by Lisa Chitty
Their wish was granted for it seemed only a few hours later when the door to their cell was unlocked and Sasket came in. ‘Zaria has returned and you have been granted an audience with her. If you’d like to follow me.’ He stood by the door and gestured for them to leave.
They exited the cell and then grouped themselves behind Sasket. An armed guard fell into step behind them as they walked along the corridor. Abi’s hip was incredibly sore by now and she was still limping. She was walking beside James and as they went along, he offered her his arm and support which she gratefully accepted.
Sasket led them through a maze of tunnels and took so many turns that they were soon confused as to what direction they were heading in. Eventually he stopped outside a set of double wooden doors that had been engraved with the same symbol that Abi had seen on Sasket’s medallion. He pounded three times and slowly the doors opened in response and they were led into the chamber within.
‘So, these are the people who claim to be the ones to fulfil the legends.’ The voice came from a woman sat at the end of the room on a carved stone chair that was little short of a throne upon a dais. She had long dark hair, and instead of wearing the rough armour or chain mail that everyone around her wore, she was dressed in a crimson robe which accentuated her raven black hair which fell loose around her shoulders. She had hardly glanced up as they had entered, but as Sasket and the armed guard fell back from round the foursome, she took a closer look and rose swiftly from the throne. ‘Leave us!’ she cried. ‘But not you, Sasket.’
‘But Zaria,’ Brougan protested. ‘We have no idea if these people can be trusted. They could do you harm with just Sasket here to protect you.’
‘They will not hurt me,’ Zaria said softly looking at the four people standing in front of her. She then turned back to Brougan. ‘Do as I say and leave us! I gave you an order and I do not expect to be disobeyed!’ She was glaring fiercely around her as she said this and the guard that had come in with the prisoners bowed and exited the room, Brougan last of all with a disgruntled expression on his face.
‘I’m sorry about how you were brought here’ continued Zaria once the room was empty. ‘We have to be so careful about who enters this place. I hope you weren’t treated too roughly.’
‘We weren’t treated too badly, but because of some oaf, Abi is hurt,’ James replied before any of the others could reply. ‘I think she could do with some pain relief, if you have any.’
Abi glared at James. She hadn’t wanted to draw any attention to the fact that she had been hurt, just intending to grit her teeth and bare it. ‘It’s nothing,’ Abi said turning to Zaria. ‘James is being over protective, ignore him.’
Zaria regarded Abi for a moment, gesturing James to silence when he would have protested Abi’s statement. ‘You are hurt, I can see it in your eyes. I can get some pain relief for you, but if you think that you’re fine without it, then that’s up to you.’
‘I’m fine,’ Abi reiterated. ‘How about we get down to business and you tell us how come you seem to accept that we are who we say we are?’
Zaria smiled enigmatically at the four of them and gestured them towards some seating at the side of the hall. She frowned slightly as she saw James supporting Abi over the few strides towards the seating. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but then changed her mind and closed it again. She waited until they were settled before replying to Abi’s question. ‘I accept who you are because I can see as plain as day that you are the strangers that the stories tell will come here and aid us. You are exactly as they describe you.’
‘Wait a minute,’ Randall interrupted. ‘Theldon only said that these tales mentioned that four strangers would come. He didn’t say anything about us being described in them!’
‘Ah, Theldon. I thought that you would have met him already and that was how you came to be here.’ Zaria paused before going on. ‘Theldon is very old and wise, and one of the greatest assets that our cause has. He knows the legends better than any of us, and would know that they mention all of you in far more detail than he appears to have told you.’
‘So why did he not tell us more? Everything that the legends say?’ questioned Steve.
‘Like I said, Theldon is very wise and he probably only told you what he thought you would be prepared to hear at the time. Also, I expect he didn’t have much time to tell you more. Living on the outside like he does puts him in a very risky position and being seen with the four of you could have put him in jeopardy.’
‘But he said that he would be alright,’ Abi protested. ‘He said that I would see him again.’
‘Then you will, my dear. Theldon would know if you were never going to see him again and he would never give you false hope.’
‘Enough of that,’ interrupted Randall. ‘What exactly do these tales say about us?’
‘They are a little vague,’ admitted Zaria, ‘but they do give your descriptive names. You,’ she said gesturing towards Randall, ‘are The Giant.’ Randall looked pleased at this and it was true, amongst the people that they had met, Randall towered above them being over six foot in height. ‘You are the Strategist,’ she said turning towards James. She ignored the sniggers coming from Randall and Steve at her words and turned to Abi. ‘You are known as the Fiery Woman.’ Abi rolled her eyes, hating the reference to the fact that she was a redhead and all that supposedly went with it. ‘Lastly,’ Zaria went on, her gaze resting on Steve. ‘You are called The Rodent. Although I must admit that one puzzles me.’
Randall and James burst into gales of laughter as Zaria told Steve how the tales referred to him. ‘A rodent!’ Randall said through his laughter. ‘I’ve heard him called a lot of things but never that!’
Steve glowered over at Randall, obviously annoyed over the name he had been given and the fact that Randall and James seemed to think it so funny.
James then nudged Randall to get his attention. ‘Hey, I know why Steve’s called a rodent. It’s because he’s a love rat!’
At this, Randall laughed even harder, and even Abi’s lips twitched in a smile. Having already had to rebuff Steve’s attentions, she could see him being called that.
‘Leave it out!’ Steve protested. ‘Just because I’ve loved a lot of women, and occasionally not called them back, there’s no need to call me a love rat.’
James and Randall slowly got themselves back under control aware that Zaria and Sasket thought their behaviour slightly odd. They couldn’t help the occasional snigger though.
Abi decided to see if she could restore some peace and distract them all. ‘So what else do the legends say? Do they tell us what we do next?’ she asked.
‘They aren’t a list of instructions for you to follow. It’s more vague guidelines. The basis of it is that the four of you will come here, join forces with us and help us to fight the Baron and put the rightful heir to the throne back in their place.’ Zaria hadn’t met their eyes whilst telling them this and Abi had the feeling that Zaria was withholding something. But before she could say anything, Zaria turned to Sasket who all this time had been standing to the right of Zaria, as if on guard and asked him to fetch some refreshment. Sasket immediately went to obey but just as he got to the door she called out to him. ‘Sasket, don’t forget to stop by Abraya and see if she has something special for our guests.’ Sasket smiled, nodded and went on his way.
After watching Sasket depart Randall turned to Zaria. ‘So, if the legends don’t tell us what we should do next, how about you tell us what you are currently doing in your fight against the Baron and what we can do to help.’
Zaria sighed softly. ‘We aren’t able to do much. The Baron’s men are fierce and we cannot have a direct confrontation with them. They are ruthless and battle hardened and never leave any survivors. We have amassed a sizeable army here but it’s getting that army to somewhere it can be effective.’
‘Why can’t you do a direct attack on the Baron?’ asked Steve.
‘We’d like to, but he very
rarely leaves the Citadel and when he does he takes a very large armed guard with him. If we tried to go up against him directly, every last one of us would be killed. I’m hoping that you will be able to assist in coming up with a way to defeat him. After all, that is the main reason that you are here.’
‘So, we need a diversion of some sorts to distract the guards and leave the Baron isolated,’ Steve said thoughtfully. ‘How about sending in a load of strippers!’
‘Steve! I don’t think is this is the time for jokes!’ Abi glared at him.
‘Why not, and who said I was joking?’
Before Abi could open her mouth and argue with him Sasket returned bearing a tray of drinks. He handed them around, but gave Abi a drink that was different from the others. Upon seeing her puzzled glance Sasket explained. ‘It’s a mixed fruit juice that is a speciality of Abraya who lives here. I thought you might prefer it to the drinks that I have fixed for the others.’
Abi shrugged her shoulders and took a sip. It was delicious, a very subtle and sweet blend of fruits that left Abi wanting more. She very quickly drank it down and then turned her attention to the discussion that the others were having on how best to fight the Baron. However, Abi found she couldn’t concentrate and her eyelids were growing heavy. Every fibre of her being was becoming very relaxed and as she began to slump forwards into sleep the glass fell from her now open hand.
As the glass fell James turned to Abi and seeing that she was unconscious he leapt up towards Sasket. ‘What have you done to her! What was in the drink you gave her!’
‘Relax!’ Zaria had also jumped up and laid a restraining hand on James’s arm. ‘Sasket did only what I asked him to.’ James turned to her questioningly. ‘You asked for pain relief for Abi and that’s what we gave to her.’
‘But she’s unconscious,’ protested James.
‘Our methods are somewhat rudimentary, but believe me, she will wake and when she does she will be a lot better.’ Zaria then turned to Sasket. ‘Settle her in my quarters and then get Abraya to come and see her.’ Turning back to James she explained ‘Abraya is our healer, and she will do everything she can to help Abi.’
Sasket took Abi up in his arms and carried her across the room to a door no one had noticed until now. James, not quite trusting Zaria, followed. Zaria stood watching after them and then she turned back to Steve and Randall.
‘He’s quite keen to see that Abi’s alright isn’t he?’ Steve nudged Randall suggestively. ‘Do you think there’s a little bit more going on there.’
Zaria interrupted before Randall could reply. ‘Leave it! According to the legends one of his tasks is to look out for Abi.’ Then, to the astonishment of Steve and Randall, a tear rolled down her cheek.
Randall was quicker to pick up on the reason for this than Steve. ‘What’s going to happen to them?’ he demanded. ‘Something bad isn’t it? Is it to both or just one of them?’
Zaria shook her head sadly. ‘I cannot tell you. There is more in the tales about what happens to all of you, but especially the Fiery Woman and the Strategist. But now is not the time for you to know. In fact, you won’t know until it happens.’
Randall refused to accept this. ‘I’ll read everything that you’ve got here in these caves until I find the stories and find out what it is. And when I do know, I’ll prevent it!’
‘That won’t do you any good,’ Zaria told Randall. ‘They aren’t written down anywhere. They are just passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth. Meaning that some know more of them than others do Even if you did know, you won’t be able to prevent it. What is in the legends will come to pass!’ With that Zaria swiftly exited the room leaving Randall and Steve staring after, wondering what terrible fate could possibly be awaiting Abi and James.
Chapter 5
Abi rolled over debating whether to wake up or try to go back to sleep again. The bed she was in was so soft and warm that she felt that she could stay in it forever. She was just deciding to stay in bed and go back to sleep, when a voice shattered any idea of a lie in.
‘Morning, sleepy head.’ The cheerfulness of the voice made her groan and try to resolutely screw her eyes up and go back to sleep. She was so comfortable. ‘Oh no you don’t!’ the voice went on and before she could protest any further, the covers were briskly whisked off of her.
‘Hey!’ Abi protested and grudgingly opened her eyes. At first she couldn’t see a lot, just the wall of the room she was in. She rolled onto her back and lifted her head and saw James standing by the side of the bed holding the covers in one hand. ‘You took a risk didn’t you?’ Abi questioned him, feeling a little grumpy at being woken up. ‘I could have been naked for all you know!’
James laughed, a rich deep sound before replying. ‘Actually, I knew you weren’t as I was with you when you were put to bed, so I knew you were clothed! Anyway, it’s late morning now, more than time for you to get up and join us for something to eat.’
‘Late morning?’ Abi frowned sitting up in the bed. ‘But the last I knew it was some time in the afternoon. I can’t have slept for that long.’ She looked up at James seeking his answer but suddenly her memory of events the previous day returned. ‘Sasket!’ she cried leaping out of the bed and towards the door. ‘He put something in my drink! Fruit juice indeed. He’ll answer for this!’
Before Abi could take many more strides James gently grabbed Abi and restrained her. ‘Whoa there. It wasn’t Sasket, he just did it at Zaria’s request. Slow down and think about it.’ James wasn’t holding Abi tightly but he didn’t need to as she pondered his words. ‘How do you feel today?’ he questioned.
‘Fine,’ Abi shrugged. ‘Shouldn’t I be?’ She shook her head in confusion.
‘If you’ll just stop to consider things for a moment, you’ve just charged across the room without even thinking about it haven’t you?’ James patiently questioned Abi.
Realisation suddenly dawned. ‘I’m not limping any more!’ Abi cried. ‘In fact, there’s no soreness there whatsoever!’ She tested it a bit by jumping up and down on the leg that had been sore the previous day and felt not the slightest pain or stiffness. ‘Wow, that’s amazing. Just from that fruit juice?’ Abi glanced up at James slightly puzzled.
‘No, it wasn’t the fruit juice. Apparently Abraya put something in it that sent you to sleep, as she believes that the body can heal itself better when people are asleep. Then she used some sort of poultice on your hip whilst you slept to help. I wasn’t sure at first but it seems to have helped.’ James smiled at Abi and tucked an errant curl back behind her ear. ‘Now that you’re not going to kill Sasket, I suggest that you freshen up and then come out and join us for something to eat.’ With that James turned and left the room.
Abi had a look round the room as she hadn’t really paid much attention whilst talking to James. She had been sleeping in a four poster bed, which had a thick cover on it and a mountain of pillows. No wonder she had felt so comfortable. There was a chest of drawers to one side and on it she noticed a jug and bowl, with steam coming from the jug. There were also a couple of towels by the side of them. A mirror above the drawers revealed her reflection and Abi realised that James had been correct and she did need to freshen up. She quickly poured the hot water into the bowl and washed. There was a brush on the top of the chest and she ran it through her curls, before securing them back in a pony tail to keep her hair out of her face. There were also clean clothes laid out and she quickly changed into them. Abi placed the rumpled clothes that she had obviously slept in on top of the chest of drawers.
She was just about to leave and rejoin the others when the carving on the posts of the bed caught her attention. They were elaborately carved with the details of a flowering plant and as she took a closer look she thought that they were familiar. It took a moment for her to realise that this was the same plant that was intertwined with the crown that she had seen on Sasket’s medallion, and again on the doors to the great hall. It must be significant to these peopl
e and Abi made a mental note to ask Zaria about it. She then turned and left the bedroom and found herself in a fairly large room with a table and chairs in the middle. The table was laden with food and the men were sitting round it with Sasket and Zaria.
‘Here she is. Finally!’ Steve greeted Abi. ‘I was beginning to wonder what you were getting up to in there. Especially as James was in there with you for a lot of the time, on his own!’ He grinned suggestively at Abi and then James.
‘Stop it, Steve,’ retaliated James. ‘Your mind is like a sewer. I just didn’t want Abi waking up on her own and wondering where she was.’ James was now on the defensive. ‘There’s nothing wrong with that.’
‘No, of course not,’ Steve said mildly. ‘There’s absolutely nothing wrong with a man being in the bedroom of a woman. I’m sure no one thinks anything of it!’
‘Just leave off, Steve!’ James raised his voice. ‘Just because there’s only one reason that you would ever be in the bedroom of a woman, it doesn’t mean that you can apply those some attitudes to me. I was just showing concern. Something you would never do’
‘Enough!’ Abi cried. ‘What on Earth are Sasket and Zaria going to think of us the way you two are carrying on! Just back off and leave James alone,’ she told Steve, ‘and you,’ Abi turned to James, ‘need to just ignore him and not rise to the bait.’ She then turned to Randall. ‘You’re not innocent either. You could have headed the argument off instead of just sitting there.’
Randall stopped laughing and looked at Abi, startled by her telling him off, but quickly replied. ‘So could you!’
‘I just did!’ Abi reminded him. ‘What I was referring to was the fact that as you know these two a lot better than I do, you could have stopped things quicker. Especially as you’re meant to be their boss.’
Zaria decided to interject at this point before the discussion got out of hand. ‘Abi, why don’t you sit down and have something to eat. You must be very hungry by now.’
