Remembered

by E. D. Brady

  “Maybe I will,” Kellus answered.

  “Can you handle me, brother-in-law,” Cora replied, winking at him.

  Max ran towards them holding an armful of wasters. He handed one to Cora, one to Kellus, and let the rest spill to the ground. An amused grin spread across his face.

  Kellus faced Cora and held up his waster. “On guard, little sister-in-law,” he said tauntingly.

  He was much gentler with her than Markum had ever been; his heart was not completely in it.

  “Come on, Kellus, give her game!” Markum yelled from the sidelines.

  “I don’t think I can,” Kellus answered. “It’s unnatural to engage not only a woman, but my own sister-in-law. I don’t think I have the stomach for this.”

  “Then watch me,” Markum said, taking the waster from Kellus.

  Markum turned to face Cora and swung his wooden sword towards her, but she blocked him easily.

  They began moving in circles, thrusting, blocking, and jumping backwards and forwards.

  “I’m astonished,” Kellus laughed from several feet away. “Cora, where did you learn that?”

  “Do you have the stomach to face me now?” Cora teased.

  “I’d like to try,” Kellus admitted.

  Markum handed the waster back to Kellus.

  He was not gentle this time. His skill was greater than Markum’s, but Cora held her own. After two minutes of Cora blocking every move, Kellus became intense. They moved towards the house, Kellus aiming to back Cora up against the wall, but she wasn’t falling for that again. He swung low, but she jumped over the waster and swung at Kellus’s head. He blocked her attack and pushed her sword down with his own.

  Cora jumped back and ducked just as Kellus’s sword came towards her head. He laughed out loud again, clearly impressed. “Who am I fighting next? He asked, shaking Cora’s hand.

  “I’ll fight you,” Annie answered. She took Cora’s waster and faced him.

  “This should be interesting,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

  He swung at her right shoulder, but she blocked him. He thrust forward, but she jumped to the side. She swung low at his left leg, he blocked and swung at her right shoulder again, and again, she blocked him.

  He dropped his wooden sword and moved towards her, his jaw locked tight, his nostrils flaring hungrily. He grabbed the back of her neck, pulled her to him, and pressed his mouth to her with lustful greed.

  “We didn’t learn that move yet, did we?” Cora asked, causing the others to laugh.

  “Ugh, I wouldn’t want to face you in a fight, brother,” Markum added.

  Kellus broke away and laughed. “Forgive me for my lack of self-control,” he said. He turned to Annie and whispered. “That was unendurable. You look so lovely with a sword in your hands. You don’t need skill, love. You could simply take your opponents breath away with your beauty.”

  She threw her arms around his neck. “Thank you,” she whispered into his ear. She turned her head forward and attacked his lips.

  “If the lovers would finish their attempt at making the rest of us regurgitate our dinner, I’d like to see Kellus and Markum spar,” Cora said.

  “If he kisses me, I’ll kill him,” Markum exclaimed.

  “Don’t worry about that,” Kellus replied, picking up a waster. “I’d rather have my head severed than have to endure kissing your ugly face.”

  Watching them spar was like watching a well-choreographed dance. They moved so fast it was hard to believe that neither one was getting severely hurt. Wooden swords became a blur of speed, both men moving gracefully in dizzying circles.

  After ten minutes, Markum was on his back, the tip of Kellus’s wooden sword under his chin.

  Kellus threw the sword aside and jumped on Markum, lying flat out on top of him. He placed his hand over Markum’s mouth then kissed that hand passionately, making inappropriate moaning sounds.

  “Get off me, fool,” Markum yelled, his voice muffled under Kellus’s hand and mouth.

  Kellus jumped to his feet and held a hand out to his brother.

  “Clown,” Markum snapped as he stood up.

  “That I am, but you love me regardless,” Kellus replied with a playful grin.

  Markum stopped short and stared at Kellus. “It’s good to hear you laugh again,” he said emotionally.

  Kellus threw one arm over his brother’s shoulder casually. “It’s feels good to laugh again,” he replied. “Thanks for your patience when I couldn’t,” he added sincerely.

  “Always,” Markum answered, grabbing his brother’s shoulder affectionately.

  Chapter 23

  Annie followed Kellus to the carriage parked out front, hardly believing that the weekend was over so soon.

  Tol was already seated on top, readjusting the reins impatiently.

  She buried her face in Kellus’s chest. “I can’t stand this,” she blurted out selfishly. She had managed to stay composed all weekend for his sake, knowing the only thing that would cause him further distress than leaving her, would be her reaction to the separation.

  “Annie,” he breathed, stroking her hair. “Don’t be sad, love. I’ll be back within the week, maybe even less, and then we’ll never be parted again.”

  “Never?” she asked.

  “You have my word,” he promised.

  She smiled up at him. “I had no right to make you feel bad, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. Believe me, love, I feel the same way. It’s torture to walk away from you.”

  “Kellus, we have to leave,” Tol called down. “You’re due back in thirty minutes. Already you’ll be late.”

  “I don’t care what time I get to that cursed place,” Kellus called back.

  “I understand that, son, but it’s the last time. Let’s do this right as best we can,” Tol replied.

  Kellus turned back to Annie and ran his finger under her eye. “You look so tired,” he said. “Maybe it wasn’t the best idea to stay up all night.”

  “No,” she disagreed. “It was the very best idea.”

  “Go, love…go back to bed for the day,” he murmured, winking at her. “You’ll need your energy for when I return. No doubt, I’ll need another whole night to quench my desire for you.”

  “Ahhhh, my ears are bleeding,” Tol called down, wincing and rolling his eyes.

  Kellus placed his knuckle under Annie’s chin and gave her one last lingering kiss on the lips. He climbed up to the top of the carriage next to his father. “Is there something about what married couples do in privacy that you need to know, Tol?” he asked. “Or were you just eavesdropping on a private conversation for amusement?”

  “Amusement?” Tol asked doubtfully. “I’m only thankful that young Cora didn’t over-hear that drivel. It would have taken her hours to recover. And if there was something that I needed you to explain, son, you wouldn’t be sitting here.” Tol pulled on the reins and slowly turned the rig around.

  “Of course,” Kellus agreed. “I just thought that maybe, in your old age, your memory of such things had dimmed.”

  “No, no, no,” Tol laughed, shaking his head. “I have absolute recall of those things, especially after last night. You can ask Sara if you doubt me.”

  “Stop it!” Kellus moaned painfully, covering his ears with both hands. “Please stop. That’s my mother you speak of.”

  Tol laughed. He was obviously proud of the way he had horrified his son. “What can I say, Kellus? You’re not the only man in the family married to a beautiful woman.”

  Annie watched as they rode down the hill towards the Ocean Road, bantering back and forth to one another. At the corner, Kellus turned to wave one last time.

  She walked back to the house, up the stairs, and into her room, feeling miserable.

  She slept most of the day away, getting up only to use the bathroom and, later, to eat the food that Cora had brought up to her.

  Max sat at the table alone, eating toast, when Annie entered the kitc
hen the following morning.

  “Good morning,” he said, smiling at her. “That was a really long sleep you had,”

  “I didn’t sleep the whole time,” she explained. “I just felt like being alone.”

  “He’ll be back in a few days,” he answered sympathetically.

  “Thanks, Max, but I actually feel much better today. I think I just needed rest.”

  “Morning,” Markum mumbled, walking into the kitchen. “Do you want to train today? It’s a good day for it: no work and no Kellus taking a fit of passion every time Annie picks up a sword.”

  They waited for Cora and Zifini to finish breakfast, before heading outside to begin their lessons.

  Markum decided that it was time they got the feel of real weapons. Cora and Zifini were given spare swords, which were kept in a long cupboard by the kitchen door. Max borrowed Tol’s, and Annie was handed a long, silver blade with a gold hilt adorned with three black stones down the middle. “Your husband’s,” Markum explained. “I’m sure he won’t mind if you borrow it, seeing how amused he was with your new skills.”

  “Was that what that was?” Cora asked. “I thought that was just an excuse to act like a love-sick fool in front of an audience.”

  Markum pulled Zifini four feet away from the others. “I’d like you to spread out, give yourselves space. I want you all to practice the moves and counter moves I taught you earlier in the week, but I don’t want to see anyone lose a limb in the process,” Markum explained.

  When Markum was convinced that they had swung the blades in every direction enough times, he paired them up to spar with one another. “Please be very careful, all of you,” he added.

  They spent the following two hours, or so, sparring with each other slowly and carefully while Markum looked on, giving his usual instructions.

  “All right,” he called out. “I think that’s enough for now, but I wanted to bring your attention to something else. Notice the ornaments on top of the hilts. These are called pommels. They are counter weights. More advanced fighters can use a pommel as a weapon. Believe me, you don’t want to get smacked in the face with the handle of a—”

  Tol suddenly appeared at the backdoor. “Annie, Markum, Everyone, come in the house now!” he yelled.

  Markum and Annie shot a worried glance at one another and ran towards the house. Max, Cora, and Zifini followed close behind.

  Annie tried to come up with reasons why Tol was home so early and why he seemed so distraught, but only one thing came to mind. Sara stood at the kitchen sink, wiping her eyes. Annie knew the answer immediately. “Kellus,” she blurted out.

  “What’s wrong? Markum demanded. “Why are you home from the shop?”

  Tol leaned against the counter and folded his arms over his chest, looking around his family anxiously.

  “What’s the matter?” Zifini pushed.

  Tol swallowed. “Kellus has been arrested,” he announced to the room.

  “What?” Max asked.

  Markum and Zifini gasped.

  A small whimper escaped from Annie.

  “Kellus was arrested this morning for murder,” Tol said solemnly. He took a deep breath then pushed air slowly from pursed lips.

  Annie felt her head spin and realized she was falling backwards. Someone grabbed her arm. “Get her into a chair,” she heard Tol holler.

  Zifini maneuvered her into a seat, and Cora handed her a glass of water.

  “Kellus killed Lionel,” Markum muttered to himself. It was the most obvious conclusion.

  “No, Markum,” Tol replied. “He was arrested for the murder of the apprentice Loc.”

  Gasps erupted around the kitchen.

  This had to be wrong, it made no sense. Annie knew that Kellus strongly disliked Loc, but not enough to kill him. What could Loc have done to deserve this?

  Tol continued. “Loc was found dead on the floor of Kellus’s room this morning. His throat was cut, and Kellus’s bloody dagger lay beside the body.”

  “Where was Kellus when Loc’s body was discovered?” Cora asked.

  “He was in the room, in bed, sleeping off drunkenness,” Tol answered. “Two peacemen broke down his door. They had reason to suspect foul play. They pulled Kellus from bed and forced his head into a basin of water until he was fully awake and sober. Kellus claims he has no memory of what happened in his room last night.”

  “When will he be given a trial?” Max asked.

  “When Nordorum returns to the Citadom,” Tol answered. “It seems that Nordorum left on Saturday. The other peacemen cannot schedule a trial without his consent.”

  “How did you hear about this?” Zifini asked.

  “Danus and Borm came to the shop to tell me, not two hours ago. They’re concerned for Kellus. They believe he’s innocent,” Tol said.

  “Why?” Annie asked, having found her voice.

  “There are a few disturbing details, things that seem suspicious,” Tol answered. “Danus told me that Kellus was in a great mood yesterday, full of joy, happier than Danus had seen him in almost a year. He even joked and laughed with the other apprentices, something that he hasn’t done in many months. Danus questioned his change in mood. He said that Kellus just smiled and told him that life was good again. But when Danus and Borm accompanied Kellus to the dining room that evening, his mood changed instantly.”

  “What happened in the dining room,” Sara asked.

  “Kellus stopped walking and stiffened suddenly. He began glaring at Lionel. Danus told me that Kellus’s hands began to shake, and his look was one of rage,” Tol continued. “Danus asked him if he was okay. He said that Kellus stared straight at Lionel. He appeared not to have heard Danus. And then he took a deep breath and walked forward to the apprentice table.”

  “Shit!” Markum blurted out.

  “What else, Tol?” Sara questioned breathlessly. The hand that held the handkerchief to her face shook violently.

  “Seemingly, Lionel called Kellus over. Danus claims he knew something was wrong immediately. Kellus was having trouble remaining calm. His nostrils were flared, and his hands were balled into fists as he approached Lionel,” Tol explained. “Lionel stood from his table and walked to the wall, to where he and Kellus could not be overheard. Even though they spoke in whispers, it looked like Lionel was taunting Kellus, and Kellus’s expression was murderous. Danus felt sure the confrontation would not end without violence.”

  Annie felt her stomach turn. She knew right away that they had made the wrong decision, that they should never have sent Kellus back there.

  “Kellus’s face was white when he returned to the apprentice table,” Tol said. “Danus asked him what happened, but Kellus refused to answer.”

  Annie stood up and walked to the counter to get a tissue. Tol’s eyes followed her the whole way. “Are you alright?” he asked. Annie shook her head and sat back down. She looked at Tol blankly, waiting for him to continue.

  “Where does Loc come into this?” Max asked.

  “I’m getting to that part,” Tol said. “According to Danus, Kellus picked up a glass of wine and drank it back in one mouthful. Loc offered to bring him another—it was apparent to everyone present that Kellus was deeply troubled. When Loc returned with another glass, Kellus drank that back in one mouthful also. Not five minutes later, Kellus was drunk…very drunk. Danus was sure that the second glass had been drugged as he’d seen Kellus drink lots more wine than that, at times, and remain sober. Danus was concerned and offered to walk Kellus to his room, but Kellus refused his help.”

  “Are we to believe that Loc drugged Kellus?” Markum asked. “Why would he do that?”

  “He may have been following orders, unaware that it would end in his own death,” Tol suggested. “Loc may have been told that Kellus was being sedated. Kellus’s emotional instability has been no secret in the Citadom for the past months.”

  “There’s something you’re not telling us, Tol,” Annie accused, listening to a gut feeling.

&nbs
p; Tol took a deep breath and looked her right in the eye. He spoke softly. “Danus visited Kellus in his cell not long after he was arrested. Kellus told Danus that he would never leave the Citadom alive; that he would be killed before Lionel allowed a trial.”

  This was instantly obvious to everyone.

  “NO!” Markum yelled. He punched the wall with such forced that the vibration caused a stack of dishes to fall to the floor, smashing into pieces.

  “Nordorum will not allow it,” Max said. He walked over to Annie and hugged her around the shoulders. “Nordorum will help Kellus. He would not allow the murder of an innocent man.”

  “An innocent man has already been murdered, Max!” Markum yelled. “Surely, that fool Loc committed no crime. He was much to bound by rules.”

  “But Nordorum—”

  “IS NOT THERE!” Markum roared, finishing the sentence.

  “Try to remain calm, Markum,” Tol pleaded. “Hysteria will not help your brother.”

  Markum gasped for air and nodded.

  “I regret to tell you all this, but there’s more,” Tol said in a quiet voice. “Nordorum’s leave is suspicious.”

  “What do you mean?” Cora asked.

  “When Nordorum leaves the Citadom for more than a few hours, he makes known his whereabouts. It is his duty to be reachable at all times,” Tol stated. “Danus overheard several of the peacemen express suspicion that no one was left word. Lionel was asked by more than one peaceman when Nordorum would return, but he answered that he knew nothing.”

  “Lionel killed Nordorum,” Markum said with conviction.

  “Let’s not jump to our own conclusions,” Tol replied.

  “But why would Nordorum leave without telling anyone? Why now, when Lionel is so close to being brought to justice? It seems like a mighty coincidence,” Markum argued.

  “What reason would Lionel have to kill Nordorum, though? Tol questioned.

  “Lionel knew that Kellus could bear witness against him,” Markum suggested. “He killed Loc and framed Kellus for the murder.”

  “And if that were true, how would murdering Nordorum stop Kellus from bearing witness?” Sara asked.