by Jade Lee
After five more minutes, she couldn't stand it anymore. She dropped her dagger into the dirt, then collapsed onto a log in disgust.
"Great. Just great. Some first day as the great Oracle. I get a bastard castrated, tick off his Elven high muckimuck, and manage to get myself completely and totally lost. Ah, hell."
She let her head fall into her hands and wondered if she could afford a moment of complete and total self- pity.
She didn't know when it happened. There wasn't even a sound. But slowly, gradually, awareness prickled at the base of her neck. She had the uncanny feeling she was being watched or that someone or something was nearby. Very close.
The hair on her body rose to painful attention as she slowly lifted her head, and nearly fell off the log.
Directly in front of her was a dagger held by a person.
It was another heart-stopping moment before she realized it was her own dagger, extended hilt first. It was another moment before she recognized the shadowed face.
"Steve! Criminy, you nearly scared the life out of me.
He didn't move, and eventually she realized he was giving her dagger back to her. She took it and sheathed it, using the movement to steady her racing pulse.
"You know Steve," she said, switching over to Common. "I'm too old for this. I used to think what my life needed was a little adventure, a change of scenery, a little adrenaline from chasing the bad guys. I thought it would spice up my life."
She looked up at the silent boy in front of her.
"But I've decided I'm not cut out for adventure. I get lost in the woods. I hate cats. And as for a change of scenery, well... What I wouldn't give for a good pizza and my heat-controlled, vibrating easy chair."
Steve hadn't moved. She wasn't even sure he was alive. His pale eyes seemed an eery silver in the moonlight. It was disconcerting until she realized what he was doing. By posture and attitude, he conveyed that he was her servant, waiting to do her bidding.
Jane sighed, kicking herself for her stupidity.
"Please, Steve, sit down. It's just as well I got lost here because I wanted to talk to you." She glanced up again at the silent figure. "Can you understand me? I mean, I know my Common isn't great. I'll try to speak more clearly."
Steve sat beside her. He moved faster than she would have believed. Like a wild forest creature, he was totally still one second, then gone in the next, slipping into his next spot faster than a raindrop can fall from the sky.
"You'll have to teach me that."
He didn't answer, not that she'd expected him to. So she took a deep breath, trying to sort through her jumbled emotions to the right words.
"Look, I wanted to find you so I could say I'm sorry."
She felt the jolt of surprise hit his small body. It was actually a very small movement, a slight twitch that could have been a hiccup for all she knew. But it was all she had, and she took it for a sign he was listening.
"I didn't handle things with Borit the Bastard very well. I'm not sorry I did it, just that I spoke out so publicly. You'll be happy to know he's been both expelled and castrated, so he won't hurt anyone else. At least not in that way. The main thing is you're safe now."
She stumbled into silence. They didn't touch, and she didn't want to look at him for fear it would be too intimidating or maybe just too direct. So she toyed with a stick she'd picked up, ostensibly staring at it, but in truth, her every sense focused on the boy.
"The problem is, Daken tells me I haven't really helped you. The way I've been singling you out, in the computer room and then..." She drew a deep breath. "I should have known better than to do that publicly. Or at least not with you there because now I've made you different, and my guess is that's the last thing you want to be."
He'd grown very still. He was quiet before. Immobile, but alert. But this was more than that. It was a stillness of the soul, and she didn't know if it was good or bad.
"I was just trying to help, Steve. Which may ease my conscience, but doesn't really do a whole lot for you. See the thing is..." This time she did shift to look directly at him. "We're all different. We've all got things that make us odd or strange that we'd like to hide from everyone else. But we can't because that's part of who we are."
She watched him now, studying his expression as clearly as the moonlight allowed. It wasn't an inspiring sight. She was losing him. Fast.
She sighed. "Okay. Forget the philosophy. Bottom line. I need some help. I fell into this world, not on purpose, but by some random act of chance. Now I'm here, and I want to keep it on track. I've got to stop mankind from making the same mistakes over and over again. The problem is, that as nice as my party was, no one really wants to give me the power to do what I think needs to be done. They don't even want me on the Council, not in any real sense. So I need someone on the inside. Someone who knows what truly goes on, where the real power is, and can key me into it."
She'd gotten him back. His eyes finally lifted to her face to watch her as intently as she studied him.
"I have a hunch you know a heck of a lot more about what goes on over there." She jerked her head to the left to indicate the University. Then she realized she had no clue where she was or where the campus was in relation to her, so she extended the motion to a silly swivel. "Or wherever the stupid place is."
Steve pointed to her right and back a bit.
"Ah-hah! You do understand me!" she said, pretending she'd been testing him. "Now here's what I propose. I want you to be my assistant. I'll teach you how to use the computer, retrieve information, and even fill in for me as needed." She watched his eyes grow into huge pools of shimmering silver. "In return, you'll help me get the power and respect I need to do my job."
She started ticking off items on her fingers. "You'll tell me when they hold Council meetings. You'll make sure I get to the right dinners and the right seats at the right time." Having worked in academia all her life, she knew the importance of seating arrangements. "You can even keep your ears open for any plots against my life." She'd been joking when she said it, but as the words came out she realized that wasn't far from the realm of possibility.
"In short, you'll look out for my best interests. And in return, I'll train you to take my place one day. Think you can do that?"
The boy was silent for a long time, but she never feared he hadn't understood. His steady gaze told her he was thinking about it, and that he was a good deal more intelligent than anyone gave him credit for.
She waited as patiently as possible for his decision. And like a born street kid, he made her sweat it out for longer than was comfortable. In the end, he nodded, and she grinned.
"Great. We're gonna make a fabulous team, Steve. I haven't felt this sure about anything else since coming to this crazy land."
She stuck out her hand, and it took him a moment to realize she wanted him to shake it. Hesitantly, he offered up his hand, and she clasped it as she would a partner's. His fingers felt small and fragile against her larger palm, but she knew he possessed skills she might never master. He had a street canniness beyond her abilities. She had the academic training and the drive.
They would be a good team.
"So, assistant," she finally said, "how about you show me the way out of this horrid place."
He glanced up at her, his head cocked to one side as though he questioned her sanity.
"Hey," she protested. "One man's sanctuary," she glanced around at the massive swaying branches that seemed to close in on her, "is another man's hell."
He looked at those same trees, an expression of peace and reverence settling on his features, and she knew she had guessed correctly. These woods were indeed where Steve ran for peace and solitude. She waited for a moment, then she nudged him in the shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah. They're beautiful. Big leaves, nice color. Now get moving before I freak out from claustrophobia."
* * *
By the time she and Steve arrived back at her apartment, Jane decided they had a marv
elous rapport. Steve was widely expressive with both facial expression and gestures. Even without words, he provided a delightful commentary on her monologues. It also didn't hurt that he was the perfect listener, attentive and silent as she talked through her often-tangled thoughts. It wasn't until they entered her rooms that Steve reverted back to his silent, shadow-on-the-wall servant mode. And that was in the face of a furious, hulking brute of a man.
"Daken! What are you doing here?"
"I've been driving myself to distraction waiting for you! Where have you been, woman?"
"Don't you scream at me! Don't you know what time it is? People are sleeping."
Daken rounded on her, his jaw slack with astonishment. Unfortunately, it didn't remain that way for long. "Of course I know what time it is. I thought you'd gotten yourself killed by a zlebaar." As furious as he was, Jane noted he kept his voice down enough to wake only the people on this floor, not the entire University.
"Well, I wasn't eaten or killed or anything else." She casually tried to cover the scratches on her hands and face. "I was just having a leisurely stroll with my new assistant."
He was stomping toward her, his gaze focused on a particularly painful cut across her cheek, when he suddenly stopped dead.
"Assistant?"
"Yes," she said with a triumphant smile. "Steve will be working with me. The Oracle's Aide, so to speak." To her surprise and pleasure, Steve stepped away from the wall and gave a dignified half bow.
"But I thought I was your..." He cut off his words, his eyebrows slashing down as he chewed his lower lip.
"You? You're a king, Daken. You've got a job."
"I know I do," he snapped. He shifted his gaze from the boy to her then back again. Then to complete her astonishment, he knelt down on one knee to speak eye to eye with Steve.
"Is this what you want? She can be very forceful when she thinks she's helping someone. If you want nothing more to do with her, I'll tell her. And I'll make sure she leaves you alone."
To her relief, Steve shook his head with clear force.
"You want to be her assistant?"
A nod.
"You'll work for her honestly? No split loyalties. You're the Oracle's Aide."
A much firmer nod.
Daken studied the boy's face once more. Then, apparently liking what he saw, he stood up and nodded. "I think he will serve you well."
"I'm so glad you approve," she said dryly.
He shifted his attention back to her, stepping closer as he lifted her chin, twisting her cut cheek to the firelight. "What I do not approve of is you wandering around unprotected at night."
"I wasn't unprotect—" She gasped as he stroked her cut. She felt his power like a cauterizing iron, searing across her face, mixing with the pain until both faded from her cheek. She touched her newly healed skin, the warmth of his touch still tingling across her fingertips. "How is it you can be so amazing and so obnoxious all at the same time?"
He looked at her, his lip quirked to one side in his special half smile. "I am a king," he answered simply. Then he crossed his arms, trying to look stern. "And as a king, I tell you one small boy, albeit a smarter one than I first thought," he glanced at Steve, "is not protection for you."
"So what am I supposed to do? Have you dog my steps everywhere I go?"
"Yes." He nodded as if she'd come up with exactly the solution he proposed.
"Are you going to follow me into the bathroom too? Eat with me? Help me dress?"
His grin was wicked, his expression explicit.
"And what about the Tarveen? Who will take care of them while you're protecting me?" That wiped the grin off his face, although the grimness that replaced it made her regret her hasty words. "You can't follow me around, Daken. I have to learn to manage on my own."
He grumbled something under his breath as he paced the small confines of the sitting room with the sleek efficiency of a wolf on the prowl. Then he stopped, twisting to pin her with his deep blue eyes.
"Do you know that less than an hour ago, the Elven Lord grumbled under his breath while he stomped to his quarters? I've never seen the man more livid."
Jane brightened, an unholy smile drawing up her features. "Really? You think he was upset?" she asked innocently.
"I know he was upset. I gather you were responsible?"
Jane's grin widened. "I certainly hope so."
"Venzi, woman!" He stomped away, only to twist back toward her at the fire. "Do you know how many powerful enemies you have made in just one night?"
"You'd rather I simpered in a corner, feeding them knowledge and accepting whatever morsels they choose to throw my way?"
"It would be a good deal safer for you to do so."
"Then who would get you your army?" She regretted the words the moment she said them. She shouldn't lead him on this way. Eventually he'd figure out she lied, that she never intended to supply him with the weapons he wanted. But she couldn't bring back the words, and she didn't want to anger him again just yet. This was the first real conversation they'd had since she became the Oracle. She'd missed his smiling face, even when it growled at her for being reckless.
She waited for his response, but he was silent, his gaze centered on the darkest corner of the room as if it would show him the evil lurking around her. Finally, he spoke, his voice low, his words measured and frightening.
"You cannot get me my army if you are dead."
She settled slowly down onto a nearby chair. "You think someone will try to kill me?"
He lifted his gaze until it was all she saw of him—twin blue seas of worry and fear. "I think your very presence has unsettled a lot of people. The power you seek will not be given up easily or willingly."
"Just a few hours ago, you accused me of wielding too much power." She tried to keep her voice light, but she couldn't hide the hurt underneath.
"No. A few hours ago, I accused you of recklessly destroying an innocent man." He turned his gaze onto Steve, the silent, listening figure in the corner. "I see now I was wrong."
"Well, at least we got that cleared up," Jane muttered from the couch.
"Still, it could have been handled better."
Jane winced at the reproach in his tone. "I know. But political discretion does not come easily to me."
"I've noticed."
Jane had the urge to stick out her tongue at his dry response, but thought better of it. It was time she learned a little self-restraint. If she could manage to remain dignified around Daken, then she was well on her way to becoming as inscrutable as the Sphinx.
"So what now?" she asked, suddenly feeling too tired to make any more major life decisions.
"For now? You sleep."
From the tone of his voice, he clearly meant real sleep. Alone. So much for her tiny hope that he still wanted their night of passion.
"And the boy sleeps here." He pushed the couch a foot closer to the door. "Do you have a knife?"
Quick as a wink, a long, thin blade appeared in Steve's hand, then just as swiftly disappeared. Daken grunted his approval, then glanced at Jane's shocked expression. "Something tells me even without your help tonight, King Borit would not have tormented your new Aide for long."
Jane nodded, her eyes still riveted on Steve's impassive, youthful face. But unlike Daken's grudging respect, she was appalled. Steve had clearly intended to stab Borit, but she sincerely doubted the boy could have killed the larger man. Instead, he would have enraged the bastard into further acts of violence and depravity.
She was enormously grateful she had ended Borit's reign of terror before that happened.
"If there is any trouble," continued Daken to Steve, "you must get word to me immediately. You know where I am staying?"
Steve nodded.
"Good. And as for you," he turned to Jane, who lifted her eyes to meet his steady gaze. "There is a Council meeting the day after tomorrow during which I will petition for the army and weapons I need to fight the Tarveen. You can support me then.
"
A tiny sliver of fear cut into her heart. Just two days? She would have to betray him so soon?
She knotted her fingers together. "Is that all I am to you, Daken?" she asked, her voice unsteady despite her pretense at control. "A way to get your army?"
He stood next to the couch, nearly towering over her. The firelight flickered in the grate, shooting orange and red lights through his brown hair and adding a mesmerizing dance of colors to the gold flecks in his eyes. His expression was not so much inscrutable as mixed. She read many things there. Fear, desire, pain, and hope, all danced together with the flames in his eyes.
"No, Jane," he whispered as his lips lowered to hers. "I need much more than just the Oracle."
His mouth was lean and hungry against hers. The wicked cut of his tongue was sharp as he thrust into her. She rose half out of her seat to meet him, her back arching, her body straining to touch more than just his mouth.
Then he released her, striding out of her room like a soldier going to war. She was left behind, feeling lost and alone, wondering when and if she'd ever see him again.
* * *
The next day passed in a blur. Her first task was to get the Regency CX-537 up and running. Rather than risk another power failure, she decided to recharge the back-up battery to full strength and then use it instead of the direct solar link. That would also allow time for Steve to take her out to the market to get some real clothes. As proud as she was of the notoriety her outfit gave her, she was heartily sick of it.
Of course, the vendors knew who she was, and they were all anxious to please her; a fact that Steve took amazing advantage of. When she'd offered Steve the job of her assistant, she had no inkling of how very, very adept the boy was.
It began early. All she did was mention shopping, and then somehow Steve appeared an hour later with an advance on her salary. Doleens clicked in a small pouch which she held like a child grasping her first dime. Unfortunately, raised with retail shopping in massive mega-malls, Jane was useless when haggling over price.
