by C S Vass
And Naerumi.
The old psychic had a face like a wrinkled walnut. She sat cross-legged, facing them as they entered. Her piercing violet eyes sparkled like amethysts and there was a look of superiority about her that was far from the serene face of wisdom that Fiona had expected.
“Why have you come?” Naerumi asked. Her voice was deep and toad-like. A surprising voice for a woman as short as Naerumi. Fiona assessed that she would be at least a head taller than the psychic if Naerumi stood Maybe even more, and Fiona was not tall herself.
“Great Naerumi,” Jet said as he got on his knees and touched his head to the floor. “Thank you for choosing to see us. We are honored—”
“Don’t twist your tongue in a knot trying to compliment me,” Naerumi grumbled. “People act like I’ve sworn myself off of humanity when the truth is that of the lazy bastards who actually manage to drag their asses through the swamp to see me practically none of them were willing to part with a spare trinket in exchange for my precious time.”
Fiona blinked. Whatever she had been expecting, this was certainly not it.
“Now get off your knees before your forehead sweat stains my floor, boy, and tell me why you’ve sought me out.”
“Y-yes, gr—” Jet coughed as he rose. “Yes, Naerumi,” he said as he lifted himself.
Naerumi looked at him impatiently.
“Go ahead,” Fiona urged.
“Barrowbog is in trouble,” Jet began. “The provincial lord, Lord Raejo, has betrayed the trust of the people. He abuses us, sends his men to steal our money, and makes a mockery out of the sacred bond between ruler and subject. It is my wish that you will bestow upon me your blessing so that the people of Barrowbog might see your blessing and not fear to raise their swords in rebellion to this unfair ruler.”
Naerumi snorted while the fire cracked behind her. “You came here to waste my time with this nonsense? Get out.”
Jet stared at her, openmouthed. “Naerumi, please. We traveled to see you and Barrow—”
“You think I concern myself with the warring of provincial lords? Why would I interest myself in such foolishness? There’s a reason I isolated myself in this cabin, and it wasn’t so snot-nosed boys who just learned how to hold a sword can come bring me news of whatever bickerings are going on in the wetlands.”
“Hey,” Fiona said, growing angry herself. “He brought you an offering and bowed before you. The least that you could do is hear him out!”
“Be quiet, Fiona,” Jet said through clenched teeth.
“You’ve misunderstood your situation, boy,” Naerumi said. “It happens. Thank you for the amulet. Now get out.”
Jet opened up his mouth one more time to protest and Naerumi’s eyes glowed like violet fire. Jet was suddenly lifted into the air as if seized by invisible hands, his body contorting furiously. “I don’t ask a third time,” Naerumi said as she continued to hold Jet in her invisible grasp. She was on her feet and deep lines of anger were etched into her face.
Inhaling deeply the psychic shouted a single syllable and clasped her hands together. Jet fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
“Jet!” Fiona ran to his aid to see if he was injured.
“It’s pointless,” he said. “I’m alright. But we should leave before she gets angry.”
Fiona helped him to his feet. With an angry glance at Naerumi she said, “Bitter old hag,” and turned to leave.
“Wait.”
The word made Fiona’s heart skip a beat. Her comment was unwise.
“I told the blockhead to leave. Not you. Why are you here? Please, don’t tell me it’s the same reason.”
Fiona hesitated. Jet looked into her eyes and said, “Stay and see if she’ll help. At least one of us should get something out of this trip.”
Fiona nodded. As Jet walked back towards the sunlight outside Fiona turned to the darkness where Naerumi waited for her.
“Now tell me why you have come,” Naerumi said.
“I came to help my friend,” Fiona said. “It would have been nice if you would have at least heard him out before passing judgement.”
“If that’s the only reason you’ve come then you’re a bigger fool than I took you for. But let me ask you this. Why should you care? You have the stink of Tellos all over you. Why involve yourself in the affairs of some feuding swamp people?”
Fiona took a breath. Clearly it was going to be a struggle not to lose her temper with the old hag, and losing her temper was not something she wanted to do around a psychic as skilled as Naerumi.
“I care because his cause is just. It’s the right thing to do. Lord Raejo is a monster, and if you can help, then you should.”
Naerumi laughed at that. “I’m having a hard time really believing you, if I’m being quite honest. All right then, let’s get to your own matter. It certainly is more interesting than his. It’s not everyday I get the opportunity to meet someone who has touched manjeko.”
Naerumi granted her a wicked smile.
“How did you know?” Fiona asked.
“You reek of it. It’s been many decades since I’ve seen that foul power, but don’t think I can’t recognize its stench just because most of it has been removed. Whoever took the thing out of you botched the job, there are remnants of it left in your blood, in your soul. If left alone, they will grow until they consume you. Which of course is why you’re here, is it not?”
Fiona frowned. She liked Naerumi less and less by the moment. “It is. So will you help me? Will you remove the curse? Can you even?”
Naerumi laughed, and it sounded like a screeching door hinge. “Can I? Easily. Will I? Well that depends.”
“On what?”
“On your honesty.”
“What do you mean? I’ve told you no lies.”
“I’m more concerned with the lies you tell yourself, girl. I don’t know who you are, but the glow of destiny hovers around you. Whether that’s because you have the power to influence the world, or merely your death will influence it without you realizing, I cannot say.”
Fiona scowled. She found herself wanting to reach back for a sword, and when she remembered there was only one she grew even angrier. “Tell me what you’re talking about. You’re not the only one who values your time.”
If Naerumi was offended, she didn’t show it. “I want you to be honest about taking advantage of that boy’s hospitality. Abandon him, for yourself, and I’ll remove all traces of the manjeko.”
“What?” Fiona didn’t even fully realize what was being asked of her. “What do you mean, abandon him?”
“It means leave. Go. Concern yourself no more with the fate of the province. I will heal you and you’ll set back right now for your friend waiting in Barrowbog. The two of you will sail back to Tellos having accomplished your mission. Leave them all and return to your world and you will have what you came here for. Or, you could take the second option.”
“You’ve got me on pins and needles, old hag,” Fiona grumbled.
Naerumi ignored her. “Or stay. Prove to me you’re not lying when you say you care about them. Remain here in Morrordraed until Jet’s rebellion is won. If you do, I’ll grant him my blessing in the fight to come. It by no means will guarantee victory, but it is what he asked for. Just know that you will never heal, and that poison within you will kill you.”
Fiona smiled. “Done.”
Naerumi laughed. A harsh sound that reminded Fiona of twigs snapping under metal boots. “Obviously I misjudged you. To answer so quickly… you clearly don’t appreciate your life. You would throw it away so easily? You’re young, perhaps you haven’t yet learned the value of what you stand to lose.”
Fiona stepped forward. Naerumi met her eyes with a look of curiosity… and something else Fiona couldn’t identify. “I know exactly what I stand to throw away, old hag. If you don’t want to help us both, then don’t. But I’m not going to sacrifice Jet’s cause to my own.”
“You surprise me, Fiona,” Naer
umi said. “Perhaps it’s I that’s been away for too long. Or maybe those of Tellos are made of stronger stuff than the people of Morrordraed.”
“I can do some good with my life here while I still have it.” Even as she said the words, she did not feel as brave as she sounded. But what was to be done? Her quest for her own healing was over. She would never be able to take revenge on her brother. Never be able to give her anger to the ones who had wronged her. So Lord Raejo would have to do.
“Perhaps. Those who seek to do good as you say rarely know which way the wind blows in my opinion. Still, I’ve given you a hard choice and you’ve made it without hesitation. Very well. Tell Jet that he has my blessing. The villagers in Barrowbog will know.”
“How?” Fiona hadn’t thought about it until that moment. “Are you going to give us a medallion or something, you know, your seal of approval so the villagers will recognize it.”
Naerumi laughed, but unlike her other cold throaty laughs this actually felt sincere. “You amuse me, child. I have my ways, don’t you worry. The village has my blessing.”
Fiona nodded. “Okay. One more thing. We offered you items that were so valuable to us, but you’re only helping one of us.”
Naerumi’s eyes narrowed. “Your point?”
“Well… could you maybe give one of the items back? That amulet means a lot to Jet, and I wouldn’t mind having that sword back either.”
Naerumi turned her back. “If you think I demand tribute just to hand your trinkets back after we speak, then you clearly don’t know my reputation. Now get out before I show you out the way I showed your oafish friend.”
Fiona wasn’t surprised, but she had to try didn’t she?
“Very well. Thank you, Naerumi. For your blessing for Barrowbog.”
“I said out.”
Chapter Eleven
Their return trip was filled with false joy. Jet kept asking Fiona about her business with Naerumi despite his promises to respect her privacy earlier, and eventually she got so tired of evading the question that she told him that she had a rare illness and Naerumi cured her.
“Excellent!” Jet said, beaming widely and seemingly accepting that it would be rude to pry any further. Fiona could hardly blame him. All of his hopes had been pinned on that trip, and they had succeeded. At least, she thought they had. She wasn’t sure how Naerumi would show her approval of a rebellion to the people of Barrowbog and the other villages in Jet’s province, but such minor details didn’t do anything to dampen his spirits.
They camped that night in the same spot they had on their journey there. Fiona couldn’t sleep because every time she shut her eyes she imagined a mythic blue fog bearing the souls of her enemies towards her. She still hadn’t had proper time to process her interaction with Lawrence Downcastle, but she supposed now it didn’t matter. It wasn’t likely she would survive long enough to get back to Tellos, and besides, who cared about some dead rebels bones and his family honor?
Jet was overjoyed when Fiona brought up the subject of joining his rebellion. “Listen,” she said when they stopped to take a moment’s rest. “I’d like to help with your war efforts. That is, if we’re still welcome to stay with you and Harken.”
“That’s great!” Jet shouted. The brooding demeanor he carried about him had completely disappeared since Fiona had brought him news of Naerumi’s pledged aid. “But why? I thought certainly you and Geoff would want to get back to Tellos as soon as you could.”
“Well… Geoff is still sick and we technically don’t even have a way to get back. I’d like him to get better, and who knows, maybe the Empire will stabilize itself somewhat in the time that we overthrow Raejo and then it’ll be easier to get back into Tellos on our own terms.”
“Maybe I’ll join you,” Jet said, laughing. “I’ve never been outside of the province, let alone outside Morrordraed. I bet there are all sorts of incredible things to see in Tellos. Where are you from again? Wheatfield?”
When they finally reached the village Fiona was relieved to see that everything was normal. There were no signs of soldiers or fighting. She didn’t know how long Greythor’s sacrifice would keep the enemies of his city away, but she was certain that it wouldn’t work for long. Greedy bastards like Raejo weren’t known for their patience.
As they approached the house Fiona had a strange sense of foreboding. The sun was shining, and there was no sign of trouble, but there was a hollow feeling in the pit of her stomach that she knew she couldn’t attribute to the manjeko.
When they pushed the door open Fiona felt as if she were in a sauna. The air was hot and thick with the smell of sickness. Harken was kneeling besides Geoff with a compress on his head.
“We’re back,” Jet said cheerily, oblivious to the situation he had walked in on. “And we have great news!”
“Geoff!” Fiona rushed over to see what sort of condition the old knight was in.
“Fiona,” Harken said. He sounded worried. “I’m so glad that you’re back. I’m doing all that I can, but…” the villager shook his head.
“Let me see him.” Fiona leaned over Geoff. The knight was sweating profusely. His ebony skin had greyed with illness, and his eyes were half-open. He didn’t seem to see her.
“He’s been like this since the morning,” Harken said. “His fever just won’t go down. At first I was hoping it would burn his illness up, but he’s too hot. I’m doing everything I can to cool him, but I—”
“It’s okay,” Fiona said. “Please, just leave me alone with him. Thank you for everything you’ve done Harken. Take a break and make sure you’re taking care of yourself. I wouldn’t forgive myself if the same illness that he has touched you.”
Harken nodded respectfully and left her to her work.
“Geoff,” Fiona whispered. She could hardly believe this was the same legendary Geoff Hightower she had been so awestruck to meet in Sun Circle. He looked so old and tired and weak. The sight of it broke her heart.
“I’m here. It’s me, Fiona. Can you hear me Geoff?”
“Taena?”
The question took Fiona by surprise.
“Tae—no, Geoff. It’s me, Fiona.”
“Taena!” Geoff gripped her arm with a suddenness that alarmed her. “I’m sorry, Taena.”
It was all Fiona could do to shake her head in sorrow. Watching his pitiful face with tears in his eyes she felt for the first time that Geoff Hightower might die in the strange land.
“Who is Taena, Geoff?” Fiona asked. “Who are you talking about?”
“I’m sorry, I never meant I—” Geoff’s voice faded as a cloudy look grew in his eyes. Fiona gripped his hand, hoping that she would be able to support him however she could.
“My liege.”
This time Geoff spoke as if he were about to enter battlefield. There was a sort of hollow strength in his voice.
“Geoff, it’s me—”
“Your arrival is much welcomed, my lord. General Kratius has unleashed his favorite hunting dog. We lost many men—Streysight will have the full report—and I believe it is time for me to intervene.”
Fiona’s mouth opened and closed as she struggled to figure out what to do. He thinks he’s back in the rebellion, she realized.
“Kratius’s dog has run rabid for too long, Lord Redfire. There is no need to risk scores of men when I can resolve the matter myself. The Laquathi will not send aid, and every man we have is precious. I will meet this mad animal in hand to hand combat. I trust you will take the command?”
“Oh, Geoff,” Fiona whispered. Silent tears welled in her own eyes now. “I’m here. It’s me, Fiona. Please, I need you to get well.”
Geoff seemed not to hear her. He shut his eyes as a pained look crossed over his face. He muttered something incomprehensible. Fiona thought he had fallen asleep, and maybe he had, when he whispered again, “Taena. I’m so sorry, my Taena. Forgive me. Please.”
He fell into an uneasy sleep.
Fiona stayed with him for a long
while, holding his hand and clinging to the stray hope that he would rise from his sleep with his mental faculties intact.
“I’m sorry, Goeff,” she said. “I failed. Naerumi won’t help me, not unless I sacrifice Jet. And how can I do that? I’m going to die here. But I don’t want you to. Please, even if we both die here I need to talk to you one more time. I need your advice right now. Please Geoff.”
His uneasy snores were the only answer she received. Silently, her tears fell on his covers.
* * *
Fiona stepped away from Geoff and blinked away her tears. There was nothing she could do that Harken hadn’t already tried. She walked outside feeling sick and empty and found her host in the garden inspecting some eggplants.
“The last ones had such a metallic flavor,” Harken said softly as she approached. “For the life of me I can’t figure out why. Everything is always so good in this soil.”
“Have you seen any stray cats around here?” Fiona asked.
“Stray cats? Now that you mention I believe there are a few around I haven’t seen before. That’s not so odd. They’re not interested in eating my eggplants.”
Fiona shrugged. “Neither am I after those cats have been pissing in them.”
Harken’s face turned a bright shade of red. “What… no, those, they didn’t…”
“Could be a lot of different things, I guess,” Fiona said.
“But it’s the cat piss, isn’t it?” Harken asked dejectedly.
“Yep.”
He sighed and rose to his feet. “Bastards will get what’s coming to them. In any case, how are you Fiona?”
I’m going to die soon and it’s looking like my best friend, the old knight from Tellos, is going to do the same. Instead of speaking her mind Fiona did her best to put on a brave face. “I’m doing well thanks largely to your hospitality. Thank you for everything, Harken.”
