La’tiera stared down at Dal’s prone body and dropped the rock, her hands and body shaking. He was so still. And there was blood. But he must be all right. It was the only way she could think of to save him.
She forced herself to look up and away from him as the men came closer. There were things she needed to do.
“My name is La’tiera. I believe you’ve been looking or me. Please take me to the viscount now.”
The dogs pulled against their leashes as if eager to come at her, but their handlers kept them on a tight rein. A slightly older-looking man, wearing what she assumed was a badge of rank, stepped forward and gave her a half-bow.
“It’ll be our honor to do that, but first it must be verified that you are who you say.”
He took a step toward her. She had to fight the impulse to turn and run. Once he came closer, she pulled down the edge of her loose shirt so he could glimpse the Eye but nothing else.
“By the Gods!” The leader took a half step back. “We weren’t told that it would be you!” He instantly lowered himself to one knee.
She felt a thrill at being recognized and relief she wouldn’t have to show anything further. She glanced down at the Eye and saw it was more defined than before, looking like a true eye and not a birthmark, its eyelid closed. She stopped looking at it, not sure how she felt.
The other four men and dogs came forward, not having seen what their leader did, but confused all the same. The older man stood back up.
“She is the one we were to look for. All is well.”
One of the men went over to Dal and poked at him with the toe of his boot.
“Sir, what shall we do with this one?”
“Don’t hurt him, please!” She tried to put herself between them. “He helped me escape from those who took me. He just didn’t understand that you weren’t with them. You should just let him go.” When had it gotten so easy to lie?
“I understand, my lady, but we still have our orders. Anyone in any way connected to you is to be brought before him—no exceptions.”
A bout of trepidation flushed through her, but she pushed it back, knowing she was being foolish. Nothing would happen to Dal. Her uncle was a wise, tolerant man. Even if he were told the truth he would see that Dal only took her because he was confused about the facts. If she stuck to her story, Dal’s part would never be called into question anyway, and he would be released and sent on his way. Though misguided, he wasn’t evil, and neither was the rest of the troupe.
She watched worriedly as the man who had poked Dal with his foot now bound his hands and feet and then searched him.
“Lod,” the leader said, “there should be a village up this road not too far from here. Get over there and appropriate a cart and some provisions. And be quick about it. I don’t want the lady inconvenienced any more than necessary.”
The one who’d tied up Dal nodded then took off running in the direction the leader indicated.
“The rest of you, stay alert for signs of trouble.” He turned to face her again, his expression gentle. “You can rest for a while if you wish, my lady, while transport is procured for you. I apologize I have little to offer you, but this will be remedied as soon as possible.
La’tiera nodded, the excitement of the moment fading, leaving her exhausted. She sat and tried to get comfortable. Guiltily, she glanced at Dal’s prone form, hoping he wasn’t truly hurt.
“It’s not much, my lady, but would you care for some water and jerky?” The leader knelt before her and offered her a water skin and a strip of dried meat. “My name is Sergeant Kern.”
“Thank you, Sergeant.” She reached for the offered items eagerly. The meat was salty and strong but at the moment tasted fabulous. When she finished the first piece, he handed her another then left her alone. She was hungrily going to consume the second as she had the first, but stopped as she wondered if they would feed Dal when he awoke.
She had no idea what other orders her uncle might have given these men. He didn’t know those who took her weren’t evil.
So, when Sergeant Kern wasn’t looking, she stashed the second strip in her satchel.
With her stomach no longer rumbling and thirst not a concern, La’tiera felt exhaustion seeping through her, making her sleepy. Not fighting it, she lay down in the grass facing Dal and quickly fell asleep.
* * * *
“My lady, the transport is here.”
La’tiera opened her eyes then sat up, startled. Dal still lay not far from her, his position the same, the sun only a little higher on the horizon. On the road sat a rickety, partially covered cart harnessed to an old mare.
The leader helped her to her feet and escorted her to the wagon. Two bales of hay and a small blanket made a seat for her in the back, under the tarp.
“My lady, it would be best if you remained out of sight as much as possible. For your safety.”
She nodded, and he helped her up; she moved to the back of the cart to take her seat. Two of the other men brought Dal over and slid him into the back of the cart as well. That done, they sat on the end, facing out, as the others got ready to go.
“You two, take the dogs back to our starting point. Have Russ and the other men join us at the Cross Road’s Inn. The sooner they can get there the better.”
“Yes, sir.”
She heard the flurry of movement as they took the dogs and started on their way.
The wagon rocked gently as the leader climbed up into the front. Moments later, she was jerked back as the cart lurched, and she was bounced around as the wheels traveled on the uneven road.
Dal let out a low moan. Throwing a quick glance at the guards, she scooted to his side.
“Dal?”
His eyes opened but didn’t seem to focus.
“Dal, are you all right?” she whispered.
He moaned again, but this time his eyes moved in her direction, though they seemed no more focused than before.
“La–La’tiera?”
“Yes, it’s me.” She tried to help him sit up, propping him against the covered bales. “Are you hurt?”
He blinked. “My head is killing me. What happened?” He shook it slowly, as if trying to clear it.
La’tiera bit her lip for a moment then blurted out the truth. “I hit you on the head with a rock.”
He snapped his head around, his blue eyes focusing for the first time. “You what?”
She looked away, feeling guilty, though she knew she had no reason to be. “I hit you on the head. They would have hurt you or worse. The dogs would have torn you to pieces.”
He stared at her hard. “Do you realize what you’ve done?”
She met him stare for stare. “Of course, I do! I got myself rescued and kept you from getting killed.”
He stared at her as if he’d never seen her before in his life. After a long moment, he rested his head back against the bale, closing his eyes.
She leaned closer. “They don’t know what you did. I told them you helped me escape and just didn’t know they had come to help me. I tried to get them to leave you behind but…”
“You should have let them kill me.”
La’tiera sat back, stupefied by his words. “Why?”
“It would have been better than what I’m likely to receive now.”
The deadness in his voice scared her.
“Dal, you’re not making any sense. Nothing is going to happen to you.” She felt a quiver inside. “I’m going back. I’ll do what has to be done. No harm’s been done.”
He chuckled softly, his eyes still closed, nothing humorous in the sound at all. She fervently wished he would look at her. She didn’t understand.
“You were found by outsiders. Have you no idea what that means? Whether your way is right or mine, the viscount can’t afford for anyone to have your location known. He’ll want to know who else knows who you are, how many people were told. And I won’t give him that information willingly—so he will try to pry it out of me.”
“No!” She wasn’t sure how one would “pry” information from another when they weren’t willing, but she was sure it wouldn’t be pleasant. “My uncle isn’t like that. Why won’t you believe me?”
He laughed; it sounded full of pain. “Why won’t you believe me?”
She said nothing, knowing the old argument would go nowhere. Instead, she removed the piece of dried meat she’d hid earlier in her satchel.
“I saved some food for you. It’s not much, but…”
Dal opened his eyes and glanced at the offered food then turned his face away.
“I can’t.”
La’tiera felt her ire rise. “Can’t or won’t? Are you that angry with me? I know you’re hungry. Eat it.”
He didn’t look at her. “It’s not that. My head is throbbing, everything is spinning. If I ate it, I don’t think I could keep it down.”
Guilt crowded all around her. She was responsible for this. “Will you be all right?”
He closed his eyes again. “Probably. It’s not the first time I’ve been knocked unconscious—juggling does have certain hazards. Especially when you turn your back on Aya, and she’s not ready to stop.”
His tone had lightened slightly, but he still looked very pale. She wished she knew something about this type of injury so she could be sure he would be all right, or if his condition was worse than he was letting on. Then she wouldn’t worry. But why try to spare her at all?
She moved closer but left him alone, not knowing what to say or how to make him more comfortable.
She still hadn’t come up with anything when the cart came to a slow stop.
“Boy! Go get your master and have him come out here. Now, boy!” Kern’s voice bellowed. The cart creaked as he got off.
Moments later La’tiera made out the sound of rushing footsteps. The two guards left the back of the cart and moved to stand on either side.
“Here he is, sir. This is Master Dolos.”
“Ah, good sir, is something the matter? My boy told me you wanted to see me.”
She wished there was some way for her to see what was going on outside. As she stared at the cart’s cover, eavesdropping as she could, she had the strangest feeling the boy was about Aya’s height, thin and very curious, while his master looked anxious, wiping his hands nervously over and over on his dark apron.
With a start, she realized she was seeing them, though indirectly, as if through a veil. Dal’s words about powers from the Eye came back to her. Could it be true, or was it just her imagination and need filling in what was there? Never once had her uncle or Mela spoken about powers of the Eye, only about the dreams it would bring. Might there be other things about the Eye they didn’t know as well?
“Yes. My men and I will be appropriating your inn for a day or two. Whatever guests may be currently staying with you must leave at once. You will also turn away any new ones.”
“Sir?” The owner’s nervous wiping grew frantic.
“You heard me. I know it’s unfair but there’s no help for it. Viscount’s orders.”
“But…But…”
“I suggest you get moving,” Kern’s voice turned hard. “My men and I are tired and hungry. My patience, therefore, is running rather thin.”
Dolos paled. “Oh, yes, of course. There’s only one guest at the moment. I’ll go inform him now.” He bowed hurriedly. “Please excuse me.” He almost ran back toward the inn, waving for the boy to follow him.
Kern turned to his men. “Berg, go check the stables. Ly, take a look around the inn and then make sure the guest is escorted off the premises as soon as possible.”
The two men took off to their assigned tasks. Kern came around the back of the cart. La’tiera turned to face him, throwing a glance at the still quiet Dal.
“My lady, accommodations will be ready for you momentarily. We will remain here until reinforcements arrive and then proceed to the city. Every precaution will be taken to ensure your safety.”
“Thank you for your efforts, Sergeant. But if I might ask a favor…?”
“Yes, my lady?”
She threw another glance in Dal’s direction. “Could someone be found to take a look at my helper? I don’t think he is well.”
Kern frowned in Dal’s direction. “He awakened?”
“Yes, but complained of a headache and dizziness.” It worried her that he hadn’t moved or spoken since the cart had stopped.
“I’ll see what I can do,” he told her. “You might see if he can be roused again. Blows to the head can make a man sleepy, but if left to this desire he might never awaken again.”
She felt a shot of trepidation. Surely, surely, he wouldn’t. She couldn’t have hurt him that badly, could she?”
The sergeant gave her a bow and left them alone.
La’tiera didn’t watch him go, turning all of her attention to her former captor.
“Dal, you need to stay awake. You are awake, aren’t you?” She hesitated touching him, not wanting to hurt him further.
One of his eyes opened slowly, looking more focused and steady than before.
“You weren’t sleeping.” This came out almost as an accusation, though she didn’t exactly mean it to.
“Guilty as charged.” He gave her a tired half smile. “I thought it might be useful to pretend. People don’t worry about what they say if they think you’re not listening.”
La’tiera blinked several times at this then felt her cheeks grow hot as she realized how she’d fallen into that very trap.
“What are you hoping they’ll say?”
He shrugged slowly. “Anything that might help me get away, though it’s unlikely.” He glanced out at what they could see of the road. “Do you still have the food you offered me before? I think I can eat it now.”
Nodding, she turned away and dug inside her satchel. She realized that, in a strange twist of fate, their roles were reversed—this time he was the one who’d been taken against his will, this time he was the one looking for a way to escape, while she had been the one to betray him. It made her stomach churn.
“Here.” She held the jerky close to his mouth so he could take a bite. He ate it all in three. As he licked his lips, La’tiera felt her own hunger resurface, but she resisted licking her fingers.
“If I untied you, do you think you could make it away?” She didn’t look at him as she said it.
“I appreciate the offer, but I doubt I could take advantage of it.”
She could hear the regret in his voice. He must not be doing too much better than before.
Minutes later, an indignant voice broke the silence as the inn’s solitary guest was sent abruptly on his way. The innkeeper’s apologies followed him a short distance down the road.
“All’s clear, sir.”
“My thanks.” Kern’s voice turned away. “Innkeeper, you and your boy and anyone else in your household are to go into the kitchen and prepare a lavish meal. We will see ourselves inside and choose our rooms as we see fit.”
“Y–Yes, of course.”
Not bothering to look, La’tiera felt the cart shift as someone climbed into the driver’s seat again. She held on as the wagon lurched forward and saw Dal grimace, his eyes closed once more.
When the wagon stopped, Kern came around the back. La’tiera noticed they were parked next to the inn’s front door.
“My lady, if you will hurry inside, we’ll get you to a room where you can rest and refresh yourself.”
She glanced at Dal then got up. A bed, hot food, a bath—she was ready for it all. But Dal…
“And my helper?”
“He’ll be brought inside as well. He will be under guard but not mistreated. This I promise you.”
With a lighter heart, La’tiera eagerly let him help her down.
The inn was a high-raftered building. The common room was spacious, three sturdy tables aligned neatly with one another with plenty of room in between. Small wooden bowls with wild flowers sat on each one, their light fragrance perfuming the air. Potted plants hung from the rafters and appeared to be healthy. The floor was clean. La’tiera liked the place already.
“This way, my lady.” Kern led her to a wide set of stairs in the back.
At the top, a broad hallway extended to either side of the landing. Still following Kern, she turned right, and peeked into the open doors they walked past. Each room held one or two sturdy beds, a small table and, occasionally, a dresser.
The sergeant stopped before a closed door with one of his men standing before it. The guard opened the door, and both men stepped aside so La’tiera could enter. This room was slightly larger than the others and was better appointed. The bed was wider and looked more comfortable, and there were actually drapes over the windows.
“I will see if some clean clothes can be found for you. I will have the food sent up as soon as it is ready. A guard will be stationed outside your door at all times in case you require anything.”
“Thank you, Sergeant.” She gave him a grateful curtsey as he bowed. The guard closed the door.
La’tiera stared at the closed door feeling tired and energized at the same time. With quick steps she approached the polished bronze mirror hanging over the water basin and pitcher.
She stared at her reflection and almost didn’t recognize herself. Her face was scratched and filthy. Dark circles stood prominently beneath her eyes, and her hair looked like a dirty nest. Mela would throw a fit if she saw her in this state—not that she was any happier at seeing it herself. The thought of her keeper, though, made her smile. She would see both Mela and her uncle very soon. She would be home—safe, pampered, protected. Her smile now drooped a little, for she would also then be trapped, hidden away from the world, once more whiling away the time until her duty demanded her sacrifice.
La’tiera shook her head. There was no help for it. It was the price she had to pay to make sure she could do as she must. And despite the betrayal and fear, in the last few days she’d received and seen more than she’d ever expected. She’d met actual people, seen children, petted animals and lived as others lived. Though it would ache to give it all up, she was glad she’d had the chance to experience it. It made what she would do feel that much more important.
Pouring some of the water from the pitcher into the basin, she grabbed a cloth and dipped it in the water. She scrubbed at her face then at her arms, her neck. She undid the tie of her shirt and wiped there but stopped when she felt the bump of the eye through the cloth. Moving closer to the mirror, she studied it.
All evidence of her birthmark was gone, the bump that took its place looking more than ever like a closed eye. She thought she could tell where the hairless lid met its brother. Would it open? Would that be how she would know her time had truly arrived? Would it serve as a witness to her sacrifice?
Gingerly, she touched it with her fingertips then gasped and pulled them away as she felt something roll beneath the skin. Goosebumps sprang all up and down her arms. She suddenly wondered what Dal would make of it. Did he know if it would open? Would he tell her what she might expect next? This was normal, wasn’t it?
A soft knock on the door jolted her out of her thoughts. She grabbed her shirt and held it closed to hide the Eye as the door swung inwards and she turned to meet it.
“My lady” Kern stepped inside holding a tray as well as some clothes draped over one arm. “Here is some simple fare to tide you over until a proper meal can be prepared.”
He set the tray on a table and the clothes on the chair. Watching the vapor rising from the bowl of soup made her mouth water.
“I was also able to procure clothing for you. It will be somewhat large but should do until we can have your clothes washed. If you will change and hand them to the guard at the door, he will see it is taken care of.”
“Thank you again, Sergeant.”
He gave her a half-bow and turned to go.
“And my helper? Is he well?”
“A room has been secured for him down the hall. The innkeeper’s wife has some skill with herbs and will come to see him soon.”
She nodded. “Thank you again.”
The moment the door closed, La’tiera rushed to the table to eat. She gulped down the soup stock and chomped on the large chunks of vegetables, following them eagerly with some dark bread.
Finally feeling full and content, she bolted the door and stripped down to wash as best she could. Her hair gave her a hard time, but though she made a mess, she somehow managed. The innkeeper’s wife’s clothes fit like a tent, but they were clean.
Using her dirty clothes to clean up the mess she’d made as best she could, she bundled them together and walked barefoot to the door. Pulling back the latch, she opened it slowly. The guard on the other side snapped to attention.
“The sergeant said I should give you these.” She offered him the bundle of clothes.
The man took it, not looking directly at her. She took a glimpse down the hall, hoping to ascertain Dal’s location, but didn’t see anything to give her a clue. Thanking the guard for his help, she stepped back into her room and shut the door.
As she crawled into the wide bed, she hoped Dal was all right. Feeling her body sink into the mattress, she glanced at the wall, wondering if she could do here what she’d done in the cart. If he was in the room next door she felt sure she could somehow manage it, but had no idea how distance would affect it.
As she strove to try, the warmth of the covers seeped into her, making it ever more difficult. She was still struggling when she lost the battle.