Apologies for the short length of this chapter, it's more of an intro really. Intro to what, exactly? Ye had best be reading t' find out. :) Enjoy!


XI

Persistence

Psyche listened to Marian's story with almost half hearted interest. She felt tired and the call to sleep was pulling on her and each time her eyelids dropped even a little she felt the thin warning that she was needed elsewhere. She had never stayed up all night before, and the more tired she grew the more she grew aware that she was not there to still the man's own nightmares.

Yet somehow she was able to listen and understand Marian's story as she told her of her home in Nottingham and her struggles there with her husband, a man called Robin Hood. The names meant nothing to her though. That was until Marian began to tentatively explain how she had become separated from her husband. She had brought the moment up cautiously, anger in her eyes and it was as if she was attempting to force hatred into her voice, but failed.

Psyche stretched out her legs as she chided her on her hesitations, "What was the man's name, then? The one who tried to kill you?"

"Sir Guy of Gisborne." Came the quiet reply.

Psyche felt the overwhelming dizzying sensation, very much the same way she had felt when Marian had first told her her name. She tried to conceal the start within her. "Odd," she croaked out at first, but rapidly cleared her throat, "You don't hate him."

"What?" Marian snapped, "Of course I..."

"Oh silence," Psyche chuckled harshly, resting her head against the headboard of her bed, feeling the pounding within her skull intensify. "You tried, certainly, but you don't. You care for him. Don't lie, not with me."

Marian hung her head, "Tell this to no one?"

"I do not make it a point to spread gossip. What is it?"

"I feel as if I am the one at fault." She whispered, "I...I was scared, and angry. I told him hateful things, things I should never have said. If I could take it back, I..."

Psyche was growing increasingly paler by the second and it took only a moment for Marian to notice her companion's weakened state. "Psyche?" The woman tried to perk up upon being called, but she only succeeded in nearly slipping off the edge of the bed. "Psyche?!"

"Why are you shouting again?" Psyche groaned as she eased herself back onto the bed, quickly avoiding Marian's arms as she sought to help her. "I'm surprised the entire camp hasn't woken yet."

"You are ill."

"No." Psyche said bluntly, "Your words merely reminded me of something..."

"Reminded you? Do you know? Can you tell me what you see? Is it Robin? Guy?" The questions came in a hurried rush.

"For the last time!" Psyche hissed, "I can not divine the future. I am merely a tired woman who-" she rubbed the side of her head in small circles to still the stinging pain behind her eyes, "-is incapable of sleeping. Believe me, if I could foresee the future I would have taken care to have avoided you."

"I think you are lying to me."

"You do not think I wish to possess such an ability?" Psyche suddenly snarled at her, she winced in pain, "If you knew of what I saw, of what I do not understand! I wish I did! I wish I knew how to--"

The silence was nearly deafening to Marian. Psyche's eyes made swift darting movements and the darkness behind them caused Marian to shudder. "What is it that troubles you so much?" She read the startled expression on the proud woman's face, "You can confide in me. I won't tell a soul if you won't tell anyone my fears."

Psyche looked down. "Nightmares." She whispered, each pounding of her heart reverberating back to her aching skull. "Nightmares that will not leave."

"What are they?" Marian settled herself back down, starting attentively up at the haggard woman.

Hesitantly and with a tripping tongue, Psyche explained the strange visitations and images she saw each night. Marian watched with an unflinching eye. As she finished her explanation, Psyche was astounded at the fact that the deathly ache in her skull and suddenly ceased. She would think no more on it; aside that it was as if she was meant to tell her her visions.

"Maybe it's all one and the same." Marian announced after musing over the information. "Maybe you were supposed to find me. Maybe I will help you find this man you dream about."

"Do not mock me." Psyche snorted. "He's a dream. That is all."

"But you sounded as if you would have wanted him to be real."

"No!" Psyche cursed herself for allowing a thin wail to creep into her voice. "That would be cruel to wish for."

"Why?"

"A man so lost in misery? Broken? Hurt? While I...I'm here and I can't..."

"Be there with him?" It was astonishing how quickly Marian surmised Psyche's answer. Marian nodded, "I know. I know what it's like to love someone and not be there with them."

"I'm not in l--"

Marian laughed, "Don't bother denying it. You will only be lying to yourself."

Psyche's mouth snapped shut, her eyes suddenly narrowing again in cold anger. "We only have a few hours before dawn. I would suggest getting as much sleep as you can if you expect to be functional in the morning. Laziness will not be tolerated."

With that the Seer turned over away from Marian, pulled the blankets up and over herself and promptly willed herself to sleep.

***

"So, how is your new friend?" Djaq asked of Marian as the two women rode alongside of each other atop one of the carts. "Had anymore premonitions has she?"

"That's not funny, Djaq." Marian smiled as she looked down towards where Psyche was following the carts steadily, directing the flow. Sand swirled about her black cloak and as she towered over a few of the other Players she looked more like a demon of the desert. "She's different, that is all."

"Aye, and she'll be dead as well if she continues wearing that ridiculous outfit in this sun. Have you told her yet that she will drain herself of all her energy that way? The sun will sap it right out of her." Djaq grunted; for weeks now she had been trying to convince Psyche to shed the layers of her costume to no avail.

"There will be no telling her, Djaq."

"Why not?"

"She's afraid."

"Afraid of what?" Djaq laughed mockingly.

Marian gave her friend a sly little smile, "It's not my secret to tell."

"That woman's not helped you one bit, I'll tell you one thing. I'll be glad to get well clear from these people." Djaq muttered sullenly.

Marian laughed at her friend's exasperation. She gave a light sigh and leaned back on her hands, staring up at the blue sky. The cart rumbled onward and she could feel the turn of the wheels even from the roof of the cart. The desert seemed to stretch onwards forever, even though they had been traversing its length for weeks now she was beginning to wonder if they would ever see green again. She knew Djaq and Will were anxious to get back to England, and so was she, but life with the Players was so open and free. She knew she would of course have to leave them one day, but for now it was enough to have the adventure.

When the sun began to set it was time to circle the carts together. The desert was frigid without the sun and a warm fire at the center of the circle served to keep the company relatively warm and secure for the night. Gabrielle sang and danced as a few of the musicians tested out their instruments. Joshua was pulled into the circle by Gabrielle and the two of them danced for a time, Joshua; however, made sport of the whole affair, purposefully dancing his way around the fire clumsily making Gabrielle laugh and falter in her steps until the two were sprawled on their backs in the sand laughing. Marian found herself laughing with the others, but after looking around for a moment she noticed that Psyche was nowhere to be seen.

Marian picked herself up and went off to investigate. "And where are you off to, pray tell?" Mariel's aged and cracked voice caught Marian completely off guard.

"I was...I was trying to find Psyche." The truth was hardly shameful and she felt she could not lie to the old woman.

"She does not wish to be found. If she did she would be here with the others." Mariel tapped her walking stick upon the sandy ground idly as she approached Marian under cover of the shadows of the carts.

"Why isn't she here then?" Marian asked.

"She hates the desert. Can't understand why anyone else would like it." Mariel shrugged with a knowing glimmer in her eyes.

"Why?"

"You ask a lot of questions." Mariel chuckled, "No save your forthcoming apologies, one need never apologize for seeking knowledge." Marian quickly shut her mouth.

"You are used to getting your way, aren't you, noblewoman?" Mariel spoke softly as she treaded around Marian, the sound of her stick drumming against the sand disrupted Marian's footing. "Asking questions, with that pretty little smile of yours...secrets of whole kingdoms have probably been told to you." The crone smiled wickedly.

"I...I don't."

"Don't apologize." Mariel snapped, "It's a woman's way in this world to use her charm when she can; to trick, to manipulate until she has what she wants. If you use it to help others you've used your talents well."

"I have." Marian announced stubbornly.

"Have you?" Mariel did not seem impressed. "Then why," Mariel prodded Marian with her staff, "are you here?"

The old woman's eyes were like those of an old crow. Marian did not like the death she saw reflected in them. Mariel, still chuckling to herself, began to drift back to the bonfire at the center of the camp. "Ask Psyche about the blood on her hands."

"What...?" A sick feeling emerged in the pit of Marian's stomach at the statement. "What importance is there in a question like that?"

"Ask her." Mariel said again, "You might see something she has long overlooked." The woman hobbled away from Marian, leaving the woman in the shadows of the desert.

Marian shook her head. Perhaps Djaq was partially right, maybe there was something wrong with all of these desert people. She made her way back to Psyche's cart. She felt awkward not knocking and asking for permission to enter. She opened the door slowly, feeling much the same as a thief would when breaking in.

Psyche was there, sitting perched upon her cot with a flask in hand. Two candles sat glowing steadily atop the chest of drawers in the corner. "Stop skulking around and come in." Psyche waved.

Marian did so, shutting the door firmly behind her. "I was looking for you."

"I'm touched." Psyche chortled, taking a sip from her flask. She caught the doubting looking Marian's eyes and she held up the flask for her to examine in the candle glow, "It's tea. It helps me sleep. Here," She tossed the flask over to Marian, who caught it, "drink some."

Cautiously, Marian raised the flask to her lips and took a small sip. The tea was surprisingly cold and it tasted distinctly of lemons and another herb she could not place. "Jasmine." Psyche said, catching the confusion in Marian's manner. "From the East, it's rare even for us to travel so far. Tastes good, yes?"

Marian nodded as she handed the flask back to Psyche. "The trick is to let the tea freeze in the night. If the desert is good for anything it's good for keeping things cool." She actually chuckled, "And that's the last thing anyone expects."

"I was talking to Mariel tonight." Marian said warily.

"Oh? And what did the old crone have to say?" Psyche hugged her knees to her chest, leaving room for Marian to take a seat upon the cot before her.

"She told me to ask you about the...blood on your hands?"

Psyche sighed, "She would want you to ask about that."

"What did she mean?"

"Nothing." Psyche shrugged, "A meaningless story. Mariel is toying with you, Marian."

"And you are stalling." Marian countered, "Who is toying with whom, exactly?"

Psyche slowly lowered her head, a thin grin on her face. "I can't tell whether I should be annoyed with you or if I should very well decide to admire your persistence."

"I don't need your admiration."

"Good, I never said you had it." Psyche bared her teeth viciously in a smile. "As it is I don't feel like being kept up all night again with your questions."

"So you'll tell me."

"If you silence your mouth I might be inclined to."

Marian was silent, but her cheeks burned at Psyche's branding tongue. Psyche leaned her head back against the headrest. "It was five years ago, nearing six...no one had been expecting this..."


Hurrying through the next chapter as fast as I can. Should be up soon! As always, feel free to drop a review!