by C. Gold
Amira smiled back. “Yeah, but we need to be nice.”
“I stay nice, you know dis,” the warrior replied and then winked.
Amira laughed and fell back in with Radcliff.
When they were just outside bow range, Wikolia barked out orders in Shae. Everyone stopped and clustered into family groupings. She picked two warriors to accompany her to the gate.
“Are we there yet?” Nalani asked between yawns. She was still perched on Radcliff’s shoulders and looked like she just got up.
“Yes, you can see the gate from here.”
She squinted in that direction. “They look closed.”
“Yes, they are closed until morning. We should probably find a nice spot to sleep.” Amira was concerned about Radcliff since it was nearly sunrise. Others were already sprawled along the sides of the road. She rummaged in her packs and set up the sleeping mats for their small group. Almost like a family. If only.
Radcliff set Nalani down and winced as he settled on the mat. The girl wasted no time curling up next to him and falling back to sleep.
“How’s your head?” Amira whispered to avoid waking the girl.
“Hurts. I doubt I’ll fall asleep in time.”
The pinched look on his face made Amira regret warning him about sunrise. Perhaps keeping him ignorant would have been kinder, but he had never relearned anything today so she felt she owed him at least one truth, even a harsh one.
“Here,” Amira said as she lifted Radcliff’s head and scooted under it. “Let me massage your temples.” She started there with gentle circular motions and gradually worked her way around his head until she was kneading the base of his neck.
Radcliff let out a contented sigh at that point and went boneless. Before long, he was snoring lightly.
Amira smiled at how peaceful he looked and ran a hand through his inch long hair—black with a little gray growing in at the temples. The short hair was a good look on him with his chiseled face and strong brows. Her heart yearned for more even as her mind told it to shut up. Nothing would happen. Nothing could happen between them. She sighed and gently shifted his head back onto the small stuffed pad woven into the mat. Yawning, she slid in next to him and drifted off to sleep.
Amira opened her eyes to see Radcliff leaning over her. His eyes seared her with their need. He lowered his head and touched his lips to hers. The soft kiss sent an explosion of fire racing through her veins. Her arms wrapped around the wizard and pulled him fully against her. The kiss turned needy. Clothes vanished, and they were skin against skin. The soul bond stirred. Like a delicate flower, it unfolded and entwined the lovers together. She embraced and encouraged it. As it deepened, she felt what he felt. Together, they exploded into a starry ecstasy that seemed to last forever.
“No!” Amira shouted as she jolted awake. Her heart was racing and her body was fully aroused despite her crushing guilt at dreaming about Radcliff in that way, let alone bonding with him without his knowledge. Such an act was permanent and rarely done amongst the longer living magic users. And it was most certainly never done without consent from both sides—it was unconscionable. What kind of person am I to dream of such a thing?
“Hello beautiful.”
The affection in his words had Amira leaping to her feet. Searching for any excuse to avoid looking at Radcliff, she began packing.
“Hey.”
She dodged his attempt to touch her and shoved the rolled mat into the pack harder than necessary.
“Did I do something wrong?”
After ripping open the wizard’s pack, she grabbed the journal and slammed it against his chest. “You need to read this now.” She caught a glimpse of his confused hurt and felt even more guilt crushing her like a stepped on bug. “Sorry, just a bad dream.” She brushed it off and he seemed to accept it without commenting. He cracked open the journal and frowned as he began to read. That made her feel worse, so she looked away. I can’t keep beating myself up over a decision made long ago.
A few passing Shae gave the wizard odd looks but Amira was no longer worried about keeping the book a secret. It’s not like he would need it for much longer if she was successful. She had the vague beginnings of a plan to approach the council without running into the emperor—the one person to absolutely avoid and the one responsible for his death sentence. Keeping his return a secret until she found a good place to hide him was the more pressing concern.
Wikolia and the other warriors were slowly rounding people up and getting them to form a line. Amira didn’t see Nalani anywhere though there was still time to find her. She had no plans to join the line until the last minute to give Radcliff a chance to finish his reading.
“I’ll be back shortly,” she told him.
“What’s going on?” He paused and looked up with an ‘I can’t believe what I’m reading’ look in his eyes.
Amira wished she had time to soothe his unease. Instead, she pointed at the book. “Keep reading until I return. Then we’ll enter the city.”
He glanced briefly at the milling people. “Ok.”
Amira winced at his broken tone but he was already back to reading. It was the best she could do right now. That and find the missing girl.
After weaving through what felt like half the village population, she finally spotted Nalani with Ekewaka.
“Looking for someone?” Ekewaka asked with a cheerful smile.
Amira returned the smile. “You are looking much better.”
“Bah, I’m fine.” He flicked his hand in casual dismissal. “Everyone is too worried.”
“They want to keep you around for your colorful tunics.”
He began laughing, a deep-bellied guffaw that drew a few curious glances and half smiles. It didn’t take long before Nalani and Amira joined in.
Finally when the laughing died down, Ekewaka asked, “Have you eaten yet?”
“No, I began looking for stray girls first.” She ruffled Nalani’s hair.
“Hey!” She ducked away fast enough to avoid a second round. “I wanted to see if Uncle Ekie was ok.”
“Uncle Ekie?” Amira tried to keep a straight face but an amused snort escaped.
Ekewaka chuckled. “She came up with that one when she was no taller than a sproutling.” He handed out some very dried out looking meat sticks. “The last of the lot. I’ll be happy to get inside the city.”
“City!” Nalani nodded her head in agreement as she chewed on her stick.
Amira crunched into her own stick of dried out delight and washed it down with the remaining swallow of water, currently laced with ill tasting sediment. Real food, a real bed, and something stronger than water sounded like paradise. She couldn’t wait.
“Come, let’s get back to Radcliff so we can see the city.”
“Yay!” Nalani jumped up and gave Ekewaka a hug. Her face turned serious as she told him, “I’m glad you’re better.”
“Me too.” The elder smiled fondly at the child.
She grinned back, then skipped over to Amira. Taking her hand, she tugged on it. “Let’s go!”
Amira smiled with affection and allowed herself to be led by the girl. At least on the way back there were fewer people to dodge. Most were on the road and shuffling forward into the city gates.
The girl spotted Radcliff and ran right at him. “Radcliff, we are going to see a huge city!”
He had enough time to shove the book aside before a squirming bundle of girl landed in his lap. “We are, huh? Have you ever seen one before?”
“No, but I can’t wait!”
“Me either. Let’s get going.” Radcliff gently lifted her off his lap and stuffed the book in the pack. He stood and stretched.
Amira took the bag from him and asked, “Did you have time to finish?”
Radcliff’s smile faded. “I’ve read enough.” The stormy look in his eyes warned against further discussion.
Too bad. She couldn’t pretend like he wasn’t infamous. As she swung both packs around her shoul
ders, Amira addressed her biggest concern. “You need to wear your cloak, hood up, so nobody recognizes you.”
“So well loved am I?” His bitterness drove out what little warmth there was of the early morning. He yanked the hood over his head.
Amira looked away, ashamed. She wanted to tell him the truth of her feelings, but he would never believe her.
“I love you, Radcliff.” Nalani wrapped her skinny arms around his leg and pressed her head against his thigh.
“I love you too little one.”
“You do?” And then, with a child’s innocent directness, she asked him, “Do you really remember me?”
If Radcliff felt stung at the reminder of his loss, he didn’t show it. Instead, he knelt at the girl’s level, a smile on his face. “Of course I do. I’ve written down everything about you.” He paused and cocked his head to the side. “I even remember this.” In a fluid move, he scooped her up and placed her on his shoulders. Nalani whooped with glee.
Amira had to forcefully swallow past the sudden lump in her throat. Refusing to let them see her watery eyes, she rushed around gathering up the rest of their things and led the way to the end of the line which was now reaching to the gate. She double checked that Radcliff’s face was obscured before crossing the gate into chaos.
The Shae were clustered around Ekewaka and Wikolia who were speaking to a tall, bulky soldier just outside the barracks. As he turned to point something out, she saw the red flame logo of command pinned to his shoulder. Across the street, food vendors were already hawking their wares, taking advantage of the stream of soldiers emerging from the barracks. She watched as they purchased meat pies and ale before heading up to the top of the wall.
Even though it was still early morning, there were hundreds of people, likely refugees, sitting or lying down around the buildings lining the main street. It looked like they were living out of their packs and hadn’t washed in a while, though the smell of unwashed bodies added very little to the already ripe stink of a big city. Amira wrinkled her nose and remembered exactly why she tended to avoid them.
She saw thousands more refugees packed into every available space on the side streets as well and frowned. Why are they all here? Her visions always showed the menace in the east. Was it more widespread? She hoped not. The numbers they ran from were already overwhelming.
The commander needed to know what they faced. And what I saw. As she wound her way over to him, a woman’s voice carried over the growing rumble of city sounds.
“Kaholo?”
Amira turned to see a Shae woman dressed in a warrior’s tunic waving her hands in the air.
Kaholo brushed past as he ran to the young woman. “Kana!” He embraced her and twirled her around. Both began speaking at the same time. The musical Shae language was a bright contrast to the more guttural Common and Trade languages being shouted back and forth between vendors and customers.
He brought the young woman over and said, “Amira, Radcliff, this is my sister Kana. She made it!”
“Hi,” Radcliff said.
“Greetings Kana.” Amira smiled and made the formal greeting of a Shae warrior—palms turned up and arms spread apart to indicate both welcome and a lack of weapons. Radcliff quickly mimicked the motions.
Kana returned the formal greeting and nodded to each person, with a slight twitch of her lips at Radcliff’s belated effort to honor the courtesy.
“So the runner warned them in time?” Amira asked Kaholo.
“Yes, though they had already decided to leave. I guess the emperor sent a message to everyone. They went west though and got to ride the small-grass horses!” His smile lit up his face.
“They are even faster than the stories say, little brother,” Kana teased.
“Do they have wings?” Nalani’s eyes gleamed with excitement as she threw out her question.
Kana smiled at the girl’s enthusiasm. “No, they don’t have wings, but they are very fast.”
“I wanted to ride one but fa—” she broke off, her once cheery face now sagged in sorrow.
Kaholo whispered something in his sister’s ear. “Oh,” she said. “I’m so sorry, sweetling. Guess what though? I’ll take you to see them when this is over.”
Nalani perked up a little. “Promise?”
“Promise,” Kana declared.
That got a tiny smile from the girl.
Ekewaka and Wikolia joined the group along with the commander.
“What’s going on?” Amira asked the new arrivals.
It appeared Ekewaka was appointed spokesman for the group. He said, “I’ve arranged barracks housing for everyone in exchange for helping to secure the wall. You are welcome to stay with us.”
He must not have thought of the dangers with Radcliff. Perhaps she could explain later. Then it soaked in that he said the barracks. “Wait, you know those things became agitated at the sign of life. Why not move everyone to the mountain fortress?”
The commander stepped forward, a scowl on his face. “Why do that with a perfectly good wall protecting us?”
“I saw those things scale a cliff much taller than your wall.”
He swiveled his head to look at Wikolia. “They really climbed a cliff?”
Wikolia shook her head.
“I meant in a vision,” Amira snapped back. It was the same old prejudice. Since she wasn’t flaunting a seer’s white robes and face paint, people assumed she had no seer talent even when using the proper emphasis.
“Why are you lying to me?” the commander growled.
“She’s not lying,” Ekewaka calmly interceded.
“Last reported seer vision was ten years ago. She’s lying.”
“My ability has always been different. But it’s always right. We should evacuate the entire city to the mountain.”
The commander scoffed. “Not without the emperor’s say. And without better proof, it’ll never happen.”
Amira crossed her arms. It was useless arguing with this barbarian. “Then I need to see the emperor.” Not before stashing Radcliff though.
“Good luck with that.” The commander’s laugh mocked her.
Ekewaka placed a hand on Amira’s arm in time to stop her from saying something she might truly regret later. But it would feel so nice to slam my staff against his head. Maybe it would knock some sense into him.
“I can help with the emperor. Trust me,” he reassured.
Amira simply nodded, not trusting herself to speak just yet.
He glanced at Radcliff then turned to Wikolia. “Why don’t you finish up with the commander and get everyone settled. I will assist Amira with her request.”
Wikolia scowled, clearly displeased, but nodded assent and began speaking choppy Common to the commander. That man gave Amira one last lingering glare before turning his back and following the warrior woman back to the barracks.
Amira let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding then cursed herself for not asking the commander about the unusual number of refugees.
Ekewaka sighed. “I’m sorry, I should have thought of Radcliff. Of course you can’t stay with us.”
Her mind switched focus to her more pressing problem. “It’s ok. I know of an inn that will suffice. Assuming it’s still there.” Now that Amira’s attention was focused on lodgings, she realized the information she had on this city was a few decades old.
Ekewaka scanned a clump of warriors nearby and called out two names. “I’ll assign these warriors to protect you.” A man and a woman began walking their way.
“There’s really no need.” Having two fierce Shae warriors would draw too much attention. Although, perhaps they’d draw curious eyes away from Radcliff. Amira was torn.
“There is every need if he is as you say.” Ekewaka tilted his head in Radcliff’s direction.
“He is hooded, not invisible,” Radcliff muttered just loud enough to be heard.
Ekewaka clasped both hands over his heart and bowed to Radcliff. “My apologies.”
<
br /> “I’m bored.” Nalani’s complaint broke the remaining tension.
“Well, we do need to find that inn. And a bath would be good. You said you could help with the emperor?”
“Yes. When you find a place to stay, send an errand boy to the barracks with your location and I’ll come by tomorrow morning and get you. It is customary for the leaders of our people to meet with him upon arrival. He will see me, and therefore you.”
“I’m going too,” Radcliff declared.
“Absolutely not!” Passersby looked over as her voice carried over the bustling noises. She checked her volume and hissed, “It’s too dangerous. He’s the man who sentenced you to death.”
“I know. I want to look into the eyes of the man who did that.”
Just what Amira needed was a stubborn, death-seeking wizard. She wanted to continue the argument, but the warriors joined them. “We’ll discuss this later.”
“These are the twins, Pika and Leilani. They will keep you safe. I need to settle my people, but I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Goodbye, and thanks.” Amira waved to Ekewaka then turned back to the group. “Let’s go find that inn.”
“Yay!” Nalani cheered. “Finally.”
Radcliff chuckled. “I am also eager to see the city.”
“Just keep your hood up,” Amira warned. “And try not to attract attention. Any of you.” She made eye contact with each person and gave them her best ‘don’t mess this up’ look. Reassured, she headed out into the now crowded street.
The Howling Dog was supposedly halfway between the mountain fortress and the entry gate and along one of the many side roads. Amira thought it best to just ask a vendor for directions rather than try to find it. She spotted a female spice vendor standing behind a portable wagon containing row upon row of neatly labeled bottles. She was currently without customers, so Amira headed that way.
She was within shouting distance of her goal when a bow shop caught her attention. The ones they had on display were plain but expertly crafted. Longing for her own bow, Amira wondered if she had enough to purchase a new one. Nalani’s excited shout interrupted her debate of which vendor to visit first.
