by T. C. Edge
"We have tents we can erect for a better night's sleep," he tells us. "The soldiers have been told. We'll get a good five or six hours before setting off again..."
"Is that sensible?" I ask. "Aren't we meant to be in a rush?"
"Not so much anymore," Burns tells me. "Our rush was for Brie. The departure of Ares's troop has taken the pressure off us somewhat. It means we can slow down a little when the occasion calls."
I sit back, almost disappointed by the idea. Really, I see no point in delaying in our journey home. Then again, I could do with a decent sleep...
"Well," I say with a whisper, turning to Jude and nudging him in the arm. "That'll be nice, right? Get to stretch out a bit, get our heads down?"
He nods but doesn't speak. I nudge him again, drawing a frown upon my eyes.
"I'm trying here, Jude," I say. "You've gotta give me something."
"I...right, sorry," he says, attempting, without much success, to lift a smile. "I'm just thinking about the others. I...I wonder how they're doing..."
"Think about Grace instead," I say. "Think about Alberta, and Lilly, and the people in your village. Think about them, Jude, the people we can actually help. It's no good looking backwards now."
The words are, perhaps, a little rough, but they're probably what he needs right now. Thankfully, we haven't yet spoken about what happened in the camp, what we found after the Olympian army had gone. If he learned that dozens more of the Fringer slaves had been killed, Ralph included, it might just push him over the edge.
As the car pulls off again, and he leans his head back against the cushion behind him, he grunts out a few words that just about give me hope. "I'll do better," he says. I feel his hand reaching across and taking mine. His touch is warming, so very comforting to me. He turns his gaze towards me, those brown eyes of his catching the light. "I'll do better, I promise."
Then, turning away, he falls back into his brood, staring off out of the window as we rumble on through the wilds.
I look out over the camp, the cars stopped and spaced out across an open plain. There's a chill in the night air, a mist closing in. It sets a slight shudder to my bones as I watch the tents being erected across the field, an occasional campfire set up by those with the energy to bother.
It reminds me of my journey here, naturally, though at a much smaller scale. By the looks of the numbers of tents, some of the soldiers will be sleeping in the cars, with others, perhaps, choosing instead to sleep directly under the stars. It's warm enough - just - for that, I guess. The current chill I'm feeling probably isn't being felt by everyone. Without the fire in my blood, I just feel slightly empty at times, like a cold room, its fireplace dead and grey, filled only with charred wood and ash.
To one side, our driver sets up Secretary Burn's temporary accommodation, which I find, to my surprise, to be the same as all the others. My own - well, our own, seeing as we've been told we'll have to share - is being erected by Jude.
It's plenty large enough for us both to fit in, though might not make for the most comfortable night's sleep. At least, not with this awkward energy that seems to have developed between us. Once, back home, we'd have happily slept side by side out in the woods or by the lake. Here, perhaps, things aren't quite the same
I look across the field at that thought, and find one of the reasons why. There, a little way across the gathered convoy, I see Elian sitting in the back of one of the cars. I imagine he'll be spending the night in there, not yet trusted to be out and about on his own. I feel a sense of pity as I look at his face, staring miserably forward, his posture slightly sunken. I still haven't spoken to him since he almost strangled me to death several days ago.
I know it wasn't him, but something continues to hold me back.
I turn, once more, to Jude, thinking he might be that very something, watching him for a moment as he struggles to get the tent to stay upright. It brings a muted laugh to my lips to watch him struggle with something so straightforward.
"I've never done this, all right," he grunts, looking up at me as his struggles go on. "What's wrong with just sleeping under the stars? We used to do that back home, remember?"
"Nothing wrong with it," I say. "You're free to do so if you want."
"I know. I'm going to. I was only doing this for you, Amber."
My energy changes. "You don't plan to stay with me?" I ask, feeling a little upset, a little abandoned.
He stops and looks up at me. "I...I didn't think you'd want me too." His eyes move up, looking past my shoulder, towards Elian's car forty or so metres away. I see a scowl shade over his face, before he continues his job.
"I'm cold," I say, trying my best to keep things light. "I thought you'd keep me warm. You're always warm, Jude. It's like you've got some Fire-Blood in you."
"No thanks," he says, sounding disgusted by the prospect. "I wouldn't want that poison in me. You're better off without it."
"Jude..."
His eyes work up again. "What? It's nothing to do with you, Amber. Don't take it personally."
"But it's part of me now."
He shakes his head silently, and doesn't answer.
I draw a breath, thinking it best to leave him for now in this current state of his, and wander over to join Perses, who stands looking out towards the empty expanse that spreads away into the distance. There's a look of melancholy on his face, a sadness gripping at his expression. In the distance, I can see the shapes of our watchers and lookouts, posted around the camp just as they were on our own journey here. I wonder if that's what Perses is thinking about.
"Do you regret it?" I ask him quietly. "You know, the way everything's gone."
"I regret many things, Amber," he says sagely, still looking to the dark horizon. "I don't think life without regret is attainable."
"But this," I say, looking around. "Weeks ago we were going the other way. Doesn't a part of you wish you could turn back the clock, do things differently?"
He thinks for a few moments, then begins shaking his head. "What's happening is happening for a reason," he says. "Would I prefer to have lived on that day in the woods? Would I have preferred to have stayed in charge of the army, and seen through my purpose?" He turns to me. "Is that what you're asking me?"
"I...I guess. Maybe. Ignorance is bliss, and all that."
A light smile works onto his face. "No, Amber," he says. "I am happy my eyes have been opened, despite the position it now puts me in. As I am happy you were captured, to accompany me on this journey."
"And Elian?" I ask. "Are you happy he's here too? Have you...have you spoken with him yet about...everything."
"Things have moved fast," says Perses, looking briefly towards Elian's car. "We have enough burdens to carry to not add any extra weight."
"It's not adding weight," I say. "It's shedding weight, isn't it? You need to explain to him what happened. He deserves it, Perses."
"I know he does," Perses says, nodding slowly, eyes looking towards the horizon. "And so do you."
"I...this isn't about me."
"Isn't it?" He turns his eyes down to me suddenly, dark and deep, towering above me.
"It...doesn't matter to me what happened," I say, holding his gaze. "I know you had your reasons for killing his father."
"You trust me that much?" he asks. There's something soft about the question, something almost vulnerable in his eyes.
"Of course I do," I say, giving no space for doubt. "I've always trusted you, Perses. You've always been the one person I could rely on out here."
He turns his eyes away once more, looking out over the darkened plains. "You truly are the chosen," he whispers, so quietly. "Not one of the Chosen, one of the Prime's favoured Children. No, the one chosen for a higher purpose. The one who will change life across our lands for good." He looks down towards me again. "Perhaps that was always your task, Amber. Perhaps the Prime never saw it. You are the falling stone that has started an avalanche. And it will bury them before too long." He looks awa
y, eyes glinting with the moonlight. "We will see to that, together."
I stay by his side for a time, as we stand and look out, pondering the world. His presence remains comforting to me in these heady days, giving me the strength I need to continue to stand behind my convictions, pursuing this path we've been set on.
"Where will you sleep tonight?" I ask him eventually.
My eyes turn up again to find that his gaze remains distant. "I won't sleep this night," he says. "I have too much to ponder." He draws a breath, and a ripple of discomfort shows on his face. His chest, I know, is still healing. It must be so rare for him to feel this sort of physical pain. "I don't suppose I'll be allowed the same freedoms to stroll as I once did," he muses. "But I will walk where I can, and enjoy the cool night air. It helps me think and arrange my thoughts, Amber. Right now, I need it more than ever."
He looks down to me at that, and smiles warmly. Then, with a long stride, he steps away, heading towards Secretary Burns to petition him, perhaps, to allow him to wander the camp tonight.
I return to Jude, to find that he's completed the tent. Inside, through the open flap, I see two sleeping bags neatly laid out. He notices me looking at them as I arrive. "You said you were cold," he says. "I'll stay with you, if you want. Try to keep you warm."
"You don't have to if you don't want to, Jude," I say.
"I do want to, Amber. You know I've always wanted to."
"I...I know," I whisper, moving forward. "I'm sorry I..."
"Let's not speak about it all now," he says, pulling the flap to one side. "We're both tired, and we both need to sleep. Come on, come and get comfortable. You'll get warm quick enough in the sleeping bag."
He ushers me inside, and crawls in after me. Closing the flap, he shuts out the world. With a slight shiver, I begin climbing into my sleeping bag, drawing it up over my clothes. Jude drops down on top of his, preferring to not be wrapped up within it.
I lie on my side, looking away from him, wishing things could just be normal between us again. I know he's just lying there, on his back, thinking of something to say. And I'm here, lying on my side, doing exactly the same.
Yet, no words come. Only a quiet awkwardness draws upon us, neither truly brave enough to speak, or brave enough to act.
Slowly, I reach backwards with my arm, feeling for his. I find his forearm and let my fingers fall to his wrist, then gently pull him towards my back within the darkness of the tent. I feel him rolling onto his side behind me, and draw his hand around my midriff.
"I'm cold, Jude," I whisper. "Keep me warm, like you said?"
"Of course," he whispers back, gripping me tighter, pressing his chest to my back as we lie there in the tent.
And in that state, I feel myself begin to relax. With his warm breath on my neck, and his strong arm around my side, I feel my eyes beginning to close, as I drift off into a deep sleep.
129
I wake to a flutter of wind. I feel no warmth behind me now.
I turn over, twisting my neck backwards. Blinking through the dim light, I see that Jude is gone.
My eyes work towards the flap at the front of the tent. The exit is no longer tightly fastened, lying loosely open as the wind whistles in. I begin pulling myself out of the sleeping bag, the night air more chilly than ever as it blows against my skin. I move for the opening, taking in the view of the camp outside. All is quiet and still, everyone sleeping but for the few left on guard around the perimeter.
I find myself creeping out into the night, wondering where Jude has got to. I feel an anxious tension in my chest as my thoughts tumble on. He hasn't...he hasn't left, has he? I think to myself, growing quickly concerned. He wouldn't be that stupid...
A few grunts and murmurs reach my ears, coming from a little way ahead. I crawl out into the night and stare forward. I blink as I see two figures coming into view. Two men, wrestling outside of a car. One sits on top of the other, straddling him, his fingers clasped...
To his throat.
I begin setting off at an immediate rush, hurrying forward as the frames of Jude and Elian come into view. I see Jude on top, his fingers gripped tight around Elian's neck. There's a fury in his eyes as he stares down at the blond Fire-Blood, his teeth clenched as he hisses out a few words.
"How do you like it!" he seethes. "How does it feel, Elian!"
"Jude!" I shout, rushing over. "Jude, what the hell are you doing?"
His eyes rush up towards me, his grip weakening momentarily to allow Elian to push him off. I quickly scan, taking in the scene. There are no soldiers nearby, no one on watch. Whoever was meant to be watching Elian must have either given up, or fallen asleep, if anyone was assigned to watch him at all.
The door to his car lies open, the two men set upon the trampled grass just outside. Through my brief distraction, Elian manages to get to his feet, swinging a fist in Jude's direction. Jude sees it too late, Elian's bunched fingers connecting with his jaw, sending Jude staggering off to one side, though not falling to the floor.
He reaches to his mouth, wiping away the blood from his cracked lip. Rising back up to his full height, he lets out a sardonic laugh, spitting crimson to the floor. "That all you've got, fire-boy! You're not much without your powers, are you? Just another pampered pretty boy crying for his mommy..."
Elian roars at the words and rushes forward, tackling Jude to the ground. I hurry onwards, calling for the guards as I go. A couple seem to lazily stir from their nests here and there, looking over with a mild interest. Others are quicker to their feet, perhaps expecting a proper attack or ambush of some kind. When they see that it's just two young men fighting, they relax, and merely watch on.
Well, if they're not going to help...
I rush in towards them, trying to break them up, as the two men tumble about, swinging fists and elbows and flailing legs at one another. Though Elian is well trained and Jude's always been a fairly accomplished street fighter, their current battle is rather more ungainly. They wrestle about, trying to find some room, swinging and missing and hurling insults at each other as they go.
I try to step in again, and find myself caught in the crossfire, Elian's wild elbow knocking into my cheek and sending me falling backwards with my head in a bit of a blur. When I look again I find Jude's fury redoubled, his efforts the same. He's bigger and stronger, and without Elian's powers, more than a match for him. He launches himself forwards, throwing a punch that connects well, knocking Elian into the side of the car.
I scramble back out of the mud as Jude once more grabs Elian by the neck, pressing him against the vehicle, spitting out words into his face. "You think you're so tough! Have you seen her damn neck!" He violently tugs Elian to one side, forcing his eyes on me. With my hair wildly out of place, the red marks on my neck are obvious enough, even in the dim light. "See that! You touch her again, and I'll Prime-damn kill you! You hear me, I'll kill you!"
"Jude, it wasn't his fault," I say, calling out. Around us, a few of the soldiers watch the drama unfold without interrupting. It's probably little more than good entertainment for them. A good way to clear the air.
They might just be right.
"Not his fault? How was it not his fault?" Jude seethes.
"He's under the control of the Prime, that's all. It's not his fault, Jude..."
"The Prime," Jude growls. "The Prime? That's your excuse." He shakes Elian again, throwing him to the dirt and moving on top of him. "They'll be dead soon, anyway," he growls at the Fire-Blood, ready to swing another fist. "You hear that, pretty boy. Your cosy little spot up on the hill isn't going to be there long..."
His words change everything.
I'm unable to stop him before he speaks them, unable to reach him before Elian reacts.
Inside, I see that primal reaction exploding from the depths, that dreadful rage, triggered by any sort of threat to the Prime's life, bursting to life within. Elian's eyes flare, lighting up bright. And through his blood, the fire begins to surge, his unstoppabl
e anger liquifying the suppression drugs within him, overwhelming their effects as the wildfire begins to break free.
With a sudden, wild burst, Jude is flung off him, sent tumbling backwards by a pulse of fire that singes his clothes and skin. He hits the earth with a heavy thud as I rush over towards him, slipping to my knees.
"Jude! Jude, are you OK?"
I find him unhurt, his eyes quickly opening as the trails of smoke fizzle upon his shirt. He looks towards Elian, stepping forward. Around the Fire-Blood's fingers, flames begin to swirl.
"You pathetic slave," Elian sneers, his glowing eyes set right on Jude. "You dare touch me! You dare threaten the Prime!"
He presses out his palms in our direction, as we cower there in the dirt. The flames quickly gather from his fingers to his palms, bunching into a churning pass, ready to explode. "I'll kill you for that," he growls. "I'll kill you all!"
From nowhere, and before any of the watching soldiers can react, a huge figure comes rushing forward from the side. He emerges from the shadows, caring little for his own safely as he charges in Elian's direction, and quickly arrives behind his back.
I watch in horror as Perses, bereft of his powers, surges in without fear, gripping at Elian's wrists. The young man's hands, boiling with a growing flame, are drawn away just in time as they prepare to fire upon us both, Jude and I huddled together upon the damp earth. The fires burst instead to one side, rushing for a nearby tree and setting it alight, the bark and leaves quickly wreathed in flame.
"Elian, stop this now!" roars the mighty voice of Perses, gripping at the young man's wrists, trying to hold back his wrath. "Calm yourself, boy! Calm!"
Elian wriggles in his grasp, his eyes flashing behind him. "You!" he growls, seeing just who it is. "I'll kill you, murderer!"
I look on, unable to act, unable to help, as Perses's hands begin to blacken and burn. I see his face crinkle in pain as he holds on, the fire and heat unbearable even now as Elian's true might begins to return. Around us, other soldiers begin to step forward, but Perses turns to them, holding them back with a look.
