Ephemeral and Fleeting

by Patricia Reding

  After the crowd acknowledged his presence, Eden stepped up. “My sister and I will engage with some of you from time to time. You’re to treat us as any other contender. Understood?”

  Once again, the troops responded with whistles and applause.

  “Very well then,” Reigna said, “let’s get started.”

  The troops rummaged about, finding their places along with their leaders at each of the rings.

  Jerrett, Bane at his side, joined the group with which he would train, while Velia headed off in another direction. Marshall, Basha, Raman, and Samuel—the others Reigna had previously designated to lead groups—also got to business.

  Quickly, the air filled with the sounds of shouting, grunting, and weapons clanging.

  After observing for a time, the twins separated so that they could each engage in a match.

  A short time later, exhausted from her efforts, Reigna found Mara as she prepared to spar. “Are you sure you’re feeling up to this?” she asked her.

  Mara nodded. “I’m not at my best, that’s true, but maybe this will help sweat out the grippe.” She smiled, wanly. “It’s frustrating, as all the others who’ve been ill seem to be on the mend already.”

  “Yes, but most of them were children, and they do bounce back more quickly.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Don’t overdo it now.”

  Skipping toward the center of the ring, Mara called over her shoulder, “I won’t.” Then she pulled up her sword and began her dance with the other contender.

  As Dixon met Reigna at her side, she glanced his way. “She really doesn’t look well,” she said.

  “No,” he agreed. “But let’s remember, we traveled for months to her old home. Then she rushed to find you and Eden in The Tearless. And no sooner did she return with the two of you to the City of Light, than we got caught up making plans there.” He shook his head. “Early on, she seemed fine. But I noticed a few weeks later, that she was dragging.”

  “Yes,” Reigna said, watching the skirmish before her as the crowd, now engaged, urged Mara and her challenger on.

  “Then we were off to the compound, where we spent a couple weeks preparing for our journey here, to the palace.” He scraped his boot along the frost on the ground as he patted out a rhythm on his thigh. “That in itself took some time. But, you know, I think the worst part is that she’s been plagued by nightmares. She awakens almost every night trembling, and in a sweat.”

  Reigna turned and stared at him. “About anything in particular?”

  “I think it’s just the pressure of knowing the Chiranians are soon to make their way here. She’s frightened for you girls. She dreams she’s being chased by grut—that she’s carrying you and your sister, as infants—and that she looses you.”

  “Oh, my.”

  “Yes, and with all this training and planning . . . Frankly, I think it’s all just finally caught up with her—that she’s just desperately in need of some good, nightmare-free, rest.”

  “She shouldn’t be training today then,” Reigna said, looking back out as Mara held up her hand to call a halt to her sparring partner while struggling to catch her breath.

  “Tell her that!” Dixon exclaimed. “She won’t hear of being left out.”

  Reigna grinned. “I suppose we should take comfort then, in the fact that she’s still herself.” She put her arm around him. “She’ll be fine, I’m sure.”

  After a couple weeks of intense training, the inner circle convened as, once again, word had come in from Liam and Rafal.

  Bernard moseyed about, fine-tuning his prior arrangements of several trays of treats set out on the conference room table. Behind him, Chaya made her way around with a coffee pot in one hand, and a teapot in the other, filling cups as requested. On reaching Marshall’s side, he looked up and smiled at her. She met his unspoken greeting with a lift of her brow and a clenched jaw, filled his cup, and then moved on. Once she’d made her way around the table, she set the pots down. Then she and Bernard left the room.

  Eden stood. “Everyone’s here, so let’s get started,” she said, calling the meeting to order. Then she resumed her seat.

  Lucy placed her magic compact on the table and opened it.

  “We’ve made our way from Darth, to Fallique, where Zarek resides,” Rafal was heard to say. “As of now, there’s nothing much to report, although we learned of some soldiers—regular troops, not the succedunt—readying for a journey. It seems they’re on their way to the border. After that, it’s possible they’ll try to enter Oosa.

  “We think the nearest city of any size to the point they have in mind is Ethanward. Not far to the east from there, of course, is Polesk, and a half-day journey southeast from there, is the palace at Shimeron. With the sketchy details we’ve uncovered, we can’t be certain of their plans. Still, we estimate the group at something under a thousand men. More, of course, could follow. We’ll provide further word as it becomes available. Until later, then.”

  Lucy closed the compact and then slipped it in her pocket. “That’s it,” she said, addressing the twins.

  “Thank you,” Eden said. Then she asked each of those designated as training leaders, to report on how his or her group fared. Since Samuel was not officially a member of the inner circle, Jerrett reported for him, as well as for himself.

  “So, it seems things are coming along nicely in that department,” Reigna said when they’d all concluded.

  “Thank goodness, as it seems there’s no time to spare,” Therese, sitting at Basha’s side, commented.

  “Right,” Reigna agreed. She turned to Marshall. “I’d like you, and you, Raman,” she glanced his way, “as well as Samuel, to take the companies under your control to the border, immediately. You’re to make camp on this side of it, near Ethanward. That would get,” she paused in thought, “five hundred Oathtakers, give or take, nearby to respond, in the event Zarek’s troops try to cross the border there.”

  Marshall and Raman each confirmed his understanding with a nod.

  “Together, we’ll draw up plans for any extras you should take along to assist with your meal preparations, with your potential medical needs, and so forth.”

  “Very well. I’ll let Samuel know,” Marshall said.

  Eden leaned in. “Also, Reigna and I have been talking,” she said with a glance at Mara, “and have determined that a trip to the City of Light is in order for us.”

  “But we’ve only just arrived here,” Mara said.

  “Still, the training here can go on quite well without us now, and given the significantly greater number of troops in the city, we need to spend some time there, as well.” When Mara opened her mouth to speak, Eden interrupted her with a raised hand. “No, Mara, you won’t be joining us.”

  She pulled back, surprised. “Of course I’ll join you. I can deliver you there safely with no loss of time.” She looked from her, to Reigna, making eye contact with each of them, in turn. “Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll not have you traveling without me.”

  Dixon patted her arm. “Actually, Mara, the twins discussed this all with me.”

  She looked at him, her eyes narrowed.

  “Hear me out,” he said, his palm extended toward her. “You could use some rest—and Lucy and I could each take one of them, and then—”

  “Absolutely not!” she cried.

  “Mara—” Eden sought to interrupt.

  “No.” Mara stood, her hands on the table, leaning in. “I’m fine. What’s a little grippe? Goodness, you’d think there was something seriously wrong with me.” Huffing, she sat again. “I won’t hear of your going without me.”

  As Dixon sighed in frustration, Reigna caught his eye. Then she turned back to her Oathtaker.

  “You need some rest,” she said to her. “You can join up with us when you’re feeling better. But,” she added, her finger raised when Mara looked about to speak again, “we need to get there as quickly as possible. We may not even be there long. Who knows? St
ill, we need to discuss with Dax and Aliza, how their training is going there. We all have to be ready to act when this threat moves into Oosa, putting the safety of more and more of our fellow Oosians at risk. And Mara . . . we don’t want you to become truly ill.”

  “Perhaps they’re right,” Velia said, turning to her friend.

  “Yes,” Basha agreed.

  Effie, on the tabletop, addressed Mara. “You should listen to your friends,” she said. “They have your best interests at heart.”

  Mara sat up straight and folded her arms. “What is this?” she asked. “A conspiracy or something? Even my dearest friends plot against me,” she added, glaring at each of Velia and Basha in turn.

  “No,” Velia said, “that’s not it at all.”

  Sighing, Mara turned back to the twins. “I won’t hear of it.”

  “Listen,” Lucy said, “I’ve been at this Oathtaker business for a long time. I understand your—”

  “No,” Mara repeated.

  Reigna stood. She glanced at each person around the table. Finally, she fixed her gaze on Mara. “I’m sorry,” she said, “but you’ve been overruled. We’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning. Dixon and Lucy will stay in the city with us, but Lucy will return here before long, to check on your progress. Once you’re feeling better, assuming we haven’t already returned here by then, you may join us. But until then—”

  Mara stood. She took several deep breaths, glaring all the while.

  “It’s been decided, Mara,” Eden said, holding her gaze, “and our decision is final. This time, like it or not, we’re going without you.”

  Silent, Mara readied for bed. In her nightdress, sitting before her vanity, she untied the band that kept her hair tied back and threw it down. She shook her head, letting her dark tresses fall.

  Dixon approached from behind. He put his hands on her shoulders.

  Refusing to look at him, or even at his reflection in the looking glass before her, she pulled away, freeing herself from his hold. Then she commenced brushing her hair.

  “Mara, please, don’t be angry.”

  “Fourteen, fifteen . . .” She mumbled through gritted teeth, counting her strokes.

  “The twins are right. You need some rest.”

  “Twenty-one, twenty—”

  “Please, talk to me.”

  She slapped her hairbrush down, then turned his way. “How could you?”

  He got down on one knee. “I’m worried about you. You haven’t been yourself. You’re not feeling well—and with all the nightmares, you’re not sleeping well, either.”

  She turned back to the mirror. “Why don’t you just have me replaced while you’re at it, huh? Maybe you’d like to be the girls’ Oathtaker.” Her eyes flickered toward his reflection. “Or maybe one of the other Oathtakers who’s currently uncommitted wants his turn? Maybe—” She stopped short, shaking her head, seething.

  Dixon put his hands on her shoulders again. When she squirmed at his touch, he tightened his grip and then forced her around to look at him.

  “Mara,” he said, “you’re not well, and in truth, you’re not in your best form. When you spar, you’re slow. And more often than not, you’re left, after a match, in a gasping heap.”

  She clenched her jaw.

  “Please try to understand.”

  “Leave me be, Dixon.”

  He put his hands over his face and rubbed it, then ran his fingers through his hair. “Try to see reason—”

  She jumped to her feet. “Oh, I see. I’m weak. I’m slow. And now, it seems, I’m not in my right mind.” She went to their bed, took up a blanket from the end of it, and then grabbed her pillow before marching to the door.

  Dixon beat her there. He stood against it, barring her from leaving.

  “Get out of my way.”

  He shook his head.

  “I said, ‘get out of my way.’” She breathed heavily. “I’m well enough to know when I’m not wanted.”

  He stepped forward, reached for her. “Please, don’t go. I just want you well again.”

  She pulled herself to her full height. “Let me go, Dixon,” she ordered, emphasizing each word.

  Reluctantly, he stood aside.

  As dawn approached, random flakes of snow tumbled through the air. Then, interrupting the peacefulness, a cock crowed. The sound of it, after which came the shuffling of footsteps down the hall, stirred Dixon from his sleep.

  He turned over, reaching for Mara, expecting to find her at his side. Then his eyes flashed open as he recalled her having left the night before. Except for when she’d lost her memory and he’d taken her on a trip to her old home, he couldn’t remember a time when she’d ever been so angry with him. Back then, she’d acted out of fear. Perhaps that explained things now, too. Perhaps she was simply afraid. Fear did seem to bring out the worst in her. It masked itself as anger. Still, he wished he could reason with her.

  He ran his hand against the whisper-soft, empty sheets at his side, choking back a groan. He was lonely without her. The world was not right. Back when she’d lost her memory, he’d been miserable without her nearby.

  But this is ever so much worse. This time, she intentionally left my side.

  “Ahhh!” he cried as he sat up, threw his pillow at the far wall, and then fell back again.

  He tossed the goose down filled comforter aside and sat at the bed’s edge, his head in his hands.

  Just then, a knock came at the door.

  “Yes?” he called.

  The door cracked open.

  “May we come in?”

  He grabbed a robe from a side chair and donned it. “Yes. Come on in, girls.”

  The twins, already dressed and armed, entered to the sounds of their weapons clanging. Having earned Ehyeh’s favor while in The Tearless, each now emitted her own unique scent. Still rather new to Dixon, their fragrances caught his attention. He inhaled deeply and, despite his misery, smiled at the thought that they were now equipped for what might come their way.

  They sat, one on each side of him, at the edge of the bed.

  “We saw Mara downstairs,” Reigna said, “sleeping on one of the sofas in the reception area.”

  He nodded. “She left here last night, angry with me. I couldn’t reason with her.”

  When he turned her way, Reigna held his gaze. “I’m so sorry, Dixon, but it can’t be helped.”

  “I know.”

  “It’s just a bit of the grippe, like she says,” Eden added, “but we need her in her best form.”

  He sighed. “Are you two all ready to go then?” He grimaced, recalling that whenever he asked Mara that question, she responded with: “So long as you go with me.” He doubted she’d do that now, given her anger with him, even if she was in fact, going along—which she was not. He cringed at the thought.

  “We are. And you?”

  “I packed last night.” He took a hand of each of them. “You’ve eaten?”

  “We were waiting for you,” Reigna said, “and we’re hoping that maybe Mara will join us.”

  At that moment, the door opened. Mara entered, then marched to the closet.

  Dixon went to her side. When he reached for her, she pulled away.

  “Mara,” he said, “please don’t be angry.”

  She pursed her lips, then selected some clothing.

  “Please,” he repeated.

  She turned to him, cocked her head. “Haven’t you got somewhere you need to be?”

  Eden approached her other side. “Mara, come have breakfast with us.”

  She turned back toward the closet, as though mesmerized with its contents.

  “Come on.” Eden put her hand on her Oathtaker’s back. “We don’t want to leave with you feeling this way.”

  She closed her eyes and shook her head. “What’s the hurry? That’s what I’d like to know. This illness will be over soon enough, and then I can take you myself.”

  “Time is of the essence. You know that.” Eden stepped
closer and wrapped her arms around her. “Let’s go have breakfast together before we go.”

  “I can’t eat. It’ll just come back up anyway.”

  “See?” Eden pulled back and looked her in the eye. “That’s just what we’re talking about. Now, we know that you want to come along, but we need you well first.”

  Tears pooled in Mara’s eyes. “It’s so painful being without you. I’m afraid it’ll just delay my getting better.”

  Smiling at her, Eden released her hold as Dixon put his hands on her shoulders. He turned her toward himself and then wrapped his arms around her. “We all understand,” he said. “Now let’s get you well, so that you can join us there.”

  Weeping now, she buried her face in his chest. “I’m so sorry. I—”

  “Shhhh. Shhhh,” he comforted her, tightening his embrace. Then he pulled back, put a finger below her chin, and tipped her head up. Winking at her, he smiled, wanly. “Get some rest here. I’ll send Lucy back as soon as possible, and then when you’re on the mend, you’ll join us.”

  Leaning into him yet again, she nodded her agreement.

  Chapter Twelve

  He made his way through the palace, his walking stick striking the floor with each step, announcing his presence well in advance of his actual arrival.

  The help staff scattered, anxious to be out of the way before he arrived.

  After heading out the back doors, he limped along to the training grounds where Zarek leaned against a railing, watching his troops sparring below. To the emperor’s right stood his secretary, Gonen, a man who moved jerkily, spasmodically. At his left, one of the succedunt soldiers held a chain, at the other end of which a grut strained to get loose.

  In the center ring reserved for champions, a soldier fended off the advances of a new challenger, as his three prior contenders stood on the sidelines, nursing their wounds.

  “Ooooh!” Zarek exclaimed when the champion took a blow to his side and staggered. Then, “Ha ha!” he guffawed, as the man, growling ferociously, charged, throwing his weight on his latest rival. “Ah! There he goes! He’s down!” Zarek laughed, raising his hands in the air.