Oathtaker

by Patricia Reding

  Dixon turned back to his friend. “Lilith.”

  “What of her?” The innkeeper turned serious. His jaw muscles flexed.

  “What are you hearing?”

  Ezra motioned for Nancy. He pointed at Dixon’s ale, then back to himself, directing her to bring another one. Then he leaned in. “It’s odd. I’ve never seen this before.”

  “What’s that?” Mara interrupted.

  “What does she know about my enterprise?” he asked Dixon.

  “The general stuff.”

  The innkeeper directed his next comment to Mara. “As Dixon no doubt told you, I have eyes and ears throughout Oosa. Oddly enough, I’ve gone blind and deaf over the past few weeks.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  Nancy returned with Ezra’s drink. Foam slid down the outside of the mug. He wiped it off, then dried his hand on his pant leg. He took a long, deep drink.

  “Ahhh, that’s good,” he said, setting his mug down. “Just what I said,” he then continued. “My people are unable to come up with any information. Well, not much anyway.”

  “They aren’t checking in with you?” Dixon asked.

  “No, that’s just it. Most of them are reporting as usual. Although,” the innkeeper frowned, “the numbers are down.” He took another drink. “Of those that report, they just say they’ve no news.”

  “Nothing? But—”

  “What I mean,” Ezra interrupted, “is that I’m usually able to get solid information on what’s going on at sanctuary, what’s happening at—or at least around—the palace, what’s going on with the first family, and so forth. But now the only news I get is that Lilith is looking for you. She says you’re trying to escape justice.”

  “That’s absurd,” Mara said.

  “I’m sure. Still, word is that she is on a mission to find him. The fliers are full of it every day.”

  “I saw that in the one that I purchased when we arrived,” Dixon said, his eyes narrowed. “What else?”

  “That’s just it. There is nothing else.”

  Celestine approached. Ezra’s dark eyes bore into her, as though challenging her for interrupting. She handed him a flier.

  “This just in,” she said. She waited as his eyes ran over it. When he was through, he scowled, then dismissed her with a nod.

  “What is it?” Dixon asked.

  At that moment, Nancy arrived with dinner. She slapped the plates down, each with a resounding smack. The smell of roast beef and gravy wafted over the table. After inquiring whether anyone required anything more, she retreated.

  “This is ridiculous,” Ezra said. “When I can’t get information until it’s in the fliers!” He slapped the item down on the table.

  Mara took up the handbill. She read it, willing herself to remain calm. When she finished, she handed it to Dixon.

  Quickly, his eyes scanned the print. His jaw set. “You’ve heard nothing of this?”

  Ezra glanced at Nina holding Reigna, then at Adele holding Eden, then back to Dixon. “Nothing.”

  Dixon followed the man’s gaze. “Perhaps we should leave.” He pushed his chair back and stood.

  Ezra put his hand on Dixon’s forearm. “Sit down. Sit down. You’re safe here.” He looked toward the infants again. “You’re all safe here.”

  Gradually, Dixon’s tension released. “But—”

  “There’s no reason for you to leave now. You’re here. You might as well see to what you came here to do.”

  “It’s a lie,” Dixon said.

  “The child is not a fraud?”

  Mara pursed her lips. She looked at Ezra and shook her head.

  “The real thing?” The innkeeper’s desire to believe was evident.

  “One of them,” she indicated with a nod toward the infants, “is what we claim she is.”

  “And the other?”

  “We’re not exactly sure what to call her. We believe she should rightly be known as ‘she who is but is not,’ of prophetic fame.”

  Confusion set in Ezra’s eyes. “The seventh seventh ‘who is but is not?’”

  “They’re Rowena’s twins,” Dixon said. “One is a seventh. The other is a seventh, but . . . is not.”

  “Whew! Rowena’s twins? Why, that’s amazing! And that prophecy is ancient. No one has ever been able to figure out what it means.”

  “Well, I think we know now. It fits.”

  The innkeeper shook his head. “You’ll need to find a long-term place of safety for them. For all of you.”

  Mara put her hand on his arm. “Ezra, you’ll pardon my concern, and it’s not that I don’t trust you . . .”

  He grinned. “Have no fear, little lady, you’re safe with me.”

  “It’s not me I’m concerned about.” She looked toward the infants.

  His gaze followed. “I see.” He fidgeted.

  She studied him. Then she heard his thoughts as clearly as though he’d shouted them out loud. “You know, I think that’s a great idea,” she said, smiling.

  “What? I didn’t say anything.”

  “But you thought it,” Dixon said.

  Ezra looked at his friend. “How do you know that?”

  “I don’t.” Dixon gestured, fork in hand, toward Mara. “She does.”

  The innkeeper looked carefully at her. “You’re an Oathtaker?”

  “I’m their Oathtaker.”

  “I thought you were,” he said to Dixon.

  “You thought wrong,” Dixon said.

  “Well, if that don’t beat all! But why is Lilith after you then?”

  “She heard Rowena’s child lived, and I suppose she assumes that the infant is with me.”

  “I see. So, Lilith doesn’t know there are two of them.”

  “No.”

  “Well?” Mara asked, directing her question to Ezra.

  “Well what? Oh, you want me to swear an oath to protect the girls.”

  “Only if you’re willing. If not, that’s fine too. I just need to know where we stand.”

  “Well, like I said, you should have no fear. I can swear without reservation that I will do anything in my power to protect you all.”

  “Thank you, Ezra.” It had not been a life oath, but she appreciated it anyway.

  Ezra watched her, then leaned in. “Truly, Mara, I would do anything to protect those girls. I would . . . die for them. I swear it on my life.”

  As the group had come to expect, the earth shook. The walls of the room rattled. The overhead chandelier swung, causing the candles’ flames to flicker. Silver rattled, glass tinkled, and people gasped. The pub’s guests all stopped what they’d been doing. Some grabbed the edges of their tables for security. One young woman dashed beneath an empty one.

  Ezra’s mouth dropped open.

  In the span of just a breath or so, the shuddering ceased. Slowly the workers and guests returned to their interests, which in some cases, included cleaning up spilled drinks.

  “Goodness! What just happened?”

  “Remarkable, isn’t it?” Dixon grinned.

  “I’ve never seen anything like it.”

  “Yes. Right?” Mara laughed.

  “But you said you were their Oathtaker,” Ezra said to her.

  “And so I am. But you’ve just joined their first line of defense.”

  “You mean . . . the others?” He pointed toward those at Mara’s table, then nodded toward Basha’s group.

  “Yes, they’re soldiers in the girls’ army as well.”

  “Amazing.” Ezra sat quietly for a moment, shaking his head and smirking. “Truly amazing,” he said. “So I hope your concerns have been put to rest.”

  She smiled. “Yes, thank you. As I said, I would never insist on such an oath. But you’ve certainly added to my sense of security knowing we might be here for a time.”

  “What if—” Dixon turned to the innkeeper, clearly excited. “What if we used your network to spread false information?”

  Ezra’s head shot up. “False i
nformation?”

  “Yes! What if we used your agents, to spread stories about our whereabouts? Maybe then we could hold Lilith at bay.”

  “Dixon, that’s brilliant!” Mara exclaimed.

  He grinned at her, then turned back to Ezra. “Now that you’re one of us, maybe we can use the system you already have in place to help us to protect the girls. Would you be willing? Do you think it could even work?” he asked.

  “We can certainly give it a try!”

  Ezra had suggested that when the little ones were down for the night, Mara and Dixon return for further discussion. Mara bowed out, but Dixon agreed to the meeting.

  He entered the pub just as a young local son sang a favorite ditty to the guests’ delight about a maiden pleased her true love was “as steady as a rushing river.” Meanwhile, a traveling magician impressed the folks, showing off his talents at prestidigitation. He made cards fly through his fingers, coins vanish and reappear, and empty mugs levitate, all to the delight of the onlookers.

  Nancy and Celestine bustled about, keeping the spirits of the guests up and their mugs filled.

  Dixon sat with his back against the wall. The quiet figure of a man in the opposite corner caught his attention. A hooded cloak partially hid his face. Slowly nursing his drink, he seemed to watch every person’s every move.

  Ezra’s eyes followed Dixon’s gaze. He grinned. “One of mine,” he said.

  “And that one?” Dixon’s eyes flashed to the opposite side of the room where a young woman sat alone. Though silent, her demeanor seemed to shout that her space was off limits. Even to a casual observer, she appeared ready to spring at any moment, at the slightest sign of danger.

  “Yes, that one too.” Ezra motioned for Celestine, then asked her to bring drinks.

  Dixon refused with a shake of his head.

  “Actually, Celestine will bring me tea, not ale. I never have more than two brews in an evening. She knows I mean to keep my wits about me.”

  “Very well then. I’ll have one too.”

  After Celestine left, the innkeeper sat quietly, watching Dixon. “You miss her?” he finally asked.

  “Rowena?”

  “Mhmmm.”

  “Terribly.” Dixon closed his eyes. “I keep thinking I hear her voice. I keep waiting for her to come around the corner. I—”

  “You were still in love with her,” Ezra interrupted.

  Dixon started. “What?”

  “Oh, come on, a man would have to have been blind not to have known.”

  “That was a long time ago.” Dixon shook his head. “It was just the longing of a young man who should have known better. I was subject to my oath. She was married for goodness sake.”

  “I see. So now Mara’s got your eye.”

  Celestine stopped with the tea.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dixon said, looking down, after she walked away.

  “So, she’s fair game?”

  Dixon’s eyes shot up.

  Ezra laughed. “That’s what I thought.” He shook his head. “She’s a good woman.”

  “Among the best. But of course, she’s committed now. And even if she wasn’t, she wouldn’t be interested in me—so there’s no cause for concern.”

  “Now that’s where you’re wrong. Or perhaps you didn’t see her reactions to Nancy and Celestine?” The innkeeper paused. “And that’s why you have to be very careful.”

  Dixon was silent for a time. He patted his thigh. “I’m sure you’re mistaken. We’ve been thrown together for the time being, for good or for bad, that’s all.”

  Jules approached. “Mind if I join you?”

  “Not at all. I’d appreciate your input.” In part, Dixon was relieved that the subject of conversation would be changed. He turned to Ezra. “Mara’s convinced there might be information at sanctuary for us,” he paused, “or for her, that is. She wants to do some research. Since she couldn’t leave the infants, at least for an extended time, to the care of others, she decided we’d all come to the city.”

  “What about your friends who arrived after you did? What about you?” Ezra asked Jules.

  Dixon explained about Therese and Basha, allowing Jules to relay his and Samuel’s history.

  “And the two other young women? The ones who are tending the infants?”

  “Nina is a Chiranian refugee. She lost her child while escaping to Oosa. We met her in Polesk and she agreed to join Mara to help with the girls.”

  “And the other young woman?”

  “Adele?” Dixon chuckled. He explained how Mara had rescued him from Lilith’s grip. “Adele came along for the ride rather unexpectedly.”

  “Traveling? Why, that is an extraordinary power.”

  “Yes, indeed.”

  “And you’re all part of the girls’ army?”

  “Every last one of us,” Jules said.

  “You’ve all sworn an oath for their protection?”

  “That’s right,” Dixon said.

  “And you all received the same confirmation?”

  “Yes. Isn’t that amazing? Have you ever heard of anything like it?”

  “No, I most certainly have not,” the innkeeper said. He took a drink.

  The three discussed the group’s travels to date and their expectation of joining up with Lucy.

  “Do you have contact with her?” Dixon asked.

  “Occasionally. Now and again she sends someone to the city to leave, or to get, information.”

  “When did she last do that?”

  Ezra brushed his hand against the whiskers below his chin as he thought. “Well now, let me see. I last had a guest from her camp a few months back.”

  “Any particular reason for the visit?”

  “No. I believe she just wanted to know if we’d heard any news from out of the palace.” Ezra looked around the room, then motioned to Celestine to see to a nearby table that was running dry. “How long do you think you’ll be in the city?” he asked as he turned back.

  “Don’t know. A couple of weeks? Maybe longer. It’ll be up to Mara.”

  “You plan to take the children to sanctuary?”

  Dixon shrugged. “Actually, I can’t think of a safer place for them. I don’t know if Lilith would go there.”

  “If what you say about her is true—about her trying to usurp their position—then you can’t be too careful. But your other idea merits some discussion as well.”

  “About passing out false information?”

  “Yes.”

  “This sounds good,” Jules said. “What’s this all about?”

  “Dixon thinks we might put my network to use.” Ezra turned to him. “So what have you got in mind?”

  “I’d rather hate to impose Lilith on anyone, but maybe we could pass out word that we’ve been seen in different places—places we haven’t really been and have no intention of going.”

  Ezra chewed his lip. “You remember I told you how most of my agents were checking in but that some were . . . Well, I assume they’re just late. It’s unusual, but not unheard of.”

  “What’s this?” Jules asked.

  “Some of my agents haven’t checked in with me as they usually do,” the innkeeper said, scowling.

  “Where are those people stationed?”

  “Now that I think on it, they’re all generally positioned between the palace at Shimeron and around the Polesk area.”

  “Polesk! That’s where Lilith found me before taking me back to the palace,” Dixon said.

  “In any case, I say we put a plan together.” Ezra said. “With luck, she’ll follow the leads we plant.”

  “I like it,” Jules said. “So, how do we pass this information?”

  “The local inns and pubs. It’s amazing what information one may glean from such places.”

  As the evening wore on, the men formulated a plan.

  When the hour grew late, the locals made for home. It was then that one of Ezra’s spies stumbled into the inn. Dirt
covered his face. His clothing, torn and stained, showed the wear of long travel. He was a small man, built for quickness. Nothing about him would catch the attention of others but for his crooked nose, a certain sign of one or more brawls in which he’d drawn the short end of the stick.

  The innkeeper jumped up. “Lance, finally! We’ve been awaiting your arrival.” He ushered the man toward a chair. “Steady. Are you all right? Have you any injuries?”

  Lance shook his head. He put up a hand motioning that he needed to catch his breath. “I . . . I’m just a long time on the road. Three solid days since I’ve stopped for a proper rest.” He paused. “Drink!” he exclaimed.

  Nancy brought a full mug and a pitcher.

  He tipped the mug up and drank until it was empty, then slammed it down on the table. “Ahhhh.”

  Ezra excused the barmaids for the evening, then locked the front door and turned out most of the lights. Once done, he turned his attention back to Lance. “You ready to talk now?”

  He struggled for breath. “Rest,” he murmured.

  “Soon enough. Have you a report?”

  “Not much to tell. I left Polesk weeks ago.” The spy motioned to his mug for more.

  Ezra filled it. The smell of yeast and hops filled the air. “What about Polesk? You’re the first to report from that section for some time now.”

  “When I left, Lilith was due to arrive. The local fliers reported that she intended to hold a ceremony for the infants of the area.”

  “Yes, the fliers here say that she seeks someone who’s trying to perpetrate a fraud upon the people with the false claim of a seventh seventh.”

  “But . . . a ceremony? For the infants?” Dixon asked.

  “Something about ‘bestowing a blessing’ on them,” Lance said.

  “So then, you’ve no news of what happened during her visit?” Ezra asked.

  “None. One of the others was to follow me within a day or two. Generally we keep a continuous relay coming and going from Polesk and some of the other larger cities, but I met up with trouble along the way. I expected that someone would have returned here long before I did.”

  “We’ve seen no one. What kind of trouble did you meet with?”

  “Soldiers.”

  “Soldiers?”

  “From among those Lilith brought with her to Polesk.”