Oathtaker

by Patricia Reding

  He smirked and shook his head. “Here’s a little advice. Don’t look so anxious to get away from her. Smother her with your presence, your willingness to be of service. When she’s convinced of your loyalty, she’ll grow tired of you and give you some space.”

  Velia turned back to her task and finished grooming Victory, then brushed her cheek against the animal’s neck. She turned back to Jerrett. “So did you choose Victory for me?”

  “Mmhmmm.”

  “Thank you. She’s been great.”

  “Mmhmmm.”

  “I guess I’d best get back. Put your proposal into effect. Thank you, Jerrett.”

  He stared hard at her. “Name’s Jabari.”

  “Right. Jabari. I won’t forget. Thank you—Jerrett. You give me hope.”

  Velia walked back to the inn, dodging the crows that flew near, stifling her smile.

  Velia put Jerrett’s advice into effect immediately, offering to see to Lilith’s every need, to assist her in every way possible. Gradually, the woman seemed to relax. Velia knew she’d won her over when Lilith again started, a couple days later, to share her room with Edmond.

  Finishing off her cup of tea, the Oathtaker shook off the irritation she felt when she found Edmond’s eyes upon her. Turning toward Lilith, she asked if there was anything more she could do.

  “No, but I’d like to get an early start in the morning. I believe we’ll arrive in the city sometime tomorrow.”

  “Very well. If you don’t mind then, I think I’ll call it a night.”

  Lilith handed over a key. “Your room is the last one on the left at the top of the stairs. I’ll be just across the hall.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’ll awaken you at first light.”

  The Oathtaker headed up the stairs. She so wanted to speak more with Jerrett. Now that she’d regained Lilith’s trust, she might be able to get away and make her way to the city. She could go tonight. Would he help her?

  For a change, their accommodations were impeccable. Velia dropped her cloak over a chair and cleaned up, grateful for the fresh water, the soap, and the clean towels in her room. Wiping her face dry, inhaling deeply of the scent of lavender, she went to the window and looked out.

  All three moons were in different stages of waning, so there was little light. Every time she witnessed the phenomenon, she recollected the prophecies that told of dark events that would transpire when all three moons were new, the sky left void of moonlight. It was an enormously rare event, only happening once every few hundred years. A shiver ran down her spine as she contemplated what dark things such days—or nights as the case may be—might bring.

  Glancing toward the stables, she spotted Jerrett scanning the exterior of the inn. She opened her window, letting in the crisp early nighttime air of late winter, early spring. It invigorated her. She leaned out a few inches.

  When Jerrett saw her, he tilted his head downwards, silently entreating her to meet him at the stables. She nodded her agreement, but she couldn’t leave until Lilith and Edmond were down for the night, so she held up a finger, indicating that he should wait.

  He sat on a bench outside the stables and slid his legs out long before him, as though at rest.

  She paced, waiting for Lilith to retire. Finally came the sound of footsteps down the hall. Velia listened at her door as Lilith and Edmond entered their room. She would wait a bit longer.

  Time seemed to drag. She paced, occasionally stopping to glance out her window. Jerrett didn’t move.

  Finally, the Oathtaker opened her door. She glanced up and down the hall. Light peeked out from below some of the doors, but not from the one across the hall. She drew closer and placed her ear to it. Silence responded. She closed her own door, leaving it unlocked for easy and quiet access upon her return, then made her way down the stairs.

  At a small table in the entrance to the inn sat a lamp, its wick turned down low. Velia’s eyes darted around the room. No one manned the reception desk. She exited the inn and walked to the stables, offering a silent prayer of gratitude that the crows had quieted for the night.

  Jerrett was gone. Just as she was about to step inside the barn to find him, someone grabbed her from behind and put a hand over her mouth. Startled, she tried to pull away.

  “Shhh, it’s me.”

  When she relaxed, Jerrett removed his hand.

  She turned around as he held a finger to his lips and tipped his head to the side. Her eyes followed the gesture. There, just inside the barn, a stable boy leaned against a bale of hay, apparently asleep.

  “You frightened me,” she whispered.

  Jerrett grasped her arm. He was gentle, notwithstanding his enormous size and strength. He led her around the back of the building. Carefully, they stepped around an old broken cart, shovels and rakes, and an upside down wheelbarrow. Then, he directed her to a bench under the roof of a defunct lean-to.

  The night insects stilled. Even the lightflies went momentarily dark.

  Velia reached out to test the bench’s integrity. Satisfied it was safe, she sat. Jerrett followed suit.

  The music of the insects, the glimmer of the lightflies, resumed.

  “I was hoping to have an opportunity to speak with you,” she said.

  “I take it things are going better with Lilith?”

  “Yes, thank you for your insight and your suggestions. They worked.”

  “Don’t mention it.”

  She leaned forward. “I need to get away. I need to warn someone. You’ll help me, won’t you?”

  “No.”

  “No!”

  He put his hand out to silence her. “No, I don’t think that’s the right plan.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “I’ve listened in on Lilith and Edmond.”

  “Listened in? You mean, with Donagh’s assistance?”

  Jerrett chuckled. “That’s right.”

  “What did you hear?”

  “Something about a child, or children, I couldn’t make that part out for sure.”

  “Children. Two. Rowena’s seventh born.”

  His eyes widened. “There is a new seventh seventh then.”

  Velia tucked some of her hair back behind her ear. “Sort of. Well, that is, in part.” She hesitated. “You recall ever hearing about a seventh seventh ‘who is but is not?’”

  “Sounds vaguely familiar.”

  “I think that’s what we’re dealing with here. A seventh seventh and her twin. It seems an interesting way to describe a child of a seventh pregnancy who isn’t seventh born.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  “I had an instructor once,” Velia said as she batted a moth away, “who was fascinated with prophecy. He used to talk about that one in particular. It stumped him. He couldn’t figure it out, but I think I could tell him now.”

  Jerrett nodded, contemplating. “What made you decide to go along with Lilith?” he finally asked.

  “I knew she lied. That’s how I discovered the facts about the children.”

  “How did you know that?”

  “Attendant magic.”

  “Discernment of truth and falsehood?”

  “That’s right.”

  “So you didn’t just overhear their conversations while we’ve been traveling?”

  “Some, but not much. Lilith has been very careful.” Again, Velia’s hair fell forward. She untied it completely, then pulled it all up and retied it. “Lilith told me one day that someone was trying to pawn off an imposter child as a seventh seventh. I knew she lied. I kept asking questions, trying to get more information. She’s been pretty close-mouthed, but I did manage to learn of the child, and I believe that Lilith intends to kill her.

  “She went on her murderous campaign hoping that someone would give the child up to her. It wasn’t until Edmond came to camp that she discovered Rowena had born two children. Now, I wonder, am I to report her to the Council? She’s not the legitimate head of the first family.”

&nb
sp; “Let me think.” Jerrett rubbed his head. “Who’s this ‘Dixon’ she and Edmond keep discussing?”

  “I don’t know what Edmond’s relationship to Dixon is, but it seems quite personal. From what I’ve been able to pick up, Dixon thinks they’re great friends. According to Edmond, the man trusts him implicitly—so much so that Edmond believes he can deliver Dixon to Lilith. But Edmond is obsessed with getting even with him for something.”

  “Do you know anything about this—Dixon?”

  “All I know for sure is that he was Rowena’s Oathtaker.”

  “Oh, of course, Dixon Townsend.”

  “You know him?”

  “No. I knew his brothers. I met one of them during my training and the other when I traveled back home with him to the hinterlands for a summer.” Jerrett stood. “Now, who’s this ‘Mara’ person they’ve mentioned?”

  “The girls’ Oathtaker. Dixon is with her. I understand they’re somewhere in the city. I want to go find them and warn them.”

  “You’d never find them. Not in a city that size. And even if you could, why would Dixon believe you? If what you say is true, he wouldn’t believe that Edmond would betray him. No, it would be better for him to confront Edmond directly.”

  “But that could put the children in grave danger!” Velia got to her feet. She seemed miniature compared to Jerrett’s immense stature and bulk.

  “I just don’t see how it’s possible.”

  Her shoulders sagged. “You’re probably right. I wouldn’t even know where to start.”

  The Oathtakers started back around the building. As they rounded the corner, Velia saw someone walking to the stable. She turned toward Jerrett and threw her arms around his neck. She drew him forward and then, as he started pulling away, got up on her tiptoes, leaned in, and whispered, “Someone’s coming!”

  “There you are.”

  Velia released Jerrett quickly, in feigned embarrassment. There was no mistaking that voice. “Lilith,” she said.

  The woman’s eyes, discernable by the lamplight coming from the stable, scanned up and down Jerrett. “Interesting choice in men, Velia.”

  “I’m sorry, Lilith.” The Oathtaker frowned at Jerrett. “We didn’t hear you coming,” she said, her accusation not lost on him. Where had his attendant magic been when they’d needed it? Increased powers of hearing indeed!

  Lilith lifted her chin. “Do I need to be concerned about this?”

  Velia shuffled her feet. “No, ma’am, it won’t happen again.”

  Lilith’s gaze turned to Jerrett. “And what about you? I can’t have her hanging out here in the stables. I need her assistance.”

  “Sorry, ma’am, it won’t happen again.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  Velia went to Lilith’s side. “Was there something you needed?”

  “Me? No, I just couldn’t sleep. I saw the light under your door and thought you might share a nightcap with me.”

  Velia cursed herself for leaving her lamp burning and her door unlocked, and cursed Jerrett for failing to hear Lilith’s approach. “I’d like that, Lilith,” she said. Inwardly, she groaned.

  CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

  Making their way through the streets and byways of the City of Light, the travelers slowed their pace as they neared sanctuary. Crowds meandered from one street vendor’s stall to another, all the while trying to steer clear of the thousands of crows that had descended upon the city.

  Food smells, both savory and sweet, filled the air: roasting lamb, fresh bread, cinnamon sprinkled almonds, sweet fruits, and fresh herbs.

  Lilith and Edmond rode ahead, seemingly oblivious to the black varmints flying overhead. Velia frowned at the flock. It seemed to grow by the minute. It called to her mind an old childhood verse:

  Black and loud

  Like a cloud,

  Come the crows

  Murdering rogues.

  Occasionally one swooped down to snatch food from the hands of a babe, or pecked someone who tried to keep his food away from the winged thief so hard, that the person’s hands bled from the assault.

  Lilith glanced at the crowds. Dressed in nondescript brown, and with her hood up, no one recognized her. She motioned for Velia to pull up.

  “Where to?” the Oathtaker asked.

  “Just there.” Lilith designated with a nod, an inn situated on a corner. The Home Place, read its welcome sign. Already crows lined the ridge of the roof and sat on the veranda’s railings that ran the full length of the building.

  When she lifted her arm, one of the flock landed on it. The creature looked her full in the eye. She stroked the animal, then raised her arm into the air to push it off again. With a caw sounding distinctly like a scream, the vagrant flew away. It landed, seconds later, at the apex of the building.

  The travelers reached the reception desk as a hotel guest complained that the crows’ presence forced him indoors. “I’ll not stay here another minute!” he exclaimed to the clerk’s disappointment.

  “I am sorry sir, but I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do. The fliers report that the birds overtook the city today.”

  “Then we’ll leave the city.”

  “But, Harry,” whined the woman at his side, “we planned this trip for so long.”

  “We’ll not stay, I say!” He slammed his fist on the desk. “First thing tomorrow, we leave this place!” He turned on his heel and walked away. His disappointed family followed behind.

  “Two rooms, please,” Lilith requested as she stepped forward.

  The clerk looked up. “The crows haven’t scared you off?”

  “Not at all.”

  He glanced at his book, then grabbed two keys from a wall hook and handed them over. “You’re just down the hall there,” he directed.

  “Can you arrange for baths to be delivered to our rooms?”

  “Certainly, ma’am, we’ll have them sent over immediately.”

  “Very well. Also, I’ll need dinner sent out to our guide in the stables.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  When the travelers arrived outside their rooms, Lilith handed Edmond a key. “You’ll stay here with me,” she then said to Velia as she opened the door to a room.

  After Lilith chose one of the beds, the Oathtaker sat on the other. She bent down to remove her boots. “Is everything all right?”

  “Fine. Just fine. I just wanted to be certain you didn’t repeat your former transgression and return to Jabari in the stables. I need you with me to see to my safety. I’ve much to attend to.”

  Velia said nothing; responding would serve no purpose.

  A knock came at the door. She answered it. Outside stood two young men. They entered, pulling on the handle of a cart upon which a metal tub sat. Behind them followed two women carrying large pitchers of steaming water.

  The men stepped behind a room divider arranged to offer privacy for dressers and bathers. They pulled on levers that locked the cart’s wheels in place. Once done, the women poured their pitchers of hot water into the tub. Then they all left.

  Lilith bathed first. When through, she ordered a second tub for Velia.

  The Oathtaker stepped behind the divider, undressed, and got into the tub. Since Lilith was quiet, she felt no need to keep up a conversation. She washed her hair, scrubbed her skin with a luffa until it glowed pink, then leaned back and closed her eyes. She was surprised to find she’d fallen asleep when, suddenly, she awakened with a start.

  The water swished.

  “She’ll be right back.”

  Velia sprang forward. Water sloshed around her, then ran over the tub’s edge and onto the floor. “Edmond! What are you doing here?” She grabbed a nearby towel and held it against herself.

  “Like I said, Lilith will be right back. She asked me to keep an eye on you.” He cocked a brow. “Not a difficult duty.”

  “Get. Out.”

  He smirked. “Don’t act so ‘holier than thou.’ Lilith told me all about your late night
rendezvous with Jabari.” He swished the bath water again. “Lovely,” he said, as though to himself.

  “Get out!”

  “Or what? Or you’ll use your blade on me and risk Lilith’s ire? I don’t think so.”

  Velia hated Edmond, but she didn’t fear him, and she didn’t care if her feelings showed. “Where is she?”

  “Don’t know. Maybe she thought to check in with Jabari herself.”

  “Get out of here, Edmond.”

  The sound of the door opening interrupted any further conversation. Edmond sprang to the other side of the divider as Lilith made her way in. “She awake?”

  “Don’t know. She hasn’t said anything.”

  Velia sighed. Who would have thought she’d feel relief because of Lilith’s presence? “I’m nearly through here,” she called out. She stepped out of the tub, dried herself briskly, then dressed.

  “Dinner is ready,” Lilith said.

  “I’ll be ready in a minute.” Velia retrieved her backpack, then found refuge again behind the divider. She rummaged for a comb. As she groomed her hair, she listened.

  “This came for you,” Lilith said.

  “That was quick.” Paper rustled. “They’re still there,” Edmond said.

  “Why don’t you send another message? Ask them to meet tomorrow at sanctuary.” For a moment, no one spoke. “Are you about through?” Lilith asked, her voice raised.

  “Yes.” Velia finished tying up her hair.

  On their way to dinner, Edmond stopped at the reception desk to arrange to send another message. Then the three ate, their conversation stilted. From time to time, Velia felt Edmond’s eyes burning into her. When that happened, she sat up even straighter and glared back at him in response. He was a weasel. She wasn’t going to let him intimidate or frighten her.

  “For you, sir,” said a waiter, leaning over to deliver a note.

  Edmond opened the missive, perused it, then smiled. He nodded at Lilith.

  “We’ve scheduled a meeting for tomorrow at sanctuary,” Lilith said to Velia.

  “Oh? Who’ll we be seeing?”

  “Just some friends of Edmond’s.”

  “And then?”