed, shocked by the suddenness of the question. “You have always been abrupt, Maryn, but that is another level entirely.”
She smiled. “You do then,” she nodded.
After a moments pause, he answered. “I care about her a lot,” he began. “She is unlike any person I have ever met before.” Then he started to laugh. “I know what you’re thinking. Stupid old fool, falling in love with a human.”
“You’re not so old as to never fall in love again,” Maryn replied softly. “And who can dictate who we will fall for?”
“I’ve seen too much,” he said sharply.
“What does that have to do with anything?” she asked.
“It has everything to do with it. Josephine is young, innocent and uncoloured by the madness of this world.” Matthias sighed. “I have hurt people, Maryn. You know what I’ve done. Destroyed the lives of people who never deserved such a fate. On top of all that, I have helped to bring about revolutions and topple rulers as part of Mahalia.” He shook his head. “I would bring her nothing but pain. Just as I did to you.”
“Pain may wait for that girl whether you are the one to cause it or not,” she replied. “Is it not better to face it with someone who knows the truth of the world?”
Matthias looked at her a moment, then shook his head. “I feel uncomfortable talking about such things with you,” he said.
“You think it improper to speak of such things with one who knows you so well? Who else can you talk to like this? Not even Luccius knows you as I do,” she replied.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” Matthias said.
Maryn smiled. “You assume that I have been alone all this time?” she asked, and he looked up at the wry grin on her face. She shook her head. “There was a time when I cried over such things as the lost love of youth. But trust me when I say, Matthias, you will not hurt me in discussing this aspect of your life.”
Matthias nodded. “Then I have run out of excuses not to talk about it, it seems.”
Maryn shook her head. “Well, if you truly do not want to discuss it, I will not press you on it further.” She leaned forward, “But one piece of advice I will give you. Do not let fear hold you back, or else you will regret it the rest of your life. And if you plan on living forever, that could be a long time.” She smiled.
He nodded to her and smiled back. “I’ve missed talking to you. You always were good at helping me see clearly. I’m not nearly as good at it as I like to think.” Maryn bowed her head in acknowledgement. “If she doesn’t recover, I’ll never forgive myself,” Matthias added.
“She is strong – willed,” Maryn commented. “When I helped her to suppress her power, she fought against it with a strength like no one I have ever seen. I have never met someone so determined. And infected with poison that strong, she should have been dead within a day at most.” She shifted in her seat. “If she really has been picked by the gods, they might be on her side, helping to keep her here.”
Matthias shook his head. “Well they’re not helping enough,” he said bitterly. “It’s not enough.”
Luccius appeared in the doorway. They both looked up at him earnestly.
“Still no change,” he said sadly.
Maryn rose and patted Matthias on the shoulder. “Why don’t you get some sleep?” she suggested. “There is plenty of room for you all. I will watch the princess for a while.”
Matthias shook his head. “No. I’ll relieve Thadius.”
“You need rest, old man,” Maryn said sternly but with a smile.
“I won’t sleep. Not with Josephine still like this,” he replied. “I couldn’t.”
She smiled. “Stubborn mule as always,” she muttered. “Well then, I’ll make another tea. Gods know we haven’t had enough already.” She left the room.
Luccius sat in her vacant seat. “This ointment is helping a treat,” he said, indicating to his bare arms. “She’s a clever woman, Maryn.”
Matthias nodded. “She is at that.”
“I’m certain the potion will help Josephine. We just have to be patient.”
Matthias smiled. “I’ve never been very good at that,” he quipped.
Luccius nodded. “Did you talk about things?” he asked, taking off his bandana and running a hand across his twisted locks of hair.
“We did,” Matthias replied.
“And?”
“We have called a truce.” He smiled.
Luccius nodded. “Well that is good. If experience tells me anything, it’s that if anyone can hold a grudge for that long, it’s a woman. Better to calm the waters. Make peace.”
Matthias nodded thoughtfully and his s
harp eyes studied Luccius. “Wise words, but are they ones you’ll ever follow? Will you ever go back and make peace with your people?”
Luccius’s face grew pensive. “Perhaps. When the time is right. But not now. As much as I miss that place, I can’t go back yet. There’s too much to do.”
“You can’t run forever,” Matthias said bluntly, rising from the chair. “From anything.”
“I can try!” Luccius grinned. “I’ve made it this far, haven’t I?”
“The world seems to have a funny way of ensuring that our past catches up with us again,” Matthias suggested and indicated to his surroundings. “What better proof do you need than my standing here, in a place I never thought I would be, with a person I never thought I’d see again?”
“If the world wants me to go back before I am ready it will have to take me on a leash,” the ansuwan said mockingly.
Matthias smiled thinly and nodded. “I’d best go relieve Thadius,” he said, turning to the door. “If I can prise him away.”
“Matthias,” Luccius said, stopping the wizard in his tracks in the doorway. The wizard turned around to face him again. “What…” He paused. “What do we do if the princess doesn’t wake up?”
“I thought you said you were sure that she would?” Matthias asked.
The ansuwan swallowed. “I am. Sort of.”
Matthias looked at him and nodded. “If she doesn’t, then I’ll take care of it.”
Luccius looked confused, but before he could question any more, Matthias turned and left the room.
A World of Dreams
Day of the Cycle Unknown, 495 N.E. (New Era)
Josephine opened her eyes to the glow of a full, yellow moon set in a jet – black, night sky. She was lying on her back and for a moment it felt like she was paralyzed and unable to move. Her fingers felt gingerly beneath her and found the familiar touch of grass. She grew puzzled.
Where am I? Where are the others? She thought hesitantly.
“Hello?” she called out, but no - one replied. “Matthias? Thadius? Luccius?” There was no answer and so she sat up with effort, her head groggy and heavy and looked around tentatively. She was definitely not in the mountain pass anymore. She looked down at the grass she had felt beneath her. It was a disturbingly dark green, almost black, as if it were infected by something. It stretched out to the horizon; a sickly field of dying plant life that surrounded her in all directions for miles.
