Beneath a Desert Moon

by Mary Hamilton

“Don’t argue, Jarek, Please. Just do it. If the king’s men get me, it will be worse than anything you can imagine. Please, now. And then get Ben. Go. Get out of here.”

  “Yeah, we will, just as soon as we get you ready to travel.” He stood and surveyed the area as best he could in the dark. “Hang on. I’ll go get him, and then we’ll work on getting you set.”

  She coughed and waved him off. “No! Leave, now. I mean it, Jarek. Leave me. There are two dead cavaliers there, and the king’s men are expecting them back. This place will be crawling with soldiers within the hour.”

  “And we’ll be gone by then.”

  She closed her eyes and shook her head. If she said anything, he didn’t hear it. He bolted from the clearing into the grass, finding Ben in less than a minute. “Come on, quick. CeCe’s hurt. We have to get her patched up and out of here.”

  They knelt together beside CeCe. Jarek rummaged through his pack and brought out his spare tunic. “I’ll stop the bleeding with this. That should be good enough until we can get you away from here.”

  She opened her eyes and smirked. “And just how do you intend to get me away from here. I can hardly move.”

  “First things first.” He alternated between making cuts in the tunic and tearing strips from it. “I’m going to stuff this underneath your shirt. Stay still.” He unbuttoned the top two buttons and placed the wad of cloth against the wound on her shoulder. “I’m sorry if this hurts, but I need to wrap this strip around your upper leg.”

  She clenched her jaw and gritted her teeth. “Argh… by the gods….”

  “That’s done. Now, let’s get you moved.”

  “Jarek, I’m ordering you—kill me and go, right now, no argument. There’s no way we can get away with my wounds. Go!”

  “Yeah, CeCe, I heard you. No. Not happening. Now shut up.” He turned to Ben. “Get on that side of her. Lift her up, you know, beneath her arm. I’ll get this side. We’ll get her into the tall grass.”

  She screamed as they lifted her, but once she was on her feet, Jarek could feel her trying to move her legs in the direction of the grass. “That’s it, CeCe. Just try to keep moving. We got this.”

  They half walked, half stumbled about ten meters into the tall grass before collapsing as a group. Jarek took a deep breath and stood. “Come with me. I’m going to pull the bodies into the grass. If nothing else, it’ll make it harder for the soldiers when they come looking, at least in the darkness.”

  It took about fifteen minutes and every bit of effort the two of them could muster, but they got the corpses into the grass and out of sight from the road. When they returned to CeCe, she had propped herself up on her elbows. “Jarek, you’re making a really big mistake here. I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but it’s going to get both of you killed.” Her voice had grown a little stronger and her eyes shimmered in the starlight.

  Jarek had never in his life felt so afraid or so unsure of his actions. “Maybe. But, then again, before this is all over, we’ll all probably be dead anyway. So, here’s what we’re going to do.” Even as he said the words, he had no idea what he was going to do.

  “She’s right, Jarek. Without her, the two of you stand a fighting chance of getting away. But if you stay or even try to help her out, it will only be a matter of time before they find you.”

  Yeah, and you’re not being very helpful. He muttered the words without regard to whether anyone else could hear or not.

  “What would you have me do? I cannot make the wound go away. I cannot stop the soldiers from coming. The best I can do is to be honest with you.”

  No. I’m not leaving her. That wouldn’t be right, and you know it. You’re a god, after all.

  “So I am. Here is what you should do if you want you and the boy to survive. Tell her you’re sorry. Sit with her for a moment. And then plunge your knife deep into her chest. It will kill her without pain. I will be with her and I will comfort her in her passing. But if you are captured, you will all suffer in ways that you cannot begin to imagine.”

  I got that much. But, no thanks.

  “I thought as much. In the interest of time, we will move on to the second, albeit much inferior option. You are right in that a party from the guard post will not be able to easily find you or the bodies in the dark. That gives you a few hours yet. But they will find the scene, and they will give chase. Your only choice is to go where they would not expect to find you.”

  Chapter 49: Ebon Hills

  “Of all the ideas you’ve had, Jarek, this has to rank as either the most brilliant or the stupidest.” CeCe adjusted herself to her makeshift bedding. They had found their way into a tiny alcove beneath a stone bridge within earshot of the king’s guardhouse just before daybreak.

  Jarek himself wasn’t convinced of the wisdom. But, according to Aristan, it was the best chance they had. “Keep your voice down.” He had to admit, though, that it didn’t seem likely that the soldiers would immediately search that area. “Let’s just ride it out here for a bit and see what happens. It can’t be any worse than trying to go cross country in the open.”

  One thing about their hiding place—they heard all the comings and goings of the king’s soldiers. Sometimes it was foot traffic. Other times it was the clomp of horses’ hooves on the cobblestone bridge. And it unnerved Jarek. Every time he heard traffic, his heart pounded until the sound faded into the distance.

  CeCe, for her part, kept quiet. Whatever pain she felt she kept to herself. Ben sat, his head hanging, and his knees drawn to his chest. Daylight came, although the only effect that Jarek could notice was the reflected light that found its way into the small, darkened area.

  After a few hours, Jarek shuffled over to the wounded woman. He whispered in a low voice, “We can’t stay here forever, obviously. But other than that, I’d say we have two choices.”

  CeCe said nothing. Her faced looked bathed in pain, her eyes red, and her jaw constantly clenched. But she didn’t complain.

  “One of us could go for help. That would take at least five, maybe six days. Or, we could try to sneak out of here when you’re better and make our way back to the ruins.” He was making this up as he went.

  She smirked and shook her head.

  “I know it sounds stupid. But I’m doing the best I can.”

  Her response came out forced. “I know, Jarek. Thank you. But you should have listened to me. And you still can. You and I both know that’s the only way you get out of this alive. And from what Aristan told us all, you have an important role to play.”

  “We all do. I’d be dead and so would Ben if it weren’t for you. So, if you don’t mind, let’s just forget the me leaving you option and focus on what we can do.”

  Her smirk softened. “You sure took over command in a hurry.”

  Suddenly, another idea popped into his head. “I’m going to talk to Ben. He might know where we can steal a wagon and mule.”

  ◆◆◆

  “The biggest thing is not to get caught. Don’t even try it if there’s anyone around.” Jarek sat huddled with Ben, who had assured the Azyrean that he could get a rig.

  “It’ll be easy. I just have to get it in the middle of the night. The merchant… he’s the one that alerted the king’s men about you to start with, he roams the countryside during the day. He sells some stuff, I guess, but mostly he’s just a spy. He comes back to town at sundown, and, from what I hear, he drinks himself to sleep every night. I figure he won’t wake up if I hit his place after midnight.”

  “Maybe. If he is a spy for the king, that means that when he finds his wagon gone, he’ll go to the soldiers first. But here’s the twist. We’re not actually going to use the rig. You’re going to take it south, toward the river but not all the way. Once you’ve gone a couple of hours, I want you to crash it into a boulder or tree or something—make it look like an accident.”

  “Why you want me to do that?” The boy scrunched his nose and tilted his head.

  “I want the army to mo
unt a full-scale search to the south. And remember, that’s where Burns and Corny left a trail. So it’ll fit right in with that.”

  “Why don’t we just make a run, you know, head north toward the ruins?”

  “That’s what they’ll expect. Look, by now, they know about the dead cavaliers. And they know that you escaped.” A question suddenly popped into Jarek’s head. “I meant to ask you, what happened with Bart? Why did he turn you in?”

  “He was waiting on me when I got there—said somebody saw me with you. Didn’t say where. He didn’t say nothing else, just laughed at me. I tried to run but he got me down and tied up before I could get away.”

  The news didn’t surprise Jarek. They had traversed some open areas. And it seemed that the king had spies everywhere. “Then we assume that the king knows you’re working with us. He knows that you had help escaping. So, they’ll be looking for several people. One more thing. Wait here for a minute.” He shuffled quietly over to CeCe.

  “I hate to ask this, but I need your bloody shirt.” The request came out like an apology.

  She just looked at him with questioning eyes. He related the plan, adding, “I figure if we leave your bloody shirt in the wagon, it’ll make them even more certain that we’ve gone south.” He took off his own tunic, leaving only his light cloth shirt. “You can put this over your bandages.” Jarek knew that it would be a poor fit, but he had no other ideas.

  CeCe shook her head in resignation and nodded. “You’ll have to do it.” She glanced down at the buttons.

  He averted his eyes and unbuttoned the shirt by feel. When he was done, he draped his tunic over her. “I’m going to get Ben on his way. I’ll be back in a few minutes and we’ll try to get this on you.”

  He started toward the boy, but she stopped him. “Jarek.”

  He turned and waited.

  “Thank you.”

  Chapter 50: Crystal Sands

  Darkness and worry cloaked Marzi’s heart. Tovi, her little brother, had nearly died. That he survived the arrow seemed little more than luck—a half meter higher and she would have had to find a way to explain to her parents, and herself, how she had let her little brother get killed. All because of moonbeams. No, it was because she had been selfish and not watched over him like a good big sister would have. When did she become so self-centered? Was I always that way?

  “You cannot take this on your shoulders, Marzi.” A green mist settled in her mind, as Valyn’s scent wafted over her. “There are greater things at work here. As brave as you are, you cannot control everything.”

  But he almost died.

  “But he didn’t die.”

  This was a stupid argument. But she didn’t have a retort.

  “There are dark days ahead, Marzi. Danger will stalk both of you. I will not lie and say that your safety, or Tovi’s, is guaranteed. But you must also realize, your brother is no mere child, any more than you are. Think back on what you have seen, what you have done, and all you have learned. You brought the elven nations together when none of their leaders could. You stared into the face of Dredwyn and confronted him. And whether you realize it or not, you won that round. His evil and darkness could not overcome the light in your soul. Those around you saw that as well. And so it is with your brother. He will walk a different path from you. But he is the right person to do that. And he will have good-hearted and skilled people at his side.”

  That’s easy for you to say. He’s not your brother. And if he dies, you won’t…. She lost her train of thought. The thought of Tovi not surviving overwhelmed her. Please don’t let him die.

  Valyn’s voice in her head soothed her soul. “My dear one, I cannot know the future. And I cannot control everything that happens. But I, along with others, are doing everything we can to assure Tovi’s safety… and yours.”

  But I’m not the one who’s in danger.

  “Do not be too complacent. Your road is far more dangerous than you realize. You already understand some of what faces you. But it will erupt, and you will face trials yet unseen.”

  Saige.

  “Your heart serves you well. Saige is not your enemy, but as you have seen, there is a gathering darkness in her soul. As much as I would have it otherwise, the challenge will fall to you.”

  Marzi smirked. One of these days, I’m going to get used to you talking in circles.

  Valyn laughed softly. “Perhaps you will.”

  ◆◆◆

  A week passed. Under Arien’s watchful care, along with a mystery poultice from Myhrren, Tovi’s leg healed to the point where he could hobble around on makeshift crutches. Marzi spent nearly every minute of every day by his side and never once called him a little weasel. “You need to stay off that leg. If you want something, just ask. I’ll get it for you.”

  Tovi shifted his weight and set his crutches aside. “Naw. Myhrren said I needed to walk more. He said my leg will heal faster if I exercise it. Besides, it doesn’t hurt that much.”

  Marzi rolled her eyes. “I’m just saying, don’t overdo it.”

  He grinned and shrugged. “Have you seen Ryshara and Ellemareth today?”

  “Yeah. Rys was talking to Captain Virgil. I think they’re still trying to figure out how many of the king’s soldiers are in Crystal Sands.”

  “What about Elle?” His eyes had a look of anticipation, eagerness.

  “Oh, I saw her at the morning meal. She told me to tell you that she’d be over to check on you later. And Arien is just outside. I think she wants to change your dressing.”

  Tovi smiled and lay back on his pallet.

  Marzi’s worry deepened. It was as though Tovi had ceased to be afraid of anything. He had almost gotten killed and yet he was treating it like a game. “Well, one thing for sure. You’re not going anywhere to deal with the demon any time soon.” She hoped that Myhrren would find someone else for the job.

  “Don’t worry. I got this.” His smile deepened to a grin.

  A familiar voice from behind caught her attention. “Marzi, might I trouble you for a moment?”

  She turned to see a worried-looking Saryn.

  Chapter 51: Crystal Sands

  “I’m sorry I’ve neglected everyone. It’s really nothing. I mean, it’s just that I need to be spending time with Tovi, you know, because of his leg.” Marzi felt herself struggling for an explanation.

  Sitting in the shade beside the pool, Saryn nodded, his hands folded in his lap. “I understand. Family is important.” But his eyes exuded sadness and worry.

  “Anyway, now that he’s improving, I’ll be better about not ignoring everyone else.” She wondered, though, about his concern. After all, there was nothing to talk about right now. The humans and elves were busy planning for battle. And as far as she knew, that didn’t involve her. He was right, though. She hadn’t really spoken to him or Saige since their arrival. But she also hadn’t talked to Ariessa or Elondiel either. So it wasn’t like she was avoiding him. “How is everyone doing?” It seemed the polite thing to ask.

  His eyes seemed to lose focus, directed at some indeterminate point on the horizon. “You are good at keeping your secrets. We saw that in your contact with Valyn. And I say that not as a criticism, but simply as an observation. I know that, when the time is right, you will say what is on your mind. But I fear that events are set in motion, moving more quickly than it might seem. I wish only to act before they move beyond our ability to control.”

  Marzi had no idea what he was talking about. But she did know, in her heart, that she had fears about Saige. Should she speak to Saryn about them? Although at first he was somewhat reticent to believe her, he had become one of her biggest allies and had stood by her at every turn. He had even defied his mother in order to accompany Marzi on the journey to the Bough and then on to the Quel’dethain Mountains. Still, this was different, wasn’t it? “How is your mother?” It occurred to her that he hadn’t answered the last question she’d asked.

  He exhaled and turned his attention to her.
“She has changed.”

  Marzi wanted to ask how, but she knew. She had seen it for herself. She fashioned the most polite, vague answer that she could. “I think most of us have changed. I can hardly even recognize my brother. It’s like he’s all grown up yet in other ways is still just a kid.” She forced a laugh.

  Saryn considered her for a moment and then nodded. His smile seemed an effort. “How are you doing, Marzi?”

  It seemed an odd question. “I’m okay, I guess.”

  “When Valyn spoke to us, she made specific mention of your importance. Do you have any notion of what that means? Preparations are being made for war. There is talk of your brother and his role. Much is being said about many things. But there is little mention of you.”

  “I don’t know. I heard from the goddess only what you heard. She has said that there will be challenges, but she chose not to tell me what they are.” Marzi chuckled. “She has a way of doing that, you know.”

  “I can imagine.”

  Marzi considered him and searched her heart. He was Saige’s son. And Saige was Marzi’s greatest worry. But she trusted him, perhaps more than she’d ever trusted anyone, well, except her parents. “I can only tell you this. From what Valyn told me, told us, I believe that my role will have nothing to do with the coming battle. The war, if that’s what it comes to, will be fought under the leadership of Corhymin, Captain Virgil, and the others. She did make reference to me as a peacemaker, if that makes any sense.”

  “Yes, it does. It would seem to indicate that making peace will be every bit as important as winning the war, probably even more so.”

  “Honestly, I have no idea what that means. I don’t know anything about war. But if we win, wouldn’t that mean the same thing as making peace?”

  “No. I don’t think so. I feel in my heart that how we conclude the war, and begin the making of peace, will define our world for ages to come. Merely defeating an enemy doesn’t end things. Because once it is over, we must figure out how to live with what is left of that enemy. It bears saying, I think, that our enemy is truly Dredwyn. And yet the war itself will be fought against humans. You spoke with that human captive in the Quel’dethain Mountains. His life hung in the balance and you advocated for sparing it, despite the fact that he came to us in battle. I fear that the challenge you face as events unfold may turn on the same kind of thing—knowing when to kill and when to spare life.”