“Who are these people, Chaya?” Mara asked.
She turned her way. “You think Zarek’s regular guard is filled with evil men? They are nothing compared to the succedunt. They, like Zarek, are descendants—successors—of a line of Chiranians known as the Hazarik. I suppose that’s where Zarek got his name,” she added as though in afterthought. “In any case, they, along with their supporters, have grown significantly in number over the past few years—and you should know this: the succedunt will stop at nothing.”
“What could they possibly do that’s worse than Zarek’s regular guard?” Jerrett asked.
“Huh!” Chaya scoffed. “Zarek’s regular guards may kill indiscriminately and without remorse, but succedunt soldiers make a . . . a sport of it.”
“Oh?”
“They burn people alive. They cage them and drown them. They . . . cut off body parts, rendering their victims helpless. They . . .” She shuddered. “The things they do are too awful to imagine. Even then, it might be fair to say that those who die at their hands are the lucky ones. What they do to their women, you don’t even want to know.”
Mara turned to their visitors. “I’d listen to her if I were you,” she said. “Chaya is a former Chiranian. She knows of what she speaks.”
Birdie stared at her. Then, “Come on, girls,” she said, waving for her friends to join her.
“Wait,” Mara said. “Where did you hear about these Chiranians who are looking for brides? What gave you such an idea to join up with them?”
Birdie made a face at her, expressing her disdain. “There’s a lot of information that the town criers and fliers don’t make readily available.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning that those who seek to learn of more than what is commonly distributed, can do so.” With that, she walked away, her friends at her heels. Only Trixie stole a quick look back.
Jerrett stepped up, Bane at his side. “Well, I guess it’s like I always say, it seems everyone carries within him, the seeds of his own destruction. And in the end, you can’t save someone from himself—or herself—as the case may be.”
As the crowd started dispersing, Bane shot out into the darkness. Moments later he returned with one of the young woman at his side.
Approaching her, Mara recognized Trixie. “You’ve decided not to go, then?” she asked.
Not able to meet the Oathtaker’s eye, the girl nodded. “I just want to go home.”
“Where is that?”
Pulling her cloak closed more tightly, Trixie shuffled her feet. Then, shrugging, she pointed in the direction from whence she’d come.
“Well, why don’t you stay with us for tonight then? We’ll see you back home safely in the morning.”
Chapter Five
Two weeks into their journey, and as dusk set in once again, the travelers headed toward the dinner wagon. Marshall and Jerrett stood off to the side as others filled their plates.
“Marshall, you’re back!” Chaya exclaimed, approaching. She held a bowl of steaming food, its savory scent filling the air.
He pulled in a deep breath. “Chaya,” he responded, with a nod.
“I prepared a place where we can eat together.” She tipped her head toward it. “I just have to set this out,” she continued, glancing at the bowl she held, “and then we can—”
“Why don’t you go on without me? I’ve got things I need to attend to.”
Looking down, she bit her lip. “Very well.” She turned away, set the dish down, and then walked off.
Jerrett smirked.
“What’s funny?” Marshall asked.
“Nothing’s funny. Actually, it’s a bit sad.”
“What?”
“The way you’re treating Chaya. Why such a cold shoulder, anyway?” He shook his head. “Goodness, but you’ve a lot to learn about women.”
Marshall stood tall and squared his shoulders. “I’m just trying to do what’s right by her—trying to make certain she gets to know us all.”
“Oh, I see. You don’t want to monopolize her time. Is that it?” Jerrett asked as Velia approached.
“Well . . . yes.”
“You might tell her that, my friend.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Velia said, having overheard the exchange, as she approached with baby Carlow in her arms, and her and Jerrett’s three other boys in tow.
“She’s fine. What are you two talking about?”
Just then Mara arrived with Dixon, the twins, and Lucy. She suggested they all get their dinners, then congregate at a place she designated where Basha and Therese already sat.
A nearby campfire crackled. Sparks few into the air. At its side, Jules and Nina supervised Caden and Calandra as the children piled more sticks on top. When Calandra drew too close, Nina jumped ahead to caution her. Then she pulled her back a safe distance.
After filling their plates, Mara and her companions joined Basha and Therese. In short order, Jules joined them.
“Thank you for riding ahead, Marshall, to check on things,” Mara said. “So, tell us, what did you find?” She crouched down, then sat on the ground next to Dixon, a woolen blanket spread out beneath them.
“I made good time to Ethanward. It’s actually quite close, but will likely take our caravan here more than a full day to reach. In any case, I found the place overrun with children who appear homeless.”
“Oh?”
“It’s odd. They range in age from— Oh, I’d say, likely four, or so . . . to early teens. They appear to have no supervision. They’re dirty, hungry—”
“Where are they from?”
“I’ve no idea. But it may explain some of those we’ve seen passing by our caravan of late. I tried to talk to a few of them, but they just gave me the cold shoulder.”
“Not the only one doing that,” Jerrett muttered near Velia’s ear.
Grinning, she nudged him.
“They live on the streets?” Mara asked.
“Appears so,” Marshall said. “But there’s a criminal element amongst them, as well. I saw several of them picking pockets in the crowds.”
“Hmmm. What of those in positions of authority?”
“Truthfully, I didn’t see anyone. I did, however, notice some folks agitating the crowds in the town square—and I overheard several teens discuss their interest in going to join the ranks of the succedunt.”
“Oh? They used that name?”
“No, they called them the ‘descendants’ just like those young women we met earlier. The young men say they want to join their fighting forces. The women seem . . . mesmerized, I suppose you’d say, over the idea of engaging with them.”
When Bane howled in the distance, Jerrett jumped to his feet.
“What is it?” Velia asked.
He turned toward the sound. “I’m not sure, but he’s calling me. I’ll be right back.” He pulled out his blade, Fortitudo.
“I wanna come too,” Aden said to his father.
“No, you stay here—safe—with your mother,” he said as he sprinted away.
“I’ll go,” Dixon offered, taking off behind his friend.
As they disappeared into the darkness, several of the other travelers finished up their meals and then headed back to their wagons and tents for the night.
Adele approached. “Would you like anything more?” she asked. “If not, we’ll start packing up for morning.”
“You do that,” Mara said.
“Say, Adele,” Marshall caught her attention, “how is Chaya working out with you?”
She shrugged and raised her brow. “She’s fine. Why?”
“No reason.”
Just then, Jerrett and Dixon returned with Bane at their side. The men wore scowls.
Bane sat. Then, turning his nose to the sky, he howled.
Mara got to her feet. “What is it?” she asked.
Dixon glanced Jerrett’s way, then back at her. “Ahhh . . . Bane happened upon a few corpses.” Grimacing, he whispered, “They
were just . . . children.”
She pulled back. “Fresh corpses?”
“I’d say they hadn’t been there for more than a day.”
“Do you know what happened to them?”
He leaned in. “Honestly, I don’t know if they died of exposure, or something more sinister. We thought it best we not hang around to find out.” He shrugged. “In any case, I suggest we get what we came here for, and then be on our way as quickly as possible.”
“I agree,” Lucy said. “Tomorrow we’ll continue straight toward Ethanward and Vida’s. I’ll let everyone know that we need to get an early start and make good time.”
Late the next afternoon, numerous carts packed near to overflowing passed by the traveling entourage, along with the occasional party on horseback. Interspersed amongst them came a few children, dirty and disheveled, and not adequately dressed for the decidedly cool weather.
Riding at the front with Dixon, Marshall, Jerrett, and her charges, Mara brought the caravan to a halt.
“I believe that’s it,” she said, pointing toward a valley village in the distance. Her breath fogged in the air.
“Yes, that’s Ethanward,” Marshall agreed.
“It’s still quite a way off, so I suggest we camp here for the night.”
“Sounds good to me,” Dixon said before speaking with a couple nearby Oathtaker guards, asking them to inform the other travelers of their plans.
“Oh, Reigna, can you believe it? We’re almost there!” Eden exclaimed.
The twins glanced at one another, both smiling broadly.
“Soon enough, you two,” Mara teased them. “Still, I can appreciate how excited you must be.”
“It seems we’ve waited forever to meet our sisters. Finally, one of them is about to join us!” Eden said.
“There’s a great deal of traffic going through this area,” Mara commented, just as Chaya rode up. “Was it like this when you came this way earlier?” she asked Marshall.
He shook his head.
“Well, perhaps we should send someone ahead to determine the cause.”
“I’ll go,” he offered.
“May I come along?” Chaya asked.
He glanced her way. “Ahhh . . . Well, it would be better for you to wait until after I’ve confirmed that all is safe.”
Mara’s eyes narrowed as she watched the exchange. Then she turned to the young woman. “Actually, I agree with Marshall. Since we’re unsure of what’s ahead, I think we should send a few of the trained Oathtakers in first.”
Biting her lip, Chaya nodded. “Fine,” she said.
“We sure could use your help getting camp set up, though.”
“Yes, I’ve been helping Adele, at Marshall’s suggestion.” Her eyes darted his direction.
He cocked his head. “My suggestion? Chaya, if you’d prefer to do something else, I’m sure we can find other areas where your assistance would be appreciated. Perhaps you could help with the horses, or—”
“Never mind.” She turned her mount around and headed back.
“What was that all about?” Mara asked Marshall, watching her retreat.
His eyes narrowed. “What?”
“Are you trying to avoid her or something? You’ve spent almost no time with her since we set out.”
“Ahhh . . . no.”
“Is something wrong Marshall? Is there something about Chaya that you’re not telling us? Something we should know?”
“No, of course not.”
She watched him closely, her eyes narrowed and her lips pursed. “Very well then,” she said. “Now, please, take someone along with you. We’ll expect you back by the time Adele has dinner ready.”
As he rode off, Dixon and the twins approached. “What’s going on?”
“That’s what I’d like to know,” Mara said. “He was so cold to Chaya.”
“Should I ask him about it?”
She shook her head. “No, we’ll just see what happens. I do wonder how she’s doing, though. She looked . . . heartbroken. And really, we’re all as good as strangers to her.”
“I feel badly for her,” Eden said. “Marshall seems so callous.”
“It’s very unlike him,” Reigna agreed. “When the two of them first arrived in the City of Light, you never saw one of them without the other nearby. Now it’s as though he avoids her.”
The sound of crunching gravel sounded out, as Lucy rode up to their side. She smiled at the twins. “Well, we’re almost there,” she commented.
“Yes,” Reigna said, “we’re so excited! It’s high time we met our sisters. So,” she glanced out, “Vida, the eldest, is nearby. I can hardly wait to meet her!”
“Yes, but don’t you wish,” Eden said, “that Asmeret, Diella, Pina, Tivona and Adamina could also join us right away?”
“I sure do!”
“Don’t get your hopes up too high, now,” Lucy cautioned them. “Vida may not agree to join us—and we won’t be passing by where any of the others live on our journey to the palace.”
“She might not want to join us? I never thought of that,” Reigna said. “Why wouldn’t she?”
Lucy shrugged. “There’s no telling. She’s about ten years your senior, don’t forget. She may already have a family here. Truthfully, it’s some time since I last saw her.”
Reigna, astride a dapple-grey mare, patted the equine’s neck. “There, Breeze, that’s a good girl,” she said, calming it before turning Mara’s way. Then, “I can hardly wait to meet her!” she exclaimed.
Mara laughed. “Let’s set up camp. Tomorrow will be here soon enough.”
They joined the others, raising tents, grooming horses, and preparing meals. Before long, the smell of grilling venison hung in the air.
The twins approached the meal wagon.
“Hey, Adele, dinner smells great!” Reigna said.
She blushed at the compliment. “One of your favorites tonight. I hope you enjoy it.”
“Oh, we’re sure to.”
Eden noticed Chaya setting up a table. She approached. “Hey,” she said, “I wanted to thank you for all your help.”
“Certainly.” She bit her lip. Clearly, she held back tears.
“Are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” She refused to look Eden in the eye. “Why do you ask?”
“No reason. I just . . . You know . . . I’m glad you’re with us.”
Chaya uncovered a pot of mixed potatoes and vegetables that had been cooked over a campfire. “Well, that makes one of you anyway,” she muttered as she turned away.
“Wait!”
She turned back.
“I’m sure Marshall doesn’t mean anything . . .”
Chaya looked up and into the distance shaking her head, and then, scowling, stepped away. “Excuse me,” she said.
Reigna stood at her sister’s side. “Do you suppose they argued over something?”
“I’ve no idea.”
“Oh, look! Here he comes now.”
Marshall rode up on a fine mahogany gelding, its heaving breath billowing in the cold air. He got down, then turned to the girls. “Just in time for dinner, I see,” he said. Then, upon looking about, noticing Chaya nearby, he started off in the opposite direction.
“Marshall, wait!” Eden called. She ran to his side and then, clutching his arm, asked, “Are you all right?”
“Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”
She shuffled her feet as she glanced Chaya’s way. “Nothing. Never mind.”
Just then, Mara approached. “Oh, Marshall, good. I’m glad you’re back. Did you find anything particularly concerning?”
“Nothing more than what I reported the other day.”
“Good.” She turned to the twins. “It’ll soon be dark. We should all eat and then get down early so that we can get another good start tomorrow morning.”
Graced with a clear morning and what promised to be a more tepid late autumn day than the past few had been, the caravan set off early, with
Marshall, Jerrett, and Velia, in the lead. The twins, Mara, Dixon, and Lucy, followed immediately behind.
They skirted the edges of a swamp. Tall grasses waved in the breeze, and cattails showed off their furry brown cylindrical heads from which seed tuffs billowed out. Mara, enjoying the beauty of the place, imagined the classic conk-la-ree ending in a musical trill that its seasonal resident red-winged blackbirds would make there. In her mind, she could hear the scolding chak chak chak of the females of the species alarming their kind, along with the interspersed rattling of a flock of sandhill crane. Unfortunately, both varieties had already made their way south for warmer climates.
Beyond the swamp, they traveled in silence for some time. The twins seemed to have turned introspective, as each looked forward to meeting, for the first time, the eldest of their six other sisters.
Soon they passed through the town gates and came to a stop at a house just inside of them. Built of logs, its sturdy presence suggested that someone cared well for it. Herb gardens sidled up near the front entrance. The stalks and leaves of some of the plants had already turned brown. Still, the dusty scent of sage, and the savory aroma of thyme, filled the air. When the first freezing nights came, they too, would die away, then await a spring rebirth.
From around the side of the residence, children came running, laughing, and chasing one another, before disappearing once again behind the building.
A low cloud cover seemed to swirl in the air. The phenomenon cast an ethereal look and feel to the place.
Lucy turned to the twins. “Are you ready?”
In quiet anticipation, they nodded.
Then Lucy addressed Mara. “I suggest that you and Dixon, the girls, and I, go ahead.”
“Agreed.”
The five dismounted.
Reigna brushed bits of hay from her clothing, while Eden tucked a few unruly sprigs of her light auburn hair behind her ear. Then they set out behind Lucy, to the front door.
Once there, she stood silent, glancing at the twins and nodding, before taking in a deep breath and then knocking.
Voices from inside came faintly, then gradually increased in volume. In short order, someone peeked out of the window situated just to the side. Then the door opened to reveal a woman with a handful of children about her.
Ephemeral and Fleeting Page 7
