by Thomas Rath
Squinting his eyes he could just make out the form of another occupant bundled up on the floor close to the head of the cot. Strangely, it all seemed familiar. Something in him seemed to be screaming at his mind to remember but it was all so hazy. His head felt heavy, like it had been stuffed full of cotton.
Swinging his feet around he forced himself into a sitting position; though doing so was proving more difficult than he had originally thought. Placing his bare feet on the cold, stone floor, he leaned back against the wall and rested his head just below the windowsill. The wall’s coolness felt good against his warm skin and seemed to help clear his mind though only slightly. The cotton he felt was stuffed in his head seemed to be dropping away.
He stared across the room at the figure on the other cot. It was then he noticed the thick ropes that were tied to the person’s wrists and ankles. What was this place? Was he a prisoner? He was not tied down by any ropes. He suddenly felt agitated by the restraints that held the other person captive. Pushing against the cot with his arms, he tested the strength in his legs as he forced himself to rise. Staggering slightly, he placed a hand on the wall to steady his movements and wait for the dizzy sensation to clear. He had to get those ropes cut off. He wasn’t quite sure why, but knew he had to do it and do it quickly.
Slowly forcing one foot forward and then the other, he half shuffled, half stumbled towards the opposite bed. The person on the cot and the one on the floor were breathing deeply and rhythmically as if in heavy slumber. He hesitated for a brief moment wondering if he should not disturb anything fearing that he might wake them. Looking back to his own cot, he felt like he needed to lie down again but then turned and looked at the ropes and immediately moved forward. He had to get them off.
Finally reaching the other bed, he slumped down heavily on the side of the cot, thankful to be off his feet. His breathing was coming rather quickly now and he had to sit quiet for a moment to catch his breath. The figure on the bed didn’t move; her face turned away towards the wall. Who was this? His mind tickled at him again through the haze to remember but it wasn’t coming. Was this the same person he’d been dreaming about? Reaching his hand back he caught hold of the dagger tucked securely under his belt and pulled it free and then quickly cut the cords binding the person’s wrists and ankles. Slipping the knife back in its hiding place he turned back to the freed captive still unsure as to why he’d just done what he’d done. There had to be a good reason why the person was tied up, hadn’t there? But it had felt so wrong and disturbing to him, he’d almost had no choice but to do as he’d done.
Still feeling the strange itch in the back of his mind, he reached out a hand to pull away some of the person’s long hair so he might get a glimpse their face. The hair was dark and soft, and felt somewhat familiar as he brushed it back behind a pointed ear. Though he felt that the fact that the ear was pointed was significant, he didn’t feel it was out of place. Why would he? Yet, why wouldn’t he?
He could tell that the person was female, which strangely brought on deeper feelings that were both wonderful and confusing all at once. He felt a connection with this woman, but of what sort he couldn’t tell. His hand moved and gently stroked her cheek. His heart was beating fast and hard, so much so that he could feel it against his chest. She was someone special. He felt a strange need toward her but he couldn’t penetrate the fog in his mind enough to grasp hold of what that need was.
His lips suddenly parted and released a simple sound, just above that of a whisper. “Tam.” Tam…Tam? Tam. The name was comfortable on his lips and in his mind but the fog still gathered around it as if jealously holding onto it for itself. But then the haze just suddenly evaporated away. Evaporated away against the simple sound, Tam. “Tam!” The memory of what had happened jolted him as it all returned at once, slamming into his brain with great force. He almost fell over with the sudden onslaught followed quickly by a tremendous dizzy spell that made the room spin. Concentrating on Tam’s face, he willed his mind to clear and steady as the spell quickly passed.
Tam stirred, moving her head slightly around so that Thane got a better look at her. She was thinner than he remembered and great, dark circles clung to the underside of her eyes, but her face was no longer so pale and she breathed as if peacefully sleeping. He wanted to grab her and hold her close and never let her go. It had been so long since he’d last seen her. He could only imagine the pain and suffering she’d gone through all because she’d cared enough about him to try and save him from certain death in the Shadow Mountains. How he regretted now the many times he’d been mean or unkind to her. She didn’t deserve the things he and Dor had put her through. And she certainly didn’t deserve all she’d faced just because she cared about him.
Tears suddenly blurred her face as his heart ached for what she had seen and suffered. Grabbing her hand, he brought it to his lips and kissed it gently. He owed her everything. No longer would he allow anyone or anything to upset or harm her, especially him. He would beg her forgiveness and then spend his life doing all he could to make up every last cross word he’d spoken or taunt he’d given.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
At the sound of his voice, Tam’s eyes shot open and then blinked rapidly trying to clear away the sleep that clung to them. Concentrating on his face she finally brought him into focus and gasped.
“Thane?” she whispered, pulling her hand back from his while shrinking into the cot. “Is it really you?”
He smiled. “Hi, Tam,” he choked around his tears.
“Am I dead?” she asked, her voice trembling.
He shook his head. “No, Tam. You’re not dead.” He reached out and caught her hand into his again bringing it up to his cheek and then kissed it. “We’re both very alive.”
Her face turned quickly from uncertainty and shock to great relief as she reached up and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight bear hug. He squeezed back, careful not squeeze too hard, feeling her ribs protruding from her malnourished form. She was a waif.
They held onto each other for long moments not saying a word, just thrilling in the joy of being close and being together again. Neither of them seemed to want the moment to end. Thane could feel her tears against his neck as she squeezed him even tighter as if afraid he might disappear.
“Oh, Thane,” she whispered, her body shaking now with emotion. “I thought I would never see you again. I feared you were dead. But here you are.” Her hands moved up and down his back as if still trying to make sure he was solid and real. Suddenly pulling back, she looked deeply into his eyes. “I love you,” she said softly.
Thane was caught off guard by her sudden and direct confession of emotion. At first he didn’t know what to say. Did she really mean it like he thought, or was it just the strong emotions of seeing someone who you thought you might never see again? His own heart swelled with her words and he couldn’t help the smile that jumped out on his face. Whether she meant it as just a friend or more he couldn’t tell. He guessed at that moment it really didn’t matter. He loved her too, and whether his feelings extended to something more than just friendship he would have time to figure it out later.
His smile grew. “And I love you, TamVen.” The words tumbled out before he could stop them and though the sound of them felt strange, the feelings behind them were real. He did love her. His whole life he’d been shunned by others, but Tam always stood up for him, even if she did give out as much grief to him as she’d defended from others. She was his friend. She’d come for him when no one else but Dor cared whether he lived or died. And she suffered greatly because of it. He loved her. He always would.
Tam brought her hand up to touch his face but then suddenly pulled away. Staring at the frayed rope around her wrist her eyes got bigger as she checked her other wrist and found that rope had also been cut. Looking back at Thane she gasped. “Thane, please. You must tie me up again.”
His eyebrows furrowed, his face incredulous. “What? What
are you talking about? You are free.”
But she grabbed his arm in desperation. “No, Thane. You don’t understand. I’m not safe. Please,” the tears started running down her cheeks, but this time out of desperation, not joy. “You have to tie me up again.”
He took her hands into his and held them tight. “Listen to me, Tam. I know about the dranlok. It’s not poisoning you anymore. We almost lost you but we were able to bring you back. The poison no longer runs through your veins. It has been neutralized.”
She shook her head. “No, Thane. Kat tried, but she wasn’t strong enough to do it. I’m not safe. You must tie me up again before I do something horrible.”
Thane shook his head and then spoke, his voice harder than he wanted it to be. “No, Tam. You are cured now.”
“Thane’s right.” Both of them jumped as Dor’s voice suddenly interrupted their conversation. Looking down at the figure next to her bed, both watched as Dor emerged from the blankets into a sitting position against the wall. He ran a hand through his fuzzy hair, obviously still not accustomed to how short it was. Thane stared at his friend, shocked at how ragged he looked. He hadn’t notice before through all the excitement of finally finding them and then needing to heal Tam. His eyes were bloodshot and the circles surrounding them were almost as large and dark as Tam’s. It was obvious he hadn’t eaten or slept much for days.
“Thane was able to use his VerSagn Tane to cure you.” Dor’s voice suddenly dropped, as did his eyes. “We almost lost you.”
Tam looked back at Thane, the tenderness obvious in her eyes. Thane was still watching Dor though. Something was wrong with his friend and it wasn’t just his appearance. They had been best friends their whole lives. He could tell when something was eating at him.
“Thank you,” Tam whispered, drawing his eyes back to hers, enjoying the warmth of them as they caressed his own. It felt like more than friendship but he was a little surprised that the idea felt better to him than he would have guessed.
He shrugged and smiled. “It is I who should be thanking you. Thanking you both, that is,” he added quickly, glancing down at Dor, who didn’t say anything but just kept his eyes staring forward. What was wrong with him? “I am just glad to have you both with me again.”
Tam again looked at the rope around her wrists, gently pulling at one of the frayed ends. “You mean I don’t need to be tied down anymore?”
Thane smiled, pulling her hand away. “No.”
Dor suddenly stood. “Well,” he said, “who’s hungry?”
Tam pulled her eyes from Thane and smiled at Dor. “I’m famished.”
Dor looked at her for a long moment as if trying to memorize her face and then looked away.
“Me, too,” Thane added. “But who can think of food right now. We have so much to talk about.”
Dor rested a hand on Thane’s shoulder, but Thane thought it had seemed strained and hesitant. “First you and Tam need to eat. She has barely had a thing since we got here. She needs to regain her strength. And you lost a lot of blood. Plus, Bren told me to get him when you woke up.”
Thane’s expression changed from one of concern to one of confusion as he looked at his friend. “Who’s Bren?”
“You’ll see,” Dor smiled, though it seemed somewhat forced. “We indeed have a lot to talk about, my friend.”
He made to leave but Thane caught his wrist. “Are you well?”
Dor’s eyes glanced briefly at Thane’s hand around Tam’s and then flashed back quickly to his face. He smiled weakly. “I’m just tired,” he finally answered. “It’s been hard the past few days.”
Thane smiled and then nodded. “I know what you mean.”
“Let’s eat something,” he said, and then let out a big yawn. “Then we can talk.”
Thane opened his mouth to voice his agreement but was interrupted when the door suddenly opened. Jne, having exchanged her dress for her normal Tjal garb, entered carrying a large tray, followed by Jack, who also had a tray. The delicious aromas of pastries, sweet meats, sausages and cooked eggs instantly filled the room soliciting more than one rumble from hungry bellies.
Jne’s eyes quickly scanned the room as if searching for any threat, passing over Dor before landing on Thane. Her face lit in a smile for a brief moment and then her eyes flashed down at Tam and the smile disappeared, replaced by her stern, Tjal scowl.
“I see you are out of bed,” she said, almost accusingly. “That is not wise due to the amount of blood you lost.”
Thane waved her off. “I am well enough.” Nodding his head toward Tam, he added, “This is my friend, Tam. But I suppose you already know that. Tam,” he continued, nodding back to Jne, “this is Jne. She saved my life.”
Tam smiled weakly at Jne, whose presence and demeanor seemed to bring a chill to the room. “Thank you, Jne. It is an honor and pleasure to make your acquaintance,” she said politely, bowing her head slightly to the woman.
“And yours,” Jne answered in her best Chufa, her tone almost matching her expression. She and Thane had been teaching each other their native tongues as often as time had allowed while they traveled across the plains on their way to Haykon. Both had been fascinated with the other’s language and both had been very quick in picking up the basics. “Thane has told me much of you. I am glad to see you are well again.”
Tam smiled warmly and then turned its warmth completely over to Thane. Thane caught her look and smiled back. Neither saw the scowl on Jne’s face that heated quickly and then suddenly turned cold and uncaring.
“Oh,” Thane said, turning back to Jne, “and this is my best friend, Dor.” He pointed to Dor who merely looked up and nodded to Jne, acknowledging her. She did the same.
Jack watched them silently, picking up on every slight nuance as it was played out like a three act play by the participants. It was like watching the gathering of a fierce storm that was certain to wash them away in the wake of its great, destructive power. Coughing nervously he stepped in to see if he couldn’t relieve some of the tension that was so obvious but so obviously missed by Thane and Tam.
“Well, now that we all know each other,” he said, moving around between Tam and Jne to place his tray on her bed while blocking Jne’s icy stare that was now focused on the woman. “Let’s all have something to eat. We could all use something in our bellies, especially you three,” he motioned to the Chufa.
Dor stared at Jack for a moment but was obviously looking at something else in his line of sight. Jack sighed, knowing all too well what was going through Dor’s mind. He hoped it didn’t become a problem, especially not now. Shaking his head slightly, as if to clear his thoughts, Dor suddenly walked to the door. “I would love to sit and eat and chat with you all but I have some business to take care of. I’ll meet up with you later.”
Thane gave him a concerned looked. “What could be more important than becoming reacquainted with friends almost lost?”
Dor didn’t look at him. Shrugging he said, “Nothing. But I promised Bren that I would get him once you woke.”
“Then be about your business and hurry back,” Jack cut in, still trying to hold off the storm. “But put something over those ears before you go out. We don’t need anymore trouble than we already have.”
Dor just nodded, taking the folded cloth that hung from the back of his belt and wrapping it around his head before slipping out the door without another word.
Thane continued to watch after him, his face clouded, until Jack tapped his arm and pointed at the tray. “This ain’t going to enter your belly without a little help from you. Now eat.”
Thane looked at Jack and then took in the faire on the tray. His stomach growled loudly as he reached for a piece of the roasted pork. Jne took her tray to Thane’s bed, and then pulled the cot closer so that all could share, before sitting down on it. Grabbing a piece of the sweet meats, she nibbled at it, her piercing eyes never leaving Thane and Tam who were now eating voraciously.
Quickly devouring t
heir meal, Thane moved to the cot across from Tam, the tray in between him and Jne, and leaned back on his elbows watching Tam as she finished a piece of sausage. He opened his mouth to say something but Jack quickly cut him off. “Now that our bellies are full,” he said, “why don’t you tell us what happened to you.”
Thane glanced at Jack as if just now realizing the large man was in the room and then smiled slightly, nodding his head. His face quickly grew dark as he remembered and then spoke, starting with being captured by the dragon and taken to Bedler’s keep. He didn’t reveal Bedler’s true identity, saving that for when he told of his encounter with Gelfin. He rehearsed all that he’d seen and done while there, feeling rather embarrassed about the part where Zadok had made him think the trolls and goblins were innocent victims; he certainly knew better now.
“Jack,” he suddenly interjected, “we have to get these people out of here. They’re massing; preparing to attack.”
Jack held up a hand. “I know. We’re doing all we can under the current circumstances.”
Thane’s eyebrows furrowed. “How do you know?”
“How do you think we got Tam back?”
He looked at Tam and then back at Jack in surprise. “You mean…”
“Yes,” Jack interrupted. “That’s also how Dor got his nice new hair style.” Jack quickly told the story of getting Tam. When he got to the part about Dor getting stabbed Tam brought her hands to her mouth and gasped, fresh tears filling her eyes.
“You did all of that for me?” she asked.
Jack just nodded and shrugged, a little embarrassed by the attention it brought.
“Do you know about the orcs then, too?” Thane asked, sitting up on the edge of his cot.
Jack’s face turned dark. “What orcs?”
